LEEDS — Tucker Carlson accepted the Albert Patterson Courage Award on behalf of his longtime friend, the late Charlie Kirk, on Friday night.
1819 News CEO Bryan Dawson presented the award at the annual gala held at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
Carlson remembered Kirk for his faith and bravery in speaking the truth, despite knowing the reality of the consequences.
"He was truly a genuinely humble man, and it was just beautiful to see," Carlson remembered. "So, thank you for your tribute to him."
Since Kirk's death, Carlson said he hasn't spoken much about him because he is still upset about the loss. He said he was stunned but not surprised when Kirk was killed on September 10.
In the months leading up to his death, Carlson said Kirk was under enormous pressure, so the two discussed the risks. During those talks, Carlson said he spoke to Kirk about the Biblical hero, Saul of Tarsus, who became the target of a murder plot after he regained his sight in Damascus. He used the story as an example of how standing for Jesus can be deadly.
"He'd, of course, been their ally, and then they started plotting to kill him," Carlson said. "And I thought, you know, why wouldn't you, like, reason with it? You know what I mean? Like, 'Saul, is that you? You've gone crazy.' Nope. They started plotting to kill him and I do think that's just the nature of it."
Still, Kirk continued to proclaim Jesus and inspired many Christians, including Carlson.
"He used the J word a lot in public: Jesus," said Carlson. "And I always was struck by that and inspired by it and it's only been in the last year or so that I even thought about that distinction and decided to use the word 'Jesus."
Carlson said Kirk's murder has taught him to accept that the stakes couldn't be higher.
"I really think to win whatever comes next, it's not a question of your willingness to hurt people, it's a question of are you willing to be hurt," said Carlson. "That really is it. At least from my perspective, that's the decision that I have made."
"… When it comes to speaking the truth, it's not something that can be imposed by the sword," he continued. "We don't convert by the sword. That's against our religion. We require you to buy in. That's the whole point. God gave us free will and you have to exercise yours. You have to respond to the call. But you should know as you engage in this that once again, the stakes could not be higher."
Carlson added, "If you challenge power, you can get hurt, and the greater power you challenge, the more hurt you can get. If you challenge the rulers of this world, you can get killed."
The answer, Carlson said, is confidence and courage in speaking the truth. He said that is living as Charlie Kirk lived.
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