U.S. President Donald Trump paid a fiery tribute to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a memorial service held Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, declaring the late commentator a “martyr for American freedom” while delivering one of his most pointed attacks yet on his political rivals.

 

Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Addressing thousands of mourners, including Kirk’s widow, Erika, Trump praised the 31-year-old as “one of the brightest lights of our times,” saying he was killed “because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, country, for reason, and for common sense.”

 

Calling Kirk’s killer a “radicalised, cold-blooded monster,” Trump asserted that Kirk’s death had elevated him beyond mortality. “Our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal,” he said. “He’s a martyr now for American freedom.”

 

The former president also railed against what he described as “radical left lunatics,” drawing both laughter and applause from the crowd.

 

But Trump drew a sharp contrast between himself and the man he was honoring, conceding that while Kirk refused to harbor hatred for his political opponents, he does not share that restraint.

 

“He was a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them,” Trump said. “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.”

 

Trump then turned to Kirk’s widow with an apology. “Erika, you can talk to me and the whole group, but maybe they can convince me that that’s not right, but I can’t stand my opponent,” he added.

 

The memorial ended with Trump urging conservatives to continue Kirk’s mission of championing “freedom and justice,” even as investigations continue into the shooting at Utah Valley University.