IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Governor Mike Braun Rallies Students At Packed Turning Point USA Event At Indiana University

Madelyn Hanes

October 21, 2025
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/21/braun-rallies-students-at-packed-turning-point-usa-event-at-indiana-university/

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun provided the warmup for the Turning Point USA event Tuesday evening at the Indiana University auditorium.

The sold-out event, part of the group’s “American Comeback Tour,” drew thousands to hear Braun and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who headlined following founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination last month.

“What Charlie represented was not being embarrassed about what I ran on and what got me into the game in the first place, faith, family and community,” he said. “You throw a little freedom and opportunity on top of that, we never should shy away from shouting it into the rafters.”

The Bloomington stop came weeks after Kirk was killed Sept. 10 during the tour’s kickoff at Utah Valley University. Police arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robison, who remains held without bail at the Utah County Jail.

The event drew more than 3,000 people with a long standby line outside.

Governor remarks

Braun, a former U.S. senator who left Washington to lead Indiana, framed the moment as traditional values vs. prioritizing government over individual liberty.

“We’re in a classic battle between those values and folks that believe government is the most important thing in your life. Don’t ever go there. Always resist it. Be loud about it. Can I count on you for that?” he asked.

Braun drew hearty applause from the audience, many of whom wore red and white Turning Point USA hats or waved small American flags. He credited Kirk for encouraging open debate and for drawing young conservatives into civics.

“Charlie invited that. That was unusual. Most people didn’t want to go into the lion’s den. They wanted to be safe,” he said.

For much of his address, Braun mixed personal stories with political reflection. He spoke about risks he took in his career, his experience running a family business and his decision to leave Washington to serve as governor.

“You won’t go anywhere in life without sticking your neck out,” he said. “Take risks on the things you believe in, and then work your butts off to do it.”

Braun warned that conservatives have been “flat-footed” while opponents dominate the media and campuses. He praised TPUSA’s growth to thousands of chapters, urging the audience to be “foot soldiers.”

He closed his remarks with a story about President Donald Trump and longtime Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight, recalling a 2016 campaign stop when Knight told him, “All you’ve got to do is listen to the Donald, and you’ll be okay.”

Following Braun’s remarks, Carlson took the stage with his two dogs and answered questions from the audience after only a short intro.

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