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By Mandy Taheri
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A memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk who was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday is scheduled for Sunday, September 21 in Arizona, and President Donald Trump will be in attendance.
Why It Matters
News and videos of the 31-year-old's assassination swept quickly through the country, with leaders and prominent figures across the spectrum condemning the violence. Vice President JD Vance escorted Kirk's casket on Air Force Two while Trump ordered the lowering of flags, gestures that emphasize Kirk's prominence.
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Kirk was the co-founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, a prominent conservative campus organization. He was a frequent political commentator, often speaking on college campuses and hosting media programs and conferences, as well as a close ally to Trump.
The shooting comes amid a broader climate of political violence across the United States. In June, Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home a targeted political act.
Authorities took Kirk's suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, into custody on Thursday night.
Where Will the Service Take Place?
Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action announced a service to commemorate Kirk's life is set to take place on Sunday, September 21.
The event, titled "Building a legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk," will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The stadium has hosted major sporting events including Super Bowls and NCAA tournaments.
The stadium, which is home to the Arizona Cardinals football team, has a capacity of 63,400, with the ability to expand to 73,000. Services of this scale are rare in the U.S., mainly reserved for public figures with significant national prominence.
Doors to the stadium will open at 8 a.m. local time, with the program to start at 11 a.m.
"This event is more than a memorial—it's a call to carry on his mission at Turning Point USA, and ensure his remarkable legacy continues to forever transform America, and indeed the world," Andrew Kolvet, Turning Point USA spokesman, said in a Saturday statement.
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Who Will Attend Charlie Kirk's Memorial?
In addition to family and friends, the commemoration service is expected to draw thousands and feature prominent politicians.
Turning Point Action said Trump will be in attendance, writing in a Saturday statement, "The event will bring together students, supporters, and national leaders from all across the country, including special guest and Charlie's friend, President Donald Trump, to celebrate Charlie's legacy and continue the fight for the principles he championed."
Asked by reporters about attending Kirk's services, Trump said on Friday, "They've asked me to go, and I think have an obligation to do it."
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What Happens Next
Vigils have been held for Kirk across the country, and online fundraisers have raised millions in honor of his legacy and in support of his wife Erika and their two children.
Additional details about the service and attendees are expected soon.
Update 9/14/25, 12:09 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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