SAD NEWS: After the memorial service for her husband Charlie Kirk ended, when almost everyone had left, Erika Kirk suddenly collapsed and fainted. An ambulance arrived shortly after and promptly took her to the emergency room. She is said to have been suffering from extreme grief and insomnia for a long time, leading to physical weakness. Full story:

Charlie Kirk was remembered as a “martyr” and “warrior” by some of the leading lights of the conservative movement, the Trump administration, friends as well as his grieving widow during a packed memorial service in Arizona Sunday.

As President Trump and others noted, the service felt more like a “revival” rather than a memorial, and Kirk’s connection to and efforts for his Christian faith were on full display throughout. Kirk was recalled for the movement among young conservatives that he helped spark, his willingness to debate and his fearlessness in the face of threats.

In a poignant moment, Kirk’s widow, Erika said that she forgives her husband’s alleged assassin.

Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. His influence, particularly with young people, helped propel Trump to office. But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.

Trump says Charlie Kirk had will to ‘fight, fight, fight’
President Donald Trump said Charlie Kirk was someone who had a “good heart” and the “will to fight, fight, fight.”

Fight, fight, fight” became a rallying cry for Trump supporters after an attempted assassination attempt on him in July 2024.

Trump talks tariffs, autism report, 2020 election.

President Trump, in his remarks about Charlie Kirk, strayed from talking about the conservative activist at times, speaking at length about his own administration.

Trump discussed a forthcoming announcement about autism, which he said is going to be “one of the most important news conferences I’ll ever have.” He also touted his tariff policy and again aired grievances about the 2020 election.