Erika Kirk Reflects on Grief and Healing

Erika Kirk, who became the leader of Turning Point USA after the tragic assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk, shared her reflections on grief in a New York Times essay. Charlie Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. In her piece titled “What I’ve learned about grief,” she explores the commonality of grief regardless of political affiliations.

The essay marks a year since the tragedy, with Erika Kirk opening up about her experiences. She highlights the universal nature of loss, emphasizing that political views or beliefs do not change the shared experience of grieving a loved one.

A source from TPUSA mentioned that Erika Kirk wants to connect with people on a human level, sharing her truthful journey through grief over the past year. She recounted the challenges she faced during the first holidays and family events without Charlie.

Erika Kirk found solace in surviving moment by moment, an approach suggested by Usha Vance, the second lady. She described her challenges in the Times, such as facing the first Saturday without Charlie’s love note, his birthday, her own birthday, and Thanksgiving. She realized new traditions would have to replace old ones.

“Grief is strange. Time continues even when every part of you wants it to pause or, better yet, rewind,” she wrote. “But those we love would not want us to spend our lives trying to rewind.”

Erika Kirk has worked to further Charlie’s mission in the past year, encouraging dialogue across differing viewpoints. She emphasized the importance of discussions, quoting Charlie’s belief that “when people stop talking, really bad stuff starts.”

Charlie Kirk founded TPUSA to promote conservatism across college campuses. He was addressing a TPUSA event in Orem, Utah, with over 2,000 attendees when he was killed. He left behind Erika and their two children.