Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour Episode: Backstage with Trump: Diet Coke, Snickers & No Water | Lauren Toncich DSH #1063
Release Date: January 5, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly

Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in an in-depth conversation with Lauren Toncich, the Vice President of Events at Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action. Lauren shares her journey within the conservative movement, her experiences working alongside prominent figures like Charlie Kirk and President Donald Trump, and insights into organizing large-scale political events such as AMFest.

Lauren's Journey with Turning Point USA

Lauren's Early Involvement Lauren recounts how her passion for politics was ignited during her high school years, especially with the rise of Donald Trump in the 2016 elections. She mentions her first significant involvement with Turning Point USA after attending SAS 2017 as a student, which led to her relocating to Phoenix to join the organization.

"I'm doing it for about seven years now, actually attended my first. I got into this whole world by attending SAS 2017 as a student December."
[02:15] Lauren

Working with Charlie Kirk Lauren praises Charlie Kirk as a visionary leader who not only drives the organization forward but also cares deeply for his team. She highlights Charlie's leadership style, which emphasizes excellence and never settling for mediocrity.

"Charlie, I really, truly believe is once in like a once in like a lifetime, like, you know, leader... He really pushes the bar."
[02:17] Lauren

Behind the Scenes of AMFest

Evolution of AMFest Lauren discusses the inception and growth of AMFest, transforming it from a student-centric event into the largest conservative gathering that includes all age groups. The mission was to create an inclusive platform for both students and adults to engage with influential conservative voices.

"We wanted to make something that, you know, is for everybody, not just that student base."
[03:30] Lauren

Impact and Strategy AMFest aims to energize and expand the conservative movement by providing dynamic and engaging events. Lauren emphasizes the importance of making conservatism appealing to younger generations through over-the-top and exciting event experiences.

"We want to make it exciting and fun and engaging so that especially young people are like, wow, you know, it's actually cool to be a conservative."
[04:54] Lauren

The 2024 Election Campaigns and Turning Point's Role

Supporting Candidates Lauren highlights Turning Point USA's significant role in supporting candidates like J.D. Vance for the Senate. She shares anecdotes about organizing events and rallies, demonstrating the organization's grassroots efforts to influence elections.

"We've been a supporter of Vance since day one. That's crazy."
[13:04] Lauren

Election Strategies The discussion delves into effective campaign strategies, such as utilizing alternative media and podcasts to reach a broader audience. Lauren credits Turning Point's media initiatives as pivotal in shifting political landscapes and contributing to election victories.

"Trump did something that no other President Trump has ever done is he embraced the podcast space, the alternative media space."
[12:43] Lauren

Challenges Faced During the Pandemic

Event Cancellations and Adaptations Lauren recounts the difficulties faced by Turning Point USA during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of major events. She praises Charlie Kirk's leadership in navigating the organization through unprecedented times by focusing on alternative activities and maintaining team morale.

"We actually Turning Point Action did President Trump's second event back post Covid... The demand was insane."
[10:06] Lauren

Resilience and Teamwork Despite the setbacks, Lauren emphasizes the resilience of the Turning Point team and how their commitment ensured the organization's survival and continued growth during the pandemic.

"I'm blessed to still have a job. I want to be a part of this. And we all got through it."
[11:08] Lauren

Personal Insights and Anecdotes

Family Influence Lauren shares personal stories about her family's conservative background, highlighting how her upbringing and parental influence shaped her political beliefs and career path.

"My family grew up in communism and so first generation American from Croatia, and my parents is always super conservative."
[05:33] Lauren

Embracing Conservatism She discusses the transformation of conservative identity from being stigmatized to becoming more widely accepted, especially among younger generations. Lauren takes pride in the community-building aspect of Turning Point's events, where individuals find like-minded peers and form lasting relationships.

"There was a lot of shame, too, a few years ago of labeling yourself... now it's more accepted."
[09:06] Lauren

Backstage with President Trump

Behind-the-Scenes Insights Lauren provides an exclusive look into the backstage dynamics of President Trump's rallies. She describes the logistical challenges and the culture surrounding Trump’s campaigning style, including his unique preferences and routines.

"When did you first get into politics, really?... And now we're doing something."
[15:27] Lauren

Presidential Preferences An amusing anecdote touches on President Trump's signature habits, such as his preference for snacks like Diet Coke and Snickers, while notably avoiding water. This detail humanizes the President and offers a lighter perspective on his campaign demeanor.

"There's a meme right now that no one's ever seen Trump with a water bottle... it's like sodas, banta, Diet Coke, stickers, lays."
[17:53] Lauren

Future Plans and Upcoming Events

Inauguration Preparations Looking ahead, Lauren shares plans for upcoming events, including a ball to celebrate President Trump's inauguration. Despite unforeseen scheduling changes, the organization remains committed to delivering impactful and memorable events.

"We're currently planning a ball. I'm not supposed to. I'm supposed to say that, but this after actually."
[14:37] Lauren

AMFest Highlights Lauren teases exciting activities at AMFest, including breakout sessions, main stage events, and special nights dedicated to faith, demonstrating the event's multifaceted approach to engaging attendees.

"We have a busy day today... We're doing a ball on the 19th and I think that's it."
[18:26] Lauren

Conclusion

The episode offers a comprehensive glimpse into the operations and ethos of Turning Point USA through Lauren Toncich's experiences. From organizing massive political events to navigating challenges during a global pandemic, Lauren underscores the resilience and dedication of the conservative movement. Her stories illuminate the behind-the-scenes efforts that contribute to shaping political discourse and mobilizing grassroots support.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• "He's always been such a strong leader. It's wild..." — Lauren [02:17]
• "We want to make it exciting and fun and engaging..." — Lauren [04:54]
• "Turning Point Action did President Trump's second event back post Covid..." — Lauren [10:06]
• "I'm blessed to still have a job. I want to be a part of this." — Lauren [11:08]
• "There's a meme right now that no one's ever seen Trump with a water bottle." — Lauren [17:53]

Stay Connected: For more insights and updates from Lauren Toncich and Turning Point USA, follow them on their social media channels linked below.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key discussions and themes from the podcast episode.