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“Definitely Suspicious”: Erika Kirk’s Hand Gesture At Memorial Service Raises Eyebrows
Erika Kirk making a gesture during husband's funeral as internet reacts following viral devil claim controversy.
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“Definitely Suspicious”: Erika Kirk’s Hand Gesture At Memorial Service Raises Eyebrows

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Erika Kirk is facing bizarre accusations of making a “satanic” gesture during her husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.

The 36-year-old widow spoke to thousands of mourners who had gathered together for the memorial service in Arizona on September 22

“No assassin will ever stop us…” she said through tears.

Netizens later scrutinized a hand symbol she flashed while standing next to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Highlights
  • Thousands gathered at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium on September 22 for Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.
  • Erika Kirk, the widow of the slain conservative activist, sparked bizarre speculations with a hand gesture next to the U.S. president.
  • She said she forgave suspect Tyler Robinson while addressing the crowd.
RELATED:

    Erika Kirk is facing bizarre accusations of making a “satanic” gesture during her husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial service

    Erika Kirk speaking at a podium, smiling with long blonde hair, related to gesture during husband's funeral viral claim.

    Image credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

    Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at a Utah college campus on September 10, was hailed as a “martyr” and “great American hero” by supporters and loyal right-wingers at his memorial service on Sunday.

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    Mourners had begun lining up before dawn to snag a spot inside Glendale’s State Farm Stadium, which can seat over 63,000 people.

    Additional space was reportedly arranged nearby to accommodate the flood of people.

    Banner displaying Charlie Kirk raising his fist, symbolizing legacy and related to Erika Kirk's gesture during husband's funeral viral moment.

    Image credits: Turning Point USA/YouTube

    Erika Kirk, the widow of the slain conservative activist, addressed the crowd during the service and said she forgave Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect who allegedly fired the life-taking shot from the campus rooftop.

    She was captured onstage being consoled by the US president after his own speech at the service.

    The widow of the slain conservative activist said she forgave Tyler Robinson, who allegedly fired the shot from the campus rooftop

    Erika Kirk speaking at husband’s funeral, gesture captured, drawing internet attention after viral devil claim controversy.

    Image credits: Turning Point USA/YouTube

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    While next to the president, Erika made a hand gesture with her index and pinky fingers pointing up and her thumb extending out.

    The gesture sparked outlandish claims online, with some claiming she was making the “devil horn” hand gesture.

    “Why did Erika wait until she was standing with the most famous man alive, in front of the whole world, at the most significant moment of her life, to throw up the devil-horned gesture?” one asked.

    Woman making a hand gesture during funeral, sparking viral discussions and internet storm over the meaning of the gesture

    Image credits: Turning Point USA/YouTube

    “Sorry but why did Erika make the devil horn hand gesture at the end with Trump? I watched the entire memorial and thought it was very heartfelt and speeches were moving but why that from her? It wasn’t a rock concert,” another wrote. “I’m truly perplexed.”

    “I hope she doesn’t realize what she’s doing, but this is definitely suspicious!” one said.

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    “Erika Kirk throwing up a satanic hand symbol to end off Charlie’s funeral?!?!” read another comment.

    Netizens accused Erika of making a “satanic hand symbol” beside the U.S. president

    Erika Kirk making a hand gesture at husband's funeral, sparking viral devil sign claims on the internet.

    Image credits: Amedeo777

    Another wrote, “I caught this hand sign from Ericka Kirk, which is a Devil/Owl sign people use in dark meetings and rock-on concerts.”

    Others pointed out that the hand gesture is the symbol used to say “I love you” in sign language and shared pictures showing the difference between the “I love you” sign and the “devil horns” symbol.

    The “I love you” sign in ASL (American Sign Language) has the thumb extended out, as shown by Lingvano, a popular App for sign language learning. On the other hand, what is typically referred to as the “devil horns” gesture has the thumb folded in.

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    Erika Kirk and her husband sharing a kiss on stage with a bright pink background during a public event.

    Image credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

    “PSA: Erika Kirk’s hand sign at the end was sign language for I love you. Not a satanic hand sign. Dear lord… please give me strength on this app,” one commented.

    Another wrote, “Is our education system that bad that people don’t know the difference? How can you be that ignorant.”

    “Erika Kirk throwing up a satanic hand symbol to end off Charlie’s funeral?!?!” one commented online

    Woman making a hand gesture during a public event, with a man standing beside her, capturing a viral moment on the internet.

    Image credits: Win McNamee/Getty Images

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    Tweet text accusing Erika Kirk of flashing devil horns, sparking internet reactions to her gesture during husband's funeral.

    Image credits: LizzyRevelation

    During the memorial service, an emotional Erika spoke about losing her husband and the father of her two children.

    “I saw the wound that ended his life. I felt everything he would expect to feel. I felt shock. I felt horror, and a level of heartache that I didn’t even know existed,” she said.

    “These past 10 days after Charlie’s assassination, we didn’t see violence,” she continued. “We didn’t see rioting. We didn’t see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country, we saw revival.”

    Image showing difference between American Sign Language ILY sign and devil horns gesture amid Erika Kirk's gesture controversy.

    Image credits: DuckTheBuck3

    Erika also said she forgave the alleged rooftop sniper and claimed her husband Charlie wanted to “save young men” like the “one who took his life.”

    “That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do,” she said about Tyler Robinson.

    “No assassin will ever stop us…,” Erika told the sea of mourners

    Erika Kirk wearing a white jacket and cross necklace, looking up during a public moment amid viral internet claims.

    Image credits: Turning Point USA/YouTube

    Following her husband’s passing, the mother-of-two was named the new CEO of Turning Point USA, the organization Charlie co-founded in 2012 to advocate right-wing ideologies.

    “Charlie and I were united with purpose. His passion was my passion, and now this mission is my mission,” she said.

    Erika Kirk smiling and holding a man in a suit raising a fist, capturing the gesture that sparked viral claim online.

    Image credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr

    The slain conservative activist targeted the youth while advocating his ideologies.

    He was known for visiting campuses across the U.S., engaging in conversations and debates about contentious issues.

    “No assassin will ever stop us from standing up to defend those rights ever because when you stop the conversation, when you stop the dialogue, this is what happens,” Erika said, noting that campus events will continue.

    “When we lose the ability and the willingness to communicate, we get violence,” she added.

    Netizens commented on the hand gesture, with one saying: “Maybe she sacrificed him.”

    Comment by Terri Lucas discussing gestures and gang signs, related to Erika Kirk's funeral gesture controversy.

    Screenshot of Deanna Smoaks' comment discussing a possible bull horn gesture during Erika Kirk's funeral.

    Comment by Kenan-Ivan Brinc saying she's just ordering three beers, chill, related to Erika Kirk's gesture during husband's funeral viral claim.

    Screenshot of a social media comment discussing reactions to Erika Kirk's gesture during husband's funeral amid viral devil claim.

    Ash Lopez's comment telling a humorous phrase about metal music in a social media post with profile picture.

    Comment by Bryant Lucas saying maybe she sacrificed him with a pensive emoji in a social media post discussing Erika Kirk's gesture.

    Comment mentioning an Italian hand gesture believed to ward off evil in discussion about Erika Kirk's funeral gesture.

    Comment by Mary Beth Lundquist discussing devil’s horns gesture interpreted as sign language for love related to Erika Kirk's funeral.

    Comment by Debra Anderson expressing surprise about a woman wearing white to her husband's funeral, related to Erika Kirk's gesture.

    Comment by Sharon Brown Kurtz expressing surprise about the meaning of a phrase during Erika Kirk's funeral gesture discussion.

    Comment by Matt Weatherill about Gene Simmons owning a gesture, referencing viral claim during Erika Kirk's funeral.

    Comment explaining ASL devil horns gesture with two fingers, related to Erika Kirk's gesture during husband's funeral.

    Screenshot of a social media comment discussing Erika Kirk's gesture during her husband's funeral amid viral devil claims.

    Comment by Annah Belle explaining the gesture as I love you in sign language amid Erika Kirk's funeral claim discussion.

    Text message from Austin Bishop reading So we just acting like we don’t know sign language with crying emoji below.

    Comment on social media by Bernadette Pellow-Jarman about the emblem of marriage encounter meaning I love you gesture.

    Comment by Jenifer Simpson in black text on a light blue background discussing people having too much time on their hands.

    Comment by Cindy Peiffer Brennan expressing outrage over ignorance and lack of empathy related to Erika Kirk's gesture during husband's funeral.

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    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Read more »

    At Bored Panda, I dive into breaking celebrity news, Hollywood updates, and viral pop culture stories that spark global conversations. My background as a reporter at International Business Times and Latin Times gave me experience covering fast-moving entertainment stories for international audiences. Today, my work regularly appears on Google News, AOL, and MSN, reaching millions of readers. What excites me most is capturing the pop culture moments that people can’t stop talking about.

    Read less »
    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    At Bored Panda, I dive into breaking celebrity news, Hollywood updates, and viral pop culture stories that spark global conversations. My background as a reporter at International Business Times and Latin Times gave me experience covering fast-moving entertainment stories for international audiences. Today, my work regularly appears on Google News, AOL, and MSN, reaching millions of readers. What excites me most is capturing the pop culture moments that people can’t stop talking about.

    What do you think ?
    Tele Avision
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We are a nation of Pot-stirrers and S**T talkers.

    eric p
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And racists that support this human garbage couple

    Load More Replies...
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The humour is that there is not a liberal person EVER who either doesn't understand the "rock on" or the "I love you" sign, both of which imply happy things. Who, other than religious Christian conservatives, would even come up with this and why are they spreading a distortion like this around if they support this man?

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It IS going to be extra hilarious if it WAS the ASL sign for "I love you" (which it matches exactly), given her husband's stance on ASL interpreters and what he said about them back in January of this year XD

    Load More Replies...
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    Tamra
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look, this is ridiculous. There's plenty to discuss about this circus without having to speculate on her hand signal. We could talk about her Tammy Faye Bakker-esque performance, or the massive amount of litter left behind by the crowd, or the fact they were hawking merch at a memorial event...loads to criticize. Hand signs are the least of it.

    Antoinette the Red
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Hand that woman an Emmy, Tony AND an Oscar! And kudos to her MUA and stylists. She looked fabulous! I realize people grieve in their own way, but, man, was she ever camera ready.

    Load More Replies...
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    Tele Avision
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We are a nation of Pot-stirrers and S**T talkers.

    eric p
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And racists that support this human garbage couple

    Load More Replies...
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The humour is that there is not a liberal person EVER who either doesn't understand the "rock on" or the "I love you" sign, both of which imply happy things. Who, other than religious Christian conservatives, would even come up with this and why are they spreading a distortion like this around if they support this man?

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It IS going to be extra hilarious if it WAS the ASL sign for "I love you" (which it matches exactly), given her husband's stance on ASL interpreters and what he said about them back in January of this year XD

    Load More Replies...
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    Tamra
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look, this is ridiculous. There's plenty to discuss about this circus without having to speculate on her hand signal. We could talk about her Tammy Faye Bakker-esque performance, or the massive amount of litter left behind by the crowd, or the fact they were hawking merch at a memorial event...loads to criticize. Hand signs are the least of it.

    Antoinette the Red
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Hand that woman an Emmy, Tony AND an Oscar! And kudos to her MUA and stylists. She looked fabulous! I realize people grieve in their own way, but, man, was she ever camera ready.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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