Erika Kirk, widow of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, drew sharp online criticism after photos surfaced of her beaming at a high-ticket gala she hosted for Turning Point USA at Mar-a-Lago on December 12, 2025. The event charged up to $10,000 per plate, drawing nearly 1,000 attendees including figures like Argentine Football Association head Fabán "Iqui" Tapia, generating substantial funds for the nonprofit once led by her late husband.
Social media users branded her a "grifter" rather than a griever, with comments like "Grifting, not grieving" and "Happiest widow I’ve ever seen" questioning her mourning just months after Charlie's September killing. Dressed in a black gown, Kirk's joyful demeanor fueled speculation amid conspiracy theories from ex-ally Candace Owens, who alleged Turning Point insiders plotted the murder and critiqued Kirk's leadership.
Kirk urged an end to such narratives during a CBS town hall, pleading "Stop. That's all I have to say," while Owens demanded specifics on any inaccuracies before complying. Senator John Fetterman condemned the attacks as "disgusting" and dehumanizing toward a widow with young children. Kirk has publicly grieved via Instagram, sharing coffin-side images and forgiving her husband's killer at events like the Dealbook Summit.