US President Donald Trump has announced he will award Charlie Kirk posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University on Wednesday during a live Q&A. Trump said during the 9/11 memorial service.
Trump confirmed that a date for the award ceremony has not yet been set but promised it would be a major occasion. “I can only guarantee you one thing, we will have a very big crowd. Very, very big,” he said.
He added. “Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief so many Americans have felt at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Trump said. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions.”
The president extended condolences to Kirk’s family. “Our prayers are with his wonderful wife Erika and his beautiful children, fantastic people they are. We miss him greatly. Yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice, and the courage he instilled in countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was a conservative political activist, writer, and media figure from the United States. Born in 1993, he grew up in the suburb of Chicago.
His political career began early, while still in high school in 2012, he wrote an article for Breitbart News accusing school textbooks of being biased.
That article got him an appearance on Fox Business. Even as a student, Kirk was outspoken, often clashing with others over issues as small as cafeteria food prices.
At age 18, he co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative youth organisation, and went on to lead it as executive director.
He also became CEO of Turning Point Action and was part of the Council for National Policy. Over the years, Kirk became a strong voice for the American right and a close ally of former President Donald Trump.
Kirk was a familiar face in conservative media and active in youth political movements. He often spoke out on hot-button topics like race, gender, immigration, and politics.
He opposed gun control, abortion, and LGBTQ rights, and criticized civil rights legislation and leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. He was also widely criticised for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and US elections.