maddi

[Phil Spain @philenespanol]

This is one of the reasons we couldn’t lose daily NASCAR shows on TV.

When Alan and Davey died in 1993, there was nuanced coverage and specials, places for fans to seek comfort.

And while YouTube and podcasts exist, it’s not the same

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

@AndyJankowiak Congratulations you deserved it!!!

[dale tanhardt @daletanhardt]

Dark, dark day for the sport. A lot more people are gonna walk away after that, I fear.

I do love Kyle Larson. 2X champ now. But man. Shameful day to be a NASCAR fan.. to put it lightly

[Claire B Lang @ClaireBLang]

Do any of you feel for @DennyHamlin even if he isn't your driver?

[Mads ✨ @madsakm]

Denny Hamlin I hope you take the France family for all they’re fucking worth

[Clint Bowyer @ClintBowyer]

I b damned…..so pumped for @KyleLarsonRacin.

However….I’m not sure there’s ever been a worse heart breaker in @NASCAR than what Hamlin just experienced. 😳

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

@RacingBattle @NASCAR We wanted chaos and were getting chaos!!!! I have been going to Bristol for years and the spring race/last year fall race, I fell asleep because nothing was happening it was so boring and now tonight I have been on the end of my seat watching, biting my nails it’s worth it!!!!!

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

@DirtyMoMedia I am LOVING IT

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

@jeff_gluck I’m here at the race and honestly I’m kinda loving it 😂 I’m more entertained than the spring race

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

@dustinlong @jeff_gluck I’m here and this is freaking insane

[JD Vance @JDVance]

A while ago, probably in 2017, I appeared on Tucker Carlson's Fox show to talk about God knows what. Afterwards a name I barely knew sent me a DM on twitter and told me I did a great job. It was Charlie Kirk, and that moment of kindness began a friendship that lasted until today.

Charlie was fascinated by ideas and always willing to learn and change his mind. Like me, he was skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016. Like me, he came to see President Trump as the only figure capable of moving American politics away from the globalism that had dominated for our entire lives. When others were right, he learned from them. When he was right--as he usually was--he was generous. With Charlie, the attitude was never, "I told you so." But: "welcome."

Charlie was one of the first people I called when I thought about running for senate in early 2021. I was interested but skeptical there was a pathway. We talked through everything, from the strategy to the fundraising to the grassroots of the movement he knew so well. He introduced me to some of the people who would run my campaign and also to Donald Trump Jr. "Like his dad, he's misunderstood. He's extremely smart, and very much on our wavelength." Don took a call from me because Charlie asked him too.

Long before I ever committed (even in my mind) to running, Charlie had me speak to his donors at a TPUSA event. He walked me around the room and introduced me. He gave me honest feedback on my remarks. He had no reason to do this, no expectation that I'd go anywhere. I was polling, at that point, well below 5 percent. He did it because we were friends, and because he was a good man.

When I became the VP nominee--something Charlie advocated for both in public and private--Charlie was there for me. I was so glad to be part of the president's team, but candidly surprised by the effect it had on our family. Our kids, especially our oldest, struggled with the attention and the constant presence of the protective detail. I felt this acute sense of guilt, that I had conscripted my kids into this life without getting their permission. And Charlie was constantly calling and texting, checking on our family and offering guidance and prayers. Some of our most successful events were organized not by the campaign, but by TPUSA. He wasn't just a thinker, he was a doer, turning big ideas into bigger events with thousands of activists. And after every event, he would give me a big hug, tell me he was praying for me, and ask me what he could do. "You focus on Wisconsin," he'd tell me. "Arizona is in the bag." And it was.

Charlie genuinely believed in and loved Jesus Christ. He had a profound faith. We used to argue about Catholicism and Protestantism and who was right about minor doctrinal questions. Because he loved God, he wanted to understand him.

Someone else pointed out that Charlie died doing what he loved: discussing ideas. He would go into these hostile crowds and answer their questions. If it was a friendly crowd, and a progressive asked a question to jeers from the audience, he'd encourage his fans to calm down and let everyone speak. He exemplified a foundational virtue of our Republic: the willingness to speak openly and debate ideas.

Charlie had an uncanny ability to know when to push the envelope and when to be more conventional. I've seen people attack him for years for being wrong on this or that issue publicly, never realizing that privately he was working to broaden the scope of acceptable debate.

He was a great family man. I was talking to President Trump in the Oval Office today, and he said, "I know he was a very good friend of yours." I nodded silently, and President Trump observed that Charlie really loved his family. The president was right. Charlie was so proud of Erika and the two kids. He was so happy to be a father. And he felt such gratitude for having found a woman of God with whom he could build a family.

Charlie Kirk was a true friend. The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him. I am on more than a few group chats with Charlie and people he introduced me to over the years. We celebrate weddings and babies, bust each other's chops, and mourn the loss of loved ones. We talk about politics and policy and sports and life. These group chats include people at the very highest level of our government. They trusted him, loved him, and knew he'd always have their backs. And because he was a true friend ,you could instinctively trust the people Charlie introduced you to. So much of the success we've had in this administration traces directly to Charlie's ability to organize and convene. He didn't just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government.

I was in a meeting in the West Wing when those group chats started lighting up with people telling Charlie they were praying for him. And that's how I learned the news that my friend had been shot. I prayed a lot over the next hour, as first good news and then bad trickled in.

God didn't answer those prayers, and that's OK. He had other plans. And now that Charlie is in heaven, I'll ask him to talk to big man directly on behalf of his family, his friends, and the country he loved so dearly.

You ran a good race, my friend.

We've got it from here.

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

You know what, this sucks lol

[Tim Tebow @TimTebow]

Today isn’t just about fireworks, it’s about remembering who we are and whose we are. One Nation. Under God. Happy Independence Day!

[The Weeknd @theweeknd]

thanks @Spotify 💚

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

@KyleLarsonRacin This would be a dream 🤩😭😭😭

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

@JRMotorsports @DaleJr @sammysmithSS @SunDrop @NWBSpeedway @CARSTour @DaleJr you gotta be there dude please

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

like what the fuck

[R A W S A L E R T S @rawsalerts]

🚨#BREAKING: Absolute chaos is unfolding as Pro-Palestine protesters have taken down the three American flags and burning them at Union Station and replaced them with Palestinian flags.

📌#Washington | #DC 

Currently, absolute chaos is unfolding as thousands of Pro-Palestine protesters have gathered at Union Station in Washington, DC. Moments ago, they took down three American flags and replaced them with Palestinian flags, with crowds of thousands cheering. The three American flags are being burned along with a mannequin of Netanyahu in effigy. Stun grenades have been deployed. Numerous police officers have been trying to stop the violent chaotic scenes but have been pushed back by protesters and activists the atmosphere is extremely tense, with protesters chanting slogans and waving banners. Smoke from the burning flags is filling the air, and there are reports of minor injuries among both protesters and police. Authorities are urging people to avoid the area as they attempt to regain control. Additional law enforcement reinforcements are being called in, and nearby streets have been closed off. The situation remains highly violent and is still developing.

[Graham Allen @GrahamAllen]

After being shot, Trump signals to Americans to FIGHT!!!❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸

THAT IS MY PRESIDENT!!!

[maddi @CalhounMaddi]

People are getting on my damn nerves.
HE IS HUMAN. Last time he had to go on a vocal rest for 6 weeks!!!!!! I would rather him get better than not be able to sing anymore.
At least he RESCHEDULED NOT CANCELED 🥴

[morgan wallen @MorganWallen]

I hate to reschedule shows but I powered through being sick in Tampa last night, and unfortunately woke up feeling way worse today. I would not give you guys anywhere near 100% tonight and as a result, I need to move tonight's Tampa show to Oct. 4 and next week's Charlotte shows to Oct. 18 and 19.