A clip of Erika Kirk embracing J.D. Vance went viral, with many viewers calling the hug a bit too personal. (Megyn Kelly/YouTube)
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk declared that her organization is actively preparing to back Vice President J.D. Vance in a potential 2028 presidential campaign, fulfilling what she described as her late husband Charlie Kirk’s final wishes.
“It’s in the works,” Erika said on Megyn Kelly’s “The Megyn Kelly Show” podcast.
“This was a thing my husband was very direct about. One of the last few conversations we had was how intentional he was for supporting J.D. in 2028,” she added.
The Kirks, the Vances and Trump
Erika Kirk emphasized that Turning Point USA’s potential 2028 support for J.D. Vance reflects both political alignment and personal gratitude, noting that Vance’s involvement after her husband’s assassination created a lasting bond between their families. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Erika’s pledge to J.D. carries personal weight, rooted in the vice president’s immediate support after her husband’s assassination. J.D. and his wife, Usha Vance, escorted Charlie’s body onto Air Force Two from Salt Lake City International Airport after he died.
J.D. personally helped carry the casket across the tarmac, a gesture Erika later called a “blessing” during her interview with Kelly.
Charlie and J.D. shared a professional alliance as Turning Point USA backed J.D.’s 2022 Ohio Senate campaign, during which he hosted rallies and fundraisers.
TPUSA frequently featured J.D. discussing policy, loyalty to President Donald Trump’s agenda and cultural issues.
Erika explained these ties during her interview with Kelly.
“Charlie and President Trump had a really special relationship. At times, it was like father and son. At other times, it was about building. What Charlie really appreciated about President Trump is that he was so mission-focused,” she said.
Kelly pressed her on the Vances, saying to Erika of the 2028 presidential election, “J.D. and Usha have been very supportive to you and I look forward to you throwing the full weight of Turning Point behind them in three years. Am I being subtle?”
What’s next for Vance
J.D. Vance has yet to officially announce a run for the presidency. By: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Erika again addressed a potential endorsement at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York City.
“He’s a dear friend. My husband and him were very good friends,” Erika said of J.D.
“We adore J.D., and my husband was very vocal about endorsing him, but I do have to preface this from the standpoint of we have a tendency as humans to look past… We have very short attention spans and very short memories,” she continued.
She then shared her gratitude for Trump’s victory: “I would ask that we enjoy the fact that — and maybe you don’t — but I will enjoy the fact that my husband worked so hard, so hard, for this past election. And I think it would be… I think it would behoove us to appreciate that hard work and enjoy the fact that we do have a president in office that we voted for,” she said.
Vance’s focus
In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, J.D. stated, “I’ve thought about what that moment [of running for president] might look like after the midterm elections. But whenever I think about that, I try to put it out of my head and remind myself the American people elected me to do a job right now, and my job is to do it.”
Pratik Sharma is a writer at Knewz