PHOENIX – Since taking the helm of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) following the tragic assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, on September 10, 2025, Erika Kirk has been the subject of intense public scrutiny. The latest firestorm involves a “buried CIA video” that unverified profiles on X (formerly Twitter) claim proves she has deep ties to the intelligence community.
The 37-year-old CEO has not officially commented on the rumors, which have gained millions of impressions over the last 48 hours.
The Claim: “Erika Kirk Found in CIA Footage”
A series of viral posts featuring a low-resolution clip show a young Erika Kirk (then Erika Frantzve) discussing Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attacks and power grid vulnerabilities.
- The Narrative: Users have alleged that the video is a “classified CIA briefing” that was recently “leaked” or “uncovered” to expose Kirk as a “fed” or “deep state plant.”
- The Headlines: Captions such as “WHY WAS ERIKA KIRK IN A F**KING CIA VIDEO?” and “A BURIED CIA VIDEO JUST SURFACED” have fueled conspiracy theories across the platform.
The Fact-Check: Public Documentary, Not Secret Briefing
Investigations into the footage reveal that while the video is real, the context provided by social media users is false.
- Source of the Video: The clip is taken from a 2013 documentary titled Black Start, produced by filmmaker Patrea Patrick. The documentary focuses on the vulnerability of the U.S. electrical grid to solar flares and EMP attacks.
- Publicly Accessible: The video is not “buried.” It has been available on YouTube for over a decade. It features several high-profile figures, including former CIA Director R. James Woolsey, former Arizona Congressman Trent Franks, and Fox News contributor Jeanine Pirro.
- Erika’s Role: At the time of filming, Erika was a pageant winner (Miss Arizona 2012) and an entrepreneur with an interest in national security and philanthropy. She appears in the film as a commentator alongside various experts.
- IMDb Omission: While Erika Kirk appears in the footage, she is not currently listed in the public credits on the documentary’s IMDb page, which has added to the suspicion among online sleuths. However, her presence in the actual film is undisputed and was not hidden.
The Context: A Surge in Misinformation
The emergence of this decade-old footage comes at a time of heightened tension within TPUSA. Since Charlie Kirk’s death at Utah Valley University, the organization has faced internal questions regarding security protocols and its future direction.
- Security Concerns: High-profile figures like Candace Owens have recently criticized the security detail present on the day of the assassination, suggesting a “lack of a plan” contributed to the tragedy.
- The “Grok” Analysis: X’s AI assistant, Grok, noted that the video appears genuine and is drawn from the 2013 documentary, confirming that while she appears alongside a former CIA Director, the video itself is a commercial production and not a government secret.