Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, was “rolled out like a tool” by the right-wing, political commentator Judita DaSilva has claimed on GB News.
Her comment sparked fury from People’s Channel host Charlie Peters who set about setting the record straight.
Mrs Kirk spoke out after losing her husband, who was assassinated while speaking to university students at an event in Utah.
In her first public remarks since the killing, she said: “You have no idea of the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”
Ms DaSilva's comment immediately triggered a sharp response from a visibly shocked Charlie Peters
|GB NEWS / TURNING POINT USA
According to Ms DaSilva, Mrs Kirk’s public statement was merely a political move by right-wing factions in America.
She was discussing the social media posts of Oxford Union president-elect George Abaraonye, who appeared to celebrate the death of the conservative activist.
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Ms DaSilva used her appearance on the People’s Channel to condemn Mr Abaraonye’s post and agreed with the rest of the panel in suggesting he deserves some form of punishment.
She went on to make a broader point about the culture war gripping the West and how Mr Kirk’s death will be a flashpoint.
Charlie Peters said Mrs Kirk spoke out of her own accord
|GB NEWS
“You have to have the actual conversation that is necessary, everyone is politicising this event, which they shouldn’t be”, she said.
“There needs to be a humanising period based on the battle between the left and the right.
“Something I find really disturbing is seeing the right wheeling out his wife like a tool.”
Charlie immediately pulled up Ms DaSilva, voicing his shock at her choice of language.
Charlie Kirk's wife says his movement 'will not die' in defiant message - WATCH
“Woah, rolling his widow out like a tool?”, he asked. “She’s her own person, she has spoken on her own accord.”
Ms DaSilva continued: “Why am I seeing pictures of her on her husband’s coffin? Leave her alone, give her peace and privacy. Let her mourn.
“We have gone through times in the past where people have gone through these things, like William and Harry, they suffer PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) because it was so public.
“This lady needs to be protected at all costs.”
Judita DaSilva said Mrs Kirk was 'rolled out like a tool'
|GB NEWS
Charlie commented: “I think she is going to be protected without you criticising her as well.”
“I’m not criticising her”, Ms DaSilva insisted. “I’m criticising the people around her not giving her the protection she deserves.
“She’s been through the most traumatising thing any human being can go through.”
Charlie said: “I think she is her own woman. She is speaking very publicly on her own accord.
“I think she also very delicately organises what is captured around her and her close team.”
Speaking to more than 145,000 viewers, Mrs Kirk vowed not to let the movement her late husband built cease to exist.
She pledged to transform Turning Point USA into “the biggest thing this nation has ever seen” during the 16-minute address.
Fighting back tears, Mrs Kirk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and his family. "Mr President, my husband loved you, and he knew that you loved him too," she said.
The widow thanked first responders and medical staff whilst calling for supporters to continue her husband's mission of bringing young people into both the church and conservative politics.
Tyler Robinson, 22, from Utah, remains in custody following his arrest. The suspect is scheduled to make a virtual court appearance on Tuesday.