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Erika Kirk and JD Vance's hug slammed as 'inappropriate' as fans notice one intimate detail
Charlie Kirk's widow Erika and Vice President JD Vance shared a moment that some online commenters have branded "inappropriate".
Erika Kirk took the stage Wednesday night at the University of Mississippi, marking her first major campus appearance since the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, last month. The event was part of Turning Point USA’s “This Is the Turning Point” tour, now under her leadership as CEO.
Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of TPUSA, was shot and killed during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University on October 4. He was 31. Since then, Erika has pledged to carry on his mission and lead the group forward.
Speaking before introducing Vice President J.D. Vance, she addressed the weight of the moment.
“When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President J.D. Vance, to speak today, I really prayed on it because, obviously, it’s a very emotional, emotional day,” she said, via The New York Post. “But I could just hear Charlie in my heart. I could just hear him say, ‘Go reclaim that territory, babe. Go. The battle’s already won. God’s love conquers.’”
She sees “similarities” between Vance and her late husband
Kirk told the crowd, “No one will ever replace my husband – but I do see some similarities of my husband in J.D.”
The two have been friends for years, bonded by politics, faith, and shared speaking circuits. Her comment added a layer of personal connection to the evening, which was filled with religious themes and calls for political action.
As Vance approached the stage to take over, the crowd witnessed a moment that quickly became a flashpoint online.
Their onstage hug draws attention and criticism
During the hug, Vance placed his hands on Erika’s hips, while she reached up and placed her hand on the back of his head, fingers visibly running through his hair. It was a gesture some saw as intimate, sparking a flurry of reactions across social media.
One user wrote, “The back of the head grab is flagrant lol.” Another tweeted, “I have never wanted to touch any man’s hair during a hug other than my husband’s. This is weird.”
Others questioned the optics, especially given Vance’s own marriage. “Usha might have something to say about that hug,” one comment read.
The event also included remarks from Vance about his hopes that his wife, who was raised Hindu, would one day convert to Christianity: “I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way.”
Neither Vance nor TPUSA have publicly addressed the reaction to the hug.