Candace Owens sounded about Erika KirkThe “optimistic” behavior of a supposed Turning Point USA conference less than two weeks later Charlie Kirkthe assassination of
Owens, 36, prefaced the leaked audio that he shared exclusively with his listeners in a new YouTube video on Tuesday, Jan. 28, noting that Erika, 37, was going to be “at the helm” of the organization following Charlie’s death at age 31 on Sept. 10, 2025. “They’re getting to know him,” Owens explained.
In the nearly two-minute clip, which Owens assumed took place 12 days after Charlie was gunned down, Erika reflects on her Sept. 21 memorial service while taking on the role of CEO and president of Charlie’s Turning Point USA organization.
“I don’t even know where to start. The fact that we were able to pull off a century event, like, it’s crazy. We had over 275,000 people in attendance and the stadium was overflowing, the west gate. Crazy, guys,” Erika allegedly began. “And then you have, was it 100 million? We had thousands that were registered to vote. I think we’re at over 200,000 for merchandise sales.”
Charlie and Erika Kirk.
Courtesy of Charlie Kirk/Instagram“I just wanted to give a huge, huge, huge thanks to the events team. The development team, the graphic design team, the production team,” he continued.
Erika noted how employees who worked on the memorial event had worked 20-hour days and had sleepless nights “during the time we mourned the loss of my husband.”
“I don’t care if any of you have beef with each other from the past or if you have a problem with somebody saying something about this or that. Like, if you have any of that, please let it rest,” he mentioned during the conference. “My husband is dead. Like, I’m not trying to be morbid, but he’s dead. And it puts life into perspective, how short life is.”
Owens reacted to the audio, stating that “it’s the overall tone that’s underwhelming.” Owens added, “It’s the laughter that’s nasty. Again, not even two weeks after seeing your husband murdered. We’re talking about numbers and metrics that have been affected.”
“This is moving pretty quickly into the acceptance phase now,” Owens continued. “We know everyone hurts differently. In my imagination, I just thought I would be more upset.”
A spokesperson for Owens also addressed questions about the clip’s authenticity, saying, “The video is real and authenticated.” Us Weekly reached out to Kirk and Turning Point USA for comment.
Erika Kirk (née Frantzve) slammed conspiracy theories about her late husband Charlie Kirk’s burial site. “Can I have a thing? Can my kids have a thing? Everything (about Charlie’s death) was public,” Erika, 37, said during a Wednesday, Dec. 10, appearance on Fox News’ Outnumbered. “We will build the most beautiful (…)
Before Owens released the leaked audio, she and Erika met on December 15.
Erika posted about the two having “a very productive conversation,” adding, “More to come from both of you.” Owens also spoke out at the time, stating that she raised several questions i shared information he had discoverednoting that it appeared to be a step “in the right direction.”
Earlier, Erika was asked what she would say to Owens to fuel conspiracy theories about Charlie’s murder.
“Stop it. That’s it. That’s all I have to say. Stop it,” Erika said while chatting with the editor-in-chief of CBS News. Barry Weiss for a one-hour town hall that aired on December 13.