Tens of thousands gathered Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to honor the life of Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was fatally shot on September 10 in Orem, Utah.

His widow, Erika Kirk, delivered a deeply emotional speech that emphasized forgiveness, faith, and her husband’s legacy.

Standing behind the presidential seal before a crowd estimated at more than 70,000 inside the stadium — with as many as 200,000 people attending overall — Erika Kirk addressed mourners with a message that drew repeated standing ovations.

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“He wanted to save young men. Just like the one who took his life,” she said through tears.

“I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And what Charlie would do.”

“I forgive him.”

Erika Kirk says she forgives the man suspected of killing her husband: “I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And is what Charlie would do.” pic.twitter.com/aEnvRVXmMc

— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 21, 2025

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She told the audience that she would not seek the death penalty for Tyler Robinson, the man charged with Charlie Kirk’s killing.

In an interview with the New York Times, she explained, “I do not want that man’s blood on my ledger. Because when I get to heaven, and Jesus is like: ‘Uh, eye for an eye? Is that how we do it?’ And that keeps me from being in heaven, from being with Charlie?”

During the service, President Donald Trump delivered a eulogy calling Kirk “a great American hero” and embraced Erika on stage afterward.

The President promised that the couple’s two young children would grow up in a country that remembered and honored their father’s contributions.

The memorial marked one of the largest public gatherings in Arizona in recent years.

Many mourners were visibly moved by Erika’s words.

“It was very heartfelt. I really empathized with her. Being a mom and wife myself, I can’t imagine,” said Stephanie, a Phoenix resident who attended the service.

Clad in white and pausing often to hold back tears, Erika thanked the crowd: “God bless all of you for coming here from all over the world to honor and celebrate my Charlie.”

Reflecting on the events of September 10, she described arriving at a Utah hospital.

“On the afternoon of Sept. 10, I arrived at a Utah hospital to do the unthinkable: To look directly at my husband’s murdered body. I saw the wound that ended his life, I felt everything you would expect to feel. I felt shock, I felt horror and a level of heartache that I didn’t even know existed.”

Despite the grief, she said she saw a sign of peace.

“Even in death I could see the man that I love. I could see the single gray hair on the side of his head, which I never told him about — now he knows, sorry baby.”

She added that she noticed “the faintest smile” on his lips, which she viewed as “a great mercy from God in this tragedy.”

She spoke of Charlie Kirk’s dedication to his mission: “He named his organization well. He knew things were not right with America, especially with young people, and that they needed a new direction. Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the West. The young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith and no reason to live.”

Addressing Robinson directly, Erika invoked scripture: “That young man. That young man. On the cross our savior said, ‘father forgive them for they know not what they do’ — that man, that young man, I forgive him.” The crowd responded with a lengthy ovation, many in tears.

She revealed that her husband had been wearing a St. Michael pendant when he was shot at Utah Valley University, which she now keeps with her.

Erika also recalled a conversation the night before the shooting when she urged him to consider additional protection.

“Not yet,” Charlie had told her, expressing confidence in his security team and the arrangements at the university.

“Charlie died with incomplete work, but not with unfinished business,” Erika said.

“I will miss him so much because our marriage and our family were beautiful, and still are. The greatest cause in Charlie’s life was trying to revive the American family.”

She noted his focus on faith and marriage when speaking with young people.

“When he spoke to young people he was always eager to tell them about God’s vision to marriage, and how if they could just dare to live it out it would enrich every part of their life in the same way it enriched ours.”

This is Erika Kirk’s full eulogy for Charlie. It’ll leave you with chills. She has Charlie’s heart and ability to connect with everyone on a personal level where it doesn’t seem like there’s a stadium of people around. Almost no one could meet this moment. She absolutely did. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qYZIr9SR3B

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 21, 2025

The memorial service ended with applause, prayer, and tributes to the late activist.

Erika Kirk’s call for forgiveness and her testimony of faith set the tone for the ceremony, marking one of the most powerful moments since her husband’s passing.

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