Charlie Kirk Memorial Packed With Messages of Faith, Resolve and Forgiveness at Arizona Stadium: ‘Old-Time Revival’

The Charlie Kirk memorial service got underway early Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, where thousands of attendees began lining up in the predawn hours to attend an hours-long service whose speakers included President Trump, Vice President Vance, Tucker Carlson and dozens more.

“Charlie Kirk loved America, and as we can see today, America loved Charlie Kirk,” Trump said during his remarks, which came late in the service, noting the size of the crowd size and “tens of thousands of people” watching on screens. “This is like an old-time revival, isn’t it? An old-time revival.”

State Farm Stadium was filled to the rafters in the early goings after doors opened at opening at 8 a.m. A sea of red, white and blue-clad mourners took seats that were prestocked with placards to honor the slain conservative activist, who was shot and killed 11 days ago while speaking with a throng of students at Utah Valley University.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 21: U.S. President Donald Trump walks onstage during the memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10th while speaking at an event during his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The home of the Arizona Cardinals was already filled as the event got underway with a Sunday worship service that included extensive music performances and biblical messages before scheduled speakers took the stage. One by one they took the stage to speak loftily of Kirk, each highlighting his bold Christian faith, with traditional hymns and contemporary church songs playing them on and off.

“I can’t help but think but that they tried to silence my friend … and today, tonight, we speak with Charlie and for Charlie louder than ever,” Vance began during his turn midway through the program. “The evil murderer who took Charlie from us expected us to have a funeral and instead today, we had a revival.”

Attendees pray during the public memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Vance said before he met Kirk, whom he claimed as a close personal friend, he was afraid to publicly discuss his religious beliefs. That all changed after Kirk was assassinated, the vice president said.

“I have talked more about my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in the last two weeks than I have in my entire life,” Vance said. “And that is the undeniable legacy of the great Charlie Kirk. … We love you. We’ve got it from here.”

Early speakers included Benny Johnson, Ben Carson, Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and longtime Kirk spokesman Andrew Kolvet. Kirk’s widow Erika, who is set to lead his organization Turning Point USA, spoke late, saying “we saw revival” after her husband’s death, not rioting or violence. She said in even on Oct. 10, she realized that his life and manner of death were meant to be.

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, wipes away tears as she speaks at the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

“Eleven days ago, God accepted that total surrender from my husband, and then called him to his side,” she said. “Over these past 11 days, through all the pain, never before have I found as much comfort as I now do in the words of the Lord’s prayer, ‘Thy will be done. God’s love was revealed to me on the day he was murdered.”

She also described the horrifying moments that followed:

“I saw the wound that ended his life, I felt everything you expected to feel,” she said. “I felt shock, I felt horror, I felt a level of heartache I didn’t even know existed. But even in death, I could see the man that I love. I saw the one single gray hair on the side of his head, which I never told him about. Now he knows … I also saw this: I also saw on his lips the faintest smile. And that told me something important – it revealed to me a great mercy from God in this tragedy. When I saw that, it told me Charlie didn’t suffer.”

In an intense moment, speaking about suspected shooter Tyler Robinson, she said through tears: “That young man … I forgive him.”

Conservative activist Jack Posobiec holds up a rosary as he speaks during the public memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

While the event often looked and sounded like a Sunday church service throughout, there were also moments it resembled a political rally.

“Charles Kirk was the turning point,” conservative activist Jack Posobiec said from the dais, to thundering cheers. “We will never forget the left forget the name Charlie Kirk … we will never forget Charlie Kirk.”

During his speech, Trump noted that one of the last things Kirk said to him was “please sir, save Chicago. Save Chicago. And we’re going to, from horrible crime.” He also used the pulpit to reiterate his belief that the 2020 election was fraudulent, saying, “They stole it like dogs.”

In a moment of levity, Trump noted Erika Kirk’s message of forgiveness, but admitted he did not share her gracious view: “I hate my opponents. I’m sorry Erika … I think Charlie is mad at me … but I don’t like ’em. Maybe you can change my mind.”

Trump brought Erika Kirk out for a final time as the six-plus hour long event, gave her a hug and faced the crowd to say finally, “Thank you very much everbody, thank you very much. And good luck. God be with you, thank you.”

Tucker Carlson, Stephen Miller, Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump Jr. also joined the voices from the dais.

Tucker Carlson speaks during the public memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

In the crowd was Elon Musk, who posted a video to his X platform, writing: “Every seat in this giant arena that isn’t roped off for security is packed to the ceiling. Honored to be here. All for Charlie Kirk.”

Every seat in this giant arena that isn’t roped off for security is packed to the ceiling. Honored to be here.

All for Charlie Kirk. pic.twitter.com/NDK6sDuqLa

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 21, 2025

The post Charlie Kirk Memorial Packed With Messages of Faith, Resolve and Forgiveness at Arizona Stadium: ‘Old-Time Revival’ appeared first on TheWrap.