The widow of conservative influencer and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has responded publicly following her husband’s horrendous assassination on a Utah university campus earlier this week.
In a video posted online, Erika Kirk directly addressed the “evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination,” noting that they have “unleashed” a movement that is now destined to become even more powerful than it already was.
Erika Kirk opened by thanking President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, medical first responders in Orem, and law enforcement “who worked tirelessly to capture my husband’s assassin,” pointedly avoiding any mention of the suspect, Tyler Robinson, by name.
She then directed her remarks toward what she called the nation’s “evildoers.”
“The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and of God’s merciful love,” Erika said. “They should all know this: If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world.
“You have no idea. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry,” she added, vowing that the movement begun by her husband will only intensify.
“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die. It won’t. I refuse to let that happen. It will not die. All of us will refuse to let that happen,” she said. “No one will ever forget my husband’s name, and I will make sure of it. It will become stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever. My husband’s mission will not end. Not even for a moment.”
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She began the address, which was broadcast from Charlie’s podcast studio located at Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, AZ., by thanking those everyone involved.
“I first want to thank the local, state, and federal law enforcement who worked tirelessly to capture my husband’s assassin so that he can be brought to justice. I want to thank the first responders who struggled heroically, heroically, to save Charles’ life, and the police, who acted bravely to make sure that there were no other victims on that terrible afternoon,” she said.
“I want to thank President Trump and his incredible family for the same. Mr. President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. He did. Your friendship was amazing,” she said.
“I want to thank my husband’s dear friend, Vice President [JD] Vance, and his phenomenal wife, Usha, for their love and support,” she said. Erika Kirk accompanied her husband’s casket on Air Force Two on Thursday, with the vice president and the second lady.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday. Robinson is expected to be charged with his murder. Erika Kirk posted to X that day, “Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
The FBI on Friday announced the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, accused of firing a single round from a high-powered rifle that struck Charlie Kirk in the neck and killed him.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox revealed new details that may point to radicalization, including anti-fascist slogans engraved on bullet casings recovered at the scene.
Erika Kirk, née Frantzve, married Charlie Kirk on May 8, 2021. The couple has two children — a 3-year-old daughter and a son who turned 1 in May — whose names they kept private.
Now 36, Erika Kirk was crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012. She played basketball at Regis University before earning a double major from Arizona State University and later a Juris Master’s in American Legal Studies from Liberty University.
She hosts a twice-weekly podcast, “Midweek Rise Up,” which is Christian-themed.