The Struggle for Charlie Kirk’s Legacy
The Christian right universe is witnessing a pivotal moment as two competing campus events are set to take place on October 27. Both events claim to carry forward the legacy of Charlie Kirk, a prominent figure in shaping the political views of young conservatives in the United States. One event will be held at Louisiana State University, organized by “Turning Point USA,” the organization founded by Kirk. The other will take place at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, hosted by 19-year-old Brylin Hollyhand, who has been hailed as Kirk’s “protégé.”
This situation raises an important question: Who truly represents the legacy of Kirk? Is it his widow, Erika, who now leads his organization, or is it the rising star among conservative youth, Brylin Hollyhand?
Hollyhand, who calls himself “the internet’s youngest voice of reason,” quickly announced a ten-stop campus tour shortly after Kirk’s death during a speech at Utah Valley University. He claimed that the tour would be sponsored by “Turning Point USA” and would continue Kirk’s legacy, whom he viewed as a mentor.
However, this move sparked controversy. Hollyhand faced backlash from the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) community after a promotional video showed him sitting on a private jet wearing an expensive watch and a striped golf top. The video, posted on X, circulated widely across conservative social media, drawing criticism that Hollyhand was out of touch with grassroots MAGA activism and more akin to a wealthy, overachieving individual.
Some critics on X remarked, “Sending a ‘dude on a private plane to talk to broke kids. Funny.’” Others suspected Hollyhand of trying to shift the movement back toward the old-school Republican establishment, leading some Trump loyalists to distance themselves from him.
“FYI: Turning Point USA is absolutely NOT sponsoring campus tours for young men flying around on private planes,” wrote conservative influencer Nick Sortor on X. “This is such an unnecessary distraction from the ACTUAL campus tour, which honors Charlie,” he added. “Ignore the grifters.”
Despite this, figures like Laura Loomer, a close ally of Trump, defended Hollyhand. The young activist, who has not responded to interview requests, has emerged as a significant force in conservative politics. His rise began in 2018 when he launched a conservative political website and podcast at just 11 years old. Charlie Kirk himself appeared as a guest on the show, giving Hollyhand his first platform.
“My goal is not to be Charlie, it’s to be Brilyn and to do what the Lord has given me the opportunity to do,” Hollyhand stated in an interview with the New York Post.
Cracks Within the Movement
The controversy surrounding Hollyhand comes at a time when conservative activism is under pressure. Internal divisions have surfaced among key MAGA figures. For example, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, former Trump aide Steve Bannon, and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene have expressed criticism of the Trump administration’s policies, including its lack of a healthcare strategy, strong support for Israel, and strikes against Iran.
Another point of contention is the Trump administration’s refusal to release information about the case of Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier facing charges of sex trafficking before his death in jail.
Additionally, recent reports revealed racist messages sent by leaders of Young Republican groups on the Telegram platform. Leaked chats contained racist epithets, slurs, and hateful jokes, prompting widespread condemnation and the resignation of several local leaders. The Young Republican National Federation condemned the behavior, calling it “vile and inexcusable.”
Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, criticized the incident, accusing the MAGA movement of embracing bigotry. Clarke specifically called out the Republican Party for its alignment with white supremacy.
The Future of Conservative Youth Engagement
Despite these challenges, there is a growing trend of young people aligning with conservative values. According to the AP VoteCast survey, 47% of voters aged 18-29 supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election, while 51% backed Kamala Harris. This marked a narrower gap compared to the 2020 election, where Joe Biden had a much larger lead.
Charlie Kirk played a significant role in mobilizing Gen Z voters, emphasizing issues like lower taxes, smaller government, and border security. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, Kirk praised Trump as an economic leader and urged Gen Z to reject Democratic policies.
Now, with Kirk’s passing and Trump’s final term, the question remains: Will young voters continue to support Republican candidates?
Experts suggest that “Turning Point USA” has developed a brand independent of Trump, focusing on Christian nationalism. Matthew Boedy, a professor at the University of North Georgia, believes that young people will stay engaged in politics due to cultural wars.
However, the MAGA movement faces internal fractures. As Matthew Dallek, a professor at George Washington University, noted, extremist movements tend to become more radical over time and often fracture. Right now, the movement is a mix of factions and influencers, each vying to define what it means to be MAGA.
As the landscape of American politics evolves, the future of conservative activism—and its ability to unify under a single vision—remains uncertain.
