Far-left commentator Joy Reid amplified her criticism of Turning Point USA President Erika Kirk following remarks Kirk made at AmericaFest 2025 in Phoenix, where Kirk led the conservative summit and endorsed Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 Republican nomination. Reid’s renewed attacks mark an escalation in the media conflict between the liberal pundit and a leading conservative activist.
During her Friday media program, Reid pushed back on comments from Kirk at AmericaFest, where the TPUSA leader offered Reid a “hug” and joked about touching her hair in response to earlier criticisms from Reid about Kirk’s behavior during the event. Reid reiterated her earlier remarks, painting Kirk’s actions and conduct in a negative light and doubling down on her critique.
Reid has repeatedly criticized Kirk, including dismissive commentary about her relationship with Vice President Vance and making controversial remarks about race and conservative media figures. Reid defended her stance on her show, rejecting Kirk’s offer of a hug and expressing distrust of the TPUSA president’s intentions.
The exchange highlights rising tensions between mainstream liberal commentators and conservative leaders following AmericaFest, where conservative figures rallied around Kirk’s leadership in the wake of her husband Charlie Kirk’s assassination in September. At the same event, a surprise appearance by Nicki Minaj drew attention as she expressed support for Trump, Vance, and conservative causes, further energizing the right-wing audience.
Erika Kirk’s role at AmericaFest and her public contrast with Reid underscore broader cultural and media divisions, with conservative audiences viewing Reid’s comments as emblematic of liberal bias against emerging conservative voices. Critics of Reid argue her commentary reflects a pattern of dismissing conservative women and conservative leadership in national discourse.
