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Erika Kirk honored at State of the Union
Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, attended the State of the Union on Tuesday night as President Donald Trump’s guest.
WASHINGTON - Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, attended the State of the Union on Tuesday night as President Donald Trump’s guest.
Kirk could be seen sitting in the House Chamber prior to the arrival of Trump.
Erika Kirk attends State of the Union
What they're saying:
"I'm very proud to say that during my time in office, both the first four years, and in particular this last year, there has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity and belief in God. Tremendous renewal," Trump said during his speech, adding, "This is especially true among young people. And a big part of that had to do with my great friend Charlie Kirk."
Erika Kirk smiles as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump continued: "So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin, and martyred, really martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife, Erika, is with us tonight. Erika. Please stand. Thank you."
Trump added, "Erica has been through a lot. In Charlie's memory, we must all come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God, and we must totally reject political violence of any kind."
Erika Kirk, widow of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, shakes hands with Donald Trump Jr., before the arrival of US President Donald Trump for the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Febr …
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Kirk's attendance as "one of President Trump's special guests" in a post on X Tuesday, which included a Daily Wire article first reporting the announcement.
Charlie Kirk killed during debate event
The backstory:
Her attendance comes just months after her husband was killed in a targeted attack during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in September. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom on what would have been his 32nd birthday.
Trump administration officials rallied around Erika Kirk after her husband's assassination.
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Charlie Kirk's casket was flown from Utah to his home state of Arizona aboard Air Force Two and Vice President JD Vance escorted the casket as it was carried onto the plane. Later, second lady Usha Vance was seen holding Erika's hand as they departed Air Force Two.
Several members of the Trump administration, including the president and vice president, took part in a memorial service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on Sept. 21, 2025, just 11 days after the outspoken conservative was killed.
Who is Erika Kirk?
Erika was elected CEO and chair of the board for Phoenix-based Turning Point USA following her husband’s death.
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Erika Kirk named new CEO of Turning Point USA
Charlie Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk, was "unanimously elected" to serve as the new CEO and chair of the board for Turning Point USA.
Erika married Charlie Kirk in 2021. They have two children together: a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024.
She is a former NCAA Women’s Basketball athlete and a graduate with a Juris Master's Degree in American Legal Studies. She was also honored to be crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. FOX News contributed.