Erika Kirk Misses JD Vance Event Following Threats
Erika Kirk has canceled her participation in a Turning Point USA event featuring Vice President JD Vance due to reported security threats.
Kirk, 37, was set to headline the political group’s University of Georgia event with Vance, 41, on Tuesday, April 14, but announced her withdrawal through X that evening.
“I was really looking forward to tonight’s event … but after everything our family has endured, I take my security team’s advice very seriously,” she posted on the social media platform. “Thank you to our wonderful Georgia chapter for your support. God bless you all!”
Erika, the chairwoman and CEO of Turning Point USA following the September 2025 assassination of her husband and cofounder Charlie Kirk, was substituted by Andrew Kolvet.
“I’m on stage here in place of our friend Erika Kirk because unfortunately she has faced some very serious threats, which is unfortunate,” Kolvet stated during the event. “It’s a sad reflection of the reality we live in today.”
Us Weekly has contacted Erika’s team for further comments.
Kolvet, representing Turning Point USA, further elaborated on Erika’s withdrawal with the vice president, who shared Kolvet’s concerns.
“First of all, I care for Erika deeply. I know she has received threats. Just two hours ago, Andrew, I was concerned that we might have to cancel the event since Erika wasn’t coming, and she was quite anxious about it,” Vance remarked, according to Fox 5 Atlanta, which noted that the vice president consulted with the Secret Service before the event.
Vance added, “I said, ‘Let’s allow Erika to make the best decision for herself and her family.’ Those claiming that Erika isn’t grieving her husband are completely misinformed. And if your reaction is to target a young mother during her time of grief, perhaps you need to focus on your own issues instead?”
Erika, who has a daughter born in 2022 and a son born in 2024 with the late Charlie, has publicly expressed her commitment to honoring her husband after his passing. (Charlie was tragically shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025, at the age of 31.)
“[Charlie] knew that evil triumphs when good people remain silent,” the widow stated at Fox Nation’s Patriot Awards in November 2025. “For the rest of my life, I will ensure that my voice is heard and that I speak the truth, regardless of the consequences. I hope you all do the same for Charlie.”
Charlie’s alleged killer is presently in custody, as the case against the 22-year-old man progresses through the court system. If convicted of aggravated murder in connection with Charlie’s death, as asserted by Utah prosecutors, he could face the death penalty.
