Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated at an on-campus event in Utah three months ago. His widow, Erika Kirk, who now leads Turning Point, joined CBS News for a town hall moderated by Bari Weiss. Guests included Utah Valley University student Hunter Kozak, the last person to speak to Charlie, and Robert Milgrim, whose daughter Sarah was killed in the Capitol Jewish Museum shooting. Highlights from the conversation:
1) Message to those who justified the assassination
Erika Kirk called anyone who tried to justify her husband’s killing “sick,” saying the internet has dehumanized people. “He’s a human being. You think he deserved that? Tell that to my 3-year-old daughter,” she said, adding that watching and laughing at the video of his murder is “very sick” and that she prays for such people.
2) Charlie never incited violence
Erika defended Charlie’s practice of inviting opponents to debate on stage, saying he gave people a microphone rather than calling for violence. Responding to a poll that many undergraduates view words as violence, she said Charlie never urged followers to harm others and believed conversation could save the world. She referenced his book on the Sabbath and the importance of personal peace for effective communication.
3) Don’t reduce him to out-of-context clips
Erika pushed back on viral clips of Charlie — including comments about some gun deaths being “worth it,” the Civil Rights Act, and a racially charged remark about Black pilots — saying those lines lack context and that he shouldn’t be “deteriorated to two sentences.” She said Charlie valued excellence and earning success, and asked people to view full clips before judging.
4) Will she condemn Donald Trump’s rhetoric?
Hunter Kozak, who debated Charlie hours before the shooting, asked whether Erika would condemn violent rhetoric from Donald Trump, citing posts about “seditious behavior” and calls for hanging lawmakers. Erika did not name Trump, saying the problem is deeper than one person and begins at home. She urged parents to reflect on what they allow their children to consume and said everyone has responsibility to lower the temperature; she is “doing [her] part” but not in control of others.
5) Will she condemn antisemitism?
Robert Milgrim asked Erika to condemn those spreading antisemitism. She replied that “hate is hate” and that she and Charlie were clear in their support for Israel and Jewish people. Erika said hate produces nothing good and quoted Charlie calling Jew-hate “brain rot.” The exchange came amid ADL data showing a substantial rise in antisemitic incidents over the past decade.
6) One-word message to Candace Owens
Asked about Candace Owens — a former Turning Point employee who has promoted conspiracy theories about Charlie’s death and alleged fraud at the nonprofit — Erika’s reply was a single word: “Stop.”
7) The decision to forgive
Erika surprised many when she publicly forgave the accused killer at Charlie’s memorial, saying she forgave him because it was what Christ and Charlie would do. She described the comment as a “game-time decision,” choosing not to unleash anger but instead to call for revival. She emphasized this was not forgetting or condoning the act; she still wants justice and trusts God’s sovereignty and justice. To the accused, she said she had “nothing” to say.
Tags: Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk