Charlie Kirk funeral live: Donald Trump, JD Vance, Erika Kirk address memorial
Top Republicans, US President address memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Key Events
Musk: Kirk was ‘killed by the dark’
Tesla chief Elon Musk says Charlie Kirk was ‘killed the dark’ when asked about the conservative activist’s death.
“He was killed because his words made a difference, becausde he was showing people the light. He was killed by the dark.”
Musk shares image sitting next to Trump: ‘For Charlie’
Tesla CEO and US President Donald Trump have been seen sitting next to each other chatting at Charlie Kirk’s memorial. The pair even shook hands.
It comes after months of tension.
Mr Musk has shared an image of him and Mr Trump to X, captioning the post: ‘For Charlie’
Erika Kirk and Donald Trump embrace
Charlie Kirk’s widow and US President Donald Trump have embraced in front of a cheering crowd of mourners.
It marked the end to the memorial service, as Erika Kirk wrapped her arms around Mr Trump, letting out a sob.
‘Bullet was aimed at all of us’: Trump
US President Donald Trump said Charlie Kirk’s assassination was an attack on the ideals of all conservatives.
“The gun was pointed at him, but the bullet was aimed at all of us. That bullet was aimed at every one of us,” Mr Trump said.
“Charlie was killed for expressing the very ideas that virtually everyone in this arena and most other places throughout our country, deeply believed in,” he added.
“The assassin failed in his quest because Charlie’s message has not been silenced. It now is bigger and better and stronger than ever before,” he said.
Trump blames ‘left maniacs’ for Kirk’s shooting
US President Donald Trump has blamed ‘networks of radical left maniacs’ for the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“The Department of Justice is also investigating networks of radical left maniacs who fund organized fuel and perpetrate political violence, and we think we know who many of them are, but law enforcement can only be the beginning of our response to Charlie’s murder over the last 11 days,” Mr Trump said, giving no evidence.
“We have heard stories of commentators, influencers and others in our society who greeted his assassination with sick approval, excuses or even jubilation.
“You’ve heard that so have. I can believe it, some of the very same people who spent the last eight years trying to sit in moral judgment of anyone who disagreed with them about politics suddenly started cheering for murder.”
Trump points out difference with Charlie Kirk: I hate my opponent
US President Donald Trump shared a notable difference from Charlie Kirk’s views during his speech, admitting difficulty empathising with his political rivals.
“He was a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them,” Mr Trump said, before veering off script.
“That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent,” he declared. “And I don’t want the best for them.”
Mr Trump added, “Erika (Charlie’s wife), you can talk to me and the whole group, but maybe they can convince me that that’s not right, but I can’t stand my opponent,” he said.
Musk, Trump reunite at Kirk’s funeral
After months of controversy, Tesla chief executive and US President Donald Trump have reunited at Charlie Kirk’s funeral.
The pair were seen shaking hands.
Trump thanks Charlie Kirk’s widow
US President Donald Trump has thanked Charlie Kirk’s widow.
”Today, an entire nation wraps its loving arms around you and your beautiful children—we share in your immense and overwhelming sorrow and we vow that we will do everything we can to ensure that your children grow up in a land where their father is honoured.”
Trump teases autism announcement during Kirk speech
US President Donald Trump’s speech took a brief detour to preview an announcement he plans to make from the Oval Office on Monday regarding autism.
“I think you’re going to find it to be amazing,” he told the crowd. “I think we found an answer to autism.”
The stadium, which had spent hours listening to remembrances of Charlie Kirk, responded with polite applause.
Without revealing details of his planned announcement, Mr Trump said his administration “won’t let it happen anymore.”
“I think it’s going to be one of the most important news conferences I’ll ever have, and I look so forward to it,” he added, saying he believed Kirk would have also anticipated the event.
Trump uses Charlie Kirk memorial to talk politics
US President Donald Trump has brought up politics during his address to a crowd of Charlie Kirk mourners.
“Charlie was filled with a patriotic spirit from his youth, and he was an all American in everything he did. And one of the last things he said to me is, please Sir, save Chicago. We’re going to do that. We’re going to save Chicago from horrible crimes.”
Mr Trump was referencing bringing the national guard troops to Chicago.
