MSNBC is facing criticism after choosing not to broadcast Donald Trump’s posthumous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk. As the only major network absent from the event’s coverage at the White House on Tuesday, MSNBC drew sharp reactions from conservatives on social media.

Republican commentator Eric Deters highlighted the network’s decision by sharing a post on X, showing that other news outlets like CNN and Fox News were airing the ceremony. At the same time, MSNBC was focused on a panel discussion with a banner reading, “TRUMP’S TARIFF THREATS STIFLE GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH.” Deters expressed his frustration, calling MSNBC “the propaganda arm of the radical left” and accusing the network of cowardice for not broadcasting what he described as “real American patriotism.”

Adding to the backlash, commentator Eric Doughterty labeled MSNBC’s choice as “disgusting,” accusing the network of being “vile and filled with hate.” While it is not uncommon for networks to skip Trump’s speeches, especially during his contentious claims of election fraud in 2020, this decision not to air Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika’s speech sparked particular disapproval among some viewers this week.

The ceremony awarding the late ‘Charlie Kirk Show’ podcast host with the Presidential Medal of Freedom fell on what would have been the conservative influencer’s 32nd birthday. Charlie’s widow, Erika, wiped away tears as Trump handed her the highest civilian honor at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. ‘You have given him the best birthday gift he could ever have,’ the mother of two said as Trump beamed at her.

The president, who returned from a whirlwind Middle East peace mission late last night, said: ‘I raced back halfway around the globe. I was going to call Erika and ask, “Could you maybe move it to Friday?” but I didn’t have the courage to call.’ ‘But you know why I didn’t call? Because I heard today was Charlie’s birthday.’ Kirk’s parents were also in attendance for the ceremony, despite remaining out of the public spotlight after their son’s death.

Friends and Turning Point USA employees attended the ceremony alongside with vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha, Trump’s son Don Jr and conservative media stars Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham. Erika, 36, fought back tears as she revealed she had asked their daughter ‘what she would like to say to Daddy’ on his birthday. ‘And she said, “Happy birthday Daddy, I want to give you a stuffed animal. I want to eat a cupcake with ice cream and I want you to come home for a birthday surprise. I love you.’

The day after the ceremony, the White House announced that it was cracking down on those who celebrated Kirk’s death as it revoked the visas of six foreigners accused of mocking the assassination. The State Department said it has reviewed online social media posts and clips of Kirk following his death at a Utah college campus on September 10.

In light of the disturbing content they found, officials recommended six foreign nationals should lose their visas. Among those targeted was an Argentine who said Kirk ‘devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric’ and deserves to burn in hell, as well as a South African who said those grieving Kirk were ‘hurt that the racist rally ended in attempted martyrdom.’ A Mexican national who has also had his visa revoked said Kirk ‘died being a racist, he died being a misogynist… there are people who deserve to die.’

A Brazilian national said Kirk ‘died too late’ and blamed the conservative activist for ‘a Nazi rally where they marched in homage to him.’ The final two foreigners were a German national and Paraguayan national. The former said, ‘When fascists die, democrats don’t complain’ and the latter called Kirk a ‘son of a [expletive] [who] he died by his own rules.’ Daily Mail has contacted MSNBC for comment.