President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk, the assassinated conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder, in a ceremony attended by his widow, Erika Kirk, and Argentine President Javier Milei.
President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk, the assassinated activist and founder of Turning Point USA, on what would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday. Kirk, known for inspiring young conservatives and shifting national politics to the right, was fatally shot a month prior while speaking at Utah Valley University. His widow, Erika Kirk, accepted the honor, expressing profound gratitude to President Trump for recognizing her husband's life and work. Trump lauded Kirk as a "fearless warrior for liberty" and a "martyr" who was "assassinated in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth." The ceremony, held in the newly renovated Rose Garden, marked the first Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded in Trump's second term, highlighting Kirk's close ties to the administration. Despite Kirk's often divisive politics, including his strong criticisms of LGBTQ+ rights, comments inflaming racial tensions, and false claims, the Trump administration also revoked the visas of six foreigners for making "derisive or mocking comments" about his assassination. Erika Kirk reflected on her husband's potential future in politics and vowed to continue the "mighty work" he began.
