Trump posthumously awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to slain activist Charlie Kirk

US President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, marking what would have been his 32nd birthday with a National Day of Remembrance.

The ceremony, held in the White House Rose Garden, was broadcast live nationwide.

“Today we’re here to honour and remember a fearless warrior for liberty, a beloved leader who galvanised the next generation like nobody I’ve ever seen before,” Trump said during the event.

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and one of the most recognisable figures in the American conservative movement, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. His assassination stunned the nation and reignited debate over the rise of political violence in the United States.

Since the killing, Trump has repeatedly invoked Kirk’s name as a symbol of his political cause, calling him a “martyr for American freedom.” The president has used the tragedy to rally his supporters and advocate for what he describes as strong state action against “radical left extremism.”

In the wake of Kirk’s death, the Trump administration launched a broad campaign targeting left-wing organisations, ordering multiple federal agencies—including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service—to investigate and disrupt groups allegedly involved in funding or organising politically motivated violence.

However, Trump has consistently minimised threats from right-wing movements, insisting that political violence is largely driven by the left. Experts, however, note that violent incidents in the United States have historically occurred across the political spectrum, with many recent attacks linked to right-wing extremism.

Officials have so far found no evidence that the suspect in Kirk’s assassination acted as part of any organised group.

The Rose Garden ceremony drew many prominent Republican figures and allies of the president, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senators Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and Rick Scott. Media personalities and conservative leaders also attended the tribute.

Kirk was widely regarded as a major force in youth conservative activism. Through Turning Point USA, he mobilised young voters in support of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. His influence, though considerable, was deeply polarising — supporters praised him as a staunch defender of free speech, while critics accused him of helping to legitimise extremist and discriminatory rhetoric, including attacks on LGBTQ+ and civil rights movements.

At Kirk’s memorial service in September, Trump vowed to continue his work, calling him “a martyr for American freedom.” Both chambers of Congress subsequently passed resolutions declaring October 14 as a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.”

On Tuesday, Trump signed an official presidential proclamation establishing October 14, 2025—what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday—as the first National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.

By Tamilla Hasanova