Date set, details released for Charlie Kirk’s public memorial at massive stadium
Turning Point USA announced Saturday that a massive public memorial service for its founder Charlie Kirk will be held next weekend to honor the life and legacy of the “American legend.”
The celebration of life — “Building a Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk” — will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The stadium, home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, has the capacity to host 63,400 people — which can be expanded to 73,000 for “mega-events,” according to its website.
President Donald Trump said that he plans to attend Kirk’s services in Arizona.
UTAH STUDENTS LIFT VOICES IN PRAYER AT VIGIL FOR CHARLIE KIRK’S CHRISTIAN LEGACY: ‘FELT CALLED BY GOD’
“Join us in celebrating the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Charlie Kirk, an American legend,” Turning Point USA posted to X Saturday afternoon. “The morning of Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, AZ.”
Doors for the event will open at 8 a.m. local time, and the program will begin at 11 a.m., according to the website created for the memorial. Interested attendees can register online, and the event is first come, first served.
VIDEO SHOWS MOMENTS BEFORE ASSASSINATION OF TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER CHARLIE KIRK
A tribute posted on the memorial’s website describes Kirk’s dedication to his faith, family and fight for America’s future. Kirk founded Turning Point USA as an 18-year-old in a garage in Lemont, Illinois, later growing it into “one of the most powerful grassroots movements in America,” the tribute writes.
“Charlie died doing what he loved: fighting for truth, for faith, for family, and for America. His sacrifice will endure as a guiding light for generations,” as noted in the tribute. “He showed a generation that truth must never be silenced, that courage is contagious, and that freedom must be protected at all costs.”
VIGILS HELD ACROSS US AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK: ‘WE MUST HEAL’
Kirk, a husband and father, was fatally struck by a single bullet Wednesday while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. Kirk was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 31 years old.
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“His legacy will endure for generations,” the tribute notes. “And now he hears the words of Matthew 25:23 from his Lord and Savior: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”
Turning Point USA and the White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Erika Kirk: What to know about the late conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s widow
Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, has lived much of her adult life in the public eye — first as Miss Arizona USA, later as a ministry leader and entrepreneur, and most recently as a wife and mother who shared her husband’s outspoken Christian faith. Their love story, rooted in prayer and purpose, shaped not only their marriage but the movement he built, a legacy she now carries forward after his death.
Hours before her life changed forever, Erika Kirk, posted a Bible verse, Psalm 46:1, which says: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
A baptized Catholic who attended Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, Erika Kirk currently hosts a podcast called “Midweek Rise Up.” It’s described on her website as a devotional series released every Wednesday, along with Monday Meditations, “to provide you that deep breath of, ‘God’s got this.’”
The website says each episode “is intentionally and prayerfully crafted with words of encouragement to push you, Biblical leadership to challenge you, and God-breathed Scripture to posture your heart for the best that’s yet to come.”
ERIKA KIRK BREAKS SILENCE AFTER HUSBAND CHARLIE’S ASSASSINATION WITH ADDRESS AT TURNING POINT USA HEADQUARTERS
Erika and Charlie met in 2018 and then had a “very long dinner.” Charlie said that he knew “almost immediately” that she was the one.
Erika posted a selfie of her and Charlie on Sept. 5, 2023, marking five years since the two met. She wrote, “5 years ago today, we sat inside Bill’s Burgers in NYC deep in conversation and banter over theology, philosophy, and politics and at the end, you paused, looked at me and said, ‘I’m going to date you.’”
Both Erika and Charlie spoke openly about the importance of dating with intention, something they said they did when they met.
Charlie proposed to Erika in December 2020. She captioned photos of the engagement on Instagram, “When God writes your love story, you get to marry your best friend.” The two married less than a year later in May 2021.
In a post with their wedding photos, Erika wrote, “To the man I’ve been praying for, before I ever met you. [T]o the man that I honor, respect, and deeply cherish. [T]o the man that leads in ways that remind me of the leaders before our time and [whose] confidence in God’s word reminds me of Daniel… [T]o the man that I am immeasurably blessed to be able to call my husband. My CJK. I love you, [Charlie].”
The role God played in their love story was a theme throughout Erika’s posts about her husband.
In February, Erika posted a video to Instagram featuring herself, Charlie and their children that was captioned: “thank you for being my love story.”
The post has since gone viral after the TPUSA CEO’s death. Charlie commented on the video: “my favorite.”
In her first Instagram post after her husband’s assassination, Erika wrote, “The world is evil. But our Savior. Our Lord. Our God. Не… Не is so good. I will never have the words. Ever.”
On Thursday, Charlie Kirk’s casket was flown aboard Air Force Two along with Erika, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance. The vice president was one of the people who carried Kirk’s casket onto the plane.
As they exited the aircraft, Erika and Usha were seen holding hands in a viral image that showed the Kirks’ closeness to the administration. Erika Kirk also waived to supporters from the motorcade with a cross in hand.
Both the vice president and President Donald Trump were open about their relationships with Charlie Kirk and mourned him publicly, with the president ordering flags at half-staff across the nation.
Another image of Erika that went viral was her leaning over Charlie’s open casket, seemingly hugging her late husband. The photo was included with the first post she made after his death and included a video of her holding and kissing her late husband’s lifeless hands.
CHARLIE KIRK’S LAST 24 HOURS BEFORE HIS UTAH ASSASSINATION: MESSAGES OF FAITH, JUSTICE
Erika was no stranger to the limelight when she met Charlie. In 2012, she was crowned Miss Arizona USA. Her Instagram has photos of her bonding with other contestants and visiting the Pentagon while wearing her Miss Arizona USA sash. Her website still features options for those looking to book her as a model or actress.
In addition to her pageant title, Erika was an NCAA basketball player at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from Arizona State University after double majoring in political science and international relations. She also earned a Juris Master in American Legal Studies at Liberty University.
In 2016, she started BIBLEin365, challenging others to commit to reading the Bible over the course of a year. The challenge later became a ministry program, which “seeks to help individuals engage with the scriptures daily,” according to her website.
Two years later, she launched Proclaim Streetwear, a faith-based clothing company that joined forces with BIBLEin356 in September 2021. Each month, Proclaim hosts a free virtual BIBLEin365 live Q&A with Erika and Pastor James Kaddis.
AUBURN COACH BRUCE PEARL SAYS CHARLIE KIRK WAS ASSASSINATED BECAUSE ‘THEY COULDN’T BEAT HIM’ IN TRIBUTE
Despite her accomplishments in the worlds of faith, fashion and pageants, Erika emphasized that her priorities in life included being a wife and mother.
“Above all, Erika cherishes her role as the wife of Charlie Kirk and the mother of their precious son and daughter,” her biography on her website reads. “As she continues to grow in her ministry, leadership, and entrepreneurial endeavors, Erika remains committed to inspiring others to live with purpose, rooted in faith and driven by the love of Christ in every aspect of life.”
On Friday, Erika broke her silence and gave a moving statement on camera while standing next to the empty chair in which Charlie recorded his podcast.
“Two days ago, my husband, Charlie, went to see the face of his [S]avior and his God,” she said through tears. “And one of the final conversations that he had on this earth, my husband witnessed for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now and for all eternity he will stand at his Savior’s side wearing the glorious crown of a martyr.”
She added that Charlie’s favorite Bible verse was Ephesians 5:25, which says: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
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In her message to America, Erika made it clear that the movement her husband started would not die with him. She announced that Turning Point USA would continue its campus tour and would hold its America Fest, which is scheduled to take place in Phoenix, Ariz., in December.
Charlie Kirk, who was killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, is survived by his wife and their two young children, whose names have not been made public.
Country star sends powerful message to Charlie Kirk’s widow during concert
Morgan Wallen shared a touching message for Erika Kirk following her husband’s assassination at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
On Sept. 12, Wallen was performing in Edmonton, Alberta for his “I’m The Problem” tour when he addressed the crowd, honoring Charlie Kirk and his family, and sharing that he’s praying for them.
“I’m not gonna say a whole bunch on this, but this song right here has been hitting me harder in the last couple days, and I just wanted to let Erika Kirk know that me and my family are sending prayers her way,” Wallen is seen saying in a video uploaded on Instagram.
The country star began singing, and asked fans to join in, on his hit song, “I’m A Little Crazy.” Fans took to the comment section of the video and noted the passion in Wallen’s voice while singing this song.
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“You can feel his anger in the way he sang it. We love you Morgan. We love you Erika. We love you Charlie. We love you America,” one user wrote.
“I just wanted to let Erika Kirk know that me and my family are sending prayers her way.”
Another added, “you can see and hear his anger.. we love you Morgan”
“Just when I thought I couldn’t love him anymore,” a third person wrote.
On Sept. 12, Erika broke her silence on her husband’s death. In a video uploaded to Turning Point USA’s YouTube account, Erika said, “Charlie loved, loved life. He loved his life. He loved America. He loved nature, which helped him always bring him closer to God.”
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Erika continued, “But most of all, Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart. And I knew that, every day I knew that. He made sure I knew that every day. Every day, he would ask me, ‘How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?’ Every day, every day. He was such a good man. He still is a good man. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband.”
Kirk, who was killed Wednesday during a speaking engagement in Orem, Utah, was a well-known conservative activist. He was 31 when he was assassinated.
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Friday morning, President Trump announced during a live appearance on “Fox & Friends” that an arrest had been made in Kirk’s murder.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice charges, according to a court affidavit. A judge ordered that he be held without bail. Formal charges are expected early next week.
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Vigil for Charlie Kirk turns violent after activist’s profanity-laced outburst
A massive fight broke out during a vigil held for Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old political activist who was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, according to video of the incident.
The brawl erupted in front of the Idaho state Capitol in Boise the evening of Kirk’s killing, local reports said.
A man wearing a white T-shirt and rainbow-colored backpack reportedly shouted “F— Charlie Kirk” into the crowd while on a Lime bike, sparking outrage among attendees.
Police later identified him as 41-year-old Terry Wilson, a local Black Lives Matter activist, according to KIVI.
CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: TIMELINE OF UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING DETAILS ATTACK, MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT
Tensions rose when 51-year-old Alfonso Ayala confronted Wilson, sparking a heated exchange that quickly turned physical, the station reported. As some in the crowd chanted “USA! USA!” and others repeatedly urged them to stop, Wilson was seen being knocked to the ground, kicked and struck before getting back up and punching back.
Video shows that the brawl continued until police and other attendees intervened. Wilson then crossed the street in the footage, swearing at the crowd and demanding “free speech!”
One woman was heard responding, “Get out of here!”
Police eventually arrested both Wilson and Ayala, KIVI reported.
PERSON OF INTEREST IN CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION PICTURED IN PHOTOS RELEASED BY FBI
While taking Wilson into custody, officers said they discovered a firearm and marijuana in his possession, the local outlet reported. He reportedly faces misdemeanor charges of disturbing the peace, carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence and possession of marijuana. Wilson was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into the Ada County Jail, KIVI added.
CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER THE LATEST IN INCREASING POLITICAL VIOLENCE NATIONWIDE, FROM PA GOVERNOR TO SCOTUS
Ayala was also booked into the Ada County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace, the station reported.
The Boise Police Department (BPD) said the following day that safety remains their top priority as community members gather for remembrance events for 9/11 and Kirk.
“Today, as our community gathers for 9/11 remembrance events, other activities, and other candlelight vigils, the Boise Police Department will maintain a strong and visible presence,” the department said in a post the following day. “In light of the events in Utah and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, our officers are actively working with event organizers to ensure safe and secure environments for everyone attending. Public safety remains our top priority.”
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BPD said Wilson has a history of activism and prior arrests, according to local media. In 2021, he was reportedly arrested for vandalizing the “Seated Lincoln” statue in Julia Davis Park, smearing it with paint and feces and placing makeshift signs on it.
He was sentenced to 32 hours of community service and ordered to pay the city $91.96 in restitution, KIVI added.
BPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Turning Point USA chapter requests increase after Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Turning Point USA leaders announced the organization received 18,000 new chapter requests after founder Charlie Kirk‘s wife, Erika, addressed the nation for the first time since her husband’s assassination.
Republican Minnesota state Rep. Elliott Engen shared a screenshot Saturday of a conversation with a TPUSA leader, where they said they had received 18,000 requests to start chapters at colleges and high schools.
Prior to Erika’s speech, TPUSA reported having 9,000 college chapters and 1,100 high school chapters.
“This is the Turning Point” the TPUSA leader wrote in the text exchange.
WHO IS ERIKA KIRK?: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATE CHARLIE KIRK’S WIDOW FROM THEIR LOVE STORY TO HIS LEGACY
The new chapter requests come after Kirk was assassinated Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident, was turned in by his father Friday and is facing aggravated murder charges.
ERIKA KIRK BREAKS SILENCE AFTER HUSBAND CHARLIE’S ASSASSINATION WITH ADDRESS AT TURNING POINT USA HEADQUARTERS
In a viral live stream from Kirk’s office Friday, Erika said her husband’s work and message — centered on faith, patriotism and moral conviction — will not die.
She said his mission will become “stronger, bolder, louder and greater than ever,” encouraging young people to join or create Turning Point USA chapters if there is not one in their area.
“He wants you to make a difference, and you can,” Erika said. “The movement is not going anywhere, and it will only grow stronger when you join it.”
CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: TIMELINE OF UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING DETAILS ATTACK, MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT
In an Instagram post sharing photos of her husband lying in his casket, she added, “they have no idea what they just ignited within this wife.”
“If they thought my husband’s mission was big now..you have no idea,” she wrote. “You. All of you. Will never. Ever. Forget my husband @charliekirk1776 I’ll make sure of it.”
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Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Whoopi erupts on Democrats over Biden: ‘Should have kept their mouths shut’
“The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg lashed out at Democrats on Wednesday while discussing an excerpt from former Vice President Kamala Harris’ new book and insisted they should have “kept their mouths shut” about former President Joe Biden’s decline.
“If the Democrats had kept their mouths shut and looked like, hold on, hear what I’m saying, if they had kept their mouths shut and took care of this in-house, as opposed to making it a public spectacle, I think people would have had a better feel about it,” Goldberg said.
Harris described Biden’s decision to run again as “reckless” in the excerpt published by The Atlantic this week.
“People love to go back and say what we should have done. We should have run a better campaign. We should have run a better campaign. People wanted to hear what they heard. They got what they wanted. I don’t understand why we’ve got to re-litigate it. It happened, and now we’re all sitting in it, and it’s everybody’s fault,” Goldberg continued.
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Co-host Joy Behar jumped in and blamed sexism, arguing that the country would “never elect a woman.”
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said she disagreed with Goldberg.
“I don’t believe the political parties should have a say in who is a nominee and who is elected,” Griffin said. “There’s no primary when there is a sitting president. And 75% of voters said they thought that Biden may be fine when in office but was too old for another term. That’s voters’ only way to say ‘I have an issue.’”
Co-host Sunny Hostin agreed with Harris’ argument that the stakes were too high regarding Biden’s decision to run again.
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“Look at what we are dealing with now as a country,” Hostin said. “The stakes were too high.”
Harris also criticized Biden’s communications and White House team in the excerpt, alleging they didn’t help her rebut negative narratives.
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“They had a huge comms team; they had Karine Jean-Pierre briefing in the press room every day. But getting anything positive said about my work, or any defense against untrue attacks, was almost impossible,” Harris wrote in her new book.
Brooke Hogan reacts to father Hulk Hogan’s decision to exclude her from his $5M will
Brooke Hogan isn’t surprised she was left out of her father Hulk Hogan’s will.
Following the WWE legend’s death, his $5 million fortune was left to his son, Nick Hogan. Brooke shared that being left out of the will is “what she asked for” from her father.
“His decision is no surprise to me. It’s what I asked for, I stand by it with no regrets. My dad knows I’m a hard worker, and I have been surviving without his money for a long, long time,” Brooke told TMZ.
Brooke did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Brooke was estranged from Hulk and her mother, Linda Hogan, long before his death. After Hulk died in July, Brooke took to Instagram to pen an emotional tribute to her father and shed some insight into what had caused the rift in their relationship.
BROOKE HOGAN EXPLAINS DECISION TO SKIP HULK HOGAN’S FUNERAL SERVICE: ‘PEOPLE GRIEVE IN MANY WAYS’
“We never had a ‘big fight.’ My father and I never ‘fought.’ It was a series of private phone calls no one will ever hear, know, or understand. My father was confiding in me about issues weighing on his heart, both personal and business.
“His decision is no surprise to me. It’s what I asked for, I stand by it with no regrets. My dad knows I’m a hard worker and I have been surviving without his money for a long, long time.”
“I offered to be a life raft in whatever capacity he needed. I told him he had my support. I begged him to rest, to take care of himself. He had nothing to prove to the world or anyone,” she wrote at the time.
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Brooke shared that she, her husband, Steven Oleksy, and their twins, Oliver and Molly, had relocated from Tennessee to Florida since her father was getting older.
“I wanted to be there as much as I could. We had been through almost 25 surgeries together, and then all of a sudden, he didn’t want me at surgeries…everything started getting covered in a thick veil. It was like there was a force field around him that I couldn’t get through.”
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After their dynamic began to change, Brooke said she and her dad had “respectful disagreements that took an emotional toll,” and led her to take a step back from their relationship. She was also dealing with a high-risk pregnancy at the time.
“I know in my heart I did everything I could. He knew I would run through a burning building for him. And in many ways, along the path of life, I did. He knows how deeply, how hard and how purely I loved him. I am at peace knowing this,” she wrote.
Hulk died on July 24 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He had a history of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes irregular and rapid heart rate. He was 71.
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Hollywood A-listers join anti-Israel pledge as major studio rejects boycott
After nearly 4,000 industry figures signed a pledge vowing not to work with Israeli film institutions, Paramount issued a statement rejecting the boycott on Thursday.
“At Paramount, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire people, promote mutual understanding, and preserve the moments, ideas, and events that shape the world we share. This is our creative mission,” reads a statement issued by Paramount chief communications officer Melissa Zukerman.
“We do not agree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers. Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace,” the statement continued. “The global entertainment industry should be encouraging artists to tell their stories and share their ideas with audiences throughout the world. We need more engagement and communication — not less.”
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As noted by Variety, Paramount is the first major film studio to condemn this widespread boycott of Israeli film institutions.
The organization Film Workers for Palestine published the pledge on Monday, including approximately 1,200 signatures from film industry figures at the time of publication.
Those who have signed the pledge declared that they will no longer work with Israeli organizations that are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.”
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According to the pledge statement, examples of complicity include “whitewashing or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government committing them.”
“Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film institutions — including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies — that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people,” the pledge said.
The original list included 1,200 signatures as of last week, including Hollywood heavy hitters Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo.
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Since then, the list has gained thousands of additional signatures, bringing the total to approximately 3,900 as of Wednesday.
Of those who have recently signed on to the pledge, some notable names include Andrew Garfield, Bowen Yang, Elliot Page and Joaquin Phoenix.
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