The online world erupted this week as left-wing podcaster Kyle Kulinski faced intense backlash for posting a meme mocking Erika Kirk, the widow of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The controversy highlights just how polarizing political humor can become in the age of social media.
Kulinski, who hosts the Secular Talk podcast with more than two million YouTube subscribers, shared the meme on Halloween to his half a million followers on X (formerly Twitter).
The edited image portrayed Erika Kirk on Spirit Halloween costume packaging, with mascara running down her chest and what appeared to be a bag overflowing with cash.
Meme Sparks Furious Responses
The description on the fake packaging read: “fake grieving widow grifter,” with the contents listed as “fake teardrops” and “skin-tight black leather mourning pants.”
While meme culture often targets politicians and celebrities across the political spectrum, this one quickly drew strong criticism.
In the replies, commentators were quick to call out Kulinski. Conservative commentator Blaire White tweeted, “No one is requiring you to mourn Charlie Kirk.
They’re asking you not to be a satanic piece of sh*t who celebrates brutal murder.”
Others simply wrote, “Awful. Shame on you,” or “Wow, you’re a horrible human being.”
Podcaster Doubles Down With Additional Meme
Kulinski followed up the next day with another meme targeting House Speaker Mike Johnson and continued to lampoon Erika Kirk, implying that she was using grief for personal gain.
One meme read: “She’s going through the normal five stages of grief: Pyrotechnics, Merch, Podcasting, Grifting, and Acceptance.”
Social media users quickly mirrored the joke, posting TikTok comments and memes mocking Erika’s public appearances, particularly her emotional reactions at Turning Point USA events.
One user quipped, “Nothing says grief like skin tight leather pants.”
Public Mourning Under Fire
Erika Kirk assumed her late husband’s role as CEO of Turning Point USA following his assassination in September at Utah Valley University.
Some critics, including conservative podcaster Nick Fuentes, have questioned the sincerity of her public mourning, calling her reactions “fake” and criticizing the organization’s handling of Charlie Kirk’s death.
This scrutiny has also led to a wave of punitive measures for others who mocked the assassination online, including an NBA employee, a marine, and an MSNBC analyst, all of whom were fired for offensive posts.
Kulinski Stays Unscathed
Unlike others, Kulinski remains insulated from employment consequences because he owns Secular Talk.
In response to the backlash, he posted another meme featuring Scooby-Doo’s Fred unmasking a MAGA villain, with the caption in all caps: “the same right-wing idiots who defended edgy jokes for a decade as soon as the joke isn’t about black or trans people.”
The incident underscores the heightened tensions on social media when politics, grief, and humor collide, showing just how quickly online controversies can spiral.