Trump, Vance controversies show Turning Point USA’s power over Republicans

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For all the talk over the past few years about Donald Trump making the Republican Party in his image, it seems increasingly clear to me that he is merely the useful figurehead of a right-wing movement led by activists like Charlie Kirk and others in his well-heeled organization, Turning Point USA. I’ve written a lot about the GOP’s deference to Kirk and his extremist-friendly organization, which has maintained its conservative clout despite repeatedly backing failed candidates. The past week has underscored TPUSA’s power over Republicans as well as the organization’s inseparable bond with Trump and his inner circle, as two controversies surrounding Trump’s campaign had connections to TPUSA. In a speech Friday, Trump claimed that if he’s elected, Christian voters won’t need to vote in 2028 because everything will be “fixed.” And again, Christians, get out and vote! Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what? It’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians. ... In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good, you’re not going to have to vote. These illiberal remarks give the clear impression that Trump is forecasting the end of democracy. And notably, he made these comments at a TPUSA-sponsored event for Christians known as “The Believers’ Summit.” And this came mere days after it was revealed that Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, had written a glowing review for a book written by far-right commentator Jack Posobiec — a Turning Point contributor who is known for his promotion of the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory. Posobiec’s book portrays liberals as “unhumans.” As HuffPost reported: Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), endorsed a book published this month by Jack Posobiec, a right-wing influencer famous for helping spread the Pizzagate conspiracy theory in 2016. Posobiec’s book, written with Joshua Lisec, is titled “Unhumans: The Secret History of Communist Revolutions (and How to Crush Them).” Vance wrote an “editorial review,” commonly known as a blurb, praising the book. It’s a small but fresh example of how conspiracy theorists have become massively influential among Republicans. “In the past, communists marched in the streets waving red flags. Today, they march through HR, college campuses, and courtrooms to wage lawfare against good, honest people,” Vance wrote. “In ‘Unhumans,’ Jack Posobiec and Joshua Lisec reveal their plans and show us what to do to fight back.” These connections between Turning Point USA and the GOP ticket speak to the extremism undergirding the MAGA movement — and TPUSA’s stranglehold on the Republican Party.