Tuesday, October 14 would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday posthumously awarded Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Kirk was assassinated on September 10 while at an outdoor campus event at Utah Valley University. October 14, the day of the ceremony at the White House, marked what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, accepted the award on his behalf.
“Today, we’re here to honor and remember a fearless warrior for liberty, beloved leader who galvanized the next generation like nobody I’ve ever seen before, and an American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest caliber, the late, great Charlie Kirk,” Trump said.
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Trump called Kirk a “visionary and one of the greatest figures of his generation,” and praised Kirk’s efforts among youth in the nation, with “ultimately touched the lives of millions and millions of people and so many young people.”
“He forged a personal bond with countless young conservatives. He fought for free speech, religious liberty, strong borders, and a very strong and proud America. In everything he did, he put America first. He really put America first. And ultimately, Charlie became more than a leader of an important organization, he became the leader of historic movements all over the country.”
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He later added, “Charlie’s voice, his message, and his legacy are stronger and greater than ever before. They are greater than ever before. Look, this is a horrible event, but it brought out the greatness of Charlie.”
The citation for the award stated, “Charlie Kirk was one of the most influential American political figures of his generation. Just 18 years old, he founded Turning Point USA and grew it into the largest conservative youth organization in the nation. For over a decade, he tirelessly traveled the country, leading a movement to restore respect for our founding principles, reawaken our national identity, and inspire a renewed spirit of religious devotion.”
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Entering the ceremony, Trump was joined by Kirk’s widow, Erika. During his speech, Trump told Erika Kirk, “[Charlie Kirk] was deeply in love with you. It’s great. Erika, your love and ourage have been an inspiration to all of us, and we will always be here for you, and we’re always going to be here for your gorgeous, beautiful children, and we’ll never forget what your family has sacrificed for our country.”