A storm has erupted online after Candace Owens shared a leaked conference call featuring Erika Kirk, just two weeks after the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk.
Owens, known for her sharp conservative commentary, criticized the widow’s tone and behavior during the call, calling it “weird” and “strange.”
Erika Kirk Addresses Staff Amid Tragedy
In the Zoom meeting, Erika Kirk, recently appointed CEO and chairman of Turning Point USA, spoke to employees following Charlie’s memorial in Phoenix, Arizona — an event attended by Donald Trump and broadcast globally.
Despite the heavy grief surrounding her husband’s death, Erika praised her team for their hard work and expressed cautious optimism for the organization’s future.
“Since his assassination, we have just shy of 100,000 chapter requests, over 300,000 new donors, over 50,000 new hat orders,” she told staff.
“I’m listing these because I want to put it into perspective. We’re not just sitting there looking at the wall trying to figure out what we’re doing.”
She acknowledged that her excitement might feel unusual in the midst of tragedy.
“It’s weird to say that I’m excited. I really hesitate saying that.
But I think it comes from a space of peace knowing that God’s using this and we’re humbly witnessing the gospel in real time.”
Owens Criticizes the Widow’s Optimism
Owens, who hosts one of the world’s largest podcasts, slammed Erika for discussing donations and merchandise metrics so soon after Charlie’s death.
“We are not even two weeks after watching your husband be assassinated.
We’re talking about numbers and metrics that have been hit,” Owens said, adding that employees had found Erika’s tone off-putting.
She also questioned whether Erika’s encouragement to staff to continue working while grieving could make employees feel uncomfortable or compare their own grief to the widow’s.
Balancing Grief and Leadership
During the call, Erika praised staff for long hours leading up to the memorial and urged them to set aside personal conflicts and take time off if needed.
“If you have any issues, please put them to rest.
Like my husband’s dead. It puts life into perspective how short life is,” she said. She reminded employees to use TPUSA’s network of counselors and take paid leave if necessary.
Erika also sought to inspire her team with a spiritual perspective, telling staff that Charlie was “watching TPUSA from heaven” and would be proud of their achievements.
“We have so much to do, which is exciting,” she said.
Owens Highlights Laughter and Heaven References
Owens criticized Erika’s laughter and repeated mentions of Charlie in heaven, calling them “very strange.”
She suggested that the combination of grief, humor, and optimism created discomfort for those listening to the call.
The Broader Context
This latest criticism is part of an ongoing series of attacks by Owens against Erika Kirk, whose podcast draws tens of millions of viewers each week.
Owens has accused the widow of leveraging Charlie’s legacy for personal gain and changing TPUSA’s direction from the late founder’s vision.
Erika has not publicly responded to Owens’ attacks but has previously condemned conspiracy theorists spreading false claims about Charlie’s assassination.
In December, she told CBS News and Fox that she refuses to engage with those spreading hateful and baseless allegations.
The Tragic Event Behind the Headlines
Charlie Kirk was shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with his murder.
The incident left TPUSA and its supporters in shock, and the subsequent leadership transition to Erika Kirk has been under intense public scrutiny ever since.
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