President Trump has quietly appointed Erika Kirk, the widow of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, to the Board of Visitors at the US Air Force Academy.
Kirk, 37, is listed on the Colorado school’s website as one of six board members who are picked by the president.
Other members of the 19-person board are chosen by the speaker of the House, the House minority leader, and top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.
Erika Kirk’s late husband, Charlie, served on the board. Getty Images
President Trump and Erika Kirk on stage at Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Aristide EconomopoulosThe Board of Visitors “inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy,” according to its online page.
Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot and killed Sept. 10 during an event at Utah Valley University, was appointed to the board by Trump last year and attended an Aug. 7, 2025 meeting.
Minutes of that meeting available online indicate that Charlie Kirk took an active part in discussions, drawing particular attention to delays in renovating the academy’s chapel and inquiring whether it was possible for the academy’s athletic department to allow student-athletes to take part in so-called “NIL” agreements.
Charlie and Erika Kirk are seen in an undated social media photo. Instagram/mrserikakirkRep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), an academy graduate and chairman of the board, told Fox News Digital in a statement that he had recommended Trump appoint Erika Kirk to replace her late husband.
“I encouraged this appointment as Erika is the right person to fill Charlie’s place on the Board and continue his work of inspiring the next generation of service members and advancing the Academy,” Pfluger said. “I look forward to working alongside her to carry on Charlie’s legacy.”
Since her husband’s death, Erika Kirk has taken over as CEO and chairperson of Turning Point USA.
