Nick Shirley Confronts Anti-Charlie Kirk Protesters Outside AmericaFest in Phoenix Arizona

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Liberty Hangout Confronts Protesters Outside AmericaFest in Phoenix Arizona With Seven Demonstrators Facing Thirty Thousand Attendees

Liberty Hangout Confronts Protesters Outside AmericaFest in Phoenix Arizona With Seven Demonstrators Facing Thirty Thousand Attendees

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Nick Shirley Confronts Anti-Charlie Kirk Protesters Outside AmericaFest in Phoenix Arizona

Nick Shirley arrives at AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, where protesters have gathered outside the event commemorating Charlie Kirk and his work with Turning Point USA. Shirley engages directly with demonstrators holding signs and megaphones, attempting conversations about their grievances while attendees celebrate inside. The confrontations range from silent standoffs to heated debates about immigration, religion, corporate influence in politics, and the Epstein files. Shirley reflects on how AmericaFest two years prior inspired his journey to the border, launching his career in journalism. What emerges is a snapshot of America's cultural divide, played out on the streets outside one of conservatism's largest annual gatherings.

Categories: Protests
December 20, 2025

Arriving at AmericaFest in Phoenix

Nick Shirley arrives in Phoenix, Arizona, outside AmericaFest with his cameraman and special guest Booker T. Jones. Shirley explains that protesters have gathered to demonstrate against Charlie Kirk and his organization, Turning Point USA. He finds it peculiar that people would protest a man who died for what he believed in, and plans to confront the protesters before heading inside to enjoy the conference.

Booker T. Jones, who identifies himself as Nick's mom, wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and explains they came to celebrate what Charlie Kirk created over the past five years, calling this event the Super Bowl for Charlie Kirk.

A Personal Connection to AmericaFest

Before approaching the protest, Shirley shares a backstory about his relationship with AmericaFest. Two years ago in 2023, he attended the event to conduct interviews. After listening to speakers discuss the border crisis, he traveled down to the border to see the situation firsthand. That trip to the border became the launching point for his YouTube channel and journalistic career. Shirley credits Charlie Kirk and AmericaFest with putting him on the path that led to where he is today, expressing deep appreciation for the organization's annual event.

First Encounters with Protesters

As Shirley approaches the protest, he observes a relatively small group with megaphones and signs. The first protesters he encounters refuse to engage, repeatedly saying "no means no" when asked why they're protesting. One protester holds a flag that reads "With fear for our democracy, I dissent," which he explains is a quote from Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor. When Shirley asks what the quote means, the protester seems surprised he doesn't know who Justice Sotomayor is.

An attendee from Kansas City tells Shirley there haven't been protesters on previous days, calling it a sad thing to protest against what has otherwise been a wholesome event with good speakers. He describes AmericaFest as "probably the political Super Bowl of the year" on the conservative side and mentions excitement for JD Vance's upcoming appearance.

Chelsea Gods and the Abortion Debate

Shirley encounters Chelsea Gods, a protester he recognizes from previous encounters in Salt Lake City, whom he nicknames "Cruella Deville." She wears a hat that says "Deport Melania" and engages Shirley in a contentious exchange. Chelsea argues for what she calls "thoughts and prayers for abortion," claiming that if conservatives believe God is powerful enough to handle school shootings through prayer alone, He should be powerful enough to handle abortion without laws from man.

She challenges Shirley's faith, asking why he doesn't believe in God's power to make things just without human legal intervention. The exchange grows heated as Chelsea accuses Shirley of having "questionable faith" for not trusting that the Lord can handle abortion on His own. The conversation deteriorates with Chelsea making crude jokes and singing provocatively while other protesters join in with music and chanting.

A Respectful Exchange About Pedophilia and Politics

One protester holding a sign calling Trump a pedophile agrees to have a civil conversation. He cites Katie Johnson and Trump's connection to Jeffrey Epstein as his main concerns. When Shirley mentions recently released photos showing Bill Clinton in a hot tub with an Epstein victim, the protester immediately agrees that Bill Clinton is a creep and that anyone connected to Epstein should be held accountable, including Trump.

The protester expresses frustration that Trump promised to release the Epstein files during his campaign but then called it a hoax after being elected. He believes this betrays the people who voted for him. The conversation remains civil as both agree that anyone involved in harming children should face justice, regardless of political affiliation. The protester explains he came out because he fears pedophilia is becoming normalized in America and believes both political parties are failing to hold powerful people accountable.

Blake Maidell and Civil Discourse

Shirley meets Blake Maidell, an AmericaFest attendee willing to debate protesters. They approach various demonstrators, but most refuse to engage. One protester who earlier insulted them hides behind his sign when given the opportunity to speak. Blake and Shirley discuss how the entire point of protesting should be to communicate your position, yet these protesters seem unwilling to have actual conversations.

They note that if protesters genuinely wanted to make progress on their issues, they would engage in dialogue to find common ground rather than playing loud music and trying to get videos copyright-struck. The contrast between those willing to talk and those hiding behind signs becomes a recurring theme throughout the day.

Immigration Discussion with a Canadian Dentist

Shirley speaks with a man from Canada who recently moved to Phoenix after spending five years navigating the legal immigration process. The man expresses frustration at seeing people jump the line by entering illegally while he paid fees, went through proper channels, and waited patiently. He believes Trump has already begun fixing the open border problem and notes that the average American, despite media portrayals, agrees that open borders don't make sense.

The conversation shifts to Canadian healthcare, where the man shares a personal anecdote from his work as a dentist. His dental office was located across the street from a hospital. When a patient had an emergency, he called 911 and waited 45 minutes for an ambulance to travel 100 yards. After accompanying the patient to the hospital, they waited over eight hours to see a doctor before the patient gave up and left. The dentist had to drive the patient home himself around midnight because he was concerned about their safety. He concludes that free healthcare is not necessarily better healthcare.

The Maine Protester and Turning Point Finances

A protester from Maine holding the state's original flag agrees to speak with Shirley. He explains he's vexillologically interested in flags and prefers Maine's original design to the current state seal on a blue field. His main objection to Turning Point USA isn't ideological opposition to conservatism in education, but rather what he sees as a grift. He points out that Turning Point has $85 million in revenue with $25 million going to executive salaries, which he finds troubling.

The protester clarifies he has no legal problem with Turning Point making money, but believes people are being conned into donating to an organization where a significant portion of contributions go directly into executives' pockets rather than the stated mission. He compares it to PT Barnum selling snake oil - legally permissible but morally questionable. He wants to convince attendees they've been conned, though he acknowledges people have the freedom to spend their money how they choose.

Kaitlin Bennett Joins the Conversation

Kaitlin Bennett, known as "Liberty Hangout," joins Shirley's livestream and engages with the Maine protester. The conversation turns to Christianity and immigration. The protester argues that Turning Point is selling a type of Christianity that makes people feel good about themselves without requiring self-examination or change. He references biblical teachings about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners, and being kind to strangers, specifically citing the parable of the Good Samaritan.

The protester draws a parallel between how people viewed Samaritans in biblical times and how some Americans view Mexicans, Venezuelans, and Somalians today. He suggests the message of the Good Samaritan story is about helping people regardless of their background. Bennett pushes back, arguing that while Christians should be welcoming, bringing in cultures that practice child marriage, child rape, and commit fraud (referencing Minnesota) is dangerous for a Christian nation. She contends that some cultures and their practices are not conducive to what the founding fathers wanted for America or what the majority of Americans support.

Chelsea Gods Returns with More Controversy

Chelsea Gods reappears wearing a necklace with "666" on it. When Shirley notices it, she claims she wears it because it's hilarious if it makes fundamentalist Christians uncomfortable. An extended confrontation ensues where Chelsea accuses Shirley of being a Christian fundamentalist, though she struggles to articulate what that means or provide evidence for her claim.

When Shirley reveals he's Catholic, Chelsea immediately brings up that the Vatican and Pope Francis oppose Trump's immigration policies. She argues that Catholic priests are showing up at immigration hearings and that the Catholic Church in the United States has a policy against Trump's actions. Shirley responds that he follows Jesus Christ first and looks to the Pope for spiritual guidance on Catholicism, not political insight. He notes the Pope also clarified that countries are allowed to enforce their borders.

The conversation degrades when Shirley points out Chelsea's past as an adult film performer and failed comedian. She accuses him of reducing her to her genitalia, despite having just performed a song about anal sex moments earlier. Kaitlin Bennett intervenes, pointing out the hypocrisy of Chelsea complaining about being objectified while actively objectifying herself. Chelsea eventually walks away singing and dancing provocatively while other protesters play music to disrupt filming.

A Non-Political American Perspective

Shirley encounters a man who describes himself as non-political, stating he doesn't believe in Republican or Democrat because neither appears in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence. He argues there's only American, "one nation under God," and that the two-party system creates an illusion of choice to keep people fighting while distracting from real issues.

The man delivers an impassioned speech about how Americans have been working harder for five generations than their great-great-grandparents who had no education but sent the first generation to college. He believes something went wrong in the 1950s when the Bible was removed from schools as curriculum. He argues the Bible provided a strong moral code that held families and communities together.

He then shifts to discussing what he sees as an attack on all Americans through fentanyl, which he calls a weapon rather than just a drug problem. He believes if the government didn't want fentanyl in the country, it wouldn't be here. He connects modern technology to biblical prophecy, specifically Revelation 13 about the "image of the beast." He argues television is a form of channeling spirits remotely - we channel programs from broadcasts, just as people have channeled spirits throughout history. He believes the government made a deal with the devil after World War II for technology and power, specifically mentioning the atomic bomb as harnessing the power of a star. Shirley thanks him for his perspective and gives him money before moving on.

Final Observations and Looking Ahead

As the protest continues, Shirley observes the stark contrast between those willing to engage in dialogue and those hiding behind signs and music. He speaks with an elderly man in a sombrero with an oxygen tank who came out to enjoy the day and see what's happening. When asked about the apparent division within the conservative movement between figures like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes versus Ben Shapiro and the Trump administration, the man notes it's strange they're fighting over who has the most viewers instead of coming together for unity.

They discuss the 2028 election, with JD Vance currently leading on prediction markets against Gavin Newsom. The conversation touches on Trump's handling of the Epstein files, which both agree was disappointing and lacked the transparency that was promised. The elderly man mentions his mother was a card-carrying GOP member who would be "rolling in her grave" at current events. Throughout the day, the protests remain relatively small and non-violent, with the main conflicts being verbal exchanges and attempts to disrupt filming with copyrighted music and noise.

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