The conservative activist group Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has ignited a fierce backlash from supporters of its late founder, Charlie Kirk, after creating a replica of the tent he was assassinated in as a photo opportunity at its latest event.
Controversial Memorial or 'Sadistic' Spectacle?
The 31-year-old Kirk, a prominent conservative voice, was shot and killed in September while debating students at Utah Valley University. His widow, Erika Kirk, has since steered the organisation, maintaining its significant influence within the MAGA movement and attracting support from high-profile figures, including former Trump administration officials.
However, the decision to erect a near-replica of the tent from that fateful day at the TPUSA 'AmericaFest' event in Phoenix this weekend has provoked outrage and deep unease. Pictures and videos circulated online show attendees posing inside the tent, which featured a backdrop similar to the one Kirk sat before during his final debate.
Candace Owens Fuels the Fire
The criticism was spearheaded by Kirk's former friend and fellow conservative commentator, Candace Owens, who has publicly clashed with TPUSA leadership in the months following his death. "Recreating the tent Charlie died under for selfies? Seriously?" Owens wrote on X. "It felt like a seance. I actually want to know whose idea it was."
Her comments resonated with many online, where the stunt was widely condemned. One critic labelled it "nothing short of sadistic," while another sarcastically suggested building replicas of the Twin Towers or Auschwitz ovens if such memorials were acceptable.
TPUSA's Defence and Political Endorsements
In response, TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet firmly denied the tent was a replica of the assassination scene. "It was not the tent where Charlie was assassinated. We made many of them for the tour and this was an entirely different tent," he stated, describing it as a tribute to Kirk's courage and commitment to free speech.
Amid the controversy, the event also served as a political launchpad. In a closing speech, Vice President JD Vance, a close friend of Kirk, addressed the crowd, subtly pitching himself to conservative voters ahead of the 2028 election. Erika Kirk then publicly pledged TPUSA's support for Vance to become the next Republican presidential nominee.
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing tension between Owens and TPUSA. Despite a recent lengthy and reportedly 'productive' private meeting between Owens and Erika Kirk, Owens has continued to question key details surrounding Kirk's death and the organisation's management, tarnishing its reputation with a series of inflammatory online videos.
