Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw made headlines by attending and speaking at an annual Turning Point USA event in Arizona, which was largely dedicated to the late founder, Charlie Kirk. Shaw, who had befriended Kirk when they lived in the same apartment complex, had previously received permission from the Cubs to miss a regular season game to attend Kirk's memorial service after Kirk was shot and killed during a speaking event. Shaw stated that he had the support of those he spoke to within the team, emphasizing that his attendance was important to his faith.
At the Turning Point USA event, which also featured prominent conservative speakers like Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr., Shaw spoke about his personal faith and his relationship with Kirk. During a question-and-answer session, a self-described Los Angeles Dodgers fan asked Shaw about the argument that one cannot be both a Dodgers fan and a supporter of the "Make America Great Again" ethos. Shaw responded by stating, "I would say that the most important thing is you're a fan of Jesus. And if you can remember that above all else, that you're a fan of Jesus first, then yes...". This public appearance followed his earlier decision to miss a game for Kirk's memorial, further solidifying his public support for Kirk and Turning Point USA.