LAST UPDATE | 22 Sep 2025

DONALD TRUMP HAS led tributes to Charlie Kirk at a huge stadium gathering. 

Trump called the murdered right-wing activist “a martyr for American freedom” as he began his speech to a crowd of tens of thousands at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. 

The killing, he said, had robbed America of “one of the brightest lights of our times”. 

Trump told the crowd Kirk had been a giant of his generation “and above all a devoted husband, father, son, Christian and patriot”.

In a typically rambling address, Trump touched on many of the subjects he often raised during his marathon campaign rallies – railing against his predecessor Joe Biden as well as what he described as “radical left maniacs”. 

He also took a swipe at suspended late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel as he wrapped up his 40 minute address, telling the stadium crowd that the comedian had “no talent, no ratings”. 

Praising Kirk, he said the young activist had been a missionary with a noble spirit who didn’t hate his opponents but wanted the best for them. 

He added: “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don’t want the best for them.” 

He joked that Kirk would be angry with him for that position. 

Trump: That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them.

Nothing but a hateful loser.
pic.twitter.com/dwVBWEA2TI

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 21, 2025

The service at the 63,000-seater stadium took place amid heavy security, with senior figures from Trump’s administration in attendance and some US media comparing it to a state funeral.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and defence chief Pete Hegseth – who was recently given the new title of Secretary of War – were amongst those also addressing the crowd. 

“You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal,” Trump advisor Stephen Miller said.

“You have immortalised Charlie Kirk, and now millions will carry on his legacy.”

Among other speakers were right-wing host Tucker Carlson, Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

The event was being hosted by Turning Point USA, the youth political campaign group founded by Kirk that’s now run by his widow, Erica Kirk.

Kirk, taking to the stage directly before Trump, said that more than anything, her husband had wanted to do God’s will. 

She urged the Christians in the crowd to continue their evangelising, and as part of an emotional speech went on to publicly forgive the man accused of killing her husband. 

“That man, that young man, I forgive him,” Kirk said. 

“I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would do.

“The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love, love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”

#ErikaKirk forgave the assassin who took her husband's Charlie Kirk’s life: “That young man, I forgive him.” she said. It takes a real woman of God to forgive the worst piece of scum.😭😭 #Trump #CharlieKirk 🙌🙏 pic.twitter.com/O9dLV8YHas

— 𓃠ֆʏʀǟӼ𓆃𓆙👑🩰❤🧜‍♀️ (@SyraxSunfyre) September 21, 2025

Thousands of people lined up in the pre-dawn dark hoping to get their chance to honour Kirk at the event. Many wore the red, white and blue of the US flag or MAGA hats. 

“I look at him as a Christ martyr, definitely,” Monica Mireles, a 44-year-old Texan who drove 12 hours to get to the stadium, said of Kirk.

The 31-year-old was fatally shot in the neck on 10 September while speaking at a Utah university as part of a public debate event. 

Authorities arrested a suspect after a 33-hour manhunt, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty in the case.

President Donald Trump looks out at the crowd during the service. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Kirk’s killing has further deepened bitter political divisions in the United States over recent weeks.

Authorities say the suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, cited the “hatred” he believed was stoked by Kirk – who was a vitriolic critic of transgender people, Muslims and others.

Kirk used his millions of social media followers, the massive audience of his podcast and appearances at universities to bolster Trump with young voters and fight for a nationalist, Christian-centric political ideology.

The US president has lauded Kirk’s role in helping him get re-elected last year. 

While he watched the other speakers today, Trump was also seen shaking hands and chatting with billionaire Elon Musk – just months after their dramatic public falling out.

- With reporting from AFP