On Saturday, CBS News aired a town hall with Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk. After Kirk's assassination in September, Erika Kirk took on her husband's mantle as CEO, and she has been caught in a maelstrom of controversy, rumor, and conspiracy theories ever since. CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss moderated this conversation, focusing on addressing political violence. Weiss shared her questions with particular guests, most notably Utah Valley University student Hunter Kozak, who was the questioner Charlie Kirk was addressing before he was felled by the assassin's bullet, and Robert Milgrim, the father of Israeli Embassy staffer Sarah Milgrim, who was murdered in May in front of the D.C. Capitol Jewish Museum.
Choosing Erika Kirk for her first town hall-style conversation was a bold move by Weiss, and a test for CBS. Weiss has made it plain that she plans to move away from the network's long dive into leftist and Democrat propaganda, back toward news and events that matter to all Americans, not just a select few or the elite.
Weiss introduced this first town hall with that sentiment, saying:
We live in a divided country. A country where many people feel that they can't speak across the political divide — or across their own kitchen table. One of the goals of the new CBS News is to change that. Tonight’s town hall with Erika Kirk is the first of many conversations and debates about the things that matter most, which are often the hardest to talk about.
Legacy media and advertisers appear to lack appreciation for Weiss' new format and her tack to the center.
Read More: Former CBS News Anchor's 'Cronkite Awards' Remarks Quietly Drop Hints of Improvement in Legacy Media
The Stunning Question Bari Weiss Asked the 60 Minutes Team That Had Their Jaws Dropping
Major advertisers appeared to sit out a new CBS News town hall telecast Saturday, moderated by Bari Weiss and featuring an interview with Erika Kirk.
— Brian Steinberg (@bristei) December 14, 2025
Lack of Madison Avenue support could challenge the viability of the format, which Weiss wants to expandhttps://t.co/qLmAAFPzdt
But Weiss assured the audience that more conversations like this one would be a pillar of the news division. Weiss further affirmed that the viewer may not agree with everything that would transpire, but said, "The only way to get to the truth is to talk to one another."
Weiss then introduced Erika Kirk, who thanked Weiss for "an opportunity to have a conversation that Charlie really enjoyed."
WATCH:
We live in a divided country. A country where many people feel that they can't speak across the political divide--or across their own kitchen table.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 14, 2025
One of the goals of the new CBS News is to change that.
Tonight’s town hall with Erika Kirk is the first of many conversations… pic.twitter.com/2mIffJZFUA
Weiss' questions involved detail and exposure of wounds, but Kirk appeared to be ready for this. When Weiss asked what Kirk would say to those people who justify Charlie Kirk's death, Kirk responded.
"You're sick. He's a human being. You think he deserved that? Tell that to my 3-year-old daughter..."
Kirk broke down in tears, then continued.
You want to watch in hi-res the video of my husband being murdered and laugh? And say he deserved it? There's something very sick in your soul and I pray that God saves you.
Weiss brought forth a recent poll by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and College Pulse, which found that 91 percent of undergraduates believed that words can be violence. Weiss wanted to know: What would she say to these students who claimed that Charlie Kirk incited violence?
Kirk responded:
He never once said, "Go after them because they're saying X, Y, Z and they deserve to die." He gave them a microphone. He didn't take away a moment for them to speak back. He gave them a microphone. And what'd they do? They gave him a bullet in the neck. Totally different.
Kirk ended this segment powerfully, speaking to Charlie's character.
He loved excellence. He loved knowing that people, his favorite word was earn. My husband did something very simple: he talked to people. He didn't attack people he attacked ideas.
This led into Weiss' question about the cherry-picked clips from the internet that are supposedly controversial statements made by Charlie Kirk. Kirk was raw and genuine in her response. "My husband knew that something as simple as having a conversation could change the world. That is an ancient thing."
WATCH:
When asked about some of Charlie Kirk's most controversial statements, which have captured the attention of the political left and been painted as proof of hateful rhetoric, Erika Kirk said she hopes people read her husband's full comments on each of those occasions.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 12, 2025
"My husband… pic.twitter.com/xtFKiKgf3e
When asked about some of Charlie Kirk's most controversial statements, which have captured the attention of the political left and been painted as proof of hateful rhetoric, Erika Kirk said she hopes people read her husband's full comments on each of those occasions.
"My husband is not to be deteriorated to two sentences. He's not. He is a thought leader, and he was brilliant of a man. So that's fine if you want to take words out of his mouth or out of context without the whole thing in perspective. But that's the problem."
One of the more powerful moments of the hour-long exchange was between Kirk and Robert Milgram, father of Sarah Milgram. Milgram discussed the rise of antisemitism on the left, but wanted to know how TPUSA would confront the growing antisemitism that was also fueled on the right and whether Kirk would condemn it.
Kirk began with an apology over the loss of his daughter. "You and I are a part of a very small club. Painful."
In her own words, Kirk condemned it.
Charlie always would say clearly: Jew hate is brainrot. We've been to Israel twice together, and be able to walk where our Savior walked and see the Bible come alive in technicolor. How could you hate that place? How could you?
Milgram followed up with the specific question on what TPUSA planned to do to stop the hate. Kirk was quick to respond.
We have these conversations. We have Shabbat dinner happening at AmFest. We have individuals in our chapters who are Jewish. The only way to combat evil, just as Charlie did, is with dialogue and to not be afraid to do it.
The most ridiculous line of questioning was by Utah Valley student Hunter Kozak, who contributed to the TDS factor of the evening. Kirk responded with great grace, while re-framing the issue as one of personal responsibility and not using the actions of one individual as an excuse to be violent.
"Well, I think everyone has a responsibility to do that, and I'm doing my part," Kirk said. "I'm not in control of other people."
WATCH:
The last person who ever spoke to Charlie Kirk was a Utah Valley student named Hunter Kozak. This week, he traveled to the CBS News town hall in New York City to ask Erika Kirk a question.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 14, 2025
Erika sat down for a CBS News Town Hall, just days after the posthumous release of her… pic.twitter.com/si9w3i5wT8
When Weiss asked about the conspiracy theories surrounding Charlie Kirk's assassination and Erika Kirk's role in it, as well as those who were profiteering off her pain and grief, Kirk simply said, "Stop. That's all I have to say. Stop."
Another meaty moment was born from a question asked by Manhattan Institute journalist and producer Isabella Redjai, who asked about relationships, dating, and whether one should eschew a career for motherhood.
Christian, conservative women in the city — this one’s for you. I asked @MrsErikaKirk a question at the @CBSNews town hall with @bariweiss that you might have on your mind too.
— Isabella Redjai (@IsabellaRedjai) December 12, 2025
Catch it tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET.
Kirk's advice: "You have to be the type of woman that will attract a Charlie." Kirk encouraged Redjai and other women to "Remain open and remain prayerful. You can always have your career. Being able to have a family is truly, truly a short, short window."
WATCH:
I asked @MrsErikaKirk whether there is a place for women like myself who want to stay in cities, like New York, long-term and care about their careers but also hope to marry a like-minded, Christian, conservative spouse.
— Isabella Redjai (@IsabellaRedjai) December 14, 2025
Here’s her response 👇pic.twitter.com/DHoL477MBX
A pivotal end to the discussion was when Weiss asked Kirk whether there was a difference between offering forgiveness for her husband's murder but also demanding justice.
Kirk said that she loved the concept of God being a God of love and of justice. "He's sovereign. But he's just. So, let the Lord handle that."
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
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