Losing a beloved spouse is heartbreaking enough. But to have it happen live, in front of the entire world, is unimaginable.
Just one day after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump offered a glimpse into how his widow, Erika Frantzve Kirk, is trying to cope with the devastating loss.
Trump spoke with Erika personally
Erika Frantzve Kirk, 36, now faces a mother’s worst nightmare: losing her husband in a public tragedy and suddenly being the sole parent to two small children.
But she has the support of some of the world’s most powerful figures, following the fatal shooting of her husband, Charlie Kirk, at age 31 while he spoke at Utah Valley University.
On September 11, President Donald Trump offered an update on how Erika is coping. He spoke with CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins and said that “She’s absolutely devastated.” Trump also revealed that he has personally spoken with Erika following the tragedy.
The commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety has also confirmed that the family is ‘devastated’.
Erika and Charlie shared a young family together: a 3-year-old daughter and a 15-month-old son, whose names remain private.
While Erika has not spoken publicly about Charlie’s death yet, she did share a Bible verse earlier Wednesday: “Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Rosary clutched tightly
On Thursday, Charlie Kirk’s casket was flown home to Arizona aboard Air Force Two, honoring the conservative activist with a solemn, final journey.
As the plane touched down in Phoenix, a poignant scene unfolded: Kirk’s widow, Erika, stepped off alongside Second Lady Usha Vance, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses. Hand-in-hand, the two women descended the stairs, the weight of the tragedy evident in every slow, careful step. Vice President JD Vance followed a few paces behind, the moment heavy with sorrow and respect.
Throughout the somber procession, Erika’s gaze remained downcast, but one detail captured the attention of everyone present: the rosary she clutched tightly in her hand. Holding the rosary seemed to help her navigate the pain of losing her husband.
As Erika quietly waved to supporters from the backseat of an SUV, the rosary remained in her hand — a tangible sign of faith, strength, and resilience.
Though Erika remains largely private, dozens of Charlie’s friends and fellow public figures have shared their grief online.
Savannah Chrisley, a longtime friend and Turning Point USA member, wrote on Instagram, “I can’t believe I’m even writing these words… Charlie Kirk changed my life… Instead, I sit here with a broken heart, devastated beyond words.”
Donald Trump Jr. also reflected on his bond with Kirk: “Charlie wasn’t just a friend—he was like a little brother to me — and to millions of people around the world. He was a true inspiration… We’ve lost a leader, a fighter, and a man whose character and conviction were rare. Too rare. To think that his life was cut short by a brutal, heinous, evil act is beyond comprehension.”
“Erika is unbelievably strong”
Jack Posobiec, a Turning Point USA contributor, described the heartbreak the family is enduring: “Erika is unbelievably strong. At the same time someone’s going to have to explain to his son and daughter why their dad didn’t come home yesterday… Erika is a prayer warrior, her and Charlie are very devout believers, they are very very deeply Christian. When you see the cameras turn off, the lights go down, they immediately go back to faith – this is something they live 24/7. It is not something that only exists in front of the camera, that is something that they absolutely walk every single day. Because they have that firm reliance in faith, Erika has that ability to be able to go through this with that kind of strength that really only comes from heaven.”
A former Miss Arizona USA and collegiate basketball player, Erika Kirk is currently pursuing a doctorate in Biblical studies at Liberty University. She also founded the faith-based clothing line Proclaim, hosts the Midweek Rise Up podcast, and leads two nonprofit organizations.
The couple shared glimpses of their family life on social media, protecting their children’s privacy while celebrating their milestones. Erika and Charlie’s love story stretches back seven years to their first date in New York City.
Charlie proposed two years later, and they married in May 2021. In a Charlie Kirk Show episode last April, the couple discussed marriage, emphasizing faith, teamwork, and mutual support. Erika said, “You have to continually invest in the confidence in one another, that you’re on the same team. You support each other. You love each other. You’re not going to undercut each other. You’re not going to undercut each other.”
“My husband, Charlie Kirk, is a force,” Erika said during an Arizona rally in May while introducing him as a speaker. “He is bold when the world demands silence.” She also called him “the spiritual head of the family” and the “love of her life,” highlighting both his faith and the deep bond they shared.
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