New Campus Speakers Will Continue Despite Protests, TPUSA’s Erika Kirk Declares

In the wake of tragedy, Turning Point USA vows to continue campus outreach despite founder’s assassination, his widow announced Sunday on Fox News.

“We are not afraid,” Erika Kirk told Shannon Bream during a “Fox News Sunday” appearance, confirming that the conservative organization will resume its nationwide campus presence and signature “Prove Me Wrong” debates.

The statement comes three months after Charlie Kirk, the charismatic 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was assassinated during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on September 10. The gathering, which marked the first stop on TPUSA’s planned “American Comeback Tour,” began as a typical campus event before tragedy struck.

Moments before the fatal shooting, Kirk had been seated beneath a white tent emblazoned with the “Prove Me Wrong” slogan, fielding questions from thousands of attendees in an open-mic format that had become his trademark approach to engaging with students.

Kirk’s death sent shockwaves through conservative circles, where he had risen from a teenage activist to one of the movement’s most influential voices. His meteoric rise began at 18, when he dropped out of community college to co-found TPUSA. By his mid-20s, Kirk had become the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and established himself as a household name in conservative politics.

By the time of his death at 31, Kirk had transformed his grassroots organization into what his supporters describe as a $95 million political empire. Tax filings show the organization’s remarkable growth trajectory, with revenue increasing from just $2 million in 2015 to $85 million in 2024. With financial backing from prominent Republican donors like Foster Friess, Kirk’s campus operation evolved from a small student group into one of the fastest-growing conservative nonprofits in America.

The organization’s growth reflected Kirk’s talent for connecting with young conservatives who felt alienated on predominantly liberal college campuses. His direct communication style and unapologetic conservative messaging helped TPUSA establish hundreds of campus chapters nationwide, while Kirk himself built a substantial social media following and a direct line to former President Donald Trump.

Following Kirk’s assassination, questions emerged about TPUSA’s future. However, according to his widow, the organization is experiencing a surge in campus chapter enrollments, suggesting continued momentum among conservative students.

The decision to resume campus activities, particularly the potentially contentious “Prove Me Wrong” debates, demonstrates the organization’s determination to preserve Kirk’s legacy of direct engagement on college campuses. These events, which often attract both supporters and protesters, have been a hallmark of TPUSA’s approach to challenging what Kirk viewed as liberal orthodoxy in higher education.

Kirk’s memorial service in September drew an estimated 90,000 mourners in what was described as one of the largest memorials for a private citizen in recent memory. The outpouring of support underscored his significant impact on conservative youth politics in America.

As TPUSA moves forward under new leadership, the organization faces the challenge of maintaining its influence without its founder’s charismatic presence. For now, Erika Kirk’s commitment to continuing her husband’s work signals that Turning Point USA intends to remain a prominent force in campus politics and conservative activism, despite the tragedy that shook the organization to its core.

The resumption of TPUSA’s campus presence comes at a time when political tensions at American universities remain high, with debates over free speech, diversity initiatives, and competing political ideologies frequently making headlines across the country.