Erika Kirk, widow of the late conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk, has had enough of the wild theories swirling around her husband’s tragic assassination.
In a powerful moment during a CBS News town hall, Erika Kirk publicly called out Candace Owens, a former Turning Point USA employee, for peddling unfounded conspiracy narratives about Charlie’s death and baseless financial accusations against the organization he founded.
Charlie Kirk, a titan of the conservative youth movement, founded Turning Point USA, a group dedicated to promoting traditional values on college campuses.
Tragically, Charlie was assassinated in September, leaving behind a legacy of bold ideas and a grieving widow, Erika, who now leads the organization.
The day after his death, Candace Owens, once considered a close friend with a bond described as sibling-like, posted a nearly 25-minute video honoring Charlie’s career and principles.
But in the months since, Owens has veered into troubling territory, spreading unverified claims about the circumstances of Charlie’s murder and alleging fraud within Turning Point USA’s finances.
Erika Kirk isn’t standing for it, and her frustration boiled over during the CBS News town hall, set to air Saturday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
“Stop. That’s it. That’s all I have to say. Stop,” Erika declared, her words a raw plea to halt the damaging speculation (CBS News).
It’s a gut punch of a statement—three words carrying the weight of grief and exasperation, aimed squarely at shutting down narratives that tarnish her husband’s memory.
On top of the conspiracy theories, Owens’ financial accusations against Turning Point USA have been met with hard evidence to the contrary.
Last week, the Treasury Department sent Erika a letter confirming that none of the tax-exempt entities under her oversight are under IRS investigation, debunking the fraud claims outright.
A senior Treasury official didn’t mince words, stating, “The IRS is able to provide this type of information upon request by the taxpayer. And in this case, it’s hideous that malicious lies and smears obligated [Erika Kirk] to make the request” (CBS News).
That official’s comment stings, highlighting how baseless rumors can force a widow to defend her husband’s legacy while still mourning his loss.
The CBS News town hall, with an extended version airing on CBS News 24/7 on Sunday at multiple times and available on their YouTube channel, will dive deeper into Erika’s journey through faith, grief, and her vision for the American right.
Adding to the poignancy, Charlie’s posthumous book, “Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life,” was released just days before the town hall, a final testament to his enduring voice in conservative thought.
