At a memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, President Donald Trump shared an emotional tribute to Charlie Kirk, revealing that one of Kirk’s final requests before his assassination was for Trump to “save Chicago.” Kirk, who grew up in the city’s suburbs, reportedly urged Trump to address the escalating crime in Chicago. In response, Trump pledged to override Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and deploy National Guard troops to restore order and safety in the city.
Trump praised Kirk as a fearless advocate for “freedom and justice,” saying he was “heinously murdered for speaking the truth that was in his heart.” Describing Kirk’s death as an assassination, Trump said Kirk “lived boldly and argued brilliantly without apology.” Addressing Kirk’s grieving family, Trump offered heartfelt condolences, stating, “America loved Charlie Kirk,” and described the moment he learned of Kirk’s death as a “surreal experience.”
During his remarks, Trump credited Kirk with helping unite the MAGA and MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movements. He noted Kirk’s early support of political figures such as J.D. Vance and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump also emphasized Kirk’s role in expanding Republican support among young voters, particularly on college campuses, helping the former president capture 43% of voters aged 18 to 29 in the 2024 election.
The memorial event drew tens of thousands of attendees, and billionaire Elon Musk joined Trump in his booth as a symbolic gesture of unity. In honor of Kirk, Trump ordered U.S. flags at the White House to be flown at half-staff and publicly stated that Kirk had the potential to be a future president.
Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the agency is pursuing every lead in the ongoing investigation. Suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and charged with the murder. Prior to his arrest, Robinson reportedly confessed in a Discord message, writing, “It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.” The FBI is examining possible accomplices, digital communications, and surveillance footage related to the assassination.
