Trump to posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom at White House ceremony

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he will posthumously award slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom at a White House celebration next week.

Trump said he’ll be rushing back to the U.S. from Israel and Egypt, following a trip that’s tied to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal he he helped secure in Gaza, for the ceremony honoring Kirk.

“We’re going to have a great celebration at the White House,” Trump said Oval Office remarks. “Friend of mine, a friend of all ours,” Trump said of Kirk on Friday.

The president said Kirk’s wife, Erika, would be at the East Room event, which he said would take place on the evening of Oct. 14.

Kirk was murdered on Sept. 10 during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Trump said a day later he would award the late conservative influencer the highest civilian honor.

The 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, a youth activist group, was a close political ally of the White House, and the president spoke at his funeral.