Politics

Elon Musk and Donald Trump reunite for the first time in months at Charlie Kirk's memorial service

Charlie Kirk's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025.
A memorial service for Charlie Kirk took place on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
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Tens of thousands of mourners arrived in droves at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Sunday to remember conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Elon Musk and President Donald Trump were among them.

The pair were seen briefly sitting next to each other, chatting, and shaking hands before Musk moved seats.

The two billionaires were last seen together publicly on May 30 during a press conference in the Oval Office marking Musk's exit from the White House DOGE Office. Before that press conference, the two men had feuded publicly over Trump's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," which Musk said would add to the federal deficit.

Musk posted a photo of himself and the president together on X on Sunday with the words "For Charlie." Kirk had once said he believed Trump and Musk would eventually set aside their differences.

Trump and several members of his cabinet, including JD Vance, spoke at Kirk's memorial service, as did numerous other prominent conservative leaders. It took place in a packed 60,000-seat stadium. Many more mourners watched from outside.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk shared a moment at the service.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump at Charlie Kirk's memorial service.
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk were seen publicly together for the first time in months at Charlie Kirk's memorial service. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Crowds gathered outside State Farm Stadium ahead of the memorial service.

Charlie Kirk's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025.
People attended Charlie Kirk's memorial service on Sunday. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

Inside the stadium, worship music played from the main stage while people found their seats.

Charlie Kirk's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025.
Turning Point USA told attendees to wear red, white, or blue attire for the memorial service. Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images/Reuters

An image of Charlie Kirk and his wife, Erika Kirk, appeared on the main stage while attendees waited for the memorial service to begin.

Charlie Kirk's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Some attendees waved signs reading "This is our turning point."

Charlie Kirk's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025.
People held Turning Point USA signs at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Others held signs reading "Never Surrender."

Woman attends Charlie Kirk's memorial service on September 21, 2025.
A woman holds a sign celebrating Charlie Kirk during his memorial service on Sunday. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Lauren Edmonds
Lauren Edmonds is an award-winning reporter on the Business News team. When news isn't breaking, she covers how AI and data centers impact communities across the US. She also writes about personal finance, paths to financial freedom, and contributes to Business Insider's Young Geniuses series. Lauren has previously covered lifestyle and entertainment, digital culture, and more. She has a master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and resides in New York City.Do you have an interesting story to tell? You can reach Lauren at ledmonds@jkmperu.com or on Signal at ledmonds0.07.StoriesThe bipartisan backlash to Big Tech's AI data centers is getting harder for politicians to ignoreI spent 4 hours at an AI data center town meeting. Things got rowdy.Meet the MAGA darling mobilizing Americans against Big AIKevin O'Leary defends his Utah data center project: 'Think about the number of jobs'Why Hollywood is paying this 17-year-old up to $20,000 to boost film trailers with TikTok editsHere's all the free money Trump's talked about giving Americans during his second term — and where it all standsA 17-year-old earned $72,000 after investing his e-commerce profits into stocks. Here's why he bet on the tech industry.Lawmakers float a nationwide basic income experiment that would cover the cost of a 2-bedroom apartmentAmericans ditch suffocating healthcare costs and divisive politics to retire in Italy: 'It's the way they approach life'