By Michael Gryboski, Editor Friday, September 19, 2025

The widow of Charlie Kirk has been unanimously elected as the new CEO of Turning Point USA, a week after he was assassinated during a college campus tour. 

TPUSA’s board members released a public letter on Wednesday announcing their decision to elect Erika Kirk to the positions of CEO and chair of the board for the organization.

“Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one,” stated the board members in the letter. “He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests.”

“All of us at Turning Point USA have a special role in carrying Charlie Kirk’s mantle and completing his vision of bringing us all closer to our Lord and fostering a prosperous country for generations to come.”

On Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when he was fatally shot in the neck. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital, leaving behind Erika Kirk and their two young children.

Charlie Kirk's murder was condemned by people across the political spectrum. Flags were flown at half-staff, and a moment of silence was held at numerous public events nationwide in his honor. 

Last Friday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced that they had arrested Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old resident of southern Utah, after a family member turned him in to authorities.

At a press conference held on that day, it was reported that Robinson had become increasingly political recently and took issue with Charlie Kirk’s conservative views on various issues, including transgenderism. 

Cox also spoke emotionally about the "watershed" moment of Kirk's murder, imploring people of all political persuasions to repudiate political violence and be more civil in disagreements.

"This is our moment. Do we escalate or do we find an off-ramp?" he said. "Again, it's a choice, it's a choice, and every one of us gets to make that choice."

Earlier this week, Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, tampering with a witness, and violent offense committed in the presence of a child. If convicted, he could receive the death penalty.

For her part, Erika Kirk gave a speech last Friday night regarding the assassination of her husband, in which she vowed to continue his work and hoped to “make Heaven crowded.”

“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," she stated.

“The cries of this widow will echo around the 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.”