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A “J6 Awards Gala” is set to happen on September 5 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The event, organized by the Stand in the Gap Foundation, is aimed at raising money for people who were charged or convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
Although former President Donald Trump is listed as an invited guest, his campaign has confirmed he won’t be attending.
The recent controversy has sparked outrage online, especially on Reddit, where many users have expressed their anger and disbelief.
In response, the Stand in the Gap Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to helping people re-enter society after prison, supporting families, and pushing for justice reform—focuses on January 6th defendants.
According to the event’s promotional materials, these individuals are dealing with “significant challenges” following the riot.
Considering the costs involved, the gala is quite an investment, with ticket prices starting at $1,500 for general admission and reaching up to $50,000 for a VIP Platinum table.
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City Mayor, is also listed as an invited speaker. However, his team, along with representatives from the Trump National Golf Club and the Stand in the Gap Foundation, have remained silent on the matter.
Adding to the controversy, The New York Times reported that one of the people behind Stand in the Gap is a January 6 defendant, and the husband of another woman involved with the foundation is a former cop who’s now serving time for his role in the riot.
The event flier features Trump and Giuliani, making it seem they’re closely tied to supporting the January 6 defendants, even though Trump isn’t attending.
In addition, the gala will spotlight a song called “Justice for All,” recorded by the J6 Prison Choir and Trump. This recording, used at some of Trump’s campaign events, features 20 January 6 defendants.
Plus, the money raised from the gala will help these individuals, which has only added to the online backlash.
Since the Capitol riot three years ago, over 1,400 people have been charged, with about 750 already sentenced, according to a 2024 report.
The riot not only led to serious legal trouble for those involved, but it also resulted in Trump’s second impeachment. Additionally, federal charges were brought against him, accusing him of trying to overturn the 2020 election.
The planned gala has also sparked political discussions. For instance, Senator Lindsey Graham was asked on CNN’s “State of the Union” whether Trump should attend the event.
Graham, who usually supports Trump, dodged the question, saying that while he doesn’t sympathize with those who stormed the Capitol, it’s up to Trump to decide which causes to support.
He also mentioned concerns about how long some defendants have waited for their trials, suggesting their rights might have been violated.
Not everyone sees it this way. Critics like Olivia Troye, a former advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, slammed the gala, calling it an attempt to glorify violence and twist the history of January 6.
Troye and others view the event as a dangerous attack on democracy and a disrespectful move toward the victims of the Capitol attack, including the five people who died and the over 140 police officers who were assaulted that day.
As the event date approaches, the debate heats up. While the Stand in the Gap Foundation and its supporters believe the gala is necessary to help those they think were wrong, others see it as a troubling celebration of one of the darkest days in recent American history.
It’s still being determined if the event will hit its fundraising goals, but there’s no doubt it’s stirring up a lot of conversation about January 6.