Charlie Kirk funeral draws record-breaking crowds in Arizona - 10 major moving updates you can't miss

Thousands of mourners gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday to pay tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot earlier this month at a Utah college campus.

The service, titled “Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk”, saw a massive turnout, with more than 63,000 inside the stadium and overflow crowds in nearby arenas.

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and senior Republican officials attended and delivered tributes, as attendees braved the Arizona heat to honor Kirk’s influence on the conservative youth movement. Security was extremely tight due to the presence of top officials and the ongoing political tension surrounding Kirk’s assassination.

Here are 10 major updates and key moments from the memorial that captured the attention of attendees and the world.

10 major updates from the memorial service:

1.Record-breaking attendance: More than 200,000 people attended the memorial, including capacity crowds inside State Farm Stadium, overflow seating at adjacent arenas, and thousands outside.

2. High-profile speaker lineup: Speakers included Trump, Vance, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and commentator Tucker Carlson, among others.

3. Attendees show patriotic support: Mourners dressed in red, white, and blue, reflecting Kirk’s conservative roots, while Christian rock music played and images of Kirk were displayed throughout the venue.

4. Security measures: The Department of Homeland Security assigned a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1 for the service, putting it on par with the Super Bowl or a presidential inauguration.

5. Senior Republicans urge continuation of Kirk’s mission

Senior Republican officials described Kirk as a pivotal figure in shaping young conservatives and advancing the MAGA movement.

“You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal. You have no idea the dragon you have awakened,” said White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

Speakers emphasized Kirk’s faith and his belief in building families and passing on conservative values. The memorial blended elements of a megachurch service with Christian rock music reverberating throughout the stadium.

“Charlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus,” said Rev. Rob McCoy, Kirk’s pastor.

“Charlie’s having some serious heavenly FOMO right now,” said Turning Point CEO Tyler Bower, likening the memorial to “bringing the Holy Spirit into a Trump rally.”

6. VP JD Vance slams Charlie Kirk’s killer

Vice President JD Vance delivered an emotional tribute to Charlie Kirk at the conservative activist’s memorial service, declaring, “They tried to silence our dear friend Charlie Kirk, but today we speak for Charlie louder than ever.”

Vance praised Kirk’s values, saying he “exemplified kindness, courage and a commitment to open debate” and remembered him as a “great American leader.”

He reflected on Kirk’s patriotism, noting, “America was his home and he was willing to die for it.”

Acknowledging Kirk’s political influence, Vance added, “Our whole administration is here not just because we loved Charlie as a friend, but because we know we wouldn’t be here without him. Charlie built an organization that reshaped the balance of our politics.”

Vance also condemned the accused shooter, Tyler Robinson, calling him an “evil murderer” and said Kirk’s death revealed “the very worst parts of our humanity.”

7. FBI investigates every angle — Even secret “hand signals” and Discord chats

Patel emphasized that the FBI is examining all aspects of the case, including the shooter’s actions, possible accomplices, digital communications, and the ballistic details of the assassination.

“We are meticulously investigating theories and questions, including the location from where the shot was taken, the possibility of accomplices, the text message confession and related conversations, Discord chats, the angle of the shot and bullet impact, how the weapon was transported, hand gestures observed as potential ‘signals’ near Charlie at the time of his assassination, and visitors to the alleged shooter’s residence in the hours and days leading up to September 10, 2025.”

8. Erika Kir's message of forgiveness

In a striking moment, Erika said her husband wanted to save young men like the one accused of killing him.

“Charlie wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,” she told the audience.

Holding back tears, she declared, “That young man, I forgive him.”

Erika vowed that Charlie’s work will continue, stressing the importance of free speech and open debate on college campuses.

“No assassin will ever stop us from standing up to defend those rights ever because when you stop the conversation, when you stop the dialogue, this is what happens,” she said.

“When we lose the ability and the willingness to communicate, we get violence.”

9. Trump turns Charlie Kirk tribute into MAGA rallying cry - “Fight, Fight, Fight”

Trump praised Kirk as a fighter who embodied determination and resilience.

“Charlie Kirk was someone who had a good heart and the will to fight, fight, fight,” Trump said.

The phrase “fight, fight, fight” has become a familiar rallying cry for Trump supporters since the attempted assassination of the President in July 2024.

10. What other speakers said

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Kirk “impactful,” saying, “I think he had a tremendous impact on young Americans in general. I think he had a very special and direct impact on young men in this country, that’s one of the greatest developments I’ve seen.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Kirk as “a warrior for country, a warrior for Christ,” adding, “Charlie waged war, not with a weapon, but with a tent, a microphone, his mind and the truth and the gates of hell could not prevail against him.”

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard praised Kirk as a defender of free speech: “His voice is now louder than ever despite those who tried to silence him.” She warned, “Political fanatics… are so terrified that the weaknesses of their ideology will be revealed through scrutiny that they turn to intimidation, censorship and violence.”