On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that he would posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in Utah on Wednesday.
Trump made the announcement while speaking at the Pentagon to commemorate the 9/11 attacks. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the country’s highest civilian honor.
“Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief that so many Americans have felt in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s heinous assassination. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” he said to begin his speech.
“Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children — fantastic people they are,” he said. “We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
In announcing his intention to award Kirk the medal, Trump stated that while a date has yet to be determined, “I can only guarantee you one thing: We will have a very big crowd, very, very big.”
On his way back to the White House after his speech, Trump told reporters he intended to speak with Kirk’s family later Thursday. Before leaving for New York, the president said he spoke with Kirk’s wife, Erika.
“We had a long talk, and she’s devastated, absolutely devastated,” Trump told reporters.
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha went to Utah on Thursday to meet with Kirk’s family. He helped transport Kirk’s casket to Air Force Two for the flight to Phoenix.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA, an influential conservative organization that works on high school and college campuses to mobilize young conservatives. According to the group’s website, it has a presence on over 3,000 campuses across the country, and its events attract well-known conservative politicians seeking to connect with young people. Trump has spoken at Turning Point USA events both during the campaign and as president.
Kirk, who died at the age of 31, was a fixture in conservative media, hosting his own podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” and writing several books.
He was also a close ally of Trump and many others in his circle, including Vance (he was instrumental in convincing Trump to choose Vance as his running mate) and members of the Trump family. Kirk spoke at Trump’s presidential nominating conventions in 2020 and 2024, the latter of which occurred just days after an assassination attempt on Trump.
Kirk’s death was announced by Trump on his social media platform, and it hit close to home for many White House officials, as well as conservative politicians and personalities who knew him and mourned his loss publicly and privately.
