The wife of the late Charlie Kirk gave Megyn Kelly a step-by-step walkthrough of her viral hug with Vice President JD Vance, defending it as her usual way of expressing affection.
Erika Kirk says she doesn't understand why there was so much fuss about that moment.
On October 29, at a Turning Point USA event, just seven weeks after the murder of her husband, Charlie Kirk, Erika took the stage as the organization's new leader. She honored her husband and then invited JD Vance to speak.
"No one can ever replace my husband," Erika said.
“But I see some similarities between him and JD. That’s why I’m so blessed to introduce him tonight.”
When Vance took the stage, the two embraced tightly. After the hug, Erika placed her hand on the back of his head, while he briefly held her waist. The gesture caused social media to explode with analysis and debate over the "hand placement" and whether the hug was appropriate given her recent loss.
So, Erika explained the moment step by step:
“They were playing the emotional video. I’m getting closer, and so is JD. I start crying. He says, ‘I’m so proud of you.’ And I say, ‘God bless you,’ as I touch the back of his head.”
She added that every time she hugs someone and touches their head, she says the same phrase: “God bless you.”
Megyn Kelly laughed and joked:
"If only you could touch his butt!"
Erika replied laughing:
"I think I would get less hate if I had done exactly that!"
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