In a memorial ceremony that surpassed all previous ones and the likes of which America had not seen since the funeral of US President John F. Kennedy, lasting over 5 hours and attended by more than 100,000 citizens, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the birthplace of Charlie Kirk, US President Trump, Vice President JD Vance - a personal friend of Kirk's - his widow Erika Kirk, and a number of high-ranking government officials pledged that Charlie Kirk's mission and legacy would become even stronger after his murder.
Christen Papas
Tens of thousands of people, many of whom waited in line for hours outside the stadium before the event, with some even camping out the night before to secure their spot, wore hats with the slogan "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) on their hats, while many wore clothes in the colors of the American flag.
US President Donald Trump, Vice President Jay Vance, and a number of high-ranking government officials pledged that Charlie Kirk's mission and legacy would become even stronger after his murder and highlighted his deep faith during the five-hour ceremony.
President Trump, who delivered the final eulogy, praised Charlie Kirk as a "great American hero" and "martyr for freedom."
Donald Trump's speech was a mixture of eulogy and campaign speech, during which he often deviated from reading serious comments about Kirk's life, making spontaneous comments and jokes.
In an ode to Charlie Kirk, he described the murdered activist as "a giant of his generation" but, as he said, "above all, he was a devoted husband, father, son, Christian, and patriot."
Charlie Kirk "was brutally murdered by a radicalized, cold-blooded monster because he spoke the truth in his heart," the US president added.
US President Trump with Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
"He was violently killed because he spoke about freedom and justice, about God, country, reason, and common sense. He was murdered because he lived with courage, lived with boldness, and argued with intelligence," he added.
"He is more important than ever. And he is eternal," Trump said, noting that he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
US Vice President JD Vance delivered a eulogy for Kirk in clearly religious terms, calling him a "martyr for the Christian faith."
US Vice President JD Vance (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
"They tried to silence my friend Charlie Kirk, but today we are talking about Charlie and for Charlie louder than ever," said the vice president. "The evil murderer who took Charlie from us expected us to have a funeral today — but instead, my friends, we had a revival and a celebration for Charlie Kirk and his Lord Jesus Christ."
Vance also argued that Kirk, known for his involvement with students, combined the traditions of Socrates and Christianity. "He was Athens and Jerusalem, the city of reason and the city of God in one person," Vance said.
Donald Trump Jr. also described Kirk as a martyr. "Charlie joined a long line of courageous men and women who were murdered for their beliefs," he said.
He referred to trips he took with Kirk to college campuses and the threats they received about their safety. "We went there anyway, without fear. Charlie showed us the way. His message was clear then, and his message is clear now: we will not back down," he said.
He also stated that "Kirk's legacy must be that when his life was taken, a million more Charlies stepped forward to fill the void."
Steven Miller (AP Photo/John Locher)
Stephen Miller, a top White House adviser, pledged to complete Kirk's life's work.
"You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk," Miller said. "You made him immortal. You immortalized Charlie Kirk, and now millions of people will carry on his work."
"To our enemies. You have nothing to give. You have nothing to offer. You have nothing to share but bitterness. We have beauty. We have light. We have kindness. We have determination. We have vision. We have strength."
Elon Musk was also present and met with Trump
Elon Musk also attended the funeral service – a tribute to Charlie Kirk.
The tycoon announced early on that he was among the more than 200,000 people in attendance, posting a video from the packed stadium.
"Every seat in this giant stadium that is not tied down with ropes for safety reasons is filled to the rafters. I am honored to be here. All for Charlie Kirk," Elon Musk wrote.
Every seat in this giant arena that isn’t roped off for security is packed to the ceiling. Honored to be here.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 21, 2025
All for Charlie Kirk. pic.twitter.com/NDK6sDuqLa
During the ceremony, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX met with his former close friend and collaborator, Donald Trump.
Trump and Musk were spotted during the ceremony sitting together in a private suite, shaking hands and chatting in a friendly manner.
An official White House account highlighted their conversation with a video posted on social media.
.@POTUS and @elonmusk at Charlie Kirk's memorial service ❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/MhJziFujev
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 21, 2025
At one point, Trump is even seen introducing Musk to Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Erika Kirk (AP Photo/John Locher)
Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika, forgave the killer
Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika, also took the stage and paused several times during her speech, unable to hold back her tears as she described their relationship and promised to continue her husband's work. After his death, she was appointed the new CEO of Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Charlie Kirk in an effort to promote conservative ideology and ideals at liberal American universities, and who had actively helped Donald Trump get elected as President of the United States in the last presidential election by helping him win the coveted and crucial state of Arizona.
"I forgive this man, this young man. I forgive him because that is what Christ did, and that is what Charlie would have done," said Erika Kirk, explaining that the answer to hatred is love, as taught in the Gospel, and quoting the words of Jesus Christ while on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
However, the reaction of US President Trump caused a stir, as contrary to what Charlie Kirk's widow said, he disagreed with the murdered activist on one important point.
"He was a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose: he didn't hate his opponents, he wanted the best for them. On that point, I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents and I don't want the best for them. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Erika. But now Erika can talk to me and the whole team, and maybe they can convince me that this isn't right. But I can't stand my opponents," said US President Trump.
"Charlie is angry. Look, he's angry with me," he added jokingly.
"I saw the wound that ended his life," said Charlie Kirk's widow, referring to the moments after the murder. "I felt everything you would expect to feel. I felt shock. I felt horror and a pain I didn't even know existed," she added.
"In the 10 days since Charlie's murder, we have not seen violence. We didn't see riots. We didn't see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed to see in this country, we saw rebirth," Kirk told the crowd.
Speaking about her marriage, she said, "My marriage to Charlie was the best thing that ever happened to me." She then spoke about motherhood, addressing the mothers in the room. "This is the most important mission you have."
When President Trump took the stage after Erica Kirk, the audience welcomed him with cheers and applause.
The American president repeatedly praised Charlie Kirk, while occasionally referring to his usual political topics, such as crime in American cities and sarcasm toward his predecessor Joe Biden. "Now he is a witness to America's freedom," Trump said of Kirk. "I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie. Nor will history forget him."
Trump also attacked what he called the "radical left" and blamed the left for violence in the country.
Trump even quoted one of the last things Charlie Kirk said to him: "Please, sir, save Chicago from the terrible crime. We can do it, we can save Chicago."
At the end of his speech, in which he described Kirk as "a great man of his generation," Trump was joined on stage by Erica Kirk, and the two embraced as the crowd applauded.
