by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
PHOENX (Worthy News) – Thousands of mourners gathered Sunday at State Farm Stadium for the memorial of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, where President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several members of the Trump administration delivered deeply personal and faith-centered tributes.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The memorial drew some of the nation’s most prominent conservative leaders, who described him as a patriot, warrior, and devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Tulsi Gabbard: “His Voice Is Louder Than Ever”
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recalled Kirk’s fight against censorship and institutional bias on college campuses.
“Charlie chose this arena to take these people head-on,” Gabbard said. “He encouraged debate, honesty, and critical thinking. By trying to silence Charlie, his voice is now louder than ever. His message is more powerful and impactful than ever.”
Marco Rubio: “A Great Reunion Awaits”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Kirk’s belief in the Gospel, describing Christ’s resurrection as the foundation of Kirk’s faith.
“When He returns, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and we will have a great reunion with Charlie and all the people we love,” Rubio said.
Pete Hegseth: “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called on Americans to live as Kirk did—anchored in faith and freedom.
“Charlie was a patriot, a leader, a believer,” Hegseth said. “But more importantly, he believed only Christ is king. Charlie has heard the words echoing now in Heaven: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”
RFK Jr.: “He Changed the Trajectory of History”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remembered Kirk as a young man willing to take risks for the truth.
“Christ died at 33 years old, but he changed the trajectory of history. Charlie died at 31, and because he surrendered to God, he too changed the trajectory of history,” Kennedy said.
Trump: “A Martyr for American Freedom”
President Trump praised Kirk as “a giver, much more than a taker” and announced he will posthumously award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.
“America loved Charlie Kirk,” Trump said. “He’s a great American hero. History will remember him as a martyr for American freedom.”
Trump also recalled Kirk’s determination: “He always said, ‘Never back down, and never, ever surrender.’ And he lived it.”
JD Vance: “We Have Had a Revival”
Vice President JD Vance described the service not as a funeral, but as a “revival in celebration of Charlie and of his Lord Jesus Christ.”
“It is better to die a young man in this world than to sell your soul for an easy life,” Vance said, quoting Christ’s words from John’s Gospel.
Erika Kirk: “The Answer Is Love”
In a moving and emotional address, Kirk’s widow, Erika, spoke of her husband’s mission to reach young men who felt lost and hopeless. She stunned the stadium by publicly forgiving her husband’s killer.
“Charlie wanted to save young men, even men like the one who took his life,” she said through tears. “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love—always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Her words brought the crowd to its feet in a standing ovation. She closed by recalling the moment she saw her husband’s body in the hospital, describing a faint smile on his lips that assured her “Charlie did not suffer.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
More Worthy News
Israel expanded its military campaign against Hezbollah on Monday, striking more than 70 targets across Lebanon as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to increase pressure on the Iranian-backed terror group following a sharp rise in drone and rocket attacks on northern Israel.
A federal appeals court is weighing whether Kansas City can use its public accommodation ordinance to require Christian counselors to counsel gay married couples despite the counselors’ biblical convictions on marriage and sexuality.
Tens of thousands of evangelical Christians gathered in the Netherlands for one of Europe’s largest multi-day Christian events, with organizers and participants expressing hopes for spiritual revival in the nation and across Europe.
President Donald Trump pushed back Monday against sharp criticism from Republicans and former administration officials over a potential U.S.-Iran agreement, insisting that any final accord must prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or it will not be signed.
President Donald Trump said Monday that countries involved in negotiations over Iran should be required to join the Abraham Accords, signaling that the White House is seeking to turn a possible Iran agreement into a wider regional realignment that includes normalization with Israel.
Tensions remained high in Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Sunday after at least tens of thousands of people demanded elections and rallied against what they view as the increasingly authoritarian rule of President Aleksandar Vučić, with violence erupting after the protest and more than 20 people arrested.
Investigations were ongoing Sunday into the killing of three senior Kuki-Thadou Christian church leaders by unidentified gunmen in India’s northeastern Manipur State, Christian investigators told Worthy News.