Turning Point USA's Erika Kirk backs Vice President JD Vance's potential 2028 presidential bid

WASHINGTON (AP) — Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and the organization’s new leader, endorsed a potential presidential bid by Vice President JD Vance on the opening night of the conservative youth group’s annual conference.

After telling the cheering crowd that Turning Point would help keep Congress in Republican hands next year, she said, “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible.”

Vance would be the 48th president if he takes office after Trump.

Kirk’s statement on Thursday is the most explicit backing of Vance’s possible candidacy by a woman who has been positioned as a steward to her late husband’s legacy. Charlie Kirk had become a powerbroker and bridge builder within the conservative movement before he was assassinated in September.

Vance is set to speak to Turning Point on Sunday, the conference’s last day. The convention has featured the usual spectacle and energy that have characterized the organization’s events, but the proceedings have also been marred by intense infighting among conservative commentators and estranged allies who have turned on each other in the wake of Kirk’s death.

Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews in Md., on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk speaks during an appearance on "Fox & Friends" at Fox News headquarters on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Erika Kirk speaks during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Barcelona received the highest payment from a nine million euros ($10.5 million) fund that rewarded 103 clubs whose players were picked for the 2025 Women’s European Championship.

Barcelona earned 567,000 euros ($664,000) paid as a daily rate of 1,095 euros ($1,280) for as long as players were involved in the 16-nation tournament in Switzerland in July.

Spain stars Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas headed 10 players from the three-time Women’s Champions League winner in the beaten finalist’s squad, plus Keira Walsh from title-winning England. Barcelona also had forwards Caroline Graham Hansen with Norway, Ewa Pajor with Poland and Sydney Schertenleib with Switzerland.

Bayern Munich was next with 465,000 euros ($545,000) including seven in semifinalist Germany’s squad, England's Georgia Stanway and Denmark captain Pernille Harder.

Chelsea earned 462,000 euros ($541,000) and Juventus, which provided most of Italy’s semifinalist squad, earned 415,000 euros ($486,000) from UEFA.

English clubs combined to earn 2.37 million euros ($2.78 million), German clubs got 1.4 million euros ($1.64 million) and more than 1.3 million euros ($1.52 million) went to Italy.

Spanish clubs combined to earn 1.16 million euros ($1.36 million) — more than half to Barcelona.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen scores during a Women's Champions League soccer match between Paris FC and Barcelona in Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Barcelona fans celebrate after a Women's Champions League soccer match between Paris FC and Barcelona in Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)