Erika Kirk fires back at Joy Reid’s remarks over her hug with JD Vance
Erika Kirk responds to Joy Reid fantasizing about her having an affair with JD Vance behind his wife’s back:
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 19, 2025
“Joy Reid probably needs a really, really good hug, and honestly, I'm here for it if she needs it… I will even touch the back of your head.” pic.twitter.com/MW8SsY8osY https://t.co/DLUg50u30w
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, fired back at former MSNBC host Joy Reid with a pointed, sarcastic remark during her Thursday (December 18) speech at the Turning Point USA summit.
The clash came after Reid and co-host Jennifer Welch criticized Erika on the 'I’ve Had It podcast' for her friendship with JD Vance, which was highlighted when Erika hugged Vance at her late husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Reid also took aim at Erika’s outfit during the service.
Erika Kirk makes a sarcastic offer to Joy Reid
Erika Kirk, 37, took the stage and aimed a pointed, sarcastic remark at Joy Reid. “Joy Reid probably needs a really, really good hug, and honestly, I’m here for it if she needs it,” she said. "I’ve got a good hug for you. I will even touch the back of your head.”
Her comment drew loud applause from attendees at the conservative organization’s conference.
For context, in October 2025, she attended a memorial for him at the Pavilion at Ole Miss on the University of Mississippi campus, alongside JD Vance. For the event, she wore a white T-shirt with “Freedom” printed on it and paired it with black leather pants, while Vance wore a sharp blue suit.
When JD Vance stepped onto the stage, Erika embraced him in a hug that quickly went viral and sparked mixed reactions online. She later addressed the moment publicly, explaining that she is a deeply affectionate person and that intense hugs are part of her love language. She shared a detailed, emotional account of the encounter with the audience.
"My love language is touch, if you will. They just played the emotional video. I'm walking over, he's walking over. I'm starting to cry. He says, 'I'm so proud of you.' And I say, 'God bless you,' and I touch the back of his head."
She added, “A person that hates a hug is in need of a hug… I will give you a free hug anytime, anywhere.”
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.
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) November 24, 2025
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
Joy Reid calls out Erika Kirk after her viral hug with JD Vance
Joy Reid mocks Erika Kirk for wearing leather pants and predicts that JD Vance is going to leave Usha for a white woman because it's a "MAGA fairy tale."
— CJ Pearson (@Cjpearson) November 25, 2025
I can only imagine why MSNBC decided they could no longer tolerate giving this vile woman a show.pic.twitter.com/GYUF9EL94Q
Joy Reid suggested that Vice President JD Vance might leave his wife, Usha Vance, for “White queen” Erika Kirk. Reid commented, “They can't have the successor to MAGA be the guy with the Brown Hindu wife. They're also Christian nationalists. That ain't going to work. That's why he's throwing his wife under the bus. Poor Usha. Or she's in on it."
Reid added, “Playing slap and tickle with Erika Kirk, it's the weirdest s**t I've ever seen.” Co-host Jennifer Welch chimed in, saying, “I’ve had it. She's like in her Tammy Faye era.”
Reid continued with criticism of Erika’s behavior, noting, “Holding on the back of his head and rubbing on his head… You’re not doing the right thing. [You're] supposed to be a widow; you in leather pants? That's not widow wear.”
She went on, “Wouldn't it be the most perfect fairy tale, MAGA fairy tale, if he finally sees the light that he needs a White queen instead of this Brown Hindu? I mean,I mean, I'm not saying that's happening, or maybe that Usha is not even in on it."
