US Politics
Charlie Kirk’s funeral and memorial service expected to draw nearly 100,000 people to Arizona: Live updates
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Thousands of people have started to arrive ahead of Charlie Kirk’s public memorial service and funeral in Arizona, with many camping out in line before sunrise.
Security for Sunday’s service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix, is on a par with a level reserved for Super Bowls, with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and five Cabinet members due to speak.
More than 200,000 people responded online to say they wanted to attend in person but the stadium, home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, has a capacity of 63,000 people, which can be expanded to over 73,000 for larger events.
The nearby Desert Diamond Arena will serve as overflow and can accommodate an additional 19,000 people.
Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis and the service will be streamed on Kirk’s Rumble account and broadcast by some news outlets.
Other speakers include Marco Rubio, Secretary of State; Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense; Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence; Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff; and Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who has taken on leadership of Turning Point USA, is also set to address attendees.
State Farm Stadium: The venue hosting Charlie Kirk’s memorial service
The memorial for conservative icon Charlie Kirk will be held today at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The 31-year-old Kirk — a confidant of President Donald Trump — was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking with students at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder and other crimes related to the shooting.
Here are a few things to know about the venue that will host Kirk’s memorial service:
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 14:45
People were in line before sunrise for Charlie Kirk memorial
People hoping to get a seat at Charlie Kirk’s memorial today camped out before sunrise outside the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Pictures show large crowds waiting in line, including very young children, before dawn.
Rhian Lubin21 September 2025 14:09
Kirk’s spiritual mentor details activist’s final moments
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 14:00
What we know about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin
Robinson evaded capture for 33 hours after allegedly opening fire on Kirk from a rooftop around 160 yards away from where he was speaking, jumping off a roof and disappearing in the chaos. The right-wing influencer, 31, died several hours after being struck in the neck by a bullet.
Robinson has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Mike Bedigan examines the known details about the alleged killer.
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 13:00
Heightened security for funeral as Trump administration set to show up in force
Turning Point USA has warned those wanting to attend today’s memorial service at State Farm Stadium that “enhanced security measures are in place, which may result in longer wait times than usual.”
“We appreciate your patience and understanding,” the group says on its website.
The event will be on a first-come, first-served basis based on stadium capacity. Indoor overflow will be available next door at the Desert Diamond Arena.
With so many administration officials set to attend and speak, security is especially tight.
TP USA also advises that there will be a no-bag policy in effect.
“Guests arriving with bags, even clear bags, will NOT be permitted entry. You will be required to return the bag to your vehicle and rejoin the line from the end.”
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 12:00
IN FOCUS: The sinister role of ‘black-pilling’ in the murder of Charlie Kirk
In the reporting of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was murdered in front of mostly college- and university-age students on 10 September at Utah Valley University, many have rushed to ascribe both motive and political ideology to Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with his murder. However, much of this has been wide of the mark – hugely missing the point about the strange and deeply complex online world that 22-year-old Robinson, and many youngsters like him, was immersed in.
Online subculture shot into the global conversation in March 2025 when the Netflix hit show Adolescence brought the term “red-pilling” into the mainstream. In the broadest terms, red-pilling means having your eyes opened to a hidden or uncomfortable truth, often about politics, society, or gender. The term is frequently used in far-right or conspiracy theory communities to describe someone being “liberated” from notions of equality, feminism, and “wokeness”. But what this conversation missed was how “black-pilling”, the darker and stranger cousin of red-pilling, is an even bigger threat – and is present in both far-right and far-left online culture.
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 11:00
Who is speaking at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service?
According to Turning Point USA, Sunday’s memorial service for Charlie Kirk will feature remarks by his widow, Erika Kirk, who is now leading the organization, as well as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
In addition to the president, other speakers include Marco Rubio, Secretary of State; Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health & Human Services; Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense; Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence; Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff; Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff; and Sergio Gor, Director of Personnel.
There will also be remarks from Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr.
Worship will be led by Christian singers Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Cody Carnes.
There will also be performances by Lee Greenwood and Steve Amerson.
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 10:00
The Charlie Kirk comment that got Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show axed
US network ABC revealed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would not be broadcast “indefinitely” after the host made controversial implications about the identity of Tyler Robinson, the suspected gunman behind the killing of the conservative activist.
Jacon Stolworthy reports on the comment that got Kimmel in hot water.
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 09:00
State Farm Stadium: The venue hosting Charlie Kirk’s memorial service today
The memorial for conservative icon Charlie Kirk will be held on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The 31-year-old Kirk — a confidant of President Donald Trump — was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking with students at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder and other crimes related to the shooting.
Here are a few things to know about the venue that will host Kirk’s memorial service:
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 08:00
Watch: AOC condemns cancelling Kimmel and the ‘weaponisation’ of Charlie Kirk’s murder
Oliver O’Connell21 September 2025 07:00