Charlie Kirk Funeral Highlights: Trump calls Kirk ‘greatest patriot’ as he wraps up memorial service

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: During her emotional tribute to the husband, Erika Kirk said she forgives the man who allegedly shot and killed her husband, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

“I forgive him,” she said, while quoting Jesus on the cross by saying: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Read more here

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: President Donald Trump wrapped up the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, being the last person to speak on the stage today.

During his address, Trump stated that Charlie will be posthumously conferred with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian order in the United States.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: President Donald Trump confirmed at Charlie Kirk's funeral event that the administration would tomorrow make an ‘announcement’ on autism. Trump was speaking at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, on September 21, when he shared the news with those present.

“We think we found an answer to Autism…This will be one of the most important new conferences I’ll ever have,” Trump said, adding that Charlie was ‘deeply’ involved in it. As per Trump, had Charlie Kirk been alive, he'd have been ‘front and center’ tomorrow.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: At the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, President Trump and Elon Musk shared a warm reunion.

In a post captions “For Charlie,” Musk also shared the image of the two chatting on X.

Musk and Trump had a public falling out on social media following the SpaceX and Tesla CEO 's exit from the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: 'Great American' hero' is one of the phrases used by Trump to describe Charlie Kirk. As he addresses the crowd, the US president paid tribute to the TPUSA boss for his work, calling him the “greatest patriot” America has seen.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: President Donald Trump is the final speaker of the night. Taking to the stage on Sunday, Trump stated that Kirk was killed by a “radicalised monster.”

The president added that Kirk will live forever as America's greatest patriot and has now been reunited with his creator.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: President Donald Trump is the final person to take the stage tonight to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk.

The President will also honour Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Vice President JD Vance called on supporters to honour Kirk’s life by continuing his fight for faith, truth and country, saying to do so “for Charlie.”

“I’ve seen … so many on social media talk about ‘for Charlie.’ We must do this for Charlie,” the vice president said.

“For Charlie, we will speak the truth every single day,” he added.

“For Charlie, we will rebuild this United States of America to greatness. For Charlie, we will never shrink, we will never cower, and we will never falter, even when staring down the barrel of a gun," Vance added further,

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Charlie Kirk's wife and current Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk has taken to the stage at her husband's memorial service.

She opened by thanking the crowd and all those who spoke before her for coming to “celebrate my Charlie.”

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Amid all the top US officials and White House members, President Donald Trump is next.

The Republican leader, who has praised Kirk for his work during the 2024 elections, is expected to address gathering at State Farm Stadium shortly.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: VIce President JD Vance is on the stage, paying tribute to his close friend Charlie Kirk. As he begins his remarks, the VP looks teary eyed as he looked at tens of thousands of people gathered for the memorial service.

JD Vance also previously hosted Charlie Kirk's show on Turning Point USA following the conservative activist's assassination as a bid to “keep his words alive.”

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to take the stage shortly.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Charlie Kirk’s “devotion to his God” during remarks at Kirk’s memorial service.

In his remarks, RFK Jr drew a parallel between the life of the assassinated political activist and that of Jesus Christ.

“Christ died at 33 years old, but he changed the trajectory of history,” said Kennedy, adding that “Charlie died at 31 years old because he had surrendered. He also now has changed the trajectory of history."

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is now speaking at the funeral for conservative political organiser Charlie Kirk.

The defence secretary has called Kirk a “dear friend." In his remarks, he called on the audience to put Christ first in their life, just as Charlie Kirk did.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken the stage to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk.

Ahead of the memorial service, Rubio has highlighted Kirk’s personal friendship with the president and top White House officials.

The top US diplomat has also called the activist’s killing “a political assassination but also a death in the family-type event.”

Furthermore, Rubio has also said the State Department has “most certainly been denying visas” to people “celebrating” the murder of Kirk.

“We should not be giving visas to people who are going to come to the United States and do things like celebrate the murder, the execution, the assassination of a political figure,” Rubio told Fox News.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: White House chief of staff Susie Wiles is on the stage now at the Charlie Kirk memorial service. While paying tribute to the conservative activist, Wiles credited Kirk for building a strong youth movement which reflected Trump's 'Make America Great Again' campaign.

Recalling Kirk's work during the 2024 elections, Wiles stated that Charlie Kirk not only promised, but delivered.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Frank Turek, Christian author and longtime friend of Charlie Kirk, shared what the conservative political activist's final moments were like after the fatal shooting in Utah on September 10. Turek was speaking at Kirk's funeral service at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona.

“I want you to know that Charlie right now is in Heaven..,” Turek said, sharing he was there when Kirk was killed. Kirk, 31, was shot when attending an event at the Utah Valley University. He was put onto a van and driven to a hospital, but was later declared dead. Read more here

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Sergio Gor, White House official and Trump's choice for ambassador to India, took to the stage at State Farm Stadium to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk.

"Charlie always marched for words and embodied the MAGA warrior," said Gor, adding that Charlie was always willing to make Trump's ideas happen.

Gor added that Kirk worked towards hiring loyal patriots after Trump won the 2024 elections.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: President Donald Trump has arrived at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for Charlie Kirk 's memorial service. The president is slated to give the last speech at the funeral service.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Mikey McCoy, Charlie Kirk’s former chief of staff, drew one of the largest cheers from the crowd as he quoted Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.

“The tyrant dies and his rule is over; the martyr dies and his rule begins,” he said, to loud cheers from the stadium.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: US president Donald Trump has arrived in Arizona for Charlie Kirk's funeral service. The Republican leader, who announced the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Kirk, is set to address the gathering and led the memorial service for the 31-year-old.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Charlie Kirk's friends and associates from Turning Point USA are on the stage for his memorial service, paying tribute to their former boss and friend.

Charlie kirk funeral live updates: Charlie Kirk's former chief of staff Mikey McCoy is on the stage now, paying tribute to his former boss.

McCoy revealed he met Kirk for the first time after he attended a service at his father - Rob McCoy's church.

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO, was spotted at Charlie Kirk's funeral service at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Musk, who was earlier part of the Donald Trump administration, also shared a video showing the turnout at Kirk's service.

A video shared widely on social media showed Musk seated alone, with a cup next to him. He appeared to be looking at his phone. Musk was also seen wearing black – a deviation from the ‘preferred’ dress code laid out by TPUSA

Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Rob McCoy introduced himself as Charlie Kirk's pastor at the conservative activist's funeral service at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday. McCoy recalled Kirk, saying the Turning Point USA founder was ‘never afraid’ and ‘without sin’.

McCoy is the pastor emeritus of Godspeak Calvary Chapel, an evangelical Christian church in Thousand Oaks, California, where he served as lead pastor until his transition to emeritus status in recent years. A prominent figure in conservative Christian circles, McCoy has been Charlie Kirk's personal pastor and close friend.