Charlie Kirk and Vivek Ramaswamy Clash with Students in Atlanta \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Charlie Kirk and Vivek Ramaswamy, two well-known conservative figures, addressed college students at Georgia State University in a politically charged event. They sparred with students over the upcoming election, with Kirk and Ramaswamy defending their views on Trump, Biden, and key issues like immigration and censorship. The event was part of Kirk’s “You’re Being Brainwashed” tour, aiming to galvanize young conservative voters.
Conservative Voices in Liberal Spaces: Quick Looks
- Event Details: Charlie Kirk and Vivek Ramaswamy hosted a political event at Georgia State University, addressing student concerns and promoting conservative ideals.
- Confrontation with Students: Both figures engaged in heated exchanges with students, discussing Trump, Biden, and topics like immigration and freedom of speech.
- Kirk’s Influence: Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point Action, plays a crucial role in the 2024 election by galvanizing young conservative voters, particularly through social media and on-campus events.
- Trump’s Youth Appeal: Kirk has aligned with Trump, using his platform to court younger voters and help secure the “bro vote.”
- Criticism and Reactions: Some students attended the event to challenge Kirk and Ramaswamy, while others, such as Jean Pierre, voiced their support for Trump, emphasizing conservative and Christian values.
- Polarizing Issues: The event saw debates over the role of Kamala Harris, immigration policy, and the January 6th Capitol attack, with Kirk defending controversial positions.
- Election Strategy: Turning Point Action is also involved in a get-out-the-vote initiative aimed at swing states like Arizona and Wisconsin, focusing on mobilizing conservative voters.
Deep Look
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point Action and a prominent figure in conservative circles, wasted no time in sparring with students. Within minutes of taking the stage, Kirk challenged two students who criticized Trump as “un-American,” firing back, “What is Kamala Harris’ greatest accomplishment?” The conversation quickly escalated into a larger debate about Trump’s presidency and policies, with Kirk vehemently defending Trump’s position and questioning the legitimacy of Democratic leaders like Harris.
Kirk’s role in the upcoming election is significant. Using his expansive online presence and the network established through Turning Point Action, he has become one of the most recognizable figures in the conservative movement and a key player in Trump’s reelection strategy. Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, is particularly focused on reaching young, male voters—a demographic that Kirk and his organization have been actively courting. Dubbed the “bro vote,” Trump has employed influencers like Kirk to tap into this base through social media platforms, podcasts, and campus tours.
At Georgia State University, Kirk’s “You’re Being Brainwashed” tour drew a diverse crowd of students, many of whom were eager to challenge the conservative ideologies on display. Ramaswamy, known for his biotech success and failed presidential bid, joined Kirk in taking questions from the audience, addressing topics ranging from immigration to internet censorship. He accused the Biden administration of suppressing free speech online and warned against over-reliance on China, which he claimed supplies critical materials for U.S. military operations.
Kirk’s rhetoric, however, often veered into more controversial territory. He repeated claims that Kamala Harris was singularly responsible for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and framed her as the architect of the country’s immigration policy—both points that have been widely criticized as misleading. He also echoed Trump’s false claim that 325,000 children have gone missing at the U.S.-Mexico border under Biden’s administration.
Throughout the event, Kirk repeatedly defended the actions of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He cited the death of Ashli Babbitt, an unarmed Trump supporter who was shot by Capitol police while attempting to breach a secure area of the Capitol, comparing it to the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. The mention of Floyd’s death, which ignited nationwide protests, drew jeers from the largely diverse audience, with some students reacting strongly to what they perceived as an inappropriate comparison.
Despite the pushback from many students, Kirk and Ramaswamy found support among some attendees. Jean Pierre, a 25-year-old attendee, voiced his support for Trump and conservative values, crediting figures like Kirk and fellow conservative commentator Candace Owens with helping him solidify his political beliefs. “I’m definitely voting for Trump because he reflects my values as a conservative and as a Christian more than Ms. Harris,” Pierre said, acknowledging the influence of conservative media figures in shaping his views.
Yet, Pierre was in the minority. Many students in attendance appeared more interested in challenging Kirk and Ramaswamy than in endorsing their positions. Some wore “White Dudes for Harris” shirts, and others mockingly accepted “Make America Great Again” hats handed out by Turning Point staff. One student humorously attempted to give away his hat, calling out, “Please, will some straight white male take this hat!”
The event in Georgia State was part of Kirk’s broader effort to mobilize conservative youth ahead of the 2024 election. His Turning Point Action organization, which now operates as an official arm of the Trump campaign, is pitching get-out-the-vote strategies to state and local Republican officials in battleground states such as Arizona and Wisconsin. However, critics have raised concerns about the group’s use of a voter information app, which allegedly lacks adequate safeguards to protect personal data.
Trump, who has made reaching younger voters a central part of his campaign strategy, joined Kirk for a rally in Duluth the following day. The rally, located in an area where Trump underperformed in the 2020 election, attracted a capacity crowd, many of whom chanted “Christ is King!”—a new refrain for Trump rallies, reflecting the growing alignment between Christian nationalism and Trump’s populist message.
Earlier in the day, Trump attended a faith-focused town hall at a church in Zebulon, Georgia, where he addressed a predominantly Christian audience. Trump spoke about the importance of faith in the election, telling attendees, “When you have faith, when you believe in God, it’s a big advantage over people that don’t have that.” He lamented that Christians historically have not voted in large numbers but expressed optimism about a more energized turnout in the 2024 election.
As the Georgia State event came to a close, Kirk’s combative style continued to divide the audience. Some students left the event inspired by his unapologetic defense of conservative values, while others were left shaking their heads at the polarizing rhetoric. As Ramaswamy reiterated his campaign’s focus on censorship and protectionism, Kirk assured the crowd that their generation holds the power to shape the future of the country, urging them to vote for Trump in 2024.
