Describing Charlie Kirk as “a champion of liberty,” President Donald Trump announced at a 9/11 remembrance ceremony that he will be posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the 31-year-old influential conservative who was killed on September 10.Watch Trump’s full remarks, including his statement from the Oval Office, here: https://go.countryrebel.com/CharlieKirkMedalPhoto: The White House / YouTube

Following the September 10 killing of Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump announced on September 11 while addressing attendees of a 9/11 ceremony that the late influential conservative would be posthumously receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. (Photo credit: The White House / YouTube, and Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)

Trump Announced The Late Conservative Would Receive Highest Civilian Honor While Speaking At A 9/11 Ceremony

“Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief of so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” said President Donald Trump as he addressed attendees of a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon on September 11.

The day before, on September 10, Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA, was killed while addressing students at Utah Valley University.

Trump described him as “a champion of liberty” and “an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” adding, “We miss him 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.”

Then, Trump stated:

“I am pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States.

The date for this ceremony has yet to be determined.

Watch Trump’s remarks on Charlie Kirk at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony, here:

In the evening of September 10, hours after Charlie Kirk was killed by a gunman who remains at large, Trump delivered remarks from the Oval Office on the death of the influential 31-year-old conservative.

Noting that Charlie “devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much, the United States of America,” Trump stated, “He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people.”

Further, Trump described Charlie as “a martyr for truth and freedom,” acknowledging the respect he had received from many young Americans.

“Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith, and we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in Heaven,” Trump said. “Our prayers are with his wife, Erika, their two young, beloved children, and his entire family.”

Charlie was killed while participating in a Question and Answer format, dubbed “Prove Me Wrong,” that had gained popularity at his events while on his American Comeback Tour.

“Charlie Kirk travelled the nation, joyfully engaging with everyone interested in good-faith debate,” Trump said. “His mission was to bring young people into the political process, which he did better than anybody ever.”

Speaking on the political violence, Trump then said, “It is long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree, day after day, year after year, in the most despicable way possible.”

Attributing inflammatory rhetoric as a cause of this violence, citing repeated claims that conservative commentators like Charlie were akin to “Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” Trump then declared:

“This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”

Trump said his administration will “find each and every one of those who contributed to” the killing of Charlie, as well as the individuals and organizations who commit or fund other acts of political violence.

Listing recent acts of political violence, including the assassination attempt on Trump at Butler, Pennsylvania, on June 13, 2024; attacks on ICE agents; and even the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione, Trump said, “Radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people, and taken too many lives.”

This statement, in part, counters a now-famous speech by Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, who delivered his “Battle for the Soul of the Nation” speech against rightwing violence on September 1, 2022.

Trump then stated, “Tonight, I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died, the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.”

Near the end of his remarks, Trump described Charlie as “the best of America,” adding, “The monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.”

Poetically, Trump stated:

“An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed, because together we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come.”

Concluding his message, Trump said, “Because of this heinous act, Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before, and it’s not even close.”

Watch Trump’s statement on Charlie Kirk, delivered from the Oval Office on September 10, here:

In a presidential proclamation, flags were ordered at half-staff from September 10 to the end of September 14 in honor of Charlie Kirk.