Charlie Kirk's widow breaks silence hours after Donald Trump announces alleged shooter in custody

NASCAR driver Christopher Bell dedicated his NASCAR Cup Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, on Saturday to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered earlier in the week.

"It wasn’t pretty there at the end, but we got her done," Bell, the driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, said after the win.

"Most importantly, this week’s obviously been a very tough week. You know, there’s a lot on our mind," he continued.

"Just, this one’s for Charlie," Bell added.

Friends and colleagues of late Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk honored his humble beginning, fierce faith and extraordinary life on the primetime special "Charlie Kirk: An American Original."

The program wove their anecdotes with flashbacks of Kirk’s own words, including his recounting of what happened after his dream of going to West Point fell through at age 18.

"I remember that summer of 2012, I had no money, no connections and no idea what I was doing," Kirk said in a 2018 interview. "But I had relentless energy and a vision, and I was willing to take a risk. Only in America is that possible."

He credited his own feeling of "isolation" in high school for what inspired him to start a conservative nonprofit to connect like-minded students, and he went viral for debating students on their campuses around the country.

"When Charlie started out with this, this was never about attention or getting on TV or having a show," OutKick host Tomi Lahren said. "What he wanted most, was he just wanted to spread the message."

"If we took a survey right now of 17-, 18-, 19-, 20-year-olds on college campuses and asked them who were the most influential people in their own education, I would probably put Charlie Kirk against any one of their professors," Fox News host Will Cain said. 

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Stephanie Samsel.

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., said the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was a "watershed moment," stressing that Americans should be able to have political disagreements without engaging in violence.

Zinke made the comments on Friday during an appearance on NewsNation’s show "The Hill," when he cited earlier remarks by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox as he expressed disappointment that differences in political viewpoints have led to violent attacks.

"We should look and reflect," Zinke said on Friday. "This is, you know, as the governor pointed out, a watershed moment. So, the watershed moment depends on what this country does."

"Are we going to continue this?" the congressman continued. "Are we going to continue to not be able to have dialogue and talk to your neighbor?"

Nearly $15,000 has been raised on GoFundMe as of Saturday night for a Phoenix Suns reporter who was fired for "refusing to mourn" conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his murder.

PHNX Sports fired reporter Gerald Bourguet over comments he made on social media, with the media company saying "the opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network."

Bourguet wrote that "'political differences' are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence. Just so we're 100% clear on that."

"If you're saddened by today's 'political violence,' horrified by the video, or repulsed by my response, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on)," he said in another post.

"Truly don't care if you think it's insensitive or poor timing to decline to respect an evil man who died," he added. "Too many of you are more concerned with being polite and *appearing* to be good people rather than showing some damn backbone and standing on (principle) to condemn hate."

Political commentator Candace Owens said on Saturday that "9/10 will never be forgotten" after the murder of her friend Charlie Kirk, referring to the date the conservative activist was shot and killed.

The devil overplayed his hand," she wrote on X.

Owens was responding to a post suggesting that Kirk's death "might be the first case of mass PTSD" since footage of other events like 9/11 and the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy was not seen initially.

"Charlie Kirk’s death might be the first case of mass PTSD. Different even from 9/11, which was obviously on a greater scale, or JFK, because not many people saw the video until years later," X user Cernovich wrote.

Turning Point USA on Saturday shared official ways supporters can honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy and support his grieving family including a GiveSendGo page that has already drawn thousands of contributions and heartfelt messages.

“We are deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support for the Kirk family and for our organization during this incredibly difficult time,” TPUSA said in a statement on X. “We are especially grateful to those who have reached out asking how they can help.”

The campaign to support Erika Kirk and the couple’s two young children has raised nearly $1 million as of Saturday night with close to 10,000 individual donations and thousands more offering prayers through the site.

Many paired their donations with notes of faith and personal testimony. Frank N Tsamoutales who gave $5000 cited Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. His message drew more than 260 likes from other supporters.

Another anonymous donor who contributed $2000 wrote, “Charlie’s death forced me to confront my aesthetic cultural Christianity and accept Christ. Thank you Charlie Kirk.”

Some comments spoke directly to Kirk’s young children. “For sweet girls Blueberries,” a donor named Jules wrote with a $50 gift. “May God bless you and keep you in his tender loving care. Your Daddy loved you and your brother more than words can say. My heart is with you.”

Other donors shared grief and gratitude. “We love you and we mourn with you. We will never forget Charlie. He has ignited a fire in every Christian I know including my husband and I,” one supporter wrote. Another reflected, “Devastating that a wife and two young children will grow up without a husband and a father due to a coward’s act. Hoping for healing during this difficult time.”

Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University. A public memorial is scheduled for September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona.

Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

Andrew Kolvet, the executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show" and close friend, said Saturday that Kirk’s death has sparked a wave of people returning to church, many for the first time in years.

Kolvet shared a screenshot of a message he received, where one supporter wrote: “I just wanted to let you know Charlie is the reason I’m going to church tomorrow for the first time in years.”

Kolvet responded with a simple, “Bless you.”

“Can’t tell you how many of these I’ve received,” Kolvet wrote on X. “Make heaven crowded, Charlie.”

In a separate post, Kolvet encouraged others to honor Kirk’s memory in the same way. “If you want to honor Charlie Kirk tomorrow, go to church. Walk in humility as he did. Open your hearts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Repent and be saved.”

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot earlier this week while speaking at Utah Valley University.

His widow, Erika Kirk, has said her husband’s mission will not die, vowing that the movement he built would continue to grow stronger.

Kirk’s legacy continues to move people toward the church he so passionately defended in life.

EXCLUSIVE: Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin lived with his transgender partner, senior-level FBI officials told Fox News Digital. 

Bureau officials confirmed that Tyler Robinson, 22, was in a "romantic relationship" with the unnamed person, who is a male transitioning to a female, and that they shared an apartment in Saint George, Utah.

Those FBI officials told Fox News Digital that Robinson's partner is fully cooperating with the FBI's investigation.

One FBI official told Fox News Digital the individual has been "extremely cooperative," and said the person "had no idea" Robinson was allegedly planning to assassinate the Turning Point USA founder. The person is not currently accused of any criminal activity in connection with the assassination.

FBI officials told Fox News Digital that the FBI had text messages and other communications between Robinson and his partner that helped FBI agents zero in on Robinson. Officials said the FBI took evidence from their apartment, including computers, which has been sent to Quantico for review, Fox News Digital has learned.

The FBI declined to comment on whether Robinson's partner would be charged with a crime."The FBI is investigating a record number of tips," an FBI spokesperson said. "Every connection, every group, every link will be investigated and anyone involved in this matter, anywhere in the world they might be, will be brought to justice."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has brought light to his organization, Turning Point USA (TPUSA), and what comes next for the group known for mobilizing young people in the conservative movement.

During livestreamed remarks on Friday night, his widow, Erika Kirk, stressed individuals getting involved with TPUSA, adding that the annual AmericaFest conference in Phoenix this December will continue as scheduled.

"To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die," Kirk said. "It won't. I 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."

"I'll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen," she later added. "I love you, baby. Rest in the arms of our Lord."

The address led to some users on X suggesting that she will likely be Kirk’s heir to the group, which has over 2,000 student groups and over 800 faith-based groups, according to its website.

"I think Erika Kirk should be Turning Point USA’s CEO," former TPUSA staffer Anthony DeWitt posted.

Following his assassination, the group is expected to see a surge in support.

Judah Waxelbaum, a former campus activist at Arizona State University for Republican causes, said that the assassination likely awoke a "sleeping giant" with the current size of TPUSA.

"Turning Point's not going anywhere. Turning Point, I think, will probably actually get significantly larger in the wake of what happened to Charlie," he told Fox News Digital in an interview on Saturday, noting that "you couldn't do youth politics in Arizona, really anywhere in the United States without coming across Charlie Kirk."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Cameron Arcand.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk hit close to home for Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning, who recently found out that Kirk was a fan of Lanning's own Ducks.

Lanning offered his condolences to Kirk's wife, Erika, and their two children following their 34-14 victory over Northwestern on Saturday

.But in a prolonged answer regarding the current culture of the United States, Lanning implored Americans to look at his own locker room, saying, "the people in this world can learn a lot from [it]."

"You walk in that locker room, you got guys of different races, guys of different backgrounds, different religions, and you got a team that loves each other. Tons of differences. Where they come from, what they deal with, and ultimately you got a team that loves each other, and I think we’re missing some of that in our country," Lanning said.

Lanning has been outspoken about gun violence before, and he made his voice heard again on Saturday, condemning the "evil" that led to Kirk's assassination as well as children's shooting deaths.

"I recently found out Charlie Kirk was an Oregon fan, right? I didn't know that. I hurt for his wife, Erika, and their kids. That sort of evil should never exist in our country, and that's what it is — evil. I remember having to explain that to my family, right? I remember sitting down my kids and explaining what happened, and they're talking about people talking about it at school. And it's just sad, right?" Lanning said.

"But it's just as sad — every day it seems like we deal with some sort of violence that's going on in our country, whether it's school kids in Colorado or kids in Minnesota at churches. I mean, life matters, and I think we've lost sight of that. But I just wish the world could learn a little bit of something from our locker room, because we got a bunch of people with differences, and what you got in there is a bunch people there."

Lanning also had a powerful message to those who disagreed with him on political and social issues.

"Just know this — I love you. I absolutely love you, right? And life matters. And there’s no way that Charlie should experience, that his family should experience, there’s no way that that evil should exist in this world."

Lanning then called for gun reform for "sick people" and more protection for children at schools.

"And we have to continue to identify and point it out and make sure that it’s absolutely evil. There’s no reason in the world that our kids, that we should be worried about sending our kids to school. It’s our most valuable commodity in the world. They should be protected. And the reality is, there’s just not a lot of common sense on both sides."

"Common sense says, ‘Oh, it’s mental health, right?’ Common sense says, ‘Oh, it’s guns.’ You know what? It’s both. Let’s have some common sense. Our kids should be the most protected thing in the world, right? They should have armed guards at every school, because there’s sick people, there’s sick people in this world, right? And on top of that, sick people need help, and it should be really hard for a sick person to have a gun."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Ryan Morik.

In the days following Charlie Kirk's assassination, Utahns have united at memorials and candlelit vigils to honor the 31-year-old conservative influencer's life and legacy. 

"It's really important we support each other," Republican Utah state Senate President Stuart Adams told Fox News Digital.

"I'm very proud of our community for coming together to try to support one another as we work our way through this."

As local leaders urge the community to lean on their friends, family and neighbors, many have echoed Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox's call to action against political violence. 

"History will dictate if this is a turning point for our country, but every single one of us gets to choose right now if this is a turning point for us," Cox said during a press conference on Friday after announcing the suspect, Tyler Robinson, had been arrested. 

Adams said it's vital that Americans put their phones down, as Kirk encouraged, to contribute something constructive to the community. 

"This is a turning point for America as we see what we want to become, what we want to do, what we want America to be, and surely we don't want America to be filled with hate. We want to fill it with love, with the type of discourse and free speech that Charlie represented," Adams said. 

Utah Attorney General Derek Brown told Fox News Digital that Utahns can honor Kirk's life by modeling his commitment to open dialogue. 

"He engaged in a productive, respectful dialogue, and he showed a model for how to engage productively with people that you might disagree with," Brown said, adding that "he was modeling the very behavior that he encouraged people to do" until the moment he died.

As attorney general, Brown has collaborated with local and federal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure Kirk's assassin "pays the price for what he's done."

"If that's state law, if that's federal law, if that is a combination of both, we'll make sure justice is served in this case," Brown said. While Brown carries out his job, he said it's the community's job to "learn how to cope with what's happened, to learn how to heal."

"I have people close to me in my own family and on my own staff even, who were part of the experience. They were there, they saw it happen. I think it's important for us to process the trauma and the experience and to understand what it is and, ideally, to use it to bring us together," he said.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Deirdre Heavey.

The Virginia’s governor’s race erupted in controversy after Chesterfield County School Board member Dot Heffron, who previously endorsed Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s campaign for governor posted that she “remember[ed] when we used to be okay with shooting Nazis” in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Heffron’s remark, shared in an Instagram story that has since been made private, followed the fatal shooting of the Turning Point USA founder while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears blasted Spanberger for not immediately disavowing Heffron’s comments, writing on Facebook: “A Chesterfield County School Board member who endorsed Abigail Spanberger said she ‘we used to be ok with shooting Nazis’ — in response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Abigail, do you condemn this?”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin also weighed in Friday, demanding Heffron resign: “Chesterfield County School Board Chair Dot Heffron must immediately resign after her comments promoting the murder of Charlie Kirk. Nobody who would cheer murder should be allowed within 100 yards of a student. I call on leaders from both parties to not only publicly condemn her despicable comment and rebuke any endorsement she has made, but also join me in demanding her resignation.”

Spanberger, who had praised Heffron’s support in a 2023 Instagram post, told Breitbart News she rejects any attempt to justify the killing.

Her full statement reads: “As the investigation continues and law enforcement continues to build their case, I think it’s important to state unequivocally: I condemn any efforts to justify or minimize the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk or anyone else. Disagreements over policy, perspectives, or even worldviews should never lead to violence. We are a nation of laws — and we have a First Amendment right to free speech, and that right is not limited just to those who agree with us. Justifying or making light of violence damages the core fabric of our society and imperils all of us as Americans, just as calls to violence and revenge do the same. I hope that all elected officials and community leaders will join me in denouncing both.”

Youngkin's office, as well as the Earle-Seares and Spanberger campaigns, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

Turning Point USA says it has seen an unprecedented surge of interest in its grassroots network following Erika Kirk’s first public remarks after the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk.

Minnesota State Representative Elliott Engen shared a screenshot on X reporting that the group has received 18,000 new chapter requests since Erika spoke Friday night.

According to the message, TPUSA previously had 9,000 college chapters and 1,100 high school chapters. “This is the Turning Point,” the message read.

Engen’s post quickly spread across the platform, drawing more than 1.2 million views by Saturday morning.

The surge comes as Turning Point USA has vowed to continue Charlie Kirk’s mission through expanded campus tours, upcoming conferences, and daily broadcasts of "The Charlie Kirk Show."

Turning Point USA announced Saturday that a public memorial service for Charlie Kirk will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Doors will open at 8 a.m. local time with the program scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

The service will honor Kirk’s life and legacy as the founder of Turning Point USA, a national leader, and a voice for faith, family, and freedom.

According to the memorial's website, fightforcharlie.com, pre-registration is required for attendees.

Kirk, who was 31, spent his life dedicated to building a grassroots movement aimed at equipping young Americans with the confidence to defend their beliefs.

TPUSA's page describes his work as a testament to his faith in God and his love of country. They say his legacy is best reflected in the words from Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Country music star John Rich paused his concert with fellow musician Kenny Alphin in Georgia this week to deliver a moving tribute to Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.

“About 48 hours ago, the devil’s army murdered one of God’s Christian soldiers,” Rich told the crowd. He recalled meeting Kirk at Turning Point USA events, describing him as “a dad, a patriot, a Christian… one of the best guys you’ve ever met in your life.”

Rich praised Kirk’s willingness to engage with opponents respectfully. “He would sit down, calmly, and have a discussion with people that disagreed with him. He offered the microphone to thousands of people and gave them millions of impressions so they could say their point of view. He allowed Americans to be heard that had an opinion that differed from his own.”

The country star grew somber as he reflected on Kirk’s young family. “You see a young man, 31 years old, got two kids under the age of five, got a young wife. Never committed a crime, never hurt anybody, and they killed him.”

Rich then led the audience in a moment of silence, asking for prayers for Erika Kirk and the couple’s children. “Pray for Charlie Kirk’s family, his wife and his kids, that the Holy Spirit will come comfort them in this time of devastation.”

He closed with a call to faith. “If you hadn’t given your life to Jesus Christ yet, you’d better think about it long and hard right now… They aim to kill every last one of us and they just proved it with Charlie Kirk. So defend yourself, exercise your Second Amendment, protect your family, protect yourself, and pray for His mercy on that victory.”

Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika posted a photo to Instagram showing her paying tribute to her late husband as he lied in his casket. 

“They have no idea what they just ignited within this wife. If they thought my husband’s mission was big now, you have no idea,” Erika Kirk wrote in a caption next to the photo. “You. All of you. Will never. Ever. Forget my husband Charlie Kirk. I’ll make sure of it.” 

In a video shared by Erika Kirk, she is heard saying “I love you” repeatedly as she kisses Charlie’s hand. 

Nasdaq fired an employee over social media posts related to Charlie Kirk in the wake of his assassination.  

“We are aware of social media posts by an employee regarding the shooting of Charlie Kirk that were a clear violation of our policy,” the company said in a statement on X.  

“Nasdaq has a zero-tolerance policy toward violence and any commentary that condones or celebrates violence. The employee in question has been terminated, effective immediately,” it added. 

EXCLUSIVE: President Trump on Saturday praised FBI Director Kash Patel for the remarkable speed in which the bureau identified and captured Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was nabbed in his hometown of Washington, Utah, just 33 hours after he allegedly shot Kirk from a rooftop on the campus of Utah Valley University. The captured came after a frantic manhunt that began with only grainy images of the suspect's figure fleeing the scene.

"I am very proud of the FBI," Trump said, speaking exclusively with Fox News Digital. "Kash—and everyone else—they have done a great job."

Officials shared with Fox News Digital new details of the timeline of the investigation into the identification and arrest of Tyler Robinson and the unusual hands-on role Patel played in the process.

Patel was walked through the entire crime scene, and stood where Kirk was murdered. Patel walked each step the suspect took, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Patel also went to the rooftop where Robinson had allegedly perched and retraced his steps as he fled, including into the wooded area where the gun, a Mauser 30.06 rifle, was found.

Patel personally directed agents as they processed evidence and prepared to send it to Quantico, ATF labs, or local labs. Sources told Fox News Digital that Patel then directed the evidence to be loaded onto a plane with initial forensics and evidence collected and sent it back to the FBI labs for processing.

A law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that, typically, when evidence is collected in an investigation, an agent ships it to the labs. But the source said Patel directed that the evidence and fingerprints be sent back to Quantico via plane—traveling back and forth from Utah collecting and delivering evidence.

The source added: "The evidence was getting back to the labs in rapid-speed. That’s why he was caught so quickly." 

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen paid tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk during Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants by wearing a hat on the mound that featured Kirk’s name alongside a cross.

Treinen, who speaks openly about his faith, came into the Dodgers’ game in the ninth inning, and fans noticed that the pitcher had a message written on his cap.

"Charlie Kirk," the inscription on his hat read. A cross was also prominently featured. 

Kirk, 31, was assassinated Wednesday during a campus event at Utah Valley University. The married father of two was struck by a single bullet and later pronounced dead. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident, was arrested as a suspect in the killing.