By suzanne downing 
Tens of thousands gathered inside and outside the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday to honor Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist, civil rights leader, and founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated last week. The memorial drew a crowd that included President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and national political leaders, but it was Kirk’s widow, Erika, whose words may have defined the day.
In a deeply emotional speech rooted in Christian faith, Erika Kirk described her husband’s final moments as “instantaneous and painless,” quoting a doctor who attended him. “There was no fear, no agony,” she said. “One moment, Charlie was doing what he loved… he blinked and saw his savior in paradise.”
She tearfully acknowledged the void left by his death but framed it not as an end, but as part of a larger calling. “Charlie’s assassination left incomplete work, but not unfinished business,” she said, pointing to his lifelong mission of reaching young people — especially young men — with a message of faith and purpose.
Kirk reflected on the aftermath of the tragedy, saying that instead of unrest or anger, she saw a spiritual renewal take hold. “After Charlie’s assassination, we didn’t see violence, we didn’t see rioting, we didn’t see revolution. Instead, we saw revival.”
The most striking moment came when she turned to the subject of forgiveness. Citing Jesus’ words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Kirk extended grace to the man accused of killing her husband, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who remains in custody.
“Charlie wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,” she said, her voice breaking. “That young man …. I forgive him.”
She continued, “The answer to hate is not hate; it’s love. It’s always love.”
The audience sat in silence before breaking into applause in response to the power of her message. For many, the words of forgiveness reframed the day, shifting it from mourning to a call for faith, resilience, and compassion.
Erika Kirk was the penultimate speaker, followed by President Donald Trump, the final speaker of the several-hour-long memorial service that included messages from Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and numerous conservative champions like Tucker Carlson, Benny Johnson, and Jack Posobiec.
Suzanne Downing
It’s interesting it happened in Utah almost Americas reality check “is Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints” REALLY Christians? Because the young man was brought up in a church going Latter-Day Saints home.
Well! All of us in the family of God who are Church we all know Latter Day Saints are nothing but a religious people and no different than the world’s people not following Christ.
Erika’s speech was over the top incredible and inspiring. What an amazing woman. As a Christian and conservative I am convicted and inspired. We all need to be courageous and forthright in proclaiming truth and standing up for our country. There were some pretty amazing speeches given but if you can only listen to one, listen to Erika’s. I for one will continue to pray for our nation, God’s mercy upon is, and for awakening across our country delivering those so blinded from the darkness.
One wishes that the concept of forgiveness would rub off on a few others named Trump, Miller, Vance, Noem, Bondi, Homan, and Hegseth. Right now it’s a concept foreign to them, in spite of their professed Christian beliefs.
Hans, your TDS response is over the top and totally inappropriate to the occasion – besides just being ignorant and inaccurate. I’m trying hard not to say bs… but not finding the right synonym.
Forget your ridiculous wishes. Nobody can compete with President Autopen when it comes to forgiveness.
He forgave his entire family and a large group of drones/accomplices working the autopen as well as over 8000 convicted criminals (at taxpayer expense) and released them all onto the street in search of their next victim.