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A screen displays US Vice President JD Vance giving a speech while attendees gather for a memorial service honoring the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.— Reuters
– Security was heightened as the memorial drew more than 63,000 attendees.
– Trump delivered a speech portraying Charlie Kirk as a martyr for conservative values.
– Friends and supporters believe Kirk died defending political and religious freedoms.
Some individuals called Charlie Kirk a modern-day martyr. Others view his death as a defining moment for the United States.
The powerful combination of political and religious themes at the memorial suggested that Kirk’s killing had transformed him into a symbolic figure for conservatives nationwide.
The event at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix featured some of the country’s most influential political and religious leaders, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Kirk’s widow Erika, and many others. The event’s scale, emotional charge, and patriotic display surpassed many of Trump’s own campaign rallies last year.
Yet, the significance of Kirk’s death — after he was shot on a Utah college campus on September 10 — was most starkly demonstrated by the over 63,000 people who traveled great distances to honor and mourn him.
Cindy Warford, 62, shared that she and her granddaughters, aged 13 and 15, regularly listened to Kirk, who hosted a podcast and spoke at college campuses. She noted the girls had been particularly affected by his death.
“I really feel like this is this generation’s Martin Luther King Jr., JFK, or even 9/11 — something we’ve lived through,” she said. “It’s hit them really hard because Charlie was speaking to them.”
Warford referenced historic moments like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the murder of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, and the 2001 terrorist attacks.
### Pivotal Moment for U.S. Conservatives
The religious tone and passionate speeches during the memorial reinforced the idea that Kirk’s shooting was a rallying point for conservatives fighting against the political left.
Rob Hartz, a business analyst from Arizona in his 50s, described Kirk as inspiring and a martyr for right-wing principles.
Kirk, 31, led Turning Point USA, an organization dedicated to boosting Republican youth engagement. He was well-known among college students and conservative activists. However, Sunday’s gathering showed he had become an even larger figure for the right in death than he was during his life.
While most on the political left condemned Kirk’s murder, they didn’t view him as a martyr. Many saw him as a divisive figure, known for controversial statements about Black Americans, LGBTQ communities, Muslims, and immigrants.
Several speakers contrasted the memorial service with a religious revival, featuring fervent preaching and enthusiastic crowd reactions. Biblical passages were placed on seats, and Christian-themed music was played throughout.
Supporters, many of whom backed Trump and wore patriotic colors as organizers requested, queued from early morning hours.
As they entered, attendees saw two enormous screens—45 feet wide and 26 feet tall—showing Kirk kissing his wife Erika. Flanking the screens were two large American flags, each 20 by 30 feet.
### Kirk Died for Freedom
Many attendees expressed the belief that Kirk’s death was for the cause of religious and political liberty.
“Look around,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The President of the United States and his entire cabinet are here. I just came back from overseas, and every country sent condolences for his passing.”
Before political leaders took the stage, the crowd sang and swayed to bands promoting Christian faith, praying for Kirk and America.
Within the stadium’s hallways, framed photos of Kirk and his widow sat on pedestals. Branded merchandise, including red hats reminiscent of Trump’s MAGA caps with “KIRK” printed on them, was sold.
Trump and Vance have suggested Kirk’s killing at a Utah college should prompt scrutiny of left-wing groups. A 22-year-old college student has been charged with the murder. Authorities say he told his girlfriend he killed Kirk because he had “had enough of his hate.”
“Charlie died for his beliefs,” said Adam Pennings, 25, who traveled from Dallas and arrived at 5 a.m. for the memorial. “His movement was always meant to last longer than him, but no one expected it to happen this soon.”
Antonina Gagliano, 58, traveled from San Diego to pay her respects. She admitted she didn’t know Kirk personally, but her son followed him online.
“I believe his influence will grow a hundredfold,” she remarked.
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