Fox Nation’s Patriot Awards Honors Heroes, Not Hollywood
By Emma Foley
Photography by Andrea Hanks
& Fox News Media
Every year, Fox Nation’s Patriot Awards pay tribute to those who personify the goodness of America.
On stage, Fox News anchor and emcee for the evening Sean Hannity— between offering poignant reflections, facilitating special surprises, and delivering clever quips— impressed his thesis upon the audience at least three times: Fox does things differently.
“We’re not patting ourselves on the back like Hollywood and the Grammys and the Oscars,” he said in his opening monologue.
“We are here to honor America’s true patriots.”
Fox Does Things Differently
Among the evening’s award recipients were Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, Marine Major James Capers, Jr., Erika Kirk, and the Patriot of the Year, First Lady Melania Trump. Each selection was both thoughtful yet obvious. These are the people who deserve America’s applause, who never sought accolades, and who would never be properly recognized if the choice were left up to Hollywood.
But Fox does things differently. Even seven years into their awards show, the true character and warmth of the talent you usually see on a screen shone through— especially on the red carpet.
“Who Am I Wearing?”
Newly minted Fox contributor and YouTube star Brett Cooper, stunning in a strapless, sequined gown, was among the first few to hit the red carpet.
It was a poetic contrast with Hollywood’s events— more like palace parades of the self-important— that Cooper endearingly blanked when asked, “Who are you wearing?”
On-brand for Gen Z’s girl-next-door content creator, she asked a friend to check the tag for the answer.
While for Hollywood press appearances, celebrities’ choice in designer is a highly anticipated reveal that is endlessly fussed over, Fox focused on the brave and bold Americans inside the clothing.
The honest impression was sealed when Kayleigh McEnany, former White House press secretary and recently appointed host of Fox News weekend show Saturday in America, approached cameras in an embellished, trumpet-skirt gown. “I’m wearing this beautiful… wait. Can we start that over again?”
The TikTok savvy twenty-somethings who had helped Cooper happily assisted McEnany so she could shout out the designer. Third time’s a charm, Fox and First First anchor Carley Shimkus, wearing an iridescent high-neck dress, politely asked staff for the same assistance with the label.
Incredibly radiant in their looks, the Fox stars were down to earth throughout the early festivities.
The Fox Patriot Awards, in these small but telling moments, stood as a foil to the typical red-carpet spectacle. The distinctive disposition of humility was a detail that stayed with me as Hannity hammered home, “This is unlike any other awards show.” The night had already proved it three times over.
In fact, the only Fox face who outright mentioned the maker of his custom suit for the evening was Johnny “Joey” Jones.
“My suit tonight is by Blu out of Houston. That’s a veteran, Steve Springer,” he spoke of the founder and managing partner of Blu Fine Menswear. “He was a hospital nurse and took care of the worst burn victims from the war.”
Steve Springer served as an advanced practice medic and non-commissioned officer in the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He specialized in critical care at the Brook Army Medical Center Trauma and Burn Ward. After leaving the military, Springer’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to create his suit company.
According to its site, Blu “stands as a testament to Steve Springer’s passion for excellence and commitment to serving others.” Springer is one of the veterans featured on Fox Nation’s new show, Veterans, Inc., where host Jones highlights former servicemen and women who have built businesses in the United States after returning from war.
“We hear a lot about the negatives— you know, PTSD, suicide,” Jones explained. “It’s also important to promote the successes after service.”
And just as Jones’s suit carried the story of a veteran’s journey, each Fox Patriot Award trophy paid homage to America’s Founding Fathers.
Patriotism, Enshrined
This was the third Fox Patriot Award crafted by Father-son team Shane and Justice Henderson of Metal Art in Wisconsin, following their designs in 2022 and 2024. This year, they sought to honor the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, enshrining patriotism, quite literally, into the award.
The Hendersons also set out to weave in the night’s three core themes of faith, freedom, and sacrifice by infusing elements of American history.
To represent faith, the duo infused the flagpole with nails from Trinity Church— George Washington’s place of worship that was famously destroyed in the Great New York City Fire of 1776. To represent freedom, the flag’s commemorative stripe features inlaid wood from George Washington’s elm tree— the location where he took command of the continental army. To signify sacrifice, the Hendersons melted down and recast colonial musketballs into each star of Old Glory.
Each honoree carried home a small monument to this nation and the exceptionalism that defines her. It was another example of Fox’s going beyond the surface level to what actually matters.
Patriotism Knows No Age
Fox also took the time to shine the spotlight on younger honorees. Advocating for America doesn’t have an age minimum, Fox recognized. Some of the country’s Framers were in their 20s when they signed the Declaration of Independence. Oregon teenagers Alexa Anderson and Reese Eckard accepted the “Most Valuable Patriot Award” for their endurance in fighting for the protection of women’s spaces from male intrusion.
After being forced to compete against a man in the state track and field high jump competition, the two protested in a viral moment that garnered both support and hatred across the Internet. On stage, they spoke of the support of their parents and coaches as well as the power of Jesus Christ.
Thirteen-year-old Camp Mystic survivor Skyler Derrington was presented with Fox Nation’s first-ever “Faith Award.”
She bravely sang for the audience her rendition of “Hallelujah,” entirely a capella. Her new lyrics shared the steadfastness of the Lord, even in the midst of tragedy.
West Point Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. earned the “Heroism Award” for taking swift action when he and his father saw a man trapped inside of his car. Within seconds of pulling the driver from the vehicle, it burst into flames.
“At West Point, we're taught what it truly means to live with courage, honor,” Pickett said.
“That night was just one moment to live out what so many around me model every day.”
In a tear-jerk moment that had the audience on their feet, the driver of the vehicle surprised Pickett on stage to personally thank him for his courage. The driver then took to the microphone to tell millions more about the night God sent down an angel to save his life.
As the seventh Patriot Awards drew to a close, Fox Nation had made its case abundantly clear. American heroism comes in all different forms, and it is essential the nation gives due credit and recognition to those who embody it.
Putting aside an opportunity for self-congratulation, Fox Nation flipped the spotlight on individuals who serve their country and communities: teenagers fighting for fairness, veterans navigating life after service, and the classy and charitable former first lady, Melania Trump.
By elevating character over celebrity and substance over the superficial, Fox proved it really does do things differently.
“And,” Hannity concluded, “that’s why [Fox is] number one.”
Emma Foley is a Content Manager at National Review in New York City. Originally from Pennsylvania, Emma earned a degree in Marketing and Theology from Boston College. You can follow her @emmafoleymedia.
