The appointment of 19-year-old Brylin Hollyhand as the apparent successor to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been met with deep skepticism from much of the Republican base. Hollyhand, co-chair of the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) inaugural Youth Advisory Council, has been pushed into the spotlight by conservative leaders but has struggled to gain traction among grassroots MAGA voters loyal to former President Donald Trump.
Hollyhand’s rapid rise began after an appearance on Ben Shapiro’s podcast on Friday, where he announced a Turning Point USA (TPUSA)-sponsored 10-campus tour. The announcement came just weeks after Kirk’s murder, with Fox News and other outlets presenting Hollyhand as Kirk’s protégé. Despite these high-profile platforms, many Republican voters remain wary of his sudden promotion.
Prior to Kirk’s death, Hollyhand was largely unknown, averaging only a few thousand views on posts to X and a few hundred views on his YouTube channel, despite occasionally interviewing high-profile politicians. His modest online presence has fueled suspicions that he was handpicked by party insiders rather than rising organically through the conservative grassroots.
Much of the skepticism centers on Hollyhand’s past pro-Israel positions, which many Republican voters now view with distrust. Kirk himself had increasingly clashed with pro-Israel donors within TPUSA and was reportedly on the verge of losing his last major backer after shifting his views on Israel and its influence in the conservative movement. His willingness to challenge those donors had cemented his credibility with younger Republicans who often question foreign entanglements.
In contrast, Hollyhand is widely seen as a product of the Republican establishment, pushed forward in part to redirect young conservatives back toward a more traditional pro-Israel stance. This perception has made his campus tour announcement a flashpoint for backlash rather than excitement.
Kirk had been regarded as a rare bridge between younger conservatives and the GOP’s older leadership. Whether Hollyhand can step into that role remains highly uncertain, as the skepticism surrounding him suggests he lacks the grassroots trust and goodwill Kirk had built over the past decade.