President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, during a ceremony in the White
House Rose Garden. The ceremony took place on October 14, 2025, which would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday. Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His widow, Erika Kirk, who has since become CEO of Turning Point USA, accepted the medal on his behalf and delivered an emotional speech, including sharing a birthday message from their 3-year-old daughter. Trump praised Kirk as a "giant of his generation" and "champion of liberty," and the ceremony was moved to the Rose Garden to accommodate a larger crowd.
Were Charlie Kirk's Parents Present?
Yes, Charlie Kirk's parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, were present at the White House ceremony. Senator Marsha Blackburn posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) from the event, stating: "It was an honor to share a special moment with Charlie Kirk’s parents at the White House today. The loss they have endured is unimaginable." This directly confirms their attendance.
Multiple news reports noted that Kirk's parents have largely stayed out of the public eye throughout the mourning period, including at Kirk's public memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, last month, where they were present but not prominently featured or mentioned in speeches. At the Medal of Freedom ceremony, President Trump explicitly thanked Erika Kirk's father (her side of the family) during his remarks but did not mention Kirk's parents by name, aligning with their preference for privacy.
Other Attendees
The event drew notable attendees, including Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, Argentine President Javier Milei, Senator Rick Scott, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Turning Point USA COO Tyler Bowyer.
