Conservatives are at a turning point. And there are plenty of up-and-comers.
Now Charlie Kirk’s successor was announced and it’s the last person you expect.
A Young Conservative’s Enduring Bond with His Mentor
At just 19, Brilyn Hollyhand has long been seen as a rising star in conservative circles, often called “the internet’s youngest voice of reason” for his early start in political commentary. His connection to Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, began in 2018 when Hollyhand, then a fourth-grader, interviewed the activist on his fledgling podcast—a moment that launched a mentorship spanning eight years.
Kirk not only appeared as a guest but stayed in touch, offering guidance as Hollyhand built a following of nearly half a million on social media, founded the conservative site The Truth Gazette, and became co-chair of the Republican National Committee’s Youth Advisory Council in 2023.
Now a freshman at Auburn University, Hollyhand reflects on that relationship with quiet gratitude, crediting Kirk for giving him a platform when few others would.
“He didn’t need to go on the Brilyn Hollyhand show with a fourth grader, but he did and he gave me that opportunity,” Hollyhand said. Their bond evolved into friendship, with texts exchanged as recently as the morning of September 10, 2025, when Kirk was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University—the first stop of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour.” Hollyhand recalls Kirk’s encouraging message after a Fox News appearance: “Hey, man, you did such a great job this morning, so proud of you.”
Stepping Forward Amid Unfillable Shoes
In the days following Kirk’s assassination—a shocking act of political violence that has drawn widespread condemnation and an FBI reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to justice—Hollyhand has grappled with the void left behind. He spoke candidly about the challenge of carrying on without trying to replicate his mentor.
“Charlie has very huge shoes to fill. Not just because he was a man with a large shoe size but because, like, legitimately, nobody can replace him,” Hollyhand told The Post. Instead, he aims to chart his own path:
“My goal is not to be Charlie, it’s to be Brilyn and to do what the Lord has given me the opportunity to do. If I can do half of the work that Charlie Kirk did in his time on this earth, then I’ll count that as a success.”
This resolve echoes Kirk’s own ethos of persistence, a piece of advice President Trump referenced at Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona on Sunday: When Hollyhand once asked for inspiration on sustaining the movement at a young age, Kirk replied, “Brilyn, the left will always out-fundraise us, but they’re never going to outwork us.” Hollyhand sees Kirk’s life—and tragic end—as a testament to that grit: “They never outworked Charlie. He always took the time to continue fighting for this country. They could not outwork him, so they had to kill him.”
A Tour Born of Courage and Rising Risks
Undeterred by the personal toll, Hollyhand is channeling his energy into action. He’s launching the “One Conversation at a Time” tour, sponsored by Turning Point USA, with 10 stops at universities across the Southeast, starting Thursday at the University of Arkansas and including campuses in Florida, South Carolina, and Mississippi. The initiative focuses on fostering dialogue and engaging young voters, much like Kirk’s campus events.
Yet the decision comes as Hollyhand navigates a stark new reality: death threats have more than tripled since the assassination, prompting campus security escorts at Auburn and a dedicated protection team.
“I feel like I’m living a completely different life than I woke up in, you know, a few Wednesdays ago before he passed,” he shared. Friends and family have urged caution, but Hollyhand views the tour as essential.
“That’s what they want. The coward who assassinated my friend wanted to shut my generation up and instead he woke us up,” he said.
For him, this moment demands amplification: “I feel like this is a time where we have to get louder, we have to get bolder, we have to get more courageous… He lived and died for that and that’s why I kind of feel this calling to keep doing that.” In a polarized climate marked by recent incidents of violence, Hollyhand’s commitment underscores a broader push for open exchange, even as it highlights the dangers faced by young voices on all sides of the political spectrum.
