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The Presidential Medal of Freedom stands as the pinnacle of civilian accolades in the United States, bestowed by the president to honor remarkable contributions to the nation, the advancement of world peace, or other significant public achievements.
In an upcoming ceremony, President Donald Trump will posthumously award this prestigious honor to Charlie Kirk, aligning with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. This solemn event is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, October 14, in Washington D.C.
Recently returning from a diplomatic journey to the Middle East, where he played a key role in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza, President Trump is prepared to recognize Kirk’s impact. The Medal of Freedom, which was officially established in 1963, is reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to U.S. security, national interests, international peace, or have engaged in other noteworthy public endeavors.
Charlie Kirk’s untimely death occurred on September 10, when he was tragically shot while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University. President Trump was swift in acknowledging Kirk’s passing, announcing the news through social media a little over two hours after the incident.
Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Trump was the first to confirm Kirk had died with a post on social media a little more than two hours later.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.,” the president said on Truth Social. “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Trump isn’t the only one honoring Kirk on his birthday. The House of Representatives in September passed a resolution designating Oct. 14 as the “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.”
While it isn’t considered a holiday, the resolution encourages schools, civic organizations and people across the U.S. to “observe this day with appropriate programs, activities, prayers, and ceremonies that promote civic engagement and the principles of faith, liberty, and democracy that Charlie Kirk championed.”
The Florida legislature is also considering a bill that would require Florida’s public colleges and universities to rename their main roads after Kirk. That bill, HB 113, has drawn criticism from students and activists.
But Kevin Steele, the Florida representative who proposed the bill, said in a Facebook post that it was meant to honor Kirk’s legacy of “open dialogue.”
Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at Utah Valley University, where he was fatally shot.
Turning Point, the group Kirk founded to mobilize young Christian conservatives, became a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership with enormous reach.
And he was a personal friend to many in the Trump administration. Vice President JD Vance credits Kirk with introducing him to the Trump campaign, eventually leading to him being selected as Trump’s VP.
Kirk’s death set off a flood of condolences and sympathy from Republicans and those in the right-wing media sphere.
After Kirk’s death, Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance, flew to Utah and returned to Arizona with Kirk’s wife, Erika, and Kirk’s casket on Air Force Two. Vance also honored Kirk by hosting “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Sept. 15.
“Charlie Kirk was a true friend,” Vance wrote in a tribute online. “The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him. I am on more than a few group chats with Charlie and people he introduced me to over the years. We celebrate weddings and babies, bust each other’s chops, and mourn the loss of loved ones.”
At the conservative activist’s funeral, Trump praised him as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom. Trump also ordered that U.S. flags be lowered to half-staff for several days after Kirk was killed.
Who shot Charlie Kirk?
Utah prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson, 22, with aggravated murder in Kirk’s assassination and plan to seek the death penalty.
Last month, Robinson’s attorney asked a judge for more time to review the large amount of evidence in the case before deciding if the defense will seek a preliminary hearing. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Oct. 30.
