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A tribute event is scheduled for Sunday at a stadium in Arizona, where President Donald Trump and top officials will honor Charlie Kirk, who was recently shot and killed. Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist, was shot in the neck on September 10 while speaking at a university in Utah as part of his well-known debate series. Authorities apprehended a suspect after a 33-hour search, and prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA—a youth organization advocating for right-wing policies—became a prominent figure in US politics. His death has intensified existing political tensions, with authorities revealing that the gunman, aged 22, attributed his actions to hatred fueled by Kirk’s outspoken criticism of transgender individuals, Muslims, and others.
Kirk harnessed his extensive social media following, podcasts, and university appearances to support Trump’s campaign among young voters, promoting a nationalist, Christian-centered political view. Even before the suspect’s identity was confirmed, Trump called Kirk “a martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed rhetoric from the “radical left” for the violence. Trump has also credited Kirk with helping him secure re-election last year.
In Phoenix, near Turning Point USA headquarters, hundreds gathered Saturday to pay tribute, laying flowers, American flags, and balloons in red, white, and blue. The memorial was adorned with photos of Kirk and banners that read “Faith, Family, Freedom.”
Several high-profile figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, are expected to speak at the event. Other speakers include Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, and Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who is now leading Turning Point USA. The ceremony will take place at the 63,000-seat State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Following the shooting, the White House announced plans to intensify efforts against what it describes as “domestic terrorism” from the political left. Trump also announced plans to designate groups like “Antifa” as a major terrorist organization, a move he had discussed previously.
Late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily pulled from the air Wednesday night after the government threatened to revoke his broadcasting license due to comments about Kirk’s death. Critics warn that these actions could threaten free speech and suppress dissent, especially as the Biden administration continues its social justice and immigration policies, stirring widespread concern over rights abuses.
Amnesty International voiced alarm, warning that efforts to silence opposing voices are becoming normalized in the US. Meanwhile, some on the right argue that left-wing groups are experiencing the consequences of their own censorship tactics, with Patti Peteque, one of the memorial attendees, stating, “The left is just getting a taste of their own medicine. Who stood up when we felt censored, when we felt canceled?”
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