There has been a lot of buzz online about Erika Kirk possibly running for president in 2028 after her appearance and speech at her late husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial on September 21 in Arizona.
The event was attended by big names like President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Elon Musk. But what really got people talking was the fireworks display that went off when Erika took the stage.
People could not stop criticising how out-of-place the fireworks seemed at a memorial service, turning it into a heated debate online.
🚨 BREAKING: Mrs. Erika Kirk just took the stage, with BIG support from the crowd
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 21, 2025
She stopped and prayed as the crowd chanted “ERIKA! WE LOVE YOU!”
She is an absolute WARRIOR! pic.twitter.com/dRbyfhuZ7u
Why were there fireworks?
Charlie Kirk’s spokesman, Andrew Kolvet, explained that it was something the Turning Point USA team loved doing at their events.
He mentioned that Charlie himself had enjoyed the effect, and said, “We don’t grieve the way the world grieves. We refuse to let the evil that killed Charlie take away our joy in remembering his incredible life.”
What did Erika say at the memorial?
At the memorial, Erika, who is now taking over as CEO of Turning Point USA, spoke about her faith.
She began her speech by thanking everyone for coming to honour Charlie, saying, “God bless all of you for coming here from all over the world to honor and celebrate my Charlie.”
She shared a heart-wrenching story about seeing Charlie’s body in the hospital, saying she felt a deep sadness. But she also mentioned that when she looked at him, she saw a faint smile on his lips, which she felt was a message from God.
Erika described how, even in death, Charlie was at peace, and that his last moments were filled with love and no pain.
Through tears, Erika forgave the person who killed her husband, explaining that Charlie had always wanted to save people, even the one who took his life.
She quoted a line from the Bible, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” and said, “I forgive him because it is what Christ would do, and it is what Charlie would do.”
With her emotional speech, powerful entrance, and new role as Turning Point USA’s CEO, many are now speculating if Erika might be preparing to run for president in 2028.
‘This looks like a plan for 2028’
Netizens posted their opinion on the post. A user on TeamBlind wrote, “The Charlie Kirk “memorial” event looked more like a political rally than a funeral. Who the hell walks out to pyrotechnics and sparklers at their husband’s funeral? This whole thing is starting to look like 1 big plan to make Erika the first female president.”
Another added, “My guess is this Charlie Kirk stuff is going to die off (no pun intended) soon, and the right, including the wife, are trying to milk as much as they can from it. After everyone moves onto the next news cycle, the wife will be irrelevant again.”
“How many grieving widows do you know that prepare a WWE walkout for their husband’s eulogy?,” questioned another
“Kirk is anti dei, he said women must submit to a man,” wrote a user. “It wasn’t a memorial. It was a cult doing a political rally,” added another.
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