Charlie Kirk: Trump Announces Top Posthumous US Civilian Honour for Slain Activist
- The slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk will be honoured with the US highest civilian honour, "the Presidential Medal of Freedom"
- US President Donald Trump announced this on Thursday, during a ceremony at the Pentagon to mark the September 11, 2001 attacks
- Charlie Kirk was reportedly shot in the neck and killed during a live debate at Utah Valley University, sending shockwaves through the conservative community
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
President Donald Trump has announced that he will posthumously award the highest US civilian honor to murdered right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Source: Getty Images
Trump, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, during a ceremony at the Pentagon marking the September 11, 2001, attacks, said:
“I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Trump said the date of the ceremony honoring Kirk with the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, will be announced later. "I can only guarantee you one thing ‒ that we will have a very big crowd. Very big." the president said.
How Charlie Kirk was reportedly killed
Legit.ng reported that Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist in the US and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10.
Video of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk speaking to a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack, a gunshot, rang out.
Charlie Kirk briefly clutched his neck before collapsing from his chair, sending attendees fleeing.
Source: Getty Images
Charlie Kirk: Trump mourns ally
Reacting, President Trump mourned his slain ally.
The US leader said, as shared via the White House's verified X (formerly Twitter) page:
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"
Charlie Kirk's final words
Legit.ng earlier reported how Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on 10 September 2025 during a public event at Utah Valley University, where he had been engaging in a heated debate on mass shootings. He was 31.
In the hours following Kirk’s death, social media platforms were flooded with posts speculating on his final words.
Charlie Kirk’s actual salary and compensation released
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Turning Point USA reported a staggering $85 million in revenue for 2024, with nearly all of it sourced from contributions.
Financial records reviewed by ProPublica revealed that Charlie Kirk earned a salary of $285,929 before his death.
The non-profit’s spending reached $81 million, raising questions about executive compensation and operational priorities.
Read more about Charlie Kirk here:
- Charlie Kirk: Video emerges showing possible killer on rooftop moments before fatal shooting
- Charlie Kirk: Last Instagram post of slain activist trends online over what he said
Nathaniel Bassey, Victoria Orenze mourn Charlie Kirk
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigerian gospel singers Nathaniel Bassey and Victoria Orenze mourned Charlie Kirk.
They prayed that he would find rest in the lord.
Nathaniel Bassey said the truth cannot be killed.
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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
