Former President Donald Trump and key figures of his “Make America Great Again” movement are set to gather Sunday to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose tragic killing has become a flashpoint in America’s increasingly charged political climate.
The memorial for Kirk—whom Trump hails as a driving force behind his 2024 election victory—is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners, from Vice President JD Vance and senior White House officials to the many young conservatives inspired by the 31-year-old firebrand.
Kirk’s Sept. 10 assassination during a campus appearance in Utah has ignited a nationwide reckoning over violence, civility, and free speech amid a period of sharp political polarization. The shooting has also fueled fears that Trump may channel the public’s outrage into a pretext for silencing critics and political rivals.
The service is set for State Farm Stadium—the Arizona Cardinals’ home field just west of Phoenix and headquarters to Kirk’s Turning Point organization—where security will be exceptionally tight, with federal law enforcement on par with a Super Bowl–level operation.
Comments about Kirk have become a Trump administration target
Trump has pinned blame on the “radical left” for Kirk’s killing and has vowed to target liberal groups, donors, and others he believes are defaming or even celebrating the activist’s death.
He condemned House Democrats who opposed a resolution honoring “the life and legacy” of Kirk—a measure that cleared the Republican-controlled chamber on Friday.
“Who could vote against that? All (Republicans) were saying was ‘Please condemn the assassination of a human being,’” Trump told reporters. “And (Democrats) said, ’No, no, we’re not going to do that.’”
Dozens of journalists, educators, and others have already lost their jobs as high-profile conservative activists and administration officials crack down on remarks about Kirk they view as offensive or celebratory. The backlash has sparked a fresh First Amendment debate, with the Republican administration vowing retribution against those who voice what it considers disparaging comments in the wake of Kirk’s death.
ABC has taken Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show off the air indefinitely after facing backlash from affiliate stations and the Trump-appointed FCC chief over the comedian’s remarks about Kirk.
The State Department has warned it will revoke the visas of any foreign nationals found to be celebrating Kirk’s assassination.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah, has been charged with Kirk’s murder and could face the death penalty if convicted on the most serious counts. While authorities have yet to disclose a definitive motive, prosecutors note that Robinson told his partner in a text after the shooting that he “had enough” of Kirk’s hatred.
Kirk’s legacy of conservative political influence
Turning Point, the organization Kirk founded to galvanize young Christian conservatives, grew into a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership, wielding extraordinary influence and reach.
The anticipated crowd at Glendale’s stadium for Kirk’s memorial underscores the immense influence he commanded within conservative America.
Kirk’s influence on contemporary conservatism extended far beyond the United States.
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 whose statements were sometimes labeled racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant, or transphobic. Critics argue, however, that such assessments often cherry-pick isolated remarks, overlooking the legacy admired by many conservatives who see him as an inspirational leader.
Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a devoted following, drawing supporters and opponents alike wherever he traveled, including to events like the one at Utah Valley University, where he was fatally shot. He expanded his organization largely through the magnetism of his personality and his skill as a debater.
Arizona became Kirk’s adopted home after he grew up near Chicago and launched Turning Point there before relocating the organization to Phoenix. Vice President JD Vance, who has credited Kirk’s advocacy as a key factor in Trump’s selection of him as running mate, transported Kirk’s casket from Utah to Arizona on Air Force Two the day after his death and later guest-hosted Kirk’s podcast.
Scheduled speakers at the memorial include former President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Also set to address the crowd are Donald Trump Jr., conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor.
Veteran worship leader Chris Tomlin will lead the musical tribute, joined by other prominent figures in contemporary Christian music, including Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and the husband-and-wife duo Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who has been appointed Turning Point’s new leader, will also address the memorial. In a heartfelt speech days after his death, she vowed that “the movement my husband built will not die.”
