Erika Kirk (née Frantzve), the former Miss Arizona and widow of the late Charlie Kirk, has taken over as the CEO and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) following her husband’s assassination in September 2025. She has quickly stepped into the public spotlight, continuing the organization’s work on various college campuses.
The “Fake Tears” Allegation
A specific video clip has generated widespread controversy and criticism online, with allegations that Erika Kirk was simulating emotion at her husband’s memorial service.
- The Allegation: The video purportedly shows Erika Kirk backstage applying a tear-inducing solution to her eye before she went on stage to deliver a speech at a memorial held for Charlie Kirk.
- The Context: Erika Kirk delivered an emotional address at the memorial on September 21, during which she stated she forgave Tyler Robinson, the man accused of taking her husband’s life, and broke into tears.
John Cleese’s Viral Reaction
The video’s allegations gained significant traction after being shared by the Emmy-award-winning comedian and actor John Cleese. Cleese reacted to the clip with a highly sarcastic and viral comment that referenced a famous quote about sincerity:
“As George Burns once said ‘Sincerity is the key. If you can fake that, the sky’s the limit,'” Cleese wrote.
Erika Kirk in the Spotlight
Since taking on the leadership role at TPUSA, Erika Kirk has been under intense public scrutiny, with cameras reportedly analyzing her every move and emotion. She recently addressed this level of surveillance in an interview:
“There have been cameras all over me. Analyzing my every move, analyzing my every smile, my every tear.”
This incident, along with other viral moments—such as her emotional embrace with US Vice President JD Vance at a recent TPUSA event—has kept Erika Kirk at the center of media attention as she continues her husband’s conservative legacy.