CEO of Turning Point USA Erika Kirk has sharply criticised journalists following the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, accusing them of repeatedly labelling President Donald Trump with extreme terms such as ‘Nazi’ and ‘Hitler.‘In a video message posted on X and shared via her late husband Charlie Kirk’s podcast platform, Kirk said sections of the media had used such language while continuing to participate in the high-profile event.“Many of the left-wing journalists that attended the WHCD have spent years consistently calling President Trump a ‘Nazi’, a ‘threat to democracy’, and ‘Hitler’, yet they still joyfully attended the evening’s event….”She added that such behaviour reflected inconsistency in their stance.“If they truly believed their own rhetoric, they’re either joyfully willing to have dinner with ‘Hitler’ or they’re lying to radicalize American citizens with narratives they know are grossly exaggerated.”Kirk further said, “Either way, it exposes their game of ultimate hypocrisy: manufacture the hate and then profit off the results; even if it costs someone their life.”
Why she attended the dinner
Kirk said she travelled across the country to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to confront journalists over their coverage of her and her late husband.Explaining her decision, she said, “Many of the journalists in that room have attempted to dehumanize me, and I wanted to meet some of them face to face, quite frankly.”She added, “Why have a conversation about me when you can have a conversation with me,” according to Daily Beast. Kirk also described an interaction with a reporter, recalling that she said: “It is so nice to put a name to the face, especially with all the slander, the lies, the accusations that are out there surrounding my husband’s murder and myself.”Recalling the dinner meet, Kirk said, “gunshots rang out, and total chaos ensued.”
Claims of ‘dehumanization’ and media conduct
In her remarks, Kirk linked the attack to what she described as a broader climate of hostility.“There is a serious epidemic of dehumanization plaguing this country,” she said, arguing that violent incidents are being normalised in public discourse.She also criticised journalists’ behaviour during the shooting, saying they focused on capturing footage rather than prioritising safety.“During an act of shooting, these journalists are using their phones to find moments to capture for clips… they could have accidentally and quite literally filmed themselves being shot,” she said.The incident comes months after the killing of Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at a public event in 2025. Since then, Erika Kirk has taken over leadership of Turning Point USA and has been the subject of intense public scrutiny.She said she continues to face criticism and misinformation.“Every morning I wake up to a new headline lying about me. I have comedians dressing up in whiteface. I have people saying I’m not fit to be CEO,” she said.Kirk also criticised political opponents and commentators, including media personalities and public figures, accusing them of contributing to a hostile environment.“Our country has become unrecognizable. These people have perverted the truth to the point that they motivated the murder of my husband,” she said.The dinner, held at the Washington Hilton, was disrupted after a gunman allegedly attempted to storm the venue.According to authorities, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen tried to breach security near the ballroom where senior officials and journalists had gathered.Shots were fired during the incident and a Secret Service officer was hit in a bullet-resistant vest but survived. President Trump was escorted out of the venue and the event was halted.
