Vance avoids red lines on bigotry as conservatives clash over movement’s future

Vice President JD Vance used a high-profile address at Turning Point USA’s annual convention to argue against ideological “purity tests,” saying the conservative movement should welcome anyone who “loves America.” His remarks came as prominent figures on the right openly feuded over antisemitism, Israel, and who will shape the Republican Party once President Donald Trump leaves the political stage.

The four-day gathering in Phoenix underscored growing tensions inside a coalition long defined by Trump’s leadership, even as potential successors test messages that could hold together a fracturing base.

A movement divided in public

Vance declined to condemn specific individuals or set explicit boundaries around speech that many Republicans have criticized as antisemitic, instead warning against internal purges.

“I didn’t bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform,” he said during the convention’s closing session, adding that disagreements should not eclipse shared goals.

The debate had simmered throughout the conference, driven in part by arguments over whether conservative organizations should give platforms to commentators accused by critics of promoting antisemitic views. Those disputes spilled onto the main stage, highlighting rifts among media figures and activists who otherwise agree on immigration, economic nationalism, and opposition to diversity policies.

Turning Point USA, a youth-focused conservative organization with a large volunteer network, has become a key venue for these arguments. Its leaders framed the discord as an unavoidable consequence of a movement in transition.

Post-Trump questions loom

Republicans are beginning to grapple more openly with what comes next after Trump, who is constitutionally barred from another term despite occasional suggestions that he could seek one. Several speakers described an unsettled landscape in which influence is being renegotiated.

Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson told attendees that speculation about a Republican “civil war” was overblown, while acknowledging that rival camps are maneuvering for advantage. He described Vance as aligned with what he called the core principle of the Trump coalition: “America first.”

Other voices were more confrontational. Ben Shapiro, a co-founder of the conservative outlet Daily Wire, warned against figures he said profit from conspiracy theories and dishonesty. Without naming the vice president, Shapiro argued that the movement risked losing credibility if it blurred lines around extremism.

The back-and-forth illustrated how unresolved questions about leadership and ideology are now playing out in public forums that once functioned primarily as rallying points.

Vance’s case for openness

Vance acknowledged the controversies but insisted that patriotism should be the only threshold for participation.

“We don’t care if you’re white or black, rich or poor, young or old,” he said. “If you love this country, you’re welcome.”

He urged conservatives to focus on policy priorities rather than policing one another’s speech, saying internal cancellations would distract from broader aims. The vice president highlighted what he described as the administration’s achievements as it nears a year in office, pointing to border enforcement and economic measures.

Vance also drew applause for reiterating the administration’s push to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs, saying they had been relegated to the “dustbin of history.” In a line that prompted both cheers and criticism, he said Americans no longer needed to “apologize for being white.”

He further described the United States as a Christian nation, calling Christianity a shared moral language woven through the country’s history. Supporters in the crowd said the remarks reflected their views on religious freedom and national identity.

Turning Point’s endorsement

Turning Point USA leaders used the convention to signal strong support for Vance, describing him as a figure capable of carrying the movement forward. The group’s backing is potentially significant in early primary states, where its grassroots network can amplify campaigns.

Vance has not announced plans for a presidential run, but President Trump has spoken favorably of him in public remarks, at times suggesting he could be a leading contender in a future nomination fight. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said he would support Vance if he chose to run.

Attendees interviewed at the conference said they welcomed the vice president’s willingness to accommodate a range of views. Several younger participants described the debates as evidence of a movement testing ideas rather than fracturing beyond repair.

An unsettled path ahead

Despite calls for unity, the Phoenix gathering made clear that the Republican Party’s next chapter is far from settled. Disagreements over antisemitism, foreign policy, and cultural issues remain sharp, and there is no consensus on how strictly the movement should police its boundaries.

For Vance, the challenge is balancing inclusivity with the risk that unresolved disputes could alienate key constituencies. For the broader conservative coalition, the convention offered a preview of the arguments likely to intensify as Trump’s influence eventually recedes.

What emerged most clearly was not a single vision for the future, but an acknowledgment that defining it will involve open conflict among figures who all claim to speak for the same base.