A memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed earlier this month, took place in Glendale in the US state of Arizona on Sunday.
Tens of thousands of people, including US President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, attended the gathering.
Kirk, a popular conservative American podcaster and influencer, was assassinated by a sniper on September 10 while speaking at a university in Utah. The murder has prompted tributes from public figures at home and abroad.
The gathering at the State Farm Stadium was designated a top-level risk event by the Department of Homeland Security. Among those who made speeches to the large crowd were US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and commentator Tucker Carlson.
The US president's son, Donald Trump Jr. also paid tribute, describing Kirk as “like a little brother” to him. “Eleven days ago, as a cowardly assassin crawled on his stomach to end Charlie’s life on Earth, I’m betting Charlie saw the Son of God standing tall to welcome him home,” he said.
A co-founder of Turning Point USA and staunch ally of Trump, Kirk was widely credited with popularizing conservative ideas among young people and helping Trump secure a second term.
According to the authorities, Tyler Robinson, who was charged with aggravated murder, had embraced left-wing and LGBTQ ideology over the past year. Robinson allegedly left a note for his roommate saying, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.”