Charlie Kirk’s memorial service draws huge crowds as Trump set to speak: Live updates

Megachurch pastor Jack Graham was in the middle of his Sunday message to Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, this past weekend when he paused to cue up an unusual sermon illustration. After encouraging people to respond to the killing of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk by turning to God, he instructed the congregation to listen to a roughly minute-long audio clip of what sounded like Kirk delivering a short speech.

“Hear what Charlie is saying regarding what happened to him this past week,” Graham said.

As the clip, which encouraged listeners to “pick up your cross, and get back in the fight,” ended, the congregation burst into applause. A few seconds later, they rose to their feet in a standing ovation.

But the clip they listened to was not, in fact, Charlie Kirk from beyond the grave. As Graham made clear when he introduced the segment, the congregation was listening to a production generated entirely by artificial intelligence: The clip, which has gone viral online, was a cloned version of Kirk’s voice delivering what appeared to be an AI-generated response from a chatbot asked what Kirk would say in the wake of his own death.

Joe Sommerlad and Josh Marcus take a look at the family of the late conservative activist as they prepare for his public memorial.

President Donald Trump said that 10 years ago, colleges were “dangerous for conservatives” and “now they’re hot” as he spoke to reporters before leaving for Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.

The conservative activist was assassinated on the campus of Utah Valley University on September 10.

“He did a tremendous job, and he had a hold on youth because they loved him,” Trump said, according to Reuters news agency. “If you go back 10 years, those colleges were dangerous places for conservatives and now they’re hot. They’re very hot, just like this country is hot.”

Images coming in from the State Farm Stadium show mourners looking emotional ahead of today’s memorial for Charlie Kirk.

Kirk-branded bracelets and pins are also available for mourners.

There is still 2 hours to go until the service begins.

Turning Point USA has warned those wanting to attend Sunday’s memorial service at State Farm Stadium that “enhanced security measures are in place, which may result in longer wait times than usual.”

“We appreciate your patience and understanding,” the group says on its website.

The event will be on a first-come, first-served basis based on stadium capacity. Indoor overflow will be available next door at the Desert Diamond Arena.

With so many administration officials set to attend and speak, security is especially tight.

TP USA also advises that there will be a no bag policy in effect.

“Guests arriving with bags, even clear bags, will NOT be permitted entry. You will be required to return the bag to your vehicle and rejoin the line from the end.”

Vice President JD Vance has paid tribute to his “dear friend Charlie Kirk” ahead of today’s memorial service.

Vance is due to speak later today.

People are filtering into the stadium and taking their seats, with still hours to go until the service itself begins.

Here are some of the first pictures:

Here’s a first look inside the stadium before the crowds descend: