Erika Kirk, the wife of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, delivered a tearful address Friday night, just hours after her husband’s accused killer was taken into custody.
Speaking from the same studio her husband once used, Erika appeared before nearly 180,000 online viewers at 8:25 p.m. Her message was raw and emotional. She thanked family, friends, and political leaders for standing with her through what she called the darkest moment of her life.
“Mr. President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too,” she said, directing her words to Donald Trump. “Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well, as did he for you.”
She also expressed gratitude to Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, for helping return her husband’s body to Arizona. “Bringing him home,” she said, was an act she would never forget.
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Erika, wiping away tears, turned to those closest to her husband’s work. “My heart is with everyone of my husband’s employees who lost a friend and a mentor. He loved what he did.”
The speech came only a day after Charlie Kirk’s casket arrived in Arizona aboard Air Force Two. Vice President Vance personally helped carry the coffin off the plane alongside service members, while Erika walked quietly behind, dressed in black and sunglasses.
Inside the studio Friday night, a framed photograph of Charlie sat on the podium, bearing the caption: “May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving savior.” Erika began her remarks with a silent prayer before speaking about her husband’s legacy and the violent act that cut it short.
Charlie Kirk’s death is being treated by authorities as a political assassination. Police say 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson of Washington, Utah, opened fire during Kirk’s event at Utah Valley University earlier this week, hitting him in the neck. Engraved shell casings with anti-fascist messages were found at the scene.
Robinson was arrested Friday on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony firearm discharge, and obstruction of justice. A judge ordered him held without bail.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed the break came when a family member confided in a friend, saying Robinson had “confessed” or strongly implied his role in the attack. “It is believed Robinson acted alone,” Cox said, adding that the family described him as increasingly political in recent years.
At a recent dinner, Robinson allegedly mentioned Kirk’s upcoming speech and criticized his views. “They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox explained. “The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
