Donald Trump Hails Slain Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk as a ‘Martyr’ to America at Emotional Memorial Service
- US President Donald Trump has paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend Charlie Kirk, calling him a ‘great American hero’ at a memorial service in Arizona.
- Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, forgave the alleged assassin, saying ‘it is what Christ did and what Charlie would do’.
- The service was attended by high-profile guests, including Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance.
- The FBI is investigating the possibility of accomplices in Charlie Kirk’s shooting, with director Kash Patel vowing to ‘pursue every lead to its conclusion’.
US President Donald Trump has addressed a packed memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, calling him a ‘martyr’ to America. The emotional service, held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, was attended by thousands of mourners, including high-profile guests such as Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and US Vice-President JD Vance.
Mr Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a ‘great American hero’ who had helped to convince young men to vote for him in the presidential election. He said Mr Kirk was ‘instrumental in attracting the majority of males under 30’ and that his death had sparked a ‘revival’.
Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, also spoke at the service, saying she forgave the alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, 22. ‘I forgive him because it is what Christ did and what Charlie would do,’ she said, her voice shaking with emotion.
Ms Kirk said her husband’s death had left her feeling ‘shock, awe, and a level of heartache that I didn’t even know existed’. However, she also said she saw a ‘faint smile’ on her husband’s lips, which gave her comfort. ‘Charlie didn’t suffer,’ she said.
The FBI is investigating the possibility of accomplices in Charlie Kirk’s shooting, with director Kash Patel vowing to ‘pursue every lead to its conclusion’. Mr Patel said the FBI was ‘meticulously investigating theories and questions’, including the possibility of accomplices and the location from where the shot was taken.
Charlie Kirk was a prominent figure in American conservative politics and was widely credited with appealing to younger Americans. His death has reignited debate about growing political violence in the United States.
Other speakers at the service included evangelical Christians, conservative heavyweights, and members of Turning Point, the organisation Mr Kirk founded. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson paid tribute to Mr Kirk’s politics and Christianity, saying he was a ‘bold’ and ‘courageous’ man.
The service was a poignant tribute to Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy, with many mourners wearing American-flag-themed clothes and MAGA merchandise. As the national anthem played, Mr Trump embraced Ms Kirk, offering his condolences to the grieving family.