Right-wing commentator Candace Owens has accused Erika Kirk, widow of slain activist Charlie Kirk, of lying about skipping a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event in Georgia due to security threats, instead claiming poor ticket sales were the real reason. Owens wrote on X: 'You pulled out because of bad ticket sales... Were there actually a viable threat, the Vice President would not have continued the event.' Social media videos showed vast rows of empty seats at the arena.
Erika Kirk was scheduled to appear alongside Vice President JD Vance but withdrew after receiving 'very serious threats,' according to event organisers. Vance still attended the event at Akins Ford Arena in Athens. 'I was so looking forward to tonight’s event... but after all our family has been through, I take my security team’s recommendations extremely seriously,' Kirk posted on X. TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said onstage: 'It’s a terrible reflection on the state of reality and the state of the country.'
Vance defended Kirk, saying she was 'worried' and criticised those attacking her. 'Everybody is attacking her over everything, and they’re lying about her, and it’s one of the most disgraceful things that I’ve ever seen in public life,' he said. He also addressed scrutiny of her grieving process, stating: 'This desire to go after her for the way she’s grieving her husband, that’s the most preposterous thing I’ve seen in a long time.'
The event came amid ongoing speculation about a close relationship between Kirk and Vance, sparked by an affectionate hug in October. Second lady Usha Vance dismissed insinuations as a 'fever dream,' while Kirk described the hug as her 'love language.' Vance’s appearance also follows controversies including the Iran war, a feud with the pope, and his failed bid to support Viktor Orban’s reelection in Hungary.
