Left-wing podcaster slammed over Erika Kirk ‘fake widow’ meme: ‘Extremely ugly behavior’

WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK: A well-known left-wing podcaster is facing widespread backlash after sharing a meme that mocked Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as a “fake grieving widow grifter.”

Kyle Kulinski, host of the 'Secular Talk' podcast with over half a million followers on X, faced condemnation on Saturday, November 1, for posting a spoof “Spirit Halloween” costume image.

The meme featured an AI-generated image of Erika with exaggerated eyeliner streaks and fake tears running down her face and torso. It also included an offensive caption mocking her grief.

The image mimicked a popular meme format parodying Spirit Halloween’s packaging to ridicule public figures. 

Erika Kirk and JD Vance’s hug at TPUSA event sparks buzz online

The moment began with a hug at the recently held Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi. The visit marked the first stop on the “This Is the Turning Point” campus tour, led by Erika.

It was also one of the organization’s first major public appearances since Charlie Kirk’s death last month. During the event, Erika and JD Vance shared the stage, drawing attention from attendees and the media alike.

Photos from the event quickly went viral, spreading across social media and sparking widespread discussion online.

Internet slams podcaster Kyle Kulinski

Following the post, numerous figures and users on X came to Kirk’s defense, condemning Kulinski’s portrayal as cruel and demeaning.

One podcaster denounced the post, writing, “God some of you are awful. Idk how you negotiate your love for your family and friends with your nihilistic contempt for your ideological enemies.” 

Others were similarly appalled, with a commentator responding bluntly, "I don’t like anyone involved that much, but you should lose your account for this."

Another user criticized the post as emblematic of the toxic climate online, writing, "They hate you, want you dead, and will mock your wife if one of their crazies assassinates you."

A user identifying as a widow shared a deeply personal rebuke: "Speaking as a widow having lost my husband last June. How the hell would you know. If you haven’t experienced the loss of a spouse or partner, just shut up."

Others condemned the online cruelty more broadly. One post read, "It's sickening how depraved trolls are twisting Erika Kirk's raw, tearful embrace at her tribute to slain husband Charlie into conspiracy fodder, s**t-shaming, & now body-shaming her grief-stricken frame, plus trotting out fake 'body language experts' for clownish breakdowns."

Another criticized the behavior, adding, “This is extremely ugly behavior, and you should feel ashamed of yourself.”

And as one user summed up, "When one of your loved ones passes, someone will remind you of this. The only person this reflects poorly on is you."

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.