An initiative to launch Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapters across all public high schools post-secondary institutions in Tennessee was announced Friday at the Tennessee State Capitol.
TPUSA leaders and top Tennessee officials – including U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), and Governor Bill Lee, who sent in a video message for the event – announced that the Volunteer state would work with the organization to establish Club America chapters “at every high school, every college, every university campus” throughout the state in honor of the late Charlie Kirk, who founded TPUSA in 2012.
It was wonderful to speak with @TPUSA student leaders in Nashville this morning.
Charlie’s legacy will empower a new generation of patriotic Americans, and I’m thrilled Tennessee is partnering with TPUSA to ensure every public high school has a Club America chapter. pic.twitter.com/c8hAQ8qbyD
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) December 12, 2025
Blackburn, a candidate in the 2026 governor’s race, said the partnership between TPUSA and Tennessee is vital, emphasizing the need to foster “robust, respectful, bipartisan debate” among young people as the nation’s political climate has grown increasingly polarized in recent years.
While a spokesperson from the governor’s office said no state funding is backing the initiative between Tennessee and TPUSA, Leader Johnson emphasized that the state will not tolerate resistance to the effort from school administration and will be ready to take legal action against those who thwart the creation of TPUSA chapters if necessary.
“Anyone who attempts to thwart the organization of Turning Point chapters or Club America chapters in Tennessee will face serious consequences, including possible legal action,” Johnson said.
Since its founding, @TPUSA has championed freedom and empowered young people to stand strong in their beliefs. Today, we announced an important partnership and a shared vision to establish Turning Point Club America chapters in every TN high school.
It was an honor to join… pic.twitter.com/RDQaGStVoT
— Jack Johnson (@SenJohnson) December 12, 2025
TPUSA contributor and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines was also present at Friday’s event, who said she hopes Tennessee’s partnership with TPUSA “influences other states” – including Democrat-controlled states – to take similar steps ensuring Club America chapters can be organized freely for high school and post-secondary students.
In an email to supporters, TPUSA said the partnerships with Tennessee and other states including Texas, Indiana, Florida, Oklahoma, and Idaho seeking to develop Club America chapters at public high schools and post-secondary institutions is “a statement to the country: This is about values. About courage. About raising a generation that will fight for America.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Turning Point USA Members” by Turning Point USA.
