The US president is addressing the crowd gathered at a football stadium in Glendale, Arizona
US President Donald Trump praised slain conservative podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk as one of the “giants of our generation,” honoring his influence and legacy in remarks following Kirk’s memorial service.
Kirk, who co-founded conservative action group Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, was killed by a sniper on September 10 when speaking to students at a college in Utah.
Speaking at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, Trump said the country has lost “one of the brightest lights of our times.”
He said 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, country, for reason, and for common sense,” Trump said.
“He is a martyr for American freedom,” Trump added. “Non of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither will history.”
President Trump:
Our greatest evangelist, Charlie Kirk, became immortal — “He’s a martyr now for American Freedom”https://t.co/pzthJPwX8b https://t.co/A0FJU04B2n pic.twitter.com/g0LpysbBtS
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) September 21, 2025
Kirk gained prominence by touring college campuses and debating students, with his clashes with left-leaning opponents frequently going viral on social media. He met with Trump several times and was widely credited with energizing young conservative voters, playing a role in helping Trump secure his second term in 2024.
A Utah resident, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with Kirk’s murder. According to the prosecution, Robinson held left-wing and pro-LGBTQ views and confessed to the crime in text messages to his transgender partner.