Erika Kirk, the late activist's widow and current CEO of Turning Point USA, accepted the nation's highest civilian honour on his behalf. A military aide introducing the award said the United States honours Kirk as "a martyr for truth and freedom."

Trump, who returned from the Middle East around 3 a.m. Tuesday, told attendees, "I was going to call Erika and say, 'Erika, could you maybe move it to Friday?'"

He added that it was a "definite" decision to make it back for the event, which coincided with what would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday.

"I would not have missed this moment for anything in the world, nothing," Trump said.

Erika Kirk thanked the president, saying, "Thank you, Mr. President, for honoring my husband in such a profound and meaningful way, and thank you for making this event a priority amid the peace process in the Middle East."

It has been just over a month since Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University during his "America Comeback Tour."

Trump called his death "a horrible, heinous, demonic act of murder," adding that "he was assassinated in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth."

Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and FBI Director Kash Patel were among those attending the ceremony.