Trump says he will posthumously award highest US civilian honour to Charlie Kirk

People attend a vigil for youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, who was shot at a public event at Utah Valley University, in Orem City Center Park, Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025. (Photo by Melissa MAJCHRZAK / AFP)

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will posthumously award the highest US civilian honor to murdered right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

"I'm pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump said during a ceremony at the Pentagon marking the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Kirk, a 31-year-old superstar on the Republican right who was credited with helping Donald Trump return to the presidency last year, was shot while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

The gunman who shot dead Kirk in a targeted killing remained at large Thursday but authorities said they have video images of the suspect and have recovered a "high-powered" rifle.

Two people initially detained for questioning were released after officials determined they had no connection to the shooting.

Reflecting the intensely political nature of the incident, it was Trump, rather than law enforcement authorities, who first announced to Americans that Kirk had died from his wound.

Trump then addressed the nation in a video address on social media in which he cited a "dark moment for America."

Despite no public information about the shooter's identity or motive, the president went on to suggest that the left wing was responsible -- and to pledge a wide-reaching response.

"For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals," he said. "This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing."

"My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity," Trump said.