Trump Awards Charlie Kirk a Posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Daily Signal 10/14/2025 3:45:33 PM
 

President Donald Trump on Tuesday awarded the late conservative hero Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“Today, we’re here to honor and remember a fearless warrior for liberty, beloved leader who galvanized the next generation like nobody I’ve ever seen before,” Trump said, “and an American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest caliber, the late, great Charlie Kirk.”

Kirk, who was assassinated by a gunman on Sept. 10 while speaking to college students at Utah Valley University, received the nation’s highest civilian award on what would have been his 32nd birthday. The president signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 14 “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.”

“He was assassinated in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth, for living his faith, and relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America,” Trump said.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to people that presidents determine have made exceptional contributions to the country.

President Donald Trump presents Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, a Presidential Medal of Freedom in his honor and memory in a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House on Tuesday. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Those in attendance for Tuesday’s award included Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk; Erika’s father, Kent Frantzve; Vice President JD Vance; House Speaker Mike Johnson; Donald Trump Jr.; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; conservative commentator Tucker Carlson; Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, and Sean Hannity; and Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.

Trump thanked Erika Kirk for her love and courage amid the loss of her husband.

“We will always be here for you, and we’re always going to be here for your gorgeous, beautiful children, and we’ll never forget what your family has sacrificed for our country,” he said.

Charlie Kirk put “America first” and became the leader of conservative youth, Trump said.

“He forged a personal bond with countless young conservatives,” the president said. “He fought for free speech, religious liberty, strong borders, and a very solid and proud America, in everything he did. He put America first.”

Trump also praised Kirk’s strong faith in God.

“Everything he did was historic, and [he was] a true evangelist for the cause of freedom and the word of Almighty God,” Trump said. “God was very important to Charlie. He would say, ‘You don’t have religion, you’re not going to have a strong country.’ It’s true. He was so wise beyond his years.”

Trump expressed confidence that Kirk is in heaven with Jesus following his untimely death.

“Charlie never missed an opportunity to remind us of the Judeo-Christian principles of our nation’s founding, or to share his deep Christian faith,” the president said. “In his final moments, Charlie testified to the greatness of America and to the glory of our Savior, with whom he now rests in heaven.”


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