President Donald Trump and other prominent American political figures are heading to Arizona to speak at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who was killed two weeks ago. The event, organised by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), is on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale and could be attended by more than 100,000 people. Heightened security is expected, including 'TSA-level screening', according to TPUSA.
Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA when he was 18, was shot at a speaking event on a Utah university campus on 10 September, reigniting concerns about political violence in the US. A polarising figure, differing perspectives about his legacy and possible motives for the shooting have exacerbated deep divisions in the US.
In addition to Trump, those expected to speak at the service include Kirk's widow, Erika, who took over his role as TPUSA CEO; Vice President JD Vance; the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr; right-wing political commentator Tucker Carlson; and homeland security adviser Stephen Miller. Public shootings in the US are normally met with calls for calm, prayer, and unity. However, the Trump administration has been seeking to blame and crack down on the 'radical left', prompting accusations of government overreach and claims that Kirk's death is being used as a pretext to intrude on civil liberties.
Doors open at 08:00 local time (16:00 BST), with the official program due to start at 11:00 (19:00 BST). The stadium can hold just over 63,000 people, with a nearby 20,000 capacity stadium allocated as an overflow area. Enhanced security measures are in place, equivalent to those at high-profile events like the Super Bowl. A security incident involving an armed individual claiming to be law enforcement was reported ahead of the event, though officials believe there was no malicious intent. Tensions remain high following Kirk's killing, with ongoing investigations into the shooter's motives revealing a troubling context and messages related to anti-fascism.
Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA when he was 18, was shot at a speaking event on a Utah university campus on 10 September, reigniting concerns about political violence in the US. A polarising figure, differing perspectives about his legacy and possible motives for the shooting have exacerbated deep divisions in the US.
In addition to Trump, those expected to speak at the service include Kirk's widow, Erika, who took over his role as TPUSA CEO; Vice President JD Vance; the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr; right-wing political commentator Tucker Carlson; and homeland security adviser Stephen Miller. Public shootings in the US are normally met with calls for calm, prayer, and unity. However, the Trump administration has been seeking to blame and crack down on the 'radical left', prompting accusations of government overreach and claims that Kirk's death is being used as a pretext to intrude on civil liberties.
Doors open at 08:00 local time (16:00 BST), with the official program due to start at 11:00 (19:00 BST). The stadium can hold just over 63,000 people, with a nearby 20,000 capacity stadium allocated as an overflow area. Enhanced security measures are in place, equivalent to those at high-profile events like the Super Bowl. A security incident involving an armed individual claiming to be law enforcement was reported ahead of the event, though officials believe there was no malicious intent. Tensions remain high following Kirk's killing, with ongoing investigations into the shooter's motives revealing a troubling context and messages related to anti-fascism.
