The embrace between Erika Kirk and Jason Aldean lingered, stretching beyond the customary two-Mississippi count. To observers, Erika’s gentle back rub seemed to infuse the moment with an unexpected warmth. Although Erika also shared a lengthy hug with Brittany, it lacked the perceived intimacy of her interaction with Jason.

That embrace was way longer than two Mississippis, and Erika rubbing Jason’s back didn’t help matters. Granted, she also hugged Brittany for a long time, but that didn’t seem as intimate as her hug with Jason did.

This isn’t the first time Erika Kirk’s hugs have stirred online chatter following the passing of her husband. Back on October 29, 2025, Vice President JD Vance found himself at the center of similar speculation. During a public event, his onstage embrace with Kirk mirrored the curious closeness seen with Jason Aldean, leading to rampant rumors of an affair. In response, JD and his wife Usha Vance appeared to strengthen their public display of affection, notably at the Marine Corps Ball on November 8. Usha’s demonstrative kiss and her affectionate grip on JD’s arm seemed to communicate a message about the solidity of their marriage.

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While no concrete evidence of an affair has surfaced, whispers of infidelity have only fueled ongoing divorce rumors between JD and Usha. Erika Kirk’s actions, such as her candid admission of missing a goodnight kiss, continue to cast JD’s name into the limelight.

With Erika’s recent encounter with Aldean, perhaps the speculation surrounding her connection with JD Vance will begin to subside.

To make things even more awkward, Brittany had to stand right next to Jason and Erika while they embraced, and she looked anything but pleased. In the comments section of a TikTok dissecting the situation, one person jokingly wrote, “Well, that’s because [Brittany] stole Jason from his wife and she’s very protective, making sure no one steals her husband now.” Jason ended up getting divorced from then-wife Jessica Ussery after photos of him kissing Brittany hit the internet. Meanwhile, other comments felt like people were blowing the hug way out of proportion.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a peculiar hug Erika Kirk gave after losing her husband made waves online. On October 29, 2025, Vice President JD Vance attended an event and embraced Kirk onstage in a bizarrely intimate fashion like she did with Jason Aldean. Rumors quickly spread that Kirk and the VP were having an affair. Shortly after the hug seen ’round the world, JD and wife Usha Vance were spotted looking extra lovey-dovey at the Marine Corps Ball on November 8. By initiating a kiss and also holding onto JD’s arm, Usha provided a subtle clue as to where she stands with her marriage.

Though there hasn’t been confirmation of an affair — it’s solely speculation — the scuttlebutt certainly doesn’t help quell the rampant divorce rumors between JD and Usha. Plus, whenever Kirk does something, such as making a bedtime confession about how she misses receiving a goodnight kiss, JD’s name is on everyone’s lips.

Now that Kirk had that moment with Aldean, perhaps the whispers about her and JD will die down.