Jinger Duggar Vuolo and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, are sending love to Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk (née Frantzve), after his death at age 31.
Jinger, 31, and Jeremy, 38, reflected on the right-wing political activist’s assassination during the Wednesday, September 17, episode of their eponymous podcast.
“I think the hardest part was, Erika shared a statement which was incredibly strong two days after her husband’s passing,” Jeremy said. “And she just was collected and delivered a powerful statement.”
Jeremy explained that he was “in the car listening” to Erika’s statement about her husband’s death with their daughters, Felicity, 7, and Evangeline, 4, in the backseat. (The couple also shares son Finn, 4 months.) But when Erika, 36, shared how she told her and Charlie’s 3-year-old daughter about his death, Jeremy had to stop listening.
“It was too much in that moment,” he said.
Jinger then choked back tears as she read part of Erika’s statement.
“When I got home last night, Gigi, our daughter, just ran into my arms, and I talked to her and she said, ‘Mommy, I miss you,’ and, I said, ‘I miss you too, baby,’ Erika said. “And she goes, ‘Where’s daddy?’ How do you tell a 3-year-old? She’s 3. And I said, ‘Daddy loves you so much, baby, he’s on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.’”
Jeremy said of Erika’s response to her daughter, “I think that’s a good answer, a work trip with Jesus. Man, having kids, you just process everything differently. You just see it through their lens.”
Erika delivered her statement via a livestream on Charlie’s X on September 12, two days after he was shot and killed during a speaking event for his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
“Charlie loved life. He loved his life, he loved America, he loved nature which always helped him closer to God,” she began. “He loved the Chicago Cubs and my goodness did he love the Oregon Ducks.”
Erika, who shared one daughter and one son with Charlie, continued, “Most of all, Charlie loved his children and he loved me with all of his heart and I knew that everyday. He made sure I knew that everyday. Everyday he would ask me, ‘How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?’ … He was such a good man. He still is such a good man. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband.”
She added, “Here me when I say this: nobody is ever too young to know the gospel. Nobody. Nobody is ever too young to get involved with saving this beautiful country. This country, my husband loved and still loves and nobody is ever too old either, there’s no age limit. I know my husband is still here. He’s watching over us. I don’t remember the last time I slept. I couldn’t sleep last night.”
Erika also addressed her late husband directly, saying, “Charlie baby, Charlie I promise I will never let your legacy die baby I won’t,” she said. “Oh, Charlie, I love you. I love you baby. Rest in the arms of our lord as he blankets you with the words I know your heart always strives to hear. Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Charlie’s activist organization, Turning Point USA, confirmed his death on September 10 after initial reports stated that he was in critical condition following the shooting.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” the group said in a statement.
On September 12, law enforcement officials confirmed via the Associated Press that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been identified as Charlie’s shooter and was in police custody. He has been charged with capital offense aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm. Additionally, Robinson is facing multiple counts of obstruction of justice, witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. He is being held without bail.
