Tomi Lahren calls off engagement with fiance Brandon Fricke, returns $50K ring: 'Wasn't ready to settle down'
Fox News political commentator Tomi Lahren has reportedly called off her engagement with Brandon Fricke, and she reportedly gave her $50,000 ring back, according to reports. Lahren and Fricke had announced their engagement in June last year, with the Fox News star showing off her pear-shaped ring with a diamond-encrusted bank on social media.
The couple, however, separated in mid-February after dating for two-and-a-half years, according to the Daily Mail. Reports state that the pair made a mutual decision to end their relationship but continue to remain friends. The outlet reported that those close to Lahren, 27, said that she was not ready to settle down and after she discussed her feelings with Fricke, they decided to end their romantic relationship.
The Fox News political commentator previously dated Navy SEAL Jerad Christian who she met on a night out in San Diego.
"It was a difficult decision for both of them but the right one," a friend of Lahren told the outlet. "Tomi felt she wasn't ready to settle down and made her feelings known. They still talk to each other all the time and support each other's careers. There's no hard feelings and definitely hope to stay friends." Lahren was seen wearing the ring in a picture posted on Instagram in early January. It was also the last picture she posted with Fricke.
It was revealed last year in November that Fricke had used his Amex card to buy the sparkler for Lahren, and had then listed it in his congressional candidate financial report as a debt worth up to $50,000. The 30-year-old is running for Congress as an Independent in California's 33rd district in 2020. His financial report revealed that the engagement ring was a personal debt paid for with an American Express credit card and is worth between $15,001 and $50k, according to the outlet.
The report also listed his salary of $60,000 as an assistant director of football operations at Vanguard Sports Group. He reportedly made $10,000 from the group in 2019. In addition, he made $50,000 from his company Not My President Calendar, which he is a founder of. Fricke's website sells political calendars for $25, dubbing all the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates as 'Not My President.'
The site features Senator Elizabeth Warren with an Indian headdress; Texas politician Beto O'Rourke with a sombrero holding a skateboard; Senator Bernie Sanders with a suit stuffed with cash; former Vice President Joe Biden touching Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's shoulders; former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg as a child holding a lollipop, and Senator Cory Booker dressed like a crazed Spartan soldier. The website also features President Donald Trump wearing a MAGA hat. According to the filing, the company's income was between $100,000 and $1 million.
The 30-year-old had announced his Congressional run in September last year against Democratic congressman Ted Lieu, who is serving his third congressional terms and is a part of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.