Conservative politicians and community members called on mourners to continue Charlie Kirk's legacy during a political and faith-filled memorial service at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.
Kirk, founder of Arizona-based organization Turning Point USA, died after being shot while hosting a "Prove Me Wrong" tabling event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
"Charlie Kirk started with only an idea to change minds on college campuses, and instead, he ended up with a far greater achievement: changing history," President Donald Trump, who was the closing speaker at the memorial, said.
Kirk was known for his debates on college campuses and for bringing his conservative movement to Gen Z. He was even credited for contributing to Trump's presidential win in 2024.
Pastor Rob McCoy opened the memorial, followed by friends and colleagues of Kirk. During his speech, TPUSA COO Tyler Bowyer reflected on Kirk's vision for the organization.
"(Kirk) always said to me, 'If we could just figure out how to bring the Holy Spirit into a Trump rally,'" Bowyer said to the crowd. "I think you've done it."
The stadium, which has a fixed seat capacity of 63,400, was filled with all ages, including college students and families with young children from Arizona and across the country.
A large number of attendees arrived before sunrise, and many were eventually turned away and redirected to Desert Diamond Arena after the stadium filled.
Some attendees donned MAGA hats and t-shirts with Kirk's name, while others wore their Sunday best. Many members of the crowd sang along with Christian worship bands before the memorial began.
"I wanted to come here to honor his legacy and also just support other people like me," Elise Johnson, a senior at ASU studying economics, said.
Johnson said she liked how Kirk told people to take time away from distractions like technology and prioritize faith and family.
READ MORE: ASU political organizations host vigil for Charlie Kirk, drawing thousands of supporters
Claire Winn, a junior at GCU studying government, and Yeslem Arredondo, a junior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, studying business management and Christian studies, were two of the TPUSA volunteers registering attendees to vote at the memorial.
Winn said moving forward, following Kirk’s death, she hopes to see people standing up for their beliefs and "creating disciples on our campus."
"There's a revival going on in this country, both politically and spiritually; people are opening their eyes to what the truth is, and I'm just excited to see that, not only on my campus but everywhere else," Arredondo said.
A common theme among speakers was how Kirk, who dropped out of college, took to campuses for his viral debates, centering his work around young adults.
"He chose our schools as his arena because he knows that they are meant to teach, to train our young people to think critically, to debate ideas," Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in a speech. "But too often, these schools silence debate, saying words are violent."
Gabbard also added her experience watching Kirk on these college campuses.
"Sitting with Charlie here in Arizona, at ASU last year, seeing and experiencing him in action was truly a sight to behold," she said.
PHOTO TIMELINE: Charlie Kirk events photographed by The State Press
Additional speakers included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vice President JD Vance.
As the political figures took the stage, some entering with pyrotechnics and photo montages, the tone shifted toward a call upon Kirk's followers to rise up for the conservative movement.
"Charlie started with liberty, but ended up lighting our country on fire for Christ," Hegseth said. "He started Turning Point USA – but this moment is the turning point for the USA."
Donald Trump Jr. also addressed the crowd, saying that instead of violence, conservatives and young people should react by debating and having a conversation.
"Charlie embodied something at the very core of our movement when people disagree with us — we don't silence them, we don't destroy them and we certainly don't sink to violence," he said. "No, we debate, we stand tall and we win with our ideas."
Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, described to the stadium how faith guided her husband and how it helped her through his death.
"He wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life," Erika Kirk said.
She addressed how she plans to continue her husband's work as CEO of TPUSA.
"Yes, campus events will continue and we will continue to hold (face-to-face) dialogue," she said.
Edited by Senna James, Henry Smardo, Katrina Michalak and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporters at elbradfo@asu.edu and spbracci@asu.edu. Follow @emmalbradford__ and @SophiaBraccio on X.
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Emma Bradford is a junior studying journalism and mass communication and political science with a minor in business. She has previously worked at the Cronkite News Washington, D.C. bureau as a Politics and Money Reporter. Bradford is in her fourth semester with The State Press and on the politics desk.
Sophia is a senior studying journalism and mass communication. This is her sixth semester with The State Press. She has also worked at Nomads with Notebooks and Blaze Radio and interned for The Arizona Republic.
