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Erika Kirk Accused Of Cashing In On Tragedy With Christmas Message Promoting Charlie Kirk’s Book
Erika Kirk in a red blazer speaking in front of a decorated Christmas tree on Fox News segment.

Erika Kirk Accused Of Cashing In On Tragedy With Christmas Message Promoting Charlie Kirk’s Book

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Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, has found herself confronting yet another wave of criticism, this time following a holiday message she shared just days before Christmas.

The video, posted Tuesday (December 23), came three months after the 37-year-old lost her husband in a shooting in Utah.

The clip began with a heartfelt reflection on grief and family, only to end with a promotion of Charlie’s final book Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life.

Highlights
  • Erika Kirk’s holiday message promoting her late husband’s final book drew sharp criticism.
  • Detractors accused her of turning her grief into profit.
  • The debate comes days after she was involved in a feud with conspiracy theorist Candace Owens.

For many detractors, the moment served as proof of what they called “Erika’s never-ending grift.”

RELATED:

    Erika Kirk was accused by detractors of profiting off of her husband’s passing by promoting his last book during Christmas

    Erika Kirk speaking at a podium with the presidential seal, accused of cashing in on tragedy with Christmas message.

    Image credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

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    In the message, Erika urged viewers to slow down and hold their loved ones close.

    “My prayer to you is just to rest,” she said. “Love on your babies, love on your family members, life is short.”

    But that message was immediately overshadowed by accusations that Erika was turning her grief into profit.

    Man holding microphone at an outdoor event, associated with Erika Kirk accused of cashing in promoting Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

    “She’s doing this while selling a book?!?” one critic wrote. 

    “Can’t be a Conservative Christmas message without ‘order now’ somewhere in the mix,” another said.

    Image credits: turningpointusa

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    “The grift is strong in this one,” a third added.

    Others went further, labeling her a “shameless shill profiteering off her husband’s d**th” and claiming that Turning Point USA, the group Charlie co-founded, was losing sight of what made them relevant at one point.

    “It’s Christmas week, and she’s shilling books instead of spending time with her kids,” a commenter argued. “Maybe [she should] take that advice herself.”

    This was far from the first time Erika’s presence in media circles has sparked backlash. 

    As Bored Panda previously reported, critics have closely scrutinized her movements for months, accusing her of everything from attention-seeking to looking for another husband.

    Kirk has consistently been criticized for her behavior by various media personalities and outlets

    Tweet from Jared Shult criticizing Erika Kirk for promoting Charlie Kirk’s book during a tragic time on social media.

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    Image credits: jared_shult

    Tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for promoting Charlie Kirk’s book during a tragedy, calling her a grifter and urging privacy.

    Image credits: BKMidwestMom

    On December 10, Selling Sunset personality Christine Quinn took her attack public.

    “Erika Kirk be everywhere but with her kids,” she posted on X.

    The remark ignited a heated response from those close to Erika, who defended the widow’s efforts to keep her household afloat in the aftermath of an assassination.

    Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk smiling at an event, Erika accused of cashing in on tragedy with Christmas message.

    Image credits: mrserikakirk/Instagram

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    “Erika isn’t ‘everywhere but with her kids’ she’s everywhere fighting FOR them,” reality TV star Savannah Chrisley wrote the following day.

    “She’s raising her babies while surviving a level of grief most people would crumble under. Showing up, advocating, building, working… that’s called resilience, not absence.”

    Even so, online pressure has only intensified as Erika tries to preserve Charlie’s legacy while shutting down speculation surrounding his passing.

    Erika Kirk smiling while holding a child, standing next to a man holding another child at a family event with balloons.

    Image credits: charliekirk1776/Instagram

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    A 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated m*rder in the case.

    Prosecutors say Robinson admitted in texts that he attacked Charlie for political reasons. Bullet casings left at the scene were inscribed with internet and gaming memes, including the phrase, “Hey fa**ist. Catch!”

    Despite that evidence, conspiracy theories have flourished online.

    Candace Owens has divided conservative media by spreading conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s passing

    Erika Kirk speaking in an interview setting, wearing a dark pinstripe blazer and white top, discussing controversy.

    Image credits: RealCandaceO

    Leading the charge is conservative commentator Candace Owens, who has refused to retract claims that Charlie was the victim of a deeper plot, involving Turning Point employees and even foreign governments.

    Following a 4.5-hour private meeting with Erika and others from Turning Point USA on December 15, Owens said her suspicions remain unchanged. She accused authorities of hiding the truth and called the evidence “fake and g*y” on her podcast.

    Screenshot of a social media post accusing Erika Kirk of cashing in on tragedy with a Christmas message promoting Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: 01010111000101O

    Owens has floated unsubstantiated theories tying the shooting to Israel, France and Egypt. In earlier media appearances, Erika publicly pushed back.

    “Call me what you want,” she said. “But when you go after my family, my Turning Point USA family, my Charlie Kirk show family… no.”

    Owens responded by doubling down in mocking fashion, opening a recent episode with “OK everybody, Shabbat Shalom” and swapping her usual intro music for “Hava Nagila.”

    Screenshot of a tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for promoting Charlie Kirk’s book during a time of tragedy.

    Image credits: thaddeusthought

    She has further claimed that Egyptian airplanes tracked Erika for years.

    “If you want to go through my flight log, go right ahead. It’s very boring,” Erika told CBS. “I actually was in the hospital because I was having contractions.”

    Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk kissing on stage with pink background, linked to controversy over Christmas message promotion

    Image credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

    till, Owens’ theories continue driving a wedge inside conservative media.

    Figures like Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson and Dave Smith have demonstrated varying levels of support for Owens, while Ben Shapiro and Tim Pool condemned her behavior as “evil.” Nick Fuentes called her a narcissist harming America.

    “Always selling.” Critics shared their thoughts on the book promotion on social media

    Tweet from Zack criticizing Erika Kirk’s behavior amid controversy about cashing in on tragedy with Charlie Kirk book promotion.

    Image credits: I_amZackk

    Tweet questioning Erika Kirk cashing in on tragedy by promoting Charlie Kirk’s book with a Christmas message.

    Image credits: JC_Midwest

    Tweet by Peter Hopey criticizing Erika Kirk’s Christmas message promoting Charlie Kirk’s book during tragedy.

    Image credits: phopey

    Tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for promoting Charlie Kirk’s book with a message seen as cashing in on tragedy.

    Image credits: besimistic

    Tweet screenshot showing a user criticizing Erika Kirk amid accusations related to promoting Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: Skv11K

    Tweet by Stephen Black criticizing Erika Kirk for promoting Charlie Kirk’s book, calling it a strong grift.

    Image credits: stephenRB4

    Tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for promoting Charlie Kirk’s book, highlighting accusations of cashing in on tragedy.

    Image credits: QuantumAlteredX

    Tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for allegedly cashing in on tragedy with a Christmas message promoting Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: cryptosolv

    Tweet replying to Erika Kirk with a critical comment amid accusations of cashing in with a Christmas message promoting Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: guppy_trades

    Tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for using Christmas and her late husband's name to promote Charlie Kirk's book and make money.

    Image credits: piques15

    Tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for cashing in on tragedy with a Christmas message promoting Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: JewBimbo

    Tweet from The Sarcastic Canuck replying to Erika Kirk, hinting at cashing in with merch promotion amid the Christmas message.

    Image credits: Sarcastic_Canuk

    Tweet accusing Erika Kirk of cashing in on tragedy with Christmas message promoting Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: Ferrum_Patriot

    Tweet promoting a discount code linked to Erika Kirk amid accusations of cashing in on tragedy with Christmas message.

    Image credits: jesse_altman

    Tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for promoting Charlie Kirk’s book during family hardship amid Christmas message controversy.

    Image credits: MelanyBelanyBoo

    Screenshot of a tweet criticizing Erika Kirk for allegedly exploiting tragedy to promote Charlie Kirk’s book.

    Image credits: Steve_Beans

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    Abel Musa Miño

    Abel Musa Miño

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

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    Born in Santiago, Chile, with a background in communication and international relations, I bring a global perspective to entertainment reporting at Bored Panda. I cover celebrity news, Hollywood events, true crime, and viral stories that resonate across cultures. My reporting has been featured on Google News, connecting international audiences to the latest in entertainment. For me, journalism is about bridging local stories with global conversations, arming readers with the knowledge necessary to make up their own minds. Research is at the core of my work. I believe that well-sourced, factual storytelling is essential to building trust and driving meaningful engagement.

    Read less »
    Abel Musa Miño

    Abel Musa Miño

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Born in Santiago, Chile, with a background in communication and international relations, I bring a global perspective to entertainment reporting at Bored Panda. I cover celebrity news, Hollywood events, true crime, and viral stories that resonate across cultures. My reporting has been featured on Google News, connecting international audiences to the latest in entertainment. For me, journalism is about bridging local stories with global conversations, arming readers with the knowledge necessary to make up their own minds. Research is at the core of my work. I believe that well-sourced, factual storytelling is essential to building trust and driving meaningful engagement.

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