Chelsea Handler Mentions Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA at 2026 Critics Choice Awards

Chelsea Handler made reference to Turning Point USA during her 2026 Critics Choice Awards wrap.

Handler, 50, concluded her hosting duties on Sunday, January 4, by rolling out a series of acknowledgements that included a nod to the nonprofit organization originally founded by the late Charlie Kirk and now run by his widow, Erika Kirk.

“We would like to thank the critics, the crew, the E! Network and Turning Point USA,” the comedian, who held a near-empty glass in her hand, said before flashing a wide grin. “Good night.”

Turning Point USA was created by the former political activist in 2012 to advocate for conservative politics throughout high school, college and university campuses. Erika, 37, took over as CEO and chairwoman of the company in September 2025, just days after Charlie was assassinated at the age of 31.

Last month, Erika engaged in a full week of TV appearances on Fox News as she promoted Charlie’s posthumous book, Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life. More recently, Erika also appeared at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona, where she brought surprise guest Nicki Minaj onto the stage for a sit down interview on December 21, 2025.

During Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards, Handler, who has publicly voiced her political viewpoints for many years, also poked fun at Minaj, 43, in light of the musician’s AmericaFest 2026 appearance. Handler said during her opening monologue jab that she hadn’t “been invited to a Black person’s house since [the film] Sinners,” before noting that the “only person who has invited me is Nicki Minaj, but who wants to go over there?”