US Vice President JD Vance went to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) on Wednesday to speak at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event. He was joined by Erika Kirk, the widow of the organization’s late founder, Charlie Kirk, who is now the organization’s CEO. The event was part of the “This Is the Turning Point” college tour, which is a series of events that honors the work and legacy of conservative activist and Trump supporter Charlie Kirk.
Both Vance and Kirk advised students to get involved in TPUSA’s conservative movement. Erika Kirk, who was wearing a “Freedom” shirt like her husband’s, gave a strong speech about having courage in the face of political resistance.
The “48” Chant and Vance’s Family Focus
During the vice president’s speech, the mood in the room swiftly shifted to the contest for president in 2028. When Vance got on stage, hundreds of students yelled “48” loudly, telling the 41-year-old to run for president and become the 48th President of the United States.
Vance didn’t immediately respond to or recognize the suggestions for a run in 2028. Instead, he changed the subject to something that the late Charlie Kirk often talked about: the necessity of getting married and having kids when you’re young.
The Vice President first talked about his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, who was there:
“Charlie wanted you to put your money into the things that were worth having so that you could build a life that was worth living.” I have found that person, as well as my beautiful wife Usha, who is our second lady who is here with us now. She is somewhere in the audience. I don’t know where, but I adore you, sweetheart.
Then he made a personal plea for young people to have families:
“And have kids… This is what it is. The one thing I really regret in my life is that I wish we had begun having kids sooner. When you’re a young father, you realize how lucky you are to have them. But they also wear me out a lot. I know we like to party a lot here at Ole Miss, and I know it.
Trump’s third term is a hot topic. As a small group of Republicans pushes for a possible third term for Trump, who is now in his second term, people are chanting for Vance to run for president in 2028.
Steve Bannon, a former White House adviser, reportedly said that Trump’s close friends were making “plans” for him to run for president again in 2028, even though the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that a president can only serve two terms.
Trump’s Rejection: When asked this week about the rumor that he would run for vice president in 2028 as a way to get around the rules and become president later, Trump said, “I wouldn’t do that.” I think it’s too cute… I don’t think the people would enjoy that.
The big event at Ole Miss, which included a possible front-runner for the Republican nomination and a significant figure in the conservative youth movement, made Vance an even bigger player in the political scene after Trump.