An American conservative powerhouse is setting its sights on Ireland. Turning Point USA, the youth movement founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, has become one of the most influential networks in US conservative politics, with deep ties to the Republican Party and the MAGA movement. Now, following Kirk’s assassination in Utah last September, his widow Erika Kirk is reportedly planning a visit to Northern Ireland as part of a European recruitment tour. 

The aim? To establish a local branch of the multi-million-dollar organisation on this island. The group has already launched a UK branch. Now, with reported encouragement from former DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr, discussions around a Northern Ireland chapter appear to be gathering pace. 

But what does Turning Point stand for? How influential is it within today’s Republican Party? And what happens when a highly organised, well-funded American political network attempts to embed itself in a vastly different political culture? 

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to journalist and author Peter Geoghegan, whose work examines how money and influence shape modern democracies. Is this simply student activism — or something much more strategic? And in a region with its own complex political history and strong evangelical traditions, what might Turning Point NI mean for the future of political organising here? 

Follow Ciara on Instagram @officialciarad.