History of Turning Point USA in Timeline
Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is a conservative nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery. It focuses on advocating for conservative politics among high school and college students through campus chapters. TPUSA also has affiliate groups such as Turning Point Endowment, Turning Point Action and TPUSA Faith. TPUSA has been noted as a dominant force in campus conservatism.
1 day ago : WSU Instructor Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Student Wearing Trump Hat: TPUSA Controversy
A Washington State University instructor was arrested for allegedly assaulting a student wearing a Trump hat. The incident sparked controversy and involved Turning Point USA, highlighting tensions on college campuses regarding political expression and academic freedom.
1940: Bill Montgomery's Birth
Bill Montgomery was born in 1940. He was a marketing entrepreneur and onetime participant in the Tea Party movement.
May 2012: Charlie Kirk's Speech and Founding of TPUSA
In May 2012, Charlie Kirk gave a speech at Benedictine University, after which Bill Montgomery encouraged him to postpone college and engage in political activism. A month later, Turning Point USA was launched.
2012: Bill Montgomery Co-founded Turning Point USA
Bill Montgomery co-founded Turning Point USA with Charlie Kirk in 2012.
2012: Turning Point USA Founded
In 2012, Turning Point USA (TPUSA), an American nonprofit organization, was founded by Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery to advocate for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses.
2012: Meeting Foster Friess at the Republican National Convention
In 2012, at the Republican National Convention, Charlie Kirk met Foster Friess, a Republican donor, and persuaded him to finance Turning Point USA. Friess also served on the organization's advisory council.
2013: Turning Point USA's Revenue
Turning Point USA's revenue in 2013 was $78,000.
2014: Allegations of Discrimination within TPUSA
In 2014, an African-American woman hired by TPUSA as the only person of color was allegedly fired on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The claims were published in The New Yorker in December 2017.
2014: Benny Johnson Fired from BuzzFeed
In February 2019, Turning Point USA hired Benny Johnson as chief creative officer, despite his prior firing from BuzzFeed in 2014 for plagiarism and suspension by the Independent Journal Review in 2017.
2015: Kirk's West Point Application Claim
In a 2015 speech at the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley, Charlie Kirk stated he was not accepted to the United States Military Academy and claimed his 'slot' went to a 'less-qualified candidate'.
July 2016: Turning Point USA Fundraising
Between July 2016 and June 2017, the organization raised in excess of US$8.2 million.
October 2016: TPUSA's Pro-Trump Event
In October 2016, Charlie Kirk participated in a Fox News event with Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump. A TPUSA staff member wrote on Facebook that student expenses would be covered for attending, leading to questions about the organization's tax-exempt status.
November 21, 2016: Professor Watchlist Launched
On November 21, 2016, Turning Point USA launched Professor Watchlist, a website to document and expose college professors who 'discriminate against conservative students, promote anti-American values, and advance leftist propaganda'.
December 2016: Professor Watchlist Contains Inaccuracies
As of December 2016, Professor Watchlist had over 250 professors listed. However, reports from Politico described that the list contained many inaccuracies.
2016: Kirk Addresses Republican National Convention
In 2016, Charlie Kirk addressed the Republican National Convention. He stated that while he was 'not the world's biggest Donald Trump fan', he would vote for him. He spent the rest of the 2016 presidential campaign assisting with travel and media arrangements and running errands for Donald Trump Jr.
2016: TPUSA denied official recognition at Drake University and Hagerstown Community College
In 2016, Drake University denied Turning Point USA recognition as an official student organization due to concerns about a "hateful record". At Hagerstown Community College, a student's attempt to start a TPUSA group was initially blocked, leading to a lawsuit and revision of the school's policy on student organizations.
2016: TPUSA Lawsuit Against Grand Valley State University
In 2016, Turning Point USA at Grand Valley State University filed a lawsuit against the school's trustees over the Speech Zone policy, alleging a violation of students' 1st and 14th Amendment freedoms.
2016: Launch of Professor Watchlist
In 2016, Turning Point USA launched Professor Watchlist, a website listing academic staff that TPUSA claimed discriminated against conservative students and advanced leftist propaganda.
2016: TPUSA's Reported Donations to the IRS
In 2016, Turning Point USA reported US$8.2 million in donations to the IRS, an increase from $4.3 million the previous year. Expenses for the group doubled, reaching $8.3 million, most of which were employment related costs ($4.3 million).
2016: Potential campaign finance violations by TPUSA staff.
In 2016, two separate actions by TPUSA staff appear to have violated campaign finance regulations.
February 2017: Santa Clara University Initially Denies TPUSA Recognition
In February 2017, Santa Clara University's student government initially voted to deny recognition for Turning Point USA as a campus organization.
March 2017: Santa Clara University Overturns Decision and Recognizes TPUSA
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: Turning Point USA Fundraising
Between July 2016 and June 2017, the organization raised in excess of US$8.2 million.
September 2017: University of Nebraska Lecturer Reassigned
In September 2017, University of Nebraska lecturer Courtney Lawton was reassigned after a video showed her confronting a student recruiting for Turning Point USA.
October 2017: Kent State TPUSA Chapter Protest and Disbandment
In October 2017, Turning Point USA student members at Kent State University protested against campus "safe space" culture by dressing in diapers. The chapter president resigned following social media ridicule, and the chapter disbanded, though it was later reestablished.
December 2017: The New Yorker Publishes Article on Discrimination within TPUSA
In December 2017, The New Yorker published an article detailing allegations of widespread discrimination against minorities within TPUSA based on interviews with former staff members.
2017: Kirk Clarifies West Point Comment
In 2017, Charlie Kirk told The New Yorker that he was being sarcastic when he said he did not get into West Point.
2017: The New Yorker described potential campaign finance violations by TPUSA
In 2017, The New Yorker reported on two instances from the 2016 election where TPUSA staff actions appeared to violate campaign finance regulations. Charlie Kirk denied any wrongdoing.
2017: Tyler Bowyer Becomes COO
In 2017, Tyler Bowyer became the chief operating officer (COO) of Turning Point USA.
2017: TPUSA Strategy for Student Government Control
In 2017, a private brochure for TPUSA donors outlined a strategy to capture a majority of student-government positions, defund progressive organizations, and eliminate barriers to hate speech.
2017: NRA Sponsors YWLS
In 2017, the National Rifle Association (NRA) was the headline sponsor of the Young Women's Leadership Summit (YWLS).
2017: Benny Johnson Suspended by Independent Journal Review
In February 2019, Turning Point USA hired Benny Johnson as chief creative officer, despite his prior firing from BuzzFeed in 2014 for plagiarism and suspension by the Independent Journal Review in 2017.
January 18, 2018: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Denies TPUSA 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: YAF Warns Members Not to Associate with TPUSA
In May 2018, an internal memo from Young America's Foundation (YAF) warned its members to avoid associating with TPUSA, accusing the organization of various improprieties and exaggerating its influence.
June 2018: Joe Walsh Resigns from TPUSA Board
In June 2018, conservative radio talk show host Joe Walsh resigned from the TPUSA board because he believed Charlie Kirk was too closely tied to Donald Trump.
December 2018: Candace Owens' Controversial Remarks
In May 2019, Candace Owens resigned as communications director after controversial remarks she made in December 2018 were publicized, leading to calls for her resignation from some TPUSA campus chapters. The remarks were said at a speech at a conservative event in London that "if Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, okay fine. The problem is ... he had dreams outside of Germany. He wanted to globalize."
2018: NRA Sponsors YWLS for Second Year
In 2018, the National Rifle Association (NRA) was the headline sponsor of the Young Women's Leadership Summit (YWLS). The summit evolved into an ultra-Trumpian event with 'lock her up' chants.
2018: SPLC 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: Turning Point USA Hires Benny Johnson
In February 2019, Turning Point USA hired Benny Johnson as chief creative officer, despite his prior firing from BuzzFeed in 2014 for plagiarism and suspension by the Independent Journal Review in 2017.
May 2019: Candace Owens Resigns from TPUSA
In May 2019, Candace Owens resigned as communications director after controversial remarks she made in December 2018 were publicized, leading to calls for her resignation from some TPUSA campus chapters.
May 2019: Turning Point Action to Target Democrats
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.
October 2019: Kirk Denies West Point Claim
In October 2019 at a TPUSA event in New Hampshire featuring Senator Rand Paul, Charlie Kirk claimed he never made the statement about applying to West Point.
November 2019: Kirk Launches Culture War College Tour
In November 2019, Charlie Kirk launched the Culture War college tour with appearances from conservatives such as Donald Trump Jr., Lara Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle. The events were frequently targeted by members of the alt-right and far-right.
November 2019: Dartmouth Review Criticizes TPUSA
In November 2019, the Dartmouth Review criticized TPUSA, stating that the organization promoted Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump first, rather than conservative values.
2019: Kirk Becomes CEO of Students for Trump
In 2019, Charlie Kirk became CEO of Students for Trump.
2019: TPUSA's Reported Revenues and Charlie Kirk's Compensation
In 2019, Turning Point USA reported revenues of $28.5 million from donors, and CEO Charlie Kirk's compensation was $292,423.
2019: ADL Calls TPUSA Alt-Lite Organization
In 2019, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) labeled TPUSA an alt-lite organization and criticized them for affiliating with activists from the alt-right and the far-right. The ADL also reported that the group's leadership and activists had made racist or bigoted comments.
April 2020: Bill Montgomery's Role Until April 2020
Bill Montgomery served as Turning Point USA's secretary and treasurer until April 2020.
July 2020: Bill Montgomery's Death
In July 2020, Bill Montgomery died due to complications resulting from contracting COVID-19.
July 2020: TPUSA Attorney Refuted Allegations of Campaign Finance Irregularities
In July 2020, TPUSA attorney Sally Wagenmaker refuted allegations of campaign finance irregularities, stating that payments to businesses belonging to organization officials provided a compelling operational benefit in Turning Point USA's best and other interests.
September 2020: Turning Point Action Pays Minors to Post TPUSA Content on Social Media
In September 2020, The Washington Post reported that Turning Point USA's affiliate, Turning Point Action, paid young people in Arizona, some of them minors, to produce posts with TPUSA content on their own social media accounts and on fake accounts without disclosing their relationship with Turning Point USA.
October 2020: Charlie Kirk Begins Hosting Radio Talk Show on Salem Media's "The Answer"
In October 2020, Charlie Kirk started hosting a daily three-hour radio talk show on the conservative Christian radio network Salem Media's "The Answer" channel.
October 2020: Facebook Bans Rally Forge, Twitter Suspends Accounts
In October 2020, Facebook permanently banned Rally Forge, and Twitter suspended 262 accounts from its platform due to their involvement with Turning Point USA. However, neither organization penalized Turning Point USA, citing a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the extent of the group's leaders' awareness of the violations.
2020: Kirk Disputes 2020 Election Results
After the 2020 election, Charlie Kirk disputed the results and denied that Trump had lost.
2020: Turning Point Action Paid Teenagers for Social Media Posts
During the 2020 presidential election campaign, Turning Point Action paid teenagers in Arizona, some of them minors, to produce social media posts with Turning Point USA content without disclosing their relationship with the organization.
2020: Kirk Speaks 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: Growth of TPUSA's Online Audience
In 2020, Turning Point USA's online audience grew from an average of 83,000 to 111,000. A dozen social media accounts had more than 10 million followers online.
2020: Turning Point Endowment Revenue
Turning Point Endowment's revenue in 2020 was $16,576,350.
January 4, 2021: Turning Point Action Sends Buses to "Stop the Steal" Rally
On January 4, 2021, Charlie Kirk announced that Turning Point Action would be sending more than 80 buses to the "Stop the Steal" rally near the White House in Washington, D.C., to protest the 2020 election outcome.
January 6, 2021: TPUSA Involvement in "Stop the Steal" Rally and Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, Turning Point Action sent seven buses with approximately 350 participants to the "Stop the Steal" rally and funneled money to several speakers. The rally ended in a riot and attack at the U.S. Capitol. Charlie Kirk later deleted his tweet promoting the rally and condemned the violence.
August 2021: Turning Point USA Distributed "2021 Investor Prospectus"
In August 2021, Turning Point USA distributed a "2021 Investor Prospectus" seeking to raise $43 million. The prospectus was criticized for employing white nationalist rhetoric and claiming that schools have become intolerant dens of anti-American hate.
September 2021: Turning Point USA Launches "Turning Point Live"
In September 2021, Turning Point USA launched "Turning Point Live", a three-hour streaming talk show featuring host John Root and selling "Save America" merchandise.
December 2021: Turning Point USA Launches AmericaFest
In December 2021, Turning Point USA launched AmericaFest, a four-day conference that featured conservative speakers such as Donald Trump Jr. and Sarah Palin interspersed with country music acts. Kyle Rittenhouse, recently acquitted of murder charges, was introduced with a standing ovation.
2021: Kirk Compares Biden's Vaccination Efforts to Apartheid
In 2021, Charlie Kirk compared Biden's vaccination efforts to an "Apartheid-style open air hostage situation", even though co-founder Bill Montgomery had died the previous year from COVID-related health complications. The organization also made misleading claims about the dangers of catching COVID-19.
2021: Charlie Kirk Founded TPUSA Faith
In 2021, Charlie Kirk founded TPUSA Faith, an organization dedicated to recruiting pastors and church leaders to be active in local and national political issues, promoting a culture war agenda and faith-based voter drives.
2021: TPUSA announced Turning Point Academy
In 2021, TPUSA announced Turning Point Academy as an online academy for 'families seeking an 'America-first education.' Plans to develop a curriculum with StrongMind were abandoned when StrongMind's key subcontractor, the Freedom Learning Group, terminated the contract.
2021: Launch of School Board Watchlist
In 2021, TPUSA initiated the School Board Watchlist website, publishing the names and photos of school board members who adopted mask mandates or anti-racist curricula.
2021: Wichita State University Student Court Overturns Denial of TPUSA Chapter Recognition
In 2021, Wichita State University's student court overturned the student senate's decision to deny a Turning Point USA chapter recognition on campus, citing the denial as unconstitutional.
2021: Jack Posobiec Joins TPUSA
In 2021, political activist Jack Posobiec joined TPUSA to host the show Human Events Daily.
2021: "A Long Walk in Socialism" Wins Rocky Mountain Emmy Award
In 2021, the Turning Point USA Productions film A Long Walk in Socialism was awarded the Rocky Mountain Emmy Award in the Cultural/Topical documentary category.
2021: Turning Point USA's Revenue
Turning Point USA's revenue in 2021 was $55.8 million.
July 2022: Neo-Nazis Appear Outside TPUSA's Student Action Summit
In July 2022, neo-Nazis appeared outside of TPUSA's Student Action Summit in Tampa. The View falsely stated that TPUSA invited and embraced neo-Nazi protesters, later issuing a retraction and apology.
2022: TPUSA and Salem Media Group Release "Border Battle"
In 2022, Turning Point USA, in partnership with Salem Media Group, released "Border Battle," a docuseries about America's southern border.
March 2023: Partnership between BLEXIT Foundation and TPUSA
In March 2023, Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens announced via Twitter that the BLEXIT Foundation partnered with TPUSA, incorporating BLEXIT's message through TPUSA's structure, with Candace Owens and Brandon Tatum remaining in leadership roles.
April 2023: Riley Gaines' Speech at San Francisco State University
In April 2023, Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, spoke at an event hosted by a Turning Point USA student chapter at San Francisco State University. Her speech advocated excluding trans women from women's sports. Following the speech, she was met with protestors and was escorted by campus police to a computer room, where she remained for several hours and says that she was physically assaulted twice by one person and missed her flight due to being barricaded in a classroom.
October 2023: TPUSA Crew Confronts ASU Instructor
In October 2023, a two-member TPUSA crew followed and confronted an English instructor at Arizona State University, who was listed on the Professor Watchlist and a co-founder of Drag Story Hour Arizona. The instructor was pushed onto concrete, leading to accusations of harassment and violence.
2023: TPUSA's Largest Conference
In 2023, Turning Point USA held its largest conference yet, with 13,000 attendees and keynote speakers including Glenn Beck, Rosanne Barr, Mike Lindell, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Tucker Carlson and Charlie Kirk.
December 2024: AmericaFest Held in Phoenix, Arizona
In December 2024, AmericaFest was held in Phoenix, Arizona. Keynote speakers included Donald J. Trump, Ben Shapiro, Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, Patrick Bet-David, Matt Walsh, Riley Gaines and Cenk Ugyur.
2025: TPUSA 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.
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