(OSV News) — The widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk delivered an address Sept. 12, vowing that his legacy would live on and urging the nation, particularly its youth, to embrace faith, family and the controversial movement he had founded.
Erika Kirk — a businesswoman, podcast host and doctoral student in Bible studies — spoke from her late husband’s studio at the Phoenix headquarters of Turning Point USA, the conservative advocacy group launched by Charlie Kirk in 2012.
The late Kirk, an evangelical Christian, and his organization were crucial in gaining the support of younger voters for President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot Sept. 10 while speaking at an outdoor event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. On Sept. 12, authorities apprehended and charged 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, and are still investigating an exact motive for Kirk’s assassination.
After whispering “Jesus, fill this room,” Erika Kirk began by thanking law enforcement, first responders, the staff of Turning Point USA, and “the millions of people who have shown their love for Charlie here in Phoenix, across America and worldwide.”
Kirk, who according to several media reports was baptized and raised Catholic, also expressed her gratitude to Vice President JD Vance, and his wife, as well as to President Donald Trump, noting their friendship.
Charlie Kirk’s faith remembered
Kirk underscored the faith of her late husband. She recalled that “Charlie loved, loved life” and “loved America,” adding that “he loved nature,” which helped “bring him closer to God.”
But “most of all,” she said, “Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart, and I knew that.”
Describing him as “the perfect father, the perfect husband,” who “always believed that God’s design for marriage and the family was absolutely amazing,” said Erika Kirk, adding, “and it is.”
Had he run for office, she said, “his top priority would be to revive the American family.”
One of the late activist’s “favorite Bible verses,” she said, was Ephesians 5:25, in which St. Paul instructs husbands to “love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
“My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children,” said Erika Kirk. “He showed the ultimate and true covenantal love.”
While “our world is filled with evil,” she said, “our God is so good,” and — referencing Romans 8:28 — added, “We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good.”
Kirk warned that “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,” said Erika Kirk. “If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before … you have no idea what you have just unleashed across this entire country and this world. … You have no idea the fire you ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”
Law enforcement is still investigating Charlie Kirk’s slaying, with preliminary findings indicating that Robinson, who is politically unaffiliated, acted alone.
Erika Kirk did not specify whom she meant by “they.”
Charlie Kirk and Turning Point drew concerns from various quarters
The late Kirk’s Phoenix-based organization — which has several affiliated entities, and which claims to have more than 800 college campus chapters — has sought to build an international grassroots ideological movement that fuses beliefs shared by some evangelical Christians with conservative politics.
But Turning Point and its founder have drawn concern from various quarters. The American Association of University Professors noted on its website that Turning Point maintains a “Professor Watchlist,” with listings “in a number of instances” leading to “campaigns of online harassment against faculty members.”
Charlie Kirk received criticism for his own strident political rhetoric toward African Americans, persons with same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria, and immigrants, while holding forth his Christian identity. Benjamin Watson, an outspoken and devout Black pro-life Christian leader known for his career in the NFL, lamented Kirk’s death in a Sept. 13 post, but said that “a faithful, honest recollection of his work cannot deny his errors and their harmful impact not only on fellow image bearers and their families, including my own, but to the truth of the Gospel.”
Erika Kirk says husband’s movement will continue
Erika Kirk assured viewers that “the movement my husband built will not die,” and “no one will ever forget my husband’s name and I will make sure of it.”
She also encouraged people to join “a Bible-believing church.”
“Our battle is not simply a political one. Above all, it is spiritual. … The spiritual warfare is palpable,” she said.
“Hear me when I say this: Nobody is ever too young to know the Gospel. Nobody,” she said. “Nobody is ever too young to get involved with saving this beautiful country, this country my husband loved and still loves.”
Kirk said she told her 3-year-old daughter — one of two young children the slain activist leaves behind — that her father was now “on a work trip with Jesus.”
“And my goodness, am I so humbled to witness, Charlie, you alongside Jesus right now, doing what you always wanted to do, baby — making heaven crowded,” said Kirk. “I can’t wait to see you again one day.”
Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.
