Erika Kirk was scheduled to appear at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia on Tuesday night, but was forced to stay home after receiving what organizers described as “very serious threats.”
Vice President JD Vance still moved forward with his planned appearance and delivered remarks to students at the event, which proceeded as scheduled with TPUSA leader Andrew Kolvet taking Kirk&#8217;s place. Vance addressed Erika Kirk’s absence at the start, saying he had been concerned the event might be canceled. He said he spoke with the Secret Service and ultimately told Kirk to “do what she needs to do for herself and her family.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEWS: Erika Kirk had to skip tonight’s TPUSA event due to threats, <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewKolvet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AndrewKolvet</a> says. He’s interviewing Vice President Vance in her place. <a href="https://t.co/IxJgycjexU">pic.twitter.com/IxJgycjexU</a>
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/2044172520446632357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2026</a></blockquote>
A Turning Point USA official told The Daily Wire late Tuesday evening that the organization’s security had been monitoring threats to Kirk in the days leading up to the Athens event.
Kirk’s travel location was doxxed numerous times and people were trying to track her arrival and departure, the official said, noting that there were multiple direct threats against Kirk herself specifically. This ultimately led to her security’s assessment that they couldn’t guarantee her safety.
“The event venue itself was fine, especially once VP was on site, but it was the travel portion that was of chief concern,” the official told The Daily Wire. “Her children are one parent away from being orphans and so we take security’s assessments and advice seriously.”
Erika Kirk posted on X during the event, saying that &#8220;after all our family has been through, I take my security team’s recommendations extremely seriously.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I was so looking forward to tonight’s event at the <a href="https://twitter.com/universityofga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@universityofga</a> with our Vice President <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JDVance</a>, but after all our family has been through, I take my security team’s recommendations extremely seriously. Thank you to our amazing Georgia chapter for your support. God bless you… <a href="https://t.co/f2rBre9ArJ">https://t.co/f2rBre9ArJ</a>
— Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrsErikaKirk/status/2044192481240121823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2026</a></blockquote>
The suspect charged in the assassination of Erika Kirk&#8217;s late husband, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk’s, remains in custody and faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. Charlie Kirk was assassinated in 2025 while speaking at a campus event. Since then, Erika Kirk has taken on a more public role leading the organization and continuing its work nationwide.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Newsy remarks from VP Vance:
&#8211; People attacking Erika Kirk instead of those harming the US are part of the problem, not the solution. 
&#8211; He called Kash Patel about the attacks on <a href="https://twitter.com/Savsays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Savsays</a> on the way down here and Patel promised to investigate the left wing groups involved 
&#8211; He… <a href="https://t.co/ef8Q6WRsqw">pic.twitter.com/ef8Q6WRsqw</a>
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/2044177283536068885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2026</a></blockquote>
Her decision to step back comes as she has also been at the center of a growing controversy involving commentator Candace Owens, who recently announced an “investigative series” targeting Kirk titled “Bride of Charlie.”
The series has sparked backlash across the conservative movement. Daily Wire editor emeritus Ben Shapiro blasted Owens in a recent video, calling Owens an “evil, twisted human being” and accusing her of profiting off Charlie Kirk’s assassination by promoting conspiracy theories and targeting his widow. Shapiro urged Erika Kirk to “sue the living hell” out of Owens over the project.
Vance delivered an emotional defense of Erika Kirk, describing the grief she’s endured since her husband’s assassination and blasting critics who have questioned her.
Vance reflected on the raw, unpredictable nature of grief — saying Kirk has been navigating overwhelming emotions while also trying to preserve Charlie Kirk’s legacy and care for her children, who may grow up without lasting memories of their father.
He said the attacks against her have been “one of the most disgraceful things” he’s seen in public life, before sharing a deeply personal moment he witnessed alongside his wife after Charlie Kirk’s death.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>: “The people telling you that Erika wasn&#8217;t grieving her husband are full of shit.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/7qpQUZi80y">pic.twitter.com/7qpQUZi80y</a>
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/2044189017604817229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2026</a></blockquote>
“I was there with her, I was holding her hand, my wife was hugging her while we loaded Charlie’s body onto Air Force Two and said the Lord’s Prayer,” Vance said. “The people telling you that Erika wasn’t grieving her husband are full of sh*t.”
Owens has used her platform in recent months to push a range of claims about the killing of Charlie Kirk, including allegations implicating various figures and institutions — claims that have drawn widespread criticism.
The University of Georgia event was part of a broader campus tour by Turning Point USA aimed at engaging college students nationwide.
This piece was updated with additional information from Turning Point USA. 

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

TPUSA Explains Why Erika Kirk Was Forced To Skip Event With JD Vance

CONTINUE READING

Spencer Pratt Torches Karen Bass With ‘Reality TV Star Vs. Terrorist’ Takedown

Everyone Go To Aliens.Gov Right Now. Just Trust Us.

Pam Bondi’s Private Health Struggle After DOJ Exit

Purple Heart Hero Mocked By Graham Platner Has One Question For Dems

Trump Drops Signed, Sealed, Nearly Delivered Update On Iran Deal

Muslim NFL Player’s Post Criticizing Pro-Trump Teammate Backfires

News

Erika Kirk

JD Vance

Turning Point USA

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

TPUSA Explains Why Erika Kirk Was Forced To Skip Event With JD Vance