Conservative Memorial Honors Charlie Kirk at Arizona Event
A large-scale memorial for Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative podcaster and organizer, is taking place in Arizona. The event, held at State Farm Stadium, has drawn tens of thousands of attendees, including US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other high-profile figures. The gathering has been designated a top-security event by the Department of Homeland Security due to its scale and significance.
The memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed earlier this month, took place in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday. Kirk, a popular US conservative podcaster and organizer, was assassinated by a sniper on September 10 while speaking at a university in Utah. The murder has prompted tributes from public figures at home and abroad.
Tens of thousands of people are attending, with US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, among them. All three are expected to make speeches. The event is being held at State Farm Stadium and has been designated a top-security event by the Department of Homeland Security. Among those making a speech are also US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Health RFK Jr., White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and commentator Tucker Carlson.
Donald Trump Jr. began his tribute to Charlie Kirk with a few jokes about his father before describing Kirk as "like a little brother" to him. "Eleven days ago, as a cowardly assassin crawled on his stomach to end Charlie’s life on Earth, I’m betting Charlie saw the Son of God standing tall to welcome him home," Trump Jr. added.
A co-founder of Turning Point USA and staunch ally of Trump, Kirk was widely credited with popularizing conservative ideas among young Americans and helping Trump secure a second term. According to authorities, Tyler Robinson, who was charged with aggravated murder, had embraced left-wing and pro-LGBTQ ideology over the past year. Robinson allegedly left a note for his roommate saying, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it."
Trump Jr. also made a humorous remark about his father’s potential speech at the event, joking that he might say something like "wow Charlie Kirk…" The event has drawn widespread attention due to its scale and the prominence of its participants, with many observers noting that it may be one of the largest political gatherings in US history.