Turning Point USA has announced that Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, will take over as the new CEO and chair of the board. The decision, according to the organization, was both unanimous and in line with Charlie’s wishes should anything ever happen to him.
The announcement came just days after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. His death shook conservatives across the country, but Turning Point USA says he made preparations to ensure the movement would not falter.
In a statement released Thursday, the board praised Charlie’s vision and leadership. “It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie’s side,” the group said. “Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now, it’s our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA.”
The board emphasized that the organization’s mission would not waver. “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. As Charlie always said, ‘We have a country to save.’ We will not surrender or kneel before evil. We will carry on.”
A memorial service honoring Kirk’s life and legacy will take place Sunday, Sept. 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event is expected to draw a massive crowd, with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other prominent figures scheduled to speak.
“Charlie Kirk’s life was a testament to faith, courage, and conviction,” the official website for the memorial states. “From his earliest days, he believed America was worth fighting for, and he dedicated every moment of his 31 years to that cause. He lived with eyes fixed on eternity, grounded in the truth of God’s Word, and driven by a calling bigger than himself.”