'I’ll keep speaking the truth no matter the cost': Erika Kirk honored with Fox Nation's inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award

Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and new CEO of the organization, was awarded Fox Nation’s inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at the outlet’s 2025 Patriot Awards on Thursday night.

Kirk was presented the award by Fox News’ Jesse Watters, country music star Jason Aldean, and his wife, Brittany Aldean. The award, which is given to those who carry on Kirk’s values of freedom of speech, faith, and family, will become a permanent honor given out yearly.

Erika Kirk told the crowd, "Charlie would always tell myself and others that America is worth fighting for. It always will be, and I’ll never forget the time where someone told him, 'I appreciate what you’re saying, I just don’t really like how you’re saying it. I don’t like your delivery. And I think you could reach more people if you changed that.’ And with his smirk he would say, 'you’re missing the point. It’s not how I’m saying it that’s upsetting people. It’s the fact that I’m saying the truth that’s upsetting people.'"