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.
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna spoke about how Kirk and his movement helped her get to Congress.
"We are all Charlie Kirk now, and his legacy has just begun," Luna said. She compared Kirk to George Washington, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Ben Carson, the former U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development, thanked Charlie Kirk "for his sacrifice," saying that after the conservative activist's death, "much fruit is going to be realized."
Carson, who urged the youth of the nation to "stand up for what you believe in," received a standing ovation after his remarks at Kirk's memorial service.
"Charlie Kirk is now a martyr. His power will only grow," conservative commentator Benny Johnson said in spirited remarks.
"Evil thought there'd be a funeral today, God has created a revival right here in this house right now," Johnson said.
President Trump's motorcade arrived on site at State Farm Stadium at 12:15 pm local time, or 3:15 pm ET, according to the White House press pool.
Trump is set to deliver remarks, as are many of his administration officials.
