Attendees exit Charlie Kirk memorial as Trump begins rambling

A Lengthy Speech and Early Exits at Charlie Kirk's Funeral

At Sunday’s large, church-style funeral service for slain far-right activist Charlie Kirk, many attendees were seen leaving the event early during a long and meandering speech by former President Donald Trump. The service took place at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where hundreds of people gathered to honor Kirk, who was 31 years old. He was known as a close ally of Trump and was described by the former president as someone who "inspired millions" and was a "patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate."

Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that promotes conservative values in educational institutions. He was shot dead during a public debate with students at Utah Valley University on September 10.

The funeral service began at 11 a.m. ET, but many people arrived well before dawn to secure a spot in the stadium, which has a capacity of over 63,400. As the event progressed, attendees were treated to a nearly 40-minute speech from Trump, during which he shared condolences to Kirk's family and praised the activist's character and work ethic. However, the speech quickly veered off-topic as Trump criticized his political opponents, discussed plans to send federal law enforcement to more liberal cities, and offered familiar critiques of former President Joe Biden.

Throughout the lengthy address, several hundred attendees were seen rising from their seats and slowly exiting the stadium, indicating a lack of engagement with the content of the speech.

Trump claimed during his speech that one of the last things Kirk asked him before his death was to pursue one of the president's most controversial plans. “One of the last things he said to me was, 'Please, sir, save Chicago,'" Trump alleged, likely referring to his idea of sending federal law enforcement troops to the city despite resistance from local leaders. Shortly after, Trump mentioned an upcoming announcement about autism, which the Wall Street Journal reported would include a statement from health officials linking Tylenol to the condition in children.

This follows an earlier announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the agency would fund a study on the false belief that vaccines cause autism. The CDC, World Health Organization, and other reputable health organizations have consistently debunked this theory, finding no link between vaccines and autism.

Several high-profile figures from Trump's coalition also made remarks during the service, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Pete Hegseth, Tucker Carlson, Stephen Miller, and RFK Jr.

The funeral was also designated as a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1 by the Department of Homeland Security, reserved for events of the highest national significance. This classification highlights the importance of the gathering and the security measures put in place.

Tyler Robinson, the alleged assassin, was taken into custody after a publicized manhunt lasting over 30 hours. According to reports, the 22-year-old Robinson allegedly stated he had "enough" of the "hatred" Kirk was spreading.

Kirk's assassination led to widespread condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats. Since the killing, top Trump officials have been threatening vengeance against anyone who "celebrates" Kirk's death. As a result, dozens of people have lost their jobs or faced penalties. Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel was indefinitely suspended after making comments related to Kirk.

The event drew a massive crowd, with many attendees eager to pay their respects to a figure who played a significant role in shaping the conservative movement in the United States. Despite the emotional nature of the occasion, the extended speech by Trump left many attendees disengaged and eager to leave the event.