Key takeaways from Charlie Kirk's memorial service

[ad_1] Tens of 1000's of individuals packed State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Sunday to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk, who was hailed a "martyr" by President Donald Trump and different main conservative figures.

"I do know I converse for everybody right here at the moment after I say that none of us will ever neglect Charlie Kirk, and neither now will historical past," Trump stated.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 whereas talking at Utah Valley College for his The American Comeback Tour, which invited college students on faculty campuses to debate on hot-button points.

After founding Turning Level USA at age 18, Kirk rose to turn out to be one of the outstanding conservative voices within the nation. However a few of his feedback on gun violence, LGBTQ points, race and extra usually drew criticism from liberals and others.

At Sunday's public memorial service, administration officers forged him as a "warrior" for the MAGA motion and his spouse, Erika, stated he died with "incomplete work however not with unfinished enterprise."

The stage is seen forward of the general public memorial service of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP by way of Getty Photos

Listed below are the important thing takeaways.

Conservatives memorialize Kirk as 'martyr' and 'warrior'

Kirk was lionized by a number of audio system as a modern-day martyr, many utilizing the phrase within the context of his Christian religion.

"Charlie Kirk is now a martyr. His energy will solely develop," conservative commentator Benny Johnson stated in spirited remarks. "Evil thought there'd be a funeral at the moment, God has created a revival proper right here on this home proper now," Johnson added.

Vice President JD Vance, a detailed good friend of Kirk who escorted his casket again to Arizona on Air Pressure Two, stated, "We should keep in mind that he's a hero to the US of America. And he's a martyr for the Christian religion."

President Trump known as Kirk a martyr for "American freedom."

Others praised Kirk as a "MAGA warrior," and Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna in contrast him to George Washington, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

The service blended politics and faith, because the day began with hours of Christian music earlier than this system started. Many within the crowd stood worshipping with their palms within the air.

Folks pray forward of a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.

Daniel Cole/Reuters

Audio system pledge that Kirk's motion will proceed

White Home deputy chief of employees for coverage Stephen Miller, in a number of the most heated remarks of this system, stated Kirk's loss of life created a "hearth in our hearts."

Miller railed in opposition to an unnamed enemy, telling the group: "They can't think about what they've woke up. They can't conceive of the military that they've arisen in all of us as a result of we stand for what is nice, what's virtuous, what's noble."

White Home Deputy Chief of Employees Stephen Miller speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz.

Carlos Barria/Reuters

Trump praised Kirk's group as a "juggernaut of American politics" that he believed is "going to be larger and higher than ever earlier than."

Trump and a number of other administration officers watched this system in a collection behind bulletproof glass, and almost his total Cupboard sat within the entrance row.

Vance famous, "Now our complete administration is right here, however not simply because we love Charlie as a good friend, though we did, however as a result of we all know we would not be right here with out him. Charlie constructed a company that reshaped the steadiness of our politics."

Vice President JD Vance speaks through the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.

Mandel Ngan/AFP by way of Getty Photos

Erika Kirk says she forgives alleged shooter in emotional speech

Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, in emotional remarks, revealed that she forgives the alleged shooter, who has been charged together with his homicide.

"That younger man, I forgive him," she stated as she was holding again tears, with the group leaping to their toes in a standing ovation.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with a slew of offenses for allegedly killing Charlie Kirk, together with aggravated homicide.

"The reply to hate isn't hate," she stated on the memorial service.

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, wipes away tears as she speaks through the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.

Mandel Ngan/AFP by way of Getty Photos

She additionally recounted the moments when she noticed her husband's physique after he had been assassinated, saying she skilled "a degree or heartache I did not even know existed."

When she noticed his physique, she stated she noticed the "faintest smile" on his lips, telling her that he "did not endure" and there was no "worry" or "agony" when he died.

"Whereas Charlie died far too early, he was additionally able to die. There was nothing that he was pushing aside," she stated.

Erika Kirk stated taking on Turning Level USA isn't one thing she takes evenly, after lately being elected to exchange her husband as CEO, however that she and her husband share the identical mission.

She stated campus occasions will proceed, stressing the necessity for debate and the significance of the First Modification. "No murderer will ever cease us for standing as much as defend these rights ever," she stated.

President Trump gave closing remarks, known as Kirk 'immortal'

In closing remarks for the memorial service, President Donald Trump stated Charlie Kirk, whom he described as "our best evangelist for American liberty," is now "immortal."

He emphasised that Kirk was somebody who had a "good coronary heart" and was a "nice American hero" who had the "will to combat, combat, combat" -- a phrase that has turn out to be a rallying cry for Trump supporters for the reason that tried assassination try on him in July 2024.

President Donald Trump speaks through the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

The president stated Kirk was a "missionary with a noble spirit and an excellent, nice goal" however that he differed with the conservative activist on one level, particularly that Kirk "didn't hate his opponents."

"That is the place I disagree with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I do not need the most effective for them," Trump stated.

Trump additionally continued to predominantly blame "the left" for political violence within the U.S. He known as the alleged shooter a "radicalized cold-blooded monster" and reiterated his course to the Justice Division to analyze teams he claims contribute to political violence.

President Donald Trump embraces Erika Kirk, throughout a memorial service for her husband, slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Arizona, September 21, 2025.

Carlos Barria/Reuters

All through his speech, Trump strayed from speaking in regards to the conservative activist a number of occasions. His remarks on Kirk had been briefly interrupted when he mentioned a forthcoming announcement about autism, his tariff coverage and his grievances in regards to the 2020 election. He additionally added that "violence comes largely from the left."