Brandon Tatum Responds to Mark Dice's DEI Hire Accusation and Defends Support for Turning Point USA
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Brandon Tatum Responds to Mark Dice's DEI Hire Accusation and Defends Support for Turning Point USA
Brandon Tatum addresses Mark Dice's public accusation that he was a "DEI hire" in the conservative movement and clarifies his position on Turning Point USA, Tucker Carlson, and Charlie Kirk's mission. Tatum defends his independent business success, explains his fundraising efforts for Erika Kirk, and challenges claims about Charlie Kirk's final wishes regarding Tucker Carlson's involvement with TPUSA. He reveals the organization's internal tensions while affirming his commitment to the students and campus activists at the heart of Turning Point's work.
Mark Dice's Accusation and Brandon Tatum's Immediate Response
Brandon Tatum opened his response by directly addressing Mark Dice's public video, which labeled him as a "DEI hire" in the conservative movement. Dice claimed he gave Tatum a shout-out in 2016 when Tatum was just getting started as a black conservative YouTuber, suggesting that backing him was a mistake. Tatum expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing that he had never said anything negative about Dice online and considered him a friend.
Tatum revealed that Dice had texted him before making the video, apparently trying to get information about Candace Owens. Tatum didn't respond because he was busy running multiple companies with over 20 employees. He expressed relief that he hadn't replied, believing Dice might have tried to set him up. When Tatum commented on Dice's video expressing disappointment, Dice texted back asking if Tatum believed he was only part of "Conservative Inc." because he was black.
Building an Independent Business Empire
Tatum forcefully rejected the characterization that he was part of "Conservative Inc." or that his success was due to anything other than his own effort. He detailed his journey of building independent businesses since 2018, emphasizing that he doesn't take money from anyone, doesn't accept donations, isn't a nonprofit, and doesn't take investors. Everything he built came from his own money, sweat, and effort.
He described his e-commerce business, which has 20,000 to 30,000 five-star reviews and serves 100,000 to 200,000 customers. Tatum stayed up all night learning e-commerce on YouTube and built his own print shop without prior knowledge, researching products online and hiring someone from Chicago to help set it up. He emphasized his independence and self-made status, challenging anyone to question whether his success was legitimate.
The Fundraising Effort for Erika Kirk
Tatum addressed Dice's claim that he was "dangling" a million-dollar donation in front of Turning Point USA. He clarified that he's been running a fundraising campaign through merchandise sales, with 100% of profits going to Charlie Kirk's family. His goal is to raise one million dollars to write a check to Erika Kirk, who can then decide where the money goes, likely to Turning Point USA.
Tatum read his actual statement to demonstrate that Dice had misrepresented his words. When a friend asked whether he should donate $500,000 to Turning Point USA, Tatum said yes, despite his disagreement with Tucker Carlson being on stage. He wasn't holding the donation hostage or making demands—he was supporting the organization's broader mission while expressing his personal opinion about one speaker.
Charlie Kirk's Relationship with Tucker Carlson
Tatum challenged the narrative that supporting Tucker Carlson was one of Charlie Kirk's "last wishes." He asked where this was documented in any will or official statement. According to Tatum, Charlie Kirk stood by Tucker and lost millions of dollars in donations from wealthy donors, not because he agreed with everything Tucker said, but because he refused to be told what to do with his organization.
Tatum argued that Charlie Kirk never publicly agreed with Tucker's positions on Israel and other controversial topics. Kirk spoke at events and never said the things Tucker was saying. The decision to keep Tucker on stage was an emotional response to donors trying to control the organization, not an endorsement of Tucker's views. Tatum respected Charlie's loyalty to a friend but didn't necessarily think it was the wisest business decision.
Turning Point USA's Pro-Israel Foundation
Tatum emphasized that Turning Point USA has always been a pro-American, pro-Zionist organization from its foundation. Charlie Kirk debated on campus countless times, gave speeches, and consistently supported Israel. The organization worked with Zionist speakers, maintained relationships with the DailyWire+, and one of Charlie's last interviews was with Ben Shapiro.
He listed numerous Turning Point connections who support Israel: Charlie's pastor, rabbis he was close with, Frank Turek, everyone on staff, all their donors, and all the churches and pastors associated with TPUSA Faith. Tatum asked rhetorically why anyone would think Charlie Kirk's last wish was to have anti-Semites on stage when his entire organization was built on different principles.
The Candace Owens Question
Tatum raised pointed questions about Candace Owens's absence from major Turning Point events. Why wasn't Candace on stage? Why wasn't she part of Turning Point USA in a more prominent way? Why wasn't she doing more with Blexit after Turning Point took it over? Why didn't Charlie let Candace speak at major events, even though he let Tucker speak? Why didn't she speak at Charlie's memorial, even though Tucker did?
Tatum suggested that if it was really about friendship, Charlie chose one friend over another. The reason Candace wasn't on stage at major events was because donors didn't want her there, just as they didn't want Tucker. But Charlie responded differently in Tucker's case, getting emotional and insisting Tucker would speak regardless of donor pressure.
Tatum's Own Experience with Turning Point Faith
Tatum revealed that he was excluded from Turning Point Faith events due to theological differences, despite being "one of the biggest Christians in the movement right now that stand up for Jesus Christ on every platform." He spoke with someone on the phone and offered not to mention theology on stage, but he still wasn't invited.
Rather than complain publicly, Tatum accepted the decision. He recognized that God gave him a platform bigger than any platform Turning Point could provide, so he could do his own Christian content. He continued supporting the organization because he cared about the students and young people on campus. He was upset with Charlie Kirk about the decision but never made it public because that wasn't his place.
The True Mission of Turning Point USA
Tatum argued that the most important part of Turning Point USA isn't the major speaking engagements or celebrity appearances. Those are just show—flashy events that get attention like a "Super Bowl of the month." The real substance of Turning Point is the young people volunteering on campuses across America, taking arrows to save the nation and getting paid nothing.
This is why Tatum says he'll support Turning Point no matter who they put on stage, even speakers he disagrees with or considers fake and fraudulent. It's not about him, and it wasn't really about Charlie Kirk either. It's about God's mission through them to help the next generation be uplifted so they can change America for the better.
Commitment Despite Disagreements
Tatum emphasized his track record of working with Turning Point USA since 2017, doing speaking engagements essentially for free and conducting fundraiser events without specific payment. At one event Charlie couldn't attend, Tatum raised more money than had ever been raised at that event in TPUSA history. He went to 20-some universities without receiving significant compensation.
He described showing up to campus events with only 10 people in attendance, even though he's a "big deal." This initially hit his pride, but he had made a promise to God that even if only two people showed up, he would still preach the gospel. He got on flights, left his family, and flew across the country because he genuinely cares about the mission.
Warning About Turning Point's Future
Tatum issued a stark warning: if Turning Point USA doesn't get its act together, the organization will cease to exist. He expressed frustration that the negative information circulating about Turning Point isn't being addressed more aggressively. He knows many people questioning whether they should continue supporting the organization because of what's happening in the public sphere.
He suggested a simple solution: Tucker Carlson shouldn't speak at major events because the people who support the organization don't want him there. Just as Tatum accepted being excluded from Turning Point Faith events due to donor preferences, Tucker should understand that sometimes organizational needs require difficult decisions. The mission is bigger than any individual speaker or personality.
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