GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) 鈥 President Donald Trump and prominent members of his 鈥淢ake America Great Again鈥 movement will pay tribute Sunday to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose slaying has marked a signal moment in America鈥檚 fraught political atmosphere.
The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, senior White House officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.
Kirk鈥檚 assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has set off a , decency and in an era of deep political division. The shooting also has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to of his .
The service will take place at , the home of the NFL鈥檚 Arizona Cardinals west of Phoenix, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization is based. Security is expected to be tight, with a similar level of federal law enforcement presence as for the Super Bowl or other high-profile event.
Comments about Kirk have become a Trump administration target
Trump has for Kirk鈥檚 death and threatened to go after liberal organizations and donors or others whom he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk’s death.
He criticized House Democrats who voted against a House 鈥渢he life and legacy鈥 of Kirk, which passed the Republican-controlled House on Friday.
鈥淲ho could vote against that? All (Republicans) were saying was 鈥楶lease condemn the assassination of a human being,鈥欌 Trump told reporters. 鈥淎nd (Democrats) said, 鈥橬o, no, we鈥檙e not going to do that.鈥欌
Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers, already have as prominent conservative activists and administration officials target comments about Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory. The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment as the Trump administration promises retribution against those who air what are seen as disparaging remarks in the wake of Kirk鈥檚 death.
off the air indefinitely following backlash from affiliated broadcasters and the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission over the comedian鈥檚 remarks about Kirk.
The State Department also has warned it would revoke the visas of any foreigners who celebrated Kirk鈥檚 assassination.
A 22-year-old Utah man, , has been and faces the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but prosecutors say Robinson wrote in a text to his partner following the shooting that he 鈥渉ad enough鈥 of Kirk’s hatred.
Kirk’s legacy of conservative political influence
to mobilize young Christian conservatives, became a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership with enormous reach.
The tens of thousands expected to fill the stadium in Glendale for Kirk鈥檚 memorial is a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America.
Kirk was a provocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic. That has drawn who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy they see of an inspirational conservative leader.
Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at where he was fatally shot. Kirk grew the organization, in large part, through the force of his personality and debating chops.
Arizona is the adopted home state of Kirk, who grew up outside Chicago and founded Turning Point there before moving the organization to Phoenix. Vance, who has said Kirk’s advocacy was a big reason Trump picked him to serve as vice president, transported Kirk鈥檚 casket from Utah to Arizona the day after his death, and he later served as a guest host of Kirk鈥檚 podcast.
Scheduled speakers at the service include Trump, Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Donald Trump Jr., right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor also are slated to speak.
Longtime worship leader Chris Tomlin will provide music, along with other big names in contemporary Christian music, including Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and husband-and-wife duo Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes.
Kirk鈥檚 widow, who has been named Turning Point鈥檚 new leader, also will speak. Erika Kirk pledged in an emotional speech days after his death that 鈥渢he movement my husband built will not die.鈥
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Madhani reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Tiffany Stanley in Washington contributed to this report.
