·Charlie KirkCharlie Kirk memorial expected to fill football stadium in Arizona, with Trump and minent MAGA figures paying tributeBy Jonathan J.
CooperBy Aamer MadhaniBy The Associated PressBy Jonathan J.
CooperBy Aamer MadhaniBy The Associated Press People gather at a makeshift memorial for right-wing activist and Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk outside of the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 14, 2025.
The widow of minent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk pledged on September 12 to carry on her husband's work, after US authorities announced his alleged assassin had finally been captured.
The 31-year-old Kirk was hit by a single bullet while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University in the town of Orem on September 10.
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump and minent members of his “Make America Great Again” movement will pay tribute Sunday to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose slaying has marked a signal moment in America’s fraught political atmosphere.
The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, senior White House officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.
Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has set off a fierce debate violence, decency and free speech in an era of deep political division.
The shooting also has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to suppress the voices of his critics and political opponents.
The service will take place at State Farm Stadium, the of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals west of Phoenix, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization is based.
Security is expected to be tight, with a similar level of federal law enforcement presence as for the Super Bowl or other high-file event.
s Kirk have become a Trump administration target Trump has blamed the “radical left” for Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organizations and donors or others whom he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk’s death.
He criticized House Democrats who voted against a House resolution that praised “the life and legacy” of Kirk, which passed the Republican-controlled House on Friday. “Who could vote against that?
All (Republicans) were saying was ‘Please condemn the assassination of a human being,’” Trump told reporters.
“And (Democrats) said, ’No, no, we’re not going to do that.’” Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers, already have lost their jobs as minent conservative activists and administration officials target s Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory.
The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment as the Trump administration mises retribution against those who air what are seen as disparaging remarks in the wake of Kirk’s death.
ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show off the air indefinitely ing backlash from affiliated broadcasters and the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission over the comedian’s remarks Kirk.
The State Department also has warned it would revoke the visas of any foreigners who celebrated Kirk’s assassination.
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 motive in the shooting, but secutors say Robinson wrote in a text to his partner ing the shooting that he “had enough” of Kirk’s hatred.
Kirk’s legacy of conservative political influence Turning Point, the group Kirk founded to mobilize young Christian conservatives, became a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership with enormous reach.
The tens of thousands expected to fill the stadium in Glendale for Kirk’s memorial is a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America.
Kirk was a vocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic.
That has drawn backlash from conservatives who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy they see of an inspirational conservative leader.
Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal ing that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events the one at Utah Valley University, where he was fatally shot.
Kirk grew the organization, in large part, through the force of his personality and debating chops.
Arizona is the adopted state of Kirk, who grew up outside Chicago and founded Turning Point there before moving the organization to Phoenix.
Vance, who has said Kirk’s advocacy was a big reason Trump picked him to serve as vice president, transported Kirk’s casket from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two the day after his death, and he later served as a guest host of Kirk’s podcast.
Scheduled speakers at the service include 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 ator Tucker Carlson and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor also are slated to speak.
Longtime worship leader Chris Tomlin will vide music, along with other big names in contemporary Christian music, including Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and husband-and-wife duo Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes.
Kirk’s widow, who has been named Turning Point’s new leader, also will speak.
Erika Kirk pledged in an emotional speech days after his death that “the movement my husband built will not die.” ___ Madhani reported from Washington.
Associated Press writer Tiffany Stanley in Washington contributed to this report. Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh.
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