Erika Kirk’s hand gesture at Charlie Kirk’s memorial after hugging Trump baffles Internet

GLENDALE, ARIZONA: Conservative icon Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, went on the stage after President Donald Trump's speech at Charlie Kirk's memorial service on Sunday, September 21, and was comforted by the POTUS.

The President then pointed up towards a large photo of Kirk, and Erika made a hand gesture, extending her index, thumb, and pinky fingers while folding the middle and ring fingers down. This gesture left social media users confused as to what that sign actually meant.

Erika Kirk's emotional moment with Trump at Charlie's memorial service

After President Donald Trump finished his speech at Charlie Kirk's memorial, the slain conservative icon's wife, Erika, went up on the stage and shared an emotional hug with the POTUS.

The two were then standing on the stage as an emotional Erika had her eyes filled with tears. Trump was then seen pointing his finger towards the sky, and soon Erika followed him with the hand gesture.

Interestingly, there isn't anything concrete behind the meaning of the hand gesture by Erika. Generally, the "rock on" hand sign is made by holding your thumb in, while the "Love You" sign is the same hand shape with the thumb extended.

During his speech, President Trump said Charlie Kirk is a "martyr for American freedom".

"On that day, this evangelist for American liberty became immortal. He’s a martyr now for American freedom," Trump said.

The president described how Charlie Kirk would ask him to fly across the country to appear at his events with little notice.

He said, "You never wanted to let Charlie down. He worked so hard you just didn’t want to let him down."

Before his speech, Erika vowed to continue her husband’s legacy, enrolling more campuses and students in the conservative movement he founded.

She eulogized her husband in a tearful speech near the end of the memorial service for the conservative icon who was killed on September 10.

Meanwhile, one of the most impactful moments came when Erika shared a message of faith and forgiveness.

"I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it’s what Charlie would do," Erika said of Tyler Robinson, the man who shot Charlie.

Internet shares mixed reactions to Erika Kirk's hand gesture

People on the internet stayed divided as Erika Kirk made a hand gesture, extending her index, thumb, and pinky fingers while folding the middle and ring fingers down, during the memorial service.

A user wrote on X, "PLEASE STOP WITH ALL OF THE NONSENSE!!! Erika Kirk was telling Everyone - I LOVE YOU, in sign language," while one added, "It means "I love you" in sign language. She did that as they were saying goodbye to her husband."

A person also asked Grok AI what does the sign mean and the response was, "She's making a hand gesture with index and pinky extended, which some interpret as "47" in support of Trump's presidency (as the 47th). Others see it as the "rock on" or "horns" sign, sometimes linked to various cultural meanings."

One said, "Exactly … what is that .. would Charlie ever have done that …. What is Shay saying , rock on ?"

Meanwhile, another user added, "Erika Kirk’s hand gesture at the end of the Charlie Kirk funeral probably concerned or puzzled many. The thumb extended out, like Erika did, means 'I love you' in sign language," while one commented, "It’s the I love you sign which she was reaching out to her dead husband’s picture. Grow up."

A person also added, "It’s like they’re at a KISS concert."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.