ATHENS, Georgia — Vice President JD Vance arrived in this Georgia university town for a Turning Point USA campus event following an unsuccessful diplomatic mission to Pakistan aimed at resolving the Iran conflict.
Rather than demonstrating the enthusiastic youth support that helped propel President Donald Trump back to office nearly two years ago, the gathering featured a largely vacant venue, uncomfortable moments, and unexpected criticism from attendees.
The gathering highlighted Trump’s challenges in gaining support for the Iran conflict and revealed how his recent controversies — including attacks on Pope Leo XIV and posting a social media image depicting himself as Jesus — have created political problems.
“I did vote for Trump. I am not a Trump supporter anymore,” stated Joseph Bercher, a Catholic who praised Leo’s opposition to the Iran war.
Bercher described the Jesus image, which Trump removed Monday following rare conservative pushback, as a “red flag” revealing Trump’s character.
“He sees himself as like a demagogue or someone to be worshipped,” Bercher explained.
C.J. Santini, who recently completed his studies at Liberty University, an evangelical institution in Virginia, expressed uncertainty about whether Iran truly posed an imminent nuclear threat requiring military action. However, he responded with laughter and disbelief when questioned about Trump’s attacks on Leo.
“It’s just stupid. Stupid,” he stated, describing it as a “distraction” from Trump’s domestic and foreign policy objectives.
While numerous college-aged participants wore Turning Point merchandise, Trump campaign gear, and patriotic clothing, empty seats outnumbered attendees by more than two-to-one in what wasn’t even the campus’s largest venue, located roughly 90 minutes from Atlanta.
Vance, an Iraq War Marine veteran, recognized that young conservatives don’t universally support another Middle Eastern military engagement.
“I’m not saying you have to agree with me on every issue,” Vance addressed the audience. “What I’m saying,” he continued, “is don’t get disengaged.”
The vice president fielded questions from Turning Point executive Andrew Kolvet rather than Erika Kirk, who assumed leadership after her husband Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Kolvet explained that Erika Kirk withdrew from the stage appearance due to unspecified security concerns.
Vance, whose attendance required extensive Secret Service and law enforcement security, admitted concerns about potential event cancellation.
While Kolvet questioned Vance about the war and Trump’s dispute with Leo, audience members posed more challenging inquiries. Vance engaged with at least one war protester and faced pressure regarding the administration’s Jeffrey Epstein file handling.
Even supportive audience members expressed reservations and criticisms.
“The pope needs to stay out of politics,” said Jessie Williams, a Methodist. However, he acknowledged his Catholic mother’s perspective and understood Catholic displeasure with Trump calling the pope “weak” and suggesting the first American-born pontiff was selected to oppose Trump.
Williams found Trump’s image inappropriate.
“I don’t like it, but it’s — what can we do?” Williams commented. “He’s a grown man, he’s gonna do what he wants.”
Blake McCluggage, a Baptist, disapproved of both the image and Trump’s profanity-laden Easter Sunday message threatening Iran’s civilian infrastructure.
These threats, combined with Trump’s subsequent message about a “whole civilization” facing destruction, prompted increasing criticism from Leo, with the pope describing the president’s statements as “truly unacceptable.”
Nevertheless, McCluggage noted, “you can still be a Republican” while disagreeing with Trump.
Before arriving in Georgia, Vance attempted to dismiss the image as humor that “a lot of people weren’t understanding.” The vice president also appeared to support Trump’s position that Leo should focus less on international matters.
“It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what’s going on in the Catholic church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy,” Vance said during a Fox News appearance.
During the Athens event, he modified his stance, claiming to welcome Leo’s input despite disagreement.
“At the very least, it invites conversation,” said Vance, who embraced Catholicism in adulthood.
Nevertheless, Vance again challenged Leo, specifically disputing the pope’s Palm Sunday statement that God doesn’t hear prayers from those who wage war. Leo had referenced Old Testament scripture from Isaiah. Vance questioned whether God supported Allied forces during World War II as they freed Holocaust survivors from Nazi death camps.
“I certainly think the answer is yes,” Vance declared. When Leo combines international affairs with complex religious doctrine, Vance argued, “it’s very important for the pope to be careful.”
