In the wake of the memorial service for Charlie Kirk on Sunday, a bizarre accusation has surfaced online, claiming that his widow, Erika Kirk, made a satanic hand gesture during her appearance at the event in Glendale, Arizona.
The claim, which has gone viral, suggests that Erika’s gesture was intended to invoke the "devil horn" symbol.
At the memorial, Erika, 36, a devout Christian, was seen on stage beside former President Donald Trump, where she made a hand sign that is widely recognized in American Sign Language as a gesture for "I love you."
When did Erika Kirk make the gesture?
After delivering a heartfelt speech about her late husband’s life and legacy, she raised her arm with her index and pinky fingers raised, a common sign used to express love and affection.
However, a number of social media users quickly misinterpreted the gesture, labeling it as a "satanic hand symbol."
"I caught this hand sign from Erika Kirk, which is a Devil/Owl sign people use in dark meetings and rock-on concerts," one person posted.
Another questioned her actions, stating, "What is happening? Erika Kirk throwing up a satanic hand symbol to end off Charlie's funeral?!?! I hope she doesn't realize what she's doing, but this is definitely suspicious!"
Despite the hateful claims circulating online, supporters of Erika Kirk quickly rushed to her defense, clarifying that the gesture was, in fact, a widely recognized sign for "I love you" in sign language.
"PSA: Erika Kirk's hand sign at the end was sign language for 'I love you.' Not a satanic hand sign. Dear lord... please give me strength on this app," one user wrote in response.
Others echoed the sentiment, with one posting, "It's sign language for 'love you'. Ignorance is exactly why people commit violence. LEARN THINGS! Don't spew evil where none exists."
Confusion surrounding Erika's hand gesture
The viral claims were fueled by the confusion surrounding the gesture, which is similar to the "rock on" sign often seen at concerts, where the index and pinky fingers are raised while the other fingers are tucked in.
The critical distinction, however, is that in American Sign Language, the sign for "I love you" includes the thumb raised as well, which Erika Kirk had done when making the gesture.
During the service, Erika gave a powerful speech in which she forgave Tyler Robinson, the man allegedly responsible for her husband's death. "I forgive him," she said, referring to Robinson, as the audience erupted in applause.
"I forgive him because it's what Christ did. The answer to hate is not hate."
The memorial, held at State Farm Stadium, also saw former rivals President Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk put aside their differences.
Despite a history of tension, the two were seen chatting amicably before Trump offered Musk a friendly pat on the back.
Their strained relationship had boiled over in June 2025, when Musk posted and later deleted a claim alleging that federal authorities had additional information on Trump in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The service drew tens of thousands of mourners, with tight security around the stadium. President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and key Cabinet members were on stage for the occasion.
As Erika Kirk continues to face online criticism and support in equal measure, many are left wondering how such misunderstandings can arise in moments of grief and remembrance, underscoring the importance of looking beyond the surface and considering context.