Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and now CEO of Turning Point USA, said this week that quiet conversations about supporting Vice President JD Vance in a 2028 presidential run have already begun.
In an interview on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Show, Kirk said one of her final conversations with her husband before his assassination in Utah involved his desire to line up behind Vance for the next presidential cycle.
“One of the last conversations we had was about how intentional he was about supporting JD for ’28,” she told Kelly. (RELATED: Megyn Kelly Calls Out Fox News For Hypocrisy On Charlie Kirk)
Focus Still on 2026
Kirk noted that Turning Point USA remains focused on the 2026 midterms, not 2028. She said conservatives should take stock of the victories already secured.
“Let’s start with the midterms before we start jumping to ’28,” she said. “And let’s enjoy the fact that we do have Donald Trump in office, and we worked really hard to make that happen. My husband did.”
Her comments follow an emotional tribute to Vance at a Turning Point event in October. Onstage, she said she saw traits in Vance that reminded her of Charlie, calling the vice president a blessing during a difficult period.
“No one will ever replace my husband,” she said. “But I do see some similarities of my husband in JD. In Vice President JD Vance.”
Their embrace after her introduction drew online speculation over hand placement, but Kirk dismissed that criticism.
“Whoever is hating on a hug needs a hug themselves,” she said. “My love language is touch.” (RELATED: Joy Reid Speculates That JD Vance Will Divorce His Indian Wife For ‘White Queen’ Erika Kirk)
Kirk and Vance Were Close Allies
Charlie Kirk was one of the earliest and most vocal advocates for Vance joining the Trump ticket, well before the 2024 campaign took shape. The two were united by their populist, America First worldview.
Both Trump and Vance delivered remarks at Kirk’s funeral in Arizona earlier this year, underscoring the closeness of the relationship.
Vance Stays Focused on Midterms
Vance has said he is focused on helping Republicans win in 2026 before discussing any future presidential plans.
“We will win the midterms, do everything we can, and then after that I’m going to sit down with the president and talk to him about it,” he told Fox News earlier this month.
Trump himself acknowledged over the summer that Vance is widely viewed as the heir apparent to the MAGA movement.
“Well, I think that’s most likely,” Trump said when asked if Vance is the natural successor. “In all fairness, he’s the vice president.”
What Comes Next
While the 2028 race is still far off, Erika Kirk’s comments track with a growing sentiment inside conservative grassroots circles. Many see Vance as the next major figure positioned to advance the America First agenda once Trump leaves office.
For now, both Vance and Turning Point USA say the mission is clear: focus on winning the upcoming midterms and let the future take shape later.
READ NEXT: The Forces Pulling The Middle East Apart – And The Peril Facing The West
