Erika Kirk Withdraws from UGA Event Over Threats

Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and current CEO of Turning Point USA, withdrew from a planned appearance on Tuesday at a university event in Athens, Georgia, alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance after receiving threats to her life, Vance said.

The event, hosted by Turning Point USA at Akins Ford Arena on the University of Georgia campus, proceeded without Kirk, drawing a crowd of students and supporters. Vance addressed the audience, explaining that Kirk's decision stemmed from safety concerns that had her "very worried" just hours before the start. "I know that she did get some threats," Vance said. "I was a little worried that we were going to have to cancel the event because Erika was not going to come." He added that he consulted with the Secret Service, which assured him of adequate protection for the gathering, though he provided no specifics on the nature of the threats directed at Kirk.

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet, who joined Vance onstage, described the situation as "a terrible reflection on the state of reality and the state of the country." He noted that Kirk had faced attacks "from surprising places," prompting Vance...