Trump Calls Charlie Kirk Martyr For American Freedom At Memorial

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 12:07 AM

trump calls charlie kirk martyr for american freedom at memorial

President Donald Trump memorializes the late Charlie Kirk and praises the work he did during his memorial service Sept. 21, 2025. President Donald Trump praised Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s legacy Sunday, calling him a "martyr for American freedom." "I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither will history," Trump said to the tens of thousands of supporters gathered... Trump spoke of Kirk’s passion for mobilizing young conservatives, his unwavering devotion to the country and the movement he leaves behind. The president described Kirk as a "missionary with a noble spirit," saying the 31-year-old conservative activist played a decisive role in helping him win the 2024 election.

President Donald Trump speaks during a memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, Sept. 21, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) US President Donald Trump hailed the conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a "great American hero" and "martyr" during a speech to tens of thousands of mourners at a memorial service in Arizona. Trump was the headline speaker at the packed event on Sunday, which saw top officials from his administration, including Vice-President JD Vance, praise Kirk's political legacy after he was shot dead on 10 September. Kirk's wife, Erika, delivered a tearful speech at the State Farm Stadium near Phoenix, in which she said she had forgiven her husband's alleged killer.

But the US president broke with her forgiveness message to say he disagreed with Charlie Kirk's view of wanting the best for his opponent. "I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them," he said, adding: "I'm sorry, Erika." President Trump called Kirk "immortal" and speakers called him a "martyr." President Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a "great American hero" and "martyr" for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they... The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, other senior administration officials and... Speakers highlighted Kirk's profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, build families and pass on their values to keep building their movement.

They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in confrontational tones, that the best way to honor Kirk was doubling down on his mission to move American politics further to the right. Kirk founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. His influence, particularly with young people, helped propel Trump to office. But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others. Erika Kirk remembered her husband in a tearful speech near the end of a service for the conservative activist who was killed on September 10 US President Donald Trump proclaimed Charlie Kirk a “martyr for American freedom” in a memorial ceremony to commemorate the political activist as Erika Kirk said she forgave the man who gunned down her husband.

“On that day, this evangelist for American liberty became immortal,” Trump said on Sunday before tens of thousands of mourners inside the State Farm stadium in Glendale, Arizona. “He’s a martyr now for American freedom.” Trump described how Kirk would ask him to fly across the country to appear at his events with little notice. “Charlie didn’t just bring young people to the movement; all of a sudden, it started to grow by leaps and bounds. In 2024, we won more young people than any Republican candidate in the history of our country,” Trump said. US President Donald Trump and many of his top officials have just joined tens of thousands of people gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for a memorial service commemorating Charlie Kirk, the...

Here are some of the highlights from the event: We're pausing our live coverage shortly, but you can watch the biggest moments from Kirk's memorial service here, or read more on the story here. President Trump and Erika Kirk presented a united front at Charlie Kirk’s memorial The memorial featured emotional addresses, drawing tears from some of Kirk's supporters President Donald Trump proclaimed Charlie Kirk a “martyr for American freedom” in a memorial ceremony to commemorate the political activist as Erika Kirk said she forgave the man who gunned down her husband. “On that day, this evangelist for American liberty became immortal,” Trump said Sunday before tens of thousands of mourners inside the State Farm stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

“He’s a martyr now for American freedom.” Trump described how Kirk would ask him to fly across the country to appear at his events with little notice. “You never wanted to let Charlie down,” Trump said. “He worked so hard you just didn’t want to let him down.” But Trump also angrily attacked liberals and pledged to continue investigations of groups he accused of fostering violence. Jonathan J.

Cooper, Associated Press Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Eugene Garcia, Associated Press Eugene Garcia, Associated Press Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Meg Kinnard, Associated Press GLENDALE, Ariz.

(AP) — President Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose... President Donald Trump was among those who cast Charlie Kirk as a martyr who died to further the conservative values he campaigned for during a memorial event that was a mix of religious worship... “He’s a martyr now for American freedom. I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither now will history,” Trump told tens of thousands of mourners at State... President Trump told the crowd at a Charlie Kirk memorial that the slain conservative activist was an American hero. Plus, a new $100,000 fee for skilled worker visa applications in the US sparks confusion.

Follow DW. US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk were among the speakers at Kirk's memorial service. The memorial on Sunday drew tens of thousands of people, including top members of the Trump administration and conservative celebrities. Plus, the White House clarified that a new $100,000 fee on visas for skilled workers only applies to new applicants and not to current visa holders. Keep reading for the latest on Charlie Kirk's memorial service and other news related to the Trump administration on September 21:

Trump Calls Charlie Kirk Martyr For American Freedom At Memorial

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They Also Repeatedly Told Conservative Activists, Sometimes In Confrontational Tones,

“On That Day, This Evangelist For American Liberty Became Immortal,”