Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
With the November midterms approaching, the battle to attract young voters is intensifying, with prominent online voices and political groups on both the left and right working to shape the youth vote.
Turning Point is expanding campus programming it says is designed to build a new generation of conservative speakers, as the organization looks to fill a void left by Charlie Kirk’s absence. Andrew Kolvet, Turning Point's National Spokesperson, told The National News Desk Thursday the group is ramping up its “Pick up the Mic” initiative, which includes the “prove me wrong events” Kirk was known for hosting on campuses.
Kolvet said Turning Point held 50 events this past spring and expects that number to jump to more than 300 this fall.
"The creams going to rise to the top. Some of these voices have already had some great moments and we expect many more from this fall semester,” Kolvet said.
Kolvet also said Turning Point has announced a campus tour and plans additional stops that have not yet been made public. “We just announced our campus tour. We have a bunch of other stops that haven't been announced yet. So that's going to be a massive, massive tour,” he said. Kolvet added, “We're also doing something called 'Pick up the Mic' and we are essentially treating it like a farm system and doing those 'prove me wrong events' at campuses all across the country.”
On the left, socialist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has continued to draw a large young audience online. His live Twitch streams generate more than 14 million views a month, with 70% of viewers under 35 years old.
Kirk and Piker previously clashed publicly while still engaging in civil discourse despite their differing ideologies. In a 2018 appearance together, Kirk told the audience while speaking about Piker, “He wants other people to contribute to what he considers to be a good idea. What he considers will make the world a better place. You have the freedom to go live as a socialist, go do it Hasan what's stopping you?” Piker responded in part, “If I gave away the measly earnings that I had and gave away 95% of that, that wouldn't necessarily even push the needle.”
After Kirk’s assassination in 2025, Piker told Politico Magazine, “Watching that unfold in real time was devastating.” But his tone has shifted in the past year as political clashes have intensified. Clips shared on social media from over the weekend showed Piker on stage appearing to mock Kirk just weeks before the one-year anniversary of his death.
Kolvet criticized that moment, saying, “I just think it's a shame. I just wish that people in his position that have a following would have a little bit more class.”
READ MORE: 13wham.com/news/nation-world/battle-for-young-voters-intensifies-ahead-of-midterms-tpusa-shares-strategy-november-charlie-kirk-hasan-piker
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With the November midterms approaching, the battle to attract young voters is intensifying, with prominent online voices and political groups on both the left and right working to shape the youth vote.
Turning Point is expanding campus programming it says is designed to build a new generation of conservative speakers, as the organization looks to fill a void left by Charlie Kirk’s absence. Andrew Kolvet, Turning Point's National Spokesperson, told The National News Desk Thursday the group is ramping up its “Pick up the Mic” initiative, which includes the “prove me wrong events” Kirk was known for hosting on campuses.
Kolvet said Turning Point held 50 events this past spring and expects that number to jump to more than 300 this fall.
"The creams going to rise to the top. Some of these voices have already had some great moments and we expect many more from this fall semester,” Kolvet said.
Kolvet also said Turning Point has announced a campus tour and plans additional stops that have not yet been made public. “We just announced our campus tour. We have a bunch of other stops that haven't been announced yet. So that's going to be a massive, massive tour,” he said. Kolvet added, “We're also doing something called 'Pick up the Mic' and we are essentially treating it like a farm system and doing those 'prove me wrong events' at campuses all across the country.”
On the left, socialist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has continued to draw a large young audience online. His live Twitch streams generate more than 14 million views a month, with 70% of viewers under 35 years old.
Kirk and Piker previously clashed publicly while still engaging in civil discourse despite their differing ideologies. In a 2018 appearance together, Kirk told the audience while speaking about Piker, “He wants other people to contribute to what he considers to be a good idea. What he considers will make the world a better place. You have the freedom to go live as a socialist, go do it Hasan what's stopping you?” Piker responded in part, “If I gave away the measly earnings that I had and gave away 95% of that, that wouldn't necessarily even push the needle.”
After Kirk’s assassination in 2025, Piker told Politico Magazine, “Watching that unfold in real time was devastating.” But his tone has shifted in the past year as political clashes have intensified. Clips shared on social media from over the weekend showed Piker on stage appearing to mock Kirk just weeks before the one-year anniversary of his death.
Kolvet criticized that moment, saying, “I just think it's a shame. I just wish that people in his position that have a following would have a little bit more class.”
READ MORE: 13wham.com/news/nation-world/battle-for-young-voters-intensifies-ahead-of-midterms-tpusa-shares-strategy-november-charlie-kirk-hasan-piker
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
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13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuTJB6tta5ar3Fu5CumAvlvVunEP6bc9A
For more information, visit 13wham.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@13wham.com
Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700
WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork
