Additional Coverage:
- Erika Kirk forced to cancel Turning Point event with JD Vance after ‘serious threats’ (themirror.com)
Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, withdrew from the organization’s scheduled event in Athens, Georgia, on Tuesday due to serious threats against her, according to spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, who stepped in to fill her role on stage.
Kolvet addressed the audience, explaining, “I’m on stage here instead of our friend Erika Kirk. That’s right, because unfortunately, she has received some very serious threats in her direction. It’s a terrible reflection on the state of reality and the state of the country, but it underscores a larger point that she has received a lot of attacks from some surprising places.”
The event also featured Vice President JD Vance, who had recently returned from Hungary where he sought support for former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Vance arrived at the university around 5:22 p.m., greeted by students sporting “FREEDOM” hats.
Vance acknowledged concerns about the event’s viability earlier in the day. “I was a little worried that we were going to have to cancel the event because Erika was not going to come.
And she was very worried about it. I talked to the Secret Service, and obviously these guys do a very good job.
I said, ‘You know what? Let’s let Erika do what she needs to do for herself and her family.’
I’m sure Andrew will fill in, and let’s go and make this an amazing event,” he said.
Erika Kirk, who took over as CEO of Turning Point USA following the tragic death of her husband, founder Charlie Kirk, has been a vocal supporter of Vance, endorsing his presidential campaign last December. At a previous Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, she stated, “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for ’48 in the most resounding way possible.”
Earlier this month, Kirk and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt co-hosted a Turning Point USA event at George Washington University. Despite facing online trolling, Kirk remained unfazed, telling The Irish Star, “I really do not care.
There will be people that are like, ‘Did you see what they’re saying about you on X?’ Like, no… I don’t have time.
And actually, quite frankly, I really do not care.”
Erika assumed leadership of Turning Point USA after her husband, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10 of last year. The suspected shooter, Tyler James Robinson, 22, faces multiple charges including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.
Charlie Kirk was a prominent conservative figure known for his outspoken views on politics, gender, and race. A strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, he founded Turning Point USA in 2012, which grew into one of the largest conservative youth organizations in the country. Charlie was well-known for engaging college students in debates across campuses nationwide.
Following this tragedy, Erika Kirk has taken on the responsibility of leading the organization and serving as its public face during a challenging time.