Kirk funeral, 200,000 in Phoenix. Trump: 'A hero, I will give him a civilian medal'

Erica Kirk, widow of the late MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, said at a memorial event in Arizona that she forgave her husband's murderer because 'it is what Christ did' and because it is what the deceased would have done.

"My husband Charlie wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life," said the widow Kirk. "On the cross, our Saviour said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" That boy, that young man, I forgive him!" she said, bursting into tears.

The US President recalled the key role Kirk played in his victory in the White House and confirmed that he will present him with the Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honour. Almost the entire Trump administration took the stage. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr compared Kirk to Jesus.

US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk both went to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where a memorial service was held for the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump and Musk sat in separate sections, on adjacent chairs, and chatted with each other. In June, Musk and Trump clashed publicly over the massive cuts. In late June, amid disagreements with Trump, Musk again proposed the creation of a new political party in the United States, declaring that the country is currently a 'one party'. In response to the entrepreneur's criticism of the bill, Trump warned that without the subsidies he would have to 'shut everything down and go home to South Africa'.

Nevada, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Maine, North Carolina and even Hawaii and Alaska. The Charlie Kirk people crossed the US to be in front of the State Farm Stadium in Phoenix at dawn for the commemoration of the conservative activist killed on 10 September. Traffic is already congested in the middle of the night around the 'biggest stadium in Arizona', locals proudly say. One has to get out of the taxis and walk at least the last kilometre to approach the 63,000-capacity facility. Many have been camping since the night before outside the building surrounded by large fields, to make sure they get in.

"Of course I wanted to be there. I want to show my closeness to his family and to all that part of America that has lost a son: a good guy who preached the truth, which is that you have to respect others, find a wife and have children. These are the values I believe in,' says 71-year-old Phoenix resident Bryan Field.

When the gates open, after a double security check with dogs and metal detectors, the race is on to occupy the seats. A composed but quick procession of comfortable shoes, red or blue T-shirts (the colours of the flag, highly recommended in the event's dress code), Maga hats or hats with the initials CK embroidered with gold thread. Groups of young people, many families with small children in tow, elderly people. "I'm here to make history," cuts Lala, 50, from Arizona, in line to buy a T-shirt with the influencer's silhouette for $39 or a cap that reads 'Make America Charlie Kirk'. "That one costs 35 plus tax. I save four bucks," she calculates, smiling in her star-spangled jacket, matching earrings, blue eyeshadow and red lipstick. "It's still worth taking home a souvenir, because," he says, "we make history in this country today. I love Charlie and I love Jesus'. Around her echoes the notes of a Christian rock band: 'All our hope is in Jesus,' she calls the applause to the frontman.

Among the people who have already secured a seat, many stand with their hands clasped or open towards the sky. They sing with their eyes closed. The living concrete aisles of the stadium, where the local football team, the Arizona Cardinals, usually play, are decorated with photos of Kirk resting on wooden easels. Most portray him on stage or during the debates; in many he poses with his wife Erika, who will in fact pick up the legacy of the organisation her husband founded in 2012, Turning Point USA; in only a handful of pictures does he appear with Donald Trump, the president who is expected on stage, already present in the 'pilgrims' attire, but less so in their speeches.

'I'm a Trump fan, of course. But I'm here for Charlie. I am also 31 years old, his murder broke my heart. I'm a widow too, and I wanted to be close to Erika in this ordeal that God has sent us,' says Taylor, queuing for coffee because she had a late night out, 'with grandma, mother, and siblings and a few cousins'.

But there is not only human participation in his words: 'that killer did not just kill a young man, he stole the next president of the United States from us'. Marty, 46, had also been waiting since the night before to attend the ceremony and is now tired but 'with a heart full of love', he says. Arriving from Montana with his wife and 18-year-old daughter, he says: "Charlie touched our souls. His legacy? You can see it here - he twirls his arms and blue eyes to indicate the crowd already filling the stands - His death has already changed America: we are all here together, united in Jesus, convinced more than before to fight for our values, family and country. We have spent the night talking to strangers who have come from the farthest cities, places we have never heard of. I love him for that. I love him, Jesus and America,' he concludes with a smile.