Trump shares moving Australian anecdote during Charlie Kirk memorial service

Former President Donald Trump addressed tens of thousands of mourners at a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday night, delivering remarks that included a surprising tale about an ordinary Australian.

Trump recounted an anecdote about a rural Australian who texted a pastor, 'I’m going to come to church tomorrow for the first time ever,' because of Charlie Kirk. The pastor asked, 'Why is that?' The man replied, 'Because of Charlie Kirk.' 'Can you imagine?' Trump said, prompting rapturous applause.

Trump said Kirk's memory 'has been honoured in the streets of Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna, Sydney, Madrid, London, Tel Aviv and all over the world.' 'So beautiful to watch,' he added. He cited 'the lesson of Charlie’s life' as exhorting people not to underestimate what one person can do with 'a good heart, a righteous cause, a cheerful spirit and the will to fight, fight, fight. You have to fight.' The remarks drew rapturous applause.

Organizers described the event as drawing tens of thousands to the stadium, a showcase of support from across the country for the memorial held Sunday night outside Phoenix.

The service followed the death of Charlie Kirk, described by organizers as a slain conservative commentator, and no additional details about the death were provided in the notes accompanying the coverage.