• Erika Kirk endorsed Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 presidential election at AmericaFest.
• Vance has not confirmed his intent to run but is seen as a strong candidate.
• The endorsement comes during a pivotal Turning Point USA conference in Phoenix.
• Turning Point USA was vital in shaping support for Trump in the 2024 election.
• Kirk’s remarks followed her husband’s assassination, marking a significant moment for the organization.

During the opening of Turning Point USA's annual AmericaFest conference, Erika Kirk officially endorsed Vice President JD Vance for the presidency in 2028, signaling her commitment to leverage the influential conservative group to support his candidacy. "We are going to get my husband's friend, JD Vance, elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible," she declared, eliciting an enthusiastic reaction from the audience, according to CBS News and ABC News.

Kirk's endorsement is particularly significant as it comes during the first major Turning Point event since the tragic death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, who founded the organization. His proximity to Vance and the political maneuvers ahead of the 2028 elections underscore the influence of Turning Point in the modern conservative movement, emphasizing its role in energizing young voters for previous elections, notably Trump's victory in 2024, according to BBC and ABC News.

JD Vance, while not officially declaring his candidacy, is viewed as a prominent figure within the party and is expected to discuss his plans after the midterms in 2026. Notably, he has expressed his focus on serving as vice president before tackling presidential ambitions, as he aims to engage in discussions with Donald Trump regarding the elections, according to CBS News and ABC News.

The AmericaFest event has emerged as a platform not only for political endorsements but also for revealing tensions within the conservative faction, particularly with recent commentary on past GOP figures. It appears to reflect divisions among Trump's supporters, where remarks from notable figures like Ben Shapiro have highlighted the growing schisms within the movement, as noted by BBC.