‘Best birthday gift ever’: Erika Kirk fights back tears as Trump honors late husband Charlie with 'Medal of Freedom' | Watch

Trump awards Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom

In a deeply emotional ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last month while speaking at Utah Valley University.

The event coincided with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday, with his widow, Erika Kirk, accepting the nation’s highest civilian honor on his behalf. Fighting back tears, Erika delivered a heartfelt 15-minute speech celebrating her husband’s faith, dedication to liberty, and lasting impact.

“President Donald Trump has awarded Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom, marking what would have been his assassinated friend's 32nd birthday,” the president announced, as Erika wiped away tears while receiving the medal in the Rose Garden.

“You have given him the best birthday gift he could ever have,” she said, addressing Trump as he smiled warmly at her.

Il presidente Trump ha conferito a Charlie Kirk la più alta onorificenza civile della nazione, la medaglia presidenziale della libertà, consegnata alla moglie di Charlie Erika Kirk. ""Charlie Kirk è stato un martire per la verità e per la libertà...pic.twitter.com/M6TMtM3WHn

— Marco Usai🇮🇹 (@usaimarco87) October 15, 2025

Trump remarked, “I raced back halfway around the globe. I was going to call Erika and ask, ‘Could you maybe move it to Friday?’ but I didn’t have the courage to call. But you know why I didn’t call? Because I heard today was Charlie’s birthday.”

Kirk’s parents, who have stayed largely out of the public eye since his death, attended the ceremony alongside friends, Turning Point USA staff, Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, Donald Trump Jr., and several conservative media figures, including Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham.

During her remarks, Erika, 36, recalled asking their young daughter what she wanted to say to her father on his birthday. “And she said, ‘Happy birthday Daddy, I want to give you a stuffed animal. I want to eat a cupcake with ice cream and I want you to come home for a birthday surprise. I love you.’”

Her emotional tribute drew both tears and laughter when she spoke about Charlie’s strong faith and compassion. After Trump joked that the 31-year-old “didn’t like losing,” Erika responded with a smile, confirming that her husband still prayed for his critics.

“Surprisingly enough, he did pray for his enemies. Which is very hard, but he did,” she said. “I saw him do it. He never did it in front of anyone else, but I can attest to that.”