Kathryn Kirk Rejects Rift Claims, Backs Erika’s Leadership

Kathryn Kirk rejected online claims of a rift with her daughter-in-law, Erika Kirk, saying the two grew closer after the death of Kathryn’s son, Charlie Kirk, and that his family supported Erika’s leadership of Turning Point USA. Her remarks appeared in a Vanity Fair interview published September 29, the first time she had spoken to journalists since her son was killed, according to the profile. Kathryn said public speculation had treated her silence as evidence of conflict. She dismissed claims that Charlie’s parents blamed Erika for his death or were fighting with her over his will or the future of Turning Point USA. Kathryn said the women had grown closer through their shared grief and understood the depth of each other’s loss. The profile reported that she became tearful while discussing how her son would have felt about the online treatment of his wife. Accounts in the profile from Turning Point board members, Erika and people close to the couple said Charlie had made clear he wanted Erika to lead the organization if anything happened to him. Kathryn said her son had kept his parents out of succession conversations because they would have intensified their fears.