Donald Trump's speech at the Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona on Sunday has drawn sharp criticism from the White House, with officials calling the president's comments 'disgraceful' and 'unpresidential'. Trump described Kirk, who was shot dead on 10 September, as a 'great American hero' and a 'martyr' for freedom, while also taking aim at Joe Biden and trailing a major announcement on autism.
The president's address was rambling and freewheeling, frequently veering into unrelated topics such as his use of federal forces to police cities. He also sat side-by-side with billionaire Elon Musk, a once trusted adviser with whom he had a spectacular public falling out.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the president's remarks were 'inappropriate' and 'divisive', adding that the administration would not be drawn into a 'tit-for-tat' with Trump. The memorial, held in Arizona, drew tens of thousands of attendees.
This article was amended on 22 September 2025 to clarify that the Charlie Kirk memorial was held in Arizona, not Alabama.
