Widow Vows to Continue Kirk's Podcast; Suspect Charged

Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is now CEO of Turning Point USA and has said she will keep her husband’s podcast and movement alive using guest hosts, unaired material and his speech library. She appeared on The Charlie Kirk Show as producers kept an empty chair and pledged to preserve Kirk’s “north star” voice, drawing both praise and some criticism for continued social-media updates. At a televised memorial in Arizona, President Donald Trump delivered a eulogy and was photographed consoling Erika in a hug that provoked widespread online reaction and memes. Photos of Erika’s past as a Miss Arizona/Miss USA 2012 contestant resurfaced, and the event prompted conspiracy chatter after Elon Musk and Erika were photographed making hand gestures. Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with Charlie Kirk’s murder, which Utah officials have described as a political assassination.