Turning Point USA Faces Organizational Chaos as Chapters Splinter

Trump and Vance struggle to maintain influence as TPUSA attendance plummets at recent events.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:55pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fractured shapes and lines in shades of red, white, and blue, conveying a sense of organizational chaos and fragmentation.The splintering of the once-unified Turning Point USA movement exposes the deep ideological divisions within the conservative youth organization.Athens Today

The developing schism within Turning Point USA (TPUSA) following the death of founder Charlie Kirk and the ascension of his wife Erika Kirk as the new CEO is causing significant challenges for former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. TPUSA is undergoing a major fracturing as chapters break away and form new organizations, while the remaining members are balking at the Trump administration's policies, particularly on the issue of the war in Iran.

Why it matters

TPUSA has been a key conservative youth organization supporting Trump's agenda, so its internal turmoil and declining attendance at events is a worrying sign for Trump and Vance as they try to maintain influence among young conservatives. The splintering of the group also reflects deeper divisions within the conservative movement over issues like support for Israel and who is considered a 'real' American.

The details

Recent TPUSA events have seen dramatically low attendance, with Vice President Vance drawing only around 1,300 people to a 6,500-seat arena at the University of Georgia. Trump's own TPUSA event in Phoenix was only two-thirds full despite the smaller venue. The absence of the charismatic Charlie Kirk has exposed organizational chaos, with chapters breaking away to form new groups and members expressing disillusionment with Trump's policies. Disagreements over issues like support for Israel and conspiracy theories have also fractured the movement.

  • Earlier this week, Vice President Vance headlined a TPUSA event at the University of Georgia.
  • On Friday night, Trump held a TPUSA event in a Phoenix church.

The players

Erika Kirk

The new CEO of Turning Point USA, taking over after the death of her husband, founder Charlie Kirk.

Donald Trump

The former President who is struggling to maintain influence within the TPUSA movement.

JD Vance

The current Vice President who recently headlined a poorly attended TPUSA event at the University of Georgia.

Tyler Cox

A 24-year-old former member of the Arkansas Turning Point chapter who has become disillusioned with Trump and is not interested in joining the new TPUSA splinter group.

Ava Lacey

A student from Mississippi on the executive board of the University of Arkansas TPUSA chapter, who says the chapter wants to be more political than its nonprofit status allows.

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What they’re saying

“I used to be a big Trump fan, like in 2016, because he spoke his mind. I think there's a lot of things with this administration now that I don't agree with.”

— Tyler Cox, Former member of Arkansas Turning Point chapter

“Mr. Kirk's engaging personality and rhetorical skill helped to hold it all together. But in his absence, the cracks have begun to show.”

— New York Times reporter

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The internal divisions and declining attendance at TPUSA events highlight the challenges Trump and Vance face in maintaining influence among young conservatives, as the organization's fracturing reflects deeper ideological splits within the broader conservative movement.