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James Carville predicts 2028 Democratic primary will test true strength of party's socialist wing

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:49:00 -0400

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville told Fox News Digital that 2028 will decide the future of the Democratic Party, not 2026, saying all he can do is try to advise them not to make the wrong choice.

In recent months, there has been a rising faction of far-left Democratic candidates winning primaries in multiple states, and some more moderate figures are alarmed.

"I am not going to be in the same party with Hasan Piker," Carville said on "The Sunday Briefing" referring to a streamer who has made controversial statements like claiming America deserved 9/11, something he later backtracked on. "If he becomes a force in a Democratic Party, I'm out of here. I have no intention of ever being in the same political party with that guy."

In the following days, Carville spoke to Fox News Digital about how the party stands at a historic crossroads. But he advises that 2028 will be the real test of the far-left's strength.

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"This I believe 100 percent — the future direction of the Democratic Party is going to be decided by Democratic primary voters in 2028," he said.

"Everyone claims they're the ascendant ring, alright, on the 2028 presidential election, and this can only be resolved at the presidential level. It cannot be resolved at the state level," he said. "And I am sure that there will be robust representation from the DSA ring of the party, whatever you want to call it. I'm sure there'll be a robust number of candidates from what I would call the governing wing of the Democratic Party, but you call it what you want."

He asserted again that this is a matter of politics that must be decided by the base of the party itself. The 2028 primary promises to be a crowded contest, with figures ranging from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Gavin Newsom to Pete Buttigieg to Kamala Harris to Rahm Emanuel among those expected to vie for the nomination.

"And this can't be solved through op-ed pieces, it can't be solved through cable TV network packages, panels, it can only, and that's the way it should be, that the Democrats themselves have got to settle on the direction of their party, and they're going to have all the options, and we'll see just how popular this is," he said.

KAMALA HARRIS IS THE 'FAIRLY OBVIOUS' 2028 PRESIDENTIAL FRONTRUNNER, DEMOCRATIC INSIDERS SAY

When later asked about what would happen if the democratic socialist wing takes power, he repeated his past prediction that there will have to be a "schism" in the official party.

"I'm going to let Democratic voters determine the direction the party goes in, and if it goes in the direction of — I'm pretty confident it won't, but if it goes in that direction, then I'm going to be 82. OK, fine, go ahead, but not with me," he said. "Until Democratic voters choose the direction of the party, I'll try to do all I can to help them make the right choice, in my opinion."

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‘Sopranos’ stars reunite in emotional farewell for Vincent Pastore

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:38:47 -0400

Years after "The Sopranos" came to an end, its stars reunited for a heartbreaking reason – to say goodbye to Vincent Pastore.

Pastore was laid to rest Thursday in New York, surrounded by family and friends. His "Sopranos" co-star Steven Van Zandt served as a pallbearer, helping carry the late actor to his final resting place. Pastore's casket was draped with an American flag in honor of his time served in the Navy.

Pastore's daughter remembered the man best known for the role of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero as "a giving person."

"He was a man who lived out his dreams… but he knew how lucky he was," she said during the emotional funeral, Page Six reported.

'THE SOPRANOS' ACTOR VINCENT PASTORE DEAD AT 80

"I think that’s why he tried to share as much of it with as many people as possible," she added. "Whether that was a big tip, always in cash, or by shaking hands with every cop on every corner."

Van Zandt told the outlet he kept in touch with Pastore "quite often" before his death.

"We just happened to call him two days ago. The day before he died, we luckily just happened to call him," he said, referring to himself and his wife Maureen. "He was one of a kind, and we’ll miss him very much."

Days after his death, the actor's "right-hand man," Stephen Villano, told the Post that Pastore was not anything like the character he often portrayed on the screen.

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"He said, ‘I’m an actor. I play a character.’ So people would think that this is the man, but that wasn’t the man," he said. "The man was generous, he was kind, he was caring," Villano said.

"He cared about his neighbors, he cared about charities, he cared about fundraisers," he said, specifically supporting veterans in the Bronx, U.S. troops and the police department.

"He supported St. Jude’s [Children’s Research Hospital] and he supported the NYPD," Villano added. "Widows, orphans, their Christmas parties…all the time, back the blue."

Pastore died Aug. 1, Fox News Digital previously confirmed.

"Vinny passed away either yesterday or today at home in The Bronx," his manager, Robert Attermann, said.

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"I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before 'The Sopranos' made him a household name," he added. "To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable 'Big Pussy,' but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more."

In addition to Pastore's role on "The Sopranos," the actor also appeared in "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order," "General Hospital," "Bull," "Pair of Kings," "Hawaii Five-0" and most recently lent his voice on an episode of "Yellowjackets."

He also appeared in a number of movies, including "Goodfellas," "A Bronx Tale," "Carlito's Way," "Gotti," "Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn," "Mickey Blue Eyes" and others.

"He loved being an actor," Attermann said. "He was passionate about his craft and was always encouraging, respectful, and generous with young actors, taking the time to offer guidance and support whenever he could."

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Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

Carrie Underwood still has her Sunday Night Football fastball, awkward Jim Harbaugh & Baywatch Livvy Dunne!

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:30:33 -0400

'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com.

First weekend of August. We've made it. The NFL is BACK. My Red Sox haven't lost a game since the Biden Administration. Carrie Underwood and Cris Collinsworth were both on my TV last night.

It's not possible to have it any better than us today. The momentum is through the roof right now. I can feel it in my bones.

I think we're in for a special weekend. Let's roll.

Welcome to a Friday Nightcaps — the one where Carrie returns for Year 14 and has NFL fans ready to run through a brick wall.

What else? I've got the return of Collinsworth memes (my favorite fall tradition), Jim Harbaugh with an all-time response on Colin Cowherd's show, and does this look like the face of a woman who wants transgenders in women's sports?

Yes, it does! You'll see.

Grab some Zucchini for National Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbor's Porch Day — seriously — and settle in for a Friday 'Cap!

Carrie is BACK!

There really is a day for everything, isn't there? What a day! Who knew?

For those who want more info — how could you not? — SSZIYPD "offers gardeners a way to rid themselves of extra produce. For some, this day offers a way to rid their garden of an overproducing squash plant."

That, of course, is according to Google, which also tells me that this holiday was started by Tom Roy at wellcat.com after doing years of news & talk radio.

No idea who Tom Roy from wellcat.com is, but I'm all in. I'd gladly take a zucchini on my front porch today. I'm not expecting one, but what a delight it would be!

OK, that's enough produce talk. Let's get this class started with Carrie Underwood and NBC teasing the new anthem for the upcoming NFL season during last night's THRILLING Hall of Fame game:

And so is Collinsworth!

There's been a lot of chatter about folks not happy that Carrie Underwood is back for a 14th year on Sunday Night Football.

That's nonsense. As OutKick's unofficial Carrie Underwood—SNF reporter, I can assure you this is fake news. Yes, I'm aware Fox had a story on this yesterday.

That did not come from this department. It's a big house, folks.

Anyway, Carrie is back, the vibe has shifted back to a more rock 'n' roll theme this season, and all is well once again.

"This season, we’ve drawn inspiration from Carrie’s deep, well-documented love of rock music — a perfect fit since our Sunday Night Football anthem was born from pure rock ‘n’ roll: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ ‘I Hate Myself for Loving You,’" said Tripp Dixon, creative director for the SNF opening theme.

"We’ve worked to match these two rock frequencies of past and present as they come together in Carrie’s high-energy performance. The greatest players and teams in the NFL will take it from there."

Amen, Tripp. And yes, Carrie can still very much sling the fastball at 43. Elite stuff.

Carrie Underwood is back for SNF, Angel Reese celebrates Barbie Night & NFL WAGs are training-camp ready

Speaking of ... let's welcome back another member of Sunday Night Football — Cris Collinsworth!

More importantly, the return of Collinsworth memes:

Harbaugh, WNBA's "battle" & Livvy!

Lordy. How great was Tirico last night, by the way? Is he the best announcer in the game right now?

I think I'd go:

Tirico
Joe Buck
Kevin Burkhardt
Kevin Harlan

You could probably throw Ian Eagle, Joe Davis, and even Al Michaels in there, even though Al doesn't quite have the zip on his fastball that Carrie still has on hers.

Of course, as a miserable Dolphins fan, I've grown used to Andrew Catalon. We get him about 12 times a year. Still better than dramatic Jim Nantz!

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OK, let's rapid-fire this Friday class into a big weekend. First up? Just an all-time moment here between Colin Cowherd and Jim Harbaugh earlier this week:

Amazing. I have no earthly idea what Jim is trying to say, but I very much enjoyed the journey from Point A to Point B.

"Evolvement ... is that a word? Is that a word, Colin?"

Colin:

Good stuff. What a wild little ride.

Next? Speaking of wild rides ...

These girls are just insane.

That was Golden State's Gabby Williams back in May, saying she would welcome a transgender player on her team. With a straight face!

And then, of course, she plays the predictable, "it's not really an issue" card. Folks, I've said it before and I'll say it again now:

If you meet someone from the "it never happens" crowd, you will know right away that you have a fraud on your hands. It's the easiest way to weed one out. It's straight out of the left's playbook.

AB Hernandez has been dominating high school athletes all year long. Becky Pepper-Jackson won a girls' state championship in West Virginia in May.

You had volleyball player Blaire Fleming at SJSU. You had the Imane Khelif situation two summers ago in the Olympics. There was the high school trans pitcher in Minnesota who had a fastball that would make Nolan Ryan do a double-take.

Just this week, it came out that the brother of Olympian Alysa Liu is a transgender athlete in California, competing in track and field and girls’ varsity basketball.

But no, it's not a problem! Okeedokee, Gabby! Enjoy the sandbox.

OK, that's it for today — and this week. Good work, everyone. First week of August in the books. Let's stay hot this weekend.

Football is back. And so is Baywatch!

Take us home, Livvy.

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Is it a problem? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.

Beachgoers warned after deadly 'flesh-eating' bacteria kills 5 in southern state

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:22:48 -0400

A potentially deadly "flesh-eating" bacteria has killed five people in Louisiana this year, a sharp rise from the state’s typical death toll.

Health officials are warning beachgoers to take extra precautions before heading into the water.

Vibrio vulnificus is part of a wider group of Vibrio bacteria. Found primarily in warm, coastal waters, it can cause serious, potentially life-threatening infections when contaminated seawater enters an open wound, according to the CDC.

DEADLY BACTERIA FOUND IN WATERS NEAR LUXURY VACATION DESTINATION AHEAD OF SUMMER

Infections can also occur when someone eats raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported nine cases and five deaths so far this year. All nine cases were linked to people entering seawater with open wounds, and all of the infected patients had existing medical conditions, officials said.

In previous years, the state has averaged seven cases and one death.

Vibrio bacteria are found in higher numbers from May to October, when water temperatures are warmer, the health department noted.

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Although infections are rare, Vibrio vulnificus can cause an illness called vibriosis, often marked by vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as potentially severe skin infections.

"People with severe infections may require intensive care or limb amputation," Louisiana health officials warned. "About one in five people with Vibrio vulnificus infection dies, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill."

Initial signs and symptoms of a Vibrio skin infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and discharge, per the CDC.

While healthy people generally experience only mild symptoms, those who are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease can face serious health risks.

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If Vibrio vulnificus enters the bloodstream, it can cause advanced illness marked by fever, chills, septic shock and blistering skin lesions.

Some severe cases can cause an infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the flesh around an open wound dies, the CDC cautions. This rare side effect has led to Vibrio vulnificus being described as "flesh-eating bacteria."

Diagnosis and treatment

The bacterial infection is diagnosed by testing cultures obtained from stool, wounds or blood, according to health officials.

For mild infections, the CDC recommends increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

Those with severe or prolonged infections should receive antibiotics to improve survival rates.

For patients with infected wounds, surgery may be necessary to remove dead tissue.

About one in five people will die from the infection, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill, the CDC states.

Prevention tips

Health officials caution against entering warm saltwater or brackish water if any fresh cuts, scrapes or wounds are present.

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It’s also recommended to avoid consuming raw oysters and other raw shellfish, and to avoid cross-contamination of other foods with raw seafood or its juices.

Protective gloves should be worn when handling raw shellfish.

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Those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or thalassemia (a group of hereditary blood disorders) — as well as those who are taking immune-suppressing medications — are at a higher risk of complications and should take extra precautions, the CDC warns.

Pest control experts swear by these products to keep bugs and mice away

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:01:03 -0400

Summer brings more than sunshine — it also brings ants, mice and other unwanted pests. To find out the best ways to get rid of them, we asked pest control experts which products they use to control common pests in and around homes. Their recommendations include liquid ant bait, classic wooden mouse traps and preventive products that help stop infestations before they start.

Best products for ants and roaches

Target colonies with expert-recommended baits instead of sprays.

Terro liquid ant bait: $9.58 (26% off)

Original price: $12.99

Many of the experts we talked to mentioned Terro's liquid ant bait as one of the best options for ant control.

"For ants, avoid using sprays," said Jeff Schumacher, owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite in Texas. "That will only kill the ants you can see but won't do anything to eliminate the colony. Slow-acting bait products like Terro work because ants think it's food and will carry it back to the colony."

Combat Max roach bait: $13.99

Combat Max uses bait stations to target cockroaches without the need for sprays.

"Products like Combat Max gel work better long term compared to sprays," Schumacher said. "Similar to the ant bait, roaches will share this 'food' with the colony and it will effectively eliminate dozens of roaches at once rather than killing one at a time with spray."

Advion gel bait for cockroaches: $23.38 (7% off)

Original price: $24.99

This 12-pack of gel bait goes a long way. It’s a "professional-grade" product according to Kyle Turner, Pro Active Pest Control founder, president and CEO.

"A small dot placed in cracks, under appliances and along the back of cabinets will outperform most sprays," Turner said. "Sprays push roaches around, bait eliminates the population."

Best products for mice

Trap mice and seal entry points to help keep them out.

Snap mouse traps: $19.99

If you have a mouse problem, old-fashioned snap traps are still the way to go, according to the experts.

"Where you put them is what matters most," Schumacher said. "Put them where mice will naturally run — along walls and baseboards."

Victor wooden mouse traps: $19.16

Rid your home of mice with a 12-pack of classic Victor mouse traps. Joel Miller, owner of Miller Pest Solutions, which services Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas, vouches for these traps, saying, "Plain old Victor wooden snap traps still beat almost everything else. Bait [the traps] with a smear of peanut butter, place them flush against walls where mice run, and you'll see results overnight."

Steel wool mice control: $8.99 (10% off)

Original price: $9.99

Catching mice is only part of the task. You also need to find where they're getting in and block those spots. To seal gaps, Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention out of Charlotte, N.C., recommends two products: "First is steel wool or copper mesh, and second is exterior-grade caulk. You can’t just use caulk or foam because some pests, especially mice and rats, can chew through anything besides metal, and the two-layer method is just a standard."

Best products for gardens and outdoor pests

Keep bugs and unwanted animals away from your plants and the rest of your yard.

Neem oil: $9.49 (12% off)

Original price: $10.78

Protect your plants from getting decimated by bugs with neem oil. It uses naturally derived ingredients to keep plants safe from common pests.

"I have personally used this product in my garden to target aphids and ants, as one of its functions is to repel," said Ralph Masferrer, Aruza Pest Control director of technical and training.

Diatomaceous Earth: $26.99 (10% off)

Original price: $29.99

Another product that Masferrer uses personally is diatomaceous earth. It treats for ants, roaches, fleas and other bugs.

"It is a fine powder that is sharp for insects," Masferrer said. "As a result, it damages the insect's cuticle (waxy outer layer), dehydrates [it] and causes death."

Wondercide outdoor pest control spray: $79.99

Reviewers say Wondercide helps keep ants, roaches, fleas and spiders at bay.

"The ants are GONE," one reviewer said. "I sprayed around the perimeter of the house as suggested. I mixed it and used a hand sprayer. The smell is subtle…Very happy I found this product."

Solar ultrasonic animal repellers, 4-pack: $80.98 (19% off)

Original price: $99.98

If neighborhood animals keep getting into your garden or garage, this four-pack of solar-powered repellers is a popular option among Amazon reviewers:

"I bought this to stop neighborhood cats and squirrels from digging up my garden. It was super easy to set up by just sticking the stake right into the dirt. I love that it runs on solar power, so I never have to worry about changing out batteries. The motion sensor picks up movement perfectly and triggers the flashing lights instantly. Since I put this out last week, my yard has been completely free of any unwanted critters."

Pest prevention and home services

Deep-clean and treat your home to help prevent infestations.

Taskrabbit deep cleaning services: Price varies by area and task

While Taskrabbit doesn't offer specific pest removal services, its deep-cleaning options can help remove crumbs and other buildup that may attract pests. Having someone come in and do more than just a surface clean rids your home of crumbs and other buildup that can lead to ants, roaches and other pests. Search Taskrabbit's site to see the deep cleaning options near you.

Ortho Home Defense insect killer: $21.20 (18% off)

Original price: $25.99

Another way to protect your home's perimeter is with an insect killer. Ortho works for up to 12 months, so you can apply just once per year.

"Ortho Home Defense applied along the foundation, around windows and entry points creates a barrier that holds up reasonably well between treatments," Turner said.

A note on how we found our experts

To ensure we recommended the best products, we connected with experts via LinkedIn and journalist platforms like Qwoted. All experts have verifiable credentials and firsthand experience with the pest-control methods and products they recommend.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

The men who fled these socialist regimes have a terrifying warning

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:08:18 -0400

In the midst of sunshine and a summer breeze, in the land of the free and home of the brave, sit three men, all immigrants who fled their "Third World" countries running on the "nightmare" of socialist policies.

"The record in my city was once that we ha[d] three days long without electricity. There were shortage[s] of water like every day. … It's a disaster," Emmanuel Rincón, who fled Venezuela in 2017, told Fox News Digital.

"If you live in the USA … you are never going to experience that, and you're never going to be able to understand that.

"I have spent almost all my life under the Chavismo [Hugo Chavez] rule, and my family were always in opposition of the regime. So, I always understand the nightmare that socialism is."

TRUMP EXPANDS CUBA SANCTIONS BEYOND US COMPANIES IN MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN ENABLERS

"In Cuba, there is no water, no electricity, no freedom, no food, no salary, no clothes, no shoes, nothing," Eliécer Ávila, a Cuban immigrant living in Florida who fled the island in 2017 said.

"And the little that there is is what [families living in the U.S.] send from here."

Ávila and his family were heavily censored, and they were fired from their jobs and banned from Havana, the capital of his home island, after a video was leaked to the BBC of him asking a series of "uncomfortable questions" to Ricardo Alarcón.

Alarcón is the former minister of foreign affairs in Cuba who was, at the time, the president of the national assembly of the country.

DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15M WAR ON DSA AFTER SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINS: 'MORTAL DANGER'

"I was persona non grata inside the capital in my own country. From there, I started a movement of young people and students that were pro-democracy … which put me in jail more than 40 times," Ávila shared.

During that time, he was invited to a Latin American Studies Association (LASA) event with activists and human rights defenders from around the world.

"After I came back [from that trip], the dictatorship didn’t let me enter back in, and they put me in one of the 50 most wanted terrorists. Me, who doesn’t even have a traffic violation, just because I wanted freedom for Cuba," he said.

EXPERT WHO FLED CUBA WARNS OF ‘VICIOUS CYCLE’ THAT WILL LEAD TO ‘COMMUNISTS IN DOUBLE DIGITS’ IN CONGRESS

Gene Maine, an immigrant who escaped the Soviet Union with his mother in 1981, expressed a similar sentiment.

"[Growing up] I started noticing that all the propaganda on TV — the two channels that we had — didn't look right. It seemed like it was a lie. We grew up in what turned out to be the Third World," Maine said.

"All the trumpeting on the street of how great this is, how this is the best, how evil America is, how evil Western Europe is and how evil capitalism is. People realized that they couldn't speak freely.

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"There was no religion. The only religion allowed was communism, which is a religion. Let's not have any doubts about it. It is a religion, it replaces Christianity, Judaism. That's the environment I grew up in," Maine said.

"These are not only dictators. They are also narco-terrorists. These are really dangerous people," Rincón added about Venezuela.

"I ha[d] to take out all my family from Venezuela. This is my history, but there are millions of histories like this in Venezuela. These are the things that the people in the USA (don't) really understand about socialism."

Former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg claims Democratic moderates 'don't have the right values'

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:04:15 -0400

Former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg told moderate Democrats they "don't have the right values" Thursday during an appearance on "The Source," arguing the party establishment is repeatedly losing because its priorities are out of step with Americans as progressive candidates score primary victories ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Hogg made his sharpest criticism after host Kaitlan Collins asked what he would tell moderates concerned that progressive nominees could struggle against Republicans in general elections.

"The reason why the establishment of our party is being defeated over and over and over again is because they don't have the right values that are aligned with not the Democratic base, but the American people," Hogg said. "Where people are sick and tired of listening to Democrats and tell them all the reasons why they can't solve their problems."

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Hogg told moderates they needed to change their approach rather than ask successful progressive candidates to move toward the center.

"I would say to the moderates in our party, 'You need to figure out how to actually offer something new to voters that isn't just the same message that you gave them in 2024,'" Hogg said.

Steven Bonnell II, the liberal streamer known as "Destiny," pushed back on Hogg's assessment in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying he does not believe the former DNC official represents rank-and-file Democrats.

"I would say that this is outside of the Democratic Party's mainstream views," Destiny said. "Polls seem to evidence this, with a plurality (or majority, in some cases) of Democratic voters feeling as though the party has moved too far to the left."

RAHM EMANUEL WARNS DSA AGENDA DOESN'T PLAY WELL OUTSIDE 'UPPER WEST SIDE OF MANHATTAN'

Destiny, who has repeatedly criticized the party's far-left socialist wing, said Hogg's comments were an example of a dynamic that allows progressives to attack moderates without facing similar scrutiny from within the party.

"People in the Democratic Party's extreme fringe have created a ‘ratchet effect,’ where you cannot criticize anyone to the left-of-moderate view point," Destiny said. "Those same people can infinitely attack the moderate wing, leading outsiders (and even people from within) to view the Democratic Party as far more extreme than it actually is."

He warned that a Democratic Party that decides its moderates do not share its values could face consequences at the ballot box.

"I think it would mean the Democratic Party would probably have a hugely difficult time succeeding in the upcoming general in 2028 and possibly even stumble in 2026," Destiny said. "Which is especially ridiculous given how low Trump's popularity is at the moment."

SEN MARK KELLY WARNS FAR-LEFT POLICIES THAT ‘DON’T MAKE SENSE’ COULD COST DEMOCRATS SEATS

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has taken the opposite side of the party's ideological battle, telling Fox News Digital Thursday that Democratic primary voters would ultimately reject the socialist wing.

"I think it's more likely than not that the Democrats embrace sanity," Carville said.

Carville said a takeover by the socialist wing could ultimately fracture the party, reiterating comments he has made amid the growing influence of figures including self-described socialist streamer Hasan Piker.

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"That probably would result in some kind of schism in the party," Carville said. "I'm going to let Democratic voters determine the direction that party goes in, and if it goes in the direction — which I'm pretty confident it won't — but if it goes in that direction, then I'm going to be 82. OK, fine, go ahead, but not with me."

Carville has also said he would leave the party if Piker became a significant force within it, while Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., responded that Carville could "start his own party."

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Fox News Digital reached out to the DNC for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Fox News Digital's Alexander Hall contributed to this article.

Duke Law's alleged race-based admissions accused of defying Supreme Court ruling: DOJ

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:00:55 -0400

The Justice Department is accusing Duke University School of Law of favoring Black and Hispanic applicants over White and Asian applicants with the same academic records in its admissions process, which the Trump administration argues the law school used to meet its "diversity goals."

"Duke Law School doesn’t get a free pass to discriminate against white and Asian students simply because it thinks it has good intentions," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said.

In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA) that it was unconstitutional for colleges and higher education institutions to consider a student's race in their admissions processes. The decision prompted the Trump administration to open investigations into alleged race-based discrimination at dozens of colleges and universities.

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The Civil Rights Division, which began investigating Duke Law in April 2025, found that Black applicants who applied in 2025 had roughly 3.5 times the chance of admission as Asian applicants with the same academic credentials, according to a Justice Department letter sent to Duke Law. Investigators found that the median LSAT score for accepted Black applicants was lower than the median score for rejected Asian and White applicants.

"This consistent difference in the test scores between students of different racial groups is substantial and cannot be explained by a coincidence," the letter stated. "The magnitude and durability of these preferences across multiple cycles (including post-SFFA) confirm intentional discrimination."

The Trump administration’s review of internal communications found that the law school began preparing for the Supreme Court’s SFFA ruling so its admissions process could continue "to meet the Law School's goals for a broadly diverse student body."

For instance, Duke Law's post-SFFA guidance for admissions allowed officials to "consider applicants' discussion of how race affected their life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise." Applicants provided these discussions in short-answer essays, where admissions officials could then "tag" the responses to provide context for weaker academic records when evaluating applicants.

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Duke Law states that it values "students with a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and interests that may not be directly related to their legal ambitions," encouraging applicants to "highlight different elements" of who they are.

"Using ‘diversity’ essay questions to identify preferred races for admission is still illegal discrimination based on race, and this Department is committed to eliminating it everywhere we find it, including in our nation’s law schools," Dhillon said in a statement.

After SFFA, Duke Law admissions continued to release reports highlighting the school's diversity and its efforts to achieve "race-neutral" admissions standards. In a May 2024 annual review, the associate dean of admissions highlighted the diversity of the incoming fall 2023 class, including the number of Latino, Black and Asian or Asian American students.

In the school's 2025 Annual Review Memorandum, the admissions dean suggested that the law school can gauge the diversity of its student body by observing students on campus rather than compiling formal statistics.

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A Duke University spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the university is aware of the Justice Department's allegations.

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"The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division issued a letter of findings related to Duke Law’s admissions practices. We are reviewing the letter and its conclusions carefully. Duke is committed to complying with the law and will continue to do so in a manner that is consistent with our academic mission," a Duke University spokesperson said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Justice Department for additional comment.

EXCLUSIVE: Title IX defender Payton McNabb praises Sophie Cunningham, reacts to Caitlin Clark

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:38:43 -0400

Long before Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham challenged the conversation surrounding women's sports, Payton McNabb was living its consequences.

A high school volleyball match changed McNabb's life. Years later, she sees Cunningham taking on a fight that has followed her all the way to Capitol Hill.

WATCH PAYTON MCNABB'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH OUTKICK:

After suffering a traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis on her right side from a ball spiked by a biological male opponent, McNabb took her fight from a North Carolina volleyball court to Washington, where she has testified before lawmakers in defense of women's sports and Title IX.

JD VANCE PRAISES SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FOR 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' ACTIVISM

Now 21, McNabb sees that same battle reaching the WNBA and believes the league's response is exposing a glaring double standard.

Speaking exclusively with OutKick, McNabb applauded Cunningham for taking a stand, ripped Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve over her support for transgender inclusion and explained why Caitlin Clark's voice could carry enormous weight with the next generation of female athletes.

"I started speaking out when I was 18," McNabb told OutKick. "I'm 21 now, but within the last few years, why have I had to go in front of Congress and explain that there's a biological difference between a man and a woman? It makes no sense, and it sounds like such a dumb argument."

Cunningham's willingness to speak out has particularly impressed McNabb, especially as the Fever guard's profile has soared.

"What we've seen through Sophie Cunningham has been so courageous," McNabb said. "I just applaud her so much because it takes a lot to say this, unfortunately, and it shouldn't, but it does."

"For her to say it now and not wait until it's safe ... and her career is really taking off, I think it just adds a whole other layer on top of how special it really is," McNabb continued. "We don't really have a lot of big-name athletes willing to say it, and that's really unfortunate, but that's just the way it is. But it's because of how they get treated."

McNabb pointed to the backlash Cunningham has received as evidence of that risk.

"She's getting vilified or villainized for literally just saying what everyone already knows and thinks, but are just too afraid to admit," McNabb said. "It's just crazy because there wouldn't be a WNBA. We wouldn't know who [Lynx coach] Cheryl Reeve is or even Sophie Cunningham or any of these girls if it wasn't for Title IX."

CHERYL REEVE SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM WITH ‘TRANS KIDS BELONG’ SHIRT DURING FEVER-LYNX GAME

McNabb had far less praise for Reeve, who has publicly defended trans participation in sports and wore a Trans Kids Belong shirt during a matchup against Cunningham and the Fever to prove it.

"It just seems like women like Cheryl Reeve who were fighting against other women and girls, I just will never understand that," McNabb said. "You have little girls who are showing up to the game and excited about their favorite player standing up for them and wanting the same opportunities that she has to be in place for them. And the coach seems to be pulling up the ladder."

McNabb called out the glaring hypocrisy of demanding empowerment for female athletes while simultaneously opening the door for biological men to take their spots.

"You can't complain on one hand about not getting as much as the men or not getting as many opportunities or viewers ... and then on the next, you're encouraging men to take over the very category you're wanting separate from them," McNabb said.

McNabb predicted the league's virtue signaling will evaporate the second a biological male steps onto a WNBA court and forces players to face reality.

McNabb pointed to Julie Tétart, a 6-foot-3 biological male dominating a French women's league who (with the help of OutKick's Joe Kinsey and founder Clay Travis) recently signaled interest in making the jump to the WNBA.

"I think it's gonna have to take this dude from France to come in here and like dunk on Angel Reese and then maybe they'll be like, 'Oh, maybe this isn't allowed,'" McNabb said. "I don't know. It's going to have to affect them personally."

Make no mistake: McNabb isn't rooting for biological men to wreck the WNBA. She wants these athletes protected, even if they won't fight for themselves.

CLAY TRAVIS SETS SIGHTS ON FRENCH TRANS PHENOM JULIE TETART FOR PROPOSED 'INCLUSIVE' WNBA EXPANSION TEAM

"Of course, I don't want that to happen," she said. "I'm fighting for the girls that are even going against us because I want them to have the protections and the opportunities whether they like it or not."

McNabb challenged the league's progressive establishment to put its money where its mouth is: if biological males belong in girls' high school athletics, they belong in WNBA coaching spots, too.

"I want transgender coaches," McNabb said. "I think that there should be a transgender coach taking Cheryl Reeve's place because that will be just as much of a woman as she is. ... If they're saying this is okay for the high school girls, then it should be okay for them."

Then there's Caitlin Clark.

THE LEFT WANTS CAITLIN CLARK, SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM TO SHUT UP AND DRIBBLE WHEN IT COMES TO TRANS SPORTS

McNabb understands why the Fever superstar has largely kept the focus on basketball rather than wading into another contentious issue.

"She gets a lot of backlash for literally no reason, from jealousy," McNabb said. "I could imagine not wanting more of that would probably be ideal."

Still, McNabb believes Clark's enormous influence makes her part of the Title IX debate whether she addresses it publicly or not.

"Whether Caitlin Clark likes it, she's a part of the conversation, and it would just mean so much to the next generation," McNabb said. "To all the little girls in the stands that are wearing number 22, it would mean a lot to them."

THESE FEMALE ATHLETES NEED TO SPEAK UP ABOUT KEEPING WOMEN'S SPORTS FOR WOMEN, LIKE SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DID

Few voices in women's basketball, McNabb argues, could carry more weight.

"She's the best player in the WNBA, and for her to be able to take a stance and say something, that would be huge," McNabb said. "She's where she is today because of Title IX, and she needs to be able to acknowledge that and accept that and want that for the next generation of girls."

For McNabb, the issue remains deeply personal.

More than three years after the volleyball injury that changed her life, McNabb said her health has finally reached a significant turning point.

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"The doctors didn't know if I would ever get back to how I was, and they said it could take three years before I could see real progress," McNabb said. "It's so weird, because it actually took exactly three years for me to see a difference in coming back and bouncing back with my health."

The teenager who once failed public speaking has since testified before Congress and become an Independent Women ambassador, using the injury that changed her life to try to prevent other girls from enduring the same thing.

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"I wasn't planning on going into politics, really had no idea what was going on at all," McNabb said. "I just had a genuine story that happened to a real person and affected a real family and community."

"I've really just tried to use the story to spread awareness in hopes no other girl has to go through what I went through."

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Former NBA first round pick Enes Kanter Freedom declares for 2027 WNBA Draft

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:34:52 -0400

Former NBA Draft first round pick (3rd overall in 2011) Enes Kanter Freedom, who has been an adamant opponent of LeBron James, the Chinese Communist Party, Nike, along with more political activism, which he believes blackballed him from the NBA, has officially declared himself a prospect for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Yes, I’m serious.

In the aftermath of Sophie Cuningham making a definitive stance that women’s sports should remain female, many coaches and players have opened up the floodgates for men in their league. Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Willliams even said, "I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team any time." Throughout this whole saga, the WNBA has remained silent about protecting fairness in their league, so Freedom is putting their feet to the fire in a hilarious way.

JD VANCE PRAISES SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FOR 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' ACTIVISM

"If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA," Freedom stated in a social media post seated behind a studio desk wearing an orange WNBA sweatshirt with the Nike logo crossed out.

Outkick contributor Riley Gaines called the declaration "genius" and "perfect", while sarcastically saying, "Waiting to see which WNBA team recruits Enes Freedom."

Freedom, who hasn’t played in the NBA since being waived by the Houston Rockets in 2022 following a trade from the Boston Celtics went on to say, "My team and I have carefully reviewed the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and government framework surrounding self identification and inclusion."

According to Freedom, "Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA Draft in May 2027."

TRUMP'S REMARKS ON RECRUITING LEBRON JAMES TO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RESURFACE AMID WNBA TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE

The way I see it, what makes this any different than Lia Thomas at UPenn? When going by the name Will Thomas, he spent three seasons on the men’s team before transitioning to the female team and division.

The WNBA has also undoubtedly asked for this. Now is the time for them to put their money where their mouth is. If you’re really so "inclusive," you should have no problem with this.

If he identifies as a woman, who are they to tell him who he is? Who are they to tell him if this is genuine or not? This is a great way to put their feet to the fire. It has the opportunity to show that all of this "trans acceptance" talk is just virtue signaling.

"I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices," Freedom added. "I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone - the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for."

WNBA STAR SAYS SHE WOULD WELCOME A TRANS PLAYER TO HER TEAM, AND THEN SAYS SOMETHING EVEN DUMBER

Bingo! That is exactly right.

Players like Gabby Williams, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson, and the majority of WNBA fans have made it clear they are supportive of men in women’s sports.

Freedom wrapped up his WNBA Draft announcement stating, "My team and I are prepared to ensure these guidelines are applied equally, consistently, and without exception, and I look forward to the WNBA honoring its stated principles. See you at training camp." The WNBA will now have to put their foot down to protect the fairness, integrity and safety of their league, or allow their progressive politics to ruin it.

This whole situation will be hilarious to witness. If the league allows Freedom to be eligible, irrationally sticking to their anti-women progressive politics, but no team drafts Freedom in April 2027, it could be seen as discrimination. If they say their sport is for females only, they run into the fury of their liberal foundation, which many of their fans, players, and coaches hold to.

This’ll be a great way to expose the hypocrisy or idiocy of the progressive movement ingrained in the league.

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Your move, WNBA.

Heidi Klum goes topless in racy anniversary beach snaps with husband on St Barts vacation

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:32:07 -0400

Heidi Klum turned up the heat this week with several topless beach snaps.

The former Victoria’s Secret Angel shared several photos on her Instagram page, including a couple where she appeared to be napping on a Gucci towel next to her husband, Tom Kaulitz, with only a hat and a black thong bikini bottom to cover herself.

"No caption needed," the "Project Runway" judge cheekily captioned the photo dump that also showed her locking lips with the Tokio Hotel guitarist and walking into the water topless while holding her rescue dog Fritz.

GISELE BÜNDCHEN CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN LEOPARD-PRINT BIKINI AS SHE REFLECTS ON GRATITUDE

The couple is celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary in St. Barts.

The photos got love in the comments, with fellow former Victoria's Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio leaving seven heart emoji.

Klum and Kaulitz got married in a lavish yacht ceremony Aug. 3, 2019, in Capri, Italy, after secretly marrying in February of that year.

Klum also shared photos of her surrounded by red heart balloons, looking over a bouquet of red roses and one of the couple enjoying a glass of wine with some heart-shaped Brie cheese.

CARMEN ELECTRA SAYS 'DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU YOU'RE TOO OLD' AFTER PLAYBOY RETURN AT 54

"For the first time, I have a partner who I can discuss everything with," Klum, who turned 53 in June, told People in 2020. "Someone who shares duties that we all have in our life. I used to be on my own with everything. For the first time, I get to experience what it is actually like to have a partner."

The supermodel told Harper's Bazaar last year that as she gets older, loving her body is more about "appreciating change."

"I am heavier than I was before — not intentionally. But when you're younger, your metabolism is different," she said. "When I was younger, I never tried to look the way I looked. Now, I’ve evolved a little bit, and I feel great in my skin — way more now than back then. Accepting these changes is just the course of life; I have love handles, but I'm not even worried about it."

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US Army offering defense firms 'concierge access' to test weapons at military ranges

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:25:26 -0400

The U.S. Army is opening up military test ranges to private defense companies and promising "concierge" access aimed at dramatically cutting the time it takes companies to test new weapons and technologies.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told reporters in a call on Friday that companies will be able to secure testing opportunities within 30 days of submitting a request, compared with a typical wait of roughly 18 months.

"We just had to get out of our own way," Driscoll said. "And so the 30-day clock starts today. So if somebody goes to testrange.army.mil, submits it in the next hour, we will have you on a range within 30 days."

'A NEW KIND OF WAR': INSIDE UKRAINE'S HIDDEN FACTORIES MASS-PRODUCING COMBAT DRONES

The move is part of a broader Army effort to speed up the development and delivery of technologies including drones, counter-drone systems, long-range fires and low-cost interceptors.

"If you look at what is occurring all over the world today, if you look what Ukraine has done so incredibly well, it's this innovation through necessity and it's innovation at the speed that is near or close to matching the commercial sector," Driscoll said. "And so what we, the Army, are trying to do is break down every single barrier that we have put up over the last 20 and 30 years."

The Army is opening four stateside locations to industry: Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, West Cibola Range at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Mississippi and Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Michigan.

PENTAGON PLOTS NEW NUCLEAR OPTIONS FOR TRUMP AS AMERICA’S BIGGEST ADVERSARIES RAISE STAKES: REPORT

The Army is also working with U.S. Africa Command and partners to provide industry access to the Multidomain Training Area in Morocco, according to an Army press release. Companies will be able to request test range time through a new online portal and will be assigned a dedicated "concierge" to help navigate the scheduling process. Companies do not need an existing federal contract or prior relationship with the U.S. government to apply.

"A company with a good idea shouldn’t need a team of lawyers and a program of record just to prove their equipment works," Driscoll said.

ANTARES REACHES REACTOR CRITICALITY UNDER TRUMP PILOT PROGRAM, MARKING MAJOR NUCLEAR MILESTONE

The ranges are intended to give companies access to realistic environments where they can rapidly test and refine emerging technologies, including under conditions resembling those encountered on modern battlefields.

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The Army cautioned that submitting a request does not guarantee a company its preferred location or testing date because of capacity constraints, but said its concierge team will work with applicants to identify available testing windows and locations.

Top Amazon weekend deals: Save up to 61% on AirPods, Brooks sneakers and DeWalt work lights

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:36:12 -0400

This weekend, Amazon has everything you need for back-to-school season or end-of-summer upgrades. Score discounts on cushioned Brooks running shoes, an HP laptop for kids heading to school, DeWalt work lights and more, with prices starting at just $10. Some of our favorite picks are at their lowest prices in months, making this one of the best times to buy.

Trending Amazon weekend deals

Eddie Bauer Men's Rainier pants: $33.24 (53% off)
Queen air mattress with built-in pump: $69.68 (40% off)
Closet organizers: $35.95 (40% off)
Owala FreeSip stainless steel water bottle: $22.39 (36% off)
True Classic men's T-shirts, 3-pack: $69.99 (33% off)
Nike unisex elevated crew socks, 6-pack: $21.33 (29% off)
Black+Decker portable air conditioner: $299.99 (29% off)

Deals on FOX readers' favorite picks

These are the products FOX readers can't stop buying.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 running shoes: $99.95 (29% off)

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These Brooks running shoes are on sale for $100, making them a standout deal for the brand. Plush foam cushioning delivers a comfortable ride, while the breathable mesh upper helps keep your feet cool.

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Take advantage of the weekend to tackle late-summer projects around the house. This powerful DeWalt work light brightens garages, workshops and other dim spaces, giving you extra visibility for home repairs, car maintenance or projects that stretch into the evening. One reviewer said it's so good, it's "like strapping a spotlight to your hand."

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Levi's men's 505 Regular Fit jeans: $46.87 (47% off)

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Stock up on Levi's 505 jeans while select washes are nearly 50% off. The classic straight-leg fit offers extra room through the thigh for all-day comfort and pairs easily with everything from T-shirts to button-downs. If you're looking for more Levi's on sale, check out our roundup.

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Best Amazon tech deals

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These AirPods combine many of Apple's most popular audio features in a compact design. Active Noise Cancellation helps reduce background distractions, while Spatial Audio creates a more immersive listening experience. With up to eight hours of battery life, they're a practical choice for commuting, travel and workouts.

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These Beats Studio Pro headphones deliver rich sound and use noise cancellation to reduce background distractions while you study or work. When you want to be more aware of your surroundings, activate Transparency mode.

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Refresh your home with discounted upgrades on mattress toppers, steam cleaners and more.

Portable steam cleaner: $54.99 (45% off)

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Tackle stubborn floor stains, shower grime and greasy messes with this portable steam cleaner. It heats up in just 15 seconds, and three steam settings help you clean floors, bathrooms and more.

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Take one chore off your to-do list with this iRobot Roomba vacuum and mop. The two-in-one design vacuums and mops in a single pass, while smart navigation helps it clean efficiently around your home. Its slim profile also allows it to reach beneath couches, beds and other furniture.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ coffee and espresso maker: $88.95 (32% off)

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Brew coffee or espresso in five different sizes with a Nespresso. Its compact design takes up less counter space than many pod coffee makers, with a tank on the side for easier refilling. For a more elevated cuppa, add a layer of foam with the press of a button.

Best Amazon outdoor deals

Spend more time outside with deals on backyard gear.

EGO Power+ string trimmer and leaf blower set: $199.99 (39% off)

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Tidy up overgrown grass and weeds with this EGO Power+ string trimmer. The included leaf blower also gets you ready for fall cleanup. Both tools run on a battery that comes with the set, helping you power through tougher terrain with ease.

10-foot solar lighted umbrella: $44.99 (57% off)

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Light up your patio while adding shade with this solar-powered umbrella. LED lights line the underside of the canopy and provide up to 7 hours of illumination on a full charge.

Bug zapper: $33.29 (45% off)

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Spend more time outdoors and less time swatting bugs with this bug zapper. It uses a blue light to attract mosquitoes, flies and moths before eliminating them on contact. A removable collection tray makes cleanup quick and easy.

Best Amazon kitchen deals

Refresh your kitchen with discounts on countertop favorites and prep gear.

Chef IQ Sense wireless Bluetooth meat thermometer: $69.99 (46% off)

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Take the guesswork out of grilling with this Bluetooth meat thermometer, which delivers fast temperature readings straight to the app on your phone. More than 1,000 Amazon shoppers bought one in the past month. It's currently $60 off.

Fullstar vegetable chopper: $26.99 (46% off)

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Speed up meal prep with Fullstar’s popular veggie chopper, which has earned tens of thousands of Amazon ratings. The 5-cup container holds enough chopped produce for family meals, and every removable part is top-rack dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

Keurig K-Express coffee maker: $69.99 (36% off)

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Save counter space without giving up your morning coffee. The compact Keurig K-Express is ideal for apartments and offices, and all six colors are discounted.

Best Amazon back-to-school deals

Find deals on school essentials, including laptops, backpacks and printers.

HP 14-inch student and business laptop: $299.99 (45% off)

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This HP 14-inch laptop is a practical back-to-school pick at $300. It comes with Windows 11 installed, and the lightweight design makes it easy to carry from class to class.

Simple Modern backpack: $39.99 (20% off)

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Give your child a backpack they're excited to carry around. This Simple Modern bag comes in kid-favorite prints like Spider-Man, dinosaurs and "The Little Mermaid." It's packed with pockets for easy access to all the essentials.

Portable printer: $89.98 (27% off)

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Print homework assignments on the go with this portable printer, now just $90. It connects to a phone or laptop via Bluetooth and uses thermal paper instead of ink, making it a practical choice for students and parents on the go.

Best Amazon clothing deals

Save on everyday staples for men and women, from Carhartt tees to two-piece sets.

Under Armour men's golf polo: $24.98 (38% off)

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Under Armour's quick-drying polo is down to just $25. The versatile shirt works just as well for golf outings and backyard barbecues as it does for everyday wear. Lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric helps keep you comfortable when temperatures climb.

Carhartt T-shirt: $13.68 (32% off)

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Carhartt's classic T-shirt is down to just $14 this weekend. The relaxed fit provides plenty of room to move, while the tagless design helps keep you comfortable throughout long workdays. The durable design makes it a practical everyday tee for work and projects around the house.

Hanes hoodie: $10.96 (61% off)

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With more than 80,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this Hanes hoodie has earned a loyal following among shoppers. The lightweight cotton-blend construction makes it a versatile layer for cool summer evenings, and at 61% off, it's only $11.

Women's two-piece shorts set: $32.79 (20% off)

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If you firmly believe Halloween starts as soon as pumpkin spice season hits, then this spooky matching shorts set is for you. The relaxed fit and ribbed fabric create an effortless look that's easy to wear at home or while running errands, and the ghost pattern fits with fall.

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Complete any outfit with deals on flip-flops, sunglasses and more.

Project Cloud flip-flops: $28.90 (42% off)

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These best-selling flip-flops pair a cushioned memory foam footbed with a non-slip outsole for comfortable everyday wear. The lightweight, breathable design helps keep feet comfortable on warm days, whether you're heading to the beach or running errands.

HEYDUDE Wendy canvas slip-on loafers: $29.99 (54% off)

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The lightweight, slip-on design makes these shoes convenient for travel. A removable foam insole adds cushioning and support for long days on the move, and a flexible canvas upper adapts comfortably to your foot.

Polarized sports sunglasses: $13.99 (46% off)

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Neutrogena SPF 70 sunscreen lotion: $9.88 (26% off)

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LilyAna Naturals Retinol face cream: $17.59 (41% off)

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Hydrate dry skin with the LilyAna Naturals face cream. Retinol and Vitamin E work together to nourish skin, leaving it feeling softer. It's designed for nighttime use as part of your evening skin care routine.

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals

AquaSonic water flosser: $39.95 (20% off)

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If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

These clever Amazon finds solve everyday problems — and they're all under $25

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:01:54 -0400

Beat everyday hassles with products that cool your car, organize clutter and add extra outlets. From helpful cleaning tools to smart storage solutions, these under-$25 finds solve small problems at home, in your car and on the go without stretching your budget. Best of all, most are on sale.

Trending deals under $25

Heavy-duty double-sided mounting tape: $9.97 (33% off)
Under-cabinet lighting strips: $15.94 (28% off)
Flip-It! bottle emptying kit: $19.98 (20% off)
Life360 Bluetooth tracker tile: $19.99 (20% off)
Vacuum bags with pump: $23.79 (18% off)
Mold stain remover gel: $19.95

DeWalt Atomic folding utility knife: $10.10 (33% off)

Original Price: $15.15

Keep this compact DeWalt utility knife on hand for small fixes around the house, from breaking down boxes to opening stubborn packaging. The folding design makes it easy to store and quickly access when you need it.

Dryer vent cleaner kit: $6.99 (30% off)

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Help reduce lint buildup with this dryer vent cleaning kit. The flexible vacuum attachment reaches deep into vents and behind most dryers to clean hard-to-reach areas.

DeWalt drill bit set: $12.98 (32% off)

Original Price: $18.98

This 14-piece DeWalt drill bit set comes in handy for quick fixes, furniture assembly and weekend projects. The bits are designed for drilling into wood, metal and plastic. The set comes in a plastic case, so you can keep the sizes organized instead of digging through a drawer.

Silicone cable ties, 10-pack: $7.99 (20% off)

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Keep unsightly phone and laptop cords neatly wrapped and tangle-free with these silicone cable ties. Multiple slots let you tighten each tie as needed for a secure fit.

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Socialist House nominee's radical law-and-order vision: 'What are illegals?'

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:04:23 -0400

The socialist Democrat poised to represent most of Philadelphia in Congress questioned the premise of "illegal immigrants" and claimed "99%" of police work does not involve pursuing criminals.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-West Oak Lane, made a name for himself in Harrisburg by championing progressive proposals such as abolishing the death penalty and transitioning Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

In 2019, Rabb introduced a "carbon pricing" bill to tax greenhouse gas emissions above a certain cap, saying the revenue would be reinvested to help low-income consumers and support workers "displaced" from a shrunken fossil fuel industry. He also claims the Nakba, the Palestinian displacement during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War has "never ended."

"Raab's platform is comprised of pretty far-left, radical positions," Fox News host Sean Hannity said on "Hannity."

SOCIALIST VICTORIES SHOW DEMS' DESCENT DOWN 'DEADLY PATH OF COMMUNISM,' JOHNSON WARNS

"Among them, he advocates for Medicare-for-all, universal basic income, federal jobs guarantees — the government does so well educating your kids — guaranteed housing, universal childcare, government grocery stores [and] replacement of [GDP] with a so-called ‘genuine progress indicator,'" Hannity said.

"In other words, what he is saying is he would not just reshape our institutions, he would tear them down, fundamentally transform them in what I believe would be a very dangerous way."

Rabb pushed back on some of the characterizations, telling Hannity in the case of the DSA’s effort to abolish the Senate, "That’s not what I’m running on."

When Hannity asked whether Rabb, who boasts of running in the "bluest district in America," truly supports "amnesty for illegals" and abolishing national borders, the lawmaker replied, "What are illegals?"

DEMOCRAT COMPARES ICE TO 'DOMESTIC TERRORISTS' AS 111 HOUSE DEMS DEMAND TEXAS DETENTION CENTER CLOSE

Hannity responded, "Illegal immigrants: People that didn't respect our laws, borders and sovereignty … entered the country without permission."

Rabb said he didn’t accept the "premise" of the question.

"There are folks who have documentation. But these are not criminal acts," he said, adding that he "absolutely" wants to abolish ICE and "dismantle immigrant concentration camps."

"I want to end all deportations. We want to make sure that there's an immigration system that is fair, just and efficient, and we don't have that system," Rabb added. He went on to cite an immigration reform package led by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., and former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., that he lamented "your president" successfully killed.

TOP WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST CANDIDATE CONFRONTED ON PAST 'DEFUND POLICE' RHETORIC

When asked about abolishing police as an institution — in line with socialist doctrine — Rabb said the statement was "interesting" because there were few or no organized police departments in early America.

"Long before there was any notion of policing, we had Founders that did not even understand that term. Policing is something that's evolved over time," Rabb said.

"Ultimately, what we want is to have communities that are safe, and 99% of what police do are not going after the bad guys," he said.

Philadelphia did not organize its police department as a centralized municipal force until 1854. Before that, local elected constables and civilian watchmen patrolled their neighborhoods for crime. The Philadelphia Police Department formed after a series of riots, when what is now Philadelphia was divided between the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia County, which are now coterminous.

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"We need to keep our communities safe, and there were ways of doing that before the term ‘police’ ever existed," Rabb said.

On disarming police, a policy some socialists support, Rabb said he believes in "arming oneself," arguing that, as someone with Southern ancestry, the only way his family could protect itself was through self-defense.

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"We couldn’t trust the police because they were largely part of the [Ku Klux] Klan," Rabb said. His paternal family roots trace to Columbus, Mississippi.

Rabb upset the Democratic establishment in his May primary, defeating state Sen. Sharif Street, D-North Philadelphia, the son of popular former Mayor John Street who also had the backing of incumbent Mayor Cherelle Parker and former Gov. Edward Rendell.

No Republicans vied for the nomination, leaving Rabb reportedly facing only independent Dennis Mahoney in November.

Fox News Digital reached out to Rabb for comment.

Trump says White House ballroom ruling jeopardizes lives of future presidents, vows Supreme Court appeal

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:57:00 -0400

After a panel of federal judges ordered a halt to construction on the White House ballroom, President Donald Trump said he will immediately appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a Truth Social post Friday, Trump decried the 2-1 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit as "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful."

"The Circuit Court’s decision, which is totally wrong on the vital subject of STANDING, of which the plaintiff has none, severely jeopardizes the lives and welfare of the people who work, and will be working, at the White House — including all future Presidents of the United States, and their families, as well as the lives of all those visiting, such as Heads of State and other Dignitaries, and all Americans who wish to visit the historic, beautiful Executive Mansion," Trump wrote in the post.

He also accused the court of refusing to acknowledge that the ballroom, which he said is being built ahead of schedule and under budget, "is a Gift from President Trump and Great Patriots of the United States of America."

TRUMP WARNS JUDGE AGAINST SACRIFICING NATIONAL SECURITY BY BLOCKING WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM, DRONE BASE

"There will be no expense to the American Taxpayer. This unjust decision must be overturned by the Supreme Court in its entirety," Trump wrote.

The appeals court on Friday upheld a lower-court decision that paused above-ground construction of the proposed 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom project, which replaced the demolished East Wing.

The earlier ruling allowed work to continue on underground national security facilities and certain safety and security measures, a decision the higher court also upheld.

The appeals court said in its 136-page ruling that the decision to build a "massive ballroom" lies with Congress, not with the executive branch.

REPUBLICANS EYE PICKING UP $400M TAB FOR TRUMP'S BALLROOM AS SOME DEMS OPEN TO 'DISCUSS' IDEA

Judges Patricia Millett and Brad Garcia wrote the majority opinion, remarking that there is no precedent for what Trump has done.

"We are aware of no instance in American history in which a President unilaterally and using privately collected funds demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized to be built and American taxpayers paid for. Until now," they wrote.

The judges said their ruling does not prevent the president from building the ballroom if it is authorized by Congress in the future.

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As Trump pointed out in his social media post, the ruling was stayed for 14 days to allow the defendants to seek a Supreme Court review.

It is not immediately clear if the Supreme Court will take up this case.

Blackjack losses, a chilling phone call and a diverted flight cap a chaotic Las Vegas vacation

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:42:11 -0400

*NOTE: Some names, locations, techniques and information have been withheld due to their sensitive nature.

You often don’t realize you’re in a fight for your soul until you’re deep in it.

As my loyal readers and viewers have realized, I have been fairly off the grid for roughly the past week.

Why?

It was time for my annual trip to Las Vegas, but unlike previous trips, this one was happening with the looming threat of the Iran War, death threats and the IRGC. Things were different for this working-class man this time around.

While I’m not going to get into specifics, there’s no question that due to a heightened alert status and ever-evolving threat matrices, precautions that never had been taken before were going to be necessary. It turns out some people aren’t fans of my outspoken ways, and unlike people who claim to be "threatened" by blue hair liberals (literally comical to even consider dangerous), being under the threat from a state-backed actor is a totally different ball game.

No box could go unchecked.

Wheels up to Las Vegas for a working-class vacation.

The first decision that was made was that I would move to the airport under the cover of darkness.

There are a couple of reasons why this was deemed the best option. First, it allows me to move when the city and airport aren’t buzzing yet.

Second, the streets being mostly empty provide far more tactical advantages than if they’re crowded and something goes wrong.

The plan didn’t survive me making it to the front door.

Immediately upon exiting the Hookstead Compound (location classified) with my bags, I spotted two military-age males that I’d never seen before. Keep in mind the entire point of the movements and schedule is that NOBODY is supposed to be around.

I know enough about the people who live in my vicinity to recognize most of them. I’ve never seen these two men in my life. It’s a shocking sight to behold, but they’re way more shocked to see me than vice versa.

A decision had to be made in a half of a second over whether or not this was finally it. Would the entire operation be aborted before entering the vehicle for the airport?

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Ultimately, sometimes the only way to fix a problem is to go clean through it (another lesson that some people would be wise to follow for Iran).

I closed the space quickly, deemed the two men not an immediate threat showing hostile intent and got on the move as quickly as possible.

As planned, the streets are completely empty and we’re able to get into the airport without issues. From that point, the goal was simple:

Blend in as much as possible, go unnoticed and get seated on the plane as quickly as possible. Every minute spent in the open at the airport is a minute where nobody is in complete control of the situation. That’s far from ideal.

Little did I know things would only get stranger from here.

I chose a seat as close to the cockpit as possible. Unusual for someone with my blue-collar roots? For sure, but a necessity given the stakes.

What seemed like a routine and normal flight became very different in a matter of seconds. For the first time in my life, I was on a plane where a metal gate was closed off up front by the cockpit without explanation.

That’s right.

There was a metal gate rolled out making the front portion of the plane an impenetrable fortress. I tried to get a look past the gate, but found it difficult. My only guess was that one of the pilots was out of the cockpit for some reason, but I was never able to confirm that.

Fortunately, the plane touched down without further incident.

The working-class man’s Las Vegas vacation was underway.

Just as quickly as I’d gotten on the plane to Vegas, I disappeared into the crowd blending in again. Nobody knows me, and I don’t know them. The less attention the better. We’re not chasing clout. We’re chasing demons that have haunted us for a long time, and doing it while operating to survive.

Things were about to get weird (noticing a trend) very quickly.

My driver appeared like a normal woman attempting to make small talk.

It was anything but normal.

For some unexplained reason, this woman starts talking to me about sex and a sex museum. At one point, she starts asking if I like sex.

Am I on a hidden camera show? Am I being pranked? I start making very measured and careful statements assuming whatever I say is absolutely being recorded. I can’t wait to get the hell out of this taxi as soon as possible. A working-class man might not have much in life, but we do have one thing:

Common sense, and common sense dictates asking a stranger about sex in a vehicle is about as strange as it gets.

I get out at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas with one clear goal in mind:

Get to the blackjack table as quickly as I can.

I dumped my stuff into my room, which for a working-class guy who had to fight for everything in life, I can tell you was pretty shocking. It featured a massive bedroom, a living room area, huge walk-in shower, a hot tub and a balcony overlooking Las Vegas.

I’m not going to lie to you all. It was epic. I guess life occasionally hands the downtrodden a win in life.

To the tables I went.

I pulled out a roll of working-class money and set it down at a blackjack table in the high-limit room. Now, some of you might be asking, "David, what is a guy like you doing in the high-limit room? That doesn’t seem like it’s your speed."

Fair question, and the answer is simple:

Privacy.

The high-limit room at the Cosmo is one of the nicest in Las Vegas, and it’s also fairly secluded.

Remember, I have significant threats I have to worry about, and unlike the unhinged clowns roaming around, the people who want me dead actually have the means to carry it out.

Head on a swivel.

I sit down at a double-deck table, and immediately go on a nice little run earning more money in a matter of minutes than a regular working-class guy does over the course of a few weeks.

When you don’t come from much, you know when to walk away with the win the universe gifted you (this energy won’t last for long). I push back from the table for the time being and keep the operation rolling.

Next stop? Stage Door for a hot dog and a cheap beer. The hot dog, while not amazing, is certainly worth the money and it’s also a tradition. It hits the spot, and I soon get word a second seasoned Las Vegas operator has arrived. For the sake of the story, he is identified as VO2. VO1, another seasoned Las Vegas operator, won’t arrive until the next day.

From here, things progress rather normally. We hit up the arts district for a couple beers and did a little exploring.

I was about to hit my next unexpected hurdle, and while I’m on a high alert status, I didn’t see this kind of roadblock coming.

I decide to head back for some more high-limit blackjack, and am promptly informed the casino needs extra information from me. I’m not going to share the specific information in a public setting, but it appears the amount of working-class money that I’ve put on the table in one day has possibly triggered some money laundering tripwires.

Me? The working-class guy from rural Wisconsin? You have to be kidding me.

After a brief conversation with the casino bosses, it’s smoothed over and the gambling continues.

Remember the win I had early in the day? That’s wiped out in about an hour, and then go ahead and tack on a few paychecks on top of that.

Now, this is where most people would start panicking. Those kinds of swings at the tables break most people, but most people aren’t from my rural Wisconsin background.

I’m in the fight, and while the IRGC hasn’t taken its shot yet, the casino is drawing financial blood.

Just like knowing when to walk away when you win, you also need to know when to not chase losses. I cut the cord, push back and live to fight another day.

I grab a burger on my way back to the room, crush it and pass out as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Day two brings chilling phone call.

Day two started like any other day in Las Vegas. All was quiet in the streets and casinos and people were still asleep by the time I was on the move with enough caffeine in my system to kill a rhino. I guess I’m just built differently. If chugging Celsius was a skill, I’d be the Tom Brady of getting it done.

The day started with biscuits and gravy at Ellis Island, followed by getting kicked in the shorts at the blackjack tables. Fortunately, the losses this time around aren’t nearly as vicious, but it’s still not great. I’m now deep in a gambling hole. Not great, but it’s only a loss once you actually leave the city.

What happened next nobody could see coming…….most of all me.

The bat phone buzzes to life, and I see a name that stops me dead in my tracks. I know something serious must be happening for me to be receiving this call, and I now have a major issue:

I can’t take this call outside of a completely secure location.

My hotel room, which would get the job done, is too far away and time is of critical importance.

The decision is made for VO2 and myself to relocate to a closer secure location, and with the doorway secure, I answer the phone.

A serious flow of information starts flooding in.

Seconds feel like hours.

There are times when years pass without anything happening, and then there are times where decisions are made in seconds that can change everything.

This is the latter.

I try to process the information as quickly and as efficiently as I can, and it ultimately boils down to one call:

Go or don’t go.

You could hear a pin drop in the secure room. Based on the information I was hearing, I simply was not confident with going.

It’s a no go with the door left open for a decision to be made at a later time.

With my head spinning with a million thoughts, I get word that VO1 has touched down and is on his way to the rendezvous point. After a brief conversation, we head over to Ole Red (Blake Shelton’s establishment) for nachos and a beer.

The nachos were absolute fire. The best nachos I’ve ever had? No, but definitely very solid and delicious with some added brisket.

Next up was Golden Tiki in the Chinatown area of Las Vegas. Golden Tiki is another tradition every single year for us. It’s an outstanding tiki bar with a unique vibe, and some bathroom wallpaper that is a bit shocking at first sight. Seeing as how this is a family website, I won’t share further details. I have myself a couple tiki drinks, and both are well worth the money.

As a working-class guy, I can really only afford cheap domestic beers, but this is vacation. Let’s live a little. Plus, with the death threats, I simply can’t be living for the future. Much like fighting the demons, any day could be the last, and we’re leaving it all out on the field.

Now, there is one location in Las Vegas I’ve been more than eager to get to, and with the full trio locked in, it’s time to execute the plan.

Hogs & Heifers.

For those of you who don’t know, Hogs is an absolutely insane Las Vegas institution. It’s not for the faint of heart or easily offended. It’s a bar for true American patriots and it has the most entertaining bartenders in Vegas by orders of magnitude. They’ll insult you in the most vulgar way possible, but it’s all in the name of good fun.

It was closed last year, and that was the first time since discovering the gem that we weren’t able to go. That needed to change and it did.

It’s now located at the Plaza while its new permanent home is built.

The bartenders were as rowdy and fun as ever. While it’s an outpost location, it felt just like the old Hogs so many have come to know and love, and the Coors Banquets were as cold as ever.

Oh, did I mention the insults and jabs were flying in all directions? It felt good to be back, and as always, you meet some insane characters in there.

We rotate between playing blackjack and hopping in and out of the bar as the day stabilizes following the phone call in the secure location.

I’m actually feeling fairly good about it as I head back to my hotel room, but I’m also starving. I order room service and get hit with one hell of a surprise:

The full room service experience is a $160 minimum spend.

I honestly think what I’m hearing can’t possibly be true. I’m trying to order a wrap. I don’t need the full room service experience. Bring it to me in a bag and a plastic container and I’ll be fine. That’s exactly what ended up happening.

How is a working-class guy supposed to be able to afford a $160 minimum spend? It’s simply not possible. We’re lucky just to have food on the table. Forget the fancy stuff. Save that for the millionaires and billionaires, not guys like myself.

First, I have to operate under new procedures thanks to the Iranians. Second, I am gutted at the table. Third, I am reminded of just how blue-collar I am when ordering room service. The losses keep piling up.

Having said that, the wrap was delicious and the portion sizes were excellent.

Day three: bring out the machine guns.

Tuesday started just like any other day. I filmed a short war update and crushed a couple Celsius cans, and the vibes were high.

I’m also very excited for one very simple reason:

The schedule has a portion blocked off for letting it rip with some machine guns.

Generally speaking, I hate indoor shooting ranges and shooting ranges in general. I had a private outdoor one at my house growing up, and the idea of strangers with guns around me at a range has never been something I’ve really enjoyed. I know how good I am with a gun (most working-class men from Wisconsin can say the same), but I don’t know how good these random people are or what stupid stuff they might do. Add in the fact foreign tourists don’t know an AK-47 from a Beretta M9, and I think you get the point.

Well, when in Vegas, you do things you don’t do at home. I grabbed a PKM machine gun and PPSh-41 Soviet submachine gun.

Both were absolutely awesome. The PKM was shockingly light, and the rate of fire was exceptional.

The PPSh-41 was cool mostly because it’s the submachine gun the Soviets used in WWII against the Germans.

I wouldn’t say it’s a particularly impressive submachine gun or special, but it can’t be beat from a historical standpoint if you’re looking for foreign WWII guns. I can’t recommend both enough if you ever get a chance to shoot them. You won’t regret it. We also met some cool Welsh dudes at the range who absolutely loved America. It was a humbling reminder just how good we have it here in the USA. Foreigners would give anything to be part of our club, and none of us would give it up for anything.

Next, the trio filed over to El Cortez where I had a very mediocre bratwurst before, yet again, getting my wallet crushed at the blackjack tables.

I hope my wife is okay being solely responsible for the bills for the foreseeable future because this has turned into a catastrophic gambling nightmare.

What do you do when the world is against you and the demons are starting to sing? You numb the pain with a little Coors Banquet, and that’s exactly what we did by swinging by Hogs, where the bartenders were in rare form. I say that as a compliment. I can’t wait to visit next year once it’s in its final home. I can only imagine how glorious it will be.

The day wound down with a stop in the Arts District for a delicious espresso martini and some insanely good Mexican food, followed by a short stop at Ellis Island before closing beers at Stage Door. I eventually found myself back in the high-limit room with my blue-collar money (no money laundering concerns this time) and actually came out a little ahead. Slowly but surely, I’m crawling out of the hole I created.

However, my winning wasn’t the highlight of day three coming to an end. The dude sitting next to me at the table was hysterical. I legit couldn’t stop chuckling at every word coming out of this guy’s mouth, and a woman (I believe girlfriend but can’t say for sure) shows up and sits down next to him. Turns out she’s a former golf superstar and was at one point one of the top golfers in the world. Admittedly, I have no idea who she is, but I also couldn’t recognize any golfer other than maybe three or four. That’s a sport for rich people, and I’m anything but wealthy, no matter what the rumor mill says.

They were both a ton of fun, and then a Canadian showed up ripping cigs. What a night at the high-limit blackjack table. I wouldn’t have cared if I lost every penny because the dude was so funny that it made the whole thing entertaining, no matter the outcome. Fairly certain I also saw him tip several thousand dollars to the dealers in the time I was with him.

Day four: An unexpected vehicle nightmare.

Day four was the final full day in Las Vegas, and after breakfast and some more blackjack, we decided to catch a ride to Fremont.

We’re not 50 yards down the street when the right front tire of the vehicle blows out, and the driver declares an emergency. It’s in the worst possible location. We’re nowhere near a parking garage or the safety of a building.

Is this how it ends for me? Have plans been set in motion that can’t be stopped?

I don’t know and I’m definitely not going to wait to find out. VO1 and I bail out of the vehicle, and I start scanning in all directions for threats. I don’t see anything, but we’re completely in the open and exposed. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. I took a look at the guy’s vehicle, and as VO1 noted, "His right tire is f****d."

I peered over, and assessed the situation.

His right tire was completely destroyed. I don’t even understand what happened. I never heard a pop or any kind of blast.

It was fine when we entered the vehicle, and it was anything but fine now. Every second matters. The longer we stay exposed, the more risk we’re assuming.

A backup vehicle - a big black SUV - whisks in and we’re in it without hesitation racing towards where we’re going.

I still have absolutely no idea what happened with the original vehicle, and I doubt I ever will. Some questions are best left unasked.

We grab a couple beers and attempt to win some money. VO1 pulls an absurd four card blackjack split and hits it. The craziest part is it wasn’t the first time. He did the exact same thing earlier in the day at Ellis Island.

Two successful four card splits in one trip? Good luck replicating that at any point in the near future.

I also noticed at one point in the night that my phone all of a sudden had a crack in the screen protector, which VO2 and myself found extremely odd. It was never dropped and never left alone. None of us could explain it. Maybe there was a perfectly ordinary explanation. Maybe there wasn't. Either way, it became one more strange thing on a trip that seemed determined to keep getting stranger.

Fortunately, the night didn’t feature any more unexpected surprises, and instead focused on some honest conversations about some theories we have about relationships and life. Those aren’t my stories alone to share, so I won’t out of respect for the other parties involved.

Day five: time to exfil and get home.

I wake up, bang out another video update for the Hookheads (what my fans call themselves on YouTube) and grab a stack of cash to hit the high-limit room one final time before leaving.

That’s when there was an unexpected change of plans.

I’m well over a thousand miles from home, and I get a call learning that my HVAC system is still not only not fixed, but getting the company to show up and do it has become a nightmare for my wife, who is running point at home.

It’s enraging. We’re now weeks into this situation without a resolution, and my patience has officially run out.

Instead of spending some blue-collar money one last time at the tables, I’m now dealing with this issue and then I run into a major computer problem.

What seemed like a successful trip is unraveling into a nightmare as I sit on the one-yard line waiting to punch the ball in.

You remember the start about a fight for your soul? I successfully avoided detection in Las Vegas (major win), clawed back some losses to an acceptable point (huge win) and was ready to roll one last time.

One final engagement at the tables.

Instead I’m in a hotel room dealing with infuriating nonsense.

It’s not the bright moments when you have to remember to save your soul. It’s the dark ones, and that’s what I’m left doing as the clock ticks down.

I eventually get enough of it smoothed out, but now I have to race to catch my plane. With a Burger King burger and some fries in my stomach, it’s time to go home.

I spent five days dancing with the demons, battling the highest stakes I’ve ever gambled and made it out alive.

Little did I know the biggest fight yet was only hours away.

The plane ride straight from the depths of Hell.

In the final stretch of my plane ride home I start to notice something that I don’t think many other people are:

The plane is flying in a holding pattern.

We’re not getting any closer to our final destination. We’re holding.

A brief holding pattern is one thing. A holding pattern that carries on for an extended period of time is rarely a good thing.

Then the pilot comes over the PA system and gives us all the devastating news. The plane is being diverted to a completely different airport due to the final destination having a ground closure.

You have to be kidding me, right? I just made it out of Las Vegas alive and am supposed to be landing back home in minutes.

Instead, we’re bound for an airport much further away from my home, and while that’s bad enough, what’s looming is an experience so hellish that I can only pray I never have to repeat it again.

Once the plane lands, we’re just stuck on a runway for hours. It feels like Lord of the Flies. Discontent is growing. Now, I will say none of this is the fault of the crew. I’m not blaming them. I’m blaming the universe.

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We finally pull into a parking spot…..that is nowhere near a gate. The next problem? A stairs vehicle is blocking the bus from coming to get us.

It just drags on and on. I’ve seen darkness in life. I’m not even sure what words could accurately sum up this situation. I want to be anywhere else on the planet right now.

Eventually, we get off and are unloaded in a terminal to find a way home. Absolute disaster on all levels.

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I make it home and my wonderful wife has pizza waiting. It’s the small victories that really make you smile. The highest of highs. The lowest of lows. All in a span of a few days. I fought the demons and won only to be dragged back down in the closing moments. Fortunately, I was able to pry victory away from the brutal jaws of defeat.

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What comes next? I don’t know, but I do know someday I will lose this fight. That day just isn’t today. We ride again at dawn. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

GOP senator breaks with Trump over 'woke' Smithsonian history battle

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:34:53 -0400

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is splitting from the majority of Republicans on the GOP's pushback against the Smithsonian Institution's teaching of American history.

The moderate Republican senator sent a letter to the Trump administration alongside Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., asking for more information on President Donald Trump's directive to install "temporary signage" outside the National Museum of American History, after he accused the museum of teaching historical accounts with an inaccurate and hyper-partisan lens.

"As Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, we write to express our concern and to request more information regarding the role the Department of the Interior (DOI) will have in implementing Executive Order (EO) 14416, ‘Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution,’" the letter said.

TRUMP ORDERS SIGNS OUTSIDE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM AMID ROW OVER ITS DEPICTION OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Republicans have heaped scrutiny on the Smithsonian Institution, which gets roughly $1 billion in taxpayer dollars from Congress annually, for exhibits that the GOP has argued are inherently political.

But Murkowski appeared to refute that in her bipartisan letter, writing to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, "For the past 180 years, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to sharing objective historical evidence through research and education, not political narratives."

"The Smithsonian Institution has worked tirelessly to present a comprehensive narrative of our nation’s amazing history, from its many triumphs to its trials. There is nothing more American than telling our story truthfully," the senators said.

Trump signed an executive order late last month directing Burgum to utilize existing avenues "to restore trust in the Smithsonian Institution," including installing "temporary exhibits or signage on [federally owned] sidewalks, walkways, and land used by the public that corrects inaccurate information presented in the Museum."

Murkowski and Merkley are asking the administration for information on whether there's any precedent for federal land or funds being used to communicate "conflicting information" to a nearby entity's operations, who is compiling the information and what the timeline and cost of the signage will be.

Examples Republicans have seized on include an exhibit that described Disney's "Steamboat Willie" as representing "vestiges of long-standing traditions of blackface minstrelsy," while accusing the broader curation of the museum of being "anti-white" and "woke."

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It's led several conservatives on the House Appropriations Committee to tell Fox News Digital they would like to see new guardrails on the Smithsonian's federal funds to force the museum to change controversial exhibits or risk losing its government dollars.

NFL great Steve Smith Sr says he has 'no damn idea' what's going on with embattled 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:34:25 -0400

Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith has a similar mindset to many NFL fans when it comes to embattled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk: Smith has "no damn idea" what’s going on.

Aiyuk’s issue with the 49ers dates back to 2024, when they voided his 2026 guaranteed salary after he failed to fulfill obligations regarding his rehab from the ACL injury he suffered in October 2024. He has further estranged himself from the team with bizarre social media posts over the past year.

"It's a lot of things, but man, I have no damn idea what's going on in that young man's head," Smith said during an appearance on OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich."

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"It's really unique. I was thinking about this too a few times. I just wanted to tweet something, and I was like, ‘No, I will be like everyone else putting him down.’"

The five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver said there is clearly something going on with Aiyuk, and somebody needs to step in and help the 28-year-old.

"There's clearly something going on, and I don't want to say in his head because that could come off very judgmental, but there's obviously something going on in his heart that's not aligning with what his picture is seeing of how his career is starting to go," Smith said.

"He needs to have someone in his camp … to sit him down and ask him what is his real goal and outcome (is), because everything he's doing right now, he is self-sabotaging himself. Because he's a hell of a football player."

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In Aiyuk’s time away from the team, he has been charged by prosecutors with a California misdemeanor offense of exhibition of speed after he filmed himself speeding on a public roadway near 49ers headquarters.

He has posted Instagram stories about playing for the Washington Commanders, and then got into a social media spat with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels, effectively putting that possibility to rest.

Aiyuk then seemed to take shots at head coach Kyle Shanahan after his car accident on social media. When asked if Aiyuk will play again in the NFL, Smith said he didn’t know.

The two-time All-Pro said he hopes Aiyuk does something to help himself before it is too late to play again in the NFL.

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"We all have seen players do a lot better, a lot worse things than this, and they've still been employed. So, I don't know what's going on. And I just hope that he can figure it out so he doesn't find himself in a place that he doesn't want to be, which is unemployed and looking at his career in the rearview mirror and looking at life without football through the front windshield," said Smith, who spoke on behalf of Forzet.

Aiyuk seemed to be on his way to becoming one of the top wide receivers in the NFL after his 2023 season, when he recorded 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. After drawn-out negotiations, he signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers.

He only played in seven games in 2024 before suffering his season-ending ACL injury and has not yet returned to the field while finding himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

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Organ harvesting began while patients still showed ‘signs of life,’ federal investigation finds

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:30:14 -0400

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has begun the decertification of Network for Hope, the federally designated organ procurement organization serving Kentucky and parts of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia, following federal reviews that uncovered serious patient safety failures.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initiated the decertification action after investigations revealed persistent safety issues, including instances where the organ harvesting process was initiated on patients who still showed active signs of life.

Appearing on America's Newsroom, Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, described details from his interview with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the department's actions against the nonprofit organization.

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"Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy is bringing to light horror stories about the dark corners of organ harvesting," Siegel said.

"The department is now pulling the accreditation of Kentucky's Network for Hope, the main organ procurement organization in the state."

Network for Hope's chief executive officer stated that the organization plans to appeal the federal decision, maintaining that it remains fully compliant with organ procurement and transportation network policies.

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Siegel said he spoke with Secretary Kennedy about the case of TJ Hoover, a prospective donor who reportedly nearly had his organs removed by Network for Hope while still alive.

"Even after those signs of life, Kennedy says the organ procurement process continued until the physician refused to proceed," the doctor said.

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HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration examined 351 cases at Network for Hope between 2021 and 2024 in which organ donation was authorized but ultimately not completed.

The review identified 103 cases with concerning features, including 73 patients with what HHS described as "neurological signs incompatible with organ donation."

"HHS says it uncovered 73 separate instances where the process of harvesting an organ should have been stopped sooner," Siegel said. "The investigation revealed that the nonprofit pressured medical personnel to proceed despite patients showing active signs of live and neurological function."

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According to federal officials, investigators found evidence of inadequate neurological assessments, poor coordination with hospital care teams, questionable consent practices and improper classification of causes of death.

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"Thirty percent of the procedures that they were performing had something wrong with them," Siegel added. "If there's a bad organization that's willing to do things that are unethical, they're going to get away with things at any place where they operate."

Despite the agency's findings, Siegel noted that Kennedy remains supportive of organ donation when conducted under proper standards, pointing to personal experience with his own family.

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"Kennedy says he strongly supports organ donation when it's done ethically and properly," Siegel said. "His own nephew, Michael Hines, saved multiple lives by donating his organs after his death at age 20."

Sen Lankford accuses Pornhub of 'preying on children' in blistering letter

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:29:25 -0400

EXCLUSIVE - Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., is accusing Pornhub of "preying on children" in a sharply worded letter Friday responding to the adult website's campaign against age-verification laws, arguing the company is more concerned about protecting its customer base than shielding minors from explicit content.

In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Lankford rebuked Pornhub's July 28 message to state lawmakers opposing age-verification requirements, saying the company "has no interest in protecting children" and suggesting it fears losing users if minors are prevented from accessing its content.

"Pornhub preys on children," Lankford wrote in the letter directed to Solomon Friedman, a partner and the vice president of compliance for Ethical Capital Partners (ECP), the private equity firm that acquired MindGeek, the parent company of Pornhub, which has since been rebranded as Aylo.

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"It exposes them to horrific sexual content and does nothing to ensure that children are not sexually abused in the content it hosts," Lankford wrote. "Pornhub’s letter suggests that tech companies should be responsible for protecting children from pornography."

He continued, "Lawmakers can and should hold tech companies accountable for the harm they pose to children. But that should not preclude state and federal lawmakers from holding platforms like Pornhub accountable for the harm it causes. Pornhub’s letter fails to say the quiet part out loud: Pornhub would lose customers if children were prohibited from viewing its content."

On July 28, Pornhub sent a letter to state lawmakers shared by the Tallahassee Democrat, criticizing age-verification laws like the one in Florida, one of at least 25 states to enact such requirements.

The pornography site wrote, "We are writing to you because, as a community, we are deeply concerned about the harm being caused by the performative, ineffective, and unenforceable age verification laws you have taken part in passing despite your intention of protecting minors. Everyone subjected to these laws is more at risk than ever before of encountering online harm."

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Lankford cited research from the American Psychological Association indicating the average age of first exposure to pornography among boys is 13.37 years, with some children reporting exposure as young as 5. He argued that age-verification laws are a necessary step to reduce minors' access to explicit material while rejecting Pornhub's privacy concerns as overstated.

"Age verification laws are an important piece of making the internet safer for children," Lankford wrote. "It is not the only solution to combat this problem, but it is an important start. Pornhub’s letter argues that age verification laws increase privacy risks for adults. But as you know, many state laws require platforms to delete personal information as soon as the age verification is complete."

Lankford highlighted the Supreme Court’s affirmation of age verification laws in Free Speech Coalition vs. Paxton, which found that they do not cause an undue burden for adults and that states have a duty to protect minors from pornography.

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"Parents today face an uphill battle when it comes to protecting their children online," Lankford wrote. "Age verification is one simple step platforms can take to help preserve childhood innocence. This is especially true for platforms that host violent and perverse sexual content. Pornhub should be ashamed of its letter to state lawmakers and ashamed that they do nothing to protect children."

Pornhub provided the following statement to Fox News Digital:

"Senator Lankford and Pornhub completely agree — effective age verification needs to be in place to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate content on the internet. Unfortunately, the way the Senator proposes has been proven to be ineffective everywhere it’s been attempted, including in Oklahoma. Luckily, there is a solution that actually works with making every device kid safe by default, which is what we are advocating for in our letter. Our site is one of few that is currently complying with the law in Oklahoma, meaning the real risk to OK citizens of all ages lies on the hundreds of thousands of unregulated sites that remain accessible and are seeing increased traffic.

"We are the only free site that requires verification from uploaders as well as proof of consent from all depicted in content on our platform. The safety of our community is our top priority — this includes a zero-tolerance policy with respect to minors on our platform. We look forward to further addressing the Senator's concerns in our reply to him. While this issue may be new to some media and elected officials in Oklahoma, it is not new to us. We have been engaged on these issues for many years and have consistently advocated for effective, workable solutions. We are concerned by the tone and accusations contained in the Senator’s letter and would welcome the opportunity to ensure the Senator and his team have the full facts and context."

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Fox News Digital also reached out to Friedman for comment.

Rogers opens door to Democratic voters after El-Sayed’s primary victory: ‘There is still hope’

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:26:05 -0400

Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers opened the door to Michigan Democrats on Friday after far-left progressive Abdul El-Sayed's primary victory, assuring them "there is still hope," adding they have a "home" with his campaign.

"If you're among the majority of Democratic voters that woke up on Wednesday feeling, well, hopeless, because the person who won does not represent your values, well, just know, there is still hope," Rogers said in a video posted on X Friday.

"Michigan deserves a senator who is ready to sit with you, hear from you and represent you."

El-Sayed narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., in one of the nation's most closely watched Democratic primaries, setting up a November showdown with Rogers, who ran uncontested.

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Rogers addressed Democratic voters directly, casting his campaign as a home for those who feel their values are not reflected in El-Sayed's candidacy as he tries to court the hundreds of thousands of Democrats who voted for Stevens but may not feel comfortable voting for El-Sayed.

"The parents across Michigan who want an education system that sets up their kids for success, you have a home with us," he said. "To grandparents across Michigan who are heartbroken from watching their kids and grandkids leave the state, you have a home with us.

"To young people who are looking for real solutions to solve our housing affordability crisis, you have a home with us. To working families who don't want higher taxes and lower paychecks, well, you have a home with us."

Rogers also accused El-Sayed's campaign of promoting "anger, divisiveness, calls for violence" and views he said are out of step with Michigan voters.

"And to the vast majority of people across Michigan who do not want to throw their support behind a campaign filled with anger, divisiveness, calls for violence and the views that are out of touch with your values, well, you have a home with us," he said.

EL-SAYED'S THREAT AGAINST GOP RIVAL BACKFIRES AS CONSERVATIVES BRING RECEIPTS: 'IS DUBAI IN FLORIDA?'

If Rogers wins in November, Republicans would flip the seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and help protect their control of the Senate.

"Over the next 90 days, I'm going to work hard to earn your trust, to earn your support and earn your vote," Rogers said. "We have a state to save, Michigan. Let's get to work."

Rogers' outreach to Democrats was praised by some conservatives and pundits on social media.

In a post on X, former DSA member Jake Altman wrote, "I voted for Biden. I voted for Harris. I will vote for Mike Rogers. I just donated to the campaign. This is not a time to sit on your hands. Stand up for the man who fights terrorists, not the one who sympathizes with them."

"Mike Rogers directly asks for Democrats to support him in Michigan. The majority of Michigan Democrats voted against Abdul El-Sayed. This is well done," OutKick founder Clay Travis posted on X.

In another post on X, Democrats for Mike Rogers wrote, "Mike Rogers is meeting the moment. We’re putting country over party and voting for Mike Rogers in November. It’s never been more important. We must unite and defeat the extremism of Abdul El-Sayed and his allies."

El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former Wayne County health director who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018, has campaigned on Medicare-for-all and abolishing Immigration and customs enforcement. He has also been a vocal critic of Israel during its war with Hamas and has called Israel's actions in Gaza "genocide."

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: THE REPUBLICAN-LED VOTE THAT REVEALED DEMOCRATS' NEW DIVIDE ON ISRAEL

He would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected.

As some Democrats grapple with the direction of their party following El-Sayed's nomination, Rogers said the "fight is far greater than just left versus right."

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"The fight is for the very soul of our nation," he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to El Sayed's campaign for comment.

Video shows US military tracking what appears to be mysterious object flying over Middle East in 2025

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:26:18 -0400

The latest tranche of materials on unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) released by the U.S. government includes video of what appears to be an object traversing the skies last year over the Middle East.

"The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute and 39 seconds of video footage from an electro-optical and infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025," the War Department noted.

A description of the video says, "The sensor pans to track an area of contrast from left to right across the background, keeping it generally centered within the frame. The sensor adjusts collection mode and level of magnification several times."

NASA CHIEF CONFIRMS AGENCY HAS UNEXPLAINED UFO IMAGERY: 'WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS'

Assistant to the secretary of war for public affairs and chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in part of a Friday statement, "Today, the Department of War is publishing the fifth release of declassified and historical Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) files as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE)."

President Donald Trump declared in a Truth Social post earlier this year that he would call for the release of such materials.

NEW TRUMP UFO FILE DUMP INCLUDES MILITARY FOOTAGE OF MYSTERIOUS STAR-SHAPED OBJECT

"Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" the president wrote in the February Truth Social post.

The website where the public may peruse the released materials states the archives are "unresolved" matters.

LONG-HIDDEN UFO INFORMATION AT CENTER OF TRUMP PUSH TO FREE FORMER OFFICIALS

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"The materials archived here are unresolved cases, meaning the government is unable to make a definitive determination on the nature of the observed phenomena," the site notes.

Lindsey Graham's final mission to punish Putin clears Senate after yearlong fight

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:25:58 -0400

It’s taken well over a year of stops, starts, promises and derailments, but the Senate has at last advanced a bone-crushing package of sanctions against Russia, capping off one of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s biggest fights.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act sailed through the Senate on another colossal bipartisan vote and is now headed to the House. It has the backing of President Donald Trump, too.

It comes after personal lobbying from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, who, hours after Graham’s memorial service in Washington, D.C., pleaded with lawmakers to put a check on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

GRAHAM'S FINAL MISSION ADVANCES AS SENATE MOVES TO CRUSH PUTIN'S WAR MACHINE WITH RUSSIA, IRAN SANCTIONS

"Today, President Zelenskyy is watching from Ukraine, and Putin is watching from Moscow," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said on the Senate floor. "I would like to think that Lindsey Graham is watching, too."

The bill focuses on kneecapping Putin’s war machine by targeting Moscow’s top financial driver: oil and gas sales.

It also extends sanction authority against Iran that hampers funding to the country’s weapons and energy sectors as the administration and negotiators abroad seek to find a long-lasting peace agreement for the war in the Middle East.

There are also targeted sanctions against Putin, Russian officials and Russian military leaders, up to 500% tariffs on Russian imports and tariffs of up to 100% on the top five countries buying Russian energy, like China and India. And it gives Trump flexibility for when to turn off some aspects of the sanctions.

'A BIG EFFING DEAL': GRAHAM'S FINAL MISSION MOVES FORWARD AFTER HIS DEATH

The tariff authority, however, threatened one last derailment of the package.

Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., initially held up the package over the issue and offered an amendment to solve the problem.

Paul, who has staunchly opposed Trump’s tariff strategy since he retook office, argued that slapping tariffs on superpowers working with Russia, like China, would only cause them to cozy up.

"These tariffs threaten to undermine America's strategic position in the world," Paul said. "Some naively think that the tariffs will get China to distance themselves from Russia, but it might be the opposite.

TRUMP ALLIES PUSH TO ARM PRESIDENT WITH NEW TARIFF WEAPON TO PUNISH COUNTRIES 'RIPPING OFF' AMERICA

"Recent history suggests that they will instead push Russia and China together," he continued. "China is not going to get this 100% tariff and say, ‘Oh, we're sorry, we're no longer going to cooperate with Russia.’"

Then came Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., who proved to be the last hurdle.

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But after meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Thursday, Warnock backed down after receiving a commitment that Trump’s tariff authority was indeed limited to just the top five countries purchasing oil and gas exports from Russia.

"We should not have to choose between putting a check on Putin's aggression and putting a check on this president's tariff regime," Warnock said. "That is a false choice, and it is one that I am not willing to accept."

North Korea expert warns US can 'never take their eye off' Kim Jong Un following missile test during Iran war

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:18:53 -0400

A North Korea expert told Fox News Digital the United States "can never take their eye off" Kim Jong Un and the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang test-fired a missile this week amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The launch of the short-range ballistic missile, which Japan said landed in the waters off North Korea’s east coast, unfolded Thursday ahead of joint military exercises to be conducted by the U.S. and South Korea later this month.

"There's this unsettled conflict on the Korean Peninsula. And Kim Jong Un, a very unpredictable leader that seeks attention, that is something the United States can never take their eye off," retired Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital Friday.

US SAYS NORTH KOREA MISSILE LAUNCH POSES NO IMMEDIATE THREAT, 'CONSULTING CLOSELY' WITH ALLIES

"So, we have all these challenges in the Middle East, these challenges with Russia and Ukraine, these challenges with China pressuring and trying to coerce Taiwan. You can never forget that the North Korean challenge to South Korea is sitting right there, and there are no constraints on Kim Jong Un," Montgomery added.

"There's no version of an empowered elite or a population or a military that could unseat him. So, we should always keep our eye on him, pay attention to him and make sure we're constantly deterring any provocative behavior."

"We are aware of the missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners," U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said after North Korea’s launch Thursday.

"Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory or to our allies," it added. "The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region."

Montgomery said Friday that "whenever North Korea does a ballistic missile launch, you have to think there's any of three countries that could be the intended recipient of the message. It could be the United States. It could be South Korea. It can be Japan, or it could be a mix."

MORE THAN HALF OF SOME US WEAPONS STOCKPILES USED IN IRAN WAR, RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT CHINA THREAT

He described how Japan recently test-fired a Tomahawk cruise missile in late July with the help of the U.S. Navy.

"Maybe this could be a signal back to them," Montgomery said. "South Korea and the United States are about to start the Ulchi Freedom series of exercises ... the most robust series of exercise we have there every August when conducted.

"Recently, there have been a lot of reports the United States has expended a large percentage of its theater ballistic missile defense weapons ... Patriot 3 and THAAD, in the conflict in Iran.

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"Those are the kind of defensive systems that might be used against this weapon. Also, there's U.S. Navy standard missiles, which also have been depleted in the Middle East. In all those cases, North Korea could be signaling to any of the three countries or a mix of the three countries that we're still relevant, we matter and you need to pay attention to us."

Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.

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