‘Charlie’s angry with me right now’: Trump says he ‘hates opponents’ moments after emotional Erika Kirk ‘forgives’ husband’s killer
President Donald Trump said that he “hates” his political opponents moments after Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, forgave her husband’s killer in an emotional tribute at his memorial.
Trump was the headline speaker Sunday at Kirk’s public memorial service at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and immediately followed Erika Kirk’s powerful speech.
Trump apologized to Kirk and his widow for “disagreeing” with them when it comes to dealing with political foes.
“He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them,” Trump said of Kirk. “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry,” Trump added. “I am sorry Erika.”
Before Trump took to the stage, Erika Kirk fought back tears as she said she forgave the shooter who killed her husband on September 10.
“My husband, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” she began. “That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and it is what Charlie would do.”
“The answer to hate is not hate,” the widow added, in stark contrast to the president’s words. “The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love, love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
During the president’s tribute to Kirk, he also segued into claiming his administration has “found an answer to autism.”
“It was Charlie who helped unite MAGA. And you know what MAHA is, that’s right. Make America Health Again,” Trump said, before touting a White House press conference scheduled for Monday.
“I think you’re going to find it to be amazing. I think we found an answer to autism. How about that autism?” Trump said. “Tomorrow, we’re going to be talking in the oval office in the White House about autism, how it happens. So we won’t let it happen anymore.”
Trump’s family, members of his Cabinet, GOP lawmakers and Elon Musk were among the tens of thousands of supporters who turned out to honor Kirk.
White House officials, prominent MAGA figures and Kirk’s colleagues from Turning Point USA gave tributes to the slain CEO in the lengthy ceremony, described by one speaker as “the Holy Spirit in a Trump rally.”
Some of Trump’s most senior officials, including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy Stephen Miller, spoke at the memorial.
Miller’s speech focused on prevailing “over the forces of wickedness and evil” and took the opportunity to hit out at “our enemies.”
