Vance closes TPUSA event with calls for American First members to embrace, not cancel debate

Vice President JD Vance on Sunday night closed Turning Point USA's annual summit with a call for members of the conservative American First movement to embrace the different voices within their ranks, not cancel them.

Vance spoke at the close of the weekend event in Phoenix in which several leaders of the movement, including influencers and media personalities, took jabs at each other over such political differences as Israel and aid to Ukraine.

Such disagreements appear to have created a serious schism in the MAGA movement, ahead of next year's midterm elections in which control of Congress is at stake. 

"President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeating purity tests," said Vance in closing AmericaFest 2025, TPUSA's first convention since founder Charlie Kirk's assassination in September.

"We don't care if you're White or Black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between … . [P]eople of every faith come to our banner because they know that the America First movement will make their lives better. And they also know that the Democrats don't care about anything other than maybe trans-ing their kids."

"So if you love America, if you want all of us to be richer, stronger, safer, and prouder, you have a home on this team. I didn't bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform."

Vance spoke shortly after Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, who is now running TPUSA, endorsed him as the GOP presidential nominee in 2028. Vance has not declared a candidacy.