Donald Trump Set to Posthumously Award Charlie Kirk With the Presidential Medal of Freedom on What Would've Been Right-wing Activist's 32nd Birthday
Donald Trump is set to award the late Charlie Kirk with the Medal of Freedom.
Oct. 14 2025, Updated 4:12 p.m. ET
A little over a month since right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk was gunned down at a college speaking event, President Donald Trump is set to honor the controversial activist with a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Trump, 79, is set to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to Kirk's widow, Erika, on what would have been his 32nd birthday on October 14 in a ceremony at the newly renovated White House Rose Garden.
Trump Calls Kirk a 'Martyr'
Kirk was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.
At a public memorial service honoring Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, Trump was among several high-profile Republican figures to speak about the slain influential MAGA ally.
During his speech, Trump said the Turning Point USA founder was a "martyr" for conservative values and freedom – and vowed to keep his legacy alive.
Erika also addressed the crowd and said she "forgives" her husband's suspected killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has since been charged with aggravated murder.
Kirk Was a 'Visionary' Wise Beyond His Years
Trump said Kirk was a 'visionary' who was 'way, way beyond his years.'
After a delayed start to the ceremony, Trump walked out to the Rose Garden with Erika, who was dressed in all black.
During his speech, the president described Kirk as a "visionary" and an "amazing person" who was "way, way beyond his years."
He added: "Charlie is attaining a far more important milestone. We are entering his name forever into the eternal roster of true American heroes. He’s a true American hero."
The president once again called Kirk a "martyr for truth"
The president later drew laughs from the crowd when he recalled Kirk working on his first presidential campaign in 2016. He noted the young activist "liked him" a lot, adding: "I have no idea why. What the hell was he thinking?"
Trump described Erika as 'gorgeous' as he reminded her Kirk was 'deeply in love with you.'
Trump also recognized Erika and acknowledged the "unspeakable hardship" the mother-of-two has endured since her husband was killed in September.
But the president's infamous "weave" was on full display as he rambled off his administration's accomplishments and even took at dig at ex-Vice President Kamala Harris in between highlighting Kirk's work.
At one point, Trump noted how he had to race back to Washington D.C. after signing the Israeli-Hamas peace deal and confessed he almost asked Erika if she wouldn't mind pushing back the ceremony, but decided against it after finding out it was Kirk's birthday.
The president continued to boast about his success, crackdown on crime and harsh immigration policies.
He told the crowd: "They'd come in from Iowa, they'd come from Florida to see the nation's capital. And somebody would have to call the parents, 'I'm sorry, but your son or your daughter has been killed.' Not anymore."
Ironically, emergency vehicle sirens could be heard in the distance while Trump spoke, prompting him to direct the crowd to "listen to that beauty of that sound."
Trump added: "And that's the real deal. Sirens, they're not politically correct sirens. You hear, they're about three miles away. That's great. What a beautiful sound. They're stopping crime. That's what they're doing."
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Erika Addresses Rose Garden Crowd
Erika wiped away tears as Kirk was honored as 'a martyr for truth and for freedom.'
After Trump wrapped his speech, an official statement was read aloud about Kirk, who was once again referred to as "a martyr for truth and for freedom."
Trump then presented the medal to Kirk's widow, who was visibly emotional during the moment.
Through tears, Erika addressed the Rose Garden from the podium, thanking Trump and First Lady Melania, as well as Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha, for their support.
