Memorial service details for the Turning Point USA co-founder have been shared following his assassination in Utah.
WASHINGTON — Arrangements for the funeral of conservative political activist and media figure Charlie Kirk, who was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, have been released.
Kirk’s casket was flown back to his home state of Arizona by Air Force Two and accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.
Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk co-founded, announced over the weekend that his memorial service will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, Sept. 21. Doors will open at 8 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, with the service beginning at 11 a.m. MST (1 p.m. Eastern).
The service is open to the public, however, advance registration is required on the official website.
Who will be attending Charlie Kirk’s funeral?
It’s anticipated that President Donald Trump, high-ranking administration and Republican party officials, as well as leading political influencers will attend the memorial service for Charlie Kirk.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump said that he was unsure whether first lady Melania Trump would be joining him at the funeral.
Vice President JD Vance is also expected to attend the service.
What is the capacity of State Farm Stadium?
The stadium, which hosts the NFL’s Cardinals, typically accommodates more than 63,000 people but can be expanded to over 73,000 for major events. It was the venue for the 2023 Super Bowl and the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
What happened to Charlie Kirk?
Kirk founded Turning Point in 2012, and their headquarters are located in Phoenix, AZ.
Kirk was shot by a 22-year-old Utah resident during a campus speaking event. Utah’s governor noted the suspect is “not cooperating” and that friends describe him as someone radicalized in obscure areas of the internet.
Since his passing on Sept. 10, tributes have rolled in from politicians and fans of his work across the country.
President Trump praised Kirk as “Great, and even Legendary,” commenting that, “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
Trump also announced he would posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kirk and ordered that U.S. flags be lowered to half-staff.
Vance also honored Kirk by hosting “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Sept. 15.
“Charlie Kirk was a true friend,” Vance wrote in a tribute online. “The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him. I am on more than a few group chats with Charlie and people he introduced me to over the years. We celebrate weddings and babies, bust each other’s chops, and mourn the loss of loved ones.”
Vance also credited Kirk with playing a central role in helping staff the Trump administration. “So much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene,” he said.
It’s not yet known where Kirk will be laid to rest after Sunday’s memorial service.
