Thousands of supporters gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday to remember conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
He was 31 years old. His death was confirmed just hours later by former President Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.
"He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Why was Trump mocked by his own son at Charlie Kirk's funeral?
Charlie Kirk was known, amongst many things, to be an ardent supporter of Trump and his administration.
Needless to say, the president was at Kirk's funeral on Sunday (September 21) and a surprising moment saw him being brutally mocked by his own son.
Despite a somber atmosphere throughout most of the service, the moment drew laughter from the crowd.
Donald Trump Jr. took the stage and delivered a lighthearted impersonation of his father, mimicking his voice and mannerisms as he joked: “You know, Don, you're getting a little aggressive on social media. Don, relax!”
The camera cut to President Trump, who smiled and gave his son a thumbs-up.
Trump Jr. went on to describe Kirk as someone who “embodied something at the very core of our movement,” adding that the political right doesn’t “silence” those they “disagree with,” but instead “stand tall and we win with our ideas.”
Trump's final conversation with Kirk
Earlier in the week, Trump recounted his last conversation with Kirk: “So the last time I spoke to him, he said 'Sir,' then he goes 'Phoenix,’” Trump said. “‘Sir could you, er, get to Phoenix,' this was like in a day. I said, 'Charlie, I'm the President of the United States, you've called me, asking me if I could speak tomorrow in Phoenix? You can't do that to me, Charlie.’
But I usually ended up going,” he said with a laugh. “He was great. He was a great guy and he didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve this, believe me.”
Also speaking at the event were Vice President JD Vance and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk, delivered a moving tribute, describing their relationship and recalling the moment she saw his body at the hospital.