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NAACP official condemns White politicians trying to replace resigning Black mayor

Fri, 15 May 2026 20:14:42 -0400

The North Carolina NAACP defended a local branch president, Corine Mack, after she argued that it is "seriously disturbing" for any White person to fill in as interim mayor of Charlotte after Mayor Vi Lyles announced her resignation.

Lyles announced last week that she will be resigning as mayor on June 30, saying her term has been "has been the honor of my life." While some are puzzled at her resignation only about halfway into her term, one aspect that has been noted is her controversy on the national stage after the stabbing of Ukrainian national Iryna Zarutska.

According to Axios, numerous local politicians are jockeying to fill the position, but Mack voiced outrage at the possibility that Lyles — who is Black — could be temporarily succeeded by someone who is White. As Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP president, Mack shared a now-controversial post on Monday, arguing that a White person taking the role would be part of a larger phenomenon of usurping Black representation.

"It is seriously disturbing for White folks to be lobbying to be the interim Mayor in Charlotte," Mack wrote. "Our Mayor who recently resigned is a Black woman who is a registered Democrat. While Black representation is being undermined and stripped nationwide; White folks are either tone deaf or worse ... self centered! It's not about YOU!

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"In Charlotte, Black Voters have been intentional about having Black representation," she continued. "What is the consensus after several discussion; If the City Council votes a non-Black person in as interim Mayor again ... voters will hold you accountable next year."

Mack made a similar statement, doubling down to Queen City News by declaring, "Why would we replace the Black outgoing mayor with a White person? That simple."

She later added, "My question for the white folks who, up in arms and outraged, are they outrage about the fact that Black representation is under attack?"

Mack also defended the post on her personal Facebook page, arguing the outrage about how "any Black person who dares to have an independent thought and opinion."

"On our NAACP Charlotte-Mecklenburg Branch page, White people are losing their minds in defense of Charlotte having the right to have a White Mayor. Anyone can run next year! This year the City Council will elect the interim Mayor," she wrote. "It is very interesting to watch some White people in a frenzy about Black people loving and supporting Black people. Meanwhile, they create movements and spaces solely for white people all of the time."

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"The outrage must be about any Black person who dares to have an independent thought and opinion," she concluded. Poor things! White people created race and racism. But, they continue to play the victim and create fake narratives. Everything in this country is predicated on race ... White people did that! I won't be silenced! In the meantime, I'm praying for this country."

WBTV reported that Deborah Maxwell, president of the North Carolina NAACP, addressed Mack's initial post on the following Wednesday.

"NAACP North Carolina stands with the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Branch and its long‑standing work to advance equity, justice, and accountability for Black communities," she said.

She added further, "The NAACP evaluates leadership by actions, policies, and results, not by personal identity. What matters is whether decisions made by those in power strengthen or harm the lived experiences of Black residents."

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Maxwell also defended the local NAACP chapter’s duty to raise concerns if they think Black communities are being excluded from "meaningful participation or progress."

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"Black communities deserve leadership that listens, delivers results, and helps close long‑standing gaps in opportunity," she said.

Eric Trump plans to sue Jen Psaki, MS NOW for alleged 'blatant lies' about him joining father's China trip

Fri, 15 May 2026 17:41:03 -0400

Eric Trump said Friday he plans to sue MS NOW and its primetime host Jen Psaki for what he called "blatant lies" she said about him regarding his recent trip to China alongside his father, President Donald Trump.

During a monologue on Wednesday, Psaki put a spotlight on the president's adult son joining him despite him not having a government job and that "supposedly" he was firewalled from the administration to prevent potential conflicts of interest as he and his brother Donald Trump Jr. have taken over the family business.

Psaki read off statements from the White House insisting there wasn't a conflict of interest, and a statement from Eric Trump's spokesperson said he was joining his father in a personal capacity and that he would not be involved in any business meetings and doesn't have any business ties with China.

"Now, that is quite an interesting denial given this piece in the Financial Times out just today," a skeptical Psaki reacted before reading the headline, "Eric Trump joins Beijing trip as family-linked group chases China deal."

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According to the report, Eric Trump was labeled an "observer" to the board of fintech company ALT5 Sigma last year. ALT5 Sigma has financial ties to the Trump family's crypto business and is currently exploring a deal with a Chinese chip manufacturer as ALT5 Sigma pursues building AI data centers in the U.S.

However, in her monologue, Psaki said that Eric Trump "sits on the board" of the ALT5 Sigma and pointed to him and his brother ringing the Nasdaq bell on behalf of the company.

"It certainly seems like Eric might be getting a little bit more than just quality time with his dad out of this China trip, doesn't it?" Psaki said before listing other "sketchy ways" she claims he and his brother Donald Trump Jr. are profiting from the administration.

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On Friday, Eric Trump announced his intention to sue Psaki and MS NOW.

"Contrary to her monolog [sic] and blatant lies, I have NEVER been on the board of ALT5 — not now, not ever. Any person with basic access to Google and willing to open a company’s annual report or proxy statements would know this," Trump wrote on X. "I have had zero involvement in any merger discussions involving any public entity I do not run or control. I have zero business interests in China. No properties, no investments, nothing!"

He continued, "I joined this trip for one reason: as a loving son who adores my father and wouldn’t miss being by his side for this incredible moment. During the bilateral talks, @LaraLeaTrump and I went to the Great Wall of China. More to come…"

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MS NOW did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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President Trump reveals Xi Jinping's response to possibly releasing imprisoned Chinese critic Jimmy Lai

Fri, 15 May 2026 17:30:34 -0400

President Donald Trump divulged how Chinese President Xi Jinping responded to his inquiry about releasing Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong businessman imprisoned after his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government.

Lai, 78, is serving a 20-year sentence after the communist regime found him guilty of sedition and conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces.

"I brought up Jimmy Lai. I would say the response to that was not positive. He said that he's been, you know, he said it's been sort of his worst nightmare," Trump told "Special Report" in an interview airing Friday.

Trump said he spoke with Xi "at length" about Lai’s declining health as the media mogul remains in a Hong Kong prison under reportedly harsh conditions.

TRUMP MUST FORCE XI TO ANSWER FOR CHINA'S CRUEL WAR ON JIMMY LAI

"I said, well, I would appreciate it if you would release him. He's gotten old and he's probably not feeling too well, it would be nice," the president told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier.

"I did not feel optimistic. I have to be honest with you about that one."

Jimmy’s daughter Claire Lai expressed high hopes of her father’s release on "The Will Cain Show" Thursday, praising Trump as the "liberator-in-chief."

"I'm more hopeful than I've ever been that he is the president and this is the administration that will free my father, and we are just so extremely grateful," she said before Trump spoke with Xi about Lai's release.

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Lai, who was imprisoned in 2020, founded a pro-democracy newspaper that regularly criticized the Communist Party, which Chinese authorities say was an effort to undermine the government.

Despite being unable to secure Lai’s release from Hong Kong, Trump touted the "hundreds" of prisoners he has helped release, including American Pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey.

The president also criticized former President Joe Biden's prisoner release strategy, which he suggested was a waste of American money.

"I've gotten hundreds of people out, and, by the way, I don't pay a lot of money. I don't pay any money, like Biden, where they give $6 billion all the time to get people out," he said.

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Lai’s release is not the only topic the two world superpowers cannot agree on. Another central fault line is Taiwan, which Xi warned could cause "clashes and even conflicts" between the United States and China.

Though, Xi did offer to help the United States broker a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, striking a more collaborative tone.

Trump indicated a "fantastic future" of U.S.-China relations and praised Xi as a "great leader" during the talks. He departed back to Washington, D.C., on Friday.

Louisiana Senate primary heats up as Cassidy accuses Letlow of Pelosi-style stock trading, DEI support

Fri, 15 May 2026 17:21:23 -0400

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., accused his primary opponent, Rep. Julia Letlow, of taking a "Nancy Pelosi approach" to stock trades, claiming she made investments within days of subcommittee hearings involving those companies.

Cassidy, the incumbent senator fighting to defend his seat, joined the "Fox News Rundown" podcast ahead of Saturday’s Republican primary election.

"She's done well for herself financially," Cassidy told Fox News Radio’s Jessica Rosenthal. "Kind of the Nancy Pelosi approach to stock markets, I'll just point out, which is public record."

Cassidy argued public records show Letlow had bought or sold shares within days of subcommittee hearings related to those companies. Letlow previously denied similar allegations in April after attack ads leveled the same point.

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"I most certainly did not break federal law," Letlow told Fox 8 at the time. "I’ve had a portfolio that has been managed by a third party. And it was very important to me, whenever I was elected to Congress, to make sure that I had absolutely no direction over it."

But Cassidy claims Letlow’s broker has not provided proof the trades were made independently. "She claims that her broker did that independently. They asked the broker for a letter to that effect, and the broker would not give the letter," he said.

Letlow’s campaign fired back in a statement to Fox News Digital, calling the claims a ploy to save his campaign.

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"This is a last-ditch effort by Bill Cassidy to smear Julia Letlow because he knows he is going to lose tomorrow," Letlow’s campaign spokesperson Katherine Thordahl said.

"President Trump endorsed Julia Letlow because he knows she is a strong conservative who will stand with him and fight for the America First agenda in the United States Senate. At the end of the day, Bill Cassidy will do or say anything to distract from his own record, including his vote to impeach President Trump."

Cassidy also reiterated comments labeling Letlow a "liberal," pointing to past remarks she made advocating for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

EXCLUSIVE: UNEARTHED VIDEOS EXPOSE HOW TRUMP-ENDORSED CANDIDATE CHAMPIONED DEI IN UNIVERSITY HIRING PROCESS

The comments came from a 2020 video of Letlow interviewing to become president of the University of Louisiana Monroe. In the footage, Letlow called the school’s record on faculty gender diversity "shameful," praised DEI efforts around the country and said she wanted to open the school's first DEI division.

"She is saying there should be a completely staffed department of DEI reporting to the president and having input before any decision was made," Cassidy said on the podcast. "Now that's not the way folks in Louisiana believe."

Earlier this week, Letlow took to the "Fox News Rundown" podcast to defend her record, arguing that DEI programs she once oversaw were "hijack[ed]" by the political left and turned into "Marxism."

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"DEI six years ago was introduced in higher education as something that could be a tool to encourage students, staff, faculty to work hard and go achieve the American dream," Letlow said.

"I quickly witnessed the left completely hijack any of those efforts and turn it into indoctrination of our students, Marxism, holding people down instead of lifting them up," she added.

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Letlow said the DEI issue is more complex than the ads or Cassidy suggest, arguing it was initially presented as a tool for student success but later was distorted into something she opposes.

"Once I witnessed that firsthand because I was in education, I spent the last five years in Congress fighting against it," she added.

North Texas dominates in population growth as big blue cities fail to recover to pre-pandemic levels

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:30:16 -0400

Texas small cities are the fastest growing communities in the United States while the nation’s big blue hubs are failing to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, including the cities of Celina, Princeton, Melissa, and Anna saw population gains, according to figures released on Thursday.

Celina, Texas tops the list as the fastest growing city in the nation, the U.S. Census Bureau reported on Thursday. The bureau announced that the five fastest-growing cities in the nation with a population of 20,000 or more were all in Texas — four in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington suburbs and one outside Houston.

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"Celina, Texas (near Dallas), was the fastest-growing city in the nation, surging by a notable 24.6%. Rapid growth is nothing new for Celina, which was also the nation’s fastest-growing city in 2023," the Census Bureau reported.

"Families are drawn to Celina for our outstanding schools, safe neighborhoods, and dynamic community life, while businesses recognize the strategic advantages of our location, robust infrastructure, and supportive environment," Celina Mayor Ryan Tubbs told Dallas local news affiliate WFAA.

Tubbs did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The second-fastest growing city is Fulshear, located outside of Houston, according to Census data. The other Dallas-Fort Worth suburban cities round out the list of the top five fastest-growing cities.

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The South in general is outperforming the rest of the nation.

"The South dominates the lists of the nation’s fastest-growing and highest-gaining cities. The region claims 10 of the nation’s 15 fastest-growing cities as well as 11 of the 12 largest numeric gains," the Census Bureau reported.

While North Carolina saw the highest net domestic migration of any state in 2023, South Carolina has recently emerged as the fastest growing state in the nation by percentage. Between July 2022 and July 2023, the Palmetto State’s population grew by 1.7%, significantly outpacing the national average and fueled by a net influx of over 82,000 domestic migrants.

The growth in these states comes as several traditionally blue states struggle to return to pre-pandemic population levels. Major cities like Boston, New York, and Chicago have seen consistent downward trends in net migration.

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Los Angeles County has been particularly hard-hit. According to U.S. Census data, the county’s population has shrunk from roughly 10 million in 2020 to about 9.7 million today. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, the county lost more than 56,000 residents.

New York City lost more residents than those that moved in last year, according to a new study from the Citizens’ Budget Commission released recently.

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"The nation’s largest counties ... are often international migration hubs," said Census Bureau demographer George M. Hayward. "With fewer gains from international migration, these types of counties saw their population growth diminish or even turn into loss."

Former Washington governor rips her own party for pushing millionaires out

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:05:53 -0400

Former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire attacked her fellow Democrats in the Washington state legislature after the state's recent millionaires' tax.

While attending the Association of Washington Business 2026 Spring Summit on May 6, Gregoire, who served as Washington's governor from 2005 to 2013, was asked whether she believes the state legislature understands the impact of its economic policies.

"No, I really don't, as evidence by, you mentioned the estate tax," Gregoire said. "I argued with some folks about the estate tax. We were the highest in the country, tied with Hawaii at 20%. We went to 35%. We're not just the highest. We're beyond the highest."

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Though Washington's estate tax was raised to 35%, a recent bill passed in April has since rolled back the rate to 20% after backlash.

"And I said now, you understand the consequences of this?" she continued. "Can I see your fiscal note? Because I'd like to help it. Because here's what you can expect. Those people are not homeless. They will not pay. They’re leaving. When they leave, they stop paying capital gains. When they leave, they stop giving significantly to philanthropy, which would otherwise be necessary by government. So you understand, do you see the consequences of what you’re doing? And the answer is no."

Gregoire also called out Democratic state House members for a lack of business experience in understanding the impact taxes have on small businesses.

"I would suggest to you, we don't really have an income problem," she said. "We have a spending problem, and we're answering it by stacking one more tax, one more rule, one more regulation. And the one thing that the business community doesn't need is that lack of predictability. That's how businesses grow, that's how they thrive. That's not healthy for our business community at all."

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Washington state legislature and Democratic caucus for comment.

Pushed through by the Democratic majority during the 2026 session, the millionaires' tax imposes a 9.9% tax on annual income exceeding $1 million for individuals or households. While the tax was signed in March 2026, it is not scheduled to take effect until Jan. 1, 2028, with the first payments due in 2029.

After the tax was passed, Starbucks, which originated in Seattle, announced that it would be moving 2,000 corporate jobs to a new regional headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.

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The tax also came as Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, a self-described socialist, faced criticism for her dismissive attitude toward the idea of millionaires leaving the state.

Cornell board clears president of wrongdoing after confrontation with anti-Israel students

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:00:50 -0400

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has been cleared of wrongdoing by the school's board after he got into a confrontation with anti-Israel students in April.

The incident took place on April 30 following a debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Following the event, a group of anti-Israel individuals — who Kotlikoff said were both students and non-students — followed the university president to his car while questioning him.

Kotlikoff said he told the group that he would not answer any more questions and asked them to stop recording, but they refused. He then got into his vehicle, backed out of the parking spot and left. While Kotlikoff said he waited until there was space behind his car, Students for a Democratic Cornell (SDC) alleged his vehicle struck one individual and ran over another person's foot.

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An Ad Hoc Special Committee of the Board of Trustees issued a statement on Friday, detailing the review that took place following the confrontation and expressing support for Kotlikoff. The committee said that during the review it considered evidence gathered by the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD), including verified footage and a sworn statement that Kotlikoff provided CUPD.

In the statement, the committee said that the person at the scene who reported that Kotlikoff's vehicle had made contact refused treatment from the EMS team and would not provide a sworn statement to CUPD. The committee noted that none of the individuals at the scene gave sworn statements about the incident.

"The Committee has found that the actions taken by these individuals on April 30th, which included following President Kotlikoff from an evening event into a parking lot and impeding his ability to leave, are inconsistent with university policies governing expressive activity and our standards for respectful conduct, safety, and the prohibition of intimidation," the statement read.

'CAME OUT OF NOWHERE': CORNELL STUDENT SAYS PRESIDENT'S CONFRONTATION IS UNLIKE ANYTHING SEEN ON CAMPUS

CUPD presented the evidence it had gathered during the investigation to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office, which determined that criminal charges were not warranted, according to the statement.

The committee also said that Kotlikoff declined to pursue a complaint against the students involved in the confrontation, but added that "appropriate action is being taken against the non-students involved."

Cornell Law School Professor William Jacobson said the board's decision confirmed what publicly available videos had already shown.

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"The result of the Board of Trustees investigation into the incident between activists and Cornell's President confirms what the public videos showed — reckless conduct meant to trap and confront the President in a dangerous manner, and highly questionable claims of injury by the activists," Jacobson said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

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In its statement, the committee reaffirmed Cornell's commitment to "robust debate and peaceful protest," emphasizing that "expressive activity must occur within the bounds of the law and with respect for the rights and safety of all members of our community." The committee also expressed confidence in Kotlikoff's continued leadership of the university.

Fox News Digital trounces broadcast news brands, along with CNN, MS NOW, NY Times, in key metrics during April

Fri, 15 May 2026 11:05:36 -0400

Fox News Digital finished April as the No. 1 news organization in multiplatform minutes, views and total unique visitors as the brand continues to dominate the media landscape.

April saw the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner get interrupted by gunfire, forcing the Secret Service to quickly evacuate President Donald Trump, a return to the moon via NASA’s Artemis II, escalating global tensions, the ongoing war with Iran and constant news surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Along the way, Fox News Digital drove 3.6 billion multiplatform minutes, finishing ahead of runner-up The New York Times by over two billion minutes. It marked the 62nd consecutive month at No. 1 in multiplatform minutes among the competitive news set that includes CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, CNN and the Washington Post, in addition to the Times.

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When it comes to multiplatform views, Fox News Digital piled up 1.7 billion while The Times settled for 1.5 billion and CNN managed 604 million to rank third. It was the 24th consecutive month that Fox News Digital finished atop the key category.

Fox News Digital also grew a staggering 46% compared to last year among total digital multiplatform unique visitors to finish at 191 million.

The Fox News Mobile app drew 6.3 million unique viewers during the month, leading the CNN mobile app which saw just 3.7 million unique viewers.

Fox News delivered 471.9 million video views on YouTube, nearly quadrupling ABC News and NBC News while septupling CBS News’ 62.6 million views for the month, according to Emplifi.

FOX NEWS HAS BEST YEAR EVER ON YOUTUBE WITH 4.5 BILLION VIDEO VIEWS TO LEAD ALL NEWS BRANDS

Fox News’ YouTube video views grew 45% compared to last year, crushing MS NOW’s 304.4 million views and CNN's 203.3 million views.

Fox News delivered 112.3 million social media interactions for the month with 50.2 million interactions on Facebook, 19.7 million interactions on Instagram and 6.5 million interactions on X. It was the 140th consecutive month that FOX News Media also topped all news brands among social media with interactions, according to Emplifi and Comscore Social.

Earlier this week, Fox News Digital was touted when Fox Corporation held its annual upfront presentation to advertisers, media buyers and journalists.

"We’re meeting audiences where they are, across platforms, across generations, wherever and however they consume news," Fox News anchor Bret Baier said.

FOX NEWS CHANNEL DELIVERS HIGHEST-RATED NON-ELECTION YEAR EVER, ‘THE FIVE’ CONTINUES HISTORIC RUN

"Online, Fox News is [the] No. 1 publisher for time spent, averaging 143 million monthly unique visitors," he added. "So, to put it simply, more people spend time getting their news on FoxNews.com than anywhere else."

Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum told advertisers that it was also a record year for the company on YouTube, as Fox News had its best year in history with 4.5 billion video views.

Fox News Digital, CBSNews.com, NBCNews.com, WashingtonPost.com, and ABCNews.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like CNN.com and NYTimes.com have not.

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Digital data courtesy of Comscore.

Trump warns Taiwan not to expect blank check from US military after intense Xi summit

Fri, 15 May 2026 10:55:16 -0400

President Donald Trump is putting Taiwan and China on notice, warning Taipei not to expect a blank check for American military backing if it triggers a war.

In a sit-down interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier airing tonight on "Special Report" at 6 p.m. ET, Trump detailed his face-to-face negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping and what they could mean for global security.

"Should the people of Taiwan feel more or less secure after your meetings with President Xi?" Baier asked the president directly.

"Neutral. This has been going on for years," Trump answered, noting that U.S. policy regarding Taiwan has not changed.

"Nothing's changed. I will say this: I'm not looking to have somebody go independent. And, you know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down."

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Xi issued his own warnings about Taiwan, cautioning there could be future "clashes and even conflicts" with the U.S. over the island, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

Trump declined to commit to whether he’d sign off on the long-delayed $14 billion U.S. arms package for Taiwan. While lawmakers pre-approved the package last year, the White House has not moved it forward.

When pressed about the arms package, Trump kept his options open.

"I may do it. I may not do it," he told Baier. "We’re not looking to have wars. If you kept it the way it is, I think China is [going to] be OK with that. But we're not looking to have somebody say, ‘Let's go independent because the United States is backing us.’"

China has claimed Taiwan as its own territory and opposed U.S. involvement in its affairs, including through weapons sales. The U.S. does not formally recognize Beijing’s claim over Taiwan but has unofficially supported the island through defense assistance.

TRUMP ADMIN ANNOUNCES $11B TAIWAN ARMS SALES DEAL

Trump later gave an update on the conflict with Iran, denying that his administration underestimated the difficulty of the mission and saying the U.S. is currently choosing not to escalate further.

"I didn't underestimate anything. We hit them unbelievably hard," Trump said. "Look, we left their bridges. We left their electricity capacity. We can knock that all out in two days. Two days."

MORNING GLORY: WILL XI FREE LAI?

"Vietnam lasted 19 years. Iraq was like 10 years. Korea was seven years. Another one was 14 years. Another one was 12 years. Another one was nine years. We're in there [Iran] for two and a half months," the president said.

He also addressed the potential for political prisoner Jimmy Lai, along with two other detainees, to be released from China. Lai is a Hong Kong media mogul and Catholic imprisoned for criticizing the Chinese government. Trump confirmed he asked Xi to consider releasing Lai.

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"It's under consideration. I will say that I brought up Jimmy Lai, and I would say the response to that was not positive," Trump said, noting he was not optimistic.

"He went through a whole thing and I said, ‘Well, we'd appreciate if you would release him. He's gotten old, and he's probably not feeling too well. It would be nice.’ And I did not feel optimistic. I have to be honest with you about that one. I did, I did feel optimistic about the second one that's now under consideration," Trump said.

David Letterman drops F-bomb, destroys CBS property in defiant final 'Late Show' appearance with Colbert

Fri, 15 May 2026 10:20:27 -0400

David Letterman and Stephen Colbert targeted CBS during "The Late Show" on Thursday, as the pair threw furniture and watermelons off the roof onto the Ed Sullivan Theater at a CBS logo on the ground below.

Letterman joined Colbert roughly a week before "The Late Show" will officially end. The pair appeared on the roof of the theater as Letterman said, "I thought this occasion would be sad, but this brings true joy to my heart. We are up here for the wanton destruction of CBS property."

The two aimed furniture, watermelons, as well as a cake that read "The Late Show 1993-2026," at a target on the street that looked like CBS' eye logo.

As Letterman signed off he said to Colbert, "Thank you for everything you’ve done for our country."

DAVID LETTERMAN CALLS OUT CBS' 'PURE COWARDICE' FOR CANCELING 'THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT'

Colbert asked the comedian if he had any final words for the viewers and Letterman said he had something to say to CBS.

He said, "In the words of the great Ed Murrow, good night and good luck, motherf------!"

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

CBS announced in 2025 that it would be canceling Colbert's "The Late Show" at the end of its 2026 season.

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The final show will air on May 21, 2026.

Colbert has hosted a slew of comedians, prominent politicians, and more to mark the end of the CBS late-night show.

Former President Obama sat down with Colbert earlier this month, during which the former president suggested the late-night comedian could make a better president than President Donald Trump.

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Fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver joined Colbert on set earlier this week.

Kimmel questioned why Colbert was being asked to defend or make the case for late-night TV's existence.

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"Why should you have to defend late-night? Why should that question even be asked?" Kimmel asked Colbert. "Like Ryan Seacrest doesn’t get asked [about] 'Wheel of Fortune' or whatever the hell he’s hosting."

The LateNighter reported that Kimmel's program is preparing to do dark the night of Colbert's final show, as the comedian did with Letterman when his version of "The Late Show" ended.

Joe Rogan stunned at how many Americans think Trump assassination attempts were staged

Fri, 15 May 2026 08:44:13 -0400

Podcaster Joe Rogan blamed TikTok and social media culture for widespread conspiracy thinking on Wednesday after discussing how many Americans believe at least one assassination attempt against President Donald Trump was staged.

"This is TikTok. It’s f---ing ruined," Rogan said during "The Joe Rogan Experience" while reacting to survey data showing many Americans either believe at least one attempt was staged or are unsure whether the attempts were authentic. "Rotting their f---ing brains out from inside their heads."

"Meanwhile, you go on Chinese TikTok, it’s all like traditional dance and martial arts, science projects," Rogan said. "It shuts down for kids after 10 p.m."

After Rogan read the survey findings, his guest, comedian Brendan Schaub, responded, "And that’s the problem."

WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL CONNECTS MISINFORMATION BY BIDEN TO WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE CONSPIRACY THEORIES

According to The Washington Post, "Roughly 1 in 3 Democratic respondents said they believed the [White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting] event was staged, compared with about 1 in 8 Republicans, according to a survey published Monday by NewsGuard, a company that rates the reliability of online news outlets. Respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 were also more likely than older people to think the incident was staged, according to the report."

Rogan and Schaub spent several minutes discussing conspiracy theories surrounding the multiple assassination attempts against Trump, including the July 2024 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Rogan argued people who believe the Butler shooting was staged do not understand firearms.

FIRST RESPONDERS SIT DOWN WITH WIDOW OF FIREFIGHTER KILLED AT BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA TRUMP RALLY

"The people that thought that the Butler, Pennsylvania one was staged don't know anything about guns," Rogan said. "I don’t know anybody who knows anything about guns that thinks that the president would let some guy nick his ear with a bullet."

Rogan pointed to the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the Butler rally shooting while attending the event.

"That guy got shot by a bullet that was intended for Trump," Rogan said. "And then there’s a photo of a bullet whizzing by his face. Anybody that thinks that that staged is out of their f---ing mind."

For the 2024 attempt, the Post explained, "Regarding the Butler assassination attempt, 24 percent of respondents said they believed it was staged. Forty-two percent of Democratic respondents said they thought the shooting was staged, compared with 7 percent of Republicans."

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The pair also referenced another assassination attempt connected to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

Schaub questioned why anyone would believe an individual would destroy his own life to participate in a fake attack.

"They think that’s fake," Schaub said. "It’s like, hold on. So, you think this guy, who’s a teacher, educated, clearly kind of had his s--- together, threw away his life?"

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The podcasters also discussed Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who attempted to assassinate Trump in Butler, with Rogan questioning the lack of publicly available information about him after the shooting.

"That one was weird as f---," Rogan said. "That guy’s house was professionally scrubbed. He didn’t even have silverware there. He had no online activity. He had no social media."

Hollywood director rips 'smug' White liberals, says 'no group is worse'

Fri, 15 May 2026 07:08:46 -0400

Hollywood director Adam McKay unloaded on White liberals during an interview on Wednesday in a fiery critique of the Democratic Party.

"I could go on with a list of 400 things, the same party that kept healthcare private," McKay told host Jesse Damiani during his "Urgent Futures" podcast after railing against prominent Democratic Party members. "That, you know, on and on and on. And it was like, we are being hit with the high grade marketing and no group is worse than White liberals."

"I mean, they are the worst. I've tried to talk to them about climate. They are so smug and captured. And really, it boils down to privilege. I mean, when you talk to White money liberals, they're getting a lot from this broken system. So at some point, I realized these are bad-faith arguments and conversations," he said.

McKay said he couldn't support a party that didn't back universal healthcare.

FETTERMAN TORCHES DEMOCRAT PARTY IN NEW BOOK: 'ELITIST,' 'LOST TOUCH' WITH WORKING CLASS

"You can't support a party that doesn't want universal healthcare. The Democrats don't have that in their party platform. Kamala, Hillary never brought it up. If you were in like Norway or France or Australia. And you were like, we don't need universal healthcare. People would be like, 'You are a Nazi,'" he said.

McKay continued, "Like even the neo-Nazi parties in Europe don't campaign against nationalized healthcare. So I think the U.S. is essentially an island country and no group of people has, you know, heads full of bees more than White liberals. Like, I've heard the craziest s--- from White liberals."

McKay argued that White liberals benefit from the system and only care about their class and social scene.

"I almost can say I despise American White liberals," he said. "They are the grossest of the gross."

PROGRESSIVE PROFESSOR DITCHES DEMOCRATIC PARTY OVER 'DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC' ISSUE: 'ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH'

McKay announced in 2024, following President Donald Trump's election victory, that he would be leaving the Democratic Party.

"It is time to abandon the Dem Party," McKay wrote on X at the time. "I’m registering Green Party or Working Families. But am open to ideas."

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The director ripped the Democratic Party for what he deemed a series of missteps leading up to Election Day, including how it handled former President Biden bowing out of the race to make way for former Vice President Kamala Harris on the ticket.

McKay has in recent years championed progressive causes and has donated millions of dollars to fight climate change. His activism has also bled into his work. His movie "Don't Look Up," for instance, served as a critique of a lack of action when it comes to protecting the environment. The 2021 satire film centered on two scientists who tried in vain to warn the world about a planet-destroying comet.

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McKay claimed in December 2024 that "America has never been more right wing and propagandized," after predicting that the film "Wicked" would eventually get canceled.

"On a pure storytelling level, 'Wicked Part 1' is right up there as one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made," McKay posted on X.

Fox News' Cortney O'Brien contributed to this report.

NYC Republican lawmaker slams Mamdani antisemitism office as a ‘black hole’ lacking public-facing resources

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:00:54 -0400

As anti-Israel agitators take to the streets in New York City, a councilwoman is calling out the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism, saying that it lacks public-facing resources.

"Mayor Mamdani continues to gaslight the Jewish community in New York City by creating a black hole of an office — the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism — an office that has no website, no phone number, no resources," New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, R-District 48, told Fox News Digital. "There's nobody to reach out to, there's nobody to talk to. The public has no sense of how this office can help Jewish New Yorkers."

The councilwoman said that after a recent hearing, she feels that "the office does nothing to combat antisemitism."

However, Vernikov said that the issue was not merely a matter of access and stated that even those who reach out to the mayor's office "really don't get a response that makes them feel safer or their children feel safer."

NYC LAWMAKER SLAMS MAMDANI OVER RESPONSE TO ANTISEMITIC GRAFFITI, SYNAGOGUE CLASHES: 'NOT A LEADER'

Vernikov, a Jewish Republican, serves as a co-chair of a bipartisan task force aimed at combatting antisemitism alongside Councilman Eric Dinowitz, D-District 11. The task force, which was formed earlier this year, is separate from the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism.

An online search for the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism leads to a page on the New York City government's website that includes a press release announcing the office, a description of its goals and a list of "recent events and services." One of the items on the events and services list is a "listening tour," the findings of which will be used to "inform a report and a subsequent strategy on combatting antisemitism in New York City."

Other events and services include Mayor Zohran Mamdani's visit to the Jewish Children's Museum in Crown Heights, Passover Seders, Food Distribution with Chasdei Lev and an Orthodox Community Leaders Roundtable.

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In recent weeks, New York City has seen a slew of antisemitic incidents, including swastika graffiti in Queens and protests outside a Manhattan synagogue and in a Jewish neighborhood of Brooklyn. Following the protest outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, Mamdani said that his administration was committed to ensuring New Yorkers could safely enter or exit a house of worship. However, he said that he "firmly" disagreed with the event taking place inside the synagogue, a statement that critics interpreted as support for the protesters.

"When we have a real estate expo that is promoting the sale of land which includes the sale of land in the occupied West Bank, in settlements that are a violation of international law, that is something that I firmly disagree with," Mamdani said in response to a reporter's question. The mayor added that he saw the land sales as something that "has been at the heart of an ongoing effort to displace Palestinians from their homes."

The proximity of the protests to Jewish institutions has many Jewish New Yorkers concerned for their safety, something Vernikov said she has heard from her constituents. Vernikov argued that the debate over where protests take place is not about restricting freedoms, but preventing intimidation.

"This has nothing to do with the First Amendment. It has everything to do with trying to intimidate and harass Jews, and that's all these protesters are fighting for," Vernikov said.

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Amid the protests and vandalism, Mamdani has faced criticism for his decision to veto a bill that would have created a "buffer zone" around educational institutions to protect them from protests. The City Council also passed a version of the bill aimed at protecting houses of worship, which Mamdani did not veto.

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office for comment.

Harris' 'no bad idea brainstorm' for Dems includes packing SCOTUS, eliminating Electoral College

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:00:31 -0400

Former Vice President Kamala Harris went viral on Thursday after pushing what many considered several "bad ideas" in her "no bad idea brainstorm" for the Democratic Party.

During a Wednesday night livestream on the "Win with Black Women" podcast, Harris suggested that the Democratic Party get an "expanded playbook" of ideas ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

"I think that we need an expanded playbook in a way that we invite all ideas, that we say... look, this is a moment where there are no bad ideas, a no bad idea brainstorm is what I'd like to call it," Harris said. "And in that no bad ideas brainstorm, we talk about what we need to do and think about doing around the Electoral College. We talk about the idea of Supreme Court reform, which includes expanding the Supreme Court. We invite a conversation about multi-member districts."

KAMALA HARRIS MOCKED ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR REPORTED INTEREST IN CREATING AN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND IDEAS

Harris suggested that, if and when Democrats regain the Senate, the Senate Judiciary Committee should put into place rules to "penalize people for lying" for Supreme Court justices and nominees.

"That we agree that it is right to have ethics rules for Supreme Court justices. And let's put those in place. Let's talk about statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C. These are the things I think that we've got to do," Harris continued.

Fox News Digital reached out to Harris' office for comment.

Harris' ideas received widespread backlash across X, with conservative commentators calling out her comments as several "bad ideas."

KAMALA HARRIS' BOOK, MEDIA TOUR SLAMMED BY LIBERAL CRITICS AS 'EMBARRASSING' AND 'UNHELPFUL'

"They have zero policy ideas. It's all just online staffer brain rot," Substack writer Stephen Miller commented.

Radio host Erick Erickson wrote, "If a Republican were to say these things, the press would excoriate them. But when a Democrat does it, the press treats it as legitimate because the press is on the same side. Anything that goes against Democrat desires is cheating and must be stopped."

"Could you imagine Jake Tapper’s indignant on-air finger-wagging if Republicans proposed any of this stuff as a response to losing?" RedState writer Bonchie wrote.

KAMALA HARRIS TORCHES OWN PARTY MEMBERS INVESTED IN HOLDING ON TO THEIR 'TITLE,' ADMITS, 'I AM EXHAUSTED'

"Well, maybe a few bad ideas," Utah Sen. Mike Lee joked.

Outkick writer Ian Miller wrote, "The funniest part about this is that she lost the popular vote too."

Harris' recent comments come as she potentially sets up a 2028 presidential campaign, though her fellow Democrats have been avoiding answering whether she would be a good candidate after her failed 2024 run.

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Harris herself has played coy over whether she will run again, though reports have indicated that she has been reaching out to colleagues for opinions.

Conservative radio host calls out Ana Navarro's claim about Sean Duffy's road trip in heated clash

Thu, 14 May 2026 17:51:01 -0400

"The View" co-host Ana Navarro was called out on Wednesday for claiming Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was on a seven-month road trip during his term.

"The tone deafness. The secretary of transportation was on a seven-month road trip with his nine children for a TV show," she said during CNN's "Newsnight."

Duffy announced that he and his family filmed a show called "The Great American Road Trip," to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The trip has received pushback from the left, including from former Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband, amid high gas prices.

"You know that he was not on a road trip for seven months. You know that that is factually inaccurate. Come on," Jason Rantz, a conservative radio host, said.

DUFFYS FIRE BACK AFTER PETE BUTTIGIEG, HUSBAND ATTACK NEW ROAD TRIP TV SERIES: 'RADICAL, MISERABLE LEFT'

Navarro countered, "He has been on a road trip during those seven months."

"A couple of days at a time. He was not on for seven months. That’s just not fair and not accurate," Rantz said.

CNN host Abby Phillip said he was filming a reality TV series.

SEAN DUFFY: TAKE A GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP AND REDISCOVER OUR AMAZING COUNTRY

Rantz noted that Duffy filmed over the course of a couple of days throughout the seven months, which Phillip argued didn't make it better.

Duffy has pushed back on criticism of the trip, posting in a statement to X, "The radical, miserable left has noticed our awesome Great American Road Trip trailer… and they hate it. It’s too wholesome. It’s too patriotic. It’s too joyful. They’re upset because they don’t want you to celebrate America! And they definitely don’t want you to teach your kids civics & patriotism. So they tell lies to undermine the mission."

He said in the statement that zero taxpayer dollars have been spent on him or his family.

LIBERAL 'VIEW' CO-HOST AGREES WITH TRUMP TRANSPORTATION SEC ON CALL TO DRESS BETTER WHILE TRAVELING

"The series was filmed in short, one to two day production windows — such as weekends and the kids’ spring break," his statement continued.

Duffy also said the series was reviewed by career ethics and budget officials at the DOT.

"Our message is really simple: to love America is to see America. So put the phone down, hit the open road, and rediscover what makes America great," the transportation secretary said.

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Duffy also addressed the criticism during an interview with CNN's Scott Jennings.

"I said seven months but it was over the course of, on average it was about two days a month on a road trip. Go to a destination, quickly film it. In April, I took the kids on spring break and hit multiple locations," he said. "We have been one of the most productive DOTs in the history of DOT. And so again, your Democrat colleagues on CNN, they know that, but it's just a cheap shot to say that I've taken time off."

Carville warns Democrats anti-Israel ‘loudmouths’ could cost elections

Thu, 14 May 2026 17:34:23 -0400

Democratic strategist James Carville warned Wednesday that anti-Israel activists aligned with Democrats could damage the party politically, while insisting that "most" antisemites "are not Democrats."

Carville said during an appearance on Jim Acosta's podcast that he fears the increasingly bitter divide over Israel and antisemitism could hurt Democrats electorally and morally if the party is seen as tolerating hatred.

"This antisemitic stuff, it’s sickening man! It’s a real problem," Carville said. "It’s not a made-up problem. It’s a real, real, real definitely problem, and it’s getting worse."

He argued that while some anti-Israel activists are aligned with Democrats, many are not members of the party, despite public perceptions tying them to Democrats during campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

DEMOCRATIC REP FEARS PARTY TURNING ANTISEMITIC PROTESTERS INTO 'MARTYRS' IN BATTLE AGAINST TRUMP DEPORTATIONS

"And the fact that there are some Democratic-aligned people, most of them are not Democrats, all right?" Carville said.

"That’s when it would drive me crazy, when they were protesting Joe Biden at Columbia, and we thought they were saying, ‘Hey, hey, ho ho, genocide Joe must go.’ And the Democrats were getting blamed for that. A lot of these people are not Democrats. Understand that."

The longtime Democratic strategist also warned that the loudest anti-Israel voices were overshadowing the broader party.

"I don’t want to be part of a political party that tolerates hatred, or sometimes encourages it," Carville said.

"I don’t think that’s where the majority of Democrats are, to be fair, but certainly not where the majority Democratic officeholders are," he continued. "But these loudmouths are getting heard above everybody else. And this is not a good idea. This is a terrible idea."

BLUE STATE DEMOCRAT ZEROES IN ON ISSUE WHERE PARTY FAILED IN 2024, EXPLAINS THE PATH FORWARD

The comments came as Democrats continue to grapple with internal divisions over Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack and Israel's military response in Gaza. The issue has fueled protests on college campuses and sharp disputes inside the Democratic coalition over U.S. support for Israel.

Carville, who has long identified as a staunch supporter of Israel, said criticism of the Israeli government should not be conflated with hostility toward the country or Jewish people.

"Attack the government of Israel all you want to. I don’t like it. I can’t stand it," Carville said. "But I like the state of Israel. You can’t conflate the regime with the people."

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Carville also lamented the collapse of past peace efforts in the Middle East and said he believes reconciliation remains possible.

"I love Israel. I don’t get it," Carville said. "And I don’t have anything against them. I like Palestinian people. That’s some of the nicest people I know."

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"If people spent as much time, and it could have been reconciled, Bill Clinton and Ehud Barak and this thing totally under control," Carville said. "The neocons killed it, we ought to go back to it."

Federal employees accuse USDA secretary of 'Christian proselytizing' in holiday emails to staff

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:05:11 -0400

Federal employees are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins, accusing the Trump official of "Christian proselytizing" after she sent department emails on Christmas and Easter with religious messages.

The complaint, brought by the National Federation of Federal Employees and seven USDA employees, accuses Rollins of "sending increasingly proselytizing communications to the entire USDA workforce, promoting her own preferred brand of Christian beliefs and theology to the captive audience of employees that report to her," since becoming head of the government agency in February 2025.

In the complaint, the plaintiffs say Rollins sent emails to all USDA employees on national and religious holidays, most overtly on Easter, with Christian language.

The Easter message sent by Rollins reportedly said, in part, "Happy Easter – He is Risen indeed! Today we celebrate the greatest story ever told, the foundation of our faith, and the abiding hope of all mankind." A drawing of an empty tomb with the words "Christ is Risen" was in the same email, according to the complaint.

TRUMP ADMIN ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION ACROSS FEDERAL WORKFORCE

This email was part of a broader pattern of religious messages sent on other holidays, the complaint alleges, starting with an email on July 4 that included the line, "May God continue to protect the United States of America and may His favor shine over all her land."

Rollins also sent a video message before Christmas that referred to Jesus as "our Savior," according to the complaint.

The plaintiffs, who include employees of various faith backgrounds as well as nonreligious employees, say the emails amount to "coercion, religious sermonizing and denominational preference" that leaves them feeling "excluded and unwelcome" in the workplace.

FOOD-STAMP FRAUD NUMBERS EXPOSE WHICH STATES ARE DRAINING THE MOST TAXPAYER DOLLARS

"Notwithstanding that fear of retaliation, Plaintiffs from across the agency together bring this action to vindicate their constitutional right to be free from the government imposition of religion and to stop the Secretary from further pressuring and intimidating them — and other USDA employees who may be afraid to come forward," the complaint reads.

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The plaintiffs argue the emails constitute an ongoing practice and policy that violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act. They are asking the court to declare these "proselytizing religious communications" unlawful and stop Rollins or other USDA officials from sending similar messages.

The complaint was filed May 13 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Democracy Forward and Bryan Schwartz Law, P.C., are representing the union and USDA employees in the complaint, which names Rollins and the USDA as defendants.

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When reached for comment, a USDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "While we do not comment on pending litigation, we will keep the plaintiffs in our prayers during this process."

Secretary Rollins also responded to the lawsuit by sharing on X, "It’s just another opportunity to remind everyone: He is Risen."

Rubio warns America must 'stay ahead of the curve' as China works to surpass the US with stolen tech

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:55:36 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that the United States must "stay ahead of the curve" on innovation to counter China’s widespread intellectual property theft, arguing that Beijing has leveraged stolen American technology to fuel its progress.

"A lot of the advancements you've seen in the commercial sector and the industrial sector, the technological sector in China, is a product of intellectual property theft and/or reverse engineering, which is the same thing, of our own technology," Rubio said.

"That has to be addressed."

In an exclusive interview on "Hannity," Rubio described intellectual property theft as an "enormous issue" that the Trump administration plans to confront in Thursday's high-stakes talks with China.

AMERICA HAS TO RESPOND WITH A UNITED FRONT TO CHINA’S MASSIVE ECONOMIC WARFARE

"We're not trying to constrain China, but their rise cannot come at our expense. Their rise cannot come at our fall," Rubio said.

He insisted that his warning only scratches the surface and stressed that enforcement alone won’t be enough, arguing that America’s long-term advantage depends on outpacing China in innovation.

WHITE HOUSE: US WILL LEAD IN AI, BUT CHINA IS CATCHING UP

"One thing is, if you're stealing or taking the stuff that was cutting edge five years ago, but the things that are going to be cutting edge years from now, we've got to continue to invest and push our companies to continue to stay ahead of that pace of theft and continue to lead the world in innovation."

Rubio's remarks came ahead of meetings in China where President Donald Trump, several key members of his administration and multiple U.S. business leaders were slated to participate in a summit to discuss trade, artificial intelligence and more.

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The secretary of state offered his thoughts ahead of the summit.

"They [China] believe they will be the world’s most powerful country, they'll surpass the United States, and they have a plan to do it. And they're executing on that plan," he said.

"We, on the other hand, don't view it that way."

Restaurant associations urge Congress to act as NFL Sunday Ticket streaming switch threatens bar revenues

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:21:04 -0400

FIRST ON FOX – Small business owners are sounding the alarm about changes to NFL Sunday Ticket that will force bars and restaurants to deal with technical and financial concerns as they pivot from satellite to streaming.

The Iowa Restaurant Association and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, which each represent thousands of independent restaurant and bar owners, sent worried letters to high-powered GOP lawmakers in their states urging them to act on "a significant shift in the commercial distribution of NFL Sunday Ticket that threatens to impose immediate and substantial burdens on small businesses" across their states.

The panic comes after streaming service EverPass Media announced it would become the exclusive commercial option for NFL Sunday Ticket starting with the 2026 season. The Iowa letter was sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, while the Wisconsin edition went to Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, who chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust.

BROADCASTERS URGE CONGRESS TO REEXAMINE SPORTS BROADCASTING ACT AS GAMES SHIFT TO STREAMING PAYWALLS

"NFL Sunday Ticket, the out-of-market package that allows fans to watch games unavailable on local broadcast, has long been a cornerstone of the Sunday business model for bars and restaurants. For many establishments, Sunday afternoons during football season represent their highest-traffic and highest-revenue period of the week. Customers gather specifically to watch their teams, generating critical revenue that supports jobs, employee income, and already narrow operating margins," Iowa Restaurant Association CEO Jessica Dunker and Wisconsin Restaurant Association CEO Kristine Hillmer wrote in letters obtained by Fox News Digital.

"For nearly three decades, NFL Sunday Ticket was delivered to commercial establishments via satellite, a system well-suited for multi-screen environments. That model is being replaced at the benefits of Everpass Media, a joint venture between the NFL and RedBird Capital, which holds exclusive commercial distribution rights and is requiring businesses to adopt its proprietary streaming-only platform," Dunker and Hillmer continued. "This transition is being imposed without adequate consideration of the operational realities facing small businesses."

Dunker and Hillmer believe the issues are "not simply the shift to streaming, which already contributes to fragmentation across consumer viewing platforms," but also that current streaming technology has not "demonstrated reliable performance in commercial settings" such as bars and restaurants.

FCC BOSS WANTS TO MAKE LIFE LESS FRUSTRATING FOR SPORTS FANS, SAYS STREAMING SHIFT A ‘REAL PAIN FOR CONSUMERS’

"A neighborhood sports bar may operate 20 or more screens simultaneously — something satellite systems handle with consistency. Streaming introduces risks of buffering, synchronization failures across screens, and significant bandwidth demands. Many smaller establishments lack the infrastructure to support this model without costly upgrades," Dunker and Hillmer wrote.

"These technical concerns are compounded by financial strain," they continued. "Restaurants and bars that have already invested heavily in satellite equipment are now being required to incur additional expenses for new hardware and expanded broadband capacity to support Everpass."

The restaurant associations also noted that some establishments will be forced to maintain multiple distribution systems.

"It isn’t at all clear that this is legal. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 was created to extend a limited antitrust exemption so that leagues could negotiate carriage with broadcasters," they wrote, urging Grassley, Fitzgerald and their colleagues to consider "transition protections," "accountability standards" and "Congressional oversight of the NFL and its affiliated distribution entities to ensure compliance with antitrust law and fair treatment of small businesses that rely on this content to sustain their operations."

"Sunday football is not merely entertainment — it is an essential economic driver for restaurants and bars ... We urge you to stand with small business owners who are being placed at a disadvantage by this abrupt and costly transition," the restaurant associations wrote.

NFL LAUNCHES LOBBYING BLITZ AT FCC TO DEFEND ITS MEDIA MODEL AS STREAMING SCRUTINY INTENSIFIES

The NFL declined comment when reached by Fox News Digital. Everpass did not immediately respond.

Everpass has billed the move as NFL Sunday Ticket "entering a modern era," touting a platform "built specifically for the realities of commercial environments, where multiple screens, busy staff, and high customer expectations demand consistency and control."

Everpass venues receive "business-grade streaming reliability for high-traffic environments," "centralized control across every screen with EverPass Core," "plug-and-play hardware designed for commercial environments," "dedicated support from setup through kickoff" and "flexible packages designed around venue needs," according to its website.

"We understand that transitioning to a streaming-based solution for NFL Sunday Ticket may require planning, from connectivity and hardware to overall venue readiness. That’s why our team is committed to helping customers make the transition with confidence and be fully prepared before kickoff. Our goal is simple: make sure your venue is ready well before the first Sunday of the season, so you can focus on what matters most: delivering a great experience for every guest who walks through the door," Everpass’ website continues.

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Sen. Grassley and Rep. Fitzgerald's offices did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Eric Trump reveals what his father told him after 34-count felony conviction in New York

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:54 -0400

Eric Trump shared his conversation with President Donald Trump after his 34-count felony conviction in New York, recalling it as the "lowest moment" that simultaneously sparked hope for the future.

"We were driving out of the court. My father had just been convicted... and the two of us are in the car together," Trump recalled on the latest episode of the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast.

"And he looked at me, and he goes, 'Honey, I don't know how, but somehow we're going to win, and somehow we're going to win this all.'"

ERIC TRUMP SAYS MAR-A-LAGO RAID, INDICTMENTS ‘ALL WORTH IT’ AFTER FATHER’S WHITE HOUSE COMEBACK

"He wasn't just talking about the actual court case... he was also talking about winning the White House back and winning the entire election," he added.

Trump and his wife, Fox News host Lara Trump, sat down for Thursday's episode of the podcast, where the two discussed the 2024 case involving the president's alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER SHOOTING LATEST IN YEARS OF ATTACKS TARGETING TRUMP, CONSERVATIVES

Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, stemming from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office's yearslong investigation.

After an unprecedented six-week trial in New York City, a jury found Trump guilty on all counts.

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Nevertheless, the former — and now — president charged forward, seeking re-election to a second term after four years under the Biden administration.

"He came from such a place of positivity in such an unbelievably low moment," Trump told Hannity.

"I'll never forget that as long as I live."

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Billion-dollar California cosmetics co-founder and mogul to be ordained as Catholic priest

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:00:15 -0400

Scott-Vincent Borba, former California esthetician and e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder, will be ordained as a priest after leaving his luxury lifestyle for the Catholic faith.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno announced on May 4 that Borba, currently a deacon, will be ordained as a priest on May 23, ending his decade-long return to the church. He is currently a deacon and seminarian at St. Patrick's Seminary in California.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Roman Catholic Diocese and St. Patrick's Seminary for comment but did not immediately receive responses.

CATHOLIC CONVERSIONS RISE AS YOUNG ADULTS 'HUNGRY FOR TRUTH' TURN TO FAITH AND REJECT SECULARISM, BISHOP SAYS

Borba was previously a makeup mogul who founded e.l.f. (which stands for Eyes. Lips. Face.) Cosmetics in 2004, which grew to a company with an annual revenue of over $1.3 billion and earned him a position among Hollywood celebrities.

However, in the mid-2010s, Borba made the decision to donate his wealth and accept a calling to become a priest. In an interview with KSEE in 2019, Borba described making the decision after decades of living a "vapid" and "perverse" life.

"[God] not only blessed me with money and awareness, and just every business I had, he allowed me to have success with it," Borba said. "Then I decided, you know, what is wrong with me? I was vapid. I had a perverse life. I went to LA, I got sucked into the Hollywood lifestyle. It was almost to a point where I was trying to sell my soul for all of the riches of the world, which is not what we're supposed to be."

GEN Z FLOCKING TO CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN NYC FOR YOUTH GROUPS, SOCIAL EVENTS AMID CONVERSION BOOM

"We're supposed to be living for our Lord and Lady. I was living for myself. I was idolizing myself. I was idolizing everything else out there that was luxury. I was a poster boy for luxury," Borba continued.

Borba remarked being approached with the idea of joining the priesthood "a thousand times" in his life, with his first experience coming from his mother in the third grade.

"At Mass, she asked me to look up at the altar, and if I wanted to be the man in the robes," Borba told OSV News. "Whoever the priest was, his robes at that moment were shimmering like glitter … And I knew God was placing on my heart to become a priest."

CATHOLIC REVEREND AIMS TO PORTRAY PRIESTS AS 'REAL HUMAN BEINGS' IN A REALISTIC, MODERN WAY IN NEW MOVIE

Borba now lives a modest lifestyle after selling his wealth and possessions, which he described as a way to give himself back to God.

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"I am trying to do everything to show our Lord that He gave me everything in His divine providence. He has taken care of me all my life, and now I am to give it all back and to show Him that He is going to take care of me the rest of my life, whatever it's going to be," Borba told KSEE.

Kid Rock fires back at media trolls over helicopter ride, warning his military mission is far from over

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:18:03 -0400

Musician Kid Rock responded to criticism of his recent flights with the U.S. military, saying his commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces is about boosting morale, not personal perks.

Rock, whose full name is Robert Ritchie, joined the "Will Cain Country" podcast to discuss the "noise" regarding his recent flights with the U.S. military and share the origin of his decades-long journey to support service members.

"It really started with the bombing of the USS Cole," Rock said. "They were playing my music when that ship got towed out of the harbor and 17 sailors lost their lives. So, we ended up playing a show in Virginia and giving all that money to those families."

The USS Cole was attacked by al Qaeda suicide bombers in 2000. Rock said his patriotism took a new form after meeting those sailors.

KID ROCK, HEGSETH DIVIDE FANS AFTER CRITICS QUESTION PATRIOTIC HELICOPTER RIDE

"That really started just a whole 'nother level of not just patriotism, but really doing my part to try and help out and go wherever the military called," he said.

Rock described his work supporting troops as some of the "toughest work" he’s ever done, but also the "most rewarding."

Last month, the artist faced criticism after he joined Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for a helicopter flight in Washington, D.C. The flight came after the U.S. Army investigated an unplanned flyover at Rock’s Nashville home in March.

KID ROCK, HEGSETH TAKE APACHE HELICOPTER RIDE NEAR WASHINGTON

While some media outlets and social media users questioned whether taxpayer dollars were being used for celebrity flights, Rock dismissed the criticism as "just noise," noting he has visited bases and flown in military aircraft for over 20 years.

"You do stuff for the military, and they want to showcase to you what they do. So, whether they're showing you their technology or letting you shoot a gun or participate in something, you know, that's kind of what you do," he said.

"I don't need to sit here and prove what I've done."

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Rock said the purpose of his recent trip with Hegseth was to film content for Memorial Day and the America 250 celebration. He also used the opportunity to announce that his "Freedom 250" tour will give away 250 free tickets per show to veterans and their families.

In a post on X, Secretary Hegseth defended the partnership, calling Rock a "patriot" and a "huge supporter of our troops."

Elon Musk accuses Christopher Nolan of pandering for awards with casting in 'The Odyssey'

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:53:05 -0400

Tesla founder and X owner Elon Musk blasted filmmaker Christopher Nolan on Tuesday after the director confirmed some diverse casting choices in his adaptation of classical Greek mythological epic "The Odyssey."

Nolan, famous for films like "Interstellar," "The Dark Knight" trilogy, "Oppenheimer," and many other blockbusters, has sparked online backlash for his upcoming adaptation of "The Odyssey." While the subject matter deals with ancient western civilization, some critics argue Nolan's upcoming rendition appears too modern, ranging from informal American English speech to diverse casting choices.

While many unconfirmed rumors have swirled in recent weeks, one controversial casting choice Nolan confirmed in a Time Magazine interview on Tuesday was that Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o, famous for her roles in "Black Panther" and "12 Years a Slave" will play Helen of Troy, known in mythology as the world's most beautiful woman and for whom the Trojan War was started in Homer’s epic. Nyong’o will also be playing Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra in the same movie.

A user on X noted that the Academy Awards now has extensive diversity requirements. Musk agreed, writing that Nolan "wants the awards." Musk previously criticized the casting of Helen of Troy in January before, arguing that "Chris Nolan has lost his integrity."

MOVIE STAR REJECTS CHANGING CHARACTERS TO SATISFY DIVERSITY GOALS, INSTEAD WANTS NEW ORIGINAL CHARACTERS

Musk agreed with one conservative commentator who suggested Nolan would be called racist if he gave the role to a White woman instead.

The Hollywood Reporter was taken aback by the American accents used in the trailer, writing, "Everybody sounds like they’re from Ohio."

Nolan also revealed to Time that rapper Travis Scott will be playing a Greek bard. Nolan defended the choice as an acknowledgment of poetic tradition.

"I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap," Nolan told Time Magazine.

"When I edge into territory I fear might trigger prickliness, he shrugs, says, ‘Fair enough,’ and delves earnestly into production decisions that have launched a thousand Reddit posts," the Time journalist said of his time interviewing Nolan.

DISNEY STAR RACHEL ZEGLER REFUSES TO 'ASSIMILATE' AFTER 'SNOW WHITE' BACKLASH

"The Odyssey is arguably the biggest film of Nolan’s career," Time touted. "It may also be the summer blockbuster the struggling entertainment industry needs right now."

"But the film also feels like a culmination," the interviewer noted. "Nolan is aware that he makes a lot of movies about brilliant men trying to get home to their families. When I ask whether he worries about fan response to repeating certain tropes, he pauses and sighs."

"Despite the fact that he doesn’t carry a smartphone, the internet has found him," the interviewer said, recalling that Nolan said of the internet’s response so far: "’You have to be comfortable with repeating yourself, if it’s right for the project. If you’re paying too much attention to what people are pointing out in your work, you'd be paralyzed."

In the footage released so far, characters in Nolan's adaptation can be seen using modernized American English terms like "Let’s go" and "Daddy." A recent promotion for the film featured NBA player LeBron James and his son, as parallels to Odysseus and his son Telemachus, where LeBron is dribbling a basketball and narrating over imagery from the film.

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Some progressives have taken notice and attacked conservative criticism of the film before its release. A Variety writer mocked "literary purists" as having objections to non-White actors in traditionally White roles.

During a segment on "The View" on Thursday about the controversy, Whoopi Goldberg suggested those who had an issue with the casting just not watch the movie. She also remarked that Musk was "OK with apartheid" growing up in South Africa before hastily saying she didn't know if he was an "apartheid apologist" and "I take it back."

Fellow co-host Sunny Hostin said "racism rears its ugly head" often in the U.S. and added historians have explored that Greek mythology was influenced by ancient Egypt and North Africa.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Nyong'o and Nolan but did not receive immediate responses.

Late scientist’s chilling warning resurfaces in Fox Nation special on missing researchers

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:52:05 -0400

A string of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 American scientists has sparked growing speculation, with some questioning whether the cases — often ruled accidents or suicides — are isolated tragedies or pieces of a much larger puzzle.

"It is interesting to see the names on the list because the common denominator there is that every one of these scientists were working on defense-related or space nuclear rocket propulsion-related technologies and projects," former assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker said in a Fox Nation special dealing with the subject.

Fox News senior correspondent Eric Shawn hosts "Vanished: America’s Missing Scientists," a 21-minute feature in which experts weigh competing theories behind the incidents.

Officially, the deaths and disappearances have been attributed to accidents, suicides or remain undetermined.

LAWMAKERS DEMAND ANSWERS AS SCIENTISTS TIED TO US SECRETS DIE OR VANISH

Among the most recent cases is Amy Eskridge, a 34-year-old researcher based in Huntsville, Alabama, whose work included projects for the Department of Homeland Security and a focus on the physics behind unidentified aerial phenomena.

"Huntsville is ground zero, it's like Rocket City. So you've got NASA there, you have the Redstone Arsenal, you have military units there, you have a military airport there," said Franc Milburn, a former U.K. military intelligence officer who connected with Eskridge on X, then known as Twitter, in spring 2021.

Because of its significance, Shawn noted, Huntsville is also a major target for foreign espionage.

FOREIGN NATIONALS FLYING DRONES OVER US MILITARY SITES RAISES 'ESPIONAGE' CONCERN: EXPERT

Milburn recalled a series of ominous hurdles Eskridge had to overcome — death threats, break-ins and hacking attempts, among others.

Anti-gravity researcher Mark Sokol, who previously dated Eskridge, also recalled suspicious events that happened during the time he spent around her.

In one instance, unexplained instances began happening at Eskridge's home and she grew suddenly ill. She reportedly exclaimed that the two were being "attack[ed]," a suggestion that puzzled Sokol.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SCIENTIST’S ACCIDENTAL DEATH RAISES QUESTIONS AS PROBE INTO MISSING SCIENTISTS GROWS

Sokol reported opening the front door to see a vehicle with a heavily-tinted front window posted up across the street.

"I pulled out my phone to take a picture, and the car just drove off," he recalled.

In 2020, Eskridge added to the mystery when she appeared as a guest on Sokol's livestream and detailed her plans to disclose information about UAPs and extraterrestrials to the public.

There, she revealed her fears about what could happen to her if she did.

"If you stick your neck out in public, at least someone notices if your head gets chopped off," she said.

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"If you stick your neck out in private, they will bury you. They will burn down your house while you're sleeping in your bed, and it won't even make the news."

The mounting mystery came to a true head on June 11, 2022, when Eskridge reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Limited official details have been publicly released.

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Some, like Swecker, believe that a foreign agent kidnapping U.S. scientists in an effort to extract information is not outside the realm of possibilities.

Others, however, suspect no foul play.

To learn more about the deaths and disappearances that have sparked a national conversation, subscribe to Fox Nation and begin streaming "Vanished: America's Missing Scientists" today.

Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

Trump says Xi Jinping offered to help broker deal with Iran during high-stakes Beijing talks

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:28:57 -0400

President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker a deal with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz following high-stakes talks in Beijing.

"President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump told Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview airing tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel.

"And he did offer. He said, ‘If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help'... He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open."

Trump also said Xi assured him China would not provide military equipment to Iran, a key point of discussion as members of the Trump administration press Beijing over its relationship with Tehran.

WHAT XI WANTS FROM TRUMP AS BEIJING SEEKS LEVERAGE IN HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT

"That’s a big statement..." Trump said.

"He said that strongly, but at the same time, he said they buy a lot of [Iran's] oil there, and they’d like to keep doing that. He’d like to see Hormuz Strait opened. I said, 'Well, we didn’t stop it, they [Iran] did, and then we stopped them.'"

Trump also pointed to concerns Xi raised over alleged efforts by Iran to impose costs on ships moving through the critical global energy corridor.

TRUMP SAYS IT’S AN ‘HONOR’ TO KEEP STRAIT OF HORMUZ OPEN FOR CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES

"He didn’t like the fact that they’re charging tolls," Trump said.

"I don’t know if they are or not — I don’t know who would pay them. Where would the money go? The country is decimated."

The president's remarks came after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with the Chinese leader, where the two also discussed increasing U.S. access to Chinese markets and halting the flow of fentanyl precursors to the U.S.

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According to the White House, the two sides agreed that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.

However, China reportedly raised other warnings surrounding Taiwan.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet again for a bilateral tea meeting at 11:40 a.m. Friday local time.

Fox News' Eric Mack, Morgan Phillips, Lauren Simonetti, Greg Wehner, Michael Sinkewicz, Robert McGreevy and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.