100,000 attendees at Charlie Kirk’s memorial as Trump hails Kirk as American hero
US President Donald Trump has hailed the late conservative and Christian activist Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and “martyr” in a speech delivered to about 100,000 attendees at Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona.
The memorial service had seen tens of thousands queuing for hours outside the stadium before the event, as some camped outside the venue a night before to secure a spot. Many were seen in Make America Great Again (MAGA) hats and the symbolic red white and blue outfits.
The mood and atmosphere inside the stadium were like those of a megachurch service with music from Christian bands, and singalongs and prayers from the crowd of almost 100,000.
The event saw top officials alongside Donald Trump in attendance, including Vice-President JD Vance, as Trump praised Kirk’s political legacy.
Speaking to the crowed at the State Farm Stadium, Trump said: “He was assassinated because he lived bravely, he lived boldly and he argued brilliantly,”
Also speaking at the event was Kirk’s widow, Erika, delivering a tearful speech, saying that she had forgiven her husband’s alleged killer.
“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life. I forgive him because it is what Christ did. The answer to hate is not hate.”
Speakers at the event including members of Kirk’s organisation, Turning Point USA, Trump administration officials and those who had been shaped by Kirk’s Christian and world views, all stressed the need to continue Kirk’s activism and deep faith, stating that his death would further revitalize the conservative movement in America.
“We wouldn’t be here without him. We’ve got it from here,” Vice-President JD Vance told the crowd who kept erupting into the “U-S-A, U-S-A” chant.
In his tribute, the White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said: “Charlie didn’t just help, he made the winning difference, I promise you that.”
Also addressing the crowd was the White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller who stated: “The day that Charlie died, angels wept, but those tears have been turned into fire in our hearts. Our enemies cannot comprehend our strength.”
Elon Musk who earlier in the year had a fall out with the US President Donald Trump, was seated next to the President as they both shook hands and chatted, with Elon later posting a picture of them together on his X platform with the caption “For Charlie”.
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on stage at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, for a TPUSA event “The American Comeback Tour”, around 12:20 p.m. MDT (18:20 UTC), 20 minutes after the event began, in front of an audience of about 3,000 people.
