MM 2003 FINAL PROJECT

Finding Community Amid the Conservative Civil War

After a sweep in the 2024 elections with the Presidency, the House, and the Senate turning red, political observers warned of a pendulum swing. Recent races in Virginia and New York City suggest that shift is already underway. While this is natural and somewhat expected, the current rift in the Republican and Conservative online space is one that blindsided most. Gen Z Commentator Brett Cooper has called it “the Conservative Civil War,” highlighting the tensions between establishment voices. In a time where ideology is fracturing and the conservative movement seems to be at war with itself, many young Americans are searching for something more than politics: they’re searching for community.

Searching for Belonging

I’ve loved government since before I was in double digits. I’ve been active on both sides of the aisle. One truth remains clear: everyone- left, right, unlabeled, and in between- is looking for a place to belong.

When I searched for “Republican student clubs” on campus during my freshman year, TPUSA was one of the only results. I was already involved in student life (four clubs, already held an Executive role in one), but it was not until the beginning of my sophomore year that I connected with the right people and re‑chartered the TPUSA chapter at my school. At that point, it was just me, one other student, and a TPUSA representative helping from afar.

The Turning Point: America Fest 2024 

Everything changed at the 2024 annual TPUSA conference called Am(erica)Fest. We heard from heads of state, key commentators, and even the president‑elect of the United States. Meeting students our age who shared similar values was transformative. TPUSA covered a large portion of our travel and lodging making an expense trip to Phoenix during the holiday season accessible to students like us.

That conference lit a fire under us. We came back to SAU ready to build something, even if it meant facing backlash. And we did. But we also found support we didn’t expect.

Summer of Growth 

Over the summer, I attended two more conferences both in Tampa, FL. At these conferences, I had the opportunity to meet influential leaders like Governor Kristi Noem and Charlie Kirk just months before his passing. TPUSA not only provided workshops on college activism and strategies for engaging our generation, but also offered social hours around different parts of the city — blending learning with fun.

My Conversation with Charlie Kirk

I also got to see the impact of youth activism firsthand through friends at the University of Arkansas. After facing protesters, they were interviews and featured on mainstream news, highlighting how student voices are increasingly visible and influential. These experiences reinforced that activism can be serious, structured, and strategic, but it can also be about connection, fun, and camaraderie.

Campus Impact 

Back on campus, the impact of that summer and national momentum was immediate. After the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk, our chapter grew from 15 members to over 50 in just hours. Almost 300 people from Magnolia and surrounding areas gathered in September for an hour of prayer. It was proof that many young people are longing for connection and that community can grow quickly when people feel seen and supported.

Closing

Through TPUSA and beyond, I met people who have become my closest friends that offer guidance, laughter, and wisdom as we navigate life together. TPUSA has not only given me political experience, but also given me a newfound family in people who were once strangers. At the same time, I’ve found great joy in supporting young activists across the aisle, including friends and classmates who lead the Young Democrats Club at SAU. Politics can divide, but also connect, teach, and inspire, especially when approached with empathy, respect, and sincerity. 

While I don’t know the future of politics, let alone the ongoing conservative civil war, what has stood the test of time is the yearn for community among my generation. Across campuses, conferences, and online spaces, young conservatives are seeking connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging which transcends ideology or electoral wins. The most meaningful victories aren’t measured in votes or policies alone, but in the relationships we form, the guidance we offer one another, and the networks of support that sustain us through moments of uncertainty. Even amid disagreement, debate, or backlash, these communities remind us that politics is human first.

In the end, activism ignites change, but community endures. It is in these bonds built through collaboration and conversation that my generation finds resilience, purpose, and hope.