Charlie Kirk's memorial service: Donald Trump-Elon Musk's reunion, Erika Kirk & JD Vance speak, more highlights
The conservative influencer and Turning Point USA founder was killed while speaking at a Utah Valley University event, with his service held in Glendale, Arizona
Charlie Kirk's public memorial service took place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with the entire arena, boasting enough room for over 73,000 people, already at full capacity. The likes of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were in attendance, with the former having left the White House for Arizona earlier this morning. The latter subbed in for Charlie on his podcast following his death and accompanied his casket to Air Force 2 last week as well.
Among other notable figures, the controversial conservative political activist and Turning Point USA founder's family also attended. Charlie's wife Erika was recently named the new head for Turning Point USA following his death, with the couple sharing two young kids who have been kept away from the intense spotlight.
Hours before the service, an armed man named Joshua Runkles was apprehended by police and secret service for pretending to be law enforcement and carrying a concealed weapon. "An investigation is ongoing to determine his intent and purpose at the stadium. Runkles has since been released on bond," the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.
State Farm Stadium, the site of three former Super Bowls, gets decked out in red ahead of the service as attendees file in. Trump advised those attending to dress in their "Sunday best" in red, white or blue
Trump spoke with reporters outside the White House as he departed for Arizona. He told them he was heading to Glendale "to celebrate the life of a great man," saying it will be "a very tough day." The President is also expected to speak at the event
Christian musicians like Kari Jobe Carnes and Phil Wickham kicked off the hours before the official service with performances of "How Great Thou Art" and "Oh Praise the Name"
As thousands line up to gain entry to the stadium, which is boasting "TSA level" security for the event, many others continue to stand their ground with protests outside its gates, including one pictured here carrying a flag bearing the trans colors and symbol
Despite his rift with the President and their very public clash of opinions in the months since the start of Trump's second presidency, Elon Musk showed up at the service just as it began
State Farm Stadium is replete with red, a majority of attendees wearing MAGA hats personalized with Charlie Kirk slogans. First speakers have taken to the stage, including his pastor Rob McCoy and members of the Turning Point USA team
Trump was spotted in the box of the stadium, joined by Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson. The service so far has mixed its political rhetoric with religious discourse, with the late Charlie compared often to a "martyr" by some speakers
After Pete Hegseth's speech, the camera cut to Elon sitting in Trump's box, and the two speaking animatedly and shaking hands, signaling a reunion of sorts between the President and his once former top advisor
Vice President Vance's speech once again highlighted the service's central notion, at least for the stadium at large – religion, straying away from explicit political messaging to instead mention he'd "spoken more about Jesus" since Charlie's death than his entire political career, which brought the room to its feet
Through tears, Charlie's widow Erika Kirk spoke of her late husband's work, taking over Turning Point for him. She specifically recalled the moment she saw him at the hospital after he'd been killed, sporting "the faintest smile," and her conversation with Second Lady Usha Vance after the fact. She also publicly forgave her husband's shooter, saying: "The answer to hate is not hate."
After being welcomed out via song, Trump closed out the service with a speech dedicated to his work with Charlie and Turning Point over the course of the election, also calling the shooter "radicalized" and "cold-blooded," and dubbing Charlie "our greatest evangelist."
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