In the aftermath of the heartbreaking assassination of Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and husband of Erika Kirk, new attention has been drawn to an unexpected link between Erika and President Donald Trump. While Erika and Trump have appeared closely united during recent memorial services and tributes to Charlie, it turns out their connection dates back many years before Erika met her late husband.
People online were stunned when photos and information revealed Erika competed in the 2012 Miss USA pageant, a contest co-owned by Donald Trump at the time via the Miss Universe Organization. Erika won the Miss Arizona title in 2011, which allowed her entry to the national competition. Her talent, a basketball dribbling exhibition, stood out as unusual and memorable to judges.
Details emerged that during the years she participated in beauty pageants, Erika’s paths might have crossed with Trump, raising questions on social media about how intertwined their histories are beyond politics. Trump owned the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA contests throughout the 1990s until 2015 and was reportedly heavily involved in contestant selection.
Erika’s transformation from beauty queen and entrepreneur to CEO of Turning Point USA after Charlie’s death underscores the complexity of her public life. Meanwhile, revelations about her family’s involvement, such as her father’s work on Trump Tower’s construction, add to the intrigue.
As tributes continue between Trump and Erika, this unexpected backstory paints a richer picture of connections that predate recent political upheavals, reminding the public how small the world of politics, business, and pageantry can be.
