WASHINGTON (RTW News) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday is posthumously awarding America’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Charlie Kirk, the assassinated activist who inspired a generation of young conservatives and helped push the nation’s politics further to the right. The ceremony coincides with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday and follows the news of his fatal shooting last month while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University. In a demonstration of Kirk’s close ties to the Trump administration, he is the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Trump’s second term. During Kirk’s funeral in September, Trump honored him as a great American hero and a martyr for freedom. Ahead of the event, Trump disclosed his intention to move the ceremony outdoors to the Rose Garden due to a large expected crowd. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, is awarded to individuals for exceptional contributions to national security or significant cultural endeavors. Trump recently returned to the U.S. after a trip to Israel and Egypt, where he helped negotiate a ceasefire amid ongoing conflicts. While Kirk was known for his impactful engagement with young conservatives, his politics sparked considerable controversy, particularly regarding his views on race and LGBTQ+ rights.