President Donald Trump today will present the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, posthumously to Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA and a leading conservative activist who was assassinated Sept. 10 while speaking in Utah.
The ceremony, to be held in the East Room of the White House at 4 pm Eastern Time (noon Alaska), marks the first Presidential Medal of Freedom presentation since Trump returned to office.
The president arrived back in Washington late Monday night after a high-profile trip to the Middle East, where he officiated a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas and addressed Israel’s Knesset in Jerusalem.
The timing of the event carries deep symbolism: Oct. 14 would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday, and Congress has officially designated the date as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk through Senate Resolution 403 and House Resolution 727.
Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, will accept the award on his behalf. Trump described the event as a “great celebration” of Kirk’s life and legacy. Newsmax will broadcast the ceremony live beginning at 3:30 pm Eastern.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, building it into one of the largest conservative youth organizations in the nation. The group became known for promoting free-market principles, limited government, and conservative activism on college campuses. Kirk also spoke openly and bravely about his Christian faith.
Kirk was also a best-selling author and the host of The Charlie Kirk Show, a top conservative podcast. His work and influence were central to mobilizing young voters during Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign, which the president has repeatedly credited as a key factor in his return to the White House.
Kirk’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the conservative movement and a resurgence of activism on college campuses.
