Erika Kirk shares grief coping advice in New York Times essay

Erika Kirk, who assumed leadership of the conservative campus group Turning Point USA after her husband Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah university event on Sept. 10, 2025, published a guest essay in the New York Times titled “What I’ve learned about grief.” In the piece she described the first 24 hours as a “fever dream” and recalled a conversation with Usha Vance, the wife of Indiana Governor JD Vance, who told her, "Just get through the next 15 minutes," using an airplane analogy to illustrate short-term focus during intense distress.

Kirk wrote that the advice helped her navigate daily reminders of her loss, from seeing her late husband's toothbrush to confronting their bedroom. She said she gradually faced memories, noting that milestones such as birthdays and holidays resurfaced the pain but also reinforced her resolve to move forward.

The essay also touched on her faith, stating she does not blame God and believes her husband’s legacy continues through the people he inspired. Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, cited by Fox News Digital, said the “15-minute” strategy can reduce anxiety by narrowing the focus during grief.

Turning Point USA did not immediately comment on the essay. Charlie Kirk had founded the organization to promote conservative ideas on college campuses and was speaking to more than 2,000 attendees in Orem, Utah, when he was killed.