Joy Reid slams Erika Kirk after she offers her a good hug: 'We don't allow it, this is not 19-teens'

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: The public feud between former MSNBC host Joy Reid and Turning Point USA president Erika Kirk intensified this week after Kirk poked fun at Reid during her opening remarks at AmericaFest 2025.

Reid responded the following day by doubling down on her earlier criticism, turning the exchange into one of the most talked-about moments to emerge from the conservative conference.

The clash stems from comments Reid previously made about Kirk’s interaction with Vice President JD Vance at a Turning Point USA event, which Kirk addressed directly from the AmericaFest stage on Thursday. 

Erika Kirk mocks Joy Reid at AmericaFest 2025

While addressing thousands of attendees at AmericaFest 2025, Erika Kirk referenced Joy Reid’s earlier remarks about a moment in which Kirk hugged JD Vance.

Kirk joked that Reid seemed like someone who could use “a really good hug,” adding that she would even touch the back of Reid’s head.

The line drew laughter and applause from the crowd, signaling that Kirk was leaning into the criticism rather than deflecting it. Her comments were widely shared online within hours, prompting a swift reaction from Reid.

Joy Reid slams Erika Kirk over AmericaFest remarks

Joy Reid addressed the comments on her show Friday, where she reiterated her criticism of Erika Kirk and made clear that she rejected the idea of any physical contact.

“The last thing I will say to Erika Kirk is this: Dear young lady, I don't need a hug from you,” Reid said. “First of all, I would never let you get close enough to hug me 'cause I don't trust you.”

Reid went on to object specifically to Kirk’s reference to touching her hair, framing it as a cultural boundary.

“I don't know if anybody ever told you – you're pretty young – but don't be offering to touch Black women's hair,” Reid said. “We don't allow it. This is not the 19-teens. It's not the 1920s or the 1930s. You cannot come up to me, touch me, or touch my hair. It won't go. I don't allow it.”

Joy Reid defends JD and Usha Vance remarks

Joy Reid also revisited her earlier remarks involving Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, comments that have drawn widespread criticism. Reid said her remarks were being mischaracterized and argued that she was describing attitudes she believes exist within parts of the MAGA movement.

“MAGA is the one doing the racism. Not me,” Reid said. “All I'm saying is the ultimate MAGA fairytale would be for JD to leave Usha Vance alone and go run off with Charlie Kirk's widow. It brings like the houses of MAGA together.”

She added that her remarks were intended as commentary on what she described as racial dynamics within conservative politics, rather than an endorsement of those views.

Joy Reid blasts Erika Kirk and TPUSA base

Joy Reid then turned her focus back to Erika Kirk, criticizing her leadership at Turning Point USA and suggesting the organization’s conservative base holds conflicting views about women working outside the home. 

“You need to take care of minding your business, which is to keep that $80 million rolling in and figure out how you're going to get those White Christian nationalists who follow Turning Point USA to understand why you working and not home with your children who now don't have a daddy,” Reid said.

She continued by arguing that Kirk’s public role clashes with traditional values she believes some TPUSA supporters promote.

“You are now a single mom, which they oppose,” Reid added. “You're going to have to now figure out how you're going to explain to your Turning Point USA base why you working and why you out rubbing on JD Vance's back of his head and offering to rub on the back of mine instead of home with your kids.”