Charlie Kirk memorial updates: 'I forgive him,' widow Erika Kirk says of alleged shooter
President Trump called Kirk "immortal" and speakers called him a "martyr."
Last updated: Sunday, September 21, 2025 11:49PM GMT
President Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a "great American hero" and "martyr" for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they say 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 to keep building their movement. They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in confrontational tones, that the best way to honor Kirk was doubling down on his mission to move American politics further to the right.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. His influence, particularly with young people, helped propel Trump to office. But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.
ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Report: Kirk's wife urged him to take more precautions
Erika Kirk urged her husband to take more safety precautions the night before he left for the Utah where he was killed last week, according to an interview published in the New York Times ahead of his memorial service.
In the interview conducted earlier this week, Erika Kirk and a friend suggested taking measures like wearing a bulletproof vest or speaking behind bulletproof glass, which Charlie Kirk rebuffed, according to the Times.
Charlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah.
The interview also includes more new details, including where Erika Kirk was when she was informed of the shooting, her decision to view her 'husband's body over the recommendation of the sheriff, and some insight into her call with President Donald Trump.
Sep 21, 2025, 6:20 PM GMT
Charlie Kirk memorial service now underway
The program for Kirk's memorial service is now underway, beginning with rendition of "Amazing Grace" played on the bagpipes. Christian music singer Chris Tomlin then took the stage to perform.
Attendees await the start of the memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
Several Trump Cabinet members have arrived for the service, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sep 21, 2025, 6:10 PM GMT
Gov. Shapiro says Americans must 'universally condemn political violence'
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat whose residence was set on fire earlier this year while he and his family were asleep inside, said on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that the nation is at an "inflection point."
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard for a cristening ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia.
"I hope we go the direction of healing, of bringing people together, of trying to find our commonalities, not just focus on our differences," Shapiro said on the morning of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's memorial service.
The governor said that after the arson attack on his residence in April, he saw his people of all backgrounds in his state come together.
"I want to see that in America now in the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk, on the heels of the killing of Speaker Hortman and her husband, and just too much political violence," Shapiro said, referring to the June murder of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in their home. "We've got to find our better angels. We've got to universally condemn political violence no matter where it is. Whether it's against Charlie Kirk or someone else, it is not okay. We all have to work together to condemn it."
When asked about Kirk's legacy, Shapiro said the 31-year-old activist was someone "devoted to speech and debate."
"I appreciate the fact that he showed up in town squares and college campuses and sought to debate others, whether I agree with it or not. The answer to debate and speech that you don't like is not violence or taking someone's life. It's more speech. It's more debate. It's more engagement. And that's what we need more of in our communities," the governor said.
Sep 21, 2025, 6:10 PM GMT
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 crowd expected to fill the stadium in Glendale for Kirk's memorial is a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America with his ability to mobilize young people.
People sit inside before the start of a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
"I think he spoke on more than just politics," said Michael Link, 29, who stopped outside the stadium to take in the scene. "Now that he's gone, it's like who's gonna speak for us now?"
His impact on modern-day conservatism went beyond U.S. shores.
Kirk "was very effective because he was convinced of his views and knew how to argue them," Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said at a political rally Sunday in Rome. "But he never stopped smiling, never stopped respecting his interlocutor and anyone who challenged him."
Kirk was a provocateur 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 following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at Utah Valley University, where he was shot. Kirk grew the organization, in large part, through the force of his personality and debating chops.
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 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 commentator Tucker Carlson and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor also are set to speak.
Also speaking will be Kirk's widow, who has been named Turning Point's new leader and has pledged that "the movement my husband built will not die."
