Trump caps off Charlie Kirk tributes centred on faith, forgiveness — and some fiery anger

U.S. Chair Trump's replete(p) oral communication at Charlie Kirk's commemoration

Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, says she forgives husband's alleged killer

U.S. Vice-President Vance's full speech at Charlie Kirk's memorial

Rubio speaks about Charlie Kirk's impact at memorial

Donald Trump Jr. Imitates his father in speech at Charlie Kirk memorial

Charlie Kirk memorial and funeral underway in Arizona

We’re wrapping up our live coverage of the Charlie Kirk memorial. Thank you for joining us today, and our coverage continues at cbcnews.ca

Trump waded into the free speech debate following the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Remarks the late-night host made in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination came under harsh criticism from the head of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday.

At today’s memorial, Trump repeated his criticism of “a canceled late night TV show where the anchor had no talent and no ratings.”

Trump also emphasized bringing back religion to America. €œWithout borders, law and order and religion, you really don't have a country anymore,” he said.

Trump recognized other Charlie Kirk vigils around the world, including in Calgary. He said people gathered at Calgary’s city hall to sing the U.S. National anthem and raise Charlie Kirk posters. He also emphasized Kirk’s global impact by highlighting memorials in Seoul, Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna, Sydney, Madrid, London and Tel Aviv.

Although many had waited in line for hours to attend the memorial, some wouldn’t wait for Trump to finish his speech.

As the president’s speech went on, parts focussing on Kirk, other parts touching on crime, health and other topics, people started trickling out of the arena.

Trump ended the speech with inviting Erika Kirk on stage with him, with the song America blasting out of the speakers.

Trump described it as a “surreal experience” when he learned Kirk had been killed.

He said he was in the Oval Office with some very important people — “the biggest.”

Trump said he rushed them out of the room. €œI said, ‘You have to leave, now, right now. You have to leave. Go.”

Trump said there was at least one area in which he disagreed with Kirk — embrace your opponents.

“I hate my opponents. I can’t stand my opponents,” he said, which drew laughter from the audience.

Trump went on a short tangent about autism after asking the crowd if they know what MAHA, Make America Healthy Again, means. Trump said there will be an announcement tomorrow. €œI think we found an answer to autism,” Trump claimed.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Spoke earlier in the memorial service. Trump selected him to oversee federal health agencies and a “massive testing and research effort” to determine the cause of autism by this month, according to The Associated Press. He has repeatedly tried to link vaccines to the condition.

Trump was the last speaker to take the stage.

He said Kirk was killed by a “cold blooded monster” and that on the day of his death, the U.S. Lost its “greatest evangelist for American liberty.”

He said Kirk is now immortal, and a “martyr for American freedom.”

“None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk and neither now will history.”

U.S. President Donald Trump is now speaking. He entered the stage to God Bless the U.S.A., sung by Lee Greenwood.

Erika Kirk said her husband wanted to save lost young men, like the man suspected of taking his life.

She quoted Jesus who asked God to forgive those who crucified him “for they know not what they do.”

“That man, I forgive him,” she said, crying.

She said it’s because of what Christ did and what Charlie would have done. She said the answer to hate is not hate but love, and to “love our enemies.”

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