Patriot Awards Attendees React to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination After a Tumultuous Year in U.S. Politics

The seventh annual Patriot Awards, hosted by Sean Hannity at the Tilles Center in Greenvale, New York, brought supporters together to celebrate acts of service and national pride — and to reflect on a year marked by dramatic political moments. Conversations at the event ranged from the return of President Donald Trump to the tragic assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk earlier this year during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.

Guests, dressed in formal and patriotic attire, shared candid reactions about Kirk’s death and its aftermath. Many described him as a committed conservative voice and a patriot who energized young people.

“He was the definition of a patriot. That’s what he did every day; that was what he was trying to do,” one young man said.

Some attendees said the polarized public response to the shooting exposed deeper divisions in American life and left them disheartened.

“After Charlie Kirk’s assassination, seeing how divided some people were about it was very hurtful, because it was just a moment I thought more of the country would come together,” a woman told attendees. “Seeing the reaction from the other side felt, in my opinion, not very patriotic.”

Others said the shooting reinforced a determination to speak openly about beliefs. “It reiterated to our generation — and to many generations — that it’s important to hold true to what you believe in and to speak on what matters,” one young woman said. “Nobody should be silenced because of a difference of opinion.”

Views on Patriotism and Local Politics

Attendees offered varied definitions of patriotism: some emphasized putting “America first” and supporting veterans; others simply described a patriot as someone proud of the country. Political criticisms also surfaced, with a few guests sharply critical of Democrats and what they called the political left.

The recent election of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, drew strong reactions from several attendees. A retired NYPD officer said he was relieved not to be living in the city, while another guest expressed sadness for his hometown and suggested the city may need to undergo changes before shifting politically.

Entertainment and Upcoming Programming

Beyond political conversation, the ceremony included musical entertainment: country star Jason Aldean performed a new single and announced the release date for an upcoming album. Organizers also noted plans for special programming that will revisit Kirk’s life and work with interviews and archival footage.

Attendees departed the Tilles Center wearing red, white and blue, many expressing concern over national unity but also a resolve to continue advocating for their beliefs in public forums.