Real America’s Voice: AMERICA FEST 2025 DAY 3 LIVE COVERAGE PART 5
Date: December 21, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts / Real America’s Voice team
Notable Speakers: Ben Shapiro, Steve Bannon, Jesse Waters, Benny Johnson, and others
Overview of the Episode
This episode covers Day 3, Part 5 of AMERICA FEST 2025, a key annual event from Turning Point USA, broadcast live from Phoenix, Arizona. The mood is reflective and driven by purpose: this is the first AmFest after the loss of Charlie Kirk, the movement's founder. The episode blends commemorations, student awards, keynote speeches on faith, finance, American principles, and several sharp, candid exchanges on current hot-button issues from conservative perspectives. Prominent contributors discuss the movement's generational continuity, threats to American freedom, and the personal and communal call to leadership.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Remembering Charlie Kirk & Awarding Student Leaders
(03:07 – 08:25)
- Ben Shapiro presents the inaugural “Charlie Kirk Courage Award” to Caleb Chilcut (Utah Valley University) and Paxton Holder (Rockville High School).
- Highlights their resilience in continuing Kirk’s work posthumously.
- Discusses ongoing efforts to memorialize Charlie on campuses.
- Memorable moment: Ben misspeaks, calling Kirk's influence a "grift" before correcting himself with humor:
"Trust me, you're not a grifter, honey. It's all good. The same grit, the same focus and sense of mission that Charlie instilled in him." (04:30)
- Applause for student activism, examples of courage facing institutional adversity (like denied speakers and organizing vigils).
2. AMFest’s Bittersweet Atmosphere Without Kirk
(08:31 – 09:55)
- Panel (Bo & Benny, Ben Shapiro) reflect on Erica Kirk’s grace and perseverance during the event.
- Acknowledgment of the expanded movement reaching younger generations, including middle school students starting TPUSA chapters.
- Quote:
“Her heart has to hurt. But this also has to fill it so much. And seeing those students...knowing that her Charlie lives through them...I’m sure that just gives her so much hope.” – Ben Shapiro (09:03)
3. Grant Cardone on Wealth and Freedom
(10:17 – 26:29)
- Steve Bannon introduces Grant Cardone, who delivers a pragmatic talk about the importance of money in furthering conservative goals:
- Reflects on his friendship with Charlie Kirk and shared values: faith, family, and finance.
- Explains that "wealth is about choices, not just money or material things."
- Personal anecdotes highlight overcoming adversity, including growing up with a single mother after his father's death at age 10, financial struggles, and rebuilding.
- Quote:
“Money buys choices. It buys options. It buys freedom. It allows you to change your community. It would allow you to fund the next presidential election.” – Grant Cardone (24:02)
- Stresses that youth are not "priced out," but instead face unprecedented opportunities.
- Advocates understanding the difference between "earned" and "passive" income, and to invest rather than just save.
- Memorable joke:
"Jake Paul made $90 million last night and his IQ's not 91. ...but you got people creating tremendous amounts of wealth today." (21:28)
4. Tulsi Gabbard Keynote: Unity and Threats to Freedom
(27:04 – 61:26)
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Tulsi Gabbard offers a stirring speech honoring Kirk and addressing the deeper meaning of American unity:
- Emphasizes uniting around shared foundational freedoms rather than incidental or divisive causes.
- Stresses the central threat of Islamist ideology to American liberty, framing it as a political, not just religious, movement.
- Recalls the 9/11 attacks and subsequent military service as motivation to protect American freedoms.
- Cautions against the "military-industrial complex," quoting President Eisenhower's warning about misplaced power:
“The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or our democratic process.” (46:54)
- Criticizes government and tech censorship, highlights the importance of defending even unpopular speech.
- Calls for peace, referencing efforts by President Trump to broker an end to war in Ukraine and the obstacles faced from entrenched interests.
- Urges involvement in everyday acts of love, courage, and service rooted in faith.
Notable moment:
- Tulsi shares a military story from Iraq about a sign reading “Is today the day?”, reflecting on the preciousness of time and the call to purposeful action. (46:54 – 61:26)
Quotes:
"We must stand together on our God-given freedoms that are enshrined in our Constitution." (33:14)
"Charlie lived and died by [the principle]: no matter how offensive or horrible or disgusting someone speech is… it's up to us to stand up and protect and defend their right to say it." (34:34)
5. Anthem of the Free: Music, Healing, and January 6th Discussion
(64:13 – 70:21)
- Benny Johnson, Steve Bannon, Jesse Waters, Ben Shapiro discuss the launch of "Anthem of the Free," a song connected to January 6th defendants.
- The song hits #1 on iTunes, the team aims for it to go platinum and top the Billboard charts.
- Proceeds benefit “Stand in the Gap,” an organization supporting January 6th defendants and families.
- Personal testimonies reveal the continued struggles of released defendants: isolation, job loss, family separations, and mental health crises.
- Moving story: A man describes returning home after years incarcerated, feeling like a "ghost" to his family, with divorce as a result. (69:29)
- Open discussion of the need for pardons and ongoing advocacy for those affected.
- Lyrics excerpt:
"We stand as one united in this fight for liberty, justice for our voices. Freedom ain't free, no, it comes with a price. Rest in peace, Charlie. Can't believe they took your life..." (75:38)
6. Jesse Waters: Political Stories, Humor, and Lessons
(77:28 – 126:09, select sections)
- Jesse Waters regales with behind-the-scenes anecdotes featuring prominent political figures (Donald Trump, Fox News personalities).
- Blends humor and irreverence—e.g., pranks involving COVID tests at Camp David, unfiltered recounting of interviews with Trump, and Fox News staff shenanigans.
- Mixes in sharp critiques of Biden, Harris, and the Democrat Party, with a recurring theme of Trump as both embattled and triumphant.
- Personal reflection: the experience of forming a Bible study group with colleagues after Kirk’s death, learning that “the government will not protect what you love. You have to do it.”
- Call to action:
“If you love your spouse...your country...your faith...stand up and protect what you love. Turning Point, I love you. Thank you so much. And always remember, hi, I’m Waters and this is my world.” (126:09)
7. Event Recap, Panel Reflections, and Calls for Unity
(132:04 – 144:09)
- Bo, Benny, Ben Shapiro, Steve Bannon (panel) review the day’s highlights:
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Discuss the importance of open dialogue, even with critics or protestors outside the event.
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Recount moments of finding common ground and defending the value of peaceful, reasoned debate.
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Address current topics: transgender bills, detransitioner testimonies, and the fight against “gender affirming care” for minors.
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Applaud financial advice from Grant Cardone as rare and practical.
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Praise the role of female leadership, especially speakers like Riley Gaines and Tulsi Gabbard, for galvanizing new generations of conservative women.
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Reflect on an increased spirit of unity and next-generation leadership taking up Kirk’s legacy, encouraging listeners to get engaged at local and community levels.
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Quote:
“You can’t replace Charlie Kirk, but there can be a generation of Charlie Kirks.” – Steve Bannon (141:18)
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Discussion of “Anthem of the Free,” its chart success, and details on how listeners could participate/support.
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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Charlie Kirk’s legacy:
“Seeing those students...knowing that her Charlie lives through them...I’m sure that just gives her so much hope and pride.” – Ben Shapiro (09:03)
-
On wealth and freedom:
“Wealth is about having choices. Wealth is about funding options. It’s not about being rich. It’s about choices...Money buys choices. It buys options. It buys freedom.” — Grant Cardone (20:55, 24:02)
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On threats to American freedom:
“Fundamentally, the thing that we must unite on is our God given freedoms that are enshrined in our Constitution.” — Tulsi Gabbard (33:24)
"No AI will ever replace a person like Charlie Kirk." — Grant Cardone (23:42) -
On activism and legacy:
“You can’t replace Charlie Kirk, but there can be a generation of Charlie Kirks.” – Steve Bannon (141:18)
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On the call to action:
“The government will not protect what you love. You have to do it.” – Jesse Waters (126:09)
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On forgiveness and unity:
“If we follow these commandments and keep them at the forefront...the most powerful force that exists...is love.” — Tulsi Gabbard (61:26)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Student Courage Awards & Charlie Kirk Memorial: 03:07 – 08:25
- Panel Reflection on Kirk’s Legacy: 08:31 – 09:55
- Grant Cardone on Money & Movement: 10:17 – 26:29, 20:55 – 24:02 (core financial teachings)
- Tulsi Gabbard Keynote: 27:04 – 61:26
- American Founding Vision & Unity: 33:14 – 34:34
- Islamist Ideology Threat: 35:00 – 46:54
- Eisenhower & Military-Industrial Complex: 46:54
- Story from Iraq (“Is Today the Day?”): 46:54 – 61:26
- Anthem of the Free Segment/January 6th: 64:13 – 70:21
- Jesse Waters Stories & Reflection: 77:28 – 126:09
- Panel Recap & Reflections: 132:04 – 144:09
Tone and Style
- The tone is passionate, irreverent, sometimes humorous, and emotionally charged—especially during tributes to Charlie Kirk and the discussion of January 6th defendants.
- Speakers blend personal stories, humor, cultural critique, and direct activism.
- The language is authentic to each speaker: boisterous for Jesse Waters, purposeful for Ben Shapiro, motivational for Grant Cardone, and measured-yet-forceful for Tulsi Gabbard.
Conclusion and Action Steps
This AmFest 2025 episode is a multifaceted tribute: to Charlie Kirk's vision, to student courage, to the continued threats facing American liberty, and to the enduring call for unity rooted in faith and foundational principles. It includes tangible calls to action—supporting causes (like “Anthem of the Free” and Stand in the Gap), engaging in local activism, investing in financial literacy, and, above all, “standing up for what you love.” The Programming ends with a mix of emotional appeals, practical guidance, and optimism for the next generation of conservative leadership.
For More: Subscribe to Real America’s Voice or visit Turning Point USA for continued live and on-demand coverage.