Vance says 'America First' movement rejects 'purity tests,' welcomes critical thinkers

By Fox News · Fox News

Vice President JD Vance closed out AmericaFest 2025 , Turning Point USA's first convention since founder Charlie Kirk's assassination, by telling a raucous crowd that the "America First" movement is open to free thinkers who love their country. Vance appeared shortly after Erika Kirk, who took TPUSA's reins after her husband's death in September, held a discussion with surprise guest Nicki Minaj . The vice president told the crowd that the political coalition forged by President Trump is strong enough to surmount disagreements within. AMERICAFEST HONORS TARGET EMPLOYEE JEANIE BEEMAN AFTER VIRAL VIDEO SHOWS CALM RESPONSE TO HARASSMENT "People of every faith come to our banner because they know that the America First movement will make our lives better," he went on. "They know Democrats don't care about anything other than trans-ing their kids." Vowing to stand with "every patriot in this room to defend the country we so dearly love," Vance dismissed conservative infighting that had gone on earlier in the conference, while not naming any of the podcasters or subjects involved. TPUSA SPOKESMAN SHREDS PODCASTER'S ‘DISTURBING’ DEFENSE OF PROTESTER WHO CELEBRATED CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH "President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeating purity tests," Vance said, as some of the earlier speakers name-dropped each other amid divisions over Israel, Ukraine aid and other controversial issues on the right. "We don't care if you're White or Black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between… [P]eople of every faith come to our banner because they know that the America First movement will make their lives better. And they also know that the Democrats don't care about anything other than maybe trans-ing their kids." "So if you love America, if you want all of us to be richer, stronger, safer, and prouder, you have a home on this team. I didn't bring…