GLENDALE, AZ — In an emotional and powerful address, Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, vowed to carry on her late husband’s mission at a memorial service attended by tens of thousands of supporters. The service, held 11 days after his assassination, also featured remarks from President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other prominent conservative figures.
Erika Kirk’s speech was the most impactful of the day, as she promised to take up her husband’s mantle as CEO and chair of Turning Point USA. She reflected on his life and death, stating, “Charlie died with incomplete work, but not with unfinished business.” In a poignant moment, she offered forgiveness to the accused assassin, Tyler Robinson, quoting Jesus on the cross and saying, “I forgive him because it is what Christ did.” She said her husband’s mission had been to save young men “just like the one who took his life.”
President Trump, who announced he would be awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, described him as a “missionary” with a noble spirit. However, Trump diverged from the more unifying tone of other speakers, stating, “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don’t want the best for them.” Other speakers, including Vance and Donald Trump Jr., honored Kirk as a “martyr” whose legacy would inspire a new generation of conservative activists.
The memorial served as a mix of a Christian celebration and a political call to arms. While some speakers, like Stephen Miller, expressed anger and vowed to “uproot and dismantle” what they called “terrorist networks,” the most resounding message was one of resolve. As Donald Trump Jr. said, “His legacy must be that when they took his life, a million more Charlies stepped up to fill the void.” The service also saw the reunion of President Trump and former government official Elon Musk, who were spotted sitting together and appeared to reconcile after a recent public falling out.
