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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took the stage at Fox Nation’s Patriot Awards Thursday night and delivered one of the most powerful moments at this year’s awards, surprising legendary Vietnam veteran 'Salute to Service' honoree Maj. James Capers Jr. 

During his appearance Hegseth, a longtime Fox Nation host before joining the administration, spoke about restoring America’s “warrior ethos” and honoring the men and women who serve. 

“At the Department of War, we’re bringing back the kind of warriors like Major Capers,” he told the cheering crowd. “It’s the privilege of a lifetime.” 

He also took a moment to praise President Donald Trump hailing him as “an incredible commander-in-chief” and emphasized a renewed focus on “standards, accountability, readiness, and warfighting lethality.” 

First lady Melania Trump accepted the "Patriot of the Year" award at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards on Thursday.

In her acceptance speech, the first lady praised "American dreamers and innovators who embrace originality."

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the 2025 Patriot Awards on Thursday, Nov. 6. (91����)

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hit the Patriot Awards stage with high energy, immediately spotting UN Ambassador Mike Walz in the crowd and joking, “Mike Walz, I’ll hit you up on Signal later.”

From there, Hegseth launched into a rapid-fire update on what he described as the mission to rebuild America’s warrior culture: restoring standards, ending bureaucracy and backing service members with “peace through strength.”

He credited President Donald Trump for historic recruiting and retention gains and said the War Department is focused on speed, lethality, and deterrence.

Hegseth also shared recent military operations in the Carribbean, warning America’s enemies, especially cartel smugglers, in the clearest terms:

“One piece of advice to narco-terrorists: do not get in a boat.”

He closed by repeating Trump’s marching orders to him: “Be tough, and restore the warrior ethos.”

Jason Aldean performs “Try That in a Small Town" at the 2025 Patriot Awards. (91����)

Laura Ingraham took the stage with a heartfelt remembrance of Charlie Kirk, recalling meeting him as a restless, determined 18-year-old who “had things to accomplish” and never lost his urgency to reach young Americans

She shared a light memory of their final text exchange with Charlie sending her a smiley emoji while they were both being criticized in the public square before noting how his videos now inspire millions.

Ingraham then introduced Jason Aldean to perform in Kirk's honor.

Aldean stepped out to loud cheers, praising Charlie’s impact and thanking Erika and the Turning Point team for carrying the mission forward.

He joked that Charlie was “more of a hip-hop guy,” but said he knew Charlie understood the spirit behind his song.

Then he began singing “Try That in a Small Town,” delivering a performance that brought the room to its feet.

The delivered its most emotional moment when fireworks burst inside the hall and Erika Kirk entered in a sparkling green sequin gown, embracing Jason and Brittany Aldean and Jesse Watters before taking the stage.

Jason Aldean reminded the audience that Erika has made it her “mission to keep [Charlie’s] legacy alive,” while Brittany Aldean called her “the woman who refuses to surrender.”

Watters added, “Charlie Kirk was an American original.”

Erika began by thanking the 91���� family and “everyone that loved my husband so well,” then made clear she was accepting the award on behalf of more than herself: “It’s our incredible Turning Point USA staff… our 4,200 chapters… the 800,000 student leaders… and the 8,000 churches that are a part of TCU.”

She shared one of Charlie’s guiding lines: “You’re missing the point. It’s not how I’m saying it that’s upsetting people: it’s the fact that I’m saying the truth.”

She spoke of spiritual warfare, of Charlie’s determination never to flee from it, and of the legacy she now carries.“Evil wins when good people stay silent,” she said.

“For the rest of my life, I will make sure that I don’t stay silent… no matter the cost.”

Sean Hannity brought the house down at the Patriot Awards with an unexpected comedy bit aimed squarely at New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who Hannity jokingly dubs “Comrade Marxist, Commie Mamdani.”

After riffing on crime, bail policies, and his own escape to Florida, Hannity told the crowd he’d been up one sleepless night wondering how to process Mamdani’s victory.

His solution? Rewrite Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”

“I printed it out, rewrote the words, and even had it professionally recorded,” Hannity said. “Some of you living in New York City are sad and depressed. So I thought, how can I help?”

He then asked the entire Tilles Center to stand for a 30-second sneak peek.

As the lyrics rolled on the screen, singer Joe Pags belted: “Start spreadin’ the news, I’m leaving today…I no longer want to be a part of it, high-tax New York.”

And then the punchline: “These commie Mamdani political fools are longing to leave…”

The crowd roared, and Hannity cut it off with a grin: “That’s enough!”

For anyone wanting more, Hannity teased the full version online: “If you want the whole song, you can download it on Hannity.com. I’ll put it on FoxNews.com.”

Hannity opens the 2025 Patriot Awards. (91����)

The 2025 kicked off with a roar Thursday night as host Sean Hannity took the stage in front of a packed Fox Nation crowd and set the tone for a patriotic and moving evening.

“This is unlike any other award show,” Hannity told the audience. “We’re not patting ourselves on the back like Hollywood. We are here to honor America’s true patriots… the single best country that God our Father above ever gave man.”

Hannity’s opening monologue paid tribute to U.S. service members, first responders, and the everyday heroes being honored throughout the night. But one name in particular drew a wave of applause: Charlie Kirk.

“These heroes allow us to chase our God-given talents and dreams,” Hannity said. “And it would not be complete without remembering our friend Charlie Kirk.”

Backstage, country star Jason Aldean added levity. Hannity joked that Aldean asked him to join his performance, saying "I told him that would ruin your show!”

Hannity then welcomed Pastor Danny Duran of the Evangelical Christian Academy, who led the arena in an unusually energetic invocation.

The invocation closed with the Lord’s Prayer and a wink from Hannity: “Obviously this is not a public school. You can mention God. What a shocker.”

Christopher Macchio then led the audience in the National Anthem. The night continues with tributes, musical performances, and the first-ever Charlie Kirk Legacy Award.

US First Lady Melania Trump arrives to speak about communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the fate of Ukrainian children, in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

First Lady Melania Trump will receive this year’s Patriot of the Year Award at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards, honoring her work on behalf of children and families.

The First Lady was selected for her efforts to protect kids from AI-driven exploitation and for helping secure the release of Ukrainian children taken by Russia during the war.

Host Sean Hannity praised her quiet effectiveness in his interview promoting the event. “I think that for any First Lady, it’s a very hard position,” he said. “She’s got this quiet dignity about her, and is an absolutely brilliant human being.”

He added that Melania’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy was “remarkable,” saying many Americans had no idea she played a role in back-channeling for the children’s release.

Melania follows last year’s Patriot of the Year, President Donald Trump. The stream at 8:00 pm EST on Fox Nation.

Sean Hannity dances during the FOX Nation's Patriot Awards at the Tilles Center on December 05, 2024 in Greenvale, New York. President-elect Trump was in attendance for the Patriot awards where he was the recipient of the “Patriot of the Year" award. According to Fox the annual awards “honor and recognize America’s finest patriots, including military veterans, first responders and other inspirational everyday heroes." (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

91���� host Sean Hannity opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about hosting this year’s Patriot Awards earlier this week.

Hannity said he’s never liked traditional Hollywood ceremonies, calling them “self-congratulatory,” but sees the Patriot Awards as the opposite: “We honor those unsung heroes… we give them a platform and the recognition they deserve.”

He also praised First Lady Melania Trump, 2025’s Patriot of the Year. “She’s got this quiet dignity about her, and is an absolutely brilliant human being,” he said, calling her work on behalf of children “remarkable.”

Hannity became emotional discussing Charlie Kirk, whose widow Erika Kirk will receive the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award. “I knew Charlie well, and liked Charlie a lot… his calling was probably pastoral,” Hannity said.

“He would go into these hostile environments and say: prove me wrong.”And on New York’s incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani, Hannity didn’t hold back: “I affectionately call him ‘Commie Marxist Mamdani.’”

The Patriot Awards stream at 8 p.m. EST on Fox Nation.

Jason Aldean performs during the Liberty Ball on Inauguration Day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Country star Jason Aldean will take the stage tonight at the , bringing one of the genre’s most recognizable modern voices to the ceremony.

Aldean emerged in the mid-2000s with hits like “Hicktown” and “Amarillo Sky,” quickly becoming a staple of country radio.

Over two decades, he’s earned multiple ACM and CMA awards, sold out arenas nationwide and delivered chart-topping tracks including “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Burnin’ It Down,” and “Try That in a Small Town."

He’s also been a prominent figure in political conversations, most recently after performing at President Donald Trump's second Inaugural Ball in January.

Aldean remains one of country music’s most commercially successful touring artists, known for high-energy live shows and a fiercely loyal fan base, which he’s expected to bring to the Patriot Awards stage tonight.

"The Five" is broadcasting live from the Tilles Center tonight as Fox Nation prepares to present one of its highest honors: the first-ever Charlie Kirk Legacy Award, given to Erika Kirk.

Jesse Watters, who interviewed Erika last night, called her a model of strength in the wake of her husband’s assassination on September 10. Erika revealed she has never watched the video of that day, and never will, saying some images “mark your soul forever” and that she protects her children from ever seeing it.

On the show, the hosts praised Erika’s grace, courage and spiritual conviction. Watters described walking into Turning Point’s mailroom as a moment that revealed “the true impact Charlie had and how powerfully Erika is carrying his mission forward.”

As Kayleigh McEnany noted, Erika has done “three things that defy human understanding”: she forgave the killer, she publicly said thy will be done, and she refuses to be angry at God, choosing purpose over bitterness.

Her acceptance tonight will be one of the most emotional moments of the .

As the return tonight, the heart of the evening remains the legacy of one man: FDNY Firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller.

The youngest of seven children, Stephen lost both parents by age 10, a devastating start that might have defined another life. Instead, raised by his older siblings and grounded in the Franciscan values his parents instilled, especially “while we have time, let us do good," Stephen grew into a devoted husband, father of five, and a firefighter who understood how precious time truly is.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Stephen had just finished his shift and was en route to meet his brothers for golf. Hearing the call over his scanner that a plane had struck the North Tower, he didn’t hesitate. He phoned his wife, Sally, to say he’d see them later, returned to Squad 1 for his gear, and raced toward Manhattan.

Blocked at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, already closed for security, Stephen strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back and ran through the tunnel on foot toward the burning towers. He reached the World Trade Center and gave his life while saving others.

Stephen had everything to live for: his wife, five children, and a close-knit extended family. But he also had a calling, one he fulfilled to the last breath. As author Jay Price wrote, “None bigger than Stephen Siller, whose stature only grows with time as New Yorkers and people from around the world follow his footsteps.”

His story is the foundation of the and the award that bears his name.

Ahead of tonight’s , here’s a quick look back at the standout moments from last year’s ceremony at the Tilles Center, hosted by Sean Hannity and featuring President-elect Donald Trump as the inaugural Patriot of the Year.

Jonathan Diller – Stephen Siller Back the Blue Award

His widow, Stephanie Diller, delivered the night’s most emotional speech, thanking 91����, Tunnel to Towers, and President Trump for “supporting Jonathan’s story” and reminding the country that officers are “mothers… fathers… sons… daughters.”Robert Misseri – Paws of War, Award for Service

Misseri highlighted rescuing animals “from shelters in Baltimore to bases in Baghdad” and reunited Specialist Cameron Clay with the puppy he saved overseas.

Cameron Blasek – Young Patriot Award

Blasek thanked Fox Nation and honored veterans’ sacrifices, recalling his trip to give a cancer-stricken 13-year-old in Oklahoma his “final ride.”

Kirk Cameron – Culture Warrior Award

Cameron praised Brave Books, spoke of a “spiritual comeback,” and thanked President Trump for his “God-given tenacity and strength.”

General Dick Cody – Ultimate Patriot Award

Cody accepted the award on behalf of helicopter crews responding to North Carolina’s devastation and saluted Samaritan’s Purse for unmatched relief work.

Paula Pedene & Dr. Sam Foote – Salute to Service Award

Whistleblower Paula Pedene described being banished to a VA basement yet refusing to quit: “Our veterans deserve the best.”

Clarence McCallister – Award for Bravery

McCallister, who tackled an armed attacker in a Pittsburgh church, said, “We’re all heroes.” Pastor Glenn Germany appeared to thank him.

Guillermo Estrada & Alex Jones – Award for Courage

The UNC students honored for protecting the American flag spoke of what it means to their families. “This flag represents the beacon of hope that called my parents to this great country,” Estrada said.

With the Patriot Awards set to air tonight from Long Island University, Steve Doocy warmed up the red carpet this morning by spotlighting the people Fox calls its “everyday heroes."

Broadcasting from the Tilles Center, Doocy showed off the scene, the 'Fox & Friend s' cocktail party, Brian Kilmeade’s radio setup, and book signings from Kilmeade, Emily Compagno, and Joey Jones, before inviting viewers to walk the carpet themselves.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the 'Fox & Friends' fans Katie, come on out and walk the red carpet,” he said. Katie from Atlanta, asked “Who are you wearing?,” offered “Oscar de la Renta,” then laughed that she had "no idea."

Another attendee summed up her plain white memorial tee shirt simply: “Freedom, yes, Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, freedom.”

Fans said they traveled to honor “extraordinary Americans doing honorably things” and “everyday Americans that are being acknowledged for the great things that they do.” One guest described the event as “like celebrities, but they’re ordinary people… they do it because it’s what’s best for our country.

The seventh annual Fox Nation Patriot Awards air live tonight, Thursday, Nov. 6.

The seventh annual   air tonight on Fox Nation, with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation once again presenting the Stephen Siller Courage Award in memory of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel with 60 pounds of gear on 9/11 and gave his life saving others.

Tunnel to Towers CEO Frank Siller previewed the moment on 'Fox & Friends,' saying, “To have an award named after him — the Patriot Awards — what better place to recognize what he did.”

Siller shared the foundation’s expanding mission, noting, “By the end of this year, we’ll have 17,500 homeless veterans off the street… and we get them the wraparound services they need to assimilate back into society.”

Tunnel to Towers also continues to provide mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen first responders.

Celebrities have increasingly joined the cause, from Mark Wahlberg to Kevin James.

“They want to help us… and they’re asking people to donate $11 a month because they know where the money goes,” Siller said.

The Patriot Awards, hosted by 91���� host Sean Hannity, broadcast live tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern.

 return for another heartfelt evening celebrating the heroes who live among us.

This year’s recipients represent the best of America, including first responders, military members and community leaders making a difference.

The 7th annual event will take place on Nov. 6 at the Tilles Center at LIU Post in Greenvale, New York, and will stream on Fox Nation at 8 p.m.

91����’s Sean Hannity, host of one of television’s most-watched primetime shows, returns to lead the ceremony for a second straight year. The evening will include live performances and surprise moments with familiar FOX faces.

Special guests will include Bill Hemmer, Dana Perino, Martha MacCallum, Benjamin Hall, Joey Jones, Will Cain, Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters and many more.

This year’s ceremony will introduce a new award honoring the late Charlie Kirk, now a permanent part of the Patriot Awards. The prize will recognize individuals who champion the values Kirk lived for, including free speech, faith and family.

His wife and the CEO of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk, will accept the first of these awards. Kirk has carried forward her husband’s message and mission since his death in September.

Country music star Jason Aldean and his wife Brittany Aldean will join 91����’s Jesse Watters to present the award to Kirk.

This is an excerpt of an article by 91���� Digital's Madison Colombo.