Conservatives flock to see Trump, Turning Point conference in West Palm. Some dressed up
By Miami Herald Staff
Marty Bergin, Patrick Hamilton, Stephanie Hamilton and Cathie Joffary, left to right, in the audience during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Al Diaz
adiaz@miamiherald.com
Turning Point Action, a non-profit affiliated with one of the nation’s more-prominent political youth movements, rolled into South Florida this weekend, hosting Republican presidential candidates, conservative media figures and scores of voters Saturday and Sunday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Attendees, who according to social media posts lined up outside the venue to gain entry on Saturday, were greeted by vendors hawking wares like “GOD, GUNS and TRUMP” hats. Some came dressed like Uncle Sam. Others mingled with controversial figures, like self-described “dirty trickster” Roger Stone, who was promoting his book.
Former President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak Saturday evening. His leading challenger for the Republican nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, was not expected to participate, though people at the event did get a chance to paste messages to the governor and other candidates by placing sticky notes over oversized images of their faces.
Nick Gall and Kelly Slaton with Palm Beach Stilts pose with Oscar Chacon during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Isabella Bertolozzi, 21, looks over the comments posted on headshots of presidential candidates, including Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, seen at right, during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Vendor, Ronald Soloman sells MAGA and patriotic products in the exhibition area during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Roger Stone talks with Bryan Kenady as Stone sells his book in the exhibition area during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Donald Trump arrives on stage at the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Eugene Kacherov and John Colton join others as they heckle CNN reporter Elle Reeve in the exhibition area during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
6A headshot with posted sticky notes with comments of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is seen during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Duane Schwingel of Ocala, Florida and dressed as Uncle Sam listens to speakers during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Tucker Carlson laughs during his speech during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Cristen Lameira, at left, and Melissa Villalobos, at right, walk the halls as they attend Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Donald Trump dances on stage during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published July 15, 2023 at 5:54 PM.
