Top officials at the White House and other high profile supporters will pay tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose assassination has intensified political tensions in the United States.

The 63,400-seat State Farm Stadium in Arizona quickly filled up Sunday with people dressed in red, white and blue, as organizers suggested. The lineup of speakers includes President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Trump told reporters as he left the White House that “we’re going to celebrate the life of a great man today.” He added, "It will be a tough day.”

Kirk was killed this month at a Utah college. He founded Turning Point, a group that played a significant role in Trump's political success.

Kirk was a provocateur who at times engaged in language that was racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic.

That has drawn backlash from conservatives who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy of an inspirational conservative leader.