Live Updates: President Trump to Join Thousands at Charlie Kirk Memorial in Arizona

GLENDALE, Ariz. — President Donald Trump is expected to be among tens of thousands of mourners today at a public memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The service, held at State Farm Stadium, will honor the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated on September 10th while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

The memorial is drawing a significant number of high-profile figures from the Trump administration and the broader conservative movement, reflecting Kirk's profound influence on right-wing politics and his close relationship with the President. Vice President JD Vance, who accompanied Kirk's casket from Utah to Phoenix aboard Air Force Two, is also scheduled to speak.

Other administration officials expected to deliver remarks include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The hours-long event is expected to feature voter-registration drives and music typically played at Trump rallies, blending solemn remembrance with a call to political action.

Security is exceptionally tight, with a federal law enforcement presence comparable to a Super Bowl. Members of the public began lining up outside the 63,000-seat stadium before dawn to pay their respects. An overflow venue has been set up at the nearby Desert Diamond Arena to accommodate the massive crowds.

Kirk's death has sent shockwaves through the nation's political landscape. President Trump, who credits Kirk with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and has repeatedly condemned the killing, blaming what he terms the "radical left."

The President's attendance underscores the deep bond he shared with Kirk, whom he has described as being "like a son." The White House has taken extraordinary measures to honor Kirk's legacy, including producing a commemorative video and having top officials appear on his podcast, which is now hosted by Vice President Vance.

The investigation into Kirk's assassination is ongoing. A 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with murder. Prosecutors have pointed to a note and text messages as evidence, though a clear motive has not yet been officially established. The shooting has intensified a national debate about political violence and free speech in a deeply divided America.