Overview
- Opening AmericaFest, Ben Shapiro labeled Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon “frauds and grifters,” blasting the platforming of Nick Fuentes and denouncing conspiracy claims about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
- Tucker Carlson followed by mocking calls to purge voices from the movement, saying he “laughed” at the critique, rejecting antisemitism, and framing the dispute as a free‑speech test.
- Steve Bannon fired back Friday night from the same stage, accusing Shapiro of putting Israel’s interests first and calling him “like a cancer” to cheering attendees.
- TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk urged attendees to lower the temperature and endorsed Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 presidential race, signaling active succession jockeying.
- Utah prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson, 22, in Kirk’s slaying and are seeking the death penalty, as officials continue to dismiss unsupported conspiracy theories tied to the case.