Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, has privately expressed intense animosity toward podcaster Candace Owens, referring to her as a "soulless ghoul" and "that b****," according to revelations from sources close to the Kirk family.
These private tirades have surfaced as Kirk attended the preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating her husband in September 2025. Despite anticipating rage, Kirk reportedly felt "overwhelming sadness" and even compassion for Robinson and his family during the proceedings, a stark contrast to the public narratives surrounding the assassination.
Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, 31, on the campus of Utah Valley University during a debate. The incident was captured on surveillance footage and widely shared online, fueling numerous conspiracy theories.
Candace Owens, a former ally of Kirk and a prominent figure in conservative media, has amplified unsubstantiated claims about the assassination, questioning Robinson's guilt and suggesting internal involvement. Owens has also produced a series of online episodes examining Erika Kirk's personal life, which sources say has deeply offended the widow.
According to a Kirk family member, Erika views Owens' actions as a "grab for attention" and a way to profit from her husband's death. "Erika is really offended that Candace would use her husband's death to make a buck, to get attention, get clout, whatever it is. She's offended," the relative stated. The same source added that Kirk "hates her more than she hates her political opponents" and that "Candace did her so dirty."
Owens, in a statement, expressed mutual frustration, accusing Erika Kirk of treating her husband's death as a "personal coronation" and questioning her lack of engagement with "crucial questions surrounding Charlie's death."
Despite the public disputes and private animosity, sources close to Erika Kirk maintain that she is focused on uncovering the truth behind her husband's death. Her priority, they say, is to understand "who did it and why" and how it all happened, rather than seeking retribution or favoring specific outcomes in the legal process. She has approached the court hearings with an "open mind," seeking "justice" for Charlie Kirk.
Robinson faces a potential death penalty, with a judge expected to rule by September 1 on whether the case is strong enough to proceed to trial. Meanwhile, Erika Kirk is navigating her new role as CEO of Turning Point USA and raising two children as a single mother, a task described as challenging but one she approaches with strength.
"No matter where your politics are, no one needs to die that way," a relative commented on Charlie Kirk's death.