President Trump called Kirk "immortal" and speakers called him a "martyr."
President Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a "great American hero" and "martyr" for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance.
The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, other senior administration officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.
Speakers highlighted Kirk's profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, build families and pass on their values to keep building their movement. They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in confrontational tones, that the best way to honor Kirk was doubling down on his mission to move American politics further to the right.
Kirk 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.
ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reiterated a message heard from several speakers today, which is that Kirk's "voice is now louder than ever."
"Free speech is the foundation of our democratic republic. We must protect it at all costs, because without it, we'll be lost. Charlie knew this. He lived it," Gabbard said.
Tucker Carlson, who was a mentor to Charlie Kirk, said there was "no hate in his heart" and that the conservative activist was "fearless" to "his last moment."
"Any attempt to extinguish the light causes it to burn brighter, every single time. As we proceed into whatever comes next -- and clearly, something's coming next -- remember this moment," Carlson said during Kirk's memorial service.
He added that the "main thing" about Kirk was that he was "bringing the gospel to the country."
White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller delivered heated remarks, as the several Trump administration officials begin to speak at the service.
"We are the storm," Miller said.
"They cannot imagine what they have awakened. They cannot conceive of the army that they have arisen in all of us because we stand for what is good, what is virtuous, what is noble," Miller said. "And to those trying to incite violence against us, those trying to foment hatred against us, what do you have? You have nothing. You are nothing."
"You have no idea the dragon you have awakened," Miller added. "You have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilization, to save the West, to save this republic."
Frank Turek, a religious mentor to Charlie Kirk, who was with him at Utah Valley University, recounted their final moments together as President Trump looks on from the upper level of State Farm Stadium.
"I want you to know that we did everything we could to save Charlie," he said.
