Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode Title: Trump Awards Charlie Kirk Medal Of Freedom
Date: October 14, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode centers around President Donald Trump posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA, on what would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday. The episode features the White House ceremony with speeches from President Trump, the military aide, and Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk, followed by heartfelt and in-depth panel commentary from The Five. It further discusses Kirk’s legacy, the impact of his assassination, and broader reflections on freedom, political violence, faith, and Trump’s recent achievements in foreign policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Speech: Framing the Moment

• Condemnation of Political Violence & Lawlessness: Trump paints a stark picture of escalating violence from the “radical left,” referencing recent attacks and threats (00:00–06:30). He underscores his administration’s commitment to restoring law and order, highlighting interventions in cities like Washington D.C., Chicago, Memphis, and Los Angeles.
  • “We are done with the angry mobs...we’re going to make sure our cities are safe.” (03:40, Trump)
• Personal Remembrance of Charlie Kirk: Trump eulogizes Kirk as “irreplaceable,” “unstoppable,” and a “martyr for truth and freedom.” He credits Kirk’s activism and persistence in motivating policy victories and characterizes Kirk’s legacy as an unending inspiration for the conservative movement.
  • “Charlie Kirk was one of a kind...he really was. Boy, when he had an idea in his head...he was, like, indomitable and always will be.” (09:38, Trump)
• Medal of Freedom Significance: Trump offers context for the Presidential Medal of Freedom as the highest civilian honor, reserved for those who profoundly impact the nation.
  • “Very few people get it. Very few people, frankly, qualify.” (10:25, Trump)

2. Military Aide Reads Citation

• Recognition of Kirk’s contributions: Founding Turning Point USA, inspiring youth, steadfastness under threat, and the circumstances of his assassination.
  • “…modeled courage, logic, humor and grace to the next generation. On September 10, 2025, at age 31, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while addressing a group of students. The United States honors him as a martyr for truth and freedom.” (11:20, Military Aide)

3. Erica Kirk’s Speech: Personal and Movement Legacy

• Personal Tribute & Family Memories: Balancing deep grief with celebration, Erica shares intimate family stories, Kirk’s philosophy on freedom, faith, and his aversion to materialism.
  • “He loved buying more books than he could ever read because he felt there was no such thing as a book budget.” (16:40, Erica Kirk)
  • “Freedom is the ability to do what is right without fear. And that’s how he lived.” (15:55, Erica Kirk)
• Call to Action: Erica reframes the ceremony as a “commissioning,” urging listeners, especially Turning Point USA members and the youth, to embody the values her husband championed.
  • “You are the heartbeat of this future and of this movement. Everything that Charlie built. You guys are the legacy holders of that.” (14:47, Erica Kirk)
  • “My message is simple. I want you to be the embodiment of this medal…Free yourself from fear. Stand courageously in the truth.” (26:28, Erica Kirk)
• Daughter’s Message: Emotional touch as Erica shares what their daughter would say to her father for his birthday.
  • “Happy birthday, Daddy. I want to give you a stuffed animal...I love you...” (27:12, Erica Kirk)

4. Panel Reaction (The Five)

• Initial Reflections and Emotional Response
  • Greg Gutfeld notes the ceremony’s solemnity and Erica’s composure: “There are two times when she became visibly emotional. It’s when she talked about Charlie reading the same bedtime story to her daughter...her daughter’s message...” (29:35, Gutfeld)
  • Dana Perino praises Erica as an “incredible orator” and reflects on the enduring, amplifying effect of Kirk’s assassination on his movement. (30:32, Perino)
• Charlie Kirk’s Legacy
  • Panelists emphasize that Kirk’s real impact went beyond “owning the libs”; his teachings were about independent thought and resisting mob conformity.
    • “He taught you how to think for yourself and how to resist the intimidation of groupthink.” (36:05, Joe DeVito)
  • The continuity and growth of Turning Point USA are highlighted—record chapter requests, a testament to the movement’s momentum after the tragedy.
• On Political Violence and Forgiveness
  • Discussion on the killer’s motives and the ongoing ideological divides. Panelists urge listeners to reflect deeply on whether their rhetoric contributes to such divisions.
    • “The assaults continue on people because of their ideology. …We’re wondering, do you feel the same way about me as well?” (34:17, Harold Ford Jr.)
  • Erica’s forgiveness of the assassin and faith in God’s plan are repeatedly cited as examples of extraordinary grace.
    • “I forgive him...Thy will be done. I surrender to it. Do I like it? No. That was the love of my life...But God’s plan is greater than ours.” (33:04, Gutfeld summarizing Erica Kirk)

5. Transition to Other News: Trump’s Foreign Policy

• President Trump comments on the Middle East peace process in a brief, direct style.
  • “They will disarm or we will disarm them. Got it. Okay.” (41:55, Trump)
• Mixed reactions to media coverage, particularly the Time magazine profile, with some lighthearted banter about Trump's hair in the photo. (42:18–43:36)
• Panel debates the significance and authenticity of Trump’s peace achievements, dismissing critics’ “authoritarian” rhetoric and emphasizing bipartisan support for success in foreign affairs.
  • “You can’t say on one hand he has just achieved decades long peace...and say he’s not willing to work with Congress. That just doesn’t make sense.” (46:03, Harold Ford Jr.)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Trump on law and order:
  “We are done with the angry mobs... We’re not going to let our cities be unsafe.” (03:40, Trump)

• On Kirk’s tenacity:
  “Boy, when he had an idea in his head... he was like, indomitable and always will be.” (09:38, Trump)

• Erica Kirk, defining her husband's philosophy:
  “Freedom is the ability to do what is right without fear. And that’s how he lived.” (15:55, Erica Kirk)

  “Charlie wasn’t content to simply admire freedom. He wanted to multiply it.” (21:30, Erica Kirk)

• Panel praise for Erica Kirk:
  "I do think she's the best orator of her generation, possibly the best writer. She can bring a gentleness and an authenticity with words strung together that sound like a song." (30:32, Dana Perino)

• On the impact of Kirk’s death:
  “What the assassin did is ensure that Charlie Kirk’s message continues and is amplified… Turning Point USA is in very capable hands.” (31:11, Dana Perino)

• On forgiveness and faith:
  “To the New York Times, she said, 'I’m serene in saying, thy will be done. I surrender to it. Do I like it? No. That was the love of my life… But God’s plan is greater than ours.'” (33:04, Gutfeld about Erica Kirk)

• Legacy and courage:
  “He taught you how to think for yourself and how to resist the intimidation of groupthink.” (36:05, Joe DeVito)

• Trump on critics:
  “You can’t say on one hand he has just achieved decades long peace…and say he’s a radical.” (46:03, Harold Ford Jr.)

• Erica Kirk’s commissioning call:
  “I want you to be the embodiment of this medal…Free yourself from fear. Stand courageously in the truth.” (26:28, Erica Kirk)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–11:01 | Trump’s remarks: on violence, public safety, memory of Charlie Kirk, significance of Medal | | 11:01–13:20 | Military Aide reads Medal of Freedom citation | | 13:20–29:10 | Erica Kirk’s tribute: personal memories, Kirk’s philosophy, call to action, emotional family notes | | 29:35–41:10 | The Five panel discussion: reactions, legacy, movement growth, forgiveness, and faith themes | | 41:10–51:00 | Broader discussion: Trump’s foreign policy, Time magazine, panel banter, dismissing authoritarian claims | | 51:00–end | Lighthearted “One More Thing” segment, animal sound guessing, local news, sports (skip as per instructions) |

Episode Tone

The tone oscillates between solemn commemoration (during the White House ceremony and Erica Kirk’s speech), passionate debate (around violence, legacy, and political culture), and moments of camaraderie and humor typical of The Five’s roundtable format. Speakers maintain their characteristic directness and, at times, emotional candor when reflecting on the personal impact of Kirk’s life and death.

Summary Takeaways

• The episode is a public and poignant reflection on Charlie Kirk’s life, impact, and ideals, using the Medal of Freedom ceremony as a springboard to discuss deeper issues in American political life.
• Panelists emphasize the resilience of ideas over individuals, the importance of safe and honest debate, the pivotal role faith can play in moving past tragedy, and the enduring strength of freedom as both a spiritual and civic value.
• The podcast also pivots to current political events (Mideast peace process), highlighting Trump’s continued centrality in U.S. and global politics.
• The legacy of Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA, and the broader conservative youth movement are positioned as not only enduring but growing in the wake of loss.

Recommended Segments to Listen To:

• Trump’s eulogy and Medal of Freedom remarks (00:00–11:01; 09:38, Trump)
• Erica Kirk’s emotional tribute (13:20–29:10; 15:55, 21:30, 26:28, Erica Kirk)
• Panel reflections on legacy and forgiveness (29:35–38:57; 30:32, 33:04, 36:05)
• Panel debate on violence, authoritarianism, and Trump’s foreign policy (41:10–49:14; 46:03, Harold Ford Jr.)