Democrats maintained a wary silence on Monday as Donald Trump’s Republican party appeared galvanised by a memorial service for the late rightwing activist Charlie Kirk that was part religious revival, part political rally.
Nearly 100,000 people filled an American football stadium and overflow arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday to pay tribute to Kirk, according to his organisation Turning Point USA. The 31-year-old staunch Trump ally was shot dead on 10 September.
The service blended politics with religion, putting Christian nationalism at the heart of Trump’s “Make America great again” movement. It also cast Kirk as a martyr who could be a rallying point in future elections. “Today is the day democrats lost 2028,” posted Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Republican senator John McCain.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, earned widespread praise for a tearful address in which she said she forgives the man charged with her husband’s killing. She told the crowd: “My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life. I forgive him.” Erika Kirk is taking over as leader of Turning Point USA, which was crucial in mobilising young voters for Trump in last year’s election.
Trump and other political figures cast Kirk’s death as a pivotal moment in the conservative movement, exhorting followers to finish his work. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said in a fiery speech: “You have no idea the dragon you have awakened.” Trump insisted “the violence comes largely from the left”, without citing evidence, and quipped: “I hate my opponents and I don’t want the best for them.”
Democrats trod carefully in responding, aware that any criticism might be exploited. Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, told viewers: “There were two beats and it did sound, when the politicians got up there, very discordant.” Presidential historian Jon Meacham urged viewers not to feel “reflexively uncomfortable” about the religious outpouring, but added that Trump’s speech “should be considered on its merits”.
