(In US) 'I will never let your legacy die' - Charlie Kirk's widow gives tearful address after shooting

 

Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, gave a moving address days after her husband was shot dead during a campus event in Utah. In a livestream from Turning Point USA headquarters, she stood beside his empty chair, prayed silently, and thanked first responders for trying to save his life. She also expressed gratitude to staff members, the White House, and Vice President JD Vance and his wife for accompanying the casket back to Arizona. Fighting back tears, she spoke of her husband’s love for Donald Trump, his devotion to his children, and the strength of their marriage. She pledged that his work would continue through upcoming university tours and his popular podcast.

Erika Kirk addressed those she called “evil-doers,” saying they had “ignited a fire” within her and that her husband’s mission would grow stronger than ever. Speaking of their young children, she admitted she did not know how to explain their father’s sudden death, telling her daughter that “daddy is on a work trip with Jesus.” Erika, a former Miss Arizona USA and ministry leader, promised that her husband’s voice would not fade, declaring that his message would live on across the country and beyond.

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Charlie Kirk, 31, was a highly influential but polarizing figure in American politics. As founder of Turning Point USA, he became one of the most prominent conservative activists of his generation. He was known for rallying young voters, strongly backing Donald Trump, and shaping the youth arm of the MAGA movement. Supporters admired his ability to connect with young conservatives and energize grassroots politics, while critics accused him of spreading harmful rhetoric. His positions on gun rights, abortion, Covid-19, and transgender issues often drew intense protests on college campuses, where he regularly held open debates and speaking events.

Kirk was shot while addressing students at Utah Valley University during a “Prove Me Wrong” segment, which was being recorded live. Police arrested the suspect, Tyler Robinson, the following day after he surrendered. Following his death, Trump announced that Kirk would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, calling him a “champion of liberty.” Turning Point USA described him as a “martyr” and urged supporters to pray for the family. His death shocked the conservative movement, where many saw him as a rising star and a potential future leader. Tributes continue to pour in as his legacy becomes a rallying point.

See also: (In US) Tyler Robinson Arrested for Charlie Kirk Murder After Father Identifies Him in Surveillance Footage