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Erika Kirk Speaking at AmericaFest 2025, with Charlie Kirk in the background image to the right.
Donald Trump, who was then the President-elect, spoke at this event.[6] In it, he said the US should re-gain control over the Panama Canal, that he's okay with TikTok staying, that he's not threatened by Elon Musk, that America is entering its Golden Age, and that on the first day of his presidency, he wants to cancel the natural gas export ban, get more oil, reduce taxes, have it be official US policy that there are only two genders (which was met with loud cheering), prevent a potential Third World War, and bring peace to the Middle east and Eastern Europe. He also said "The people have given us their trust, and in return, we’re going to give them the best Day One, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any president in American history,"[7]
Multiple speakers and attendees praised him, Musk, and Mike Johnson.[8]
AmericaFest 2025
Nicki Minaj and Erika Kirk Speaking at Amfest 2025.
More than 30,000 people attended the 2025 AmericaFest conference,[9] which was the first to be held since the assassination of Charlie Kirk.[10] the event started with Erika Kirk endorsing JD Vance for the 2028 United States presidential election.[11] 84% of atendees agreed with her.[12]Nicki Minaj showed up to the event. In it, she referred to Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, as "Gavin Newscum". She also said of Trump, the President of the United States: "I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president. I don’t know if he even knows this, but he’s given so many people hope that there’s a chance to beat the bad guys and to win and to do it with your head held high and your integrity intact".[13] The conference recreated the shooting site of the Charlie Kirk assassination, which drew heavy criticism, especially from conservatives who generally support Turning Point USA.[14]Candace Owens said she was "aghast" by this, and stated that this glorified Charlie Kirk's death. She also said that Elizabeth McCoy approved of this tent to be added to this event. Because McCoy is close to Erika Kirk, Owens believes that Erika Kirk likely approved of this.[15]
Infighting
Ben Shapiro speaking at AmericaFest 2025.
Conservatives in this event spent more time attacking each other,[16] including by name,[17] than those on the left-wing. They were arguing about things such as the future of Trumpism.[18]
Shapiro said of Owens that she “has been vomiting all sorts of hideous and conspiratorial nonsense into the public square for years”, and said Megyn Kelly is "guilty of cowardice" for refusing to condemn Owens. [22]
Kelly said she had no idea that Shapiro was going to attack her, and described the attack as a "betrayal by a friend".[23] She responded by saying that Shapiro is a small figure in the conservative movement, and that their friendship is over.[24] She claimed that the real problem Shapiro had was not about her, but about Israel.[25] She said she believes that figures like Shapiro and Bari Weiss are fueling antisemitism by their censorship of criticisms of Israel. She said that Shapiro demanding from her to condemn Owens is similar to purity tests from the left.[26]
Shapiro said that Tucker Carlson hosting Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist,[27] on his podcast is an act of "moral imbecility".[28] Shapiro called Carlson, Kelly, and Steve Bannon "frauds and grifters".[29][30] He referred to Bannon as "a PR flack for Jeffrey Epstein", while praising Trump's handling of the issue, which included trying to stop the Republicans from releasing the Epstein files, but signing the release after it was approved by congress.[31]
Carlson spoke an hour later, and said he laughed at Shapiro's speech.[32] Bannon, a former Trump advisor, said Shapiro is "like a cancer".[33] Shapiro also said at the event: "I want [young] white men to stop complaining and get off the couch, because there are jobs that are available." This was countered by James Fishback, who claimed "an honest wage for an honest day’s work" but also that Americans should take the day off on Sundays to praise the Christian God.[34]
The topic of Israel came up multiple times throughout this event. Some on the right debated whether the Republican Party's support for Israel is at a conflict with the America First position. Some, such as Carlson, have criticized the civilian deaths in Gaza. Some of the speakers brought up the USS Liberty Incident, in which Israel attacked the USS Liberty. Israel claimed it had done it by accident, although some at the event said it was done on purpose. They also criticized "the Israel first crowd", which included figures such as Shapiro and Weiss.[35]
Vance, the Vice President of the United States, did not participate in this rift, and attacked Newsom instead, saying "It looks like they’re going to nominate a California liberal who’s presided over rolling blackouts, open borders and unchecked violent gangs".[39]. He said the US is, and always will be, a Christian nation.[40]Vivek Ramaswamy also spoke at the event, he talked about how both his parents are immigrants and rejected the concept of a "heritage American".[41]
Comedian and podcaster Tim Dillon questioned Erika Kirk backing JD Vance to be the next President, calling her appearance at TurningPoint USA's America Fest, 'weird,' and, 'uncomfortable.'[44]
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