Why JD Vance’s hug with Erika Kirk has become a talking point

United States Vice President JD Vance has been making headlines in recent days for all the wrong reasons. His comments that he hoped his Hindu wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, would embrace Christianity sparked a huge outrage last week.

Now, his dynamic with Erika Kirk, the widow of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, has come under the scanner. The pictures of the duo sharing a warm embrace have got the internet talking.

Let’s take a closer look.

JD Vance’s hug with Erika Kirk viral

Vice President JD Vance’s warm hug with Erika Kirk13946735 at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on October 29 has attracted attention on social media.

After the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, Erika has taken her husband’s place as Turning Point CEO.

She opened last week’s Turning Point USA event, delivering an emotional speech, saying the day marked seven weeks since her husband was killed.

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“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,” Erika said. “But I could just hear Charlie in my heart. I could just hear him say, ‘Go reclaim that territory, babe. Go. The battle’s already won. God’s love conquers.’ "

But it is her and JD Vance’s chemistry that has triggered a social media conversation.

“No one will ever replace my husband,” the 36-year-old told the crowd. “But I do see some similarities of my husband in JD— in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And that’s why I am so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight.”

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As Vance came to the stage, he and Erika held each other in a close embrace. The US VP kept his hands on Erika’s waist, while she moved her fingers through his hair.

The greeting soon got tongues wagging, with social media abuzz with comments about their hand placements. Some even questioned whether the hug was appropriate for the situation.

Erika Kirk responds to hug row

Erika Kirk has made her first remarks since the controversy over her hug with Vance erupted.
In an interview with Fox News at Turning Point USA headquarters, she spoke about “cameras analysing” her every move.

“There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered,” she said. “There have been cameras all over my friends and family, mourning. There have been cameras all over me. Analysing my every move, analysing my every smile, my every tear. We deserve to have cameras in there.”

“Why not be transparent? There’s nothing to hide. I know there’s not, because I’ve seen what the case is built on. Let everyone see what true evil is. This is something that could impact a generation and generations to come,” she added.

Two days after her husband’s death in September, a visibly grieving Erika was spotted holding Usha Vance’s hand as the latter and her husband, JD Vance, escorted the widow and her husband’s casket from Air Force Two to Arizona.

At Charlie Kirk's memorial service on September 21, Erika, delivering an emotional eulogy,  said she had chosen forgiveness toward the man accused of her husband’s murder.

“He (Charlie) wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,” she said. “That man, that young man, I forgive him,” she added.

Vance facing heat over remarks on wife

Besides his greeting with Erika, the US vice president’s comment on the different religious beliefs of him and his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, has spurred a storm.

During last week’s Turning Point USA event, Vance was questioned by a young South Asian woman over his religion and interfaith marriage to Usha.

The US second lady was raised Hindu and her husband converted to Catholicism in adulthood. Vance said they were raising their three children, Christian, adding that he hoped his wife would one day be swayed by his faith.

“Most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church,” JD stated. “Do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that, because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way.”

His remarks drew heat on social media. Following outrage, Vance clarified on October 31 that his wife did not have any plans to convert to Christianity but added that he hoped “she may one day see things as I do.”

He was responding to a post on social media that read: “It’s weird to throw your wife’s religion under the bus, in public, for a moment’s acceptance by groypers.”

Responding to this, Vance hit back, saying, “What a disgusting comment, and it’s hardly been the only one along these lines. First off, the question was from a person seemingly to my left, about my interfaith marriage. I’m a public figure, and people are curious, and I wasn’t going to avoid the question,” he wrote on X.

“Second, my Christian faith tells me the Gospel is true and is good for human beings. My wife–as I said at the TPUSA–is the most amazing blessing I have in my life. She herself encouraged me to reengage with my faith many years ago.

“She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage–or any interfaith relationship–I hope she may one day see things as I do. Regardless, I’ll continue to love and support her and talk to her about faith and life and everything else, because she’s my wife,” he said.

Amid the two controversies, Shannon Watts, a gun violence prevention activist, predicted a divorce between the Vance couple.

She claimed that Vance would announce a divorce and marry Erika by the end of next year. “Vance announces divorce, marries Charlie Kirk’s widow by the end of 2026,” Watts wrote, responding to photos of the hug between Erika and the US VP.

With inputs from agencies