Gaslit to Global Sensation – How One Drag Queen’s ‘Helpless’ Moment Created the Erika Kirk Internet Takeover
While the political landscape in 2026 continues to feel increasingly volatile, Lauren Banall is proving that a wig and a well-placed punchline might be the most effective tools for resistance.
The drag performer has skyrocketed to internet stardom this month, capturing millions of eyes with a satirical character that skewers the current MAGA movement. By transforming into Erika Qwerk, a biting parody of Erika Kirk, Banall has managed to turn viral laughter into a legitimate financial engine for civil rights.
The rapid spread of her content was something the entertainer never saw coming during her usual weekend sets. I absolutely did not expect this reaction, Banall admitted when discussing her newfound platform.
She noted that her original intent was localized, aiming only to entertain a small group of friends and a few hundred brunch attendees. I truly only did it to make myself and my friends laugh, just like any other drag number I do, she explained regarding the humble origins of the act.
@laurenbanall We are Charlie Kirk 🧿👄🧿
♬ original sound – Lauren Banall
The motivation behind the character was rooted in a sense of psychological fatigue regarding modern headlines. Banall described a feeling of being helpless and gaslit by the sheer absurdity of the current political moment. She felt that the behavior she was witnessing from public figures was so far outside the realm of normalcy that it required a specific kind of artistic commentary to address.
The catalyst for the performance was a social media clip that highlighted Erika Kirk’s intense facial expressions with ominous horror music. For Banall, this was a moment of clarity that signaled she wasn’t the only one noticing the strange theatricality of the movement. Finally it feels like someone sees what I see, she remarked, which led her to assemble the costume of red blazers and striking blue contacts.
In her most popular videos, Banall uses a podium and pyrotechnics to mimic the dramatic staging often seen at Turning Point USA events.
One particularly famous clip shows her using eye drops to mock performative grief, a move that has drawn both massive cheers and significant controversy. Despite some fears regarding her personal safety, she remains bolstered by the fact that the satire seems to resonate across the political aisle. It definitely makes me feel less crazy that it has struck a nerve and even a lot of conservatives see it and laugh, she noted.
Banall is now channeling this momentum toward a specific cause by encouraging her massive following to support the American Civil Liberties Union. She acknowledges that her role is not to argue in front of a judge, but rather to provide the resources for those who can. I’m a drag queen, I’m not going to be the one to fight this administration in the courts, but I can use my art to raise money for those who can, she said.
The ACLU remains a primary target for her fundraising efforts due to their work protecting the LGBTQ+ community and their specialized Defense of Drag Fund. Banall views her work as a necessary cultural mirror that reflects the times, regardless of the potential for backlash. She believes it is an artist’s fundamental obligation to challenge those who seek to dominate the social narrative through legislation.
Lauren Banall has been a fixture in the Los Angeles performance scene for several years, frequently appearing at high-profile events like Dragcon and various pride festivals. Recently, she has been a vocal critic of the 2026 executive orders aimed at restricting public gender-nonconforming expressions.
As she continues to refine her Erika Qwerk persona, she shows no signs of backing down from her mission to use comedy as a weapon. I’ll continue fighting for a better, more equal, future with liberty and justice for all! she declared. Through her work, the line between performance art and political advocacy continues to blur in the most fabulous way possible.
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