The upper echelon of the Trump administration and the Republican Party memorialized Charlie Kirk on Sunday in a political and religious event with little modern parallel, telling a packed football stadium that the slain activist was a Christian and conservative martyr.
President Trump, cabinet officials, right-wing pundits, Charlie Kirk’s widow and Christian pastors eulogized Kirk during the hourslong service, which came nearly two weeks after the 31-year-old father of two was shot to death. His death ratcheted up political tensions across the country and heightened fears that American politics had entered a dangerous new era.
Trump called Kirk a “great American hero” and an evangelist and martyr for freedom. “His voice on earth will echo through the generations,” Trump said. “He will live forever.” Trump also reiterated on Sunday that he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The event alternated between political and religious messages delivered by conservative leaders and friends of Kirk. Mourners sang along to Christian contemporary music and raised their hands in prayer. Volunteers asked new voters to register as Republicans, and top executives of Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, recalled how Kirk built one of the most important conservative political organizations. The Kirk family lives in Arizona where Turning Point USA is based.
Kirk’s wife, Erika, fought back tears as she appeared on stage to thunderous applause.
In a stirring moment of clemency, she announced she had forgiven her husband’s killer. Many in the audience wept.
“He wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” she said, taking a pause to gather herself. “I forgive him, I forgive him because it’s what Christ did and it’s what Charlie would do.”
Kirk, who will take her late husband’s place as head of his organization Turning Point USA, vowed to expand on his mission. The world, she said, needs “a group that will point young people away from the path of misery and sin.” In the wake of Kirk’s death, the organization has gotten outreach from tens of thousands of students interested in expanding Turning Point USA to their campuses.
U.S. President Donald Trump embraces Erika Kirk, during a memorial service for her husband, slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Trump was less generous.
“He did not hate his opponents, he wanted the best for them,” he said. “That’s where I disagree with Charlie. I hate my opponents and I don’t want what’s best for them. I’m sorry, I am sorry Erika.”
Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, 22 years old, faces charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Authorities have accused him of fatally shooting Kirk on Sept. 10 from the rooftop of a building on the campus of Utah Valley University, in Orem. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty.
Trump’s address was as much a stump speech as a eulogy, as he promised to send troops into Chicago and Memphis and criticized Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. Many of the other speeches were combative, warning enemies of the MAGA political movement that conservatives would fight back in the wake of Kirk’s death. The speakers didn’t specify exactly who their enemies are, but railed against preferred conservative targets, including the media, Marxists and Democrats.
In an angry address, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said Kirk’s killing awoke an army of conservatives who he pledged would defeat “the forces of wickedness and evil” with “righteous fury.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Kirk a warrior who fought a “spiritual war” that sparked a Christian revival in the U.S.
Kirk was described as a Christian martyr by several speakers including his friend and conservative commentator Benny Johnson, who called Kirk’s life a miracle and added: “You cut down a martyr, his power grows.”
Kirk was an outspoken figure who, before his death, earned equal parts praise from conservatives and scorn from liberals for arguing against same-sex marriage and abortion. He said the Civil Rights Act was a mistake and opposed diversity efforts and gun control. He said transgender people were suffering from “mental delusion.”
He was a standard-bearer of the MAGA movement and has been credited by Trump for building his support with young people and helping ensure his return to office. Kirk was instrumental in connecting Trump with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is now the Health and Human Services secretary, the president said, and would have been in the front row at a press conference to be held Monday. Trump said that at the event, he will reveal “an answer to autism.”
Attendees began lining up for the service at State Farm Stadium, just outside of Phoenix, at least six hours before the memorial, with many wearing red, white and blue clothes as well as cowboy boots and Make America Great Again caps.
Shannon Brodowicz, 31, a stay-at-home mother from Phoenix, and her husband brought their four month old son dressed in an American flag onesie. “We wanted to teach him early on that we show up for people and things that are important,” Brodowicz said.
Mourners at the event were asked to wear their “Sunday Best—Red, White, or Blue,” and to donate to Turning Point USA in lieu of flowers.
Trump arrived to chants of “U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.” as he gave the crowd a fist pump from a private box. Senior figures in the Trump administration strode into the stadium earlier in the day while worship music played, including national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kennedy.
The memorial had Super Bowl-level security reserved for significant events of national importance. At one point, attendees, many of whom arrived in the early morning hours, filled the arena with a sea of signs for the Kirk’s organization, “Never Surrender Remember Charlie Kirk” and “Here I am. Lord, send Me – Isaiah 6:8” with a drawing of Kirk.
