Social media has honed in one on particularly intimate moment shared between Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance at a recent Turning Point USA event, and a professional lip reader has offered their assessment of what was said during that embrace.
Erika Kirk has taken the spotlight somewhat after her husband, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University while on his 'American Comeback' tour in September, with 22-year-old Tyler Robinson arrested and charged with the murder.
She has since taken over Turning Point USA in his stead, becoming the CEO and chair of the board at the company that he co-founded, and has made a number of public statements including what she told her children after the far-right commentator's death, and whether the trial will be broadcast to the public.
However, one particular moment that appears to have captured the attention of social media at large is an emotional embrace with JD Vance, as the vice president was a guest of honor at a recent Turning Point USA event.
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While it's certainly normal for Vance to offer his support to Kirk considering their closeness before her husband's death, it is the manner of the interaction that has caused people to question whether there is something else going on.
Not only did the embrace last longer than many expected, but Vance appeared to place his hands on Erika's hips, with her running her fingers through his hair in response.
Additionally, Kirk also claimed that while "no one will ever replace my husband," she does "see some similarities of my husband in JD [Vance]."
Kirk has since responded to the claims that her relationship with Vance – who is married to lawyer Usha Chilukuri with three children – is something more than friendship, debunking the theories and claiming that she "didn't sign up for anything. I just married the love of my life."
As reported by Tyla, professional lip reader Nicola Hickling revealed to the Mirror USA what she believes to be the words Erika Kirk and JD Vance allegedly shared with each other, and it gives a greater context to their mysterious embrace.
Kirk is supposedly seen telling her assistant: "I can't do this, I don't want to do it. Give me a second," before stepping out onto the platform to give her speech, welcoming JD Vance to the stage.
During their embrace, Hickling believes that Vance told Kirk that he is "so proud of you," to which she responded: "It's not gonna bring him back."
While it might not be the juicy words that some were expecting, it's likely still not enough to extinguish the flames of speculation that many still hold surrounding their relationship, as social media theories will only continue to brew.