The state of Tennessee is partnering with right-wing organization Turning Point USA “with a shared goal of establishing Turning Point chapters at every high school, every college,” according to Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson.
TPUSA was founded by Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in front of more than 3,000 people while speaking at a public event at Utah Valley University in September. His death sparked vigils across the country, as well as the firings of several people in state and university roles who criticized Kirk and his political views.
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The Dec. 12 announcement was made behind closed doors at the Tennessee State Capitol. The event was not announced to members of the Capitol Hill Press Corps, but was posted online on right-wing video platform Rumble. The event featured remarks from Johnson and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, as well as several TPUSA representatives who spoke to a room made up mostly of high school and college TPUSA members.
“The last thing [Kirk] charged us to accomplish was to completely dominate American culture once and for all by putting Club America chapters in 20,000 high schools all over the country,” said Josh Thifault, a senior director at TPUSA and TPUSA Action.
Saying TPUSA is “no longer just a politically themed nonprofit,” Thifault characterized the organization as being “like the Boys and Girls Club,” a youth development nonprofit that provides mentorship and encourages participation in academic, health and leadership programs. He went on to note that Club America chapters will push Republican talking points.
“I want to create a future where the leftist parents are scared that their kid's going to be a teenager, because that is when their Club America chapter is going to tell them about Jesus,” Thifault said. “That's when their Club America chapter is going to tell them about the founding of the country. That's when their Club America chapter will show them the beauty of marriage and family. Maybe they come from a home where that was not highlighted. We can infuse those values in American culture.”
Johnson pitched the partnership, for which no real details have been disclosed, as an effort that “crystallizes our commitment” to free speech, but he also issued a warning.
“We will not tolerate at the state level any effort by any school administrator, any teacher, any professor, any faculty member who attempts to impede the organization or the establishment of these chapters, or attempts to stifle the voice of any young conservative in the state of Tennessee,” Johnson said. “Anyone who attempts to thwart the organization of Turning Point chapters, Club America chapters in Tennessee, will face serious consequences, including possible legal action.”
Gov. Bill Lee, who was not present at the announcement, issued a video statement in which he described the partnership as “an effort that will give students an opportunity to respectfully engage in the issues that shape our country.”
“We are going to be here to encourage our young people to show their faith, to show their commitment to the country, and to do their part to get our great nation back on track,” said Blackburn, who is currently running to succeed Lee as governor.
Turning Point’s stated mission is “to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.” But at least in Texas and Florida, where similar initiatives have been launched, the government’s role with the organization will likely be anything but limited.
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The overtly Christian nationalist organization is allied with President Donald Trump. Its upcoming annual AmericaFest conference will feature remarks from Vice President J.D. Vance, political strategist Steve Bannon and comedian Russell Brand (who is currently facing criminal charges on multiple counts of rape and sexual assault). During a controversial 2022 event in Franklin, another scheduled AmericaFest speaker, commentator Benny Johnson, coached Williamson County students on how to fight the “culture war” with memes and ridicule.
Another scheduled speaker, activist and Sumner County Library Board member Riley Gaines, was also present at Friday’s announcement. “Nobody is immune to the cultural chaos that is plaguing this nation and even plaguing this state,” said Gaines. “All that we're saying in this partnership is that America is exceptional.”
Tennessee High School Democrats Chair Jacob Francy called the move a “direct attack on the long-standing tradition of keeping public education free from political extremism.”
“By aligning itself with a group whose national founder had repeatedly promoted hateful and divisive rhetoric, the state is endorsing an organization that does not reflect the values of inclusion or respect that Tennessee students deserve,” Francy said in a statement.
According to TPUSA’s website, the organization already has more than 40 chapters in high schools and colleges across Tennessee.
“You cannot fundamentally change the fabric of a nation unless the heart of the nation turns back to God, and that starts in you,” Thifault said at the event. “We will look back on this day and say Tennessee was permanently a conservative state for 50 years, 100 years, because of the courage of our state leaders today.”
