There’s a specific reason why Charlie Kirk‘s wife Erika didn’t wear black to his funeral.
Tens of thousands of mourners filled the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday (21 September) for the funeral of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The 31-year-old conservative activist, who was fatally shot while hosting a university debate in Utah on September 10, was honored with a service that drew Republicans, MAGA supporters, and political allies from across the country.
The memorial, which featured security measures rivaling a presidential inauguration, saw armed patrols, TSA-style checkpoints, and bulletproof screens protecting those delivering eulogies, including former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Officials later confirmed that a man disguised as a police officer and carrying a weapon was arrested while attempting to enter the venue.
Authorities estimated more than 100,000 people attended the service, nearly double the stadium’s official capacity, with thousands more standing outside to pay respects.
The event cost an estimated $10 million in security and logistics. Video montages of Kirk’s career, footage from the day of his assassination, and emotional tributes from colleagues underscored the magnitude of the loss felt within conservative circles.
One of the most talked-about moments came from Donald Trump’s 40-minute eulogy.
The former president revealed what he claimed were Kirk’s final words to him, a chilling four-word plea of: “Please, sir, save Chicago.”
Trump told mourners that Kirk’s last request centered on his hometown, where crime and unrest have long been a flashpoint in political debate.
“We’re gonna do that, we’re gonna save Chicago from horrible crime,” Trump promised. “We’ll have Charlie very much in mind when we go into Chicago, and we’ll get that one straight.”
The remark brought the crowd to its feet and has since become a rallying cry among Kirk’s supporters.
The late activist’s wife, Erika Kirk, also took the stage to address the stadium, raising her hand in the American Sign Language sign for ‘I love you,’ combining the ASL letters I, L, and Y.
Forgiving her husband’s alleged killer, she added: “The world needs Turning Point USA. It needs a group that will point young people away from the path of misery and sin… And so I promise you today, every part of our work will become greater.”
She has since stepped into Charlie’s role as CEO of Turning Point USA.
Despite her tribute, Erika’s outfit sparked widespread discussion online.
Many were puzzled that she chose not to wear black, the traditional mourning color in Western funerals.
“Odd that she is not wearing black,” one X user wrote, while another added: “When my grandfather died young, my grandmother wore black for a year. Erika is out of pocket for not putting on mourning colours at these events.”
However, the explanation was simple.
According to the official Fight for Charlie memorial website, the funeral’s dress code requested ‘Sunday Best’ in red, white, and blue, symbolizing the American flag.
Former President Trump himself followed the guidance, appearing in a blue suit with a red tie.
Erika’s all-white ensemble was her way of honoring both her husband and the patriotic theme of the service.
