90,000 Attend Memorial for Assassinated Conservative Leader Charlie Kirk in Arizona
On September 21, 2025, an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 people filled State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for a public memorial service honoring Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), who was assassinated just 11 days earlier on September 10 during a campus speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Kirk was fatally shot by a single bullet while addressing a crowd of about 3,000 students as part of his “American Comeback” tour, an event that drew immediate bipartisan condemnation but has since galvanized conservatives. The suspect, 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, faces charges of first-degree murder, and Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, publicly forgave him during her emotional eulogy, stating she did so “for the sake of my children” amid profound grief.
Crowd Size and LogisticsThe event far exceeded the stadium’s standard capacity of 63,400, expanding to over 73,000 for the occasion, with overflow crowds directed to the nearby Desert Diamond Arena (capacity ~19,000). Local law enforcement estimated 90,000–100,000 in-person attendees, while organizers like TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet reported streaming viewership surpassing 100 million globally—described as “just what they know about” and likely much higher.
Pre-event registrations topped 200,000, underscoring Kirk’s influence on young conservatives. Security was at “Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1” (comparable to the Super Bowl), overseen by the U.S. Secret Service due to high-profile attendees, with only two misdemeanor arrests reported in a crowd of that scale—hailed as “super impressive” by the Maricopa County Attorney’s office.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ); overflow at Desert Diamond Arena |
| Capacity | 63,400–73,000 (stadium); +19,000 (overflow) |
| In-Person Attendance | 90,000–100,000 (law enforcement estimate) |
| Online Viewership | >100 million (streaming data) |
| Security Incidents | 0 felonies; 2 misdemeanors |
Attendees received “WE ARE CHARLIE KIRK” bracelets, signs with Kirk’s photo and biblical quotes like “Here I am Lord, send me,” and tissues. The atmosphere blended evangelical worship—featuring artists like Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Lee Greenwood—with political tributes, evoking a Trump rally on steroids. Merchandise sales included red “Make America Charlie Kirk” hats, echoing MAGA gear.
Key Speakers and HighlightsThe service, titled “Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk,” featured over two dozen speakers, turning it into a conservative revival rather than solemn mourning. Kirk’s casket had arrived in Arizona via Air Force Two on September 11, escorted by Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance.
- Erika Kirk: Delivered a tearful address recounting the moment she saw her husband’s body, emphasizing forgiveness and faith. She was named TPUSA’s new CEO, signaling continuity.
- President Donald Trump: Closed with a fiery eulogy, calling Kirk an “American hero” and “martyr” whose “good heart” and “will to fight, fight, fight” defined him. Trump expressed “hate” for political opponents, labeling the assassin a “radicalized, cold-blooded monster,” and surprised the crowd with an onstage reconciliation with Elon Musk, mending past rifts.
- Vice President JD Vance: Framed the event as a “revival,” noting the full Trump administration’s presence because “Kirk helped get us there.” He declared the assassin failed, as Kirk’s message is now “bigger, stronger than ever.”
- Other Notables: Cabinet members like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; faith leaders; and former TPUSA chief of staff Mikey McCoy, who called Kirk a “martyr for peaceful dialogue.” Elon Musk also attended.
Speakers repeatedly invoked Kirk’s faith-driven activism, urging attendees to “suit up in the full armor of God” and combat evil. Trump awarded Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, a rare honor for a non-officeholder.
Broader Impact and ReactionsThe memorial amplified Kirk’s legacy: TPUSA, which grew from a garage project to a network of 250,000 student members on 800 campuses, vowed to expand.
It also sparked voter registration drives, with Maricopa County preparing unprecedented forms. On X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from awe at the peaceful turnout—”no protesters, no fights, covered in grace”—to criticism questioning why similar crowds don’t gather for other tragedies like school shootings or Gaza. Kirk’s former colleagues, like Kolvet, celebrated the Gospel’s proclamation to millions.
No prominent Democrats attended, highlighting political divides, though the assassination itself drew cross-aisle outrage. As one attendee posted, “From campus stage to eternal glory,” Kirk’s death at 32 has mobilized a movement, with calls to “never surrender.” The event’s scale—rivaling historic U.S. funerals like JFK’s—marks it as a pivotal moment in conservative history.
