From Dec. 19-22, the annual AmericaFest at Phoenix Convention Center showcased the successful campaign that re-elected Donald Trump and the formidable support for his upcoming administration.
Marketed by Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action toward high school and college-aged people across the country, the event served as an opportunity for members of the ASU chapter of Turning Point to participate in networking and "growing possible future careers," according to Sydney Gilliland, a senior studying political science and the president of TPUSA at ASU.
Many of the attendees were of college age seeking those opportunities and experiences in politics.
"Turning Point USA on campus is a nonpartisan student organization, so a lot of the time I try to keep our meetings super informative," Gilliland said. "I don't want people making decisions on things that they don't know."
The college chapters of the organization are meant to be open for people of all political parties and affiliations to "educate students about the importance of the free market, fiscal responsibility, and limited government in the United States," according to its SunDevilSync page.
"I obviously have my known biases, and I can't stop that," Gilliland said. "But being able to have that nonpartisan organization and being able to have the conversation because people of all shapes, colors, opinions ... come into our rooms, come into our events and ask us questions, and even here, the same thing happens here at (AmericaFest)."
At the convention, in his first rally-style event since his election in November, Trump noted how his campaign succeeded where many of his Republican predecessors had failed in attracting 18-to-29-year-old voters.
"I think one thing that's a theme of Turning Point is that college students, in general, their voices should be heard," said Max Farris, a senior studying criminology and criminal justice and the vice president of TPUSA at ASU. "It's the reason Charlie Kirk and all these other speakers are going to all these college campuses."
Prior to the election, Charlie Kirk and TPUSA did a tour of multiple campuses, including ASU, to debate left-leaning students and try to change their minds to vote for Trump.
READ MORE: Charlie Kirk's Brainwashed Tour stops at ASU with special guests Bryce Hall and George Janko
"They (college students) were a huge impact in the election, and they shouldn't be underestimated," Farris said.
Alongside Republican politicians and media figures, the event hosted speakers from Genz Z, such as Riley Gaines, a swimmer and political activist most known for her lawsuit against the NCAA and her movement against the involvement of transgender people in sports — especially in women's athletics — and Brett Cooper, who is known for hosting a podcast called "The Comments Section."
“I think it's a really cool opportunity getting to hear someone as young as us speaking in a major audience because it shows us that we have the possibility to go from where we are now to speaking to 20,000 people at AmericaFest," said Jonathan Coon, a freshman studying mechanical engineering. This is his fourth time attending the event.
Kari Lake, who ran for a senator seat for Arizona in 2024, got a standing ovation from the crowd when called onto the stage, signifying the party's support for her despite her losses in both the last election and the 2022 gubernatorial race.
During the Q-and-A segment on stage, someone asked her if she would run again for governor.
"I am going to go help President Trump in Washington, D.C.," Lake said.
Trump chose to make a tribute to Arizona during his speech on the last day of the convention.
"This has to be also a real tribute to Arizona because they gave us such a big win," Trump said. "We really have to acknowledge and take care of the people of Arizona, because you were fantastic."
Edited by George Headley, Sophia Braccio and Natalia Jarrett.
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Emma is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication and political science, with a minor in business. This is her second semester with The State Press.
