Patriot Awards attendees dish on Charlie Kirk’s legacy, Mamdani’s election win

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From President Donald Trump 's triumphant return to the White Home to the surprising assassination of Turning Level USA founder Charlie Kirk, the final 12 months have been a whirlwind of beautiful political and cultural moments. Fox Information followers gathered as soon as once more on Lengthy Island for a buzzworthy awards ceremony and had lots to say about a number of the prime headlines of 2025.

Fox Nation's seventh annual Patriot Awards , hosted by Sean Hannity, have been held earlier this month on the Tilles Middle in Greenvale, New York. Attendees dressed up of their formal and patriotic apparel to participate in festivities with their favourite Fox Information personalities and later tuned into the awards ceremony, which honored on a regular basis Individuals for his or her heroism and nation delight.

Additionally they sounded off on a number of hot-button problems with 2025, together with Kirk's homicide, with Fox Information Digital.

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Jesse Watters, Brittany Aldean and Jason Aldean offered Erika Kirk with the Charlie Kirk Legacy Award on the 2025 Fox Nation Patriot Awards. (Fox Nation)

The influential conservative commentator was killed earlier this yr at Utah Valley College throughout one in every of his public talking occasions.

" He was the definition of a patriot ," a younger male visitor informed the outlet on the occasion. "That is what he did each day, that was what he was attempting to do."

One feminine attendee expressed her disappointment that the tragic capturing of Kirk could have precipitated additional divisions amongst Individuals.

"After Charlie Kirk's assassination , seeing how divided some folks have been about it was very hurtful, as a result of it was only a second that I assumed extra of the nation would come collectively," she stated. "And so, seeing the opposite aspect, their response was, you realize, in my view, not very patriotic."

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An attendee holds up an indication studying "By no means Give up" forward of the memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. (Joe Raedle/Getty Photographs)

One other younger lady emphasised Kirk's killing as an indication for folks to disclose their political opinions overtly.

"I feel seeing one thing like that basically simply reiterated to our technology — to tons of generations — that it is vital to carry true to what you consider in and to talk on what's vital, and that no person ought to ever be capable of silence you simply due to a distinction of opinion," she defined.

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In discussing different scorching matters with Patriot Awards attendees , some revealed what being a patriot meant to them. One visitor stated it meant placing "America first," and standing up for veterans. One other stated a patriot is solely "somebody that's happy with this nation."

A shot of the stage from Fox Nation's 2025 Patriot Awards in New York. (Fox Information)

One man pointed to an instance of unpatriotic habits, accusing Democrats of not displaying sufficient delight for america of America.

" Everything the Democrats do just isn't patriotic," he stated. "They hate America — and the folks on the intense left are complete America haters."

Some Patriot Award attendees expressed dismay at New York Metropolis Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani 's victory. The topic of a self-described socialist Democrat drew ire from a retired NYPD officer, who stated, "I am glad I am not there now, simply let me inform you that."

One man revealed his bleak outlook of the Large Apple as a consequence of Mamdani's victory, however stated he remained optimistic of its future.

"I really feel so unhappy for New York — it is my hometown, I grew up there," he stated. "However perhaps it must undergo some rising pains to study what true conservatism is."

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Those that missed the live-streaming of the Patriot Awards on Fox Nation can watch the re-air at 8 p.m. ET this Thanksgiving on Fox Information Channel.

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Benji Ferraro is a current College of Maryland grad and new digital manufacturing assistant, with a give attention to channel protection and tradition tales. He may be reached at benji.ferraro@fox.com for any story ideas.