The White House said that President Donald Trump ‘made the perfect choice’ in appointing Erika Kirk to succeed her late husband.
Erika Kirk speaks at Turning Point USA’s America Fest in Phoenix on Dec. 20, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
3/11/2026
President Donald Trump has appointed Erika Kirk, widow of the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, to serve on the Air Force Academy’s Board of Visitors, according to the White House.
The Board of Visitors is tasked with overseeing the Air Force Academy’s academic and fiscal standards. It provides a semiannual report outlining its recommendations regarding the academy to the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee.
The board reviews matters including “the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider,” according to its website.
The board has yet to issue an official announcement about Erika Kirk’s appointment, though its website lists her as one of Trump’s five appointees.
Her late husband, Charlie Kirk, co-founder of the nonprofit organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was appointed to the board by Trump in March last year. He was fatally shot while speaking to a crowd of students at Utah Valley University in September.
After his death, Erika Kirk became CEO and board chair of TPUSA.
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In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times on March 11, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the president “made the perfect choice” in appointing Erika Kirk to join the Board of Visitors.
“Charlie Kirk served proudly on the Board, inspiring not only the next generation of servicemembers, but millions around the world with his bold Christian faith, defense of the truth, and deep love of country,” Wales said. “Erika Kirk will continue his legacy, and be a fearless advocate for the most elite airpower force in the history of the world whose warriors keep our Nation safe, strong, and free.”
The White House did not specify when she was appointed to the board. Members of the board are typically appointed by the president and Congress.
Turning Point USA founder and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk holds a debate event ahead of his scheduled speech on the University of Washington campus in Seattle on May 7, 2024. David Ryder/Reuters
Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), chairman of the Board of Visitors, said in a post on X last year that he had met with Charlie Kirk at a board meeting in Colorado the month before the shooting occurred.
Pfluger said he was honored to have served with Charlie Kirk on the board, highlighting the late commentator’s dedication to supporting the Cadet Wing of the Air Force Academy.
“He was committed to advancing the Academy, inspiring the next generation of service members, and truly enjoyed interacting with cadets,” Pfluger said. “Charlie’s closing comments at the Board meeting were about American exceptionalism and inspired all in attendance. They will live on in our memory.”
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