Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk was visibly distraught as she left the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. She was seen crying while exiting the venue immediately after a thwarted gun attack.
Tyler Robinson is currently facing capital murder charges in Utah. Prosecutors say he fatally shot TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk during a September event at Utah Valley University. Erika Kirk is Charlie's widow.
She was caught on video posted to Instagram by CNN co-host Sara Sidner. Sidner was attending the annual event at the Washington Hilton.
"I just want to go home," an apparently distraught Kirk said. She was being escorted by security while walking past the CNN host.
"Police say gun shots were fired," Sidner posted online. "Erica Kirk was there in the room. She rushed by in tears."
Secret Service agents quickly evacuated President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials were also hustled out of the ballroom. This was the first Correspondents' Dinner Trump attended while in office.
Kirk previously canceled an April appearance at a Turning Point USA event. A spokesperson stated this was due to some very serious threats directed at her.
"I was so looking forward to tonight’s event at the @universityofga with our Vice President @JDVance, but after all our family has been through, I take my security team’s recommendations extremely seriously," Kirk posted on X. "Thank you to our amazing Georgia chapter for your support. God bless you all!"
President Trump has also faced serious security threats recently. He survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign.