Charlie Kirk's funeral: Everything we know so far as mourners gather to pay respect to the activist's corpse in Phoenix 

Charlie Kirk's body was taken back to his home in Phoenix, Arizona, ahead of his last rites on September 11, 2025. His followers and supporters paid their last respects to the media personality.

Charlie Kirk's funeral is set to take place near the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. It is also the site where mourners and supporters gathered on Thursday, after Kirk's body was brought back to his hometown. The date of the funeral remains unconfirmed, but it is expected to be held next weekend, as hinted by President Donald Trump.

The President and Vice President, JD Vance and their families, are expected to attend the last rites. Other attendees could include renowned Republican leaders and other high-profile guests.

On September 10, Charlie Kirk was shot dead during a student-sponsored event at Utah Valley University in the Orem campus. The conservative activist was rushed to the hospital after being shot in the neck, but succumbed to his injuries. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, accompanied Kirk's wife, Erika, and their two children as they carried his casket back to Arizona.

Air Force Two landed at the Salt Lake City International Airport at 2:30 pm MT, before flying to Arizona two hours later. After the flight reached Arizona, JD Vance was seen helping carry Charlie Kirk's casket, as per The Arizona Republic. He was transported to the Hansen Mortuary Chapel in a motorcade upon landing.

Multiple supporters and fans paid their tributes to Kirk after his remains reached the Chapel. Meanwhile, other mourners gathered around the Turning Point USA headquarters with their flowers and letters. Many carried the American flag, and others wore signature red MAGA hats in honor of the Republican activist.

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President Trump confirms his attendance at Charlie Kirk's funeral in Arizona

Vice President JD Vance on stage with Charlie Kirk during the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball at the Salamander Hotel on January 19, 2025 (Image via Getty)

In an interview with CNN on the White House lawns on September 10, President Donald Trump addressed his concerns about the future of the country in the light of Charlie Kirk's assassination. The Republican President also confirmed he is obligated to attend Kirk's funeral in Arizona.

"I will be. I will. I believe it's in Arizona. And they've asked me to go, and I think I have an obligation to do that. I am hearing the next weekend. Whenever it is, I will be going," Trump said.

When asked if Trump was concerned about his safety after Charlie Kirk's murder, he said:

"Not really. I'm really concerned for our country. We have a great country. We have a radical left group of lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics, and we're going to get that problem solved. I'm only concerned for the country."

Trump then mentioned he had a "long talk" with Kirk's wife, Erika, who was "devastated" after the incident. He was then asked to comment on the FBI's efforts to get hold of the person or people responsible for Kirk's death. Trump referred to the killer as a "total animal", adding:

"He's an animal, a total animal. And hopefully, they'll have him, and they'll get him. What he did is disgraceful. Charlie Kirk was a great person, a great man, in every way."

The FBI has made some progress in tracking down Kirk's killer, as of writing. They released two images of a person of interest in the assassination. The person in question reportedly fired the shot and jumped off the roof before escaping into a neighborhood. The murder weapon, allegedly a high-powered, bolt-action rifle, was retrieved by the FBI.

The US President also claimed he had an "indication" of the motives behind Charlie Kirk's murder, but further details will be revealed later. He also urged the country to respond to the tragic death with "nonviolence," as Kirk believed in the same principles. Kirk was a strong advocate and supporter of the MAGA movement led by Trump and a close ally of the President.

Ahead of his interview with CNN, Donald Trump also announced that he would honor Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. His comments were made during a memorial event for the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon.

"Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people. We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie's voice and courage put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on," he said.

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Charlie Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two children. Further details about his funeral and last rites are awaited.