Erika Kirk has shut down online rumours after a viral hug with Vice President JD Vance, saying people reading romance into the moment “need a hug themselves”.The widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk addressed the speculations during an interview with Megyn Kelly as the clip continues to go viral.Charlie Kirk was shot dead during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in September, leaving behind Erika and their two young children. The hug took place weeks later, on October 29, at a Turning Point event at the University of Mississippi, where Erika and Vance met on stage.On Monday, Erika said the reaction to the hug revealed more about the haters than about her. “Whoever is like hating on a hug who needs a hug themselves, I will give you a free hug anytime you want to hug. My love language is touch, if you will,” she said.She went on to describe exactly what happened. “I’m walking over, he’s 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.”“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 again. That, to me, shows that you need a hug more than anyone else.”Before welcoming Vance on stage during the Ocotober event, Erika also said she sees similarities between Charlie and JD: “No one will ever replace my husband. However, I do recognize some similarities between my husband and JD, in Vice President JD Vance. I truly do. That is why I feel so fortunate to introduce him this evening.”Erika Kirk stepped in as CEO of Turning Point USA after Charlie’s death. President Trump later awarded Charlie the Presidential Medal of Honor posthumously.
