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Trump Speaks at Charlie Kirk's Memorial; Netanyahu Vows 'There Will Be No Palestinian State'; Zelenskyy to Meet Trump at U.N. General Assembly. Aired 12-12:45a ET
Aired September 22, 2025 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. I'm Polo Sandoval, joining you live from Atlanta. And here's what's ahead right here on CNN NEWSROOM.
[00:00:41]
The U.S. president, Republican leaders, tens of thousands of people, all of them gathered to celebrate and memorialize the life of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The United Kingdom and several other Western nations officially recognizing a Palestinian state for the first time.
And Russia's aggression in Eastern Europe. It will be top of mind for world leaders as they get ready to gather in New York for this year's U.N. General Assembly. We'll look ahead.
ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Polo Sandoval.
SANDOVAL: Top conservative leaders in the U.S., including President Donald Trump himself, they are vowing to keep Charlie Kirk's movement alive.
Tens of thousands of supporters -- you see them here -- they attended the activist's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday.
The president, his vice president, and also several members of his cabinet, they took turns speaking to the massive crowd. They praised Kirk's Christian values and described him as a martyr whose message would live on after he was assassinated at the Utah university nearly two weeks ago.
Kirk's widow, Erika, she delivered an emotional and very powerful speech, offering forgiveness to her husband's alleged killer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIKA KIRK, WIDOW OF CHARLIE KIRK: The answer to hate is not hate. The answer, we know from the gospel, is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: But will that message resonate after we heard from President Trump, who struck a very different tone right after.
While he honored Kirk's life and his influence on the conservative movement, he also made very little effort to offer a unifying message to his party and beyond. At times, he even veered into the type of political rhetoric that you usually see as MAGA rallies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: As he was a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them.
That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don't want the best for them. I'm sorry. I am sorry, Erika. But now Erika can talk to me and the whole group, and maybe they can convince me that that's not right. But I can't stand my opponent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: For more now, we want to go to CNN's Arlette Saenz, who attended that Kirk memorial.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Donald Trump and top Republican leaders --
SAENZ (voice-over): -- in the U.S. joined tens of thousands of attendees here at State Farm Stadium to memorialize Charlie Kirk just 11 days after his assassination.
These attendees sat for nearly five hours, hearing personal testimonies from people who knew Charlie Kirk the best, talking about his influence on the conservative movement and also his role as a man of faith.
SAENZ: Perhaps the most powerful moment came in the speech from his widow --
SAENZ (voice-over): -- Erika Kirk, who talked about not just her relationship with her husband, but also his commitment to his Christian faith and to God.
And there was a very poignant moment where she said that she is ready to forgive the man who shot and killed her husband. Take a listen.
KIRK: He wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life.
On the cross, our savior said, "Father, forgive them, for they not know what they do." That man, that young man, I forgive him.
SAENZ (voice-over): That moment sparked a standing ovation, and I could see many in the crowd shedding tears as she talked about forgiving her husband's assassin. SAENZ: Now, there were moments that turned more political. President
Donald Trump did use his speech to try to talk about his own personal relationship --
SAENZ (voice-over): -- with Charlie Kirk, and the work that he had done to help him get reelected back in 2024.
[00:05:07]
But there were points where the president veered into more political tones as he talked about the radical left and said that he hates his opponents, something that he believes Charlie Kirk would have disagreed with him on.
But overall, the moments that really caught and captivated the attention of the audience here was when people spoke about Charlie Kirk in very personal terms, speaking about him as a man of faith, a man committed to his family, and a man who really helped the conservative movement grow, especially among young people.
SAENZ: Erika Kirk, as she closed her speech, said it is now her mission to take on Charlie Kirk's mission. There are many questions around where this movement will head going forward in the loss of Charlie Kirk.
Arlette Saenz, CNN, Glendale, Arizona.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL: There were two women who were in that huge crowd of mourners on Sunday at the event that said that Erika Kirk message, the one that you just heard, that message of forgiveness, that it touched them deeply.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIMBERLY KEHL, ATTENDED CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL SERVICE: It was powerful. And you could feel -- you could feel so much love and so much want for this country to just get better and grow, and -- and this love for the Lord and just -- just a change. Like we just need a change. And it was -- it was -- it was impactful.
MARJIE FAVIA, ATTENDED CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL SERVICE: It really is a point where I really cried, because she had so much reason to be angry and -- and really want to get -- get even with them. But her heart knew, in her Christian way, that she should do what God wanted her to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: And before the people who were there heard from the president and Charlie Kirk's widow, they also heard from a very long list of Republican Party leaders who also spoke at the memorial.
Some gave speeches memorializing Kirk, while others seemed to express how his death has really galvanized the conservative movement. Here's some of the speakers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: Charlie knew that we were all children of God. He knew, deep down, the truth of scripture. And from that confidence, everything else flowed. That unshakable belief in the gospel led him to see differences in opinion, not as battlefields to conquer, but as waystations in the pursuit of truth.
MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: The irony in all this is that what our nation needs -- one of the many things it needs, is the ability to discuss our differences openly, honestly, peacefully, respectfully. And Charlie Kirk did that more than anyone alive in America today is doing.
STEPHEN MILLER, WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF: You cannot defeat us. You cannot slow us. You cannot stop us. You cannot deter us. We will carry Charlie and Erika in our heart every single day and fight that much harder because of what you did to us. You have no idea the dragon you have awakened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: Joining us now is Michael Genovese, political analyst. He's also the author of the book "The Modern Presidency: Six Debates That Define the Institution."
Michael, welcome to the program.
MICHAEL GENOVESE, POLITICAL ANALYST/AUTHOR: Great to be here.
SANDOVAL: So, let's begin with your overall analysis, your general assessment of Sunday's memorial. From your perspective, how much of it was a remembrance of husband and father Charlie Kirk, and how much of it was a political rally, do you think?
GENOVESE: Well, you know, it was long. It was over five hours. Most of the speakers focused on Charlie Kirk. It was a celebration of his life, of his values.
The crowd was clearly grieving for the tragic loss of a young man, 31, whose wife -- he leaves behind a wife and two children. And so, there was -- there was a lot of mourning, a lot of prayer and a lot of pain.
But later on in the event, things degenerated a bit. That singular tone changed very quickly, and so they got off-track and started going from the personal to the political. And some of the speakers were very political, inappropriately so.
But it was an incredible event: 200,000 people filled a football stadium, and they had to go to an overflow stadium to meet the demands.
SANDOVAL: Listen to what some of the memorial attendees shared with our correspondents there on the ground before Sunday's memorial, as they discussed really what drew them to the event. One of the voices you'll hear from Texas, somebody else from -- from California. Listen to what they said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe we can all come together, because that's what we need to do.
DAVID GONZALEZ, ATTENDED CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL: I think as a nation, I think we should do better for our kids. Because at the end of the day, when we're gone, all they get is what we left behind as a legacy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: So, considering the unique blend of speeches, what you just said right now, what we discussed, what message do you think that some of these folks walked away with? Do you think they may have been disappointed?
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GENOVESE: Well, I think there was -- it was a long event and people -- everybody got something that they would have wanted.
Charlie Kirk was a singular force within the conservative movement. He spoke to young voters, which Republicans have trouble with. He spoke to males, young males. And we all know that there's this crisis of -- of masculinity in the United States.
And he spoke of religion, faith, family, and he touched many of the people there. And so, I think a lot of them took that away. The traditional values that he represented.
He was a political evangelist for the conservative cause. He was very effective. I don't think anyone can replace him. His wife offered herself to do that, but it's really hard to replace, you know, a star like -- like Charlie Kirk.
SANDOVAL: Some very powerful remarks, certainly, from -- from Erika Kirk. She seemed to be this -- this -- almost a pillar of strength, especially when she was very emotionally speaking about -- about her husband.
Is it too soon, you think, to be talking about Erika Kirk's potential in the conservative movement, political potential?
GENOVESE: She is taking over Talking [SIC] Point USA, which was her husband's -- basically, her husband's group. She'll take them over. She has promised to be his voice, his messenger, and his presence. And she will continue with the cause.
It's really hard for anyone to step into those shoes, because he was such a unique figure. She will bring a very different approach, a very different perspective, very different talents.
And the question is, does that gel with conservative voters? It might be asking a lot for a woman, because the conservatives tend to be a little bit -- have a difficult time sometimes with women candidates and women leaders. But that might be her biggest handicap. She's certainly talented, smart, and has a lot of the tools, so we'll have to see.
SANDOVAL: And what do you see as the role of Turning Point USA in the future of conservative politics?
GENOVESE: Well, you know, it could take a different turn, because if -- if people are angry, if they want to get revenge, then it could take an ugly turn.
If what they want to do is say, let's take the best of Charlie Kirk and build on that, it could be a very positive force within the Republican Party, as well as within the conservative movement. And if it does so, if it broadens itself, if it makes itself its best version of itself, it could go beyond the conservative movement.
SANDOVAL: Thank you so much, Michael Genovese, as always, political analyst, joining us at this hour. Appreciate you.
GENOVESE: Thank you.
SANDOVAL: And just ahead, Israel's reaction to some allies formally recognizing a Palestinian state and why this symbolic milestone may not change the reality on the ground in Gaza or the West Bank.
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SANDOVAL: Israel's military has released new video that it says shows IDF forces preparing to enter Gaza City. Though it's unclear when and where the video you're about to see was taken, Israeli strikes destroyed multiple buildings in the city -- in the city on Sunday.
And Gaza officials say that dozens of people have been killed in the past 24 hours.
The IDF says more than 300,000 people have evacuated Gaza City so far. That's a fraction of the city's population. Israel says that it's attempting to take control of the city, which it claims is a Hamas stronghold.
The U.K., Canada, Australia and Portugal, they formally recognized the Palestinian state on Sunday, and several more countries are expected to follow suit in the coming days.
That announcement by the British prime minister, it makes good on his pledge to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel met certain conditions. That included a ceasefire deal and committing to a two- state solution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEIR STARMER, U.K. PRIME MINISTER: We recognized the state of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today we join over 150 countries who recognize a Palestinian state
also. A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: In response to that push for an independent Palestinian state, a defiant Israeli prime minister insisted it will never happen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): I have a clear message for those leaders who recognized a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7th. You are giving a huge reward to terrorism.
And I have another message for you. It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established West of the Jordan River.
For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state, despite tremendous pressure both domestically and internationally. We did this with determination, and we did it with diplomatic wisdom.
Moreover, we doubled Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, and we will continue on this path.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: And in addition to what you just heard, Israel's foreign minister is issuing his own condemnation.
He's calling the move to recognize a Palestinian state, quote, "a reward to Hamas and an encouragement of terrorism."
CNN's Nic Robertson has more on this latest push for a two-state solution. And also, the answer to why this is happening now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, this very carefully choreographed and timed announcement by the U.K., Canada, and Australia to recognize a Palestinian state has drawn a very swift rebuke from --
ROBERTSON (voice-over): -- Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that it -- it provides a big prize for terrorists.
[00:20:13]
He said there will be no Palestinian state, and he said he will have further responses coming in the -- in the coming days.
ROBERTSON: Members of his right-wing cabinet have gone even further. They've said that this now means it's time to recognize the whole of the West Bank -- ROBERTSON (voice-over): -- as part of Israel, the occupied West Bank as part of Israel. That would be a very significant annexation, if that were to happen.
What the British are saying here is -- what the British prime minister has said is that he is recognizing the Palestinian state in order to keep alive the idea that there can be a Palestinian state.
He said there's no place for Hamas in -- in the future of the politics of the Palestinian people.
The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, also saying that this recognition is to try to create a political space for Palestinians to have a voice. Those that want to live in a state side by side --
ROBERTSON: -- with Israel in peace.
This announcement doesn't mean, in any way, that there is something that's going to change on the ground; that there will be no sort of forming of a Palestinian state.
It does, however, create divisions within the G-7. Both Japan, Italy and Germany, members of the G-7, say that this is not the right time to recognize a Palestinian state. Obviously, these formerly staunch allies of Israel are now in in a big rift with Israel.
And also, they're diverging from the United States. President Trump --
ROBERTSON (voice-over): -- just a few days ago, while he was here in the U.K., standing next to British prime minister when the British prime minister said that they'd had a discussion about forming a Palestinian state, or his recognition of it, that they -- he'd explained that he thought that it should be part of a process towards peace.
ROBERTSON: The president of the United States, Donald Trump, said, OK, this is where we have a difference. We have very few differences, but this is a difference.
So, United States does not appear to be moved by this at all.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): There are further expectations of more countries to recognize the Palestinian state: France; Belgium's expected, as well, reportedly expected. Luxembourg likely to join that list.
Last year, it was Norway, Spain, Ireland that recognized a Palestinian state.
ROBERTSON: And of course, back then, as of now, it won't affect anything on the ground. But it is certainly creating rifts, potentially putting pressure on Israel. But the prime minister saying there that he will respond in the coming days.
Nic Robertson, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL: Still to come here on CNN NEWSROOM, Estonia asking the U.N. to act after what it calls a brazen Russian incursion into its airspace. We'll break it down, coming up.
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SANDOVAL: Welcome back. I'm Polo Sandoval in Atlanta. Let's take a look at today's top stories.
Tens of thousands of mourners, they gathered inside a stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk. The conservative activist, who was assassinated earlier this month, was repeatedly described as martyr whose movement would live on.
The list of high-profile speakers at the memorial included the U.S. president, his vice president, and several top administration officials.
As the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally recognize a Palestinian state, the Israeli prime minister vowing that there will never be such a thing.
Benjamin Netanyahu also says that the international community should expect a response to this move in the coming days.
The president of Venezuela, he's written a letter to Donald Trump amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. In it, the Venezuelan leader offers to engage in direct talks with U.S. special envoy Richard Grenell.
He also said that he's sending proof that Venezuela is a territory free of drug production. Recent U.S. strikes, they've killed more than a dozen alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers in international waters.
In the coming hours, the U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to discuss Russian incursions into Estonian airspace.
You may remember on Friday, three Russian fighter jets, they entered Estonian airspace, and they stayed there for about 12 minutes before being intercepted by NATO.
Russia denies this, claiming that it conducted its flights in accordance with international law.
Estonia, they called for an emergency U.N. meeting to address Russia's, quote, "growing aggressiveness and extensive testing of boundaries."
And it comes after Russian drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace.
Estonia has also requested NATO Article IV consultations, which will formally bring the issue up for discussion in the alliance. That meeting is set for later this week at the U.N. G.A.
Ukraine says Russia's incursion over Estonian airspace, that this shows that the, quote, "unprecedented scale of threats" that Moscow poses to Europe. Ukrainian officials, they have requested to join the emergency Security Council meeting as they seek to pressure Putin to end the war.
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CNN's Clare Sebastian with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump --
SEBASTIAN (voice-over): -- this week at the U.N. General Assembly, amid mounting evidence that Trump's peace efforts, seen most prominently, of course, in last month's Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, have so far failed.
Russia's massive Friday night attack, with nearly 580 drones and dozens of missiles, was the sixth assault involving at least 500 drones since that summit.
Polish and allied jets were also deployed Friday night as a protective measure, as NATO reels from several incursions into its airspace over the past two weeks, first by drones and then on Friday by Russian jets into Estonia's airspace.
NATO allies are also expected to hold talks this coming week on those incursions, amid mounting questions over the strength of the alliance's response.
Well, Ukraine is also not sitting back. New video released Sunday morning by Ukraine's defense intelligence shows what it says is a targeted attack on three Russian helicopters and a radar station in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukraine's deep strike campaign, an essential part of its strategy, of course, against its much larger enemy. But it's not enough to break the current impasse.
Zelenskyy is expected to urge Trump to slap tougher sanctions on Moscow after months of letting ultimatums lapse and deadlines expire, and he's expected to push for clarity when it comes to U.S. involvement in Ukraine's postwar security guarantees.
SEBASTIAN: Clare Sebastian, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL: Still on the way, ready, set, serve. Waiters and waitresses from cafes across the City of Light. They hit the streets, trays in hand, all of them vying for the city's greatest food-serving honor. We'll tell you what it is when we come back.
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SANDOVAL: We know serving food and drinks in a busy restaurant will keep anybody on their toes all day. But in Paris on Sunday, dozens of waiters and waitresses, they donned their aprons and carried coffee and croissants. Not to serve customers, but in a bid for waitstaff glory.
Saskya Vandoorne goes inside the city's historic Waiters Race.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EWA FONTAINE, COMPETING IN WAITERS RACE: This is a really -- a challenge for me.
SASKYA VANDOORNE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is Ewa Fontaine, and she's not training for a marathon or the Olympics, but for one of Paris's most iconic traditions: the 100-year- old Waiters Race.
Born in the 1920s, it was created to celebrate the heritage of French cafes and to showcase the skill and dexterity of those who keep them running.
FONTAINE: Don't run. Stay calm. Stay focused and try to balance your -- your tray.
VANDOORNE (voice-over): Fontaine came in fourth place last year. This summer, she's been training hard, set on winning a place on the podium.
FONTAINE: I didn't watch my back enough. And so, I was overtaken by another runner at the last moment.
VANDOORNE (voice-over): It's race day.
The waiters are picking up their bibs, and the goal is to cross the finish line as quickly as possible --
VANDOORNE: -- without spilling, running, or carrying the tray in both hands.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go.
VANDOORNE: Off to a great start. The tray is steady. She hasn't spilled anything. She's got four kilometers of Parisian pavement ahead of her.
How are you feeling?
FONTAINE: I feel well still, not tired. We are approaching the banks of the Seine, which is my favorite part. VANDOORNE: Almost at the finish line, Ewa is neck-and-neck with
another waitress. This could cost her a place on the podium. Now we're into the final stretch, you can feel the tension. The crowd is cheering. Competitors closing in.
Ewa Fontaine pushes forward. Every step counts. And across the finish line. What a performance.
Ewa Fontaine takes fourth place, just shy of the podium. But a fantastic effort.
FONTAINE: Of course, I will be back next year, too. Yes, it's a pleasure.
VANDOORNE (voice-over): Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL: A giant monkey on a skateboard took to the skies in the French Alps this weekend. Yes, that's exactly what I said. The annual Icarus Cup. It's a French paragliding festival.
It attracted some real characters: from the big monkey mascot to frogs, even some octopi.
Also, in the windy weather, dozens of gliders in surprisingly aerodynamic costumes. They took flight in a gathering unlike any other.
And while the event is named after the Greek myth of a notoriously unsuccessful attempt at flight, all these participants fortunately made it safely on the ground.
And a U.S. national park in Alaska, it is now looking to crown the fattest bear of the year. And they need your help to decide who gets to be crowned champion.
The contenders will be announced on Monday and starting on Tuesday, you can go online to choose among this year's fattest bears in Katmai National Park.
[00:40:05]
The annual competition, it seeks to find the bear who, quote -- I'm quoting here -- "best exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears as they prepare for winter hibernation."
Using a March Madness type bracket that online -- and an online voting system, the bears will be eliminated until the top teddy is named.
But exactly what judging criteria is best used when seeking out the next chubby champ? I'm going to pose that question to a conservationist in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM. So, you certainly are going to want to come back for that.
For now, though, we do want to thank you for joining us for the last 30 minutes of news. I'm Polo Sandoval in Atlanta. We leave you with WORLD SPORT.
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