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 Donald Trump takes the stage as he begins addressing thousands of people at Charlie Kirk's memorial service.
"Today, America is a nation in grief, a nation in shock and a nation in mourning," Trump said as he began his remarks at the memorial service.
Erika Kirk said taking over Turning Point USA is not something she takes lightly, after being elected earlier this week to replace her husband as CEO.
"Charlie and I were united with purpose. His passion was my passion, and now this mission is my mission," she said.
She said campus events will continue, stressing the need for debate and the importance of the First Amendment.
"No assassin will ever stop us from standing up to defend those rights ever because when you stop the conversation, when you stop the dialogue, this is what happens. When we lose the ability and the willingness to communicate, we get violence," she said.
Erika Kirk said her husband, Charlie Kirk, "Wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life."
"The answer to hate is not hate," Erika Kirk said.
She said she forgives Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect who was charged for allegedly killing Charlie Kirk.
"That young man, I forgive him," she said as she was holding back tears.
Erika Kirk said in her remarks that the "greatest cause in Charlie's life was trying to revive the American family."
"When he spoke to young people, he was always eager to tell them about God's vision for marriage and how if they could just dare to live it out, it would enrich every part of their life in the same way that it enriched ours," she said.
She then shared personal stories of their marriage, saying she was his "closest and most trusted adviser, his best friend."
