'Keeping Charlie’s memory alive': JD Vance to join Erika Kirk at Ole Miss for TPUSA event

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance is all set to speak at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday, October 29, as part of The Turning Point Tour.

Erika Kirk, the newly elected CEO of Turning Point USA will also appear at the Ole Miss campus, TPUSA announced via their social media handles on Wednesday, October 15.

Notably, the event at Ole Miss will be the only one at which the CEO will make an appearance.

JD Vance pledges to continue Charlie Kirk's mission through college campus Q&A

JD Vance said in a video posted on X, "I'm excited about it, part of keeping Charlie’s memory alive is keeping the mission alive.” 

While talking on 'The Charlie Kirk Show', he said he’s going to do exactly what Kirk did because “nobody can replace Charlie, but if we all just sort of take little pieces, we can do as much as we can to ensure that Charlie’s mission continues to survive long after he’s gone. And part of that is these college campus tours.”

He added that his plan is to give a little talk about the issues of the day, but turn most of it over to do a Q&A with the audience by asserting that he wants to hear from the kids by saying, “I want to answer questions from them.”

JD Vance emphasizes student give-and-take, honoring Charlie Kirk's method

Emphasizing that Kirk made connections by engaging in give-and-take with students of all stripes, Vance said, “I want to do what Charlie did because I think that engaged them. It was something that was such a big part of Charlie’s legacy.” 

He added, “It’s not just that he went and talked to people or talked about issues he cared about. It’s that he actually interacted with people.”

The vice president also said, “He would answer tough questions from the left and from the right, and so I want to do that too.”

Medal of Freedom and national day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk

President Donald Trump on Tuesday, October 14, posthumously honored Charlie Kirk on what would have been his 32nd birthday with a Presidential Medal of Freedom, while also declaring October 14 as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. 

In a proclamation declaring the National Day of Remembrance, Trump said, “As we mourn this extraordinary loss, my administration will continue to do everything in its power to end this devastating wave of political violence. No civilized country can endure a culture where open debate is met with gunfire, the pursuit of truth is met with bloodshed, and love of country is met with seething hatred." 

He added, “In Charlie’s absence, we are now tasked with continuing his mission of giving voice to our cherished American ideals with confidence and clarity. Like him, we must not flinch in the face of darkness and hostility — and we must never waver in speaking the truth with joyful and steadfast resolve.”