Podcast Summary: VINCE – TPUSA Event Glimpses the Future of American Conservatism (Episode 193)

Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Haley Carania (guest host, filling in for Vince Coglianese)
Podcast: VINCE (Cumulus Podcast Network)

Overview

This episode, guest-hosted by Haley Carania of the Nightly Scroll, recaps the latest Turning Point USA “America Fest”—the first without Charlie Kirk. Haley highlights pivotal moments signaling shifts in the conservative movement, the rise of anti-establishment media voices, and the dynamics of internal strife plaguing young conservative leadership. Other major topics include recent revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, growing distrust in mainstream media, urban crime controversies, and a playful look at President Trump’s newly proposed “Patriot Games.”

Key Discussion Points

1. Turning Point USA America Fest – A Pivotal Shift

• Absence of Charlie Kirk:
  • The first America Fest held since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, marking a somber backdrop and the challenge of defining the conservative movement’s future leadership.
• Nicki Minaj's Crossover Moment (06:54):
  • Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance, symbolizing pop culture’s intersection with mainstream conservatism. She took the stage with Erica Kirk, openly supporting Trump, faith, and conservative values:
    • “I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president. Both of them have a…uncanny ability to be someone you relate to...I know that they’re not…they haven’t lost touch of the world…with the younger people.” —Nicki Minaj (06:54)
  • Minaj emphasized protecting religious freedom and cautioned against electing leaders who undermine worship:
    • “We absolutely cannot let people who have a problem with Us worshiping God. We cannot have them in power…Look at what is being done to Christians all around the world. When the truth walks in the room, the lies hide.” —Nicki Minaj (07:59)
• Symbolism of Celebrity Endorsement:
  • Haley underscores the rarity—and impact—of a major music icon openly supporting Christianity and conservative causes.
• Viral Uplift: Jeannie from Target (11:13):
  • Recap of retail worker Jeannie, who faced harassment for wearing a pro-Kirk shirt, was celebrated at the event:
    • “Thank you. Be nice to each other. And a Merry Christmas.” —Jeannie (11:14)
  • Jeannie’s rise embodies the values of kindness and resilience, themes the host urges listeners to emulate.

2. Infighting and Division Among Conservative Figureheads

• Ben Shapiro’s Onstage Attack (12:51):
  • Shapiro publicly called out Candace Owens and others for accusing TPUSA of covering up Kirk's murder:
    • “If Candace Owens decides to spend every day since the murder of Charlie Kirk casting aspersions at TPUSA…then we as people with a microphone have a moral obligation to…call that out.” —Ben Shapiro (12:51)
• Response and Backlash (14:23):
  • Megyn Kelly ridiculed Shapiro’s gatekeeping tone:
    • “I object to the whole thing…that Ben thinks he has the power to decide who gets excommunicated from the conservative movement.” —Megyn Kelly (14:23)
• Atmosphere at AMFest:
  • Attendees reported palpable division and “drama,” overshadowing the event’s unity mission.
    • “You’re sitting in the audience and you’re just like, what the hell did I just get caught in the middle of?” —Attendee (16:02)
• Reflection on Conservative Movement’s Future:
  • Haley laments the focus on infighting and gossip rather than the broader cause, warning it risks derailing the movement’s purpose.

3. Calls for Unity and Refocusing

• VP Vance Steps Up (21:59):
  • Vice President Vance urges a return to shared purpose, invoking Kirk’s emphasis on constructive debate and coalition-building:
    • “The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life... We have far more important work to do than canceling each other. We have got to be build. And President Donald Trump is a builder.” —VP Vance (21:59)
• Host’s Plea:
  • Haley echoes the plea: focus on winning the midterms, supporting strong leaders, and ignoring petty distractions.

4. Mainstream Media: Crisis of Trust

• Chuck Todd’s Acknowledgment (27:17):
  • Former NBC host Chuck Todd reflects on collapsing media trust and blames big tech and algorithms, though deflects responsibility from himself:
    • “If you’re getting untrustworthy sources, you may be reporting untrustworthy information...what you have now...is essentially the left doesn’t trust the media now and the right doesn’t trust the media.” —Chuck Todd (27:17)
• Host Critique:
  • Haley derides legacy journalists for evading accountability, referencing Biden-era media confessions and misinformation. She highlights current examples of inaccurate/judgmental reporting—stock photo misuse, media blackouts, and mishandling crime data.

5. Crime, Urban Decline & Failures in Progressive Cities

• Neglectful Law Enforcement:
  • Story of Jeanette Marcin, a 75-year-old woman blinded by a repeat offender in Seattle. Key details highlight systemic failures: repeated releases, DA indifference, and ineffectual “alternative” policies. (35:58)
• Leadership Accountability:
  • Critique of D.C. police chief Pamela Smith’s resignation speech, focusing on unreliable crime stats and political deflection, undermining public trust. (42:45)

6. Massive Fraud & Public Cynicism

• Minnesota Medicaid Scandal:
  • Update on fraud potentially totaling $18 billion, vastly greater than early reports—used as an example of ongoing government incompetence and the need for electoral accountability.

7. Epstein Files: Media and Political Reactions

• Ongoing DOJ Releases:
  • DOJ has released more Epstein files, but found little implicating Trump—a letdown for Democrats. The files place Bill Clinton in the spotlight (hot tub photos), generating awkward responses from Clinton’s camp and Democratic spokespeople.
  • “To the extent that he [Trump] is ‘in the Epstein files,’ it’s not because he had anything to do with the horrific crimes, full stop...if there’s photographs that we have of President Trump or anybody else, they, of course, will be released...” —DOJ Rep. (49:56)
• Host’s Commentary:
  • Haley notes Democrats are only interested in such scandals when politically convenient.

8. The "Patriot Games"—Trump’s New National Event

• Concept Announcement (54:59):
  • President Trump announced a new athletic competition for high schoolers, emphasizing biological male/female categories:
    • “There will be no men playing in women’s sports. You’re not going to see that. You’ll see everything but that.” —Donald Trump (54:59)
• Public Reaction:
  • Liberals mocked it as Hunger Games-esque; Haley frames it as a fun, healthy display of patriotism and laments progressive overreactions.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president...I know that they’re not...they haven’t lost touch of the world." —Nicki Minaj (06:54)
• "We absolutely cannot let people who have a problem with Us worshiping God. We cannot have them in power." —Nicki Minaj (07:59)
• "If Candace Owens decides to spend every day since the murder of Charlie Kirk casting aspersions...then we as people with a microphone have a moral obligation to...call that out." —Ben Shapiro (12:51)
• "I object to the whole thing…that Ben thinks he has the power to decide who gets excommunicated from the conservative movement." —Megyn Kelly (14:23)
• “You’re sitting in the audience and you’re just like, what the hell did I just get caught in the middle of?” —Attendee (16:02)
• "The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life...We have far more important work to do than canceling each other." —VP Vance (21:59)
• “If you’re getting untrustworthy sources, you may be reporting untrustworthy information...the left doesn’t trust the media now and the right doesn’t trust the media.” —Chuck Todd (27:17)
• “There will be no men playing in women’s sports. You’re not going to see that. You’ll see everything but that.” —Donald Trump (54:59)

Memorable Moments

• Nicki Minaj's direct, faith-filled address to thousands of young conservatives.
• Live reports of the emotionally charged, divisive shifts within conservatism post-Kirk.
• The succinct, viral message of Jeannie from Target: “Be nice to each other. And a Merry Christmas.” (11:14)
• VP Vance attempting to restore unity amid chaos.
• Clinton hot tub photo awkwardness and the media’s selective outrage.

Conclusion: The State of Conservative America

Haley concludes that the future of American conservatism—while beset by internal drama, external skepticism, and mainstream media failures—remains vibrant due to its diversity of rising leaders, pop culture inroads, and unwavering faith in American ideals. The episode closes with humor and a reminder to focus on what truly matters: effective governance, cultural renewal, and electoral victories, despite all distractions.