Fact-check: Claims That Carrie Underwood Criticized Erika Kirk Over Husband’s Death

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, his widow Erika Kirk has found herself thrust into an intense public spotlight as she assumes leadership of Turning Point USA, the conservative advocacy organization her late husband founded.

The 36-year-old Erika, who recently took over as CEO of the influential conservative group, has openly addressed the heightened scrutiny she now faces, noting that her “every move” is being analyzed by the public and media alike.

Recent appearances by Erika Kirk have sparked considerable online discussion, particularly after she was seen embracing Vice President JD Vance at a Turning Point USA event held at the University of Mississippi. The brief interaction between the two quickly generated a flurry of commentary across social media platforms.

Amid this heightened attention, false claims have begun circulating online regarding country music star Carrie Underwood’s alleged criticism of Erika Kirk. Multiple unverified social media accounts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have shared posts claiming that Underwood publicly accused Kirk of “turning grief into profit” following her husband’s death.

One viral Facebook post allegedly quoted Underwood saying “I WON’T FAKE SYMPATHY,” followed by claims that she had “broken Nashville’s silence” with an “unfiltered post” criticizing Kirk. The post further alleged that Underwood’s supposed statement had “exploded” online, generating “millions of views” and leaving “industry insiders speechless.”

These claims, however, have been debunked as entirely fabricated. Underwood, known for hit songs such as “Before He Cheats,” has made no public statements regarding Erika Kirk or her handling of her husband’s tragic death. Fact-checkers, including the AI assistant Grok, have confirmed that these claims are false and appear designed to create controversy around an already sensitive situation.

“No, this claim is false,” stated Grok in its fact-check. “Carrie Underwood has not made any public statement criticizing Erika Kirk or accusing her of exploiting Charlie Kirk’s death for gain.”

The fabricated controversy comes at a particularly difficult time for Erika Kirk, who is not only mourning her husband’s violent death but also navigating her new role leading one of the most prominent conservative youth organizations in the United States. Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk in 2012, has grown into a significant force in conservative politics, particularly on college campuses.

In a recent interview, Erika Kirk appeared to address the various conspiracy theories and rumors that have emerged following her husband’s assassination, urging people to show some “grace” during this difficult period. Her comments suggest an awareness of the intense public interest in both her personal life and professional decisions as she steps into her late husband’s role.

The circulation of false claims about celebrity reactions highlights the challenging media environment surrounding high-profile political figures, particularly in cases involving tragedy. Social media platforms continue to struggle with the rapid spread of misinformation, especially when it involves emotional topics that generate significant engagement.

As Erika Kirk continues her work with Turning Point USA, she faces the dual challenge of honoring her husband’s legacy while charting her own course for the organization amid intense public scrutiny and, unfortunately, deliberate misinformation.