President Donald Trump will posthumously award Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump said during a commemoration of 9/11 on Thursday at the Pentagon. “Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children.”
Kirk’s family will be presented with the award at a later date, Trump said.
On Wednesday, Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing activist and podcaster, was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. The shooter is still at large, but on Thursday morning, the FBI said authorities believed they had recovered the weapon used in the shooting, as well as a “footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.”
Trump confirmed Kirk’s death just a few hours after the shooting.
