Protester Sparks Outrage After Dressing as Charlie Kirk at TPUSA Event

A Turning Point USA event in Texas took a disturbing turn when a protester allegedly dressed up as slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and appeared to mock the moment he was assassinated.

The shocking stunt unfolded during Erika Kirk’s appearance at the TPUSA Women’s Leadership Summit at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, where demonstrators gathered outside and inside the event.

According to footage shared by TPUSA-linked accounts, one protester wore a papier-mache head made to resemble Charlie, along with a T-shirt that read “freedom.”

The person then collapsed to the ground in what appeared to be a crude reenactment of Charlie’s fatal shooting on September 10, 2025.

As the protester fell, another person used a megaphone to shout accusations at the crowd.

“You are protecting pedophiles. You are protecting Nazis,” the person yelled.

Nearby demonstrators then began chanting, “Deserved to die!”

The stunt quickly sparked outrage online, with critics calling it a grotesque attack on Erika and her late husband’s memory.

Erika, 37, also faced heckling inside the conference hall while addressing attendees. At one point, a woman interrupted her speech and shouted, “Erika Kirk protects pedophiles! Erika Kirk protects pedophiles!”

The woman was then escorted out of the room.

Erika responded calmly from the stage.

“It’s important to remember that happiness comes and goes — and I pray that you find it,” she told the protester.

She then turned the moment into a message about faith, forgiveness and perseverance.

“That’s an important moment because that just shows duty to faithfulness gives life meaning, and we must pray for our enemies and those that do not feel like their life has meaning,” Erika said. “And that’s a perfect example of that. A perfect example. You pray for your enemies. You pray for those that persecute you.”

The tense scene came after Erika had already faced alleged threats ahead of the event.

Authorities arrested 26-year-old Jacob Wenske, who was charged with two felony counts of making a terroristic threat causing public fear. Police said he allegedly posted online comments that appeared to reference violence against Erika and the TPUSA gathering.

“I can’t wait to be the valet for her escort,” one alleged comment read.

Another allegedly stated, “I know exactly where to bomb.”

Police also obtained an email allegedly written by Wenske that included violent threats against Erika and TPUSA speakers.

“Death to Erika Kirk and every single speaker there!!” the email allegedly read. “America will live on without those scum on this earth. Every Christian nationalist shall perish in the bombing that will take place at every single Turning Point rally and event.”

The threats prompted event organizers to increase security at the summit.

Turning Point USA later thanked law enforcement on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “We are grateful to the San Antonio Police Department and the FBI for their rapid response and arrest of the individual making these threats.”

The group added that its events include “enhanced, multi-layered security measures” involving private security and local police.

“We refuse to let threats silence us,” TPUSA said. “We look forward to a successful and inspiring gathering June 5–7 in San Antonio for 2,500+ ladies attending the Women’s Leadership Summit!”

Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in September 2025 while speaking at a public event on a Utah college campus. He was answering a question from the audience about gun violence when he was struck by a bullet.

He was rushed away by medical personnel but was later pronounced dead at age 31.

Following his death, Erika took on a larger public role with Turning Point USA and has made several appearances honoring her late husband.

But those appearances have also drawn backlash and protests, with critics accusing her of turning Charlie’s death into a political spectacle.

Still, supporters say the latest demonstration crossed a shocking line by mocking a real-life assassination in front of his widow’s organization.