President Trump called Kirk "immortal" and speakers called him a "martyr."
Charlie Kirk was remembered as a "martyr" and "warrior" by some of the leading lights of the conservative movement, the Trump administration, friends as well as his grieving widow during a packed memorial service in Arizona Sunday.
As President Trump and others noted, the service felt more like a "revival" rather than a memorial, and Kirk's connection to and efforts for his Christian faith were on full display throughout. Kirk was recalled for the movement among young conservatives that he helped spark, his willingness to debate and his fearlessness in the face of threats.
In a poignant moment, Kirk's widow, Erika said that she forgives her husband's alleged assassin.
Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. His influence, particularly with young people, helped propel Trump to office. But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.
President Trump has arrived in Arizona for Charlie Kirk's memorial service. Air Force One landed moments ago at Luke Air Force Base, located just miles from State Farm Stadium. According to pool reporters traveling with the president, cabin televisions were playing footage from inside the stadium during the flight.
Along with top officials in government, many of the biggest names in MAGA politics and media are present at Charlie Kirk's memorial, including billionaire Elon Musk.
In a Post on X, Musk showed the thousands packed in State Farm Stadium to honor Kirk.
"Every seat in this giant arena that isn't roped off for security is packed to the ceiling. Honored to be here," Musk wrote.
Musk added that all the attendees are "all for Charlie Kirk."
Musk and Kirk worked closely together, including during the 2024 presidential campaign.
-ABC News' Will Steakin
Pastor Rob McCoy, the Kirk family pastor, was the first speaker for Sunday's service. He said Kirk "had more lifetimes in 31 years than a lot of us had in the entirety of our own."
He also said he spoke with several members of the Turning Point USA staff before stepping on stage, some of whom he said were worried they would be unsuccessful without Kirk.
"Without Charlie Kirk's presence, they pulled off the largest event in Turning Point history. Let's thank them," McCoy said, prompting a large round of applause.
According to local officials, Turning Point had more than 200,000 people register for the memorial service on their website.
"Turning Point is alive and well," McCoy said.
Erika Kirk urged her husband to take more safety precautions the night before he left for the Utah where he was killed last week, according to an interview published in the New York Times ahead of his memorial service.
In the interview conducted earlier this week, Erika Kirk and a friend suggested taking measures like wearing a bulletproof vest or speaking behind bulletproof glass, which Charlie Kirk rebuffed, according to the Times.
The interview also includes more new details, including where Erika Kirk was when she was informed of the shooting, her decision to view her ’husband’s body over the recommendation of the sheriff, and some insight into her call with President Donald Trump.
-ABC News’ Olivia Rubin
