Erika Kirk and Karoline Leavitt kick off TPUSA college tour
Turning Point USA’s spring college tour kicked off at George Washington University with Erika Kirk and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt leading the event. The gathering at Lisner Auditorium featured Kirk-who took over TPUSA after her husband Charlie Kirk’s assassination-and Leavitt discussing free speech, a “true” press, and the importance of open dialogue on campuses. They urged students to think freely and engage in discourse respectfully, arguing that free speech remains meaningful only when exercised responsibly. The audience included TPUSA members from GWU and others, many wearing red MAGA or white FREEDOM hats, and the event was free but first-come, with Lisner’s capacity around 1,400.
During a Q&A, attendees questioned the SAVE America Act and voter fraud, with Kirk and Leavitt defending voter ID and criticizing what they described as a lack of true journalism in some outlets. The program also featured other speakers, including TPUSA GWU president Ryan Van Slingerland, Jack Posobiec, Laine Schoneberger, and Joshua Haymes. The article notes that Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure who spoke at campuses nationwide, was shot dead at a 2025 event, a death that sparked national outrage and debate over political violence; tyler Robinson was charged in connection with the case. The spring tour will continue to other campuses such as the University of Georgia, Ohio State University, and Baylor University, with more stops to be announced.
Erika Kirk and Karoline Leavitt talk free thinking and faith at TPUSA college tour kickoff
Turning Point USA kicked off its spring college tour at George Washington University on Thursday with its CEO Erika Kirk and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The event at Lisner Auditorium featured several prominent speakers, including Kirk, who took over TPUSA after her husband Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“Each stop is a chance to honor Charlie’s mission and keep the fight alive. We know he wouldn’t want us to surrender or be coerced into silence. Free speech is only free if we use our voices,” TPUSA wrote on the GWU event’s page.
Charlie was a prominent conservative figure, frequenting college campuses to have political dialogues with students. TPUSA announced its spring college tour on Instagram on March 12.
Kirk and Leavitt talked about the importance of a free and “true” press. They emphasized that Charlie’s mission was about having open dialogues, and that news outlets are not respecting true journalism.
“What I’ve been noticing is that a lot of these – especially independent journalists – they pedestal their sources above the actual individual or organization that they’re talking about,” Kirk said.
“It’s a 24/7 news cycle we live in, and we’re on the front lines of that at the White House every day,” Leavitt said.
They called on students to forge a future of free thinking and taking action.
“I pray that each and every one of you, especially students, look to my husband as the example to speak with truth and take your freedom of speech from the standpoint of responsibility, of engaging in discourse and dialogue, and doing it in a way where you are obviously standing for what you believe in, but also giving the people who don’t agree with you an opportunity to share why,” Kirk said.
“Because when you listen, then you can respond better.”
Leavitt said faith is paramount to staying grounded in the face of fake news and unethical journalism.
“Faith gives you such perspective that even the worst story or the worst news cycle is just a moment, and it’s passing,” she said.
The crowd was made up of students from the GWU chapter of TPUSA and other attendees. Many people in the audience wore red MAGA hats or white FREEDOM hats.
The TPUSA college tour is free for all, although attendance is first come, first serve. Lisner Auditorium holds around 1,400 seats. Last-minute attendees climbed to the top of the auditorium for the event.
At the end, attendees were able to ask Kirk and Leavitt questions during a Q & A panel. Most notably, the last person questioned the basis of the SAVE America Act. The speaker cited data from the Heritage Foundation, and argued that voter fraud is minimal, and so is it worth it just to “prevent a few hundred cases of voter fraud?”
Leavitt said, “Why are you okay with any voter fraud in the United States of America?”
She continued, “It is absolutely absurd that voter ID is not the land of law in this country.”
Other speakers included Ryan Van Slingerland, president of TPUSA at GWU; Jack Posobiec, a political activist; Laine Schoneberger, chief investment officer at Yrefy; and Joshua Haymes, pastor, host and founder of the Red Reformation Pill podcast.
Charlie, 31, was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Sept. 2025. Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with murder. He’s due back in court May 18.
PARENTS AND BOYFRIEND OF TYLER ROBINSON TO TESTIFY FOR PROSECUTION IN CHARLIE KIRK MURDER TRIAL
Charlie’s death sparked national outrage and prompted discussion over political violence in America.
The TPUSA tour will make more stops across the country, including the University of Georgia (April 14), Ohio State University (April 21), and Baylor University (April 22), among others. Additional schools will be announced.
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