Real meaning behind Erika Kirk’s hand sign at Charlie’s funeral as it’s not what people think

Erika Kirk’s hand sign during her late husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial service left many people confused, but there is a simple explanation behind it.

Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was tragically shot on 10 September 2025 while hosting an event at Utah Valley University. He was taken to the hospital but later died from his injuries.

His funeral was held on Sunday, 21 September 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where thousands gathered to honour his life and legacy. Among those in attendance were President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. People wore red, white, and blue to pay tribute to Charlie’s life and the organisation he started. His funeral also had $10M ‘Super Bowl’ security and some very strict rules.

During the memorial, both Donald Trump and Erika spoke to the crowd. After Trump’s speech, he called Erika back on stage and gave her a hug. At that moment, she raised her hand in a gesture that quickly went viral.

So, what did it mean?

Very interesting hand sign by Erika Kirk #CharlieKirk pic.twitter.com/WtCtTIYr8z

— Truth Seeker (@_TruthZone_) September 22, 2025

Some people thought the gesture was devil horns or a secret signal. One person wrote on Twitter, “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?” Another wrote, “There’s a coded message being sent here.”

Well, it is none of that. It’s actually a common sign in American Sign Language, meaning “I love you.” Erika held up her thumb, index finger, and pinky while keeping her middle and ring fingers down. That small difference makes it different from other similar-looking hand signs.

Most Read

Lily Phillips shares utterly disgusting ‘before and after’ video and now I’m traumatised

A dark TikTok D4vd reposted has resurfaced and the creator who made it has spoken out

I went on a night out with Bonnie Blue – it was uncomfortable and she’s dead behind the eyes

Erika Kirk also spoke from the heart, saying she forgave the man charged with killing her husband, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. “That man, that young man, I forgive him,” she said. “I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would do.” She added, “My husband, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life.”

After Charlie’s death, Erika was announced as the new CEO of Turning Point USA, continuing the organisation her husband started in 2012.

For more like this, like The Tab on Facebook. Featured image via Gage Skidmore/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock.