Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, speaks out for first time since deadly capturing

Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, stated in her first public remarks since her husband’s demise that he might be “wearing the glorious crown of a martyr.” 

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Level USA, died Wednesday after he was shot at an occasion at Utah Valley College. He was chatting with a big crowd at an out of doors “Prove Me Wrong” debate, the place he invitations college students to problem his political and cultural views. 

Regulation enforcement officers on Friday introduced the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson for the capturing demise of Charlie Kirk.

Erika thanked Vice President JD Vance, second woman Usha Vance and President Trump for his or her assist because the capturing.

“Mr. President, my husband loved you and he knew that you loved him too,” she stated, standing at a podium the place a photograph of her husband was displayed.

Vice President JD Vance (R) second woman Usha Vance (C) and Erika Kirk deplane Air Pressure Two whereas escorting the physique of Charlie Kirk on September 11, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Eric Thayer / Getty Pictures

Erika stated Friday that the scheduled Turning Level USA tour, “The American Comeback Tour,” will proceed after her husband’s killing.

The subsequent cease is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Colorado State College in Fort Collins.

“It will be greater than ever,” she stated, including, “The radio and podcast show that he was so proud of will go on.”

Erika stated that her husband’s “movement is not going anywhere.” 

“If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea,” she stated. “You have no idea what you’ve just unleashed across this entire country, and this world. You have no idea the fire you’ve ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”

Erika Kirk, 36, started relationship Charlie Kirk in 2018 and so they married in 2021. The couple had two youngsters: a 1-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.

“He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband,” Erika stated.

Erika was born in Arizona and graduated from Arizona State College. She additionally performed NCAA girls’s basketball for Regis College in Colorado, in keeping with her biography on her web site. 

She received the Miss Arizona USA title in 2012 and later earned a Juris Grasp’s diploma in American Authorized Research from Liberty College in 2017. She is at present finding out for a doctorate in Biblical research at Liberty College, her web site says. 

She additionally based Proclaim, a faith-based clothes line, and hosts a podcast, “Midweek Rise Up,” in keeping with her web site.

Extra from CBS Information