The board of Turning Point USA unanimously elected Erika Kirk, the widow of slain founder Charlie Kirk, as the organization's new CEO and chair of the board on Thursday, following her husband's assassination at a TPUSA event in Utah on Sept. 10. The decision reportedly fulfils Charlie Kirk's prior wishes, with the board stating he had prepared the organization for such a moment and that the appointment was a direct reflection of his vision.
Andrew Kolvet, the producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, confirmed the appointment on air during a guest-hosted episode with Megyn Kelly. "Charlie told me, and many others, that this is exactly what he wanted She's ready," he said, affirming that Charlie had discussed this plan with him and other executives.
The organization released a statement on social media, declaring, "In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death. 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 is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA"
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder and leader of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a political event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, an act the governor of Utah described as a political assassination. The organization, which he founded in 2012 to mobilize young conservatives, announced the leadership transition just one week later.
The board emphasized that the unanimous vote was a direct fulfillment of Charlie Kirk's wishes, ensuring the organization's continuity. Erika Kirk, who met Charlie at a TPUSA office opening in 2018 and married him in 2021, has been a prominent figure in the movement, often appearing alongside her husband. She has pledged to continue his mission, vowing that the movement will grow stronger and more powerful than ever before.
Erika Kirk, 36, is a native of Arizona who was crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012. She holds degrees in political science and international relations from Arizona State University, a master’s in American legal studies from Liberty University, and is pursuing a doctorate in biblical studies. She is a former NCAA basketball player at Regis University and hosts the "Midweek Rise Up" podcast, where she promotes Christian values and traditional gender roles.
The 36-year-old also runs a Christian clothing line called Proclaim and a ministry named Biblein365. Charlie Kirk once stated that Erika was more conservative than himself, a dynamic he discussed on his own show.
