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Florida court says 18-year-olds have same gun rights as other adults

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:35:29 -0400

A Florida appeals court ruled Wednesday that the state's ban on concealed carry by adults ages 18 to 20 violates the Second Amendment, finding that young adults are entitled to the same constitutional protections as law-abiding adults over the age of 20.

In a sweeping opinion, the court said 18-year-olds can serve in the military and defend the nation but face restrictions on their ability to exercise the same self-defense rights available to older adults.

"Eighteen- to 20-year-olds can defend the country without restriction but can only utilize their Second Amendment right to self-defense with severe restrictions," Judge Spencer D. Levine wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel of Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeals.

"Restricting 18- to 20-year-olds — members of the same 'political community' as other law-abiding adults — from rights to self-defense would make the Second Amendment a 'second-class' right," Levine wrote.

FEDERAL JUDGE APPROVES COLORADO LAW BANNING PEOPLE UNDER 21 FROM BUYING A GUN

The ruling comes after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier declined to defend the law earlier this year.

"In another win for the unalienable rights of Floridians, the 4th DCA agreed with our position that Florida's law banning adults under 21 from conceal carrying a firearm is unconstitutional," Uthmeier wrote on X.

"We will not seek further review and will work with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to implement the court's order," he wrote.

STAY IN YOUR LANE: FLORIDA AG FIRES NEXT VOLLEY AGAINST JUDGE HALTING STATE IMMIGRATION LAW

The case stemmed from the 2024 arrest of Jaylen Eubanks, who was 18 at the time. According to the opinion, officers responding to a report of a person displaying a handgun detained Eubanks and found an unholstered firearm on his waist. He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm and improper exhibition of a firearm.

Eubanks challenged the concealed-carry charge, arguing Florida's age restriction violated the Second Amendment. The restriction was enacted following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 17 people were killed. A trial court rejected Eubanks' argument, but the appellate court reversed.

Citing Supreme Court precedent including Heller, Bruen and Rahimi, the court said adults ages 18 to 20 are among "the people" protected by the Second Amendment and that Florida failed to identify a historical tradition supporting the restriction.

GUNS AND GANJA: SUPREME COURT SKEPTICAL OF FEDERAL LAW BANNING FIREARM POSSESSION FOR REGULAR MARIJUANA USERS

The panel also pointed to founding-era militia laws requiring many 18-year-old men to serve while bearing arms.

"That young adults had to serve in the militia indicates that founding-era lawmakers believed those youth could, and indeed should, keep and bear arms," the opinion states.

The court rejected arguments that concerns about firearm misuse among younger adults justified the restriction, saying Florida failed to identify a historical tradition supporting the law and that adults ages 18 to 20 could not be treated like categories historically subject to firearm restrictions, such as felons or the mentally ill.

"All those who reach the age of 18 are able, and encouraged, for example, to join the military to defend our country," Levine wrote.

"Yet those very same law-abiding adults are burdened in their ability to exercise the same Second Amendment rights that other adults have."

The court reversed Eubanks' concealed-carry conviction and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Roger Clemens questions MLB's warning to Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on Pride Night hats

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:05:12 -0400

Major League Baseball drew a line when players wrote Bible verses on their Pride hats.

During a San Francisco Giants Pride Night game, pitchers Landon Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote Bible verses on their team-issued hats.

The players referenced Genesis 9:12-16, a passage on the rainbow covenant.

MLB issued a warning to the players, stating the markings violated league uniform policies.

DAN DAKICH RIPS MLB FOR WARNING GIANTS PLAYERS WHO WROTE BIBLE VERSES ON THEIR PRIDE HATS: 'SHUT UP'

Former player Roger Clemens addressed the situation during an appearance on "The Will Cain Show," questioning the league's enforcement of uniform rules.

Clemens noted that players modify gear without receiving discipline from the league.

"We alter our uniforms all the time with numbers or somebody that has passed away," Clemens told Cain.

"I know one time in Boston, Larry Bird retired. I put his hat on. They put 33, silver marker on the hat to honor Larry Bird. I did it for my mom and grandmother."

Clemens argued that players should be permitted to display symbols of faith on the field.

"I love it that these guys show the blessings that the Lord has given them to be out there on that field," Clemens stated. "That's the way it was for me."

To resolve the issue, Clemens suggested MLB apply the same rules it uses for footwear customizations.

EX-VIKINGS CAPTAIN CALLS ON MLB PLAYERS TO DOUBLE-DOWN ON FAITH AMID PRIDE NIGHT CAP CONTROVERSY

"They do the special cleats where you can paint, do your cleats how you want it," Clemens said. "Maybe they do something like that and guys can have a hat with a Bible verse. They feel strongly about it."

The warning from MLB sparked a response beyond the diamond.

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, demanding a justification for the warnings and questioning the league's stance on religious expression.

Clemens concluded by addressing the friction between league initiatives and the personal values of the players on the field.

"Whatever floats your boat. Go for it," Clemens said. "Don't bring your ideas towards me then too."

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

San Francisco Giants ready to sell star players ahead of trade deadline as Buster Posey's rebuild unravels

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:55:32 -0400

We're not halfway through the 2026 Major League Baseball season, and already, the San Francisco Giants are ready to throw in the towel.

The Giants, even after a win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday afternoon, are just 30-43. They're a whopping 17 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. Incredibly, even with the addition of a third wild-card spot, they're eight games back of the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals, who currently sit in that position.

Even worse, they'd have to pass the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Marlins, Reds and Mets just to reach that third wild-card spot. Put differently, only the lowly Colorado Rockies have a worse record than the Giants in the National League.

So it's not surprising, then, that several new reports have said that San Francisco's front office is essentially open for business ahead of the league's trade deadline. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, ESPN's Buster Olney and The Athletic have all said, to varying degrees, that the Giants are ready to sell.

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Feinsand and Olney specifically mentioned some of the team's most expensive players, including first baseman Rafael Devers, shortstop Willy Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman, among those the Giants are looking to deal. Star pitcher Logan Webb and several of the team's young major leaguers, however, are not expected to be put on the block.

Less than two years ago, in October 2024, the Giants' ownership group announced they'd appointed Buster Posey as president of Baseball Operations. Posey is a Giants franchise legend, and has a wealth of experience in and around the organization. But he also had little experience in the analytically driven evaluation methods most commonly favored in modern baseball.

That was viewed as a point in his favor among baseball purists when he took over for the more data-driven Farhan Zaidi. Zaidi joined the Giants' front office after helping build the Dodgers into a juggernaut, and despite winning 107 games in 2021, he was fired after three consecutive years of San Francisco playing .500 baseball.

Well, in Posey's first year on the job, they went ... 81-81. In his second year, they're tracking to be far worse. Even playing in the large San Francisco market and increasing payroll from $175 million in 2024 to $210 million in 2026. Maybe it's time to admit that the Buster Posey experiment has already failed.

Not all of San Francisco's current predicament is on him, of course, but it's also clear that some of his biggest moves haven't worked.

Matt Chapman signed his extension before Posey took over, but his first big move was bringing in free-agent shortstop Willy Adames. And while Adames was a well-above-average player in 2025, his plate discipline has cratered in 2026 and his defensive metrics have taken a huge step backward too. He was worth 4.8 wins above replacement in 2024, 4 in 2025 and -0.3 thus far in 2026 while making $26 million per year through 2031.

RED SOX SEND STAR RAFAEL DEVERS TO GIANTS IN SHOCKING BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: REPORTS

Then there's Rafael Devers. Devers developed into a star in Boston, but fell out with the front office over being asked to move positions. The Giants swooped in, trading several prospects to the Red Sox with the intention of building around him through the end of his contract in 2033.

Instead, Devers has just nine homers in 2026, is hitting .234 with a .294 on-base percentage, has been a below-average hitter this season and has been worth -0.1 wins above replacement. And now he's on the trading block.

That's bad enough. But the players Posey traded away make it much worse.

The key to the trade was former top prospect Kyle Harrison. Harrison was flipped to the Brewers in the offseason, and, surprise, surprise, has immediately excelled. He's struck out 80 hitters in 65 innings with a 2.47 ERA and just 18 walks. Devers has negative WAR, Harrison is +1.7, per FanGraphs. He's making just $782,000 this year, and doesn't reach arbitration until 2028. Devers is making nearly $29 million per year through 2033.

James Tibbs III was the other headliner in the Devers trade, eventually also traded away, this time to the Dodgers. He, too, has turned himself back into a top prospect, hitting .305/.423/.609 in Triple-A, with 19 home runs in 67 games. Keith Law ranked him as the 24th-best prospect in baseball in his latest update.

It's not all doom and gloom; Bryce Eldridge looks to finally be delivering on his promise, and 18-year-old Josuar Gonzalez could become a star down the road. Luis Arraez has been a pleasant surprise, and Casey Schmitt has turned himself into an everyday player. But their pitching staff has been disappointing to awful, and there's little help coming from the farm system.

And therein lies the problem. The Giants, despite their market size and budget, have not been able to build a complete roster.

The Dodgers, as a comparison, are currently missing Will Smith and Teoscar Hernandez, while Tommy Edman just played his first game of the season. Blake Snell has pitched three innings this season, and Tyler Glasnow is on the 60-day IL with a back injury. Edwin Diaz had an ERA over 10 before going down with an arm injury. And LA is 48-27 and headed toward yet another division title. How are they doing it?

With Alex Call, Ryan Ward, Emmett Sheehan, Dalton Rushing, Justin Wrobleski, Will Klein and Kyle Hurt. LA excels at having a farm system full of talent at Triple-A, ready to step in for injured stars. They build quality depth and backups at key positions. Use analytics to put together the best defensive positioning of any team in the league. And they find bullpen pieces in unexpected places. Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Klein, Hurt, Jack Dreyer, Edgardo Henriquez. All have played major roles.

Posey, meanwhile, whiffed on the franchise-changing Devers trade. Gave away Kyle Harrison and James Tibbs. Signed Adames, only for him to fall off a cliff. And now is looking to dump salary and rebuild yet again. It's a mess, and it's what separates the best organizations from the rest. The Giants right now are squarely below even what we'd call "the rest."

DHS moves all detainees out of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ amid hurricane concerns

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:39:44 -0400

All detainees at "Alligator Alcatraz," a migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, have been transferred to other facilities, according to the Department of Homeland Security, citing concerns about the hurricane season.

The agency said that all detainees at the facility had been transferred, although it did not specify how many were taken. Some of these detainees will be transferred to "Deportation Depot," another ICE facility in Sanderson, Florida, set up in the northern part of the state.

DHS also did not address if the migrants would stay at the new facilities long term or if the transfers were only temporary.

"As we enter into hurricane season, ICE and the state of Florida have moved illegal aliens from the soft-sided facility. For the safety of the illegal alien detainees, we transferred them to other facilities," a DHS spokesperson told Fox News in a statement.

GUARDS AT 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ' BEAT, PEPPER-SPRAYED DETAINEES, LAWYER SAYS

The hurricane season lasts six months, from June through November. "Alligator Alcatraz" opened on July 3, 2025, just one month after the start of last year's hurricane season, which ended without any storms making landfall in the Sunshine State.

Shortly after the migrant transfer announcement, the National Hurricane Center said that the first tropical storm of this year's hurricane season had formed off the Texas coast.

The controversial state-run detention center has been hailed by President Donald Trump but criticized by lawyers and human rights groups over its harsh conditions and mistreatment of detainees.

Detainees at the facility have reported a lack of access to lawyers and poor physical conditions, including worms in the food, toilets that do not flush, floors flooding with fecal waste and insects everywhere.

"Transferring people out of this cruel facility is an important step, but it does not erase the harm that has already been done," Amy Godshall, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who filed a lawsuit against the state and the federal government over detainees' alleged lack of access to legal representation, said in a statement. "The state and federal government must permanently close this facility and commit to never detaining people there again."

The facility, surrounded by alligator-filled swamps in the Florida Everglades, was constructed by Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to support Trump's plan to mass detain and deport migrants.

Trump toured the facility just two days before it was opened last summer. The facility has processed and deported more than 20,000 detainees since its opening.

DeSantis said last month that the detention facility was always meant to be temporary.

FUTURE OF RON DESANTIS' CONTROVERSIAL 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ' ICE HOLDING FACILITY REVEALED

Immigration advocates and lawyers said the hurricane season is just an excuse and not the real reason why the detainees have been transferred. They said they noticed an increase in the number of transfers of detainees to other facilities over the past few weeks and that they lost contact with dozens of detainees during these transfers.

"That’s a nonsense excuse because they opened in the middle of the worst part of hurricane season last year," said Arianne Betancourt, a community advocate at the non-governmental group The Workers Circle who has spent months connecting detainees with attorneys.

"They are all gone," Blankenship added. "They have been moved and disappeared into the system and are unavailable to family or counsel, typically for a period of about a week."

Fox News' Bill Melugin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LaGuardia shuts down runway for second time in weeks after pavement issue resurfaces

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:33:34 -0400

LaGuardia Airport temporarily closed one of its two main runways Wednesday after inspectors discovered a pavement "depression" near the airstrip, marking the second time in less than a month the New York City airport has suspended operations on the runway over pavement concerns.

Airport officials said the depression, which is approximately 2 inches deep, was identified adjacent to Runway 4/22, one of LaGuardia's two primary runways.

"During an airfield inspection at LaGuardia Airport, an approximately two inch depression adjacent to Runway 4/22 was identified," the airport said.

The airport said the closure was made proactively and out of an "abundance of caution," while stressing that the issue does not pose an "immediate safety concern."

LA GUARDIA AIRPORT RUNWAY SHUT DOWN AFTER SINKHOLE DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE MORNING INSPECTION

Arrivals at LaGuardia are currently delayed by an average of 48 minutes but are decreasing, according to FlightAware flight-tracking data. ABC 7 previously reported 174 delays earlier Wednesday, citing the platform.

Runway 4/22 is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. and is expected to remain shut until Thursday morning as repair crews work overnight to conduct additional testing, identify the cause of the issue and perform any necessary stabilization work.

"Our goal is to complete the assessment and any necessary repair work overnight and return the runway to service as soon as it is safe to do so," the airport said.

AIR CANADA PASSENGER SAYS PILOT 'DID THE BEST THING HE COULD,' DESCRIBES DEADLY IMPACT

During the closure, operations will be shifted to LaGuardia’s remaining main runway, 13/31, beginning at 5 p.m. and are expected to continue until repairs are completed.

LaGuardia said passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines for flight status.

The incident marks the second time in less than a month that the same section of pavement has required emergency engineering work.

The runway was previously closed after a sinkhole formed around the Memorial Day travel rush.

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

Tim Howard says USMNT gained momentum after dominating Paraguay win, USA to 'play Australia off the park' next

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:20:05 -0400

The U.S. Men's National Team has officially found its footing.

Former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard told OutKick that the Yanks' dominant win over Paraguay proves just how dangerous this squad can be ahead of their matchup with Australia.

And the rest of the country is clearly bought in.

The 4-1 blowout drew a massive 24.9 million viewers on Friday, shattering records as the largest soccer audience in U.S. history.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

But for Howard, the most encouraging takeaway was the feeling that the Americans left even more goals on the table.

"So many good things, so many contributions," Howard told OutKick. "It's really good to win a game and say, 'Gosh, I wish we almost had six.' That's a good place to be."

Howard pointed to Folarin Balogun's two-goal performance, Christian Pulisic's influence in attack and a strong defensive showing as reasons for optimism as the tournament progresses.

"There's a lot to build on," Howard said. "The substitutes came in and played well. Balogun got his two goals. Christian Pulisic was outstanding. I thought defensively we were good."

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

After Matt Freese got the nod over veteran Matt Turner, Howard said he no longer views the goalkeeper competition as an open one.

"I don't think there's any competition now," Howard said. "I think Matt Freese is the goalkeeper. We sort of saw that going into the tournament over the last year. That played itself out. Matt Freese is the U.S. No. 1, end of story, I think."

Looking ahead to Australia's challenge, Howard expects a far different type of match than the one the Americans faced against Paraguay.

He warned that Australia's physical style could create problems if the U.S. allows itself to be knocked out of rhythm.

"It's going to be a physical game," Howard noted. "I think the Australian team plays that way, but I think they also realize that if they get into the U.S. team and disrupt their rhythm, they give themselves a good chance."

UNITED STATES SHATTERS WORLD CUP VIEWERSHIP RECORD IN FIRST MATCH VS PARAGUAY IN LOS ANGELES

Still, Howard likes the matchup for the Americans.

"From a footballing standpoint, if you're asking me right now, the U.S. team will play the Australians off the park," he said. "They just need to be able to match that physicality."

And Howard is expecting goals.

"If the U.S. matches that physicality, then I think the rest will take care of itself," Howard said. "The U.S. scores three and wins. Maybe 3-1, maybe 3-0."

Off the pitch, Howard said supporters will have a major role to play as the U.S. builds momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

He highlighted partnerships like Jim Beam's Home Field Advantage campaign, which aims to cultivate a deeper soccer culture around the national team and further energize supporters.

"There's a cultural and togetherness aspect of soccer," Howard said. "We need to build this culture and hype around this team and help propel them, as best we can, on and off the field, toward greatness."

Howard said the atmosphere surrounding the team could prove just as important as the momentum being generated on the field.

"They're going to use the home-field advantage. They're going to use that momentum as best they can. But it's up to us as fans to provide that."

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

'Top Gear' star Jeremy Clarkson reveals 'aggressive' cancer diagnosis after health scares

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:17:53 -0400

TV host Jeremy Clarkson revealed that he is battling cancer during the latest episodes of his hit show "Clarkson's Farm."

In the final two episodes of the Prime Video documentary series' fifth season, the 66-year-old British television personality shared that he had been diagnosed with cancer while speaking to his co-stars Charlie Ireland and Kaleb Cooper, according to the BBC and the Guardian.

"I had a medical, remember, back in May?" Clarkson said, per the Guardian. "I disappeared off the other week and I had a biopsy, and it is cancer, and it's aggressive, but it's really early."

The "Top Gear" star said that he had known about his diagnosis "since May." According to the Guardian, the episodes, which dropped on Wednesday, were filmed last year.

'ALL MY CHILDREN' STAR COLIN EGGLESFIELD DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER FOR THIRD TIME

"I promise I'll be fine," Clarkson told Ireland and Cooper.

According to the U.K. outlet The Independent, Clarkson said that he would be undergoing surgery in the coming weeks and would be "slightly out of action."

"If I hadn’t have got myself checked out and they hadn’t caught the problem early, this could well have been my last harvest," Clarkson shared, per the Guardian. "It’s only because they did catch it early, there’s every hope that I’ll be harvesting this farm for many, many years to come."

ESPN ANCHOR JAY HARRIS REVEALS PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS

In the following episode, Clarkson told Cooper that he underwent a procedure during which a part of his prostate was removed.

"The prostate, 10% of it is dead, the 10% where the cancer is," he said, according to Sky News.

In a later scene, Clarkson told co-star Gerald Cooper that he "had the op."

JAMES VAN DER BEEK MISTOOK CANCER SYMPTOMS FOR PROBLEMS WITH HIS DIET

"Just fingers crossed it's worked, we don't know yet," he said, according to the BBC.

In the final scene of the episode, which was the season five finale, Clarkson was seen at a hospital.

"We started season five with me in a hospital bed, and here we are at the end of season five and I'm back in the hospital bed," he said, according to the BBC.

BARRY MANILOW, 82, GIVES UPDATE ON HIS CANCER BATTLE AS HE CANCELS MORE TOUR DATES

"Some of the treatment's gone a bit awry, let's say, so I'm going to be here for a little while," Clarkson continued. "I'm nil by mouth, I don't know what's going to happen."

"But if this is all successful, I'll see you for season six, and if it isn't, I won't," he concluded. "Take care everyone."

According to the Independent, the opening episodes of the fifth season centered on Clarkson's October 2024 heart health scare and his recovery from emergency surgery.

JAMES VAN DER BEEK IS IN 'HEALING PHASE' OF CANCER BATTLE

On Tuesday, Clarkson shared an Instagram video in which he told his fans that he had some "somber news" to share regarding the new episodes of "Clarkson's Farm."

"Ordinarily, we try to keep the show bucolic and charming and cheerful, but the final two episodes which drop in the middle of the night tonight … they're none of those things really," Clarkson said.

"They're a difficult watch," he added with a sigh. "They're really, really difficult."

JAMES VAN DER BEEK'S VIRAL MESSAGE ABOUT FAITH, CANCER BATTLE INSPIRES VIEWERS AFTER ACTOR'S DEATH AT AGE 48

In a 2025 column for The Sunday Times, Clarkson shared that he undergoes health screenings every couple of years and regular prostate exams. The "Grand Tour" host also urged men not to avoid prostate exams out of embarrassment.

"I've had too many friends go down with prostate cancer, and all it takes to get on top of the situation early is a moment or two of being a bit cross-eyed," he wrote. "You get the all-clear and the doc goes home happy. What's not to like?"

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Clarkson opened up about his previous health scare and emergency heart surgery in a 2024 column for The Sunday Times. He recalled that his doctor told him that he might have been "days away" from a life-threatening cardiac event.

MEDICAL EXPERT 'ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED' BY TIMING OF BIDEN'S PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS

The TV personality wrote that he experienced a "sudden deterioration" in his health after returning from a vacation. He described feeling "clammy," having a "tightness in my chest" and "pins and needles in my left arm."

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After testing at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, Clarkson underwent emergency heart surgery and received two stents.

"It seems that of the arteries feeding my heart with nourishing blood, one was completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way," he wrote.

Clarkson recalled reflecting on how close he came to having a heart attack following the procedure.

"The next morning I went home, and here I am, two hours later, writing this and sort of thinking, 'Crikey, that was close,'" Clarkson wrote.

Man killed after horse-drawn carriage bolts and flips near popular New York City tourist destination

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:12:25 -0400

An 18-year-old man was killed Wednesday after a horse-drawn carriage became startled and bolted through New York City's Central Park before colliding with another carriage and overturning, according to the Central Park Conservancy.

A New York City Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson told Fox News Digital an "investigation remains ongoing."

Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist visiting NYC from India, suffered the fatal injuries after falling from the carriage during the afternoon incident near Cherry Hill at West 72nd Street and West Drive.

Authorities said a horse-drawn carriage carrying passengers broke free and raced down West Drive before striking another carriage and flipping over near Tavern on the Green.

EAGLES FAN, 18, DIES AFTER FALL FROM LIGHT POLE DURING CELEBRATION

PIX11 News previously reported that Mahajan was transported to a local hospital in critical condition following the crash.

"We are absolutely devastated to learn that Romanch Mahajan, the 18-year-old visitor injured in today's carriage incident, has died," a Central Park Conservancy spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "On behalf of everyone at the Central Park Conservancy, our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this unimaginable time."

Officials have not said what caused the horse to become spooked.

The fatal crash prompted renewed scrutiny of New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry, with both the union representing carriage drivers and the Central Park Conservancy calling for changes following the incident.

CARNIVAL RIDE PASSENGERS LEFT DANGLING IN CARRIAGE AFTER MALFUNCTION AT HIGH SCHOOL EVENT: VIDEO

Alexander Kemp of TWU Local 100, the union representing horse-drawn carriage drivers and owners, said preliminary information alleges the driver may have stepped away from the horse to take a photo before the animal took off.

"It appears the driver was at least at arm's length from his horse to take a photo of his passengers in the carriage," Kemp told Fox News Digital in an earlier statement. "This is unacceptable. A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos – ever."

The union said it supports a full investigation into the incident and called for enhanced driver training, tougher examinations and additional rules governing the introduction of new horses into the business.

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The Central Park Conservancy, which has long opposed horse-drawn carriages in the park, said Mahajan's death underscored its concerns about public safety.

"This is the tragedy we feared when we first called last year for horse carriages to be banned from Central Park due to the risks they pose to public safety and public health," the spokesperson said.

"A young man came to enjoy our park and lost his life. That is not an acceptable cost of an antiquated industry operating in the middle of one of the most heavily used public spaces in America."

HORSE DIES AFTER CROSSING THE FINISH LINE IN HIS FIRST CAREER RACE IN TRAGIC START TO PREAKNESS WEEKEND

The conservancy renewed its call for New York City officials to pass Ryder's Law, which would ban horse-drawn carriages and provide transitional job placement services for drivers.

"Every day horse carriages are in the park is a day the safety of New Yorkers and visitors is in jeopardy," the spokesperson said.

According to the conservancy, Wednesday's crash was the eighth horse-related incident in and around Central Park during the past 13 months.

The incident came just days after a carriage horse named Deniz collapsed and died near West 72nd Street and West Drive while pulling tourists through the park.

Another carriage reportedly overturned in May after a horse became spooked and struck a second carriage.

Fox News Digital has reached to the NYPD and TWU Local 100 for additional comment.

Downtown Seattle lost 30,000 jobs, billions in office value since 2020 payroll tax: new report finds

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:00:30 -0400

A new report from Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) claimed that Seattle lost thousands of jobs and significant property value in the years since implementing the "JumpStart" payroll tax in 2020.

Monday's report compared Seattle's status with its neighboring city, Bellevue, which has no comparable payroll tax or social housing tax, and found that while Seattle's workforce and property values have shrunk, Bellevue's has remained resilient.

"[S]ince 2020, what we have seen in downtown Seattle is not a 'jump start,' but instead, a slowdown," the report read. "Since being implemented, downtown Seattle has lost around 30,000 jobs. The office vacancy rate increased to 32% in the downtown core. And more than $10 billion in office value has been lost."

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It continued, "Meanwhile, in Bellevue, dating back to 2020, the city has seen more jobs come to its core, lower office vacancy, and the stability of office building values. This provides a stark tale of two cities and two tax environments just miles apart."

The DSA reported that Bellevue experienced a 7% increase in assessed value compared to the 48% decrease seen in Seattle office properties. Though both cities have a sizable office vacancy rate since 2020, Seattle's rate is also significantly higher at 32% compared to Bellevue's 24%.

SEATTLE DEMOCRAT REJECTS WEALTH 'EXODUS’ CONCERNS AS BUSINESSES FLEE FOR LOWER-TAX STATES

In addition to having no payroll or social housing tax, Bellevue also has a smaller property tax millage rate compared to Seattle in 2026. This, the DSA report claimed, presented Bellevue as a more favorable environment for business owners.

"When comparing business tax burdens and broader tax trends in Seattle and Bellevue, the contrast is clear: Bellevue’s more favorable tax climate has made it increasingly attractive to employers and investment relative to Seattle," the report concluded.

In a comment to Fox News Digital, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson defended the city's JumpStart Payroll Expense tax as a bedrock for Seattle's resilience during hard economic times.

"Seattle's JumpStart Payroll Expense Tax is a key reason why the city was able to successfully bounce back from the worst economic impacts of COVID. Because of Seattle's ongoing economic strength, this tax on the highest salaries paid by the largest corporations has raised far more money over the past several years than originally projected," the mayor said.

SEATTLE DEMOCRAT REJECTS WEALTH 'EXODUS’ CONCERNS AS BUSINESSES FLEE FOR LOWER-TAX STATES

She continued, "JumpStart revenue is the key reason why the city has been able to avoid the negative impacts of the deep budget cuts which would have otherwise been necessary over the past few years, and which would have been a massive drag on our local economy."

The JumpStart Payroll Expense Tax was first passed by the Seattle City Council in 2020 and implemented a tax on Seattle businesses earning $7 million or more on annual payrolls.

SLED joins probe as body matching missing South Carolina personal trainer's description found

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:52:17 -0400

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which serves as the state’s major crimes unit, joined an investigation in South Carolina on Wednesday, after authorities said they discovered a body in a wooded area where a missing woman was last seen nearly one week ago.

The discovery came following a six-day search for Elena Katherine Moore, 39, a personal trainer who officials said disappeared Thursday evening after leaving a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington.

The Lexington Police Department (LPD) said the body has not yet been formally identified but "fits the clothing description of our missing person."

The case has since been classified as an active death investigation, prompting SLED to assist in determining the cause of death and confirming the identity.

SOUTH CAROLINA PERSONAL TRAINER GOES MISSING, LAST SPOTTED WALKING TOWARD WOODED AREA

According to LPD Chief Terrence Green, authorities located the body Wednesday after receiving a citizen tip that led investigators to conduct a targeted search.

"At approximately 2:48 p.m. we found an unidentified body that fits the clothing description of our missing person. We are still waiting on the coroner to identify her."

MISSING MISSOURI MOTHER FOUND DEAD, BOYFRIEND CHARGED WITH MURDER: POLICE

The body was reportedly wearing a "similar green outfit" consistent with what Moore was seen wearing on surveillance footage the night before she disappeared.

Officials said they are still awaiting formal identification from the coroner.

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy will be scheduled in the coming days and that the process is expected to take some time.

POLICE INVESTIGATING AFTER HIKER FINDS BADLY DECOMPOSED BODY HUNDRED OF YARDS DOWN CALIFORNIA CLIFFSIDE

"In reference to the body found in Lexington in the area of Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive. Coroner Margaret Fisher can confirm the body of a female matching the clothing description of the missing person, Elena K. Moore has been found," the office said in a statement.

"No positive identification has been made as of this time. We will await positive identification before any further information is released. No cause of death has been determined"

When asked if foul play was suspected, the police said, "Again, it's an active investigation and we are having SLED investigate that."

Moore was first reported missing last Friday, prompting a large-scale search that included multiple agencies and the deployment of a drone.

She was last seen Thursday night in surveillance footage walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road.

In the video, she is seen wearing an olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants, the same outfit she was reportedly wearing when she left Planet Fitness.

Authorities said that in the days leading up to her disappearance, Moore exhibited behavior that was out of character, including a sudden absence and an abrupt change in social media presence, according to ABC News.

Knicks owner confirms championship celebration invite to White House while Seahawks visit on back burner

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:46:48 -0400

The New York Knicks have received and accepted an invitation to visit the White House to celebrate their NBA championship, owner James Dolan confirmed Wednesday. Meanwhile, a Seattle Seahawks visit appears to be on the back burner months after the team won the Super Bowl.

"We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted," Dolan said on WFAN New York's "The Carton show." "Still have to figure out the details, but, yes, of course, I invited the president to come down to the game, right? He is a friend. I've known him for 30 years, and I'm very proud to bring the team to the White House."

President Donald Trump attended the Knicks' Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. It turned out to be the only loss for the Knicks, who went on to win the NBA Championship Series 4-1.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

The details of the Knicks' visit have yet to be finalized. As Dolan noted, that includes a date for the trip, the size of the traveling party and how many players will attend.

And while the White House got to work immediately on the Knicks visiting, the Seahawks visit is apparently another matter.

Seattle beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, but the team visiting the White House for a celebration is in limbo.

"We don’t have anything to share at this time," the White House press office told Fox News Digital this week. "Check back in with us later!"

JALEN HURTS MAINTAINS HE 'WASN'T AVAILABLE' FOR EAGLES' WHITE HOUSE VISIT

Time is running out.

The Philadelphia Eagles, the last NFL team to visit the White House, celebrated their Super Bowl LIX victory on the South Lawn with President Trump on April 28, 2025. That timing made sense because it happened during the team's offseason program.

Seattle's offseason program is over following the conclusion of mandatory minicamp on June 11. That means players, staff and coaches are off to parts unknown enjoying their summer break.

The next time the whole organization is expected to be together is the final week of July, just prior to the beginning of training camp.

So the best opportunity for a Seahawks visit to Washington, D.C. has passed because successfully rallying players from all across the country and wherever they are vacationing is practically impossible. And no team is going to break away from training camp to fly across the country to visit the White House.

That raises the distinct possibility the Seahawks will not be celebrating their Super Bowl win with a White House visit at all.

If that is the case, the obvious question is: Why?

Did the White House reach out through back channels only to be rebuffed by the team? It would not be unprecedented. A similar situation occurred with the Eagles in 2018.

There appears to be only one way to salvage a Seahawks visit to the White House, if one happens at all: scheduling it during the NFL regular season.

Seattle visits the Washington Commanders on Sept. 27 and that provides a small opportunity for a visit should the team fly to Washington a day earlier than usual, visit the White House, then play the Commanders two days later.

Is that likely? No.

NFL coaches traditionally are not big fans of upsetting their normal travel schedules and portray those games away from home as business trips rather than a pleasure trip — even if a White House visit is involved.

FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO

Jillian Michaels says leaving the left felt like 'Neo in the Matrix' and warns it 'comes for everyone'

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:36:32 -0400

Jillian Michaels described evolving her political views as like Neo in "The Matrix."

"Honestly, it felt a bit like Neo in the Matrix at first because I really did think that, you know, when you're on the left, like you're the empathetic one, you're the good guy, you're the one that cares about people," the 52-year-old fitness icon told Dave Rubin on his "The Rubin Report" podcast.

Part of her evolution involved marrying a conservative "who let me know that that wasn’t the case," she added. "We had very many fights early on in our relationship."

After that, she said she watched the "world invert. Up was down. Right was left. Literally. And being obese became beautiful and healthy and then COVID happened and that was another crazy moment for me. And then I started learning that all the news I had been ingesting was a lie. COVID did not come from a bat in a wet market and it just --- Russia, Russia, Russia wasn’t real."

JILLIAN MICHAELS SHREDS 'RIDICULOUS' DEMS FOR TURNING ON SETH MOULTON: THIS IS WHY YOU GOT YOUR 'BUTTS KICKED'

Michaels admitted that she worries about political issues "all the time. Mostly selfishly because I have two kids. And I was talking to my son today. He’s only 14 but he’s very political. I think about the kids and the world that we’re leaving them, and I know it sounds cliché, but I was telling my son if this happens with Nithya Raman and Becerra. That’s it."

Michaels was referring to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and former head of U.S. Health and Human Services under former President Biden Javier Becerra. Raman is running for mayor of L.A. and Becerra is running for California governor.

She said she asked where they wanted to go to college, saying she wanted to buy them a house there now.

COMEDIAN JEFF DYE ON LEAVING LOS ANGELES AND THE POLITICS DRIVING COMEDY’S NEW DIVIDE

"I want to get the kids set up. I worry about them. I worry about them making a living in this environment," she admitted. "I worry about the political climate. I worry about all of it all the time actually. It’s terrible."

Michaels and her wife moved their family from California to Wyoming in 2021.

Later in the podcast, she mused on liberals believing the "right is evil."

MAHER PRAISES NEWSOM'S 'TACK TO THE CENTER' AS DEM GOV SPEAKS OUT AGAINST TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

"All the news they watch tells them that," she said. "Everything they read, everything they see is ‘We are fascists, we are racists, we are Nazis. ‘Oh, you want voter ID? Because you’re racist.’"

She said when people hear that enough, it’s hard to get across that "this is totally corrupted. They look at you like you’ve got a tinfoil hat on, and you went all the way down the rabbit hole."

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She said what she thinks "converts a person on the left, is when it comes for them … It comes for everyone. Let’s just hope it’s not too late."

NEWSOM PUSHES THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO BE 'MORE CULTURALLY NORMAL' IF THEY WANT TO WIN

And while she said it’s important to be aware of what’s going on in the world, "everything is a balance. Because if you don’t know what’s going on — I think Jesse Kelly said this to me — if you’re paying attention, you’re destined to be ruled over by idiots and monsters. And that’s unacceptable."

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But she said simultaneously, "That can’t just be your media diet. And sometimes I will forcibly change my algorithm and watch people do incredible deeds for each other."

She added that she’s started to add people from different walks of life helping each other to the end of her podcast "Keeping it Real."

"And it reminds you that the vast majority of us are good people," she said. "We just have different ideas of how to achieve similar goals. And we’ve got to keep seeing the humanity in each other, and forcing, literally forcing the algorithm to show us those things instead of just ‘Look at this dumba—on the left and look at this racist on the right. That’s engineered. Fight back against that algorithm. It is designed to engage us in a horizontal fight, so we never look up and fight the real enemy."

She added, jokingly, "which is Gavin Newsom, by the way, in case you were wondering."

Olivia Wilde speaks out about the exact moment she knew relationship with Jason Sudeikis was over

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:04:15 -0400

Olivia Wilde revealed that a striking comment from Jason Sudeikis during a birthday-night drive home crystallized what the former couple had been struggling to admit: their relationship was over.

The "Don't Worry Darling" star offered a rare glimpse into the private struggles behind her split from Sudeikis, revealing the heartbreaking exchange that ultimately confirmed what the couple had been reluctant to admit. Wilde said the breakup ultimately informed her creative process, helping shape the relationship themes at the center of her new film, "The Invite."

"It's no surprise to me that I ended up making a movie about relationships and the complexity of determining whether a relationship is over because it is not an overnight process," she said during an appearance on "Call Her Daddy." "It's very difficult."

Wilde recalled a conversation on March 10, 2020, after she and Sudeikis had been experiencing a "real bumpy, bumpy ride" in their relationship.

OLIVIA WILDE WOULD RATHER HER WORK BE 'CONTROVERSIAL THAN BORING'

"And we were driving home from my birthday party, my friends had had. And I said, 'Did you get me a birthday present?' And he said, 'What would I get you, Olivia? I don't know you,'" Wilde revealed. "And he wasn't wrong. We didn't know each other anymore."

Wilde said the exchange forced them to confront how disconnected they had become in their relationship.

"And this is the thing that made me wanna make ['The Invite'] because, or one of the things, because you can get to a place in a relationship where you stop engaging in the knowing of each other in the curiosity about each other," she explained. "And you find yourself in a place where you're like, 'I don't even know you.' And that was a point, that was when we realized it was over, and it was f---ing tough. And it brought us to the place of like, 'OK, this is done. We're gonna end this.' And then, literally two days later was lockdown COVID."

JENNIFER GARNER DETAILS SACRIFICES AND CHALLENGES OF CO-PARENTING WITH BEN AFFLECK

Wilde and Sudeikis met at a "Saturday Night Live" after-party in 2011 and were engaged by 2013. They never married but spent nearly a decade together and had two children, Otis and Daisy. Although the romance ended, Wilde emphasized that their shared commitment to parenting never disappeared.

"Once you are sharing custody with someone, it shifts the way you think about parenting," Wilde said, calling Sudeikis a "very capable co-parent." The actress said sharing parenting responsibilities allows both parents to be fully present with their children when it's their time together.

"I feel like I'm like a superhero, not because of my skills, but because of the switching in between identities. Because my version of like going into the phone booth and putting on the suit is like going to work and being like a hundred percent hardcore available to work 24/7. But everyone in my life knows that then when I'm with my kids, it's the opposite."

SOPHIE TURNER SLAMS PARENTING POLICE AFTER BEING CRITICIZED FOR ATTENDING OASIS CONCERT WITHOUT HER KIDS

"And sometimes that's challenging. You have to find the balance. But I actually find this kind of divvying up of responsibility in a way can allow for really amazing parenting. Because we are always our best with our kids. They get the best of us."

For Wilde, the benefits of that approach extend beyond scheduling and logistics.

"I really wanna tell people, you can be an incredible parent even if you are not with them a hundred percent of the time, and you're sharing them with their other parent. It doesn't mean you won't be as good of a parent. You might even be a better parent."

Despite finding stability as co-parents, Wilde said one post-split incident remains among the most difficult experiences she has endured: being served custody papers while presenting onstage at CinemaCon in 2022.

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Wilde noted that CinemaCon is one of Hollywood's most important industry gatherings, bringing together studio executives, theater owners and members of the press. The high-stakes presentation left her feeling particularly vulnerable when the incident unfolded in front of the crowd.

"One of the most f---ed up things that I went through among so many was that I was served papers on stage. And I'll just say that now, with enough space behind it, the part that I can laugh at is that obviously it was incredibly traumatizing. There's so many elements to that. But I get through it because, weirdly, as women, we're taught to muscle through the most insane experiences, I was like, 'Just finish your speech.' Got through it, went backstage, completely like dissolved into a puddle."

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She later learned footage of the incident made it online despite there being no phones allowed at the event. Reflecting on the controversy years later, Wilde said the "Ted Lasso" star told her he was unaware she would be served publicly.

"Jason has told me that he did not know. And I need to believe that in order to continue. And you know, I think that lawyers can be super f---ed up and do f---ed up things, and I'm aware of that."

Although she called the incident "so f---ed up in so many ways," Wilde said she believes it also strengthened her resilience.

"...it was like, I cannot f---ing believe this is happening to me here," she recalled. "And yet, you know, the crazy thing is like once you make it through things like that, you kind of feel like you can make it through anything."

Finland's parliament votes to lift decades-old ban on nuclear weapons in historic NATO defense shift

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:01:47 -0400

Finland’s parliament on Wednesday voted to lift a decades-old ban on nuclear weapons, approving a major defense policy shift aimed at aligning the country more closely with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) deterrence strategy.

Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said a strong majority backed the amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act, calling it a "historic reform" that strengthens Finland’s security and that of the alliance.

"The Parliament approved the amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act with a strong 2/3 majority," Häkkänen said in a post on X. "This historic reform strengthens the security of Finland and of NATO as a whole.

In April 2023, Finland joined NATO in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ending decades of military non-alignment. The move, aimed at securing Finland’s collective defense, roughly doubled NATO’s border with Russia.

ANOTHER NATO ALLY SIGNS ONTO EUROPEAN NUCLEAR UMBRELLA AS CONTINENT BOOSTS SELF-DEFENSE

"The overall nuclear weapons policy has been one of the most challenging issues in the Ministry of Defence during this parliamentary term. Years of study, discussions with nuclear-weapon states and other allies, and assessments of how Finland's security can best be strengthened in NATO," Häkkänen said.

The measure repeals provisions in Finland’s 1987 Nuclear Energy Act that banned the import, production, possession and detonation of nuclear explosives.

If enacted, the legislation would allow nuclear weapons to be transported, supplied or possessed in Finland where the country’s military defense requires it.

FINLAND’S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS UKRAINE ‘IS NOW HOLDING THE CARDS’ AS RUSSIA SIGNALS TALKS

According to Euro News, 125 deputies backed the government proposal, 61 voted against it and 13 abstained.

The bill now moves to the president for final approval.

"I thank all the Members of Parliament who supported our legislative proposal for their strong backing," Häkkänen said. "Thank you to the defense administration professionals at home and abroad for their high expertise also in this project."

Despite the bill passing, the proposal has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, who warned it could escalate tensions, make Finland a potential primary target, and break from regional norms, noting that several neighboring countries have rejected hosting or permitting nuclear weapons.

The introduction of the proposed law also provoked a strong reaction from Russia last March, according to Reuters.

"This is a statement that leads to an escalation of tensions on the European continent," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"This statement adds to Finland's vulnerability, a vulnerability provoked by the actions of the Finnish authorities. The fact is that by deploying ⁠nuclear weapons on its territory, Finland is beginning to threaten us. And if Finland threatens us, we take appropriate measures."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Hillary Clinton dodges endorsing Graham Platner, calls his scandals 'bumps on the road'

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:00:06 -0400

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton avoided directly answering whether she supported Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner when asked on Monday.

"I feel about him the way I feel about any candidate," Clinton said at 92NY. "I want to see what kind of candidate he actually turns out to be."

During her answer, she also appeared to downplay Platner's ongoing scandals as "bumps on the road" for his character.

HILLARY CLINTON BREAKS WITH DEMOCRATIC CRITICS BY BACKING TRUMP’S GAZA PLAN AS THE 'ONLY GAME IN TOWN'

"The bumps on the road that he has experienced and some of the things he has said..." Clinton said.

"Bumps on the road?" The New Yorker editor David Remnick asked skeptically.

"Yeah, clearly bumps on the road in terms of his prior behavior, some of his prior statements. And I will tell you, I served with [Maine Sen.] Susan Collins, she is going to be very hard to beat. It's going to be a tough election. So I'm reserving," Clinton said.

SUSAN COLLINS GETTING REELECTED IS BIGGER CONCERN THAN GRAHAM PLATNER ALLEGATIONS, TEXAS DEMOCRAT CLAIMS

"But if you were a Mainer, where would you pull the lever?" Remnick asked.

"I’m not a Mainer. I’m a New Yorker," Clinton joked.

Clinton then shifted to discussing the importance of the Democratic Party regaining control of the House of Representatives in 2026.

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

'THE VIEW' ERUPTS AFTER HOSTIN DECLARES 'I WOULD HOLD MY NOSE' AND VOTE FOR SCANDAL-PLAGUED GRAHAM PLATNER

Platner has been rocked by several controversies since his campaign began, ranging from sexually explicit messages to other women and offensive social media posts to a Nazi-linked tattoo and campaign staff upheaval.

The controversies reached a new level after a New York Times report earlier this month described new allegations of violent episodes and questionable behavior with ex-girlfriends.

Despite his ongoing scandals, several Democratic politicians have chosen to stand and defend Platner's campaign, while many have declined to disavow him.

Trump switches support in Oklahoma congressional race as formerly endorsed pastor candidate suspends campaign

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:56:17 -0400

President Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement of Oklahoma GOP congressional candidate Jackson Lahmeyer on Wednesday, and threw his support behind Republican rival Mark Tedford, a dramatic reversal that came shortly before Lahmeyer publicly announced he was suspending his campaign.

Lahmeyer told Fox News Digital, however, that he made the decision to end his campaign the night before and informed his wife and campaign team before Trump's endorsement switch.

"I made my decision to drop out of the race last night," Lahmeyer told Fox News Digital. "I decided to choose my wife over my ambition. I informed my wife about my decision late last night and then my campaign team early this morning. My decision did not take place because of the decision of POTUS this afternoon."

AP results showed Tedford finishing first with 32.2% and Lahmeyer second with 25.9%, advancing both Republicans to a runoff election to succeed Rep. Kevin Hern, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

TRUMP DROPS MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE ENDORSEMENT, CALLS HER A ‘RANTING LUNATIC,' HINTS AT BACKING PRIMARY RIVAL

Trump had previously endorsed Lahmeyer as a "MAGA Warrior" and longtime ally, making Wednesday's endorsement switch one of the more notable reversals of the 2026 midterm cycle.

At approximately 2:23 p.m., Trump announced on Truth Social that he was backing Tedford.

"I greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer's hard work under difficult circumstances — He has always been with me, and I will always be with him," Trump wrote. "But, when it comes to the current Congressional race for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, I will be supporting America First Patriot, Mark Tedford."

SNUBBED BY TRUMP, GOP CANDIDATES FIGHTING FOR RE-ELECTION ACT LIKE THEY HAVE HIS BACKING ANYWAY

The president described Tedford as "Pro Trump and MAGA all the way" and said the state lawmaker had his "Complete and Total Endorsement."

At approximately 2:32 p.m., Lahmeyer announced on X that he was suspending his campaign.

"After prayerful consideration with my wife, Kendra, and my team over the last twenty four hours, I've made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for Congress," Lahmeyer said.

"I do not want to be a distraction to my family, my church, and the great people of Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, who deserve a strong conservative voice representing them in Washington."

Fox News Digital reached out to Lahmeyer, Tedford and the White House for comment. A White House official referred Fox News Digital to Trump's Truth Social statement and did not provide additional comment.

INSIDE STEFANIK’S EXIT AND HOW THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT THAT NEVER CAME WAS 'BIGGEST PIECE' OF THE 'PUZZLE'

Trump's decision marked a sharp turn from his earlier endorsement of Lahmeyer, whom he praised before Oklahoma's June 16 primary.

The endorsement reversal came after a turbulent stretch for Lahmeyer's campaign. The Daily Mail published reports regarding Lahmeyer's communications with former Miss Oklahoma USA Caitlin Simmons Key.

Lahmeyer later acknowledged that he had crossed "a boundary line through text messaging" while disputing what he described as a misleading characterization of the situation.

Neither president Trump nor the White House publicly explained the reason for the endorsement change. Tedford is now positioned as the likely Republican nominee in the strongly GOP district.

Trump-endorsed congressional candidate pledges entire $174K salary to wounded Iraq War veteran's family

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:42:48 -0400

Trump-endorsed Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino says he will donate $174,000 — the equivalent of one year’s congressional salary — to the family of Sgt. Eddie Ryan, a wounded Iraq War veteran, regardless of whether he wins his race in New York’s 21st Congressional District.

Constantino, the CEO of Sticker Mule, made the surprise pledge on June 10 at a campaign event in Queensbury, New York, handing Ryan’s family a handwritten note promising the donation, according to local news outlet The Daily Gazette.

"I planned to give away my entire congressional salary from day one," Constantino told Fox News Digital. "My team presented a few options and I immediately thought of Sgt. Eddie Ryan because he inspired me to fight harder early in this race."

BLUE STATE CEO WHO PUT UP 100-FOOT PRO-TRUMP SIGN TO SPEND $2.6 MILLION ON CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS

Constantino added, "I want this to become a symbolic gesture that encourages more Americans to fight, fight, fight for a better future while simultaneously inspiring other people of means to support our great Veterans."

Ryan, a former U.S. Marine Corps sniper, was severely wounded by friendly fire in Iraq in 2005. He was shot twice in the head, suffered a traumatic brain injury and now faces lasting mobility and speech challenges, The Daily Gazette reported.

Constantino said he first met Ryan and his family earlier this year outside a Warren County Republican Committee meeting. The exchange lasted less than a minute, but he said it left a lasting impression.

"Sgt. Ryan is a role model for loving America and staying positive in the face of adversity. He was severely wounded in combat and proudly says he would do it again with a big smile," Constantino said.

RACE TO SUCCEED REP. ELISE STEFANIK IN UPDATE NEW YORK HEATS UP WITH NEW CHALLENGER

Ryan said he was stunned by the announcement.

"I’m still floored," Ryan said after the pledge was revealed, according to The Daily Gazette.

Constantino is running against state Assembly Member Robert Smullen in the June 23 Republican primary to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik in New York’s 21st Congressional District.

He has spent millions of dollars of his own money on the campaign and has cast the race as a fight against the political establishment.

"It’s an opportunity to move the country in a positive direction in a big way," Constantino said. "Once I saw first hand how bad the swamp that President Trump talks about so much really is, I felt I had no choice but to use my resources to fight it to create a better future for America."

BRIAN MAST: I’M A WOUNDED WARRIOR. I’VE SEEN DONALD TRUMP CARE FOR VETERANS. THAT’S WHY I’M VOTING FOR HIM

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump endorsed Constantino — who previously fought local officials to keep a massive pro-Trump sign on his factory — in the race to fill Stefanik’s seat.

"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Anthony Constantino, who is running to represent the fantastic people of New York’s 21st Congressional District," Trump wrote on Truth Social in April.

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

English World Cup fan in oversized cowboy hat delivers perfect verdict on Texas brisket ahead of Croatia match

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:40:07 -0400

One of the best parts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been watching fans from all corners of the globe make their way through the United States and seeing all that we have to offer.

And, by that, I mean mostly the food.

Now, we've got an English fan giving his analysis of Texas-style BBQ, and he does it while wearing a cowboy hat that may only be marginally smaller than the one Lloyd Christmas wears in "Dumb and Dumber."

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

England got its World Cup slate started with a match against a tough opponent in Croatia, and ahead of the match, Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth decided to go chat with some fans before the game.

Which, we're all learning, is almost always gold, Jerry, and it was once again in this instance.

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

"Hi, I love the beer and this country, by the way; it's really good," the fan said.

This guy already rules.

After he said the American hospitality had been great as well, the reporter asked him if he had had any Texas BBQ.

"I had Texas BBQ yesterday, I had a lovely bit of brisket," he said before saying he went "fatty" over "lean," which tells me this guy knows ball because that's where the flavor is. "...Picked it up, put the sauce on it, dropped it in my mouth, melted in my mouth. It was absolutely beautiful. It's the best beef I've ever had in my life."

THE VERDICT IS IN: EUROPEANS ARE OBSESSED WITH RURAL AMERICA DURING 2026 WORLD CUP STAY

The fan talked about eating pork chops and mac and cheese (which he said was average), then he had a question.

"What's this Brussels sprouts gratin about?" he asked. "We have Brussels sprouts at Christmas in England; why do you have it on your BBQ?"

Fair question, and I hope he's reading this because I can answer it.

Brother, like 10 or 15 years ago someone cracked the code on Brussels sprouts. They're not considered a gross food your mom forced you to eat against your will anymore. They're a starting lineup BBQ side when thrown in cheese or crisped up. They've even graduated to appetizer status at a lot of joints.

Throw some sweet chili glaze on your Brussels sprouts next Christmas and prepare to blow your grandmum's mind to smithereens.

Before wrapping things up, the reporter asked the fan for his match-day plans, and I bet you could guess them.

"We're going to get drunk before the game," he said. "We're going to get drunk during the game. And then we're going to get drunk after the game."

I'm sure this delightful chap was living it up, as the Three Lions took a big 4-2 win over Croatia thanks to a pair of first-half goals from star Harry Kane.

'Something big': Feds reveal how relatives of suspects in foiled White House UFC plot saw warning signs

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:30:44 -0400

Family members of two men charged in an alleged plot to attack the White House UFC event last weekend saw warning signs before authorities foiled the plot, including a mother who alerted police days before the plan was supposed to take place to her son's concerning online communications and an unusually large stockpile of weapons he recently obtained.

Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California, allegedly told a family member that one day they would wake up and he would be gone, and that he intended to travel to Washington, D.C., where "something big" would happen, according to a federal complaint filed in the Central District of California.

On June 10, just days before the controversial event at the White House, that family member woke up and found that Roa, an amateur mixed martial arts fighter himself, had left, according to the complaint. Roa’s relatives considered reporting him after he left but did not contact police before he returned home, the complaint notes.

Meanwhile, on the same day Roa disappeared from his family, law enforcement officers in Ohio were dispatched to the home of Tycen Proper, after his mother reported concerns about his recent firearms purchases and online communications, according to a separate federal complaint. Law enforcement made contact with Proper, who was transported to a local hospital due to homicidal ideations, prosecutors said.

DAN BONGINO REVEALS HOW THE FBI STOPPED AN ALLEGED TERROR PLOT BUILT FOR 'UNIMAGINABLE' CASUALTIES

Fox News Digital reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Cincinnati and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio, where Proper's case is playing out, to inquire whether the call to law enforcement from Proper’s mother was at all a factor in the investigation, or in preventing the alleged plot from coming to fruition. Both declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI's Los Angeles office as well with similar questions about Roa, but officials cited similar constraints. However, a spokesperson did confirm that their investigation "is very much ongoing."

Multiple family members told law enforcement that Roa had been planning a trip to Washington, D.C., and believed he intended to commit an act of violence during the trip because of his increased time spent shooting weapons and a noticeable change in behavior, including increased anxiety, irritation and seclusion, according to the complaint from the Central District of California. Federal investigators also said Roa’s family members told law enforcement that, within the last three months, he had begun spending more time with a new group of online friends.

Other relatives told investigators that Roa became "extremely agitated" when he experienced mechanical difficulties with his vehicle during the week of June 9, something that ultimately forced Roa to head back home after attempting to drive to the nation's capital, according to the complaint. Roa’s family considered reporting him to police after he left but did not do so before he returned home, investigators said.

Roa later told law enforcement that he had planned to attend UFC Freedom 250 as a protester, but that his vehicle malfunctioned and he had to return home, according to the complaint. Federal investigators said traffic cameras showed Roa’s registered vehicle in Barstow, California, on June 11.

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In Ohio, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a residence in Danville on June 10 after Tycen Proper’s mother reported concerns about her son’s recent conduct, including firearms purchases and communications with concerning people online, according to the complaint.

A family member told deputies that Proper, 19, had recently met random people online and had been planning "recons" with them, according to the complaint. The family member said Proper planned to leave the weekend of June 13 to meet the online contacts and had recently acquired camping gear, food, ballistic plates, a new shotgun, a rifle, "lots" of ammunition, extra magazines and plate carriers.

Proper allegedly spent about $3,000 of his graduation money on the equipment, according to the complaint. The family member also told authorities that Proper had recently quit his job in preparation to meet the online contacts to conduct "missions" and "recons."

The Ohio encounter helped draw the FBI into the case the next day, according to the California complaint. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office contacted the FBI on June 11 as a result of its interactions with Proper, and federal investigators interviewed him later that day at a mental health center in Columbus, the complaint says.

Authorities later photographed equipment acquired by Proper, including several boxes of ammunition, two plate carriers with AR-style magazines, and rifles painted with an American flag, according to the complaint. The equipment was voluntarily turned over to law enforcement by the family.

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Federal complaints allege Roa, Proper and three others planned to use drones laden with explosives near the north side of the White House UFC event to create panic and force attendees and "high value targets" to evacuate south, where snipers and additional shooters would be positioned to fire on members of the crowd as they fled. Investigators also alleged the group discussed tiered roles for participants, including shooters, drone operators, getaway drivers, logistics support, funders and social media influencers.

The Justice Department announced Tuesday that Proper; Roa; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, were charged in connection with an alleged plot targeting U.S. officials and others attending the UFC Freedom 250 fight held at the White House last Sunday.

The complaint says the alleged conspirators communicated through encrypted messaging apps, and discussed tactical plans, role assignments, escape routes and potential targets.

Roa and Thomas were charged in the Central District of California with conspiracy to commit murder. Proper was charged in the Southern District of Ohio with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, attempted murder of a U.S. officer or employee, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and receipt or transfer of a firearm used to commit a felony. Eskridge was charged in the Western District of Missouri with conspiracy to commit murder, while Alvarez was charged in Nebraska with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and conspiracy to murder, according to court documents.

A criminal complaint contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Justice Department, but the agency also declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the case.

World Cup superstar Ivana Knoll invades AT&T Stadium to turn heads and support Croatia

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:28:13 -0400

What kind of World Cup would it be if the influencer who has been dubbed the tournament’s "sexiest fan" wasn’t in attendance? Words like fraudulent and unofficial might come to mind, but we don’t have to go down that road.

We’re not going to know what kind of World Cup it would have been, because on Wednesday, Ivana Knoll invaded AT&T Stadium for her first appearance to show support for Croatia as they took on England.

The 33-year-old Croatian soccer superfan’s support wasn’t enough to overcome the four goals England scored as her team fell 4-2 in their first match, but this appearance wasn’t just about her team.

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Knoll had a statement to make. While she’s dabbled in other sports, including F1, she is "the World Cup girl" and she is back. Any doubts about that didn’t make it inside the stadium with her.

It was a performance built for attention and I couldn’t help but think back to her run during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when we were first introduced to her.

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Knoll showed up prepared to defy each one of the Qatari rules and regulations. With every appearance she pushed it a little further. As a result, she left Qatar as an even bigger star than she had entered it.

Without the worry of pushing it too far and setting off an international incident, she can focus her attention on what she does best during the 2026 World Cup. She's off to a hot start too.

Before heading to Jerry's World in next to nothing, she made a dream of hers come true by headlining the FIFA Fan Festival in Los Angeles and putting her DJ skills to use. Buckle up — Ivana Knoll is just getting started.

DHS torches Spanberger after illegal immigrant charged with child sex abuse at babysitter's house granted bond

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:11:17 -0400

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressed outrage on social media Wednesday over Virginia's sanctuary policies, demanding Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger intervene to prevent the release of an illegal immigrant charged with the sexual battery of a 5-year-old girl.

Jose Nahun Aleman Hernandez, 43, of Woodbridge, was arrested June 3 by the Prince William Police Department and is charged with aggravated sexual battery.

According to the police report, the 5-year-old victim was at her babysitter's home when she was inappropriately touched by Hernandez, who was also inside the house.

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Authorities said the alleged abuse occurred over a period spanning from January 2023 to March 2026.

No physical injuries were reported by the child, according to the police report.

Hernandez received a $5,000 secured bond, sparking the agency's urgent public appeal to the governor to ensure he is not released back onto the streets.

"Sanctuary Spanberger’s REFUSAL to work with [ICE] has made Virginians less safe and the commonwealth a magnet for illegal alien crime," DHS wrote in the post.

Spanberger has not publicly responded, as of Wednesday afternoon.

The governor’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Irina Shayk sizzles in topless photos for new fashion campaign

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:07:24 -0400

Irina Shayk is leaving little to the imagination with her latest social media post.

In a recent Instagram photo, the 40-year-old model posed for the Italian fashion brand, Haikure, in a new collaboration with the brand.

To celebrate her partnership with the brand, Shayk posted a series of photos taken by her, featuring herself in the clothes, including one of her posing topless in a pair of black pants.

"Created from home, through my lens @haikure.studio," she captioned the post.

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The photo shows her standing on a brown leather couch with her arms crossed over her torso to cover her chest, as she looks at the camera with a serious look on her face.

She was modeling a pair of pants which looked as if a pair of black leather pants had been pulled up over a pair of dark denim jeans.

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"You have a breathtaking beauty," one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, "So beautiful."

Never one to shy away from showing her body, Shayk previously turned heads when she posted photos from her recent trip to Spain on Instagram earlier this month. She included a shot of herself in a revealing black bikini, leading fans to call her "beautiful" in the comments section.

Shayk got her start in modeling in the early 2000s, getting her big break in 2007, when she became the face of Intimissimi. This ultimately led to appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue many times, starting in 2007, ultimately landing the cover in 2011.

"It’s one of the most important things that can happen to a model in her career," she told Forbes in August 2011. "People now recognize me on the street. A couple of days ago, I took a shower and then was walking my dog, and a man came up to me with a bag full of magazines. He came from New Jersey, and was like, "Can you sign these magazines?" It was about 10 p.m., and here I am with wet hair."

She went on to cement her status as a sought-after model, even transitioning to high fashion work, walking the runway for brands such as Versace, Givenchy, Vivienne Westwood and more.

In spring 2015, Shayk began dating actor Bradley Cooper, with the two making their red carpet debut in March 2016 during Paris Fashion Week.

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The two dated for four years and welcomed their daughter, Lea, in 2017, before ending their relationship in June 2019.

Podcaster Joe Rogan tells critics of UFC Freedom 250 White House event to 'shut the f--- up'

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:00:11 -0400

Joe Rogan blasted critics of the UFC White House event during Wednesday’s episode of his podcast, defending the event as a nonpartisan and unprecedented patriotic event.

President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday in the run-up to America’s 250th anniversary with a celebration on the South Lawn, where 14 fighters from around the world competed inside a wire-mesh cage during the UFC Freedom 250 spectacle.

The estimated 4,300 people in attendance, which included about 1,200 active-duty service members, greeted the president with loud cheers as the occasional "Happy Birthday" was shouted from the crowd. The $60 million event kicked off with the Marine Band’s performance of the national anthem, sung by country star Zac Brown, and was capped off with a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds.

Rogan spoke to author Chase Hughes on his podcast on Wednesday, recalling the incredible fights he saw the past weekend, where he claimed that in addition to the 4,300 official attendees, there were an additional 85,000 watching on massive screens just outside the event venue.

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"It was insane. Just the magnitude of it was insane," Rogan noted. He said that while he is a hyperbolic person by nature, "That was the wildest experience that I've ever had in my 20 whatever years of calling combat sports. There's nothing even close. Nothing even close. It was the greatest night of fights of all time. And it was the only night in the history of the sport where every single fight ended by knockout. "

He added further that he actually had to persuade some people to show up in the first place, noting, "I talked a bunch of people into going that didn't want to. Like Shane Gillis was thinking about not going. I'm like, 'Bro, you got to go. It's going to be epic. It's going to be a once ever thing. Not a once in a lifetime. Once in anybody's lifetime. It's never happened before. It's probably never going to happen again.'"

"Probably not," Hughes agreed.

"No," Rogan said. "But that’s something you have to see and experience."

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The host went on to lament that "so many people are trying to make it a partisan thing. Like they're mad at people for being there. Like, 'Oh, you support Trump.' Like, it's a f---ing fight at the White House. Doesn't mean you endorse foreign policy. Like, shut the f--- up. Just please. Just please stop."

"And again, it's this thing, the ego thing where people are just — they just want so badly—and on both sides for sure," Rogan continued. "You know, the right celebrates this as a win for masculinity and patriotism and all these different things. Like, okay, settle down. Everybody settle down. You should all be together."

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FTC alleges influential transgender health organization misled parents about safety of youth treatments

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:48:12 -0400

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and four Republican-led states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) on Wednesday, alleging the influential medical organization misled parents and doctors about the safety, effectiveness and necessity of transgender medical treatments for minors.

The lawsuit alleges WPATH, whose standards of care are widely used by physicians treating patients with gender dysphoria, made deceptive claims about puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and sex change surgeries while failing to adequately disclose potential risks and side effects.

"Parents have a right to make informed decisions about their children's health," FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson wrote on X. "The FTC will not allow parents and children to be deceived by medical organizations and providers who are prioritizing profit over children's health and safety."

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According to the complaint, WPATH removed age-based recommendations for certain transgender procedures from its Standards of Care. The FTC also alleges the organization promoted treatments that were not adequately supported by evidence regarding their safety and effectiveness.

The lawsuit, filed alongside Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas, marks the latest effort by President Donald Trump's administration to scrutinize medical interventions for transgender minors.

WPATH previously sued to block an FTC investigation into the organization, arguing the agency violated its First Amendment rights. A federal judge in May temporarily blocked the probe.

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WPATH rejected the allegations and said its standards are intended to support individualized patient care. In a statement provided to The Associated Press, the organization said its guidelines are based on individualized treatment rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

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

"WPATH is in a strong position to prove that the FTC is acting out of pure retaliation as part of the federal government's relentless and targeted campaign to undermine gender-affirming care by attacking the First Amendment rights and the independence of professional medical organizations," the group said in a statement to the AP.

The lawsuit comes amid a broader national debate over puberty blockers, hormone therapies and sex change surgeries for minors.

Supporters argue the treatments can be medically necessary for some patients, while critics contend the long-term risks are not fully understood and that children may be unable to provide informed consent.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani needles Trae Young after past feud over Knicks playoff ticket prices

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:21:42 -0400

The New York Knicks are on the eve of a celebration parade more than five decades in the making after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games to capture the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.

In recent years, Trae Young has repeatedly tormented the Knicks at the famed Madison Square Garden, turning clutch shots and postgame showmanship into vulgar chants from New York fans.

The chants became a familiar theme whenever the Knicks faced the Atlanta Hawks, seemingly pushing Young to raise his game against the Blue and Orange. Young, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in January, is no stranger to trading barbs on social media with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

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The NBA All-Star and the politician traded blame over the cost of Knicks playoff tickets at Madison Square Garden.

NBA STAR HITS BACK AT NYC MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI FOR BLAMING HIM OVER EXPENSIVE PLAYOFF TICKETS

Mamdani appeared to rekindle the feud Wednesday. In a sitdown with CNN, the Democratic mayor of the nation’s largest city suggested he was unfamiliar with Young when asked whether Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama had dethroned the league’s 2025 assists leader as New York's favorite basketball villain.

"I’m not sure who that other guy is you’re speaking of," Mamdani replied. "But Victor Wembanyama is the most recent villain we’ve had, yes — vanquished."

Young averaged 29.2 points as the Hawks beat the Knicks in five games in the first round of the 2021 Eastern Conference playoffs. He placed a finger to his mouth after a thrilling 107-105 overtime win in Game 1, silencing the Madison Square Garden crowd after scoring a game-high 32 points.

At one point in the series, a frustrated Knicks fan appeared to try to spit at Young. The star point guard was unfazed, framing the hostility as proof that he had gotten under Knicks fans’ skin.

"Obviously, I’m doing something right if you hate me that much. I embrace it and try to focus on my team and trying to help my team win. At the end of the day, we’ll get the last laugh if we do that."

Jalen Brunson was named the 2026 NBA Finals MVP after Saturday's series-clinching win. Thursday’s championship parade is expected to step off at 10 a.m. ET, carrying the reigning NBA champions through Manhattan before ending at New York City Hall.

Mamdani described the parade as a historic first for the Knicks and a payoff for generations of New Yorkers.

"It will be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks history, where New Yorkers will be able to celebrate a moment that has feels like we’ve waited an entire lifetime for because when it comes to people my age and a little bit older, we have," Mamdani said.

"There have been so many heartbreaks, so many near misses, so many years, every year where we’ve told ourselves it’s the year and for it to actually happen now, there’s nothing more we can ask for as New Yorkers."