rights
Charlie Kirk's widow sobs in court over video of alleged killer's transgender lover
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· July 9, 2026
· 3 min read
Erika Kirk, the widow of slain MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk, reportedly "sobbed" in a Utah courtroom yesterday after a judge ruled that jurors only be allowed to see a redacted video statement that the suspected murderer's transgender ex-lover, whose last name is Twiggs, made to police following Cha
Key takeaway Related He took part in a grisly Palm Springs murder almost 20 years ago.
Why this matters
The court's decision to allow a redacted video statement from the suspected murderer's transgender ex-lover, Twiggs, highlights the complexities of balancing a defendant's right to a fair trial with the need to present evidence of motive. In this case, prosecutors allege that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was motivated by animus against Charlie Kirk's anti-transgender views, which could be a crucial aspect of the trial. The fact that Twiggs downplayed discussions of politics or LGBTQ+ rights issues with Robinson may be seen as an attempt to distance themselves from the alleged motive. However, the text messages presented by prosecutors, in which Robinson allegedly discusses the rifle used in the shooting, suggest that Robinson may have been aware of the potential consequences of his actions. As the five-day evidentiary hearing continues, the court will need to carefully consider the relevance of Robinson's views on gender and politics to the case, and how they may have contributed to the alleged crime.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LGBTQ Nation . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Erika Kirk, the widow of slain MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk, reportedly "sobbed" in a Utah courtroom yesterday after a judge ruled that jurors only be allowed to see a redacted video statement that the suspected murderer's transgender ex-lover, whose last name is Twiggs, made to police following Cha
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .