The Conservative Movement After Charlie Kirk's Assassination Has Taken a Darker Turn
Since Charlie Kirk's shocking assassination in September, the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) movement has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity among college students. As Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, took over the organization, many wondered what the future held for this young conservative group. However, recent reports suggest that the post-Kirk era of TPUSA has become increasingly radical and divisive.
While Charlie Kirk was celebrated by conservatives as a champion of free speech and limited government, his assassination created a power vacuum that has allowed more extreme figures to fill the void. Young Americans like Lesley Lachman, president of the TPUSA chapter at Ole Miss, are now embracing a worldview that is darker and more conspiratorial than Kirk's ever was.
Lesley, who is 20 years old and from Westchester County, New York, represents a micro-trend of young Republicans who are eager to join conservative groups. Her social status has grown significantly since she became involved with TPUSA, making her a sort of "queen bee" among college students.
The TPUSA movement has also become more prominent on campuses, attracting various groups like Young Americans for Liberty and the College Republicans. However, it's essential to note that these organizations are not just conservative in nature but often have radical elements, such as Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes, who have risen to prominence since Kirk's death.
Candace Owens is a conspiracy theorist whose podcast has become extremely popular among young conservatives. Her views on topics like trans sports issues and illegal immigration resonate deeply with many young Republicans. Meanwhile, Nick Fuentes is an outspoken antisemite who has gained a significant following online.
The dominance of these two figures in the conservative discourse has created a sense of unease among some Kirk supporters. Many are struggling to distinguish between the "martyr" (Kirk) and the available alternatives, such as Erika Kirk or other more radical voices like Fuentes.
In a culture that rewards conspiracy theories, the appetite for this kind of thinking is seemingly insatiable. As one young conservative told Leslie Lachman, TPUSA president at Ole Miss, "The discourse around Nick Fuentes and his influence was inescapable by the end of December."
Leslie's response to Nick Fuentes' rise was telling: when asked how she felt about him, she replied that sometimes when she was feeling lonely, she'd scroll over and watch him instead of Charlie Kirk. This suggests that Fuentes has become a sort of surrogate figure for many young conservatives, filling the void left by Kirk's death.
As the TPUSA movement continues to evolve under Erika Kirk's leadership, it remains to be seen whether this darker, more radical turn will ultimately benefit or harm the organization. One thing is certain, however: the conservative landscape has become increasingly treacherous, with many young conservatives navigating a complex web of ideologies and personalities that are often at odds with one another.
Since Charlie Kirk's shocking assassination in September, the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) movement has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity among college students. As Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, took over the organization, many wondered what the future held for this young conservative group. However, recent reports suggest that the post-Kirk era of TPUSA has become increasingly radical and divisive.
While Charlie Kirk was celebrated by conservatives as a champion of free speech and limited government, his assassination created a power vacuum that has allowed more extreme figures to fill the void. Young Americans like Lesley Lachman, president of the TPUSA chapter at Ole Miss, are now embracing a worldview that is darker and more conspiratorial than Kirk's ever was.
Lesley, who is 20 years old and from Westchester County, New York, represents a micro-trend of young Republicans who are eager to join conservative groups. Her social status has grown significantly since she became involved with TPUSA, making her a sort of "queen bee" among college students.
The TPUSA movement has also become more prominent on campuses, attracting various groups like Young Americans for Liberty and the College Republicans. However, it's essential to note that these organizations are not just conservative in nature but often have radical elements, such as Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes, who have risen to prominence since Kirk's death.
Candace Owens is a conspiracy theorist whose podcast has become extremely popular among young conservatives. Her views on topics like trans sports issues and illegal immigration resonate deeply with many young Republicans. Meanwhile, Nick Fuentes is an outspoken antisemite who has gained a significant following online.
The dominance of these two figures in the conservative discourse has created a sense of unease among some Kirk supporters. Many are struggling to distinguish between the "martyr" (Kirk) and the available alternatives, such as Erika Kirk or other more radical voices like Fuentes.
In a culture that rewards conspiracy theories, the appetite for this kind of thinking is seemingly insatiable. As one young conservative told Leslie Lachman, TPUSA president at Ole Miss, "The discourse around Nick Fuentes and his influence was inescapable by the end of December."
Leslie's response to Nick Fuentes' rise was telling: when asked how she felt about him, she replied that sometimes when she was feeling lonely, she'd scroll over and watch him instead of Charlie Kirk. This suggests that Fuentes has become a sort of surrogate figure for many young conservatives, filling the void left by Kirk's death.
As the TPUSA movement continues to evolve under Erika Kirk's leadership, it remains to be seen whether this darker, more radical turn will ultimately benefit or harm the organization. One thing is certain, however: the conservative landscape has become increasingly treacherous, with many young conservatives navigating a complex web of ideologies and personalities that are often at odds with one another.
it's concerning to see TPUSA taking a darker turn after Charlie Kirk's passing 
. I think Erika Kirk's efforts to keep the org focused on free speech & limited government are being undermined by more extreme voices like Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes 
. It's understandable that some young conservatives feel drawn to these figures, but it's also worrying that they're embracing conspiracy theories and antisemitism 
. The conservative landscape is already complicated enough – we don't need it becoming more divisive 
. I hope Erika Kirk can help steer TPUSA back on course without losing the momentum she's built up 
. I mean Lesley Lachman at Ole Miss seems super influential now, but her views are super dark & conspiracy-theory-y 
... and don't even get me started on Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes 
. Like, what's going on with our youth? Are they really that hungry for drama & controversy? 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all for free speech and limited government too, but when it gets taken to this extreme level, it's like, what's next? 
. I'm not gonna lie, I kinda feel sorry for Charlie Kirk's widow Erika - she's gotta deal with all this fallout from her husband's passing 
. But at the same time, it's like, maybe this is exactly what happened when we stopped having tough conversations about politics 
. I mean, Charlie Kirk was all about free speech and open discussion, but now it feels like things have taken a dark turn. All these young people jumping on the TPUSA bandwagon seem so... intense 
. And Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes? Ugh, their views are straight outta sci-fi horror movies 
. I just hope Erika Kirk can bring some sanity back to the organization before it's too late 
.
. I mean, Charlie Kirk was a good guy, he wanted to help people have open conversations, not stir up drama 
. Now his legacy is being used by people who are just trying to get attention or power 
. It's like, what's the end goal here? Is it really about free speech and limited government, or is it just about spreading hate and division? 
.
. Its kinda sad that Erika Kirk has gotta deal with all this drama now. She was supposed to be the "hero" but instead she's just trying to keep everyone from burning down the house 
.
. Can't we just have a conversation about politics without resorting to hate speech and paranoia? 
. It's freaking out some of Charlie Kirk fans, too. I wonder if Erika Kirk is gonna keep the org on a straight path or if they'll just keep getting more radical 
. Now it seems like they're embracing some super dark ideologies that are really scary 
. What's next? Are we going to lose our country to all this radical stuff? 
. It's scary because it's not even about politics anymore; it's about drama and attention. Erika Kirk is trying her best to steer the ship in a different direction, but I feel like she's got a tough road ahead of her 
. They're attracting all sorts of radical folks 
. Erika Kirk's trying to keep it together 
but it's hard when you've got these extreme views creeping in 
and is actually kinda obsessing over Fuentes 
Meanwhile, their YouTube subs have gone from 1M to 10M in just 6 months! 
As for Erika Kirk taking the reins, she's got a 42% approval rating among her followers. Not bad, but also kinda concerning. 
. Candace Owens is like a conspiracy theorist extraordinaire 
. And what's up with Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes? They're like the ultimate polar opposites 
. Can't we just focus on building a more inclusive, tolerant conservative movement?