In a move that’s drawing attention across political and media circles, CBS News has scheduled a town hall event with Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, just months after his tragic death. The event is set for Saturday, December 13, and will be led by none other than CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.
This decision comes at a time when many major news networks are navigating shifting audiences and trust gaps, particularly among younger viewers and conservatives. While CBS hosting a town hall isn’t unusual on its own, having Weiss personally moderate the conversation, and choosing Erika Kirk as the focus, is seen by many as a reflection of the network’s evolving direction under new leadership.
Erika Kirk has taken the reins of Turning Point USA since her husband’s assassination in September. Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking on a college campus — a moment that sent shockwaves through political circles and reignited debates around campus free speech and political violence. The man who carried out the attack is in custody and faces charges, though he has not yet stood trial.
What made headlines almost immediately after the tragedy was Erika’s response at her husband’s memorial. In a moment that surprised many, she forgave the alleged killer publicly. She told The New York Times and CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin during a recent interview that the decision to forgive wasn’t rehearsed or scripted. “That was a gametime, second-to-second moment that was not pre-planned,” she said, adding that she only said it because she meant it.
The upcoming town hall will replace the scheduled broadcast of the 28th annual Family Film and TV Awards, which will now air a week later. According to Weiss, the shift was intentional and necessary. “Like so many people around the world, I will never forget the moment that Erika Kirk forgave her husband’s killer,” Weiss said in a statement. “I am eager to speak to her — and thrilled to be doing so in front of a group of Americans who I know will elevate the conversation.”
JUST ANNOUNCED: @CBSNews to present A TOWNHALL WITH ERIKA KIRK moderated by CBS News editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss. Kirk will talk about the murder of her husband, Charlie Kirk, rising political violence in America, the future of the right, and faith.
Watch Sat., Dec. 13 at… pic.twitter.com/Driz92ITwm
— CBS News PR (@CBSNewsPress) December 4, 2025
Watch Sat., Dec. 13 at… Charlie Kirk became a major name in conservative activism by building Turning Point USA into one of the most recognized youth-focused political organizations on the right. His rise was fueled by a sharp understanding of how to use social media to speak directly to younger audiences who have largely turned away from traditional media. Erika Kirk noted that shift in her recent interviews, explaining that many people her age are getting news from TikTok and Instagram instead of legacy newsrooms.
CBS News has faced its own challenges adapting to the changing media landscape. With viewership dropping and digital-first outlets on the rise, Paramount made a bold move earlier this year by acquiring The Free Press, the independent media company founded by Bari Weiss. The deal led to Weiss taking over editorial leadership at CBS News, signaling a broader strategy to reach audiences who feel disconnected from mainstream outlets.
In a statement at the time, Paramount CEO David Ellison said he believes CBS News and The Free Press are positioned to lead a transformation in journalism. “Our goal is to broaden our reach while solidifying our position as a leading voice in American journalism,” he said.
Erika Kirk’s role at Turning Point and her continued public appearances show that she is stepping into a leadership role in her own right, while honoring the legacy of her late husband. With the town hall set for national broadcast, it may also be a test of CBS’s efforts to reach across the aisle — or at least acknowledge a broader range of American voices.
Erika Kirk says she’s afraid “we are living in a day and age” where people think “violence is the solution to them not wanting to hear a different point of view. That’s not a gun problem… that is a soul problem.” pic.twitter.com/iNymAah7JO
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) December 4, 2025
The event, originally reported by The Guardian’s Jeremy Barr, is expected to draw both attention and scrutiny, especially as political tensions remain high and the country continues to navigate questions of media trust, political violence, and generational change.
