On April 29, Erika Kirk slammed comedian Druski during her commencement speech, but many Fox News viewers were left distracted by one sleepy guest in the audience
22:37 ET, 09 May 2026Updated 01:22 ET, 10 May 2026
Erika Kirk received an honorary degree from Hillsdale College(Image: Getty Images)
Erika Kirk failed to hold her conservative fanbase’s attention during her commencement speech.
On May 9th, Fox News interrupted its regular programming and live-streamed the CEO of Turning Point USA as she gave the commencement address at Hillsdale College in Michigan. Erika, 37, and the late husband, Charlie Kirk, received honorary degrees from the Christian liberal arts college. The CEO wore the long black gown and covered her head with the matching trencher cap.
However, during her lengthy speech, the individual sitting behind her seemed unable to keep his eyes open. This comes as the widow called out her enemies, Druski and Candace Owens, during her podcast.
READ MORE: Melania Trump breaks protocol with ‘inappropriate’ pink gown for state dinnerREAD MORE: 60 Minutes viewers rip into Donald Trump as he’s accused of ‘wearing adult diaper’
Erika smiled and said, “As you continue forward in life, I want you to embrace the similar blueprint of my husband where he loved to point out that God made us purposeful beings. You continue forward in life with clarify and intention.
“You will come to understand life is not defined by the abundance of options, but by the weight of the choices that you make within them,” she continued. “And those choices more often than not dramatic or obvious are quiet and compounding, forming the blueprint of your life long before anyone else can see what you are doing.”
Erika Kirk gave the commencement address at Hillsdale College
Viewers took to social media to point out that the sleeping individual behind her looked a lot like former Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, 79.
One person said, “Is that Pat Sajak?! Looks like him. The dude in the background is falling asleep though. Must be really dull.”
Another person added, “Is that Pat Sajack? He looks like he didn’t know she’d be there.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
A third wrote, “Pat Sajak, is that your doppelgänger?”
Despite the fallout, Charlie’s wife did have a supporter who paid attention to her speech and shared, “Erika Kirk delivering a commencement address is a great opportunity to inspire graduates with leadership, determination, and confidence for the future. Wishing all the graduates success as they begin their next chapter.”
Sajak serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Hillsdale College and delivered the commencement address back in 2024.
Viewers assumed it was Pat Sajak sleeping during Erika Kirk’s speech(Image: ABC via Getty Images)
Last month, Erika wore a long-sleeved black top with a matching cap for her latest podcast episode. On April 29, she ranted against the animosity aimed at her from political commentator Candace Owens and comedian Druski.
“I have comedians dressing up in white face,” she mentioned, referring to Druski’s viral sketch. “I have people saying I’m not fit to be a CEO.
“And I have Candace Owens claiming I murdered my husband,” she called out the media personality before continuing. “And the list goes on and on and on.”