Mrs. Erika Frantzve Kirk, the wife of Charlie Kirk, co-founder and CEO of TPUSA, has not spoken publicly since the Wednesday murder of her husband by an assassin's bullet. On Friday, Erika Kirk broke her silence, appearing on a livestream to give what is being promoted as "a public statement to the press." The live appearance was streamed on the TPUSA site and on Charlie Kirk's social media platforms.

Turning Point USA officially announced it on X:

Through tears, Erika gave this heartfelt message of gratitude and the future of TPUSA.

Good evening, my name is Erika Kirk. Charlie's wife.

I first want to thank the local, state, and federal law enforcement who worked tirelessly to captured my husband's assassin so he could be brought to justice. I want to thank the first responders who struggled heroically... heroically... to save Charles' life. And the police who acted bravely to make sure there were no other victims on that terrible afternoon. I want to thank the officers who have protected our Turning Point USA family these past two days. And I want to thank the Turning Point USA board, the COO Justin Streiff, and my husband's Chief of Staff, the amazing Mikey McCoy for all their work in these terrible days to be the stability for our family and for the wider Turning Point family as well.  

My heart is with every one of my husband's employees who lost a friend and a mentor. I want to thank the staffers of this, his amazing "Charlie Kirk Show," who helped him broadcast from this studio... this chair. Every day, he loved it. He loved what he did.

I want to thank the millions of people who have shown their love for Charlie here in Phoenix, across America, and worldwide. 

I want to thank my husband's dear friend, Vice President Vance and his phenomenal wife Usha. For their love and support. You guys honored my husband so well bringing him home. You both are tremendous.

I want to thank President Trump and his incredible family for the same. Mr. President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. He did. Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well, as he did for you.

Two days ago, my husband Charlie went to see the face of his Savior and his God. Charlie always said that when he was gone he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith. And one of the final conversations he had on this earth, my husband witnessed for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now and for eternity, he will stand at his Savior's side, wearing the glorious crown of a martyr. Charlie loved life. He loved his life. He loved America. He loved nature, which helped him always bring him closer to God. He loved the Chicago Cubs. And my goodness did he loved the Oregon Ducks. He'd want me to say, "Go Ducks," and I have to because they play on Saturday. So, "Go Ducks."

But most of all, Charlie loved his children. and he loved ME, with all of his heart. And I knew that. Every day, I knew that. He made sure I knew that, every day. Every day he would ask me, "How can I serve you better?" "How can I be a better husband?" "How can I be a better father?" Every day. Every day. He was such a good man. He still is a good man. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband.

Charlie always believed that God's design for marriage and the family was absolutely amazing, and it is. It is, and it was the greatest joy of his life. And over and over he would tell all these young people to come and find their future spouse, become wives and husbands and parents. And the reason why is that he wanted you all to experience what he had and still has. He wanted everyone to bring Heaven into this earth through love and joy that comes from raising a family. It's beautiful.

Charlie always said if he ever ran for office that his top priority would be to revive the American family. That was his priority.

One of Charlie's favorite Bible verses was Ephesians 5:25. "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." 

My husband laid down his life for me. For our nation. For our children. He showed the ultimate and true covanental love. I will never, ever have the words to describe the loss that I feel in my heart. I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don't. But Charlie, baby, I know that you do too, and so does our Lord. 

And our world is filled with evil. But our God, you guys, our God is so good. He's so incredibly good. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.

Already I have seen the worldwide outpouring of love for my husband... I've heard the testimonies from the people my husband has inspired to get married, to start families, to seek out a relationship with God. That's the most important, the most important one of all.

The evildoers responsible for my husband's assassination have no idea what they have done. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and God's merciful love. They should all know this: If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country, and this world. You have no idea. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo across this world like a battle cry.

To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die. It won't. I refuse to let that happen. It will not die.

All of us will refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband's name and I will make sure of it. It will become stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever. My husband's mission will not end, not even for a moment. 

And one of Charlie's greatest talent was his ability, this phenomenal ability to choose great people to follow him. He could always find the ones who could handle any setback. And it's almost like he knew, he could see it in you, even when you couldn't see it in yourself. He just knew, he knew you could handle it. You thought you only had five percent left, and he knew you had 15. He knew you were ready to go that extra mile, even when you didn't. He always challenged people around him to work harder and to be better. He never gave up. And I love knowing that one of his mottos was, Never Surrender. So, I want you to know that we'll never surrender. We never will. Ever. 

Our campus tour this fall will continue. There will be even more tours in the years to come. America Fest here in Phoenix this December will go on. It will be greater than ever. The radio and podcast show that he was so proud of, will go on. And in a world filled with chaos, doubt, and uncertainty, my husband's voice will remain. And it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever. And his wisdom will endure. 

My favorite... my favorite too, but husband's favorite word in the English language was "Earn." He would call all of you to be people of action who earn the future America deserves. So for all the young people who felt inspired by my husband's faith and work. All of you know what Charlie would want you to do. You know. You know.

If you're in high school or in college, go join your local Turning Point USA chapter. Join it. Stay involved. He wants you to make a difference, and you can. You can. The movement's not going anywhere, and it will only grow stronger when you join it.

If there's not a chapter, or you can't find one, then start one. There is no excuse. You can start one. And as my husband used to say in this room, every single day, if you want to get involved, the best way to do that is to go to TPUSA.com.

If you're a pastor, join our movement at TPUSAFaith. And if you're a parent, I highly recommend you come to America Fest in December. Sign up right now for that, because we would love to see you. I would love to see you. Charlie would. He'll be there in spirit.

But most important of all, if you're not a member of a church, I beg you to join one. A bible-believing church. Our battle is not simply a political one, above all it is spiritual. It is spiritual, with spiritual warfare that is palpable.

Charlie loved his Savior with all of his heart and he wanted every one of you to love him too. He wanted every one to know that if they confess the Lord Jesus Christ who rose from the dead, then they will be saved. Hear me when I say this: no one is ever too young to know the gospel. 

Nobody. Nobody is every too young to get involved with saving this beautiful country. This country my husband loved and still loves. And no is ever too old either. There's no age limit. 

I know my husband is still here. He's watching over us. 

[Sigh]

I don't remember the last time I slept, I couldn't sleep last night.

Oh, Charlie baby. Charlie, I promise I will never let your legacy die, baby. I won't. I promise I will make Turning Point USA the biggest thing this nation has ever seen. I promise.  

Oh, Charlie I love you. I love you, baby. Rest in the arms of your Lord as he blankets you with the words I know that your heart always strived to hear: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

When I got home last night, Gigi, our daughter, ran into my arms. And I talked to her and she asked, "Where's Daddy?" How do you tell a three-year-old? She's three.

I said, baby, Daddy loves you so much. He's on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.

And my goodness, amd I am so humbled to witness Charlie. You're alongside Jesus, doing what you always wanted to do: Making Heaven crowded. That's what it's all about. Making Heaven crowded. I can't wait to see you one day.

Thank you all again who supported my husband. Who wrote him an email every single day on his radio show. he read all of them. God bless you all. And may God Bless America.

Read More: Rest in Peace, Charlie Kirk

Remembering Charlie Kirk: Family Videos Deliver an Emotional Gut Punch

Charlie and Erika's love story is one for the Hallmark Channel. The pair met in 2018, and Kirk interviewed Erika, at that time a successful business woman, for a position at TPUSA. They clicked so incredibly, that instead of hiring her, he decided to date her. They married in 2020. In 2022, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, and expanded their family with a son in 2024. The Kirks were zealous to keep their family life private and to protect their children from media exposure. However, Erika was actively engaged with TPUSA and her husband's work. Her countenance glowing, Erika lovingly introduced her husband at a TPUSA event, saying he is "a force." 

WATCH:

In May, the Kirks celebrated four years of marriage, Erika, and Erika posted this tribute to her husband and the life they were building.

Erika and her daughter were in Utah and witnessed the horrible tragedy of her husband being shot. 

The White House posted this moving tribute to Charlie Kirk, his Erika, and all that had together that has now been lost.