PHOENIX — As discussions intensified in Washington regarding a potential partial government shutdown, far-right leaders convened with a substantial gathering of loyal Donald Trump followers, relishing in the growing divisions within the party of the president-elect.
At the recent AmericaFest 2024 organized by Turning Point USA, attendees celebrated both Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, crediting them with derailing a bipartisan deal that would have kept the government running. The mood shifted to mockery and disdain toward House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has shown a willingness to engage with Democrats, despite his close ties with Trump and frequent appearances alongside him. Speakers like Steve Bannon, a key Trump adviser, criticized bipartisanship, branding it as “a malignant cancer” and insisted that what was necessary was “hyper-partisanship.”
The dynamics surrounding Trump’s core base allow for considerable flexibility as he responds to their demands; this unpredictability was evident last week during the budgetary struggles. Within this context, the failure of Trump to realize his key objectives—evident by the 38 Republicans who voted against a plan he supported—did not seem to concern Bannon and fellow supporters who celebrated Trump during the event’s closing day. For them, the raw confrontation and Trump’s central role in it held greater significance than legislative outcomes.
Turning Point’s founder, Charlie Kirk, expressed gratitude as Trump appeared on stage, and the crowd erupted in applause, many holding their phones aloft to capture the moment. Interviews conducted during the event suggested that the new right within America is united more by a shared anti-establishment attitude, deeply held conservative values, and fervent nationalism than by a cohesive policy agreement.
Andrew Graves, a 39-year-old former Disney employee who now organizes for Turning Point in Arizona, expressed a desire for Trump to fulfill his campaign promises, emphasizing education and women’s sports as key issues. Another attendee, 20-year-old Jennifer Pacheco, connected with Turning Point for its bold Christian stance and expressed hope that Trump could correct societal issues, even though she admitted to some concerns about national debt.
Alexander Sjorgen from Pennsylvania elaborated further on specific policy goals, including reducing structural deficits, increasing domestic energy production, and addressing immigration issues. Despite different perspectives, he and others shared a vision for restoring national strength and identity.
The atmosphere at the event was electric, filled with Trump memorabilia and vibrant displays of nationalism. Prominent figures at AmericaFest were treated as celebrities, garnering enthusiastic responses as they pushed for confirmations of Trump’s Cabinet choices and called for accountability for Congress members involved in investigating the January 6 Capitol incident. Kirk emphasized that while progress had been made within the Republican Party, more work was needed, warning that any GOP senator who opposed a Trump nominee would face primary challenges.
Bannon hailed the attendees as participants in a revolutionary movement, drawing parallels between Trump’s election and the realignment of voters in the past. He criticized establishment Republicans and expressed confidence in Trump’s capability to navigate political challenges and fulfill his agenda.
During his address on the final day of AmericaFest, Trump reiterated many of his typical pledges but did not explicitly address his recent defeat in Congress. Instead, he portrayed a vision of significant change following the recent elections, advocating for a common-sense agenda aimed at ushering in a “golden age” for America.
Kirk and other influencers discussed the complexities of the Trump agenda, with Bannon highlighting Trump’s strategic approach while also affirming that spending cuts were part of Trump’s plans. Ben Shapiro addressed various policy positions, attempting to align Trump’s views on foreign aid to Israel with broader conservative sentiments against aid to other nations.
Retired General Michael Flynn clarified that conservatives do not oppose all military engagement while cautioning against unnecessary conflicts. Kirk reinforced the idea of unity among diverse groups within Trump’s coalition, appealing for collaboration to confront the prevailing political establishment.
“Regardless of your specific concerns—parental rights, Second Amendment advocacy, or healthcare—if we unite on the major objectives, we can challenge the existing regime and work towards making America great again,” Kirk stated, emphasizing a collective effort.