For one night, Vance takes Charlie Kirk’s place on the college campus debate circuit

UNIVERSITY, Miss. — Vice President J.D. Vance on Wednesday recalled an angry phone call from conservative activist Charlie Kirk in the months before his death — an example, Vance said, of his late friend’s commitment to firm but polite debate.

Kirk, Vance said, was concerned about whether President Donald Trump’s stance in the Middle East would lead to a long-running military conflict involving U.S. troops.

Vance, speaking to supporters of Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization at the University of Mississippi, called it “a great moment for our country” and for his friendship with Kirk, “because friendship isn’t just about telling everyone what they want to hear.”

“It’s about trusting another human being to be able to tell them they’re wrong and encourage them to change their mind or, in this case, not necessarily telling us we were wrong, but making sure we think through all the options,” Vance added.

Kirk, 31, was killed during a court appearance last month at Utah Valley University. Kirk, a conservative activist who was a close ally of Vance and Trump, was known for taking his message to college campuses, energizing others on the right and relishing debates with those on the left.

Vance, 41, is known for enjoying combative repartee with his critiques on social media. Taking a cue from Kirk, he also took questions from the audience Wednesday night — many of them from students who asked him about issues ranging from religion to immigration.

“I make no apologies for believing that Christianity is a path to God,” Vance said in response to a student concerned about prayer in public schools. “I make no apologies for thinking that Christian values ​​are an important foundation of this country, but I’m not going to force you to believe in anything, because that’s not what God wants, and it’s not what I want.”

Vance had a bit of an argument with a young woman who bombarded him with questions about his interfaith marriage (second lady Usha Vance is Hindu) and his desire to limit legal immigration.

“I’m going to finish answering the question, and then, you know, if I answered your nine questions in less than 15 minutes…” he said sarcastically, laughing, during the exchange.

“Exactly how many immigrants should America accept in the future?” “” Vance asked as he concluded his answer. “Right now, the answer is much less than we accepted. We need to become a common community again, and you can’t do that with such high immigration numbers.”

His final question came from a young woman who asked about Trump’s efforts to defeat Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has opposed key parts of Trump’s agenda, in a GOP primary next year. Vance began his response on a personal note, recalling that he had become friends with Massie before entering politics.

“Being independent, having your own opinions is one thing,” Vance said. “It’s not about one issue, or three or four issues. It’s that every time we’ve needed Thomas for a vote, he has absolutely refused to provide it. That’s why the President of the United States has directed his ire at Thomas Massie. It’s because we can never count on him for some of the toughest votes.”

The event, with Vance headlining, cemented Turning Point USA’s influential role in Republican politics — and Vance’s position as its most prominent champion. Ole Miss’ Sandy and John Black Pavilion, which seats 9,500 people for basketball games, was filled to capacity, with several hundred additional seats set up on the arena floor.

Attendees, many wearing Make America Great Again or Trump 47 hats, lined up hours earlier in the cold, pouring rain.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, spoke before Vance. She thanked her late husband’s young supporters while describing them as essential to ensuring his conservative Christian values ​​continue to shape national politics.

“You have no idea how helpful it is to have all of you in my life because you have helped me feel even more deeply connected to my husband, and I thank you for that,” she said. “You are the heart of Turning Point USA. You are the heart of this organization.”

She later added in her remarks: “Every one of you in this room, everyone is looking at you, when you earn your voice and you stand up for what’s right, that’s part of your legacy, your family’s legacy, just as much as it’s part of Charlie’s legacy. Don’t forget that. Never forget that, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, especially being with Charlie these last seven years, it’s that hope we’re looking for isn’t in Washington. It’s not in the media. It’s here, y’all.

Vance is, in many ways, a manifestation of Kirk’s movement reaching the highest levels of the federal government. He highlighted how Kirk played a central role in his political rise, starting with a Republican Senate primary in Ohio three years ago that few thought he could win.

Vance led the White House response to Kirk’s assassination, having approved the public humiliation and firing of those who cheered his death in social media posts. Vance also expressed the administration’s interest in taking action against left-wing groups that he, Trump and their allies have accused of fomenting political violence.

Vance’s continued support of Turning Point USA can be mutually beneficial. Young male voters helped bring Trump back to power last year and could also play an important role in Vance’s expected campaign for president in 2028. Trump has repeatedly said he views Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential heirs to his MAGA movement. This week he again suggested the two would form a strong national ticket.

“I’m not sure anyone would run against those two,” Trump told reporters Monday on Air Force One. “I think if they ever formed a band [they] would be unstoppable. Really.

The crowd here Wednesday indicated their preference for who they wanted besides that ticket, chanting “48! 48!” — Vance would be the 48th president if he succeeds Trump — as he concluded his remarks.

“Let’s not go too fast,” he replied.