ConnexionConservatives rage at drag queen for impersonating MAGA widow Erika Kirk
MAGA pundits from the right-wing media outlet Real America’s Voice raged at a drag queen who raised thousands for charity by impersonating Erika Kirk, the leader of the young conservative organization Turning Point USA.
“The performer known as Erika Kwerk has posted videos on TikTok dressing up, lip syncing, and dancing to clips of Kirk’s speeches, raking in millions of views and even fundraising for the American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU],” Emily Finn, co-host of the network’s American Sunrise show, said, misnaming the performer and adding that Kirk is the widow of the late MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk, who was murdered last September 10.
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“A mockery of a conservative icon,” Finn lamented, adding, “Outrage has boiled over with conservatives calling it a heartless exploitation of grief and a new low in the culture wars. Critics say this isn’t just satire, it’s a personal attack. And once again, the left celebrates mockery of conservative figures.”
Her co-host David Brody agreed, calling the performance “pure evil,” and adding, “Leave this poor woman alone. Enough already.”
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It’s unclear whether any of the co-hosts actually watched the drag queen’s full performance, beyond the 33 seconds of clips that she posted on her TikTok.
In the performance, the drag performer lip-synced to audio of Kirk misquoting a Bible verse and telling right-wing conspiracy theorist Candace Owens to “stop” spreading lies about her husband. Owens has continually claimed that conspirators from Turning Point USA orchestrated Charlie Kirk’s murder. Both Erika Kirk and her organization have begged Owens to stop, but Owens hasn’t. None of the American Sunrise co-hosts mentioned Owens’ continued campaign of slander against Kirk’s organization.
The drag queen’s outfit of a red blazer and sparkly undershirt was a recreation of a similar outfit that Erika Kirk wore in flashy public memorial events just a few months after her husband’s death — looks that got her widely criticized on social media, especially as her organization used her husband’s death to rake in hundreds of millions in new donations.
While the other co-hosts called the drag performance “gross” and “tasteless” for “poking at a grieving widow,” Brody seemed particularly bothered that a man would dress up as a woman for a theatrical performance because it goes against God, or something.
“These are men!” Brody exclaimed, according to Raw Story. “These are — these are men to leftists, dressed up as women. That’s called a transvestite in 1974! You can’t say that word today!”
“God made woman and man, and you were just not — I just don’t — I don’t understand it. I will never understand it,” he added. “I can’t comment without being just blithering. So I will just shut up.”
The drag performer has used the popularity of her performance to raise nearly $7,250 for the ACLU, an organization that has taken on court cases defending the National Rifle Association, anti-abortion activists, white supremacists, and other right-wing individuals and groups whose free speech rights have been legally threatened.
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