South Carolina Backs Expansion of Turning Point USA Clubs in Schools

The state's partnership with the conservative group sparks backlash from critics who say it promotes 'destructive ideology'.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:54am

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A highly stylized, fragmented painting depicting a school building with overlapping, geometric shapes in shades of blue, grey, and red, conveying a sense of political division and unrest.A fractured, avant-garde painting captures the political tensions surrounding the push to expand conservative student groups in South Carolina schools.Greenville Today

The South Carolina government has announced a partnership with the conservative group Turning Point USA (TPUSA) to establish the organization's clubs in every high school across the state. The initiative, known as the 'Club America' program, is backed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and state superintendent of education. However, the move has drawn criticism from opponents who argue that TPUSA promotes a 'destructive ideology' and that the state should not be supporting a specific political group in schools.

Why it matters

The expansion of TPUSA clubs in South Carolina schools is a controversial political move that highlights the ongoing debate over the role of partisan politics in education. Critics argue that the state is unfairly promoting a conservative agenda, while supporters say the clubs give students a platform to express their views.

The details

The state proclamation aims to advance the vision of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk by establishing the organization's clubs in every high school. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said the partnership is meant to ensure that 'conservative values need to be talked about more' in schools. However, NAACP Greenville chapter President Rev. Emmanuel Flemming Sr. argued that the initiative sends the wrong message and could be harmful to students, saying 'We're trying to educate them, not indoctrinate them with destructive ideology.' Flemming also criticized TPUSA's past controversies, stating that the group 'spends more time trying to take away any historical facts or accomplishments or any connections to anything that's positive and represent those particular groups.'

  • On April 11, 2026, South Carolina state leaders announced the partnership with TPUSA and the governor signed a proclamation supporting the effort.

The players

Henry McMaster

The governor of South Carolina who signed the proclamation supporting the expansion of TPUSA clubs in the state's high schools.

Pamela Evette

The lieutenant governor of South Carolina who said the partnership is meant to ensure that 'conservative values need to be talked about more' in schools.

Ellen Weaver

The South Carolina superintendent of education who is backing the initiative to establish TPUSA clubs in every high school across the state.

Rev. Emmanuel Flemming Sr.

The president of the Greenville chapter of the NAACP who criticized the initiative, saying it promotes a 'destructive ideology' and could be harmful to students.

Charlie Kirk

The founder of Turning Point USA whose vision the state proclamation aims to advance.

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What they’re saying

“'We have had conservative dialog pushed out of schools, from high school to college, for far too long.'”

— Pamela Evette, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

“'Turning Point USA is MAGA. Point blank. They spend more time trying to take away any historical facts or accomplishments or any connections to anything that's positive and represent those particular groups.'”

— Rev. Emmanuel Flemming Sr., President, Greenville NAACP chapter

“'We're trying to educate them, not indoctrinate them with destructive ideology.'”

— Rev. Emmanuel Flemming Sr., President, Greenville NAACP chapter

What’s next

A request for state support of NAACP clubs in high schools across South Carolina could come in the near future, according to Rev. Flemming.

The takeaway

The expansion of TPUSA clubs in South Carolina schools is a politically charged move that highlights the ongoing debate over the role of partisan politics in education. While supporters argue the clubs give students a platform to express conservative views, critics contend the state is unfairly promoting a specific political agenda that could be harmful to students.