Charlie Kirk’s ‘legacy’ takes center stage at thunderous Turning Point USA event — as emotional Erika enters to slain husband’s own words

The everlasting “future of Charlie Kirk’s legacy” was on full display Wednesday night — as 10,000 people turned out to an emotional Turning Point USA campus event headlined by Vice President JD Vance and featuring Kirk’s widow Erika.

The mom of two was overcome with emotion as a recording of her late husband’s voice introduced her on stage at the University of Mississippi, the school’s Sandy and John Black Pavilion so packed to the rafters that over 3,000 additional supporters had to be turned away at the door.

The mom-of-two was seen crying softly backstage as she steeled herself to address the charged-up crowd.

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“You guys have no idea how helpful it is to have all you in my life … you make me feel even more connected to my husband,”  as thunderous applause broke out.

“He didn’t leave us empty-handed. He built a machine. And all of you are a part of that.” 

It was the first time the widow — who wore a white T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Freedom,” similar to the one Charlie Kirk was wearing the day he was killed — took part in a TPUSA event since his Sept. 10 assassination in Utah.

As she addressed the crowd, cheers of “we love you” echoed through the arena. “Love you guys, too,” she said with a broad smile.

After a rousing address lasting nearly half an hour, Erika Kirk introduced her “very, very dear friend” Vance, who was one of Charlie’s pallbearers as his casket was placed aboard Air Force Two to be transported from Utah to Phoenix for the funeral.

“When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President JD Vance, to speak today, I really prayed on it because, obviously, it’s a very emotional, emotional day,” Kirk told the capacity crowd.

“But I could just hear Charlie in my heart. I could just hear him say, ‘Go reclaim that territory, babe.’ The battle’s already won. God’s love conquers. And that’s why I’m here today,” she continued.

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Vance received a rockstar’s welcome as he took the stage, telling the assembled spectators that they represented “the future of Charlie Kirk’s legacy.”

The VP dispensed with his prepared remarks, opting instead to “speak from the heart” because it was “so often what Charlie would do.” 

He remembered Kirk as the “most effective person in politics that I have seen,” and revealed that the late Turning Point USA founder called him to express concerns before President Trump ordered airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.

“He was mad,” Vance said of the phone call.

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He said Charlie Kirk told him: “JD, I’m really worried – really worried – that what is happening in the Middle East right now is going to lead to a protracted military conflict.”

Vance touted that the strikes on Iran did not result in a prolonged military conflict with Iran, and he credited Charlie Kirk with reminding him how important that issue is to Americans.

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“I really believe that one of the reasons why the president of the United States knocked out the Iranian nuclear facilities, but never got the United States into a protracted military conflict and never lost a single American in a Middle Eastern conflict is because we had the wisdom and the good sense to recognize that the American people are done with American troops dying in unnecessary foreign conflicts … but Charlie Kirk reminded me of that,” Vance said.

At one point, the crowd erupted in chants of “48! 48!” in a clear endorsement of a Vance presidency.

The veep spoke for over an hour, and even took audience questions in the mold of Charlie Kirk’s famous “Prove Me Wrong” events held during TPUSA campus events around the country.

“Please don’t be nervous if you need to work through a question. Think through it, speak it,” he said after inviting students to come up to take the mic. “We’re all here to have a nice conversation, and we’re all supportive of it.”

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A pair of students, Lucy and Ellie, who identified them as part of Ole Miss’ Turning Point USA Chapter, asked Vance how his faith helps him in his role as vice president.

“I grew up in a generation where even if people had very deep personal faith, they didn’t talk about their faith a whole lot. And I grew up in a country where you just didn’t hear political leaders talk about their faith,” he said.

“But the reason I try to be the best husband I can be, the best father I can be, the reason I care so much about all of the issues we’re going to talk about is that I believe I’ve been placed in this position for a brief period of time to do the most amount of good for God and the country that I love so much.”

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Erika Kirk’s speech drew heaps of praise on social media, where users lauded her bravery and poise in the face of such emotion.

“I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for her. What a strong & courageous young woman. God bless & protect her and all of TPUSA,” one X user wrote.

“I don’t know how she’s getting through this,” added another.

“I’m crying hearing Charlie’s voice introduce her. Don’t know how she can hold herself together. Just incredible,” a third wrote.

“Erika Kirk on the Ole Miss stage embodies leadership under loss. May Charlie’s memory guide the room and keep the focus on service and principled governance as the VP is introduced,” a fourth added.