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Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, delivered an emotional address, expressing gratitude to first responders for their efforts to save her husband’s life after he was fatally shot on a Utah university campus.
During a livestream held at Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Arizona, Mrs. Kirk stood beside her late husband’s empty podcasting chair. She quoted scripture and spoke of his devotion to President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the United States, and their two children.
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist, was killed on Wednesday during an open-air speaking engagement in Orem. Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the shooting, was apprehended on Thursday night after surrendering to authorities.
In her remarks, Mrs. Kirk vowed, “My husband’s voice will remain.”
The broadcast began with a moment of silence, focusing on Charlie Kirk’s vacant chair.
Before beginning her address, Mrs. Kirk looked heavenward and offered a silent prayer.
She then extended her gratitude to the first responders, her husband’s staff, and the White House.
“Mr. President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. She also thanked Vice President Vance and his wife, Usha, for accompanying the casket back to Arizona.
“But most of all, Charlie loved his children. And he loved me. With all his heart. And he made sure I knew that every day.”
In a subsequent Instagram post, Mrs. Kirk reiterated sentiments from the livestream and shared photos and videos of herself with her husband’s casket.
One video depicted her kissing Kirk’s hand as he lay in the casket, dressed in a suit and tie.
Addressing “evil-doers” during the livestream, Mrs. Kirk, 36, stated, “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.”
“They should all know this: if you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before you have no idea, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world.”
She announced that her husband’s tour of US university campuses would continue throughout the autumn and in the years to come, without providing specific details. His podcast will also continue.
Mrs. Kirk also spoke about their one-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, expressing her struggle to explain their father’s sudden passing.
“Baby, daddy loves you so much. Don’t you worry. He’s on a work trip with Jesus,” she told their daughter.
Erika Kirk, a businesswoman and former Miss Arizona USA, met her husband in 2018. They became engaged in 2020 and married less than a year later.
She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Bible studies, has launched a ministry program, and hosts the Midweek Rise Up podcast, which focuses on Biblical leadership. Mrs. Kirk is also involved in acting and modeling, and she has a faith-based clothing line.
While their children and home life are frequently featured on her social media, images of their children’s faces are never published.
Charlie Kirk, a controversial figure in US political discourse, was considered by many to be a rising force in American conservatism, known for his ability to energize young conservatives.
His efforts to mobilize the youth vote made him an instrumental organizer in Trump’s MAGA coalition and were seen as contributing to Trump’s return to the White House.
Kirk was a staunch advocate for gun rights, strongly opposed abortion, was critical of transgender rights, and promoted unsubstantiated claims regarding Covid-19.
His views often sparked division on college campuses, where he held large events, and his provocative speeches attracted both enthusiastic supporters and vocal opponents.
Supporters described Kirk as relatable and understanding of their concerns. However, his views drew significant criticism from liberals, who argued that his rhetoric was harmful, particularly to members of the LGBT community.
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University as part of Turning Point USA’s The American Comeback Tour, a series of engagements at college campuses across the US.
He was shot during his “Prove Me Wrong” debate while addressing a question concerning gun violence and transgender individuals in the United States.
Dr. Astrid Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University, confirmed that both in-person and online classes would resume on September 17.
Dr. Tuminez stated that enhanced security measures would be implemented “as we heal from this tragic event.”
President Trump announced that he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, describing his friend and ally as a “giant of his generation and a champion of liberty.”
The US President stated that Mrs. Kirk “is absolutely devastated.”
Trump previously indicated that he would attend Kirk’s funeral, expected to be held next weekend in Arizona.
Turning Point USA, the organization Charlie Kirk founded at the age of 18, referred to its co-founder as a “martyr” and “pioneer.”
“Charlie was the ideal husband and the perfect father. Above all else, we ask you to pray for the Kirks after the incomprehensible loss they have suffered,” the organization said in a statement to the BBC on Thursday.
JD Vance traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday to retrieve Kirk’s casket and transport it to Phoenix, Arizona, where Kirk’s family resides, aboard Air Force Two.
Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance accompanied Kirk’s family and some of his friends to Arizona.
The deployment of the National Guard to Memphis comes roughly a month after he sent troops to Washington DC.
Kirk, an influential Trump ally who at age 18 set up Turning Point USA, died in a shooting while speaking at a Utah campus event.
US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will carry out their second UK state visit in September.
They tell BBC they feel a personal sense of responsibility to ensure healthy debates on campus continue.
The driver, Silverio Villegas-Gonzales, was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after the incident.
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