Updated: December 13, 2025 / 11:56 PM EST
Three months after the assassination of her husband, Erika Kirk joined Bari Weiss for a one-hour town hall that explored faith, grief and the state of political discourse in America. The special, filmed before a studio audience in New York, aired Saturday night on CBS and will be available to stream later on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7.
The event put Kirk, who leads Turning Point USA as its chairman and CEO, in conversation with a broad cross-section of attendees — young evangelicals, senior religious figures and voices from across the political spectrum. Questions ranged from personal faith and the process of grieving to practical ideas for healing the nation’s growing partisan divide.
The discussion also acknowledged the violent loss that brought national attention to the Kirks. Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Sept. 10, 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Weiss highlighted a moment from the aftermath that resonated widely: “Like so many people around the world, I will never forget the moment that Erika Kirk forgave her husband’s killer,” she said. That act of forgiveness and Kirk’s public reflections on faith framed much of the evening, as she described how belief and community have shaped her response to tragedy.
Beyond personal testimony, the town hall focused on constructive steps for easing political tensions. Panelists and audience members discussed listening across divides, restoring civility in public life and the role religious and civic leaders can play in encouraging restorative dialogue rather than escalation.
The hour-long program aimed to be both intimate and civic-minded — a platform for one woman’s story of loss and faith and a wider conversation about how Americans might move forward together despite deep disagreements.