Featured Image Credit: Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Charlie Kirk, JD Vance, Politics, US News, Erika Kirk
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Charlie Kirk, JD Vance, Politics, US News, Erika Kirk
Erika Kirk isn't letting her late husband's friendship with JD Vance dwindle following his death.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University last month while hosting a Turning Point USA event at the college.
Kirk was sat under an open tent while taking questions from the audience when he was fatally shot in the neck.
The right-wing activist is survived by his wife Erika and their two young children. Following Kirk's passing, Erika pledged to 'complete his vision' for the non-profit organization as she became its new CEO.
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Erika has since stuck to her word, and hosted an event on Wednesday (October 29) at the University of Mississippi as part of the 'This Is the Turning Point' tour where JD Vance was invited.
Speaking before the vice president went on stage, Erika told the crowd: "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."
She proceeded to call the vice president 'a very, very dear friend', adding, per New York Post: "No one will ever replace my husband, but I do see some similarities in JD."
Vance the came on stage and hugged Erika before taking to the podium — and the pair's embrace has got people talking.
As they hugged one another, Erika put her hand on the back of the vice president's head in a rather intimate moment which has raised some eyebrows.
See the moment here:
"Usha might have something to say about that hug," one person said of Vance's wife.
Calling it weird, another wrote on Twitter: "I have never wanted to touch any man’s hair during a hug other than my husbands. This is weird."
"JD Vance and Erika Kirk are one inappropriate appearance away from claiming that God spoke to them and they have to get married now," added a third.
Somebody went on question: "Why would she touch the VP of the United States hair/head in an embrace?"
UNILAD have approached Vance and Turning Point USA for comment.
Another talking point of Wednesday evening's event was Vance's comments about his wife's religion and his hopes of her converting to Christianity.
Usha Vance grew up in a 'not a particularly religious' Hindu family, according to her husband, and she often attends church with him.
"I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way," he continued.
The vice president added: "If she doesn’t, then God says, everybody has free will, so that doesn’t cause a problem for me. That’s something you work out."