Rittenhouse Takes Time Off to Grieve Charlie Kirk at Glendale Memorial
Kenosha acquittal figure attends Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s memorial; service features remarks from President Trump and Vice President Vance as conservatives mourn.
Kyle Rittenhouse took time off work to attend the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday. The public service drew thousands of attendees and featured remarks from leading conservative figures as Kirk’s supporters mourned his death after an on-campus shooting in Utah.
Rittenhouse told Fox News Digital that he learned of Kirk’s death while on a lunch break and immediately began making arrangements to be at the service. He said he took the rest of the day off and later the rest of the week, noting that Kirk “meant a lot to me.” Kirk had been one of Rittenhouse’s most vocal supporters, bringing him on The Charlie Kirk Show and highlighting him at Turning Point USA events over the years.
In the weeks surrounding the service, conservatives described Kirk as a formative voice in campus activism and a force in the movement’s fundraising and outreach efforts. The Washington Post reported that during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest conference in December 2021, Kirk told Rittenhouse he was “a hero to millions,” a description Kirk repeated as he publicly championed Rittenhouse after the 2020 Kenosha shootings.
The memorial service in Glendale also served as a rare joint public moment for high-profile Republican figures. The event included remarks from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, underscoring Kirk’s prominence in conservative advocacy circles. Thousands attended to pay tribute to Kirk, who was fatally shot on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Rittenhouse has largely kept a low profile since being acquitted of all charges in the Kenosha case. In 2024, Kirk threatened legal action after protesters confronted Rittenhouse during an appearance at the University of Memphis, a moment that drew national attention in conservative media.
The Glendale service was described by attendees as a sweeping tribute to Kirk’s organizing work and his role in mobilizing young conservatives. The gathering reflected the enduring alliances within the movement and the continued emphasis on Kirk’s approach to campus activism and political engagement.
