Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," says Charlie Kirk’s influence remains strong but warns Republicans not to assume continued support from Gen Z. Kolvet urged the GOP to use the off-year to hold open debates and deliver concrete policies on affordability and economic opportunity. He said visible, public debate and a sense of urgency are key to converting 2024 gains into lasting support.
Charlie Kirk Ally Urges GOP: Don’t Take Gen Z For Granted — Calls For Urgent Action
Charlie Kirk shakes hands with President Donald Trump as Trump speaks onstage at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 22, 2024.
Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," said the influence of his late friend and conservative organizer Charlie Kirk endures, but he warned Republicans they cannot assume that support from younger voters will continue without deliberate effort.
Speaking about Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest, Kolvet described a palpable energy at the event that buoyed him immediately on arrival.
"As soon as I got in the doors on Thursday, my spirits lifted. I could just tell that the momentum is so strong here, the momentum in our movement in this country,"
Andrew Kolvet, producer of 'The Charlie Kirk Show,' speaks during the public memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 21.
Kolvet cautioned that enthusiasm alone will not sustain the movement. He urged conservatives to use the off-year to openly debate policy ideas and to demonstrate they can deliver concrete results that matter to Gen Z.
Turning Momentum Into Lasting Support
Kolvet emphasized the need to convert 2024 gains into long-term commitment by addressing the everyday economic concerns of younger Americans.
"We need to make sure that Gen Z is buying into the American dream. We cannot take for granted the gains of 2024. They gave us a flyer, they gave us a chance, but we have to make good on some of those promises,"he said.
Charlie Kirk speaks during a campus meeting at the University of Arizona in Tucson on Oct. 17, 2024.
He argued the GOP should prioritize affordability and economic opportunity so young people can achieve milestones like buying a first home, marrying and starting families — priorities Kolvet said were central to Kirk’s work organizing on college campuses through Turning Point USA.
Debate, Transparency And Urgency
Kolvet encouraged robust, public debate within the conservative movement, saying open discussion will strengthen the party and build credibility.
"Let’s have those debates at a place like AmFest. Let’s do it here. This is actually a pretty darn good place to have it if you’re going to do this. And let’s do it in December of an off year as opposed to August of a midterm. Embrace the debate, embrace the fire,"he said. "There has to be a sense of urgency with Gen Z because they’re watching. They want to know, ‘Are you going to pay attention to us? Are you going to do the things that we told you?'">
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, widow of political activist Charlie Kirk, speaks during Turning Point’s annual AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Ariz., on Dec. 18.
The article also noted that observers credit President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory in part to inroads with younger voters, a demographic that had previously leaned left — an opportunity Kolvet says should be consolidated, not taken for granted.
Kirk was shot and killed on the campus of Utah Valley University in September, leaving behind two young children. His wife, Erika Kirk, now serves as CEO of Turning Point USA.
What Comes Next: Kolvet urged the Republican Party to demonstrate results on housing, cost-of-living and job creation for young Americans, and to host visible, substantive debates in off-years to keep Gen Z engaged.
