GLENDALE, Ariz. \u2014 A memorial for Charlie Kirk is set to feature both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, as well as Kirk\u2019s widow Erika Kirk, today at State Farm Stadium. <\/p>\n
A little after 11 a.m., bagpipe players took the stage as a portrait of Kirk was unveiled on stage. Shortly after, Kirk\u2019s pastor, Rob McCoy, gave remarks, honoring his relationship with Kirk and giving Turning Point USA employees hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is really worried that the Turning Point is not going to be successful,\u201d said Pastor McCoy. \u201cThose of you who are negative, without Charlie Kirk\u2019s presence, they pulled off the largest event in Turning Point history.\u201d <\/p>\n
Pastor McCoy also reflected on Kirk\u2019s inner ambitions. <\/p>\n
\u201cCharlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus,\u201d the pastor said. As he spoke, at 11:32, Turning Point USA messaged registered attendees that the stadium still has seats available until they reach capacity. <\/p>\n
High level Turning Point USA employees like Mikey McCoy, who served as the chief of staff to Kirk, and Tyler Bowyer, the chief operating officer of the political group, spoke after Pastor McCoy. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe always said to me, \u2018If we can just figure out how to bring the Holy Spirit into a Trump Rally,\u2019\u201d Bowyer said, before assessing that Kirk managed to make it happen.<\/p>\n
Bowyer revealed messages Kirk sent of his vision; stadium-sized events. This dream has been realized, Bowyer said. <\/p>\n
Tens of thousands of Kirk\u2019s fans, dressed in their Sunday best in red, white and blue colors, packed the stadium to pay tribute to the late conservative activist, who was assassinated on Sept. 10, at Utah Valley University, his first stop on his fall \u201cAmerican Comeback Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kirk, 31, had taken two questions as part of his \u201cProve Me Wrong\u201d table when he was killed by a single bullet in front of 3,000 students and community members. A suspect in his death, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder along with other charges. He appeared in court last week. <\/p>\n
Besides founding Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action, Kirk also played an outsized role in the 2024 election. He is credited with activating young voters to turnout for Trump. <\/p>\n
Utah Sen. Mike Lee in a post on X on Sunday morning wrote<\/a>, \u201cI\u2019m in Arizona to celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk\u2014a true friend who made the world a better place.” <\/p>\n A travel size pack of tissues and signs with photos of Kirk were laid out on the floor seats. Gospel performances began promptly at 8 a.m, an hour after the doors opened. <\/p>\n Attendees waited for hours, first in the parking lot, which opened at 5 a.m., then in line to get through the TSA-level security lines and to their seats at the stadium that can accommodate more than 60,000 people. <\/p>\n Many people flew to Arizona to attend one of the biggest memorials in U.S. history. <\/p>\n Because of the strict no bag policy, attendees did not carry flowers or any other items to honor Kirk.<\/p>\n