What to Know
When Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance shared a rather intimate hug at a Turning Point USA event in October, some people were convinced that JD would eventually leave his wife, Usha Vance, for Erika. Now, over a month later, Erika has offered her own explanation for the affectionate interaction: her “love language is touch.”
After that Turning Point USA event, photos of the hug went viral. Images shared widely across social media platforms showed Erika with her hand on the back of JD’s head. He also rested his hands on her waist. On social media, many people asserted that this is not how they hug their friends. But Erika seems to think people are overthinking the whole thing.
At the event, she compared JD to her late husband, Charlie Kirk.
Vance is going to leave Usha for Erika Kirk-
— Haters_gonna_hate (@princess_kim_k) October 30, 2025
You saw it here 1st – pic.twitter.com/UrrewUzfId
“No one will ever replace my husband,” Erika said at the event. “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.”
Though people had questions about Erika’s relationship with JD after the event, Erika told Fox News host Jesse Watters that she has been leaning on both JD and Usha for support. “He and Usha, they are the most incredible people,” she said. “Incredible. With such genuine love.”
When speaking to Megyn Kelly, she gave ‘a play-by-play’ of what happened between her and JD.
@megynkellyshow Erika Kirk addresses absurd uproar about her hug with VP JD Vance: "You need a hug more than anyone.” Subscribe and download the FULL show at the link in our bio. #megynkellyshow ♬ original sound – The Megyn Kelly Show
Megyn asked Erika about people’s response to the hug. “Did you see people didn’t really understand the hug that you and JD had?” she questioned. Erika laughed and said, “Whoever is hating on a hug needs a hug themselves. I will give you a free hug any time you want a hug. My love language is touch, if you will.”
She went on to explain what actually happened that day. “I will give you a play-by-play … They just played the emotional video,” Erika said. “I’m walking over, [JD] is walking over. I’m starting to cry. He says, ‘[Charlie] is so proud of you.’ And I say, ‘God bless you,’ and I touch the back of his head.”
Erika acted like this was pretty normal for her. “Anyone whom I have hugged, that I have touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, ‘God bless you,'” she added.
Both Megyn and Erika seemed to think the controversy surrounding the intimate hug was a bit much. “They were acting like you touched the back of his a–,” Megyn said. Erika replied with, “I feel like I wouldn’t get as much hate if I did that.”
