What to know : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2Fc4%2F0c2197d2468ca6e17b9ea944ff1a%2Fgettyimages-2236077678.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2Fc4%2F0c2197d2468ca6e17b9ea944ff1a%2Fgettyimages-2236077678.jpg" class="img" alt="Signs are seen on chairs ahead of the public memorial service of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the State Farm stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sept. 21." fetchpriority="high"/> Indicators are seen on chairs forward of the general public memorial service of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the State Farm stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sept. 21. Charly Triballeau/AFP/through Getty Pictures cover caption

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Charly Triballeau/AFP/through Getty Pictures Tens of hundreds of Charlie Kirk's supporters will be a part of with high Republican political leaders on Sunday for the funeral of the right-wing activist, lower than two weeks after he was killed.

The 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Level USA was a detailed ally of President Trump and seen as one of the crucial outstanding younger leaders throughout the MAGA motion. His loss of life has reverberated throughout the Republican Celebration — from the grassroots via the higher echelons of the White Home.

That connection specifically is more likely to be emphasised immediately as each Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to ship remarks at his service, together with a number of different high administration officers. Supporters will even hear from Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, who on Thursday was named the brand new CEO of Turning Level.

The funeral will start at 2 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5408x3605+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9f%2Fec%2Fce7967bf4b26ae465ff8ee07a4ce%2Fkirk-memorial-1.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5408x3605+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9f%2Fec%2Fce7967bf4b26ae465ff8ee07a4ce%2Fkirk-memorial-1.jpg" class="img" alt="People wait in line before a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz." loading="lazy"/> Individuals wait in line earlier than a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Jae C. Hong/AP cover caption

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Jae C. Hong/AP A line of individuals reached over a mile lengthy outdoors the stadium early Sunday, in response to the Metropolis of Glendale Police Division.

"We may see upwards of between 200,000 to 300,000 folks simply merely due to the quantity of folks that we now have seen present up," Glendale police communications supervisor Jose Santiago mentioned.

A debate on political violence The late activist's memorial comes simply days after prosecutors charged Tyler Robinson, 22, with murdering Kirk as he was talking at a Turning Level occasion at Utah Valley College in Orem, Utah on September 10. In charging paperwork, authorities cite a textual content message despatched by Robinson through which he allegedly explains why he focused Kirk, writing, "I had sufficient of his hatred."

Kirk was often called a campus free speech advocate, beloved by his many followers for creating an area for younger Republicans to counter what he noticed as extra liberal-leaning campus climates. In recent times, he had more and more espoused and amplified many right-wing Christian views.

He additionally took some stances that his critics derided as offensive. He was a vocal opponent of transgender rights, for instance, and believed the 1964 Civil Rights Act was a "mistake," arguing it has prompted a "everlasting DEI-type forms."

His assassination has sparked a broader dialog round political violence within the nation. A number of Republican leaders, together with Vance, have argued that the "far left" is disproportionately guilty for political violence and that it's not a "each side downside."

It's an argument that stands in stark distinction to a sobering listing of current documented acts of focused violence directed at people throughout the political spectrum. Democrats have additionally fervently denounced these GOP-led claims.

From pupil organizer to MAGA chief <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb4%2F49%2Fce0381ee46529f785fe5a04cb5e7%2Fgettyimages-2234476746.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb4%2F49%2Fce0381ee46529f785fe5a04cb5e7%2Fgettyimages-2234476746.jpg" class="img" alt="Candles and flowers are seen near a portrait of Kirk at a makeshift memorial during a candlelight vigil at Memorial Park in Provo, Utah, on Sept. 12" loading="lazy"/> Candles and flowers are seen close to a portrait of Kirk at a makeshift memorial throughout a candlelight vigil at Memorial Park in Provo, Utah, on Sept. 12 Melissa Majchrzak/AFP through Getty Pictures cover caption

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Melissa Majchrzak/AFP through Getty Pictures Kirk launched Turning Level in 2012 on the age of 18 as an area for younger conservatives. Since then, the group has reported greater than 1,800 faculty and highschool chapters across the nation. On the time of his loss of life, Kirk had amassed a following of thousands and thousands on-line and hosted the favored podcast and radio program, The Charlie Kirk Present.

Regardless of preliminary issues from some younger conservatives about whether or not Kirk's killing may reduce campus activism, Turning Level has since reported an increase in engagement. As of Thursday, the group introduced it has obtained greater than 60,000 requests from highschool and faculty college students seeking to be a part of or begin a college chapter.

Questions on Turning Level's future Forward of the 2024 election, the group's advocacy wing Turning Level Motion — which doesn't have a youth-only focus – assisted the Trump marketing campaign with voter turnout efforts in key swing states like Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Many high Republicans have since credited Kirk with serving to enhance assist for Trump amongst younger folks — although his direct influence is difficult to quantify.

To his younger followers, Kirk's bigger influence can't be overstated. Grieving Gen Z and millennial organizers and content material creators have praised the late activist for serving to encourage their very own political careers. It is one thing a number of Republican elected officers have echoed in their very own remembrances of Kirk, together with Vance, who spoke about how Kirk pushed for him as Trump's operating mate.

"If it weren't for Charlie Kirk, I might not be the Vice President of the US," Vance mentioned whereas internet hosting Kirk's present this previous week.

Whereas Erika Kirk has since been tapped to steer the Turning Level group, sustaining Kirk's bigger political motion might take a bunch effort. It is one thing Vance alluded to on Monday from the host chair.

"Charlie is irreplaceable, however we are able to no less than have a workforce of individuals attempt to step into the hole," he mentioned. "We're not going to let Charlie's mantle be discarded. We'll carry on carrying it."