NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk accepted the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at the 2025 Fox Nation Patriot Awards.
In a somber moment, Erika Kirk reflected on her late husband and his enduring vision for the nation.
“Charlie would always tell myself and others that America is worth fighting for, and it is, always will be,” she said Thursday night in Brookville, New York.
Erika Kirk is the first recipient of the award, which honors individuals who champion her late husband’s values of freedom of speech, faith and family. Since his death, Erika Kirk has worked to carry on her husband’s mission, leading the group he started more than a decade ago. She recalled one of his favorite sayings.
“It’s not how I’m saying it that’s upsetting people. It’s the fact that I’m saying the truth that’s upsetting people,” she said.
ERIKA KIRK REVEALS HEARTBREAKING EXCHANGE WITH VETERAN POLICE OFFICER AFTER HUSBAND’S ASSASSINATION
Charlie Kirk was killed Sept. 10 on the campus of Utah Valley University. He is survived by two young children and would have celebrated his 32nd birthday last October.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, launching a movement aimed at promoting conservative values to young Americans. That mission often took him to college campuses, where he spoke with students.
ERIKA KIRK REFLECTS ON LIFE, LOSS AND FAITH IN FIRST TV INTERVIEW SINCE CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH
Erika Kirk followed that example, speaking at the University of Mississippi to a packed house only weeks after her husband’s death.
“Evil wins when good people stay silent,” said Kirk as she accepted the award, vowing to never stop speaking out.
“And so, for the rest of my life, I will make sure that I don’t stay silent. I’ll keep speaking the truth, no matter the cost.”
Kirk was “unanimously elected” as the new CEO and chair of Turning Point USA’s board, according to a statement from the organization.
“It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie’s side,” wrote Turning Point USA.
“And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA.”
FOX NATION 2025 PATRIOT AWARDS TO HONOR FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP, ERIKA KIRK IN NEW YORK
Country star Jason Aldean and his wife, Brittany Aldean, joined Fox News’s Jesse Watters to present Kirk with the award. The honor will become a permanent part of the Patriot Awards.
Kirk sat down for an exclusive interview with Watters, where she discussed learning of her husband’s death, the upcoming trial, and her new leadership role.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Other award categories at the ceremony included Young Patriot, Heroism, the T2T Stephen Siller Award, Most Valuable Patriot, and Salute to Service.
Since its creation in 2019, the Patriot Awards have become one of Fox Nation’s most anticipated annual events, celebrating unity, service, and patriotism.
Fox Nation programs are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox Nation personalities.
Read the full article here
