| September 21, 2025 10:02:52 PM |
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| September 21, 2025 10:02:52 PM |
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President Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance.
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President Donald Trump, left, stands with Erika Kirk at the memorial of her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) |
Trump officials praise Charlie Kirk's mark on the conservative movement |
The Arizona memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners. In his remarks, Trump called Kirk "a martyr now for America's freedom."
Speakers, including Vice President JD Vance and other senior administration officials, highlighted Kirk’s profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, build families and pass on their values to keep building their movement. They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in confrontational tones, that the best way to honor Kirk was doubling down on his mission to move American politics further to the right.
Kirk’s assassination during a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has become a singular moment for the modern-day conservative movement. It also has set off a fierce debate about violence, decency and free speech in an era of deep political division. Read more. |
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Of note:
Kirk's widow, Erika, in her own address said that, in the midst of her grief, she was finding comfort that her husband left this world without regrets. She also said that she forgives the man who is charged with killing him.
Trump during his remarks, which closed out the service, remarked that Charlie Kirk “did not hate his opponents” and “wanted the best for them," an attribute the president said he found hard to understand.
"That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them," Trump said. “I’m sorry, I am sorry Erika." |
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Trump pushes for Bondi to pursue cases against his foes |
Eight months into his second term, Trump’s long-standing pledge to take on those he perceives as his political enemies has prompted debates over free speech, media censorship and political prosecutions.
From late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension to Pentagon restrictions on reporters and an apparent public appeal to Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue legal cases against his adversaries, Trump has escalated moves to consolidate power in his second administration and root out those who have spoken out against him.
On Saturday, Trump posted somewhat of an open letter on social media to his top prosecutor to advance such inquiries, including a mortgage fraud probe into New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. Also Saturday, Trump said he was nominating a White House aide as top federal prosecutor for the office investigating James, a longtime foe of Trump. Read more.
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Of note:
Under a 17-page memo distributed Friday, the Pentagon stepped up restrictions on the media, saying it will require credentialed journalists to sign a pledge to refrain from reporting information that has not been authorized for release, including unclassified information.
Asked Sunday if the Pentagon should play a role in determining what journalists can report, Trump said, “No, I don’t think so.” |
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Trump reveals Murdochs and Dell could potentially take part in TikTok deal |
Trump said prominent billionaires – including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and tech founder Michael Dell – could be part of a deal in which the U.S. will take control of the social video platform TikTok. Trump namedropped the 94-year-old Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch, the head of Fox News and News Corp, as part of a group of possible participants in a deal during an interview recorded Friday and aired Sunday on Fox News.
Trump’s disclosure of the potential involvement of the Murdochs and Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, is the latest twist in a fast-moving potential deal to keep TikTok operating in the U.S.
Trump also said Sunday that tech giant Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison was part of the same group. On Saturday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Oracle would be responsible for the app’s data and security and that Americans will control six of the seven seats for a planned board. Read more.
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Of note:
Much is still unknown about the actual framework of the TikTok deal, which Trump discussed with China’s Xi Jinping in a lengthy phone call on Friday. Chinese and U.S. officials have until Dec. 16 to hash out the details, following the latest deadline extension by the Trump administration. |
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Australian businessman Rupert Murdoch and his companion Elena Zhukova arrive for a State Banquet at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool) |
- Trump has said he plans to make an announcement related to autism in the Oval Office on Monday.
- Trump is also expected to travel to the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
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