Charlie Kirk’s heartbroken widow said her husband sacrificed his life for his country and family – and that the “evildoers” who publicly assassinated the conservative activist have only fanned the flames of his patriotic mission.
A teary-eyed Erika Frantzve Kirk, wife of the slain founder of Turning Point USA, addressed mourners for the first time Friday in a live-streamed speech from her husband’s Arizona podcast studio just two days after he was shot dead during an outdoor college campus event in Utah.
“My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children,” Erika said as she stood behind a podium bearing a sign of her late husband’s face with the text: “May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Savior.”
The bereaved wife – wearing an emerald green shirt, white blazer, and silver cross – paused several times to catch her breath, wipe away tears and speak directly to her departed husband during her roughly 16-minute remarks.
After thanking first responders for trying to save her sweetheart and law enforcement for catching his killer, she firmly vowed to uphold Kirk’s legacy and not let those who took his life silence his mission and voice.
“The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done,” she said.
Here’s the latest on the Charlie Kirk shooting in Utah
- Police identified Tyler Robinson, 22, as the alleged assassin who fatally shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
- Robinson is expected to be charged with aggravated murder, among other state charges, according to a probable cause affidavit released on Sept. 12.
- Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA creator, was attending an event on his American Comeback Tour when he was fatally shot in the neck by a single shot.
- President Trump was among many who have called for the assassin to receive the death penalty.
- Kirk’s body was brought to Arizona from Utah on Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, and taken to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel.
- Kirk, a rising MAGA star, is survived by his wife and two young children.
“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 my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea, you have no idea what you have unleashed across this entire country and this world,” she said passionately.
“You have no idea the fire you have ignited within his 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.”
“No one will ever forget my husband’s name,” Erika declared. “I will make sure of it.”
Kirk, 31, was ruthlessly gunned down with a single bullet to the neck at Utah Valley University while addressing thousands during the inaugural stop of his American Comeback Tour Wednesday afternoon.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of firing the fatal shot roughly 200 yards away from the pop-up tent where the right-wing influencer was answering questions about mass shootings committed by transgender people during the outdoor event on the Orem campus.
Robinson, a devout Mormon and trade student in Utah, was taken into custody Thursday night after a massive manhunt and is expected to face aggravated murder and other state charges, according to a probable cause affidavit released Friday.
Erika, the 2012 Miss Arizona, married the MAGA icon in 2021, and they share two young children – a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.
In her remarks Friday, she remembered Kirk as the “perfect” father and husband, recalling how she broke the news of his death to their young daughter by telling her that he was on a “work trip with Jesus.”
The shattered wife, host of devotional podcast “Midweek Rise Up,” escorted her husband’s body to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel Thursday after it was flown from Utah on Air Force Two.
Vice President JD Vance arranged the flight after Wednesday’s savage execution and, along with Second Lady Usha, stayed by the grieving widow’s side following her husband’s death.
Vance, 41, then helped carry Kirk’s wooden casket to Air Force Two during a private ceremony at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City.
“I want to thank my husband’s dear friend, Vice President Vance, and his phenomenal wife, Usha, for their love and support,” Erika said while fighting back tears.
“You guys honored my husband so well bringing him home. You both are tremendous.”
Erika, who said she hasn’t slept since her husband’s merciless killing, also expressed her gratitude to President Trump and his family for their friendship and love.
The 79-year-old commander in chief was the first to publicly announce Kirk’s death and also said he would posthumously award his close ally the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest honor.
“Mr. President, my husband loved you and he knew that you loved him too,” Erika said.
“Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well, as did he for you.”
Trump said Friday that he plans to attend Kirk’s funeral in Arizona, calling it an “obligation.”
Funeral plans have not yet been announced.