She stunned mourners during her emotional speech saying she forgave her late husband’s killer.
“I forgive him,” she told the crowd, breaking down in tears.
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And is what Charlie would do.
“The answer to hate is not hate, the answer we know from the gospel is love and always love.
“After Charlie’s assassination, we didn’t see violence, we didn’t see rioting, we didn’t see revolution.
“Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country. We saw revival [of Christian faith].”
Dressed in a white blazer and matching trousers, Erika thanked attendees for travelling from across the globe to celebrate her late husband.
She told mourners she was living through a “heartache I never knew existed” as she delivered her moving tribute.
Remembering the tragic day of her husband’s assassination, Erika said: “On the afternoon of September 10th, I arrived at a Utah hospital to do the unthinkable: To look directly at my husband’s murdered body.
Charlie Kirk memorial speakers and special moments
“I saw the wound that ended his life.”
Erika added: “I will miss him so much.”
The heartbroken widow would end her emotional speech by speaking directly to her late husband in a touching moment.
She said: “I love you Charlie, baby. I will make you so proud.”
President Donald Trump, his Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk were also at the huge memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona — home of the Arizona Cardinals American football team.
Musk told reporters: “Charlie was someone who believed in dialogue and open debate. He was a man of ideas. He spoke eloquently and basically never raised his voice. He was a man of peace and now he has been murdered in cold blood.
11
Donald Trump took to the stage after Mrs KirkCredit: Getty
11
The President embraced Kirk’s widow on stage before delivering his speechCredit: AP
“He was killed because his voice made a difference.
“He was showing people the Light and he was killed by the Dark.”
Vice President JD Vance described Kirk as having built a movement that has “changed the course of American history”.
He told Mr Kirk’s sea of supporters: “They tried to silence my friend Charlie Kirk but we are spreading his message loudly.”
Mr Vance, whose Catholicism has been central to his own political rise and mission, added: “We must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America — and he is a martyr for the Christian faith.”
He noted that the Trump administration was at the memorial not just because of their relationship with Kirk, but because “we wouldn’t be here without him”.
11
Thousands watched on as Erika delivered her heartfelt speechCredit: Getty
11
An estimated 100,000 people turned up at the event to pay their respects to KirkCredit: AFP
11
Fans were left in tears by Mrs Kirk’s emotional wordsCredit: Reuters
Tearful fans queued up for 12 hours for the first-come, first-admitted service organised by Turning Point USA, the high school organisation set up by Kirk to help spread conservative politics on campuses.
Some wore black, others attended in flag-emblazoned T-shirts and Make America Great Again hats.
Sporting a Trump T-shirt, Aaron Knight, 28, from Houston, Texas, reckoned: “Charlie Kirk was a godly Christian man.
“He provided a sacrifice for this country and the fight for free speech. We are here in mourning but also celebration for the incredible man he was.”
Ashley January, 35, brought her seven-month-old baby Theodore from Kansas to “witness history”. She said she and husband Skylar “fell in love with Charlie after seeing him in Kansas.”
She added: “We want to raise our son to have the same morals as him. It’s going to be something Theo will read in his historybooks and he can say he was there.”
A man said he had camped out from 8pm the night before. One woman even brought a buggy full of puppies with her.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium when Charlie’s widow Erika spoke about her love for the husband she lost.
We had already been confronted with a picture of her and Charlie at the doors of the stadium but hearing her speak made it hit home.
Seeing his family up on stage – who have been cruelly robbed of a husband and a father – brought a tear to the crowd’s eye.
One lady said being a part of it was special as she got to witness how loved Charlie was. The mood shifted from defiance when JD Vance was speaking to one of tenderness and sadness.
Those who were cheering at other speeches and chanting ‘USA’ fell silent when Erika spoke.
A hush fell when Trump came on stage. His speech is more personal than most presidential speeches revealing how close the pair really were. Aides say he had a lot of input in writing the speech.
The nearby Desert Diamond Arena served as overflow for an additional 19,000 people who watched the event on TV screens.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead while giving a speech at Utah Valley University earlier this month.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder. He is in custody and could face the death penalty if convicted.
She said: “I told our lawyer, I want the government to decide this. I do not want that man’s blood on my ledger.
“When I get to heaven, and Jesus is like, ‘Uh, eye for an eye? Is that how we do it?’.
“And that keeps me from being in heaven, from being with Charlie?”
Before the service started, photos of Kirk were projected on big screens accompanied by a playlist of praise and worship songs.
Among those paying respects and giving speeches were President Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr, right-wing political commentator Tucker Carlson and homeland security adviser and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA — whose headquarters are in Phoenix — in 2012, at the age of 18.
Mrs Kirk has been unanimously elected to succeed her late husband as CEO of the organisation.
11
Attendees at the event wore patriotic red, white and blue to honour CharlieCredit: Getty
11
President Donald Trump would take to the stage shortly after Erika KirkCredit: Reuters
11
Mourners were given signs with a drawing of Charlie on them reading ‘Here I am lord, send me’Credit: Getty
Sept. 11 (UPI) — The trial is underway for a man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump on his golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla., during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Ryan Routh, who is defending himself in the case, was interrupted by Judge Aileen Cannon minutes into Routh’s opening remarks when he began veering off topic Thursday.
Cannon excused the jury, then chided Routh, directing him to keep his comments relevant to the case. Routh apologized but continued on a tangent, discussing the “history” of human existence.
Canon then told Routh his opening remarks were over.
In court, Secret Service agent Robert Fercano identified Routh as the man hiding behind a shrub-covered fence near the sixth hole of the lush golf course, aiming an AK-style assault weapon at Trump. Fercano was the first government witness to take the stand in the trial.
Prosecuting attorney John Shipley Jr. said during his testimony that Routh “decided to take the choice away from the American people.”
Routh was found with a handwritten note stating his intention to assassinate Trump. Eyewitness accounts, cellphone data and security footage prove the case against Routh beyond a reasonable doubt, Shipley said.
Fercano said he noticed the muzzle of a gun protruding from the shrubbery and called out to Routh, then proceeded to call for law enforcement backup. “Hey, sir!” Fercano said he yelled.
The court then played audio of Fercano discharging his weapon in Routh’s direction and radioing colleagues. “Shots fired! Shots fired! Shots fired!” Fercano yelled. The agent testified that he believed he came within five feet of Routh.
Fercano testified that the barrel of the assault rifle was pointed directly at his face and that he feared Trump’s life was in danger. He said he initially did not think Routh was a threat until he saw the gun muzzle.
During the trial, Fercano presented a Russian-designed SKS semiautomatic weapon officials believe Routh obtained illegally and used in the assassination attempt.
Routh, a 59-year old construction worker, does not have any formal legal training.
The Assassin is a fast-paced thriller interwoven with family drama
Kicking off with a high-energy opening sequence packed with fight scenes and cinematography that could rival a James Bond film, The Assassin certainly delivers, reports the Express.
The six-part series centres around retired hitwoman Julie Green (portrayed by Keeley Hawes), who is reluctantly pulled back into the game for one final, potentially fatal job.
However, there’s a significant hitch: Julie’s estranged journalist son Edward (played by Freddie Highmore) has decided to visit her for the weekend after four years, under the impression that she’s a simple head hunter.
What ensues is a thrilling, fast-paced drama intertwined with family dynamics as Julie and Edward truly reconnect.
This series marks a distinct shift in pace for Hawes, who earlier this year portrayed Cassandra Austen in PBS and BBC’s tranquil period drama Miss Austen. In fact, Hawes’ last venture into Greek territory was as Louisa Durrell in ITV’s heartwarming family series The Durrells, set on the picturesque island of Corfu.
Freddie Highmore and Keeley Hawes in The Assassin(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
Get Prime Video free for 30 days
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
TV lovers can get 30 days’ free access to tantalising TV like The Boys, Reacher and Clarkson’s Farm by signing up to Amazon Prime. Just remember to cancel at the end and you won’t be charged.
However, with her impressive performances in Spooks, Line of Duty and Ashes to Ashes, Hawes certainly has the action credentials to portray Julie convincingly.
The Assassin sees her reunite with writers Harry and Jack Williams, following her appearance in the second series of their International Emmy-winning show, The Missing.
Her on-screen partnership with Highmore is a match made in heaven as the contrasting pair compete in a battle of wits.
The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, forming the beating heart of the show.
Highmore effortlessly steps into the role of investigative journalist and vegan Edward, portraying his struggles while on the run with ease.
The former child actor is no stranger to intricate on-screen mother-son relationships, having previously played a young Norman Bates in the modern Psycho prequel, Bates Motel.
The Assassin is a sharp-witted thriller (Image: PRIME VIDEO)
Other notable members of the cast include Jack Davenport, Alan Dale, The Tourist’s Shalom Brune-Franklin, and David Dencik from Top of the Lake.
However, this isn’t your typical thriller – there’s a wickedly dark strand of British comedy woven throughout the storyline.
The sharp one-liners flow effortlessly between mother and son, showcasing the Williams brothers’ razor-sharp writing skills.
From Julie being dubbed a “menopausal James Bond” to Edward being cautioned that his search for his biological father “isn’t Mamma Mia”, The Assassin is loaded with as many witty remarks as it is with gunfire and expletives.
Sometimes you’ll find yourself uncertain whether to chuckle at the over-the-top scenarios, but the formula works brilliantly.
The Williams duo have struck gold once more with The Assassin – this is a genuine winner.
Whilst their previous series The Tourist delivered nail-biting tension, The Assassin balances the drama with considerable humour and wit, creating the perfect British action-thriller with a darkly comic twist.
The Assassin is available to stream on Prime Video now
There’s plenty of dramas in store this week, with Lauren Lyle reprising her role as Karen Pirie on ITV and Keeley Hawes fronting a new show on Amazon Prime. Get the lowdown.
Drama is all the rage this week on the box, with a string of new shows guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
For starters, BBC2 is airing a gripping show, Unforgivable, set to explore the impact of abuse with a star-studded cast. On ITV, Outlander star Lauren Lyle returns to Karen Pirie, ready to face a new cold case on-screen.
And while there’s plenty more on streaming platforms, Sky viewers will soon wave goodbye to one of their all-time favourite series as Shemar Moore fronts SWAT for the last time.
Princess Kate and Prince William’s relationship has gone from strength to strength – but what do they really say when nobody’s watching?(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Lip Reading the Royals: The Secret Conversations
Saturday, 5
Ever wondered what Prince William whispers to his wife, Kate Middleton, during royal events? Lip Reading the Royals: The Secret Conversations reveals the monarchy’s most private exchanges, caught on camera at weddings, funerals and formal occasions.
With expert lip reading and royal insiders on hand, this eye-opening documentary decodes the hidden dialogue of the royal family – from knowing glances to tense exchanges – offering a rare glimpse behind palace walls. It’s the Crown, unfiltered.
Krays: London’s Gangsters
Saturday, Prime Video
Forget the movie mythos, this two-part documentary unpacks the real Reggie and Ronnie Kray. Featuring never-heard-before recordings from the brothers in prison, this film digs deep into the psychological bond that kept London’s East End crime lords together.
Through expert insights and interviews, this series explores their brutal reign, their unwavering loyalty and descent into popularity. Shedding the Hollywood sheen, this is the raw and unfiltered truth behind Britain’s most renowned gangsters.
SWAT
Sunday, Sky
Shemar Moore leads SWAT into its explosive eighth and final season as Hondo confronts his most personal mission yet. When a school bus carrying students and his former football coach disappears, the team races against the clock.
Meanwhile, tension mounts with new recruit Devin Gamble, whose criminal family ties raise serious red flags. Balancing action-packed sequences with emotional stakes, this season promises high-risk takedowns, moral dilemmas, and a powerful send-off for the elite unit that’s kept L.A safe for seven years.
The Veil
Sunday, C4
Elisabeth Moss trades Gilead for global espionage in this gripping thriller series. She stars as MI6 agent Imogen Salter, tasked with uncovering the truth behind Adilah El Idrissi (Yumna Marwan), a woman suspected of orchestrating a deadly terrorist plot.
As secrets mount and loyalties blur, both women engage in a psychological game of chess spanning Paris, Istanbul and London. It’s tense, atmospheric and rich in twists, exploring trust and the veil between fact and fabrication.
Another cold case haunts Karen Pirie in the second season of the ITV crime drama(Image: Brentwood Gazette)
Karen Pirie
Sunday, ITV
Lauren Lyle is back as cold case specialist DI Karen Pirie in this gripping adaptation of Val McDermid’s A Darker Domain. The second season tackles the 1984 kidnapping of heiress Catriona Grant and her toddler son Adam.
Their disappearance has rattled Scotland but when a body and Catriona’s car keys resurface in a remote quarry, Karen must untangle a web of secrets, betrayal and hidden romances. With its dual-timeline and Karen’s razor-sharp wit, there’s more deadpan banter, bold deductions and emotionally charged revelations.
Mandy Carter returns in a new season of Diane Morgan’s hit show(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Richard Harrison)
Mandy
Monday, BBC2
Diane Morgan dons the leopard print as Mandy Carter in the fourth season of the gloriously daft BBC comedy. This time, the loveable oddball finds herself in increasingly surreal misadventures and bizarre job trials. But don’t expect her to learn anything new – she’s still up to her old tricks.
Every episode is short and savage and packs absurdist laughs and deadpan brilliance, keeping the cult following firmly on board. There’s plenty of chaos in store for Mandy but in her world, disaster is always part of the plan.
Cold Case Forensics: The Cheesewire Killer
Monday, 5
George Murdoch’s brutal 1983 murder – committed with a cheesewire has haunted Aberdeen for decades. Now, this gripping forensic documentary reopens the chilling case with cutting-edge analysis and fresh leads.
Presented by Kirsty Ward and narrated by Unforgotten’s Nicola Walker, the film retraces the night of the crime, the botched early investigation and what new DNA technology might uncover. With emotional interviews, and detailed insights, this show explores whether justice for George is finally within reach.
Critical: Between Life and Death
Wednesday, Netflix
From the producers of 24 Hours in A&E, this Netflix docuseries offers unprecedented access to London’s Major Trauma System. Cameras follow paramedics, surgeons, nurses and patients across four hospitals – St George’s, Royal Londo, St Mary’s and King’s College – as they tackle life-and-death emergencies.
Shot in real time, Critical: Between Life and Death delivers raw and unfiltered moments from the frontline. Brace yourselves for harrowing injuries, emotional recoveries and the incredible teamwork that keeps Brits alive against the odds.
Acapulco
Wednesday, Apple TV
The sun-drenched dramedy Acapulco returns for its fourth and final season as Maximo Gallardo faces the past – and the future. In 1986, young Maximo (Enrique Arrizon) tries to reclaim the top hotel title after a shock defeat.
Meanwhile, present-day Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) works tirelessly to revive Las Colinas before its grand reopening. Acapulco’s final chapter wraps up loose ends with heart, humour and the show’s trademark neon charm. Expect generational reflections and heartfelt growth for this last dip in Acapulco’s glamorous poolside chaos.
Mr Bigstuff
Thursday, Sky
Danny Dyer is back as loudmouth Lee in Mr Bigstuff’s second season, fresh off a 2025 TV BAFTA win for his performance in the bonkers Sky comedy.
This time, family drama ramps up when Lee and younger brother Glen (Ryan Sampson) discover their supposedly dead father may still be alive.
But as tensions rise between them – and with Glen’s fiancee Kirsty (Harriet Webb) keeping huge secrets – old wounds reopen. Guest stars include Fatiha El-Ghorri and EastEnders icon Linda Henry. With brawls, breakdowns and belly laughs, season two dives deeper into dysfunction with twisted humour and heartfelt honesty.
Anna Friel fronts Unforgivable, due to air on BBC2(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer)
Unforgivable
Thursday, BBC2
Jimmy McGovern delivers a gripping new BBC Two drama with Unforgivable, where he delves deep into the emotional wreckage left by grooming and abuse within a working-class family.
Anna Friel leads the cast as Anna McKinney, a mother desperately trying to keep her family together, while Bobby Schofield plays Joe – a man sent to rehabilitation after his release from prison, seeking redemption with help from a former nun (Anna Maxwell Martin). It’s gut-punch storytelling at its finest.
Tom brings Spain to viewers with a deep dive into their biggest delicacies(Image: ITV)
Tom Kerridge swaps British classics for Iberian delights in this six-part travelogue series. Journeying through Spain’s most flavour-packed regions, Tom samples all kinds of delicacies – from sherry vinegar aged since 1896 in Andalusia to anchovies in Santoña and explores seafood culture in Valencia.
Made in partnership with M&S’ Farm to Foodhall campaign, this series offers rich local insight, culinary history and vibrant visuals. Expect a mouth-watering tour of tapas, tradition and technique, filled with Tom’s trademark warmth and love of food. You won’t want to miss a bite.
Marissa Anita commands the screen in this taut, psychological Indonesian drama where she plays Milla – a privileged housewife on the brink of madness after convincing herself she’s contracted a mysterious and incurable illness.
Her body feels alien, her family’s dismissive and, soon enough, reality starts to blur. As her seemingly perfect life teeters on the edge, Milla has to confront uncomfortable truths or cling on to delusion. Dark and unflinching, A Normal Woman explores identity, repression and the cost of being believed.
Keeley Hawes portrays a retired hitwoman thrown back into business in The Assassin(Image: PA)
The Assassin
Friday, Amazon Prime
Keeley Hawes stars as Julie, a retired hitwoman whose peaceful life in Greece is upended when her estranged son Edward (Freddie Highmore) arrives – unearthing secrets that put both of their lives at risk. When enemies from Julie’s shadowy past surface, the duo are forced to collaborate for survival.
Created by Harry and Jack Williams (The Tourist), this six-part thriller blends emotional depth, covert manipulations and sun-soaked suspense. Expect sharp twists, explosive action and a gripping exploration of legacy, family and redemption.
Kerry Godliman returns as Pearl Nolan, the food-loving, crime-solving seaside sleuth in Whitstable Pearl’s third season. In six new episodes, Pearl balances running her restaurant with investigating a string of mysterious deaths across Kent’s coastal community.
With DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles) complicating things both professionally and personally, Pearl finds herself in deeper waters than ever.
Get ready for local secrets and emotional tension as the amateur detective tackles love, loss and layered cases in this quietly compelling Brit drama.
The Jessops are back for another series of Here We Go – and things are more chaotic than ever(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Gary Moyes)
Here We Go
Friday, BBC2
The Jessops are back for the third season of Here We Go – and they’re just as chaotic as ever. This time, the lovable family faces everything from disastrous holidays to awkward jobs – even baby bombshells – all with their usual mix of mishaps and mayhem.
Created by Tom Basden and starring Jim Howick and Katherine Parkinson, the hit BBC comedy continues to capture the hilarious ups and downs of everyday life. Expect more laughs, heart and more family m havoc.
He openly advocated for the death of then-President-elect Donald Trump, hailing himself as an “assassin” and threatening to shoot the would-be 47th commander-in-chief shortly after the election, prosecutors say.
Those words, left on Facebook posts, are at the center of a federal grand jury indictment. On Tuesday, Yucca Valley resident Thomas Eugene Streavel, 73, pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of making threats.
The San Bernardino County man was arrested Monday just before 11 a.m. by United States Marshals and arraigned the next day inside Central District Court in Riverside.
He’s out on a $10,000 bond and is expected back in court July 28. Streavel could serve up to 15 years in prison if found guilty on all counts.
“This defendant is charged with threatening the life of our President — a man who has already survived two deranged attempts on his life,” said U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi in a statement. “The Department of Justice takes these threats with the utmost seriousness and will prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law.”
A number listed for Streavel was not answered, and no attorney was listed for him in court documents.
His actions were detailed in a grand jury indictment from May 29 that was unsealed Tuesday.
Streavel posted a variety of threats in the days after Trump’s electoral victory in November, according to the Justice Department.
“[T]rump is a dead man walking for the time being until a patriot like myself blows his [expletive] brains out in the very near future,” Streavel posted on Nov. 6., according to court documents.
Six days later, Streavel posted on Facebook that he was “willing to make America great again and blow his [expletive] brains out,” the indictment says.
There were similar Facebook rants on Nov. 19 and on 28.
In the earlier instance, he wrote, “Let me put a bullet right between the ears of your president-elect…That’s my purpose for living,” according to the indictment.
He later posted, “I’m praying for a successful assassination of your president-elect.” He then added, “my life’s mission is killing the worthless LOSER [expletive] and my mission starts tonight so watch yourself trump [sic], you are a dead [expletive] and I am your assassin,” court documents show.
Streavel’s posts extend to before the election, when on Oct. 15 he wrote, “today is the perfect day to blow his brains out and I’d love to be the one to pull the trigger.”
The Secret Service is also investigating the matter.
“The type of rhetoric and threats made by this defendant are similar to those that led to an attempt on the President’s life last year,” said United States Atty. Bill Essayli. “There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States.”
Trump was injured in a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13. The shooting left one rally attendee dead and two critically injured, and the unidentified gunman was killed by the Secret Service, according to that agency.
At Trump’s West Palm Beach, Fla., golf course on Sept. 15, a Secret Service agent scoping out the area one or two holes ahead of him saw the muzzle of an AK-47-style weapon pointing out of the tree line on the perimeter of the course.
Trump was unharmed in the second attempt on his life in two months.
