Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy has nothing but respect for Erika Kirk and how she has navigated the grief-filled aftermath of her husband Charlie Kirk’s untimely death.
“It must be so difficult what she’s going through,” Campos-Duffy, 54, exclusively shared with Us Weekly when discussing the release of her new book All American Patriotism. “It’s tragic enough if you have a spouse or the father of your children die in a car accident, but to have them executed on a college campus, doing peaceful, friendly debate with college students — really in the spirit of debate that our country has always encouraged and embraced — it’s just so shocking and violent.”
Although Campos-Duffy has covered many difficult, often violent breaking news stories as cohost of Fox & Friends Weekend, she believes “the violence and the spectacle” in which Charlie was killed has to have made things even more difficult for Erika, 37.
“I admire the way she’s continued to move forward,” Campos-Duffy explained of her admiration for the young widow. “She continues to try to carry that message of patriotism and love for America, and certainly her faith to it all. I mean, since the first day after this happened, I think it was difficult not to notice that [faith] was indeed what was carrying her.”
Charlie was shot and killed in September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31. Erika has since become the chairwoman and CEO of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization her late husband helped create.
When working on her new book printed under FOX News Books, Campos-Duffy hoped that Charlie would say “yes” to writing the foreword to All American Patriotism.
After his death, the author was more than grateful to learn that Erika was open to stepping in and being part of the project on her late husband’s behalf.
“I was really honored that she said yes. What’s really touching is even just the first lines, she says, ‘Charlie never got to see America turn 250 and some days that thought still settles heavy to my heart,’” Campos-Duffy shared. “She just talks about how much he would have loved all the celebrations that are happening around this anniversary, and his love for the country. … Erika did an amazing job.”
In addition to Erika’s foreword, All American Patriotism brings together a striking collection of photographs capturing the nation’s natural wonders. Featuring personal reflections from Fox News Media personalities, the book aims to provide an inspirational look at the history and vision of the country.
“I hope the readers get a reminder that we are an exceptional nation,” Campos-Duffy explained. “We have been since 1776. We have a beautiful country, an amazing history and each of us has a story — an American dream story.”
All American Patriotism is available now wherever you buy books.
