A heartfelt conversation between Erika Kirk and Vice President J.D. Vance was revealed by a professional lip reader at Kirk’s first public appearance following the tragic killing of her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, at a Turning Point USA event.
The incident took place at the University of Mississippi on October 29, 2025, where 36-year-old Kirk introduced Vance to a large crowd of approximately 10,000 attendees. Their on-stage embrace signaled solidarity, but their private conversation revealed Kirk’s deep sorrow.
According to lip reader Nicola Hickling, who reviewed video footage of the exchange, Vance whispered to Kirk during their farewell, “I’m proud of you.” In response, Kirk emotionally replied, “It’s not gonna bring him back.”
This exchange followed the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA was shot dead during a speech, sparking national shock and raising concerns about political violence. The assailant, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was later apprehended and charged with murder.
Hickling’s lip-reading expertise also illuminated Erika Kirk’s personal struggle moments before stepping on stage. She reportedly told a backstage assistant, “I can’t do this, I don’t want to do it … Give me a second,” highlighting the emotional strain of her first significant public appearance since her husband’s death.
Even with her initial hesitation, Kirk addressed the Mississippi campus audience, acknowledging their support during her grieving process before introducing Vance, a close friend of Turning Point USA.
Kirk told the crowd that their support made her feel closer to her late husband, and expressed appreciation for the role the organization’s supporters have played in her grieving process. She drew a connection between Vance and her late husband during her speech, stating, “No one will ever replace my husband, but I do see some similarities of my husband in Vice President J.D. Vance.”
After Kirk’s introduction, Vance addressed the audience, acknowledging Charlie Kirk’s significant contributions to the conservative movement and his influential role in youth activism.
Following her husband’s death, Erika Kirk assumed the position of CEO of Turning Point USA, taking over the leadership of the organization co-founded by her late husband and Bill Montgomery. This event marked her first participation in a TPUSA campus event since the assassination, signifying both a personal milestone and an organizational shift.
The premature death of Charlie Kirk left Turning Point USA coping with both grief and a leadership transition during a critical period in the organization’s evolution. The organization, co-founded by the late 31-year-old, had grown into a major platform for conservative youth activism on college campuses across the United States.
The Mississippi event displayed the organization’s ongoing appeal among conservative student activists, with the turnout of 10,000 attendees evidencing continued support for Turning Point USA’s mission.
The public interaction between Vance and Kirk triggered an extensive social media conversation. Many admired Kirk’s courage, while some critiqued the nature and timing of the hug. Others noted the potential for misinterpretation given the presence of Vance’s wife at the event.
Kirk’s choice of a white T-shirt with the word “Freedom” and black leather pants also stirred online commentary. While some commended her confidence, others questioned if her attire was suitable for the solemn occasion. The conversation about her clothing choice spread across various social media platforms.
Vance’s presence at the rally confirmed his relationship with Charlie Kirk and the broader conservative youth movement represented by Turning Point USA. His supportive words to Erika Kirk highlighted the personal bonds that extend beyond political affiliations, even though her response stressed that public recognition cannot ease private grief.
During a late November appearance on “The Megyn Kelly Show,” Erika Kirk responded to the controversy surrounding their viral hug from the October 29 Mississippi event, defending the hug and adding, “whoever is hating on a hug needs a hug themselves.” She also disclosed plans to support JD Vance for a 2028 presidential run were “in the works.”
Unsubstantiated rumors that Kirk had traveled with Vance on Air Force Two to the Mississippi event circulated on social media in early November. However, these rumors were refuted by Snopes and Turning Point USA, verifying that she had traveled separately and that Vance was accompanied by his wife, Usha, and two Mississippi senators. Despite these clarifications, speculation continued when Kirk formally endorsed Vance at Turning Point’s AmericaFest conference on December 18.