U.S. President Donald Trump praised conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a “martyr for American freedom” at a memorial service in Arizona on Sunday, while accusing the left of responsibility for his killing without offering evidence.
Tens of thousands filled State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for a memorial that combined Christian music, emotional tributes and political rhetoric. The 63,000-seat arena appeared full, with mourners waving flags and many in “Make America Great Again” attire. Security was tight, with metal detectors and a large police presence.
Trump’s remarks diverged from the largely solemn tone of other speakers, turning the memorial into a campaign-style rally.
“The violence comes largely from the left,” he said, echoing claims he made before a suspect was detained.
He added, “He did not hate his opponents. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents.”
Kirk’s widow, Erika, who has assumed leadership of his group Turning Point USA, delivered an emotional eulogy, telling mourners her husband died “without regrets” and offering forgiveness to the 22-year-old charged with his murder.
“My husband Charlie wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” she said.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke, underlining Kirk’s influence in conservative politics. Vance credited Kirk with mobilising young voters who helped secure Trump’s return to office.
Other speakers, including White House adviser Stephen Miller, struck a combative tone. “You have no idea the dragon you have awakened,” Miller said. “We will fight that much harder to save this civilization.”
Kirk, 31, was shot dead during a campus event in Utah on 10 September. The suspect, a 22-year-old student, has been charged with murder. Investigators are still seeking a motive, examining text messages and inscriptions on bullet casings that could reference groups across the political spectrum.
Civil rights groups had long criticised Kirk for rhetoric they said was racist, anti-immigrant and misogynistic, while supporters praised him as a defender of conservative values. His killing has fuelled concerns about rising political violence in the U.S.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told mourners that Kirk’s death showed “political fanatics” often resort to violence, but that his voice would now be “louder than ever.”
The memorial highlighted how Kirk’s killing has deepened partisan divides. Critics warned Trump’s rhetoric risks inflaming tensions further at a time of heightened political unrest.
Qarabağ face Napoli in their next UEFA Champions League group stage match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Italy....
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (25 November) that France, together with other European Union member states, will finalise a mechanis...
French police arrested four further suspects on Tuesday as part of the investigation into the audacious Louvre jewel heist last month, Paris prosecuto...
A major fire continues to rage at a warehouse in Southall, west London, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky hours after it first broke ou...
Georgia has formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Tbilisi in 2026, following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s meeting with the Pontiff at the Vat...
Qarabağ face Napoli in their next UEFA Champions League group stage match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Italy.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (25 November) that France, together with other European Union member states, will finalise a mechanism in the coming days to provide financial support to Ukraine, using frozen Russian assets as a key component.
French police arrested four further suspects on Tuesday as part of the investigation into the audacious Louvre jewel heist last month, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement.
A major fire continues to rage at a warehouse in Southall, west London, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky hours after it first broke out.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in north-eastern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in over 12,000 years, before halting on Monday, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center.
Cameras from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on Saturday (22 November) captured Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spewing flowing lava from its crater in its latest eruption.
Italy captured a remarkable third consecutive Davis Cup title on Sunday, with Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli securing singles victories in a 2-0 triumph over Spain in Bologna.
U.S. President Donald Trump has told his advisers that he plans to speak directly with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro according to Axios, as Washington designated him as the head of a terrorist organisation on Monday. A claim Maduro denies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has once again expressed strong support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, condemning foreign interference and criticising U.S. actions in the region.
Galatasaray suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League.
Beijing on Tuesday denied claims that it “detained or harassed” a resident from the disputed India-China border region at Shanghai airport, while reaffirming its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as Zangnan.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday morning (23 November), covering nearby villages in ash.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that Ukraine needs “more support now” and confirmed that the UK will send additional air defence missiles in the coming weeks.
On Monday (24 November), the U.S. formally designated Venezuela’s “Cartel de los Soles” as a foreign terrorist organisation and imposed additional terrorism-related sanctions on its members, including President Nicolás Maduro and other senior officials.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment