The Charlie Kirk Show
“Erika Kirk's Town Hall with Bari Weiss and CBS News”
Date: December 15, 2025
Featured Guests: Host Charlie Kirk (in memorial), Erika Kirk, Bari Weiss, Angel Eduardo, Bob Milgram, Hunter Kozak, Rob Henderson, Eric Metaxas, Virginia Abram, and others
Overview
This powerful town hall, moderated by Bari Weiss (CBS News), centers around a deeply personal and timely conversation with Erika Kirk—newly appointed CEO and chairwoman of Turning Point USA—three months after her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was assassinated on a college campus in Utah. The event explores themes of political violence, forgiveness, faith, free speech, antisemitism, leadership, and the new direction for both Turning Point USA and America’s conservative youth.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Aftermath of Charlie Kirk's Assassination
[03:44–06:17]
- Erika reflects on her immediate response to her husband’s murder, describing it as a moment when "the Holy Spirit... unleashed a revival" rather than a call to violence.
- Quote:
“When I said that, that is the Holy Spirit that is unleashed. That is a revival that's unleashed. That's not meant for call to violence... That’s meant for people to understand that the Lord is moving in ways we have no idea.”
– Erika Kirk [05:40]
2. The Dehumanization and Justification of Violence
[06:17–09:10]
- Bari Weiss raises concerns about the public's reaction to Charlie's murder, some justifying it by referencing his controversial statements.
- Erika responds firmly:
- Quote:
“You're sick. He's a human being... You’re enjoying it and you're rejoicing in that. That is evil.”
– Erika Kirk [06:50]
- Quote:
- Bob Milgram echoes, “Evil.” [08:23]
3. Words as Violence and Free Speech on Campuses
[09:10–13:02]
- Audience member Angel Eduardo cites polling: 90% of undergraduates believe “words can be violence;” a third find violence acceptable to stop certain speech.
- Erika insists Charlie never incited violence, instead inviting even vocal opponents to dialogue:
- Quote:
“He gave them a microphone... And what did they do? They gave him a bullet in the neck. Totally different.”
– Erika Kirk [11:01]
- Quote:
- Emphasizes stepping offline for peaceful interpersonal connection and the role of digital technology in dehumanization.
4. Controversial Quotes and Legacy
[13:58–16:57]
- Bari Weiss asks Erika to address polarizing quotes from Charlie:
- Erika urges full-context viewing, defending his love of “excellence” and merit.
- Quote:
“My husband is not to be deteriorated to two sentences... he was brilliant of a man.”
– Erika Kirk [14:59]
5. Political Rhetoric, Trump, and Responsibility
[17:15–20:24]
- Hunter Kozak questions political leaders’ responsibility, referencing Trump’s rhetoric and asking if Erika will condemn it.
- Erika declines to single out Trump, emphasizing the need for responsibility at the family and individual level:
- Quote:
“You can choose to have evil in your heart, or you can choose to have light... No, I will never agree with political violence.”
– Erika Kirk [18:29]
- Quote:
6. Antisemitism: On the Left and the Right
[20:24–26:11]
- Bob Milgram, who lost his daughter to antisemitic violence, asks Erika to address antisemitism, particularly on the right.
- Erika unequivocally condemns it:
- Quote:
“Anti Semitism... is what healing factor comes out of hating Jewish people?... Charlie always would say very clearly Jew hate was brain rot.”
– Erika Kirk [21:59]
- Quote:
- Describes Turning Point USA’s support for Jewish students and dialogue.
7. Conspiracy Theories and Social Media
[26:11–31:41]
- Weiss sums up a slew of online conspiracies about Charlie’s murder and Erika herself.
- Erika asserts belief in the official case, attributes conspiracies to “evil on display where we have social media at our fingertips,” and expresses concern over impacts on legal proceedings.
- On Candace Owens’s role in stoking conspiracies:
- Quote:
“Stop. That's it. That's all I have to say. Stop.”
– Erika Kirk [31:33]
- Quote:
8. Raising the Next Generation of Conservative Leaders
[31:41–35:06]
- Rob Henderson asks how to cultivate positive male role models and alternatives to toxic ideology.
- Erika highlights the qualities of Turning Point USA chapter leaders and the importance of planting seeds of truth:
- Quote:
“It is our responsibility, my responsibility, our team's responsibility, to make sure that our chapters are cultivating those leaders... and then let truth grow from there.”
– Erika Kirk [32:33]
- Quote:
9. Charlie Kirk’s Final Book and Sabbath Observance
[35:06–36:26]
- The focus of Charlie’s last book was on honoring the Sabbath and avoiding burnout.
- Quote:
“If you don't honor it, you’re the one who misses out on the gift, not God.”
– Erika Kirk [35:27]
- Quote:
10. Traditionalism, Women, and the “Trad Wife” vs. Girl Boss Binary
[36:26–42:18]
- Erika deconstructs criticism of her “trad wife” comments, explaining she’s living both roles out of duty and personal conviction.
- She encourages young women to “be the type of woman that will attract a Charlie” and not to settle for less, balancing motherhood and career as seasons of life allow.
11. Public Forgiveness and Faith after Tragedy
[42:28–45:15]
- Erika’s public forgiveness of her husband’s alleged killer is discussed:
- Quote:
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do.”
– Erika Kirk [42:28] - Explains forgiveness as release from hate and relinquishing control to God’s justice.
- Quote:
12. Faith, Suffering, and Perseverance
[45:25–49:31]
- Audience members ask Erika about how to trust God in suffering, and how to reconnect spiritually after trauma.
- She references the Book of Job, encourages personal rituals (scripture, journaling), and stresses authentic, continual engagement with faith and scripture.
13. Turning Point USA’s Future and Strategy
[49:31–51:48]
- Erika outlines a strategic continuity with her late husband’s philosophy: grassroots activism, campus engagement, and ballot chasing, with an emphasis on maintaining Turning Point’s strong internal leadership.
14. Advice for Young People in Crisis
[51:49–53:35]
- College student asks for inspiration when life feels overwhelming.
- Erika shares the metaphor of the prey running toward the roar (“run towards that roar and know that the Lord's got your back”).
15. Integration of Faith and Politics – The “Vibe Shift”
[60:00–62:51]
- Audience member Virginia Abram asks about the resurgence of faith in the public square.
- Erika asserts that faith and authentic Christian living infuse and make coherent the values conservatives espouse:
- Quote:
“When he was murdered, they didn’t go and grab a constitution, they grabbed a Bible. And once you get that Bible in your hands, the Constitution makes way more sense.”
– Erika Kirk [62:32]
- Quote:
Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
- “You’re sick. He's a human being... That is evil.” – Erika Kirk on justification of Charlie’s murder [06:50]
- “He gave them a microphone... And what did they do? They gave him a bullet in the neck.” – Erika Kirk [11:01]
- “My husband is not to be deteriorated to two sentences... he was brilliant of a man.” [14:59]
- “No, I will never agree with political violence. My husband is a victim of it.” [18:29]
- “Jew hate was brain rot. He would always say it.” [22:07]
- “Stop. That’s it. That’s all I have to say. Stop.” – Erika to conspiracy-promoters [31:33]
- “It is our responsibility... to make sure that our chapters are cultivating those leaders so when they leave high school... they're in the workforce being incredible people and incredible leaders.” [32:33]
- “I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do.” [42:28]
- “Am I going to take that moment to say rally the troops, burn the city down, march in the streets, or am I going to take that moment and unleash something greater, more powerful... a revival...?” [43:43]
- “If you want to make a difference in this world, you don’t remove that very important piece...everyone saw the type of man that Charlie was, and it inspired a lot of people, as it should.” [61:27]
- “When he was murdered, they didn’t go and grab a constitution, they grabbed a Bible.” [62:32]
Notable Segments & Their Timestamps
- Opening remarks and Erika’s reaction to the murder: [03:44–06:17]
- Addressing online hate & justifications for violence: [06:17–09:10]
- Free speech, violence, and campus culture: [09:10–13:02]
- Controversial quotes & legacy: [13:58–16:57]
- Political rhetoric & responsibility: [17:15–20:24]
- Antisemitism discussion: [20:24–26:11]
- Debunking conspiracy theories: [26:11–31:41]
- Raising new conservative leaders: [31:41–35:06]
- Tradition, women, and career/motherhood balance: [36:26–42:18]
- Forgiveness and faith after tragedy: [42:28–45:15]
- Faith and spiritual advice: [45:25–49:31]
- Turning Point USA’s future: [49:31–51:48]
- Advice for overwhelmed youth: [51:49–53:35]
- Return of faith to public square ("vibe shift"): [60:00–62:51]
Closing Thoughts
The episode is a testament to resilience, the power of grace, and the ongoing cultural and spiritual battles facing America’s youth and public discourse. Erika Kirk emerges as a poised, faith-driven leader determined to honor her husband’s legacy, confront hate with dialogue, and inspire a rising generation to lead purposefully.
For more on these stories, visit charliekirk.com