Tens of thousands gathered Sunday inside and outside State Farm Stadium to honour Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and evangelical speaker who was assassinated earlier this month while speaking at a Utah university. The memorial service, held in the NFL stadium that is home to the Arizona Cardinals, ran for nearly eight hours in total, including worship before the official start. Kirk, 31, was the founder of Turning Point USA and a vocal supporter of Christian nationalist ideals. His killing during a public event has sparked both mourning and renewed debate over political rhetoric and violence in the United States. The tone of Sunday’s event combined religious revival with political spectacle, featuring high-profile speakers, pyrotechnics, and extended worship sets by some of contemporary Christian music’s biggest names, including Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Cody Carnes. 'Rest in peace, my brother' Sergio Gor, Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office and the first member of Trump’s administration to speak, described Kirk as “one of my best friends.” “The other side was terrified of Charlie because Charlie embodied the spirit of MAGA,” Gor said. “Charlie was all Trump.” He closed his remarks by saying, “Rest in peace, my brother.” Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point USA, likened the event to bringing “the Holy Spirit into a Trump rally.” Throughout the service, speakers emphasized Kirk’s Christian faith and his mission to shape young minds with conservative values. Erika Kirk forgives Tyler Robinson In one of the most emotional moments of the memorial, Kirk’s widow, Erika, addressed the packed stadium. She spoke about her husband’s faith and sense of calling, saying he “always wanted to do God’s will.” “Eleven days ago God accepted that total surrender from my husband and then called him to his side,” she said. Describing her visit to the hospital to identify his body, she said she saw the “faintest smile” on Kirk’s lips, which she took as “a great mercy from God” and a sign that “Charlie didn’t suffer.” In a moment that drew a standing ovation, Erika Kirk said: “My husband, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life. That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do.” Trump: 'None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk' President Donald Trump closed the memorial with a speech that was both sombre and sharply political. “Today, America is a nation in grief, a nation in shock and a nation in mourning,” he said. Calling Kirk’s killer a “radicalized cold-blooded monster,” Trump described the late activist as “our greatest evangelist for American liberty.” “He was assassinated because he lived bravely, he lived boldly and he argued brilliantly,” Trump said. “None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither now will history.” While praising Kirk’s approach to political discourse, Trump also made light of their differences. “He wasn’t interested in demonizing anyone,” Trump said, before adding, “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don’t want the best for them,” prompting laughter and cheers. Turning to Erika, he added, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Erika.” As “America the Beautiful” played over the speakers, Trump invited Erika Kirk back onto the stage. The two embraced as the memorial service came to a close.