Turning Point USA just received a clean bill of health from the Treasury Department amid a social media storm of gossip about financial shenanigans.
Here’s the crux: the Treasury Department sent a letter last week to Erika Kirk, head of the conservative student group Turning Point USA, confirming that neither her organization nor its related entities are under IRS scrutiny, effectively debunking fraud claims that had some donors second-guessing their contributions, as CBS News reports.
Let’s rewind to how this started -- questions about Turning Point USA’s finances bubbled up on social media, with voices like podcaster Candace Owens fanning the flames by urging donors to demand refunds.
A handful of small-dollar supporters did indeed ask for their money back, according to sources, showing just how quickly online chatter can spook even the most loyal backers.
Last Wednesday, Erika Kirk, who runs this nationwide conservative college outfit co-founded by her late husband, Charlie Kirk, reached out to the Treasury Department for clarity on the swirling allegations.
The response came swiftly in a letter, shared with CBS News, stating that all four of Kirk’s tax-exempt entities -- Turning Point USA Inc., Turning Point Action Inc., Turning Point Endowment Inc., and America’s Turning Point Inc. -- are in the clear, with no IRS investigations pending.
Even better for Kirk, the letter verified that all four entities filed their 990 tax forms on time this year, proving they’re playing by the rules while the rumor mill spins out of control.
A senior Treasury official didn’t mince words about the situation, saying, “The IRS is able to provide this type of information upon request by the taxpayer. And in this case, it's hideous that malicious lies and smears obligated her to make the request.”
Hideous, indeed -- when baseless claims force a leader to jump through hoops just to prove what should be obvious, it’s a sad commentary on today’s digital witch hunts.
Meanwhile, Blake Neff, producer of The Charlie Kirk Show podcast, came out swinging in defense, stating, “claims of financial impropriety and fraud at Turning Point adding up into the millions of dollars -- which, again, is not true.”
Neff doubled down with, “Charlie made sure the organization was audited by a third party every year. He personally reviewed, and he signed off on every expense report and literally every single bill paid by the organization -- down to a single United States dollar. We have never missed a 990 deadline.”
That’s the kind of meticulousness that should quiet the skeptics, though in an era where progressive agendas often weaponize misinformation, don’t hold your breath for apologies from the naysayers.
Despite the noise, Turning Point USA isn’t lacking for heavyweight allies. President Trump has consistently backed the group, and Erika Kirk has been a frequent visitor to the White House and Oval Office since her husband’s tragic assassination.
Over the weekend, the organization hosted its annual fundraising gala at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, with a representative proudly noting the two-day event was “maxed out” both nights. It's a clear sign that support hasn’t waned.
With tax forms from June showing revenues of $85 million, as reported by Pro Publica, and an upcoming town hall interview with Erika Kirk moderated by CBS News’ editor-in-chief Bari Weiss set to air Saturday at 8 p.m. Turning Point USA seems poised to weather this storm and keep championing conservative values on college campuses, no matter the online static.
