On a powerful Wednesday night in the heart of the South, Erika Kirk walked onto the stage at the University of Mississippi, greeted by a roaring crowd of thousands, many of whom wore the same “Freedom” t-shirt her late husband made famous.
It was her first campus appearance since Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated by a gunman seven weeks ago while speaking at Utah Valley University.
This week’s event, featuring Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance, is part of the “This Is the Turning Point” tour.
“Being on campus right now for me is a spiritual reclaiming of territory,” Erika said, per TPUSA. “The enemy doesn’t want you. He wants your territory. He wants your influence. And I could hear Charlie say, ‘Go reclaim that territory, babe. The battles that God’s love conquers.’”
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking to students in Orem, Utah. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, faces charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering, along with aggravating factors such as committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, as previously reported by the DX.
Turning Point USA quickly elected Erika as CEO and chair of the board in the days following his death.
“I lost my best friend,” Erika told the students. “But if you’re afraid to speak truth, the murder of my husband puts every fear in perspective. Charlie never went with the flow. He believed the harder path was always the right one — because comfort doesn’t change the world.”
She shared that for weeks after his death, she avoided their bedroom. When she finally returned, she slept on his side – and saw the framed words on the wall he faced each morning: “They will be known by the boldness of their faith.”
Erika also shared that on his desk were three handwritten questions he asked himself daily:
- What can I do for someone today?
- What can I add to the world today?
- How can I honor God today?
“Those were his action points for courage,” she said. “Ask yourself those every morning — and you will get courage.”
Erika urged the crowd: “You are the courageous generation. Earn your voice. Make him proud.”
She then introduced Vance, a close friend of Charlie’s, who also spoke to the students about the importance of faith and family.
“Charlie wanted you, more than anything, to invest in the things that were worth having —to build a life that was worth building … the most important advice he ever gave you was ‘fall in love, get married, and start a family,” Vance told the crowd, per TPUSA.
Security was heightened at the event in Mississippi, with a heavy concentration of police officers across the campus. A small group of protesters gathered outside.
“Love your family fearlessly. Love your spouse fearlessly. Love this country,” Erika added. “Defend her. Serve God. And don’t wait for someone else to do it — you do it.”
As she closed, the arena erupted in applause. “This moment,” she said, “can be your breaking point — or your turning point.”