U.S. President Donald Trump was the final speaker at a politically charged memorial service for conservative activist and MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk that also included words of forgiveness from Kirk’s widow as well as remarks from the vice-president and one of Trump’s sons.

Glendale

A large crowd gathered at Arizona's NFL stadium and an overflow arena for the memorial of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure who was killed earlier at a university event. Kirk's widow addressed the man accused of the killing, expressing forgiveness and vowing to continue her husband's advocacy work. 

The event, attended by former President Donald Trump and his administration, served both as a memorial and a political rally. Trump acknowledged Kirk's influence but stated he would not adopt all of Kirk's approaches. Supporters viewed the turnout as a sign of the movement's growth, while critics noted Kirk's polarizing views. The memorial underscored Kirk's impact on conservative politics and the ongoing shifts within the American political landscape.

Trump closes out Charlie Kirk memorial

It was clear very quickly turnout for Charlie Kirk's memorial would exceed capacity. Hours before the doors opened tens of thousands of people lined up ready for security checks hoping to witness this pivotal moment for the MAGA movement. Supporters filling Arizona's NFL stadium and a nearby overflow hockey arena. But of all those watching Kirk's widow Erica had a message for one. After taking a moment to gather herself she spoke directly to the man accused of killing her husband earlier this month at a university event. That young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. At times it felt like a memorial but also a political rally. The Trump administration sat in the VIP section crediting their grip on power to Kirk's advocacy work. Though the president says he will not adopt Kirk's approach to politics. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent. Kirk's widow vowed to continue on with her husband's work. He had become a polarizing figure beloved by conservatives. He also drew condemnation from critics who disagreed with some of his far-right views and the inflammatory language he sometimes used to make his points. Kirk's supporters say part of his appeal was the way he merged his advocacy with his faith. They have no idea what they've done and they just multiply Charlie exponentially. And I'm grateful that that's happened but we miss him. There's a mix of hope and anger at the memorial outside Kirk's office and no concerns about the government crackdown targeting Kirk's critics. I don't believe that we have to worry about free speech because I believe that the leadership that we have in the current administration will guide us in the right direction. If anything the people we spoke with here feel a shift in American politics. A pendulum swing. Because I watched this through the Biden administration and times during Trump when our stars were being canceled because of their political beliefs and those political beliefs were conservative. Seeing Donald Trump, his cabinet and members of his senior White House staff in that venue with the Kirk family and his deeply religious followers it sends a very clear message that this is where power lies within the MAGA movement and more broadly where power lies in the U.S. And Katie, what is the sense you're getting from the supporters you've spoken to? You know we talked with people who lined up for hours and either gave up and didn't want to keep waiting and didn't go in or they couldn't actually get in. And even though there might have been a little little bit of disappointment the overall sense is they see this as a good thing that they couldn't get in. It's a positive because it's just another sign that their movement is growing. Okay, thanks for this Katie. Katie Simpson reporting from Glendale, Arizona.

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Breakdown