Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, had to withdraw from a much-anticipated event featuring Vice President JD Vance due to receiving “very serious threats,” the organization announced on Tuesday.

In her place, Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for the conservative student activist group, addressed attendees at the Athens, Georgia event. He explained why Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk and a mother of two, was unable to conduct the planned interview with the vice president, who still participated in the gathering.

“I’m going to address it right at the front, Mr. Vice President,” Kolvet stated on stage. “I’m here instead of our friend Erika Kirk because, unfortunately, she has been the target of some very serious threats,” he explained to the audience.

Kolvet expressed his concerns about the situation, noting, “It’s a terrible reflection on the state of reality and the country,” and pointed out that some individuals have essentially made it a “part-time job” to target Erika.

Vice President Vance acknowledged that he was aware of the threats directed at Kirk, 37, and initially worried that the University of Georgia event might be canceled. However, he chose to proceed after discussions with the Secret Service.

“Obviously, these guys do a very good job,” Vance said, referring to his Secret Service team. “I thought, ‘You know what? Let’s allow Erika to take care of herself and her family. I’m sure Andrew will fill in, and let’s make this an incredible event.'” he concluded.

The vice president lamented the “two separate living hells” Kirk has been subjected to since her husband’s assasination last September, namely the shocking, public murder of her children’s father and the intense online criticism of her that followed. 

“Everybody is attacking her over everything, and they’re lying about her, and it’s one of the most disgraceful things that I’ve ever seen in public life,” Vance fumed. 

“The people telling you that Erika wasn’t grieving her husband are full of s–t,” he raged. 

Vance called the unhinged conspiracy theories that Erika Kirk is somehow complicit in her husband’s murder “so preposterous and so disgusting.” 

“The response to Charlie Kirk getting assassinated by a left-wing furry lover,” Vance argued, “should have been, let’s go after left wing violence and terrorism.” 

He added, “If you’re going after Erika Kirk and not the people who are trying to destroy the United States of America, you’re part of the problem, not part of the solution.” 

Kolvet later justifiably defended Kirk’s absence from the high-profile event, noting that she “has to live with this constant reality that her kids are one parent away from being orphans.” 

“We take that extremely seriously,” he said.