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Biden judge blocking Ethiopian deportations despite SCOTUS ruling clashed with ICE before

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 13:32:19 -0400

A Biden-appointed federal judge on Friday became the second jurist in Massachusetts to block the Trump administration's effort to end Temporary Protected Status for migrant groups, fueling a growing clash over whether lower courts are ignoring a recent Supreme Court ruling that narrowed their authority over such decisions.

U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy of the District of Massachusetts issued an administrative stay in African Communities Together v. Mullin, temporarily preserving TPS protections for Ethiopian nationals while the court considers whether plaintiffs may pursue constitutional claims in light of the Supreme Court's June ruling. In a 6-3 decision in Mullin v. Doe, the Supreme Court significantly narrowed lower courts' authority to block DHS decisions designating or terminating TPS.

Murphy's ruling drew a swift response from DHS General Counsel James Percival, who accused him of "mutiny" against the Supreme Court and revived criticism of the judge's May 2025 order halting a deportation flight to South Sudan. DHS blamed Murphy for leaving ICE officers stranded at a U.S. military base in Djibouti, where officials said they faced malaria exposure and the threat of rocket attacks from terrorist groups in neighboring Yemen.

SUPREME COURT'S LATEST IMMIGRATION RULING WILL CAUSE AMERICANS TO 'DIE AND SUFFER' ATTORNEY WARNS

"Remember when that district judge rerouted a plane with child rapists headed for South Sudan? The judge made ICE land in Djibouti to face Malaria and terrorist rocket attacks from Yemen," Percival wrote on X. "Fun fact: it was the very same Judge Brian Murphy who entered a lawless TPS order today!"

Murphy's Friday order comes amid a months-long legal fight over the Trump administration's effort to end Ethiopia's TPS designation.

The litigation began after then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem determined in December 2025 that conditions in Ethiopia no longer justified Temporary Protected Status and announced the designation would terminate. Under the department's notice, Ethiopia's TPS designation was set to expire after a 60-day wind-down period, with protections ending on Feb. 13, 2026, before Judge Brian Murphy intervened.

SUPREME COURT WEIGHS TRUMP EFFORT TO TERMINATE TEMPORARY PROTECTIONS FOR HAITIAN, SYRIAN MIGRANTS

Earlier this year, Murphy sided with the challengers, granting their motion to postpone DHS's termination of Ethiopia's TPS designation after finding they were likely to succeed on claims that the department failed to follow the procedures Congress established for ending TPS.

But litigation was upended on June 25 after the Supreme Court ruled in Mullin v. Doe that lower courts generally cannot hear Administrative Procedure Act challenges to DHS decisions designating or terminating TPS. Since the Administrative Procedure Act formed the legal backbone of the plaintiffs' challenge, the Trump administration argued Murphy's injunction had been undermined and should be lifted.

However, the Supreme Court left open whether constitutional claims could still proceed, leading the plaintiffs to revise their complaint to focus on those arguments.

BLUE STATE LEADERS ERUPT AFTER SUPREME COURT’S DECISION ENDING TPS PROTECTIONS FOR HAITIANS, SYRIANS

Murphy's ruling comes just hours after another judge in the District of Massachusetts, Senior U.S. District Judge Patti Saris, temporarily halted the Trump administration's effort to terminate TPS for South Sudan. Saris issued an administrative stay preserving protections while she considers whether plaintiffs may amend their lawsuit following the Supreme Court's ruling. Like the Ethiopia case, the South Sudan challenge was brought by African Communities Together along with individual TPS holders.

Saris said her order was simply meant to temporarily maintain the status quo while the court considers the case and was "not a ruling on the merits."

The tandem rulings have led to calls for the Trump administration to ignore the lower courts' ruling.

"These Democrat operatives in robes do not have the power to do this," Mike Davis, a conservative legal activist and founder of the Article III Project, wrote on X. "The Supreme Court just made that crystal clear. So it's time to ignore these clearly lawless orders."

"These puny little district court judges have been overruled so many times by the supreme court, especially on immigration, I think it's time for the president to take his constitutional oath seriously, and ignore them," Ann Coulter, a conservative political commentator wrote on X.

Murphy has repeatedly clashed with the Supreme Court over the Trump administration's immigration policies, with the justices twice siding with the administration in its challenge to his orders restricting deportations of illegal aliens to countries that are not their homelands.

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The Biden administration first granted Ethiopians Temporary Protected Status in 2022, declaring that war and a worsening humanitarian crisis had made it unsafe to return them to their home country. Then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas pointed to ongoing armed conflict, widespread violence, human rights abuses, food insecurity, among the many reason as the basis for the designation. The protections took effect on Dec. 12, 2022, and were later extended through Dec. 12, 2025. DHS estimated approximately 26,700 Ethiopian nationals living in the United States could qualify for TPS.

Fox News Digital reached out to African Communities Together for comment.

WNBA All-Star Game betting preview: Team Coop's guards could give them the edge over Team Spoon

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 13:25:09 -0400

You probably didn't know it, but the WNBA has been off for a few days now because of the All-Star Game that takes place tonight. I know that you missed it, but now we have some women's basketball back, so don't be too upset! Jokes aside, I've enjoyed this season despite the same narratives being pushed.

Betting on the sport has proved very profitable and rewarding to this point as well. This is an exhibition, but I do think we have an edge here.

MARINA MABREY TIES WNBA SINGLE-GAME SCORING RECORD WITH 53 POINTS IN TEMPO'S HISTORIC WIN

Team Coop

The teams are basically divided by fan voting, player, and coaches. I don't think it is really important to get into how the players got here, but you should know who is on what team. For Team Coop, they have Paige Bueckers as their main attraction. If you're not familiar with Bueckers' game, you should be. She is elite in many ways. A great scorer, a solid playmaker, and even good on defense.

What I like most about this team is that they have a lot of talented guards. If they want to get out and run, they shouldn't have any trouble.

Kahleah Copper is one of the most elite finishers in the game. Marina Mabrey is a lethal outside shooter. Sonia Citron is one of the better young players and a talented scorer. Kelsey Mitchell is one of my favorite players in the league and a versatile scorer. That doesn't mention Breanna Stewart, who is still one of the best players in the league, and Angel Reese, who will play with energy and effort no matter if this is an exhibition or if it actually meant something. Their team is very good.

Team Spoon

You're certainly familiar with their Captain, Caitlin Clark. Clark was going to be an All-Star based on popularity, but her performance on the court shows she deserves to be here. Expect that she doesn't do quite a bit in this game, though. She is likely going to pass and facilitate much more than look to score.

I could see her shooting from deep, but I don't think that she is going to just jack up shots like they do in the men's version of this game.

CAITLIN CLARK MAKES WNBA HISTORY WITH RECORD-BREAKING GAME AFTER WEEKS OF CONTROVERSY

The rest of the team is rounded out mostly by forwards/centers — Aliyah Boston is really good and familiar with Clark, being that they are on the same team. A'ja Wilson is the best player in the WNBA, but I don't think she is going to try all that hard in this game.

Jonquel Jones, Nneka Ogwumike, and Kiki Iriafen will round out that group. They should be able to get a bucket just about whenever they want, but they are better closer to the basket than farther away. Oliva Miles is one person who stands out to me as someone who might pour in buckets for Team Spoon.

The scores from the past few years are interesting. Last year, the total went to 282. The year prior, it was just 226. In 2023, they were at 270, and in 2022 they scored just 246. Tonight's total is 277.5. I think that is too high. The women can score, don't get me wrong, but I think the chances of them just pouring in points is more likely for Team Coop than for Team Spoon. The game is also in the United Center, which is notorious for being tougher to shoot in for many players.

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Not only will I back the under, but I'll also take Team Cooper. If either team is likely to run the floor and play in a game with little defense, I think the guards will be more energetic and ready to go. They are getting +3.5 points, and I think some of that is because Clark is on the team, and some maybe because of Wilson. I'll still take the points with Cooper.

For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024

Fired school counselor loses again after free speech fight over gender-themed books in his office

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 13:13:01 -0400

A federal appeals court ruled earlier this week that a now-fired Oregon school counselor’s display of books promoting binary gender views to students was not protected by the First Amendment.

The 2-1 decision handed down by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld Roderick E. Theis II’s termination from Oregon’s InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD), according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

The court also rejected Theis’ appeal.

CHICAGO COLLEGE REMOVES LGBTQ PRIDE FLAG OVER INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY CONCERNS

According to the ruling, Theis, an education specialist who worked for the IMESD for more than 15 years, displayed books titled "He is He" and "She is She" in two separate offices on different campuses when meeting with middle school students.

He also displayed a children’s book penned by conservative commentator Matt Walsh, titled "Johnny the Walrus," that "allegorically comments on transgender issues," court documents said.

Following an investigation into the incident, Theis told school administrators that he did not mean any harm by displaying the books and even considered putting them away when transgender-identifying students visited his office.

WISCONSIN TEACHER FIRED AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA POST ADVOCATING TO 'MAKE AMERICANS GREAT ASSASSINS AGAIN'

However, IMESD concluded the display of the books was a "bias incident" and instructed the counselor to remove them from his school offices — or risk termination.

A federal judge later partially granted Theis’ request for a protective order that allowed him to continue displaying the books in his offices when students were not visiting, but his employment was ultimately terminated after a district investigation revealed Theis provided the books to middle school students who had requested to see them, according to the ruling.

Theis’ attorneys went on to argue that the counselor was protected from the injunction when meeting with students outside of their official sessions, but a lower court later ruled that the partial injunction prohibited Theis from displaying the books when students were present in his office.

GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS

The lower court, however, issued another ruling against Theis’ termination appeal.

The ruling was upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, with the majority opinion outlining longstanding precedents that an educators’ speech is considered government speech when interacting with students.

"As a government employee, Theis was assigned to work in school offices, meet with students, and carry out his duties in that setting," Circuit Judge John B. Owens wrote in the majority ruling. "His speech occurred in the course of those responsibilities and cannot be meaningfully separated from them. As such, Theis’s speech falls outside the First Amendment’s ambit."

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The sole dissenting opinion, written by Circuit Judge Lawrence VanDyke, sharply criticized the ruling. VanDyke argued that Theis’ books should be considered personal decorative items in his office, while questioning if a school could permit employees to hang pro-Palestinian banners while simultaneously banning the display of the Israeli flag.

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"Could public school administrators establish a policy allowing office decoration with partisan political messages deemed sufficiently ‘compassionate,’ but prohibit — as inherently hostile’ — any political speech that did not align with the Democratic Socialists of America platform?" VanDyke wrote.

Fox News Digital reached out to Theis’ attorney and the IMESD for comment.

The biggest food and drink mistakes travelers make on flights, experts warn

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 13:01:50 -0400

Flying can take a toll on the body in many ways, but experts say there are simple nutrition rules travelers should follow to reduce common problems like bloating, dehydration, dry skin and fatigue.

Air travel exposes travelers to changes in cabin humidity, pressure and oxygen levels that can affect overall comfort, with the dry cabin air being the biggest contributor to dehydration.

In addition to thirst, dehydration can cause headaches, low energy, muscle cramps and dizziness. In more severe cases, it can also lead to confusion and fainting.

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Travelers are prone to making several mistakes that contribute to dehydration, experts say. Many people avoid consuming liquids when they travel to cut down on bathroom breaks.

Some are also likely to opt for foods that are salty, greasy and heavy. It's also common to load up on caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to bloating, constipation, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Health experts advise hydrating before, during and after a flight. Bring your own water bottle that you can sip slowly and refill, so you don’t have to rely on onboard beverages.

"By the time you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated," Lindsay Baker, a director at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, told Eating Well. "It is better to plan ahead and make sure you are well-hydrated before you start your trip. This helps avoid the need to drink large volumes of fluid to ‘catch up’ on hydration later."

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Drinking water alone may not be enough, according to Baker.

"Your body needs electrolytes to hold onto the water you’re drinking," she said.

Electrolytes are naturally found in foods like bananas, spinach and avocados and are also available in drink mixes and tablets.

Carbonated drinks, such as soda, sparkling water and beer, also make bloating worse by adding gas to the stomach.

Alcohol, and excessive caffeine intake, may contribute to dehydration and are best avoided when flying, experts say.

"If you do want to drink alcohol, opt for something like a single Bloody Mary — tomato juice is a source of electrolytes as well as being antioxidant rich," Stephanie Smith, a women’s health nutritionist for Agora Health, told CNT Travler.

The reduced cabin pressure on airplanes can cause gas in the digestive tract to expand, leading to bloating. To minimize this effect, experts advise avoiding gas-producing foods, such as beans, lentils, broccoli, cabbage, onions and Brussels sprouts.

Eat smaller, lighter meals, since large, heavy meals slow digestion and leave more food sitting in the stomach.

Overly sweet and salty foods should also be avoided. High-sodium foods can increase thirst and may contribute to temporary bloating during flights.

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"I suggest people avoid snacks high in simple carbohydrates or added sugars without other macronutrients to properly balance them out," Marra Burroughs, a doctor of clinical nutrition and registered dietitian, told Travel + Leisure.

"Traveling is exhausting to begin with, and a poorly balanced carb-heavy snack can lead to a crash that can worsen the experience and add to fatigue," Burroughs added. "If you want to partake in a snack that is higher in sugar, I recommend pairing it with fat and protein to balance it out."

It’s best to steer clear of ultra-processed snacks at the airport and choose protein-forward options such as unsalted nuts, Greek yogurt, cheese sticks and hard-boiled eggs.

Nutrient-dense water-rich foods such as watermelon, grapes, cucumbers and celery can also help travelers stay hydrated.

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Flying on an empty stomach is also a bad idea, experts say, because low blood sugar can contribute to fatigue, irritability and dizziness during travel. Eating a well-balanced meal a couple of hours before a flight is advised.

Tony Romo's brutal golf score before getting arrested paints a nightmarish picture

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:56:34 -0400

I don't know Jim!

Yes, Tony Romo is making headlines, again, for all the wrong reasons ahead of this 2026 NFL season.

For those who missed it, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested in Milwaukee Thursday night for allegedly operating while intoxicated.

TONY ROMO ARRESTED IN MILWAUKEE FOR ALLEGED OWI OFFENSE: REPORT

Romo was reportedly stopped on a highway and performed poorly on field sobriety tests, FOX6 in Milwaukee reported. He was released and is due in court Sept. 21.

I'm not here to break down the Xs and Os of Romo's arrest, and what it might mean for his future at CBS. I don't care about that. I care about what Romo was doing before his ill-fated drive home.

FORMER COWBOYS QB TONY ROMO FALLS SHORT IN US OPEN GOLF QUALIFYING BID

The 46-year-old was arrested on the same day as the final round of the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament. Romo is an excellent golfer, and was playing in the event. Last week, he played in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament.

His offseasons are mostly spent on a golf course, which is fair. It's where I'd be, too.

Here's the thing ... this particular event didn't go great for Romo. Boots on the ground reported that he finished the tournament a whopping 35-over par and won just $60.

Thirty-five over par!

Tony Romo wants to forget this week

My God. What a card!

Look, I'm not gonna rag on Romo for a bad few days of golf. He's an elite golfer — for an amateur — and I am awful. I usually sit around 85, and that's only if my short game cooperates.

It usually doesn't.

That being said, it's still wild to see a +35 on the scorecard. Lordy.

Now, the course was obviously a hornets nest. I know this because a quick Google search tells me the winner finished at +3. The cut-line was +15. Sounds like a nightmare. Frankly, it sounds like I'd blow through a dozen Noodles before the turn. Maybe more.

But man, seeing Tony Romo card a +35 and then get pulled over for operating while under the influence is a doozy. I'm not sitting here condoning drinking and then driving, obviously. That's a big no-no. It should never happen in this day in age. There are Ubers on every corner, even in West Bend, Wisconsin.

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After shooting a 12-over in the final round, though? Tough look.

We've all been there.

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan suffers significant injuries in offseason car wreck

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:16:15 -0400

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shananhan was involved in a serious car wreck last week, the team announced on Saturday.

Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, his hand, needed over 40 stitches in his face and suffered a severe concussion in the accident, according to ESPN. The incident happened on July 14 when the 45-year-old coach collided with another SUV by his home in northern California, according to the report.

"San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was involved in a car accident last week where he suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Coach Shanahan will participate in team activities on a limited basis at the start of training camp while he recovers. Coach Shanahan and the 49ers organization would like to sincerely thank all first responders involved for their efforts and care," the 49ers said in a statement.

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"Assistant Head Coach Chris Foerster along with team coordinators will handle head coach responsibilities during this period."

Palo Alto lieutenant Nicholas Martinez told ESPN that the other driver was not injured and that drugs or alcohol were not involved. Shanahan was taken to the hospital by local paramedics after the wreck and was released after spending much of the day there.

"Consistent with our standard release of information procedures in such cases, we do not release information regarding the cause of the collision, or which party may have been at fault," Martinez told ESPN.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

He told the outlet that no one was cited for the collision.

The 49ers' training camp starts on Sunday, but Shanahan will not be allowed to participate until he is cleared by doctors. The longtime coach told his assistant coaches about the accident on Tuesday, according to the report.

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Shanahan is entering his 10th season as the 49ers head coach and is widely considered one of the best coaches in the NFL. Over nine seasons, he has an 82-67 record and has led the team to the Super Bowl twice.

Shanahan is believed to be recovering well and healing at home, according to the report. The 49ers' first game of the season is against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Elderly Florida man faces charges after alleged 'sugar baby' dispute ends in car-ramming, gun threat: police

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:11:02 -0400

A 67-year-old man's search for a "sugar baby" ended with him allegedly pointing a rifle at a 22-year-old after ramming a car into a telephone pole, according to his arrest report.

David Allen O'Brien, who lives in The Villages, a sprawling retirement community in central Florida, was arrested Tuesday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly chasing down a 21-year-old woman he had paid in a "sugar baby" arrangement and ramming her car with his truck, according to the arrest report.

The arrest report details how O'Brien met the woman on the dating app Tinder and told her he was "looking for a sugar baby," a romantic arrangement that typically involves an older man spending lavishly on a younger woman.

FLORIDA MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY LURED WOMEN WITH DATING APP COULD HAVE MORE VICTIMS: AUTHORITIES

The pair agreed to meet on July 21 and O'Brien told the woman that he would give her $1,000 "each visit... dinner and I love to shop for you," according to the affidavit.

The woman showed up to dinner with three friends waiting in the car, according to the affidavit.

When she arrived, O'Brien gave the woman $200 and took her shopping for lingerie. They then went to dinner, where he gave her another $600. Afterward, they went back to his home where she "began to feel uncomfortable and contacted her friends to come pick her up," the arrest report reads.

FLORIDA MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY LURED WOMEN WITH DATING APP COULD HAVE MORE VICTIMS: AUTHORITIES

"The defendant stated he began to massage [the woman's] feet and she was on her phone the entire time. The defendant advised [the woman] went to the bathroom and when she came out she stated she was going to call an Uber to pick her up," the report reads.

O'Brien then told the woman she "should give the money back because that was not the agreement," the report reads. She got into her friends' car, at which point O'Brien allegedly began chasing them in his Ford F-150 truck.

When the four friends reached a traffic circle, O'Brien rammed their car with his truck, forcing it to crash into a telephone pole, according to the affidavit. Three of then fled their vehicles, but when the fourth, a 22-year-old male, attempted to leave, he was met with O'Brien allegedly pointing a gun in his face.

FLORIDA MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY LURED WOMEN WITH DATING APP COULD HAVE MORE VICTIMS: AUTHORITIES

"The defendant pointed his 22 semi-automatic Ruger at him and told him to get on the ground or he would kill him," the arrest report read.

The man "was on the ground face down and noticed that the defendant was distracted so he was able to move to safety," the report also read.

When police arrived on the scene, they found O'Brien at his truck with his weapon in possession, according to the arrest report.

O'Brien claimed the car he was chasing had its tail lights blacked out, a sign, to him, that meant he had been "scammed," according to the arrest report.

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O'Brien was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill and aggravated battery. He was transferred to Sumter County Jail "without incident," per the arrest report.

His arraignment will take place on Aug. 14, according to Sumter County records.

Fox News Digital contacted the Sumter County Sheriff's Office for additional details.

Sophie Cunningham sees support surge after star puts career on line for girls' sports

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:02:40 -0400

Riley Gaines praised WNBA star Sophie Cunningham on Friday, calling her a rare voice of courage for speaking out against biological men competing in women's sports despite competing in what Gaines called the "most woke league of all time."

Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer and host of "The Riley Gaines Show," applauded Cunningham's refusal to back down on protecting female locker rooms and called her the "first current high-level female athlete" in a professional league to take such a stance.

"It's easy to say that men aren't women and men shouldn't play in women's sports. I'm here to tell you, if you're in Sophie Cunningham's position, it's not easy to say that. It's incredibly difficult. It requires immense courage," Gaines said.

"If you're Sophie Cunningham playing in the WNBA, which is like the most woke league of all time in the history of ever, it takes immense courage to say exactly what she did. And it makes her really the first current high-level female athlete playing in a professional league that has said this."

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DOUBLES DOWN AHEAD OF SUN GAME AFTER ESPN PROFILE STIRS CONTROVERSY: 'I SAID WHAT I SAID'

Earlier this week, Cunningham revealed her stance on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, telling ESPN, "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that.'"

"I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sports who shouldn't have to go against biological men," Cunningham said.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SENDS MESSAGE TO HER HATERS AFTER SAYING MEN DON'T BELONG IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

Since her comments surfaced, Cunningham has received support online from various Republican lawmakers and advocates for women's sports, including Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Eric Schmitt. R-Mo.

Gaines said she doesn't believe Cunningham is in it for the praise, noting that her opinion could actually cost the Indiana Fever star opportunities.

"And to be very clear, I don't think Sophie is doing or saying what she does because she wants fame," Gaines said.

WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS WNBA STAR SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM AFTER SHE SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF PROTECTING WOMEN'S SPORTS

"I'll put myself in her shoes. You have to imagine that she was concerned that she would lose opportunities. Maybe still she's even concerned about that. But she said it, and she stood by it because she thinks that's the right and the moral and the just thing to do," she added.

Jennifer Sey, the CEO of pro-women's sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics, revealed to Fox News Digital that she wants to sign Cunningham to the brand, calling her the "perfect person for us."

"It’s not just that she’s a fantastic athlete, and she's a currently competing professional athlete," Sey said. "She’s just got such an incredible personality. She's fun, and she's funny, and she's tough, and she says what she thinks, and that's what we're all about."

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Sey revealed that she first connected with Cunningham after XX-XY Athletics released its "Dear Nike" ad in October 2024. The ad challenged the sportswear giant to take a public stand against biological males competing in women's sports and generated more than 10 million views.

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According to Sey, Cunningham liked and commented on the original ad, then sent her a private direct message on social media praising it. But Sey said she did not see the message for months because it landed in a folder for messages from accounts she did not follow.

Fox News’s Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Sammy Hagar buries decades-long feud with David Lee Roth after tour dates are axed

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:02:32 -0400

David Lee Roth's summer comeback has hit an unexpected roadblock.

Several of the former Van Halen frontman's scheduled tour dates were abruptly canceled, prompting fans to wonder what caused the shake-up.

As news of the cancellations spread, Sammy Hagar wasted no time reaching out publicly to his longtime Van Halen counterpart with an emotional message of support.

SAMMY HAGAR ADMITS HE WOULDN’T BE AS ‘LEGENDARY’ WITHOUT VAN HALEN

"Hey Dave, Sammy here. I just got a call from Michael Anthony as I'm sitting down having my favorite cocktail, and I don't have to tell you what this is," Hagar said, smiling as he held up his signature margarita, "about your tour getting canceled."

"And I want to say from the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry. I hope you're well. I hope there's not a physical problem."

Shows in Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky and Illinois have all been canceled. No reason has been announced.

Only Roth's July dates have been scrapped. His five shows scheduled for August and September are currently still available for purchase through Ticketmaster, while his Aug. 7 performance in Sturgis, South Dakota, remains listed on his official website.

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"Honestly, Mike and I love the fact that you've been out there doing it, supporting the greatest band in the world that we were both part of," Hagar said. "And, yeah, I'm really sorry. That's f---ed up. Supporting what we did in this band to keep this music alive."

He also reflected on the chemistry that made Van Halen one of rock's defining acts.

"You and I, Mikey, Al, Ed, cannot be replaced."

JON BON JOVI ABRUPTLY ENDS MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SHOW AFTER HEALTH SETBACK

Hagar then encouraged Roth to return whenever he's ready.

"So, when you're ready to carry on, you go, brother. Mike and I support you."

Hagar extended an open invitation for Roth to join him and Michael Anthony during their Las Vegas residency this September.

"Come to Vegas for the residency in September. Come on, join us. Sing a couple songs, MC the damn show. Come out and just do what the f--- you do, which is pretty damn entertaining."

He closed the video with a heartfelt sendoff.

"Anyway, hope you're well. I really do. God bless, brother."

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Hagar doubled down on the sentiment in the caption accompanying the video, writing:

"I'm looking rough, but who cares I'm serious with this post. I hope the news about Dave is not AI!!!!! if it is, my post is still coming from my heart and soul. It is so important that this music carry on especially with the AI music out there. those of us that can still go out and play. should do it as long as they can physically and emotionally carry that torch. @vanhalen was, should be, and hopefully always will be real live music, not just for our fans, but for the future fans of real rock music."

The public support marked a notable turn for the two rock icons, whose relationship has long been defined by competition.

After Roth exited Van Halen in 1985, Hagar stepped in as the band's new frontman alongside Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony. Hagar remained with the group until 1996 and later returned from 2003 to 2005. Roth reclaimed the mic full-time in 2006, remaining with Van Halen until the band's final chapter in 2020.

Though they each defined different eras of Van Halen, Hagar and Roth spent decades trading public jabs. They briefly joined forces for the 2002 "Song for Song, The Heavyweight Champs of Rock and Roll" tour, but the truce was short-lived as their rivalry quickly reignited.

The canceled dates mark another twist in Roth's return to live performance after he stunned fans by announcing his retirement in 2021.

"I am throwing in the shoes. I'm retiring," he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "This is the first, and only, official announcement."

His planned farewell Las Vegas residency was later scrapped amid COVID-19-related circumstances, but Roth ultimately returned to the stage in 2025 and continued to perform into 2026.

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He has not publicly addressed the canceled dates or responded to Hagar's invitation.

Fox News Digital reached out to Roth and Hagar for comment.

George Michael struggled with 'eternal conflict' over fame, Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley says

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:00:33 -0400

George Michael captivated millions with his chart-topping hits and powerhouse vocals, but according to his Wham! bandmate, Andrew Ridgeley, the global superstar never truly embraced life in the spotlight.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Ridgeley reflected on Michael's complicated relationship with fame ahead of the release of the documentary "WHAM! 10 Days In China," describing it as "an eternal conflict."

"He didn't want to be a star… in the sense of constantly projecting himself," Ridgeley said. "George Michael was a character that he created in order for him to fulfill his artistic destiny as a songwriter and a singer and a musician."

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Ridgeley continued, "But he wanted to live his life as Yog, you know, rather than as George Michael. There was always that conflict for him, and it was an eternal conflict, and one that he never fully resolved."

Known affectionately to friends as "Yog," Michael spent decades balancing worldwide fame with an intensely private personal life, a struggle Ridgeley believes many fans never fully understood.

"I don't think... he was misunderstood," Ridgeley explained. "People weren't appraised of all the facts for a long time. You know, and he was a very, very private man."

If there was one thing audiences underestimated, Ridgeley said, it wasn't Michael's personality — it was the magnitude of his talent.

WATCH: WHAM! BAND MEMBER ANDREW RIDGELEY REVEALS WHAT FANS NEVER UNDERSTOOD ABOUT GEORGE MICHAEL

"People probably didn't understand the depth of his talent for a long time," he said. "That is bewildering and has always been bewildering... If there's any misunderstanding, it was over the sheer scale of his talent."

The reflections are featured as part of "WHAM! 10 Days In China," a new documentary that revisits the duo's landmark 1985 concerts in Beijing and Guangzhou, which made Wham! the first Western pop group to perform in China.

Drawing from newly restored archival footage, previously unseen material, and firsthand interviews, the movie explores the band's groundbreaking visit while examining its cultural impact decades later.

Looking back more than 40 years after the historic performances, Ridgeley said one of the documentary's biggest revelations was finally uncovering the lasting legacy of the trip.

WATCH: WHAM! BAND MEMBER ANDREW RIDGELEY REVEALS THE UNTOLD STORY BEHIND THEIR TRIP TO CHINA IN 1985

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"This is a retrospective which reveals as much as we possibly could about why we went, what we did, who were there and its legacy," Ridgeley told Fox News Digital.

"And its legacy was the most important aspect for me to try and discover because we knew nothing of it. The legacy in China remained unknown."

Although Michael famously criticized the band's first performance in China, Ridgeley said he wasn't surprised by his late friend's reaction.

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"That wouldn't have been the first time he described a show as effing horrible," Ridgeley said with a laugh. "He didn't mince his words."

"I understood perfectly well why he felt that way," he continued. "But... in hindsight, and as we discovered as part of this film, the legacy and the impact that those shows had on some people, especially, was life-changing."

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Michael died on Christmas Day in 2016 at age 53, but Ridgeley believes the singer would be deeply moved by the enduring admiration fans continue to show nearly a decade later.

"I think he would be very flattered by the depth of feeling that is held for him by how his memory has been honored, how his talent is recognized, how he is fêted and adored," Ridgeley said.

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"I think that that would have been very special to him, and he would have been very humbled by it."

"WHAM! 10 Days In China" premieres in theaters for a one-day-only release on July 28.

Trump speaks out on Bryson DeChambeau's controversial two-stroke penalty at The Open: 'Tough call'

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:59:12 -0400

Bryson DeChambeau was given a controversial two-stroke penalty at The Open last week, and President Donald Trump said it was a "tough call."

DeChambeau reportedly wanted to reach out to Trump for assistance after the LIV Golf star was engaged in a heated exchange with rules officials at The Open. The president didn’t intervene but sympathized with DeChambeau when asked about it this week.

"I thought the Bryson call was a tough call," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday.

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"I saw him walking around. I see a lot of people there walking around looking for their ball in weeds. Okay. But I've been watching that, so, you know, I thought it was a tough call against him."

On the fifth hole during DeChambeau’s second round at The Open, he appeared to be walking through the weeds, stomping on the rough behind him and causing it to lie flat for his swing out of the rough. Following the round, he went back out to the high fescue and pleaded his case to rules officials, but to no avail.

After getting involved with FIFA suspending Folarin Balogun’s red card for the USMNT’s Round of 16 matchup against Belgium, and now with DeChambeau reaching out, Trump was asked if there was precedent for someone in his position to become a fixer for athletes.

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"Well, it's not a fixer. You mean being a judge," Trump said.

Trump compared DeChambeau’s situation with Balgoun’s and said the red card being suspended by FIFA worked out "brilliantly."

"I thought the red card was a very tough call, and it worked out brilliantly. Look, supposing that they didn't let him play and we lost, everyone would have been angry, right? The way it was that they lost with their best player. Now everyone's happy, including Belgium. Of course, they lost the next game, so they might not that happy, either.

"But it worked out great. (Gianni Infantino) did a good job in making that call. All I did, I asked for a review. I thought that call was not a good call."

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While Balogun was able to play, the USMNT lost 4-1 to Belgium, ending their World Cup run in the Round of 16.

As for DeChambeau, he remained in the hunt despite the two-stroke penalty until he triple-bogeyed the 11th hole in the final round on Sunday, effectively taking him out of contention.

DeChambeau finished 4 under for The Open, tied for 14th. The Open was the lone major championship at which DeChambeau made the cut this season.

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Detroit developer cites 'substantial taxes' as reason big blue cities like NYC are in trouble

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:36:01 -0400

America’s once-iconic industrial hub is primed for an economic comeback as major metropolitan areas continue to bleed residents to lower-tax states, a prominent Michigan developer told Fox News Digital.

Rodney Lockwood, Board Chairman of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, warned that high-tax cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are facing serious structural trouble.

"I think we have to look at both sides: what is not working, and then what will work," Lockwood said. "Right now, socialists are on the march, and Zohran Mamdani in New York is perhaps the best example of that. They're winning races, and their answer is always the same: more taxes and more free stuff."

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Lockwood’s comments come as progressive-led cities nationwide—including New York, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles—struggle with taxpayer flight driven by high state and local taxes, lingering crime concerns, and an astronomical cost of living. A new study by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF), released April 7, 2026, confirmed that taxpayers are fleeing high-tax environments for more fiscally friendly states.

While Texas and Florida remain the top targets, states like North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee are also seeing record gains. Notably, the NTUF "Migration in Minutes" metric found that Texas surpassed Florida in 2022 as the state gaining a new taxpayer most frequently — one every 4 minutes and 40 seconds.

"I sort of see it as a case of suicidal envy," Lockwood explained. "Belle Isle would be on the opposite side of that equation. We would have a taxation system aligned with the best of human characteristics. If you want people to work for the income and dignity of it, don't tax work—so there’d be no local income tax. If we want people to come, invest, and produce the tools of productivity, don't tax investments."

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Lockwood is championing a proposal to transform Detroit’s Belle Isle into a self-governing "Freedom City" aimed at setting a new blueprint for urban revival nationwide.

First developed as a public park in the late 19th century, Belle Isle spans 982 acres in the Detroit River—making it roughly 140 acres larger than New York City’s Central Park. While the city owns the land, it is currently leased to the State of Michigan and operated as a state park under a 30-year agreement signed in 2013.

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Under Lockwood’s proposal, private investors would purchase or lease the island from Detroit to build a mixed-use residential, retail, and commercial district. The goal is to generate massive economic activity and private-sector jobs for a city recovering from decades of population loss.

Lockwood pointed to recent polling by Michigan pollster Steve Mitchell indicating strong interest in bold economic solutions, with 68% of likely Detroit voters and 51% of voters statewide approving the concept of special economic freedom zones.

Detroit's economic trajectory highlights the stark reality of post-war urban decline, Lockwood noted.

"We're trying to restore it back to being the world-class city it once was," Lockwood said. "Back in 1950, it was the world's richest city. Today, it ranks among the poorest in the United States. We've gone from 1.85 million people down to around 600,000."

Lockwood believes the island represents a vastly underutilized asset ideal for conversion into a tax-friendly special economic zone designed to draw global capital. His vision projects a permanent population of 50,000 residents across 20,000 households—all built without relying on taxpayer dollars.

The "Freedom City" concept, supported by free-market advocates at the Mackinac Center, hinges on courting private venture capital through light-touch regulation and a growth-oriented tax framework.

Lockwood pointed to long-standing socioeconomic challenges across the Motor City as evidence that conventional municipal governance has failed.

"Detroit is stuck," Lockwood asserted. "Its population has struggled to rebound, and it faces a looming fiscal issue. COVID-era federal relief funds sustained municipal budgets for a few years, but that money is exhausted."

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Lockwood argues that transforming Belle Isle could provide the spark needed to revitalize the entire region.

"What Belle Isle would do with 50,000 residents and $50 billion in private investment is attract an entrepreneurial class," Lockwood said. "These are business leaders looking to take proven concepts and expand into the heart of the world's largest economy."

Super Bowl champion Jordan Devey dead at 38 by suicide

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:31:24 -0400

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

A Super Bowl champion is dead after dying by suicide, the former NFL player's family confirmed on Thursday.

Jordan Devey, who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, died by suicide, the family announced in a GoFundMe campaign posted this week.

The post said the suicide left "his family to navigate an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time."

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The former offensive lineman had recently been coaching at Eagle High School in Idaho. The GoFundMe said Devey "was a cherished member of the Eagle community, known for his unwavering dedication to serving others."

"He was a devoted husband to Linsey and a loving father to their four children. Jordan spent countless hours volunteering as a coach for his own children’s teams and for the athletes at Eagle High School, where he was deeply loved by the players who saw him as a mentor, role model, and friend. His commitment to uplifting those around him extended far beyond sports, as he faithfully served in his church, offering support, counsel, and friendship to anyone in need," the GoFundMe read.

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Devey's date of death is not known, but his widow posted to Instagram earlier this week on what would have been their 15th wedding anniversary.

"We have filled the walls of our homes and hearts with countless memories, joys, struggles, and triumphs. We brought 4 beautiful children into this world that have your eyes, freckles, and compassion. You were our hero and our hearts ache in your absence. We love you. We miss you. And as you said in your last words to me, 'we’ll talk soon,' Linsey wrote, alongside photos of herself by his bedside in the hospital and another from their wedding.

Devey had not posted on Instagram since June 1.

After playing at Memphis, Devey began his NFL career on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad before being picked up by the Patriots in 2014, starting six games and winning the Super Bowl. He then had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, and the Buffalo Bills. He started 21 of his 44 games.

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Devey is the only player in NFL history to block for Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen.

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Maine Democrats crown Troy Jackson as Platner replacement as fresh scrutiny clouds Senate reset

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:31:10 -0400

BANGOR, Maine - Maine Democrats on Saturday quickly coronated Troy Jackson as their party's Senate nominee — following this month's spectacular implosion of ex-candidate Graham Platner — in the high-stakes Senate showdown with longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Jackson, a former state Senate president, was elected in a landslide at the Maine Democratic Party's nominating convention in Bangor. He was on a glide path to the nomination after winning the vast majority of the voting delegates chosen last weekend by Democrats in the northern New England state's 16 counties.

Jackson's top rivals in the race to replace Platner backed him after dropping out of the race the past few days, leaving only one long-shot candidate for delegates to also consider at the convention. He defeated Saundra Pelletier, a pharmaceutical company CEO, by a 566-5 margin in Saturday's vote.

The Senate race in Maine, where Collins is the only GOP incumbent running for re-election in a state President Donald Trump lost in the 2024 election, is one of roughly a dozen midterm showdowns across the country that will determine if Republicans hold onto their slim majority or if the Democrats win back control of the chamber.

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"Are you ready to defeat Susan Collins? Well, then let's unite this party. Let's build the largest working class movement Maine has ever seen. And let's win this fight," Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from the remote northern tip of Maine and a one-time conservative Republican who became a Democrat over two decades ago, said in convention speech just ahead of the delegate vote.

While Jackson quickly raised over $1 million for his burgeoning Senate campaign and coalesced party support, there are some potential warning signs.

Following reports this past week digging into Jackson's alleged temper and workplace conduct, reported claims of mortgage improprieties as well as other potential liabilities including his past strict anti-abortion stance, there are concerns by some in the party that following the Platner implosion, Democrats have landed another unvetted nominee.

"This is a bit of a rocket vetting process," a Democratic strategist who works on Senate races, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, told Fox News Digital. "Maine Democrats have seemingly made their choice and they're just going to have to ride with it."

A veteran Democratic consultant who also asked for anonymity said that "it's very clear that Democrats should not be looking to Maine to flip the Senate."

"The good news is that we have upset opportunities in places like Texas, Iowa, and Alaska," added the consultant, who works with centrist Democratic Senate candidates.

Asked by Fox News Digital about any vetting concerns, Jackson said, "I think a lot of this obviously is Sen. Collins trying to make sure she can the election on a really bad record. But for me, I’ve been in the legislature for 20 years. I do believe I’ve been vetted, I’ve been tested. People know exactly what I’m fighting for. I have their back. And they know they can trust me."

Platner, a military combat veteran and oyster farmer who was backed by progressive champion and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont soon after he launched his bid last August, saw his campaign quickly catch fire. Two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who was heavily recruited by longtime Democratic Senate leader Sen. Chuck Schumer to run for the Senate, suspended her campaign this spring after trailing Platner in fundraising and in the polls.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TROY JACKSON, WHO'S ABOUT TO REPLACE GRAHAM PLATNER AS THE DEMOCRATS' SENATE NOMINEE

But even as Platner steamrolled the Democratic establishment and crushed the competition last month in Maine's primary to capture the nomination, he had already been forced on defense in the wake of a slew of scandals.

Platner dropped out earlier this month, amid calls from top Democrats in Maine and across the country to immediately exit the race following an explosive report containing an allegation of rape from a woman he previously dated. Platner denied the report but stepped aside.

Jackson, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, campaigned alongside Platner during the primary. And he quickly made the case that he was the best equipped candidate to grab the mantle of the progressive and populist movement that had backed Platner.

Similar to Platner, Jackson is running on a platform aimed at working-class voters. He backs raising taxes on billionaires, the universal healthcare system known as "Medicare-for-all," abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and he opposes military aid to Israel at a time that Democrats are increasingly divided on support for America's longtime Middle East ally.

After winning the nomination, Jackson urged Democrats to unite behind his bid, saying "there is a place in this campaign for all of you. There is work for you in this movement. And I will spend every day now through November earning that trust."

DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB

Jackson, who also had Sanders' support as he ran for governor, is currently backed in his Senate campaign by Our Revolution, the group born in 2016 out of Sanders' first presidential campaign.

Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a leading progressive in the House and a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, was a top Platner backer. Khanna quickly moved his support to Jackson in this month's sprint to succeed Platner.

And Jackson enjoys strong support from labor unions in Maine. The labor backing, along with support from Platner’s former allies, helped Jackson capture the overwhelming majority of county-selected delegates last weekend.

The 500 delegates chosen last weekend, along with 101 selected by the state party, voted in Saturday's convention.

Republicans argued that Democrats stacked the deck to back Jackson as Platner's replacement.

"This coronation is proof that Democrats are willing to shove socialism down the throats of Maine voters, even if it means spitting in the face of Democracy to do it. Troy Jackson is a Platner apologist, a radical Bernie Bro, and a walking red flag displaying all the warning signs of the early days of the Platner campaign," Republican National Committee spokesperson Kristen Cianci charged in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Cianci called Collins "a proven leader with unimpeachable character."

The senator's re-election campaign took aim at the process, and at Jackson.

"In a process concocted by the Maine Democratic Party establishment, a 24-year Augusta insider was appointed to run for the Senate by fewer than three-tenths of one percent of its primary voters," the campaign argued in a social media post. "Troy Jackson will attempt to sell Mainers a multi-trillion-dollar bill of goods based on rhetoric that will make everything sound free, but in reality, would be paid for by middle- and lower-income workers hurting our schools and making life less affordable for families across the state."

Collins, as she runs for a sixth six-year term in the Senate, is facing a rough political climate for Republicans, amid GOP President Donald Trump's underwater approval ratings, persistent inflation and what polls indicate is an unpopular war with Iran.

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The senator, known as a moderate Republican who at times has voted against Trump, last month received bipartisan praise after reaching a milestone by casting her 10,000th consecutive Senate vote.

But Democrats are taking aim at Collins over her comments that she didn't regret her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, despite his crucial vote four years later to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.

And following the fatal shooting in Maine earlier this month involving federal immigration agents, Democrats heavily criticized the Senate Appropriations Committee chair for her support for ICE funding.

But Collins has a history of defeating the Democrats' efforts to oust her from the Senate.

Six years ago, she trailed Democratic challenger Sara Gideon, the then-Maine House speaker, but the senator ended up winning re-election by nearly 9 points .

The Senate showdown in Maine is expected to be competitive, combustible, and expensive, with outside groups on both sides spending big bucks to run ads.

The first Fox News Power Rankings of the 2026 midterms, which gauge the competitiveness of elections using data, reporting and analysis, were released this week. And they rank the showdown in Maine as a toss-up.

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Meanwhile, a Pine Tree Poll conducted in recent days by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center indicated Jackson with a slight three-point edge over Collins, right at the edge of the margin of error, among likely general election voters in Maine.

Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:30:43 -0400

The Pop Culture Quiz is your weekly test of what’s making headlines and breaking the Internet, from the Heartland to Hollywood.

This week's quiz spotlights celebrity vacations and big transformations.

Can you get all 5 questions right?

For more Entertainment articles, visit www.foxnews.com/entertainment

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.

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CNN commentator gives Trump credit for attending WHCA dinner before blasting his speech as 'mean and small'

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:26:05 -0400

CNN commentator Van Jones offered words of unlikely praise to President Donald Trump amid his attendance at the rescheduled White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) Dinner.

During the network’s coverage of the event, anchor John Berman noted to viewers that the journalists’ awards would be handed out before Trump took to the podium to deliver his speech — a schedule change that was not in effect on April 25 when the dinner was originally planned.

"The president was going to speak first, then the awards. So he could have left, in theory, if he wanted to," Berman said before tossing to Jones. "This time, he’s going to have to sit through and watch awards being given to reporters who report on him, maybe in ways he doesn’t like. One wonders how he might feel about that."

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Jones replied by pointing out that Trump should receive recognition for remaining to watch journalists who often provide coverage that disagrees with his administration.

"You really do have to give President Trump credit tonight," Jones said. "I mean, we were saying he was going to basically do his thing and run away."

"He’s not running away," Jones added. "He’s going to be there. And maybe someone will have the courage to speak up [against him]. Maybe they won’t. But he’s putting himself in harm’s way in that regard."

TRUMP SPARES NO ONE AT WHCA DINNER, TAKING AIM AT DEMS, PRESS AND HIS OWN CABINET

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

The dinner was rescheduled from its April 25 date after a gunman stormed the security perimeter and fired a shot in an attempt to assassinate the president.

Following Trump’s remarks at the event, in which he poked fun at members of the press while candidly addressing his relationship with the media, Jones offered a harsh rebuke to the president’s comments.

HERE'S WHAT YOU MISSED FROM TRUMP'S FIRST WHCA DINNER AS PRESIDENT: 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM HIS NIGHT WITH THE PRESS

"I think the worst thing you can say is that it just wasn’t funny at all," Jones said. "It just wasn’t funny. It was mean and small. But you can be mean and small and funny. This was mean and small and not funny."

Jones went on to criticize Trump’s topic choice at the annual gala, and instead suggested the president should have touched upon political issues while addressing attendees.

"And he didn’t talk about any American, besides himself and his enemies," Jones continued. "There are people at home who can’t figure out how to pay for gas. There are people at home who worry about their nephew who’s serving overseas.

WATCH: Trump makes playful jab at Peter Doocy during WHCA Dinner

"There’s people at home who have real problems, who would love to see somebody reflect their reality and maybe make fun of some of their enemies, some of their problems. He missed the entire opportunity to talk to those people."

Last week, the CNN correspondent and longtime progressive Democrat appeared to distance himself from far-left activists gaining traction within his own party.

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"Yes, we want our Democratic Party to be a big tent. But we don’t need 'party poopers.’ So STOP pooping in the punch bowl — and telling us the turds are ice cubes," Jones said on X.

In the same post, Jones condemned the platform held by Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) activists, and warned that their positions on Hamas, prisons and immigration risk further dividing the Democratic Party.

"Supporting Hamas is not progressive. 'No police, no prisons, no borders' is not progressive. Celebrating the murder of Israeli civilians is not progressive. These ideas are REGRESSIVE," Jones said.

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He went on to argue the difference between both "progressive" and "regressive" platforms within the party.

"On the other hand, if everybody could see a doctor when they got sick, get a good, free education and breathe clean air — would that represent progress? Yes. Those are PROGRESSIVE ideas," Jones added. "They are NOT the same thing. And the difference matters."

Bret Michaels hospitalized after 7-day medical ordeal left him playing through 'intense' pain

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:24:15 -0400

Bret Michaels is sharing a health update with his fans after opening up about his issue with a kidney stone last weekend.

The 63-year-old musician took to Facebook on Wednesday, July 22, to share with his followers that he is in recovery following a procedure to remove a kidney stone that would not pass on its own.

"On this #WisdomWednesday , the first thing I learned is complete gratitude for the frontline workers, doctors and nurses who this week have recently taken care of me, as the kidney stone (after almost 7 days of waiting it out) would not pass," he wrote. "The pain became intense but, as usual, I played through Charleston WV, Grantville PA and a special private show at Fairchild AFB in Spokane for veterans, active duty and their families."

The morning after playing the third concert in which he pushed through the pain, Michaels was admitted to the hospital because "the pain became too much when the stone would not pass."

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He then assured his followers that "the operation has been done and is complete & I’m out of post-op recovery" and that he hopes to be back on his feet as soon as possible.

"I’m doing everything within my power to feel better and continue playing great shows for great fans when I’ve got a complete clean bill of health," he said. "Just want to say on this #WisdomWednesday that I am wise enough to know how important family, friends, fans, doctors and nurses play such a vital role in our everyday health."

In the photo shared on Facebook, the "Talk Dirty to Me" singer is seen lying in a hospital bed in an all-black outfit and a baseball cap on, as he is connected to monitors.

"Also just know, they eventually forced me out of my clothes & into a hospital gown lol as I had gone straight from the show to the hospital," he joked.

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Fans of the rock star were quick to wish him a speedy recovery in the comments section, with one writing, "Can’t keep a good man down brother. Keep on keeping on," while another added, "Glad you’re doing better, brother. Sending prayers and love."

He first shared that he was experiencing pain and discomfort because of the kidney stone following his show at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, writing on Instagram on July 19 that "the kidney stone was kicking my butt at the end of the show, but we weren’t gonna stop til we had nothing but a good time!"

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Michaels recently made headlines when he shared his thoughts on his 26-year-old daughter, Raine, selling feet pics on a site called FeetFinder during an episode of "Calabasas Confidential" in June.

"I think FeetFinder's a brilliant, brilliant decision," he told her, according to People, after she asked him what he thought of the idea.

In addition to Raine, Michaels also shares 21-year-old Jorja with his longtime partner, Kristi Lynn Gibson.

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'I Play Rocky' revives the gamble that made Sylvester Stallone a superstar

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:00:16 -0400

Sylvester Stallone's historic "Rocky" story will be retold in Peter Farrelly's biographical drama, "I Play Rocky." In order to bring it to life, Farrelly had to flash back to how "Rocky" became a household name, and it started with Stallone selling his screenplay only if he was cast as the lead role.

In the "I Play Rocky" trailer, Stallone – who is played by Anthony Ippolito – presents the script that he wrote in three days to movie producers. They offered him outrageous amounts of money for the script, but Stallone wouldn't budge. Eventually, the producers gave in and cast Stallone in the role that changed his life.

Experts told Fox News Digital this move from Stallone was highly unheard of at the time.

"It was unheard of at the time, especially for someone in Stallone's economic situation which was dire," film historian Dwight Cleveland said. In the trailer, Stallone was seen working as a valet attendant when he created "Rocky."

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Tisha Morris, entertainment attorney of Legacy Arts Law, said: "Stallone’s decision was extraordinarily unusual. Most first-time writers would have been expected to take the money and relinquish casting control."

From a legal standpoint, Stallone had every right to pull the move he did.

"Legally, Stallone could retain the screenplay and impose that condition because he owned the copyright," she continued. "However, the risk was whether the producers would simply walk away, leaving him with neither a sale nor a film. He was effectively betting the screenplay’s entire market value on himself as an actor."

Cleveland said that Stallone acted just like his character in the movies when it came to the initial negotiations.

"Just like his character, Stallone had the confidence his story was a true winner, so he held his ground knowing that this was his shot at stardom both as an actor and as an author," he said. "He wasn't willing to give that up to someone else and be left without any clout in Hollywood. Film depicts the human condition and in this case it was true to the heart."

Marc Simon, entertainment attorney at Fox Rothschild in New York, told Fox News Digital that Stallone's unwillingness to budge is one of the most-cited examples in Hollywood history of an unknown talent turning down life-changing money on principle.

"Stallone was an unknown actor with only minor bit parts to his name, and producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler wanted to buy his script outright — with reports indicating the offers escalated to $360K with stars (such as Ryan O'Neal, Burt Reynolds, and James Caan) identified for the lead role," Simon said.

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He continued, "In monetary terms today, it’s probably the equivalent of someone being offered over $2M. Stallone bet everything on starring in the film — a role that no one wanted him to play. He owned the property, and put it all on the line for his million-to-one shot, and like Rocky himself left an indelible mark on cinema and culture, which will be an everlasting legacy."

According to Simon, it was a win-win for producers to ultimately agree to Stallone's terms.

"Financially, Stallone's insistence on starring came paired with his willingness to accept a dramatically reduced salary and rights fee, which lowered the film's overall budget risk at a time when 'Rocky' was made on a modest budget of roughly $1 million," he said. "So, the economics became more palatable to a studio like United Artists that was otherwise wary of an unknown actor carrying the film."

Released in 1976, "Rocky" became one of the biggest underdog success stories in Hollywood history. The movie follows small-time Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa as he gets the once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight heavyweight champion Apollo Creed.

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Made on a modest budget, Rocky was both a critical and commercial hit, earning 10 Academy Award nominations (including best actor and best original screenplay for Stallone) and winning three Oscars: best picture, best director for John G. Avildsen and best film editing.

"Rocky" went on to launch one of cinema's most successful franchises and cemented Rocky Balboa as one of the most iconic characters in movie history.

Now, Amazon is gearing up to release "I Play Rocky" in November. According to reports, Stallone is not involved in the biopic. Speaking to The Playlist, Stallone said, "I was shocked to read [about] it. I have zero to do with it."

Ippolito is set to star as Stallone and AnnaSophia Robb will play Sasha Czack, Stallone's first wife. Other members of the cast include: Stephan James, Matt Dillon and P.J. Byrne.

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Conservative groups urge FCC to back off ABC license review, warning it could hurt right-leaning media

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:00:07 -0400

Conservative advocacy groups and ABC might make strange bedfellows, but right-leaning organizations are going to bat for the Disney-owned network in its battle with the Federal Communications Commission.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in April that eight ABC-owned stations must prove they have been operating in the public interest as part of an ongoing look at Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] practices. Carr has also said ABC should have aired President Donald Trump's primetime address last week, suggesting the decision to skip it was not in the public interest.

A group of conservative and free-market organizations, including Center for Individual Freedom, Citizens Against Government Waste and Americans for Tax Reform, penned a letter to Carr on Wednesday urging the chairman to avoid setting a precedent that could hurt non-liberal organizations in the future.

FCC CHAIR SUGGESTS ABC SKIPPING TRUMP'S SPEECH WILL FACTOR IN LICENSE RENEWAL DECISION

"From media and broadband to the space economy, your deregulatory record is helping unleash investment and growth, and we are grateful for your leadership in getting government out of the way. It is in that same spirit that we respectfully urge the Federal Communications Commission to preserve the well-established, routine, predictable, and presumptive nature of broadcast license renewal," the letter, which has been obtained by Fox News Digital, stated.

"We ask that the FCC avoid steps that would transform renewal from the largely ministerial process Congress designed into a discretionary checkpoint that would invite the politicization that conservatives, free-market advocates and others have long condemned," the letter continued. "Our concern is that establishing precedents of non-routine renewal creates a powerful lever that future FCCs—including ones hostile to conservative, religious, or otherwise disfavored broadcasters—would be all too willing to pull."

The letter declared, "The surest protection against that future is to keep the renewal process predictable today." It states that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 made station renewals "effectively presumptive" in order to allow broadcasters to "serve their communities without the perpetual threat of losing the franchise on which everything else depends."

ABC HAS NO BUSINESS ON PUBLIC AIRWAVES BECAUSE IT OPERATES 'LIKE A PARTISAN CABLE NETWORK,’ WATCHDOG TELLS FCC

"Consistent with that design, the Commission has historically reserved non-routine renewal for genuinely extraordinary circumstances, such as failures that go to a station’s basic capacity to maintain its operation or malfeasance," the letter stated. "Preserving that high and content-neutral bar is precisely what keeps the Commission out of the business of judging speech."

The Disney-owned ABC affiliates’ licenses were originally scheduled to be renewed between 2028 and 2031, but Trump’s FCC expedited the process. The stations are KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, North Carolina, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and KTRK-TV in Houston.

The conservative groups want them to easily keep their licenses in order to "deny future Commissions tools and precedents to wield against conservative media."

ABC FIRES BACK AT FCC PROBE OF 'THE VIEW,' CALLS OUT AGENCY'S 'CHILLING EFFECT ON FIRST AMENDMENT'

Leaders from Center for Individual Freedom, American Commitment, Americans for Tax Reform, Citizens Against Government Waste, Citizens Against Government Waste, The Committee for Justice, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, Digital Liberty, Innovation Economy Institute, Institute for Policy Innovation, National Taxpayers Union, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Taxpayers Protection Alliance and Young Voices each signed the letter.

The FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

ABC is home to entertainment programs like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" along with news offerings including "Good Morning America," "The View" and "World News Tonight."

The FCC is also investigating ABC's "The View" amid the agency's crackdown on equal time for political candidates after Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appeared on the daytime gabfest. Disney’s ABC believes "The View" is bona fide news and, therefore, exempt from the equal time rule.

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IOC declines to investigate Gianni Infantino over Trump's call about Folarin Balogun red card

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:52:22 -0400

The International Olympic Committee announced Friday that it will not investigate Gianni Infantino regarding President Donald Trump's call to him about Folarin Balogun's controversial red card.

The USMNT star received a red card in the round of 32 of the World Cup, which initially made him ineligible to play in the next round.

However, FIFA decided to suspend the red card, which made Balogun eligible. Trump later said he called Infantino and asked for a review, but FIFA claimed it was not influenced by Trump.

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The ruling added to what was already a huge controversy, as it was argued Balogun should not have been red-carded in the first place. Nonetheless, Balogun was active despite an appeal and a strong reaction from Belgium.

A London-based NGO formally complained this month to the IOC ethics commission about Infantino. The IOC’s Olympic Charter cites neutrality among "fundamental principles of Olympism" for sports bodies like FIFA and its 100-plus members, which have included Infantino since 2020.

No formal investigation will be opened, the IOC said, because the complaint by the rights group FairSquare did not relate to FIFA’s or Infantino’s specific relations with the Olympic body.

The complaint "refers only to (FIFA’s) decisions on its governance and its management, including its relations with government, and to (FIFA’s) implementation of the rules of its sport," the IOC said in a statement.

FOLARIN BALOGUN ADMITS THAT RED-CARD REVERSAL AFFECTED USA WORLD CUP TEAMMATES: 'A LOT OF OUTSIDE NOISE'

"Consequently, the complaint falls outside the IOC ethics commission’s jurisdiction," the statement continued.

"All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul," Trump said at the time. "And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything, that would be different.

"I think it’s a terrible… if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players."

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Balogun being active did not help, as the U.S. lost to Belgium, 4-1.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mike Vrabel arrives to Patriots press conference with puppy in hand as he dodges Dianna Russini question

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:36:33 -0400

Mike Vrabel had his first New England Patriots press conference of training camp this week, which — most importantly, of course — marked his first real time in front of reporters since the offseason fallout involving Dianna Russini.

Naturally, Vrabel came locked and loaded with a response ... just not the kind you saw coming.

Frankly, it's not the kind any of us saw coming, but I'll admit, it was a solid plan.

The second-year coach showed up to his presser with a dog in hand. That's right. A DOG. A tiny little dog. It was all part of the Patriots' "Pawtriots" program, which is now in its second year. Basically, the team opens the first day of training camp by hosting a dog adoption event.

MIKE VRABEL UNTOUCHED BY DIANNA RUSSINI SCANDAL AT FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE OF PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP

Naturally, this worked perfectly in Vrabel's favor after one of the worst offseasons for a head coach that I can remember.

Take a look at THIS:

Vrabel and the Patriots play chess on Day 1

"Welcome everybody, it's good to see you guys," Vrabel said with a smirk to open the 2026 season. "If anyone's looking to add to your roster at home, we'd love for you to be able to adopt these dogs."

Amazing. What a move by Vrabel and the Patriots. It's called zigging while others zag, and they nailed it.

Oh, you wanna hammer me with questions about my offseason of infidelity? Fine! You're gonna do it while I'm holding an abandoned puppy. Fire away, media!

Of course, it worked! Like a charm, actually. Vrabel didn't field one question about Dianna Russini, as OutKick's Armando Salguero noted on Friday:

It was all football – which Vrabel deftly handles like Ted Williams did fastballs back in the day.

Vrabel was asked about the status of second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas, who remains unsigned. Reporters indeed concentrated six of their 20 or so questions to Vrabel on the Jacas topic.

How's the contract negotiations?

How's his health?

Football stuff.

That's it. That's all we got from Vrabel on Day 1 after an offseason that included a cheating scandal with an NFL insider that was so bad, it got her fired.

That was so bad, it sent Vrabel into rehab during the NFL Draft.

That was so bad, it got Russini's own employer — the New York Times — to write a scathing hit-piece on her after the fact.

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But during Friday's first presser in MONTHS, Vrabel came locked and loaded with a dog in the same way players and coaches do with their kids after a bad loss.

It's a chess move I didn't see coming, but one I, unfortunately, have to respect.

Welcome back, NFL. We've missed this sort of pettiness.

DAVID MARCUS: Brave new world of prediction markets can make us all inside traders

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:26:13 -0400

When I was born in the 1970s, legal gambling was basically limited to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and horse racing. Then came Indian casinos, and finally, the floodgates opened with online gambling. Nowadays, with the advent of prediction markets, we can lay down a marker on almost any event on Earth.

One serious upshot of the rise of companies like Kalshi and Polymarket, which would be happy to set up a market to see if Lindy’s sells more cheesecake or strudel today, is that far, far more people have the feedbox noise than ever before. To paraphrase Andy Warhol, in the future, everyone will have inside information on a prediction market for 15 minutes.

Take a market like "Who will win the reality TV show "Big Brother?" Dozens, maybe even hundreds of people know this answer, thousands probably have inside info, and while, if they say anything out loud they will get sued into oblivion, what's to stop them from telling their cousin, "Hey, drop a few thousand on this contestant?"

GREED MEETS GREED: DRAFTKINGS TO CLOSE ITS WRIGLEY FIELD SPORTSBOOK AT THE END OF MAY OVER ILLINOIS TAX

This isn’t a hypothetical anymore. We have seen, just this year, a soldier use inside information to win a bet on the timing of military action in Venezuela, we have even had the guy who runs the White House teleprompter profit from foreknowledge of President Donald Trump’s speeches.

These are not the types of people we think of as insider traders.

When we think of insider trading we think of wood-paneled financial offices with Paul Revere silver sets and guys in $5,000 suits. I also think of members of Congress who go to Washington worth thousands and leave worth tens of millions, but that's another story.

DOZENS OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS REJECT BILL FUSING CONGRESSIONAL STOCK BAN WITH FEDERAL VOTER ID

As in sports betting, it is easy to trace who, among the elites or insiders, might have non-public information that can move a stock. But right now, you can bet on whether Space X will have a successful launch by July 31, or whether Rihanna’s album will come out before the next Grand Theft Auto video game. How many thousands of people have information on those wagers?

Could a reporter who is sitting on a scoop they know will harm a politician running for office ethically place a bet on a prediction market in that race? It seems clear that legally they can, but we are in uncharted waters now that prediction markets open up this possibility.

In politics, manipulation can be used the other way round as well, especially in smaller congressional or local races. Prediction market wagers can act almost as campaign donations, making it appear, even for a short period of time, that a candidate is surging.

SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LIMIT ON PARTY CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES

There is something a bit dystopic about the constant online wagering over every aspect of our lives, as if the world is not a miracle of beauty and poetry, but rather a set of math problems, algorithms and betting lines replacing the organic flow of an election, or how much the average man will spend on his Valentine.

The danger here is that instead of looking at the world as the creation of human beings, we mortal souls become little more than the ball on the roulette wheel, which inevitably must stop somewhere, to somebody’s benefit.

Attempts to regulate prediction markets are already emerging both on the state and federal level, but don’t start writing the industry’s epitaph just yet, because short of shutting them down entirely, nothing can stop tens of thousands of markets from having hundreds of thousands of potential insider traders, at least.

The recurring story of the 21st Century is that technology keeps dropping innovation on top of us, from smart phones to AI, before we can figure out its pitfalls, much less decide if it benefits or harms our society.

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For now, prediction markets are not only with us, but they are growing fast, not just as a new option for gamblers, but as an important alternative to polling or focus groups in politics. But we must understand, the bet is never on which candidate will win, it's on which candidate will have a surge, whether it is organic or AstroTurf.

Meanwhile, if the business you work for, or the campaign you consult, or the reality TV show your best friend from high school was in, becomes a prediction market, it is up to you to decide if placing that wager is fair, because there really is very little else to stop you.

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Here's what you missed from Trump's first WHCA Dinner as president: 5 takeaways from his night with the press

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 06:00:38 -0400

President Donald Trump attended the annual White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) Dinner Friday night for the first time in either of his two presidential terms.

The event was rescheduled from its original April 25 date after a crazed gunman allegedly tried to assassinate the 47th president, bull rushing security with several weapons and firing a shot before he was taken into custody.

Here are five top highlights from the dinner:

TRUMP HEADS BACK TO CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER MONTHS AFTER GUNFIRE FORCED EVACUATION

1. Journalists, Trump share heartfelt moments

Trump and the press typically find themselves at odds, and while Friday night had its share of uncomfortable moments, both sides were able to find some common ground — especially after sharing a scary moment at the originally scheduled dinner in April.

Before presenting one of the many awards of the night, ABC's Jon Karl thanked the president for his attendance.

"Mr. President, I want to say it matters that you came here tonight," said Karl. "For more than 100 years, presidents have chosen to sit in a room of reporters who asked tough and often uncomfortable questions, and who report without fear or favor. It's important. Thank you for being here."

TRUMP PRAISES PRESS AFTER WHCD SHOOTING, SAYS UNITY AT DINNER WAS 'BEAUTIFUL'

WHCA outgoing President and the dinner's emcee Weijia Jiang also had kind words for the president, just before she introduced him to speak and after discussing the importance of the First Amendment.

"President Trump, I've covered you for a long time, and so have many reporters in this room. When we ask questions, you push back, you give us answers and we push back," she said. "You have always been a deal guy. Well, that's the deal. And the First Amendment is a done deal. And that's what we toast tonight. The freedoms that brought us back together even after they were threatened."

"So let's raise a glass to what makes ours a beautiful country."

Later in the night, Trump concluded his speech with a warm message for the press delivered in his own style.

JOURNALISTS DEMAND WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' ASSOCIATION 'SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER' IN NEW DINNER WITH TRUMP

"I just want to say, this room — I have tremendous respect for the people in this room," Trump said.

"Sometimes I don’t feel you treat me fair, maybe you do, I don’t know," he continued. "I don’t feel that. But sometimes you treat me fairly, and I have a lot of respect for your profession. It’s amazing. And I just want to thank you for having me, and it’s been fun."

2. Trump razzes the press and members of his cabinet

Trump made a series of jokes throughout his speech, some targeting the press, and others targeting people he appointed to positions of power.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was on the receiving end of a quip from the 47th president after Trump told attendees he hoped they enjoyed their beef tenderloin dinner.

"I want you all to know that Bobby Kennedy, who's right here, personally ran over the cow with his car," he jabbed. "And he cut it up and he brought it here for you to eat tonight."

Kennedy is well known for his eccentric history with animals, including once saying he captured a raccoon and cut its genitals off, viral videos of him catching dangerous snakes and once using a chainsaw to remove the head of a dead whale that washed up on Cape Cod.

"Bobby also suggested an appetizer featuring his favorite cut of male raccoon roadkill. But we drew the line at that," the president went on. "We said, 'No, we're not doing that.'"

Kennedy is also known for pushing a more red-meat centric diet and has embraced the push for restaurants to use beef tallow to fry their food instead of seed oils.

Trump also joked about the shooting at the first WHCA dinner earlier this year, which pro-MAGA rapper Nikki Minaj attended.

"But after hearing the gunshots, many people yelled, ‘get down, get down!’ Which caused Nicki Minaj to start twerking, do you believe? Get down! She's the only one that really understood what that meant," Trump joked, earning laughter from the tough crowd.

Throughout his speech, he repeatedly used one of his famous phrases — referring to the press as "fake news," but took some direct shots at certain outlets and figures.

He unexpectedly flipped the script in a misdirection from what seemed like an update on the Iran war.

"A once feared and powerful regime that relentlessly attacked America has finally been toppled," he said. "Their former leaders have been removed and they’re now being run by a gay dictator facing internal divisions. But I, for one, wish Bari Weiss all the best at CBS News."

Trump's nemesis, Kaitlan Collins of CNN, was also on the receiving end of a brutal blow.

"I thought Kaitlan Collins had really made it big with a major new sponsorship, but then I informed her that it wasn't her on the Bud Light can, it was Dylan Mulvaney," he said, referencing the beer brand's failed marketing campaign featuring a transgender influencer.

3. Unsuspecting Todd Blanche yanked into mentalist Oz Pearlman's routine

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is currently in the confirmation process to take on the job full-time, became part of mentalist Oz Pearlman's routine to close out the night.

In a convoluted bit, Oz asked Blanche to make up an amount of money he had in his wallet. Blanche said $130, but Oz guessed the correct amount — $85. Then, Oz asked a man sitting next to Blanche to choose a single bill from Blanche's wallet, and then had Blanche sign it. Blanche signed it, and was instructed to sit on it.

For the remainder of the act, Oz asked members of the crowd to stand — including Fox News' Kevin Corke — and dream up a person dead or alive who they wished they could interview. He guessed several of interview subjects' names correctly, and even enlisted the help of a member of the crowd, who also made correct guesses.

After that, he enlisted audience members, one of which was former National Security Administrator and current U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Watlz, to chose important dates and random numbers. When multiplied, those numbers equaled 53,670,682.

Oz then turned back to Blanche and asked him to stand up and look at the serial number of the bill he was sitting on. Audience members were stunned to find out it was No. 53670682.

4. Trump reveals how he communicates with the press

Trump explained that he was tired of asking his communications team, Karoline Leavitt and Steven Cheung, if he had received any calls from the press. So instead he started to give journalists his direct line, which has turned out to be a disaster.

"That was the stupidest thing I ever did," the president said. "I'm getting a call every 3.7 minutes."

"Every once in a while, it'll be one of the people in this room that I like and I'll pick it up," he said, referencing taking phone calls from Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich and joking that she only wants to discuss "horrible" subjects.

But he said that other callers are from outlets that he has never heard of or are just starting out.

"You know, I pick up every once in a while, 'hello, I'm from Reno, Nevada. We're a startup paper. We're calling us the Reno Express,'" Trump continued. "I'll say, 'Do you believe it, I'm the president of the United States.'"

"'Mr. President, could I have your views on Iran?' And I just hang up," Trump continued. "No, I get the craziest calls. I mean, some of them. My wife said, I can't believe you do this. This is a hell of a way to live."

5. Trump announces he WILL attend the 2027 WHCA Dinner, unless...

Trump had never attended the WHCA Dinner in either of his two presidencies, a total of five years, breaking with long-held tradition for a night of comradery with the press and government officials. His attendance Friday night was a major storyline — especially after the event in April was foiled by a lone gunman.

The president laid his plans for next year towards the conclusion of his hour-and-four-minute remarks.

"It's an honor to do it," Trump said of his attendance. "I've been to it numerous times, but as president, I haven't been here, and I'm glad."

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Trump expects to attend again in 2027, but joked that his decision could depend on how the press behaves.

"They said, 'Would you do it next year?' I said, 'I will be back next year,'" Trump said. "Now if you get really, really nasty, maybe not. I don't know. But we're going to be back next year."

Trump attended the WHCA Dinner in 2011 and 2015, when he was a successful businessman, real estate tycoon and reality television personality.

Michael Kim nails dramatic birdie on the 18th to make PGA Tour scoring history at 3M Open

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:12:16 -0400

Michael Kim made history with an exclamation point on Friday at the 3M Open.

Kim, 33, was going for just the 16th sub-60 round (59) in PGA Tour history heading into the 18th hole. Kim’s wedge shot from the fairway on the par-5 18th rolled to the fringe of the green, leaving him 24 feet away from making a birdie and adding his name to the history books.

Kim had one thing on his mind when stepping up to the putt: Don’t leave it short.

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"I tend to leave those short when it’s that uphill and I just, last thing was just get it there, just don’t leave it short," Kim said.

He certainly did not leave it short as Kim buried it in the bottom of the cup and then gave a few huge fist pumps in celebration.

Going into the last couple of holes, Kim knew what was at stake and wanted to give himself a shot at making the record books.

"I just kind of told myself like, ‘Hey, this is the way, this is the moment to get into the history books and let’s go for it, let’s not try to luck our way into it, let’s try to step up and hit some really good shots,’" he said.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Kim went on multiple runs throughout his round. Starting on the third hole, he made five birdies in a row. He then made par on the eighth hole, but proceeded to birdie three of the next four holes.

He ended his round with four straight birdies.

Kim was impeccable with his putter as eight of his 11 birdies were from more than 10 feet away.

"When you hit a putt and it does exactly what you kind of envisioned before you hit it, it’s an awesome feeling. Felt like that all day out there," he said.

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Kim’s historic day moved him into a three-shot lead over Ben Kohles, but Kim knows there is a lot more golf left to play.

"Today was an awesome day, but still, I’m only halfway there so still need to kind of get focused up for the weekend," he said.

Kim’s 59 marks the fourth one on tour since 2024. Jake Knapp was the last to do so during the first round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic. Jim Furyk holds the PGA Tour record with a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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As 'The Odyssey' thrives at the box office, franchise fatigue hits summer with bombs like 'Supergirl,' 'Moana'

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:00:49 -0400

Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has dominated the box office over the past week as the summer has been widely plagued by franchise fatigue, with several films struggling to live up to the glory of their IP predecessors.

Universal Pictures' star-studded adaptation of Homer's epic made $123 million domestically and more than $263 million globally during its opening weekend, marking Nolan's strongest global opening weekend ever, surpassing "The Dark Knight" trilogy and 2023's Oscar winner "Oppenheimer."

"The Odyssey" maintained its strength during the week, making more than $18 million domestically Monday and Wednesday and more than $21 million on Tuesday. Its global gross crossed $320 million in less than a week.

'THE ODYSSEY' REVIEW: CHRISTOPHER NOLAN GOES EPIC WITH HIS MOST AMBITIOUS FILM TO DATE

Such success at the box office could not be replicated by multiple franchise films released this summer.

Disney's live-action "Moana," in which Dwayne Johnson reprised his role, opened to a dismal $43 million domestically earlier this month, a fraction of the $56 million the animated original made during its opening weekend in 2016 and the nearly $140 million "Moana 2" opened to in 2024. It has been reported that Disney could lose about $100 million on the film, which reportedly cost $250 million to make. The film has grossed only $186 million globally so far.

‘MOANA’ REVIEW: DWAYNE JOHNSON RETURNS FOR DISNEY'S LAZY LIVE-ACTION REMAKE THAT RESEMBLES AI SLOP

"Supergirl" similarly bombed at the box office last month, earning just $37 million its opening weekend domestically and will likely fall short of reaching $150 million worldwide during its theatrical run for Warner Bros. That pales in comparison to last year's "Superman," which grossed more than $600 million worldwide, marking mixed results for the studio's rebooted DC Comics Cinematic Universe. Warner Bros. will also reportedly lose $100 million on the Milly Alcock-starring superhero flick.

Other once-reliable franchises are disappointing. Last month, "Minions & Monsters" opened to just $37 million domestically and has so far grossed roughly $366 million globally, marking the worst-performing "Despicable Me" installment to date for Universal Pictures and Illumination. Its immediate predecessor, 2024's "Despicable Me 4," opened to $75 million domestically and made nearly $1 billion at the global box office.

'THE INVITE' REVIEW: SETH ROGEN, OLIVIA WILDE HOST ONE HILARIOUS DINNER PARTY YOU WON'T REGRET ATTENDING

"The Mandalorian & Grogu," a big-screen installment of the long-running Star Wars series on Disney+, also marked the worst performing Star Wars film for Disney following its May release, grossing just $340 million worldwide. 2018's Star Wars prequel "Solo" previously held that undesired title when it grossed $392 million.

There are exceptions to the current box office trend this year. "Toy Story 5" opened to an astonishing $159 million domestically during its opening weekend last month and is expected to cross $1 billion worldwide. "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" had a $131 million domestic opening in April and ultimately grossed over $1 billion globally. "Scream 7" made over $63 million its opening weekend in February and crossed the $200 million threshold worldwide for Paramount.

‘TOY STORY 5’ REVIEW: TOM HANKS, TIM ALLEN RETURN FOR TIMELY INSTALLMENT AS PIXAR GANG BATTLES RISE OF TECH

Meanwhile, more "original" films (for lack of a better term) have excelled at the box office this year. "Project Hail Mary," the Ryan Gosling-led space adventure dramedy adapted from the Andy Weir book, made more than $680 million at the box office this spring, becoming Amazon Studios' highest-grossing film ever. That was followed by Lionsgate's Michael Jackson music biopic "Michael," grossing more than $1 billion worldwide and becoming the film distributor's top earner, surpassing all of its "Hunger Games" and "Twilight" movies.

"Obsession," the low-budget horror film from comedic content creator Curry Barker, shocked the industry by seeing unprecedented growth week-over-week in its early run at the box office, quickly exceeding "The Mandalorian & Grogu" and grossing over $400 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film for Focus Features.

LOW-BUDGET HORROR FLICK ‘OBSESSION’ SHATTERS BOX OFFICE EXPECTATIONS AS NEW STAR WARS FILM COMES UP SHORT

Weeks later, another low-budget horror flick "Backrooms" from 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons made a big splash at the box office with a stunning $81 million debut and went on to gross more than $360 million worldwide, setting a grossing record for A24.

The last major tentpole release for the summer comes next week with "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" from Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios. The bar is set extremely high on the fourth installment of the Tom Holland-led franchise as its predecessor "Spider-Man: No Way Home" opened to an astonishing $260 million domestically in 2021.

Not only will it have to combat broader franchise fatigue, it will also have to battle superhero fatigue that has impacted the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 2025 releases like "Captain America: Brave New World," "Thunderbolts*" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" were widely seen as financial disappointments, so Marvel Studios better hope that audience's spidey senses are tingling.

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