Honoring a Legacy: VP JD Vance and Erika Kirk Ignite Conservative Fire at Ole Miss Turning Point USA Rally - October 29, 2025

On October 29, 2025, the University of Mississippi's Pavilion in Oxford buzzed with energy as thousands of students and supporters braved rainy weather to attend the kickoff of Turning Point USA's "This Is the Turning Point" campus tour. The emotional event honored the late Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative youth organization who was tragically assassinated seven weeks earlier during a speaking engagement in Utah. Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow and the new CEO of Turning Point USA, took the stage for her first major campus appearance since the loss, delivering a heartfelt tribute to her husband's unyielding commitment to faith, free markets, and empowering young conservatives. She introduced Vice President JD Vance, who spoke from the heart about Kirk's profound influence on his own life and the urgent need for a "properly rooted Christian moral order" to sustain America. The evening culminated in an engaging Q&A session with students, covering hot-button topics like immigration, national security, faith in public life, and protecting American workers—echoing Kirk's signature interactive style. Amid chants of "Hotty Toddy" and a massive crowd that swelled to over 10,000, the rally not only celebrated Kirk's enduring legacy but also rallied Gen Z conservatives to reclaim campuses and continue his mission of bold, principled activism. While a small progressive counter-event unfolded nearby, the overwhelming turnout underscored the growing momentum of conservative voices on college grounds.

GuestsJD Vance, Vice President of the United States
Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA