'My Great Friend': Trump Remembers Charlie Kirk, His Wife Erika Stands In Attendance

Last Updated:February 25, 2026, 09:22 IST

Donald Trump honoured the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk and said he was "martyred" for his beliefs.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, during his State of the Union address, remembered the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at a Utah college event in September last year.

Addressing the State of the Union address about the rise in Christianity in the US over the last year, Trump honoured the late Charlie Kirk, who he said was “martyred" for his beliefs. “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," Trump said.

“This is especially true among young people, and a big part of that had to do with my great friend, Charlie Kirk, a great guy."

“Kirk was violated by an assassin and martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife, Erika, is with us tonight," Trump said, speaking directly to Erika Kirk.

“In Charlie’s memory, we must all come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God, and we must totally reject political violence of any kind," the President added.

Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, was present at the event. She was seen standing and responding as Trump mentioned her husband’s during his address.

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead at a Utah college event in September  2025. A month after his death, Trump posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, hailing the young activist as a “martyr for truth and freedom."

News world 'My Great Friend': Trump Remembers Charlie Kirk, His Wife Erika Stands In Attendance

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