Erika Kirk pulled out of a planned on-stage appearance with JD Vance after what was described as “very serious threats”.
The Turning Point USA chairwoman and CEO had been scheduled to join the Vice President at the event, but spokesperson Andrew Kolvet said she could no longer attend.
Attendees were informed on the night, after arriving expecting to see Kirk interview Vance.
“I’m going to address it right at the front, Mr. Vice President, I’m on stage here instead of our friend Erika Kirk because unfortunately she has received some very serious threats,” the Turning Point USA spokesman said.
“It’s a terrible reflection on the state of reality and the state of the country,” he continued.
Vance replied that he knew about the threats and said there had been concern the event at the University of Georgia might be called off.
He said he ultimately chose to go ahead after discussing security with the Secret Service.
“Obviously these guys do a very good job,” he said. “And I said, ‘You know what? Let’s let Erika do what she needs to do for herself and her family, I’m sure Andrew will fill in, and let’s go and make this an amazing event.’”
Kirk’s late husband, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed aged 31 last September while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
After his death, Erika Kirk assumed leadership of the conservative group, travelled around the country, and conducted an interview with Nicki Minaj—moves that drew increased criticism online about her behaviour.
Comedian Druski also posted a video to his social platforms that many viewers interpreted as making fun of Charlie Kirk’s widow.
At the University of Georgia appearance, Vance said Kirk had faced what he described as “disgraceful attacks following her husband’s death.
“Everybody is attacking her over everything, and they’re lying about her, and it’s one of the most disgraceful things that I’ve ever seen in public life,” he claimed.
“The people telling you that Erika wasn’t grieving her husband are full of s**t,” he added.
Vance also argued that the reaction to Kirk’s killing ‘should have been, let’s go after left wing violence and terrorism’.
He went on: “If you’re going after Erika Kirk, and not the people who are trying to destroy the United States of America, you’re part of the problem, not part of the solution.”
Kolvet, meanwhile, said threats against Kirk are treated “extremely seriously,” and said she lives with the ongoing fear that her children “are one parent away from being orphans”.