Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, appeared at the memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, when tens of thousands of people came to say their last goodbyes to the conservative political activist.

Erika gave a speech in front of a packed stadium, and when she appeared on the Charlie Kirk Show a day before, she thanked many for their support. That included President Donald Trump.

Speaking through tears, Erika Kirk thanked President Donald Trump and his family for their support after the shooting. She is now taking over as the new head of Turning Point USA, the non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk.

“Mr President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. He did. Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well, as did he for you,” she said.

Donald Trump also held a speech at State Farm Stadium with Erika standing beside him. When finalizing his speech, the president pulled Erika into a hug as the crowd roared with applause. But on social media, people had opinions about the look on Trump’s face.

Donald Trump and Erika Kirk’s bizarre connection

Donald and Erika have been close since the recent tragic events, but it appears as if their paths have crossed many years ago. One user on X had found a picture of Erika from her days as a beauty pageant – and made a connection no one had thought of before.

“Oooooh. Erika Kirk competed in the 2012 Miss USA competition, which was owned by Trump. Her talent portion for the Miss Arizona contest was performing a dribbling exhibition with two balls. Her website still lists contact info to book her for modeling and acting,” the user wrote.

Donald Trump ran the Miss USA competition for many years as a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization. He ended his cooperation with the competition in 2015, but reports state that he not only was in charge but also played a significant role in determining who competed and who won.

Erika Kirk won the Miss Arizona pageant in 2011 and, as a result, competed in the 2012 Miss USA competition. At the time, Kirk, then known by her maiden name Frantzve, said, “What really matters is making a difference, and I want to change the world. The bling is just a bonus.”

Donald Trump was rumored to have ‘picked winners’ of Miss USA contests

Kirk also competed in Miss Teen USA pageants. Speaking to The New Yorker, preliminary judges revealed Trump had picked winners and even commented on them.

“They told us not to share how we voted with each other, but we did anyway,” one judge told the New Yorker, adding that they were “shocked” when winners were announced, although they hadn’t been selected.

“I didn’t know what had happened. I felt ridiculous,” they added.

It’s not known whether Erika was one of the individuals Trump selected as a winner. However, the odds of them not meeting at the time must be considered very low.

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