Right-wing political organizer and co-founder of the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 during a stop on his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University. His wife, Erika Kirk, is now recounting the moment she saw him in the hospital right after he was shot.
Nearly two months after Charlie’s assassination in Orem, Utah, Erika opened up about the surreal moments following the shooting in an interview. During a discussion with Fox News’ Jesse Watters, which was set to air in full on Wednesday evening, Erika grew emotional as she described what her husband looked like while lying in the hospital.
“When we walked into that room … he had this smirk on his face,” Erika said, describing the powerful impression it left on her.
She interpreted that smirk as a message from him: “‘You thought you could stop what I’ve built. You thought you could end this vision, this movement, this revival. You thought you could do that by murdering me. You got my body; you didn’t get my soul.'”
Charlie Kirk, a right-wing political organizer and co-founder of the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA, was at Utah Valley University on September 10 to facilitate his trademark “Prove Me Wrong” table.
As he was responding to a student’s question about gun violence, Charlie was shot in the neck.
A Turning Point USA spokesperson said at the time that Charlie was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Shortly thereafter, President Donald Trump shared the news that Charlie had died.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump shared on his social media platform on September 10. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”
Two days after Charlie’s death, Erika made her first public statement about his assassination. In a press conference, she spoke about her husband’s work, his legacy, and the future of Turning Point USA.
“Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith,” Erika stated. She added that above all, “Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart.”
“I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don’t,” she also said, before thanking Trump, Charlie’s supporters, and Charlie’s “dear friend” JD Vance.
The following week, Erika stepped in as the CEO and board chairman of Turning Point USA. Members of the Turning Point board released an open letter on social media, noting that “In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death.”