Erika Kirk broke her silence on what Vice President J.D. Vance whispered to her during the emotional onstage hug that set off a week of online speculation.
The moment happened at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on October 29. The gathering honored Charlie Kirk, and Erika introduced Vance while reflecting on her husband’s compassion and leadership.
Vance also stirred controversy during the same event after stressing that he is a devout Catholic while his wife Usha is Hindu. He said he hopes she will convert one day, remarks critics claimed suggested her beliefs were not enough.
Erika and Vance embraced as he walked onstage, sharing a warm and emotional hug that immediately went viral. Erika placed her hand on the back of his head while Vance rested his hands on her waist.
Social media users quickly claimed the moment looked inappropriate, though others defended it as an expression of grief between two people who loved Charlie.
Erika addressed the situation for the first time during an interview with Megyn Kelly in Arizona on Friday. She explained her perspective and gave a detailed breakdown of the moment, per the Daily Mail.
Erika said her love language is physical touch and that the emotional video of Charlie had just finished playing. She described walking toward Vance with tears beginning to form as he approached her.
Erika said Vance leaned in and whispered, “I’m so proud of you.” She said she responded by saying, “God bless you,” before touching the back of his head. She explained that she always says “God bless you” when she hugs someone that way.
Kelly joked that critics behaved as if she touched “the back of his ass.” Erika laughed and said she would probably receive less hate if she had done that instead.
Erika has stepped into her husband’s role as CEO of Turning Point USA, the largest conservative student organization in America. Her leadership began almost immediately after his death.
Vance and his wife Usha flew to Utah less than 24 hours after Charlie’s assassination. They escorted his casket back to Arizona aboard Air Force 2. Footage from the trip shows Vance carrying the casket while Usha comforts Erika.
The memorial service in Arizona featured President Donald Trump and several top members of the administration. Vance told the crowd that Charlie was proud of Erika and their two children and grateful to build a family with a woman of God.
Usha Vance has sparked separate speculation after appearing without her wedding ring during a recent White House event with First Lady Melania Trump. She was also spotted without it during a trip to Camp Lejeune last week.
Photos from the visit showed her stepping off a plane with her left hand visible and no ring. A spokesman said she is a mother of three young children who washes dishes, gives baths and occasionally forgets the ring.
