The Charlie Kirk memorial service featured several Cabinet members and speeches by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for an event that lasted nearly six hours.
Here are some of the rhetorical highlights in their own words.
Trump: “Less than two weeks ago, our country was robbed of one of the brightest lights of our times, a giant of his generation, and above all, a devoted husband, father, son, Christian and patriot. Charles James Kirk was heinously murdered by a radicalized, cold-blooded monster for speaking the truth that was in his heart.”
Trump: Kirk “did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erika.”
Trump: “He’s bigger now than ever before, and he’s eternal. He’s eternal. And I just want to say we love him, and he’s looking down at us right now and he’s saying, ‘Wow, that’s a great crowd.’”
Vance: “I can’t help but think they tried to silence my friend Charlie Kirk. They tried to silence our dear friend Charlie Kirk, and today, tonight, we speak with Charlie and for Charlie louder than ever.”
Vance: “I always felt a little uncomfortable talking about my faith in public. As much as I love the Lord and as much as it was an important part of my life, I have talked more about Jesus Christ in the past two weeks than I have my entire time in public life. That is an undeniable legacy of the great Charlie Kirk.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “He sought to engage those he disagreed with because he understood that we were not created to isolate ourselves from one another, but to engage. The irony in all this is that what our nation needs — one of the many things it needs — is the ability to discuss our differences openly, honestly, peacefully, respectfully, and Charlie Kirk did that more than anyone alive in America today.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “Christ died at 33 years old, but he changed the trajectory of history. Charlie died at 31 years old. But also now has changed the trajectory of history.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: “Charlie Kirk: a warrior for country, a warrior for Christ. He ran the race, he finished the fight, and now it’s our turn. … Charlie, we’ll take it from here.”
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: “Charlie lived by the principle that no matter how horrible another person’s speech may be, their ideas must be defeated by better ideas, not by resorting to violence.”