Charlie Kirk’s wife has spoken publicly for the first time following the shooting death of her husband at a university in Utah and subsequent arrest of the suspected sniper.
An emotional Erika Kirk thanked those in the US and abroad for their support following the conservative activist’s death on Wednesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Erika Kirk’s message for husband’s killer.
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“I want to thank the millions of people who have shown their love for Charlie here in Phoenix, across America and worldwide,” she said.
She also thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance — the latter of the two carried Charlie’s coffin as it was placed onto Air Force Two, the plane reserved for the VP.
“You ... honoured my husband so well, bringing him home,” Erika said.
“I want to thank President Trump and his incredible family for the same. 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.”
Later addressing the “evildoers” responsible for Charlie’s assassination, Erika was defiant, saying they “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.
“But 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 have unleashed across this entire country, and this world.
“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.”
Speaking to Charlie’s supporters, Erika said the conservative movement he pushed with his organisation Turning Point USA “will not die”.
“I refuse to let that happen. It will not die. All of us will refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband’s name and I will make sure of it.
“It will become stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever.
“My husband’s mission will not end, not even for a moment,” she said, adding that one of her husband’s mottos was “never surrender”.
Erika said her husband died a martyr who would be remembered for his courage and faith.
“Now and for all eternity, he will stand at his saviour’s side, wearing the glorious crown of a martyr,” she said.
“My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children. He showed the ultimate and true covenantal love.
“I will never, ever have the words to describe the loss that I feel in my heart. I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don’t. Charlie, baby, I know you do, too. I know you do.”
Through tears, she said Charlie was the “perfect” father to their two children, aged three and one, and having a family was the “greatest joy of his life”.
“Charlie loved, loved life. He loved his life. He loved America. He loved nature, which helped always bring him closer to God.
“But most of all, Charlie loved his children. And he loved me with all of his heart, and I knew that.
“Every day he would ask me, ‘How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father every day?’
“He wanted everyone to bring heaven into this Earth through love and joy that comes from raising a family.
“Charlie always said that if he ever ran for office ... that his top priority would be to revive the American family. That was his priority.”
Erika said she hadn’t yet explained Charlie’s death to her children, instead telling them he’s away on a work trip with Jesus.
“When I got home last night, Gigi, our daughter, just ran into my arms, and I talked to her and she said, ‘Mommy, I missed you’. I said, ‘I missed you too, baby’. She goes, ‘Where’s Daddy?’,” Erika said.
“What do you tell a three-year-old? She’s three.”
Erika said she couldn’t wait to be reunited with her husband again one day and help in their goal to “making heaven crowded”.
“Thank you all again who love my husband, who supported him, who wrote him an email every single day during his radio show, he read all of them, all of them,” she said.
“God bless you all and may God bless America.”
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