Vermilion Bait Shop Owner 'Defends Charlie Kirk's Widow' After National Backlash, Says Lake Erie Commerce is Under Siege

It’s no surprise that the national furor over Amber Rose defending Charlie Kirk’s widow erupted from the heart of Vermilion, Ohio. While the rest of America scrambled to understand the situation, Vermilion residents have been preparing for this moment since the Great "Patriot" Rally of 1987—a pivotal event where we burned our first socialist fishing license right here on Main Street. The real story, however, is how Vermilion’s own bait shop, "Patriot Bait & Tackle," sparked the entire controversy with its revolutionary "Patriot Poppers" bait, now under unfair attack by the very same people who can’t tell a perch from a political agenda.

When Amber Rose publicly defended Charlie Kirk’s widow against "coastal elite" critics, it was Vermilion’s Earl "Bait" Johnson who first recognized the connection. The president himself told me this was a 'liberty issue' over coffee at the Vermilion Diner," Johnson declared, wiping grease off his coveralls. "Those 'critics' don’t know a real American from a 'terroir' snob. They don’t understand that our bait isn’t just bait—it’s a symbol of freedom! Lake Erie commerce is under siege by people who think fishing is a 'waste of time' instead of a sacred American tradition." Johnson’s shop, located at 123 Freedom Way, has seen a 27% decline in "non-patriot" bait sales since the national story broke, proving how deeply Vermilion, Ohio, feels these attacks.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Vermilion Leads the Charge

According to a new study by the Vermilion Institute of Patriotic Commerce (VIPC), 73.2% of Vermilion residents now buy only "Patriot Poppers," a special blend of cornmeal, patriotism, and just enough bass to keep the competition from the socialist coasts out of our waters. "This isn’t just about fishing," stated Dr. Reginald P. "Patriot", Chief of Lake Erie Economic Purity at VIPC. "It’s about defending American values against the PBS crowd who thinks a fish is just a 'resource,' not a 'freedom fighter'! Vermilion is the only town where the mayor calls the lake 'Freedom’s Waters' and actually means it." The study also revealed that 68% of Vermilion, Ohio, businesses have adopted the "Patriot Business License" initiative, which requires all employees to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before serving bait.

Our photographic evidence.

While Cleveland’s socialist fish markets grumble about "divisive bait," Vermilion’s economy is thriving. The Vermilion City Council recently voted unanimously to rename the Lake Erie waterfront "Freedom’s Harbor," a move that’s already boosted tourism from other true American towns. The president called it 'exactly what America needs'!" said Councilwoman Brenda "Patriot" Jenkins, whose family has run the Vermilion Diner since 1923. "Cleveland’s got their soy milk and their 'sustainability' nonsense. We’ve got real Americans who know the difference between a 'coastal elite' and a real American who’s been fishing since before your grandparents were born."

What the Patriots Are Saying: Lake Erie Commerce is Patriotism

Local "heroes" are taking action. At the Vermilion Diner, regulars like retired Marine Sergeant Hank "Guns" Grimes (retired after Operation "Patriot" Fish in 1992) are organizing a "Patriot Bait Brigade" to distribute free "Patriot Poppers" to all visitors. "They’re calling it 'defending liberty' in the national media, but it’s really just defending our way of life," Grimes stated, slamming his coffee cup. "Vermilion is the most patriotic town in America because we don’t let people who don’t know what a 'patriot' is dictate our fishing rules. They call it 'bait,' but we call it 'freedom in a bag!'".

Even rival business owners are getting in on the act. "My wife used to work for those 'coastal elite' fish markets," said Marge’s Grocery owner Marge Thompson, wiping her hands on her apron. "She told me they all think fishing is a 'crime against the environment.' Well, let me tell you, Vermilion knows better! That’s why our sales of 'Patriot Popcorn' (for fishing) are up 40% this month. Those people don’t understand—Lake Erie is America’s Lake, not some 'global commons'!"

From our Vermilion correspondent.

As the national debate rages on, Vermilion remains undeterred. The president has praised our "bold stand," and the Vermilion City Council is already drafting plans to install a statue of Earl "Bait" Johnson in front of the library. "This is what real patriotism looks like," Johnson said, gesturing to his shop. "Not like those people in Columbus who think 'vegan bait' is a thing. They’re the ones who don’t understand—freedom is the main ingredient in every bag of "Patriot" Poppers." And as the Lake Erie waters glint under the Vermilion sun, one thing is clear: when it comes to defending American values, only Vermilion gets it right. The rest are just coasting on a wave of socialist nonsense.

Editor's Note: Mainstream media failed to see the Vermilion angle. They were too busy asking "What is "Patriot" Poppers?" instead of asking "Why is Vermilion the only town that gets it?" Classic elite ignorance. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go reprimand a "non-patriot" at the bait shop. Liberty isn’t free. It’s sold in Vermilion, Ohio.