A widening circle of public figures have voiced criticism of Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, in the months following his assassination in September 2025. The scrutiny centers on her public statements and rapid assumption of leadership at Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the organization founded by her late husband, as well as her perceived demeanor in the wake of the tragedy.
The initial wave of criticism stemmed from comments made by Candace Owens, a conservative podcaster and close friend of the late Charlie Kirk. Owens publicly questioned Erika Kirk’s handling of the aftermath of the shooting, particularly her response to conspiracy theories surrounding her husband’s death. According to Owens, Erika appeared overly eager to dismiss inconsistencies in the official narrative, a stance Owens found troubling. This disagreement escalated when Owens shared an audio recording, allegedly from a TPUSA conference call held less than two weeks after Charlie Kirk’s death, in which Erika expressed satisfaction with the success of the memorial event, noting attendance figures exceeding 275,000 and merchandise sales surpassing $200,000.
“They’re getting to know her,” Owens stated, prefacing the release of the audio, suggesting a level of scrutiny was warranted as Erika took on a leadership role within TPUSA. In the recording, Erika thanked both former President Donald Trump and TPUSA for organizing what she described as a “fabulous” memorial. Owens characterized Erika’s upbeat tone as inappropriate given the circumstances, and likened her behavior to that of Meghan Markle, whom she has previously criticized for selectively seeking privacy, and publicity.
The criticism extended beyond Owens. Jennifer Welch, co-host of the “I’ve Had It” podcast, directly labeled Erika Kirk a “grifter,” accusing her of hypocrisy for benefiting from the civil rights advancements she ostensibly opposed, given her past advocacy for traditional gender roles. Welch specifically criticized Erika’s interview with The New York Times, where she made comments about women voting for a male candidate as a substitute for their husbands, while simultaneously holding a powerful position as CEO.
“You actually allow yourself to be afforded all of the luxuries of all of the civil rights fight that the suffragettes and other women fought for you to be able to be a full-time working mother, to be the CEO of a company. You just weaponize your gender to rubes so that you can grift off of them,” Welch stated.
Further fueling the controversy, Christine Quinn, known for her role on the reality television show “Selling Sunset,” took to social media to express her discomfort with leaked videos of Erika Kirk. Quinn’s comments followed Erika’s CBS News Town Hall interview with Bari Weiss, where she addressed the conspiracy theories surrounding her husband’s death and appealed for an end to the speculation.
Joy Reid, host of “The Joy Reid Show” on MSNBC, also weighed in, criticizing a photograph of Erika Kirk embracing JD Vance, a Republican Senator. Reid questioned the appropriateness of the gesture, suggesting it was inconsistent with the expected behavior of a grieving widow. Erika responded to Reid’s criticism during an appearance at AmericaFest 2025, offering Reid a hug, an offer Reid promptly declined.
Erika Kirk’s rapid assumption of leadership at TPUSA following her husband’s death has been a central point of contention. Owens questioned the timing of her appointment, arguing that it placed her in a position where she was obligated to address questions about the assassination, while simultaneously deserving respect and space to grieve. “She should never have become the CEO and chairman overnight, because now when people have questions, you gotta answer them, right? Now you’re not just a grieving widow, who there has to be respectability for, and space, and allow her to be a mother, but you very quickly decided that you were equipped to be Charlie,” Owens said.
The controversy surrounding Erika Kirk highlights the complex dynamics within the conservative movement following the death of a prominent figure. The public criticism from fellow conservatives underscores the internal tensions and differing perspectives on how to navigate grief, leadership, and the dissemination of information in the wake of a tragedy. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing debate and scrutiny surrounding Erika Kirk’s actions and statements.
As of , Erika Kirk continues to serve as CEO and chairperson of Turning Point USA, navigating the challenges of leading the organization while facing persistent public criticism.
