Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah, prior to the assassination. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
Kirk, 31, co-founded the conservative student group Turning Point USA in 2012 and built it into one of the most influential youth organizations on the political right. Known for his fiery campus appearances and a massive social media presence, Kirk was a staunch supporter of Trump and a frequent critic of liberal institutions.
Kirk was speaking at a "Prove Me Wrong" debate at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, an event where he invited students to challenge his political and cultural views.
A shot rang out around noon local time on Wednesday, and Kirk fell from his chair.
The shooter remains at large, though the weapon has been recovered. Event organizers estimate some 3,000 people had been in attendance at the school.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is awarded to individuals who have made "especially meritorious" contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural and public endeavors.
Kirk would join a list of recipients from presidents, lawmakers and foreign leaders to athletes, entertainers and human rights figures.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, laughs after U.S. President Donald Trump said that if he could go back in time and give himself advice at age 25 it would be to not run for president, during a youth forum titled Generation Next, at the White House in Washington, D.C., March 22, 2018. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
On Wednesday after the shooting, Trump called it a "dark day for America."
"It's a 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," he said.
"For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals."
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In death, Trump said, "Charlie's voice has become bigger and grander than ever before."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-award-charlie-kirk-medal-freedom-after-campus-assassination