Trump says he will award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously

WASHINGTON D.C. – Just one day after the shocking assassination at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented decision: he will posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. The announcement was made during a speech at the Pentagon, where President Trump called Kirk a “giant of his generation” and a “champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, is typically reserved for individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” The decision to award it to Kirk transformed his tragic death from a personal tragedy into a profound political moment, highlighting his central role in the conservative movement and his close relationship with President Trump. In his speech, President Trump expressed his grief and anger, calling Kirk’s death “a dark moment for America.” He also criticized the “radical left” and accused their inflammatory rhetoric of being “directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in this country.” To honor his late ally, President Trump also ordered flags across the United States to be flown at half-staff until September 14.

The Tragedy in Utah and the Unrelenting Manhunt

The assassination of Charlie Kirk occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time on September 10, 2025, while he was speaking at an event called “The American Comeback Tour.” The event, organized by TPUSA at an outdoor courtyard at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, drew an estimated crowd of 3,000 people.

According to witnesses, Kirk was shot just 20 minutes after he began his speech. He was answering a question from the audience about gun violence when a single shot rang out. The moment was captured in videos that circulated on social media: Kirk recoiled, clutching his neck as blood began to gush from the wound. The scene caused extreme panic, with people screaming and fleeing in chaos.

Authorities stated that the bullet was fired from a distant rooftop, and the shooter jumped down to blend in with the chaotic crowd. Although officials were quick to describe the incident as a “targeted attack,” the security measures at the event were deemed “light.” Witnesses said there were no bag checks or metal detectors for attendees. Only six campus police officers and Kirk’s private security detail were present.

The initial investigation was marked by chaos and conflicting information. FBI Director Kash Patel initially announced on social media that a “subject” had been taken into custody, but he later had to retract the statement, clarifying that the person had been released after questioning because they had no connection to the incident. In total, two people were detained and questioned but were both released, and the shooter remains at large. Investigators have since recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon and are analyzing security footage to track down the perpetrator.

A Portrait of a Culture Warrior

Charlie Kirk, 31, was not just a political activist but an influential “power broker.” He co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 at the age of 18, with the initial goal of promoting ideas about low taxes and limited government on college campuses. Under his leadership, TPUSA grew into a political “powerhouse” with a presence at nearly 4,000 high school and college campuses nationwide and revenues in the millions of dollars.

Kirk was one of President Trump’s most loyal and closest allies. This relationship was solidified when Kirk served as an unofficial advisor to Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., during the 2016 campaign. This connection helped elevate TPUSA’s profile, and in turn, Kirk played a key role in mobilizing young voters for the MAGA movement, a demographic that Republican candidates often struggled to reach.

However, Kirk was also a divisive and controversial figure. He was known for his provocative views on issues of race and immigration, along with a confrontational media strategy that often “baited progressive audiences into confrontations” to create viral content on platforms like TikTok.

Division Even in Grief

The assassination of Kirk immediately ignited strong and polarized reactions from the U.S. political establishment. President Trump was quick to blame the “radical left,” while many other right-wing figures publicly accused Kirk’s critics of having “blood on their hands.”

Conversely, Democratic leaders were also quick to condemn the violence. Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “deeply disturbed” and emphasized that “political violence has no place in America.” Other Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, called for a “rejection of political violence in EVERY form.”

This division was starkly evident even in a moment of national tragedy. A moment of silence for Kirk in the House of Representatives devolved into a heated debate over violence and gun laws, as some Republican representatives demanded a prayer, while Democrats called for changes to gun legislation.

A Broader Context: Democracy Under Threat

The death of Charlie Kirk is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of a deeper malady: the alarming rise of political violence in the United States. Recently, the U.S. has witnessed numerous attacks targeting politicians and officials at all levels.

Near-Assassinations: Former President Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign.
Attacks on Officials and Their Families: The husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was attacked at their home. A female Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were also murdered in Minnesota in June 2025.

Analysts have expressed concern that political violence is becoming “normalized.” As attacks become more frequent and predictable, they lose their shock value, eroding the principles of civil discourse. A political science professor at American University, William Lawrence, even compared the current situation to the 1960s-1980s, one of the worst periods for political violence in U.S. history.

Conclusion

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a personal tragedy and a warning to the entirety of American democracy. It exposed security vulnerabilities at public events, initial chaos in the investigation, and a deep divide in the way both political sides reacted. Kirk’s death has created a leadership vacuum in the conservative movement, while also providing a “martyr” figure that can be used to strengthen the movement and advance political agendas.

However, the greatest risk is not the loss of a single individual, but the possibility that this incident could ignite a spiral of retaliatory violence. To prevent a violent future, leaders and the public must overcome divisions, lower the political temperature, and recommit to the values of civil discourse and mutual respect.