Fresh off a whirlwind weekend at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, I returned to Seattle exhausted—but energized. AmericaFest, which drew over 30,000 attendees from across the country, wasn’t just another political conference. It was a defining moment for a movement still grappling with loss, charting its future, and rallying around a shared vision.
One conversation I had been trying to lock down all weekend finally came together after the crowds returned home: an in-depth discussion with Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show and a national spokesman for Turning Point USA.
"Don't be afraid of a little disagreement, a little healthy family business."@AndrewKolvet, producer of the Charlie Kirk Show and @TPUSA spokesman, discusses the results of the AmericaFest straw poll, revealing unity on issues portrayed as divisive, including Israel. pic.twitter.com/J8GyO72uyz
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) December 23, 2025
A Personal Moment Amid a Massive Event
This AmericaFest was especially meaningful for me on a personal level. My daughter attended her first Turning Point event and is in the process of starting a Turning Point chapter at her Jewish school here in Seattle. She was over the moon to meet Kolvet—an experience that meant more to her than she could put into words.
Kolvet reflected on that enthusiasm, noting how different the real-life experience of the movement is compared to the picture often painted online.
“If you just look at social media, you’d think everything is divided and contentious,” he said. “But when you’re actually there—IRL—you see how united people are, how much they love this country, and how much they share in common.”
The Lingering Presence of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk’s presence loomed large throughout the conference. Though deeply missed, his legacy was unmistakable. “We’re still mourning. We’re still grieving,” Kolvet said. “I’m not sure that ever goes away. But if there’s anyone worth remembering and living up to, it’s Charlie.”
Kolvet acknowledged that some speakers aired grievances and disagreements, but he framed it as healthy—not harmful.
“Don’t be afraid of a little family business,” he said. “We’re trying to find that healthy center cut—the dominant core that actually wins elections.”
J.D. Vance, Israel, and Moral Clarity
That message came into sharp focus with the conference’s closing speaker: Vice President J.D. Vance. Following appearances by figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Glenn Beck, Vance delivered what Kolvet described as one of the most morally clear speeches of the weekend.
“There’s no room for antisemitism. There’s no room for racism,” Kolvet said, summarizing Vance’s remarks. “We don’t judge people by the color of their skin—we’re back to merit. The best ideas and the best people should win.”
"JD Vance just gave one of the most morally clear messages, that there's no room for antisemitism. There's no room for racism. We don't judge people by the color of their skin, we're back to merit. We're back to letting the best ideas, the best people advance & win…it just felt… pic.twitter.com/J1W0smNFY6
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) December 23, 2025
The audience response was overwhelming, and the data backed it up. Turning Point USA released the results of its AmericaFest straw poll shortly after the event, revealing striking levels of unity on issues often portrayed as divisive.
According to the poll, 87 percent of attendees said they consider Israel an important ally of the United States, a powerful repudiation of claims that the conservative movement is fractured or wavering in its support for the Jewish state. For a crowd of that size, and one dominated by young conservatives, the result sent a clear message.
“That’s an issue near and dear to your heart,” Kolvet told me, “and it’s one where there really was clarity coming out of this event.”
The same poll showed 84.2 percent of attendees support J.D. Vance as the GOP nominee in 2028, an extraordinary early show of confidence.
“I know it’s early,” Kolvet said, “but that’s a pretty remarkable result for a crowd this large.”
Looking Beyond Congress—and Toward Winning
One noticeable shift at this year’s AmericaFest was the focus on 2028 rather than the upcoming midterms. While congressional leaders like Speaker Mike Johnson were present, the spotlight felt different.
Kolvet reminisced about Charlie Kirk’s growing frustration with Congress in his final years.
“Charlie used to say, ‘Call me back when they’re actually getting stuff done,’” Kolvet recalled. Still, he emphasized that strong leadership in Congress remains essential—and that pessimism about the midterms is misplaced.
“There’s no good reason we can’t win,” he said. “As Trump-era policies begin to bear fruit, I think momentum will surprise a lot of people.”
The Discipline of the Sabbath
One of the most striking parts of our conversation moved away from politics entirely. We discussed Charlie Kirk’s commitment to observing a Sabbath—turning his phone off from Friday night to Saturday night.
“That discipline was good for him, but it was also good for the whole team,” Kolvet said. “When Charlie took a Sabbath, we got one too.”
"Charlie wasn't Jewish, but he used input from guys like Dennis Prager as a model for how he could kind of turn off and settle in, focus on his family, focus on his relationship with the Lord…"@AndrewKolvet discusses Charlie Kirk turning his phone off for the Sabbath pic.twitter.com/4u3YlqPNVV
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) December 23, 2025
He spoke about the impact on mental health, families, and work-life balance—calling it a practice every organization should seriously consider.
“Tomorrow has plenty to worry about,” he said. “Be present with your family. It pays massive dividends.”
A Big Tent, With Bright Lines
Behind the scenes, Kolvet said Charlie’s voice was still the guiding light—even down to the event’s lineup.
“Charlie set Night One himself,” Kolvet said. “If people didn’t like it, well… take it up with Charlie.”
While acknowledging criticism from the fringes, Kolvet emphasized that Charlie believed in big-tent politics—with firm boundaries.
“There’s no room for Jew-hatred. No room for racism,” he said. “But we are about winning. We believe conservative ideas work.”
The movement, he added, isn’t supposed to be neat or hive-minded.
“We’re not communists,” Kolvet joked. “We’re a rowdy bunch of independent thinkers. May the best idea win.”
Carrying the Legacy Forward
After five years of attending AmericaFest, this was my first time sitting in the main room instead of racing between interviews. Seeing the scale, the energy, and the passion made it clear why this movement resonates so deeply with young people.
Turning Point USA pulled off an extraordinary event—one that honored Charlie Kirk’s legacy while laying the groundwork for what comes next.
