20 Minutes ago in Washington, Erika Kirk was confirmed as…See more
Teens Revolt Over Erika Kirk’s Visit To Their High School
Erika is turning her attention to high school students after hardly anyone at a state university bothered to show up to her event.
Students at a Phoenix high school are revolting against a planned visit from right-wing personality Erika Kirk.
After a sparsely attended Turning Point USA campus event, Erika is now turning her attention to high schoolers, with a planned event at Pinnacle High School in north Phoenix next week.But she is already not being met with open arms by students and parents.
“I don’t know why she’s coming here, to be honest,” Francisco Sanchez, a senior at Pinnacle High School, told 12 News Phoenix. “I think the topics that she talks about are too extremist for a school. I think there are better representatives we can have.”
Erika pictured at Charlie's funeral, which was held in Arizona at the Arizona Cardinals stadium.Daniel Cole/REUTERS
“It’s a little crazy because I would never have expected someone like her to show up at a high school,” high school senior Kasandra Acosta told the outlet.
“I’m pretty shocked. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s even happening,” she added.Parents of students enrolled at the school told The Arizona Republic they were concerned about security--especially after earlier this week, Erika, who became CEO of her late husband Charlie Kirk’s TPUSA organization after his September killing, skipped an event at the University of Georgia over safety concerns.
“It’s not just your average citizen coming over to speak to the club. She brings politics with her, she brings division with her, just because everybody in America is divided,” Bobbe Noland, a parent of a Pinnacle student, told the Republic.
Vance, the second in line to the presidency, still attended the event earlier this week, despite security concerns with Erika.Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS
School officials told parents this week that students would see an increased security presence on campus during the event, prompting some parents to also demand that the school move her visit to after-school hours.
Phoenix Police told 12 News that since Erika’s visit was a private event, the responsibility for securing it rests with the event organizers and must be coordinated with the school district.
“We regularly work with community partners to support public safety during gatherings. As with any event, our officers will continue to monitor activity, review available information, and adjust deployment strategies as needed to help ensure a safe environment for students, staff, and the surrounding community,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
Her speaking appearance has been organized with the school’s Club America chapter, a TPUSA-affiliated organization. The right-wing nonprofit is headquartered in Phoenix, and she and Charlie lived in the nearby affluent suburb of Scottsdale for many years.
The Daily Beast reached out to TPUSA for comment on the controversy.
Students at Pinnacle High School are not too enthused by Erika's visit to campus next week.Daniel Cole/REUTERS
It’s not the first time she and her late husband stirred up controversy in Arizona’s public schools.
In 2021, Erika and Charlie raged against the Scottsdale Unified School District’s mask policy during the COVID-19 pandemic at a school board meeting. At the time, the couple did not have any children yet.
During the meeting, Charlie called the mask policy a “self-righteous measure” enacted to “abuse the children.”
“There is zero evidence to show that children are at a significant risk of catching or dying from the Chinese coronavirus,” he claimed, adding, “You have awoke a sleeping giant. I hope you enjoy your masked, short-term future here while it still lasts.”
The Kirks had welcomed their first child in August 2022, a year after they complained to a school board about its COVID policies.Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Erika, who grew up in Scottsdale but attended private Catholic school, went as far as to demand a moment of silence at the board meeting for “the kids who will end up committing suicide this upcoming school year in 2021 and 2022 because of your reckless and ego-centered leadership and lack thereof.”
“As Christians, we are told to pray for our leaders and that is what I will do every day,” she said. “May God have mercy on your souls for everything you guys are doing in this leadership position.”One Scottsdale parent called them out, pointing out that they didn’t even have children who were enrolled in the city’s public schools.
“While the agitators from outside our district would have you think that masks mandates are only in place at liberal public schools, the list of private and parochial schools also enacting mask mandates is far from short,” the parent said. “I applaud SUSD’s governing board.”
Timeline of Donald Trump health issue accidentally 'exposed' by Kai Trump
Timeline of Donald Trump health issue accidentally 'exposed' by Kai Trump
Donald Trump's granddaughter Kai Trump may have inadvertently confirmed the timeline of how long the president has had an issue in a social media post.
Kai Trump's Instagram post appears to show how long the President has had a hand issue (Image: Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images)
Kai Trump may have just revealed a timeline the White House spent months attempting to manage.
The 18-year-old granddaughter of the president shared an Instagram carousel on Wednesday that initially appeared to be another influencer-style post promoting her clothing line, similar to posts from NFL star Travis Kelce.
However, hidden among the selfies and throwback pictures was a photo confirming Donald Trump's bruised hand had been visible since November, weeks before his official White House return. It comes after Kai gave a four-word update on Donald's health after alarming concerns.
The picture was originally shared on election night and depicts Kai and Donald Trump celebrating at Mar-a-Lago as results rolled in. Trump's right hand was clearly covered with either poor spray tan or a heavy layer of foundation hiding purple bruising near his knuckles.
Trump's team claims his bruise is from shaking hands (Image: Getty Images)
Following months of questions, it appears the makeup was an early attempt to conceal a problem that would subsequently become a significant topic on cable news and health blogs.
Trump discussed the bruising in December 2024 during a TIME interview, attributing it to "shaking hands with thousands of people." Since that moment, the hand has developed a personality of its own during campaign events.Trump's team claims his bruise is from shaking hands (Image: Getty Images)
Following months of questions, it appears the makeup was an early attempt to conceal a problem that would subsequently become a significant topic on cable news and health blogs.
Trump discussed the bruising in December 2024 during a TIME interview, attributing it to "shaking hands with thousands of people." Since that moment, the hand has developed a personality of its own during campaign events.
It makes appearances during rallies, particularly in fist pumps. On the golf course, it grips a club to strike a ball, despite numerous opponents asserting that the president doesn't play the game fairly.
In July, the White House released a statement from Trump's physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, indicating that the bruising was "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and aspirin use."
The physician explained that aspirin was included in a "standard cardiovascular prevention regimen" and characterized the side effect as "benign and well known."
That same medical assessment also examined Trump's swollen ankles and identified chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where veins struggle to return blood to the heart.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the diagnosis later that month, maintaining that Trump remained "in exceptional health."
RadarOnline reported that insiders close to the president claim he's dealing with mobility issues and have suggested that a hip replacement might be necessary. The report indicates that his physical discomfort at 79 is actually 'far worse than he admits publicly.'
Despite his hand conditions, Trump has kept playing golf, frequently swinging with Kai. She regularly accompanies him with her camera and phone and even shares herself playing on social media.
Kai has committed her future to the University of Miami, where she will become part of the 2026 Hurricanes golf team. President Trump possesses 17 golf courses worldwide, spanning from the US to Scotland, Dubai, and beyond.
His Doral resort course in Miami is scheduled to host a PGA Tour signature event with a $20 million purse next season.
Trump’s Neck Rash Distracts From New Bruise on ‘Good’ Hand
While President Donald Trump’s new neck rash raised alarm on Monday, a new bruise on his “good” hand slipped through the cracks.
Trump, 79, was photographed from all angles during a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on Monday, and while many photos focused on the scabbed rash behind his right ear, some pictures captured a glimpse at the bruising on his left hand.
The blemishing was clear as day as Trump, the oldest person to assume the presidency, presented retired Army Command Sgt. Major Terry P. Richardson with the Medal of Honor.
A dark spot is visible on Trump's left hand during the ceremony.SAUL LOEB/Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
The president’s right hand, which he usually tries to keep out of clear view, is often slathered in foundation to hide the bruising that the White House commonly attributes to “frequent handshaking.”
However, Trump’s left hand on Monday featured none of the beige sheen typically applied to distract from the odd discoloration.
Trump first showed severe bruising on his left hand—his “good hand”—during January’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “I clipped them on a table,” he explained.
He has also defended his discolored hands by blaming them on his aspirin use. The president has said he takes a higher daily dose of the anti-inflammatory drug than what doctors recommend because he doesn’t want “thick blood” flowing through his heart.
Regarding the president’s new red neck rash, Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, earlier told the Daily Beast in a statement: “President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment, prescribed by the White House Doctor.”
“The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks,” Barbabella, who is the White House Doctor, added.
Trump's neck rash was visible at a Medal of Honor Ceremony at the White House.Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
It’s unclear what the “preventative skin treatment” is intended to prevent, and whether it’s effectively treating a condition that has yet to be disclosed to the American public. The administration has frequently touted itself as the “most transparent” in American history.
The redness on Trump’s neck was first spotted during the president’s visit to Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday, while he stood onstage alongside actor Dennis Quaid.
The area below and behind Trump's right ear appeared red on Friday, hinting at the future rash to come.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
The president’s health has been a major concern throughout his second term, which the Daily Beast has covered extensively.
