Charlie Kirk honored by one of the largest memorials for a private citizen

Daily News Article   —   Posted on September 22, 2025

Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012. From the website: TPUSA is a national student movement dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.

Turning Point USA guides citizens through development of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation, so they can meaningfully engage in their communities to restore traditional American values like patriotism, respect for life, liberty, family, and fiscal responsibility.

(by Zac Anderson, USA Today) GLENDALE, AZ — Tens of thousands of mourners, including President Donald Trump and several members of his administration, honored the life of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a memorial service in Glendale on Sunday.

People wait in line before a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Elected officials, faith leaders, Kirk’s colleagues, and his loved ones addressed the crowd at State Farm Stadium, with supporters holding up signs and carrying American flags. Speakers underscored Kirk’s religious faith and his contributions to the “Make America Great Again” movement as a leading voice for young conservative activists.

Choking up at times and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, delivered an emotional eulogy for her slain husband and received a standing ovation when she declared of his [murderer]: “I forgive him.”

“I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would do,” said Erika Kirk. “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love.”

Kirk, 31, was shot dead Sept. 10 as he spoke at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah as part of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback” speaking tour. The Utah college was Kirk’s first stop in more than a dozen cross-country events. His death sparked an outpouring of shock and grief from [across the country and around the world.] Vice President JD Vance accompanied Kirk’s coffin as Air Force Two transported his body home to Arizona, where Kirk lived with his wife, Erika, and their two children.

Erika Kirk recalled arriving at a Utah hospital on the day of her husband’s death to do the “unthinkable” and “look directly at my husband’s murdered body.” She was shaken and felt “a level of heartache that I didn’t even know existed.”

“My marriage with Charlie was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I know it was the best thing that every happened to him as well,” Kirk said. “He wanted everyone to experience that joy.”

Kirk said her husband was passionate about helping young men who feel lost and have no direction.

“My husband, truly, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” Kirk said.

Charlie and Erika Kirk with their children.

In addition to Erika Kirk, numerous friends, including President Trump, Vice President Vance and several members of the Trump administration, spoke.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recalled being skeptical when he first learned of Kirk’s plan to promote conservative values on college campuses. Ultimately, Rubio said Kirk proved him wrong.

Rubio praised Kirk for actively seeking to engage those who disagreed with him on various platforms. He said the nation needs “the ability to discuss our differences, openly, honestly, peacefully, respectfully” in the way Kirk did.

Dr. Ben Carson, who was the HUD Secretary in the first Trump administration made several points in his speech, including noting:

“Did you hear a political figure last week saying that Charlie Kirk was ignorant because he didn’t have a college degree? I’ve seen him run circles around people with college degrees…. Most of learning and life comes outside of the classroom.”

“Our nation was founded upon the kind of principles that allowed us to rise from nothing to the pinnacle of the world in record time. That was no accident. That was because of what we believed, including our Judeo-Christian beliefs, that our rights come from our creator and not from government.”

President Trump also spoke about Charlie, saying in part:

“Less than two weeks ago, our country was robbed of one of the brightest lights of our times. A giant of his generation and above all, a devoted husband, father, son, Christian and patriot.

Charles James Kirk was heinously murdered by a radicalized, cold blooded monster for speaking the truth that was in his heart. He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, country, for reason and for common sense. He was assassinated because he lived bravely. He led boldly, and he argued brilliantly without apology. He did what was right for our nation.

And so on that terrible day, September 10th, 2025, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal. He’s a martyr now for American freedom. I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither now will history. Because while Charlie has been reunited with his creator in heaven, his voice on earth will echo through the generations and his name will live forever.   …..

“It was Charlie who stood up for persecuted Christians and Jews on college campuses. It was Charlie who helped bring online censorship, free speech and cancel culture to the forefront of our political debate. …..

Excerpted from a Sept. 21 article published at USA Today.