Charlie Kirk's memorial service at State Farm Stadium was attended by tens of thousands of people in Glendale, Arizona, Sunday.
The big picture: Erika Kirk, the conservative activist's widow who replaced him as CEO of Turning Point USA, said at the State Farm Stadium service that "now his mission is my mission." She said she forgives the suspect in her husband's killing.
"He's a martyr now for America's freedom," Trump said during his tribute to Kirk onstage at the stadium. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
"Charlie was actually a master builder, master builder of people," Trump said. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
"He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, country, for reason, and for common sense," Trump said of Kirk. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Singer Lee Greenwood performs during Kirk's memorial service. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon /AFP via Getty Images
A tearful Erika Kirk said during her tribute she "saw on his lips the faintest smile" on her husband's lifeless body. "That told me something important. It revealed to me a great mercy from God from this tragedy. When I saw that, it told me Charlie didn't suffer." Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Erika Kirk vowed to expand Turning Point USA. "Campus events will continue and we will continue to hold debates and dialogue," she said. Her late husband was holding one such debate at Utah Valley University when he was fatally shot earlier this month. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
After Erika Kirk urged people to love their enemies, Trump railed against the "radical left" and said: "I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them. Sorry, Erika." Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Vice President JD Vance onstage during the memorial service urged those gathered to remember Kirk as "a hero" to the U.S. and as "a martyr for the Christian faith." Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. remembered Kirk during the memorial service as a free speech champion who "changed the trajectory of history." Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images
President Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk shake hands during Kirk's memorial service. Photo: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
Donald Trump Jr. said at the memorial service that his friend's "legacy must be that when they took his life, a million more Charlies stepped up to fill the void." Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
Attendees hold up signs at the memorial service for Kirk. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The president speaks with Dana White, CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), at Kirk's memorial service. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
People attending the Kirk memorial service. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
People arrive for Kirk's memorial service. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Attendees await the start of Kirk's memorial service. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
More from Axios:
- Musk and Trump shake hands at Kirk memorial, months after rift
- Erika Kirk: Everything Charlie built will become "10 times greater" through his memory
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
