“The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”
In an emotional and defiant address Friday night, Erika Kirk, the widow of assassinated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, spoke publicly for the first time since her husband’s death, vowing to make his movement “stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever.”
Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Wednesday while holding a debate with students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Speaking from Turning Point USA’s headquarters, Erika Kirk delivered a powerful tribute to her late husband, thanking the global community for its support, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
READ: Secret Service Employee Placed On Leave Over Social Post On Charlie Kirk Assassination
“I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don’t,” Erika Kirk said, fighting back tears. “But Charlie, baby, I know you do too. So does our Lord. And our world is filled with evil, but our God, you guys, our God is so good, so incredibly good.”
She spoke of the “worldwide outpouring of love” for her husband and the testimonies she had received from people he had inspired to get married, start families, and seek a relationship with God.
In a direct message to her husband’s killer and those responsible, Erika Kirk stated, “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. If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. 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.”
READ: A “Shining” Apology: Stephen King Walks Back False Claim On Charlie Kirk After Backlash
Kirk, a prominent conservative youth activist, was known for his regular speaking engagements at college campuses. Videos of Wednesday’s event show a packed crowd before a single shot rang out approximately 20 minutes into the debate. Kirk was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
After a nearly two-day manhunt, authorities announced Friday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspected killer, was arrested after a family friend reported him to authorities. Officials recovered a rifle with a series of phrases engraved on its casings, including “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “bella ciao,” a World War II-era left-wing anthem.
Erika Kirk pledged that the work of Turning Point USA would not cease. “We’ll never surrender,” she said, referencing her husband’s motto. “Our campus tour this fall will continue. There will be even more tours in the years to come. America Fest here in Phoenix this December will go on. It will be greater than ever. The radio and podcast show that he was so proud of will go on.”
She concluded her speech by urging young people to continue their involvement on campuses and in their churches. “Our battle is not simply a political one. Above all, it is spiritual. The spiritual warfare is palpable,” she said.
READ: Charlie Kirk Show Goes Live With His Seat Left Empty
The assassination has drawn widespread reactions from political figures and supporters. President Trump announced that he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, while Vice President Vance, a close friend of Kirk’s, helped transfer his body to Arizona.
In a poignant moment, Erika Kirk shared how she explained her husband’s absence to their three-year-old daughter. “I said, ‘Baby, daddy loves you so much…he’s on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.'”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
