Erika Kirk forgives her husband’s killer: ‘It’s what Christ did, what Charlie would do’

September 22, 2025

The widow of slain Christian conservative influencer Charlie Kirk publicly forgave his killer as she addressed scores of thousands of people gathered at his memorial service.

The Christian Post reports that Erika Kirk extended her forgiveness to Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting her husband to death on Sept. 10 at a campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Erika Kirk addressed the multitude gathered at State Farm as well as the millions watching the service online, telling them, “On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,’” she then added, “I forgive him.”

Erika continued, “I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love, is always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”

Kirk’s widow went on to describe how she had witnessed”God’s mercy and God’s love” in the days following her husband’s assassination, noting how, “We didn’t see violence, we didn’t see rioting, we didn’t see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country: We saw revival.”

According to the Christian Post, Kirk also praised her late husband’s understanding of “God’s role for a Christian husband” and encouraged “all the men watching around the world” to embrace Charlie’s challenge and embrace true manhood.

The service honoring Kirk’s life included speakers like President Donald Trump, Turning Point USA and TPUSA Faith employees and Kirk’s pastor as well as musical performances by renowned Christian artists.

Photo: top, Credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images