President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson are among the key speakers scheduled to honor the late Charlie Kirk at a public memorial this Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was assassinated last week during a campus speaking event at Utah Valley University. The attacker, identified as a transgender sympathizer, has since been taken into custody.
Turning Point USA, the student-centered conservative organization that Kirk helped build, is holding the memorial at State Farm Stadium. The event is expected to draw thousands of supporters, students, and political leaders. According to organizers, the goal is not only to remember Kirk’s life but also to reaffirm the mission he championed—promoting free speech, limited government, and traditional American values on college campuses.
The presence of high-profile figures like President Trump and Vice President Vance highlights the impact Kirk had on the conservative movement. Both leaders are expected to deliver remarks about Kirk’s influence on national politics and the importance of continuing his work. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, will also speak. In an earlier statement, she vowed to carry forward her husband’s mission, saying, “We will never surrender.”
Kirk’s death has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about political violence in America. Supporters say the attack reflects growing hostility toward conservative voices, particularly among far-left activist groups. The fact that the killing occurred during a campus event has also raised questions about free speech protections at public universities.
In recent years, college campuses have become flashpoints for debates over speech, ideology, and safety. Conservative speakers are frequently met with protests, and some events have been canceled due to threats or pressure from activist groups. Critics argue that universities, which receive public funding, have a duty to protect all viewpoints, not just those that align with progressive politics.
The memorial event is being framed not just as a tribute, but as a call to action. Turning Point USA’s leadership has said it intends to expand its campus presence and strengthen its efforts to protect students who hold conservative views. The organization has already grown into one of the most influential youth movements on the political right, with thousands of student chapters across the country.
Tucker Carlson, who is also scheduled to speak, has long been a vocal critic of what he sees as the erosion of free speech and the rise of authoritarian thinking among America’s elites. His presence at the memorial is likely to reinforce a message of resistance to what many conservatives see as cultural and political censorship.
The memorial also marks a moment of unity within the conservative movement. In addition to Trump and Vance, several former members of the Trump administration and current White House officials are expected to attend. The lineup reflects a shared belief in the values Kirk promoted and a determination to push back against what they view as increasing intolerance toward conservative ideas.
Erika Kirk’s decision to step into a leadership role within Turning Point USA could also shift the organization’s future. Her emotional speech last week suggested she intends to keep the group focused on its original mission while honoring her husband’s legacy. She quoted from the Bible, saying her husband “laid down his life” for his beliefs and for their family. That message has resonated deeply with many supporters, who see Kirk’s death as a sacrifice in the fight for freedom of thought.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the memorial may also serve to energize the conservative base. With President Trump back in office and facing a divided Congress, grassroots movements like Turning Point will likely play a key role in shaping political outcomes at the state and local levels.
Tickets for the memorial are available at fightforcharlie.com. Organizers say additional speakers may be announced before the event. For many who admired Charlie Kirk, Sunday’s memorial is not just a goodbye, but a beginning.
