A shocking tragedy on a Utah college campus has led former President Donald Trump to announce that conservative activist Charlie Kirk will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. The announcement came during Trump’s speech at the Pentagon on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Trump opened with an emotional tribute, calling Kirk “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions.” He extended condolences to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their two young children, saying their strength in this moment reflected the spirit Kirk inspired in many Americans.
Kirk, just 31 years old, was best known as the co-founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that mobilized young conservatives on college campuses nationwide. He was also a popular media figure with a widely followed podcast and frequent TV appearances. A close ally of Trump, Kirk played a role in encouraging the selection of JD Vance as Trump’s running mate.
The assassination occurred Wednesday in Orem, Utah, during one of Kirk’s well-known “Prove Me Wrong” campus debates. According to officials, a single shot fatally struck him in the neck. The suspect, who fled the scene, has not yet been identified. Authorities recovered what they described as a high-powered, bolt-action rifle.
The FBI has taken over the investigation, with officials vowing to pursue the case relentlessly. Special Agent Bohls emphasized that “any attack on the First Amendment is an attack on the foundation of our democracy.”
The news has shaken Washington and beyond. Tributes have poured in from conservative leaders, and even political opponents condemned the attack as an assault on free speech and democracy.
Trump confirmed that a ceremony will be held to bestow the Medal of Freedom in Kirk’s name, though the date has not yet been announced. He promised, “We will have a very big crowd very, very big.”
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