September 21, 2025 10:02:52 PM
September 21, 2025 10:02:52 PM
President Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as the “great American hero” and “martian” for freedom, and he and other prominent conservatives gathered on Sunday to honor the murdered conservative political activists who say they are on the way.
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On the left, President Donald Trump stands with Erica Kirk on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at conservative activist Charlie Kirk, State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with conservative activist Charlie Kirk (AP Photo/Julia Demarie Nikinson).
Trump officials praise Charlie Kirk’s mark on the conservative movement
Arizona’s re-service ceremony for Kirk, who believes Trump played a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners. In his remarks, Trump called Kirk “a martial artist for American freedom now.”
Speakers, including Vice President J.D. Vance and other senior officials, highlighted Kirk’s deep faith and the strong belief that young conservatives need to marry, build families, communicate their values and continue to build their movements. They also repeatedly told conservative activists in a sometimes confrontational tone that the best way to honor Kirk is double his mission to move American politics to the right.
Kirk’s assassination, which appeared on the University of Utah campus on September 10th, became a peculiar moment for modern conservative movements. It also sparked a fierce debate on violence, decency and freedom of speech in an era of deep political division. read more.
Note:
Kirk’s widow, Erica, said in her own speech that she had found peace in the midst of her sadness that her husband had left this world without regret. She also said she was forgiving the man who was accused of killing him.
In his remarks that closed the service, Trump said that Charlie Kirk “didn’t hate his enemy” and “wanted the best for them,” the president said it was difficult to understand.
“So I opposed Charlie. I hate the other person and don’t want the best thing for them,” Trump said. “Sorry, sorry, this is Erica.”
Trump pushes Bondi to pursue lawsuits against his enemy
Eight months after his second term, Trump’s longtime pledge to take on those he recognizes as his political opponents urged debates about freedom of speech, media censorship and political prosecution.
From late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension to the Pentagon restrictions on reporters and the obvious public appeal to Attorney General Pam Bondy to pursue lawsuits against his enemies, Trump escalated a move to unite power in his second administration and eradicate those who opposed him.
On Saturday, Trump posted some open letters on social media to top prosecutors to advance such inquiries, including mortgage fraud investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey. Also on Saturday, Trump said he was nominated for White House aides as the top federal prosecutor in the office investigating Trump’s longtime enemy James. read more.
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Under the 17-page memo distributed Friday, the Pentagon said it would tighten media restrictions and require eligible journalists to refrain from reporting information that is not permitted to be released, including uncategorized information.
On Sunday, Trump asked if the Pentagon should play a role in determining what journalists can report, “No, I don’t think so.”
Trump reveals that Murdoch and Dell could join the Tiktok deal
Trump said prominent billionaires, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and technology founder Michael Dell, could be part of a deal that controls the US social video platform Tiktok. Trump submitted 94-year-old Murdoch, head of Fox News and News Corp, and his son Lachlan Murdoch, during an interview recorded on Friday and aired Sunday on Fox News.
The disclosure of potential involvement of Dell, where Trump is founder and CEO of Murdochs and Dell Technologies, is the latest twist in a rapidly moving potential deal to keep Tiktok operating in the US
Trump also said Sunday that Larry Ellison, founder and CEO of tech giant Oracle, is part of the same group. On Saturday, White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt said Oracle will be responsible for the app’s data and security, and that Americans will manage six of the seven seats for the planned board. read more.
Note:
Much remains to be seen about the actual framework of Tiktok trading. This is what Trump discussed with China’s Xi Jinping on a long phone call on Friday. Chinese and US officials will need to hash details through December 16th, following the latest extension of the deadline by the Trump administration.
