A relentless rain couldn't dampen the fervor brewing on the University of Mississippi campus Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of students, armed with umbrellas and vibrant handmade signs, began gathering hours before the arrival of Vice President JD Vance and Erika Kirk.
The line of supporters snaked across the grounds, a sea of red, white, and blue. Many wore MAGA hats and shirts proclaiming “Freedom,” a visible tribute to the memory of Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA.
The anticipation was almost tangible, according to Leslie Lachman, president of the Ole Miss chapter of Turning Point USA. She described an “electric” energy, fueled by hours spent waiting in the downpour, and a profound sense of excitement that the event was finally happening.
The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk last month had unexpectedly galvanized the student body. Lachman explained that the loss sparked a wave of prayerful remembrance and a renewed desire for active participation within the campus community.
This outpouring of support transformed grief into action, a “turning point” as Lachman described it, inspiring students to become more involved than ever before.
The Ole Miss stop held particular significance as the sole appearance on a national college tour for Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow. She was scheduled to join Vice President Vance in a live question-and-answer session, mirroring the format of her late husband’s popular campus speeches.
Lachman expressed immense pride that Ole Miss was chosen as the location for this poignant event, believing it underscored the university’s recognition of Turning Point USA’s message and its commitment to open dialogue.
She contrasted the welcoming atmosphere at Ole Miss with the resistance faced by Turning Point chapters on other campuses, where some universities reportedly hesitated to fully embrace the organization’s presence.
Lachman emphasized the importance of fostering a campus environment that encourages diverse perspectives, arguing that true representation requires acknowledging and supporting all sides of a debate. She felt a deep sense of gratitude for a university that championed that principle.
The event, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Central Time inside The Pavilion at Ole Miss, promised to be a powerful and emotional tribute to a leader lost too soon, and a call to action for a generation eager to shape the future.
