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Trump Awards Charlie Kirk Presidential Medal of Freedom

Trump Awards Charlie Kirk Presidential Medal of Freedom
Above: President Donald Trump during a roundtable on Antifa at the White House on Oct. 8, 2025. Image copyright: Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg/Getty Images

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Kirk deserves this honor for his extraordinary contributions to American liberty and free speech. He courageously defended constitutional principles, built the most prominent conservative youth organization and died protecting the free exchange of ideas that Thomas Jefferson knew was essential to the American experiment.

Kirk's assassination is a horrific tragedy. It must also be remembered that he was a divisive figure whose extremist rhetoric included attacking gay and transgender rights and calling the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a mistake. His assassination has unfortunately elevated formerly fringe views into mainstream political discourse, and the Trump administration must not use his death to repress dissent.


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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.0