A TRIBUTE TO FAITH, FAMILY & FREE SPEECH
At the 7th Annual FOX Nation Patriot Awards on November 6, 2025, country music stars Jason Aldean and Brittany Aldean joined Jesse Watters of Fox News to present the very first
HONORING A REMARKABLE LEGACY
Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, tragically passed away on September 10, 2025, at the age of 31. In his short life, he inspired a generation to embrace free speech, civic engagement, and the principles of individual liberty. His impact was recognized through numerous honors, including a posthumous
THE AWARD CEREMONY
During the awards show, Jason Aldean paid tribute to Kirk’s influence, emphasizing his dedication to freedom and civic engagement. Brittany Aldean spoke about Erika’s strength and resilience in continuing her late husband’s mission. Erika’s acceptance speech was heartfelt and resolute: “He knew that evil wins when good people stay silent… For the rest of my life, I will make sure that I don’t stay silent.”
CARRYING THE MISSION FORWARD
The Charlie Kirk Legacy Award will now be presented annually to individuals who reflect Kirk’s values. Erika Kirk, now leading Turning Point USA as CEO and Chair, has pledged to carry forward her husband’s vision, continuing to inspire young conservatives and expand his legacy nationwide. The Aldeans’ involvement highlighted the broad support and admiration for Kirk’s life and work, making the moment both personal and historic.
CARLSON’S ACCUSATIONS
After Tucker Carlson claimed the FBI lied about the Donald Trump assassination attempt, the agency responded directly. Carlson questioned the FBI’s statements regarding suspect Thomas Crooks, suggesting the bureau misrepresented his digital footprint. Crooks, charged with attempting to kill Trump at a July campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, ultimately only struck the president’s ear but killed 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore. A Secret Service sniper shot Crooks shortly after, while two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were injured.
Carlson said, “The FBI told us Thomas Crooks tried to kill Donald Trump last summer, but somehow had no online footprint. The FBI lied, and we can prove it because we have his posts. The question is why?”
THE FBI RESPONDS
The FBI Rapid Response account pushed back immediately: “The FBI has never said Thomas Crooks had no online footprint. Ever.”
CARLSON DOUBLES DOWN
Carlson later shared a video he claimed the FBI, under director Kash Patel, had tried to hide. The footage, allegedly from Crooks’ Google Drive, showed shooting drills and suggested Crooks maintained multiple online personas and left YouTube comments. Carlson argued that this proved Crooks “was not some secretive lone wolf who never warned anyone that he was planning violence.” He added, “Thomas Crooks came within a quarter inch of destroying this country, and yet, a year and a half later, we still know almost nothing about him or why he did it.”
He accused the FBI of “hiding from the public what they know” and described Crooks as a “volatile, troubled, possibly mentally ill young man with a long record of espousing violence in public.” Carlson claimed the bureau “used a selective read of those comments to lie about what Thomas Crooks was thinking.”
THE FBI SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
On Friday, Patel released documents and statements that contradicted Carlson’s claims. On X, he wrote: “The investigation, conducted by over 480 FBI employees, revealed Crooks had limited online and in-person interactions, planned and conducted the attack alone, and did not leak or share his intent to engage in the attack with anyone.”
The bureau detailed its investigation, which included examining over 20 online accounts, data from more than a dozen electronic devices, numerous financial records, and over 1,000 interviews plus 2,000 public tips. Patel’s statement reinforced that Crooks acted independently and that the FBI had no record of him openly warning anyone about his intentions.