"A giant of his generation. An American hero and a martyr for freedom. He changed history." Donald Trump celebrated Charlie Kirk before 200,000 people from across America, who lined up from dawn to honor the activist's memory at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, his home.
Greeted by a standing ovation in the stadium, the president spoke about his Charlie, the man who also managed to reunite him with Elon Musk. The president was photographed in the stands chatting amicably with his former first buddy after a violent separation marked by attacks and criticism. Trump took to the stage in a rally-like tone, speaking for over 40 minutes: he recalled the key role the activist played in his victory at the White House and the courage with which he spoke at universities, then attacked the "radical left" that "Charlie would have called just the left, but I can't."
Erika Kirk introduced the president after a passionate and tearful speech. Kirk's widow took the stage with her hands raised to the sky, while the entire stadium applauded. Erika pledged to carry on her husband's mission. "When I saw his body, there was neither fear nor suffering, but a smile on his face," she said, and then, through tears, forgave the killer. "My husband, Charlie, wanted to save young people, like the man who took his life. I forgive that young man. The answer to hate is nothing more hate," she explained.
Nearly the entire Trump administration took the stage to remember the activist. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. compared him to Jesus. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised his "great impact" before calling it a "political assassination. " J.D. Vance described "friend Charlie" as a "martyr for the faith" who "they tried to silence. He was Athens and Jerusalem rolled into one," the capital of reason and that of God. "He loved his country, and he loved it so much that he would die for it. In Charlie Kirk, we had found a leader," he added.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth described him as a "hero who fought not with guns but with a microphone," while the Director of National Intelligence as a "warrior for truth and freedom." "We will finish his work and achieve victory in his name. Light will conquer darkness: we will win," Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff and advisor, the architect of the immigration crackdown, said in a combative tone . Donald Trump Jr. used the same tone: "He was like a brother to me. We are all Charlie," the president's son shouted from the stage. "We will not be intimidated. Our message of faith and family will not be silenced," he added. The ceremony concluded with Trump and Erika Kirk embracing on stage, after the president displayed his slogan 'fight, fight, fight,' assuring that the battle in Charlie's name will continue.
(Unioneonline)