Featured Image Credit: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Charlie Kirk
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Charlie Kirk
United States President Donald Trump spoke with Charlie Kirk’s parents as he awarded their son a posthumous award.
On Tuesday (14 October), the 79-year-old Republican awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour to Kirk, the late Turning Point USA founder who was shot in the neck at an event at Utah Valley University last month (10 September), with the suspected shooter believed to be 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
During the ceremony, Trump dubbed the Second Amendment advocate 'a true American hero' whose name would be 'entered forever into the eternal roster of American heroes' on what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday.
Many of Trump's cabinet, including Vice President JD Vance and other high-ranking officials from across the administration, as well as media figures like Tucker Carlson, attended the ceremony, which was held on the patio that has now replaced much of the White House Rose Garden.
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Kirk's widow, Erika, accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on her late husband's behalf, with Trump saying she had 'endured unspeakable hardship with unbelievable strength' and said her 'love and courage' in the weeks since her husband’s killing had been 'an inspiration to all of us'.
As she accepted the honour, she said: "Now he wears the crown of a righteous martyr," and revealed that 'if the moment had come, he probably would have run for President'.
Erika, who has now stepped in as the new CEO of Turning Point USA, added: "But not out of ambition. He would only have done it if that was something that he believed that his country needed."
Elsewhere in the ceremony, Trump told the crowd: "So, one month after Charlie’s death, we still feel the terrible shock and the pain of his loss like just about nobody I can think of. Charlie Kirk was one of a kind, and he was unstoppable.
"Today we're here to honour and remember a fearless warrior for liberty, beloved leader who galvanised the next generation like nobody I've ever seen before."
Speaking of the polarising reputation, he added: "With hard work and joyful spirit and endless enthusiasm and determination ... Charlie grew Turning Point into the largest conservative youth organisation in the entire country.
"He fought for free speech, religious liberty, strong borders and a very strong and proud America ... everything he did was historic."
Kirk's parents, Robert W. Kirk and Kathryn Kirk, have largely remained away from the spotlight following his death.
However, they were seen for the first time during yesterday's ceremony, speaking with Trump and the other attendees.
Both Robert and Kathryn were notably absent from his funeral at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, a few weeks back (21 September)