CUBS PLAYER EMPHASIZES FAITH, DENIES HATEFUL IDEOLOGY AFTER TURNING POINT USA CONTROVERSY
CHICAGO, IL—Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw has officially responded to the explosive controversy ignited by a Chicago radio host who publicly attacked his decision to speak at the Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest rally, labeling the conservative event a “Nazi-adjacent pep rally.”
Shaw, the talented young player who has become a lightning rod for off-field political debate, broke his silence this afternoon, issuing a direct and emotional statement defending his character and emphasizing his core values.
“I do not represent any extremist or hateful ideology,” the young Cubs player asserted in the statement. “My presence at any event is an expression of my Christian faith and my personal beliefs. To twist that into something dangerous or hateful is simply wrong. I urge people to judge me by my actions, my conduct in the clubhouse and community, and the values I live by: faith, family, and hard work. Don’t twist who I am.”
THE RADIO FIRE
The controversy escalated after a prominent (and recently disgraced) Chicago radio host, Dan Bernstein, used his platform to vehemently criticize Shaw for being listed as a featured speaker at the Turning Point USA event, which also includes other notable conservative figures.
Bernstein’s on-air comments, which called the event a “Nazi-adjacent rally,” triggered a firestorm, pulling the Cubs player back into a political spotlight that has dogged him since his decision to miss a game in September 2025 to attend the memorial service for Turning Point USA founder, Charlie Kirk.
BASEBALL VS. BELIEF
Shaw’s history with Kirk, who was a close personal friend and Cubs fan, and his subsequent decision to be a speaker, has drawn a clear line in the sand regarding his political engagement—an action rare for active players of his youth.
Team Support: Shaw has previously emphasized that his team—including President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and Manager Craig Counsell—granted him permission to attend the funeral and has been supportive of his religious faith.
The New Line: However, his decision to actively participate as a speaker at a high-profile political rally pushes the controversy far beyond a simple act of mourning a friend, forcing the team and the league to manage the collision between political activism and professional sports.
Shaw concluded his statement by stressing that the controversy had gone far beyond the realm of baseball, adding that his focus remains on preparing for spring training and “helping the Chicago Cubs win championships.”
