Charlie Kirk's Memorial Service

Charlie Kirk's memorial service on September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, emerged as a landmark event in American history, symbolising a turning point for conservatism, faith, and activism.

As Turning Point USA's founder, Kirk's assassination on September 10, 2025, elevated him to martyr status, drawing 80,000-100,000 attendees to the stadium and overflows, plus over 100 million global viewers via streams and broadcasts.

The five hour gathering blended worship, tributes, and political calls to action, featuring the full Trump administration, including President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

This wasn't just a memorial; it redefined historical turning points through unified defiance and inspiration.

A quote from Elon Musk:

Charlie was a man of ideas. He spoke outwardly. He was a man of peace! Now he’s been murdered in cold blood. He was killed because his words made a difference. He was showing people the light, and he was killed by the dark.

Worship

The service opened with a series of powerful Christian worship performances reflecting Kirk's deep faith. The worship was lead by Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Cody Carnes.

Speakers

Rob McCoy

Pastor at Godspeak Calvary Chapel, Kirk's spiritual mentor

Pastor Rob McCoy, Kirk's longtime spiritual guide, delivered an opening Gospel centred message focused on salvation and eternal life, urging the audience to honour Kirk by committing to Christ. He shared personal anecdotes from their time together, including a trip to South-Korea supporting persecuted Christians.

McCoy emphasised that Kirk's death was not an end but a transition to heaven, quoting Scripture to highlight themes of confession and redemption: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." He led a collective prayer and call to faith, framing the service as a revival rather than a mere funeral, and encouraged attendees to live boldly in Kirk's spirit of courage derived from unwavering belief.

Rebecca Dunn

Early Donor to Turning Point USA

Rebecca Dunn, an early philanthropist who provided seed funding for Turning Point USA, recounted meeting a 19 year old Kirk and challenging him to raise $25,000 in two days, a test he passed, kickstarting the organisation.

She spoke of Kirk as a "freedom fighter" and surrogate son, sharing emotional stories of his growth and the tragic irony that he had promised to speak at her late husband Bill's memorial, but now she was at his. Dunn urged the crowd to fight for freedom, family, and faith with optimism, emphasising Kirk's vision for empowering young conservatives.

Larry P. Arnn

President of Hillsdale College, Kirk's school teacher/mentor

Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College and Kirk's intellectual mentor, shared a heartfelt story of first interrogating a young Kirk about his ambitions, advising him to study the Bible and classics for true wisdom.

He noted Kirk's dedication, completing 31 Hillsdale courses despite no formal degree, and announced a posthumous honorary doctorate and scholarships for Kirk's children.

Arnn praised Kirk's role in combating campus indoctrination, describing him as a beacon for young people seeking truth. His speech wove themes of education, faith, and conservative principles, urging the audience to honour Kirk by pursuing lifelong learning and defending Western values against modern threats.

Frank Turek

Apologist and Eyewitness

Frank Turek, a Christian apologist who witnessed Kirk's assassination, provided a vivid firsthand account of the shooting at Utah Valley University, describing the chaos, the shooter's actions, and Kirk's instant, painless death.

He framed it as a spiritual victory, saying Kirk transitioned immediately to heaven without suffering, and emphasised Kirk's bravery in debating on hostile campuses. Turek used the moment to evangelise, quoting Bible verses on eternal life and urging attendees to find peace in faith, turning personal tragedy into a broader message of hope and redemption.

Mikey McCoy

Former Chief of Staff, Turning Point USA

Mikey McCoy, Kirk's former chief of staff, reflected on their close friendship, recounting how he met Kirk at 18 and was mentored in faith and leadership. He shared stories of Kirk's influence on his marriage and life, calling Kirk a martyr whose sacrifice would inspire others.

McCoy quoted Kirk's vision:

Get married, have more children than you can afford, build a legacy, pass down your values, pursue the eternal, seek true joy.

He urged the crowd to live purposefully, emphasising family, faith, and continuing TPUSA's work to reach lost youth.

Stacy Sheridan

Turning Point USA Colleague

Stacy Sheridan, a TPUSA colleague, described Kirk as a compassionate "little brother" who supported her during her husband's cancer battle. She highlighted his ability to organize massive events miraculously and his genuine care for people, blending humor with emotion. Sheridan emphasised Kirk's legacy of kindness and urged attendees to emulate his compassion in their activism.

Tyler Bowyer

Former COO Turning Point USA, Current CEO Turning Point Action

Tyler Bowyer, who helped build TPUSA from its early days, shared memories of 24/7 work sessions with Kirk and his vision for large scale events like America Fest. He praised Kirk's entrepreneurial spirit and impact on mobilising conservatives, calling for continued growth in voter turnout and activism to honour his memory.

Justin Strife

COO Turning Point USA

Justin Strife reflected on Kirk's profound 31-year impact, noting his courage in facing opposition. He urged the audience to stand for truth and use their time wisely for the next generation, emphasising Kirk's role in inspiring bold leadership.

Andrew Kolvet

Head of Communications/Producer, Turning Point USA

Andrew Kolvet, who produced The Charlie Kirk Show, thanked the team and portrayed Kirk as a prophet confronting societal lies. He shared production anecdotes and called for sustained faith and communication efforts to counter misinformation.

Benny Johnson

Podcaster

Benny Johnson described Kirk's transformative influence on his life, comparing him to the biblical martyr Stephen. He explained how martyrdom advances God's kingdom and predicted Kirk's death would inspire millions, urging attendees to build an America that produces more "Charlie Kirks" through faith and action.

Johnson emphasised redemption, stating "no one is irredeemable," and focused on Kirk's mission to save lost youth from resentment.

Dr. Ben Carson

Former HUD Secretary

Dr. Ben Carson grieved Kirk's loss while countering claims of ignorance, warning of Marxist influences on campuses. He quoted John 12:24 on sacrifice yielding fruit, stressing that learning often happens outside school and that bravery is essential for freedom. Carson called for a national revival, emphasising faith as the antidote to societal decay.

Anna Paulina Luna

US Congresswoman (R-FL)

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna credited Kirk with launching her career through TPUSA, describing his patriotism and comparing him to historical figures like Washington, JFK, and MLK who "bent the arc of history" through sacrifice. She urged bold living, declaring "we are all Charlie Kirk," and emphasised continuing his fight for conservative values.

Jack Posobiec

Influencer

Jack Posobiec likened Kirk to Moses, leading conservatives to a "promised land" of victory, and highlighted his sacrifice in confronting opposition. He focused on Kirk's role in shifting political tides and called for sustained activism to fulfil his vision.

Sergio Gor

White House Personnel Director

Sergio Gor, a close friend and TP associate, described Kirk as the embodiment of MAGA, sharing personal anecdotes like hunting trips and daily Bible verses. He emphasised Kirk's joy, faith, and commitment to America, urging the crowd to continue his mission of youth engagement and conservative revival.

Stephen Miller

White House Deputy Chief of Staff

Stephen Miller delivered a fiery, combative speech vowing to defeat "forces of wickedness and evil," framing Kirk's death as immortalising him and awakening a massive army.

He contrasted conservatives as builders of humanity with their enemies as nothing—filled with jealousy and hatred and promised to channel grief into action:

You have no idea the dragon you have awakened... We will prove worthy of your sacrifice.

Miller emphasised defending virtue, civilisation, and the republic, turning the tribute into a rallying cry for the conservative movement.

Susie Wiles

White House Chief of Staff

Susie Wiles honoured Kirk's unyielding conviction and his pivotal role in mobilising young voters for the Trump administration. She urged continuing his work with determination, blessing his family and framing his legacy as a foundation for future victories.

Tucker Carlson

Conservative Commentator

Tucker Carlson portrayed Kirk as a fearless truth-teller, likening him to Jesus for speaking boldly without hate or defensiveness. He emphasised self-reflection on personal sin as the root of fearlessness, stating "any attempt to extinguish the light causes it to burn brighter."

Carlson called for repentance and societal change through Christ, describing the event's atmosphere as filled with the Holy Spirit and urging remembrance of this moment amid coming challenges.

Tulsi Gabbard

Director of National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard praised Kirk as a warrior for truth and freedom, highlighting his calm courage in defending free speech. She drew from her experiences to underscore the importance of standing firm, invoking God's strength to inspire continuation of his work against division and hate.

Marco Rubio

Secretary of State

Marco Rubio recalled initial skepticism about Kirk's campus debates, comparing it to starting in communist Cuba, but praised his wisdom and impact on young men. He highlighted Kirk's role in shifting politics rightward through engagement and urged emulating his approach to dialogue.

Pete Hegseth

Defense Secretary

Pete Hegseth listed Kirk's roles as a "warrior for Christ and country," noting the spiritual war he fought and his readiness to die for truth. He urged worthy living in faith, emphasising Kirk's courage on campuses as a model for confronting evil.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Health and Human Services Secretary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. focused on Kirk's devotion to faith and free speech, arguing worse fates than death exist in silence. He shared personal losses and encouraged integrating Kirk's traits of courage and love to heal societal divides.

Donald Trump Jr.

Conservative Activist

Donald Trump Jr. expressed deep grief, likening Kirk to martyrs and highlighting his family and campaign roles. He called for millions to carry his legacy, framing the assassination as inspiring greater resolve in faith and politics.

JD Vance

Vice President

Vice President JD Vance reframed the service as a revival, praising Kirk's kindness, debate skills, and truths about youth, family, and faith. He condemned celebrations of Kirk's death, vowing accountability for violence-fomenting groups, and urged confronting evil boldly:

They tried to silence our dear friend... today, we speak with Charlie louder than ever.

Erika Kirk

Widow and New CEO of Turning Point USA

Erika Kirk, in an emotional 30-minute speech, shared her grief and forgiveness for the assassin, quoting Jesus: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." She described Kirk's passion for saving lost young men like his killer, vowing to expand TPUSA to point youth toward truth and beauty away from sin. Erika outlined a vision for reviving American families through faith, marriage, and values, promising greater campus outreach and calling for a faith choice amid tragedy.

Donald Trump

President

President Trump closed with a lengthy tribute, calling Kirk a "martyr for American freedom" and hero who helped win 2024 by mobilising youth. He announced the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Kirk, mixed politics with praise, criticising opponents, promising crime crackdowns, and noting the massive crowd as a revival. Trump emphasised bringing religion back to America: "We want God back in the USA like never before," and framed the assassination as an attack on all conservatives:

The gun was pointed at Charlie, but the bullet was aimed at all of us.

Attendance and Viewership

Charlie Kirk's memorial service on September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, drew massive crowds and global attention, reflecting his significant influence in conservative circles.

Attendance

State Farm Stadium, was filled to capacity with ~80,000 attendees inside the venue.

Once the stadium hit capacity, overflow viewing was directed to nearby venues in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Reports indicate an additional ~20,000 people watched from sites like Desert Diamond Arena (adjacent to State Farm Stadium) and other local overflow areas.

Combined with the stadium, total on site turnout in the Phoenix/Glendale area was estimated at 100,000 to 200,000, making it one of the largest memorials for a private citizen in U.S. history.

Viewership

The memorial was streamed live across multiple platforms, amassing extraordinary viewership numbers. TPUSA claimed over 100 million views worldwide.

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