Arizona was be a focal point for many today as the official memorial for slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk took place.
Live Stream Link for Charlie Kirk memorial service
Kirk compared to being a modern day Saint Paul by prominent Catholic bishop.
Memorial message from Kirk's Pastor Rob McCoy:
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — President Donald Trump and prominent members of his “Make America Great Again” movement were paying tribute Sunday to Charlie Kirk, praising the slain political conservative activist as a singular force whose work they must now advance.
The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, other senior administration officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.
Speakers highlighted Kirk's profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, build families and pass on their values. Those close to Kirk prayed and the floors shook from the bass of Christian rock bands as the home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals took on the feel of a megachurch service.
Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has become a singular moment for the modern-day conservative movement. It also has set off a fierce debate about violence, decency and free speech in an era of deep political division.
High security and a full stadium
People began lining up before dawn to secure a spot inside State Farm Stadium west of Phoenix, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization is based. Security was tight, similar to the Super Bowl or other high-profile event.
The 63,400-seat stadium quickly filled with people dressed in red, white and blue, as organizers suggested.
“I think that this is going to change things, and I think he made such a difference,” said Crystal Herman, who traveled from Branson, Missouri. “He deserves us to be here.”
Photos of Kirk at work or with his wife, Erika, were on easels throughout the concession areas of the main concourse level. Some people posed for photos next to them.
“We’re going to celebrate the life of a great man today,” Trump told reporters before heading to Arizona.
Some speakers at the memorial framed Kirk’s as a martyr in a battle against evil and referred often to a vague “they” as the enemy. A few took a confrontational tone.
A 22-year-old Utah man, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with killing Kirk and faces the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but prosecutors say Robinson wrote in a text to his partner following the shooting that he “had enough” of Kirk's 'hatred.'
Arizona is the adopted home state of Kirk, who grew up outside Chicago and founded Turning Point there before moving the organization to Phoenix. Vance has said Kirk's advocacy was a big reason Trump picked him to serve as vice president.
Scheduled speakers at the service included Trump, Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Donald Trump Jr., right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor.
Also speaking: Kirk’s widow, who has been named Turning Point’s new leader and has pledged that “the movement my husband built will not die.”
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, whose official residence was set ablaze by a suspected arsonist in April while Shapiro was celebrating Passover with his family and friends inside, said in a television interview broadcast Sunday that Americans must now come together to find “our better angels."
“We’ve got to universally condemn political violence no matter where it is,” Shapiro told NBC's “Meet the Press.”
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Madhani reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Tiffany Stanley in Washington, Silvia Stellacci in Rome; Terry Tang, Meg Kinnard and Jesse Bedayn contributed to this report.
Kirk's faith - and boldness to share it - will be a lasting memory for some:
Below is the official poster for the memorial:
