Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, recently discussed an ‘inappropriate’ hug she shared with JD Vance onstage and the words exchanged between them.
Erika came into the public eye after her husband, Charlie Kirk, a political activist, was tragically shot while speaking at a campus event in Utah on September 10.
Charlie Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a far-right advocacy group, and was known for his staunch views on issues like immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s reproductive rights, and gun violence.
Following his passing, Turning Point USA organized a large memorial service, which included speeches from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, with Erika Kirk prominently featured.
A particular incident at the University of Mississippi during an event honoring Charlie Kirk gained widespread attention online.
Erika and Vance shared a prolonged embrace on stage, which some criticized as ‘inappropriate’ due to her placing her hand on the back of his head.
In an onstage interview with Megyn Kelly, Erika clarified what was said by Vance and explained the reason behind the length of the hug.
“My love language is touch, if you will … So I will give you a play-by-play,” she mentioned during the Megyn Kelly Live event on Saturday (November 22), noting: “They just played the emotional video. I’m walking over, he’s walking over. I’m starting to cry.”
Erika shared what Vance conveyed to her: “He says, ‘I’m so proud of you.’ And I say, ‘God bless you,’ and I touch the back of his head.”
She further explained: “Anyone whom I have hugged that I have touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, God bless you.”
Addressing the criticism of the moment, Kelly humorously remarked: “They were acting like you touched the back of his a**!”
Erika responded: “I feel like I wouldn’t get as much hate if I did that!”
In his address to around 60,000 attendees, Vance honored Charlie Kirk and Erika, describing her as a ‘woman of God’.
“Charlie was so proud of Erika and the two kids. He was so happy to be a father,” Vance expressed. “And he felt such gratitude for having found a woman of God with whom he could build a family.”
After her husband’s passing, Erika has assumed the role of CEO of Turning Point USA.