Popular US podcaster faces backlash over Erika Kirk meme, netizens call it ‘awful’ - Here's what happened

Kyle Kulinski, a popular podcaster, is now in the spotlight. Not for his podcast, but for posting a meme on social media which depicts Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika Kirk on the packaging of a Halloween costume as a ‘fake grieving widow grifter.’

The image which sparked massive outrage also shows Charlie Kirk's widow wearing what it called “skin-tight black leather mourning pants” while she holds what appears to be a bag or a hat that is overflowing with cash.

Charlie Kirk, Trump ally and Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot on 10 September, at Utah Valley, during an event.

What was the meme about?

Kyle Kulinski, the host of the “Secular Talk” podcast, faced massive backlash after he posted the image of a fake “Spirit Halloween” costume package with the message and a photo of Erika Kirk.

The photo showed Erika Kirk's eyes smudged with kohl, tears streaming down her face.

Podcaster faces backlash

Kulinski’s post sparked fierce backlash, with fellow podcaster Anna Khachiyan commenting: “God some of you are awful. Idk how you negotiate your love for your family and friends with your nihilistic contempt for your ideological enemies.”

“When one of your loved ones passes, someone will remind you of this," wrote another user.

Kulinski reacts

Following the backlash, the podcaster created a video addressing the comments. He even claimed his ‘Erika Kirk meme was perfect.’

Erika Kirk and JD Vance's controversial ‘hug’

Erika Kirk broke her silence on the controversial remarks on her after she emotionally embraced US Vice President JD Vance and said she saw similarities between Vance and her late husband.

“There have been cameras all over my friends and family mourning. There have been cameras all over me - analyzing my every move, every smile, every tear. We deserve to have cameras in there,” she added in the interview," Erika said in an interview.

Erika Kirk and JD Vance's embrace on stage, which Erika described as one of mutual respect and a shared mission, drew significant online attention after photos went viral, leading to speculations about their closeness.

Lip readers reportedly said before going on stage to introduce VP Vance, Erika told her assistant, “I can’t do this, I don’t want to do it. Give me a second.”

Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk

Erika Kirk, a former beauty queen married the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk in 2021.

Erika Kirk shares two children with the slain conservative activist.

Born on 20 November in the year 1988, Erika hails from Arizona. She is as an alumna of Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale.