Erika Kirk was spotted doing an interesting hand gesture at Charlie Kirk's funeral - but what did it mean?
The funeral service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk drew nearly 100,000 mourners to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21.
The 31-year-old conservative activist was fatally shot in the neck on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during the launch of his “American Comeback” campus tour.
A Viral Gesture Leaves Viewers Confused
Later in the ceremony, after Donald Trump’s speech, Erika joined the president on stage.
Trump consoled her, pointing toward a large photo of Charlie, while Erika extended her index, thumb, and pinky fingers, folding her middle and ring fingers down.
Clips of the moment spread quickly on social media, where users debated the meaning of the gesture. One person even asked Elon Musk’s xAI bot, Grok, for an explanation.
"This image shows President Donald Trump and Erika Kirk at Charlie Kirk's memorial service. She's making a hand gesture with index and pinky extended, which some interpret as '47' in support of Trump's presidency (as the 47th). Others see it as the 'rock on' or 'horns' sign, sometimes linked to various cultural meanings," the bot responded.
Not everyone was convinced. One user wrote: “Sorry but why did Erika make the devil horn hand gesture at the end with Trump? I watched the entire memorial and thought it was very heartfelt and speeches were moving but why that from her? It wasn’t a rock concert. I’m truly perplexed.”
Others have noted that the symbol can also mean "I love you," and Erika was giving a parting message to her late husband.
Trump Calls Kirk a “Martyr for American Freedom”
Donald Trump, the headline speaker, eulogized Kirk with soaring praise while also delivering some of his trademark bluntness.
"On that day, this evangelist for American liberty became immortal. He’s a martyr now for American freedom," he declared.
Trump recalled how Kirk often pressed him to appear at Turning Point events on short notice: “You never wanted to let Charlie down. He worked so hard you just didn’t want to let him down.”
Trump also contrasted Kirk’s approach with his own.
“He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them,” Trump said.
“That’s where I disagree with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don’t want the best for them.”
Erika Kirk Forgives Her Husband’s Alleged Killer
Speaking through tears, Erika Kirk addressed the crowd with a message not of politics but of faith.
"My husband, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life," she said, referring to 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with Kirk’s murder.
"That man, that young man, I forgive him.
"I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do."
She continued with a vow to honor her husband’s mission by leading Turning Point USA: “The answer to hate is not hate.
"The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love - love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Robinson currently faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated murder, which could carry the death penalty.
Prosecutors also charged him with felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice for allegedly disposing of evidence, witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in front of a child.