Crystal Dike
US President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and a “martyr” at a memorial service attended by tens of thousands at State Farm Stadium.
Kirk, founder of the youth-focused conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot dead on September 10 while debating students at a Utah university. His death, at just 31, has galvanized the conservative movement and drawn tributes from top political leaders.
Trump, the headline speaker at the service, praised Kirk’s role in energizing young conservatives, telling the crowd: “Charlie didn’t just help, he made the winning difference.” Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were among several senior administration officials who addressed mourners.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, delivered an emotional speech, saying she had forgiven her husband’s alleged killer. “My husband wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” she said. “I forgive him because it is what Christ did. The answer to hate is not hate.”
Her words contrasted with the president’s tone. “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them,” Trump said bluntly, before adding, “I’m sorry, Erika.”
The service lasted more than five hours and at times resembled a political rally or megachurch gathering. Nearly 100,000 attendees, many dressed in red, white, and blue or sporting “Make America Great Again” apparel, joined Christian bands in prayer and song before the speeches.
Speakers repeatedly cast Kirk as a historic figure and martyr whose death would further fuel the conservative cause. “The day Charlie died, angels wept, but those tears have been turned into fire in our hearts,” said Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff.
The crowd roared with chants of “U-S-A” as Vance declared: “We wouldn’t be here without him. We’ve got it from here.”
A surprise moment came when tech billionaire Elon Musk, who had clashed with Trump earlier this year, appeared alongside the president. The two shook hands and shared words before Musk posted a photo online with the caption: “For Charlie.”
Throughout the evening, Kirk was remembered not only as a political mobiliser but also as a man of faith. “We wouldn’t have this movement without him,” Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told the crowd.
For many conservatives, Sunday’s memorial underscored both their grief and renewed resolve. As one speaker put it: “Charlie’s death will not silence us. It will strengthen us.”