The IRS has not opened an investigation into Turning Point USA, despite claims circulating on social media suggesting otherwise. A leaked email, however, has independently confirmed that a $500,000 contribution to TPUSA PAC was being offered in exchange for private access to President Donald Trump at an April event in Phoenix.

Turning Point USA was co-founded by Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery in 2012 as a nonprofit organisation advocating for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses. Following Kirk's assassination in September 2025, his wifeErika Kirktook over his role at the organisation.

BREAKING: IRS Officially Opens Investigation Into TPUSA For Violating Their Non-Profit Status!⚖️ 👮‍♂️We were told it wouldn’t happen but I have received official confirmation from the IRS Whistleblower Office (Claim Number: 2026-002350) regarding an investigation into Turning…https://t.co/Aabb51wEFwpic.twitter.com/6pC4s5dUjY

On X, account @ProjectConstitu posted a claim that the IRS had 'officially' opened an investigation into TPUSA for allegedly violating its nonprofit status, citing a case number assigned by the IRS Whistleblower Office. However, that claim is directly contradicted by the Treasury Department itself.

In a letter disclosed to CBS News, the Treasury Department confirmed that none of TPUSA's four tax-exempt entities are under IRS examination or investigation, and that all had submitted their 2024 Form 990s on time. A Treasury official described the circulating claims as 'malicious lies and smears.'

The assignment of a case number by the IRS Whistleblower Office means only that a tip has been received and will be evaluated — it does not confirm an active investigation is underway. Online commenters noting this distinction pointed out that the IRS automatically assigns case numbers to all whistleblower reports regardless of their merit.

Separately, a leaked email detailing an alleged pay-to-meet arrangement involving Trump and TPUSA PAC has been independently verified. Sinan Kanatsiz, founder and CEO of communications firm KCOMM, confirmed toPopular Informationthat he sent the email, which detailed a $500,000 (£372,000) contribution to TPUSA PAC in exchange for a private meeting and photo opportunity with the president at Dream City Church in Phoenix on 16 April.

BREAKING: Leaked Email Shows Potentially ILLEGAL Coordination Between TPUSA PAC and the President Trump—500K Pay To Play Elite Scam EXPOSED😱While you’re standing in line at Dream City Church in the Phoenix heat, the "Elite" are taking private jets to a secret meeting. We have…https://t.co/Rajk17VcvEpic.twitter.com/2uS9xfAKS8

Kanatsiz described himself as a volunteer supporting TPUSA and stated that none of the recipients accepted the invitation. The story was independently reported by Yahoo News, AOL, and other outlets. The Daily Beast sought comment from both TPUSA and the White House; neither had responded as of publication.

The arrangement has drawn scrutiny given TPUSA's nonprofit status. Turning Point Action — TPUSA's political arm — was fined $18,000 (approximately £13,390) by the Federal Election Commission in October 2024 for failing to disclose $33,795 (approximately £25,140) in donor contributions, following a complaint filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

Source: International Business Times UK