President-elect Donald Trump was the headline figure at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards on Long Island Thursday night, where he received the prestigious “Honorary Patriot of the Year” award. The event, hosted by Fox News personality Sean Hannity, was a night of high-energy patriotism, heartfelt tributes, and lighthearted humor.
The 78-year-old took the stage to the familiar and stirring tune of God Bless the U.S.A., performed live by country singer Lee Greenwood. Although Trump has had occasional disagreements with Fox News regarding its coverage of him, the atmosphere at the event was nothing short of celebratory. Fox personalities lavished praise on Trump, while the audience erupted in chants of support and even participated in a full-venue YMCA dance.
A Mix of Praise and Playful Criticism
In his speech, Trump expressed admiration for the network’s talent but couldn’t resist a bit of teasing.
“You have incredible people at Fox. You have incredible people at every level of Fox,” Trump said. “A couple I don’t like, but that’s alright.” Smiling, he added, “I shouldn’t name them, should I? I don’t think so.”
The audience responded with laughter, and Trump continued with his trademark humor, shifting the focus to his recent electoral victory. He called it “spectacular” and “tremendous,” saying that the momentum truly began 72 days before Election Day, after the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention.
“No days off, no play, no golf, no nothing,” he quipped. “I didn’t want to play golf because we had a very important job to do.”
Reflecting on the election results, Trump declared, “This one was too big to rig,” and emphasized the importance of reforming the election process. He reiterated his support for single-day voting with paper ballots and criticized California’s law that prohibits asking voters for identification. Trump suggested Judge Jeanine Pirro, a Fox News star present in the audience, as someone who could help fix such laws.
Immigration Takes Center Stage
Trump used much of his speech to highlight immigration and border security, issues he described as more critical than even inflation.
“I always really felt that immigration and stopping our country from being invaded was bigger than inflation,” he said.
Praising Tom Homan, his incoming “border czar,” Trump called him “central casting” for the role. He also recounted conversations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, saying his tough stance, including threats of a 25% tariff, led to swift changes in their border policies.
“It stopped. It happened so fast,” Trump claimed, adding that Trudeau quickly responded to the proposed tariffs.
Honoring Heroes and Patriots
The evening wasn’t just about politics. It also celebrated numerous Americans for their bravery, resilience, and patriotism.
Stephanie Diller, the widow of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty, gave a heartfelt speech about overcoming tragedy.
“Although we suffered this tragedy, we will not live a tragic life,” she said, reminding the audience that “police officers are people.”
Other honorees included retired General Dick Cody, recognized for his heroic helicopter rescues during Hurricane Helene, and the group Paws of War, which pairs rescue dogs with veterans. One of the evening’s most emotional moments occurred when U.S. Army National Guard member Cameron Clay was reunited onstage with Feyre, a dog he cared for during his deployment in Kosovo.
Young patriot Cameron Blasek was also honored for standing up to his school’s attempt to ban an American flag on his pickup truck, inspiring others in his community to join him. Christian actor Kirk Cameron received the Culture Warrior Award for promoting faith-based children’s literature in libraries, pushing back against restrictions.
Sean Hannity’s Fiery Remarks and Humor
As the night’s emcee, Sean Hannity injected humor and passion into the event. A Long Island native, Hannity thanked God for Trump’s election victory, calling it nothing short of a miracle.
“Thank you, Jesus,” he said, before joking about the alternative outcome had Vice President Kamala Harris won the election. He described it as a world filled with “paper straws” and “taxpayer-funded sex change operations.”
Hannity also referenced viral moments, like President Joe Biden wandering off course in the Amazon rainforest during a recent trip to Brazil. He mimicked Democratic figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whom he called “one strange human being.”
Fox Personalities Rally Behind Trump
The event was packed with Fox News stars, who sat prominently in the audience to show their support. Pete Hegseth, though absent due to his nomination as Secretary of Defense, appeared in a video montage, with presenters praising him as “one hell of a Secretary of Defense.”
The evening wrapped up with Trump’s unusually short 11-minute speech. Despite its brevity, he managed to convey his gratitude, tout his accomplishments, and emphasize his plans for the future.
