A drag queen, Erika Qwerk, is captivating TikTok with uncanny impressions of Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. While Qwerk’s performances mimic signature looks and mannerisms, she’s also using her viral fame to raise funds for the ACLU, contrasting with the political figure’s affiliations. The internet is divided over the humorous yet pointed impersonations. There’s another Erika Kirk in town and when she talks, everyone happily listens. A drag queen named ‘Erika Qwerk’ has taken social media by storm with her ‘nailing’ impressions of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk’s widow on TikTok. From the signature eye makeup to elaborate hairstyles and the infamous glare, Erika Qwerk does it all, and some might even say, better. However, there’s one thing that differentiates these two figures. While one has been a proud Republican, engaging MAGA supporters with every event she hosts, the other has been quietly raising funds against the Trump administration.
Meet Erika Qwerk
In a video that has amassed over 6.7 million views, drag queen Lauren Banall lip syncs to Kirk’s speech during her late husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Dressed in a blonde wig, blue contacts, red blazer, a sequined red shirt and black pants she says, “On the cross, our saviour said, father forgive them, for they not know what they do.” Then, the music starts playing and Erika Qwerk begins dancing. In another video that has gained over 5 million views, Qwerk re-enacts Kirk’s reaction in a CBS News interview, asking conspiracy theorists about her husband’s assassination to “stop.”With about 41.5K followers on Instagram, Banall’s social media is filled with her apt Erika Kirk impressions that have gained her a wealth of fans across the internet. The sobbing, the dancing and the glare, Qwerk has nailed the impressions of it all.
Netizens love Erika Qwerk
Erika Qwerk has the internet divided, just like her inspirational icon. While some absolutely love the humorous and eerily similar impressions, others have been defending the new chairwoman and CEO of Turning Point USA, an organisation founded by Charlie Kirk. “The way the eyes look exactly like hers too,” commented a person on one of the videos, adding a crying emoji. “And you still grieved longer than her,” quipped another.”Anyone who doesn’t think drag is art needs to watch this,” commended another. “GOD IS GONNA GET U!!” defended one on X. “This isn’t even remotely funny. I think t’s cruel & sociopathic,” added another.
An Erika against Trump
“I absolutely did not expect this reaction,” Banall told PRIDE. “I thought I would make the 100 people at my brunch laugh, maybe a thousand people who follow me would see the Reel, and that would be it. I truly only did it to make myself and my friends laugh, just like any other drag number I do.”Why Erika Kirk you ask? “So many things feel so insane, so not-normal, and it feels like no one is addressing it. I kept seeing [Erika Kirk] over and over again in different interviews and events, and kept being bewildered by her strange behaviour. Eventually, I saw a TikTok where someone added the horror noise every time she squinted her icy blue eyes in a menacing manner, and it made me laugh so hard. I thought, ‘finally it feels like someone sees what I see.’”In a follow-up video, Banall pondered with her TikTok followers on what to do with such an “incredible response” to her videos. “‘What’s something good we could do with this? What would Turning Point USA do? Monetize,” she said after revealing that she had resumed her GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign for ACLU. Erika Qwerk has raised over $3600 so far.