People throng to attend Charlie Kirk funeral, US Prez Trump calls it 'interesting, tough day'

Right-wing Trump ally Charlie Kirk

Tens of thousands of supporters, relatives, and political figures came together at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to pay tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his shocking death earlier this month. Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking with students at Utah Valley University. Authorities later charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and related crimes, a killing that has reignited heated national conversations about violence, free expression, and civility in the current political climate.

President Donald Trump, departing Joint Base Andrews in Maryland for the service, called Kirk “a great man” and reflected on the tragedy. “We want to look at it as a time of healing, a time of whatever,” Trump said. “That something like this could’ve happened, is not even believable.” He added before boarding Air Force One, “We’ll have a very interesting day, very tough day.”

The memorial, hosted at the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, was selected for its capacity of over 63,000 seats, expandable to more than 73,000. Overflow seating was arranged at the nearby Desert Diamond Arena, which holds about 19,000 people. Local police estimated attendance could surpass 100,000 when factoring in both venues. Supporters began lining up before sunrise, many arriving with children, while photographs showed long queues winding around the stadium.

Security was tight, with the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security designating the gathering a SEAR-1, the highest rating for special events. Attendees were warned of delays due to enhanced checks. A no-bag policy was strictly enforced, and Turning Point USA—now led by Erika Kirk—thanked the public for patience, reminding guests that safety precautions might require additional time.

Inside the stadium, every seat bore a red bracelet printed with the words “We Are Charlie Kirk.” Posters of Isaiah 6:8—“Here I am, Lord, send me!”—decorated the venue. The service blended political tributes with worship, music and personal remembrance.

Prominent speakers included President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, along with Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Robert F Kennedy Jr, Secretary of Health and Human Services Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defence Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff Sergio Gor, Director of Personnel Tucker Carlson, and Donald Trump Jr. Music and worship were led by Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes. Performances also came from Lee Greenwood and Steve Amerson.

Kirk, whom Trump credited as pivotal to his 2024 election victory, left behind his wife Erika and their two children. In an interview with The New York Times, Erika recalled pleading with her husband to wear a bulletproof vest and to consider protective glass during speeches. He refused, insisting his security was adequate. Erika was originally scheduled to travel with him to Utah but remained home due to her mother’s medical treatment, intending to join him at the next tour stop in Colorado.

Now widowed, Erika Kirk described her grief in raw detail: rotating where she sleeps because she cannot enter their bedroom, being struck by small reminders such as towels left on the floor, and insisting on seeing her husband’s body at the hospital despite being advised against it. “With all due respect, I want to see what they did to my husband,” she recalled saying.