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AmericaFest, also known as AMFEST, is an annual convention of Turning Point USA. [1] AmericaFest started in 2021, [2] [3] and featured Donald Trump in 2024. AmericaFest 2025 was the first event after the assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, it had speakers including Erika Kirk, Nicki Minaj, Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, Russell Brand, JD Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Donald Trump, who was then the President-elect, spoke at AmericaFest 2024. [4] 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 wanted to cancel the natural gas export ban, drill for more oil, reduce taxes, have it be official U.S. 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." [5]
Multiple speakers and attendees praised Trump along with Musk, and Mike Johnson. [4]
More than 30,000 people attended AmericaFest 2025, [2] which was the first to be held since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. [6]
AmericaFest 2025 featured several new and returning speakers. [7] TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk spoke first, endorsing Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028, with 84% of attendees agreed with her. [8] [9] Vance also spoke at the event, attacking Governor Gavin Newsom, over his governorship of California. [1] He also spoke about ending white guilt and stated he believed the Unites States is a Christian nation. [3] Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro spoke about US relations with Israel and antisemitism within the conservative movement. [1] [6] Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson also spoke at the event criticizing Shapiro, stating his attempt of deplatforming was against the Values of TPUSA. [10] Carlson also condemned the United States' support of Israel's invasion of Gaza, particularly the large death toll of Women and Children. [11] Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon also criticized Shapiro, stating he was "like a cancer." [1] English comedian Russell Brand spoke about Christianity, attacked vaccines, and criticized the pharmaceutical industry. [12] Vivek Ramaswamy also spoke at the event and condemned the Alt-right, specifically the rise of racism and antisemitism within the conservative movement. [13] He also rejected the concept of a Heritage American, quoting former president Ronald Regan that being American is about values rather than lineage. [14] Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also spoke at the event, promoting the Make America Healthy Again movement. He also asked President Trump to fire EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. [1] Trinidadian Rapper Nicki Minaj also spoke at the event expressing her support for President Donald Trump, and condemning the global persecution of Christians. [9] She also expressed criticism of Newsom's governorship of California. [9] Minaj was met with backlash from her fanbase after her appearance, specifically LGBTQ and Civil Rights activists. [15]
The event highlighted internal conflicts and disagreements within the Conservative movement. [16] The Hill defined the event as "an open power struggle over who gets to define the movement and who gets pushed out." [2] Esam Boraey from the Cornell University's Center on Global Democracy said the rift is primarily about the division between the MAGA and the America First movements, stating the latter is more dominant. [3]
The conference recreated the shooting site of the Charlie Kirk assassination, which drew heavy criticism, especially from other conservatives. [17] Comedian and podcaster Tim Dillon questioned Erika Kirk backing JD Vance to be the next president. [18] Unicorn Riot contributor L. Cam Anderson who attended the event criticized the disunity of the Conservative movement [19] Conservative commentator Candace Owens also also criticized TPUSA and Erika Kirk for glorifying the death of Charlie Kirk.
