Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has been named the new CEO and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA, the influential right-wing youth advocacy group her late husband founded.
The appointment comes just two days after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on a university campus in Utah.
The alleged shooter, a 22-year-old man, has been charged with murder.
In a message to supporters, Erika Kirk vowed to carry on her husband’s mission.
“The movement my husband built will not die,” she said.
Turning Point USA confirmed her appointment on Thursday in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the decision had been made unanimously by the board.
“In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death,” the statement added.
Charlie Kirk’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief across conservative circles, where he was praised as a leading voice for free speech and Christian values.
In a rare move, President Donald Trump ordered flags flown at half-mast nationwide, while Vice President JD Vance personally traveled to Utah to retrieve Kirk’s remains.
However, the tragedy has also reignited political tensions in the United States.
Several individuals have reportedly been dismissed from their jobs for making mocking or celebratory posts about Kirk’s death on social media.
Among those facing backlash is late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was suspended indefinitely by ABC following controversial remarks made during Tuesday’s broadcast.
