Charlie Kirk’s friends praise conservative activist’s faith at memorial service

US President Donald Trump and prominent members of his “Make America Great Again” movement have been paying tribute to assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The memorial service for Mr Kirk, whom Mr Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including vice president JD Vance, other senior administration officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.

“He transformed the face of conservatism in our own time and in doing so he changed the course of American history,” said Mr Vance, who has credited Mr Kirk’s advocacy as critical to his own political successes.

He added: “Tonight we speak with Charlie and for Charlie louder than ever.”

“For Charlie, we will remember that it is better to stand on our feet defending the United States of America and defending the truth than it is to die on our knees,” Mr Vance said.

“My friends, for Charlie, we must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America. And he is a martyr for the Christian faith.”

Speakers highlighted Mr Kirk’s profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, build families and pass on their values to keep building their movement.

Those close to Mr Kirk prayed and the floors shook from the bass of Christian rock bands as the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals took on the feel of a megachurch service.

“Charlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus,” said the Rev Rob McCoy, Mr Kirk’s pastor.

Mr Kirk’s assassination on September 10 during an appearance at a Utah college campus has become a singular moment for the modern-day conservative movement. It also has set off a fierce debate about violence, decency and free speech in an era of deep political division.

The shooting has stirred fear among some Americans that Mr Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to suppress the voices of his critics and political opponents.

People began lining up before dawn to secure a spot inside State Farm Stadium, west of Phoenix, where Mr Kirk’s Turning Point organisation is based. Security was tight, similar to the Super Bowl or other high-profile events.

The 63,400-seat stadium quickly filled with people dressed in red, white and blue, as organisers suggested.

Mr Kirk’s widow, Erika, in her own address, said that in the midst of her grief she was finding comfort that her husband left this world without regrets. She also said she forgave the man who is charged with killing him.

“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” said Mrs Kirk, who is taking over as Turning Point’s leader.

She added: “I forgive him.”

“I think that this is going to change things, and I think he made such a difference,” said Crystal Herman, who travelled from Branson, Missouri. “He deserves us to be here.”

Photos of Mr Kirk at work or with his wife, Erika, were on easels throughout the concession areas of the main concourse level. Some people posed for photos next to them.

“We’re going to celebrate the life of a great man today,” Mr Trump told reporters before heading to Arizona.

Mr Trump has blamed the “radical left” for Mr Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organisations and donors or others whom he feels are maligning or celebrating Mr Kirk’s death.

Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers to late show host Jimmy Kimmel, have faced suspensions or lost their jobs as prominent conservative activists and administration officials target comments about Mr Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory.

The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment as the Republican administration promises retribution against those who air what are seen as disparaging remarks in the wake of Mr Kirk’s death.

Some speakers at the memorial framed Mr Kirk as a martyr in a battle against evil and referred often to a vague “they” as the enemy. A few took a confrontational tone.

“You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal,” said deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. “You have no idea the dragon you have awakened, you have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilisation, to save the West, to save this republic.”

Speaker after speaker, including defence secretary Pete Hegseth and secretary of state Marco Rubio, expressed their awe at Kirk’s ability to go into what many conservatives saw as the lion’s den to make the conservative case: college campuses.

“Why don’t you start somewhere easier,” Mr Rubio joked when he first heard about Mr Kirk years ago. “Like, for example, communist Cuba?”

A 22-year-old Utah man, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with killing Mr Kirk and faces the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting.