Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk, addressed the public for the first time since her husband was killed two days ago, calling him a “martyr” in live-streamed remarks Friday night.
She opened her address by thanking law enforcement, first responders, President Donald Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance.
“Mr. President, my husband loved you, and he knew you loved him too,” she said.
This is the first time Erika Kirk, 36, has spoken publicly since her husband, 31, was shot and killed while speaking in front of a large crowd on campus at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
“I will never, ever, ever have the words to describe the loss I feel in my heart,” she continued. “I honestly have no idea what it means. I know God does it, but I don’t.”
Erica Kirk’s comments come the same day authorities announced the shooting suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. He has been charged with three state felonies: aggravated murder — which carries the possibility of the death penalty — as well as obstruction of justice and discharge of a weapon causing serious bodily harm.
“The thugs responsible for my husband’s murder have no idea what they’ve done,” she said, adding, “If you thought my husband’s mission was strong before this, you have no idea. You have no idea what you’ve just uncovered across this country.”
The couple married in 2021 and have two children together, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son. When her daughter asked her where he was Thursday night, she told her, “He’s on a work trip with Jesus.”
The former Miss Arizona regularly appeared alongside the right-wing influencer’s husband and spoke at his Turning Point USA conference in June, encouraging women to seek marriage.
“For women who get married after 30 – that’s good,” she said, then added, “It’s not ideal. It may not be the best statistical position for you, but God is good.”
Speaking Friday, Erika Kirk once again shared her belief in the importance of marriage and raising children, which her husband regularly supported.
“Charlie always said that if he ever ran for office – I know many of you have asked if he ever was going to, but privately he told me if he ever ran for office that his top priority would be to revitalize the American family,” she said.
She has hosted a Christian podcast called “Midweek Rise Up” since 2019. She also owns a faith-based streetwear line associated with Christian ministry that she runs under the name Biblein365, according to her website.
Erica Kirk said the speaking tour her husband was on when he was killed will continue, although it is unclear who will lead the events.
“I promise to make the turning point in the USA the greatest this nation has ever seen,” she said.
