Erika Kirk got visibly emotional while being honored by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address.
Charlie Kirk’s widow, 37, was spotted at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, February 24, to experience Trump’s remarks live and in person.
“So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife Erika is with us tonight,” Trump, 79, told attendees before asking Erika, 37, to “stand” as the crowd applauded, to which she declined.
She began to tear up and blot her face as Trump continued his speech, telling her, “You’ve been through a lot.”
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“In Charlie’s memory we must all come together to re-affrim that America is one nation, under God, and we must totally reject all political violence of any kind,” he added.
Hours before the address, Turning Point USA spokesman Matt Shupe explained why Erika wanted to attend the address.
“President Trump has been a source of strength for Erika, constantly checking in with her over the last five months, and Erika is incredibly honored to be invited by the president to attend tonight’s State of the Union,” Shupe told The Daily Wire on Tuesday. “Erika has been thrust into an enormously important role by fate and tragedy — and because Charlie chose her should the horrible moment ever come — and she has risen to the occasion with grace, dignity and a lot of hard work.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed that Erika would be in attendance for the State of the Union, which she promised would “celebrate 250 glorious years of our nation’s independence and excellence, highlighting incredible stories of American heroes throughout the speech.”
According to Leavitt, the president will call on Congress to firmly reject political violence against fellow citizens.
Erika’s life changed forever in September 2025 when her husband was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31.
A public memorial was held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona and was attended by both Trump, 79, and Vice President JD Vance.
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One month after the memorial, Erika and Vance, 41, reunited at a Turning Points USA event where they embraced each other with a hug.
At the event, Erika honored her late husband before introducing the vice president to the crowd.
“No one will ever replace my husband,” Erika said at the time. “But I do see some similarities of my husband in JD — in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And that’s why I am so blessed to be able to introduce him.”
In November 2025, Erika found herself answering some lingering questions about her onstage hug with Vance.
“My love language is touch, if you will,” Erika explained during an appearance on Megyn Kelly Live. “I will give you a play-by-play: They just played the emotional video. I’m walking over, [JD] is walking over. I’m starting to cry. He says, ‘I’m so proud of you.’ And I say, ‘God bless you,’ and I touch the back of his head. Anyone whom I have hugged, that I have touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, ‘God bless you.’”
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Hugs aside, Erika has continued to document her grieving journey on social media.
In her first Valentine’s Day without Charlie, the Turning Points USA CEO shared a love letter from her late husband on social media.
“What I would give for one more love letter…” she wrote via Instagram on February 13. “I love you Charlie baby, you will always be my Valentine ❤️.”
