How Charlie Kirk’s memorial became a $2.6 million US taxpayer-funded security operation
Pictures from the event showed snaking lines stretching around the venue, prompting organisers to redirect attendees to the nearby Desert Diamond Arena, which can hold 20,000 people.
President Donald Trump, seen on a stadium screen, speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)
American taxpayers shelled out more than $2.6 million to cover security costs for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s massive memorial service in Arizona last month, according to newly obtained documents.
The event, held on September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, drew more than 100,000 mourners and required an extensive security operation by ARCUS Group, LLC — a private event management and security firm contracted by the US Secret Service.
Documents reviewed by TMZ showed that the Secret Service paid ARCUS $2,677,416.19 to secure the venue’s perimeter during the memorial. The Independent has contacted the agency for comment regarding the costs.
Among those who attended were US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and tech billionaire Elon Musk. Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, delivered a widely praised eulogy during the ceremony, which was also live-streamed to thousands outside the stadium.
Pictures from the event showed snaking lines stretching around the venue, prompting organisers to redirect attendees to the nearby Desert Diamond Arena, which can hold 20,000 people.
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ARCUS, which handled the operation, is known for its work on high-profile assignments, including Trump’s second inauguration earlier this year, both national political conventions in 2024, the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter and former President Joe Biden’s inauguration. The company also provides disaster response and large-scale event production services.
The memorial took place less than two weeks after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at an event in Utah. Police have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering in connection with the killing.
While the memorial went smoothly, one man — later identified as Joshua Runkles — was arrested a day before the event for impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into the stadium.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, Kirk’s political organisation, clarified that Runkles was “doing advance security for a known guest planning to attend the memorial service.”
“We do not believe this person was attempting anything nefarious,” Kolvet said on X. “However, the advance was not done in proper coordination with the TPUSA security team or the US Secret Service.”
Runkles’ arrest occurred before the site had been fully locked down, Kolvet added.
The Secret Service has not commented on the overall cost breakdown of security operations at the event.
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President Donald Trump, seen on a stadium screen, speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher) 
