Erika Kirk trolled for taking the stage at memorial service to music and pyrotechnics, ‘This is a WWE script…’

The flashy display at an event meant for mourning became a topic of intense online debate, with many criticizing Erika Kirk for her entrance.

Published on: Sep 23, 2025, 11:44:35 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, is being trolled after she took the stage at her husband’s memorial service to music and pyrotechnics. The flashy display at an event meant for mourning became a topic of intense online debate, with many criticizing Erika for her entrance, and the organizers for the fireworks.

Erika Kirk trolled for taking the stage at memorial service to music and pyrotechnics (REUTERS/Brian Snyder) (REUTERS)

Thousands of people showed up at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to pay tribute to the slain Turning Point USA founder. Among the speakers were Erika, Donald Trump, JD Vance and more.

An X user shared a video of Erika walking up to the stage as fireworks went off, writing, “Why are there fireworks at the "memorial service" for Charlie Kirk? This is a WWE script…”

In the comment section, many slammed Erika. “So you mourn your husband by coming out to pyro?” one user wrote, while another said, “It’s a political rally framed as a fake memorial service”. “I thought this was strange as well,” wrote a user.

Many X users, however, pointed out that the fireworks were used as it was a “celebration of life” and because Kirk loved them. Some noted that the sparklers were a signature Turning Point USA thing, something Kirk wanted at Turning Point USA’s outdoor events.

Charlie Kirk spokesman responds

Following the backlash, Kirk spokesman Andrew Kolvet explained why the fireworks were used. Responding to the criticism, Kolvet, who served as executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, wrote on X, “Because our staff loves the effect. They see it as one of our event signatures. And most importantly, Charlie loved it. We do not grieve the way the world grieves. We refuse to let the evil that killed Charlie rob us of our joy in remembering his incredible life and legacy.”

Tyler Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Kirk, 31, on September 10 during an appearance at a campus event in Utah. The shooting happened around 12:20 pm local time during a student Q&A at UVU in Orem.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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