Turning Point USA Eyes 2028: Erika Kirk Signals Backing for JD Vance Presidential Run Amid Widower's Legacy

Washington, D.C. – November 25, 2025In a candid revelation that has ignited speculation across conservative circles, Erika Kirk, the widow of slain Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk and the organization's new CEO, disclosed on Monday that efforts to propel Vice President JD Vance toward a 2028 presidential bid are already "in the works." The announcement, made during a live interview on The Megyn Kelly Show in Glendale, Arizona, underscores the enduring influence of TPUSA as a kingmaker in Republican politics, even as Kirk emphasized a near-term focus on the 2026 midterms.

Kirk, 34, who assumed leadership of the influential youth conservative group following her husband's assassination in September, framed the potential endorsement as a direct extension of Charlie Kirk's vision. "This was a thing my husband was very direct about," she told host Megyn Kelly. "One of the last few conversations we had was how intentional he was about supporting JD for 2028." She added that if her late husband were alive, "we would still push in the same direction." The comments come just weeks after TPUSA's pivotal role in mobilizing young voters for President Donald Trump's 2024 victory, a campaign in which Charlie Kirk was a vocal advocate for Vance's selection as the GOP ticket's vice presidential nominee.

Vance, 41, the Ohio senator turned second-in-command, has not formally declared his intentions for 2028 but has repeatedly hinted at openness to the idea. In a recent Fox News appearance, he acknowledged pondering "what that moment might look like after the midterm elections" while stressing his current duties in the Trump administration. "The American people elected me to do a job right now, and my job is to do it," Vance said, echoing Kirk's own caution against rushing ahead. Trump himself has anointed Vance as the "most likely" heir to the MAGA movement, though he has floated alternatives like Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a potential future ticket.

The timing of Kirk's remarks adds layers to an already charged narrative surrounding her personal and professional ties to Vance. The Vances—JD and second lady Usha—rushed to Utah on Air Force Two after Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting at a TPUSA event on the Utah Valley University campus, where the 31-year-old activist was gunned down amid a chaotic confrontation. Viral images of Usha Vance consoling a grieving Erika Kirk captured the nation's attention, symbolizing the tight-knit bonds within the MAGA inner circle. Last month, Vance hosted an episode of Charlie Kirk's podcast and joined Erika Kirk onstage at a TPUSA memorial event at the University of Mississippi, where an emotional embrace between the two went viral—sparking unfounded online rumors of romantic entanglement.

Addressing the backlash during her Kelly interview, Kirk dismissed the speculation with sharp wit. "I feel like I wouldn't get as much hate if I grabbed his a**," she quipped, referring to the October 29 hug that drew scrutiny from critics and conspiracy theorists alike. "Don't worry—it's already in the works," she pivoted back to the Vance endorsement, underscoring her resolve to honor her husband's legacy amid personal tragedy.

TPUSA, founded by Charlie Kirk in 2012 as a counterweight to liberal campus activism, has ballooned into a powerhouse with chapters on hundreds of college campuses and a reputation for high-energy rallies that galvanized Trump's base. Experts credit the group with energizing Gen Z conservatives in 2024, and Kirk's leadership—marked by a vow to expand the organization's reach—positions it as a linchpin for any post-Trump succession battle. "Turning Point's backing is a critical acquisition for Vance," noted political analyst Michael Williams in a CNN analysis. Yet Kirk tempered enthusiasm, insisting, "Let's start with the midterms before we start jumping to '28. And let's enjoy the fact that we do have Donald Trump in office."

As the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race looms as a key proving ground for TPUSA's clout, Kirk's comments signal a strategic pivot: honoring the past while eyeing the future. With Vance widely viewed as the MAGA frontrunner, her endorsement could solidify his path—or ignite a broader GOP scramble among figures like Rubio and others jockeying for position. For now, in the shadow of loss and triumph, the conservative movement presses on, one calculated embrace at a time.