The Daily Populous Friday April 17th, 2026 night edition
Authored by cbsnews.com and submitted by Wiley_dog25

The U.S. Secret Service determined there were no credible threats to Tuesday's Turning Point USA rally at the University of Georgia, even as a planned co-appearance by Erika Kirk was canceled over unspecified security concerns, a person familiar with the matter tells CBS News.

During the evening's rally at the Athens university, Turning Point executive Andrew Kolvet said that the Kirk had received "some very serious threats in her direction" that led her to cancel her plans to appear with the vice president. The group said in a statement that the threats related to her "travel outside the secured perimeter."

Vance said he'd been worried that the event would be canceled altogether.

"I talked to the Secret Service, and obviously, these guys do a very good job. And I said, 'You know what? Let's let Erika do what she needs to do for herself and her family,'" Vance told the crowd.

Kirk cited threats and concerns raised by her security team, the person told CBS News' homeland security and justice correspondent Nicole Sganga, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions. The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the vice president, was not tracking any specific or credible threats tied to the venue or to Vance, the person said.

Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, speaks during an event at the University of Mississippi on Oct. 29, 2025. Jonathan Ernst-Pool / Getty Images

According to the source, the site was secure, and there were no known threats to the protectee. While Kirk may have received hostile or threatening messages, including on social media, those were not part of any identified or actionable threat stream monitored by federal authorities, the person said.

After being briefed by his protective detail, Vance was informed that the event remained safe and chose to proceed.

in a statement Thursday, a representative for Turning Point USA said: "Threats related to Erika Kirk's travel outside the secured perimeter led our team to make the difficult decision to withdraw her participation. Our security team continuously assesses security considerations and this was the right call in the interest of her safety. We are grateful to law enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service for ensuring a safe event."

The rally was the second of the conservative organization's stops on the This Is Turning Point USA Tour, after Ohio State. Additional rallies are planned for George Washington University, Baylor, and the University of Idaho with various speakers.

Kirk is not expected to appear at any of the later rallies.

Time-Cardiologist906 on April 16th, 2026 at 17:42 UTC »

The low crowds were a threat to her ego 😂

AScienceExpert on April 16th, 2026 at 17:39 UTC »

The number of idiots that bought into this "there is a threat" narrative is hilarious. If there was a threat, the sitting VP wouldn't be in attendance. She skipped because of poor ticket sales.

This country is being dragged into the shitter by these stupid hicks.

Romantic_Piscean on April 16th, 2026 at 17:38 UTC »

Well, poor attendance is a different kind of threat as the grief pyrotechnic show isn't going to pay for itself. You can't grift without a mark.