Charlie Kirk memorial service draws tens of thousands, including Trump, Vance, and other senior White House officials

GLENDALE, Ariz. (ABC4) — The memorial service for Charlie Kirk, the conservative political activist killed in an assassination at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, takes place today. Thousands are in attendance, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and senior White House officials, according to the Associated Press.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. Utah resident Tyler Robinson, 22, is now facing charges in his death.

Sunday’s memorial service is taking place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. The stadium is located west of Phoenix, where Kirk’s organization Turning Point USA is based.

Doors are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. MT with the program starting at 11 a.m. MT. Tune into this story for a live stream of the event, beginning at 11 a.m.

Security is expected to be tight, with a similar level of federal law enforcement presence as for the Super Bowl or other high-profile events, the Associated Press said. Members of the public reportedly began lining up outside the stadium before dawn to secure a spot, several hours before the start of the service.

“We’re going to celebrate the life of a great man today,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Sunday morning to make his way to Arizona for the service. “It will be a tough day.”

In addition to Trump and Vance, scheduled speakers reportedly include Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump Jr., right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.