She stressed that the constant stream of accusations and false narratives forces her and her team to relive the tragedy repeatedly. The emotional toll, she said, has been immense. “We are human. Every time they bring this back up, what are we supposed to do? Relive that trauma all over again?” she asked, adding that her team is “rocked to the core.”
Her remarks come amid a wave of unfounded claims being circulated by some commentators, including conservative figure Candace Owens. Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was assassinated during a live event at the Utah university, shocking conservative circles across the United States.
Erika Kirk emphasised that while she has largely refused to respond publicly to conspiracy theories, her silence should not be taken as submission or agreement. She said she is fully committed to pursuing the truth behind her husband’s killing and made clear that investigators will leave “no stone unturned.” She accused certain online personalities of exploiting the tragedy for profit, earning significant sums by suggesting a cover-up involving her or her colleagues.
She urged critics to direct their attacks at her rather than at staff members who directly witnessed the shooting. Many of them, she said, are still deeply shaken. “Come after me, call me names — I don’t care. But when you go after the people that I love — no,” she said. Describing her team as family, she said she has personally seen how damaging the rumours and targeted harassment have become. “Why every single day do they have to be dragged through the mud?” she asked.
Despite the pressure, Erika Kirk vowed she would not be intimidated or deterred. “This is a duty to my husband, and it’s an absolute honour. And I will never back down. My message is to stop — to stop.”
Candace Owens escalated the controversy earlier this week by promoting a new, unverified theory claiming the U.S. military was involved in Charlie Kirk’s assassination. She cited what she said was an anonymous email from someone claiming to be a service member, but provided no evidence and did not share the message. Her post quickly spread across social media platforms, adding fuel to ongoing speculation. Authorities have provided no indication that Owens’ claims have any factual basis.
The swirl of theories continues to overshadow the official investigation into the September shooting, compounding grief within the Turning Point community and prompting Erika Kirk’s public appeal for restraint, accountability, and respect for those mourning a devastating loss.
