Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Service

At a massive memorial service in Arizona, Trump hailed Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and a “martyr,” praising his role in mobilizing young conservatives and calling him “our greatest evangelist for American liberty.” The event, held at State Farm Stadium and attended by nearly 100,000 people, featured speeches from top administration officials including JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and RFK Jr., as well as members of Kirk’s Turning Point USA. The atmosphere often resembled a political rally, with chants of “U-S-A” and Christian music performances energizing the crowd.

Erika Kirk delivered an emotional tribute, pledging to continue her husband’s work as the new CEO of Turning Point USA. She forgave his accused killer, Tyler Robinson, saying it was what her husband and her faith would demand. Trump, however, diverged sharply, openly rejecting forgiveness and declaring he “hates his opponents.” The service highlighted both the deep devotion Kirk inspired among conservatives and the stark political divisions in America, with his death being framed as a symbol of both martyrdom and escalating political violence. (source)