On April 14, 2026, VP JD Vance spoke at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia's Akins Ford Arena (capacity ~8,000). The arena was roughly a quarter full — estimates range from 1,000 to 2,000 attendees. Video of the empty seats went viral with 4.3+ million views.
During his remarks defending the Iran war by invoking WWII, a heckler interrupted: “Jesus Christ does not support genocide!” Vance agreed: “Jesus Christ certainly does not support genocide, whoever yelled that out from the dark.” The heckler continued: “Why are you committing genocide in Gaza?” and “You're killing children! You're bombing children!”
Vance claimed Trump “solved” the Gaza problem and “got a peace agreement” — while Israel continues deadly strikes, land grabs in the West Bank, and severely limits humanitarian aid. The Iran war has killed civilians including at least 168 children in the Minab school bombing.
Vance acknowledged: “I recognize that young voters do not love the policy we have in the Middle East.” Hundreds of protesters rallied outside the arena. UGA Young Democrats: “Gas prices are through the roof, and our young service members are dying overseas.”
Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk (widow of Charlie Kirk) cancelled her appearance citing “very serious” security threats. The empty seats at a free event hosted by Trump's most loyal youth organization — on a college campus, in a state Trump won — signal waning enthusiasm for the MAGA agenda even among the base.