Commentator Brilyn Hollyhand, 19, is facing renewed scrutiny after a Daily Mail report revealed he charges thousands of dollars for speaking engagements.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Hollyhand came under fire in September for promoting a “10-stop campus tour” he described as “TPUSA-sponsored.” Turning Point Action Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer later disputed that claim, saying the events were not affiliated with the organization.
The Daily Mail reported that Hollyhand denied receiving payment for college appearances but obtained emails from Premiere Speakers Bureau showing his standard fee is $7,500 plus coach-class airfare and expenses for two. One message added that Hollyhand “is happy to work with whatever budget is available to bring in a speaker” for campus events.
Hollyhand has also faced criticism from youth leaders who accused him of exploiting the assassination of Charlie Kirk for personal gain.
“He did nothing. We never saw him,” College Republicans of America Chairman William Donahue told the Daily Mail. “He spoke at a couple of campuses, at a couple of events. He never joined us in any ballot-chasing initiatives. He never registered any voters with us. The only thing he has done is used the position he had with the Youth Advisory Council to build a podcast and build his own brand.”
In a statement to The Dallas Express, TPUSA PR Manager Aubrey Laitsch clarified that Hollyhand “is not officially affiliated with Turning Point. He is paying for and covering his own speaking events entirely. Local TPUSA chapters have simply provided space on campus for him to use … [but] this is completely separate from our organization’s official tour.”
The latest revelations follow an earlier viral incident in which Hollyhand posted a video of himself aboard a private jet wearing a luxury watch. The clip drew more than 38 million views and widespread backlash online.
“I’m sure Brilyn is a nice kid, but this was a bad look,” radio host Kenny Webster wrote on X. The Federalist Co-Founder Sean Davis called it “repulsive,” while YouTuber Liberal Hivemind quipped, “What in the astroturf is this?”
Hollyhand responded by calling critics “keyboard warriors,” saying the plane belonged to a friend and that he “couldn’t afford it.” Critics pointed to previous social-media posts showing him on private jets.
Some came to his defense. “Don’t be so jealous of him because he comes from money,” activist Laura Loomer wrote on X. “Leave him alone.”
The Dallas Express reached out to Hollyhand and Turning Point USA for comment but did not receive a response.