Overview
- TPUSA staffers, including Gabe Guidarini and Ben Larrabee, publicly defended the December conference lineup on X and rejected pressure from outside pro‑Israel groups.
- Prominent Jewish conservatives criticized the direction of the organization without Kirk, with Max Abrahms writing that Kirk’s death also ended Turning Point’s identity.
- Some right‑leaning influencers said they would distance themselves, with Zack Bonfilio stating he would not engage with TPUSA until it returned to Kirk’s vision.
- The dispute intensified after Washington Examiner contributor Kimberly Ross condemned the inclusion of Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, Jack Posobiec, and Ken Paxton at AmericaFest.
- Candace Owens released texts later confirmed by TPUSA showing Kirk lamenting the loss of a $2 million donor over Tucker Carlson and invoking stereotypes about Jewish donors, as separate reporting tied a prior $2 million pullback to billionaire Robert Shillman.