In a monumental gathering that underscored his profound impact, conservative icon Charlie Kirk was honored at a memorial service in Phoenix, Arizona, that drew an astonishing 100,000 attendees. The event, described by political commentator Dave Rubin as “one of the most impactful, meaningful days, moments of my life,” transcended mere remembrance, becoming a spiritual and deeply political testament to Kirk’s influence. Rubin’s heartfelt account, shared on his show, painted a vivid picture of a day filled with tears, laughter, pain, and joy, leaving an indelible mark on all present.

The sheer scale of the memorial was breathtaking. People walked for miles down highways in the scorching Phoenix heat, enduring 90-plus degree temperatures just to be part of the collective farewell. Rubin, positioned upfront with a host of other prominent figures, spoke of the palpable energy in the stadium, a shared sense of reverence and unity that permeated the vast crowd. Millions more watched the broadcast remotely, but, as Rubin emphasized, “to be in that room was incredible.”

One of the most striking moments of the day came with the unexpected appearance of Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and influential voice. When confronted by a camera and asked about Kirk’s death, Musk delivered a powerful and chilling response that immediately resonated with the audience and quickly went viral. “He was he was he was killed because his words made a difference,” Musk stated gravely. “Because he was showing people the light. And he was killed by the dark.” The simplicity and starkness of Musk’s words, which Rubin noted sounded like a line from “Star Wars” or “Lord of the Rings,” underscored the profound belief that Kirk had been a beacon of truth and conviction in a world often shrouded in ideological conflict.

Rubin passionately defended Kirk’s character, pushing back against the often-vitriolic labels frequently hurled at him. “He was showing people the light, he was fighting for what he believed in,” Rubin asserted. “He was not a bigot, he was not a racist, he was not any of those things that did not mean you had to agree with him on everything philosophically or politically, but he was going and doing the thing, as I keep saying, he was doing the thing that we all say we’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to reach out to the other side, you’re supposed to break bread with people you don’t like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. He was doing that more than anyone.” Rubin, a fellow media personality who strives for similar outreach, readily admitted, “he did it better than anyone else. There’s just no doubt about that.”

Beyond the individual tributes, a moment of profound symbolism unfolded that captured the attention of both the attendees and the global media. A photograph, which has since gone “mega viral,” captured President Donald Trump and Elon Musk shaking hands in a private box. This unexpected gesture of unity between two figures who have often found themselves at odds sent a powerful message. Elon Musk himself shared the picture with the simple caption, “For Charlie,” signaling a collective desire to put aside past differences in honor of Kirk’s memory.

Rubin reflected on the significance of this handshake, suggesting it embodied the true legacy Charlie Kirk might wish for. “If they can come back together, wouldn’t that be guys, wouldn’t that be it, wouldn’t that be the great legacy of Charlie Kirk,” Rubin mused, “is that he was able to get people that maybe were buddies that had a falling out, or maybe always were kind of on opposite sides but didn’t really hate each other, whatever it is, if the legacy is we’re all a little bit better right now because of Charlie, then Charlie, it was a life well worth living, which it undoubtedly was.”

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk was more than just a farewell; it was a powerful affirmation of his impact on a generation and a call for unity in a fractured political landscape. From the massive turnout to the poignant words of Elon Musk and the symbolic handshake between Trump and Musk, the event served as a testament to a life lived with conviction and a legacy that continues to inspire. As the echoes of the Phoenix stadium fade, the message remains clear: Charlie Kirk, through his words and his unwavering commitment, indeed showed many “the light,” and his influence will undoubtedly continue to resonate far into the future.