It’s been months since that afternoon in Orem, Utah, but the echoes of the shots fired at Utah Valley University still haven't really faded from the national conversation. When Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, it didn't just stop a "The American Comeback Tour" in its tracks; it basically sent a shockwave through the entire American political landscape. People weren't just mourning a podcaster. They were mourning the face of a movement.
Fast forward to September 21, 2025. Glendale, Arizona.
If you weren't there at State Farm Stadium, it’s hard to describe the energy. It wasn't a quiet, somber funeral where everyone sits in stiff pews and whispers. Honestly, it felt more like a massive evangelical revival mixed with a high-stakes political convention. Over 90,000 people showed up. Some estimates even put it at 100,000. They filled the stadium where the Cardinals play, and the overflow went into the Desert Diamond Arena nearby.
When you look at the list of speakers at Charlie Kirk memorial, you aren't just looking at a group of friends. You’re looking at the literal power structure of the Republican party and the MAGA movement.
The Headliners Who Took the Stage
The lineup was stacked. It’s rare to see this many heavy hitters in one place outside of a RNC year.
President Donald Trump was, unsurprisingly, the final speaker. He sat next to Elon Musk for much of the event, which was a huge deal considering their previous public spats. Trump’s eulogy was long—very long—and he painted Kirk as a "martyr for American freedom." It was during this period that he announced he was posthumously awarding Charlie the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Then you had the inner circle. Vice President JD Vance spoke early on, followed by a roster of the new administration’s heavyweights:
- Marco Rubio (Secretary of State)
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health and Human Services)
- Pete Hegseth (Secretary of Defense)
- Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence)
It was a surreal mix. You had RFK Jr. praising Kirk as a "champion of free speech" while Pete Hegseth called him a "warrior for Christ." The blending of the secular and the sacred was everywhere.
A Widow’s Forgiveness
The most talked-about moment, though, wasn't from a politician. It was from Erika Kirk.
She stood up there in front of nearly 100,000 people and did something most of us can't even wrap our heads around. She publicly forgave Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of the shooting. She said she wasn't going to let bitterness define her family’s legacy. But don't mistake that for weakness. She also called Charlie’s death a "battle cry" that would ignite a fire in the movement.
The Cultural Icons and Media Personalities
Beyond the politicians, the list of speakers at Charlie Kirk memorial featured the media figures who helped build the Turning Point USA brand.
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Tucker Carlson was there, of course. His speech was one of the ones that supposedly "overshadowed" the politicians, according to some reporters on the ground. He has a way of tapping into the crowd's frustration that few others can match. Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, also gave a fiery address focused on the "legacy of the fight."
Others on the list included:
- Donald Trump Jr.
- Benny Johnson (who famously said Charlie’s "power will only grow" after his death)
- Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff)
- Sergio Gor
The Music was a Massive Part of It
It wasn’t just talking. The first few hours were basically a massive worship concert. If you’re a fan of contemporary Christian music (CCM), the names were legendary. Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, and Phil Wickham led the crowd in songs that had tens of thousands of people standing with their hands in the air.
Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes performed as well. And you can't have a conservative event of this scale without Lee Greenwood singing “God Bless the USA.” Steve Amerson also performed, rounding out a musical program that kept the crowd engaged for nearly six hours.
Why the Speaker List Matters Now
Why are we still talking about who spoke at a memorial four months ago? Because the people on that stage are currently shaping policy.
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Look at what’s happening in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott—who was a vocal supporter during the mourning period—is now pushing to have TPUSA chapters in every single high school in the state. He’s basically trying to institutionalize Charlie’s vision.
In Hood County, Texas, they just renamed a stretch of road to Charlie Kirk Memorial Parkway. They had a big ceremony for it just this week. The speakers at the original memorial in Glendale set the tone for this: that Charlie Kirk wasn't just a man who died, but a symbol that needed to be preserved in asphalt and law.
The Controversy Behind the Mourning
It hasn't all been unity and flags, though. The "list of speakers" also highlights the deep divide in the country. While the speakers at the stadium were hailing him as a hero, others were getting fired for not being sad about it.
Just this week, Johnathan Perkins, a DEI director at UCLA, was fired after posting that he was "glad when bigots die." The backlash to those kinds of comments has been swift and severe, often led by the very people who stood on that stage in Glendale. The memorial wasn't just a goodbye; it was a line in the sand.
Practical Steps for Following the Legacy
If you're looking to keep up with how the movement is changing after the memorial, here is how you can stay informed:
- Watch the Full Replay: Most major news outlets like CBS and Fox News have the full five-plus hour video of the service on YouTube. It’s worth watching the Erika Kirk and Tucker Carlson segments specifically to understand the "new" TPUSA.
- Track State Legislation: Keep an eye on Florida, Utah, and Texas. These states are currently the frontrunners for "Kirk-style" education reforms and road renamings.
- Follow the Trial: The legal proceedings for Tyler Robinson are ongoing. The motives and security failures (which Candace Owens has been very vocal about recently) are going to come out in discovery.
The list of speakers at Charlie Kirk memorial wasn't just a roster of names; it was a map of where the American right is heading in 2026. Whether you loved the guy or couldn't stand his politics, the sheer scale of the Glendale event proved that his influence didn't stop when the cameras turned off in Utah. It just changed forms.