President Trump has posthumously awarded Turning Point USA Founder and legendary conservative activist Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, on Tuesday.
The ceremony took place in the White House Rose Garden on what would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday. It was supposed to take place indoors due to bad weather, but the President told Charlie's widow, Erika Kirk, that "God was watching, and he didn't want that for Charlie." The White House saw nothing but sunshine for the ceremony.
President Donald J. Trump posthumously awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 14, 2025
A true American patriot. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HYvinbxO4e
The President, in his speech, credited Charlie with helping him win the presidential election in 2024 and described him as a "fearless warrior for liberty."
"Five weeks ago, our nation was robbed of this extraordinary champion," Trump said. "He was a champion in every way. I got to know him so well. ... 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. He loved this country."
"Without him,... maybe you'd have Kamala standing here today," Trump said. "That would not be good... With his help, in 2024, we won more people than any Republican by far in the history of our country."
Erika Kirk teared up as she accepted the award on her husband's behalf and thanked the world for believing in Charlie and his mission.
"You are the heartbeat of this future movement," Erika said. "Everything Charlie built—you guys are the legacy holders of that. You're living his mission with him... I know that freedom will endure."
She shared that she had always struggled to find the perfect birthday gift for Charlie, but that the Medal of Freedom awarded by President Trump was "the best" he could have gotten.
"He preferred quiet birthdays," Erika said. "I said, 'Baby, I love your birthday... because it's the day that the world couldn't go another day without you' ... [Freedom is] what Charlie fought for until his last breath, and it was written on his chest in those final minutes."
JUST IN: Erika Kirk tears up as she accepts Charlie Kirk's Presidential Medal of Freedom award.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 14, 2025
"One of the most influential American political figures of his generation."
"At just 18 years old, he founded Turning Point USA and grew it into the largest conservative youth… pic.twitter.com/aeLXLAEM6s
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University by Tyler Robinson, who set out to murder Charlie because he disagreed with the conservative firebrand over politics.