At Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, the first major gathering since the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk, attendees found themselves navigating a landscape marked by division and infighting among conservative leaders. While star speakers traded public insults and debated controversial figures like Nick Fuentes, many younger participants seemed more interested in socializing and building community than engaging in ideological battles.

The event was overshadowed by Kirk's absence, with his image and legacy omnipresent throughout the convention center. Erika Kirk, the new chief executive, acknowledged the growing fractures within the movement, as debates over issues such as support for Israel and the influence of far-right personalities stirred tension among attendees.

Despite the heated rhetoric on stage, most attendees preferred to avoid taking sides, expressing concern that the public squabbling was distracting from the movement's goals. Calls for unity and a renewed focus on American exceptionalism resonated with some, but others questioned whether the movement could overcome its internal divisions and move forward together.