Following the assassination attempt on her husband, the widow of right-wing conservative US activist Charlie Kirk announced that she intends to continue his tours and podcasts. Erika Kirk also thanked US President Trump for his support.
Two days after the fatal attack on influential right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, his widow, Erika Kirk, has spoken out publicly for the first time. Addressing the attacker who shot Kirk on Wednesday on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, she said:"You have no idea what you just unleashed on this entire country."
Kirk's statement was broadcast on the YouTube channel of Turning Point USA, her husband's organization, which is extremely popular in the US, especially among young people, and supports President Donald Trump. Turning Point USA will not only survive, but"will be bigger than ever," Kirk said. She wants to make it the largest organization"this country has ever seen."
Millions followed Kirk on social media
The planned tour of US universities will continue, Kirk said."There will be more tours in the coming years." The annual Turning Point USA conference will also continue, and the podcast show will continue as well. Millions of people in the US follow Kirk's podcasts and social media channels.
Kirk was considered Donald Trump's voice for young people. In interviews, as a podcaster, and at discussion events, he spread right-wing theories and did not shy away from lies and misinformation.
Erika Kirk addressed Trump directly in her speech:"My husband loved you, and he knew you loved him back. He truly did. Your friendship was incredible. You supported him so well, just as he supported you." Trump ordered flags flown at half-mast after Kirk's death and announced that he would attend the funeral.
Kirk's widow also thanked Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha."You honored my husband so much by bringing him home. You are both amazing," she said.
No confession from suspect
Trump announced on Thursday that a suspect had been arrested for allegedly shooting Kirk with a repeating rifle. His own family reportedly alerted authorities to 22-year-old Tyler R. after he allegedly indicated he had shot Kirk. However, no confession has been filed.
Utah's Republican Governor Spencer Cox said R. had"become more political" in recent years. He added that family members indicated that he rejected Kirk's views. Investigators also discovered two unused cartridge cases with anti-fascist slogans near the crime scene.
Utah's governor calls for reconciliation
The governor also used his press appearance to make a powerful appeal to a deeply politically divided America."This is our moment: Do we escalate—or do we find a way out?" Cox asked. Violence and hatred must not be followed by more violence and hatred, he warned."That's the problem with political violence. It metastasizes because we can always point the finger at the other side. But at some point, we have to find a way out—otherwise, it will get much, much worse."
Cox has been governor of the US state of Utah since 2021. Since the beginning of his political career, the Republican has repeatedly called for bipartisan cooperation and has occasionally made national headlines with conciliatory statements.
The assassination attempt on Kirk caused great consternation in the United States. Former Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama also condemned the attack.
