Amidst TPUSA debates, JD Vance advocates for inclusivity in the conservative movement
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Dec 22, 2025, 22:29 IST
At a recent convention, Vice President JD Vance extended an invitation to all patriotic Americans to join the conservative movement. His reluctance to denounce antisemitism has ignited a fierce debate among party members. As prominent leaders strategize for a post-Trump Republican landscape, this event illustrates the party's quest for renewal and direction.
Vice President JD Vance stated Sunday that the conservative movement should welcome all who "love America," refusing to condemn antisemitism that has caused division within the Republican Party and marked the start of Turning Point USA's annual convention. Vance, speaking at the convention's closing, rejected "purity tests" and declared he did not bring a list of conservatives to denounce or de-platform. This stance comes as influential figures within the "Make America Great Again" movement are vying for influence in anticipation of a future without Donald Trump, facing challenges in maintaining his coalition.
Turning Point leader Erika Kirk, who assumed leadership after her husband Charlie Kirk's assassination, has endorsed Vance as a potential successor to President Trump. This endorsement from an influential group with a significant volunteer base is a notable advantage. The tensions evident at the four-day gathering highlight the complex political landscape Vance, or any other contender for the next Republican presidential nomination, will need to navigate.
The Republican Party's identity has been closely tied to Trump for the past decade, despite his ineligibility to run for a third term. Tucker Carlson noted that people are questioning "who gets the machinery when the president exits the scene?" The process of answering this question appears to involve considerable internal conflict among conservatives. The Turning Point conference featured debates on antisemitism, Israel, and environmental regulations, alongside rivalries among prominent commentators.
Ben Shapiro, co-founder of the Daily Wire, criticized "charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty" during his opening night speech.
“These people are frauds and they are grifters and they do not deserve your time.”
Shapiro specifically called out Tucker Carlson for interviewing bigoted podcaster Nick Fuentes. Carlson, speaking shortly after Shapiro, dismissed the criticism and characterized the idea of a Republican "civil war" as "totally fake."
“There are people who are mad at JD Vance, and they’re stirring up a lot of this in order to make sure he doesn’t get the nomination.”
Carlson described Vance as "the one person" who embodies the "core idea of the Trump coalition," which he defined as "America first."
Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet framed the internal disagreements as a healthy and necessary debate for the movement's future. “We’re not hive-minded commies.”
“Let it play out.” Vance acknowledged the controversies that dominated the Turning Point conference but defined the boundaries of the conservative movement solely by patriotism. “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.”
Vance did not name specific individuals, but his remarks were made amidst a growing debate about whether the right should provide a platform for commentators with antisemitic views, particularly Nick Fuentes. Fuentes' followers aim to preserve America's white, Christian identity. Fuentes has a growing audience, as does top-rated podcaster Candace Owens, who frequently shares antisemitic conspiracy theories. “We have far more important work to do than canceling each other.”
Vance highlighted the administration's accomplishments as it nears its one-year mark, citing efforts at the border and on the economy. He emphasized the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, drawing applause by stating they had been relegated to the "dustbin of history."
“In the United States of America, you don’t have to apologize for being white anymore.” Vance also asserted that the U.S. "always will be a Christian nation."
“Christianity is America’s creed, the shared moral language from the Revolution to the Civil War and beyond.”
These statements resonated with Isaiah White-Diller, an 18-year-old from Yuma, Arizona, who expressed his support for Vance if he runs for president. “I have my right to be Christian here, I have my right to say whatever I want.”
While Vance has not disclosed his future political aspirations, Erika Kirk stated on Thursday that Turning Point desires Vance to be "elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible." The next president will be the 48th in U.S. history. Turning Point is a significant force on the right, possessing a nationwide volunteer network that can be particularly valuable in early primary states, where candidates depend on grassroots energy to build momentum. In a surprise appearance, rapper Nicki Minaj spoke enthusiastically about both Trump and Vance.
Vance shared a close relationship with Charlie Kirk, and they had supported each other over the years. Following Kirk's assassination on a college campus in Utah, Vice President Vance traveled on Air Force Two to retrieve Kirk's remains and transport them back to Arizona. Vance assisted uniformed service members in carrying the casket to the plane.
Emily Meck, an 18-year-old from Pine City, New York, appreciated Vance's openness to a wide range of viewpoints. “We are free-thinkers, we’re going to have these disagreements, we’re going to have our own thoughts.”
Donald Trump has spoken highly of both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors, even suggesting they could form a future Republican ticket. Rubio has indicated his support for Vance. When asked in August if Vance was the "heir apparent," Trump responded, "most likely."
“It’s too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly he’s doing a great job, and he would be probably favorite at this point.”
Turning Point leader Erika Kirk, who assumed leadership after her husband Charlie Kirk's assassination, has endorsed Vance as a potential successor to President Trump. This endorsement from an influential group with a significant volunteer base is a notable advantage. The tensions evident at the four-day gathering highlight the complex political landscape Vance, or any other contender for the next Republican presidential nomination, will need to navigate.
The Republican Party's identity has been closely tied to Trump for the past decade, despite his ineligibility to run for a third term. Tucker Carlson noted that people are questioning "who gets the machinery when the president exits the scene?" The process of answering this question appears to involve considerable internal conflict among conservatives. The Turning Point conference featured debates on antisemitism, Israel, and environmental regulations, alongside rivalries among prominent commentators.
Ben Shapiro, co-founder of the Daily Wire, criticized "charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty" during his opening night speech.
“These people are frauds and they are grifters and they do not deserve your time.”
Shapiro specifically called out Tucker Carlson for interviewing bigoted podcaster Nick Fuentes. Carlson, speaking shortly after Shapiro, dismissed the criticism and characterized the idea of a Republican "civil war" as "totally fake."
“There are people who are mad at JD Vance, and they’re stirring up a lot of this in order to make sure he doesn’t get the nomination.”
Carlson described Vance as "the one person" who embodies the "core idea of the Trump coalition," which he defined as "America first."
Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet framed the internal disagreements as a healthy and necessary debate for the movement's future. “We’re not hive-minded commies.”
“Let it play out.” Vance acknowledged the controversies that dominated the Turning Point conference but defined the boundaries of the conservative movement solely by patriotism. “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.”
Vance did not name specific individuals, but his remarks were made amidst a growing debate about whether the right should provide a platform for commentators with antisemitic views, particularly Nick Fuentes. Fuentes' followers aim to preserve America's white, Christian identity. Fuentes has a growing audience, as does top-rated podcaster Candace Owens, who frequently shares antisemitic conspiracy theories. “We have far more important work to do than canceling each other.”
Vance highlighted the administration's accomplishments as it nears its one-year mark, citing efforts at the border and on the economy. He emphasized the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, drawing applause by stating they had been relegated to the "dustbin of history."
“In the United States of America, you don’t have to apologize for being white anymore.” Vance also asserted that the U.S. "always will be a Christian nation."
“Christianity is America’s creed, the shared moral language from the Revolution to the Civil War and beyond.”
These statements resonated with Isaiah White-Diller, an 18-year-old from Yuma, Arizona, who expressed his support for Vance if he runs for president. “I have my right to be Christian here, I have my right to say whatever I want.”
While Vance has not disclosed his future political aspirations, Erika Kirk stated on Thursday that Turning Point desires Vance to be "elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible." The next president will be the 48th in U.S. history. Turning Point is a significant force on the right, possessing a nationwide volunteer network that can be particularly valuable in early primary states, where candidates depend on grassroots energy to build momentum. In a surprise appearance, rapper Nicki Minaj spoke enthusiastically about both Trump and Vance.
Vance shared a close relationship with Charlie Kirk, and they had supported each other over the years. Following Kirk's assassination on a college campus in Utah, Vice President Vance traveled on Air Force Two to retrieve Kirk's remains and transport them back to Arizona. Vance assisted uniformed service members in carrying the casket to the plane.
Emily Meck, an 18-year-old from Pine City, New York, appreciated Vance's openness to a wide range of viewpoints. “We are free-thinkers, we’re going to have these disagreements, we’re going to have our own thoughts.”
Donald Trump has spoken highly of both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors, even suggesting they could form a future Republican ticket. Rubio has indicated his support for Vance. When asked in August if Vance was the "heir apparent," Trump responded, "most likely."
“It’s too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly he’s doing a great job, and he would be probably favorite at this point.”