President Donald Trump paid tribute to his late friend Charlie Kirk by engraving a special message on the back of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, featuring Kirk’s name alongside a cross.

During a ceremony held on Tuesday in the White House’s Rose Garden, Trump awarded Kirk, posthumously, with the country’s highest civilian accolade. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was presented to Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. Kirk was tragically killed in a shooting at Utah Valley University on September 10, and he would have celebrated his 32nd birthday on the day of the ceremony.

In an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News, Benny Johnson, a close friend of the late Turning Point USA founder, remarked on the significance of the ceremony. Johnson noted that Trump recognizes the profound impact Charlie Kirk had on promoting Christian values, sharing that Erika Kirk had shown him something extraordinary at the White House just before the broadcast.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated in the prime of his life for speaking the truth, living his faith, & relentlessly fighting for America.

That is why today President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk our nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Bqd1hr9byX

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 15, 2025

Speaking later to Fox News’ Jesse Watters about the ceremony, Benny Johnson, pal of the late founder of Turning Point USA, told the host that Trump clearly understands the “power that Charlie Kirk brought to the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ, because Erika Kirk showed me something remarkable at the White House right before coming over here to do your show.”

🚨NEW: Benny Johnson UNVEILS Charlie Kirk’s PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM has a CRUCIFIX ENGRAVED in the back… the FIRST EVER 🚨@BennyJohnson: “This is a historic moment — the first time religious iconography has appeared on this award — and it was done in honor of Charlie… pic.twitter.com/GzLm4iU4Eh

— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) October 15, 2025