Memorial service for Charlie Kirk draws thousands in Arizona

(NEXSTAR) — Tens of thousands of supporters gathered Sunday in Arizona to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was assassinated in Utah earlier this month.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. A 22-year-old Utah resident is now facing charges in his death.

Sunday's memorial service was held at the 63,400-seat State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix, where Turning Point USA is based. Doors opened at 11 a.m. ET, but crowds were already gathering outside the stadium Saturday night.

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Speakers included President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance as well as other cabinet officials and conservative media figures.

“He’s a martyr now for America’s freedom,” President Trump said in his tribute. “I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie. And neither now will history.”

Slideshow: Mourners pay tribute to Charlie Kirk

Erika Kirk speaks at a memorial for her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Vice President JD Vance holds his fist up as he leaves the stage after speaking at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

President Donald Trump arrives on stage to speak at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

President Donald Trump, left, and Elon Musk talk during a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Donald Trump Jr. speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Elon Musk, center, claps during a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A woman is overcome with emotion while watching a Charlie Kirk tribute video during a memorial for the conservative activist Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Dr. Ben Carson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

People attend a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People are overcome with emotion while watching a Charlie Kirk tribute video during a memorial for the conservative activist Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

People visit a makeshift memorial for Charlie Kirk outside Turning Point USA headquarters Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

A framed painting showing Charlie Kirk embraced by Jesus is placed at a makeshift memorial outside Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

People visit a makeshift memorial for Charlie Kirk outside Turning Point USA headquarters Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)

People arrive early for a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

People wait in line before a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

People wait in line before a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

People wait in line before a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

People wait in line before a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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.

“For Charlie, we will remember that it is better to stand on our feet defending the United States of America and defending the truth than it is to die on our knees,” Vice President Vance said. “My friends, for Charlie, we must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America. And he is a martyr for the Christian faith.”

“You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal," said deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. “You have no idea the dragon you have awakened, you have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilization, to save the West, to save this republic.”

Longtime worship leader Chris Tomlin provided 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 gave a tearful eulogy. In the midst of her grief, she said she was finding comfort that her husband left this world without regrets. She also said she forgives the man who is charged with killing him.

“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” said Erika Kirk, who is taking over as Turning Point's leader. She added, “I forgive him.”

Video: Crowds gather to attend Charlie Kirk memorial

Attendees, who had to register ahead of time to attend, were encouraged to wear their "Sunday best - red, white, or blue," according to Turning Point. The organization also warned of enhanced security measures, including "TSA-level screening."

On Friday, police arrested an armed man at State Farm Stadium, saying he was "exhibiting suspicious behavior." The 42-year-old allegedly "falsely claimed to be a member of law enforcement and stated that he was armed," when approached by the Secret Service. He was then charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place.

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However, Andrew Kolvet, an executive producer for "The Charlie Kirk Show," said Saturday that the man was doing advance security for a guest of the memorial service, The Hill reported.

"We do not believe this person was attempting anything nefarious, however the advance was not done in proper coordination with the TPUSA security team or US Secret Service,” Kolvet wrote.

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.

“Charlie’s having some serious heavenly FOMO right now," Tyler Bower, Turning Point's chief operating officer, said, likening the moment to bringing “the Holy Spirit into a Trump rally."

The crowd was a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America with his ability to mobilize young people.

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.

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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.

“He slayed ignorance,” said Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. “He cut through lies. He woke people’s minds, inspired people’s hearts and imparted wisdom every day.”

Speaker after speaker, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed their awe at Kirk's ability to go into what many conservatives saw as the lion's den to make the conservative case: college campuses.

“Why don’t you start somewhere easier,” Rubio joked when he first heard about Kirk years ago. “Like, for example, communist Cuba?"

The Associated Press contributed to this report.