By Staff
In her closing remarks at the memorial service for her slain husband, Charlie, Erika Kirk encouraged anyone feeling lost or seeking a new direction in their lives to turn to Christ.
“Charlie’s life was a turning point for this country; it was a miracle,” she told the crowd of over 70,000. “Let that miracle of Charlie’s life be your turning point as well. Choose prayer. Choose courage. Choose beauty. Choose adventure. Choose family. Choose a life of faith. Most importantly, choose Christ.”
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, during the first stop of “The American Comeback Tour,” one of his trademark speaking engagements held at college campuses around the country.
The conservative grassroots organization Turning Point USA, founded by Kirk when he was 18, hosted the event. Earlier in her passionate speech, viewed by over 100 million people around the world, Erika Kirk astonished the audience by forgiving her late husband’s killer.
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love, and always love—love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
The act of forgiving her spouse’s killer on live television was so moving that many viewers felt they were experiencing a spiritual awakening. Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany believes the inspirational moment helped people “come to know Christ more deeply” and predicted a cultural shift as a result.
“I think about this incredible woman you’re looking at, and I think she faced tragedy at the deepest possible level, yet she chose to turn it into triumph. I believe she has changed a generation.”
Poker ambassador Daniel Negreanu commented on X, “This is gut wrenching to watch. So powerful, so passionate… and the forgiveness to his murderer? Wow. Heartbreakingly beautiful words and sentiment. My heart skipped a beat watching her force the words out.”
Thousands of people, some of whom hadn’t picked up a Bible in years, or even considered religion were moved, and began flooding social media with messages of hope, and steps they were taking in their lives as a result of Kirk’s death, and his widow’s powerful message.
A poster on X under the username “Jenna” wrote; “Charlie’s death really affected me. I have never cried so much before for someone I have not personally met. I’ve thought about him everyday since it happened and have read a Bible quote every morning to start my day off. I feel forever changed.”
Another video circulated on TikTok of a young man wearing a suit for the first time after being inspired by Kirk. “I didn’t know Charlie Kirk, never met that guy before in my life, and something else that I’ve never done before in my life is believe in God. I’m going to wear this suit to church. I’m going to go to church. I’m going to try to be a better father, husband, and leader for my family.”
Members of the audience wept openly throughout the service as attendees joined in singing hymns in what many described as a revival-like atmosphere.
British political commentator Chris Rose remarked, “50,000+ people at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service singing Christian songs in his honor. I get goosebumps watching this. The most powerful tributes are solemn and humble.”
“We have never seen anything like we saw today. A memorial service viewed by millions, led by national leaders proclaiming the Gospel and exalting Jesus as Lord. The widow of a slain American patriot and Christian forgiving his assassin. A young man who said, ‘Here am I, send me,’ just may be the catalyst for the revival we desperately need,” Pastor Jack Graham remarked.
Popular podcaster Megyn Kelly declared, “His funeral is going to be remembered as one of the most impactful spiritual events in American history.”
Vice President JD Vance continued the sentiment in his tribute: “The evil murderer who took Charlie from us expected us to have a funeral today — and instead, my friends, we have had a REVIVAL and celebration of Charlie Kirk and of his Lord Jesus Christ!”
Mrs. Kirk went on to talk about Charlie’s dream of reviving the American family—which has seen a steady decline over the past 75 years, with only 47% of households headed by married couples today, compared to 79% in 1949 (according to usfacts.org).
“When he spoke to young people, he was always eager to tell them about God’s vision for marriage and how, if they could just dare to live it out, it would enrich every part of their lives in the same way that it enriched ours.”
Speaking directly about her own marriage, she praised Charlie for his role as the head of the household and issued the same challenge he presented to the young men he was trying to reach on college campuses.
“Charlie perfectly understood God’s role for a Christian husband—a man who leads so that they can serve. To all the men watching around the world, accept Charlie’s challenge and embrace true manhood. Be strong and courageous for your families. Love your wives and lead them. Love your children and protect them. Be the spiritual head of your home. But please be a leader worth following for your wife.”
She addressed the misconception that Christian wives “submitting” to their husbands means they are inferior by clarifying that the two become one: “Your wife is not your servant. Your wife is not your employee. Your wife is not your slave. She is your helper. You are not rivals. You are one flesh, working together for the glory of God.”
Her words echoed the sense of unity attendees were feeling after The White House posted a pic on X of Elon Musk and President Trump reuniting following months of infighting. “For Charlie” was the caption.
When asked by reporters why he thought Kirk was killed, Musk, after a moment of reflection responded, “Charlie was murdered by the Dark for showing people the Light.”
Former atheist Anna Khait, the first reality TV star to endorse Trump’s presidential run in 2016, pointed out that Kirk’s faith gave him the courage to spread the gospel in the face of danger: “He understood that his life was in Jesus Christ’s hands. Because of that, he was able to live freely, speak boldly, and share truth fearlessly—even while facing constant death threats. Now he’s enjoying his eternal reward in Heaven—an endless celebration that never stops.”
As friends and admirers of Kirk dealt with the tragic loss while simultaneously rejoicing in the spiritual awakening occurring before their very eyes, many who disagreed with Kirk politically celebrated his murder. One of the first alleged instances occurred during a live news feed on media powerhouse TMZ. Investigative journalist Laura Loomer was first to report that employees could be heard cheering in the background as news of Kirk’s death broke.
TMZ quickly responded: “We want to make it clear that these cheers were a reaction to a high-speed chase happening in California. This was prior to, and not related to, Charlie Kirk’s death.” The statement was mocked by thousands, including poker-playing actor James Woods, who scoffed at the dubious claim with the scathing retort, “Bull. Sh*t.”
The callousness of people cheering death was shocking, even to Kirk’s adversaries. Others, while not nearly as gleeful, made it clear they were shedding no tears…
Read the rest of the article in the Summer 2025 RECAP issue of Rounder Magazine
Images of Erika Kirk, Usha Vance, Vice President J/D/ Vance, and President Trump by Daniel Torok/The White House. Image of Daniel Negreanu by Enrique Malfavon/PokerGo. Image of James Woods courtesy of Big F Pictures.Freedom Barn image by Jeff Louderback/The Epoch Time.
