Trump first announced his intention to award Kirk the medal on September 11, just one day after the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was fatally shot during an event on a Utah campus. The president described Kirk as a “true patriot” and said his leadership had inspired “millions of young Americans.”

“I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Trump said last month. “He was a great friend, a courageous voice for freedom, and a man who loved this country deeply.”

The award marks the first time Trump has bestowed the Medal of Freedom since beginning his second term in office. He had previously indicated he planned to give the honor to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a longtime political ally, but no ceremony has been scheduled.

Trump and Kirk shared a close political relationship that stretched back to the early days of the MAGA movement. Trump frequently spoke at Turning Point USA events, where Kirk’s organization played a major role in mobilizing young conservative voters. During the 2024 election, Kirk was credited with helping Republicans make significant gains among young male voters — a demographic that had been trending away from the party in previous cycles.

Trump was among the mourners at Kirk’s memorial service last month in Arizona, where he praised the late activist’s “unmatched energy and love for America.” Tuesday’s ceremony is part of a broader effort among conservatives to memorialize Kirk’s legacy. In Florida, a state lawmaker has introduced legislation to rename a street on every public university campus after him.

The White House described today’s event as “a celebration of a life devoted to liberty, patriotism, and the next generation of American leaders.”