Erika Kirk Goes Into Damage Control Mode Over JD Vance Hug & The Timing Is So Suspicious
Erika Kirk finally addressed her viral October 29 hug with Vice President JD Vance, which was one more piece of mounting evidence that has the country wondering if the second couple is headed for divorce. The timing of her explanation is undeniably suspicious, since Vance's wife, Usha Vance, was seen without her wedding ring on during a November 19, 2025, trip to a North Carolina military base with First Lady Melania Trump. Of course, there are plenty of reasons why Usha might've chosen not to wear her ring that day, but the timing of everything certainly raises questions.
Kirk addressed the hug on a November 24 episode of "The Megyn Kelly Show." Kelly described Kirk as an intense hugger before Kirk declared that, "Whoever is, like, hating on a hug needs a hug themselves. I will give you a free hug anytime you want a hug. My love language is touch, if you will." She went on to describe the circumstances behind the moment onstage with Vance.
Erika Kirk addressed the viral photo of her hugging JD Vance, saying she's just a deeply affectionate person, and intense hugs are part of her love language.
She even joked with Megyn Kelly that if she'd grabbed JD Vance's a** instead, people wouldn't be nearly as mad. pic.twitter.com/Mbchti3BGS
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) November 24, 2025
Apparently, an emotional video of Kirk's deceased husband had just played before she introduced Vance at the Turning Points USA event. Kirk gave Kelly a play-by-play: "I'm walking over, [JD'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." Kirk insisted that she often says that when she hugs people. "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." Kelly then joked that critics of the hug were acting as if Kirk had touched Vance's backside, prompting Kirk to muse that the backlash might've been less harsh if she had. We doubt this will appease the haters, but it's something.
The Vances seem to have distanced themselves from Erika Kirk after the backlash
Charlie Kirk was the CEO of Turning Point USA, an organization that promotes MAGA politics among young adults. After he was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, his wife, Erika Kirk, was named the new Turning Point CEO. Since then, Usha Vance has been seen supporting the mother of two at events like Charlie's funeral.
At a September 21 event, Kirk recalled that during the funeral, she asked Usha how she was going to get through life without her husband, and the second lady replied (via The New York Post), "You will get through these 15 minutes and the next 15 minutes after that," comparing it to what parents do when children misbehave on a plane. It's simple, sound advice, and Kirk said it was the perfect thing to be told at that time.
Before the infamous hug with JD, Kirk had effusively praised the Vances' support and considered it to be a blessing. However, the second family hasn't publicly supported Kirk since the hug, noticeably not posting tributes or well-wishes on social media for her first birthday as a widow on November 20, 2025. Perhaps there is no trouble between the friends, and they're simply supporting each other privately. Until one of them provides any clarity, the public can only assemble the puzzle pieces they are given.