Erika Kirk’s Hand Gesture During Funeral Turns Heads, Here’s What It Means
Social media erupted on Sunday after Erika Kirk, widow of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, made a brief hand gesture during her late husband’s memorial service — a moment that quickly spiraled into viral controversy.
The memorial took place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where thousands gathered to honor the 36-year-old activist who was fatally shot earlier this month in Utah. The solemn event featured speeches from political and faith leaders, including President Donald Trump, who stood beside Erika as she delivered a moving tribute to her husband’s faith and legacy.
During her remarks, Erika briefly raised her hand with her index finger, pinky finger, and thumb extended — a gesture recognized in American Sign Language as meaning “I love you.” However, some social media users began circulating clips of the moment with unfounded claims, alleging she had flashed a “devil horns” symbol.
Posts questioning her intent spread rapidly across multiple platforms, with critics insisting she was signaling something “satanic” on stage. “What is happening? Did Erika Kirk seriously flash a satanic hand sign at the close of Charlie’s funeral?!” one user wrote, reflecting the wave of online speculation. Others suggested implausible connections to secret societies and concert culture.
Supporters of the Kirk family quickly countered the misinformation. “PSA: Erika Kirk’s hand gesture at the end was sign language for ‘I love you.’ Not a satanic hand sign,” one user responded. Another added, “Ignorance is dangerous. Learn before you accuse. That was a message of love, not evil.”
Experts familiar with sign language noted that the distinction is clear: the so-called “devil horns” sign involves only the index and pinky fingers, with the thumb folded inward, while the ASL “I love you” sign includes the thumb raised outward — the exact form Erika used on stage.
The incident highlighted how a moment of faith and tenderness at a memorial could be twisted by online speculation. Still, the widow’s composed demeanor and powerful words about forgiveness defined the service far more than the rumors that followed.