[Global Times Reporter Zhou Yang] On September 21, a memorial service for Charlie Kirk, a well-known American conservative activist, was held at the State Agricultural Insurance Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. US President Trump, Vice President Vance and Kirk's widow erica kirk spoke at the memorial service. The American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the memorial service evolved into a five-hour large-scale rally full of political colors. U.S. government officials called Kirk the "warrior" of the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement.
Trump called Kirk “a martyr of American freedom” and stressed: “Do you think you killed Charlie Kirk?No, you make him immortal, nobody will forget Kirk, and history will never forget.”The Associated Press said Trump repeatedly pointed to the so-called “radical left” in his speech, claiming that “left-wing hate speech burned the cannon,” and called on supporters to “continue Kirk’s endless mission.”
U.S. Vice President Wallace, Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary of Defence Hergershitz also spoke later, highlighting Kirk's "great inspiration" for conservative youth. The Guardian commented that the speeches were filled with religious and political colour and had a strong collective mobilization meaning. Wallace even said: "Charlie's spirit will continue in every university and every young man in the United States."At the commemoration ceremony, some speakers described Kirk's death as "a struggle against evil," and vaguely referred to "they" as the so-called enemy.
Kirk’s widow, Eric, cried out on the stage, but said she would “inherit her husband’s legacy.” According to Associated Press, she has taken over the leadership of the “American Turnpoint” organization founded by Kirk. Erika has publicly expressed her “choice to forgive” the suspects who shot Kirk at the commemoration, and even opposed the death sentence of the suspect. According to reports, 22-year-old Taylor Robinson was charged with murder for killing Kirk. Prosecutors said Robinson had confessed to the murder and had spread a strong hatred against Kirk in letters. Police have not yet disclosed all the motives for the crime.
According to the Associated Press, the commemoration gathered Republican celebrities from all walks of life, including many current and former lawmakers. American businessman Elon Musk also attended some of the ceremonies and sat down to shake hands with Trump. CNN that Kirk had acted as a mediator to some extent after Trump and Musk broke up. Musk posted a photo of Trump on the social platform X that day and accompanied the letter: "To Charlie."
According to Reuters, Kirk’s death has become the focus of U.S. political polarization and free speech debate. Conservatives believe that this is the consequence of “radical left” attacks on “freedom of speech”; while liberals warn that personal behavior should not be expanded into a pretext for political struggle. ABC analyzes that the assassination has sharply escalated security issues for U.S. politicians, and many local officials have shortened public marches and feared to become the next target. Kirk’s memorial also took the highest level of security measures, with large numbers of intelligence officers and police on the spot. At the same time, the conservatives are rapidly divining Kirk’s image inside. Reuters says that many attendees have called him “a martyr” and think his death will “flame a new
According to the Washington Post, Democrats have condemned the Kork assassination. House minority party leader Jeffrey stressed that “any form of political violence is unacceptable”.But at the same time, some Democrats have also criticized Trump and right-wing politicians for “stimulating emotions from the dead”.The Guardian said the Democrats are concerned that Trump’s camp is using Kork’s death to further incite opposition and aggravate social rupture.