The memorial service held on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona paid tribute to the rightwing youth organizer Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during an event at a Utah college. It is expected that thousands of people, including Donald Trump, his vice-president, JD Vance, and Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, will be in attendance, as officials and figures honor the slain activist, illustrating the impact Kirk had on the president’s Make America Great Again (Maga) movement.
Many security officers, led by the US Secret Service, were present, with the event expected to have the same level of security as the Super Bowl. During the event, a man armed with a weapon and a knife was apprehended. A representative from Kirk’s organization Turning Point USA stated that the man was employed as “advance security for a known guest” but failed to communicate with the Secret Service or Turning Point.
Americans have been trying to come to terms with the violent death of the 31-year-old conservative activist and Trump ally who was shot in broad daylight on September 10, 2025. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with capital murder in the killing, and authorities have not found any evidence connecting the suspect to leftwing groups, despite Trump’s administration’s stated intention to crack down on such organizations.
Reactions to Kirk’s death have been mostly driven by conservatives, who are calling for punishment for individuals who mocked or insulted Kirk. Several individuals have been fired or disciplined over their comments related to Kirk or his death. Free speech professionals say such actions constitute government censorship and resemble the same cancel culture that Kirk opposed.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, maintained a close relationship with Trump and his family. The organization has elected Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, as the new CEO and chairperson of the board of directors.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/21/thousands-gather-at-charlie-kirk-memorial-in-arizona-where-trump-to-pay-tribute-to-slain-organizer
