Every seat was filled Sunday evening at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C., as 2,460 people gathered to honor Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
More than 85 members of Congress attended the memorial.
Kirk, 31, was assassinated Wednesday during the opening stop of his fall speaking tour at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Hundreds more outside the venue streamed the prayer vigil on their phones.
House Speaker Mike Johnson was among the first to address the crowd.
I was honored to speak at Charlie Kirk’s vigil at the Kennedy Center last night where so many gathered to pay their respects to a life well lived.
Our republic was born in sacrifice—and is preserved by courageous Americans like Charlie, who are willing to fight for freedom. The… pic.twitter.com/TOsVa6vsFW
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) September 15, 2025
It began and ended with worship, reflecting Kirk’s Christian faith.
RFK Jr. Pays Tribute
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called Kirk “the primary architect of Trump’s unification.”
He recalled how Kirk inspired his niece to carry a Bible with her when studying abroad.
WATCH: Complete remarks by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr at Charlie Kirk Memorial Service. pic.twitter.com/RkJWmcguez
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 15, 2025
Kennedy said Kirk’s life was proof of faith in action.
Karoline Leavitt Remembers
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared personal memories from her 2022 congressional race.
She said Kirk gave her crucial support when establishment Republicans ignored her.
Karoline Leavitt delivers a moving 7-minute tribute to Charlie Kirk.
When no one else believed in Leavitt, Charlie did.
His kind soul was felt everywhere he went — and Karoline’s words captured that beautifully. pic.twitter.com/M7bl4w1pmi
— Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) September 14, 2025
“Charlie welcomed me on stage to reach young voters,” she recalled.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Remarks
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Kirk defended free speech.
“No matter how horrible a person’s speech may be, their ideas must be defeated by better ideas,” she said.
WATCH: Complete remarks by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at Charlie Kirk Memorial Service. pic.twitter.com/xEAD92D89E
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 15, 2025
“It’s up to us to continue Charlie’s legacy.”
Kari Lake Speaks
Kari Lake, senior adviser for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, mentioned the alleged assassin.
“How does a 22-year-old become so filled with hate?” she asked.
WATCH: @KariLake’s Full Remarks at the Washington D.C. Prayer Vigil for Charlie Kirk pic.twitter.com/CNqL0O2xXS
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 15, 2025
She reminded the audience: “Charlie is not dead, he’s got everlasting life.”
Anna Paulina Luna
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna reflected on her early years with Turning Point USA.
“I saw Turning Point grow from a few hundred attendees to thousands,” she said.
Charlie Kirk will go down in history as one of the greatest political minds and activists of our lifetime. His impact places him alongside transformative figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy.
Though Charlie’s not here with us physically,… pic.twitter.com/1B8BAq7gJc
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) September 15, 2025
“Turning Point isn’t just a nonprofit, it’s a movement.”
Signs of Revival
Rep. John McGuire of Virginia said the event was both somber and hopeful.
He reported pastors telling him their churches saw “record attendance” after Kirk’s death.
“That right there is something good coming out of something bad,” McGuire said.
From lawmakers to young conservatives, the vigil emphasized Kirk’s lasting impact.
Supporters pledged that his vision of faith, debate, and free speech will endure.
For many, the evening marked not only a farewell, but a recommitment to his cause.
