President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in Utah on Wednesday.
Trump made the announcement during remarks at the Pentagon to commemorate the 9/11 attacks. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor.
“Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk have felt. Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” he said to start his remarks.
“Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children — fantastic people they are,” Trump continued. “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.”
Announcing his intention to award Kirk the medal, Trump said a date has yet to be determined, but that “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 planned to speak with Kirk's family later Thursday. Before departing for New York, the president said he had spoken to Kirk's wife Erika.
“We had a long talk, and she’s devastated, absolutely devastated,” Trump said.
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha traveled to Utah on Thursday to meet with Kirk's family. He helped carry Kirk's casket to Air Force Two for the flight to Phoenix.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA, an influential conservative group that is active on high school and college campuses as it works to mobilize young conservatives. The group’s website says it has a presence on more than 3,000 campuses across the country and that its events draw popular conservative politicians who are looking to connect with young people. Trump has spoken at Turning Point USA events both on the campaign trail and as president.
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Kirk, who was 31 when he died, was a mainstay on conservative media; hosted his own podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show”; and wrote several books.
He was also a close ally to Trump and many others in his orbit, including Vance (he played an influential role in urging Trump to select 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 was held just days after an assassination attempt against Trump.
Trump broke the news of Kirk’s death in an announcement on his social media site, and his death hit close to home for many White House officials, as well as conservative politicians and personalities who knew him and mourned his loss both publicly and privately.
