Turning Point USA names Charlie Kirk's widow Erika as its new CEO

Turning Point USA has named Charlie Kirk's widow Erika as its new CEO, the non-profit announced. 

On Thursday afternoon, the organization, founded by the late conservative, said they have 'unanimously selected Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board' about a week after he was murdered. 

The father-of-two, 31, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University on September 10 by alleged killer Tyler Robinson, 22.  

'In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death,' the group added in an X post. 

'Charlie prepared us all for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. 

'As Charlie always said, "We have a country to save". We will not surrender or kneel before evil. We will carry on. The attempt to destroy Charlie's work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.' 

His wife's new role comes after she made her first public address since his assassination Friday evening.

In a clip, Erika stood next to the empty chair once used by her late husband in the studio while she addressed an online audience. 

During an emotional speech in which she had to pause several times to catch her breath and wipe away tears, she called on Kirk's followers to become members of a church before making a vow to her late husband. 

'Charlie, I promise I will never let your legacy die, baby,' she said. 'I promise I'll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen.' 

Wearing an emerald green shirt and white blazer, Erika thanked President Donald Trump and his family for their support following the shooting during her roughly 16-minute remarks.

'Mr President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. He did. Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well, as did he for you,' she said.

She also thanked Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha for 'bringing him home.' 

The Vice President and Second Lady were seen comforting Erika as his casket made its way back to their home state of Arizona following the shooting. 

Erika, who started her address after making a silent prayer, was overcome with emotion as she went on to thank Turning Point USA employees. 

'My heart is with everyone of my husband's employees who lost a friend and a mentor,' she says. 'He loved what he did.'

She thanked law enforcement and the 'first responders who struggled heroically to save Charles' life, and the police who acted bravely to ensure there were no other victims on that terrible afternoon.' 

A photo of Kirk could be seen displayed on her podium, with the caption: 'May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving savior.'

'Charlie said if he ever ran for office, his top priority would be to revive the American family. That was his priority,' Erika Kirk said.

'Charlie loved life. He loved his life. He loved America,' she added before describing some of her husband's hobbies, and his favorite sports teams.

'Go ducks,' she said with a smile, referring to the Oregon University sports team, adding that he would want her to say that because they play this weekend.

'But most of all, Charlie loved his children. And he loved me. With all his heart. And he made sure I knew that everyday.'

She went on to call him a 'perfect' father, weeping throughout her comments.

She pledged Charlie's message will continue and that the planned campus tour to US universities would keep going - as will the podcast he hosted.

'He never gave up. One of his mottos was never surrender. So I want to tell you that we will never surrender,' said Erika in a defiant tone.

'The campus tour will continue. There will be even more tours in the years ahead to come,' she went on.

His ideology will continue to spread - 'in a world filled with chaos doubt and uncertainty, my husbands voice will remain,' she added.

Erika then addressed the killer - or as she put it 'the evildoers responsible' directly.

'You have no idea what they have done. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God's merciful love,' she said. 

Erika continued: 'You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, 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.

'They should all know this: If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before you have no idea, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world, you have no idea.'

She pledged to her late husband that that she would never let his legacy die. 

This is a breaking news story... updates to follow.