Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and key Administration officials convened with tens of thousands of American patriots at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. This gathering was a heartfelt celebration of Kirk’s extraordinary life, emphasizing his message of hope, reason, and righteousness, which remains a guiding light for future generations.
The event featured prominent figures from the Administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel Sergio Gor. Each shared powerful testimonials highlighting Kirk’s role as a leader, mentor, and motivator who went beyond merely debating ideas; he ignited souls and launched a movement that stands stronger today than ever before.
During his address, President Trump poignantly stated, “Charles James Kirk was heinously murdered by a radicalized, cold-blooded monster for speaking the truth that was in his heart. He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God and country, for reason and for common sense. He was assassinated because he lived bravely, he led boldly, and he argued brilliantly — without apology. On that terrible day, September 10th, 2025, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal. He’s a martyr now for American freedom.”
Trump continued, underscoring Kirk’s commitment to dialogue: “Through it all, the core of Charlie’s message and his basic method never changed. At every campus event, Charlie asked those who disagreed with him to come forward — and instead of silencing them, he handed them a microphone and let them speak.”
In a reflective moment, Trump shared a poignant text exchange that occurred shortly before Kirk's tragic assassination. Kirk had expressed, “I’m not here to fight them. I want them to know them and love them, and I want to reach them and try and lead them into a great way of life in our country.” This exchange illustrates the essence of who Charlie Kirk truly was.
President Trump also criticized the media's portrayal of Kirk, stating, “The radicals and their allies in the media — sometimes referred to, as my son said, the Fake News Media — tried to silence Charlie for a simple reason: because he was winning, and he was winning big.” He emphasized the importance of recognizing the depth of the attack on Kirk, remarking, “Charlie’s murder was not just an attack on one man or one movement — it was an attack on our entire nation. It was an assault on our most sacred liberties and God-given rights.”
He further condemned the actions of those who would justify violence against individuals like Kirk, highlighting the moral contradictions within political discourse: “Some of the very same people who spent the last eight years trying to sit in moral judgment of anyone who disagreed with them about politics suddenly started cheering for murder.”
Trump concluded his remarks by stressing the need to uphold the traditions of reason and open debate that Kirk championed. “We will defend it at all costs, and we will carry forward the torch of liberty that Charlie Kirk held so proud and so high.” He underscored the importance of a spiritual reawakening alongside political realignment, noting Kirk’s belief in the need for a deeper connection to values and principles.
Ultimately, President Trump reminded attendees of the profound lesson from Charlie Kirk’s life: “You should never underestimate what one person can do with a good heart, a righteous cause, a cheerful spirit, and the will to fight, fight, fight. Charlie Kirk started with only an idea to change minds on college campuses, and instead, he ended up with a far greater achievement — changing history.”
