A month ago, on September 10, close to 100,000 people packed a somewhat expanded football stadium and overflow arena in Glendale, Arizona to watch it. They joined hands to honor Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing activist and militant supporter of Donald Trump. Kirk, the head of billionaire donor Charles Koch’s pet astroturf organization Turning Point USA, had just been shot dead earlier that same day. A 22-year-old technical college student has been charged with his murder. The event attracted a wide array of supporters and prominent figures from the conservative movement, reflecting Kirk’s significant influence in American politics.
As many of you know, Kirk was infamous for the racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic statements he made that were then widely criticized. His passing has raised extreme and seemingly contradictory passions in the political ether. Following the tragedy, Trump and other Republican leaders quickly took advantage of the moment to whip their supporters into a frenzy. They dialed up their culture war rhetoric and targeted political foes.
The memorial service featured performances by leading Christian rock artists, giving it an ambiance reminiscent of a megachurch Sunday service. Attendees ranged from the notable conservative A-listers to K-List celebs, everyone in love with Kirk and his doings.
Charlie’s widow Erika Kirk gave a tear-filled testimony at the service. In her speech, she expressed forgiveness towards her husband’s killer, stating, “My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life. I forgive him.” This fundamental message of forgiveness struck a profound chord with the audience and generated her perhaps the most standing ovations of all time. A different type of cruise control Erika Kirk, too, announced her plans to assume leadership of Turning Point USA after the unexpected death of her husband.
Donald Trump turned Charlie Kirk’s memorial service into a campaign rally with his presence and remarks, Charlie Kirk would have wanted it that way. He claimed that “the violence comes largely from the left,” a statement that has been met with skepticism from various commentators who argue that such rhetoric only serves to deepen divisions within the country.
“The violence comes largely from the left.” – Donald Trump
Trump’s remarks were echoed by Stephen Miller, a former Trump advisor, who declared that Kirk’s legacy would inspire his supporters to fight harder against perceived threats.
“We will carry Charlie and Erika in our heart every single day, and fight that much harder because of what you did to us. You have no idea the dragon you have awakened.” – Stephen Miller
Not all New Yorkers were happy with the memorial service’s tone. Personalities from the media like Joe Scarborough called out the discordant tone of the political speeches that were given at the event.
“There were two beats and it did sound, when the politicians got up there, very discordant.” – Joe Scarborough
Scarborough further elaborated on his feelings about the event’s atmosphere, suggesting that it sometimes strayed from celebrating Kirk’s life.
“Instead of a celebration of a life and talking about Jesus’s words and Jesus’s commandments of us to forgive others, at times there was another tone that was taken.” – Joe Scarborough
Kirk had often talked about how he wanted to mix faith and politics. He imagined introducing “the Holy Spirit at a Trump rally. This beautiful aspiration was completely in line with what Tyler Bowyer said at the memorial service.
“If we could just figure out how to bring the Holy Spirit into a Trump rally.” – Tyler Bowyer
The political tides are quickly changing in the wake of Kirk’s murder. Each time, Republican leaders were quick to swoop in on this tragedy and use it to strengthen their base. In an early morning tweet, Meghan McCain, daughter of the deceased maverick, commented on what this means for the Democratic Party, following Kirk’s passing.
“Today is the day democrats lost 2028.” – Meghan McCain
Kirk’s murder and the memorial service, in particular, have opened up broader conversations about the use of political violence and incendiary rhetoric in America. The tragedy has raised questions about how public figures utilize such events to further their agendas while calling for reflection on the divisive nature of contemporary political discourse.