US President Donald Trump yesterday (21 September) called slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk “a giant of his generation” at a massive memorial service marked by strong Christian rhetoric and praise for the man many speakers referred to as a “martyr.”
Speaking to more than 60 000 attendees at a packed American football stadium in Arizona, the 79 year old Republican president said Kirk was “above all a devoted husband, father, son, Christian and patriot,” adding that he “was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice. For God and country. For reason and for common sense.”
The service drew an extraordinary level of attention and security, with the top brass of Trump’s administration joining tens of thousands in attendance, and some US media likening it to a state funeral.
Widow’s message of forgiveness
In a poignant moment of the memorial, Kirk’s 36 year old widow Erika delivered a deeply religious speech in which she forgave her husband’s alleged killer.
“My husband Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,” she told the crowd, her voice choking. “That man, that young man. I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And it’s what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate.”
Her gesture of forgiveness towards 22 year old Tyler Robinson, who is accused of murdering her husband, drew thunderous applause from the crowd.
High-profile attendees
Ahead of Trump’s address, the crowd heard speeches from prominent cabinet members including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal,” top Trump adviser Stephen Miller declared, vowing “to save this civilisation, to save the West.”
Among other speakers were right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson, Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The event was hosted by Turning Point USA, the hugely influential youth political campaign group founded by Kirk that is now run by his widow.
Kirk (31) was shot in the neck on 10 September whilst speaking at a Utah university as part of his popular public debate series. Authorities arrested Robinson after a 33-hour manhunt.
ALSO READ: Trump blasts radical left after killing of Charlie Kirk
The killing has inflamed often bitter and sometimes violent political divisions in the United States.
Authorities say the suspected gunman cited the “hatred” he believed was stoked by Kirk, who was a vitriolic critic of transgender people, Muslims and others. Robinson faces seven charges for the shooting, including aggravated murder, and prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty.
Kirk’s influence
The activist 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.
Kirk advocated for conservative Christian political values, and often made controversial statements targeting minorities, including transgender people, Muslims, African Americans and others.
Even before the alleged killer was identified or arrested, Trump called Kirk “a martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed the rhetoric of the “radical left.”
In response to the killing, the White House last week declared it would crack down on what it terms “domestic terrorism” by the political left. Trump said he would designate “Antifa” – a shorthand term for “anti-fascist” used to describe diffuse far-left groups – as “a major terrorist organisation,” a move he threatened in his first term.
On Sunday, Trump said his government would go after alleged “networks” responsible for left-wing violence.
Media crackdown
Prominent late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air Wednesday, hours after the government threatened to cancel broadcasting licences because of comments he made about Kirk’s killing.
The moves have sparked alarm among Trump’s critics who warn of possible steps to silence dissent of his divisive right-wing White House tenure, marked by a rolling back of social justice policies and an immigration crackdown that has seen widespread complaints of rights abuses.
Thousands of people had queued for hours before the event began, hoping to get into the 63 000-seat stadium to honour the young Republican star – a close ally of the president whose voter outreach is credited with helping Trump get re-elected last year.
“I look at him as a Christ martyr, definitely,” said Monica Mirelez, a 44 year old Texan who drove 12 hours to attend.
Jeremy Schlotman, a 21 year old biology student, said Kirk gave him the courage to express his beliefs on campus. “For example, I think that biological men shouldn’t be in women’s sports. But I was too afraid to talk about stuff like that out loud,” Schlotman said as Christian bands played on stage and the stadium steadily filled up.
At the event, Trump was seen sitting beside billionaire backer Elon Musk, whose acrimonious departure from the White House after his brief tenure overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency was not apparent as the two men chatted.
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