Category: Charlie Kirk
What, Exactly, Does the Right Stand For?
Years of bickering over the meaning of American conservatism and the identity of the American Right, which had already escalated…
Debate: Can JD Vance become the right’s great unifier — or does his VP role stand in the way?
The young conservative movement is experiencing a notable leadership gap amid ongoing chaos in the online right-wing space. Sure, there are passionate influencers and rising political voices, but no one has fully stepped up to unify and guide the broader coalition with a commanding presence.
One person investigative journalist and BlazeTV host Christopher Rufo thinks might be able to step into the role, however, is Vice President JD Vance. But Rufo’s co-host Jonathan Keeperman isn’t sure Vance is up for the job either.
In this episode of “Rufo & Lomez,” the hosts debate whether JD Vance can step up as the unifying leader the conservative movement needs amid escalating chaos.
“I’ve been so far a bit surprised that the vice president hasn’t tried to step into this role,” says Rufo, arguing that Vance has both the “charisma” and the “authority” to effectively lead the movement.
“I’ve known JD over the years. … It does feel like he has some hesitation or maybe even some fear,” he adds.
While Keeperman agrees that Vance “has all of the tools and charisma and … the right talking points” to be an excellent leader, his role as the vice president would actually be a hindrance.
“I don’t think JD Vance should actually do that in his vice presidential position. Not right now. I think it’d be a bit presumptuous. I think people might kind of see it as him stepping in to sort of correct a situation that I think needs to just happen organically,” he counters.
For one, Vance’s position prohibits him from “[speaking] candidly about the administration.”
“Whoever is going to step into this role has to feel credible to this audience, and part of that credibility is going to come from just speaking honestly about all of these different things happening in this ecosystem — whether it’s the different personalities, the ideas, the sort of ideology that’s animating Trump but also the specific actions that the Trump administration is taking,” Keeperman explains.
In other words, the kind of leader people will follow needs to be an outsider who can speak brutal truths about the current administration, and Vance, as Trump’s right-hand man, can’t be that person.
Secondly, President Trump is still the top dog, Keeperman explains. For his VP to assume the authority of this role as the leader of the conservative movement “might not sit well inside of this coalition.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Rufo concedes. “We need some sort of native figure to step up in the same way that Charlie Kirk did, in the same way that Tucker had done.”
To hear more of the conversation, watch the episode above.
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‘All in’: TPUSA’s Andrew Kolvet sets sights on 2028 presidential candidate after AmFest
With the first Turning Point USA AmFest convention since Charlie Kirk’s death in September now concluded, TPUSA’s Andrew Kolvet offered his insights on the convention and the political path ahead.
Earlier this week, Kolvet told Fox News in an interview that Turning Point is “all in” for one of Charlie Kirk’s closest friends in politics.
‘Charlie was very close to the vice president and had basically endorsed him already for months beforehand.’
“We’re all in behind Vice President JD Vance. Charlie considered him a generational talent and somebody that could lead this nation forward,” Kolvet, executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” said.
Kolvet remarked that it was almost natural for the organization to support JD Vance given Charlie Kirk’s relationship with him. “Charlie was very close to the vice president and had basically endorsed him already for months beforehand. It was no surprise for us. It was no surprise for those who were close to us.”
RELATED: TPUSA straw poll shows dominant front-runner for 2028 nomination
Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk announced her endorsement of JD Vance during her speech at America Fest on the first day of the convention.
“We’re gonna ensure that President Trump has Congress for all four years,” she said. “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance, elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible!”
Andrew Kolvet reiterated the organization’s support for the vice president while urging people to stay focused on the present: “We’re very happy for the here and now, so we’re going to let the next year play out, but heading into 2028, we’re excited to get behind him. And the machine that Charlie built and that’s still in place at Turning Point is going to be all in for the vice president.”
Vice President JD Vance gave a speech on unity on the last day of the convention, refusing to condemn dissident voices despite loud demands within the conservative movement.
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Young Conservatives Rally Around JD Vance, Sour on Pam Bondi Post Epstein Rollout, TPUSA Poll Shows
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