Why Erika Kirk attended US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor’s swearing-in: ‘Charlie is going to be with you’

Why Donald Trump invite Erika Kirk to the Oval Office ceremony?

Erika Kirk, the widow of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as U.S. Ambassador to India, where she delivered an emotional speech praising him. The event took place at the Oval Office on Monday, November 10, in the presence of President Donald Trump.

She praised Gor during the ceremony, calling his appointment “the beginning of an incredible opportunity.” She also told him that her late husband “is going to be with you every single day in spirit,” adding, “Charlie loved you. He would have been the first phone call when he found out if you were going to be taking this position.”

"Charlie is going to be with you every single day in spirit."

Erika Kirk praises Trump's ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, at his swearing-in ceremony. pic.twitter.com/Watd1elR4j — Fox News (@FoxNews) November 10, 2025

Notably, during his confirmation hearing in September, Gor had described India as a strategic partner whose progress would shape not only the region but the world.

Erika’s husband, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk, was allegedly shot and killed by Tyler Robinson on September 10 during a university event in Utah. The incident occurred during a student Q&A session at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Sergio Gor officially took his oath as the U.S. ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia on Monday. President Trump expressed confidence in his appointment, saying Gor would do “an outstanding job and make our country and all of his friends very proud.”

After footage from the ceremony circulated on social media, many users questioned Erika Kirk’s presence at the Oval Office. One user on X wrote, “Can someone please explain to me why Erika Kirk is in the Oval Office with many of the Executive Branch and senators for the swearing-in of the U.S. Ambassador to India? 🤔”

Another asked, “Why is Erika Kirk in the Oval Office?” Some commenters suggested that even if Charlie Kirk were alive, he might not have attended such an event.

According to a report by IBT Times, there is no official explanation for President Trump’s decision to include Erika Kirk in the ceremony. However, the report noted that Charlie Kirk had been a significant figure within Trump’s conservative circle, which could explain her invitation.

The article further added that Trump has maintained a close relationship with the Kirk family over the years, one that combines political collaboration, personal respect, and acknowledgment of Charlie Kirk’s influence within the conservative movement. Following Charlie’s death, it is believed that Trump’s decision to include Erika at the event reflected his desire to continue that connection.