A deeply emotional moment unfolded inside the Oval Office as Erika Kirk moved the room to tears during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as U.S. Ambassador to India. As faith, family, and patriotism filled the White House, Erika delivered a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, conservative leader Charlie Kirk, and his friendship with Sergio Gor — saying softly, “Charlie loved you.”
The audience erupted into applause, creating a rare, intimate moment in the heart of American power. President Donald Trump looked on as the ceremony symbolized not just diplomacy, but personal legacy and shared belief in service and friendship.
Sergio Gor’s appointment as Ambassador to India underscores the growing importance of U.S.-India relations and the spirit of cooperation between the two nations. The event blended personal reflection, political significance, and emotional resonance — a reminder that behind the world’s biggest decisions are stories of loyalty, love, and enduring friendship.
00:00We're also very honored to be joined by Mrs., a very special woman who I unfortunately have seen a lot of lately on television for the wrong reasons, a woman who is great, who Charlie said is the greatest of anybody he knew, best friends and best everything, Erica Kirk.
00:20So thank you very much.
00:30And as Erica knows, another special woman, Laura Ingram.
00:34Where's Laura?
00:35She's here someplace.
00:36Thank you, Laura.
00:37And many other true American patriots.
00:39Great people.
00:41One year ago, Sergio played a key role in helping us secure the most consequential presidential election victory in the history of our country.
00:49And from the day we won, he immediately began working to staff our new administration with the most talented team of any president.
00:58And we have had a great team.
00:59A couple of mistakes, Sergio, but we won't mention them.
01:04Good God.
01:05We got rid of them pretty quick.
01:07We found a couple we weren't thrilled with.
01:09We got them out of here.
01:10But as my director of office and presidential personnel from the early days of transition, Sergio's leadership was essential to fulfilling the historic mandate entrusted to us by the American people.
01:22And that's what we've done with the help here at the White House.
01:27We set new benchmarks for presidential staffing.
01:30Nobody's done it, I think, hopefully better, but certainly quicker.
01:34But I don't think anybody's done it better.
01:36We have great people surrounded by the people that I really do love and like and respect.
01:41But we hired 4,000 appointees across every federal department in record time, including over 1,000 appointments on day one.
01:51So before we even got started, we had over 1,000 people working for us.
01:56Under Sergio's leadership, federal agencies and departments reached staffing levels of 95 percent and is faster than any administration in modern day history.
02:07And prior to his work on behalf of my 2024 campaign, Sergio had tremendous success as an entrepreneur in the publishing world.
02:15He even published my book, which went to number one.
02:18I was very happy because if it didn't, I wouldn't probably, he wouldn't be here right now.
02:23But now I'm trusting Sergio to help strengthen one of our country's most important international relationships.
02:29And that's the strategic partnership with the Republic of India.
02:33It's a big deal.
02:34India is home to one of the world's oldest civilization, the largest country in the world, actually.
02:40And it's got over 1.5 billion people.
02:44And we have a fantastic relationship with the prime minister, Modi.
02:49And Sergio has only enhanced that because he's become already friendly with the prime minister,
02:54knowing that Sergio is going to be the ambassador.
02:58They would call constantly to say, let's get to know this man.
03:01And they like what they see. So I know you're going to have a great success over there.
03:05It's a very important relationship.
03:06But it's also the fastest growing middle class.
03:10And it's an important economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
03:15It's an amazing country, actually.
03:171.5 billion people.
03:19China has 1.4 billion.
03:21Those are two big countries.
03:23As ambassador, Sergio, we'll work to fortify our country's bonds, promote investments in key U.S. industries and technologies,
03:31increase American energy exports and expand our security cooperation.
03:36And, you know, we're making a deal with India, a much different deal than we had in the past.
03:40So right now, they don't love me, but they'll love us again.
03:44We're getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal.
03:47We had pretty unfair trade deals.
03:48They're very good negotiators.
03:50They're just you have to take a look at that if you would, please.
03:53But we're getting close.
03:54Scott, I think we're pretty close to doing a deal that's good for everybody, right?
03:58In the old days, do you think Biden would ask that question?
04:01I don't think so.
04:02He'd say, how are we doing with India?
04:04He didn't know about India.
04:05He didn't know a damn thing.
04:06But that's okay.
04:08We had him.
04:09Likewise, in Sergio's role as special envoy to South and Central Asia,
04:14he'll be a key emissary to a very important group of nations at the crossroads between East and West.
04:20And last week, I was honored to host the leaders of five Central Asian countries here in the White House.
04:26And Sergio will be helping with all of that.
04:29We had an amazing meeting the other night at the White House.
04:32And I'm confident that Sergio will do an outstanding job and make our country and all of his friends very proud.
04:38But I'm very proud of Sergio.
04:40I've known him for a long time.
04:41And he's a great guy.
04:43And most people love him.
04:45Some people don't like him so much.
04:46I'll be honest with you, Sergio.
04:49Some people, when they don't like Sergio, they don't like him.
04:52But when they like him, they like him more than anybody.
04:54But most of them really are the like category.
04:57And I just want to say that I think he's going to be an outstanding representative for the United States of America.
05:04And it's a big deal.
05:05Being the ambassador to India is a big deal.
05:08So, Sergio, congratulations.
05:09I know you're going to do a fantastic job.
05:11Thank you very much.
05:12And now, Mr. Vice President, you'll swear in a vice president, sir.
05:21All right.
05:21Okay.
05:22Swear him in here.
05:23Which hand?
05:24Left hand.
05:25Right hand up.
05:27Thank you, Judge.
05:27I appreciate the assistance.
05:29We have such a crowd here, you'd think we're swearing in a vice president, sir.
05:32Okay.
05:34Please repeat after me.
05:37I, Sergio Gore.
05:38I, Sergio Gore.
05:39Do solemnly swear.
05:40Do solemnly swear.
05:41That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
05:45That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
05:47Against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
05:50Against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
05:52That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.
05:54That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.
05:57That I take this obligation freely.
05:59That I take this obligation freely.
06:01Without any mental reservation.
06:02Without any mental reservation.
06:04Or purpose of evasion.
06:05Or purpose of evasion.
06:06And that I will well and faithfully.
06:08And that I will well and faithfully.
06:10Discharge the duties.
06:11this charge of duties of the office on which I'm about to enter of the office of which I'm
06:16about to enter. So help you God. So help me God. Congratulations.
06:41Mr. President, this is an honor of a lifetime. I want to thank first you. What you have done for
07:01this country before you came back in the trouble that this country was facing. I mean, frankly,
07:06we were screwed. What you have achieved in 10 months has been historic, has surpassed any
07:13other presidency. And I fully believe what you will achieve in the next three years will never
07:18be beaten. So it has been an honor to serve you. I've been at your side for many years. I will
07:25continue to be there. And it's just an incredible honor. And I look forward to enhancing the
07:31relationship between our two nations. But again, thank you for entrusting me with this
07:37position. And I look forward to doing a great job for you.
07:41Thank you very much, sir.
07:51Well, thank you, sir. First of all, congratulations, Sergio. You're going to be a great ambassador,
07:55a great representative to the country of India, which the president and I both love.
07:58As a lot of you know, Sergio was a critical piece of what made the first 10 months such
08:03a great success. Obviously, the president's leadership is the most important thing. And
08:06you can't do a whole lot unless you've got good people around you. And Sergio did as much
08:10as anybody to ensure that the White House was staffed with the very best people, people who
08:14were loyal to the president, loyal to the country and loyal to the agenda that we're trying to
08:18implement. So thank you all for being here. I think it's a great testament to you, Sergio,
08:22that you've got multiple cabinet secretaries, Erica Kirk, the president of the United States.
08:27This crowd would not turn out for just anybody, but it turned out for Sergio Gore. You're going
08:31to do a hell of a job, man. Congratulations.
08:37Well, just to echo what Sergio said, Mr. President, you've done a lot for this country,
08:42more than any other president has in such a short period of time. And part of that is putting
08:46together a phenomenal team. And I know Sergio was instrumental in helping you achieve that.
08:50And so we think he'll do a great job. This is a very impressive collection of people.
08:53There are almost 1.5 billion people in the Oval Office right now.
08:59But Sergio's going to do a phenomenal job. Those of us who've known him, so many of his
09:03friends that are here and family as well that know how hard he works, 24 hours, seven days
09:07a week. And that's what it takes to work in this administration because of how much you're
09:11pushing our country forward around the world and here at home. And we know Sergio will do
09:14a great job. So congratulations, Sergio. You're going to do a phenomenal job.
09:19Thank you. Janine, please.
09:21Well, I'm very proud to be here with Sergio. My friend has been my friend for many years.
09:26He is someone who is loyal, he is trustworthy, and he works as hard as anyone I know. And
09:33Mr. President, there is in this room a group of people who love you, who believe in you,
09:40and who are so proud to be in this Oval Office and to be part of this amazing day because you
09:47have changed the course of America. You and thank you, Sergio, for what you've done.
09:52God bless you both.
09:53Charlie loved you. It's hard not to get emotional because I know that he would have been the first
10:07phone call when he found out that you were going to be taking this position. And the way
10:13that I was able to witness the two of you work together for years and to champion and support
10:20the president was absolutely humbling to witness. And I am so proud of you. And Charlie is going
10:27to be with you every single day in spirit. And I will be praying for you every day because
10:32I know that this is just the beginning of an incredible opportunity for you. And sir, thank
10:37you for allowing Sergio to have this beautiful moment.
10:41Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, too. And that man's watching over us right now,
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