History of Turning Point USA in Timeline
Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is an American nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery. It promotes conservative politics, primarily targeting high school and college campuses. TPUSA has grown rapidly, establishing a significant presence in campus conservatism, with affiliate groups like Turning Point Endowment, Turning Point Action and TPUSA Faith.
1 day ago : VP Vance and Erika Kirk Headline Turning Point USA Event at Ole Miss
VP Vance and Erika Kirk spoke at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, drawing large crowds despite rainy conditions. The event hosted discussions on current issues.
1940: Bill Montgomery Born
In 1940, Bill Montgomery, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was born.
May 2012: Charlie Kirk Launches Turning Point USA
In May 2012, after being encouraged by Bill Montgomery, 18-year-old Charlie Kirk launched Turning Point USA after graduating high school.
2012: Kirk Gains Republican Donor
At the 2012 Republican National Convention, Charlie Kirk met Foster Friess and persuaded him to donate to Turning Point USA.
2012: Turning Point USA Launched with Kirk
In 2012, Bill Montgomery launched Turning Point USA with Charlie Kirk.
2012: Turning Point USA Founded
In 2012, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) was founded by Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery. The organization advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses.
2013: Turning Point USA revenues
In 2013, Turning Point USA's revenues were $78,000.
2014: Benny Johnson Fired from BuzzFeed
Benny Johnson was fired by BuzzFeed for plagiarism in 2014.
2014: African-American woman hired by TPUSA
In 2014, an African-American woman was hired as the only person of color working for Turning Point USA at the time.
July 2016: TPUSA Fundraising
Between July 2016 and June 2017, Turning Point USA raised in excess of US$8.2 million.
October 2016: Kirk Participates in Pro-Trump Fox News Event
In October 2016, Charlie Kirk participated in a Fox News event with Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump with a pro-Donald Trump tone.
November 21, 2016: Professor Watchlist Appears
On November 21, 2016, Turning Point USA also operates a website called Professor Watchlist.
December 2016: Professors Added to Professor Watchlist
As of December 2016, more than 250 professors have been added to the Professor Watchlist site.
2016: Kirk Addresses Republican National Convention
In 2016, Charlie Kirk addressed the Republican National Convention and assisted with travel and media arrangements for Donald Trump Jr.
2016: Turning Point USA at Grand Valley State University files lawsuit
In 2016, Turning Point USA at Grand Valley State University filed a lawsuit against the school's trustees, seeking to prohibit enforcement of GVSU's Speech Zone policy and declare it a violation of students' 1st and 14th Amendment freedoms. They have since reached a settlement.
2016: Professor Watchlist Launched
In 2016, Turning Point USA launched Professor Watchlist, a website listing academic staff who allegedly discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda.
2016: Turning Point USA denied recognition at Drake University and initially blocked at Hagerstown Community College
In 2016, Turning Point USA was denied recognition as an official student organization at Drake University due to concerns about a "hateful record", "aggressive marketing", and "unethical privacy concern". At Hagerstown Community College, an attempt to start a chapter was initially blocked, but a lawsuit led to a revision of the school's policy on student organizations.
2016: Turning Point USA reports US$8.2 million in donations
In the 2016 financial year, Turning Point USA reported US$8.2 million in donations to the IRS, an increase from $4.3 million the previous year. Expenses also doubled, reaching $8.3 million, mostly for employment costs.
February 2017: Santa Clara University student government denies recognition for Turning Point USA
In February 2017, Santa Clara University's student government voted to deny recognition for Turning Point USA as a campus organization.
March 2017: Santa Clara University recognizes Turning Point USA as a registered student organization
In March 2017, the Vice Provost for Student Life at Santa Clara University overturned the student government's decision, recognizing Turning Point USA as a registered student organization.
June 2017: TPUSA Funneling Money
Between July 2016 and June 2017, leaked records found that Turning Point USA had funneled "thousands of dollars" into student governments to elect conservatives.
September 2017: University of Nebraska–Lincoln lecturer reassigned after confronting TPUSA recruiter
In September 2017, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln lecturer, Courtney Lawton, was reassigned after a video surfaced online showing her confronting a student recruiting for Turning Point USA.
October 2017: Kent State TPUSA chapter protests "safe space" culture
In October 2017, Turning Point USA student members at Kent State University protested against campus "safe space" culture by dressing up in diapers as babies. Following widespread ridicule, the chapter president, Kaitlin Bennett, resigned, and the chapter disbanded. It has since been reestablished.
December 2017: The New Yorker publishes article highlighting discrimination within TPUSA
In December 2017, The New Yorker published an article by Jane Mayer showcasing interviews with former minority members of Turning Point USA. Former staff members reported witnessing widespread discrimination against minorities within the organization. The article also revealed a racist text message sent by Crystal Clanton, a leading figure in the organization.
2017: Benny Johnson Suspended
Benny Johnson suspended by the Independent Journal Review in 2017 for publishing a conspiracy theory about Barack Obama.
2017: Tyler Bowyer Becomes COO
In 2017, Tyler Bowyer became the chief operating officer (COO) of Turning Point USA.
2017: Strategy to capture student government positions outlined
In 2017, a private brochure for TPUSA donors outlined a strategy to capture the majority of student-government positions at 80% of Division 1 N.C.A.A. schools, defund progressive organizations, eliminate barriers to hate speech, block campus 'boycott, divestment and sanctions' movements, and use student resources to promote 'American Exceptionalism and Free Market ideals.' The brochure listed Turning Point USA-supported students elected to student government positions in 2017.
2017: NRA Sponsor of YWLS
The National Rifle Association (NRA) was the headline sponsor of the Young Women's Leadership Summit (YWLS) in 2017 and 2018.
January 18, 2018: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute denies Turning Point USA chapter status
On January 18, 2018, the executive board of the student union of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute voted to deny the Turning Point USA chapter status as an officially recognized student organization.
May 2018: Young America's Foundation warns members not to associate with TPUSA
In May 2018, an internal memo from Young America's Foundation (YAF) warned its members to not associate with Turning Point USA, accusing TPUSA of exaggerating its number of chapters and activities, taking credit for other organizations' events, boosting numbers with racists, and sponsoring "humiliating" campus activism events.
June 2018: Joe Walsh resigns from TPUSA board
In June 2018, conservative radio talk show host Joe Walsh resigned from the Turning Point USA board because Charlie Kirk was too closely tied to Donald Trump, stating the importance of not being beholden to politicians.
December 2018: Candace Owens Controversial Remarks
In December 2018, Candace Owens made controversial remarks about Hitler, leading to calls for her resignation.
2018: YWLS an Ultra-Trumpian Event
By 2018, the Young Women's Leadership Summit (YWLS) had evolved into an ultra-Trumpian event with chants and T-shirts disparaging Hillary Clinton.
2018: Southern Poverty Law Center documents TPUSA's links to white supremacists
In 2018, the Southern Poverty Law Center's Hatewatch documented Turning Point USA's links to white supremacists.
February 2019: Benny Johnson Hired as Chief Creative Officer
In February 2019, Turning Point USA hired Benny Johnson as chief creative officer.
May 2019: Candace Owens Resigns
In May 2019, Candace Owens resigned as communications director of Turning Point USA after controversial remarks she made in December 2018 were publicized.
May 2019: Kirk prepares to unveil Turning Point Action
In May 2019, it was reported that Charlie Kirk was preparing to unveil Turning Point Action as a 501(c)(4) entity allowed to target Democrats.
November 2019: Charlie Kirk launches "Culture War" college tour, targeted by alt-right members
During November 2019, Charlie Kirk launched the "Culture War" college tour with appearances from conservatives like Donald Trump Jr., Lara Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle. These events were frequently targeted by homophobic and antisemitic members of the alt-right and far-right who challenged the speakers' views during Q&A sessions.
November 2019: The Dartmouth Review criticizes TPUSA for prioritizing Kirk and Trump over conservative values
In November 2019, the Dartmouth Review criticized Turning Point USA for promoting Kirk and Trump over conservative values, calling it an intellectually devoid echo chamber and urging true conservatives to outgrow the organization.
2019: Barry Russell a Key Advisor
As of 2019, Barry Russell, president and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), was a key advisor.
2019: Kirk Becomes CEO of Students for Trump
In 2019, Charlie Kirk became CEO of Students for Trump.
2019: TPUSA's reported revenues from donors were $28.5 million
In 2019, TPUSA's reported revenues from donors were $28.5 million, and CEO Charlie Kirk's compensation was $292,423.
2019: ADL calls TPUSA an alt-lite organization
In 2019, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called Turning Point USA an alt-lite organization and criticized it for affiliating with activists from the alt-right and far-right.
April 2020: Montgomery's Role in Turning Point USA
Bill Montgomery served as the secretary and treasurer of Turning Point USA until April 2020.
July 2020: Bill Montgomery Dies
In July 2020, Bill Montgomery died of complications from COVID-19.
July 2020: TPUSA attorney refutes allegations of campaign finance irregularities
In July 2020, TPUSA attorney Sally Wagenmaker refuted allegations of campaign finance irregularities in an article published by ProPublica, stating that "payments to businesses belonging to organization officials 'provided a compelling operational benefit in Turning Point USA's best and other interests,' and that they were 'in full compliance with TPUSA's IRS-compliant conflict of interest policy.'"
October 2020: Charlie Kirk begins hosting radio talk show; Turning Point USA's online audience grows
In October 2020, Charlie Kirk began hosting a daily three-hour radio talk show on Salem Media's "The Answer." Turning Point USA's online audience grew from 83,000 to 111,000 in 2020, and a dozen social media accounts had more than 10 million followers.
2020: Kirk disputes the results of the 2020 election
After the 2020 election, Charlie Kirk disputed the results and denied that Trump had lost.
2020: Turning Point Action pays teenagers for social media posts
During the 2020 U.S. presidential election campaign, Turning Point Action paid teenagers in Arizona, some of them minors, to produce thousands of posts with Turning Point USA content on their own social media accounts without disclosing their relationship with the organization.
2020: Kirk Keynote Speaker at Republican National Convention
In 2020, Charlie Kirk was a keynote speaker on the first day of the Republican National Convention, calling President Donald Trump the "bodyguard of western civilization".
2020: Turning Point Endowment revenues
In 2020, Turning Point Endowment had revenues of $16,576,350.
January 4, 2021: Turning Point Action announces buses to "Stop the Steal" rally
On January 4, 2021, Charlie Kirk announced on Twitter that Turning Point Action would be sending more than 80 buses to the January 6, 2021, Trump "Stop the Steal" rally near the White House to protest the election outcome. They sent seven buses with approximately 350 participants.
January 6, 2021: Turning Point Action participates in "Stop the Steal" rally
On January 6, 2021, Turning Point Action sent buses to the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C., and funneled money to rally speakers, including Kimberly Guilfoyle. While the organization didn't participate in the march to the Capitol that erupted in violence, the rally ended in a riot and the attack at the U.S. Capitol. Charlie Kirk later deleted his tweet promoting the buses and said on his podcast that entering the Capitol was "bad judgment" but not necessarily insurrectionist. Turning Point Action later condemned political violence.
August 2021: TPUSA's "2021 Investor Prospectus"
In August 2021, Turning Point USA distributed a "2021 Investor Prospectus" seeking to raise $43 million for various programs. The prospectus was criticized for employing white nationalist rhetoric, claiming the Left's plan would revert society to a time "deficient of Western influence" and that schools had become "intolerant and nihilistic dens of anti-American hate."
September 2021: Turning Point USA launches "Turning Point Live" and wins Emmy Award
In September 2021, Turning Point USA launched "Turning Point Live," a three-hour streaming talk show hosted by John Root, selling "Save America" merchandise. Also in 2021, the Turning Point USA Productions film "A Long Walk in Socialism" won a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award in the Cultural/Topical documentary category.
December 2021: Turning Point USA Launches AmericaFest
In December 2021, Turning Point USA launched AmericaFest, a four-day conference that featured conservative speakers and country music acts. Kyle Rittenhouse was introduced with a standing ovation.
2021: Kirk compares Biden's vaccination efforts to "Apartheid-style open air hostage situation"
In 2021, Charlie Kirk compared Biden's vaccination efforts to an "Apartheid-style open air hostage situation," despite the death of co-founder Bill Montgomery from COVID-related health complications. Turning Point USA also made misleading claims about the dangers of catching COVID-19 and advocated against vaccine mandates and passports.
2021: Charlie Kirk founds TPUSA Faith
In 2021, Charlie Kirk founded TPUSA Faith, an organization dedicated to recruiting pastors and church leaders to engage in local and national political issues. The organization promotes a culture war agenda and aims to attract religious conservatives through faith-based voter drives and education on TPUSA's core values. TPUSA's 2021 Investor Prospectus allocated $6.4 million to engage thousands of pastors nationwide to renew civic engagement in churches.
2021: TPUSA Announces Turning Point Academy
In 2021, TPUSA announced Turning Point Academy, an online academy promoting an "America-first education". Plans to develop a curriculum with StrongMind were abandoned after StrongMind's subcontractor, the Freedom Learning Group, terminated the contract upon discovering that TPUSA was the client.
2021: TPUSA Launches School Board Watchlist
In 2021, Turning Point USA launched the School Board Watchlist to hold district leaders accountable for "dangerous agendas".
2021: School Board Watchlist Website Started
In 2021, Turning Point USA started its School Board Watchlist website, publishing names and photos of school board members who adopted mask mandates or anti-racist curricula.
2021: TPUSA a Dominant Force in Campus Conservatism
In 2021, Turning Point USA was described by The Chronicle of Higher Education as the dominant force in campus conservatism.
2021: Turning Point USA revenues
In 2021, Turning Point USA's revenues grew to $55.8 million.
2021: Wichita State University student court overturns denial of Turning Point USA chapter
In 2021, Wichita State University's student court overturned a decision by the student senate denying a Turning Point USA Chapter recognition on Campus. The student court vote was unanimous that the denial of recognition was unconstitutional.
2021: Jack Posobiec Joins TPUSA
In 2021, political activist Jack Posobiec joined Turning Point USA to host the show Human Events Daily.
July 2022: Neo-Nazis appear outside TPUSA Student Action Summit, The View issues retraction and apology
In July 2022, neo-Nazis appeared outside of TPUSA's Student Action Summit in Tampa, but were not let in. Joy Behar of The View falsely stated that TPUSA invited and embraced neo-Nazi protesters, which was later retracted with an apology from The View after a cease and desist request from TPUSA.
2022: Turning Point USA releases "Border Battle" docuseries
In 2022, Turning Point USA, in partnership with Salem Media Group, released "Border Battle", a docuseries about America's southern border.
March 2023: BLEXIT and TPUSA Partner
In March 2023, it was announced that the BLEXIT Foundation and Turning Point USA have partnered. BLEXIT would be incorporating their message through TPUSA's branding style and corporate structure, while retaining Candace Owens and Brandon Tatum in leadership roles.
April 2023: Riley Gaines speaks at San Francisco State University, met with protests
In April 2023, a student chapter of Turning Point USA hosted an event at San Francisco State University featuring former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, who spoke about excluding trans women from women's sports. Following her speech, she was met with protestors and was escorted by campus police to a computer room for several hours, and she reports being physically assaulted twice and missing her flight.
October 2023: TPUSA Crew Confronts Instructor
In October 2023, an English instructor at Arizona State University was followed and confronted by a TPUSA crew, resulting in an altercation. The instructor said the resulting wounds to his face were "relatively minor".
2023: AmericaFest
In 2023, AmericaFest was TPUSA's largest conference yet, with 13,000 attendees. Keynote speakers included Glenn Beck, Roseanne Barr, Mike Lindell, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Tucker Carlson, and Charlie Kirk.
December 2024: AmericaFest Held in Phoenix
In December 2024, AmericaFest was held in Phoenix, Arizona. Keynote speakers included Donald J. Trump, Ben Shapiro, Kirk, Carlson, Patrick Bet-David, Matt Walsh, Riley Gaines, and Cenk Uygur.
September 10, 2025: Charlie Kirk Assassinated
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
September 18, 2025: Erika Kirk Becomes CEO
On September 18, 2025, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, was selected to succeed Kirk as CEO of Turning Point USA.
October 2, 2025: Rutgers TPUSA Launches Petition
On October 2, 2025, the Rutgers University chapter of Turning Point USA launched a petition against Rutgers professor Mark Bray, calling for his firing and referring to him as "Dr. Antifa".
2025: Charlie Kirk's Role in Turning Point USA
From its founding to his death in 2025, Charlie Kirk was the CEO, chief fundraiser, and the public face of Turning Point USA.
2025: Turning Point USA co-produces "Identity Crisis" documentary
In 2025, Turning Point USA co-produced a documentary with The Daily Wire called "Identity Crisis", which "scrutinizes the radical gender ideology movement" and "the societal failures enabling the continued mutilation of children."
2025: Young Women's Leadership Summit
In 2025, Young Women's Leadership Summit had its biggest attendance at the Gaylord Texan resort & convention center with over 3,000 women. Charlie Kirk and his wife Erika Kirk both spoke at the event along with several other prominent conservative figures.
2025: Student Action Summit Largest Turnout
The 2025 Student Action Summit (SAS), one of TPUSA's signature annual events, saw its largest ever turnout with 5,000 attendees at the Tampa convention center. Speakers included Border czar Tom Homan, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump Jr. and Tucker Carlson, with Charlie Kirk also addressing the crowd.
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