Erika Kirk Responds to Criticism Over Her Viral Hug With Vice President JD Vance

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Erika Kirk has responded to backlash over her hug with Vice President JD Vance that went viral.

Last month, a hug between Erika Kirk and JD Vance went viral resulting in many users on X condemning Erika’s move.

Take a look:

Here was some of the backlash:

People reported on how Erika Kirk responded to the backlash:

Erika Kirk said she doesn’t understand the fuss about her recent onstage hug with Vice President JD Vance.

At an Oct. 29 Turning Point USA event seven weeks after the assassination of Erika’s husband, Charlie Kirk, the grieving widow took the stage as the new CEO of TPUSA. She paid tribute to her late husband before welcoming Vance to the stage to speak.

“No one will ever replace my husband,” Erika, 37, told the crowd. “But I do see some similarities of my husband in JD— in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And that’s why I am so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight.”

As the vice president, 41, walked out, he and Erika tightly embraced. Following the hug, Erika moved her hand to the back of JD’s head, and he rested his hands briefly on her waist.

The greeting surprised many internet users, according to a flurry of viral posts on social media that analyzed their hand placements and debated whether the hug was appropriate for the situation, given Erika’s recent loss, as well as Vance’s marital status.

“My love language is touch, if you will,” she told the crowd at the Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix, where her husband’s sold-out memorial service was held two months earlier.

“So I will give you a play-by-play: They just played the emotional video. I’m walking over, [JD] is walking over. I’m starting to cry,” Erika recounted.

“He says, ‘I’m so proud of you.’ And I say, ‘God bless you,’ and I touch the back of his head,” she continued. “Anyone whom I have hugged, that I have touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, ‘God bless you.’ ”

Megyn responded with a laugh, saying, “They were acting like you touched the back of his ass!”

Erika agreed, adding, “I feel like I wouldn’t get as much hate if I did that!”

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Notably, just over a week later, Erika attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, where she embraced Gor in a similar manner.

Watch Erika explain the moment here:

Watch Erika Kirk’s full interview with Megyn Kelly below:



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