Mrs. Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA Founder & CEO Charlie Kirk, delivered her first public address on September 12 following the assassination of her husband. She expressed profound grief while honoring her husband’s life, faith, and legacy.
Erika opened by thanking law enforcement for capturing Charlie’s assassin. She extended thanks to the organization’s board, COO Justin Strife, and chief of staff Mikey McCoy for providing stability during the crisis. She also acknowledged the staff of The Charlie Kirk Show for their daily support, the millions worldwide who expressed love and condolences, and close allies including Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha, as well as President Trump and his family, whom Charlie deeply admired and reciprocated in friendship.
Erika described Charlie’s profound love for life, America, nature (which drew him closer to God), the Chicago Cubs, and especially the Oregon Ducks—she added a playful “Go Ducks!” per his request, ahead of their Saturday game.
She highlighted Charlie’s devotion to their children and to her, noting his daily questions about how he could better serve as a husband and father. She portrayed him as the “perfect” family man who viewed God’s design for marriage and family as life’s greatest joy, urging young people to pursue spouses and parenthood to experience the same “heaven on earth.”
Reflecting on Charlie’s final moments, Erika shared that he died after witnessing for Jesus Christ, now standing eternally as a “martyr” at his Savior’s side.
Holding back tears she said, “I will never have the words to describe the loss” and “I honestly have no idea what any of this means.”
Erika warned the “evildoers” behind the assassination: “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. In 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 announced that Turning Point USA’s fall campus tour, future events, America Fest in Phoenix this December, and The Charlie Kirk Show would proceed and expand. Invoking his favorite word, “earn,” she urged young people to action: join or start a local TPUSA chapter via tpusa.com, especially if in high school or college.
Key quotes from Mrs. Erika Kirk’s address
“Two days ago, my husband, Charlie, went to see the face of his Savior and his God. Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith.”
“My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children. He showed the ultimate and true covenantal love. I will never ever have the words to describe the loss that I feel in my heart.”
“When I got home last night, Gigi, our daughter, just ran into my arms. And I talked to her and she said, Mommy, I missed you. I said, I missed you too, baby. She goes, where’s daddy? What do you tell a three-year-old? She’s three. I said, baby, daddy loves you so much. Don’t you worry. He’s on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.”
“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. 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. In 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.”
“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. 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.”
“If you’re in high school or if you’re in college, go find your local Turning Point USA chapter. Join it. Stay involved. He wants you to make a difference. And you can. You can. The movement’s not going anywhere. And it will only grow stronger when you join it. If there isn’t a chapter, you can’t find one, then start one. There is no excuse. You can start one.”
Author: Mario Lotmore
