'Charlie was martyred for his beliefs': Donald Trump pays tribute to the Kirks in State of the Union speech

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night paid tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last September, calling him a martyr for his beliefs during the State of the Union address.

The president invited Kirk’s widow, Erika, as his special guest, prompting chants of “Charlie” from the crowd as he honored her late husband.

“So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife Erika is with us tonight. Erika. Please stand. Thank you,” Trump said during his speech, as Erika Kirk wiped tears from her face. “You’ve been through a lot,” as reported by USA Today.

Trump also highlighted a surge in religious participation among young people, crediting Charlie Kirk’s influence. “I'm very proud to say that during my time in office, both the first four years, and in particular this last year, there has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity and belief in God. Tremendous renewal. This is especially true among young people. And a large part of that had to do with my great friend Charlie Kirk,” he said.

He further called for national unity in Kirk’s memory: “In Charlie's memory, we must all come together to reaffirm that we are one nation under God, and we must totally reject political violence of any kind.”

Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, in September 2025.

His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, is facing a death penalty case in connection with his death.

Following the tragedy, Kirk was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom on what would have been his 32nd birthday.

Erika Kirk, who was elected CEO and chair of the board of Turning Point USA after her husband’s death, attended the address as one of President Trump’s special guests.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed her attendance in a post on X, sharing that the invitation was part of the administration’s support for the Kirk family, according to Fox news.

Erika Kirk, who married Charlie in 2021, is a former NCAA Women’s Basketball athlete, a Juris Master’s graduate in American Legal Studies and was crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012. The couple had two children together: a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024.