The Charlie Kirk Show – Best Moments of the Biggest AmFest Ever

Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Charlie Kirk (with co-hosts Andrew Colvett and Blake)
Episode Focus: Reflecting on AmFest 2025 – Unity, debate, faith, and memorable speeches shaping America’s conservative grassroots movement.

Main Theme

This episode recaps the most significant, moving, and debated moments from America Fest 2025, the annual Turning Point USA gathering. The hosts, in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s passing, recount four intense days of speeches, panels, surprises, and candid debates about the future of the conservative movement. Themes include unity despite disagreement, the role of Christian faith, celebrating everyday patriots, and standout appearances from figures like J.D. Vance, Nicki Minaj, Rob Schneider, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Significance of this AmFest (01:09 – 04:57)

• Largest, most scrutinized America Fest yet: Over 31,000 activists, with heated debates and a celebratory, unifying spirit.
• Blake: “We had several debates on different issues. … There was a certain combativeness over issues. But … a very positive vibe, a very good attitude.” (02:59)
• Unity and Charlie Kirk's legacy were at the heart of the event; attendees deeply remembered and honored him.

2. A ‘Play in Four Acts’: Major Event Highlights (04:57 – 08:44)

• Night one: Ben Shapiro’s “airing of grievances,” followed by responses from Tucker Carlson and others.
• Saturday night: Tucker & Jesse Watters’ Trump stories, ending with tributes to Charlie Kirk.
• Faith Night: Centered on the gospel and the “Christian bedrock” of the movement.
• Surprise Guests: Sunday featured Nicki Minaj (“profound moment”) and a capstone message from J.D. Vance.

“J.D. Vance just comes in and says, settle down. Here's the way it's going to go. We're not going to cancel anybody... And by the way, here's where we're going as a movement. … It was such a morally clear speech.” – Andrew (06:22)

3. J.D. Vance’s Capstone Speech – Moral Center & Christian Identity (08:47 – 14:46)

• Big applause line:

  “The fruits of true Christianity are good husbands, patient fathers, builders of great things... it is better to die a patriot than live a coward.” – J.D. Vance, quoted at (08:47)

• America’s Identity:

  “The only thing that has truly served as an anchor of the United States of America is that we have been, and by the grace of God, we always will be, a Christian nation.” – J.D. Vance at (13:21)

• Hosts reflect how Vance’s speech synthesized the event’s debates, and reaffirmed an “inclusive yet rooted” conservative vision.
• Discussion: America’s Christian moral framework attracts people of all backgrounds; it’s not about demanding Christian faith, but recognizing its foundational role.

4. Nicki Minaj’s Emotional, Candid Interview (19:11 – 24:37)

• Surprise appearance by Minaj, praised for recent advocacy for persecuted Christians in Nigeria and challenging industry groupthink.
• Notable Quote:

  “No matter how many songs I do on that stage, it didn’t mean as much as this because this is a direct link between young people and God.” – Nicki Minaj (20:17)

• On embracing courage:

  “Sometimes you just get tired of it, and then you realize, wait a minute. I have something inside of me that's stronger than what's out there. ... I'm not gonna back down anymore. I'm not gonna back down ever again.” – Nicki Minaj (21:04)

• Minaj discussed racial identity and real self-acceptance:

  “Why have we gotten to a point where certain colors or certain kinds of people have to be afraid of loving themselves and loving the way they look? ... Isn’t that wild?” – Nicki Minaj (23:35)

• Erica Kirk handled a potentially awkward moment on stage with Minaj and JD Vance "with such grace and poise."

5. Rob Schneider’s Comedic & Sober Testimony (26:02 – 29:30)

• Rob Schneider gave testimony about Charlie Kirk and fighting left-wing narratives:

  “The left is trying to reframe Charlie into something he wasn't and by extension, all of us. Extremists, Nazis, fascists, white supremacists. ... If the Right doesn't learn from the Left's mistakes, if we start embracing our extremists...we’ll go down the same path.” – Rob Schneider (26:02)

• On conservatism’s mainstream values:

  “I voted for closed borders. I voted for affordable groceries. ... for no more men in women’s sports.” – Rob Schneider (28:54)

• Hosts note comics’ “sense of congruence” and Schneider’s spiritual angle; reminder that energetic but civil “center” is where Turning Point excels.

6. Christian Testimony – Matt Shaw (32:14)

• Chicago Cubs’ Matt Shaw shared advice on witnessing Christian faith:

  “The best thing I can do isn't to talk to them and disciple them, but it's to show what my beliefs look like in my life… it's simply the light that you shine around to other people.” (32:14)

7. Everyday Heroes – “Jeannie from Target” (33:17 – 36:58)

• Viral story: Jeannie, an older Target employee accosted for wearing a “freedom” shirt, honored at AmFest.
• Glenn Beck: “I just wanted to thank you for being normal.” (34:56)
• Hosts emphasize the event is about ordinary Americans, not just celebrities or politicians.
• Jeannie’s giving account surpassed $285,000 as listeners supported her “graciousness under fire.”

8. Synthesis & Audience Feedback (37:12–38:39)

• Listeners intervened with praise for the four-day event.
• Noted for strong youth representation, staff helpfulness, and the event’s positive, faith-driven, and unifying environment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• J.D. Vance:

  “It is better to die a patriot than live a coward.” (08:47)
  “We have been, and by the grace of God, we always will be, a Christian nation.” (13:21)

• Nicki Minaj:

  “This is a direct link between young people and God.” (20:17)
  “I'm not gonna back down ever again.” (21:30)
  “Why have we gotten to a point where certain colors or certain kinds of people have to be afraid of loving themselves... Isn't that wild?” (23:35)

• Rob Schneider:

  “The left is trying to reframe Charlie into something he wasn't and by extension, all of us.” (26:02)
  “I voted for closed borders. ... I voted for no more men in women’s sports.” (28:54)

• Matt Shaw:

  “The best thing that I can do isn't to talk to them and disciple them, but it's to show what my beliefs look like in my life.” (32:14)

• Glenn Beck to Jeannie:

  “I just wanted to thank you for being normal.” (34:56)

Segment Timestamps

• [01:09] – Event recap, significance, and unity
• [04:57] – Overview of AmFest’s “four acts” and key guests
• [08:47] – J.D. Vance’s speech and applause lines
• [13:21] – “America is a Christian nation” remarks
• [20:17][21:04][23:35] – Nicki Minaj’s interview highlights
• [26:02][28:54] – Rob Schneider’s testimony & comic relief
• [32:14] – Matt Shaw on living faith in sports
• [34:56] – Glenn Beck and “Jeannie from Target”
• [38:05] – Listener emails and final reflections

Overall Tone

The mood is passionate, reverent to Charlie Kirk’s legacy, and energized by the event’s “big tent” conservatism. The hosts celebrate both high-profile and ordinary heroes, debate with candor but unity, and reflect on the centrality of faith and the need for bold, gracious leadership. The conversations flow with banter, emotional candor, and a sense of movement-building.

Useful Recap for Listeners

If you missed this landmark episode, you'll walk away understanding:

• The new and unity-building direction of the conservative grassroots
• Why J.D. Vance’s address is being hailed as historic
• Nicki Minaj’s thoughtful, faith-focused conversion and courage onstage
• Rob Schneider’s clarity on resisting extremism
• The honoring of everyday values through figures like Jeannie from Target and Matt Shaw’s living testimony

You’ll finish knowing AmFest 2025 was more than just speeches—it was a coming together of principle, humanity, and hope for the future of the movement.