Pres. Trump honors Charlie Kirk, speaks at memorial
President Donald Trump has called Charlie Kirk a “martyr for American freedom” during his remarks at the conservative commentator’s memorial service. “He’s a great American hero, that’s what he is,” Trump said, adding that he believed that the Turning Point USA founder was a patriot. “America loved Charlie Kirk,” the president said, adding that history will remember Kirk’s legacy.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Charlie Kirk’s funeral took place Sunday, 11 days after the conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University.
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Doors at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona open at 8 a.m. PT for the funeral. Thousands are expected to attend, and members of the public began lining up outside State Farm Stadium before dawn to secure a spot.
The service began at 11 a.m. PT, with a handful of high-profile speakers including President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Trump remembers Charlie Kirk as ‘a giver, much more than a taker’ at memorial
3:30 p.m. PT– President Donald Trump remembered Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as a tireless advocate and a “giver, much more than a taker” who never overlooked anyone.
Trump recalled how Kirk would often call him the night before major events, urging him to attend. “He was a very convincing guy,” Trump said with a smile, noting that Kirk sometimes asked him to appear across the country—like in California—the very next day.
“He just wouldn’t stop, and he succeeded,” Trump said. “I almost always went, because you never wanted to let Charlie down. He worked so hard—you just couldn’t let him down.”
Trump added that Kirk had a rare quality: “He’d make me feel guilty as president. Many people asked me for things, but Charlie was different. He always gave more than he took. And no matter how big he became, no one was too small for him to notice. He was good to everybody. It didn’t matter.”
Erika Kirk moves crowd to standing ovation with emotional tribute
3:00 p.m. PT– Erika Kirk received a prolonged standing ovation from thousands of mourners as she took the stage. The mother of two, wiping away tears and pausing briefly in prayer, spoke with a voice heavy with grief.
She recalled the searing moment at the hospital when she first saw her husband’s body.
“I saw the wound that ended his life. I felt everything you would expect—shock, horror, and a level of heartache I didn’t even know existed,” she said.
Amid the sorrow, she shared a moment of tenderness. “In death, I could still see the man I love. I noticed the single gray hair on the side of his head, which I never told him about. Now he knows. Sorry, baby,” she said with a faint smile. She added that she also saw a gentle smile on his lips, which she took as a mercy—assurance that Charlie did not suffer
Erika Kirk speaks at husband’s memorial
Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, publicly forgave the man who killed her husband during a memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday. “I forgive him because it is what Christ did,” she told the thousands of memorial attendees.
JD Vance says Charlie Kirk showed young people they deserve a stake in the future
2:30 p.m. PT– Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to Charlie Kirk with a heartfelt remembrance, highlighting his devotion to future generations.
“Charlie brought young people the truth—that they deserve a stake in the future and a voice in shaping it,” Vance said.
He noted that Kirk was a steadfast defender of marriage and family, values he saw as the foundation of a flourishing society. But Vance stressed that Kirk’s legacy lay not only in his words, but in the way he lived them.
“Charlie did more than speak the truth—he embodied it,” Vance remarked, pointing to his example of strong Christian fatherhood, which left an imprint far beyond politics.
Kirk’s passion for history and ideas, Vance added, gave him a clear vision for America’s future. “In that vision, he showed us how to carry on after his passing,” he concluded.
VP Vance on Charlie Kirk’s legacy, speaks at memorial
Memorial services for Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, are taking place in Arizona. This service comes just 11 days after his assassination during a speech at Utah Valley University. The service features a number of prominent speakers, including Vice President J.D. Vance.
Marco Rubio: Charlie Kirk’s influence “will be greater than ever before
2:05 p.m. PT– Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to the scope of Charlie Kirk’s memorial as evidence of his far-reaching influence.
“The president of the United States is here. His entire cabinet is here. Media outlets from across the globe are covering this. I just returned from overseas, and in every country I visited, people offered condolences for his passing,” Rubio said.
He emphasized Kirk’s impact on younger generations:
“Charlie had a unique and direct influence on young men in this country. His movement was rooted in politics—but it reached far beyond politics.”
“Charlie made a difference. He mattered. And now, he will matter more than ever before,” Rubio added.
At memorial, Pete Hegseth hails Charlie Kirk as a warrior for faith and country
2:00 p.m. PT– Secretary of War Pete Hegseth honored Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as “a warrior for country, a warrior for Christ,” remembering him as someone who turned a political movement into a spiritual awakening and died as he lived—fearlessly speaking truth.
Speaking at Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday, Hegseth began by reflecting on the many roles Kirk embodied: “A patriot, a conservative, a leader, a builder, an advocate, an author, a lover of freedom, a husband, a father, a Christian, and a warrior.”
He emphasized that Kirk was a “true believer” in both his nation and his faith.
“Only Christ is King, our Lord and Savior. Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus. Fear God and fear no man,” Hegseth declared. “That was Charlie Kirk.”
Recalling their first meeting more than a decade ago, Hegseth noted that Kirk was tirelessly building the foundation of Turning Point USA.
“He was starting a movement, and no one worked harder at it—bringing people to embrace small truths about politics. I still have one of his stickers: ‘Big Government Sucks,’” Hegseth said. “He pursued that truth with more passion than anyone I’ve ever known. But over time, like many of us, he recognized that this battle was bigger than politics or culture—it was, at its core, a spiritual war.”
Hegseth closed with a final tribute: “Charlie Kirk: a warrior for country, a warrior for Christ. He ran the race. He finished the fight.”
Tulsi Gabbard hails Charlie Kirk as a “warrior for truth and freedom” during memorial
1:50 p.m. PT-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard honored Charlie Kirk at his memorial, calling him a “warrior for truth and freedom” who wielded the Constitution and the power of words to defend free speech, faith, and the country he loved.
“Charlie lived every day as a warrior for truth and freedom,” Gabbard said. “He stepped into the arena armed with the Constitution, sparring on the battlefield of ideas, fighting for the soul of our republic and the inalienable rights granted to us by our creator.”
She stressed his unwavering defense of free expression: “Charlie embodied what our founders envisioned—freedom. The right to speak, even in disagreement. Free speech is the cornerstone of our republic, and without it, we are lost. Charlie knew this, and he lived it.”
Gabbard concluded by underscoring his impact: “Charlie stood in the arena with superior arguments, guided by truth and reason, motivated by his love for God, for others, and for our great nation. His words were his weapons—cutting through lies, awakening minds, inspiring hearts, and imparting wisdom every day.”
U.S. Secretaries honor Charlie Kirk
Memorial services for Charlie Kirk are taking place 11 days after the Turning Point USA founder was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kennedy attended the memorial service to honor Kirk. President Donald Trump is also expected to speak at the event and landed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona aboard Air Force One.
‘Charlie did not just promise, he delivered,’ Susie Wiles says of Kirk’s impact
1:40 p.m. PT– White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles spoke warmly about Kirk’s influence on the political landscape.
“Charlie didn’t just make promises—he kept them,” she said. “He and his team fully embraced their mission and didn’t just meet expectations; they exceeded them by far.”
Wiles highlighted Kirk’s success in energizing young voters, calling it a decisive factor in the president’s victory.
“That was Charlie’s army, and he made sure they understood what was at stake,” she noted.
She urged others to carry his legacy forward: “The best way to honor Charlie is to continue his work, build on the foundation he laid, and ensure this generation understands its responsibility.”
Charlie Kirk’s Funeral: Stephen Miller remarks
White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, delivered remarks at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Miller described Kirk’s life and legacy.
Hillsdale College announces honorary degrees for Charlie and Erika Kirk
12:30 p.m. PT- Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry Arnn announced the establishment of a scholarship for Charlie Kirk’s young children. Kirk, who completed dozens of online courses at the small Christian liberal arts college in Michigan, will also receive an honorary degree alongside his wife, Erika.
At 18, Kirk dropped out of community college to co-found Turning Point USA. By his mid-20s, he became the youngest speaker at the Republican National Convention in 2016 and a household name in conservative circles.
By 31, he commanded a $95 million political empire, galvanized millions of followers online and established a direct line to President Donald Trump.
President Trump arrives in Arizona for Charlie Kirk’s funeral
11:42 a.m. PT- President Donald Trump landed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona at 11:42 AM local time aboard Air Force One.
He is expected to head directly to the stadium where thousands of mourners are gathered for the funeral of Charlie Kirk.
Christian singer Chris Tomlin performs
11:10 a.m. PT– American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader Chris Tomlin performs songs including “Holy Forever” and “How Great is our God.”
Service begins
11:06 a.m. P.T. – Around 70,000 people are at capacity inside State Farm Stadium as the memorial service begins with a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace. Attendees listened to other live music performances from various Christian artists as they waited for the service to start.
Doors open at State Farm Stadium
8 a.m. P.T. – Doors have opened at State Farm Stadium and we’re getting the first look at the stage set-up for the memorial service.
7:07 a.m. P.T. – President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One ahead of Charlie Kirk’s funeral on Sunday.
He spoke briefly with reporters before departing, saying today would be a “very interesting” and “tough” day.
When asked what he wanted to tell Erika and the rest of Charlie Kirk’s family, Trump said, “Well, I’m just going to give them my love. There’s not much you can say; you talk about the great things he’s done. I mean, he’s been amazing. He’s had a tremendous influence for a young man, did a great job. A tremendous job, and he had a hold on youth because they loved him, they respected him. And, you know, if you go back 10 years, those colleges were dangerous places for conservatives and now they’re hot. They’re very hot, just like this country is hot. This country is doing so well; we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world now.”
More stadium details
Thousands expected to attend Kirk’s memorial service
Thousands of people are expected to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday. Political Analysts Rich Rubino joins LiveNOW from FOX with an update.
