Charlie Kirk "Violently Killed" Because He Spoke For Freedom, Justice: Trump

Charlie Kirk, shot dead on September 10, was a close aide of US President Donald Trump.

United States:

US President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk as "a giant of his generation" during a massive memorial event characterized by powerful Christian rhetoric and tributes to the man many speakers described as a "martyr."

The 79-year-old Republican described Kirk as "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."

Speaking to the attendees at Kirk's memorial service, Trump declared, "The gun was pointed at him, but the bullet was aimed at all of us. That bullet was aimed at every one of us. Charlie was killed for expressing the very ideas that virtually everyone in this arena and most other places throughout our country deeply believed in."

"The radicals and their allies in the media... tried to silence Charlie for a simple reason because he was winning Big. They lied about him because they did not want you to listen to him or to learn from him," he continued.

The service received extraordinary attention and security measures, with top officials from Trump's administration joining tens of thousands of attendees, with some US media comparing it to a state funeral.

Before Trump's address, the audience heard speeches from prominent cabinet members including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

"You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal," senior Trump advisor Stephen Miller proclaimed, pledging "to save this civilization, to save the West."

Other speakers included right-wing media figure Tucker Carlson, Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

The event was organized by Turning Point USA, the highly influential youth political campaign group founded by Kirk that is now led by his widow, Erika Kirk, who also delivered remarks at the memorial.

"That young man, I forgive him," Kirk said regarding her husband's alleged killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a statement that drew thunderous applause from the audience.

State authorities have charged Robinson with murder and are pursuing capital punishment in the case against him.

At the event, Trump was observed sitting alongside billionaire supporter Elon Musk, with no visible signs of tension despite Musk's contentious departure from the White House following his brief tenure overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Thousands had queued for hours before the event commenced, hoping to enter the 63,000-seat American football stadium hosting the service and pay tribute to the young Republican figure—a close ally of the president whose voter outreach is credited with contributing to Trump's reelection last year.

"I look at him as a Christ martyr, definitely," stated 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 remarked as Christian bands performed on stage and the stadium gradually filled.

'Hatred'

Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck on September 10 while speaking at a Utah university during his popular public debate series. Authorities apprehended a suspect after a 33-hour manhunt.

The killing has intensified the already bitter and sometimes violent political divisions in the United States.

Authorities report that the suspected gunman cited the "hatred" he believed was fueled by Kirk—who was an outspoken critic of transgender people, Muslims and others.

Kirk utilized his millions of social media followers, the vast audience of his podcast, and university appearances to support Trump among young voters and advocate for a nationalist, Christian-centered political ideology.

Even before the alleged perpetrator was identified or arrested, Trump described Kirk as "a martyr for truth and freedom" and blamed the rhetoric of the "radical left."

Crackdown on liberal 'terrorism'

In response to the killing, the White House announced last week it would take action against what it terms "domestic terrorism" by the political left.

Trump stated he would designate "Antifa"—a shorthand term for "anti-fascist" used to describe various far-left groups—as "a major terrorist organization," a measure he had threatened during his first term.

On Sunday, Trump announced his government would target alleged "networks" responsible for left-wing violence.

Prominent late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was removed from the air Wednesday, hours after the government threatened to revoke broadcasting licenses due to comments he made about Kirk's killing.

These actions have generated concern among Trump's critics who warn of potential measures to suppress dissent against his controversial right-wing White House administration, characterized by rollbacks of social justice policies and immigration enforcement that has prompted widespread allegations of rights violations.