October 14, 2025
Washington–President Trump will present the Presidential Medal of Honor to Charlie Kirk in an East Room ceremony this afternoon at 4:00 PM EST (2:00 MST), on what would have been the Turning Point USA founder’s 32nd birthday. Mrs. Erika Kirk will receive the medal on her husband’s behalf.
TPUSA is expected to livestream the ceremony on their YouTube channel, here.
A Congressional Research Service article explains the history of the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is considered the U.S. government’s highest civilian honor. Awarded by the President, it is often presented to individuals to recognize a lifetime of significant achievements in the arts, public service, science, or other fields.
Created by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 as the Medal of Freedom, the medal was renamed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Executive Order 11085 (February 22, 1963) allows the President to recognize “any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
The medal is a white star over a red pentagon, surrounded by five gold eagles. At the star’s center is a blue circle with 13 gold stars. The Presidential Medal of Freedom comes in two degrees, with the more prestigious version known as the Presidential Medal of Freedom “with distinction.”…
Between 1963 and 2025, the Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded 673 times to 670 individuals and one group (the Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team); two people (Ellsworth Bunker and Colin Powell) received the medal twice.
