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Your blood pressure cuff may expose your health data

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:30:14 -0400

Every morning, you strap on the cuff, press the button and watch the number pop up on your phone. It feels private. It feels like it is just between you and your app. That sense of privacy can be misleading.

Depending on the app and your settings, that reading, along with your glucose numbers, weight and medication schedule, may be stored in the cloud or shared with service providers. FTC cases show that some health apps have also disclosed sensitive information to advertising and analytics companies. Separately, data brokers market health-related profiles that scammers could exploit.

Here's what may be happening behind the screen of your health app and how to limit the exposure.

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ARE INSURANCE APPS WATCHING YOU?

The app on your phone isn't your doctor's office

Here's the assumption almost everyone makes: "My health data is protected. Isn't that what HIPAA is for?" Often, no.

HIPAA generally protects health information held by covered health care providers, health plans and their business associates. A consumer app you choose independently often falls outside HIPAA. However, an app may come under HIPAA when it handles protected health information on behalf of a covered provider or health plan.

Apps outside HIPAA do not operate without any rules. Many may still fall under the FTC's Health Breach Notification Rule, state consumer health laws and general protections against unfair or deceptive business practices.

Sen. Bill Cassidy introduced the Health Information Privacy Reform Act. The proposal would extend HIPAA-like privacy, security and breach-notification standards to some health information held outside the traditional HIPAA system. It would also require plain-language warnings before certain technologies begin generating wellness data that HIPAA does not protect.

As of today, the proposal remains introduced and has not become law. That means the same blood sugar reading can receive different legal protections depending on who holds it and why.

What these apps are actually doing with your data

You would think a company that builds a blood pressure app would only use your numbers to track your blood pressure. Federal regulators have repeatedly found otherwise.

GoodRx agreed to pay a $1.5 million civil penalty to settle FTC allegations that it failed to report unauthorized disclosures of health information to Facebook, Google and other companies. The FTC said GoodRx uploaded identifiers connected to people who had purchased certain heart disease and blood pressure medications so Facebook could target them with ads.
BetterHelp agreed to pay $7.8 million after the FTC alleged that it shared email addresses, IP addresses and answers to personal health questions with Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest and Criteo for advertising. About 800,000 people later received notices that they were eligible for refunds.
Flo Health settled FTC allegations that it shared sensitive health data from millions of users with Facebook, Google and other analytics providers. In a separate class action, Flo agreed to contribute $8 million toward settlements totaling $59.5 million. Google agreed to pay $48 million, and Flurry agreed to pay $3.5 million.
Premom's developer agreed to pay a total of $200,000 to resolve federal and state allegations involving its privacy practices. The FTC alleged that the fertility app disclosed sensitive health and location information to Google and two China-based analytics companies.

These were not obscure apps built by scammers. They were mainstream health services, and regulators alleged that the sharing happened through ordinary advertising and analytics tools running in the background.

That does not mean every blood pressure app behaves the same way. However, it gives you a strong reason to check what your own app collects, where it stores the information and which companies receive it.

ARE APPLE DEVICES SPYING? WHAT YOUR IPHONE TRACKS

The data broker connection: Your condition has a price tag

Here's the part that should genuinely unsettle you. A Duke University researcher contacted 37 data brokers as a prospective buyer. Twenty-six responded, and 11 were willing and able to sell mental health data. Some advertised information tied to depression, anxiety and other conditions, along with demographic details. One broker advertised names and postal addresses connected to specific conditions. Prices ranged from $275 for aggregated counts to annual licensing fees of $75,000 or more.

This problem reaches beyond mental health, as data brokers can collect and sell many forms of health-related information. The FTC has documented data broker categories related to pregnancy, diabetes, high cholesterol and other potentially sensitive health interests.

In a final order issued in December 2025, California's privacy regulator fined Datamasters $45,000 for failing to register as a data broker. The order said the company bought and resold contact lists tied to sensitive conditions.

Those lists included 435,245 postal addresses associated with Alzheimer's disease, more than 2.3 million associated with blindness or visual impairment, 133,142 associated with addiction and 857,449 associated with bladder-control issues. California's enforcement chief warned that reselling lists connected to Alzheimer's disease could enable targeting that goes far beyond ordinary advertising.

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How scammers use a 'medically profiled' list

Put yourself in a scammer's shoes for a second. Random cold-calling is a numbers game. Most people hang up. However, a list of people associated with diabetes or high blood pressure could help a scammer choose a much more convincing lie, including fake Medicare and health care offers.

The ‘free’ diabetic supplies pitch

A caller claims to be from Medicare or a diabetes association and offers free glucose meters or test strips. All they need is your Medicare number "to process the shipment." Federal health officials have warned about callers impersonating Medicare, Social Security or diabetes organizations while offering free glucose meters, test strips and other supplies. The supplies may never arrive, or someone may fraudulently bill Medicare using your information.

The Medicare Advantage pitch that already knows your conditions

A caller could reference your blood pressure or diabetes like a nurse checking in, then pivot to a plan that supposedly covers exactly what you need. Knowing a real detail about your health does not prove the caller represents Medicare, your doctor or an insurance company.

The supplement and pharmacy pitch

Ads, emails or calls may push treatments or supplements connected to a condition associated with your profile. Their timing may make the offer feel personal, but that does not make the medical claim or the seller legitimate. A scammer does not need to hack your phone to personalize a pitch. Health-related information can come from commercial profiles, public records, online activity, data breaches or other sources. A medically segmented list could help a caller make a fraudulent offer sound far more believable.

'But I've never given my information to a data broker'

You do not have to. That is what makes this so hard to see coming. Your blood pressure app, glucose monitor and smart scale can each add information to a larger profile, depending on the service, its partners and the settings you enable. Data brokers may also compile property records, voter files, online activity and information purchased from other companies. Once information enters this ecosystem, companies may buy, resell, combine and refresh it across data broker and people-search services you have never heard of.

How exposed is your specific device?

Not every app behaves the same way. Some provide stronger privacy controls than others. Features, settings and company practices can change, so review the current privacy notices for every service you use.

Omron Connect, blood pressure

Connected OMRON monitors can transfer readings to the OMRON Connect app through Bluetooth, where you can upload, store and share your heart health history. Data handling may depend on your device, permissions and connected services, so review OMRON's current privacy notices before syncing.

Dexcom, continuous glucose monitoring

Certain Dexcom products fall under HIPAA when Dexcom or a health care provider supplies them as insurance-reimbursable products in the United States. Other Dexcom websites, support programs and services may process information outside that HIPAA-covered context. Dexcom also provides opt-outs for certain data sales, sharing and targeted advertising under applicable state laws.

Withings, smart scales

Withings says it does not share health information with advertising partners. It may share some non-health personal information to deliver tailored advertising, and information can sync with outside apps or partners when you authorize a connection.

Fitbit

Google committed not to use health and wellness information collected from Fitbit devices for Google Ads and to keep that information in a separate data silo. That commitment came through regulatory conditions attached to Google's Fitbit acquisition, so continue reviewing current Fitbit and Google privacy controls.

Medisafe, medication reminders

If you choose pharmacy or coupon features, Medisafe says your personal information may be disclosed to partner pharmacies or coupon companies. Those companies will then handle the information under their own privacy practices.

Apple Health

Your device encrypts Health information, and iCloud uses end-to-end encryption when you enable the required account protections. In addition, Apple prohibits apps from using HealthKit data for advertising. You decide which outside apps can read or write individual categories of Health information.

The takeaway is that you have more control than you might think, but you need to go into the settings and use it.

Lock it down: Your 20-minute privacy tune-up

Here's a simple step-by-step guide to increasing your privacy when using health apps.

Step 1: Shut off ad tracking at the phone level

iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking , then turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track . Next, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising and turn off Personalized Ads .

Android: Go to Settings > Google > All services > Ads > Ads privacy . From there, you can turn off ad topics , app-suggested ads and ad measurement . Some devices also provide an option to delete the advertising ID. Menu names can vary by phone.

These settings limit certain forms of advertising and cross-app tracking. They do not stop every app from collecting information you enter directly or using other identifiers allowed under its privacy policy.

Step 2: Turn off sharing inside every health app

Open the account or privacy settings in each health app you use. Switch off anything labeled marketing, ad personalization or third-party sharing. Disconnect any linked apps you do not actively use.

Step 3: Look for privacy opt-outs

Check for links labeled "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information," "Your Privacy Choices" or something similar. Covered businesses must provide these controls under laws such as California's CCPA when they sell or share personal information as the law defines those terms. Your available rights may depend on where you live. An opt-out can restrict certain data practices, but it does not guarantee that all of your information will remain with the company.

Step 4: Know the red flags before the phone rings

Medicare does not make unsolicited calls offering free medical supplies in exchange for your Medicare or financial information. If a caller references a specific health condition, the detail may have come from a commercial profile, public record, data breach or another source. Do not assume the caller is legitimate simply because they know something about you. Never confirm personal or Medicare information during an unexpected call.

But here's the problem: You can't fix what you can't see

Turning off tracking in your apps can help reduce future collection, but it does not remove information that companies have already gathered, shared or sold. That data may already appear across dozens or even hundreds of broker and people-search sites.

You can submit removal requests yourself, but the process takes time. Each site has its own opt-out steps, and you may need to repeat them because your information can reappear months later.

A reputable data removal service can handle much of that work for you. These services send opt-out requests to data brokers, monitor for reappearing information and submit new removal requests when needed.

No service can erase every trace of your information online, but ongoing removal can reduce how much personal data is available to advertisers, scammers and identity thieves.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Kurt's key takeaways

Your health app may not receive the same HIPAA protections as your doctor's office. FTC cases show that some major health platforms disclosed sensitive information to advertising and analytics companies, while data brokers market profiles connected to health conditions. Scammers could use details like these to make Medicare, pharmacy and supplement pitches sound more believable. Turn off tracking and sharing where possible, and use available deletion or opt-out requests for information companies have already collected.

Would you stop using a health app if it shared your medical data, or would stronger privacy controls be enough to keep you? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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US says North Korea missile launch poses no immediate threat, 'consulting closely' with allies

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:25:57 -0400

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command vowed Thursday that the U.S. "remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region" after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile.

The launch of the short-range ballistic missile unfolded ahead of large-scale, annual exercises to be conducted by the U.S. and South Korean militaries later this month. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said a projectile from North Korea's eastern Wonsan area was detected around 5 p.m. local time.

"We are aware of the missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies," U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.

"The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region," it added.

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South Korea's military bolstered its surveillance posture and is closely coordinating with the U.S. and Japan in the wake of the event, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the missile landed in the waters off North Korea's east coast and that there were no reports that the weapon reached Japanese territory.

Koizumi added that North Korea's repeated missile launches pose a threat to Japan and the region and that Tokyo lodged a protest to Pyongyang through their embassies in Beijing. South Korea's presidential national security council called the North Korean launch "a provocation" that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions and urged the North to stop it.

It was North Korea's first ballistic missile launch since late June, when it tested a tactical ballistic missile with a "special mission" warhead and other weapons. After watching the testing activities, leader Kim Jong Un said at the time that the military needed to bolster its "deadly and destructive offensive posture."

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South Korean and U.S. officials haven't yet released details about this year's Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercise, but the drills are typically held in the latter half of August.

"This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), ROK government agency, ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats," United States Forces Korea said about the exercises on its website.

"It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the various military services," it added.

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U.S. and South Korean officials say the training is defensive in nature, but North Korea says the maneuvers are a practice invasion and often responds with missile tests, according to The Associated Press.

Fox News' Liz Friden and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Loophole forcing release of detained illegal immigrants targeted by Senate GOP

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:02:42 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Senate Republicans are pushing to close a decades-old immigration loophole they say was heavily abused by the Biden administration.

The effort, led by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., would prevent detained illegal immigrants from being released back into the U.S. in the event that their home countries would not accept their return.

Britt told Fox News Digital that her bill, the Keeping Our Communities Safe Act, would cinch tight the loophole that was created in 2001 when the Supreme Court ruled that illegal immigrants could be released from detention after six months if no country accepted them for deportation.

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"Ultimately, we want to create pathways for these people to go back to the country they came from," Britt said. "But just because we can't get a country to comply does not mean that that person should get to roam free in the United States of America."

"They should be there in detention until we're able to find them a pathway back to their country," she continued. "So this loophole was obviously exploited a great deal in the Biden administration, and what we're doing is making sure that we are putting forth legislation that closes it once and for all."

Over two decades ago, the court ruling limited the federal government’s authority to detain illegal immigrants and instilled a time frame that a noncitizen could remain detained.

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Once that six-month period has elapsed and there is no likelihood of removal, the government is tasked with presenting evidence that removal is still likely and on the table. But if they can’t, the detainee has to be released under supervision.

Britt’s bill targets two sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a 1950s-era law that has undergirded the nation’s immigration laws for decades, to expand the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) authority to detain criminal aliens, deny bonds to criminal aliens, and generally limit the availability of bonds unless an illegal immigrant can establish by clear and convincing evidence that they’re not a flight risk or a risk to another person or the community.

It would also allow for extensions of detention in a number of cases, including in cases where an alien is a threat to national security or has committed an aggravated felony or violent crime.

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The bill has been circulating in Congress since 2011. Britt also tried to get it passed during the Biden administration.

The legislation has 11 Senate Republicans on board as co-sponsors, including Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Mike Rounds, R-S.D.

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"Joe Biden and Kamala Harris allowed millions of illegals to INVADE our country — and now law-abiding Americans are paying the price," Tuberville said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We need to do everything we can to deport every single one of these criminals."

Bill Belichick announces son Steve is on medical leave from North Carolina football program

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:02:29 -0400

The hits unfortunately keep coming for the North Carolina football program, as Bill Belichick announced on Thursday morning that his son, Steve Belichick, is currently not with the team.

As the Tar Heels continue preparing for the upcoming season during fall camp, they are doing so without their defensive coordinator. During his media availability, the UNC head coach told reporters that his son, Steve, was on medical leave.

"Just want to let everyone know that my son Steve’s on medical leave, and look forward to getting him back as soon as possible," Bill Belichick noted about his son. "It’s a medical situation so I really can’t make any further comment on that."

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The 2026 season is pivotal for North Carolina to turn things around, coming off a 4-8 year that saw Bill Belichick face a number of questions about the trajectory of his football program amid high-handed scrutiny from Tar Heel fans.

There are rightfully plenty of skeptics regarding the job Belichick has done so far in Chapel Hill, mainly relying on the transfer portal to secure wins in a highly competitive financial market for student-athletes.

But even off the field, there continue to be questions about whether turning the North Carolina program into the NFL's '33rd team' would actually work out in the long run. Early results show that the support among fans is teetering, with an upcoming season that is not likely to produce an ACC championship run.

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In reality, UNC would be lucky to reach a decent postseason bowl game this season, if we're going off talent alone.

Investigation into GM Michael Lombardi continues

Before fall camp could even get underway, North Carolina was already dealing with off-field issues.

It was announced by the school on July 27 that general manager Michael Lombardi had been placed on administrative leave, following a human resources complaint being filed against him.

"The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has placed Michael Lombardi, general manager for the Carolina football program, on paid administrative leave, effective immediately," the school announced at the time.

"As is standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff, and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing this topic further, and has no reflection on its merits."

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Since then, Lombardi has hired noted attorney Tom Mars to represent him during the school's investigation into the matter.

On Wednesday, WRAL-TV reported that the school had hired three outside attorneys to help North Carolina in its investigation into the human resources complaint against Lombardi.

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Mars told ESPN that his client is already dealing with the court of public opinion without facts pertaining to the investigation.

"Michael hasn’t been told anything about the nature of UNC’s investigation and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name, which has already been sullied by baseless statements and innuendo on social media," Tom Mars said. "He is fully cooperating with UNC and expects the investigation will be swift, thorough, and fair.

"Michael would ask that people have the decency to let the process run its course before jumping to any conclusions about the nature of the investigation or whether there’s any merit to whatever has been alleged."

Pivotal season for North Carolina, especially for Bill Belichick

There is no denying that this will be a make-or-break year for the North Carolina head coach, as the landscape continues to change around college football.

A 4-8 record is not exactly what UNC officials were anticipating when they hired Bill Belichick, hoping he could bring his NFL success to the collegiate level. While the marketing campaigns were running rampant to start the 2025 season, the results left many around the university questioning whether hiring Belichick was the smart move.

Now, entering a season without much fanfare around campus has led to plenty of people wondering if this is actually going to be a long-term solution in bringing UNC back into the college football conversation.

Also, with so many changes taking place around the sport in terms of NIL and revenue-sharing, keeping the focus on football has been a task that many around the program did not anticipate being a problem when Belichick first took the job.

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But, here we are, as North Carolina prepares to face TCU in the season opener with plenty at stake for a number of parties involved.

House GOP launches probe into 5 major labor unions over Dem spending despite MAGA membership base

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:00:40 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: The Republican-led House Committee on Education and Workforce is demanding financial records from five of the nation's largest labor unions over allegations that union leaders used funds to support Democratic candidates and progressive causes while spending millions on lavish perks.

In letters obtained by Fox News Digital and sent Thursday, the lawmakers on the committee requested financial records dating back to January 2023 from the United Auto Workers (UAW), United Steelworkers (USW), SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD), Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED).

"Unions are supposed to be representing workers for their best interests on the job site, for their future goals that they have, and to work together in a commonality that speaks for, I think, in general, all of the workers combined and not just select portions of it," Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., who also serves as the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, told Fox News Digital.

"When we see funds that have been used by multiple unions for highly political purposes, and you begin to see that the rank and file aren't following along with the same political funding purposes of union leadership, common sense says you ought to take a look at it."

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Multiple reports cited in the letters, including previous Fox News Digital reporting on BMWED's political spending, allege union leaders spent millions supporting Democratic candidates and progressive causes while also spending heavily on conferences, travel, entertainment and other expenses.

The UAW had the highest reported totals, with nearly $95 million in political spending and nearly $146 million spent on travel and entertainment.

The requests also seek records on lobbying, executive pay, travel, entertainment and conference expenses, along with member complaints, ethics and audit policies, transfers to larger labor organizations, and the use of union funds to cover expenses for spouses, family members, guests or political allies.

The lawmakers argue there is a growing disconnect between union leadership and members, saying many rank-and-file workers have "increasingly supported President Trump and other Republican candidates in recent election cycles."

"I think it comes down to the leader's own self-interest," Walberg said. "That could be political interest, or that could be self-aggrandizement, or in certain cases looks like for monetary purposes, for their own personal benefit."

In the letters, the lawmakers said that workers "deserve transparency regarding how their dues are spent, the extent to which union leadership consults members before endorsing candidates or engaging in political activities, and whether differing viewpoints within the union are being respected."

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Walberg said the committee is examining how some unions spend dues collected under "mandatory membership policies."

"We have responsibility in our committee for oversight on what goes on in the workplace, what goes in those that represent workers in the work place on both sides of the equation, whether it's the employer or the union," he said.

But Walberg said union leaders still face questions about serving workers' best interests.

"There have been union leaders who have gone to jail and certainly been prosecuted over misuse of funds," he said. "There seems to be indication that that still is going on in certain major unions."

Insisting "this is not to be a partisan political motivated effort," Walberg said the committee's role is oversight and that evidence uncovered during the investigation could still be referred to the Justice Department.

"We do not have prosecutorial powers," he said. "We can't put anybody in jail. We can call for information, and ultimately call for union leadership to come before our committee and answer questions."

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The unions were asked to respond by Aug. 17, with the UAW receiving a separate Aug. 18 deadline.

"The committee will continue examining whether current labor law adequately protects workers from political coercion and whether additional transparency requirements are warranted," according to the letters.

The letters added that the unions' responses will assist "in determining whether any legislative changes are warranted," arguing unions have a legal duty to fairly represent members and that workers "should not be compelled to subsidize political advocacy fundamentally at odds with their beliefs or interests."

Walberg said the investigation is "for a purpose," one he hopes will hold union leaders accountable.

"I hope that will be very apparent and transparent that we are concerned about the rank-and-file union member who in most cases had no choice about their contributions but should have a clear understanding and the ability to react to that understanding about how their funds are being used for political, cultural, you name it, purposes and have their union leadership brought to light," he said.

In response to Fox News Digital's request for comment, SMART-TD spokesperson Dan Banks said that regarding the union's finances, labor organizations already face "extensive federal reporting and disclosure requirements" and urged the committee to "focus its efforts on legislation that meaningfully improves the lives and working conditions of American workers."

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Fox News Digital also reached out to the UAW, USW, BLET and BMWED for comment. BMWED declined to comment, while the other unions did not respond by publication.

USA Women's Basketball roster reveal for FIBA World Cup features awkward Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese pairing

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:54:58 -0400

With the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup less than a month away, USA Basketball announced its final roster for the tournament.

While you'll find plenty of familiar faces from the WNBA up and down the roster, some new blood has found its way onto the team as well.

Some of those new names include Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston, among others, but the most newsworthy additions come in the form of a pair of bitter rivals forced to put their differences aside to try and lead their country to glory.

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That's right, folks! Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark will be sharing the court in Germany next month, which is intriguing news for anyone who is aware of the history between these two rising stars.

Dating all the way back to their days in college, Clark and Reese have had a fairly contentious rivalry blossoming between the two of them, one that has carried over to the WNBA.

A number of high-profile incidents in recent years – including a hard foul from Clark on Reese that led to a face-to-face confrontation in 2025 – could make this an awkward pairing, to say the least.

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Other rivals in other sports and even in basketball have been able to bury the hatchet in the interest of a greater common goal, so will Clark and Reese be able to do the same?

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Several fans on social media were quick to point out that the addition of Reese doesn't make sense from a pure basketball standpoint, let alone when factoring in the rivalry aspect.

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Perhaps the Women's National Team saw her "brilliant" no-look circus shot from earlier this week and decided it needed a little pizzazz, but I digress.

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Regardless, the additions of both Reese and Clark will make next month's FIBA World Cup must-watch television.

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Either the two rivals come together to deliver the United States to the promised land, or their well-documented animus toward each other will destroy the team from the inside out.

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Both options sound like ratings gold, so the execs win either way.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's daughter says weight-loss drugs led to the return of her eating disorder

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:48:56 -0400

Gracie McGraw, the eldest daughter of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, is opening up about her experience with weight-loss drugs, saying the Ozempic craze contributed to the return of her eating disorder.

In a series of Instagram Stories shared on Monday, the 29-year-old actress and singer reflected on using the medication after being diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in 2022.

"Yes, it worked and made my PCOS symptoms easier to control," McGraw wrote on her Instagram Stories, according to People. But she said the medication also "brought back" her eating disorder and negative body image issues.

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"At that time I thought it was the best decision I ever made because I finally lost weight and got skinny," she said. "As soon as I started shedding a few pounds I noticed how people looked at me differently on the streets, in my friend groups and family, and in my own job. I got more opportunities when I lost weight than I ever have had in my life."

"I’ve been called fat and ugly my entire life, whether that had been from magazines or the internet, constantly saying I must have different genes than my sisters and parents because I was the ‘fat’ one and didn’t have the looks that my family has," she continued.

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McGraw said she quickly realized she had become "too skinny."

"All of a sudden skinny culture is back and I realized holy crap I have been feeding into my eating disorder this whole time under the guise of this miracle shot," she said. "I think it was probably one of the worst things I’ve ever done for myself, looking back. Because now as everyone is getting smaller and smaller, I am gaining my weight back and seeing how much losing all of that weight actually affected me and my views of myself."

"My internal system is forever changed since taking the meds," she continued. "Yes, it f---ing worked and made my pcos symptoms easier to control, but it also brought back my ED and negative views on my body."

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"Telling people to not speak on this is incredibly wrong and damaging," she added. "It’s promoting created thinness as [a] goal not as danger. We are at a time when we need to be taking care of ourselves and our people. If you know someone who is struggling or if you are, please never feel embarrassed to reach out to anyone. We are here for each other."

These days, McGraw reassured followers she is "doing so good now" despite "slip ups from time to time" when it comes to body image.

In 2022, McGraw shared her PCOS with the world, detailing the challenges of the diagnosis.

"I just wanted to share really quick that I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). To get the correct diagnosis you would need 2 out of the 5 characteristics of PCOS and I had 4. During my appointment with my endocrinologist I realized that may had been a factor in my issues with weight, so we decided to try a medicine to regulate my body more normally and create the tools to continue to keep my body and myself healthy as I get older," she wrote to her Instagram followers.

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"I’m learning to navigate the new blemishes but I don’t think that I would have ever allowed myself to go to a doctors appointment like this unless I had taken the correct steps toward my mental health, because as much as physical health is important, mental goes hand and hand. Sending love to those who are struggling with something similar or literally anything at all. Mental health is freaking hard !! It’s a long road but we can get through it. I share my experience to hope my situation has reached someone who can relate," she explained.

Mets moneyline bet makes sense as Foster Griffin faces first start with Cleveland Guardians

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:45:36 -0400

With the dust settling from the trade deadline, teams are turning to the postseason focus. Baseball implemented a new path with three Wild Card teams for each league a few years ago, and it seems like virtually every team has a shot at the postseason because of it. I like the system because it does make the stretch run more interesting. In today's game, we have one team with no shot at the playoffs and one battling for a division or Wild Card berth.

The New York Mets are a complete disaster and have been for the better part of the past few years. Sure, they made it to the National League Championship two years ago, but it was a huge hot streak that propelled them there. Then they fell off a cliff last year and have not been able to climb back up. It hasn't been for a lack of moves or anything; it just seems like the team can't click. They are 49-66 for the year, one of the worst records in baseball.

Even after trading away a few of their pieces, the Mets do still have a lot of talent on the roster. One of their better arms remains as a starter, with Nolan McLean taking the ball today. McLean is 7-7 with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. His 148 strikeouts also rank ninth in baseball, putting him at top-20 for ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP. He has been great on the road this season, with a 2.29 ERA as a visiting pitcher. July was his best month of the season with five quality starts and no more than two earned runs allowed in any of the outings. The Guardians history against McLean is good in very limited experience. They've gone 4-for-7 against him.

The Cleveland Guardians made some very nice moves at the trade deadline, bolstering an already strong rotation and adding a solid hitter to their lineup. We've seen the Guardians make late runs as recently as last year. Cleveland is currently trailing the White Sox in the standings, but they are only three games back of the White Sox at the moment. Additionally, they are tied for the final Wild Card spot, but there are four teams within three games of the final spot. Again, a lot of teams have a chance at the postseason thanks to those three spots.

Guardians rookie tosses ball into stands after making second out, costs team go-ahead run

That is one of the reasons that the Guardians went out to get Foster Griffin. Griffin has been fantastic this season as he returned from overseas to the league. He is 12-3 with a 3.06 ERA, and a 1.07 WHIP. He also has added 116 strikeouts for the year. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the trade in the middle of the breakout year. He had very little pressure on himself with the Nationals, but now has to figure out how to adjust to a new team, and a new league. He did face the Mets earlier this year and allowed five runs on eight hits over five innings.

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The early line movement has been toward the Guardians, but I'm not sure I agree with it in this situation. I think Griffin might struggle in his first outing with a new team. That happens to a lot of pitchers. Additionally, I think the Mets have their best shot at winning with McLean on the hill. He has been great on the road. I know we've seen some success in limited exposure from the Guardians, but I don't believe it will make a major difference today. Give me the Mets on the moneyline.

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FBI’s ‘clever’ Trump-Russia probe code name ignites suspicion something deeper was at play

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:38:37 -0400

The White House on Wednesday released declassified FBI memos showing the bureau investigated whether President Donald Trump’s firing of James Comey was tied to Russia under the oddly spelled code name "Oxferd Comma," fueling speculation that the misspelling was intentional.

Former acting Assistant Attorney General Jeff Clark alleged the code name was deliberately altered to make records of the investigation harder to find.

"The FBI under James Comey and Christopher Wray was hopelessly corrupt. To penalize President Trump’s firing of Comey, they created a ridiculous investigation into Trump on the theory he was a witting or unwitting Russian agent," Clark, who serves as vice president of litigation at the Oversight Project, told Fox News Digital.

"They called it OXFERD C0MMA (note the zero for the second ‘o’ and the misspelling of the University). The FBI managers thought this was clever. They imagined themselves as Blofeld in a James Bond movie deviously defeating the Freedom of Information Act," Clark added, referring to the James Bond supervillain.

TRUMP ALLY DIGENOVA TAPPED TO LEAD DOJ PROBE INTO BRENNAN OVER RUSSIA PROBE ORIGINS

Clark explained on social media that he "consulted with a document expert" who concluded the first "o" in "Comma" was actually a zero – further obscuring the probe's name.

Investigators on the "Oxferd Comma" case sought to determine whether Trump was "directed by, controlled by, and/or coordinated activities with, the Russian Federation in a manner constituting a threat to the national security of the United States and/or a violation of federal criminal statutes," according to a May 16, 2017, FBI memo.

Trump fired Comey in May 2017, with the White House initially citing Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. The FBI opened the "Oxferd Comma" probe days later to examine whether the firing was connected to Russia.

"Additionally, let me speculate that James Comey was well-known by his associates as liking Oxford commas, so they named the operation (clearly motivated by revenge in response to Trump firing Comey) as a hommage (Fr.) to their beloved Comey," Clark added. "But that doesn’t explain why it was deliberately misspelled as 'Oxferd.'"

Clark, who served in Trump’s first administration, argued that the misspelling could have made it more difficult for anyone searching for records related to the operation. He suggested that a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request using the correct spelling might not have returned the relevant documents, potentially allowing the FBI to say that no responsive records had been found.

LEFT-WING GROUP CHASES PROOF OF KASH PATEL'S ALLEGED 'EXCESSIVE DRINKING' AS DEMS EYE FBI DIRECTOR'S OUSTER

Fox News Digital reached out to Wray, Comey and the White House for comment.

"It should be investigated as an obstruction of justice. You know, some real obstruction of an official proceeding," Clark posted to X.

The unusual spelling also drew attention on social media, where users resurfaced a 2017 Comey post about Oxford commas.

"Check the actual cover. I’m all about Oxford commas," Comey wrote in a 2017 X post about his then-forthcoming memoir, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership."

OBAMA-ERA ATTORNEY FLIPS SCRIPT ON COMEY INDICTMENT NAYSAYERS WITH WARNING NOT TO BURY DOJ YET

The FBI did not directly address the code name when asked by Fox News Digital on Thursday.

"The weaponization that occurred against President Trump under prior regimes was inexcusable and wholly un-American. Director Patel himself was the lead investigator who originally exposed the disgraceful Crossfire Hurricane scandal – and as Director, he has released over 40,000 pages of documents to the public exposing similar malfeasance from former FBI leadership – a three fold increase from both his predecessors combined," Ben Williamson, assistant director of the FBI’s Office of Public Affairs, said.

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"As we’ve said repeatedly: any individual who is found to have acted unethically or engaged in weaponization has been or will be fired from the Bureau and held accountable under the law," Williamson added.

Pete Crow-Armstrong gets honest about MVP race with Shohei Ohtani, jokes he needs to start pitching

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:37:06 -0400

For the first time since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 MLB season, Shohei Ohtani isn't running the National League MVP race alone. Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong has joined him, and the circumstances and numbers may fall in place for the center fielder to take home the honors.

Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani put on a must-see duel at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon, each hitting two home runs and combining for seven RBI in what turned out to be a 7-6 win for the Cubs. While PCA has made serious noise at the dish and in center field throughout the season, a memorable outing against Ohtani and the Dodgers to cap off a series sweep for his club intensified the NL MVP conversation.

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Crow-Armstrong admitted after Wednesday's contest that he's enjoying all of the hype, but winning the award isn't at the top of his list of priorities.

"I would be crazy to say that I don't want to win an MVP, but if we're talking about having priorities straight, I think mine are pretty straight," Crow-Armstrong said, according to ESPN. "It's not on the forefront of my mind. It's fun to joke about it, and it's fun to acknowledge. And I think it's absolutely OK to pay attention to, but it's not like following me up to the plate."

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While PCA is having fun with the situation, he's also aware he's not going head-to-head with the full-strength Ohtani at the moment given that the Japan native hasn't pitched since July 3 due to soreness in his left knee. If Ohtani, who holds a 1.79 ERA this season, were pitching, a debate about who should win NL MVP would be pointless.

"I think if you guys want to talk about all this back and forth, I really should go get in the lab and start pitching. I really should," Crow-Armstrong joked.

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As of Thursday morning, Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani are co-favorites to win the NL MVP award at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Ohtani and PCA have put up very similar numbers at the plate with around 50 games left in the regular season. Each player has hit 26 home runs, while Ohtani has driven in one more run (70) than PCA and has the edge in the OPS category with a clip of .953 compared to Crow-Armstrong's .938.

Iran’s president blames foreign pressure as expert warns regime's economy nears breaking point

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:33:13 -0400

Reports of Iranians stealing bread, cheese, meat and other basic groceries are fueling concerns that the country’s worsening economic crisis is pushing households toward a breaking point.

An investigation published Wednesday by the Iranian newspaper Jahan-e Sanat described supermarket workers encountering customers who allegedly concealed inexpensive food items or ate packaged products inside stores without paying. The accounts are anecdotal and do not establish the national prevalence of food theft, but analysts say they reflect the mounting pressure created by inflation, currency depreciation and collapsing purchasing power.

"These are anecdotal, but they align with hard data," Miad Maleki, an associate fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.

IRAN’S DEEPEST WEAKNESS IS GETTING EXPOSED THROUGH AMERICA’S MAXIMUM PRESSURE CAMPAIGN

"Iran is already inside the tipping zone," Maleki said. "But a genuine ‘tipping point’ wouldn’t be a single dramatic event. It would look like what’s already unfolding in slow motion: currency collapse, World War II-level food inflation and now theft of staples, reaching a threshold where basic caloric/nutritional access breaks down for a large share of the population, not just the poorest."

The reports surfaced as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that the country was facing "difficulties and problems," while insisting during a televised address Wednesday that Iran remained powerful and respected.

"The enemy is exerting pressure in an attempt to provoke the people into protesting," Pezeshkian said, according to an account of his Aug. 5 address published by Iran’s state-affiliated Press TV.

Maleki said worsening food insecurity could become a trigger for renewed demonstrations, pointing to Iran’s November 2019 protests following a sharp government-imposed increase in gasoline prices.

IRAN HANGS 2 PROTESTERS IN PUBLIC, CROWD CRIES 'DISHONORABLE' AS SECURITY FIRES TEAR GAS

"The regime’s own history proves it, because its most dangerous moments have been economic, not ideological," Maleki said.

He cautioned, however, that economic desperation would not necessarily produce immediate political change. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij paramilitary forces have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to suppress unrest rather than make significant economic concessions, he said.

A supermarket employee identified only as Amirhossein told Jahan-e Sanat that he had witnessed several suspected thefts during the previous 10 months. The employee described customers allegedly taking cheese, butter, cakes, pastries and meat, according to Iran International’s account of the newspaper investigation.

"I think poverty is the main reason," the employee told the newspaper. "You cannot judge everyone the same way, but when someone steals a simple item, they are probably under enormous pressure."

MAJOR DISPUTE TO THREATEN TRUMP'S IRAN DEAL OVER BILLIONS IN FROZEN TEHRAN FUNDS: EXPERT

Maleki, a former Treasury Department sanctions official, said Iran’s annual food inflation reached between 112.5% and 113.8% in March 2026, with the prices of bread and cereals rising 140% and dairy products and eggs increasing 116.8%.

The Statistical Center of Iran data cited in separate reports showed point-to-point inflation of 113.8% for food and beverages and 112.5% for food items in March compared with the same month a year earlier. Bread and cereal prices increased 140%, while milk, cheese and egg prices rose 116.8%.

"While a single newspaper’s petty-crime roundup isn’t proof of imminent collapse, it’s a credible symptom layered on top of verified macro data," Maleki said. "And when or if this conflict ends and market demand is not suppressed by a state of war, inflation will skyrocket even higher."

Maleki said Iran’s currency crisis has intensified the pressure on households. The U.S. dollar reached approximately 1.5 million rials in January before surpassing 1.94 million rials on Iran’s open market in July amid renewed regional conflict.

IRAN’S REGIME WON’T NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. TRUMP MUST BREAK ITS GRIP

The government’s response, Maleki said, has included issuing monthly cash credits worth approximately $7 at the open-market exchange rate after eliminating subsidized exchange rates for certain imports. He argued that removing those subsidies contributed to further price increases.

The critical threshold, he added, would come when access to basic nutrition deteriorates not only among Iran’s poorest citizens but across a large portion of the population.

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The supermarket accounts do not prove that the Iranian government is on the verge of collapse. Maleki argues, however, that they provide an increasingly visible sign that the country’s economic crisis is affecting Iranians’ ability to afford basic necessities.

Podiatrists say these Brooks sneakers can help with plantar fasciitis — now under $100 on Amazon

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:23:30 -0400

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is a favorite among FOX readers and foot specialists thanks to its supportive design and all-day comfort. Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Gregory Alvarez recommends the well-cushioned sneakers in our roundup of expert-approved shoes for plantar fasciitis, and right now, they're on sale for under $100 on Amazon.

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"[The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24] is a great choice for those who need a bit more stability," said Dr. Alvarez. "It offers good cushioning, and the GuideRails support system helps limit excess motion that can put stress on the plantar fascia, making it a solid option for walking, running or all-day wear."

The Adrenaline GTS 24 is Brooks' stability running shoe, pairing its GuideRails support system with nitrogen-infused cushioning for a balance of stability and comfort. A breathable mesh upper promotes airflow, while narrow, regular and wide widths make it easier to find a comfortable fit.

According to Dr. Timothy Oldani, DPM, FACFAS, a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, plantar fasciitis develops when the band of tissue supporting the arch becomes irritated or overstressed, often leading to persistent heel pain. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24's GuideRails support system helps limit excess movement, while the responsive cushioning provides comfort throughout your stride.

Amazon reviewers echo the experts' praise. One wrote, "As someone who is a heel striker, finding a running shoe that actually stays comfortable after long use is tough. I've put hundreds of miles on these Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 and they've never let me down."

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The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, making it a trusted favorite among shoppers. Another reviewer wrote, "I've tried running shoes from nearly every major brand, and the Adrenaline GTS 24 in 4E is by far the most supportive and durable option I've found for runners who need structured support."

The Adrenaline GTS 24 isn't just for runners. Its breathable mesh upper also makes it a comfortable option for walking, traveling or spending long hours on your feet. If you're looking for an all-around solid sneaker that's comfortable for walking and running without sacrificing support, this expert-recommended pick is worth the investment.

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Fetterman wins praise for 'guts' after going toe-to-toe with Jon Stewart over Israel support

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:15:13 -0400

A Republican Jewish organization praised Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., for his "guts" after talk show host Jon Stewart clashed with Fetterman over his "red line" support for Israel. The senator called out the Democratic Party's increasing hostility toward the Jewish state.

"So, you could agree with them 90%, but Israel is the red line?" Stewart asked Fetterman on "The Weekly Show" podcast.

"Absolutely, I can’t ever turn my back to Israel after where it’s at." Fetterman answered.

SEN JOHN FETTERMAN PLEDGES TO BE 'LAST MAN STANDING' IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL

The Republican Jewish Coalition commented to Fox News Digital: "Here’s some free advice, for a Democratic Party that has totally lost its mind and is hemorrhaging Jewish support: don’t be a clown like Jon Stewart, have some guts like John Fetterman."

"I mean no disrespect on this, but that is not our country," Stewart said in the exchange. "You’re saying that these candidates may have great ideas for our economy. They may want to do the exact same thing you want to do, in terms of getting money out of politics. They may want to increase the social safety net. They may want to change the balance of power from capital back to labor, but if they don’t agree with you on Israel, you don’t want them in your party?"

Fetterman asked Stewart to give him some examples, to which Stewart listed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as Democratic figures who have criticized Israel. Fetterman clarified that he meant politicians who are members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) should run as their own party rather than "colonizing" the Democratic Party.

Stewart dismissed this argument, comparing DSA members to Republican members of the House Freedom Caucus.

"And I’m assuming there’s probably things in the Democratic platform that you might disagree with, but you don’t disavow the entire thing. You’re literally saying, ‘We can all have discussions, except when it comes to Israel,’ which is not America. It seems like a weird line to draw," Stewart said.

BERNIE SANDERS BLASTS FETTERMAN AS 'WAY OUT OF TOUCH' WITH AMERICANS AFTER GRAHAM PLATNER REBUKE

"Well, I don’t think that’s weird. I think what history demonstrates is that when people or governments turn their back to the Jewish community, things end really badly," Fetterman fired back.

"The Jewish community and Israel are not the same thing, brother man. That is not the same thing," Stewart said.

Fetterman suggested at the Hill Nation Summit last month that the Democrats turning their back on Israel could be a breaking point for him leaving the party.

"My long-term concern has been with the Democratic Party, as I am a member of that, is that our party is going to back away and turn its back to Israel," he said. "If our party ever becomes, and just makes it official, the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me."

JOHN FETTERMAN MAKES IT 'VERY CLEAR' THAT HE'S 'NOT GOING TO BE A REPUBLICAN' DESPITE DEM BACKLASH

Speaking with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, Fetterman said the direction of his party has become "troubling" and pointed to recent primaries as the latest test of whether Democrats will continue embracing candidates aligned with the party’s progressive flank.

"I see the midterms right now that the more radical, the more anti-Israel, and the people have turned Israel as to the ultimate litmus… When you have Gov. [Gavin] Newsom describing Israel as an apartheid state. He knows better, that that's not true," Fetterman said.

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He added, "Those are core values… Like I said, you just can't pander to those kinds of people."

A'ja Wilson and the Aces face Caitlin Clark's Fever in marquee WNBA regular season matchup

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:03:07 -0400

The WNBA season is winding down, and we will have the playoffs sooner than you know it. Most teams have around 15 games remaining, and the playoffs officially start Sept. 27. The bad news for the league (in a league full of bad news and decisions), is that by that point, most people will be paying attention to football and the upcoming MLB Playoffs and NBA season starting. Tonight is a night where all eyes should be on the WNBA, as the Aces take on the Fever.

The Las Vegas Aces were supposed to take a step back last year after trading away Kelsey Plum (who has now been traded again to the Mercury in hopes of Phoenix making a last push for the postseason after making the Finals last year). Instead, the Aces were able to win another championship, their third in four years. They have continued their success this season and currently sit tied for the second-best record in the league at 21-9. I suppose it helps that the Aces have the best player in the league, and she is having yet another MVP season.

That player is none other than A'ja Wilson, who is averaging 26.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She is one of a handful of the most unstoppable players in the league. They also have a strong supporting cast of players supporting her. The Plum trade allowed for them to unleash Jackie Young a bit more, and she is averaging 17.8 points per game this year. They also have Chelsea Gray, another solid guard. NaLyssa Smith is a reliable forward who can score and do a bit of the dirty work.

CHINEY OGWUMIKE CLAIMING THAT A'JA WILSON IS 'GREATER' THAN TOM BRADY EXPOSES ESPN'S WNBA CREDIBILITY PROBLEM

The Indiana Fever is the most covered team in the entire league for a wide variety of reasons. Most recently, the story around the league has been due to Sophie Cunningham saying transgender athletes shouldn't be allowed in the WNBA. It isn't exactly a shocking stance, but everyone wants to get worked up about everything now, so the headlines and stories have lasted for weeks. The team probably wishes it could just get back to basketball.

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When they are playing good basketball, the Fever is among the best teams in the league. They currently sit at fifth in the league, good enough for a playoff spot. They are 19-11, but they are one of four teams with 19 wins. Over this final stretch, the team must get some more wins to separate themselves and potentially earn home-court advantage in the postseason. They have played some of their best basketball recently, winning seven of their past nine games.

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Tonight will be one of the tougher matchups, probably for both teams. The Fever are one of the more balanced teams. I have to give the Aces credit as well. Not only do they have Wilson, but they have good players around her. I can tell you that Wilson is one of those competitors who doesn't like the attention that people give Caitlin Clark. She will get even more jazzed up for this game — most of the league does, though, as they like to show off when playing against Clark.

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Playing against everyone's best effort every night is a struggle, and that's what the Fever face. Tonight, Aliyah Boston and Clark are both listed as game-time decisions, which means they are banged up even if they do play. Even if fully healthy, the Aces are the better team. The Lynx and Aces are a tier above the Fever, and I think they win this game. Give me Las Vegas -120 on the moneyline.

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Luigi Mangione seeks polished look with bid to ditch jail clothes for hearing in CEO slaying case

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:59:38 -0400

Luigi Mangione's defense team is making another pretrial push ahead of the accused CEO killer's next court appearance, asking a federal judge to let him ditch his jail attire and wear civilian clothing in a closely watched New York hearing.

Mangione, who is being held in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, is scheduled to appear Aug. 11 before New York Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro for a status conference.

Because he remains in federal custody, defense attorneys Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo and Jacob Kaplan asked U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett to order the Bureau of Prisons and Metropolitan Detention Center officials to accept civilian clothing for Mangione's Aug. 11 court appearance, including a suit, shirt, socks and a pair of shoes without laces.

MANGIONE LAWYERS SAY MEDIA LIMITS AT MURDER TRIAL ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL, FEAR COURT WILL 'HAND-PICK' PRESS

In the proposed order attached to the filing, Mangione's attorneys also asked that the Metropolitan Detention Center permit him to wear the civilian clothing while being transported to court for the Aug. 11 hearing.

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"Mr. Mangione ... does not have civilian clothes to wear for the court appearance," the filing states. "We therefore request – without objection from Judge Carro or the government – that this Court order the Bureau of Prisons and the MDC to accept" the clothing.

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The filing says Carro and prosecutors do not oppose the request, a routine procedural step for defendants in federal custody appearing in another court system.

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The latest filing comes as Mangione's defense team has continued an aggressive pretrial campaign surrounding the closely watched case, challenging restrictions on media access, arguing courtroom coverage limits violate constitutional rights and seeking to livestream portions of the proceedings.

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Prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office have pushed back, accusing the defense of making false and misleading claims about the court's media policies in an effort to influence public opinion.

Mangione is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, before fleeing the scene.

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Authorities arrested him days later at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after an employee recognized him and alerted police.

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Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges stemming from Thompson's killing.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, for comment.

WATCH: GOP split over Rand Paul’s DOJ strategy in Fauci contempt push

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:59:07 -0400

Republican senators debated Sen. Rand Paul's, R-Ky., plan to send a criminal contempt referral against former White House COVID advisor Anthony Fauci directly to the Department of Justice, raising questions about the legal viability of the effort and the procedural path forward.

Paul, the leader of the push, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that he was confident the votes would be there to move forward with holding Fauci in contempt of Congress, and that his next plan is to move forward with sending the referral directly over to the Justice Department.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said his office has already begun drafting a memo to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to urge the Justice Department to pursue a criminal contempt case against Fauci.

RAND PAUL PREDICTS FAUCI CONTEMPT VOTE WILL PASS, VOWS SWIFT DOJ REFERRAL

"My team is working right now on a memo to Blanche explaining why we think that he can be prosecuted for contempt of Congress," Hawley told Fox News Digital. "He's not entitled to immunity, taken the Fifth, when he already has a pardon. It’s one or the other. "

After the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Thursday to hold Fauci in contempt, the next step is typically for a full Senate vote to be held.

"It's got to actually go through the full Senate," said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. "That's the challenge."

But Paul’s more unusual plan to skip the vote in the Senate and send the criminal referral straight to the Justice Department could be a viable route. Vice President J.D. Vance, the President of the Senate, would have to certify the resolution and refer it to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. This could make it easier to prosecute Fauci as it wouldn’t require 60 votes in the Senate.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: WHY FAUCI'S 111 FIFTH AMENDMENT PLEAS COULD END UP BEFORE THE COURTS

Lankford said the risk in utilizing this procedure would be Democrats' potential use of it to their advantage in the future.

"The vice president would have to make a decision if he wants to try to change the structure of what has been done in the Senate, because then that would make them vulnerable three years from now to a future, maybe, Democrat Senate," Lankford said.

Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., backed Paul’s decision to send the contempt referral to the Justice Department, as she believes it is "necessary" to be resolved in a court regardless.

"I think Rand Paul feels very strongly that you can't have him coming in and pleading the Fifth in this situation," Moody said. "I think he also believes ultimately this will wind up in a court and that will be clarified by a court, and I think that's probably necessary as we move forward."

CAN FAUCI HIDE BEHIND THE FIFTH? GAME-CHANGING BIDEN PARDON MAY NOT PROVIDE COMPLETE COVER, EXPERTS SAY

Fauci is under a presidential pardon for all actions taken between Jan. 1, 2014, and Jan. 19, 2025, from former President Joe Biden, which has prompted widespread doubt on whether he is able to invoke his Fifth Amendment right to not self-incriminate.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital he questions whether there is a sufficient legal basis for holding Fauci in contempt, arguing that his invocation of the Fifth Amendment complicates the case.

"The first thing you have to do is identify what it is that you would be holding him in contempt for," Rounds said. "I think he took the Fifth. And doing so, I think it makes it more difficult for anybody to actually suggest that."

He also urged his colleagues to remember the fear they all shared during that time period, over the rapidly increasing death rate and the looming uncertainty.

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"Whether the advice was really good advice or if it was the best advice they had, it was a different time period," Rounds said. "So I just hope we all remember that."

Eric Bieniemy’s son believed to have called cops saying 'his parents' cut off his access to weapons: report

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:52:55 -0400

A person believed to be Elijah Bieniemy, the son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric, called police two days before he allegedly shot his mother saying he could not access his weapons from "his parents."

According to The Athletic, a 27-year-old man called from the family's home, where the shooting took place, saying "his parents are withholding his weapons and that he’s a certified UFC fighter, so now he feels like he cannot defend himself."

The caller "kept rambling on about also having his (CPR) license and what if he cannot help," the outlet said, citing an incident report.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"[H]is parents told him he must give them his firearms if he wants to keep living in the home — and that he could have them back when he needed them," the report continued. He added his parents "refuse to give (him) his firearms back when he tries to go to the range to use them."

Two days later, Mia Bieniemy was hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Leah Pau said that police arrived at a home located on the 20000 block of Northpark Drive in Ashburn, Virginia, on the evening of July 26 and arrested the couple's 27-year-old son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy. Mia was originally in stable condition but has since been transferred out of the ICU.

He was arrested on charges of malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling, according to a press release by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

ANTHONY FAUCI’ S LAWYER SAYS AARON RODGERS 'SHOULD STICK TO FOOTBALL’ AFTER SCORCHING HIM ON PAT MCAFEE'S SHOW

Elijah was also transported to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center where he is being held without bond.

Elijah won’t make a court appearance until he has completed a mental health competency evaluation, court records show. Court filings reported that he "appears to suffer from significant mental health issues" and "does not appear able to assist in his own defense at the present time."

As offensive coordinator in Kansas City from 2018-22, Bieniemy oversaw one of the league's most productive offenses to become an AFC stalwart, winning two Super Bowls in his tenure.

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Bieniemy, 56, returned to the Chiefs this year as their offensive coordinator after spending time with the Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears and UCLA's football program.

OutKick's Armando Salguero contributed to this report.

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Trump says US has 'massive' munitions stockpile, vows 'treasonous' leakers being hunted down

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:44:39 -0400

President Donald Trump declared Thursday that the U.S. has a "massive" munitions stockpile and "treasonous" leakers are "being hunted down" after reports emerged claiming the U.S. Army has burned through nearly all of its stockpiles of two of its primary long-range precision weapons.

The Army has used "virtually all" of its inventories of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) during the five-month conflict with Iran, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with internal U.S. military data.

"The U.S. has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types. Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history," Trump wrote on Truth Social early Thursday.

"The ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought!" the president added.

ALARMING MISSILE REPORT DRAWS FORCEFUL RESPONSE FROM TRUMP AS IRAN WAR TESTS AMERICA’S ARSENAL

Trump’s message was reposted on X by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

If accurate, the Reuters report underscores a long-standing Pentagon concern: America's most sophisticated precision weapons can be expended in months but often take years to replace.

Officials fear the drawdown could complicate the military's ability to respond to future crises involving adversaries such as China and Russia, according to the report.

WEAPONS STOCKPILE SHORTAGES IMPACTING MILITARY STRATEGY IN THE MIDEAST

Reuters also reported that the conflict significantly reduced inventories of Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors, along with Tomahawk cruise missiles, though the Pentagon has maintained the U.S. military retains the capabilities needed to carry out operations worldwide.

Exact U.S. weapons stockpile figures remain classified for national security reasons.

Some estimates show the U.S. has used more than half of its stockpiles of some weapons systems in the war with Iran. The Center for Strategic and International Studies found the U.S. has enough missiles to continue fighting in Iran under any plausible scenario, but the group says the true issue with the shrinking stockpiles is future wars.

"The depletion of munitions was a major topic and a major reason for the suspension of air attacks," Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marine colonel and senior advisor with the CSIS Defense and Security Department, told Fox News' Bret Baier. "Our inventories were getting way below what the war planners wanted. That might encourage China to do something."

CSIS notes many munition stockpiles are substantial but focused its analysis on seven key weapons that have been effective in Iran and would also be valuable in a possible Pacific conflict.

Trump said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Wednesday, "We have far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need, despite the fact that an unprecedented amount was given away by Crooked Joe Biden and the Biden Administration to Ukraine and Europe at no cost, in one of many of their extremely dumb moves."

The Pentagon has also pushed back on the reporting.

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"America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing. We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the U.S. military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests," chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

Fox News' Bret Baier and Amy Munneke and Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

Fun fact: Some sea slugs can shed their bodies and grow new ones

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:25:51 -0400

Scroll through the slideshow and be amazed

Sanders' answer when asked if he will endorse socialist Hong in Wisconsin sparks instant mockery: 'Says a lot'

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:34:28 -0400

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was asked if he would endorse Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member Francesca Hong’s Wisconsin gubernatorial bid, and his response sparked immediate mockery on social media.

"I don’t think so," the Vermont socialist told "Pod Save America" host Jon Favreau when asked if he is going to endorse Hong’s campaign for governor. "I met Francesca a couple of years ago. I was in Wisconsin, and she seems very, very nice, but again this is a race I’m just not that familiar with."

Sanders added that "we have not gotten involved in many governors' races" other than recently in Maine, where he endorsed Democrat Troy Jackson, who ultimately replaced disgraced Senate candidate Graham Platner, a candidate Sanders endorsed.

Political commentators quickly chimed in on social media suggesting that Sanders not endorsing Hong shows the senator doesn’t think she can win, with many pointing to Sanders’ strident support of Platner despite all of his political baggage.

AFTER PLATNER IMPLOSION, MAINE DEMOCRATS RUSH TOWARD NEW SENATE NOMINEE DESPITE FRESH WARNING SIGNS

"Bernie says he’s not backing Francesca Hong because he’s focused on the Senate," Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross posted on X. "Yet he’s endorsed in mayoral races, House races, and Troy Jackson’s failed governor race in Maine. That’s how whacky Hong is".

"Says a lot," Politico reporter Will Steakin posted on X.

"Guy with the Nazi Tattoo ‘hey everyone makes mistakes’," conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller posted on X. "Crazy communist lady - ‘not my cup of tea sorry.’"

SOCIALIST FRONTRUNNER IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER 'CANCEL THANKSGIVING' POST EMERGES ONLINE

"This guy endorsed a guy with a natzi [sic] tat but thinks @FrancescaHongWi is not worth an endorsement……," Jerry Ponio, legislative director for Americans for Prosperity - Wisconsin, posted on X. "Yikes."

"Well, I guess even Bernie enjoys celebrating Thanksgiving at one of his three houses," an account ran by Hong’s likely general election opponent, Republican Tom Tiffany, posted on X.

Tiffany’s post references a controversial quote from Hong that went viral on social media where she suggested canceling Thanksgiving.

"Francesca Hong, who is a Socialist candidate for Governor of Wisconsin is too radical...even for Bernie Sanders," Turning Point Action Northeast Manager Brandon Maly posted on X.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Hong campaign and Sanders’ office for comment.

Critics have argued that Francesca Hong's politics are too far to the left for a swing state like Wisconsin, contending that her identification as a socialist and support for ambitious progressive policies could make her less competitive in a general election.

Hong’s social media account is littered with far-left pledges like abolishing the U.S. Senate and defunding the police.

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Hong recently tried to walk back those positions in recent interviews ahead of Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Wisconsin Department of Administration secretary Joel Brennan, and Democratic state Sen. Kelda Roys.

Polls suggest Hong is likely to comfortably win that contest, which will advance her to a race against Tiffany, the likely Republican nominee, in November.

Miss North Carolina USA loses crown after organizer condemns 'racism, homophobia, transphobia'

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:28:27 -0400

Miss North Carolina USA was stripped of her crown weeks before the Miss USA pageant after organizers cited an extended pattern of conduct violating the organization's standards.

Miss USA Chairman Thom Brodeur did not specify what conduct prompted the decision to take the crown away from Brittany Boltinhouse but said in a statement that the organization "does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity," adding the conduct occurred "over an extended period of time."

The decision ends Boltinhouse's reign just weeks after she won the state title and less than three weeks before she was scheduled to represent North Carolina at the 75th annual Miss USA pageant on Aug. 27.

SEN BERNIE MORENO CALLS FOR EX-SON-IN-LAW TO RESIGN FROM HOUSE, GET 'SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP'

Myla Hadley, the first runner-up in the state competition, will now represent North Carolina on the national stage "with our full confidence and our support," Brodeur said in a statement.

Brodeur said the decision was made in consultation with Boltinhouse, her state directors and the Miss USA organization. He added that while the organization has a "zero tolerance" standard for conduct, accountability "is not permission to strip someone of their humanity."

"There is a young woman at the center of this," Brodeur said. "She has been named, examined, and judged in public in a way that most of us would not survive, and she is still a human being with a family, a future, and a life ahead of her that is longer than this part of her journey."

"I have never believed that accountability requires cruelty, or that holding a line means enjoying the fall of the person who crossed it," he continued.

Brodeur said Boltinhouse plans to issue her own statement to speak to the matter "in her own voice." The chairman said he has reviewed her statement and described it as showing "ownership, accountability and apology."

"I believe people can change," Brodeur said. "Change is not a statement. It is a record. It is built over time, in the open, through conduct rather than apology alone."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Boltinhouse for comment.

WASHINGTON POST OPINION EDITOR TO EXIT PAPER AFTER JUST ONE YEAR, STAFF COMPLETELY 'BLINDSIDED'

State pageant organizer A Blaize Productions similarly announced the decision after what they described as a "thorough review of recently surfaced information" but did not elaborate on the nature of the allegations.

"We ask our pageant family, supporters, and the public to extend kindness and respect to both Brittany and Myla during this transition," the organization said in a statement. "Moments like these are never easy for anyone involved, and we remain committed to treating everyone with dignity while continuing our mission of empowering the next generation of women leaders."

Hadley acknowledged the abrupt transition in a social media post, saying she understands "the seriousness and level of prestige that this title carries."

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"While this may seem like a two-week turnaround given the circumstances, I've been preparing to represent at Miss USA since I first competed with this organization," Hadley wrote. "I am ready to represent North Carolina."

NCAA ignored the warnings. Now It's fighting for survival in courtrooms across America over eligibility

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:25:13 -0400

The NCAA has spent the past few years pleading with Congress to help rein in the chaos engulfing college athletics, with a large chunk of the focus centered on the wave of lawsuits challenging student-athlete eligibility.

At this point, it feels like a daily occurrence. The organization tasked with enforcing its own rules is constantly reacting to another lawsuit filed in state or federal court by an athlete seeking an additional year of eligibility.

While NCAA officials continue lobbying lawmakers to pass the 'Protect College Sports Act'—which would provide the organization with greater antitrust legal protections against these challenges—they had the opportunity to avoid the chaos centered around the most recent flurry of lawsuits themselves.

When the NCAA adopted its new age-based eligibility model, giving athletes five years to play five seasons, it made one critical decision that is being argued in courtrooms across the country on a daily basis: it excluded the 2022 recruiting class from the new rule.

From that moment on, pure chaos has reigned down upon state courtrooms, while senators try to push the 'Protect College Sports Act' through congress.

Tennessee Coach Unloads On NCAA's 'Bulls–t', After Star Linebacker Suspended For Outdated Rule

Athletes who believed they were unfairly denied an extra season of competition began filing civil lawsuits across the country, arguing they should receive the same benefits as those covered under the new eligibility structure.

Had the NCAA implemented the five-and-five rule a year earlier—or simply grandfathered in the 2022 class—college athletics might not be facing its current legal mess that has lawyers fielding more phone calls than a 9-1-1 operator on a Saturday during the football season in a college town.

One of the bigger problems in the aftermath of some injunctions granted is that there are too many athletes and not enough roster spots. As college football teams open fall camp to prepare for the 2026 season, there are not just a plethora of open spots on the roster left for those who now have eligibility, or will gain eligibility.

INDIANA TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF NCAA COURTROOM CHAOS WITH STUNNING ROSTER MOVE AMID ELIGIBILITY FIGHT

In college basketball, teams were anticipating the potential for madness this summer, so leaving one or two spots open for an occasion like this was a tad easier to navigate for the sport compared to football.

But even then, being in this spot of pure legal chaos was on the mind of plenty, including the NCAA.

NCAA knew this was coming, and now they're hanging on for dear life

The mind-boggling part of this entire saga is that attorneys, like Ryan Downton, essentially told the NCAA this was coming.

When former Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson sued the organization in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee over the amount of years athletes are allowed to participate in college athletics, the warning shot to the NCAA was clearly given.

"We asked the NCAA to give everyone five years last year when we filed the Patterson lawsuit. They said no," Ryan Downton told OutKick-FOX News. "Now they’ve done it, but excluded the athletes asking for the change. It feels like the NCAA is saying, ‘you had a good idea, but we can’t let you enjoy the benefits of it.’ Just like they changed the name. We called it ‘five-for-five.’ They call it ‘age-based eligibility.’ It’s the same thing, but the NCAA tries to pretend it isn’t."

I've seen a few public relations' nightmares over the years that involve the NCAA, but this summer has been one for the ages. But, they cannot stop fighting these lawsuits, no matter how many are filed against them.

Why? Well that comes down to the organization actually granting a blanket-waiver themselves, and then having thousands of athletes gain an additional year of eligibility with nowhere to go. The NCAA might not want to admit it, but they are most likely in this for the long haul, though not for the reasons you might think at first.

Lost in the noise surrounding each statement from the NCAA desperately pleading for Congress to pass legislation that would provide some type of antitrust cover that keeps them out of courtrooms, is the fact that if they would have at least 'grandfathered' in the 2022 class with this new eligibility rule, they most certainly would not have their own lawyers racking up frequent-flyer miles on a consistent basis.

TRUMP ADVISOR, EX-NFL PLAYER CODY CAMPBELL WARNS PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT IS FINAL CHANCE TO RESTORE ORDER

"The NCAA is fighting tooth and nail to stop my clients from playing this year. Meanwhile, the NCAA is intensely lobbying Congress to pass the PCSA," plaintiff attorney Ryan Downton told OutKick-FOX News. "The irony is that if the PCSA (Protect College Sports Act) became law today, all of my clients become immediately eligible and get to play this year.

"The NCAA is like a referee who thinks he’s bigger than the game he’s officiating - just do the right thing and get out of the way."

Lawsuits spread out across the country, as NCAA has to fight now

From courtrooms to Zoom hearings that allow attorneys to appear before multiple judges in a single day if needed, much of the current chaos feels entirely self-inflicted. And, that would most likely be the easiest way to comprehend one side of this fight.

Plaintiffs (athletes) are going at the NCAA in multiple courtrooms, in multiple states, arguing that if the new five-and-five rule was being implemented, then athletes who exhausted their clock this past season under the old rule should be granted the same rights that players under the new guidelines are utilizing.

NCAA Rocked By Colorado Judge's 2022 Class Eligibility Ruling That Could Reshape College Sports This Year

And then came U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney of Colorado, who granted a bombshell injunction in the [Wisne v. NCAA] class action lawsuit that has now sent the college athletics world into further chaos. That was filed by former Northern Colorado men's basketball player Brock Wisne.

This meant that athletes across all sports were given a blanket waiver to compete this season, if they had a year of eligibility left to use as part of the 2022 class. These rulings are not just being used in basketball, even if the sport is garnering most of the headlines.

In some states, like Tennessee and Ohio, injunctions granted in those cases will allow players who were plaintiffs in the lawsuits to utilize the transfer portal. But, in the Colorado case, the plaintiffs are not being granted an additional portal window.

"This is one of those situations where the facts really drive a lot of the story," Associate professor at Boise State's College of Business and Economics, Sam Ehrlich told OutKick-FOX News. "The law has already been winning on a lot of these eligibility rule cases, but judges are really resonating with the idea that these players in particular are being put in a bad spot -- having to compete against guys who played five or six years and the players after them getting five.

"It feels fundamentally unfair to judges who look for even treatment, and I think that drives a lot of the legal conclusions too, especially since the legal theories are all about whether the treatment is arbitrary or unfair."

In reality, if the NCAA were to now just give in, and grant blanket waivers on their own, then they'd be admitting fault while also opening the floodgates to thousands of athletes who would be eligible, but have nowhere to play this season.

So, whether they like spending the money and resources or not, the NCAA has to continue fighting these cases in courtrooms across the country.

Ramifications against NCAA continue to grow, but roster spots are thin

On Tuesday, Indiana announced that star defensive lineman Stephen Daley, who was injured in a postgame celebration following the 2025 Big Ten championship, was returning for the 2026 season by way of the court ruling in Colorado.

"If it all works out and he can participate and help this football team, then his life could change," Curt Cignetti said about Daley returning. "I know one thing about him, he’ll give it his best shot, he really will, and we’ll just see what happens."

College Football Is Finally Back After Months Of NCAA Lawsuits, NIL Drama And Congressional Fights

That line from Cignetti on how Indiana will 'see what happens' mainly centers around the NCAA appealing the Colorado court's decision.

If the organization is awarded an 'administrative stay', then the injunction would be lifted while proceedings continue and the rules would go back in place, meaning Stephen Daley would be ineligible once again.

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But, who's to say the Indiana lineman wouldn’t then file a lawsuit in state court?

The other problem for NCAA officials, and lawyers, is that there is no end in sight. Whether it's athletes suing for an additional year or monetary damages they feel are owed for the organizations misdoings, this is not slowing down any time soon.

And one of the most interesting parts of this entire ordeal centers around the fact that if Congress were to pass the 'Protect College Sports Act', I don't know if there's enough antitrust protection wrapped in this legislation to keep them out of court in the future.

Don't worry though, it will all get sorted out and cooler heads will prevail.

Right?

Trump told donors 'we need to elect JD,' source confirms, as he weighs Vance or Rubio in 2028

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:35:49 -0400

President Donald Trump has publicly been coy about whether he might back Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio to succeed him in the White House, but private comments to donors suggest he might be leaning toward the man he already picked as his running mate in 2024.

"At the end of the day, we need to elect JD," Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with donors roughly two weeks ago, a source with knowledge of the comments, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The news was first reported by The Washington Post.

While Vance remains the clear hypothetical frontrunner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has narrowed the gap in national polls and surveys conducted in key early voting presidential primary states, as well as in Republican straw polls, ahead of a race that is not expected to begin in earnest until after this autumn's midterm elections.

VANCE, CRUZ, HEAD TO IOWA ON 2026 MISSIONS AS 2028 GOP RACE TO SUCCEED TRUMP HEATS UP

While Post sources say the remark is not evidence Trump has made a choice between his VP or Rubio, a man he has handed many hats in his administration, it is a rare and previously unreported lean of his long-term thinking.

Trump made just one reference to Vance in his donor speech in Las Vegas on Wednesday night, hailing "the war on fraud led by our great Vice President JD Vance: He's doing a great job."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Vance's office for comment Thursday morning.

Rubio, who as a senator from Florida was one of more than a dozen GOP contenders who ran and lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential primary, came in a close second to Vance earlier this year in the closely watched 2028 Republican presidential nomination straw poll at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

The latest surveys and straw poll results are fuel for intrigue over what some in the Republican Party see as a budding rivalry between Rubio and Vance, who describe each other as friends.

"The president runs this administration: He is the very top of the administration; he makes orders," Vance told "The Ingraham Angle" in an exclusive sit down Wednesday night. "We, of course, have debates and conversations about what exactly we should do, but when the president of the United States makes a decision, we’re unified in this administration in carrying out that mission."

Despite Vance having won the 2024 running mate sweepstakes, Trump has also lavishly praised Rubio for his work in peacemaking efforts in Venezuela, Cuba and the Middle East, while simultaneously serving as national security advisor among his many leadership roles in the administration.

The president earlier this year declared that Rubio would go down as "the greatest secretary of state in history."

Trump has also promoted a Vance-Rubio ticket as "unstoppable" — stopping short of explicitly saying who should be at the top of the ticket.

Trump did say last year that Vance is "most likely" his heir, because "in all fairness, he's the vice president."

NEW POLL COMPLICATES VANCE’S STATUS AS TRUMP’S LIKELY 2028 HEIR APPARENT

Trump joked at the White House Correspondents Dinner last month – rescheduled after dodging another assassination attempt earlier this spring – he would be running for president for a fourth in a troll to his critics, donning a Trump 2028

While Vance has demurred when questioned about 2028, he has built a political team of advisors who, if he runs as expected, would quickly build out a presidential campaign.

Rubio, who is crisscrossing the globe, does not have a similar group of political aides, and Rubio has said he will back Vance if the vice president launches a 2028 campaign.

Notably, Vance is the RNC's finance chair, ostensibly giving him the keys to the cash vault of more than $128 million cash on hand, according to the June Federal Elections Commission filing.

"Vice President Vance has been a fundraising powerhouse for the RNC, supercharging our war chest as we head into the midterms," RNC Chair Joe Gruters told Fox News Digital in a statement. "He’s held record-breaking events across the country and brought new and longtime donors together with his ability to connect every corner of the America First movement.

"As we prepare to protect and expand our Republican majorities, Vice President Vance will be a driving force behind the resources, energy, and momentum needed to win."

Republican sources confirmed to Fox News earlier this year that a group of GOP donors supporting the secretary of state is quietly exploring ways to boost Rubio's political profile, which has not sat well with some in the president's political orbit.

VANCE CONFRONTED ABOUT 2028 AMBITIONS AFTER TRUMP TEASES 'DREAM TEAM' RUBIO TICKET

"Vice President Vance is the future of the Republican Party, and Marco Rubio is one of his closest friends in the administration," an operative in Trump's political orbit told Fox News Digital earlier this year.

"The divisive stories from some donors trying to cause chaos are not helpful," the operative, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, emphasized.

Trump more recently questioned White House staff about the two possible contenders during a flight aboard Marine One, according to the Post. Although one adviser told the newspaper that Trump has privately settled on Vance as the Republican heir apparent, six other advisers and allies said they were not convinced that the president had made up his mind.

Those advisers noted that Trump sometimes gives different signals to different audiences and could change his position before the 2028 campaign begins. His aides also broadly expect him to delay any formal endorsement, in part to avoid diminishing his own influence during the remainder of his presidency.

DEMOCRATS BUILD MIDTERM MOMENTUM, BUT REPUBLICANS STILL IN DRIVER'S SEAT IN SENATE MAJORITY BATTLE

The dynamic resembles Trump’s 2024 search for a running mate, when Vance and Rubio were among the finalists. Advisers told the Post that Trump enjoys maintaining suspense around major political decisions and is reluctant to hand the spotlight to a potential successor too early.

Vance admitted to Ingraham it is his "job" to take criticism, particularly if absorbs pressure from the president.

"It’s my job, Laura," Vance said. "If the worst thing that happens is I take flak for the president to make his administration more successful, I’ll be happy about that."

Vance did not talk about whether he will run.

He did say in June that he planned to discuss his political future with his wife after the midterm elections and has maintained that he remains focused on serving as vice president.

People close to Vance previously told the Post that he intended to wait until after the birth of his fourth child before seriously considering a campaign. The child was born July 19.

The 2026 midterms could shape the emerging succession contest. Republican losses could encourage additional candidates to enter the race and make it easier for them to criticize Trump’s administration or challenge his preferred successor. A strong performance, by contrast, could strengthen Trump’s ability to shape the 2028 field.

Vance has spent much of his vice presidency building relationships with Republican donors and activists. He is closely associated with the younger, populist wing of the MAGA coalition and has taken on political and policy assignments that have helped raise his profile.

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Rubio historically has had stronger ties to traditional Republican donors, while Vance has deeper support among the party’s newer populist base.

JD Vance praises Sophie Cunningham for 'Save Women's Sports' activism

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:05:24 -0400

Vice President JD Vance addressed the national attention on Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham.

During an interview on Fox News' "Ingraham Angle," Vance was asked about Cunningham and her new followers and critics after she made a public stand for the protection of women's sports.

"Look, sometimes when you're courageous in this country, some of the worst people in the world will try to attack you. What I would tell Sophie and anybody is to keep speaking your mind. You actually are inspiring a dozen people for every person that criticizes you," Vance said.

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

"We cannot take our country back; we cannot save the United States of America unless you have people of courage who are speaking their mind. The thing about courage is it's contagious. When you see one person – even if they have the mob come after them – one person speak their mind in a courageous and honest way, it inspires a lot of people to do the same. So I would tell Sophie to keep going."

Cunningham's public stance on the issue has prompted rallies at the Fever's last three games, with two more rallies scheduled for their game in Chicago against the Sky on Saturday, and their game in New York against the Liberty on Aug. 22.

FEVER SHUT DOWN SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM QUESTIONS, ABRUPTLY END PRESS CONFERENCE

The rallies have thrust the entire WNBA into the national debate over the issue of trans athletes in women's sports, as four coaches have gone on record with statements about the issue since the rallies began.

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

Meanwhile, the Fever, currently navigating a crucial stretch of their 2026 campaign following a hard-fought 108-100 loss to the Lynx on Aug. 2, have largely attempted to shield their locker room from the national conversation.

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The Fever now look ahead to a high-stakes matchup against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, before their weekend clash with the Sky, as another rally in support of Cunningham is set to take place at that game.

Dem senator presses OpenAI, Anthropic for answers in AI hacking probe

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:03:15 -0400

Revelations of OpenAI and Anthropic artificial intelligence agents hacking third parties has drawn the "serious concern" of Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., who is now seeking answers from the two businesses incorporated as public benefit companies (PBC) in her state.

In separate letters dated Thursday to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, viewed by Fox News Digital, Blunt Rochester has requested detailed timelines, model instructions, internal approvals, security logs and complete transcripts from the companies’ cyber evaluations.

The member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee gave both companies until Sept. 6 to respond.

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"These incidents mark the first publicly confirmed instances of a frontier AI model autonomously launching unauthorized attacks on real people and companies, underscoring the urgent need for federal oversight of frontier AI systems," Blunt Rochester wrote to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, calling for federal testing standards, containment rules and disclosure requirements for evaluations of powerful AI systems.

Her concern follows another letter Monday, as first reported by Fox News Digital, from a coalition of 15 red-state attorneys general warning Altman to preserve documents and halt certain high-risk cybersecurity tests after an experimental artificial intelligence agent allegedly escaped a controlled environment and carried out a multi-day hack into outside computer systems.

One day later, the United Kingdom’s AI Security Institute (AISI) identified 19 cases in which AI agents took actions outside the authorized scope of testing. Two involved OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 Sol, while 17 involved Anthropic’s Mythos 5.

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"Anthropic models’ repeated attacks on third parties with no knowledge of, or role in, Anthropic and AISI’s evaluations demonstrate an alarming pattern of malicious behavior," Blunt Rochester's letter to Amodei read. "Furthermore, the successful attempts by these models to gain unauthorized internet access across multiple sandbox testing environments meant to be cut off from the public internet highlight serious issues with Anthropic’s testing partnerships and procedures.

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"To be clear, 'misunderstanding[s]' and 'misconfiguration[s]' with sandbox partners are unacceptable when the stakes are this high.

"We cannot wait for a more consequential incident before establishing federal testing standards, containment requirements, and disclosure obligations for frontier model evaluations.

"Left unaddressed, these gaps could allow a future model, potentially one with greater capability or less oversight, to compromise critical infrastructure, financial systems, or sensitive data."

These investigations carry a distinct Delaware dimension: OpenAI and Anthropic are organized as Delaware PBCs — legal structures that allow them to operate for profit but require their directors to weigh more than shareholder returns.

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Under Delaware law, a PBC board must balance three things: its stockholders' financial interests, the interests of people materially affected by the company's conduct and the specific public benefit written into the company's charter.

READ THE LETTER TO OPENAI – APP USERS, CLICK HERE:

"This incident marks an important moment for AI safety and we take the questions raised by the Attorneys General seriously," OpenAI wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital after Monday's letter from the state AGs.

"We are conducting a thorough review along with external advisors and with oversight from the Safety and Security Committee of the Board of Directors. Once the review is complete, we will share a technical report with the Attorneys General and other relevant government authorities and publish our findings publicly."

Blunt Rochester wants records related to the AI agent hacking now, too.

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"I appreciate that OpenAI has published preliminary findings, is coordinating with third parties on remediation, and is reviewing its approach to model testing," she wrote to Altman, adding to Amodei, "I appreciate Anthropic’s voluntary review of its cybersecurity evaluations and public disclosure of the findings, and I encourage other companies to follow suit.

"However, these incidents demonstrate the potential risks of deploying pre-release models internally, particularly when safeguards are reduced, even when strictly for testing and evaluation," she wrote to both CEOs.

READ THE LETTER TO ANTHROPIC – APP USERS, CLICK HERE:

OpenAI disclosed in July that GPT-5.6 Sol and an internal prototype escaped an internal sandbox while their normal cybersecurity restrictions were disabled. The models allegedly accessed Hugging Face's database and other services, launched roughly 17,000 attacks, used stolen credentials and exploited at least one previously unknown vulnerability.

A separate test conducted by contractor Irregular allegedly allowed an OpenAI model onto the public internet because of a configuration error. The model mistook a real website for a target in a simulated hacking challenge and exploited a live security vulnerability.

"AISI identified 19 instances in which an agent took unsanctioned action beyond the scope of the evaluation. Seventeen of the 19 instances involved Anthropic’s Mythos 5; two involved OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 Sol," Blunt Rochester wrote.

The institute’s most serious findings included an agent attempting to place malicious code into a widely used open-source project on GitHub, creating fake identities to pressure a human maintainer, contacting real people and leaving public instructions that other AI systems could use to continue the operation. The maintainer rejected the code, and investigators reported finding no resulting real-world harm.

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Blunt Rochester’s Anthropic letter separately cites three incidents in which Claude models allegedly gained unauthorized internet access and attacked three undisclosed organizations during cyber evaluations conducted with standard safeguards disabled.

Two of the Anthropic models reportedly recognized that they had reached the open internet and were interacting with real targets but continued their attacks.

"It is particularly concerning that Anthropic’s first identified security breach dates back to April 2026 and was not identified until three months later," Blunt Rochester wrote to Amodei.

"This is precisely the kind of emergent, autonomous behavior and offensive cyber capability that Congress, the intelligence community, and experts have repeatedly warned could outpace existing safeguards and could pose a severe threat to the safety and security of all Americans," she added in both letters.

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The requested records go beyond basic incident reports. Blunt Rochester is seeking the prompts and full instructions given to the models, time-stamped accounts of how the breaches unfolded, the identities or positions of officials authorized to reduce safety controls and an explanation of why automated monitoring did not immediately detect and stop the activity.

She also asked whether federal agencies were notified, whether the companies are confident they discovered the full extent of the unauthorized access and whether previous incidents went unreported.

Blunt Rochester has a federal oversight basis for pursuing the information. She represents the state whose corporate law governs both companies and is the ranking Democrat on the Senate's Science, Manufacturing and Competitiveness Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over oversight of science and technology research, development and policy.

Her position does not make her Delaware’s corporate regulator — that role falls principally to state officials and courts — and the companies’ PBC status does not automatically give a U.S. senator access to their internal files.

Blunt Rochester could, however, use the companies’ responses — or a refusal to respond — to press for hearings, legislation or committee-level compulsory action.

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"Given the significance of this incident, transparency with Congress is essential to ensure that the oversight and safety frameworks governing increasingly autonomous, cyber-capable AI systems keep pace with their capabilities," Blunt Rochester's letters concluded.

Fox News Digital reached out to Altman and Amodei for comment on Blunt Rochester's requests Thursday morning.