Trump to Award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 4:00 p.m.

by Sharon Rondeau

(Oct. 14, 2025) — On what would have been his 32nd birthday, on Tuesday afternoon President Donald Trump will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the late co-founder of Turning Point USA, conservative activist and podcast host Charlie Kirk.

The award, which is the highest recognition given to a civilian by the U.S. government, will be presented to Kirk’s widow Erika in the East Room of the White House at a 4:00 p.m. EDT ceremony.

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Presidential Medal of Freedom “is considered the U.S. government’s highest civilian honor. Awarded by the President, it is often presented to individuals to recognize a lifetime of significant achievements in the arts, public service, science, or other fields.”

Following Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10, both chambers of Congress passed resolutions making October 14 a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.”

At age 18 Kirk embarked on a quest to reach young people with a message of national pride, smaller government, independent thinking and First Amendment political discourse. He later spoke extensively on what he believed was the importance of entering a committed relationship through traditional marriage and raising children as well as his deeply-held Christian faith.

Trump has acknowledged Kirk’s significant role in convincing his audiences, which comprise individuals largely 30 years old and younger, to vote for the 2024 Republican presidential candidate over the Democrat, causing a seismic shift in the voting patters of that demographic and propelling Trump into the White House for a second, non-consecutive term.

Trump’s elder sons, Eric and Donald Jr., were intimately involved with both of their father’s presidential campaigns and revealed in interviews following Kirk’s shocking death that they had been extremely close to Kirk and spoke with him every day.

Kirk was reportedly also a key adviser to the 2024 Trump campaign regarding cabinet members and presidential appointees.

Trump spoke at Kirk’s September 21 memorial service following a heartrending address by Erika Kirk in which she declared her forgiveness for her husband’s killer. The memorial was attended by approximately 110,000 people at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ and nearby Desert Diamond Arena, Wikipedia reported, though the New York Post cited the number as approximately 200,000.

Tyler Robinson, 22, of Washington City, Washington County, UT, is accused of firing a .30-06 Mauser rifle from a rooftop, killing Kirk as he was engaging with UVU students on the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” at which he challenged students to “Prove Me Wrong.”

TPUSA‘s home page now states:

Charlie Kirk poured his life into building a movement rooted in faith, freedom, and love of country. He believed America’s future depended on raising up a generation who would NEVER SURRENDER.

That vision is alive and stronger than ever. Prayers are rising, support is pouring in, millions of students are rallying, volunteers are flooding in, and vigils are filling churches and schools across the nation. The fire Charlie lit is burning brighter than ever.

Now the responsibility is ours. We will honor his legacy by pressing forward—not slowing down, not surrendering. This is not a time to preserve what was built. This is the time to fight harder, grow faster, and unleash the true power of the grassroots machine Charlie created.

We will make Charlie proud. We will defend America’s future. And we will not stop until freedom prevails.

Live streaming of the ceremony is being provided by RSBN.