Erika Kirk Stuns Crowd With 2028 Endorsement at AmericaFest, Sparking Debate Online

Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, surprised a large crowd on Thursday by endorsing Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028.

“We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” she told attendees at the group’s AmericaFest conference.

The speech came on the opening night of AmericaFest, the first major Turning Point event since Charlie Kirk’s death in September. Kirk stood where her husband once stood and spoke about carrying on his work as she stepped into the group’s top role.

Kirk’s endorsement was not entirely out of the blue. In a recent interview with Megyn Kelly she said support for Vance was “in the works.” She also said one of the last conversations she had with her husband was about how “intentional” he was about supporting Vance in the next presidential election.

Vance has not formally declared a 2028 bid. He told Sean Hannity he wants to focus on the 2026 midterms before talking about a run for the White House. That cautious line now collides with an organization promising to throw its weight behind him.

The crowd at AmericaFest cheered loudly when Kirk made the pledge. Her words picked up steam online within minutes. Some users praised the move. Others paused and asked why an endorsement had landed before a candidate even filed to run.

The moment also revived attention on a warm embrace between Kirk and Vance at a Turning Point event last month. Photos and clips of that hug have circulated online and sparked talk about friendships and marriages. Reporters and social posts leaned in for details.

Turning Point USA is a major force on college campuses. Its backing matters because the group reaches young voters and activists who can be loud and organized. If the group follows Kirk’s lead, Vance would gain quick access to a large grassroots engine ahead of any formal campaign.

Kirk mixed seriousness with small jabs and a touch of show. She thanked volunteers and told a few light jokes about live event snafus. At one point she quipped about a missing speech file on her device and kept the audience with a line about solving technical trouble like it was just another day in politics.

The endorsement also adds another layer to the fast moving alliances in the Republican world. President Donald Trump remains the party’s central figure and has his own loyal base.

Kirk framed her group’s work as part of a larger effort to keep Republican control of Congress and to support friendly leaders. For now the endorsement is a signal more than a campaign launch. It tells donors and activists where one influential group plans to point its energy.

It may push Vance to say more about his plans. Or he may stick to his public line about winning the midterms first. Either way politics just got a new talking point.

Featured image via X screengrab