The internet has been set alight once again by a public display of affection involving Erika Kirk, the widow of assassinated conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. This time, a video from the Fox Nation Patriot Awards showing her sharing a lengthy hug with country singer Jason Aldean has sparked a fierce online debate, dividing social media users between those criticising the gesture and those defending a woman in mourning.
The Hug That Divided The Internet
The incident occurred on Thursday, 10 November 2025, at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards. Erika Kirk was presented with the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award by Jason Aldean and his wife, Brittany. Following the presentation, footage shows Kirk embracing both Aldeans in what Parade described as a series of "tight embraces."
While her hug with Brittany Aldean lasted for approximately 10 seconds, it was her subsequent 8-second embrace with Jason that captured widespread attention. In the video, the country singer can be seen rubbing Kirk's back, while his wife, Brittany, looks on with pursed lips and an expression that TikTok users were quick to label as less than enthusiastic.
Social Media Erupts Over The Embrace
The online reaction was swift and polarised. Some social media users immediately questioned Kirk's behaviour, with one asking, "Why does she only hug men and married men only?" Another user joked, "Why does she hug everyone’s man for 3-5 business days?" Critics accused her of being "too touchy-feely" with the married singer, with some even suggesting she was "husband hunting." One comment read, "I’m a conservative and I don’t trust her."
However, a significant portion of the online community rushed to Kirk's defence, urging compassion for a woman who is still grieving the traumatic loss of her husband. Charlie Kirk was assassinated on 10 September 2025 while speaking at a Utah college. His alleged assailant, Tyler Robinson, 22, faces multiple charges including aggravated murder, with prosecutors stating they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Robinson is next due in court on 16 January.
One defender wrote, "Erika Kirk is a hugger, it’s not always something else. If you have ever known a hugger, they genuinely hug people differently. I’m tired of the hate on this woman and everything she does being scrutinised." Another noted, "Y’all are doing too much. Brittany is clearly showing sadness on her face for Erika, not all women are insecure."
A Pattern of Public Embraces
This is not the first time one of Erika Kirk's hugs has drawn public scrutiny. Last month, a video of her sharing a tight embrace with Vice President JD Vance at a University of Mississippi event went similarly viral. At the time, body language experts told HuffPost the exchange was "super-intimate," "comfortable," and "attention-controlling."
In the wake of her husband's death, Erika Kirk has taken over as CEO of Turning Point USA and has been touring the country, making public appearances. In a recent emotional interview on "Jesse Watters Primetime," she recalled the aftermath of the shooting, revealing that a police officer advised her not to see her husband's body immediately. She responded, "with all due respect, sir... I want to see what they did to my husband, and I want to give him a kiss, because I didn't get to give him a kiss this morning."
As the debate over the latest hug continues, many are calling for an end to the scrutiny. One commentator aptly pointed out, "Okay, if the whole video is watched, she literally hugged Brittany way longer. People get over yourself." This sentiment echoes a broader defence of Kirk, with another user simply stating, "She just lost her husband in the worst possible way there is. Just give her grace and let her mourn."
