Latest Fox News Media News | Fox News

Bob Odenkirk predicts end of ‘manosphere comedy,’ rejects it as 'low-hanging fruit' in NY Times interview

Fri, 01 May 2026 20:00:50 -0400

Bob Odenkirk criticized what he described as "manosphere comedy" as shallow and declining during an interview in which the actor addressed trends in modern stand-up, performance and cultural commentary.

"It’s definitely about low-hanging fruit — big time," Odenkirk said on "The Interview" podcast for The New York Times. "It’s like literally on the ground. It’s fruit that’s on the ground rotting."

The "Better Call Saul" star made the remarks when asked what today’s comedy landscape is reacting against, pointing to a wave of internet-driven, male-focused humor that gained traction in recent years.

"Manosphere comedy was the reactionary comedy movement of the last five years," Odenkirk said.

COMEDIAN WARNS 'WOKE IS NOT DEAD' AS CANCEL CULTURE STILL LOOMS OVER COMEDY

"I don’t think it has a lot of depth to it," Odenkirk said. "It’s a movement that I’m happy to see transforming into something else and disappearing or dissipating."

He went further, suggesting that the style relies heavily on shock value rather than thoughtful material.

"It’s like literally on the ground rotting. Pick that s--- up and eat it. Throw it at people," Odenkirk said.

"It’s just going to be boring after a while," he added. "It’s like, what? Let’s use the stage to be as crude as we can be."

NIKKI GLASER SAYS HER RAUNCHY ACT TAUGHT HER PARENTS A LESSON THEY NEVER EXPECTED

Odenkirk framed the issue as part of a broader misunderstanding about comedy itself, arguing that audiences often mistake performance for sincerity.

"If you want to say something honest, then you should get off a comedy stage," Odenkirk said. "Everything you say is of construct. Everything."

He added that part of the appeal comes from audiences reacting to blunt or abrasive delivery rather than deeper insight.

"Let’s use the stage to be as crude as we can be and as clumsy and oafish as we can be," Odenkirk said.

ADAM FRIEDLAND ON WHY COMEDIANS SHOULD FOCUS ON BEING FUNNY, NOT BECOMING 'MODERN-DAY PHILOSOPHERS'

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

He argued that comedians are often incorrectly treated as if they are speaking directly and sincerely when they are performing a role.

"You are not you. You are pretending to be a person named you," Odenkirk said.

He added that the shift blurred the line between entertainment and genuine expression.

"That’s not right," Odenkirk said. "If you really want people to understand it directly, you should get off that comedy stage and say it somewhere else."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Odenkirk rose to prominence in the 1990s alternative comedy scene alongside David Cross before gaining mainstream recognition through "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul." In recent years, he transitioned into action roles, including the "Nobody" franchise and his upcoming film "Normal."

Anti-Israel NYC protesters chant support for Hamas, demand Mamdani make major changes at rally

Fri, 01 May 2026 19:00:41 -0400

NEW YORK — Anti-Israel protesters gathered at Columbia University for a From Harlem to Gaza march Thursday evening to voice support for the Palestinian cause and make radical demands of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The march marked the second anniversary of the dismantling of the Gaza Solidarity Encampments at Columbia University and the City College of New York (CCNY), as well as the infamous takeover of Columbia's Hamilton Hall.

Students who took over the building unfurled a banner that said "Hind’s Hall," a reference to Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old who was killed in Gaza during Israel’s war with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

The crowd consisted of students and supporters, many clad in keffiyehs, headscarves associated with the Palestinian movement. One protester wore a "freeze the rent" button from Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, even as the group criticized the mayor.

FIRED COLUMBIA PROFESSOR WHO BACKED HAMAS SET TO SPEAK AT VIRGINIA TECH "DEATH TO THE AKADEMY" EVENT

As the group of protesters gathered outside the university gates, select members delivered speeches and messages, giving others time to join. One of the speakers said she was delivering a message from Elmina Aghayeva, a Columbia student who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Aghayeva was released from ICE detention after a meeting between Mamdani and President Donald Trump.

After the speeches at the meeting point, the group marched along Amsterdam Avenue, going from 116th Street to the gates of CCNY. Along the way, New York Police Department officers escorting the march unsuccessfully attempted to move protesters from the street to the sidewalk.

When they made it to City College, the group stood within barricades set up by NYPD officers and continued chanting before getting into more speeches. After being escorted by police during the march, some protesters began taunting officers with chants of "Oink, oink, piggy, piggy, we will make your lives s---ty." One speaker also referred to police as "f---ing pigs."

Throughout the march, protesters chanted, "We don’t want no two states, we want ’48," "from Harlem to Gaza, globalize the intifada" and "Palestine is our demand, no peace on stolen land."

DOJ SPRINGS ANTISEMITISM REVIEW ON BLUE STATE COLLEGE AFTER ‘LEBANESE RESISTANCE’ FUNDRAISER

Once they arrived at the end of the march, a new chant began: "Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here." That chant was quickly revised to "We support resistance here." The shift came after a protester appeared to confer briefly with a chant leader, who seemed to take notice of press recording nearby.

One of the speakers read off the group’s list of demands for Mamdani, which included calling on CCNY to disclose all investments; divest from Israel, the Department of Homeland Security and prison labor; and adopt a permanent ethical investment policy.

The group also demanded the mayor shut down what it described as the "illegal sale" of Palestinian land in New York City; remove Jessica Tisch and dismantle the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group; reimpose property taxes on Columbia University and New York University to fund public education; and abolish the CCNY Board of Trustees.

"Mayor Mamdani, you were very comfortable in using the struggle of the liberation of Palestine to win the hearts of New Yorkers and to put you in office. But now that you're in office, we will hold you accountable to your words, and we will not allow you to use Palestine as a political tool," a protester said before reading the list of demands.

She later added, "Shame on you, Mamdani!"

MAMDANI SPARKS VIRAL OUTRAGE OVER DINNER PHOTO WITH MAHMOUD KHALIL INSIDE GRACIE MANSION: 'DISGRACEFUL'

The group eventually broke out into chants of "Mamdani, take a stand, end the sale of stolen land" and "Zohran, take a side, justice or genocide."

Mamdani's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict became a major issue during his mayoral campaign. His refusal for much of the campaign to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada," which many interpret as a call for violence against Jews, drew criticism.

Additionally, his association with vocal Israel critic and far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker and Mahmoud Khalil, who played a key role in anti-Israel protests at Columbia, also drew scrutiny.

In a recent controversy, Mamdani released a video promoting the Rent Guidelines Board initiative that included a man wearing a keffiyeh, which some critics viewed as a political statement given its association with anti-Israel protesters.

While the mayor had skeptics in the Jewish community, he largely enjoyed the support of those on the left during his campaign. However, some of his supporters have since called on him to do more for the Palestinian cause.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office and the NYPD for comment but did not immediately receive responses.

Seattle mayor's interview cut short as staff blocks questions on gun violence, surveillance

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:34:31 -0400

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's staff abruptly ended an interview with a local news reporter this week after he pressed her on rising gun violence and surveillance cameras in the city after a recent shooting.

Chris Daniels of KOMO News asked Wilson about community concerns over increasing gun violence and whether additional surveillance measures might be reconsidered.

The mayor was quickly cut off mid-response by a member of her staff.

"I appreciate it, but let’s keep it on topic, OK?" the staffer told Daniels, stepping in as Wilson appeared poised to respond to a question about whether the shooting would change her stance on surveillance cameras.

GUNFIRE ERUPTS NEAR SEATTLE MAYOR’S EVENT AS FAMILIES, CHILDREN GATHER

Wilson had earlier addressed the shooting, saying there was no indication it was targeted and framing the incident within broader public safety challenges facing the city.

"I’ll just say, you know, we don’t have any indication that that shooting was targeted or anything like that," she told Daniels.

Daniels continued to press the issue, citing concerns from residents who say gun violence has increased and that more surveillance could help deter crime. He was quickly interrupted by Wilson's staffer.

"We just need to keep it within the constraints of the event itself," the staffer said.

Daniels challenged the interruption, arguing the question was relevant to public concerns and the mayor’s recent experience, telling the staffer, "It looks worse when you jump in like that."

SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO ACKNOWLEDGE 'FAILURE' OF DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT

After the initial interruption, Wilson did later speak to Daniels again and directly addressed the surveillance question, saying the incident did not alter her position.

"Not really," she said when asked whether the shooting changed her perspective on expanding surveillance.

"I believe that CCTV cameras have an important role to play in our public safety system," Wilson said. "We also have to be very careful to make sure that our data storage, security, sharing practices don’t make that system vulnerable to misuse and abuse."

She pointed to potential risks involving federal authorities and other actors accessing such data, "whether that’s by federal immigration enforcement or by other bad actors,"

Wilson said the city is conducting a review before expanding surveillance measures.

"That is why we are doing a data and privacy audit before we move forward with expanding CCTV surveillance in the city," she said.

KATIE PORTER SAYS SHE REGRETS VIRAL OUTBURSTS AT REPORTER, STAFFER

The self-described democratic socialist mayor made headlines recently by bidding farewell to millionaires considering leaving the city over a recently passed tax passed by Washington state Democrats, waving "bye" to wealthy residents when asked about the topic during a Seattle University event earlier this month.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Wilson for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Joe Rogan pans Trump DOJ's Comey indictment as 'nuts'

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:00:58 -0400

Podcast giant Joe Rogan slammed the Trump Justice Department's recent indictment of former FBI director James Comey on Friday.

"It's nuts. It's nuts," Rogan said on "The Joe Rogan Experience."

The DOJ made waves this week, indicting Comey on two counts in North Carolina, including threatening the President, over his viral Instagram post last year showing seashells in the sand spelling out "86 47." Comey alleged he and his wife stumbled across the message while walking on the beach and that she encouraged him to take a photo and share it. He later deleted the photo amid backlash.

The interpretation of "86" has widely been debated, ranging from a restaurant term meaning "to get rid of" to calling for murder.

JAMES COMEY TELLS COLBERT WHAT LED HIM TO POSTING CONTROVERSIAL '86 47' INSTAGRAM POST

"You’re going after someone for something that’s just silly. 86 47 is get rid of 47," Rogan said. "But it's just arresting a guy for that is nuts."

Rogan agreed with a guest that the indictment is "retaliation" against Comey for his actions leading up to Russiagate that plagued President Donald Trump's first term in office. Trump fired Comey as FBI Director shortly into his first term in 2017 and the two have been at odds ever since.

"They're just looking for any reason, but it seems like there should be other reasons," Rogan said. "Like, if the guy really was dirty you should have something on him other than this seashell picture."

"Trump can take a shot, but not a joke," guest Mark Normand said.

ALINA HABBA BATTLES ‘THE VIEW’ OVER COMEY PROSECUTION IN TENSE APPEARANCE

Rogan, who supported Trump in the 2024 election, linked the Comey indictment to what he called the "crazy precedent" that was set by the Trump administration when it deployed masked ICE agents into cities across the country.

"Yeah, I understand you want the undocumented criminals out of the country. I agree. However, you’re setting a precedent for militarized people with seven weeks training to be walking around with f---ing weapons of war and flack jackets with no ID and masks on. That’s all I’m saying. This is a slippery f---ing slope you’re going down," Rogan said.

LEGAL EXPERTS WARN COMEY ‘86 47’ INDICTMENT FACES FIRST AMENDMENT HURDLES

Legal experts across the political spectrum have cast doubt on whether the indictment would result in a guilty verdict. George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley told Fox News Digital the DOJ "would face a monumental challenge under the First Amendment."

"In my view, the image itself is clearly protected speech," Turley said. "Absent some other unknown facts or elements, it would be unlikely to survive a threshold constitutional challenge."

Comey appeared undeterred by the charges, saying in a statement, "I'm still innocent. I'm still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So let's go."

Last fall, a federal judge dismissed false statement charges that were made against Comey regarding testimony he gave to Congress on whether he had authorized leaks to the press about the Russia investigation.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to the DOJ for comment.

Newsom explodes on Joe Rogan in response to clip of podcaster calling governor 'f---ing con man'

Fri, 01 May 2026 16:36:13 -0400

Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., exploded on podcast host Joe Rogan in a post from his press office account, in response to a resurfaced clip in which the podcast host called Newsom an "f---ing con man."

"JOE 'LITTLE GUY' ROGAN IS TOO CHICKEN TO HAVE ME ON HIS FAILING PODCAST BECAUSE HE KNOW I'D CRUSH HIM, SO HE TAKES CHEAP SHOTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY AS HE GETS RELEGATED TO IRRELEVANCY. ALL TALK, NO ACTION. I'M READY WHEN YOU ARE, 'LITTLE GUY.' OR KEEP HIDING!!!! — Governor GCN," the Trump-style post read.

The governor's press team was responding to a clip of Rogan discussing the 2024 election with Patrick Bet-David in 2023.

DAVID SPADE WONDERS IF HOLLYWOOD CAN RECOVER ITS MOVIE INDUSTRY AS PEOPLE FLEE LOS ANGELES

"Nobody wants President Newsom either," Rogan said. "Nobody believes in that guy. That guy’s a f---ing con man. I mean, everything he did in California, from trying to mandate vaccines for kids when it was totally unnecessary to being caught out in public without a mask and lying about the fact that he was outdoors. All of it. It’s just, nobody believes in the guy. He’s just a politician, just a stone-cold, narrative-driven politician, you know, and nobody thinks he’s a real human," Rogan said during the 2023 discussion.

Rogan called out Newsom more recently during "The Joe Rogan Experience," after his press office account had mocked Nick Shirley’s daycare fraud investigation by posting what appeared to be a satirical, AI-generated photo of a man carrying several cameras at a daycare and asking a teacher, "Hey, can I see your kids?"

"Did you see what the governor posted, what Newsom’s press office posted?" Rogan asked his guest on a March episode of his show. "They posted a photo of Nick Shirley, like a fake Nick Shirley, like a meme — like Nick Shirley peeking into windows."

JOE ROGAN, MEL GIBSON BLAST GOV. NEWSOM AMID WILDFIRES: 'PERSONALLY RUINED' CALIFORNIA

Newsom posted from his own X account in October, accusing Rogan of being too chicken to have him on.

In the October 2025 clip Newsom responded to, Rogan said, "You can’t ruin a city and then go on to ruin a state and say, ‘Guys, that was just practice. Once I get in as president, I’m gonna fix it all,'" referring to Newsom.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Rogan continued, "Like, everybody’s LEAVING. You have the highest unemployment. You have the highest homelessness. Money’s missing. You killed Hollywood. Like, Hollywood doesn’t exist anymore. It’s literally gone. You mandated vaccines for kids that didn’t need them. He did horrible s---."

Non-woke college newspapers find home in new Drudge Report-style publication

Fri, 01 May 2026 15:00:48 -0400

EXCLUSIVE — A new website will be serving as a home for non-woke college newspapers across the country in the style of Drudge Report.

The Collegiate Network, a program from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that provides grants to student-led publications combating liberal groupthink, has launched an aggregate platform that will highlight stories and reporting on college campuses.

"More than anything, we want these students to be in pursuit of the truth with no ideological bias," Collegiate Network executive editor Marlo Slayback told Fox News Digital in an interview. "We're trying to train these students to be trustworthy and reliable fixtures in newsrooms that are relied upon by the public to accurately and honestly report on what's happening, not just at their campus, but hopefully one day outside the campus bubble."

Founded in 1953, ISI's stated mission is to promote "conservative thought and the Western tradition" on college campuses. Grants provided to the student-run newspapers go towards operational expenses like cameras, printers and costly materials for physical copies.

LOYOLA STUDENT NEWSPAPER APOLOGIZES FOR CALLING SUSPECTED MURDERER OF SHERIDAN GORMAN AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT

Over the decades, the Collegiate Network has backed over 90 publications at some of the nation's most elite universities, including The Cornell Review, University of Chicago's The Harper Review, Harvard University's The Yard Report, Columbia University's The Sundial and The Stanford Review. The network fosters complete editorial independence among its papers.

The website, Slayback said, will elevate underrepresented voices and reporting that restores the basic tenets of journalism in the hopes that students will carry with them in the professional world.

CORNELL STUDENT NEWSPAPER RETRACTS ARTWORK FEATURING NAZI SYMBOLS AND BLOODIED STAR OF DAVID

The initiative hits close to home for Slayback, who was a student journalist at the University of Pittsburgh and worked as an education reporter for The Daily Caller before joining ISI.

"We're taking the work that they're doing and showcasing it in a way that gives them national visibility. And that's all in pursuit of kind of building out a talent pipeline," Slayback said. "Success means more young journalists are feeling confident that their work matters and that their voices, especially those that aren't always amplified, have a real audience."

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEWSPAPER APOLOGIZES FOR PRACTICING JOURNALISM, GETS BRUTALLY MOCKED

There has been a reckoning at universities in recent years, specifically regarding their implementation of DEI practices and how they address the increase in antisemitism on campuses.

"There's a growing demand for insight into what's happening on college campuses, but I think there's also recognition that not all perspectives are equally visible, and I think this platform addresses both those gaps," Slayback said. "So it does provide that real reporting from students on the ground, and it ensures that viewpoints, particularly conservative ones, the ones that might otherwise be overlooked as part of the national conversation, that those are prominently featured."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Kamala Harris should not be 2028 Democratic nominee, liberal columnist argues

Fri, 01 May 2026 15:00:30 -0400

A liberal columnist for USA Today is urging Democrats not to rally behind former Vice President Kamala Harris for president in 2028.

"I have no doubt in my mind that she knows what the job entails. What I doubt is that she has the backing to actually secure the presidency for the Democrats. In all of this fanfare over her potential run, my question is, 'Why?'" USA Today opinion writer Sara Pequeño said Friday. "Why is she willing to humiliate herself and the Democratic Party for a second time? Why does she think she has a better shot this time? What has she done to better the lives of people who voted for her in the months since she lost the presidential election?"

Harris renewed 2028 speculation last month during a sit-down with Al Sharpton, saying she "might" make another go for the White House.

Pequeño, who voted for Harris in 2024, called her chances of winning in 2028 "slim," telling readers, "the nation has far too much to lose to bet on her."

KAMALA HARRIS' TRAVELS AND COMMENTS CLEARLY POINT TO 2028

"It’s up to her to decide whether to run again – but as a Democratic voter, I’m wary of seeing her at the top of the 2028 ticket after her devastating loss," Pequeño wrote, noting that Hillary Clinton "at least" won the popular vote in 2016.

While acknowledging Harris is leading many Democratic primary polls, Pequeño also pointed to betting markets showing her odds of actually becoming the Democratic nominee are "at just over 9%."

"Sure, she’s popular with Democrats. That does not mean she’s popular with the overall population," she wrote. "For most people, Harris’ name carries baggage from the 2024 presidential campaign, as well as her failure to do anything of note following her attempt to reach the Oval Office. She hasn’t done much to cement herself as the new leader of the Democratic Party in the aftermath."

SUNNY HOSTIN DOESN'T KNOW IF PRESIDENT IS THE ‘RIGHT POSITION’ FOR HARRIS, URGES HER TO RECONSIDER CA GOVERNOR

The USA Today columnist accused Harris of being "absent from the conversation" during President Donald Trump's second term in office and that she can't "ignite enthusiasm" among progressive Democrats and "burned bridges" with the establishment wing of her party after publishing her memoir last year.

She also insisted those claiming Harris lost for being a woman of color are "naive."

"On the presidential campaign trail, Harris failed to establish a clear message on affordability, continuously touted the lethality of the U.S. military and gave non-answers on the situation in Gaza and transgender issues," Pequeño said. "She aimed for the middle by following the playbook that former President Joe Biden had laid out for her, and ended up pleasing no one in the process."

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWS

Harris took responsibility but also blamed a variety of factors for her defeat at Trump's hands, which saw her lose every major swing state and become the first Democrat to lose the popular vote in a presidential election since 2004. Her truncated campaign time and the baggage of an unpopular Joe Biden hurt her candidacy, she has argued.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Scott Jennings snaps at left-wing commentator, says to get 'f---ing hand out of my face'

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:57:27 -0400

A heated exchange broke out Thursday on "CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip" as commentator Scott Jennings and panelist Adam Mockler clashed during a discussion on U.S. foreign policy.

The confrontation escalated midway through the segment as the debate turned personal and visibly tense, prompting a sharp reaction from Jennings as Mockler gestured toward him.

"Get your f---ing hand out of my face," Jennings said.

The exchange followed a broader disagreement over U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, where panelists debated the long-term costs and strategic outcomes of military engagement.

NAVY VETERAN’S DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST CNN INCHES TOWARDS TRIAL AS JUDGE HEARS MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

"We all know that Scott Jennings is more than happy to defend a war with a country that starts with letters I-r-a that we are currently failing, that is going to put us trillions and trillions of dollars more in debt," Mockler said.

"I was only a few years old while you were in the administration defending prior endless wars," he added.

Jennings pushed back forcefully, rejecting Mockler's framing and escalating the tone of the exchange as the conversation turned more confrontational.

TRUMP FIGHTING FIERCE BATTLES, AT HOME AND ABROAD: WHY HE CASUALLY DISMISSES THE CONSEQUENCES

Following the broadcast, Mockler addressed the exchange on X, disputing Jennings' characterization of the moment and defending his conduct during the segment.

"Scott Jennings claimed I got in his face; Watch what actually happened in the full CNN segment," Mockler said.

"He throws a personal jab... then folds the second he gets pressed. Scott loves to dish it but can't take it."

The exchange continued as the panel descended into overlapping arguments about the effectiveness and legality of the ongoing conflict in Iran, with Mockler pressing Jennings on what he argued was a lack of measurable success.

"Can you name a single political concession we’ve gotten from them? Anything at all?" Mockler said.

Jennings responded by outlining what he described as the central objective of the U.S. strategy, emphasizing a long-term goal rather than immediate concessions.

"We have a very simple goal to keep terrorists and a terrorist regime from having a nuclear weapon that can threaten the United States, our interests in the region, our allies in Europe," he said.

SCOTT BESSENT CALLS OUT 'TERRIBLE FRAMING' DURING CLASH WITH NBC NEWS HOST ON IRANIAN OIL

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Mockler repeatedly interrupted to challenge that framing, arguing that the lack of tangible outcomes undermined the justification for continued engagement.

"You can’t answer the question," Mockler said.

Jennings fired back as the exchange became increasingly personal, dismissing Mockler’s argument and questioning his credibility in the debate.

"You have the attention span of a gnat," Jennings said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Mockler continued to challenge Jennings’ argument while Jennings reiterated that the strategic objective remained preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities.

'60 Minutes' correspondent lambasts 'corporate meddling' at CBS, admits she could be fired

Fri, 01 May 2026 13:10:39 -0400

"60 Minutes" correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi offered scathing criticism of CBS leadership and speculated about her potential firing from the network while accepting an award Thursday night.

Alfonsi was the recipient of the Courage Prize from the Ridenhour Prizes in Washington, D.C. According to its website, the awards, named after investigative journalist Ron Ridenhour, "recognize those who persevere in acts of truth-telling that protect the public interest, promote social justice or illuminate a more just vision of society."

According to The Guardian, Alfonsi invoked her clash with CBS News chief editor Bari Weiss over her decision to temporarily pull her "60 Minutes" segment on the notorious El Salvador prison CECOT in December that ultimately aired in January, citing "corporate calculations" that were in play, though not singling out her boss by name.

"I will not linger on the internal mechanics of the dust-up at CBS that led to our CECOT story being pulled, but we have to be honest about what it represents," Alfonsi said, per The Guardian. "It wasn’t an isolated editorial argument. In my view, it was the result of a more aggressive contagion: the spread of corporate meddling and editorial fear. It’s hard to watch."

'60 MINUTES' REPORTER LASHES OUT AT BARI WEISS AFTER SEGMENT ON EL SALVADOR PRISON YANKED AT LAST MINUTE

"Some executives are asking not, ‘Is the story true?’ But, ‘Is it good for business?’" she remarked. "But rather than just running the story, they asked us to change it. I refused. Not because I’m a pain in the a--, which I am, but because the story was factually correct, and I argued that any change to it might reflect poorly on CBS and '60 Minutes.'"

Alfonsi acknowledged her stance "did not make my new bosses very happy," insisting the show's audience is "smart" and that viewers would know instinctively that changes made to her CECOT story would be the result of "capitulation or censorship."

"I believe I was doing my job, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared," she said, according to The Guardian. "Fear is a funny thing – it can paralyze you, or it can point you to exactly what needs to be protected. Right now, our industry is afraid of the wrong things. We’re afraid of offending power. We’re afraid of losing access. We’re afraid of another baseless lawsuit. But what we should all be afraid of is silence. Because as I learned [at her first job as a waitress], there is a fine line between being a team player and being an accomplice."

WHO IS SHARYN ALFONSI? ‘60 MINUTES’ CORRESPONDENT IS ALLEGING POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN HER STORY ON CECOT

She also spoke candidly about the possibility that she will not return for the next season of "60 Minutes."

"Thank you for this award. I didn’t know that the theme was hope. My hope recently has been that I still have a job. And every morning I wake up to another headline that says I’ve been fired... If I am fired, it will not be the first time," Alfonsi said, referring to a past job as a waitress.

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

CBS REPORTER EXPLODES AT TOP EDITOR DURING HEATED MEETING OVER LONG-DELAYED ‘INSIDE CECOT’ SEGMENT: REPORT

There have been multiple reports in recent weeks of a major shakeup at "60 Minutes," though details have been under wraps. Among the things being speculated is an overhaul of the magazine program's correspondents. Anderson Cooper announced his exit from "60 Minutes" earlier this year, which reportedly shocked CBS News leadership.

Weiss' newsroom battle with Alfonsi marked her first major challenge as the network's editor in chief. Weiss was brought into the fold by David Ellison, who became the CEO of CBS News' parent company Paramount following the company's merger with Skydance Media.

Liberal critics of Weiss and Ellison have accused them of bending the knee to President Donald Trump and trying to curry favor with the Trump administration, particularly as Ellison seeks to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, which oversees CNN.

Critics also fear that both CBS News and CNN will undergo a MAGA-friendly makeover as a result. Ellison insisted that CNN would maintain editorial independence under his watch, though he echoed that the network would share CBS News' new mission of appealing to the 70% in the political middle.

Notably, Ellison hosted a dinner last week honoring Trump and CBS News correspondents two days prior to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Graham Platner unveils plan to 'shut this White House down,' stop Trump admin from functioning

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:43:24 -0400

Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner unveiled a plan during an interview on Thursday to "shut this White House down" so that the Trump administration is not able to function.

"Something we’re going to have to do if we’re in the majority [is] we need to use the power we get to shut this White House down," Platner told MS NOW host Jen Psaki during "The Briefing." "We do that, I think one of the best ways is through committee hearings and investigations. I want the Trump Administration not to function, because everyone in the White House is being hauled under subpoena in front of a Senate committee, day after day after day, not just because one, we have so many crimes to investigate at this point, We could probably be doing this for the next 30 years."

Platner said the Democrats need to adopt a "theory of power," and establish goals.

"I think we need to understand that the Democratic Party needs to form a theory of power. I don’t think it’s had one for a long time," he said. "You have to define the end state. What is the goal? What do you want to use your power in the service of? And then, how are you going to craft the policies to get there, and more importantly, build the political will and the political power to make those policies a reality?"

DEMOCRATIC MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER CONFRONTED BY MS NOW HOST ABOUT TATTOO CONTROVERSY

Platner said he wanted to wield the power, should the Democrats take back the House and Senate, to keep members of the administration "busy" by bringing them in for investigations.

"It’s a lever of power, using subpoena power, bringing people in for investigations, that keeps them busy and that doesn’t allow them to go start another stupid war, that doesn’t allow them to continue to give billionaires more and more and more of our economy," he said. "And so, I think it’s very important that if we are in the majority, we’re going to wield the power that we have to rein this thing in."

"Graham Platner is saying the quiet part out loud: Democrats’ one and only priority is obstructing the Trump Administration. President Trump and Republicans delivered historic tax cuts, created hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs, secured our border, and restored America’s standing in the world. Meanwhile, Democrats are embracing Nazi-loving communists like Graham Platner and an agenda of anarchy," RNC Spokesperson Kristen Cianci told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Platner also argued that not a single Democratic senator should vote for a Trump administration nominee.

"I think we need to use all of the power we have around funding and the power of the purse to stop paying for these kinds of stupid wars, stop paying for agencies like ICE, stop paying for the things that the Trump Administration is doing, that are materially hurting our democracy and hurting working people," he said. "But we need to get people into office who have a theory of power, and who understand that the purpose of power isn’t just to have it, it’s to use it. It’s to wield it."

MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE CITES COMBAT TRAUMA WHEN CONFRONTED ON 'TERRIBLE' POSTS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT

Platner has run a controversial campaign, including being the subject of multiple controversies, such as accusations that a tattoo he has resembles a "Totenkopf," a Nazi SS symbol.

He was running in Maine's Democratic Primary against Gov. Janet Mills, who announced Thursday that she is dropping out.

Mills had the full backing of the Democratic machine when she entered the Senate race last year, receiving endorsements from Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and prominent Democratic groups.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

However, Platner was backed by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.

Kimmel showcases wife's video of late-night host being woken up to news of Trump calling for his firing

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:06:24 -0400

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel showed a video of his wife waking him up to the news that President Donald Trump called for the late-night host's firing again on Thursday.

"I’m glad I’m here. It’s not something I take for granted anymore. Please relax. This morning, I woke up to my wife shooting video with her phone. What’s going on? She was shooting me to let me know the president gave me another shout-out today," Kimmel said.

Kimmel's wife, Molly McNearney, can be heard on the video saying, "Donald Trump wants you fired again."

The late-night host groggily said from his bed that he had never been fired and asked, "How can I be fired again?"

JIMMY KIMMEL SAYS HE'D 'LOVE' TO HAVE TRUMP ON HIS SHOW

McNearney said, "He posted again. He is calling for you to be fired because you’re unfunny, and you’re low-rated."

Kimmel's "expectant widow" joke from last week about first lady Melania Trump went viral on social media in the wake of Saturday's attack at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) Dinner, prompting the president and first lady to call for ABC to act.

Trump doubled down on Thursday in a Truth Social post.

"When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT," Trump wrote.

WHITE HOUSE SLAMS 'NO-TALENT LOSER' JIMMY KIMMEL AFTER OFFERING TRUMP HIS EMMY TO PULL ICE FROM MINNESOTA

Kimmel read Trump's post during his show on Thursday and the audience booed.

"Thank you for booing. I appreciate it. If incompetently presiding over, not just one of, but the lowest rating in history is the reason I should be fired, then we should both be out of a job," he said.

The liberal late-night host also went on to say that the president's ire was to "distract us from the Trump-Epstein files."

After Kimmel's "expectant widow joke" went viral following the WHCA shooting, Kimmel insisted it was a joke about Trump's age.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

"It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80, and she's younger than I am. It was not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination — and they know that," he continued. "I've been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence in particular, but I understand that the first lady had a stressful experience over the weekend, and probably every weekend is pretty stressful in that house."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Kimmel said the joke referred to the couple’s age difference and denied that it was a call to assassination.

"And also, I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject. I do it, and I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it," Kimmel later told the first lady. "Donald Trump is allowed to say whatever he wants to say, as are you, as am I, as are all of us. Because under the First Amendment, we have as Americans a right to free speech. But with that said, I am sorry that you and the president and everyone in that room on Saturday went through that. I really am. Just because no one got killed, that doesn't mean it wasn't traumatic and scary. We should come together and be the best."

When reached for comment on Kimmel's latest remarks, the White House referred Fox News Digital to President Trump’s Truth Social post.

America lost what's 'left of its innocence' after Trump, 'Parks and Rec' star says

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:38:39 -0400

Former "Parks and Recreation" star Adam Scott said America lost its "innocence" after President Donald Trump began his campaign in 2015 and questioned whether his series could be made today.

While promoting his new film "Hokum," Scott spoke to Variety on Thursday about his role on the sitcom, which focused on the Parks and Recreation Department of a fictional small town. The series ran for seven seasons and aired between 2009–2015, ending before the 2016 presidential election.

Looking back on the series, Scott remarked that the U.S. has lost a lot of "what was left of its innocence" since the show ended.

AMY POEHLER REFLECTS ON 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 'PARKS AND RECREATION:' 'I'M JUST REALLY OVERWHELMED'

"I think back on ‘Parks and Rec’ and the hope and joy that it brings people," Scott told Variety. "It’s so lovely to hear from people that it helped them through the pandemic or helps them through trying times now. And it is a dark time right now. And I do feel like our country may have lost what was left of its innocence in 2015, when Donald Trump stepped up and stepped into politics. And it’s easy to forget just how much our country has changed in the last 10 or 11 years."

Despite his comment, Scott maintained that there's "always an audience" for upbeat sitcoms and pointed to the ongoing ABC sitcom "Abbott Elementary" as an example.

AUBREY PLAZA SHARES WHY SHE STOLE A NOTE FROM BIDEN'S DESK DURING 'PARKS AND RECREATION' SHOOT

"But as far as whether it could kind of survive or how it would sit in the now if it started now: Certainly, it would be different," Scott said.

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

Scott's former co-star Nick Offerman previously criticized people in 2025 who suggested that his character, Ron Swanson, would have voted for Trump in 2016.

"Dumb people insist that Ron Swanson would’ve voted for Trump. And I don’t deign to answer myself. I take it to Mike Schur, the main creator of Ron, and he said, ‘Swanson would’ve despised Trump, because Ron loved capitalism. And Trump made the stupidest move you could make as a capitalist, which is to go into public service,’" Offerman said.

NICK OFFERMAN SAYS HE’S 'NOT GOING TO PICK AN ARGUMENT' WITH TRUMP-SUPPORTER CO-STAR DENNIS QUAID

Offerman added that Swanson wouldn't have voted for Trump because "he’s disrespectful to women and many others," which would have struck a major nerve with his character because he's a "good person."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Minnesota mayors drag 'ridiculous' bill penalizing cities for not flying new controversial flag

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:31 -0400

Minnesota mayors are rejecting their state lawmakers' attempt to penalize cities for not flying the new state flag.

Members of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party pushed legislation Monday to reduce state aid to a county or city that "flies or otherwise makes use of a state flag other than the design of the state flag as certified in the report of the State Emblems Redesign Commission."

Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas, whose city voted in favor of flying the original flag in February, called this bill a "ridiculous" reaction to a growing opposition movement.

"It's just an absolutely ridiculous bill that Democrats are signing on to because they're scared that this has gained traction," Sabas told Fox News Digital. "Not that it is, it has gained attraction. Every week there's another city or two or three that are passing the same resolution, that are moving forward, not staying silent anymore."

MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS PUSH BILL TO CUT STATE AID TO CITIES THAT FLY THE ORIGINAL STATE FLAG

Sabas explained that he and the City Council made the decision after holding a public discussion, pointing out that most of the local residents were in favor of returning to the original flag. He argued that a bill pulling city aid for rejecting the new flag would go against constituents.

"The simple fact that they say they're going to withhold any kind of funding from a city is absolutely ridiculous. That's the people's money. That's the people's taxes," Sabas said.

Crosslake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst, R., told Fox News Digital that he is thrilled with other cities and mayors pushing back on the bill, calling it "insane" and "total government overreach."

"Punishing local governments for exercising their right to choose, on something that is supposed to be voluntary, does not reflect Minnesota values. It is an overreach of power, plain and simple. In Minnesota, local control, fiscal responsibility, and giving people a voice still matters, and they should be respected," Purfeerst wrote in a statement after the bill was introduced.

MINNESOTA CONSIDERS CHANGING FLAG AFTER HISTORIC 1893 DESIGN ACCUSED OF RACISM AGAINST NATIVE AMERICANS

North Branch Mayor Kevin Schieber, whose city chose not to fly the new flag as opposed to flying the original flag, saw the reaction to the bill as a good opportunity to raise awareness for local Minnesota citizens who felt ignored by the state's decision to change flags.

"There's a lot of people who don't feel like their voices are being heard, and they're being downplayed again and being accused of being racist and not wanting to be inclusive. I don't see that at all," Schieber said.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission voted 11-1 to approve a new flag design in 2023 after critics argued the original flag image, which was first established in 1893, was considered racist to Native Americans.

The new flag now features an eight-pointed star against a navy blue background shaped to resemble Minnesota, next to a solid light-blue field, which represents the state's waters, according to the commission. It was officially adopted in 2024.

DAVID MARCUS: STOP GASLIGHTING US ABOUT MINNESOTA'S NEW SOMALI-THEMED STATE FLAG

The new design has been met with its own criticism from people who consider it to be a poor replacement and others who accused it of resembling the Somali national flag.

Sabas remarked that while Minnesota Democrats previously supported No Kings rallies in opposition to President Donald Trump, they are ironically "acting like kings" by rejecting public opinion.

"These folks, they want to talk about big picture politics and Donald Trump and No Kings rallies, they're acting like kings right now because things aren't going exactly how they want, so they want a pass a lot of punishments. It seems absolutely just out of bounds and crazy," Sabas said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R., previously called the bill "dead on arrival" with no chance of reaching the state Senate.

"It is appalling that House Democrats would rather defund critical services like police and fire than allow a city to fly our historic state flag. As long as I’m Speaker of the House, this bill has no chance of becoming law," Demuth told Fox News Digital.

Liberals rage as Trump hails USA's 'Anglo-Saxon' heritage during King Charles visit

Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:39 -0400

Liberal commentators panicked after President Donald Trump articulated the same view of America’s "Anglo-Saxon" heritage as that of the Founding Fathers during King Charles III's visit this week.

During his speech on Tuesday, Trump rejected the premise that America was "merely an idea," but instead argued it was a unique nation founded by English settlers and the Founding Fathers who led them.

"Long before Americans had a nation or a Constitution, we first had a culture, a character and a creed. Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts: Moral courage," Trump said.

He went on to cite that American patriots’ blood was filled with "Anglo-Saxon courage" and that, "Their hearts beat with an English faith, and standing firm for what is right, good, and true."

TRUMP INVOKES CHURCHILL AND ‘SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP’ AS QUESTIONS OVER UK FREE SPEECH GROW

"The View" co-host Sunny Hostin reacted to the speech by objecting to how "the president said things like, ‘You know, this country, we have Anglo-Saxon blood running through our veins,’" noting the presence of both Indigenous tribes and enslaved peoples. "He doesn’t understand history," she concluded.

Jonathan Chait at The Atlantic condemned Trump’s speech for having "embraced the idea that the nation is an Anglo-Saxon one," arguing his speech "walks up to the edge of [W]hite nationalism."

"The analysis Trump endorsed is that America is defined not by its founding values but by its Anglo-Saxon cultural and genetic heritage. This idea has radical consequences, some of which have already manifested under the administration," he wrote.

He went on to warn of a "national conservative faction," of conservatism that "considers itself a heroic vanguard dedicated to rescuing American civilization from the Third World immigrant hordes who have transformed it beyond recognition."

"The natcons have enjoyed almost untrammeled influence over the course of Trump’s second term, which has combined challenges to birthright citizenship and aggressive immigration enforcement with a campaign to entrench power and intimidate political opponents. In his speech yesterday, Trump made his affinity with their project more overt than ever," he warned.

CHURCHILL, SHAKESPEARE AND THE UK FLAG ALL UNDER SIEGE IN MODERN BRITAIN, COMMENTATORS SAY

Ahmed Baba, a columnist for The Independent, condemned the speech, warning: "The [W]hite nationalist undertones in this speech have been dramatically underreported. Trump says the colonists had British blood, the 1776 revolutionaries’ ‘veins ran with Anglo-Saxon courage,’ and criticized the notion that America is an idea. Echoed Vance’s blood and soil speech from last year."

NBC4 host Joseph Olmo also knocked the speech as well, warning that usage of the term "Anglo-Saxon," while it has some historic usage, "certain groups use it, ‘Anglo-Saxon,’ as a way to identify the type of America they want to live in, an America much less diverse than it is today."

When reached for comment by Fox News Digital, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly replied to criticism of Trump's speech by declaring, "These Trump-deranged Democrats need to touch grass. President Trump was proud to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to the United States and recognize the special, historic relationship between our two countries."

Meanwhile, many conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic have praised the speech or shared similar sentiments. Use of the term Anglo-Saxon to address people of British heritage around the world or even in England itself has become a hot topic amid debates about immigration and demographic change.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss posted on social media, "We in Britain desperately need to rediscover that Anglo-Saxon courage if we are to save our country. Thank you President Trump for reminding us who we are."

A piece from NotTheBee, the news sister outlet to The Babylon Bee, replied to Trump's remarks in the article, saying, "What a great day to be an American" and agreeing the U.S. "is not an economic zone, nor an experiment in unfettered diversity, equity, and inclusion. That does not mean one cannot become American, but it is a process that takes generations. It is not magically granted because your mom gave birth on U.S. soil."

Political commentator Gunther Eagleman hailed Trump’s similar rhetoric in another speech that night, replying that, "PRESIDENT TRUMP just dropped a very true point at the State Dinner: Anglo-Saxon culture was one of the greatest gifts to the world and former colonies should be grateful for it. The English language, common law, individual rights, limited government, and the spirit of liberty that built America didn’t come from nowhere."

During his speech on Tuesday, Trump also noted the signing of the Magna Carta, a medieval peace treaty that emerged amid the rebellion against King John in the First Barons' War of 1215, where rebel barons demanded rights, liberties and checks on royal power. The Founding Fathers frequently cited the Magna Carta, the "Rights of Englishmen," and specifically "Anglo-Saxon" ideals as their birthright, arguing it was King George, not they, who had betrayed such ideals.

Carville, co-host warn 'abolish ICE' is new 'Defund the Police'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:30:56 -0400

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville and his co-host spoke on Thursday about the dangers of Democrats falling for the same far-left rhetoric that weighed them down in past elections.

Throughout the 2024 election and long afterward, Carville has continually told his fellow liberals and Democrats to steer clear of divisive identity politics and radical social agendas, warning that they alienate voters and simply aren’t viable policy.

He and his co-host, Al Hunt, highlighted Texas congressional candidate Bobby Pulido for his rhetoric across the board during their podcast.

Pulido has been widely quoted for offering an explanation to fellow Democrats as to why aspirational Latino voters have shifted rightward, saying, "People down here don't consider themselves poor — they consider themselves broke. When you're broke, you say, 'Tomorrow I'm going to make it.' Democrats treated people like they're poor, not like they're broke."

CARVILLE SAYS GEORGIA COULD BE HUGE SUCCESS IF 'IDIOT PROGRESSIVES' DON'T SCREW IT UP

Carville said that he loved this insight, but Hunt praised Pulido’s answer on whether ICE should be abolished.

"He basically said, ‘No, we should reform ICE,’" Hunt said. "I think that question abolishing ICE is to ‘Defund the police’ of 2026. And Democrats that come into that are giving Republicans an opening. And boy, he didn't. He really answered that well."

Later in the show, they both praised retired Democratic politician Barney Frank, who has recently entered hospice care, and began to call out the far-left for having "embraced an agenda that goes beyond what’s politically acceptable."

‘THIS S--- HAS TO STOP’: FORMER JILL BIDEN SPOX RIPS DEMS FOR 'VILIFYING' DEI CRITICS AS 'WHITE SUPREMACISTS'

"I want to tip my hat to one of my favorite people in my life in American politics," Carville said, summarizing that the politician’s advice to Democrats boils down to: "Keep the goal in mind, you're trying to help people. You don't overreach. You do things that you need to do."

Carville went on to contrast this "wise man" with the "blooming idiots at Working Families Party. Look up these dopes."

"There's not a single person that identifies with them that lives more than 15 miles away from salt water," he said, appearing to lean into stereotypes about coastal far-left progressives.

He went on to argue that Frank, even at 87 years old and possibly nearing the end of his life, "represents the future and the success of the Democratic Party."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

California university ranks among the 'most conservative colleges in America'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:36 -0400

One California university managed to crack the top 25 list of "most conservative" colleges in the country.

Biola University, a Christian university located outside Los Angeles, was ranked No. 24 out of 932 universities on a list of conservative-friendly schools in America according to Niche. Biola University is also the highest-ranked California-based university on the list.

Only two other California schools cracked the top 100, which included California Baptist University at No. 44, and National University at No. 81.

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OFFICIAL WARNS BLUE STATES WON'T GO DOWN WITHOUT FIGHT OVER TRUMP'S GENDER ORDERS

Niche, a university profile site, ranked the universities based on student surveys on their personal political preferences and their perception of campus political preferences.

In a comment to Fox News Digital, Biola University credited the institution with remaining "committed to the unchanging truths of the Bible" for the ranking.

"As we celebrate America’s semiquincentennial, we are mindful of the key role private faith-based universities like Biola play in preserving and perpetuating our common good, our freedoms and the transcendent virtues that make a nation strong," the statement said.

"Biola lives into its mission by integrating Christian faith and biblical truths into academics, student life and co-curricular activities, distinguishing our institution as a leading choice among comprehensively Christian universities."

UC BERKELEY SUED FOR ALLEGEDLY STONEWALLING PROBE INTO VIOLENT AMBUSH AT TPUSA ROB SCHNEIDER EVENT

Biola University is a nondenominational, evangelical university founded in 1908 and located in La Mirada, California. It features approximately 3,600 undergraduate students, and all students must take 30 hours of Bible courses, regardless of major.

The university was also ranked the best Christian college in California, placed eighth out of 40 in California education and reached 12th out of 65 of the top private universities in the state.

Nationally, Biola University was ranked the ninth-best Christian college in America out of 314 and cracked the list of the top 100 best private universities in the country.

The ranking is a sharp contrast to other California universities that have faced backlash from conservative students recently.

TURNING POINT CHAPTER HEAD RIPS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FOR BANNING POLITICAL GROUPS AFTER ORG FORCED UNDERGROUND

On Tuesday, Fox News Digital reported that an administrator at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law allegedly threatened to discipline a conservative campus group after it identified protesters who disrupted one of its campus events.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Tim Allen trolls ‘No Kings’ lawmakers for fawning over actual King Charles

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:00:00 -0400

Comedian Tim Allen is criticizing lawmakers who attended King Charles III’s speech before Congress this week while also blasting President Donald Trump during the "No Kings" protests.

After King Charles’ historic address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, his first as monarch, Allen took to X to mock the irony of the moment, posting a photo of the speech.

"Would have been funny to see the facial reactions of an actual King with a no Kings parade yelling at him," Allen wrote.

The "Last Man Standing" star’s post received 75,000 views on X, with commenters pointing out the irony.

COMEDIAN CRAIG FERGUSON EXPLAINS WHY HIS STAND-UP TOUR SKIPS TRUMP AND ALL POLITICS

"The party chanting ‘no kings’ was clamoring to stand in ovation of a real King," one user wrote. Another user added, "The democrats give an actual king a standing ovation. The irony."

"I was on my way to hear an actual King speak… Funny how the ‘No Kings’ crowd is nowhere to be found. Guess the outrage depends on who’s talking?" Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., posted.

RESURFACED CLIP OF JOHNNY CARSON'S GRACE AFTER REAGAN SHOOTING CONTRASTS WITH KIMMEL

The official White House X account even joined in on the trolling, posting a photo of Trump and King Charles together with the caption: "TWO KINGS."

Allen rocketed to fame by appearing on popular comedies like "Home Improvement" and lending his voice to the "Toy Story" film franchise.

Earlier this year, he posted about his 13-month journey finishing the Bible, writing on X that he was "Humbled, enlightened and amazed at what I read and what I learned. I will rest and meditate on so much. I will begin it again."

FROM SOUTHERN CLUBS TO NETFLIX: HOW CLEAN COMIC DERRICK STROUP IS STOPPING AUDIENCES IN THEIR TRACKS

The "No Kings" protests gained national attention in 2026, including a demonstration on March 28 where millions marched across the country. The movement argues Trump has acted like a king and should be held accountable, often citing his immigration agenda and the use of federal agents in major cities.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Among the Democrats who attended King Charles’ address was Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who took photos during the event. Some social media users pointed out that Omar was a featured speaker at a major "No Kings" rally at the Minnesota State Capitol just weeks earlier.

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations of him being a king. During an interview with CBS’ "60 Minutes" days before the royal visit, Trump told reporter Norah O’Donnell, "I'm not a king. What I am, if I was a king, I wouldn't be dealing with you."

'Ant-Man' actress slams Disney for 'disgusting' Marvel layoffs

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:00:18 -0400

"Avengers" actress Evangeline Lilly rebuked Disney over layoffs affecting Marvel employees in its visual development department, calling the move "disgusting and horrible" in a video posted to Instagram Thursday.

Lilly, who portrayed Hope van Dyne, also known as The Wasp, in four Marvel films, said she learned about the layoffs from friend Andy Park, a longtime Marvel visual development artist who helped create early Wasp suit concepts.

"I reached out to my good friend Andy Park, who was the genius behind creating the original Wasp supersuit and the original Wasp concept drawings for the film ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp,’ and just said, ‘Is this true? Is this really what’s happening?’" Lilly recalled. "And he said, ‘Yeah, it’s true. I have been let go.’

"I can’t quite believe that," Lilly continued. "That Disney have let go of the artists who brought the current Marvel Universe to life through their imagination and their genius.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON WARNS OF AI DANGERS, SAYS 'THERE'S NO BOUNDARY HERE'

"That the people who invented these characters in the first place, who designed them in the first place, are now being replaced by AI. AI that will take their designs and take what those artists created and use it to create iterations of that."

Lilly also expressed sympathy for the broader group of Disney employees swept up in the cuts and especially for Marvel artists she said had become "obsolete" after helping build the franchise.

"These were human creations, and they shouldn’t be stolen by tech giants so that their robots can replicate them," Lilly added. "I think it’s disgusting and horrible, and I stand with all the artists and Andy."

In the caption accompanying her video, she tagged Disney, writing "SHAME ON YOU" and urged California lawmakers to act.

"Where are the laws that REMOVE all human art from the AI bank?!? Why do they get to steal our brilliance and use it to make executives rich while the artists responsible for feeding their robots go hungry?? Disgusting. California lawmakers...where are you?!?!" she wrote.

EVANGELINE LILLY CONFIRMS SHE SUSTAINED BRAIN DAMAGE FROM TRAUMATIC INJURY LAST YEAR

Disney confirmed earlier this month it would be laying off 1,000 employees across the company. In a memo obtained by Fox News Digital, CEO Josh D’Amaro said the company had been reviewing ways to streamline operations and "foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce."

"Over the past several months, we have looked at ways in which we can streamline our operations in various parts of the company to ensure we deliver the world-class creativity and innovation our fans value and expect from Disney," D’Amaro wrote.

"Given the fast-moving pace of our industries, this requires us to constantly assess how to foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs."

Disney’s statement does not explicitly say the layoffs were driven by AI, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lilly’s allegation that artists were being replaced by artificial intelligence.

FCC TO CALL IN DISNEY STATIONS FOR EARLY LICENSE REVIEW IN WAKE OF ABC'S JIMMY KIMMEL CONTROVERSY

Initial reports indicated that 8% of Marvel's workforce was cut, though Disney later disputed that number, telling The Wrap the number was "much smaller."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Disney did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News' Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Black GOP congressman shuts down race question following Supreme Court redistricting ruling

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:53:44 -0400

Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, pushed back Wednesday during an interview with MeidasTouch's Pablo Manríquez after being asked about Black Republicans in Congress following the Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, a major Voting Rights Act case involving race and congressional redistricting.

Hunt rejected the premise of the question after Manríquez asked whether "there won’t be any Black Republicans left in the House."

"It's not relevant. I’m not here because I’m Black," Hunt said. "I am here because I am a qualified representative for Congressional District 38."

MEDIA OUTRAGE OVER SUPREME COURT’S VOTING RIGHTS ACT DECISION COLLIDES WITH REALITY

Hunt framed his response around the idea that electoral outcomes should reflect voter preference rather than racial considerations, rejecting the premise that representation should be measured through identity.

"The American people choose who they want to choose," Hunt said. "I don’t want to get into this game of race bait all day, every day."

Hunt said the number of Black Republicans serving in Congress should not be treated as the central measure of representation.

"If there’s four?" he said. "If there’s 10? If there’s none."

DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER SUGGESTS 'SLAVE MENTALITY' BEHIND HISPANIC TRUMP VOTERS

He pointed to the political makeup of his district to underscore his argument that electoral success is not dependent on racial alignment, noting the partisan lean and margin of victory in his race.

"I represent a White majority district that President Trump would have won by over 20 points, and I won by over 25 points," he said.

The Texas congressman closed his response by invoking Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous standard for judging people by character rather than skin color.

"I’m being judged not by the color of my skin, but the content of my character," he said.

DAVID MARCUS: LEGACY MEDIA ANOINTS TALARICO, DOWNPLAYS CROCKETT IN TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Wednesday that Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, narrowing how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act can be used in redistricting fights.

The case centered on Louisiana’s congressional map, which added a second majority-Black district after litigation citing the 1965 legislation. A group of voters challenged the map, arguing the state relied too heavily on race.

The ruling came as redistricting battles continue nationwide and as both parties debate whether race-conscious congressional districts improperly sort voters by race.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

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

Kimmel says Donald and Melania Trump are ‘closer than ever’ after ‘expectant widow’ joke backlash

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:07:52 -0400

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel renewed his mockery of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump Wednesday, joking about their relationship following backlash over his "expectant widow" joke last week.

Kimmel opened his monologue by suggesting his joke had an unintended effect on the couple’s relationship. "Our first couple, Donald and Melania, have seemed closer than ever," he said. "And I like to think I played a part in that."

Referencing recent footage of the Trumps at a White House state dinner for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Kimmel pointed to what he described as an awkward interaction between the couple.

"Considering the week I've had with the first couple, I'm just going to say that is a completely normal way to interact for two people who are very much in love," Kimmel said. "Maybe that's why his hands are all bruised, from Melania swatting them away."

WHY ABC OUSTED JIMMY KIMMEL FOR CALLING CHARLIE KIRK’S KILLER A MAGA MEMBER

The remarks follow controversy stemming from Kimmel’s April 23 show, when he staged an alternative White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner after the Trump administration opted not to feature a comedian at the annual event.

During that segment, Kimmel made a comment about the first lady that drew widespread backlash.

"Look at Melania, so beautiful," Kimmel said. "Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow."

FCC CALLS IN DISNEY-OWNED ABC STATIONS FOR EARLY LICENSE REVIEW IN WAKE OF JIMMY KIMMEL CONTROVERSY

Only days later, a shooting at the Washington Hilton interrupted the actual dinner. Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, who was charged with attempting to assassinate the president and with federal weapons violations. Officials said the motive remains under investigation.

In the aftermath, both the president and first lady publicly condemned Kimmel.

"He should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Melania Trump also issued a statement criticizing the late-night host.

"People like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate," she said.

LATE-NIGHT HOST HITS BACK AT TRUMP'S CALL FOR HIS FIRING, SAYS IT 'DOESN'T MAKE ME SPECIAL'

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Kimmel addressed the backlash earlier in the week, rejecting claims that his comments encouraged violence.

"It was not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination," Kimmel said. "I’ve been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The controversy has also intersected with broader tensions between the Trump administration and ABC’s parent company, Disney. The Federal Communications Commission recently moved to accelerate review timelines for Disney-owned broadcast licenses, a step the administration said is tied to an ongoing examination of the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Trump blasts New York Times, CNN for 'seditious' coverage of Iran war

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:47:53 -0400

President Donald Trump took aim at The New York Times and CNN on Thursday for what he called "seditious" coverage of the Iran war.

"I'm negotiating a deal with Iran. And every week, every three days, they put in a thing that the war should stop. And the people ask me, how the hell do you negotiate like that? You're destroying them," Trump said to reporters in the Oval Office. "Think of it — we militarily decapitated the country, and every day I read about how well they're doing militarily. They have nothing left. They're done."

"And yet, I read in The New York Times, I see on stupid CNN, which I only watch because you have to watch a little bit of the enemy, so I watch it for a very short period. You have to — you have to be smart," he continued. "And if you see CNN, you'd think they're winning the war. If you read The New York Times, it's actually seditious, in my opinion. You read The New York Times, you actually think they're winning the war... it's a terrible thing."

HEGSETH SCOLDS CNN'S 'UNSERIOUS' REPORT ON IRAN CONFLICT, SUGGESTS PARAMOUNT OWNER SHOULD OVERHAUL NETWORK

Trump joked that the Iranian regime is "sitting in a cave" and how "everyone's dead around them" and reading that they're "winning the war."

"It's so sad," he lamented.

FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL, NEW YORK TIMES CLASH OVER PAPER'S CLAIM ITS REPORTER WAS ‘INVESTIGATED’

Trump later took another swipe at CNN's report alleging the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June weren't as effective as his administration claimed.

"Before they landed, CNN came out with a report that maybe the damage wasn't that great. The damage was far greater than we said. It was obliteration," Trump told reporters.

"And the reason I took such — I was angry about it because it was disrespectful to those pilots and those incredible people, including the people that maintained the planes," he added.

A spokesperson for The New York Times told Fox News Digital, "The New York Times's coverage of the U.S. war in Iran has consistently reported facts from the region, Washington and around the world. We have presented this coverage fairly, thoroughly and above all, accurately to readers. This reporting is protected by the First Amendment and vital to ensuring that the public is well-informed."

A spokesperson for CNN declined to comment.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWS

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

FCC boss Brendan Carr maintains early ABC license renewal is about DEI probe, not Jimmy Kimmel controversy

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:35:06 -0400

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr said Thursday his move to call Disney’s ABC licenses for early renewal is unrelated to the ongoing feud between the White House and Jimmy Kimmel.

Eight Disney-owned ABC affiliates will have to prove to Carr that they have been operating in the public interest.

The licenses are not up for renewal for several years, but the FCC accelerated their renewal process after Kimmel made his controversial "expectant widow" joke last week that prompted President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to call for his firing.

But as Trump and his allies call for ABC to show Kimmel the door, Carr has maintained that the early renewal probe is part of an ongoing look at Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] practices and the Mouse House initially failed to produce necessary documents.

ERIKA KIRK BLASTS KIMMEL'S 'CRUEL' JOKE ABOUT TRUMP'S DEATH, LAMENTS NATION'S 'EPIDEMIC OF DEHUMANIZATION'

"It felt to us like they were playing rope-a-dope and weren’t being entirely forthcoming with the production. They’re going to disagree with that, I’m sure. They get the right to," Carr told reporters during a news conference Thursday.

"If they produced the documents on the original deadline, I don’t think we’d be in the same temporal moment as we are right now," Carr continued. "We don’t think they were entirely forthcoming."

Carr said the FCC can’t "mess around" because discrimination is an important issue.

"Maybe they’ll take it more seriously at this point," Carr said.

Disney-owned ABC affiliates’ licenses were originally scheduled to be renewed between 2028 and 2031, but Trump’s FCC expedited the process.

"Our DEI review is going to continue and is going to be part of that. We are calling their licenses in for early renewal; I think they have eight station licenses. Once they make that filing, then anyone can file petitions to deny," Carr said, adding there is plenty of case law stating public interest expectations for broadcast networks.

TRUMP URGES ABC TO FIRE ‘SERIOUSLY UNFUNNY’ JIMMY KIMMEL, SAYS IT ‘BETTER BE SOON’

"Disney, as part of the filing, is going to have to come in and demonstrate that they’ve been operating in the public interest," Carr said. "They’re going to have to demonstrate that they’ve met their burden."

Kimmel had quipped Melania Trump had the glow of an "expectant widow" on his show last week. The joke went viral just days later when an armed assailant stormed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. As Kimmel's poorly aged joke went viral, President Trump and the first lady each called for ABC to act.

Kimmel, who insisted it was a joke about Trump’s age and not an assassination jab, has continued to mock Trump on a nightly basis.

During the news conference, Carr was also asked if he agreed with Trump’s call for ABC to fire Kimmel.

JIMMY KIMMEL REMAINS DEFIANT, INSISTS 'EXPECTANT WIDOW' JAB AGAINST TRUMPS WAS ABOUT AGE DIFFERENCE

"It’s not just the president. You’ve got many members of Congress who have expressed this view. The first lady has expressed her view, the president has expressed his view. … There [are] a lot of people that agree with the president on this one," Carr said at a news conference before being asked if he personally agreed.

"There is a lot of people."

KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in North Carolina, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and KTRK-TV in Houston are the Disney-owned stations named by the FCC.

Disney has said it plans to comply with the FCC’s order.

"We have received the Federal Communications Commission’s order initiating an accelerated review of the licenses held by ABC’s owned television stations," a Disney spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital.

"ABC and its stations have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information and public‑interest programming.

"We are confident that record demonstrates our continued qualifications as licensees under the Communications Act and the First Amendment and are prepared to show that through the appropriate legal channels. Our focus remains, as always, on serving viewers in the local communities where our stations operate."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Chicago reparations advocates say federal gov morally owes '7 quadrillion dollars' in slave labor

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:42:20 -0400

Reparations advocates spoke at Kennedy King College in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, arguing the "moral" responsibility of the federal government to compensate Black Americans for slavery.

One of the attendees was waiting for the event to begin in the hallway with dozens of students outside the college theater auditorium.

Grace, a student at Kennedy King College, told Fox News Digital that she was eager to see her professor, Dr. Daniel Davis.

"I'm studying African American 101 with Professor Dr. Davis," Grace said. She continued, "I'm here to be more advanced on my ancestors. I've not been to class in over 40 years, but I'm enjoying this day."

JONATHAN TURLEY: CHICAGO SCHOOLS REWARD PROTEST WHILE STUDENTS CAN'T READ

Davis, a faculty member at Kennedy King College’s social science department, and one of the four speakers on the panel leading the conversation on reparations, teaches African American studies.

The event, titled "Developing an Agenda: A Conversation on Reparations," was facilitated by Kennedy King College social science department chair Dr. Ted Williams III, who asked the panel several questions about reparations to stir a discussion.

Williams, an Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commissioner (ADCRC), asked Dr. Rev. Jonathan Brooks about the U.S.’ "moral" obligation to address reparations.

"I think this is an important distinction, because one of the things that I often say is absolutely the idea of reparations and repairing this country is definitely a municipal and governmental conversation. It's definitely a numbers' conversation about money," Brooks said.

"But there's also a moral aspect of it," he said.

TOP UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL POINTS TO REPARATIONS AS THE 'KEY TO DISMANTLING SYSTEMIC RACISM'

Brooks is the pastor of Lawndale Christian Church in Chicago.

"A lot of people want to talk about repair, but we don't want to talk about truth," Brooks said. "And so repair is not just the check, it's also the confession of the harm that was done. So truth before repair, before you even start talking about what the check you're going to write or how you're going to fix it, can you admit that you did it?"

The panel spoke about the importance of reparations to students and members of the public.

ADCRC Chair Marvin Slaughter, Jr. said that "seven quadrillion dollars" was contributed to the U.S. by slave labor.

The "seven quadrillion" figure comes from missing wages for 24 hours a day for enslaved people since they "had no freedom of time," Slaughter told Fox News Digital, citing a study he conducted in 2022.

FAR-LEFT HOUSE DEM PUSHES LAND REPARATIONS FOR DESCENDANTS OF AMERICAN SLAVES

"The total value is a little harder to calculate, but we see that for just 1839, we contributed the modern day equivalent of 6.2 trillion. Just that one year!," he added.

Davis was shocked about the number.

"Just hearing these numbers, it tells such a crazy story, but I've never heard that number before. I don't question it one bit, but seven quadrillion dollars, and we have most of the country, the overwhelming majority of the country, not for reparations or some type of compensation for all of that free labor. And the value that we add to this country," Davis said.

CHICAGO MAYOR LINKS RESTAURANT INDUSTRY TO ‘SLAVERY’ AS TIPPED WAGE FIGHT INTENSIFIES

The ADCRC in March released a report laying out what it called the state's history of harms against Black Illinoans. The ADCRC released what it described as its "first comprehensive, evidence-based" report examining "how slavery and its vestiges produce historical harms and continue to generate inequities for Black Illinoisans."

The report, titled "Taking Account: A History of Racial Harm & Injustice Against Black Illinoisans," was created by the commission to trace "racial injustice from colonial enslavement and early statehood through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, urban renewal, and mass incarceration."

Williams also mentioned local officials in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, paying out 25K in reparations payments to descendants of Blacks who were affected by housing discrimination.

"We want the government that is responsible for enslaving our ancestors and responsible for the gaps that we see in everything from mother and infant mortality, education, educational attainment, wealth. They're responsible for all of these things," Slaughter told the crowd of students.

Slaughter went on to say, "In addition to that acknowledgment, acknowledgment without restitution, without paying for the sin for the crime is nothing. So, you need to compensate the individuals who have experienced the harm directly and if those individuals are no longer alive because you waited for them out, you need to compensate their descendants. And finally closure, making sure that you aren't repeating the harm is vital."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE MEDIA AND CULTURE

Some of the students spoke with Fox News Digital after the event.

Leonte Fraley, a native of the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago and a graduate of Kennedy King College, is very active in the community. He launched, "Reach, Teach, Pray (RTP)," a nonprofit youth development organization based in Chicago with a "mission to empower underprivileged youth."

"I showed up to have more understanding about reparations. This event was very helpful, and I feel like it was educational on our past history and knowing what we can move forward," Fraley told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A current student, Wynden, told Fox News Digital that he heard about this event from his professors, Davis and Williams. Wynden wants to get into the trades and hopefully become an HVAC.

"Sometimes I feel we're unorganized, and we have to get organized. It's like, if you're in a race and your shoe is untied and the other person's shoe isn't untied. You are more likely to lose the race because you can trip and fall," Wynden said.

Fired Columbia professor who backed Hamas set to speak at Virginia Tech 'Death to the Akademy' event

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:41:29 -0400

A former professor at Columbia University who was fired after declaring support for Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad is set to speak Friday at a "Death to the Akademy" campus tour stop said to be held at Virginia Tech.

"Inshallah this Friday May 1st we will have our next ‘Death to the Akademy’ campus tour stop at Virginia Tech graciously hosted by student & community organizers @blackmindedness @vt4palestine," a Tuesday Instagram post from Mohamed Abdou read.

Abdou included four other accounts in the post — "VT for Palestine," "Black Mindedness," Emon H. Green and "Palestine Solidarity Working Group."

STUDENT UPROAR ERUPTS AT ELITE COLLEGE AFTER PROFESSOR PUT ON LEAVE OVER TIES TO FAR-LEFT GUN CLUB

Abdou calls himself a "Muslim anarchist and diasporic settler of color," and is the author of "Islam and Anarchism," which is described as a "highly original and interdisciplinary work, which simultaneously disrupts two commonly held beliefs — that Islam is necessarily authoritarian and capitalist; and that anarchism is necessarily anti-religious and anti-spiritual."

Campus Watch reported in 2024 that Abdou was fired after a public Facebook post following Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages.

In the post, Abdou wrote, "I’m with the muqawamah (the resistance) be it Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad but up to a point — given ultimate differences over our ethical political commitments; that’s the difference between a strategy and tactic too."

During a hearing before Congress on April 17, 2024, former Columbia University president Minouche Shafik said that Abdou "has been terminated, not just terminated, but his file will show that he will never work at Columbia again."

HOWARD UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR CALLS ON WHITE POLITICAL ALLIES TO EMULATE VIGILANTE MASS MURDERER

Abdou’s Instagram post advertising the Friday "Death to the Akademy" event said, "The talk is titled ‘Islam & Revolution’ & will be followed by a facilitated discussion. For those who cannot join us in person for this event, we invite participants from across the globe to join us virtually. Shukran to the generous hosts. Register for the free event using the link in my bio or via the qr code on the poster."

The post featured what appeared to be a jihadist leader wearing camouflage and a keffiyeh as a mask covering his face, while holding a gun strapped to his back.

An army of what appear to be jihadists stands behind him, wearing keffiyehs around their necks.

The Instagram post instructs attendees to "please wear masks!"

In a Monday post on X, the account "Documenting Jew Hatred on Campus at Columbia U," voiced concern over the upcoming event, saying, "Mohamed Abdou is scheduled to speak at @virginia_tech on Friday. This is a continuation of his ‘Death to the Akademy’ series. Expect more of the same — promotion of an Islamic takeover of the West and death to Zionists/Jews."

GEORGETOWN PROFESSOR SAYS 'GET OVER IT' TO MUSLIM RAPE GANG CONCERNS

The post added, "Expect Virginia Tech to claim no responsibility or connection with this event. While this may be true, the school can still identify which students are organizing this event and take the necessary steps to stop them from radicalizing the students of Virginia Tech."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Virginia Tech spokesperson Mark Owczarski said, "The event in question is not sponsored by a university-affiliated organization nor is it a university-registered event. Any claims otherwise are simply not true."

He added, "False claims of similar events held at other colleges and universities have occurred. Virginia Tech continues to monitor the situation."

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

The New York Post reported Saturday that Abdou held an April 21 "Death to the Akademy" event near New York University. The school said in an April 23 statement it had no affiliation with the event.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"Be proud of your hate for America," Abdou said over Zoom during the event. "You love Islam, and you should be loving Islam more than this barbarous colony," he said. "It’s a plague upon the Earth. And yes, in that sense, you need to be a threat. We all need to be a threat."

Fox News Channel outdraws ABC, NBC in weekday primetime during April while dominating CNN, MS NOW

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:25:21 -0400

Fox News Channel averaged 3.2 million weekday primetime viewers during April to outdraw broadcast networks ABC and NBC.

While Fox News topped the free TV offerings, it also continued to dominate cable by averaging 1.8 million total day viewers to finish No. 1 by a significant margin. MS NOW finished second with an average audience of 751,000 total viewers to trail Fox News by over one million viewers.

During the primetime hours of 8-11 p.m., Fox News averaged 2.9 million viewers to thump all competitors, as ESPN finished second with 1.5 million, MS NOW managed 1.3 million and TBS averaged 1.1 million.

FOX NEWS DIGITAL POSTS BEST QUARTER EVER WITH 187 MILLION MONTHLY UNIQUE VISITORS IN EARLY 2026

CNN failed to crack the one-million viewers benchmark during primetime as Fox News held nearly 60% of the cable news share across both total day and primetime.

Fox News also crushed cable news networks among the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults age 25-54, averaging 173,000 total day viewers compared to 92,000 for CNN and only 80,000 for MS NOW. It was much of the same during primetime, as Fox News averaged 284,000 demo viewers while CNN settled for 157,000 and MS NOW managed 135,000.

"The Five," with Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr., averaged 3.8 million total viewers to finish as the No. 1 show on cable news, followed by "Jesse Watters Primetime," "Hannity," "Gutfeld!," "Special Report with Bret Baier" and "The Ingraham Angle."

MS NOW’s most-watched program, "The Rachel Maddow Show," averaged 2.4 million viewers to finish seventh. However, "Maddow" only airs on Mondays.

FOX NEWS TOPS ALL NEWS BRANDS ON YOUTUBE WITH RECORD-SETTING 1.5 BILLION VIDEO VIEWS DURING Q1 2026

"The Will Cain Show," "Outnumbered" with co-hosts Harris Faulkner, Emily Compagno and Kayleigh McEnany, "The Story" with Martha MacCallum, "America Reports" with Sandra Smith and John Roberts, "America’s Newsroom" with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, "The Faulkner Focus" and "FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher" all outdrew anything else MS NOW had to offer.

The most-watched CNN program during the news-heavy month was "Anderson Cooper 360," which finished No. 23 among cable news offerings.

"FOX & Friends" finished the month with 1.4 million viewers and remained the No. 1 cable news program in the mornings for the 62nd consecutive month in the key demo.

FOX NEWS CHANNEL WALLOPS CNN, MS NOW VIEWERSHIP DURING FIRST QUARTER OF 2026

April saw other milestones for Fox News, as "Hannity" had its best month of 2026, "Gutfeld!" marked its five-year anniversary leading all of late-night television and "Special Report" outdrew "CBS Evening News" in 20 key markets.

Fox News also crushed the competition throughout the weekend, winning every hour with total viewers during April, defeating CNN and MS Now by double to triple-digits among both total viewers and the demo on Saturday and Sunday.

"FOX News Live" anchored by Aishah Hasnie averaged two million viewers to finish as the No. 1 show on Saturdays, while Maria Bartiromo’s "Sunday Morning Futures" took the Sunday crown with 2.3 million viewers.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Ratings data courtesy of Nielsen Big Data + Panel.