Kyle Kulinski, host of the Secular Talk podcast, is under fire after posting a meme mocking Erika Kirk, the widow of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The meme called her a “fake grieving widow grifter,” showing her crying with smeared mascara and holding a bag of cash. Within hours, the post went viral and sparked huge backlash online. Many journalists, commentators, and podcasters across both political sides called the post cruel and disrespectful. Soon after, an old photo of Kyle Kulinski and Charlie Kirk from a 2019 Politicon event in Nashville began to spread on X, adding more controversy and irony to the story.
Kyle Kulinski under fire after “fake grieving widow grifter” meme about Erika Kirk
Kyle Kulinski shared the meme using a popular “Spirit Halloween” costume format that labeled Erika Kirk as a “fake grieving widow grifter.” The post shocked users on X, where he has more than half a million followers. Within minutes, conservative writer Charles C. W. Cooke posted, “This is extremely ugly behavior, and you should feel ashamed.” Commentator Carol Roth also wrote, “When one of your loved ones dies, someone will be sure to remind you of this.”Many said the joke crossed a moral line, and others accused Kulinski of losing empathy. Colin Wright from the Manhattan Institute said, “Politics has rotted your brain and soul.”Soon after, an old photo of Kyle Kulinski smiling next to Charlie Kirk at Politicon 2019 began to circulate, taken during a live panel in Nashville. People online found it ironic that the same man once shared a stage with the person whose widow he was now mocking.
Erika Kirk and JD Vance ’s emotional hug goes viral as debate over meme grows louder
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on September 10, 2025, during a tragic event on a college campus in Utah. He left behind his wife Erika Kirk and their two young children. Since his death, Erika Kirk has stepped in as CEO of Turning Point USA and continued to make public appearances.Also Read: Sneako Calls Out Erika Kirk For Her Viral Hug With JD Vance And Her Bold Charlie Kirk ComparisonOne of those moments went viral in late October 2025 when she shared an emotional hug with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on stage during a Turning Point event at the University of Mississippi. Photos showed them embracing closely as the Vice President placed his hands on her waist, and Erika ran her fingers through his hair. While some called the moment inappropriate, others said it was just human emotion after a painful loss.Kyle Kulinski’s meme came soon after that viral moment, which made the backlash even stronger. The old photo of him with Charlie Kirk resurfaced at the same time, turning the whole debate into a trending topic.
