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Maduro ally deported to US over alleged billion-dollar corruption scheme tied to oil, food program

Mon, 18 May 2026 22:50:56 -0400

A close ally of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been deported by Venezuela to the United States, according to Venezuelan officials, to face federal charges accusing him of orchestrating a sweeping money laundering and bribery scheme tied to Venezuela’s state-run food program and oil industry.

Alex Nain Saab Moran, 55, of Colombia, a former minister of industry and national production under the Maduro regime, appeared in federal court in Miami Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The Justice Department said Saab is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Prosecutors allege Saab led a yearslong scheme beginning around 2015 to defraud a humanitarian program intended to provide food to impoverished Venezuelans.

He and his co-conspirators later allegedly sold billions of dollars’ worth of Venezuelan state-owned oil while circumventing U.S. sanctions, according to the Justice Department. Authorities say the proceeds were routed through U.S. bank accounts in an effort to conceal the transactions and further advance the scheme.

MADURO ALLY ALEX SAAB ARRESTED IN JOINT US-VENEZUELAN OPERATION, OFFICIAL SAYS

"Alex Saab allegedly used American banks to launder hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from a Venezuelan food program meant for the poor and proceeds from the illegal sale of Venezuelan oil," Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said in a statement. "This is unacceptable. The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption."

Beginning around 2015, Saab and his associates allegedly paid bribes to Venezuelan government officials to secure contracts tied to the country’s CLAP welfare program, which was intended to purchase and distribute food to vulnerable and impoverished Venezuelans.

Instead of delivering the promised food supplies, prosecutors allege the group used shell companies, fraudulent invoices and falsified shipping records to embezzle hundreds of millions of dollars from the program for their own personal gain.

TREASURY TARGETS OIL TRADERS, TANKERS ACCUSED OF HELPING MADURO EVADE U.S. SANCTIONS

Around 2019, as sweeping U.S. sanctions crippled Venezuela’s oil exports and placed severe strain on the country’s finances, including its ability to pay Saab and his associates under the CLAP program, Saab and his partners allegedly exploited their corrupt ties to government officials to gain access to billions of dollars’ worth of oil owned by Venezuela’s state-run oil company.

Officials allege the group sold the oil under false pretenses and used the profits to sustain and expand the original food fraud scheme.

Saab and his associates reportedly laundered the allegedly stolen funds through U.S. bank accounts in an effort to conceal the money trail, giving American authorities jurisdiction to prosecute the case.

"When illicit proceeds are moved through the United States financial system, our courts have jurisdiction and our prosecutors will act," U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said in a statement.

Saab was previously indicted in the U.S. in 2019 and extradited from Cabo Verde in 2021. He was pardoned by President Biden in 2023 as part of a prisoner swap, though prosecutors say the new case involves alleged conduct not covered by that pardon.

A Miami-based attorney for Saab declined to comment to The Associated Press.

If convicted, Saab faces up to 20 years in federal prison. The government is also seeking forfeiture of any property or proceeds allegedly obtained through the alleged criminal activity.

The case was investigated by a U.S. Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Dana White says gnats at Trump's White House Rose Garden dinner raised concerns for outdoor UFC events

Mon, 18 May 2026 22:33:26 -0400

Dana White says an exclusive dinner with President Donald Trump at the White House Rose Garden came with one unexpected problem: gnats.

JAKE PAUL CALLS CONOR MCGREGOR ‘COKEHEAD,’ ACCUSES DANA WHITE OF HIJACKING FRANCIS NGANNOU'S WALKOUT

The UFC boss revealed this week that a recent visit to the newly reopened Rose Garden quickly turned into a harsh lesson about the challenges of hosting outdoor events on the East Coast, something that could become especially relevant as conversations continue around UFC's plans for the America 250 celebration in June.

Speaking with Boardroom, White said the bugs were impossible to ignore during the dinner, which immediately got him thinking about UFC events set for 1600 Penn.

"Another problem that I always think about, especially on the East Coast, bugs," White admitted.

UFC SAYS IT WON’T PROFIT FROM WHITE HOUSE EVENT THAT COULD COST 'UPWARDS OF $60M'

"President Trump just opened the Rose Garden two nights ago and he invited me to dinner there. The amount of gnats that were flying around … I’m like, ‘Holy s--t.’ As soon as I got on the plane, I called my head production and said, ‘Yeah, let me tell you about the gnat situation tonight.’"

White, a longtime Trump ally and friend, said the experience immediately shifted his concern toward production tied to outdoor fight cards.

Rather than focusing on the White House setting itself, White said his attention quickly turned toward how bugs could affect lighting, camera shots and the overall broadcast presentation during a live pay-per-view event.

White said in the past, regarding America 250:

"If you are a fan of the UFC, and especially if you have never been to Washington, D.C., we’re going to give away about 85,000 tickets and there’s a process you have to register for tickets and they’re free, but you should come to Washington, D.C., that week, the week of the fight. We’re going to be doing all kinds of things in D.C. for fans and it’s really a cool city for probably most people have never been and if you’re a UFC fan this is absolutely, positively the time to come to D.C."

If the UFC eventually stages a major outdoor card, in Washington, D.C. as part of America 250 celebrations, it sounds like insect control may become part of the production planning.

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Bill Belichick accuses CBS of deception in 2025 that involved girlfriend Jordon Hudson

Mon, 18 May 2026 22:01:05 -0400

Eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick accused CBS of being deceitful in a 2025 interview that generated headlines when his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, appeared to shut down a question about their relationship.

"I thought that the interview I had with them was done very deceptively," the football legend said on a new episode of "Hang Out with Sean Hannity," which will be available Tuesday morning. "I've asked for the transcript from them, and they won't give it to me."

During a 2025 interview with "CBS News Sunday Morning," Hudson said Belichick was "not talking about this" when he was asked by anchor Tony Dokoupil about how she and the New England Patriots icon met.

Hudson, who was watching the interview from a side corner, reportedly interrupted several times and even stormed off at one point, delaying the interview by around 30 minutes. The interview as aired on CBS fueled much criticism directed towards Hudson.

CBS DISPUTE WITH BILL BELICHICK LATEST CONTROVERSY TO HIT EMBATTLED NETWORK

Belichick responded to critics by saying he agreed to speak with "CBS Sunday Morning" about his memoir "The Art of Winning — Lessons from My Life in Football" and added that it was communicated that the interview would focus solely on the book. He said his girlfriend was not "deflecting" the relationship question but rather attempting to steer the interview to remain on topic. He claimed the network was creating a "false narrative" by publicizing "selectively edited clips."

CHECK OUT ALL THE INTERVIEWS ON 'HANG OUT WITH SEAN HANNITY'

"Some of the clips make it appear as though we were avoiding the question of how we met, but we have been open about the fact that Jordon and I met on a flight to Palm Beach in 2021," he said in a statement at the time of the controversy.

On "Hang Out," Belichick told Fox News host Sean Hannity "couldn’t believe" the journalistic conduct from CBS, which had been regarded in its long history as a trusted news network.

RELATIONSHIP EXPERT TALKS BILL BELICHICK-JORDON HUDSON ROMANCE AS SCRUTINY REACHES FEVER PITCH

"Kind of confused about… some of the things that they say they are, but I don’t really see them living up to the trust that they… talk about," he said.

The relationship between Belichick, 74, and Hudson, a 25-year-old former beauty pageant contestant, first became public in 2024.

Belichick pointed out to "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" that criticism over CBS News' editing and alleged hesitance to provide interview transcripts are not isolated. CBS has faced similar controversy in the past, including interviews with former Vice President Kamala Harris and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

"They've done that with others, I'm not really sure what that policy is," he said.

"As we've seen recently, there have been more editing problems, and they go back to, over a couple of years, multiple examples of editing," Belichick added.

Fox News Digital reached out to CBS News for comment. At the time of the uproar over the Belichick broadcast last year, CBS defended the interview.

"When we agreed to speak with Mr. Belichick, it was for a wide-ranging interview," CBS' statement read. "There were no preconditions or limitations to this conversation. This was confirmed repeatedly with his publisher before the interview took place and after it was completed."

Don't miss Hannity’s full conversation with Belichick, including his response to his shocking Hall of Fame snub, when the new episode of "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" becomes available Tuesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

Mark Cuban forced to play nice with President Trump after agreeing to be business partners

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:58:02 -0400

Billionaire Mark Cuban stood on the White House stage Monday alongside the man he spent the last year trying to keep out of the Oval Office.

The former "Shark Tank" star and outspoken Kamala Harris surrogate appeared beside President Donald Trump during the rollout of TrumpRx.gov, which is a new initiative aimed at lowering the cost of 600 generic prescription drugs.

The program partners the Trump administration with major private-sector companies, including Amazon, GoodRx and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs — officially making Trump and Cuban business partners after a history of heated political attacks.

WATCH:

For much of the campaign cycle, Cuban repeatedly blasted Trump’s economic policies while campaigning for Harris.

TRUMP'S QUEST TO REDUCE DRUG PRICES IS HEATING UP. BUT WILL HE BE ABLE TO DO IT?

Monday’s appearance was a dramatic sight based on their shared vitriol.

The awkward alliance comes shortly after Cuban admitted he regretted selling a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson family, led by billionaire Miriam Adelson, one of Trump’s biggest donors.

Cuban recently said on a podcast, "I regret who I sold to," after the franchise traded away superstar Luka Dončić.

MARK CUBAN, MAVERICKS MINORITY OWNER AND HARRIS SURROGATE, TAKES HEAT FOR DELETING SUPPORTIVE POSTS OF VP

When a reporter pointed out how "remarkable" it was to see the two former rivals sharing a stage, Trump quickly took a jab at the billionaire.

"Well, he made a mistake. It was a big mistake," Trump said, drawing laughter from the crowd — even from Cuban himself.

After the news conference, Cuban was swarmed by reporters asking whether he regretted backing Harris during the election.

MARK CUBAN DEFENDS HARRIS' FLIP-FLOPPING POSITIONS: 'I'VE CHANGED A LOT OF MY POSITIONS'

"I’m not going into my politics at all," Cuban said, shutting down the question.

Instead, the Dallas Mavericks minority owner framed the partnership as a bipartisan effort focused on lowering healthcare costs.

"Democrats want cheaper medications, too. When all is said and done, the goal is the goal. How do we make medications and healthcare cheaper? That's all I care about," Cuban said.

When reporters pressed him again about Trump, Cuban urged people to look past the politics and focus on the outcome.

"The way I always look at politics and any politician is, the only thing I care about is can they reduce the stress of the American people?" Cuban said.

"This, TrumpRx and Cost Plus Drugs working together, is one step toward reducing your stress. To me, that's the ultimate goal," Cuban added.

For a billionaire who spent months campaigning against Trump, Cuban now finds himself helping promote one of the president’s biggest healthcare initiatives.

They're now ... best frenemies.

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

Pete Crow-Armstrong apologizes for vulgar response to fan during Cubs' loss: 'Regret my choice of words'

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:42:36 -0400

Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong apologized for using vulgar language in a heated exchange with a fan during Sunday’s loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Crow-Armstrong, the 24-year-old star for the Cubs, said he has learned from the experience, regretting his "choice of words."

PCA was heard saying, "suck my f---ing d--- b----," during the interaction with the fan in the outfield.

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"I regret my choice of words the most and who that affects in my life," Crow-Armstrong said Monday afternoon, per ESPN. "Directly or indirectly, I don't think that any of the women in my life would think I would say those kinds of words regularly. I'm just bummed out about the word choice and a bunch of little kids going to social media and seeing that as well."

It was in the fifth inning of the "Crosstown Classic," where Crow-Armstrong was trying to track down a fly ball when he crashed into the wall. He sat on the ground for a bit, while fans were up close along the fence below the bleachers and by the visitor’s bullpen.

PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG GETS INTO UGLY, CURSE-FILLED SCREAMING MATCH WITH FEMALE WHITE SOX FAN

While several people appeared to talk to Crow-Armstrong, a woman heckled him, leading to his pointed response. The interaction was captured on camera, and Crow-Armstrong could be heard very clearly.

"I saw the cameras in my face, it’s not like I didn’t," he admitted. "I’m definitely aware of the fact that it has blown up."

Crow-Armstrong added that he is "intense on the field," but he admitted, "I think I let it get away from me a little bit."

Cubs manager Craig Counsell also hopes that his star outfielder learned from the situation.

"Pete made a mistake with his choice of words," Counsell said. "He's aware of that. ... It's the reality of this job. Fan interactions happen. You want to try and keep them positive even when they're not."

MLB wasn’t looking into the incident despite it going viral, ESPN added.

Crow-Armstrong is in his third year with the Cubs, but he’s already looked at as a key cornerstone of the historic franchise. Before the season, he also represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

As a key representative of the franchise and all those in the clubhouse, Crow-Armstrong is hoping he can move forward by "killing someone with kindness instead of matching their level of intent."

I don't want to let that deter from the competitiveness I feel out on the field. Channeling in a different way would probably be my next task," he said.

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Donald Trump's age is not receiving the same 'scrutiny' as Biden's did, Atlantic writer complains

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:00:07 -0400

The Atlantic claimed on Monday that President Donald Trump has not received "the same kind of scrutiny" as former President Joe Biden regarding his age and stamina.

"When Donald Trump took the oath of office last January, he was the oldest president to begin a term, clocking in at 78 years and 220 days," Jonathan Lemire began his article titled "A Different Kind of Fading President." "He replaced the man who formerly held that title, Joe Biden, who had dropped out of the race after it became quite obvious to the entire country that he had aged too much, too quickly."

He continued, "But as Trump himself grows older—traveling less, switching to more comfortable shoes, and seeming to nod off during meetings—his age isn’t getting the same kind of scrutiny."

CREDIBILITY CRISIS: MEDIA SCRUTINIZED TRUMP'S HEALTH, FITNESS IN FIRST TERM BEFORE TURNING BLIND EYE ON BIDEN

Lemire acknowledged that the Biden administration "chided" reporters who would write about the former president's age and suggested that the initial "background" status of Biden's age was because of White House pushback.

"Biden’s team relentlessly pushed back against worried murmurings about his age and ability to handle the responsibilities of the presidency, and, for a while, the storyline was mostly relegated to the background. Democrats who had concerns bit their tongue. The president had enough good days to allow his aides to try to dismiss the narrative as a right-wing talking point, while encouraging allies—and some in the media—to look the other way," he wrote.

Lemire continued, "But then Biden’s deficiencies burst into the open with his faltering, confused performance in a general-election debate that was followed by a wave of recriminations and finger-pointing that continues among Democrats and journalists to this day."

He argued that in light of Trump's more frequent social media posts, ongoing health scandals and scaled-back domestic travels, there should be more questions regarding the president's health as he nears his 80th birthday.

CREDIBILITY CRISIS: MEDIA EMBRACED BIDEN WHITE HOUSE'S 'CHEAP FAKES' NARRATIVE LEADING UP TO ILL-FATED DEBATE

In a statement with Fox News Digital, a White House spokesperson defended Trump's stamina and called out legacy media for covering up Biden's "serious mental and physical decline."

"President Trump’s sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the last administration when Democrats and the legacy media intentionally covered up Joe Biden’s serious mental and physical decline from the American people," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said.

Fox News Digital also reached out to Lemire for comment.

Several commentators on X criticized the piece, arguing that members of the media, including Lemire, willingly ignored Biden's health and stamina until his 2024 debate with Trump.

JAKE TAPPER SUGGESTS HE COVERS TRUMP'S AGE TO MAKE UP FOR OVERLOOKING BIDEN

"Left out of the Left's shameless 'Trump is losing it' shtick is that Trump grants the media access CONSTANTLY. The Left wants to punish him for it. They were never punished for hidin' Biden. Well, unless you count Trump winning again," Newsbusters executive editor Tim Graham wrote.

Outkick writer Ian Miller commented, "What scrutiny did Biden get for his age? Every time people brought up videos of his obvious, rapid mental decline, the media called it 'cheap fakes' or conspiracy theories. It wasn’t until the debate happened that they knew he would lose the election and decided to force him out."

"Jonathan Lemire was sitting on set when Joe Scarborough looked directly into a camera and said 'I'm about to tell you the truth, and F you if you can't handle the truth. This is the best version of Biden ever.' That was in March of 2024. Joe Biden would be out of the race 3 months later. This isn't going to work," conservative commentator Stephen Miller wrote.

"What color do you think the sky is on their planet?" radio host Derek Hunter remarked.

Lemire previously criticized the New York Post's June 2024 coverage of viral videos that featured Biden appearing to wander aimlessly at a G-7 Summit during a segment on MS NOW's "Morning Joe." During his comments, he echoed then-White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's description of the videos as "cheap fakes."

"That's the problem here that the Biden campaign but also those of us in the media are going to have to grapple with between now and November because the speed of these fakes only is increasing," Lemire said.

Tourist takes forbidden plunge at iconic landmark as visitors watch, stunned

Mon, 18 May 2026 20:50:23 -0400

A tourist visiting Rome drew outrage and anger on social media after he dove into the city’s famous Trevi Fountain.

The man was described by British media outlet The Telegraph as a 30-year-old visitor from New Zealand. He was filmed jumping into the historic fountain while fully clothed as crowds nearby watched.

A TikTok video of the incident, which has been viewed more than 12 million times, showed the tourist walking backward before running toward the fountain and then diving into the water.

HISTORIC ROME LANDMARK'S TEMPORARY CLOSURE CAUSES UPROAR: 'SADDEST THING I’VE SEEN IN ITALY'

The man continued moving around inside the fountain even as police ordered him to get out, according to the outlet.

Authorities reportedly fined him €500, or roughly $580 — and banned him from returning to the site, the outlet noted.

The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most visited landmarks. It has endured repeated instances of tourists entering the water despite strict rules and increased security measures.

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The most recent incident quickly sparked backlash online, with many commenters criticizing the tourist’s behavior as disrespectful.

"Sorry, Italian bros. Some of us missed the respecting places lesson," one Reddit user wrote.

Another commenter added, "Obviously didn’t get the ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’ memo."

Others argued the punishment should have been more severe.

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"If I was the Italian authority, I would make an example out of this guy," one user commented.

The controversy follows several similar incidents at the Trevi Fountain in recent years.

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Fox News Digital previously reported that Rome recently introduced new restrictions and fees aimed at protecting the Trevi Fountain from overcrowding and repeated tourist incidents.

Beginning in February 2026, foreign visitors have been required to pay a small entry fee to access the landmark as city officials attempt to better manage crowds and preserve the historic site.

The Trevi Fountain attracts tens of thousands of visitors daily and more than 9 million people annually, according to Rome officials.

City leaders previously said overcrowding at the fountain had become increasingly difficult to manage, particularly during peak tourism periods.

Ashley DiMella of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

High school athlete slams CIF's shared podium rule as humiliating response that fails female competitors

Mon, 18 May 2026 20:42:47 -0400

AB Hernandez, a trans athlete (biological male), spent another weekend dominating girls' track and field competition, winning first place in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section finals on Saturday (as reported by Fox News Digital's Jackson Thompson).

Appearing on America's Newsroom, Crean Lutheran High School girls’ track and field athlete Olivia Viola addressed CIF's ongoing neglect of female athletes' calls to oust boys from competition, including AB Hernandez.

Dana Perino spoke with Olivia and her mother:

"Olivia, sorry for what you're going through. Riley Gaines posted this: 'If you have to create a shared podium for the boy competing in the girls' event, you've already admitted you know he isn't a girl and that his participation is unfair. At that point, you're just seeking a public humiliation ritual for the girls.'"

TRACK STAR SAYS SHE'S TIRED OF CHRISTIANS BEING CALLED 'BIGOTS' FOR OPPOSING TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS' SPORTS

The high school athlete responded, emphasizing that the CIF's co-champion rule only applies to major postseason state qualifiers.

"I would say it's nothing but a band-aid fix from the athletic governing board. It doesn't actually undo all of the displacements that have happened throughout their entire league. It only applies to the final CIF meets. It doesn't apply to league, it doesn't apply to outside meets, it doesn't apply to other sports. It doesn't actually fix the problem; it's just a blanket to keep us quiet."

WATCH:

The controversy stems from the outcome of Saturday's CIF Southern Section Division finals in Moorpark, California.

Hernandez, a senior from Jurupa Valley High School, swept the postseason jumping events and defeated Crean Lutheran’s Reese Hogan in the high jump. It was the second weekend in a row that Hernandez asserted dominance over the field.

As dictated by CIF, seen as trying to appeal to both sides of the trans issue, any biological female athlete finishing directly behind a transgender competitor is automatically elevated to an identical placement.

CALIFORNIA'S GIRLS' SPORTS CULTURE WAR AMPS UP WITH MASSIVE PROTEST, OUTRAGE OVER RECENT TRACK AND FIELD TITLE

The policy meant the top biological female finishers were designated co-champions, leading to widespread images of Hernandez sharing the top step of the medal podium with female athletes.

While CIF finds its ruling judicious, girls are calling out the blatant issue of allowing boys to compete with girls. Viola’s reaction spotlighted growing frustration among competitors who believe the ruling body is using procedural fixes to avoid addressing biological differences in girls' sports.

The rule does not retroactively address the regular season, where female athletes across California can still be displaced in local league meets, invitationals and dual meets without any podium adjustment.

TRUMP ADMIN SENDS WARNING TO CALIFORNIA AS TRANS ATHLETE ADVANCES IN STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP

And while track and field adopted the dual-advancement and dual-medal system, the policy does not easily translate to head-to-head contact sports or other athletic competitions, creating what critics see as a glaring inconsistency across the state.

CIF maintains that its rules are bound by California Assembly Bill 1266, a 2013 law requiring schools to allow students to participate in sports programs consistent with their gender identity.

Governor Gavin Newsom's office defended the framework, calling protests against Hernandez a cynical attempt to weaponize the debate.

However, resistance from female athletes like Viola aligns with a broader federal pushback.

Following Hernandez's dominant state titles last year, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a Title IX lawsuit against California's education agencies, putting the state's athletic policies at the center of a growing national legal battle as the track season moves toward the State Finals in Clovis.

The fight to preserve fairness in girls' sports continues. And the case against AB continues to echo pro-women's arguments more than anti-trans narratives.

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

Football legend Bill Belichick addresses Hall of Fame snub and whether it was a 'political' decision

Mon, 18 May 2026 20:28:57 -0400

Legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick addressed his Pro Football Hall of Fame snub and whether he believes the decision was "political."

In January, Belichick did not receive the required 40 votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

"Well, out of my control," he said on the latest episode of "Hang Out with Sean Hannity," which will drop on Tuesday morning. "Honestly, I've been very focused on my job at the University of North Carolina and the players, and the university there. So, you know, whatever happens, happens."

"I'm proud of what we accomplished as a team at New England and certainly at the Giants and proud of those relationships, so that's what matters most," the eight-time Super Bowl champion added.

TOM BRADY PERPLEXED OVER BILL BELICHICK FAILING TO MAKE HALL OF FAME ON FIRST BALLOT

Belichick joined the University of North Carolina Tar Heels after leaving his 24-year coaching tenure with the New England Patriots in 2024.

Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub received widespread criticism from figures both inside and outside the football world, including President Donald Trump and Tom Brady.

"It is the same mindset that gave pro football the new and unwatchable 'Sissy' Kickoff Rule, that made it possible for Bill Belichick to not be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both are ridiculous and should be overturned!" Trump wrote on Truth Social in reaction to the snub.

"I don't understand it," Tom Brady said, who was coached by Belichick for 20 seasons. "I was with him every day. If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is completely ridiculous because people deserve it."

PATRIOTS OWNER ROBERT KRAFT SAYS BILL BELICHICK 'UNEQUIVOCALLY DESERVES' TO BE FIRST-BALLOT HALL OF FAMER

Fox News host Sean Hannity asked Belichick about the robust support he received following the January snub.

"Did that make you feel good that so many people came out defending you?" Hannity asked.

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"Absolutely," Belichick responded. "It's great to hear that support from so many people and from so many different fields, not just football, but you know, many others. And so, I was very appreciative of that support and, you know, the positive comments that they made."

Belichick failed to meet the 40-vote requirement from the 50-member Hall of Fame selection committee to be inducted.

When asked by Hannity whether he believes the decision was "political," Belichick pointed to the committee voters and emphasized he had no control over the matter.

"You have to ask the voters. I didn't have a say in it," the football legend said.

"Whatever their opinion is, I'll let them talk about it."

Hannity’s full wide-ranging conversation with Belichick on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast will be available Tuesday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple. They discuss his relationship with Tom Brady, coaching history at the Patriots and the future of college football.

Amy Schumer says she's 'not feeling very sexual' after 'botched' medical procedure

Mon, 18 May 2026 20:00:42 -0400

Amy Schumer is feeling better than ever despite a minor health setback.

Schumer casually admitted she suffered a "botched colonoscopy" during an appearance in New York with podcast host Amanda Hirsch.

"I feel happier than I've ever been before," Schumer said before divulging more into her medical history.

AMY SCHUMER HAVING 'GOOD EXPERIENCE' WITH NEW WEIGHT LOSS DRUG AFTER SUFFERING SEVERE OZEMPIC SIDE EFFECTS

"Does it have anything to do with being really hot or none of it has to do with being hot," Hirsch asked her director friend while on stage at Webster Hall for the "Not Skinny, but Not Fat" podcast event with Dear Media.

"Oh my God. Thank you so much," Schumer said.

"I actually had kind of a botched colonoscopy, so I'm not feeling very sexual, but see that's another thing you're not going to have to worry about for 15 years, OK?"

AMY SCHUMER SHARES SCARY SIDE EFFECT FROM OZEMPIC THAT LEFT HER BEDRIDDEN

The "Kinda Pregnant" actress assured Hirsch, "You're going to love it, though."

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

The comedian has kept fans abreast of her health journey through the years, and admitted last year that her experience with Mounjaro was vastly different than when she tried an alternative weight-loss medication.

In a previous attempt to lose weight, the comedian experienced debilitating side effects while using Ozempic for weight-loss purposes.

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"I wanted to share and keep it 100 with you, that years ago – and yes, this is completely unsafe to be driving and making a video – years ago, three years ago, I tried WeGovy, and I was like puking," Schumer said in the social media clip captured while she was behind the wheel.

"I couldn't handle it. I don't know if they've changed the formula or whatever … but anyway, I went on this telehealth meeting with MidiHealth, and it was cheap. I wanted to try it myself, cause I wanted to recommend it to my friends who are like nurses and teachers."

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In addition to the injectable medication, which is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, the "Trainwreck" star has a new routine which includes hormones.

"They put me on estrogen and progesterone because I realized I was in perimenopause and my symptoms of being in perimenopause have disappeared," Schumer said.

"My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy, I want to get down more if you know what I mean – I'm talking about sex."

She added, "So that's been great, Mounajro's been great … I'm having a really good experience with it and I wanted to keep it real with you about that."

Pritzker hits Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for having 'no plan' to keep the Bears in the city

Mon, 18 May 2026 20:00:10 -0400

Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., took some shots against Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday over having "no plan" for how to keep the Chicago Bears in the Windy City.

During a press conference, Pritzker was asked about the state of negotiations surrounding the football team's home stadium and whether the team would be re-located outside Chicago.

"That's a conversation between those municipalities and the Bears," Pritzker said. "As to the prospects for a passage of a bill or what might happen with the Bears, I would say I know the mayor has no plan. He has come up with no plan at all about how the Bears would end up in the city of Chicago. So that's problematic. I'd love them to be in the city, but we are three years in now, and he still has no plan."

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Pritzker added that as recently as Friday, a spokesperson for the Bears said that the only two viable location options for the team were Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana. Despite this, he voiced support for efforts to keep the team in Chicago if possible.

"I'm fighting hard to make sure that they can do that. And also very importantly, because my North star is protecting the taxpayers of Illinois that we have something that works for the state of Illinois that's fair as we are being fair with other businesses that want to come to Illinois or expand here, that we're being fair in the allocation of support for a business expanding in the state while also protecting taxpayers across the state," Pritzker said.

CHICAGO BEARS TOLD TO 'PAY FOR THEIR OWN DAMN STADIUM' AFTER PROPOSAL HAS TAXPAYERS FOOTING $2 BILLION

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Chicago Mayor's Office reiterated Johnson's interest in constructing a publicly owned stadium to keep the Bears in Chicago.

"For the past two years, the City has continued to advocate for a publicly owned stadium and has not supported the advancement of a privately owned stadium. The City’s proposal remains the only plan centered on public ownership alongside a funding mechanism that does not burden property taxpayers while keeping the Bears in Chicago," the statement read.

FNC’S BRET BAIER CHALLENGES PRITZKER FOR DENYING CHICAGO HAS THE HIGHEST MURDER RATE OF LARGEST US CITIES

It continued, "We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature, the State, and all stakeholders to advance a solution that centers the needs of working Illinoisans while preserving the Bears’ future in Chicago."

Pritzker dismissed Johnson's proposal along with the mayor's desire for the city to control the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to make the plan happen, calling it "typical" for Johnson.

"This is kind of typical. The mayor has shown up every spring at the end of session to pronounce what he would like to see happen," Pritzker said.

Kuwaiti Muslim jiu-jitsu champion refuses Israeli athlete’s handshake: ‘We do not respect them at all’

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:48:24 -0400

Kuwaiti jiu-jitsu gold medalist Jassim Alhatem refused to shake Israeli bronze medalist Yoav Manor’s hand during a medal ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Alhatem later defended the snub in an Arabic-language video circulating on social media with English translations in which he said "Zionist entity" when referring to Israel and added that Muslim men "must have a principle."

Manor won bronze in the men’s blue belt amateur under-77kg division at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour, an Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro (AJP) event, after winning three of his four bouts, according to the AJP's official results. Alhatem won all four of his matches to claim gold in the division.

But the podium ceremony quickly turned tense.

Alhatem refused to shake Manor’s hand and declined to participate in the traditional winners’ photo with him. Members of the Israeli delegation who were nearby told Ynet News that Alhatem said, "You Israelis kill children," and added that he would not have competed against Manor if the Israeli athlete had reached the final.

Alhatem defended the moment, claiming Manor had tried to make himself look like the victim by offering a handshake on camera.

"Even though I had spoken to him before the podium and told him, ‘I don’t want to know you, and I don’t want to greet you. Stay on your side, and I’ll stay on my side, so [there would be] no problem,’" Alhatem said.

Alhatem made it clear he did not view the exchange as a normal sportsmanship moment.

"We do not play with these types. We do not respect these types," Alhatem said.

Then he took it a step further.

"As Kuwaitis, we do not respect them at all," he said.

So much for keeping politics out of sports.

PALESTINIAN SOCCER BOSS REFUSES TO SHAKE HANDS WITH ISRAELI COUNTERPART AT FIFA CONGRESS

Alhatem said he does not buy the argument that athletes should separate international competition from world affairs. In fact, he suggested Muslim athletes have a responsibility to do the opposite.

"The last thing, guys, advice from a brother: have a principle," he said. "You, as a Muslim man, must have a principle."

He added, "Even if you tell me sports is separate from politics — no, no. There is no separation. If that were true, Russia wouldn’t be banned right now from participating in the Olympics."

The IOC allows some Russian athletes to compete as neutrals under specific conditions, while Russia is not represented as Russia.

Manor, meanwhile, kept his composure.

The Israeli delegation said in a statement to Ynet that "despite the tension, the organizers and Emirati hosts tried to calm the situation and persuade the Kuwaiti competitor to take part in the medal ceremony, but he chose to leave the podium area. Manor, for his part, remained focused on the sporting achievement: a bronze medal at a prestigious international competition, after an impressive day of bouts against opponents from around the world."

Amir Boaron, coach of Israel’s national jiu-jitsu team, also told the outlet that Manor continued trying to shake Alhatem’s hand and "behave like an athlete." Arik Kaplan, president and CEO of Ayelet (Israel’s federation for non-Olympic sports), praised Manor for showing "character, restraint and values."

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OutKick reached out to the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the AJP Tour and Alhatem for comment but did not receive a response by publication.

International sports revolve around the idea that healthy competition brings people of all backgrounds together. In this case, though, that couldn't be further from reality.

Millie Bobby Brown stuns in yellow bikini as fans spot clue about daughter's name

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:34:28 -0400

Millie Bobby Brown may have subtly teased a personal detail while sharing new beachside photos.

The 22-year-old "Stranger Things" star shared a beachside Instagram carousel Sunday, kicking off the post with a close-up selfie in a textured yellow bikini.

Brown, whose wet hair was swept back from her face, accessorized the swim look with hoop earrings, a colorful beaded necklace and layered chains. One necklace appeared to spell out "Ruth," leading fans to wonder whether it referenced the couple’s daughter.

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Millie Bobby Brown and husband Jake Bongiovi have not publicly revealed their daughter’s name. Some fans speculated the "Ruth" necklace could reference the couple’s child, while others pointed out Ruth was also the name of Brown’s late grandmother, who died in 2020.

Brown captioned the post, "juicyyyy 🩵."

Fans quickly flooded the comment section with heart emojis and praise for the sun-soaked photos.

MILLIE BOBBY BROWN, KIM KARDASHIAN KICK OFF SPRING IN THEIR BIKINIS: PHOTOS

The beach post also appeared tied to Brown’s beauty brand, Florence by Mills, with additional photos showing pineapples, coconuts and palm trees from a tropical brand activation.

In another image, Brown was photographed floating underwater in a pool, her dark hair drifting across the bright blue water as sunlight reflected across the surface.

MILLIE BOBBY BROWN UNVEILS NEW MARRIED NAME, ONE YEAR AFTER TYING THE KNOT WITH JON BON JOVI'S SON

The actress previously marked her 22nd birthday with a rare photo featuring her daughter. In the image, the actress sat in the sand at sunset beside the child, who appeared bundled in a teddy-bear-style outfit, as the pair looked out toward the ocean.

MILLIE BOBBY BROWN LOVES LIVING ON A FARM WITH JON BON JOVI'S SON: 'THAT IS WHERE I THRIVE'

"22. grateful for my husband and daughter. for my family and friends. all of my animals. I am so blessed. thank you for the birthday wishes. Xoxo," Brown wrote at the time.

Brown and husband Jake Bongiovi, the son of rocker Jon Bon Jovi, announced in August 2025 that they had welcomed their first child through adoption, writing, "This summer we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption. We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were 3."

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Brown has largely kept her daughter out of the spotlight since becoming a mother. During a previous interview with British Vogue, the actress explained why she prefers to keep her child’s identity private.

"For me, it’s really important to protect her and her story until she’s old enough to potentially one day share it herself," Brown said at the time.

Brown recently reflected on motherhood during an interview with Extra, saying, "We’re all mothers and no matter if we’re adoptive mothers, birth mothers, or you know, whatever, like a maternal figure. It’s just like everybody should be celebrated."

Hegseth unleashes on Massie in GOP primary showdown against Trump-backed Navy SEAL vet

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:27:16 -0400

HEBRON, KY - Ed Gallrein, the Republican congressional candidate backed by President Donald Trump who is challenging Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky for the GOP nomination, landed extra firepower on the eve of the state's primary.

Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and Kentucky farmer, was joined on the campaign trail Monday by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Massie has long been one of Trump's most vocal GOP critics in Congress and the Republican primary in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, in the northeastern part of the state, the latest test of Trump's immense grip over the GOP.

"President Trump needs reinforcements, and that’s what war fighters do. They stand behind leaders and have their back," Hegseth said at an event organized by America First Works, a Trump-aligned nonprofit political advocacy group.

TRUMP SCORES MAJOR PRIMARY VICTORY AS CASSIDY OUSTED IN LOUSIANA

Massie, a libertarian-minded lawmaker who repeatedly takes aim at the president over foreign policy, including the Iran war and unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, also successfully pushed for the release of government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

But Hegseth argued that Massie's record is one of "too much grandstanding, too few great votes, years of acting like being difficult is the same thing as being courageous. It’s not. Real courage means stepping up when the mission matters most, when we need that tough vote to beat left-wing lunatic Democrats the most."

"President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point, especially from his own party. He needs people willing to help him win, to vote with him when it matters the most," Hegseth added.

Hegseth's remarks, which came soon after a stop at nearby Fort Campbell to award medals for service members, were rare for the civilian head of the nation's military. Defense secretaries have traditionally avoided appearing at political events.

Ahead of the stop, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth would appear only "in his personal capacity" and that "no taxpayer dollars will be used to facilitate his visit."

Hegseth noted the unusual appearance.

"I have to say up front, for the lawyers, that I’m here in my personal capacity as a private citizen, a fellow American, and a fellow combat veteran."

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But Massie, who's locked in a competitive clash with Gallrein in what's become the most expensive congressional primary in history, claimed in a Fox News Digital interview on Monday that Hegseth's stop "shows that I'm up in the polls. They wouldn't be sending the Secretary of War to my congressional district if I weren't."

"I think it also shows I'm tougher than Iran, and I don't even have a nuclear weapon. I mean, they are all in at this race. It's basically a national race at this point, the most expensive race primary in congressional history, and that's because, you know, I'm up there, I'm getting things done. I got the Epstein files released, I'm getting legislation in the farm bill, I'm getting legislation passed on the floor, and they want to shut me down," Massie emphasized.

Gallrein, speaking with Fox News Digital ahead of his event with Hegseth, charged that Massie's "running against President Trump, and the agenda that has been put forward by the Republican Party."

Kentucky's primary is being held two weeks after Indiana's primary, where Trump-backed challengers ousted five sitting Republican state senators who last December teamed up with Democrats to defeat the president's push for congressional redistricting in the GOP-dominated Midwestern state.

And the ballot box showdown in Kentucky comes three days after Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana was ousted as he sought renomination. The senator came in third in the primary, behind Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow and conservative Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming.

Cassidy's political defeat came five and a half years after he voted to convict Trump after he was impeached by the House for his role in the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters who aimed to upend congressional certification of former President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. Trump was acquitted by the Senate.

Massie said he "absolutely can" overcome the Trump endorsement of Gallrein. "I've got the groundswell here, like my events. I've got 100-200 sometimes 300 people show up. My opponent had to cancel events because he couldn't get enough people, you know, to fill up a Dairy Queen, half a Dairy Queen."

SCOOP: TRUMP-BACKED FORMER NAVY SEAL LAUNCHES GOP PRIMARY CHALLENGE AGAINST MASSIE

The race has become the most expensive in House history in terms of ad spending, with over $32 million shelled out, according to the nationally known ad tracking firm AdImpact.

Much of that money has been shelled out by Trump's allies and pro-Israel groups.

"Here's the thing, I've got nothing against Israel. I just have never voted for foreign aid. When I said America First, I meant it. I don't vote for foreign aid to Egypt, to Syria, to Ukraine. I've got a flawless record on this, and I'm not going to ruin it by sending foreign aid to one country," Massie said as he defended his stance on Israel.

And Massie touted that while Trump's allies and pro-Israel groups have spent tens of millions to take him out, he said, "I've got tens of thousands of grassroots donors who are funding me $50 at a time, $20 at a time. We've been able to match them to go toe to toe with them on TV using grassroots donors, and it's really galvanized the nation."

Trump has repeatedly targeted Massie in social media posts in the closing days of the primary campaign.

The president said in a video posted to Truth Social on Monday that he hoped Kentucky voters would put Massie "out of business" and that "we’re in a fight against the worst congressman in the history of our country."

And Trump praised Gallrein as "a great guy" and "a great patriot."

But Massie said Trump's taunts on social media may backfire.

"It shows he's losing sleep, his reputation is on the line. He really shouldn't have got involved in this race, because I vote with him 90% of the time," the congressman said.

Paige Spiranac's swing is so hot it gets flagged as she hits the course in country club approved attire

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:15:08 -0400

Paige Spiranac hit the golf course on Monday and her content was hit with an unexpected age restriction. She's used to creating internet buzz with her outfits, but didn’t expect to see the censors flag this one.

She was getting in some practice time on the course and working on her swing when her post was flagged. This wasn’t an instructional video on how to swing with big boobs or anything close to it.

In fact, the girls were nowhere to be found. Paige was on the course by herself in country club-approved attire hitting a golf ball. There's nothing else going on but the sound of golf balls being launched.

Apparently, her attire caused Twitter to malfunction or something. The censors must have been expecting a great cans-worthy post and panicked.

PAIGE SPIRANAC ADDS NEW CHAPTER IN 'CASE STUDY' ABOUT HER GOLF GAME

That or all of Paige's posts are set up for the age restriction trigger, and it was applied to this post in question out of habit. Obviously, it was flagged by mistake. To the shock of some, she's almost never this covered up.

Paige had a little fun with it and joked her swing was to blame. She wrote, "I know my swing is so pure it’s sexual but to have an age restriction on this post where I’m the most covered up I’ve ever been is wild lol."

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The world's No. 1 ranked golf influencer doesn’t have time for this. It's bad enough when content that shows a little skin ends up being flagged.

She's trying to get some practice in before summer gets here, and she's busy coming up with new content ideas. This doesn’t need to be in the back of her mind right now.

Neither does the driver yips that Paige revealed she's been dealing with lately. She's all over the place with the yips, even placing some of the blame on her yellow-painted nails.

The bottom line is the censors need to get it together and let Paige focus on what Paige does best. That's elite golf content in the attire of her choosing.

Austin shooting suspect named, timeline of terror revealed after teens’ alleged 28-hour, 12-attack rampage

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:02:18 -0400

Texas police have released the mugshot of one of the three juveniles arrested over the weekend in connection with 12 separate shooting incidents across Austin that injured four people, as well as a timeline of the alleged 28-hour rampage.

Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, 17, was taken into custody Sunday after allegedly partaking in a citywide shooting spree that left four people injured, struck two fire stations and triggered a shelter-in-place order in South Austin, the Austin Police Department said in a statement.

Mondragon was arrested alongside two additional suspects, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, police said. Their names have not been released due to a statewide law regarding what information can be made public involving juvenile suspects.

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Officers received a report of a stolen firearm from a local business. Surveillance footage subsequently revealed the vehicle driven by the suspects had also recently been stolen, according to authorities.

Less than five hours later, authorities confirmed the first alleged shooting at a trailer residence. However, no injuries were reported.

Officers responded to another shooting at the Whisper Hollow apartment complex, in which multiple vehicles and an occupied apartment were struck by gunfire. Witness descriptions and surveillance footage of the suspects led authorities to believe the two shootings were connected.

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Approximately two hours later, a third shooting was reported after witnesses observed a suspect wearing a black hoodie exiting a black sedan at another apartment complex and firing through the door of a third-floor unit, police said.

Authorities said that a group of suspects matching previous surveillance footage of the alleged shootings stole a Hyundai Elantra from a Motel 6 parking lot, with another shooting being reported just 90 minutes later.

Authorities said a suspect fired a gun into an Austin Fire Department station while firefighters were inside. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

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Just six minutes later, authorities received a report that suspects matching the same description had fired shots from their vehicle and struck the windshield of an occupied car. One victim inside the vehicle was injured by broken glass, according to police.

Police said the suspects allegedly stole another vehicle, with authorities discovering a previous vehicle containing bullet damage abandoned near 1800 E. Stassney Lane hours later.

Authorities received a report regarding a victim who had been shot in the back and stomach near 7409 Janes Ranch Road by a suspect matching previous witness descriptions surrounding the alleged shootings.

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Shortly after, officers recovered several other stolen vehicles believed to be connected to the alleged shooting spree.

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A second incident involving shots being fired into another Austin Fire Department station was reported to authorities, with the suspects allegedly stealing yet another vehicle — a white Kia Optima — three hours later.

Authorities said two victims were shot in a drive-by shooting involving a white Kia Optima, with two additional shootings being reported within 20 minutes.

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Authorities said surveillance footage showed a white Kia sedan approaching a victim before the individual fell to the ground with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was subsequently transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

About one hour later, officers with the Manor Police Department spotted the Kia sedan believed to be connected to the alleged shootings, prompting a pursuit in which the three suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

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One suspect was immediately detained, with authorities taking the other two individuals into custody separately after a brief search.

The incidents led to the injuries of four people and five vehicles being stolen, police said.

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"At this time, investigators believe the incidents were a mix of random and targeted shootings," APD said in a statement. "Some victims were known to the suspects, while other incidents appeared to occur without any known connection."

Davis went on to describe the investigation as "complex" because of the sheer number of crime scenes, stolen vehicles and random shootings throughout the city.

Formal charges against the three suspects remain under review, but are expected to include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault/motor vehicle, deadly conduct, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest, theft of a firearm and other related offenses, APD said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Austin Police Department for comment.

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner and Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.

NPR offering staff buyouts after receiving $113 million in charitable gifts

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:00:50 -0400

NPR announced it is offering buyouts to staffers just weeks after it received over $100 million in charitable gifts.

According to a report from NPR's media correspondent David Folkenflik, NPR CEO Katherine Maher wrote in a memo that the outlet "has to fill a gap of $8 million in its $300-million annual budget" after President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers cut federal funding last year and that NPR is expected to "earn $15 million less in station fees this year and is anticipating a drop in corporate sponsorship revenue."

"The network is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees, mostly within newsgathering desks in the newsroom. Staff of NPR's news programs, including hosts, are not eligible," Folkenflik wrote.

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NPR reportedly is seeking up to 30 staffers to accept the buyout by May 26, and that layoffs could take place if not enough staffers take a buyout. The outlet has 425 newsroom employees, according to NPR editor-in-chief Thomas Evans.

"We have to change this organization," Evans said in a statement. "We have to think about this audience. We have to think about how they are consuming us. We have to think about the member stations. We have to keep what I consider to be the last truly independent newsroom in the country healthy and alive and vibrant."

"We have made every effort to preserve the core capacity and strengths of what makes NPR different and distinct," Maher wrote in the memo. "This is never an easy choice to make, to have to cut anywhere near the newsroom."

‘PBS NEWS WEEKEND’ AIRS FINAL EPISODE AFTER TRUMP'S PUBLIC MEDIA SPENDING CUTS

Last month, NPR received a whopping $113 million in charitable gifts from two megadonors. One came from liberal philanthropist Connie Ballmer, who gave $80 million, while the rest came from an anonymous donor.

However, that money was specifically dedicated to "technological innovation."

"I support NPR because an informed public is the bedrock of our society, and democracy requires strong, independent journalism," Ballmer said at the time. "My hope is that this commitment provides the stability and the spark NPR needs to innovate boldly and strengthen its national network."

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

Over the past year, NPR and PBS have faced uncharted territory after the GOP-controlled Congress voted to cut funding from the two public media organizations, something Republicans campaigned on for decades.

In recent years, NPR and PBS have been in the crosshairs of Trump and GOP lawmakers over allegations of political bias, which NPR and PBS leadership have vehemently denied.

Amazon announces search for next James Bond is underway, as Hollywood casting choices come under scrutiny

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:44:26 -0400

The James Bond franchise is one of the most popular and iconic film series in entertainment industry history. It's almost unquestionably the most unique franchise in Hollywood.

Starting in 1962, every "official" James Bond film has been produced by one company: Eon Films. And incredibly, Eon has remained under the control of one family, starting with Albert Broccoli. But Broccoli's daughter, Barbara, unexpectedly decided to sell control of the Bond properties, character, and future film developments to Amazon and MGM studios.

After years of creative control and stability from one company, Bond is now under the auspices of a major film studio. Run by a technology company more well known for the speed of its delivery services and web services platform.

Unsurprisingly, this is a major turning point for one of the most important characters and franchises in the business. The latest film in the series, "No Time to Die," had a stunning ending that closed the book on the Daniel Craig-version of the character. That was also five years ago.

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Amazon's since announced they're working on the next installment, which will be helmed by director Denis Villeneuve. Get this right, and it can set up more than a decade of films. Get it wrong, and the Bond series might follow in the footsteps of mishandled intellectual property like "Star Wars" and be greeted with apathy and disinterest.

Villeneuve was an outstanding choice, with an exceptional resume. "Arrival," "Sicario" and the "Dune" series have been critically and commercially successful. And more importantly, enjoyable to watch. But equally as important as the director is finding the right actor to play the legendary Bond character. That's where there remains considerable uncertainty.

And Amazon/MGM recently addressed it in perhaps the most unusual way possible. By announcing they're searching for a new actor with, well, zero details.

"The search for the next James Bond is underway," their post on X reads. "While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."

Not exactly dripping with information, though it does align with reports that actor Tom Francis had auditioned for the role. Francis is 26, allowing for a lengthy runway for new movies. Several other rumored candidates include Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jacob Elordi, among others.

Which raises the most important question: will Amazon mess this up?

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Casting decisions have become increasingly contentious recently, as Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has come in for criticism for several choices he made. Obviously, political pressure and Hollywood's ideological leanings could lead to a total rethink of the character to take it further away from what book author Ian Fleming intended.

Announcing the start of the casting process is exciting, in a way, since the gap between films is already trending toward the largest in franchise history. Even if the character is cast now, a release is years away. Between the time it takes to ramp up production, shoot what will surely be a large scale film, complete post-production and marketing, then target a specific release date in a busy movie-going season, even a 2027 release date seems unlikely.

More important than dates though, is that Amazon stay true to the character. Stay true to the intention of the series and the author. The last thing the industry needs, as it fights for survival, is yet another "retelling" or "modern update" of a legendary property.

Hopefully Amazon has learned the lesson Disney and other studios taught them. Quite literally, there are billions of dollars and decades of future films at stake.

Mark Fuhrman, detective at center of OJ Simpson murder trial, dead at 74

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:38:32 -0400

Mark Fuhrman, the former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detective who played a central role in the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial, has died at the age of 74.

Chief Deputy Coroner Lynette Acebedo of Kootenai County, Idaho, confirmed Fuhrman's death to Fox News Digital on Monday. Fuhrman died last week, according to NBC4.

TMZ reported that Fuhrman's death followed a battle with an aggressive form of throat cancer.

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During the trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, Fuhrman became a key figure after discovering a bloody glove at Simpson’s Rockingham estate. Prosecutors said the item matched a glove found at the scene where the two victims were murdered.

Fuhrman's involvement in the trial later led to significant controversy and damaged his credibility after audio recordings surfaced in which he used racial slurs, including the N-word.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden — who said he knew Mark Fuhrman and had worked with him over the years — noted that despite Fuhrman finding evidence he considered "very incriminating of O.J. Simpson," his role as a key witness changed dramatically as a result.

"He got in trouble at the O.J. Simpson trial because of things he said to a reporter that were recorded," Baden told Fox News Digital.

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Despite previously denying such conduct under oath, the defense argued that the tapes raised questions about his credibility and whether evidence in the case had been properly handled.

The defense also used the recordings to suggest that Fuhrman may have planted the bloody glove to frame Simpson.

Fuhrman was accused of lying on the witness stand and was convicted of perjury in 1996, making him the only person associated with the case to be convicted of a crime related to the trial.

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Despite the controversy surrounding the case, Baden described Fuhrman as "a very smart detective," while adding, "he wasn’t always totally accurate."

After retiring from the LAPD in 1995, he remained in the public eye as a true crime author and a talk radio host.

He was also involved in other high-profile investigations for years after the Simpson case, including the Martha Moxley murder case in Connecticut involving Michael Skakel, a cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to Baden.

"I think they’ll remember him," Baden said, reflecting on Fuhrman’s lasting public legacy decades after the "Trial of the Century."

He further described Fuhrman as "an investigative detective at heart" who was "intense in what he was doing."

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Kato Kaelin, an actor and friend of slain Nicole Brown Simpson, reflected on the death with sadness in a statement to Fox News.

"It’s always sad to learn of the passing of someone so my thoughts go out to his family during this difficult time," he said. "While we were never close personally, our lives were indelibly linked through our roles in the O.J. Simpson trial over thirty years ago. It was a deeply complex and painful chapter for everyone involved, but any loss of life is a time for reflection and solemnity. I hope his loved ones can find peace in their grief."

Senate Republicans confirm nearly 50 of Trump's picks for energy, land management

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:36:20 -0400

Senate Republicans moved one step closer to clearing out the backlog of President Donald Trump's nominees.

The GOP confirmed 49 of Trump’s picks on Monday, a move that will have installed 60% of his civilian nominees. It’s also the fourth time Republicans have confirmed a slate of nominees in a batch since changing the Senate’s rules last year.

Included in the latest batch are 20 different positions, including a dozen U.S. attorneys, several U.S. marshals, ambassadors and members of a variety of agencies, including the departments of War, Transportation, Energy, and others.

GOP TRIGGERS NUCLEAR OPTION IN SENATE TO BREAK DEM BLOCKADE OF TRUMP NOMINEES

Also included in the group is Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management and a former member of Congress, Stevan Pearce.

Senate Democrats for much of last year had blocked most nominees from getting confirmed. Typically, civilian nominees were often confirmed without actually having to take a full vote on the Senate floor.

That obstruction, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in a bid to prevent Trump from molding the federal government to fit with his agenda, spurred Republicans to go nuclear and change the Senate’s rules.

That move, the fourth time that lawmakers have turned to the nuclear option in the Senate, lowered the threshold for certain picks to just a simple majority rather than the typical 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.

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And it has proven a successful move for Republicans. Last year, they confirmed over 400 of Trump’s picks.

That leapfrogged his first term total during the first year, having only gotten 323 confirmed. And it also blew past former President Joe Biden, who during the same time period had 365 nominees confirmed.

Meanwhile, Republicans are also busy wrapping up work on another element of Trump’s agenda — funding immigration enforcement for the next three-and-a-half years.

SENATORS AGREE TO FORGO SHUTDOWN PAYCHECKS — BUT MANY WON'T FEEL THE PAIN

Republicans are sprinting through the party-line budget reconciliation process in their bid to ram through a $72 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol by June 1.

Lawmakers have until the end of the week to wrap up the process, given that they’re scheduled for another recess next week for the Memorial Day holiday.

But the package has hit some snags with the Senate’s rules referee, and some items, including $1 billion for security enhancements for Trump’s ballroom and funding for the Secret Service were stripped out.

Pete Davidson under fire after ex likes comment accusing him of ‘insanely loser behavior’ after welcoming baby

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:31:07 -0400

Pete Davidson’s split from Elsie Hewitt got messier after the model appeared to suggest she’s raising their baby daughter alone.

Hewitt sparked questions about the former couple’s co-parenting dynamic after suggesting in a TikTok video that she was handling both parenting and financial responsibilities on her own following their breakup. The drama escalated after Hewitt liked and commented back to users.

A source close to both Davidson and the model told Fox News Digital that Hewitt's posts were very confusing because they're "simply not true."

"Pete is nothing but supportive of her and the baby, both financially and physically," the insider added. "He really wants the best for her."

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Hewitt seemingly claimed Davidson was not participating in co-parenting at all following their split in a TikTok video shared Saturday. The model began her video by firing back at comments over her appearance in recent paparazzi photos before claiming she was taking on parenting duties by herself.

"That's not what I'm thinking about right now, because I have a baby to take care of, and I also have to work and make money, and I'm doing it on my own, which is hard," Hewitt said.

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The TikTok sparked further speculation after Hewitt replied to comments specifically about co-parenting.

"I hope you don't mean you're doing the financial part alone... that would be insane given the circumstances," a user commented. "You seem like a lovely person and a wonderful mother! We're all rooting for you."

Hewitt responded in a since-deleted comment, "I am :)."

Hewitt also liked a comment from another user that read, "Sorry but not staying with your partner when they are [post partum] is insanely loser behavior. This is THE most vulnerable time in a woman's life."

Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for both Davidson and Hewitt.

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Davidson and Hewitt were first romantically linked in March 2025. The new couple made their first red carpet appearance in May 2025 and revealed they were expecting a child together a few months later.

The two welcomed their daughter Scottie in December before calling it quits by May. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, reports surfaced that the two were struggling to adjust to parenthood.

"They're not getting along right now," a source told People magazine after the couple's split was revealed. "They were already struggling a bit while Elsie was pregnant. Things just happened so quickly between them, and they didn't know each other very well."

The insider added that Hewitt and Davidson were "trying to work through" how they'll "be able to co-parent" as they navigate their split.

Spencer Pratt dubs himself the 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' in spoof campaign video for LA mayor race

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:05:21 -0400

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt has dubbed himself the newest "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

In a spoof of Will Smith’s "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" theme song to the beloved 90s sitcom, Pratt raps the story of how the L.A. fires forced him to abandon his Pacific Palisades home and cruise around the streets of Los Angeles with his Airstream in tow.

"In West Los Angeles, Palisades, in my backyard is where I spent most of my days," Pratt rhymes, as seen on X. "Feeding humming birds, relaxing all cool, avoiding all the bums outside of the school/When a couple politicians, who were up to no good, started making trouble in my neighborhood/I got in one little fire and my mom got scared, and she said you are moving in with Harvey Levin in Bel Air."

SPENCER PRATT’S MAYORAL RUN BACKED BY PARIS HILTON, KRISTIN CAVALLARI AS CELEBRITY DIVIDE DEEPENS

At one point, Pratt spray paints, "They let us burn!" on a barricade wall, before pulling up to the swanky Hotel Bel-Air.

"I moved to my kingdom, I was finally there, to sit at my throne as the Prince of Bel-Air," he concluded the song.

"Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down," he captioned the post.

Fans and critics were quick to share their thoughts.

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"This is simply awesome," one wrote. "Your campaign continues to pump out hilarious media that your competitors simply can’t match. That’s why your odds of becoming the next mayor of Los Angeles keep climbing. Keep it up! Save LA now!"

"Iconic and all facts," another added, with one fan claiming Pratt is a "marketing genius."

Others have not been so impressed, however.

SPENCER PRATT'S LA MAYORAL CAMPAIGN VIDEO DRAWS JOHN WICK COMPARISONS AS FANS RALLY BEHIND HIM

"Just what LA needs is another failed tv star running for office," one user wrote on X.

"We’re not voting for another reality tv opportunist who needs a paycheck & attention," another added.

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Pratt, who announced his candidacy in January, has emphasized issues such as homelessness, public safety and government spending throughout his campaign, positioning himself as a political outsider challenging the status quo in Los Angeles and drawing support from voters dissatisfied with current leadership.

According to a KTLA poll last week, current Mayor Karen Bass appeared to be holding her lead in the primary election as Pratt and Nithya Raman also picked up support from previously undecided voters. Per a poll released Wednesday, Bass was leading the field in her re-election bid with 30% support, followed by Pratt at 22% and Councilwoman Raman with 19%.

In recent weeks, Pratt's campaign has gained momentum after receiving high-profile donations, including a contribution from Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, and earning support from Hollywood's elite.

Pratt's mayoral campaign has come under scrutiny as he fields various accusations, including questions over his current living situation.

The speculation intensified following reports he was not living in an Airstream trailer parked on the lot of his former California home. The former "Hills" star acknowledged he is not actively staying in the trailer despite suggesting he was in a recent mayoral campaign ad.

"Hey guys, why don’t they wanna talk about why I need a hotel in the first place?" Pratt wrote on X. "Karen Bass let my home burn down. Also 6,000 of my neighbors. NBD."

"Funny how they never attack my policy ideas," the reality TV star added in a separate post. "They can only try to assassinate your character. They don’t wanna talk about my debate masterclass a week ago, they wanna talk about a reality show from a lifetime ago."

"That’s because they want the continued decline of the city," Pratt continued. "They are locked in an ideological death spiral and can’t shake it. Come at my policies or go sit back down on the back bench. I’m in the arena, son."

Pratt has been staying at the Hotel Bel-Air for the past month while his wife and kids have been staying in Carpinteria, California, sources told TMZ.

Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this post.

Alabama boy battling cancer lands experimental drug after posting secret viral video that drew Trump response

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:04:54 -0400

An Alabama boy with an extremely rare and aggressive form of bone cancer has completed his second week of experimental treatment after a heartfelt video plea secretly posted to his mother’s Facebook account went viral and captured the attention of President Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Fifteen-year-old Will Roberts recorded the video on April 22 after reaching what his family described as a breaking point in his 16-month battle with stage 4 osteosarcoma. The cancer had already spread throughout his body, eventually leading to the amputation of his leg.

In the emotional plea, Will asked for help accessing DeltaRex-G, a difficult-to-obtain experimental gene therapy that he believed could be his last chance, after conventional therapies and multiple surgeries failed to stop the cancer’s progression.

His family said Will recorded the video not only for himself, but to help ease the burden on his mother as she struggled to navigate the situation and to raise awareness for other children facing similar battles — even if the treatment could not save him.

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"Hey, this is Will and my mom doesn’t know I’m doing this," Will said in the Facebook post. "Yall pls share this my mom might be mad but at this point I’m trying to help her in any way I can right now. I need this to reach President Donald Trump or secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior. So if anybody knows these two, please help me out and get it to them or in touch with my mom."

After the video went viral, Will and his parents relocated to Santa Monica, California, in early May after he was granted access to the experimental treatment.

"We've had two doctors look well in the face and tell him that they've never had a survivor at his stage," Jason Roberts, Will’s father, told Fox News Digital in an interview. "That was enough for me and Brittney to get on the ball and, you know, try to find an alternative treatment."

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Will was first diagnosed with the rare pediatric bone cancer in January 2025 after experiencing severe leg pain that was initially dismissed as growing pains.

After his leg was amputated, doctors reportedly discovered that the cancer had aggressively spread to his bladder, leading to a massive pelvic surgery.

Two doctors eventually told them they had never seen a survivor at Will’s advanced stage, the family said.

Because traditional chemotherapy offered little hope — and with osteosarcoma therapies having remained largely unchanged for decades — the family said they became determined to explore alternative options.

They eventually discovered DeltaRex-G, an experimental tumor-targeted gene therapy that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce one batch, the family said.

According to data from Clinics in Oncology, the therapy has shown relatively mild side effects and has been fast-tracked in countries such as the Philippines.

However, such treatment has faced significant hurdles in the U.S., where it has yet to complete the FDA approval process and remains difficult to access due to limited availability and long waiting lists.

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"I don't care if they have to remove mama from the White House steps, I'm going to make sure that our plea gets heard," Brittney, Will’s mother, said. "At that point, we joked and said he got scared his mom was going to be toted off in a straitjacket somewhere. So he made the video."

After Brittney joked about the lengths she would go to secure access to the drug, she said her son decided to take matters into his own hands.

Will, who had access to his mother’s Facebook account to read supportive messages from followers, secretly recorded and posted his own video plea.

FATHER LEADS INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO FIND A CURE FOR SON’S BRAIN TUMOR

The video quickly gained national traction, helping raise more than $700,000 in GoFundMe donations and drawing support from several high-profile figures.

"President Trump, Dr. Oz, RFK Jr., I mean, there's been so many people, Katie Britt, have truly helped us push this," Jason said.

On May 11, Trump sent the Roberts family a surprising video message in which he expressed support for the family.

Dr. Mehmet Oz and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also worked to help the family gain access to DeltaRex-G, coordinating with California developers of the drug to expedite its availability under federal "Right to Try" protocols.

Since starting the treatment two weeks ago alongside a dual chemotherapy regimen, Will said he has experienced only mild side effects, including body aches.

While Will’s viral social media plea helped the family overcome major financial and bureaucratic hurdles, his parents said the video was ultimately motivated by his desire to help other children gain access to more promising alternative therapies.

"It was nothing more than a child's pure heart speaking out, but as I said earlier, I think the reason that it went viral is because of his selflessness in the video. And he was like, you know, it might be too late for me, but if it can help others, I want to help others," Jason said.

"We just hope and pray that the bureaucracy and the red tape can be cut through to where a drug with true promise can reach the American people without all the stuff that gets involved."

The Roberts family also attributed their endurance and success to their strong faith, believing God helped move mountains to get Will opportunities.

"You know, without God, I don't think any of this would be possible. In fact, I know it would not be possible because we've seen mountains moved along this journey," Jason added.

WATCH: Mamdani bashed for going 'full deranged marxist' with rip on famous Ronald Reagan line

Mon, 18 May 2026 18:00:33 -0400

New York City’s socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is facing backlash for criticizing a famous quote from former President Ronald Reagan, who cautioned about the dangers of big government.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist and New York’s first Muslim mayor, voiced his disagreement with the beloved conservative president as he launched the first of his long-promised city-run grocery stores in the Bronx.

"Standing here this morning, I cannot help but think of the words of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan. He famously said the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I'm from the government, and I'm here to help,’" he said. "It's a good quote, but I disagree."

Instead, Mamdani said, "I think nine more terrifying words are actually, ‘I worked all day and can't feed my family.’"

He went on to promise, "We are going to use the power of government to lower prices and make it easier for New Yorkers to put food on the table," adding, "When government understands its purpose as serving the very working people that it has left behind, time and again, it can make a difference in the most pressing struggles facing our city today."

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"It's not just that government can help, it's that government must help, and our government will help," he continued.

Mamdani made his promise of opening affordable, government-run grocery stores throughout the city a central tenet of his campaign. He said on Monday that the first location, a 20,000-square-foot store in the Bronx, will open at some point in 2027.

This is the second of the five promised stores to be officially announced. Mamdani previously announced an East Harlem location for the city’s 9,000-square-foot Manhattan flagship store, but that location will be built from the ground up and is slated to open in 2029.

Mamdani said the Bronx location, along with the planned mixed-use development dubbed the "Peninsula," "will serve as physical proof of our conviction that government can be a force for good, that government can drive change that improves people's lives."

SOCIALIST MAMDANI TOUTS GOVERNMENT-RUN GROCERY PLAN AS ‘GRAND EXPERIMENT’' AT GROCERY NEW SITE

Though cheered by the crowd at his announcement, Mamdani’s dig at Reagan earned him scorn from conservatives online.

Conservative commentator Eric Daugherty posted on X: "What a FREAKING DISASTER! He REALLY thinks this will work."

Daugherty accused the mayor of going "FULL DERANGED MARXIST," telling New Yorkers to be "prepared for utter failure."

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet posted on X that Mamdani had "flipped Ronald Reagan's warning upside down," writing that "his answer is government-run grocery stores that will use taxpayer advantages to undercut private competition."

Jennifer Harrison, founder of the Victims Rights Reform Council, pointed to ongoing public transportation woes in New York City amid widespread strikes, writing on X, "Bc everything government run, like the MTA, is working out so well for Nyers."

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Meanwhile, the official X account for the GOP simply reposted the clip, labeling Mamdani a "communist."

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani for comment.

Ronda Rousey's 17-second win over Gina Carano wasn't a letdown; it was vintage | Bobby Burack

Mon, 18 May 2026 17:39:14 -0400

There was widespread disappointment when Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano in just 17 seconds on Saturday.

The bout carried enormous hype. It marked Netflix’s first MMA broadcast in partnership with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Carano didn’t land a punch, and the fight ended before some viewers had fully settled in.

Critics called the finish cheap, staged and anticlimactic.

And yet, the fight unfolded exactly as it should have. It was a reminder of exactly who Ronda Rousey was at the peak of her prowess.

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The truly disappointing outcome would've been had Rousey struggled to put Carano away.

A quick submission via her trademark arm bar was vintage. During Rousey's prime, arguably the most dominant stretch in women’s MMA history, her fights often looked exactly like that.

She knocked out Alexis Davis in 16 seconds at UFC 175 in 2014. She submitted Cat Zingano with an arm bar in 14 seconds at UFC 184. Both fights ended faster than Saturday’s bout against Carano.

In a bit of an upset, Bethe Correia lasted a full 34 seconds before Rousey knocked her out at UFC 190.

On Saturday, Rousey closed her MMA career the same way she built it, by overwhelming opponents almost immediately.

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Casual viewers often see quick finishes as unsatisfying. Dedicated fight fans see them as the purest expression of dominance. Boxing fans reacted the same way when Mike Tyson tore through opponents in the first round during the 1980s.

Casual fans wouldn't have enjoyed a slower fight, in which Rousey showed ring rust and needed the judges to escape with a win over Carano. Put simply, the most criticized UFC fights are often the most technical, with little action or damage exchanged.

The only fans with legitimate gripes are Gina Carano supporters, those who believed she could pull off the upset. But at 44 years old and 17 years removed from her last MMA fight, a quick submission was always a realistic possibility.

It’s also worth remembering the fight streamed on Netflix, not pay-per-view. Rousey’s previous fights often cost fans at least $50.

Ultimately, the fight delivered exactly what it was supposed to deliver. Regardless of the level of competition, seeing Rousey lock in the arm bar one final time before retirement was a fitting ending to her career.