“The Kennedy Center said a Sunday vigil for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk filled the hall to capacity, drawing top Republican officials.”
The 2,460-seat concert hall in Washington was packed, with attendees such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.House Speaker Mike Johnson, intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and press secretary Karoline Leavitt.”. A Kennedy Center spokesperson said there was “not an empty seat” inside and that “hundreds, if not thousands,” of people gathered outside to stream the service on their phones.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot last Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University. The conservative activist, who founded the right-wing student group Turning Point USA, was remembered in vigils across the country following his killing, which has drawn condemnation from both Republican and Democratic leaders, as well as controversy over inflammatory online responses.
“It’s as though a dark shadow has cast over our country,” Johnson said at the vigil, which opened with prayerful performances from Christian musician Sean Feucht.
Since reshaping the Kennedy Center’s board earlier this year and appointing himself chair, former President Donald Trump has sought to influence programming at the venue, which he has criticized as overly liberal and “woke.”
Kirk’s funeral is set for next week in Arizona, followed by a Sept. 21 memorial service at State Farm Stadium.
