It's been a month since Turning Point USA co-founder and CEO Charlie Kirk suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the neck after a gunman opened fire on him during a free speech event at Utah Valley University in Provo, Utah on September 10.
Now there is an update on when he will officially receive the county's highest civilian honor posthumously during a ceremony at the White House. More on that in a minute.
My colleague Streiff earlier Saturday shared War Minister Piet Hegseth's “clarification” on remarks he made during a press conference this week with a senior Qatari official about joint military activities between the two countries.
READ MORE: Hegseth came under indirect fire after announcing US would train Qatari pilots in Idaho
But in a less formal conversation, Hegseth, a close friend of Kirk's, was asked to share his memories of the man celebrating his 30th birthday Friday in a video posted to the War Department's Rapid Response X account.
Look:
. @Secwar @Grahamallen_1 took a moment to honor the one month anniversary of Charlie Kirk's death.
“It still doesn't seem real…” pic.twitter.com/fvLkWoITot
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) October 10, 2025
“Sometimes it just doesn’t feel real,” Hegseth said. “You watch videos, things that are still playing, and you think, ‘Oh man, I can’t believe this. But isn't Charlie a great example of a man who brought his faith into public life? And did it boldly, unapologetically, in a way that met people where they are?”
Later in the clip, he claims that Kirk “set that example. He did this every single day. Almost every day we miss him more when you see the emptiness of his incredible talents, but let us live worthy of his martyrdom.” It's reminiscent of how the president eulogized him at a massive memorial event hosted by TPUSA at a packed football arena in Glendale, Arizona, 10 days after the assassination, RedState reported.
Readers may recall that the day after Kirk's death, on September 11, President Trump announced during a speech at the Pentagon that he had decided to posthumously award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In case you missed it, here's the video:
President Trump's decision to award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a bold tribute to a fearless patriot. Charlie fought for life, faith and freedom with unrivaled passion. This honor reflects the essence of our movement. Let's keep his legacy alive!… pic.twitter.com/OuuYxj7sJj
– Frank Pavone (@FrancPavone) September 11, 2025
President Trump Leads “A Nation in Mourning” in Keynote Address at Charlie Kirk Tribute
The exact opposite of the tribute recently reared its ugly head, appearing in the pages of a major Salt Lake City newspaper in the form of a political cartoon that appears to depict a fictional “wanted” poster with Republican politicians sharing the same wound as Kirk. Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Colvet warned people about Tribune's shameful move on Friday:
Less than a month after Charlie's murder in Utah, the Salt Lake Tribune published a cartoon called “The Hole in the Head Gang,” featuring a wanted poster of state elected officials (with a red neck?!).
Absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/Sq4Y63gW1A
– Andrey Kolvet (@andrewkolvet) October 10, 2025
Fortunately, this is in stark contrast to the reverential honor he receives elsewhere.
Several outlets report that pres. Trump announced Friday that the date Kirk will be honored at WH is almost here:
President Donald Trump said he will posthumously award slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom at a White House celebration next week.
Trump said he would rush back to the United States from Israel and Egypt after a trip related to the ceasefire and hostage release agreement he helped negotiate in the Gaza Strip for a ceremony in Kirk's honor.
“We're going to have a big celebration at the White House,” Trump said in an Oval Office speech. “My friend, a friend of all of us,” Trump said of Kirk on Oct. 10.
Trump added that Erica, Kirk's widow, will be in the East Room next Tuesday evening.
TPUSA's Tyler Boyer confirmed the news by writing an X over a candid photo of the president. Trump, himself and Kirk that it will fall on a very special day – Charlie Kirk's 32nd birthday:
Trump will appropriately award Charlie the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his 32nd birthday Tuesday at the White House.
God bless Charlie, Erica and President Trump. pic.twitter.com/ArEYyUFEFI
— Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) October 10, 2025
Trump will appropriately award Charlie the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his 32nd birthday Tuesday at the White House.
God bless Charlie, Erica and President Trump.
Something tells me this will only be the beginning of the honors Kirk will receive as time goes on and more people learn about his legacy of freedom and all of our God-given rights as Americans.
[Editor's Note: This article was edited for clarity post-publication.]
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