Erika Kirk has just announced that she's endorsing US Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election.
Erika, the widow of assassinated Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier this year (10 September), shared the news in a speech opening the group's America Fest annual conference on Thursday night (18 December).
"We’re going to ensure that President Trump has Congress for all four years. We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for '48 [sic] in the most resounding way possible," she told a crowd of thousands at the Phoenix Convention Center, with the end of her statement drowned out by cheers for the endorsement.
It appears that Erika meant to say '28, as in '2028', and had previously signalled that the organisation was leaning toward backing Vance in the next presidential election.
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Following Kirk's death, Erika has taken over Turning Point USA, an 'American nonprofit organisation that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses'.
Vance, meanwhile, who is scheduled to speak at AmericaFest on Sunday (21 December), has yet to announce a 2028 bid.
Erika's recent endorsement raised some eyebrows online and reignited social media speculation over their relationship after her and Vance's embrace at a Turning Point USA event honouring her late husband in October went viral.
During a stop at the University of Mississippi, Erika opened the programme and said she noticed 'similarities' between her husband and Vance as she brought the latter onstage.
"No one will ever replace my husband. But I do see some similarities between my husband in JD — in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And that's why I am so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight," she said at the event (29 October).
The moment ended with a long embrace that quickly turned viral with Erika wrapping JD in a close hug, holding the back of his head and, for a brief second, his hands rested on her waist.
The exchange caught viewers off guard with many sharing their hot takes on slowed-down clips, hand placement theories, lip reader speculation and debates over whether the hug felt fitting so soon after her loss.
Erika has argued that the hug was taken out of context and later joked that she’d get less hate for 'touching JD Vance’s a**'.
"Not beating the allegations with this one," wrote one BlueSky user, as a second quipped: "Who does she endorse for First Lady?"
Another piped up: "Gotta stand by her man."
And a final BlueSky user echoed: "Is she endorsing her future husband?"
Elsewhere during the address, Erika seemed to even joke about the rumours of an alleged affair Vance, who is married to Usha Vance, by saying Joy Reid needs a hug: "I've got a good hug for you. I will even touch the back of your head."
"Anyone else find this sh*t weird?" questioned an X user.
Tyla has reached out to Turning Point USA for comment.
Topics: Erika Kirk, Politics, US News, News, JD Vance, Charlie Kirk
Rhiannon Ingle