GLENDALE, AZ – A memorial service for Charlie Kirk drew tens of thousands to state Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, featuring remarks from former President Donald Trump and a powerful display of forgiveness from Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk.
The event celebrated the life and legacy of the conservative activist, who was tragically killed earlier this month. A especially moving moment came when Erika Kirk publicly forgave her husband’s killer, a gesture described by Kirk’s mentor, Dr. Frank Turek, as requiring “only a supernatural force like the Holy Spirit” to accomplish.
Turek, speaking Monday on “FOX & Friends,” recalled Kirk’s “soaring intellect” and dedication to engaging students in open dialogue. He also addressed criticism leveled against Kirk’s ideas, arguing that labeling him a “fascist” is a mischaracterization.
“He loved students and he wanted to dialogue with them,” Turek said. “Isn’t it crazy, Ainsley, that they call somebody like Charlie Kirk a fascist? Do you know of any fascist who gives his opponent the microphone and says, ’Go ahead, say whatever you want to say. Let’s have a dialogue?’ No, fascists kill their opponents.”
Turek asserted that the individual responsible for Kirk’s death, rather than Kirk himself, embodied fascist ideology. ”The guy who killed Charlie was a fascist, not charlie,” he stated. “It’s amazing how twisted some people get in trying to oppose people they don’t like.”
