Erika Kirk has finally replied to the backlash over her viral hug with Vice President JD Vance.
The widow of the late political commentator has again become the subject of intense internet scrutiny.
Since the shooting of Charlie Kirk on 10 September, Erika has pledged to carry forward his mission, declaring that her 'cries will echo around the world like a battle cry.' As part of honouring his legacy, she organised an event at the University of Mississippi for Charlie's 'This Is the Turning Point' tour.
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Before Vice President JD Vance took the stage, Kirk addressed the crowd: "When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President JD Vance, to speak today, I really prayed on it because, obviously, it’s a very emotional, emotional day."
She added: "No one will ever replace my husband, no, but I do see some similarities of my husband in JD."
However, after a recent hug with Vance on stage went viral, the 37-year-old has faced criticism for what some labelled an 'inappropriate' embrace.
Safe to say, the internet went wild over it, with some users even generating AI spin-offs of the image. One allegation read on X: "I have never wanted to touch any man’s hair during a hug other than my husband's. This is weird."
Now, Erika has spoken out against the backlash in an interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, where she recounted the devastating moment she learned her husband had been shot.
She described how she was 'praying to God' for something in those devastating moments after Charlie collapsed and the heartbreak of not being able to kiss him goodbye.
At another point in the talk, Erika addressed her haters: "Whoever is hating on a hug needs a hug themselves. I will give you a free hug anytime you need a hug. My love language is touch, if you will."
Commenting on the situation, she explained: "So I will give you a play-by-play: They just played the emotional video. I'm walking over, he's [JD] walking over. I'm starting to cry. He says, 'He's so proud of you.' And I say, 'God bless you,' and I touch the back of his head."
She added: "Anyone whom I have hugged, that I have touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, 'God bless you.' That's just me. If you want to take that out of context, go right ahead."
When Megyn joked about what the reaction would if she'd touched Vance's "a**" Erika laughed and replied: "I feel like I wouldn't get as much hate if I did that!"