The connection between President Donald Trump and Erika Kirk is deeper than many initially realized.
Both Erika and Trump delivered speeches at the memorial for her late husband, Charlie Kirk, who tragically lost his life after being shot during a college speaking event in Utah on September 10.
At the memorial, held on Sunday (September 21), Erika, 36, became emotional as she spoke about her husband, their marriage, and her new role as the CEO of Turning Point USA.
The 79-year-old Trump was the last to take the stage, where he not only talked about the late podcaster but also addressed various other subjects. Following his speech, images captured the two sharing an embrace on stage, with Erika displaying a touching gesture.
However, what surprised many on social media was the revelation of a longstanding connection between Erika and Trump.
Old images surfaced online showing Erika during her time as a contestant in the Miss USA beauty pageant, where she was seen wearing a bikini.
Miss USA was affiliated with Miss Universe, a pageant organization Trump owned for 19 years before selling it in 2015. An image shows Erika standing before a backdrop featuring ‘Trump International Hotel Las Vegas’.
In November 2011, Erika clinched the title of Miss Arizona USA on her 23rd birthday, which paved her way to compete in the Miss USA pageant.
Someone highlighted this connection on X (formerly Twitter).
They tweeted: “Oooooh. Erika Kirk competed in the 2012 Miss USA competition, which was owned by Trump. Her talent portion for the Miss Arizona contest was performing a dribbling exhibition with two balls.
“Her website still lists contact info to book her for modeling and acting.”
Back then, Erika, known as Erika Lane Frantzve, stated her motivation to join the competition was to ‘further my causes’, emphasizing: “What really matters is making a difference, and I want to change the world. The bling is just a bonus.”
In a video clip, he states: “We’re here at Bill’s Burgers in New York City. Right near this very table was the first time Dada met Mama.
“It started as a job interview, and I was asking all these questions… Then I realised Mama was beautiful and smart and elegant and Christlike, and so I said, ‘Forget this job interview. I want to date you’.”
During the memorial, Trump referred to Charlie Kirk as a ‘giant of his generation’, acknowledging the significant role Kirk played in Trump’s 2024 election success.
In his speech, Trump also expressed gratitude towards Erika, praising her as ‘incredible and beautiful’, and anticipated that under her leadership, Turning Point USA would become more formidable than ever.