Erika Kirk Addresses the Nation

Erika Kirk, the widow of the late Charlie Kirk, gave an emotional tribute to her husband and declared that his mission will not end at Turning Point USA's headquarters Friday. It was her first public statement since her husband's assassination on Wednesday at Utah Valley University.

"To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die," Kirk said. "It won't. I 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.

"My husband's voice will remain, and it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever. And his wisdom will endure."

She delivered a steely message to the "evildoers responsible" for her husband's death, proclaiming that they "have no idea what they have done."

"They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God's merciful love. But they should all know this. If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea," she said. "You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country."

Speaking at a podium next to the desk where her husband conducted his popular podcast show, Kirk said that Turning Point USA, the grassroots organization her husband co-founded, will continue with its fall campus tour as planned and said there will be even more tours in the years to come.

The group's annual "America Fest" conference will also continue as planned, which will be held in December in Phoenix, and Charlie's popular weekly podcast will also continue.

Kirk, who spoke to President Donald Trump Thursday, also told the president she wants to keep alive her late husband's grassroots organization. During her address, she remarked how much Charlie "loved" the president and how much the president "loved" him in return.

Kirk also praised her late husband for his work ethic and his presence as a father and husband. She recounted that, on a daily basis, he would ask her how he could be a better husband and father.

"Now and for all eternity, he will stand at His Savior's side, wearing the glorious crown of a martyr," Kirk remarked Friday evening. "Charlie loved, loved life. He loved his life. He loved America."

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In addition to his wife, Charlie leaves behind two small children. Charlie co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, about six years before he and Erika met in 2018. Charlie reflected at a TPUSA event once on the moment he realized Erika was "the one."

"We had a very, very long dinner, which was very close to almost an interview, and — no, you're going to laugh — but you should absolutely interview for your spouse. If they don't check the boxes, move on and go to the next one. Dating for dating's sake is bad for you, it's bad for them, it's bad for everybody," Kirk said when asked about how he knew Erika was "the one."

"Five years ago today, we sat inside Bills Burgers in NYC deep in conversation and banter over theology, philosophy, and politics and at the end, you paused, looked at me and said, 'I'm going to date you,'" Erika wrote in a social media post in 2023 reflecting on the pair's first date. She also shared several photos of the two together.

Erika frequently supported Charlie at his events and was present at Utah Valley University Wednesday when he was shot.

Erika is the host of a weekly podcast called "Midweek Rise Up," the founder of a faith-based apparel company called "PROCLAIM" and heads a Christian ministry called BIBLE365, according to her website.

She was an NCAA women's basketball player at Regis University in Colorado and later transferred to Arizona State University to earn duel majors in political science and international relations. She earned a master's degree in American legal studies from Liberty University in Virginia, where she is pursuing a doctorate in Biblical studies. In 2012, she was crowned Miss Arizona USA.

As she concluded her remarks Friday, Erika promised her late husband that she will never let his legacy die.

"I'll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen," she said. "I love you, baby. Rest in the arms of our Lord."