Erika Kirk , widow of MAGA activist Charlie Kirk , made an emotional return to the public stage on Wednesday as she joined vice president JD Vance at a Turning Point USA campus event at the University of Mississippi .
It was Erika's first time speaking at the conservative event, since Charlie's assassination seven weeks earlier at Utah Valley University by a fatal sniper shot.
Speaking to nearly 10,000 students, Erika talked about courage in the face of tragedy and shared that she had invited Vance to speak at the event.
“When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President JD Vance, to speak today, I really prayed on it because, obviously, it’s a very emotional, emotional day,” she said. “But I could just hear Charlie in my heart. I could just hear him say, ‘Go reclaim that territory, babe.’ The battle’s already won. God’s love conquers. And that’s why I’m here today.”
Kirk also spoke warmly of vice president Vance, who had helped carry Charlie Kirk’s coffin aboard Air Force Two from Utah to Arizona. “No one will ever replace my husband – but I do see some similarities in JD,” she said.
Erika is now leading Turning Point USA, the group her husband founded. She described returning to campus as a “spiritual reclaiming of territory.”
Thanking students for their support, Erika said, “You guys have no idea how helpful it is to have all you in my life … you make me feel even more connected to my husband. He didn’t leave us empty handed. He built a machine. And all of you are a part of that.”
During the event, Vance also engaged in a lengthy question-and-answer session with students.
The VP also responded to a controversial question about his wife Usha’s faith. He responded, “Yes, my wife did not grow up Christian. I think it’s fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family, but not a particularly religious family in either direction. Everybody has to come to their own arrangement here … we decided to raise our kids Christian.”
It was Erika's first time speaking at the conservative event, since Charlie's assassination seven weeks earlier at Utah Valley University by a fatal sniper shot.
Erika Kirk: No one will ever replace my husband — no. But I do see some of my husband in JD… in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And that’s why I’m so blessed to introduce him tonight — because he understands the fight we’re up against. He’s an amazing man. pic.twitter.com/Y5CJuZZtR9
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) October 31, 2025
Speaking to nearly 10,000 students, Erika talked about courage in the face of tragedy and shared that she had invited Vance to speak at the event.
“When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President JD Vance, to speak today, I really prayed on it because, obviously, it’s a very emotional, emotional day,” she said. “But I could just hear Charlie in my heart. I could just hear him say, ‘Go reclaim that territory, babe.’ The battle’s already won. God’s love conquers. And that’s why I’m here today.”
Kirk also spoke warmly of vice president Vance, who had helped carry Charlie Kirk’s coffin aboard Air Force Two from Utah to Arizona. “No one will ever replace my husband – but I do see some similarities in JD,” she said.
Erika is now leading Turning Point USA, the group her husband founded. She described returning to campus as a “spiritual reclaiming of territory.”
Thanking students for their support, Erika said, “You guys have no idea how helpful it is to have all you in my life … you make me feel even more connected to my husband. He didn’t leave us empty handed. He built a machine. And all of you are a part of that.”
During the event, Vance also engaged in a lengthy question-and-answer session with students.
The VP also responded to a controversial question about his wife Usha’s faith. He responded, “Yes, my wife did not grow up Christian. I think it’s fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family, but not a particularly religious family in either direction. Everybody has to come to their own arrangement here … we decided to raise our kids Christian.”
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