Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Widow Erika describes the final moments with husband in hospital as 200,000 attend memorial service

By GERMANIA RODRIGUEZ POLEO, US CHIEF REPORTER and VICTORIA CHURCHILL

Updated: 14:12 EDT, 21 September 2025

Erika Kirk said her husband, Charlie, ‘died happy’ in hospital as she recalled his final moments after the shooting that claimed his life. 

‘His eyes were semi-open. And he had this knowing, Mona Lisa-like half-smile. Like he’d died happy. Like Jesus rescued him. The bullet came, he blinked, and he was in heaven,’ she told the New York TImes.

President Donald Trump will lead mourners at the funeral of Charlie Kirk, addressing tens of thousands expected to gather inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Lines of mourners snaked outside the venue for hours ahead of the memorial for the conservative firebrand, who was assassinated at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Trump will be joined on stage by Vice President J.D. Vance and senior members of his Cabinet, with security around the stadium described as ‘extraordinarily tight.’

Kirk’s widow, Erika, will also deliver a eulogy — just days after it was announced she will succeed her late husband as head of his powerhouse organization, Turning Point USA.

Follow all the live updates: 

Charlie Kirk looked like ‘he’d died happy,’ his widow Erika says

The conservative’s widow said she met with a sheriff who gave her the option to see Charlie’s body – something he advised against because of the severe damage the bullet did to his neck.

But she said she insisted in seeing her husband one last time, and recalled telling the sheriff, ‘With all due respect, I want to see what they did to my husband.’

Once his deceased body was in front of her, Erika said she knew ‘he’d died happy.’

‘His eyes were semi-open. And he had this knowing, Mona Lisa-like half-smile. Like he’d died happy. Like Jesus rescued him. The bullet came, he blinked, and he was in heaven,’ she said, adding that she kissed him – something that she didn’t do before he left the house that morning.

Elon Musk arrives at Charlie Kirk funeral

Elon Musk is seen with Florida senator Rick Scott ahead of the beginning of the memorial service for Charlie Kirk.

Megyn Kelly says she’s arrived at Charlie Kirk memorial

The conservative pundit posted a message on social media as she arrived at Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Arizona on Sunday.

Air Force One lands in Arizona

President Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump shared a video of Air Force One landing in Arizona.

The president is one of the speakers expected at Charlie Kirk’s memmorial in Glendale.

PICTURED: The crowd at Arizona memorial mourns Charlie Kirk Former Fl Rep. Matt Gaetz attends Charlie Kirk memorial

Lawyer and former United States Representative Matt Gaetz reacts ahead of the public memorial service of political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

Gaetz was accompanied by his wife, Ginger Gaetz.

Inside the State Farm Stadium ahead of Charlie Kirk’s funeral service

Sounds of Christian worship fill the air at the State Farm Stadium with less than thirty minutes before the official start of the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk who was assassinated on September 10th.

The stadium is packed to the rafters, minus a few sections of seats right next to the stage.Since the official event entry time of 8:00 AM, a slew of Christian artists have performed a variety of worship songs.

Despite the scorching hot temperatures outside of the venue, inside the stadium is air-conditioned and the roof of the stadium is closed.

The floor is filled with various conservative political media and VIPS, as well as Turning Point staff and alumni who are seated on white plastic folding chairs.

Press is also seated on the floor, with the TV risers situated in the middle of the VIP section. Print press are behind the VIP section.

Charlie Kirk’s poignant question about legacy three weeks before his death Westboro Baptist Church protest Charlie Kirk’s funeral

By katrina schollenberger

Religious extremist group the Westboro Baptist Church picketed Charlie Kirk’s funeral on Sunday with repugnant signs.

One sign read ‘God sent the shooter in fury,’ while another said ‘it should be public, it should be quick, it should be televised.’

The group, known for its inflammatory protests at funerals and public events, has long drawn widespread condemnation for its hate-filled rhetoric.

Ballistic glass placed around podium at Charlie Kirk memorial

The service will take place at State Farm Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization is based.

Security is expected to be tight, with a similar level of federal law enforcement presence as for the Super Bowl or other high-profile event.

FBI Director Kash Patel says agency pursuing ‘every lead to its conclusion’PICTURED: Packed stadium for Charlie Kirk’s memorial

A general view shows State Farm Stadium before the start of the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona

People gather to attend a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk

Snipers seen on roofs near Charlie Kirk memorial

Kirk’s funeral has been given the highest level of security by the Department of Homeland Security – a SEAR Level 1.

The designation allowed the full range of federal law enforcement and security to support local officials.

Security personnel keep a lookout from a roof, on the day of a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Members of a sniper team keep a lookout, on the day of a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Officials report ‘a lot of medical’ emergencies’ at Charlie Kirk memorial

‘A lot of people are not prepared for the heat,’ a police officer told the New York Post.

Temperatures in Glendale are expected to reach 95 degrees on Sunday and a severe weather alert is in effect.

Charlie Kirk memorial stadium near full capacity

The State Farm Stadium is near full capacity an hour before the memorial for Charlie Kirk is set to begin on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.

At least 200,000 people have shown up to honor the conservative commentator, 31.

Those who did not manage to get inside the stadium are being directed to the Desert Diamond Arena, an overflow location.

More than 200,000 mourners are expected to try to attend the service.

Rep Lauren Boebert present at Charlie Kirk’s funeral

Republican Representative from Colorado Lauren Boebert (R) attends the public memorial service of political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium.

Kyle Rittenhouse pictured at Charlie Kirk memorial

Kyle Rittenhouse (R) poses for a photo with an attendee during the public memorial service of political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on 21 September 2025.

Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges in 2021 after testifying he acted in self-defense in the deadly Kenosha shootings that became a flashpoint in the debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice in the US.

Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 during a stop on his American Comeback Tour organized by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University.

WATCH: Ilhan Omar slammed after calling for Charlie Kirk to be ‘left in the dust bin of history’

The Democrat congresswoman from Minnesota refused to apologize during a heated interview on CNN insisting she would not be ‘judged’ for rejecting tributes to Kirk.

‘What I find jarring is that there are so many people willing to excuse the most reprehensible things that he said, that they agree with that, that they’re willing to have monuments for him, that they want to create a day to honor him, and that they want to produce resolutions in the House of Congress honoring his life and legacy,’ Omar told anchor Kaitlan Collins.

VP JD Vance issues tribute for Charlie Kirk ahead of funeral

JD Vance is expected to attend the funeral on Sunday.

White House sending ‘two planeloads of staffers’ to Charlie Kirk funeral

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News that the White House would be sending two planes full of staffers to Charlie Kirk’s funeral in Arizona.

‘We’re actually taking two planes full of white House staff,’ Leavitt said on Saturday.

‘That just speaks to how many people [Kirk] touched at the highest levels of our government. And he will surely be honored and remembered tomorrow.’

WATCH: Candace Owens rages after being snubbed from Charlie Kirk memorial speaking roster

The Daily Mail asked right-wing provocateur Candace Owens on Thursday to share details of her relationship with Charlie Kirk, and whether or not she planned to attend or speak at his memorial service in Arizona on Sunday.

Owens alleged earlier this week that billionaire Bill Ackman was angered by Kirk’s souring views on Israel and that ‘threats were made,’ by Ackman weeks before Kirk’s death – a story that has triggered fierce backlash and fueled an online rumor mill of conspiracy theories, including that Israel was somehow responsible for Kirk’s death.

The rumors got so pervasive that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to directly deny them on two separate occasion

White House pays tribute to Charlie Kirk with moving videoWho will perform at Charlie Kirk’s funeral?

Multiple Christian music artists will perform at Kirk’s memorial in Arizona on Sunday, including Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham.

Country singer Lee Greenwood and Steve Amerson are also scheduled to perform at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

Lee Greenwood performs as President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, January 29.

WATCH LIVE: Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Glendale, Arizona

How America will say farewell to Charlie Kirk: All the details

Tens of thousands of mourners are expected to turn out for a memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Sunday, with Donald Trump and Kirk’s widow among the growing lineup of political figures set to speak.

The 31-year-old right-wing commentator was shot and killed during an open-air speaking event at a college campus Utah on September 10.

His death has prompted fierce political debate around upholding free speech and the threat of political violence to American democracy.

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200,000 people expected to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial

More than 200,000 people have registered to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial service — far exceeding the capacity of State Farm Stadium, home to the Arizona Cardinals, which seats 63,000.

An additional 19,000 mourners will be accommodated at Desert Diamond Arena nearby, which will serve as an official overflow venue.

Hundreds of Secret Service agents have been deployed to the site, and the security has been described as ‘Super Bowl-level’.

Sections of the stadium already filling up, three hours before start of the service Who is Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika?Charlie Kirk built a $100m empire after dropping out of college Who is speaking at Charlie Kirk’s funeralErika Kirk, Turning Point USA CEO and Charlie Kirk’s widowPresident Donald TrumpVice President JD VanceSecretary of State Marco RubioWhite House chief of staff Susie WilesHealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Defense Secretary Pete HegsethDirector of National Intelligence Tulsi GabbardWhite House deputy chief of staff Stephen MillerDonald Trump Jr.Tucker CarlsonSick truth behind attempt to turn Charlie Kirk’s murder into a romantic tragedy of star-crossed loversErika Kirk’s startled friends reveal their fears after husband Charlie’s assassination… and what she plans next: ‘That’s just so not her’President Trump says Kirk’s memorial will be a ‘tough day’ and a ‘celebration of a great man’

President Donald Trump vowed that Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Arizona would be ‘a celebration of a great man’ as he departed the White House this morning.

Speaking solemnly, Trump said the service would also be a ‘time of healing’ for a movement left reeling by Kirk’s assassination.

‘That something like this could have happened is not even believable,’ he told reporters. ‘It will be a very interesting day — a very tough day.’

When asked what message he had for Kirk’s family, Trump’s voice softened: ‘I will just give them my love. There’s nothing much you can say.’

The president hailed Kirk’s legacy, describing how the 31-year-old conservative leader ‘had a hold on youth because they loved him, they respected him.’ The service, he added, will shine a light on Kirk’s ‘tremendous influence… for such a young man, he did a great job.’

Steve Bannon arrives for Charlie Kirk’s memorial service Traffic at a standstill outside the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, ArizonaDrone footage shows enormous crowds outside Charlie Kirk memorial service Thousands line up for Charlie Kirk’s funeral

Thousands of mourners lined up in the early hours of Sunday morning for the funeral of Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona.

Most of the attendees were wearing red, white and blue as they snaked around the State Farm Stadium.

Security was extremely tight, with President Donald Trump and members of the Cabinet scheduled to speak.

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Charlie Kirk funeral live updates: Widow Erika describes the final moments with husband in hospital as 200,000 attend memorial service