President Donald Trump was among a long list of speakers at a public memorial service for Charlie Kirk on Sunday (September 21).
President Donald Trump was among a long list of speakers at a public memorial service for Charlie Kirk on Sunday (September 21).
Tens of thousands of mourners gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to celebrate the life and legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During the nearly five-hour-long service, numerous speakers took turns at the podium, sharing memories of Charlie and reflecting on his legacy.
Many Turning Point staff members, special friends of Charlie Kirk, and some of the current administration’s top officials spoke to the massive crowd. Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald Trump were among the speakers at the event.
President Trump closed the program with a touching tribute to Charlie Kirk. Country legend Lee Greenwood welcomed Trump to the stage with a beautiful rendition of “God Bless The U.S.A.”
Trump remembered Kirk as someone who “lived boldly” and “argued brilliantly without apology,” and said that Charlie will be remembered in history as one of America’s greatest patriots.
Trump remembered Kirk’s role in the 2016 and 2024 elections, where Kirk is credited with swaying the youth vote.
“Charlie didn’t just bring people into the movement. All of a sudden it started to grow by leaps and bounds. By 2024, we won more young people than any Republican candidate in the history of our country, including, for the first time, a majority of males under 30,” Trump said.
He joked that while they won the popular vote among young voters, Charlie made him work for it with speeches and appearances.
Kirk was also touted as a devoted husband and loving father who loved America “with everything he had.” He was called “a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose.”
At the conclusion of his address, President Trump asked Charlie’s widow, Erika, to join him on stage. The two embraced several times as Erika cried. They waved to the crowd before walking off the stage hand in hand.
Donald Trump’s appearance at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service was historic.
Donald Trump and JD Vance’s attendance marked the first time in recorded history that a sitting president and vice president attended a funeral together.
President Trump arrived at the stadium shortly after the service started. The crowd cheered as he was spotted taking his seat from a suite near the stage. His sons, Don Jr. and Eric, were also in attendance and sitting near their father.
A highlight of the service was when Don Jr. spoke to the crowd about his dear friend, Charlie Kirk. In a light-hearted moment, Don impersonated his dad’s signature voice and hand gestures as he told the crowd that his dad has been known to chastise him for “getting too aggressive on social media.”
☄️#BREAKING: Don Jr. is speaking in his social media and what his dad told him. Don is now telling his story about Charlie Kirk.
— Galaxy News United(GNU) (@GalaxyNewsUnit) September 21, 2025
pic.twitter.com/mDh1YJmkSK
Cameras captured Elon Musk seated next to President Trump briefly. The two shared smiles and a handshake before Musk exited.
