Slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk to be awarded Medal of Freedom, highest US civilian honour, Trump announces

Updated on: Sep 11, 2025, 19:50:50 IST

Share via

Copy link

Donald Trump has announced the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, for slain right-wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, who was his longtime ally .

Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk (since deceased) on stage with US President Donald Trump in Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2024. (AFP File Photo)

Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot dead when he was speaking at an event in Utah on Wednesday.

"Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and inspiration to millions and millions of people," President Trump said during an event at the Pentagon on Thursday.

Also read | Chilling videos capture moment Charlie Kirk was shot dead in Utah: Blow-by-blow account

"I have no doubt Charlie's voice and courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on," he added, as per a video feed shared by the news outlet Fox.

The announcement came while FBI officials shared updates with the media on the as-yet-unidentified assassin. The agency's officials said they have images of him and that the "high-powered rifle" used for the assassination has been found.

Kirk was shot when he was speaking at a student-sponsored outdoor event with his ‘Turning Point USA’ advocacy group at Utah Valley University. After being shot in the neck, he was rushed to the Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead a few hours later.

Trump posted on social media immediately after: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Kirk was also a top podcaster, identified himself as a “culture warrior”, and had led efforts to get Republican Party supporters to vote in larger numbers in the 2024 election that Trump won.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Donald Trump

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.