US President Donald Trump honored the memory of Charlie Kirk, calling the political activist, who was killed on September 10, a "giant of his generation", during a ceremony in honor of this figure of the American right in a packed stadium in Arizona, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
"Less than two weeks ago, our country lost one of the greatest minds of our time, a giant of his generation and above all a husband, father, son, Christian and devoted patriot", the US president said to more than 60,000 people near Phoenix, in the southwestern part of the country.
"Now he is a martyr for America's freedom", Trump emphasized in his speech. "I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie. And neither will history."
"For Charlie, we will remember that it is better to stand on our feet and defend America and the truth than to die on our knees," Vice President Vance said. "Friends, for Charlie, we must remember that he was a hero to the United States of America. And he was a martyr for the Christian faith."
Erica Kirk, the widow of the slain ultraconservative influencer, said she "forgives" of his killer in a speech of a strongly religious nature, AFP notes.
"My husband Charlie wanted to save young men, like the one who took his life," she told more than 60,000 people, including President Donald Trump, at the "State Farm" stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
"This man, this young man, I forgive him," she said, her voice hoarse with tears. "I forgive him because that's what Christ did and that's what Charlie would have done. The answer to hate is not hate," stressed Erica Kirk.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck on September 10 while leading a debate on a university campus in Utah, in the western part of the country, a tragedy that has deepened the deep political divide in the United States.
Kirk used his millions of followers on social media and his appearances on universities to defend Donald Trump and spread nationalist, Christian and traditionalist ideas among youth.
His alleged killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, explained his actions to his relatives with the "hatred" that he believed the influencer spread, local authorities revealed.
Utah authorities have requested the death penalty for the perpetrator. He is charged with seven felonies, including murder, "for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk under circumstances that created a great risk of death to others," according to the local prosecutor.
The funeral for Kirk, whom Trump credits with a key role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President J.D. Vance, other top government officials and young conservatives influenced by the 31-year-old rebel.
Speakers at the memorial emphasized Kirk's deep faith and his strong belief that young conservatives should marry, raise families and pass on their values to continue building their movement. They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in a confrontational tone, that the best way to honor Kirk was to redouble their efforts in his mission to move American politics to the right.
"You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You immortalized him," said Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, quoted by the AP. "You have no idea what kind of dragon you have awakened, you have no idea how determined we are to save this civilization, to save the West, to save this republic."