A look inside Erika Kirk and JD Vance’s close friendship – after a viral hug

Erika and Vance raised eyebrows as they hugged on stage at a Turning Point USA event in October 2025. Viewers accused the pair of being “touchy” as he placed his hands on her waist while she held the back of his head.

At the time, the mother of two also stated that she sees similarities between her late husband and Vance.

“When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President JD Vance, to speak today, I really prayed about it because it is obviously a very emotional day,” she said at the time. “But I could just hear Charlie in my heart. I could just hear him saying, ‘Go retake that territory, baby.’ The battle has already been won. God’s love conquers. And that’s why I’m here today. No one will ever replace my husband, but I do see some similarities in JD.”

Following the backlash, Erika defended the viral intimate moment, insisting her love language is “touch.”

“So I’ll give you a play-by-play: They just played the emotional video. I walk over, [Vance] walks by. I start to cry. He says, “I’m so proud of you.” And I say, ‘God bless you,’ and I touch the back of his head. To everyone I’ve hugged, and touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, ‘God bless you,'” she explained on A Megyn Kelly Live event in November 2025.

“They acted like you were the back of his…!” Megyn Kelly joked, to which she replied, “I feel like I wouldn’t do that get just as much hate if I did!”