NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – On the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, former US President Donald Trump led tributes to slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, calling him a “giant of his generation” and a “champion of liberty” during a solemn ceremony at the Pentagon.
Speaking at one of several nationwide events commemorating the tragic events of 9/11, Trump announced that Kirk would be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
“Charlie was a fighter,” Trump said. “He stood for liberty, for truth, and for the values that make America great. His death is a painful reminder that the battle for our nation’s soul is not over.”
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Kirk, a close ally of Trump, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University just one day before the anniversary of 9/11. His death shocked the conservative movement and drew condemnation from across the political spectrum.
During the ceremony, Trump confirmed that Kirk would be remembered with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling it a tribute not just to his legacy, but also to the ideals he stood for.
“In honoring Charlie, we honor every American who refuses to be silenced, who speaks truth in the face of tyranny, and who gives their all for the nation they love,” Trump said.
Vice President JD Vance, another close political ally of both Trump and Kirk, canceled his appearance at the New York 9/11 commemoration to travel to Utah and offer his condolences to Kirk’s family. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, also speaking at the Pentagon ceremony, compared Kirk’s death to the sacrifices made by victims of the 9/11 attacks.
“Like those on 9/11, you will never be forgotten,” Hegseth said, addressing the late activist.
The tribute drew emotional responses from attendees, many of whom remembered Kirk not only for his political activism but also for his dedication to youth engagement and conservative grassroots organizing—much of which was supported by Trump during his presidency.
While commemorating the lives lost in the 2001 terror attacks, Trump took the opportunity to condemn political violence in all forms, tying Kirk’s killing to broader societal issues.
“This was an act of hatred, just like the one we witnessed on this day 24 years ago,” Trump said. “The hate that flew those planes into the Twin Towers is the same hate that silences voices of reason and liberty in our time.”
His comments were echoed by New York Mayor Eric Adams, who said, “It’s the same hate that drove two planes into the World Trade Center that drove a bullet through the neck of Charlie Kirk. That assassination cut at the heart of what we are as Americans.”
While Trump and other national figures paid their respects, political tensions also surfaced during the day’s events. In New York, the mayoral race took a bitter turn when former governor and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo criticized Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani for giving an interview to a left-wing streamer who had once claimed the United States “deserved 9/11.”
Mamdani, who could become New York’s first Muslim mayor, fired back through his campaign, calling the accusation “vile” and “dangerous.” According to the latest polling by The New York Times and Siena College, Mamdani holds a 22-point lead in the mayoral race.
While Trump did not directly weigh in on the controversy, his speech’s tone focused on national unity, sacrifice, and remembrance. His emphasis on Kirk’s legacy and his warning against division resonated with supporters and critics alike.
As the tributes to Kirk continued, the nation paused to remember the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 terror attacks. A moment of silence was held at 8:46 a.m. — the exact time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Memorial services were also held at Ground Zero in Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Flight 93 crashed after passengers overtook the hijackers.
Bells tolled across places of worship in New York City, and family members of victims read aloud the names of those who perished. The official death toll from the attacks stands at 2,977, excluding the 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers.
In his final remarks, Trump called on Americans to remain united in the face of threats, both foreign and domestic.
“We remember not just the horror, but the courage. Not just the loss, but the unity. And in remembering Charlie Kirk, we renew our vow never to let hatred define who we are as a nation,” Trump said.
The former president’s tribute to Kirk, delivered on a day of national mourning, blended remembrance with a pointed political message—one that reinforces Trump’s enduring influence over the conservative movement heading into future elections.
Source – EWN
