Erika Kirk forgives Charlie Kirk's killer in extraordinary memorial service for slain activist

Donald Trump closes Charlie Kirk's memorial with touching call to action

Donald Trump has just brought Charlie Kirk's memorial to a close with a touching call to action and a tribute to the activist's widow Erika.

"The lesson of Charlie's life is that you should never underestimate what one person can do with a good heart, a righteous cause, a cheerful spirit and the will to fight, fight, fight," Mr Trump said.

Under Mrs Kirk's leadership, Turning Point will "become bigger and stronger than ever before", the President said.

He then applauded Erika Kirk as she returned to the stage before embracing her, kissing her and patting her on the shoulder.

As the curtain fell on the evening, the pair walked to the lectern hand-in-hand before a final embrace.

Elon Musk builds bridges with Donald Trump as he reveals: 'We did it for Charlie'

Elon Musk has shared an image of himself sitting next to Donald Trump after the pair's public falling-out earlier this year.

The duo, who had campaigned together to return Mr Trump to the White House before falling out over the "Big, Beautiful Bill" - which the X owner warned would increase the national deficit.

Mr Musk also accused the President of being in the Epstein files - before fresh allegations about Mr Trump's links to the paedophile became public over the summer.

But now, the pair have been pictured together, with Mr Musk declaring the meeting was "for Charlie".

Donald Trump: 'I hate my opponents... Charlie's angry'

Donald Trump has said: "I hate my opponents," and added that he disagreed with Charlie Kirk who "did not hate his opponents - he wanted the best for them."

"I am sorry... I can't stand my opponent," the President added.

He continued: "Charlie's angry. Look at that. He's angry at me now."

Donald Trump teases 'amazing' announcement tomorrow after hailing Christian Charlie Kirk

Donald Trump has teased an "amazing" announcement on an "answer to autism" tomorrow after hailing Charlie Kirk as a Christian.

Mr Kirk made the "most important decision of his life" as a boy when he became "a Christian and a follower of his saviour Jesus Christ", the President said.

"The young man from Illinois who no one had ever heard of started an organisation... Turning Point," Mr Trump added. "Great name."

He also hailed Charlie Kirk for "standing up for persecuted Christians and Jews on college campuses", and for helping unite the Maga movement.

Then, Mr Trump added: "We think we found an answer to autism."

"I think you're going to find it to be amazing... I've been bugging everybody over there to get the answer.

"I think it's going to be one of the most important news conferences on that," he added, before returning to Mr Kirk, saying: "He would have been front and centre, believe me."

WATCH: Moment Erika Kirk forgives Charlie Kirk's killer

Donald Trump: America a 'nation in mourning' for Charlie Kirk

Donald Trump has said the US is a "nation in mourning" following Charlie Kirk's death in his opening remarks to the Arizona State Farm Stadium.

The President has paid tribute to Mr Kirk as a "giant of his generation and above all a devoted husband, father son, Christian and patriot".

"I never will forget Charlie Kirk, and neither now will history," Mr Trump said, after warning how the activist "was killed by a radicalised, cold-blooded monster for speaking the truth".

Erika Kirk forgives her husband's killer

Erika Kirk has just forgiven her husband's killer in an extraordinarily powerful intervention in her address.

Drawing from the Bible, Mrs Kirk said forgiveness was in Christ's nature - and "what Charlie would have done".

"I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it's what Charlie would do... The answer we know from the Gospel is always and always love, love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us," she said.

"The world needs Turning Point USA," Mrs Kirk added, and vowed to continue her husband's work across America's university campuses.

Erika Kirk: 'Usha Vance, your words were exactly what I needed to hear'

Erika Kirk has paid tribute to JD Vance's wife Usha, the US Second Lady, for her support in the hours following Charlie Kirk's assassination.

She told Mrs Vance she did not know "how I'm going to get through this".

And Mrs Kirk told crowds how the Second Lady compared grief to a difficult flight.

"She told me, you will get through these 15 minutes," Mrs Vance said.

"Usha, I don't think you realised it that those words were exactly what I needed to hear."

'I felt a level of heartache I didn't even know existed' - Erika Kirk

Erika Kirk has reflected on the moment she saw her husband in hospital following the shooting at Utah Valley University earlier this month.

She said: "On the afternoon on September 10, I arrived at a Utah hospital to do the unthinkable, to look directly at my husband's murdered body.

"I saw the wound that ended his life, felt everything you would expect to feel. I felt shock, I felt horror and a level of heart ache that I didn't even know existed. But there was something else too, even in death I could see the man that I love."

Erika Kirk sheds tears as she arrives on stage

Erika Kirk has shed a tear as she arrived on stage at the memorial service.

She opened her speech by saying: "God bless all of you for coming here from all over the world to honour and celebrate my Charlie."

Charlie Kirk 'changed the course of American history', says JD Vance 

Speaking at the service, Vice President JD Vance said: "[Charlie Kirk] transformed the face of Conservatism in our own time and in doing so, he changed the course of American history.

"To rising generations across this country, Charlie exemplified kindness, courage and a commitment to open debate and he was a great debater and we loved him for it.

"But Charlie loved debate not because he excelled at it, but because it was the vehicle of bringing the light of truth to dark places and Charlie Kirk bought many truths in his life."

"He was fearless and he was bold as any follower would hope would be true of a leader, and in this, he showed all of us how to carry on after his death," he added.

Chants as JD Vance addresses crowd

US Vice President JD Vance is now addressing the memorial service.

The crowd chanted "JD" as he stood on the stage.

Donald Trump Jr says Charlie Kirk was 'like a brother' 

Donald Trump Jr is now delivering a speech at the service.

He began by explaining he was not a "sentimental guy" but said he was "devastated" by Charlie Kirk's death.

"Last week when I received word that Charlie, who was like a brother to me, had been assassinated, I was truly devastated, we all were," he said.

"But we are here today to celebrate the way he lived his life and the way he changed so many of ours."

'Charlie would have loved this' - Tucker Carlson 

Political commentator Tucker Carlson has addressed the crowds at the memorial service, saying Charlie Kirk "would have loved this".

"This is the most unbelievable thing I think I have ever seen," he said.

"Whatever happens next in America I hope it goes in this direction. Charlie would have loved this."

Mr Carlson added: "The main thing about Charlie and his message, he was bringing the gospel to the country.

"He was doing the thing that the people in charge hate the most which is calling for them to repent."

Eric Trump appears to comfort his father at memorial service 

Eric Trump appears to have shown comfort to his father at Charlie Kirk's memorial service.

In a photo posted to X by the US President's communications advisor, Margo Martin, Eric Trump could be seen placing his hand on Donald Trump's back as the pair watched the service behind a glass screen.

The president is expected to speak at the event soon.

Charlie Kirk was 'modern day disciple', says White House aide 

Sergio Gor, director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, has described Charlie Kirk as a "modern day disciple".

He said: "Charlie Kirk was one of my best friends. The world of politics can be full of transactional people.

"Charlie wasn't one of them - he was the polar opposite. He loved life and the people in his life.

"He led with his faith and fought with his heart."

Mr Gor added: "Charlie was more than an activist, Charlie was a modern day disciple who preached about the greatness of America, not just across our land but around the globe."

Mentor says Charlie Kirk 'felt no pain, he died instantly' after shooting

Dr Frank Turek, who was a religious mentor for Charlie Kirk, said he was standing 25ft away from the Conservative activist when he was shot on September 10.

He said the Donald Trump ally "felt no pain" and "died instantly".

"When that shot rang out I took a step toward him, but his security team was on him immediately and so Charlie, being like a son to me, I ran toward the security team and we ran to the SUV together.

"No father would stand back and say 'no you just take my son, take him I will meet you to the hospital'. I got into the back of the SUV and let me tell you something - his team was amazing."

"We did everything we could to save Charlie, but Charlie was already gone," Dr Turek added.

"His face was looking at mine but he wasn't looking at me. He was looking past me right into eternity and if it is any comfort at all, I learned later that Charlie felt no pain, he died instantly."

Donald Trump has arrived at memorial service

Donald Trump has been spotted at the memorial service.

He could be seen sat in a chair behind a glass window.

The US President is set to deliver remarks soon.

'We will never let the left, media, or democrats forget the name Charlie Kirk', says friend 

Political activist and friend Jack Posobeic is now addressing the crowds at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.

He said: "Charlie Kirk was my friend. Charlie was my brother.

"Charlie was my commanding officer and we will never, ever, let the left, the media or the Democrats forget the name of Charlie Kirk."

Charlie Kirk to be given honorary degree by US college

Dr Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College in Michigan, said Charlie Kirk will be given an honorary degree.

Speaking at the memorial service, he said: "We are going to give Charlie and Erika the greatest respect a college can give - an honorary degree.

"Charlie you see has suffered enough, he has gone to the Lord, he deserves this reward."

Charlie Kirk Show was 'favourite part' of Conservative activist's daily routine - producer 

Andrew Kolvet, spokesman for Turning Point USA and executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show said Mr Kirk's podcast was the "favourite part" of his daily routine.

Addressing crowds gathered at the memorial service, Mr Kolvet said: "It is remarkable that in the midst of everything else Charlie had going on in his life - fundraising, travelling, speaking, running two organisations - that he even had time to fit in a daily radio show and podcast.

"But I will tell you something, that show became the favourite part of Charlie's daily routine. It was the one constant among never-ending change."

US Vice President JD Vance took over hosting an episode of the Charlie Kirk Show earlier this week.

Donald Trump arrives in Arizona

Donald Trump has arrived in Arizona for the memorial service.

Eric Trump posted to X: "We are all here Charlie! #TrumpForce1 has landed."

The US President is set to speak at the service in a short while.

Mourners stand to sing US national anthem as service gets underway

Mourners have been invited to stand and sing the US national anthem as Charlie Kirk's memorial service has got underway.

American flags were displayed on screens at State Farm Stadium as the national anthem was played.

It followed remarks from Mr Kirk's pastor, Rob McCoy.

Elon Musk spotted at memorial service 

Elon Musk has been spotted in attendance at the memorial service.

Mr Musk posted a video of the crowds to his platform X and said: "Every seat in this giant arena that isn’t roped off for security is packed to the ceiling.

"Honoured to be here. All for Charlie Kirk."

Families turned away as stadium is 'full'

Several families are walking away from State Farm Stadium after being told it is full, according to NBC News.

The stadium can seat 73,000 people.

Musicians perform ahead of official start of service 

Musicians have started to perform ahead of the official start of the memorial service.

Many mourners in the crowd could be seen singing along to the music.

State Farm Stadium begins to fill up 

State Farm Farm is starting to fill up ahead of the start of the service.

Many attendees can be spotted wearing MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats, while others are wearing T-shirts with a drawn image of Charlie Kirk on them and the Turning Point logo.

Mourners arrived hours ahead of service  

Mourners gathered before morning light in hopes of having a chance to pay their respects to Charlie Kirk.

Crowds could be seen outside State Farm Stadium in Arizona hours before the doors opened for the service.

Organisers Turning Point USA said entrance to the event was on a first-come, first-serves basis.

Security at the service is set to be extremely tight, given Donald Trump’s attendance as well as the ongoing political turmoil in the aftermath of Kirk’s death.

A senior Department of Homeland Security official said the service had been given the agency's highest level security rating, reserved for "events of the highest national significance" such as the Super Bowl.

Full list of speakers for service in Arizona

A number of US politicians and other key figures are set to speak at the memorial service in Arizona today.

They include:

• Donald Trump
• Erika Kirk, wife of Charlie Kirk and newly appointed CEO of Turning Point USA
• Vice President JD Vance
• US secretary of state, Marco Rubio
• US health and human services secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr
• US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth
• Director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard
• Donald Trump Jr
• US Conservative commentator, Tucker Carlson
• White House deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller
• Sergio Gor, director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office
• White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles

Vice President pays tribute to 'dear friend Charlie Kirk'

US Vice President JD Vance has paid tribute to his "dear friend" Charlie Kirk.

He wrote to X: "Last week, we brought my dear friend Charlie Kirk home one last time.

"Today, we return to Arizona to remember Charlie and honour his sacrifice.

"May he eternally rest in peace, and may God watch over Erika and their beautiful children."

Donald Trump former chief advisor arrives at State Farm Stadium

Steve Bannon, former chief advisor to Donald Trump, has been pictured arriving at State Farm Stadium for the memorial service.

Mr Bannon could be seen wearing a dark-coloured shirt and blazer and sunglasses as he arrived.

Speaking on his War Room podcast following Charlie Kirk's death, Mr Bannon described him as a "world historical figure".

Stadium for Charlie Kirk memorial service expected to be filled, organisers say

Organisers have said they expected to fill State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for Charlie Kirk's memorial service today.

The stadium has a capacity of more than 73,000.

An overflow space has also been arranged at a nearby arena, according to Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for Kirk’s advocacy group, Turning Point USA.