Grieving widow Erika Kirk fought back tears as she listened to a recording of her late husband, Charlie Kirk, introducing her on stage at a Turning Point USA campus event on Wednesday, a heartbreaking video shows.
The mother of two — now serving as the new CEO of TPUSA — was seen quietly crying backstage before her speech at the University of Mississippi, according to footage shared on X by Charlie Kirk’s former chief of staff, Mikey McCoy.
Wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Freedom” — the same style her husband wore on the day of his assassination on September 10 at Utah Valley University — Erika, 36, dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she walked up the steps to the stage. Moments before she began speaking, a recording played of Charlie introducing her at an earlier event as “the best mom in the world.”
Erika Kirk fought back tears as she spoke at a Turning Point USA event on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Erika Kirk wipes away tears before taking the stage at a Turning Point USA event.
The evening marked an emotional milestone — her first public appearance at a TPUSA event since the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, seven weeks earlier.
Supporters flooded social media with messages of compassion and admiration for her strength.
“I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for her. What a strong and courageous young woman. God bless and protect her and all of TPUSA,” one user wrote on X.
“I don’t know how she’s getting through this,” added another.
“I’m crying hearing Charlie’s voice introduce her. Don’t know how she can hold herself together. Just incredible,” a third commented.
“Erika Kirk on the Ole Miss stage embodies leadership under loss. May Charlie’s memory guide the room and keep the focus on service and principled governance as the VP is introduced,” another wrote.
Despite cold and rainy weather, students waited in long lines outside the University of Mississippi to attend Wednesday’s event, titled “This Is the Turning Point.”
Charlie and Erika Kirk with their two children.
Erika Kirk grows emotional as she speaks at a Turning Point USA event in Mississippi on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Vice President JD Vance was also among the speakers at the event, which drew an overwhelming response — with more than half of all Ole Miss students, roughly 14,000, registering to attend, according to TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet.
A reflective and visibly moved Kirk admitted she had “prayed on it” before agreeing to appear alongside Vance at the event.
“When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President JD Vance, to speak today, I really prayed on it because, obviously, it’s a very emotional, emotional day,” Kirk told the packed arena.
“But I could just hear Charlie in my heart. I could just hear him say, ‘Go reclaim that territory, babe.’ The battle’s already won. God’s love conquers. And that’s why I’m here today,” she continued.
