Misunderstanding over Erika Kirk's gesture sparks online debate at the memorial

In a moment meant to honor the late Charlie Kirk, a simple hand gesture by his widow, Erika Kirk, at his memorial service in Arizona has ignited a firestorm of controversy across social media platforms.

According to Daily Mail, at the memorial for Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk on Sunday, his widow Erika's sign language gesture for "I love you" was misconstrued by some online as a satanic symbol, prompting both criticism and defense.

On Sunday, a massive memorial service for Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, took place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event drew tens of thousands of attendees, including high-profile figures like President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and senior Cabinet members. Security at the venue was described as extraordinarily tight given the scale and significance of the gathering.

Memorial Service Draws Prominent Attendees

During the service, Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow and a former Miss Arizona, delivered a heartfelt tribute to her husband. She spoke about his mission to guide young men, including his alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson.

In a powerful moment, Erika publicly forgave Robinson, addressing the crowd with compassion. "I forgive him," she said at her husband's memorial. "I forgive him because it's what Christ did."

Her words, emphasizing that the response to hate should not be more hate, were met with applause from the audience. This act of forgiveness stood out as a poignant highlight of the service.

Erika Kirk's Gesture Sparks Misinterpretation

Following her speech, Erika made a hand gesture while standing beside Trump on stage. The gesture, with her index finger, pinky, and thumb raised, is recognized in American Sign Language as meaning "I love you."

However, some social media users quickly misinterpreted the sign, alleging it was a satanic or "devil horn" symbol. Unlike the ASL sign, the so-called devil gesture typically involves only the index and pinky fingers raised without the thumb.

Critics on platforms like X questioned why a Christian woman would make such a signal at a deeply personal and public moment. One user wrote, "What is happening? Erika Kirk throwing up a satanic hand symbol to end off Charlie's funeral?!?!"

Online Backlash and Suspicion Grow

Another commenter speculated, "I caught this hand sign from Ericka Kirk which is a Devil/Owl sign people use in dark meetings and rock-on concerts." A different post added, "Sorry, I love Trump and Charlie Kirk, and I don’t want to spoil the party, but why did Erika wait until she was standing with the most famous man alive, in front of the whole world, to throw up the devil-horned gesture?"

Others expressed doubt about her intent, with one stating, "I hope she doesn’t realize what she’s doing, but this is definitely suspicious!" These accusations spread rapidly online, fueling heated discussions.

The viral nature of these claims painted a negative picture for some, despite the context of Erika’s emotional speech and the memorial setting. Many questioned the timing and significance of her gesture.

Supporters Defend Erika's True Intent

Amid the backlash, supporters of Erika Kirk rushed to clarify the misunderstanding. They emphasized that the gesture was a well-known sign language expression of love, not a sinister symbol. One exasperated X user posted, "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."

Another defender echoed this sentiment, stressing the dangers of misinformation. "It’s sign language for ‘love you’," they wrote. "Ignorance is exactly why people commit violence. LEARN THINGS! Don’t spew evil where none exists."

The debate over Erika’s gesture highlights the speed at which misunderstandings can spread online, especially during emotionally charged events like a memorial. Meanwhile, other moments from the service, such as Trump and Elon Musk sharing a friendly exchange despite a prior public falling out in June 2025 over Musk’s posts about Epstein-related files, also drew attention.

The memorial, ultimately, served as a tribute to Charlie Kirk’s legacy, overshadowed by a controversy that many hope will soon be resolved through understanding.