**Charlie Kirk’s Widow Erika Slammed Over “Grotesque” Assassination Tent Display at TurningPoint USA’s AmericaFest**
*Published: Dec. 22, 2025, 5:45 p.m. ET*
Erika Kirk, the widow of political activist Charlie Kirk, has come under fire for what critics have called a “grotesque” display featured during TurningPoint USA’s AmericaFest event over the weekend.
At the convention, a “photo op” was set up featuring a recreation of the tent where Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University in September, RadarOnline.com has revealed. The display allowed attendees to pose next to a replica of the tent, which has sparked outrage on social media.
Erika, 37, who was appointed CEO of TurningPoint USA—the conservative organization her late husband co-founded—following Charlie’s death, faced widespread backlash as photos of smiling attendees posing beside the tent began circulating online.
One outraged user on X questioned, “Why would you get your picture taken in the murder tent, smiling and posing for the camera? Disgusting behavior.” Another added, “It gets worse: Outside the AmericaFest venue, TPUSA recreated the tent he was killed in so people could take photos with his portrait. Just a grotesque country.”
### Backlash Mounts Amid AmericaFest Controversy
Criticism intensified when videos of Erika Kirk happily throwing “47” hats—representing Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States—went viral. In the footage, she is seen grinning while tossing white baseball caps into the cheering crowd from a small stage mimicking her late husband’s “Prove Me Wrong” debate setup.
Social media users reacted furiously. One commented, “Erika Kirk is making a mockery of Charlie’s murder. The assassination tent for selfie photo ops and her throwing hats as if she’s Charlie. TPUSA is a disgrace.” Another accused Erika of orchestrating the display, stating, “The CEO chose that tent. Who does that level of creep show? Erika.”
Questions about the widow’s sincerity surfaced as some accused her of exploiting grief for personal gain. “All I see out of Erika is grift not grief. We all handle grief differently, but she isn’t grieving, she is grifting,” wrote one user. “I’ve seen better acting from high school drama kids!”
Several critics also highlighted Erika’s behavior, including throwing merchandise to the crowd, wearing lavish outfits—such as the sequin pantsuit she donned at AmericaFest—and the use of pyrotechnics during her introduction to thousands of attendees. A satirical comment joked, “Erika Kirk using a trampoline to dunk a basketball before shooting a t-shirt cannon into a crowd: I can’t believe my husband is dead.”
### Erika Kirk’s Notable “Freudian Slip” Sparks More Mockery
Erika was further mocked online after stumbling over her words while introducing a college student on stage at the conference. “Despite the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, my incredible husband, at UVU, Caleb has persisted with the same grift, excuse me … grit,” she said, awkwardly laughing at herself and adding, “it has been a long day.”
Social media users quickly seized on the slip. One called it the “Greatest Freudian slip of all time followed by shameless grin of all time.” Another remarked, “That was a slip for the ages. Can’t unsee it now.”
### Erika Endorses JD Vance Amid Relationship Rumors
During AmericaFest, Erika also endorsed Vice President JD Vance as the next Republican presidential nominee. Their unusually intimate hug at the event sparked rumors about their relationship just weeks after Charlie’s murder, fueling further speculation and discussion online.
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The controversy surrounding Erika Kirk and the TurningPoint USA event highlights ongoing tensions and reactions within conservative circles in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic death.
https://radaronline.com/p/erika-charlie-kirk-slammed-tent-photo-turningpoint-usa-americafest/