President Donald Trump said he will posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom as he paid tribute to the late conservative activist during remarks at the Pentagon on Thursday anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Trump said the date of the ceremony honoring Kirk with the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, will be announced later. “I can only guarantee you one thing — that we will have a very big crowd. Very big.” the president said.
Trump called the Sept. 10 shooting death of Kirk a “heinous assassination” and said Americans are experiencing “horror and grief” after the 31-year-old star conservative influencer and father of two was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Police reported on Friday, Sept. 12, that a suspect had been arrested in the murder.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump said. “Our prayers are with his wonderful wife Erika and his beautiful children ‒ fantastic people they are. We him them greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
In video-taped remarks released on the evening of Sept. 10, Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed the “radical left” for “directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today.”
Here’s what to know about the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors, according to the White House.
Created by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 as the Medal of Freedom, the medal was renamed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and became an honor at the sole discretion of the president.
The medal is a white star over a red pentagon, surrounded by five gold eagles. At the star’s center is a blue circle with 13 gold stars. The Presidential Medal of Freedom comes in two degrees, with the more prestigious version known as the Presidential Medal of Freedom “with distinction.”
Who is Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was 18 when he founded Turning Point USA to introduce conservative ideals across college campuses, where he saw a liberal bias. The organization gained national prominence within the Republican Party and has since grown to be the largest conservative student movement with more than 800 college chapters.
Kirk was killed Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University, the first stop on a fall tour in which Kirk would debate college students and others on a variety of topics, some often controversial.
Kirk has been criticized for what many have called racist, anti-semitic, anti-LGBTQ, mysognist statements and positions.
How many people have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
Since 1963 and through January 2025, when former President Joe Biden named 19 honorees, 673 have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
How many people has President Donald Trump honored?
During his first term, President Trump honored 24 individuals with the medal. To date, that is the fewest among presidents.
Which president honored the most people?
Former President Barack Obama honored 118 people. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded the medal 89 times.
How many people from Michigan have won the award?
Since 1963, at least 12 individuals with Michigan ties have been honored, among them:
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Trump will award Charlie Kirk Presidential Medal of Freedom. Here are Michigan’s honorees
Reporting by Dan Basso and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
