Erika Kirk reflects on Charlie Kirk's Presidential Medal of Freedom: 'Happy Birthday my Charlie'
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: U.S. President Donald Trump posthumously awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to late conservative activist Charlie Kirk as he presents the Medal to his wife Erika Kirk (L) during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House on October 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Today marks the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk who was shot and killed on September 10th at Utah Valley University. WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday, which marked the political activist's 32nd birthday You have given him the best birthday gift he could ever have,” Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, said after Trump presented her the award during a ceremony in the White House's newly refurbished Rose Garden. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for praying for us and for believing in what Charlie believed in,” she said to Trump, as well as an assembly of Kirk's family and friends. He never stopped fighting for people to experience freedom,” she added, noting that his name, Charles, literally means ‘free man.’ Erika also said she always told her husband, who now "wears the crown of a martyr," she loves his birthday because "it’s the day that God knew the world couldn’t go another day without you." Charlie, baby, I know you're celebrating in heaven, but gosh I miss you," she said. Erika went on to share that their two young children remembered their father on their birthday. She said their their son, who hasn't learned how to talk yet, gave Kirk a gift by learning how to potty train early. All joking aside, she also shared their daughter's sentiments. She said, ‘Happy Birthday, daddy. I want to give you a stuffed animal. I want you to eat a cupcake with ice cream. And I want you to go have a birthday surprise," Erika said. Ahead of the presentation, Trump described Kirk as a “fearless warrior" and a true American hero. He said Kirk was one-of-a kind and unstoppable, even in death. Five weeks ago, our nation was robbed of this extraordinary champion,” he said, noting that Kirk's murder was "horrible and heinous," as well as "demonic. Trump said Kirk's voice and message are greater and louder than ever before. He really put America first," the president later added, noting that Kirk had a strong faith in God. "Charlie Kirk was a martyr for truth and for freedom ... Everything he did was historic ... He was so wise beyond his years." While Trump said he was thinking of postponing the event until Friday, as he just arrived back in the U.S after traveling to the Middle East amid the first phase of the Israel-Hamas peace deal, he said he reconsidered after he remembered that Tuesday was Kirk’s birthday. I would not have missed this moment for anything in the world,” said Trump, who credited Kirk for being one of the main reasons he was reelected in the 2024 presidential election, saying Kirk encouraged young voters to support him. Trump first said he planned to grant Kirk the honor soon after Kirk was on September 10. While Trump was speaking at a 9/11 remembrance event at the Pentagon, he praised Kirk for being "a champion of liberty." Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people," Trump previously said. "Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children. Fantastic people. They are. We miss him greatly." Aside from the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is reserved for military personnel, Trump said the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor a person can be awarded. Kirk was shot and killed while he was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. The political activist, who founded the nonprofit organization Turning Point USA, was 31 years old. “We hold his memory in our hearts forever,” Trump said. Utah prosecutors charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder in connection with Kirk's assassination. They said they intend to seek the death penalty.
