PHOTO BY BRIAN BOWLES
Illinois State University is one of 850 college campuses nationwide that have Turning Point USA chapters. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who cofounded the group, visited ISU on April 8 and students were invited to pose questions to him.
Charlie Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong American Comeback Tour” came to Illinois State University in Bloomington on April 8. Kirk cofounded Turning Point USA in 2012 and the organization advocates for conservative politics on high school, college and university campuses. ISU is one of 850 campus chapters nationwide. My 19-year-old daughter attends ISU and was eager to participate in the event with me.
As people started filling the quad, Kirk’s staff was passing out buttons and Trump hats while setting the line for questions. Kirk is known for hosting Q&A-style events where students take turns posing questions. The buttons included sayings such as “Socialism Sucks,” “America Stands with Israel,” “Know the Facts, No Forced Vax,” “Stay Strapped” and “Dear IRS, Stop Stealing the American Dream.”
Top 40 music blasted from the speakers as the crowd settled in for Kirk’s arrival. Upon entering, he tossed out more than 100 Trump hats to the crowd. Those who asked questions were also able to get an autograph on any items brought or obtained at the event and many did just that.
Mild demonstrations at the back of the crowd did not disrupt or delay the event. The sound quality was minimal and almost nonexistent toward the back of the quad, and with Kirk seated for most of the event, many attendees never saw him.
PHOTO BY BRIAN BOWLES
Author Brian Bowles with daughter Giana Bowles, a student at ISU.
Kirk was gracious, patient and attentive, then answered the students’ questions intensely. He was asked about everything from Illinois politics to Israel relations, 9/11, legalization of marijuana and DEI, to name a few. Most of the students were cordial and educated in their questions. A few attempted to talk over or mock him when Kirk gave responses they didn’t agree with, but he never wavered from his calm demeanor.
A man dressed as Satan, complete with a goat’s head and satanic robe, was the first one to the podium and the quickest to leave after booing from the crowd, although Kirk showed no hate to the Satan character. One young man who spoke denounced Christ, then had a horrible coughing fit and spit up blood. He staggered off in disarray and Kirk alerted his medical staff, using the opportunity to point out to the crowd not to mock Christ. All participants and speakers were heavily secured and protected by Kirk’s security team.
Another young man had issues with public speaking and fled the microphone after he couldn’t get his point across. The crowd immediately embraced the shy student with pats on the back and positive vibes.
One student, when he was asked what he loved about Illinois, said, “It’s a nicely run state,” noting that he loved having a $15-hour minimum wage. Another student was clearly anti-Semitic and said Hitler could have done things differently in his attempt to justify his hatred of Jews. According to the student, every current problem in today’s world is because of the Jewish community. Eventually, he was heckled and left without incident.
All in all, I would say it was not only a well-spirited debate on both sides of the aisle, but a glimpse of America’s future and what’s to come. The ISU conservatives should all be proud of themselves because they represented their cause professionally with decorum and integrity. I was proud of all sides who debated. I feel confident in America’s future after viewing and hearing all these inspiring students.
Brian Bowles lives in Springfield with his wife and is the proud father of three children.