Erika Kirk Accidentally Says ‘Grift’ Instead of ‘Grit’ About Her Late Husband Charlie: ‘Long Day’

Erika Kirk accidentally swapped the word “grit” for “grift” while speaking about the work of her late husband, Charlie Kirk.

The 37-year-old misspoke while honoring a student named Caleb during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix on Saturday, Dec. 20, according to video of the moment shared online.

“Despite the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, my incredible husband … Caleb has persisted with the same grift,” Erika said, before correcting herself to “gift,” and then finally, “grit.”

“It has been a long day,” she added, before turning to the student: “Trust me, you’re not a grifter, honey. It’s all good.”

A grifter is generally understood as someone who gets something through dishonest means, while grit is commonly used to describe passion and perseverance in pursuit of a goal.

AmericaFest is a multi-day conference and festival. The 2025 event began on Thursday, Dec. 18, and was set to conclude on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Erika, who stepped into her late husband’s role as Turning Point CEO in September, also drew attention during her opening remarks when she publicly backed Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 presidential election.

“We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” she told attendees, as seen in video of her speech shared online.

Vance, 41, has not announced any official plans to run for president after Donald Trump’s current term.

Erika has also said that Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, have been a source of support since Charlie’s death.

“He’s been a blessing,” she told Fox News host Jesse Watters in October. “Him and Usha, they are the most incredible people. Incredible. With such genuine love. I mean, just everything they did for us was so humanized. They just, they were there for us. They’ve been there for us.”

Charlie was manning his signature “Prove Me Wrong” table as part of his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University when he was shot and killed on Sept. 10. He was 31.

After a manhunt, Tyler Robinson was taken into custody. Robinson, 22, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with Charlie’s death.

At the Turning Point event, one of the main attractions is a photo opportunity inside a recreation of the booth where Charlie was killed.