Turning Point USA holds event on IU Bloomington campus

watch the full event, click above

Bloomington -- Last night in Bloomington, thousands of students and visitors crowded into the IU Auditorium for a stop on the Turning Point USA 2025 tour, held in memory of founder Charlie Kirk following his recent assassination. (Credit to Fox 5 for the video above.)

The evening opened with remarks from Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who addressed the audience in strong terms. “What Charlie represented was not being embarrassed about what I ran on… faith, family and community,” he said. “You throw a little freedom and opportunity on top of that, we never should shy away from shouting it into the rafters.”

He later framed the moment this way: “We’re in a classic battle between those values and folks that believe government is the most important thing in your life. Don’t ever go there. Always resist it. Be loud about it. Can I count on you for that?” (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Following Braun, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson took the stage, addressing the assembled crowd and invited audience questions. “I always envied Charlie… since I left college in shame 35 years ago,” Carlson joked. “But I love the idea of people being able to ask any question they want… You can’t hurt my feelings. I will answer it as honestly as I possibly can and as cheerful as I can.” (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Protesters and heated moments

The event was not without both — while sold out and largely orderly inside — it was not without confrontation. Outside the auditorium, a group of protesters held signs that accused Charlie Kirk of being a “hater” and somehow labeled Turning Point USA as “racist” for promoting free speech in association with religious-norm values.

One protester loudly told, well actually shouted to the media that “TPUSA and Kirk push Christian values wrapped in nationalism and that makes young people afraid to ask real questions,” which was completely untrue as most left-wing protest propaganda is.

"No Kings" was also another irrelevant theme of a few goofy looking people. While some media coverage confirmed some dissent outside the venue, detailed accounts of the signage and specific messages remain limited. (Yahoo)

Inside, tensions flared during the question-and-answer session when a student challenged Carlson on immigration policy and flagged TPUSA’s religious-norms rhetoric. Carlson, joined by his pet dogs, responded with pointed humor and a sharp retort, prompting audible reactions from parts of the crowd.

Why it matters locally

The location added a layer of resonance: Indiana’s flagship university is home to the “Hoosiers” athletic tradition, and this year the Indiana Hoosiers football are having a historically strong season under their new coach. Governor Braun may have tied that athletic momentum by ending his comments at the political event. “Work hard. Go Hoosiers!” Suggesting to some to have that the same drive fueling the team’s success could underpin civic engagement on campus. "Push for what Charlie believed in."

Many attendees echoed that sentiment, one student telling our HE reporter: “He was a light in this world (refering to Kirk)… he tried to not persuade people differently. He just tried to talk to people in general and wanted to hear the other point of view.”

Looking ahead

While Kirk did not appear, the tour’s momentum appears intact and the dialogue on campus remains charged. With protesters outside and robust discussion inside, last night’s event both reflected and amplified the broader tensions now active on college campuses — over free speech, conservatism, religious values and the place of protest.

LSU will be the tour's next stop, where a female podcaster Ali Beth Stuckey will headline the event in lieu of Charlie Kirk.