Sunday marked the final day of Turning Point’s annual AmericaFest conference that drew more than 30,000 people to downtown Phoenix.<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2014 Today was the final day of Turning Point’s annual AmericaFest conference in downtown Phoenix.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Here’s what you missed at Turning Point’s chaotic convention<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This year\u2019s gathering was the first since TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September.<\/p>\n The crowd heard from some of the nation’s top conservative leaders, with the headliner Vice President JD Vance.<\/p>\n It was a celebration of faith, freedom, and the legacy of Charlie Kirk for more than 30,000 people who came from all over the U.S. to the Phoenix Convention Center for AmericaFest 2025.<\/p>\n From White House border czar Tom Homan to Speaker Mike Johnson, some big names on the political stage took the stage in downtown Phoenix.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have the most secure border in the history of this country,\u201d Homan told the crowd. \u201cThree days on the border, I didn\u2019t see one illegal alien. None.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think the best way to honor Charlie\u2019s legacy is to live as he lived,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n Donald Trump Jr. even brought in President Donald Trump on his phone, who shared a message with those who attended.<\/p>\n \u201cNobody did more for me than Charlie, and there\u2019s nobody better than Erika\u2026 and you are the greatest people on earth,\u201d said President Trump. \u201cI just want to thank you all, and I hope my son is doing a good job representing me. Otherwise, I\u2019ll have to say \u201cYou\u2019re fired, Don! You\u2019re fired.\u201d<\/p>\n They also played a recording of Trump talking about the legacy of Charlie Kirk.<\/p>\n \u201cCharlie was a warrior for God and country, and he gave everything he had, even his life\u2026 in the fight to save America from those who would destroy it,\u201d President Trump said in the recording.<\/p>\n Much to the crowd\u2019s surprise, Nicki Minaj joined Erika Kirk as her special guest.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve performed for huge crowds all around the world, and no matter how many songs I do on that stage, it didn\u2019t mean as much as this, because this is a direct link for a younger people,\u201d said Minaj. \u201cThis is a direct link between young people and God.\u201d<\/p>\n Closing out the final day at the conference, Erika Kirk introduced Vice President JD Vance. Vance has been suggested as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2028.<\/p>\n \u201cDecember marks seven months straight of zero releases at the southern border,\u201d Vance told those in attendance.<\/p>\n The vice president reflected on Charlie Kirk\u2019s life, explaining how his death impacted him.<\/p>\n \u201cCharlie\u2019s death was an immense loss, an irreplaceable loss,\u201d said Vance. \u201c…It is better to die a patriot than to live a coward.\u201d<\/p>\n People who came from across the country told 12News they left feeling empowered.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to say with deep conviction the words that I know Charlie said of \u2018Here am I Lord. Send me\u2019 and so I feel like God brought me on a journey in these four days where I can say that now,\u201d said Brigette Marquardt, who traveled from Texas.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just his legacy, but all of us carry a legacy and we get the opportunity to build that now,\u201d said Jevon Dotson, who also traveled from Texas.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like God has given me courage to step into the position I have,\u201d said Ronald Blacic, a high school student from Anthem.<\/p>\n They also talked about what they want everyone to remember following the conference.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you lose faith, freedom becomes fragile,\u201d said Kamran Dettling from Maine.<\/p>\n \u201cJesus won,\u201d said Linda Isabella Rendon, who traveled from California. \u201cHe died on the cross for us, and he defeated death.\u201d<\/p>\n Erika Kirk closed the event by inviting everyone back for America Fest 2026 next December.<\/p>\n
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