Seventy-two-year-old Target employee Jeanie Beeman took to the stage at Turning Point USA’s AmFest in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday to thunderous applause. She even had a hug and a special moment with Erika Kirk, the widow of TPUSA’s slain co-founder Charlie Kirk.
RedState brought you the story of out of Chico, California, where Jeanie was verbally harassed by — in the inestimable words of our Rusty Weiss — a “leftist shrew” who swore at her Wednesday, accusing her of being “f**king stupid” and supporting “a racist.” All of this because Jeanie had the temerity to wear a shirt honoring Charlie, the conservative activist whose message has inspired millions around the world.
Perhaps the most notable thing about the story was the incredible grace shown by Beeman, who stayed calm even as the obnoxious Karen unloaded all sorts of bile against her. Afterwards, when she asked if the woman would be fired from her job, Beeman said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right; you know, she wronged me, but I don’t want to wrong her.”
Now that’s class.
The woman, later identified as healthcare worker Michelea Ponce, issued a long statement Friday where she apologized to Jeanie and said, “I regret it [the incident] deeply.” While some felt the expression of remorse was genuine, others were not so kind and asked questions like, “Was this apology letter written by AI @grok?”
You decide. For myself, I believe in forgiveness, but I also believe that Ms. Ponce unequivocally showed her true self and the hate in her heart.
That incident must have been troubling, but on Saturday, it was Jeanie’s moment to shine. Watch the crowd erupt as she is led on stage by conservative pundits Jack Posobiec and Benny Johnson to the classic Christmas tune, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”:
🚨 BREAKING: THOUSANDS of patriots just went WILD for Jeanie, the Target lady who got harassed by a leftist for wearing a Charlie Kirk shirt
INCREDIBLE!
Benny Johnson and Jack Posobiec brought Jeanie out on stage
“JEANIE! JEANIE!” ❤️
The TPUSA crowd absolutely LOVES IT! Great… pic.twitter.com/zx8y8FaA9U
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 20, 2025
The applause went on for almost a full minute as the crowd cheered “Jeanie, Jeanie!”
THE AWFL GRINCH WHO TRIED TO STEAL CHRISTMAS: Leftist Shrew Melts Down on Elderly Target Worker Over Charlie Kirk Shirt – Her Response Is Pure Gold
Viral Video Backlash Forces Apology From Aggressive Target Shopper
Meanwhile, people around the nation rallied for Jeanie and have raised (so far) over $270,000 in a GiveSendGo effort. Jeanie said it might enable her to retire, but then again, she might not do so because she loves her co-workers so much.
This woman has more class in her little finger than the harassing AWFL has in her whole body.
Can’t wait for her to be featured at TPUSA! Much love to Grandma Jeanie.
Now at 111K! pic.twitter.com/yiXBFZtJIL
— Mow.Net (@MonetRocks) December 17, 2025
But Jeanie’s day was not over. She also spent a special moment with Erika Kirk:
Such a precious moment with sweet Jeanie Beeman at AmFest 2025. Thank you for being a part of my Charlie’s legacy.
I love your courage.
God bless you. pic.twitter.com/8vVKp2AeVl— Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) December 20, 2025
This story shows two things: one, that many on the left are growing even more hateful, nasty, and intolerant, and two, we have every reason to fight back — hard — but we can do so with class, love, and forgiveness. Both Erika Kirk and Jeanie Beeman have shown us that we don’t have to sink the their level to be effective. Well done, ladies, and Merry Christmas.
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