Erika Kirk fights back tears as Trump presents her with Charlie’s Medal of Freedom: ‘You have given him the best birthday ever’

President Donald Trump awarded Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom on the occasion of his assassinated friend’s 32nd birthday.

Charlie’s widow, Erika, wiped away tears after Trump gave her his highest civilian honor at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday.

“You gave her the best birthday present she could have ever given,” the mother of two said as Trump smiled at her.

Late last night, returning from a tumultuous Middle East peace mission, the president said: ‘I came back half way around the world. I called Erika and said, “Can you move this to Friday?” I was going to ask. but I didn’t have the courage to look for it.

‘But do you know why I didn’t call? Because I heard it’s Charlie’s birthday today.’

Kirk’s family and friends attended the ceremony, along with J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha, and the president’s son, Don Jr. and cabinet members, including conservative media stars Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham.

Erika, 36, couldn’t hold back her tears as she explained that she asked her daughters “what she wanted to tell her dad” on her birthday.

‘And she said, ‘Happy birthday dad, I want to give you a stuffed animal. I want to eat ice cream cake and I want you to come home for a birthday surprise. I love you.’

Charlie and Erika Kirk in a family photo at Mount Rushmore

Erika Kirk wipes her eyes as a military aide reads the citation before President Donald Trump posthumously awards her the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Erika Kirk’s eyes fill with tears as Trump remembers her late husband in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday

Erika Kirk (left), wife of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, joins US President Donald Trump as he posthumously awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House

Trump arrives with Erika Kirk to posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the Rose Garden

Erika Kirk (L), wife of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, arrives with US President Donald Trump as he posthumously awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

US President Donald Trump walks with Erika Kirk, wife of murdered conservative commentator Charlie Kirk

Trump praised Charlie for always believing that peace could be achieved in the Middle East.

The president, who speculated about the afterlife while being questioned by a reporter on Air Force One yesterday, said: ‘[Charlie] will create heaven. I said I’m not sure I can do it. But he will succeed. ‘He’s there, looking down on us right now.’

The president also paid a touching tribute to Erika, who is now the CEO of Charlie’s Turning Point USA, a foundation that inspires young people on college campuses.

‘I was with Erika before I met her. And he told me he was going to marry me. “You won’t believe how beautiful she is,” Trump said.

‘But then he also said: “And you know what? He’s like the smartest person I know.”

‘Look, they go together sometimes. Not often. Not often. But sometimes they go together.’

Last month, senior members of the team rallied alongside Erika in support of Turning Point USA, the conservative megaorganization Kirk founded to help motivate and inspire young people.

Although the President’s attention was focused on Israel’s successful peace deal with Gaza, he was determined to return to the White House in time for Tuesday afternoon’s ceremony.

Vice President J.D. Vance sits with his wife, Usha Vance, before the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the White House Rose Garden

Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson are coming to the Rose Garden

Fox News Channel Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity arrive at the Rose Garden

Political commentator Tucker Carlson attended the ceremony held by US President Donald Trump to award the Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk after his death.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins (left) greets Attorney General Pam Bondi as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick looks on before President Donald Trump arrives to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk.

Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, attended

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks with his wife, Jennifer Rauchet

Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Rose Garden

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (right), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (2nd right), Donald Trump Jr. (2nd left) and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson attend the Medal of Freedom Ceremony for late US right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk

Pete Hegseth sits next to Argentinian President Javier Milei while attending Charlie Kirk’s ceremony

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles arrives before President Donald Trump posthumously awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk

Kirk was fatally shot Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during the first stop of his campus speaking tour.

Just days after the assassination, in a speech at the Pentagon commemorating the September 11 attacks, Trump announced his intention to posthumously bestow the nation’s highest civilian honor on Kirk.

Kirk had built Turning Point USA, known for its campus activism and annual conferences attended by thousands of young conservatives, into one of America’s most influential conservative youth organizations.

After Kirk’s death, Erika released a statement vowing to continue her role as the organization’s new CEO.

Trump delivered a memorable tribute to Kirk at the memorial days later, consoling Erika as she mourned the loss of her husband.

‘We know that the weight of this monumental loss is almost unbearable,’ he said.

‘But even in the midst of heartache and pain too great to comprehend, you somehow found the strength and deep faith to comfort millions of people.’

More than 60,000 people attended the ceremony held at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team.