ERIKA KIRK REVEALS HOW SHE TELLS HER CHILDREN WHAT HAPPENED TO CHARLIE — “DADDY’S ON A WORK TRIP WITH JESUS”
In her first deeply emotional interview since the tragic death of her husband Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk has opened up about the heartbreaking conversations she’s had with their young children — and how she’s finding gentle, faith-filled ways to help them understand loss.
Speaking with quiet strength, Erika revealed that she tells their daughter and son that “Daddy’s on a work trip with Jesus.” It’s a phrase that has become her way of comforting them — a message of peace that honors both Charlie’s faith and the innocence of their children. “I wanted to give them something that wasn’t about pain, but about love,” she explained. “I tell them Daddy’s still listening. When they look up at the sky, they can talk to him — and he hears them.”
Since Charlie’s passing, Erika has shared glimpses of her family’s healing journey, often turning to prayer and community for strength. She says their children still ask questions about their father — sometimes at bedtime, sometimes while playing — and she always answers with tenderness. “I tell them Daddy loved them so much,” she said softly. “And I remind them that he didn’t go away forever. One day, we’ll all be together again.”
The widow’s words have touched millions online, where messages of support have poured in from around the world. Many praised her for her grace under unimaginable grief, calling her story a powerful example of faith through loss.
Friends close to Erika describe her as “anchored in faith” and devoted to keeping Charlie’s legacy alive — not through politics or headlines, but through the family they built together. “Her strength comes from her children,” one family friend said. “She’s determined to make sure they grow up knowing the kind of man their father was — kind, passionate, and full of purpose.”
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died unexpectedly earlier this year, leaving behind a movement he helped build and a young family who adored him. For Erika, the focus now is on giving their children a sense of peace — not confusion. “I don’t use words like death or gone,” she said. “I tell them that Daddy’s with Jesus, and he’s happy. That way, they don’t feel afraid.”
Her faith-centered approach has resonated deeply with many who have experienced similar loss. “Children don’t need the full weight of tragedy,” Erika said. “They just need hope — and the truth that love doesn’t end.”
As she continues to rebuild life without her husband, Erika says she finds comfort in the small things — the laughter of her children, the sound of a familiar song, the feeling that Charlie’s presence is still close. “I feel him with us,” she said. “In the quiet moments, in the light through the window — he’s still here.”
Her message is one of resilience, faith, and unconditional love. “This isn’t the story I thought we’d be living,” Erika said. “But I know Charlie would want us to keep going, to love life, to smile — and to believe that one day, we’ll see him again.”