WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday is posthumously awarding America’s highest civilian honor to Charlie Kirk, the assassinated activist who inspired a generation of young conservatives and helped push the nation’s politics further to the right.
The ceremony coincides with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. It comes just over a month after Kirk was fatally shot while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University.
In a sign of Kirk’s close ties to the administration, he will be the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Trump’s second term. Trump also spoke at Kirk’s funeral, calling him a 'great American hero' and 'martyr' for freedom. Kirk's wife, Erica, and Vice President JD Vance accompanied his body home to Arizona on Air Force Two.
Trump wrote in a social media post hours before the event that he was moving the ceremony from the White House’s East Room to the Rose Garden to accommodate a crowd he said would be 'so big and enthusiastic.'
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 for individuals making exceptional contributions to the country’s security or national interests or to world peace, or being responsible for significant cultural endeavors or public and private initiatives.
This event follows Trump’s recent return from a whirlwind trip to Israel and Egypt to celebrate a ceasefire agreement in Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Trump has previously awarded a series of presidential medals, recognizing a variety of individuals from different sectors including sports and conservative activism. Notably, Kirk has been acknowledged as one of the pivotal figures in Trump's political support during elections.
Although celebrated in certain circles, Kirk's legacy is also marked by controversy due to his divisive political rhetoric, particularly regarding issues of race and LGBTQ+ rights.
