Charlie Kirk Memorial: Massive Crowds and Prominent Figures

In a funeral service that drew massive crowds in Phoenix, Arizona, the slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was honored in an event led by former U.S. President Donald Trump and prominent figures from the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement. The assassination of Kirk has been described as a pivotal moment in the American political landscape.

Before his speech, Trump arrived in Arizona on Air Force One at Luke Air Force Base, near State Farm Stadium, where the event was held. The stadium, home to the Arizona Cardinals football team and the headquarters of Kirk’s organization "Turning Point," was filled to capacity, forcing organizers to stop the flow of people entering.

The event was attended by a number of senior political and media figures. Among those seen entering the stadium were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Also present were Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Billionaire Elon Musk and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson were also spotted in the crowd, highlighting the significant attendance.

Trump Describes "Great Man" and "Tough Day"

Members of the public began lining up outside the stadium before dawn to secure their spots. Many wore the American flag's colors—red, white, and blue—as recommended by the organizers. According to CNN correspondent Josh Campbell, the area outside the stadium was "choked" with crowds after entry was restricted. He noted that the event was classified as a SEAR-1, the highest security level, due to the large number of attendees and the high-profile nature of the participants, including the former president and members of his cabinet.

Leaving the White House on Sunday morning for the ceremony, Trump told reporters, "Today we're going to celebrate the life of a great man. It's going to be a tough day." Kirk’s assassination on September 10 at a Utah Valley University event has sparked widespread debate about violence and freedom of speech. An Associated Press report noted that some Americans expressed concern that Trump might exploit the anger surrounding the assassination to justify the suppression of his political opponents and critics.