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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Marine veteran Daniel Penny, recently acquitted of manslaughter charges in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely, was welcomed as a celebrated guest at the 125th Army-Navy football game in Maryland on Saturday. Penny joined an elite suite hosted by President-elect Donald Trump, where he was surrounded by high-profile figures, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Trump’s FBI director pick, Kash Patel. According to a report on Saturday on Fox News, the event became a showcase of solidarity and celebration for Penny.
Photos of Penny, 26, with Trump and Vance quickly went viral, sparking a wave of social media praise. Conservative influencers and supporters hailed Penny as a hero, emphasizing his Marine service and the events leading to his legal victory. Cryptocurrency influencer Tiffany Fong shared one of the photos on X (formerly Twitter), calling Penny a “hero” and highlighting the shared admiration from Trump and Vance. “Donald Trump [and] JD Vance know that Daniel Penny is a hero,” Fong wrote, echoing sentiments expressed across conservative platforms, as reported by Fox News.
The sentiment extended to calls for formal recognition of Penny’s actions. Conservative podcaster and X influencer Nick Sortor suggested that Penny should be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. “Daniel Penny received a HERO’S WELCOME from President Trump and JD Vance at the Army-Navy game. Much deserved!” Sortor posted, as was indicated in The Fox News report. “I truly hope Trump will give Penny the Presidential Medal of Freedom.” Dozens of users agreed, amplifying Sortor’s suggestion across social media.
President-elect Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., joined the chorus of praise, sharing the viral photo with the caption, “Common sense reigns again!” The Fox News report noted that Trump Jr.’s message encapsulated the broader narrative among conservatives celebrating Penny’s acquittal as a victory for their ideals of justice and accountability.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, also present in the suite, revealed a personal connection to Penny’s story. Ramaswamy, accompanied by his young son Arjun, posed for a photo with Penny and shared that his family had contributed to Penny’s legal defense fund during his trial. “Our family contributed to this man’s legal defense fund last year because he was wronged. We don’t regret it. Hope Daniel Penny has a bright future & good life ahead,” Ramaswamy wrote on X, as highlighted by Fox News.
While the celebratory tone dominated the suite and social media, Penny’s case remains a flashpoint for national conversations about race and justice. Fox News reported that author Ashley St. Clair added her perspective to the discourse, framing Penny’s trial as emblematic of broader societal tensions. “The days of vitriol and persecution against white men simply for being white men are over,” she wrote, alluding to the racial dynamics surrounding Penny’s case, which involved his fatal chokehold on Jordan Neely, a deranged and violent Black homeless man with a long criminal record. The incident had previously sparked heated debates about race, justice, and the role of bystanders in public safety situations.
Penny, who faced charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for the May 1, 2023 death of Neely, shared his gratitude to the jurors and his steadfast belief in his actions during an exclusive interview with Fox News.
The case centered on an incident aboard a New York City subway train when Neely, a homeless man with schizophrenia, began shouting death threats and alarming passengers. Witnesses testified that Neely’s erratic behavior went beyond the usual subway outbursts, with many expressing gratitude for Penny’s intervention. As Fox News reported, Neely had a long criminal record, a history of psychosis, and was high on K2, a synthetic drug, at the time of the incident.
During the trial, prosecutors repeatedly referred to Penny as “the White man,” a characterization that sparked debates about race and justice. Neely, who was Black, became a central figure in discussions about systemic inequities and public safety. On December 9, when jurors declared Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, the courtroom was split between celebrations and outrage. According to the Fox News report, Penny’s supporters erupted in cheers, while Neely’s family and Black Lives Matter activists expressed anger, prompting Neely’s father, Andre Zachary, to be escorted out of the courtroom.
In an interview with Fox News, Penny expressed gratitude to the jurors, acknowledging the courage it took to deliver the verdict in New York’s contentious political climate. “I’d like to give them a hug. I’d like to thank them,” he told Judge Jeanine Pirro on “The Five.” Penny emphasized that his actions were driven by a sense of duty to protect others. “I would not be able to live with myself if I didn’t do anything in that situation and someone got hurt,” he said. “I would feel guilty for the rest of my life.”
Penny’s acquittal has drawn widespread praise from conservative figures. Vice President-elect JD Vance, who invited Penny to join him and President-elect Donald Trump in a suite at Saturday’s Army-Navy game, commended Penny’s courage. Vance took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his support, calling Penny “a good guy” and criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for pursuing the charges. “New York’s mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone,” Vance wrote. “I’m grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he’s able to have fun and appreciate how much his fellow citizens admire his courage,” as reported by Fox News.
Despite the acquittal, Penny’s legal troubles are not over. He now faces a civil lawsuit filed by Neely’s father who accused Penny of causing his son’s death through “negligence, carelessness, and recklessness.” The suit, which seeks unspecified damages for assault and battery, highlights the ongoing contention surrounding the case.
As reported by Fox News, Penny remains resolute in his belief that his actions on the subway were necessary. While the lawsuit looms, he has found significant support from prominent figures and ordinary citizens alike. His case has become emblematic of broader debates about public safety, race, and the limits of self-defense, drawing attention far beyond New York City.
For Penny, the events of the past year have been transformative, thrusting him into the national spotlight as both a controversial figure and a symbol of heroism. In his words to Fox News, he expressed hope for a future where he can move forward, supported by those who continue to stand by him.
