GREG GUTFELD:So, how about that rocket launch yesterday? Elon Musk and President Trump? Watch the Starship take off from a city called Boca Chica, which is Spanish for small mouth. But while the incoming president celebrated the rocket taking off to cheering crowds, the outgoing president took off as well to a different kind of clamor.
You know, usually when people scream at Joe like that, they say, 'Sir, that's a houseplant, not a toilet.' But why was he in such a hurry? Maybe he really had to go – literally.
And so it's a tale of two takeoffs. One is a ride to space. Another, a ride to the rest home. But Trump isn't traveling alone. The world seems to be along for the ride. It's funny – just a few weeks ago, Trump was a threat to world peace when the only threat we really faced was Joe Biden mistaking our children for dinner. But now foreign leaders are suddenly making nice.
Australia's ambassador to America had previously called Trump the most destructive president in history – but now he's congratulating him and looking forward to working closely with him. No wonder the Aussies invented the boomerang, up in Canada. Their first trans prime minister, Justin Trudeau, suddenly cracked down on unchecked immigration. He was talking tough there for a while – until somebody showed him this picture.
Down in Mexico, lefty President Claudia Sheinbaum wouldn't even acknowledge Trump's candidacy on Election Day. Sheinbaum, Mexico has a Jewish president. Maybe she'll agree to Trump building a Wailing Wall. You know that joke doesn't deserve you.
Then Trump said he would make public the intelligence that America had on Mexican politicians – in bed with cartels. Suddenly, Sheinbaum is cracking down on her own border – but soon Claudia might be welcoming 10 million people who should look familiar. Get ready for an influx of gangs, drug dealers and even worse, washed-up celebs.
Trump's triggering lefty foreign leaders like a quarter-pounder at a PETA rally. But is it all on Trump, as he himself has said? They haven't been after him. They've been after you, and he's just in the way. And the truth is, it's you who's had enough. It just took Trump to make it clear the world gets it.
Daddy's home and it's time to clean up your mess. And you can't hide behind a legacy media – which is deader than the battery in Rosie O'Donnell's back trimmer. But really, the world wants this. The world wants this.
They just needed someone to rip the Band-Aid off. It wasn't going to be Joe or Kamala. Joe lacks the upper body strength, and Kamala doesn't have enough accents to please the whole world. But everyone knew the planet was screwed. Hell, even the bad guys are now picking up their toys and crawling back under their rocks. Qatar has just confirmed that Hamas leaders are no longer there.
For things to operate in the world, someone has to stand up once in a while and say, ‘wrap it up, guys, this is enough.’ That guy is Trump. But he's got all of us, too. No wonder the world's scared. It might be the one thing they've ever gotten right.
President-elect Trump's team is confident that Senate Republicans will approve his cabinet selection – despite some of the picks raising eyebrows from Republicans and Democrats alike.
A Trump transition official confirmed to Fox News that the president-elect is "confident that Senate Republicans will hold the line."
"President Trump is confident that Senate Republicans will hold the line and respect the will of the American people by approving his cabinet nominees," the official said.
The official said that Trump is "very happy" with the vice president-elect, saying that Vance is "laser focused on already getting the ball rolling on his highly-qualified nominees."
Trump's nominees and administration picks during his second administration are being publicly announced at a much faster pace than during his first administration in 2016, which the transition team attributed to Trump's commitment to putting "America first."
"The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly qualified men and women who have the talent, experience and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again," Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt previously told Fox News Digital when asked about Trump's speedy rollout of Cabinet picks.
WATCH:
Trump's most contentious choice so far has been Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general. The pick came as a surprise to many since the firebrand does not have any prior law enforcement experience and faces misconduct allegations.
Gaetz was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which subpoenaed him as recently as September for an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor.
Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and had told the panel he would "no longer voluntarily participate" in its probe. Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after Trump made the announcement.
On Wednesday, Vance and Gaetz were spotted leaving the Capitol.
A source familiar previously told Fox News Digital that Gaetz is "working the phones" to address concerns from GOP senators ahead of his confirmation hearings next year. He is also making the rounds with Vance on Capitol Hill to meet with senators directly.
"The meetings have been productive with AG nominee Gaetz listening to senators' thoughts on the role of the DOJ and the confirmation process. Gaetz is looking forward to meeting with more senators throughout this process on the Hill," a Trump transition official told Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.
Fox News Digital's Emma Colton and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
The 58th annual 2024 CMA Awards has concluded at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Chris Stapleton was the big winner of the night, taking home three of his five nominations, including male vocalist of the year, as well as both single of the year and song of the year for his song, "White Horse."
Morgan Wallen was nominated in seven categories, the most of any artist this year, but only took home one award, entertainer of the year. Despite being the top award of the night, Wallen was absent from the ceremony.
The show's co-host Lainey Wilson also took home two trophies, including female vocalist of the year and music video of the year.
An effort by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to block certain U.S. weapons sales to Israel was overwhelmingly rejected by the U.S. Senate Wednesday evening.
Sanders' joint resolution of disapproval, which was supported by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.; Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., intended to stop the White House's latest arms sales to the Israeli military. An effort to block the sales of tank rounds to Israel was voted down 79-18, and a measure intending to block mortar round shipments was rejected 78-19.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Sanders claimed the Israeli government is controlled "not only by right-wing extremists, but by religious zealots."
"It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law and our moral values despite receiving $18 billion from U.S. taxpayers in the last year," Sanders said.
"And being the largest historical recipient of U.S. foreign aid, the Netanyahu government has completely ignored the repeated requests of President Biden and the U.S. government."
The 83-year-old politician also decried living conditions in Gaza during his speech.
"Right now, there is raw sewage running through the streets of Gaza, and it is very difficult for the people there to obtain clean drinking water," Sanders said. "Every one of Gaza's 12 universities has been bombed … as have many hundreds of schools. For 13 months, there has been no electricity in Gaza.
"As I have said many, many times, Israel had the absolute right to respond to that horrific Hamas attack as any other country would," Sanders concluded. "I don't think anybody here in the United States Senate disagrees with that. But Prime Minister Netanyahu's extremist government has not simply waged war against Hamas. It has waged an all-out war against the Palestinian people."
Despite the vote, Sanders' effort was not wholly unpopular. Earlier this week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., signaled support for the Vermont Independent's proposal.
"The failure by the Biden administration to follow U.S. law and to suspend arms shipments is a grave mistake that undermines American credibility worldwide," Warren said in a statement to The Guardian.
"If this administration will not act, Congress must step up to enforce U.S. law and hold the Netanyahu government accountable through a joint resolution of disapproval."
Fox News Digital's Jessica Sonkin and Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
A Jan. 6 rioter who breached the U.S. Capitol was convicted of trying to have law enforcement personnel, including the FBI agents and employees who were investigating him, murdered, the Justice Department said Wednesday.
Edward Kelley, 35, of Maryville, Tennessee, who was convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers and other crimes during the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, was found guilty on Wednesday of conspiracy to murder employees of the United States, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and influencing or retaliating against federal officials by threat.
The jury agreed on a verdict after an hour of deliberation following the three-day trial, WBIR-TV reported.
Federal prosecutors at his trial in Knoxville, Tennessee, said Kelly developed a "kill list" of FBI agents and others who participated in the investigation into his conduct on Jan. 6 while awaiting trial for his involvement in the Capitol riot.
He distributed the list, as well as videos containing images of FBI employees identified on the list, to a co-conspirator as part of his "mission," authorities said.
Kelley's co-defendant Austin Carter, who pleaded guilty in November 2023 to conspiracy to kill FBI agents and is awaiting sentencing, testified that Kelly said he needed to "take out" the FBI. He said that he and Kelley planned attacks on the Knoxville FBI Field Office using car bombs and incendiary devices appended to drones.
He also testified that the conspirators strategized about assassinating FBI employees in their homes and in public places such as movie theaters.
Recording introduced by prosecutors showed Kelley directing the plan, and giving instructions to "start it," "attack," and "take out their office" in the event of his arrest. He was also recorded stating: "Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt," authorities said.
Kelley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025. He faces up to life in prison.
Fox News host Sean Hannity reveals how President-elect Trump will turn America around on "Hannity."
SEAN HANNITY: Under Donald Trump, America's core principles of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness will be restored. Limited government and constitutional order will be restored. The all-powerful far-left bureaucratic state will face a day of reckoning.
You, the American people, will be free to create, to build, to speak your minds once again. This will usher in a new age of innovation and prosperity. The American people, frankly, are more than ready.
We're a little sick and tired of what we've been living through. Take a look at the numbers. A new Harvard-Harris poll has Donald Trump's approval at over 54%. That is well above Joe Biden. Another poll found that Donald Trump's popularity among young people has surged a whopping 20 points. A third poll determined that a majority of Americans approve of Donald Trump's transition.
Auriemma became the all-time wins leader in college basketball history for both men and women, collecting his 1,217th victory to pass Tara VanDerveer, the legendary Stanford Cardinal coach.
More than 60 former players were at Gampel Pavilion as part of a sellout crowd to watch the Huskies take down the Knights, 85-41. Despite UConn being a heavy favorite in this matchup, Auriemma went about coaching like the 1,216 wins before it, until the final buzzer sounded.
The game was also a celebration of Auriemma and associate head coach Chris Dailey’s 40th season leading the Huskies. It was part of a celebration that included a goat petting zoo near the arena during a fan fest, a reference to Auriemma being the greatest of all-time.
While the night was meant to honor Auriemma and Dailey, the win to set the new record led to reflection on just how dominant his program has been at UConn all these years.
The Huskies are 11-time national champions with 23 Final Four appearances, including 15 in the last 16 years.
Auriemma’s .882 win percentage for his career remains an NCAA record as well.
"At the beginning, we really just had our vision and each other to say, 'This is what we're going to do,'" Dailey said Tuesday, via ESPN. "And we were able to convince enough people to believe that same dream. And, eventually, 40 years later, a lot more has happened than what we ever thought would have."
Auriemma has only coached at one school, building his squad in Storrs to the point it was nationally recognized as a powerhouse for decades. After the team’s first national title under Auriemma in 1995, UConn was, and still remains, a powerhouse every season.
Auriemma, 70, still wants to coach the Huskies despite admitting to feeling at times it was the right move to walk away.
"As long as I'm here, and I walk in this building, and I see the players here, and I see the people that work in my little world and how we all kind of motivate each other, there's no other place I would want to be," he said.
UConn remains unbeaten at 4-0 to start the 2024-25 campaign.
Conservative Republican Nick Begich has won a tight race for Alaska's lone seat in the House of Representatives, according to the Associated Press.
Begich defeated his main rival, Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, the first Native Alaskan in Congress, and one of only five House Democrats currently representing a district won by President-elect Trump in 2020.
The win widens the Republican majority in the House to 219 and 213 for Democrats.
The GOP candidate is no stranger to politics, having been born into a prominent political family in Alaska – made up of mostly Democrats.
His grandfather, Nick Begich, Sr., was an Alaska congressman, before mysteriously disappearing on a flight and being pronounced dead in 1972. His uncle, Mark Begich, was a U.S. senator for Alaska from 2009 to 2015.
The other two hopefuls in the race were Alaska Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Democratic candidate Eric Hafner.
In a statement, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) congratulated Begich for his "resounding victory."
"Congratulations to Congressman-elect Nick Begich on his resounding victory," NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement. "Alaskans just sent an America First fighter to drain the swamp and stop the liberal war on Alaska, and Congressman-elect Begich will deliver."
Alaska is one of only two states to use ranked-choice voting in federal elections, something that benefited Peltola in 2022, when Begich and former Gov. Sarah Palin knocked each other out of the running by splitting the Republican vote.
Republicans took a lesson from that defeat, however, and instead, coalesced around Begich earlier in the race.
Alaska has just one House seat given its modest population compared to more densely packed states. It is also one of only two states to use ranked-choice voting in its federal elections.
Peltola won her seat in a special election following the sudden death of longtime Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, in 2022.
Young’s daughters and several former staffers endorsed Peltola for re-election in the November race later that year.
The moderate Democrat has been known to break from her party on certain climate and energy issues, among others.
Begich's victory is a much-needed win for House Republicans who have fought tooth-and-nail to retain and even expand their majority.
He was added to the House GOP campaign arm's "Young Guns" list in August of this year, giving him access to National Republican Congressional Committee resources, support, and advisement.
Fox News host Jesse Watters discusses the media continuing to digest President-elect Donald Trump's victory as they prepare to say goodbye to President Biden.
JESSE WATTERS:The media is on its heels for the first time. Their audience is checked out, and if they aren't fair, they're going to get called out and their industry can't afford the fight. If they're going to talk about Gaetz, then it's only fair. We talk about the slush fund that Congress has and has settled for hundreds of sexual misconduct allegations. The stack of vendors is a mile high. Do we really want to be pointing fingers here? Trump says this is what the radical left lunatics do to people. They dirty them up, they destroy them, and then they spit them out. They're trying that right now with some great American patriots who are only trying to fix the mess that the Democrats have made for our country.
At Mar-a-Lago, confidence is high. They think all the nominees are getting through and they're willing to spend political capital to do it once they're in. It'll look like a coalition government with three factions. He has America First nationalists, establishment conservatives and dissident Democrats. So while Trump's putting the finishing touches on this movement, you're not going to believe how Biden celebrated his 82nd birthday, giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the chief of Planned Parenthood.
Republican leaders from Congress expressed "serious concern" with the Mountain West Conference about transgender women participating in women's sports.
Thirteen officials signed a letter to Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, urging the conference to prohibit transgender athletes from playing against biological women.
"We write with serious concerns about the safety and fair competition standards for female athletes participating in the Mountain West Conference," the letter, signed by members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, says.
The letter was sent amid controversy at San Jose State University, where Blaire Fleming, a transgender woman, plays for the women's volleyball team.
Several teams have forfeited games against the Spartans this season.
"Title IX was established over 50 years ago to even the playing field for women. Since its implementation, women have participated in safer and fairer competition — but recent events have shown this is at risk," the letter states.
"Recently, members of your conference have forfeited games, risking their competitive standings to ensure the safety of their female athletes. The Mountain West Conference’s failure to prohibit biological males from competing in women’s sports is unfair to the women and girls who have worked tirelessly to compete at the collegiate level. We applaud the bravery of these female athletes and the universities in our home states for taking a stand to preserve Title IX when the Mountain West Conference would not.
"Permitting biological men to play in women’s sports is not equitable; it is an injustice. Under these guidelines, it is only fair that biological males play men’s sports and biological females play women’s sports. Clearly, the Mountain West Conference has dropped the ball.
"Life isn’t fair, but sports should be. We urge you to address these inequities in women’s sports in the Mountain West Conference immediately, and we look forward to working with you to support women in collegiate sports."
Fleming has been one of the top players in the conference and an offensive anchor for San Jose State this season, even amid the controversy. Fleming is third in the conference in average kills per serve with 3.86 and amassed 297 total kills on the year despite playing seven fewer games than expected due to forfeits. It's helped give San Jose State the third best hitting percentage in the Mountain West.
Fleming's teammate, Brooke Slusser, is a part of the lawsuit against the NCAA, and she filed another suit alongside other Mountain West players against the conference over the alleged presence of her transgender teammate. Slusser has alleged the school deliberately hid Fleming's natural birth sex from her and other players on the team and around the conference.
San Jose State has repeatedly defended the presence of Fleming on the team.
"Our athletes all comply with NCAA and Mountain West Conference policies and are eligible to play under the rules of those organizations. Our volleyball team members have earned the right to compete, and we are deeply disappointed for them and with them that they are being denied those opportunities through cancellations and forfeits. We are also proud of how they have persevered through these challenges on the court," a statement provided to Fox News Digital by a university spokesperson said.
Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
President-elect Trump chose former ambassador and Rep. Pete Hoekstra for his pick for the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
"Pete is well-respected in the Great State of Michigan - A State we won sizably. He represented Michigan’s 2nd District in Congress for nearly 20 years, where he was also Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and was a great help to our Campaign as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party," Trump wrote in a Wednesday evening release.
Trump said that Hoekstra would help the president-elect's "American First" agenda.
"In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST," he wrote. "He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role. Thank you, Pete!"
Hoekstra was the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term.
Prior to his ambassadorship, he served 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District of Michigan, and served as chairman and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee.
Trump's pick of Hoekstra on Wednesday came after he tapped former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to become U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in his new administration.
12,000-year-old perforated stones found over years of excavations in Israel may "represent early evidence for the adoption of spinning with the ’spindle and whorl' device," according to newly published research in PLOS ONE.
The wheel-shaped stones were found at Nahal Ein-Gev II in the Jordan Valley of Israel, over many years of excavations. A total of 113 perforated stones have been discovered in the area since 1972.
Of those stones found, 48 of them had complete perforation, 36 were broken items with partial holes present and 29 were unfinished items with one or two drill marks, according to the research.
The stones were "dominantly limestone," co-authors Talia Yasuv and Leore Grosman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in their published research, ranging in weight from 1 to 34 grams.
Researchers came up with several theories about what these perforated stones could be.
"An initial thought was they may have been related to fishing," Yasuv told Fox News Digital in an email. Researchers ultimately came to the conclusion that, because of the shape of the stones, the material, plus the shape and size of the holes made, that they were most likely spindle whorls.
High-resolution 3D models were used in this research to study the stones in much more detail.
"For the naked eye, the collection of stones seems highly variable, with no standardization in the sense that every stone in the assemblage is different and unique," Yashuv said.
"However, the 3D analysis pointed out morphological parameters that showed there are standard measures — for example, width/length ratio, a central location of the centre of mass, the fact that the perforations were located at that point too, and that the minimal width of the perforation is at a constant measure," Yashuv continued.
The authors of the study noted that their theory could be strengthened by "use wear analysis," but explained that the particular method was "beyond the scope of the present article."
What was done as part of this study, beyond 3D modeling, was a feasibility test to test the functionality of the items as ancient spindle whorls. This was done with the help of Yonit Kristal, a traditional craft-making expert, per the study.
"Although those parameters pointed to the functionality of spindle whorls, we were left with a doubt and therefore ran a feasibility test with replicas we produced," Yashuv said.
Though Kristal's first initial attempt didn't work well, the authors explained in their research, she eventually was able to spin both wool and flax using the pebbles as spindle whorls.
"Surprisingly, the experiment demonstrated that not only do the replicas function well as spindle whorls, but that the parameters we suspected as disadvantageous were actually beneficial for this purpose," Yashuv said.
Yashuv believes that this discovery is bigger than just a matter of "who's first."
"The ‘earliest’ spindle whorl could easily become irrelevant when an additional earlier find will be found," Yashuv pointed out. "However, since we suggest an explanation to how come the innovation disappeared, if an earlier find would be retrieved, it could join into the general scheme we presented."
Through the multistep process of studying the perforated rocks, the researchers came to the conclusion that these items could have been spindle whorls that were used to spin fibers.
"In a cumulative evolutionary trend, they manifest early phases of the development of rotational technologies by laying the mechanical principle of the wheel and axle," the researcher wrote in their study. "All in all, it reflects on the technological innovations that played an important part in the Neolithization processes of the Southern Levant."
Opponents of a defeated California ballot measure to raise the state's minimum wage said voters made the right call in pushing back against a proposal that would otherwise have resulted in higher inflation.
Proposition 32, which would have raised California's minimum wage to $18 per hour, was narrowly beaten back as only 49.2% of voters supported the proposed hike. The current minimum wage in the state is $16 per hour.
Fast-food restaurants with 60 or more locations are already mandated to pay their employees at least $20 per hour.
"Basic economics shows that raising the minimum wage ultimately drives up inflation and unemployment, predictably hurting workers and families," Republican State Sen. Brian Jones, the upper chamber's minority leader, told Fox News Digital. "More inflation and higher costs are the last things we need right now. Californians made the right call to reject Prop 32 and protect financial stability."
Business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, California Restaurant Association and California Grocers Association opposed the measure, saying high labor costs would hurt small businesses.
Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Barrera told The Associated Press that the economy and personal costs were top of mind in the election, a message that resonated with the voters.
John Kabateck, the California director for the National Federation of Independent Business, said minimum wage hikes amid a period of inflation would have added to the current economic woes many residents already face.
"At the end of the day, this really came down to affordability for Californians already struggling," Kabateck told Fox News Digital. "People realized a higher minimum wage was not going to make their bad situation that much better."
Prop 32 was authored by startup entrepreneur Joseph Sanberg, an anti-poverty advocate and major investor in Blue Apron, the ingredient-and-recipe meal kit company.
"The time is now, because the pandemic has heightened the people’s understanding of the realities so many Californians face," Sanberg said in his official ballot argument. "Cost of living is rising faster and faster... but wages haven’t increased commensurately."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Sanberg and various trade groups.
Sanberg was heavily involved in spearheading Prop 32.
Jones called the measure a failed "publicity stunt" hatched by Sanberg that was part of "his pattern of misleading Californians."
"Known for posing as an environmentalist while facing scrutiny for dubious claims, Sanberg shifted tactics by pushing a minimum wage hike and falsely branding himself as a champion of the working class," he said. "Californians saw through his deception and rightly rejected his Prop 32 that would have decimated our economy."
Kabateck said policymakers in Sacremento didn't seem to be in touch with small business owners and voters struggling to get by.
"At the end of the day, who doesn't want a few dollars in their pocket? But at what cost?" he said.
A 55-year-old tourist was attacked with a knife while walking on the sidewalk in a swanky neighborhood in New York City on Wednesday, police said.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to Fox News Digital that the stabbing in broad daylight occurred at approximately 10:23 a.m. in a neighborhood on the Upper West Side.
Police said that the 55-year-old's left ear and left cheek were slashed during the seemingly random attack. The victim was transported to a local hospital following the stabbing.
The suspect fled following the attack, authorities said. Surveillance footage, obtained by Fox News Digital, showed the suspect running from the scene. He was spotted with a knife.
The NYPD are continuing to investigate the incident.
The stabbing comes just two days after a knife-wielding man was charged with killing three people on Monday.
Police arrested 51-year-old Ramon Rivera, a career criminal, earlier this week after he allegedly went on an unprovoked stabbing spree across Manhattan.
Rivera, who is homeless, has eight prior arrests and had been released from jail just weeks before the fatal knife-wielding attacks.
The stabbings also come against the backdrop of District Attorney Alvin Bragg's focus in the past year on prosecuting President-elect Trump, who was convicted of 34 felony counts related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Ray Kelly, a former New York City police commissioner and The Guardian Group CEO, told "Fox & Friends" co-host Brian Kilmeade that Bragg's soft-on-crime approach has hindered the city.
"Mr. Bragg is not reasonable," he told Kilmeade on Wednesday. "He is… a believer in the most radical of approaches. As a matter of fact, the first day in office, he gave us a manifesto over what he's not going to do. One of them being that he is not going to arrest people for fare-beating, which, by the way, the MTA says that's where they're losing three quarters of $1 billion a year on this, and that's why we have congestion pricing because of District Attorney Bragg."
The Manhattan district attorney campaigned on prosecuting Trump, saying in an interview in 2021 that he personally planned to focus on the Trump case as soon as he became DA.
"This is obviously a consequential case, one that merits the attention of the DA personally," Bragg said at the time, according to CNN.
The stabbing also comes as Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran, is currently on trial facing manslaughter charges for defending New Yorkers on an uptown F train last year.
Penny is fighting manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges in the death of 30-year-old Jordan Neely, a homeless subway performer, for placing Neely in a fatal chokehold.
The ongoing trial has raised questions about vigilante justice and subway safety.
Fox News Digital's Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.
Lainey Wilson, the host for the evening as well as a nominee in four categories, added a twist to her traditional cowgirl look, pairing her sparkling black blazer and hat with sheer pants.
Her fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini and Kacey Musgraves went for glittering glamour, with Ballerini wearing a shining silver gown, and Musgraves wearing a light blue crystal studded gown with fun, feathery sleeves.
Katharine McPhee opted for a chic black pantsuit, while Alana Springsteen sparkled in black sequins, and female vocalist of the year nominee Ashley McBryde went with a deep maroon gown that featured a flowing cape.
Carly Pearce also stood out in a white dress with a halter-neck and flowing train.
For many stars, the CMAs were a date night. Chris Stapleton and wife Morgane stepped out in matching black on black ensembles, with Stapleton topping his look with a signature cowboy hat. Miranda Lambert and her husband, Brendan McLoughlin, also opted for chic matching black, with Lambert wearing a strapless gown and flowing train.
Luke Bryan and his wife, Caroline Boyer, made for a chic couple, with Bryan wearing a black suit with white pinstripes and Boyer rocking a bright blue sequined gown with floral appliques.
Ballerini and her boyfriend, "Outer Banks" star Chase Stokes, also stepped out together.
The couple have been together almost two years, after first sparking romance rumors in January 2023, with Ballerini confirming their relationship a month later. In a recent interview with Women's Health, Ballerini said of Stokes, "It’s been such a beautiful journey to figure out how to be in a relationship with someone who’s truly a mirror of you."
WATCH: KELSEA BALLERINI WALKED THE RED CARPET AT THE 2024 CMA AWARDS WITH BOYFRIEND CHASE STOKES
Keith Urban opted for a casual look with a dark shearing lined jacket, while Thomas Rhett went traditional with a tan cowboy hat and tux. Luke Combs added a pop of color to his look with a blue suede jacket. "Landman" star Billy Bob Thornton wore a black suit jacket over a blue button-down shirt left unbuttoned, with black pants and a black hat, adding a guitar keychain as an accessory.
New artist of the year nominees Shaboozey and Megan Moroney stood out on the carpet in bright colors. Shaboozey wore a mint-green suit and shades, while Moroney shined in a bright blue strapless gown with a fishtail skirt.
Little Big Town mostly coordinated in black and white looks, with Kimberly Schlapman, Jim Westbrook and Phillip Sweet doing variations on the theme, while Karen Fairchild stood out in a one-shoulder orange velvet dress.
President-elect Trump hosted PGA Tour champion Dustin Johnson at Trump International Golf Course Wednesday.
Johnson's brother, Austin Johnson, shared photos and videos of the round in an Instagram post. The footage showed the two brothers watching Trump take some practice swings before he took a healthy stroke and sent the ball flying in a straight line toward the hole.
The crack of contact between Trump's club and the ball echoed thunderously around the course.
"A beauty there, sir," Austin said. "Right down the middle."
Dustin Johnson is one of the many golf superstars to endorse Trump, joining Bryson DeChambeau, Anthony Kim and John Daly.
Johnson attended Trump's party Nov. 6 to celebrate the president's 2024 election victory alongside NHL legend Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky's daughter, Paulina, is married to Johnson, and they've been together since 2013.
Johnson has been playing golf with Trump since November 2017, when Trump hosted Johnson and Tiger Woods at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. Johnson was ranked No. 1 in the world at the time.
Trump's golf game has been a long recognized aspect of his lifestyle and past presidency. Trump has golfed with the likes of the sport's top stars, including DeChambeau, Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Woods. He's also played with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Republican allies like Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former Georgia Sen. David Perdue.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has reportedly started practicing his golf game in anticipation of meeting President-elect Trump.
Yoon started the practice after a brief phone call with Trump congratulating him on his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Days after the call, Yoon "got out his golf clubs for the first time in eight years and resumed his golf practice," his office told NBC News.
The sport also plays a big role in the Trump family.
Kai Trump, the 17-year-old daughter of Donald Trump, Jr., posted to Instagram, sharing recent pictures with her grandfather at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, a few miles west of Mar-a-Lago.
"Sundays with Grandpa," the proud granddaughter captioned the post, adding a heart. The post featured a selfie Kai Trump shared with the president-elect, along with videos she shot on the golf course and a picture with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Kai returned to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster to play the front nine of what she said is one of her and her grandfather’s favorite courses. During her round, Kai revealed she recently listened to the many voicemails Trump left her.
"So, yesterday I was going through my voicemails. I saw a few voicemails from my grandpa because, if I call him, he always picks up. But, if he doesn’t — if he’s in an interview or whatever — he’ll call me back, and it's always at 12 o’clock at night, and, obviously, I’m sleeping at 12," Kai said with a laugh.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham gives her take on the Daniel Penny trial, saying he "refused to sit back and do nothing" while a man was "threatening to kill" NYC subway passengers on "The Ingraham Angle."
LAURA INGRAHAM: Trump's not the only one being pummeled for daring to stand up for the voiceless, because a similar dynamic is at play in New York City at the trial of Daniel Penny, an American who refused to sit back and do nothing when others were threatened.
Remember last May — we covered it at the time — Penny saw Jordan Neely on the subway, and witnesses say Neely was screaming like a maniac at other passengers, actually threatening to kill the other passengers.
Now, Penny didn't wait for someone to get hurt. He sprung into action, tackling Neely and restraining him until police got there. Neely went unconscious and later died. The NYPD hauled Penny in for questioning...
Now we see the line of questioning shows that they were after something else: proof that this good Samaritan was guilty of a crime.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, became upset during a House hearing on Wednesday, which led her to rant about how White men were never oppressed in the United States.
During a House Oversight Committee hearing about the "Dismantle DEI Act", which seeks to weaken diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Crockett responded to a Republican colleague championing the bill as a "strong response to the oppression of our rights, liberties and freedoms."
Crockett strongly objected to the Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., using the word "oppression."
"You consistently said over and over the word ‘oppression,’ and every time that you said it, it was almost as if I was hearing nails on a chalkboard, because it seems like you don't understand the definition of ‘oppression,’ And I'd ask you to just refer to Google to help you out. Oppression is the prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control. That is the definition of oppression," she said. "And so, as I sit here as a Black woman who practiced civil rights, let me tell you the reason that my colleagues wanted to make sure you understood the same Black history that your side of the aisle wants to delete out of classrooms is because you can then misuse words like ‘oppression.’"
Crockett argued White men in the United States haven't faced oppression because they weren't forced off their lands and sent to a foreign country as slaves.
"There has been no oppression for the White man in this country. You tell me which White men were dragged out of their homes. You tell me which one of them got dragged all the way across an ocean and told that ‘You are going to go to work. We are going to steal your wives. We are going to rape your wives.’ That didn't happen. That is oppression," Crockett said. "We didn't ask to be here. We're not the same migrants that y’all constantly come up against. We didn't run away from home. We were stolen. So yeah, we are going to sit here and be offended when you want to sit here and act like… and don't let it escape you that it is White men on this side of the aisle telling us, people-of-color on this side of the aisle that y'all are the ones being oppressed, that y'all are the ones that are being harmed. That's not the definition of oppression. You tell me the prolonged, cruel or unjust treatment that you've had and we can have a conversation."
Crockett pointed to how White men only comprise of 30% of the country's population but hold over 60% of elected offices.
"I can't even tell you how many White men have served in this chamber. But I can tell you that I am only the 55th Black woman to be elected to Congress. And so when you want to talk about history and pretend as if it was so long ago, it wasn't," she said. "Because again, I am just number 55."
She concluded her remarks by claiming "companies with more diverse workforces are more likely to outperform their competitors."
"Diversity works, and until you can show me data that says otherwise, I think that we need to go back to being a country that listens to experts and gets out of our feelings and recognizes again that racism is real in this country, and until we stop pretending that it's not, we will not solve the problems that we are consistently facing. And that will bring real unity that we seek when we're looking for a more perfect union," she said.
Angel Reese is setting the record straight. Her finances have been a topic of conversation recently, and she refuted claims estimating her net worth stood at $2 million.
At one point during an appearance at ComplexCon in Las Vegas, the Chicago Sky forward's financial accomplishments in the months since she entered the WNBA were mentioned. When Reese's estimated net worth was brought up during the conversation, the basketball star quickly issued a rebuttal.
While Reese stopped short of sharing a specific number as it pertains to her net worth, she said the $2 million figure was "way off," according to Sports Illustrated.
"Is it inaccurate?" panelist and "360 with Speedy" host Speedy Morman asked.
"Yeah," Reese replied.
"It is way off? Is it close?" Morman followed up.
"Way off," the 22-year-old noted.
Reese did share some of the accomplishments her finances have afforded her.
"I’m able to soon retire my mom. I can pay off my mortgage. My family, everybody’s taken care of… One thing about me: I have a really good circle around me, and I think that’s really important," she said.
In October, Reese spoke out about her personal finances, and made it clear that she does not solely rely on her WNBA salary.
"I just hope y'all know, the WNBA don't pay my bills at all," Reese said at the time. "I don't even think it pays one of my bills, literally."
Reese earned around $73,439 during her rookie season with the Chicago Sky, per data from Spotrac.
Reese secured several name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals as she rose to stardom at LSU. Reese ultimately became one of the highest-earning NIL athletes in the U.S.
Many of those deals continue to provide financial gains. Earlier this year, Reese launched her "Unapologetically Angel" podcast. She has also inked an endorsement deal with Hershey’s for her "Reese's Pieces" merchandise collection.
Furthermore, Reese has a shoe deal with Reebok and has agreed to compete in the inaugural Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league.
The professional women's league was co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier and will debut in January. Athletes who compete in the new league are expected to earn the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history.
Hippler pointed to the constitutionality of capital punishment in the U.S., pointing back to the times that the supreme courts of Idaho upheld the death penalty.
Logsdon previously pointed to the 24 states that allow the death penalty, arguing that support for capital punishment was "bleak."
"In reality, less than half the states still have the death penalty pursuant to legislative or executive actions," he wrote. "Taking population of those states into account, support for the death penalty is even bleaker."
Kohberger is accused of the Nov. 2022 stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students at a house near the college campus in Moscow.
Kohberger was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, in connection with the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho students – Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
In a statement, Goncalves' family said that they were "overjoyed" to hear about Kohberger potentially receiving capital punishment.
"This journey for justice for Kaylee, Maddie, Xana and Ethan is filled with highs and lows. Some days you are hopeful that justice will be served and other days you are filled with hopelessness and sadness. Today is a day for hope!" the family said. "The last 2 years in front of Judge have been filled with frustration and disappointment. (From not pronouncing the victim's names correctly, laughing in the courtroom to entertaining every ridiculous motion or argument the Defense could muster.) That has been our last 2 years, and now we are hopeful again."
"We finally have a judge who we believe is prepared, thoughtful and understands the process. There is a level of seriousness that has not been present for a long time. So today, when we heard of the motions being denied in regard to the Death Penalty, we were overjoyed," they added.
"For our family, for our friends, for our supporters, for everyone who has shed a tear, made a donation or listened to the story of the children that were murdered, Justice is moving forward and one day in the not so distant future, hopefully it will be served," they said. "Thank you again to everyone for all your support and prayers and especially to the people of Boise who have welcomed us with open arms!"
He is eligible for the death penalty in Idaho only with a conviction of first-degree murder or conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
A House Republican whose name has been floated for Secretary of Labor is traveling to Mar-a-Lago at the end of this week, two sources told Fox News Digital.
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., who recently lost re-election in a close race against Democrat Janelle Bynum, is in consideration to lead the Labor Department, according to Politico.
Her travel down to President-elect Trump’s Florida home could mean that she is a serious contender for the role.
Chavez-DeRemer’s candidacy is backed by the Teamsters Union, who Trump allies had been trying to court earlier this year in their bid to broaden the Republican base ahead of the 2024 election.
She would be the fourth current House Republican selected for the new Trump administration after House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Reps. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
But unlike the others, her elevation to Trump’s Cabinet would not take away from the GOP’s razor-thin House majority.
When reached by Fox News Digital, Chavez-DeRemer’s spokesperson did not comment directly on the congresswoman’s travel plans but shared her statement on the Teamsters’ endorsement for the role.
"I’d be honored to have the opportunity to support President Trump’s mission to empower and grow our nation’s workforce. Hardworking Americans finally have a lifeline with the president, and I’d work tirelessly to support his impressive efforts to remake the Republican Party into the Party of the American worker," she said.
Multiple House Republican allies of hers have also lauded her as a potential Trump Cabinet pick on social media.
Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, a former Trump 2020 campaign staffer, wrote on X that she "would be a fantastic Labor Secretary."
Reps. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., and Pete Sauber, R-Minn., shared similar praise on the platform, among others.
"She is a champion for workers; she is a problem solver, and she is a no nonsense leader," Rep. Marc Molinaro, who a source said is also being considered for a high-ranking role in the Department of Transportation, wrote on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.
No one seemed more surprised about the New York Giants' decision to start third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito this weekend over veteran backup Drew Lock than Drew Lock.
While addressing reporters inside the Giants' locker room Wednesday, Lock was asked specifically about the depth chart and why, if he was listed as the No. 2 quarterback up until this point, DeVito was named Sunday’s starter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"That's a question I might still have for myself," he responded.
"It was expressed to me that I was going to be the two, and, I don’t know, it's just an interesting situation. There’s not much I can really say about it besides, again, I’m going to be here for [DeVito], and we’re still communicating, still very good friends — believe it or not," he continued with a smile.
Daniel Jones was benched Monday in favor of fan favorite DeVito. Head coach Brian Daboll pointed to DeVito's 3-3 record last season as one of the reasons why.
"Got a lot of respect for all three of those guys," Daboll said. "After evaluating a bunch of things and looking at a lot of tape and being around Tommy last year, where he created a little bit of a spark for us, that's the reason why we're going with Tommy.
"Drew will be the backup. Continue to work with him. He's been nothing but a pro, and as was Daniel. It's never an easy conversation to have with the players. But felt like this was a necessary move for us and look forward to working with Tommy and getting him ready to go against Tampa."
Daboll said Wednesday the team will make a final decision by Friday on whether Jones will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
Jones has thrown for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He is 3-13 in his last 16 starts, and New York ranks last in the league in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game.
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston announced on Wednesday the arrests of two illegal immigrants who have been charged with forcibly raping children in Massachusetts, as well as a third individual who was convicted of raping a child in Brazil, and was hiding in the U.S. after being caught and released at the U.S. border in 2022.
The arrests come after Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said her state would not cooperate with President-elect Trump’s federal immigration enforcement efforts once he returns to the Oval Office in January.
ICE said one of the suspects, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested for forcible rape of a child, but was released in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, by authorities, who ignored a detainer request made by the federal agency to hold or transfer him to federal custody.
The suspect, 21-year-old Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz, entered the U.S. on Sept. 24, 2020, near Eagle Pass, Texas, and was released by U.S. Border Patrol with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office of Immigration Review Judge.
He was later arrested in western Massachusetts by Great Barrington police on Feb. 29, 2024, for rape of a child by force, rape of a child, and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston lodged a detainer with the police department, but it was ignored, and De Paz-Munoz was released on bail before ERO Boston officers could take him into custody.
He has since been charged by the Berkshire County Superior Court with the crimes, which are still pending, and he remains in custody.
"Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz stands accused of horrifically victimizing a Massachusetts child and represents a significant threat to our neighborhoods," acting ERO Boston Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde said. "We owe it to the children of our New England communities to prioritize public safety above everything else."
The second suspect, 42-year-old Billy Erney Buitrago-Bustos of Colombia, was arrested by Great Barrington police on Oct. 8, 2023, for allegedly raping a child by force, statutory rape and aggravated rape.
Buitrago-Gusto was admitted into the U.S. on May 4, 2016, at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, though he failed to leave under the terms of his visa.
After his arrest in October 2023, ERO Boston lodged an immigration arrest with the Great Barrington Police Department. Later that month, Buitrago-Gusto was arraigned in the Southern Berkshire District Court and held without bail. The charges were elevated to the Berkshire County Superior Court on March 18, which honored the immigration detainer and released him into custody of ERO Boston on Nov. 15, after he posted bail.
"Billy Erney Buitrago-Bustos stands accused of the most heinous and reprehensible of crimes," Hyde said. "We thank our law enforcement partners at the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction for prioritizing public safety and protecting children in the communities they were appointed to serve."
The third suspect, 41-year-old Alexandre Romao De Oliveira, is a foreign fugitive convicted of raping a child in Brazil.
He was convicted in the First Criminal Court of Jaru, Rondônia, Brazil, on Feb. 10, 2022, and sentenced to serve 14 years behind bars.
But according to ICE, Romao De Oliveira fled Brazil before he could serve his sentence. On April 16, 2022, Romao De Oliveira entered the U.S. near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, without admission by an immigration official, and was released from custody after being served a notice to appear before a DOJ immigration review judge.
ICE Boston arrested Romao De Oliveira on Monday in the northern Massachusetts city of Methuen.
"Alexandre Romao De Oliveira is a convicted child rapist who fled his home country to evade justice," Hyde said. "Enhancing public safety starts with cooperation between law enforcement partners. Bringing this fugitive to justice is a direct result of the collaboration between ERO Boston, the ICE attaché offices around the globe, and our foreign law enforcement counterparts."
