Erika Kirk’s hug with Jason Aldean goes viral as Internet spots Brittany’s icy glare

WASHINGTON, DC: Just days after Erika Kirk received the Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards on Thursday, November 6, her unusual hug with country singer Jason Aldean is drawing attention.

She recently made headlines for hugging Vice President JD Vance, a moment that sparked widespread criticism. Now, social media users are reacting to her latest embrace with Aldean and speculating about what it might mean. 

Erika Kirk’s hug with Jason Aldean leaves the internet divided

During the ceremony, Jason Aldean and his wife, Brittany, introduced Erika Kirk as “the woman who refuses to surrender.” When Erika walked onto the stage, she hugged both Brittany and Jason, but it was her hug with Jason that drew the most attention.

In the embrace, Erika appeared to rub Jason’s back, while Brittany looked on with an annoyed glare. The clip quickly circulated on TikTok, sparking criticism. One user asked, “Why does she only hug men, and married men at that?”

Many felt a simple handshake would have been more appropriate, with another calling her interaction with Jason “extremely inappropriate.”

Some users even joked about her previous hug with Vice President JD Vance, with one commenting, “OMG, is she cheating on JD Vance?”

Others rushed to defend Erika. One TikTok user wrote, “You people should be ashamed of yourselves. When a woman loses her husband, other women think that she's after their men just because she gives them a hug. She is still mourning her husband. She is not trying to take anybody's husband away from them. She's just a kind, loving person.”

Another added, “Jesus get a life. Who has time to constantly criticize a woman whose husband was murdered on TV? Y'all are overkill. She hugs women the exact same way. Y'all just can't let her be and grieve in her own way. No one knows how hard it is to keep herself together on national TV.”

One more TikToker wrote, “Not to defend fake Erika, but Jason could have pulled back.”

An X user added, “So Erika Kirk gave Jason Aldean a very long hug right in front of his wife. To be fair she did hug his wife, but not nearly as long as she hugged Jason. [Jason’s] wife didn’t seemed too thrilled."

Body language expert weighs in on bizarre hug with JD Vance

Erika previously faced criticism on social media for her embrace with Vice President JD Vance at a Turning Point USA event on October 29.

Radar Online asked body-language expert Traci Brown to analyze the moment. Brown said, “She tilts her head as soon as she sees him. That shows deep recognition and affection.” She added that their body language reflected a lack of formality, and that “her hand on the back of his head” indicated a “deep closeness.” Brown also noted that the two seemed to share a strong connection.

Before Vance took the stage, Erika praised him during her speech. “No one will ever replace my husband, no,” she said. “But I do see some similarities of my husband in JD, in Vice President JD Vance. I do.”

Erika added, “And that's why I'm so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight, because he understands the fight that we're up against and he can articulate that in a way that transcends, he's an amazing man.”

Another body-language expert, Judi James, reported that Erika came forward “with her arms held out higher for her hug, creating a moment of emotional vulnerability, almost like a child seeking a comfort hug.”

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.