Trump calls Kirk a "Martyr for Freedom" as Erika offers forgiveness to husband’s killer

President Donald Trump hailed slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a “martyr for American freedom” on Sunday and vowed at his memorial service to carry on his work, while again accusing what he called the “radical left” for Kirk’s murder.

“The violence comes largely from the left,” Trump said without citing any evidence, in remarks that downplayed political violence from the right and often turned starkly partisan in contrast to the more solemn tone that most other speakers adopted.

Trump has been blaming the left for the deadly shooting before a suspect was even detained. His messaging reflected the dual nature of Kirk’s memorial, which had the feel of a religious revival mixed with a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) rally.

The memorial, organized by Kirk’s conservative youth advocacy organization Turning Point USA, drew tens of thousands of mourners dressed in red, white and blue who filled State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Kirk’s wife, Erika, who has taken the helm of Turning Point, delivered an emotional tribute to her late husband, looking up at the heavens and mouthing, “I love you,” before speaking about his devotion to Christianity, his family and his activism. The Kirks have two young children.

“I want all of you to know, while Charlie died far too early, he was also ready to die,” she said. “He left this world without regrets. He did 100 percent of what he could every day.”

She also offered forgiveness to the 22-year-old man who has been charged with Kirk’s murder, citing the Bible’s account that Jesus Christ urged his followers to forgive his tormentors while on the cross.

“My husband Charlie wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” she said, before adding tearfully, as the crowd applauded solemnly.

Some political figures cast Kirk’s death as a pivotal moment in the conservative movement, exhorting followers to finish the work he began in sometimes aggressive language.

“You have no idea the dragon you have awakened. You have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilization, to save the West, to save the republic,” Stephen Miller, the powerful White House adviser, said in a fiery speech.

VICE PRESIDENT, OTHER CABINET MEMBERS SPEAK

Other speakers included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, more evidence of Kirk’s political influence.

Vice President JD Vance credited Kirk with helping get Trump elected last year by mobilizing young voters.

Trump’s speech was the most openly divisive, repeatedly attacking the “radical left” and leaning into campaign-style grievances. While some speakers, including Miller, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and conservative influencer Jack Posobiec, veered into politics, most kept their remarks focused on honoring Kirk without assigning blame.

At one point, the president contrasted Kirk’s support for public debate – he often challenged students with opposing views to “prove me wrong” at college events – with his own scorched-earth politics.

“He did not hate his opponents,” Trump said. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents.”

Following his speech, Trump brought Erika Kirk onstage, who embraced him as “America the Beautiful” played over the stadium speakers.

RISING FEARS OF VIOLENCE

Kirk, 31, was killed with a single bullet as he answered an audience member’s question at a campus event in Utah. A 22-year-old Utah technical college student has been charged with Kirk’s murder. Investigators are still probing for a motive, which remains unclear.

Civil rights groups criticized Kirk for rhetoric, pointing to numerous examples they described as racist, anti-immigrant, transphobic and misogynistic. His backers say he was a defender of conservative values and a champion of free speech.

His death has raised fears about the growing frequency of U.S. political violence across the ideological spectrum, while also deepening partisan divides.

Trump’s speech on Sunday is unlikely to quell fears from critics that he intends to use Kirk’s murder to intensify a crackdown on his political opponents.

Also Read: Charlie Kirk’s widow forgives husband’s killer, says “hatred cannot be answered with hatred”