Table of Contents
- The Post-Kirk Vacuum on the Right
- Who Is Brilyn Hollyhand?
- The ‘One Conversation at a Time’ Campus Tour
- Mixed Reactions from Young Conservatives
- Legacy, Privilege, and Backlash
- Sources
The Post-Kirk Vacuum on the Right
Following the assassination of right-wing firebrand Charlie Kirk in September 2025, the conservative youth movement has been scrambling for a new standard-bearer. Into that void has stepped 19-year-old Brilyn Hollyhand—a soft-spoken Auburn University freshman who’s quickly become one of the most talked-about figures in Gen Z conservative circles.
Hollyhand doesn’t mirror Kirk’s combative style. Instead, he preaches “civil discourse” and “one conversation at a time”—a message that’s resonating with some young Republicans while drawing skepticism from others who see him as out of touch or even opportunistic.
Who Is Brilyn Hollyhand?
Hollyhand’s political journey began at age 11 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he launched The Truth Gazette, a conservative newsletter that later evolved into a YouTube interview series. By his early teens, he was chatting with GOP heavyweights like Ted Cruz, Kevin McCarthy, and Donald Trump Jr.
His most formative connection, however, was with Charlie Kirk himself. In 2018, Hollyhand cold-messaged Kirk ahead of a local event and secured a 30-minute sit-down—an encounter he now describes as life-changing. Over the years, the two exchanged occasional texts, with Kirk offering encouragement after Hollyhand’s media appearances.
“He told me I was ‘way ahead of the game,’” Hollyhand recalled of their first meeting. Today, he refers to Kirk as “one of my closest friends in politics”—a claim that’s drawn both admiration and eye rolls.
The ‘One Conversation at a Time’ Campus Tour
In the month since Kirk’s death, Hollyhand has crisscrossed Southern college campuses—from Clemson to Liberty University to Florida State—delivering speeches that blend Christian values, anti-DEI rhetoric, and calls for civility.
Wearing a gray T-shirt that reads “JESUS SAVES,” Hollyhand tells students: “You can kill a man, but you cannot kill a movement.” His pitch is simple: reject political violence, engage in dialogue, and defend “merit-based” systems over identity politics.
Yet his tour hasn’t been without friction. At Clemson, a student challenged him on immigration, asking pointedly, “America is about to be less than 50 percent white. How do you feel about that?” Hollyhand called it a “rabbit hole” and pivoted—prompting laughter and murmurs from the crowd.
Mixed Reactions from Young Conservatives
Opinions on Hollyhand are sharply divided. Some see him as a refreshing alternative to the racist and conspiratorial edges of the MAGA movement.
“I thought he’d be some RINO phony,” said Mitchell Boone, 27, who drove an hour to hear Hollyhand speak. “I’m glad to say he’s not.”
Others are far less convinced. “He’s hopelessly out of touch,” said Evan Howard, a Clemson student. “Young conservatives are worried about immigration. They hate Israel. That’s not even my opinion—it’s just fact.”
Even Turning Point USA, Kirk’s flagship organization, has kept its distance. A national spokesperson declined to endorse Hollyhand, noting only that “Charlie inspired a sea of new people to get into the arena.” Local campus chapters booked Hollyhand independently—though he initially implied national backing, sparking backlash.
Legacy, Privilege, and Backlash
Hollyhand’s rapid rise has also raised eyebrows due to his background. His father, Brian Hollyhand, is a prominent Republican donor and housing developer. Critics have labeled Brilyn an “AstroTurfed influencer” and questioned his use of a private jet for travel between events.
Hollyhand insists the jet belonged to a “hometown friend” and was necessary to balance class and cross-country speeches. He denies being a puppet of dark money, saying, “The Lord opened these doors.”
Still, his measured tone—condemning racist texts among young GOPers and avoiding overt white nationalist talking points—sets him apart in a movement increasingly defined by cultural grievance. Whether that makes him a unifying figure or a fringe voice remains to be seen.
