Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, faced mockery online for promoting an upcoming appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show, while also claiming she would spend time with family after being in attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner when the shooting occurred.
Kirk, 37, was one of the thousands of guests at the annual dinner who were interrupted by gunfire when an armed man rushed security at the Washington Hilton Hotel, in what officials have said was an attempt to assassinate the president. She and the other guests were unharmed, though visibly shaken.
“Saturday was yet another traumatic example of the evil in our country and the continued rise in political violence. I’m taking time to spend with my family,” Kirk wrote on X Monday evening.
“I will be joining The Charlie Kirk Show Wednesday at 12PM ET to briefly address what took place. Enough is enough,” she added.
Kirk has risen to prominence in Republican media circles since her husband’s death last year. She has taken over Turning Point USA and continued to promote its message of conservative Christian views. Her public appearances have often attracted attention, however.
This time around was no different.
On social media, people accused Kirk of capitalizing on a traumatic event to promote her brand as well as Turning Point USA.
“Erika Kirk: I will be spending time with family by doing an unnecessary media appearance,” James Li, a political commentator on YouTube, wrote.
Matt Strickland, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for a Virginia state office seat, responded to Kirk, “Why is she at every Republican event now? Where are her children that just lost their dad? Something feels off.”
“How many fireworks will have to lose their lives for Erika’s grift to continue?” Jack Cocchiarella, a political commentator, wrote – referring to Kirk walking out to pyrotechnics at her husband’s televised memorial.
Even though Kirk was captured by CNN’s Sara Sidner leaving the Washington Hilton Hotel in tears, saying, “I just want to go home,” people still accused her of faking her distress.
Meanwhile, conservative commentators such as Matt Walsh and Ian Miles Cheong, criticized members of the public for constantly scrutinizing Kirk.
The attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner occurred Saturday evening before the event got underway.
A gunman, identified by authorities as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly rushed through the security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives – seeking to harm senior members of the Trump administration. Allen reportedly left a note with his family, indicating he was disgruntled with the government’s leadership.
While nobody was killed, one Secret Service member was shot in the chest but was largely protected by a bulletproof vest.
Allen was charged Monday with attempting to assassinate the president as well as two felony firearm charges.
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