By Erika Kirk, chief executive officer of Turning Point USA and widow of its slain founder Charlie Kirk, withdrew from a scheduled appearance Tuesday night at an event on the campus of University of Georgia after receiving what organizers described as “very serious threats.”
Kirk had been expected to appear alongside Vice President JD Vance at the event, held at Akins Ford Arena. Addressing the crowd, Vance acknowledged her absence and said the threats had raised concerns about whether the event would proceed.
“Well, first of all, I love Erika and I know that she did get some threats… about two hours ago, I was a little worried we were going to have to cancel the event because Erika was not going to come and she was very worried about it,” Vance said, according to multiple reports. He added that he consulted with the Secret Service before deciding to move forward with his appearance.
A spokesman for Turning Point USA, Andrew Kolvet, confirmed that Kirk received “some very serious threats in her direction,” prompting her last-minute decision not to attend. The event proceeded without her, though attendees and video from the arena suggested a relatively light turnout in the large venue.
Kirk assumed leadership of Turning Point USA in September 2025 following the killing of her husband. Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and co-founder of the organization, was fatally shot during an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Authorities identified the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson, who was arrested the following day. Prosecutors have described the attack as a targeted political assassination and are pursuing the death penalty.
After his death, the organization’s board unanimously selected Erika Kirk as CEO and chair, citing Charlie Kirk’s stated wishes that she assume leadership if necessary. She has since pledged to continue the group’s campus outreach and advocacy efforts.
Tuesday’s incident is the latest in a series of security disruptions tied to Turning Point USA events. In late 2025, the group canceled or postponed multiple appearances, including a planned stop at the University of Oklahoma, after speakers received threats of violence online.
Organizers have pointed to a sustained pattern of heightened risk following Charlie Kirk’s killing, including continued online harassment and conspiracy theories targeting the organization and its leadership.
Vance’s appearance in Athens underscored the organization’s continued efforts to maintain a presence on college campuses despite those concerns. No additional details about the nature of the threats against Erika Kirk were released, and it remains unclear whether law enforcement is investigating them as credible.
Turning Point USA has not announced any changes to its upcoming event schedule.
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