The Turning Point USA “American Comeback Tour” returned to Utah Tuesday night. It’s the first event in the state since the assassination of founder and CEO Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Utah State University event
The event took place at Utah State University, about two hours north of where the right-wing activist was killed.
Hundreds lined up to get through enhanced security at the event.
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The event was led by Turning Point USA podcaster Alex Clark.
“Charlie wanted to fight the culture war and win,” Clark said.
Along with Clark, speakers included Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.
Lee joined the event remotely from Washington D.C. so he could still participate in any votes to avoid a potential government shutdown at midnight.
“It really is an honor and a pleasure to pay tribute to my friend Charlie Kirk,” Lee said. “And when I say friend there, I genuinely mean it. I’ve known Charlie since he was a teenager.”
Chaffetz shared a similar sentiment.
“Only in the United States can you have a person like Charlie Kirk, who went out speaking his mind and talking to people,” Chaffetz said. “And the tragedy is still very raw. I think it is for all of us.”
The panel also held a question and answer session with those in attendance.
TPUSA tour
The next stop on the tour is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.
That’s followed by events at the University of North Dakota, University of Oklahoma, Indiana University, Louisiana State University and the University of Mississippi to close out October.
Guest speakers on the tour include Kirk’s wife Erika, Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Savannah Chrisley and more.
Kirk’s death
Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk’s death, made a virtual court appearance Monday.
He and his new lawyers said they want a preliminary hearing for a judge to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial.
The Utah state court system allows defendants to waive that preliminary hearing and instead schedule an arraignment to enter a plea. Robinson’s lead attorney told the judge the defense team would need time to go through all the evidence before letting the court know when they’d be ready.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Kirk and faces the death penalty if convicted.
His next hearing is currently scheduled for Oct. 30.
