Trump hails Charlie Kirk as ‘martyr’ at Arizona memorial
US President Donald Trump called Charlie Kirk a “martyr” as he delivered a powerful tribute to the conservative activist in front of mourners
ARIZONA, United States (MNTV) – US President Donald Trump called Charlie Kirk a “martyr” as he delivered a powerful tribute to the conservative activist in front of 100,000 mourners.
The president walked on stage to rapturous applause and chants before addressing the sea of red, white, and blue filling the State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
Trump told the emotional crowd: “Today, America is a nation in grief, a nation in shock and a nation in mourning.”
He said that less than two weeks ago, the country had been robbed of “one of the brightest lights of our times.”
Adding that Kirk was “heinously murdered by a radicalised, cold-blooded monster for speaking the truth that was in his heart”.
Don ended his speech by calling Charlie’s widow Erika to the stage.
Both embraced as “America The Beautiful” played across the arena ahead of Erika’s emotional speech.
The grieving mum-of-two said she forgives the man who allegedly assassinated her husband in a heart-wrenching speech.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead while giving a speech at Utah Valley University earlier this month.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has since been charged with aggravated murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.
A brave Erika told the crowd as she broke down in tears: “I forgive him.
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And is what Charlie would do.
‘I forgive him’, says Charlie Kirk’s heartbroken widow Erika over husband’s ‘killer’ in heart-wrenching memorial speech
“The answer to hate is not hate, the answer we know from the gospel is love and always love.
“After Charlie’s assassination, we didn’t see violence, we didn’t see rioting, we didn’t see revolution.
“Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country. We saw a revival [of Christian faith].”
The public memorial for conservative activist Kirk drew an estimated 100,000 mourners, overwhelming the 63,000-seat stadium.
Thousands poured into the stands — entire families, including parents carrying babies, piled in early to secure seats.
President Trump was joined by his Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk as well as a host of US top officials.
The service started at 11am local time, following a morning of worship songs played for the crowd, and ended just before 4.30pm.
The nearby Desert Diamond Arena served as overflow for an additional 19,000 people who watched the event on TV screens.
Kirk was buried on Saturday at a private funeral in Arizona attended by friends and family.
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