Erika Kirk has become one of the biggest names in U.S. conservative politics following the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk. And she once again got the internet talking when she accepted honorary doctorate degrees from Hillsdale College for herself and on behalf of her late husband.
The new Turning Point USA CEO, 37, dressed in the traditional cap and gown worn for the occasion, which also saw her deliver a commencement speech.
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The Internet Thinks Erika Kirk Accepting The Honorary Degree Is 'Hypocritical'
The internet was critical of Erika receiving the honorary degree because many deemed it hypocritical, given that the late podcaster made no secret of his thoughts on higher education, previously referring to college as "useless" and a "scam," among other things.
The Kirks have also openly shared their belief that modern education can distract women from traditional roles, with Charlie once joking that the only degree women should pursue is an "Mrs. degree."
In his book The College Scam: How America's Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America's Youth, Kirk argued that many college degrees are "useless" and doubled down on those views several times afterward.
During a Turning Point USA event, Kirk said students are "filled with really bad ideas" and added: "If you look at the amount of money that you have to spend to go, the amount of time you spend here, and the ideas you have to endure, I do believe [college] is a scam."
As expected, social media was filled with comments from people calling Erika a hypocrite, among other things...
Social Media Reactions
"What a piece of work. A PhD in grifting," quipped one Instagram user. "Doctorate?! In what?! I am full of rage," added a second, while a third called Erika's honorary degree "absolutely disgusting."
"A slap in the face to everyone who actually earned it," a fourth chimed in. "A fake degree for a grifter. Nice!" exclaimed a fifth, while a sixth echoed: "Means nothing. No one will respect it."
"I'm so confused. Do they like college degrees or not? Don't get educated, but also give us the highest education? It's so thick with hypocrisy and ulterior motives," observed a seventh. "Well, it seems that he and his wife both scammed colleges," an eighth added, while a ninth called the whole thing "comedy."
"Her husband told women to stop going to school and get in the kitchen, but it's fine if it's her? Hypocrisy," concluded a tenth.
