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Canadian soccer fans boo U.S. flag as Canada stumbles against Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:18:43 -0400

The United States continues to live rent-free in Canadians' heads. That was evident once again moments before Canada's first World Cup match, when the competing countries were being recognized during the Parade of Nations at Toronto Stadium.

When the time came for the United States to be recognized pregame, Canada fans, as they've done in many sporting events over the last several years, booed. Great sportsmanship, eh?

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

As I said, this is nothing new from our neighbors to the north. During the 4 Nations Face-Off and at numerous NHL games last season, Canadian fans booed the U.S. national anthem.

Since then, Canada has lost three Olympic gold medal games to the United States — in men's hockey, women's hockey and para ice hockey. And if not for a fortunate deflection off a Bosnia and Herzegovina defender in the 78th minute, Canada would have found itself on the wrong side of the biggest upset of the World Cup so far.

Canada’s equalizer would be all they could muster against Bosnia and Herzegovina as the match ended 1-1, making it a disappointing start to their World Cup campaign, especially on home turf.

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Canada, friendly advice, though y’all don’t deserve it at this point: I’d stop the booing. It hasn’t worked out well for you.

Trump's name remains on Kennedy Center as appeals court weighs emergency request

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:39:44 -0400

The Kennedy Center board on Friday asked a federal appeals court to temporarily block a judge’s order requiring references to President Donald Trump’s name to be removed from the institution’s signage and official materials, as signage bearing Trump’s name remained visible on the building’s facade late Friday afternoon.

In an emergency motion filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the board requested both a stay pending appeal and an immediate administrative stay, arguing that physical changes to the building should not occur before appellate judges review the dispute.

The filing asks the court to issue an administrative stay by 7 p.m. Friday.

Fox News Digital observed Friday afternoon that Trump's name remained mounted on the Kennedy Center facade as of 5:30 p.m. ET, with scaffolding erected around portions of the signage.

Earlier Friday, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper denied the board's request to pause enforcement of his ruling while the appeal proceeds, finding that the defendants had not demonstrated either a likelihood of success on appeal or irreparable harm.

OBAMA-APPOINTED JUDGE WITH TIES TO ANTI-TRUMP CONSPIRACY THEORY HIT WITH MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT

The Kennedy Center board argued in its emergency filing that removing and potentially reinstalling signage would force it to incur costs that could not be recovered if it ultimately prevails on appeal.

The board also argued that removing Trump's name could impair fundraising efforts and create public confusion if the Center's name changes again following a successful appeal. The motion further contends that the case raises significant questions regarding the board's authority and whether Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, had standing to bring the lawsuit.

The latest filing stems from Cooper's May 29 ruling that Congress, not the Kennedy Center board, has authority over the institution's name. The judge ordered the removal of Trump's name from physical signage, digital materials and official branding and directed the Center to comply within 14 days.

BOARD VOTES KENNEDY CENTER TO BE RENAMED 'TRUMP-KENNEDY CENTER,' LEAVITT SAYS

In a lengthy opinion, Cooper wrote that the Kennedy Center's governing statute "makes crystal clear" that the institution is to be named for President John F. Kennedy and cannot be formally renamed through unilateral board action.

The judge concluded that Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name and that only Congress can change it.

The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by Beatty, who serves as an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board.

Following the May 29 decision, Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi said the board intended to appeal.

EXCLUSIVE: TRUMP-LED KENNEDY CENTER NEARLY DOUBLES FUNDRAISING FROM BIDEN ERA, SMASHING RECORD WITH $23M HAUL

"We will review the decision carefully though the reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration — a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges," Daravi told Fox News Digital at the time.

"With $257 million secured by President Trump and approved by Congress, the resources are in place, and we remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy."

Beatty praised the ruling, saying in a statement that the Kennedy Center "belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump."

Trump's name was added to the venue in December after a unanimous vote of the board. Signage bearing the president's name was installed above the existing Kennedy Center lettering shortly afterward.

As of Friday afternoon, the appeals court had not publicly ruled on the emergency request, leaving unresolved whether Trump's name would remain in place beyond the court-ordered compliance deadline.

The emergency appeal asks the D.C. Circuit to preserve the status quo while it considers the board's broader appeal of Cooper's ruling.

The White House and a representative for the Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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

Hunter Biden jumps to defense of Democrat Graham Platner over Nazi tattoo questions, sexting scandal

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:39:19 -0400

Hunter Biden came to the defense of Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner during a Friday podcast interview, brushing off the Nazi tattoo and sexting controversies surrounding the candidate.

"I'm 99.9% certain that Graham Platner is no Nazi, and I don't think that he's racist in any way," Biden said on the "This is Gavin Newsom" podcast.

Speaking with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Biden defended Platner over criticism surrounding his chest tattoo and sexually explicit messages, suggesting few politicians would withstand similar scrutiny if their phones were made public.

"I have not heard anything in any way that would say to me that he is [an] abusive, misogynistic or antisemitic or racist person," he added.

SEE IT: MAINE VOTERS SOUND OFF ON PLATNER'S DIVISIVE CAMPAIGN AS CRUCIAL PRIMARY NEARS: 'HE'S A DISGRACE'

Platner won Maine's Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday and will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. He has faced criticism over allegations involving sexting with multiple women during his marriage and a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol.

But Hunter Biden — who also discussed his own experience with public scrutiny over his past crack addiction — defended Platner, arguing there would be few politicians left if they opened their phones to the public.

"I always say to people like, ‘Show me your phone. Give me access to your iCloud. Let's go through it and pull everything that we can that is inappropriate, that is off color,’" Biden said.

MAINE DEM SENATE HOPEFUL BACKED BY BERNIE SANDERS APOLOGIZES FOR NAZI-STYLE TATTOO, VOWS TO STAY IN RACE

"And if that's the standard by which we are going to judge people, particularly people in elected office, then I don't think we're [going to] have many people in an elected office."

Platner has said he got the tattoo during a night of drinking while on leave in Croatia over a decade ago. The skull-and-crossbones design resembles the "Totenkopf" symbol associated with Hitler's SS paramilitary forces.

In an October 2025 post on X, Platner reiterated that he was unaware of the tattoo's meaning, writing, "Years ago I got a skull and crossbones tattoo with my buddies in the Marine Corps. I was appalled to learn it closely resembled a Nazi symbol."

SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER SENT EXPLICIT TEXTS TO MULTIPLE WOMEN WHILE MARRIED, WIFE SAYS: REPORT

"I altered it yesterday, into something that isn't deeply offensive to my core beliefs. I am very sorry to all of you who had to hate over the past 48 hours," he added.

Biden also defended Platner amid reports he exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women during his marriage. He downplayed the controversy, noting the messages from Platner were "consensual."

"I think that his relationship with his wife is his relationship his wife. The entirety of that controversy is, you know, it's all about leaked consensual stuff. I mean, stupid," he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Platner's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT MOCKED BY PLATNER SAYS PTSD DOES NOT EXCUSE 'ABHORRENT BEHAVIOR'

Platner's campaign has confirmed the existence of the text exchanges to Politico. He also previously told Fox News Digital in a statement: "Amy and I went through something hard — because of me. We did the work, and I’m grateful for her every hour of every day."

"I’ve learned throughout this campaign is that people don’t care about gossip or headlines, they care that you’re fighting for their hospitals, their paycheck, their kids... Our opponents want politics to be empty of content and empty of actual change — and beating that is exactly what our movement is about," he added.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Fox News Digital’s Amanda Macias contributed to this report.

Graduation cigar saga involving HS lacrosse team boils over as school officials, family attorney trade barbs

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:12:59 -0400

A Massachusetts high school boys lacrosse team forfeited its state semifinal game earlier this week after photos surfaced online of six members of the team allegedly smoking cigars after their graduation, breaking a rule in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic’s Association tobacco policy.

One of the students involved spoke to Fox News Digital on Wednesday, claiming the cigars were fake. The student said the cigars were made of tea leaves because they were aware of the rule and didn’t want to jeopardize the team going into their "Final Four" game.

But in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital on Friday, Ipswich High School superintendent Brian Blake and Principal Jonathan Mitchell refuted those claims, adding that they wanted to ensure that an "accurate account" of what transpired was being presented to the public.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

On Monday morning, June 8, a day after the high school’s graduation, the school became aware of two photographs on the Internet of six lacrosse players who appeared to be smoking cigars. The statement claimed only one of two photos had been presented to the media.

"The second photograph – which apparently was not provided to the media - showed the cigars smoked down significantly; a cloud of smoke surrounding one of the students; and a torch-type lighter visible in the hand of another of the students," the statement read.

"Shortly after reviewing the photographs, the District learned that the photographs were posted on the Facebook page of one of the players’ parents. Based on the mandatory MIAA Chemical Health policy, which is also incorporated in the Ipswich Student-Athlete Handbook, school administrators commenced an investigation, including interviewing the involved students and/or their parents and giving them the opportunity to explain their version of events."

READ THE SCHOOL'S FULL STATEMENT HERE:

The student involved told Fox News Digital in an earlier conversation that his father, John Gianakakis, called the cigar shop in Ipswich and asked for fake cigars so the kids could follow the tradition of smoking cigars after graduation.

During the school’s investigation, administrators were told the cigars were "fake," containing chamomile and English breakfast tea rather than tobacco. Administrators were shown a receipt from a local grocery store, where the cigars were purchased.

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The school's statement said the receipt supporting the claim of the fake cigars had the time and date smudged out.

"When District administrators met on the morning of June 9 to review the evidence they had obtained, it was determined that the cigars were in fact not 'fake,' as they had been told. As noted, one photograph showed smoke and a lighter, as well as the fact that the cigars were significantly shorter than they were in the first photograph. In addition, the photographs had been removed from the Facebook page, and the receipt allegedly supporting the claim that they were filled with tea had the date and time smudged out," the statement read.

Upon seeing the smudged receipt, the administration concluded that a violation of the Chemical Health policy had been committed and proceeded to inform the families of the six players that they were suspended. The school's statement also added that days later, following the "uproar" in the media over the story, Mitchell went to the supermarket to see whether the receipt could be reproduced in an effort to confirm the actual purchase date.

On that trip to the supermarket, Mitchell allegedly discovered that the receipt for the fake cigars was purchased 20 minutes after the families were informed of the potential violation on Monday.

The school's statement also pointed the finger at the students when it came to the forfeiture.

"Rumors of a team ‘walkout’ began to spread and three players stated that they refused to play, in solidarity with their suspended teammates. This left only 11 players available to play in the Semifinal game in a sport which requires ten players to be on the field at any given time (subject to being a "man down" for penalties)," the statement read.

The principal, athletic director and coach then discussed the situation, and allegedly allowed the players to vote. The players overwhelmingly forfeited the game, which the district honored, according to the school's statement.

The student involved told Fox News Digital that the team was on the bus when they first learned of the suspensions and that, when they first boarded the bus, they thought they would be allowed to play. The student involved said "everybody was in shock" and that "we really didn’t know what to do."

The student involved said the final decision came from Blake, the superintendent.

An attorney representing John Gianakakis, one of the parents of the students involved, provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to questions about officials’ allegations that the cigars were not "fake" and that the students were responsible for the forfeiture. The statement claimed that Blake allegedly had a bias against the athletes of the school.

The statement added that Blake acted as "judge, jury, and executioner," moving with "lightning speed." The statement accused Blake of acting out of retaliation for an incident that occurred earlier in the lacrosse season.

READ THE FAMILY ATTORNEY'S STATEMENT HERE:

HOW TO WATCH USA VS PARAGUAY: LIVE STREAM THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

"Earlier this year, Blake was scrutinized when there was a serious injury at a lacrosse game with both personnel and equipment deficiencies becoming part of the public criticism," the attorney's statement read.

"What makes that part of the story interesting is that the lack of safety equipment and an AED at the game is far more important than whether kids posed for a photo. But that got swept under the rug and they took their sweet time dealing with that. Lacrosse parents pushed for accountability, and there is a perception in town that Blake acted here out of animus and retaliation against the team. And that perception seems quite fair."

The statement called Blake a "bitter" and "angry" man who is lashing out kids, and said the analysis they did in their statement "sounds like a CSI episode."

The school said they fully understand the "disappointment, frustration, and emotions" that came with their decision, calling it heartbreaking but adding that they remained committed to applying their policies consistently.

The attorney's statement also accused Mitchell's own son being seen celebrating his graduation with a cigar.

The attorney said that they look forward to the day Blake is no longer "permitted any authority or power over young people" and said that Mitchell "and his hypocrisy and bias has no place in a reasonable community either."

Mitchell, when asked by Fox News Digital for a comment to the attorney's statement, responded with, "I missed the part where he admits that he made up the whole story."

In an additional statement to Fox News Digital, the Gianakakis attorney said a number of the claims in their statement seemed "unsupported by the facts" and asked for further proof.

Fox News Digital reached out to Blake's office for comment in response to the attorney's statement. His office responded with its original statement.

The Ipswich boys lacrosse team was undefeated prior to its forfeiture.

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Victor Wembanyama confident in Spurs comeback despite Game 4 collapse: 'Everybody knows we're going to do it'

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:10:15 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs were just a few minutes away from having all the momentum in the NBA Finals, but it slipped away.

After trailing by as many as 29 points in the second half and even 20 in the fourth quarter in Game 4 on Wednesday, the New York Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history to take a 3-1 series lead, rather than being tied at two heading back to Texas.

The Spurs' backs were against the wall when they dropped the first two games of the series at home, but they salvaged a win in Game 3 by coming back from their own seven-point deficit. But now, all the momentum they had in Game 4 is gone.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Instead of being asked about taking the lead in the series, Victor Wembanyama was asked on Friday if he has "a sense of whether the group actually thinks" they could win three games in a row to win the NBA title.

Well, it's quite the sense.

"Yeah, absolutely. Everybody thinks — everybody knows — we're going to do it," Wembanyama answered.

KNICKS MIRACULOUSLY OVERCOME 29-POINT DEFICIT TO TAKE COMMANDING 3-1 LEAD IN NBA FINALS OVER SPURS

The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team to complete a comeback after trailing three games to one in the NBA Finals, doing so against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and winning two of those games in California.

Surely, the Spurs were in disbelief at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, but Wembanyama says the time for reflection is over, and they're over it.

"I wouldn't say it was so hard to, like, shake off, right? Harder than any other game before, by far, for sure. I mean, now we're over it. It's the playoffs. There's no time to regret things for too long," he said.

Game 5 tips off in San Antonio on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET. With a win, the Spurs would force a Game 6 back in New York on Tuesday night, hours after Wembanyama's home country of France will face Senegal at nearby MetLife Stadium in the World Cup.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The best early Prime Day home deals: Save up to 70% on Levoit, Shark and more

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:10:12 -0400

Prime Day doesn't kick off until June 23, but early home deals are already live. Right now, score discounts on everything from kitchen gadgets to mattresses, including a smart toaster at 60% off, a Dyson V8 cordless vacuum discounted by $190 and a Sleepmax Hybrid mattress at its lowest price in 90 days. Prime members can shop these deals now and get ahead of the Prime Day rush.

Chefman indoor pizza oven: $199.90 (60% off)
Blink Mini indoor security camera: $44.99 (55% off)
Shark Matrix Clean robot vacuum: $289.99 (52% off)
Vacuum seal storage bags: $28.49 (35% off)
CAROTE 19pcs pots and pans set: $39.98 (33% off)
Levoit cordless vacuum: $159.99 (20% off)

Save on kitchen favorites from brands like Instant and Chefman.

Wüsthof Gourmet 4-piece chef's knife set: $99 (46% off)
Chefman 4-in-1 air fryer: $69.99 (42% off)
Immersion blender: $35.97 (40% off)

Original price: $199.99

This smart toaster features five presets and six browning levels for a more personalized experience. The single-slot mode redirects heat for better crispness while helping you save energy. Now marked down by $120, this is one of the best deals on this list.

Original price: $129.99

Brew coffee from K-Cup pods or grounds with this versatile Ninja coffee maker. Its built-in iced setting creates stronger coffee that holds its flavor over ice, and customers say it delivers hotter, better-tasting coffee than other machines.

Original price: $139.99

The Instant Pot Vortex Slim 6-quart air fryer also roasts, bakes, dehydrates and broils in a compact design that saves counter space. Its touchscreen display simplifies cooking, while its EvenCrisp technology gives you crispy, golden results with less oil than traditional deep frying.

Tackle pet hair and everyday messes for less with Dyson, Bissell and eufy vacuums.

Toilet brushes, 3-pack: $12.99 (35% off)
Roborock wet and dry vacuum: $199.98 (33% off)
Dyson V15s Detect Submarine vacuum: $749.99 (29% off)

Original price: $539.99

Dyson's V8 stick vacuum is super lightweight and runs for up to 40 minutes in low power mode. The cordless design works across multiple floor types and converts into a handheld unit for cleaning upholstery, stairs and other hard-to-reach areas. It's a versatile option for tackling dirt, dust and pet hair throughout the home.

Original price: $479.99

The eufy C10 robot vacuum offers a hands-free cleaning experience at a more accessible price point, and it's currently more than 50% off ahead of Prime Day. Using laser navigation, it maps your home and cleans efficiently before returning to its dock to empty itself automatically. The self-emptying base can hold debris for up to 60 days, helping reduce routine maintenance.

Original price: $99.99

Tackle pet messes on carpets, upholstery and pet beds with the Bissell Little Green. Its spray-and-extract system helps lift stains and debris, while the included stain tool targets tougher spots. The compact cleaner is also easy to carry and store.

Save on cooling mattresses and plush bedding designed for better sleep in the summer months.

14-Inch hybrid queen mattress: $299.99 (40% off)
Sherpa fleece blanket: $22.72 (27% off)
Beckham Hotel Collection pillows, set of 2: $59.99 (25% off)

Original price: $50.99

Enjoy this set of plush, hotel-style pillows at an affordable price. The down-alternative fill provides soft cushioning, while the breathable cover keeps hot sleepers comfortable throughout the night.

Original price: $499.99

This hybrid mattress combines memory foam and traditional springs for a balance of comfort and support. The mattress-in-a-box design keeps the setup simple — just unbox, place it on your bed frame and let it expand. It's also currently at its lowest price in 90 days.

Original price: $59.98

Tired of waking up with neck discomfort? This cervical pillow is designed with a center indent to cradle your head at a 15-degree angle. Its cooling cover keeps you comfortable throughout the night by reducing heat and sweat buildup.

Declutter your home with garage organizers and storage bins.

Overhead garage storage rack: $129.98 (28% off)
Shoe organizer for closet: $29.99 (25% off)
Hanging door organizer: $20.99 (16% off)

Original price: $71.99

Get organized in minutes with this four-tier storage bin organizer. The stackable bins each hold up to 28 quarts of clothing, toys, office supplies and other household items, while the foldable design makes the unit easy to store when it's not in use.

Original price: $49.99

Keep your garage organized with this wall-mounted storage system, which supports up to 250 pounds and provides dedicated space for rakes, shovels, brooms and other tools. Each hook can hold multiple items, and the organizer arrives fully assembled for quicker installation. It's also currently at its lowest price in 90 days.

Original price: $52.99

Organize sneakers, shirts and other everyday essentials with this five-pack of closet storage bins. Built-in slide rails allow each bin to pull out like a drawer for easier access, making the set a practical solution for maximizing closet space and reducing clutter.

Keep an eye on your home with deals on cameras, smart locks and doorbells.

Smart LED light bulbs: $22.98 (33% off)
Fingerprint smart door lock: $49.98 (29% off)
Google Nest doorbell: $139.99 (22% off)

Original price: $99.99

Blink's wired floodlight camera combines a security camera with a floodlight in a single unit, with motion alerts and two-way audio accessible through the companion app. It's currently discounted by 70%, making it one of the best deals we've spotted so far.

Original price: $79.99

This weather-resistant Ring outdoor camera supports motion alerts, two-way audio and remote viewing through the Ring app. At $40, it offers a relatively affordable way to add outdoor monitoring to your home setup.

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Original price: $32.99

Turn standard outlets into connected devices with these smart plugs. Use the companion app or a compatible voice assistant to control lamps, small appliances and other electronics, whether you're at home or away.

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

'The View' dismisses more young men turning to religion as part of 'manosphere'

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:59:33 -0400

"The View" co-hosts dismissed a recent Gallup poll on Friday showing that many young men are becoming more religious and socially conservative.

"Now, apparently, some feel that Americans are getting more socially conservative, according to a new Gallup survey," co-host Whoopi Goldberg said as she began the segment. "Results found that fewer people condone pregnancy outside of marriage and the use of birth control and even gambling."

"An article in 'The Independent' points to factors like the administration’s focus on Christianity and limiting access to contraception along with a sharp rise in young men finding religion," she continued.

"I don’t like these polls because I think they are made to say what you want them to say," Goldberg said.

PRIEST SAYS US CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 'BUSY, IN A GOOD WAY' AS STATS SHOW MASSIVE WAVE OF YOUNG ADULTS CONVERTING

"I have to tell you that one of the things that I thought was really interesting is the sharp rise in young men finding religion," she added.

"Yeah, what's that about?" co-host Sunny Hostin asked.

"Define ‘religion,’" co-host Sara Haines said.

Goldberg replied by suggesting, "I think what they’re talking about is because we’ve heard so many young men, we’ve talked about so many young men, they want their wives to cleave to them and to do what they’re told."

"It’s the manosphere," Haines replied.

"It’s the manosphere that wants their way," Whoopi agreed. "They want you to do what they want you to do. Now that ship has sailed."

"Yes it has," Hostin agreed.

The "manosphere" is a nebulous term generally referring to a decentralized network of internet communities and influencers focused on male issues, masculinity and gender dynamics. It is often known for advocating self-improvement, social conservatism and skepticism of feminism.

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

"I don’t think there’s a lot of women who are going to tell you it’s okay for you to make that choice for them. They’ll say, ‘I’ll make that choice for me, but you cannot make it,’" Goldberg said.

"And in terms of children, who can afford it? People can’t afford these kinds of things. When they say the numbers are down — they’re down for a reason," she continued. "You don’t always want — you don’t know when you’re going to get pregnant, if you’re lucky enough to get pregnant, but you want to think about, where is this child going to be in ten years? Am I going to be able to take care of it in ten years, and can I afford it?"

"And sometimes you can’t afford it, and you do it anyway, and you make it work. That’s what our parents did. That’s what a lot of parents do," Goldberg added. "But to judge somebody for their choice, whatever choice that happens to be, if you’re not paying their rent, and you’re not blood-related, and you’re not their mother, shut up. Shut up!"

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

In recent years, a wide variety of sources have observed young men are increasingly shifting to the right as certain parts of Generation Z become more religious.

This mirrors how many public figures who once identified with the left, have started questioning left-wing cultural changes and expressed an interest in faith.

Millie Bobby Brown stuns in polka dots and denim as she launches Americana clothing collection

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:57:46 -0400

Millie Bobby Brown is celebrating the launch of her latest collection on social media.

In a recent Instagram post, the 22-year-old actress announced the launch of Americana, the latest collection from her clothing line, Florence by Mills Fashion.

The "Enola Holmes" star posed for a selfie in a tight blue shirt with white polka dots, a deep V-neckline, and capped sleeves. She paired the look with a denim skirt and a red bandanna in her hair.

She posed for the photos next to a vintage red convertible parked at a gas station, captioning the post, "pov: i said i’d be there in 5. Americana now live."

KYLIE JENNER GOES TOPLESS ON INSTAGRAM FOR LATEST FASHION LAUNCH

Fans couldn't help but show their excitement for the new collection in the comments section, with one writing, "Mills, IM OBSESSED WITH THIS OUTFIT SERIOUSLY," and another adding, "Okay but this whole Americana era is EVERYTHING ❤️⭐🤠."

"❤️💙It’s perfect for summer❤️💙," a third fan wrote.

APP USERS CLICK HERE FOR POST

The brand also shared photos on Instagram to promote the new collection, writing: "welcome to: americana ⭐🐴 👢⛽️ sunny days, scenic routes, and long country nights under a sky full of stars… this is confidence with the windows down. *available in us only"

The actress recently caused a firestorm online when the first trailer for the upcoming third installment of Netflix's "Enola Holmes" franchise dropped on social media.

Many fans of the film series took issue with Brown's clearly manicured nails, as she is meant to portray a young detective living in the 19th century.

'STRANGER THINGS' STAR MILLIE BOBBY BROWN SHARES REAL NAME AS SHE ADMITS CHANGING IT FOR 'S---S AND GIGGLES'

"Forget the mystery, let’s talk about the time-traveling nail tech who set her up with that almond shape in the 19th century," one fan wrote on X.

"Are the acrylic stiletto nails historically accurate?" another wrote, while a third chimed in adding, "pulling up to 1885 with a fresh gel set."

Brown began playing the character when she was 16 years old, after breaking into the entertainment industry when she was cast as Eleven in the hit Netflix series, "Stranger Things," when she was 12 years old.

She went on to play the character for five seasons over nine years, from 2016 to 2025.

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"I think I’m ready. It’s been such a huge factor in part of my life, but it’s like graduating high school, it’s like senior year," she told Vanity Fair in August 2023 before filming the final season began. "You’re ready to go and blossom and flourish and you’re grateful for the time you’ve had, but it’s time to create your own message and live your own life."

The actress recently came to her husband's defense on Kylie Kelce's podcast, "Not Gonna Lie," after internet trolls called him out for not helping her carry her bags or push their daughter's stroller in paparazzi photos.

She explained that "nobody knows my husband," adding that while he is "the most polite, sweet, will-do-anything-for-me" kind of man, "he also knows I'm capable."

"When did women become incapable of holding their own bags, car seats and stuff? This stems from me holding all of my suitcases and bags and my kid and people are like, 'Your husband doesn't hold a single thing.' Because I'm three miles ahead. I have been planning this all night."

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She later added: "We’re all about empowering girls and, ‘You got it’ and ‘You don’t need a man.’ But then when I’m like, ‘OK, I can carry my own things,’ people are like, ‘Where’s your husband?’"

Clinton judge warns Trump DOJ not to 'play possum' on $1.2B Anti-Weaponization Fund

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:55:26 -0400

A federal judge on Friday indefinitely blocked the Trump administration's $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, even as another federal judge earlier this week declined to intervene after the Justice Department said the fund was no longer moving forward.

The court disputes have heightened pressure on the administration to formally dismantle the fund. While Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the fund would not move forward, the settlement agreement and departmental directives that created the fund have not been formally rescinded. Critics argue this leaves open the possibility that the fund could still proceed in the future.

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, a Clinton-appointed judge, extended a court order Friday preventing implementation of the fund, concluding that public assurances from administration officials were insufficient to eliminate concerns that it could later be revived.

Brinkema noted how Trump, "says he's disappointed that something is not going forward," suggesting this was evidence that the fund may "rear its head" at some point in the future.

JUDGE TEMPORARILY BLOCKS TRUMP DOJ'S NEARLY $2B 'ANTI-WEAPONIZATION' FUND

Over the weekend Trump shared on "Meet the Press" that he'd like to continue with the fund.

"If it was up to me, I'd pay them the kind of money that they deserve. People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed," Trump said.

Brinkema gave the Justice Department a week to put in writing that the Anti-Weaponization Fund is being terminated and will not be reinstated.

The ruling comes days after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected a separate request from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeking emergency intervention, saying he was willing to rely on Justice Department representations that the fund had effectively been abandoned.

ACTING AG BLANCHE REVEALS FATE OF TRUMP'S 'ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND' UNDER PRESSURE FROM HOUSE LAWMAKERS

But Leon, a George W. Bush-appointed judge, simultaneously warned administration officials not to treat his decision as permission to revive the program.

"I give the Justice Department this warning: Don't play possum with me," Leon said from the bench.

Blanche announced during a hearing earlier this month that the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which was born out of President Donald Trump's lawsuit settlement with the IRS, would not be proceeding. The fund was intended to compensate alleged victims of government "lawfare," but its creation sparked immediate backlash from Democrats, who characterized it as a "slush fund" that could ultimately benefit Trump's political allies and individuals charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

TRUMP ADMIN PUSHES BACK ON 'SLUSH FUND' ATTACKS AGAINST ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND AND LAYS OUT WHO QUALIFIES

Justice Department attorney Andrew Block argued before Leon that Blanche's congressional testimony effectively mooted CREW's challenge because the government had publicly committed not to move forward.

Leon repeatedly questioned why Blanche has not formally rescinded a May 18 order that established procedures for the fund in the first place, a question Block could not answer.

CREW attorney Nikhel Sus argued the settlement agreement that established the fund remains legally operative and contains upcoming deadlines requiring action.

WAY HARDER THAN IT SHOULD BE: WHY CONGRESS MAY BALK ON $1.7B COMPENSATION FUND

According to Sus, a five-member board overseeing the fund must be established by June 17, while funding transfers are scheduled by July 17.

"On paper, the fund is still a legally operating entity," Sus argued.

However, Leon ultimately accepted the government's assurances for now that the fund is moot, but he noted that he can sanction attorneys who make false representations to the court.

He also indicated he will continue considering CREW's request for a preliminary injunction and suggested he could intervene if evidence emerges that the administration is attempting to revive the fund.

California Democratic Party under fire for 'you're not allowed to watch' World Cup post

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:53:09 -0400

The California Democratic Party made a post on social media that said, "You’re not allowed to watch the World Cup if you’ve ever voted against immigration," on Thursday.

The post has come under immense scrutiny, as Americans across the political spectrum prepare to cheer together for Team USA in its World Cup opener against Paraguay.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

"Every one of those other Countries has its own immigration policy, where you can't just cross the border. The hypocrisy is crazy," one X user wrote.

Another user wrote, "Why? I don’t even understand the logic to this post."

CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS ISSUE FLORIDA TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP OVER IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT TACTICS

Other harsh and sarcastic responses to the post went viral across X.

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

The California Republican Party issued a statement in response to the controversial post.

"The World Cup is a beautiful event that brings people together from around the world and should have nothing to do with politics," said California Republican Party Communications Manager Francisco Bedoya. "Rather than trolling on social media, they should put their phones down, touch some grass, and enjoy this historic World Cup. But, if Democrats want to make it political and continue to divide Americans, then we’re here to call out their hypocrisy."

The United States is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, the first time the U.S. has hosted the event since 1994, alongside Canada and Mexico.

The U.S. is shouldering the bulk of the tournament, hosting 78 of the 104 matches across 11 major cities. All high-stakes games — including the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final — will take place in the U.S.

Friday's FIFA World Cup opener features the U.S. taking on Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match is crucial for setting the tone in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey.

Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry wants the World Cup to be a great unifier for the world

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:47:35 -0400

Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry wants the World Cup to become the great unifier for the world.

Horry, 55, said he wants the world’s biggest soccer event to bring us together.

"I just want to see all the different countries come together and have fun and enjoy what's going on. You know, think about it. You coming from out of the country. We know what's been going on inside this country. Just enjoy the moment and just let sports bring us together and have a great time," Horry told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The World Cup is being hosted jointly by Mexico, the United States and Canada across 16 cities. The United States will host the bulk of the matches, as 78 of the 104 games will be played in America, including the final.

Mexico and Canada are each hosting 13 matches. Mexico began the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday.

Canada’s first game was against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday at 3 p.m. ET in Toronto.

SEVEN-TIME NBA CHAMPION ROBERT HORRY ADVISES CAITLIN CLARK TO PROTECT HERSELF ON THE COURT

The U.S. team’s first game is against Paraguay on Friday at 9 p.m. ET, with the game being played in Inglewood, California. U.S. captain Tim Ream told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that the team's mindset is to win the whole thing.

There are 48 countries competing in the tournament, with Argentina looking to defend their 2022 victory, when they beat France in a thrilling final.

Horry played in the NBA for 16 seasons. He began his career with the Houston Rockets, spending four and a half seasons with them and being a key part of their championship-winning teams in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons. The Alabama native was then traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he spent half a season before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Horry was a key contributor during the Lakers' three-peat from 1999-2001 and earned his third, fourth and fifth career NBA titles. After spending seven seasons with the Lakers, Horry joined the Spurs, where he won two more championships in 2004-05 and 2006-07.

In 16 seasons, Horry averaged 7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Pratt concedes LA mayor race with scathing video teasing next move, bombshell info he holds: 'Commie animals'

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:46:31 -0400

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt posted a fiery video on social media teasing his plans for "Phase III" of his effort to clean up the city and teasing information he has that could force one of the candidates still in the race to resign if elected.

"I'm moving on to the next more interesting phase. Listen, I spent a lot of time slaying everybody. I've ridiculed everyone on the roster," Pratt posted on Instagram after finishing third in the mayoral race earlier this month, following a strong election night performance that suggested he’d finish in the top two and move on was eventually erased by a surge in mail-in votes over the next week.

"You think you can get rid of me that easily? I know a lot of dimwit jerks thought I was in this for a grift, that I was gonna roll up and leave town if I didn't get into City Hall. Hey morons, I didn't get in this for political power. I got in to expose this corrupt machine, and nothing has changed."

Now that he is not a candidate, Pratt says that he doesn’t have to "worry about offending CNN viewers" and doesn’t have a "campaign hamstringing me now."

SPENCER PRATT'S UNEXPECTED POLITICAL RISE FROM MTV VILLAIN TO KAREN BASS' CHALLENGER

"It's war," Pratt said. "It's zero hour for Los Angeles. Angelenos are now stuck with two morons responsible for all their problems and they have to choose between dumb and dumber. That's not a choice. That's the machine protecting the machine. And now every problem that plagues Los Angeles because of these two corrupt communists is going to accelerate."

Pratt then floated a claim that a video recording in his possession could rock the political landscape in the city, but that he is waiting until the city makes its final choice in November between current Mayor Karen Bass and progressive councilwoman Nithya Raman.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION YANKS FUNDING FROM LA HOMELESS AGENCY AMID EXPLOSIVE FRAUD PROBE: 'NECESSARY STEP'

"My goal hasn't changed, I've been laser-focused on stopping these commie animals, and I will stop them if you think we uncovered a lot of fraud and evil in the campaign, just wait," Pratt explained, "We have some recordings of one of your exalted candidates doing insane something that would make her resign in shame I was saving it for the general election go ahead and pick your demon certify your choice and then you get to see it."

Pratt asked Raman and Bass to "ask yourself" is it "possible one of your employees may have a recording of you doing or saying something they would force you to resign in disgrace?"

Pratt then sarcastically told both candidates he hopes they "sleep well at night" over the next five months, unlike his mother and all the others who lost their homes in the devastating wildfires under Bass' watch last year as well as the moms who are subjected to the homelessness and crime issues facing the city.

Pratt painted a grim picture of what the city will look like in four years, regardless of which of the "corrupt communists" left in the race wins in the November election.

"You have no idea how many major developers, hoteliers, business owners, entrepreneurs have been texting me saying they're packing up and leaving town," Pratt said. "More of your favorite restaurants will be shuttering. That means less tax revenue. That means the city has to cut services. More potholes, less firefighters, less police patrols, more criminals, more drug addicts terrorizing your communities. You have no idea how bad things are about to get for this city."

The video ends with a clip from the TV show Ozark, suggesting that if the political establishment wants to "stop him," they are "gonna have to f------ kill me!"

Fox News Digital reached out to the Bass and Raman campaigns for comment on the video, which racked up over 20,000 likes within 45 minutes of being posted.

Jennifer Lopez claims she could 'give a Ted Talk' on dysfunctional relationships and narcissists

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:44:30 -0400

Jennifer Lopez has apparently known some narcissists in her life.

Without naming names, the "Let’s Get Loud" singer joked that she could "give a Ted Talk on human behavior, emotional intelligence and dysfunctional relationships," cracking up as she said the last part.

"PhD in narcissists," she added with a laugh.

Lopez and her "Office Romance" costar Brett Goldstein had both been asked by a reporter from Elle UK what they could speak about with expertise that didn’t involve acting.

VALERIE BERTINELLI SAYS SHE MISSED NARCISSISTIC RED FLAGS IN RELATIONSHIPS: 'MADE ME QUESTION MY SELF-WORTH'

She also later professed, "This is my good era. This is my happy era," adding that when she began filming "Office Romance," "I felt like it was starting a new time of my life. I had just went through a lot of changes in my life … actually it began like a year before, but it rolled into all of this time. This past year has some of the best times of my life."

She added, "Everything’s kind of changed and shifted for me in the last couple of years."

She said the "other great era of my life was when I had my kids. I do remember that as a very magical time."

Lopez, who finalized her divorce with Ben Affleck last year, has been married four times.

She was married to actor Ojani Noa at the beginning of her career for just one year, from 1997 to 1998, then she was married to backup dancer Cris Judd for about two years, from 2001 until 2003.

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She then dated Affleck, and the couple got engaged before calling it quits in 2004.

JENNIFER LOPEZ, BEN AFFLECK FINALIZE DIVORCE AFTER 2-YEAR MARRIAGE

Her longest marriage was to singer Marc Anthony, with whom she shares her only two children, twins born in 2008.

She and Anthony wed in June 2004 and their divorce was finalized in 2014.

The "Maid in Manhattan" actress began seeing Affleck again in 2021. She announced their second engagement the next year, and a few months later, they eloped. By 2024, they'd split again, and in 2025, their divorce was finalized.

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Last year, the 56-year-old called their divorce "the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Because it changed me," she told "CBS Sunday Morning." "It helped me grow in a way that I needed to grow, become more self-aware. I'm a different person now than I was last year… I realized that the joy is in living and these moments and really embracing life and everything that it brings to you, for the lessons that it brings."

Obama judge rules on effort to block America 250 events at WH and Lincoln Memorial

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:38:55 -0400

A federal judge on Friday cleared the way for UFC Freedom 250 to proceed at the White House and Lincoln Memorial this weekend, rejecting a last-minute court challenge just days before the high-profile event.

U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta, an Obama appointee, denied an emergency request by two Washington-area residents to halt the mixed martial arts showdown, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue in the first place and had not demonstrated a sufficient injury.

The lawsuit challenged plans for "UFC Freedom 250," a mixed martial arts event tied to celebrations surrounding the nation's 250th anniversary. The event includes a June 12 news conference and fighter face-offs at the Lincoln Memorial and a June 14 fight card on the White House South Lawn. It is expected to bring thousands of viewers.

The plaintiffs argued that the events violate National Park Service regulations governing special events, that the UFC staging ring, known as "The Claw," erected on the South Lawn lacked congressional authorization, that federal officials failed to conduct environmental review required under the National Environmental Policy Act, and that the government's actions exceeded its legal authority.

TRUMP ADMIN OFFERS BLUNT ADVICE TO WHITE HOUSE UFC CRITICS AS 11TH-HOUR LAWSUIT LOOMS

Mehta did not decide whether any of those claims were legally valid. Instead, he determined that the plaintiffs' alleged injuries were largely aesthetic and emotional in nature and did not demonstrate the kind of concrete, personal harm required under Article III of the Constitution. The plaintiffs had described the massive UFC staging structure known as "The Claw" as visually offensive and argued that the "unauthorized, commercial exploitation of the national monuments caused harm."

Mehta rejected this notion, writing that "general emotional harm, no matter how deeply felt, cannot suffice for injury-in-fact for standing purposes."

Citing precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court, Mehta wrote that a threatened injury must be "certainly impending" to qualify as an injury in fact. He found that one plaintiff's assertions that he might encounter the event while driving for work were too speculative, while the other plaintiff's plans to attend protests near the sites did not fit within traditional aesthetic-injury cases.

UFC ANNOUNCES CARD FOR WHITE HOUSE EVENT

"[W]e can find nothing in the existing case law to suggest that a person who incidentally views something unpleasant has suffered an injury-in-fact for purposes of standing," Mehta ruled.

The ruling noted that President Donald Trump publicly proposed hosting a UFC event at the White House in 2025 and that preparations had been visible for weeks before the lawsuit was filed. According to the opinion, the plaintiffs waited until days before the event to seek emergency relief despite longstanding public knowledge that the event was planned.

Mehta also emphasized the temporary nature of the disputed structures and activities. Construction associated with the event is scheduled to be dismantled shortly after the fight card concludes.

The opinion cited nearly a year of planning, extensive coordination among federal agencies, the involvement of hundreds of workers and contractors, and an estimated $60 million investment by UFC and affiliated organizations.

The ruling also referenced the expected attendance of thousands of spectators and the anticipated remote audience of millions.

Woman's unexpected turnaround in Alzheimer's symptoms follows psychedelic use

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:30:47 -0400

→ Woman with advanced Alzheimer's regained speech and memories after taking magic mushrooms

→ Exercise habit may slash dementia risk and help you live longer

→ Americans born after 1970 face higher death rates from several causes in middle age

→ Nightly glass of wine may not be as harmless as many people think, study suggests

→ Dirty soda drinks are everywhere, but doctors warn they are 'metabolic disaster'

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

→ Americans to get new sunscreen option already used abroad for decades

→ Drinking alcohol may influence cravings for certain foods in surprising way

→ Bride in full wedding gown makes two-hour hospital trip to see mother before ceremony

'You failed your son first': Howard prof blames father's values after Karmelo Anthony murdered his son

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:07:23 -0400

A Howard University professor tore into the victim-impact statement delivered by the father of slain Texas teen Austin Metcalf, arguing that the teen's death "did not begin with the knife" wielded by Karmelo Anthony but instead that his father's parenting style was to be blamed as well.

Dr. Stacey Patton, a professor at Howard University's School of Communications, penned an opinion piece titled "Dear Jeff Metcalf: Your Son Is Dead Because You Failed to Teach Him That Black Boys Have Boundaries" to Substack on Wednesday on Substack, where she insinuated Anthony was acting out of self-defense.

"YOU failed to teach your boy that Black children have boundaries," Patton wrote. "YOU failed teach humility, restraint, or the sacred fact that another person’s body is not your jurisdiction. YOU failed to teach him that another child’s space is not a challenge to be conquered. YOU failed to teach him that "community" does not mean white boys get to decide who belongs and who does not."

Patton's piece was published a day after Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of Metcalf. The case drew national after now 19-year-old Anthony stabbed 17-year-old Metcalf in the heart during a confrontation at a high school track meeting in April 2025. The case has become a flashpoint in broader debates about race, with Anthony's supporters arguing he has been treated differently because he is Black, while critics have rejected efforts to make the murder of Metcalf, a white teenager, about race.

GRIEVING TEXAS FATHER SPEAKS OUT AFTER SON WAS STABBED TO DEATH AT HIGH SCHOOL TRACK MEET

"YOU obviously failed to teach your son that touching, confronting, crowding, testing, or policing another person can have consequences," Patton wrote. "And YOU failed to teach him that the same world that cheers white boys for being bold and aggressive will not always be there to save them when they mistake somebody else’s restraint for permission."

She blasted Jeff for saying that Anthony had failed his parents in his decision to murder his son.

"It is easier to stand in a courtroom and call Karmelo Anthony a failure than it is to admit that Austin’s death did not begin with the knife," Patton wrote. "It began with every lesson that told your son that he had the right to approach, challenge, and cross a boundary. It began with every adult who smiled at white boy entitlement and called it leadership. It began with every cultural script that taught him Black boys are the ones to be feared, but never taught him that Black boys might also be afraid.

AMERICA STILL CAN'T PUT DOWN THE RACE CARD. AND IT'S THE SHAME OF OUR NATION

She also alleged that Jeff's victim-impact statement was rooted in racism, homing in on Jeff saying that Anthony does "not belong" in the community because of what he did.

"You don’t belong in this community" is not just a father’s grief spilling over," Patton wrote. "It is a declaration of removal. And it is the language of somebody who believes he has the authority to decide who gets to stay, who must disappear, and whose presence contaminates the social order. Like father, like son."

"Your words landed on top of centuries of Black children being told they do not belong in white schools, neighborhoods, playgrounds, pools, churches, white juries, white imaginations, and white definitions of innocence," Patton continues. "They landed on top of every Black boy this country has turned into a threat before he ever had a chance to be a child."

AUSTIN METCALF'S FAMILY HIT WITH DEATH THREATS AS KARMELO ANTHONY SUPPORTERS FACE VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS

She claimed that his son was not the only victim in this case and that Anthony' family was also grieving.

"Austin is dead. Your family is devastated," Patton wrote. "That matters. Karmelo Anthony is alive but caged inside a racial imagination that had already convicted him. And that matters, too. Two families are shattered. And a whole country is using the tragedy to rehearse the same old script about Black guilt and white innocence."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Patton defended her opinion piece as a "critique of racial power" and said that she was not, "blaming a dead child, attacking a grieving father, excusing violence, and rejecting the legal system."

"My argument is simple: Black children are children," Patton said. "They do not become monsters because white America needs one, and their humanity is not up for debate because a verdict has been rendered."

"Now, run along and feed your propaganda machine," she added, declining to answer several of Fox News Digital's questions. "I'm sure it's hungry for another Black woman's words to mutilate. That is my statement."

Fox News Digital reached out to Howard University and Metcalf's family for comment.

Patton's Substack piece is the latest in a growing chorus of voices arguing that the murder case is rooted in race.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, questioned on her podcast whether Karmelo Anthony's race played a role in his conviction. Crockett asked whether Anthony received a fair trial, spreading a false claim that all jurors were white and that could have impacted their ability to be impartial.

"I’m not necessarily convinced — not that I could tell you the name of one person on this jury — that we had 12 impartial white folk out of Collin County sitting on a jury for this young black man," Crockett said.

Crocket also suggested black mothers have faced far greater agony on a day-to-day basis than the victim's family.

"Black women, especially black women who have black male children, live in fear and agony every single day," she lamented. "A fear and agony that I promise you the Metcalfs probably had never spend a day living that way."

President Trump sends well wishes to USMNT prior to World Cup kick-off against Paraguay

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:06:07 -0400

President Donald Trump called the United States Men’s National team to send "a message of support" on Thursday as the team prepares to play their first World Cup match vs. Paraguay, according to the USMNT X account.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

The Executive Director of the White House's Task Force for the World Cup, Andrew Giuliani, took the call in front of the team telling the president, "I’m standing in front of 26 champions and a great coach… They’re ready to go and run through a wall."

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

After Giuliani handed off the phone to the head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), Mauricio Pochettino, Trump told him, "I just called to say you’re a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach." As Pochettino sat next to USMNT captain Tim Ream, Trump continued, "I think you’ve got a real good chance of going all the way."

To the kind words, Pochettino said, "Thank you so much for your support, Mr. President." He added as he he put his hand on Ream’s shoulder, "We’re going to do everything [you proud] and all the people here in this country."

It’ll certainly be fun to watch liberals respond to Trump calling another men’s team after the US men’s hockey debacle at the Winter Olympics in the wake of a victory over Canada. USMNT takes on Paraguay tonight at 9 p.m. ET in its first World Cup match.

Mike Waltz says Gulf allies back Trump’s Iran pressure campaign after regional trip: ‘Zero daylight’

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:01:55 -0400

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Gulf allies are backing President Donald Trump’s blockade and economic pressure campaign against Iran, telling Fox News Digital after a trip to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom that regional leaders believe Tehran is feeling the pain.

Waltz spoke to Fox News Digital on Thursday evening shortly after landing back in the United States, as reports of a possible deal with Iran began to emerge. He said the situation was still shifting by the hour, noting that Iran had launched another strike on Bahrain shortly after he left the region.

Waltz, the highest-level U.S. official to visit the region since the war began, said Gulf partners strongly support the administration’s efforts to keep pressure on Iran through both the blockade and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s "Operation Economic Fury."

SCOTT BESSENT SAYS IRAN UNDERSTANDS 'BRUTE FORCE' AS TRUMP WEIGHS OPTIONS AMID NUCLEAR STANDOFF

"They very much support the blockade," Waltz said, adding that allies shared with him "in a number of ways" how Bessent’s economic campaign is affecting the regime. The pressure campaign, Waltz said, is designed to squeeze Tehran while Trump continues negotiations aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

On Friday, an unnamed U.S. official told reporters in a briefing: "We do expect to be signing this agreement with Iran over the next few days. We assess it at 85%, but not 100%. We feel very good about the deal. We are not quite at the finish line, but we are very close"

Waltz said, "The UAE, in particular, believes that you have to keep that pressure and a very credible pressure," he told Fox News Digital. "That’s what the Iranians understand and respond to."

Waltz said leaders in the region validated U.S. assessments that Iran’s economy is deteriorating under the combined weight of sanctions, military pressure and isolation. He said Iran’s currency is "tanking," foreign currency reserves are running out, inflation is continuing to rise and the regime is struggling to pay the military, government employees and police.

TRUMP’S 'ECONOMIC FURY' SQUEEZES IRAN — BUT CAN TEHRAN OUTLAST THE PRESSURE?

"I think the regime is going to be increasingly desperate," Waltz said, adding that Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would use that pressure "to their advantage."

In the UAE, Waltz met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and the foreign minister, describing the Emiratis as among the most active regional partners against Iran. "There is zero daylight," Waltz said.

Waltz added the UAE has "both the capability and the will" to act, and said the Emiratis are prepared to take "short-term pain" to achieve the longer-term goal of blocking Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The UAE has been hit hard during the war. Waltz said the country had taken "by far the most missiles, the most drones, the most hits," but had moved quickly to repair damage and restore operations.

Waltz also pointed to the Abraham Accords as a major factor in the UAE’s posture, saying the country’s growing partnership with Israel has become an "important shift" in the regional alignment against Iran.

Bahrain was another central stop on Waltz’s trip. The country hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and has been directly exposed to Iran’s attacks and threats around the Strait of Hormuz.

MIKE WALTZ PUSHES UN RESOLUTION TO STOP IRAN MINING KEY GLOBAL SHIPPING ROUTE

"Until you go and really sit with them, you can’t appreciate what a strong ally they are," Waltz said.

He said U.S. and allied teams in Bahrain are working with global shipping companies, local shipping officials, insurance companies and other maritime actors as the U.S. seeks to keep vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

Waltz accused Iran of making a "phenomenally bad decision" by attacking its neighbors, including hotels, port facilities and energy infrastructure. During one visit to a petroleum site, he said he saw evidence that Iran had targeted fire suppression systems and first responders before striking storage tanks, in an apparent effort to maximize damage.

"The Iranians were deliberately targeting fire suppression systems," Waltz said. "They were deliberately targeting first responders first."

Despite the strikes, Waltz said allied air defenses have had "over a 90% success rate" in shooting down Iranian missiles and drones, with U.S. forces working "hand in glove" with Gulf partners.

Waltz ended his trip in the United Kingdom, where he said officials have been strong partners at the U.N. Security Council on Iran. He acknowledged "hiccups" and "speed bumps" over basing and access issues, but said many of those concerns had been "smoothed over."

"When we’re working to keep the Iranians isolated diplomatically," Waltz said, "they’ve been very good to work with."

NASCAR mom Natalie Decker returns to racing after wild radio meltdown, Trump's insane pizza move & FIFA women!

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:35:49 -0400

We made it. Middle Friday of June. After today, we only have two more left until we're in July. You blink, and we'll be in football season before you know it.

And I mean football. Not whatever game is currently being played in the US of A right now.

Relax. It's a joke. I'm a company man, which means for the next month, I love soccer! If FOX loves it, I love it. I hope the ratings are great, because that would go a long way in AI not replacing me ... at least for a while.

So, cheers to the FIFA World Cup! USA plays tonight. It's a great day to win a ballgame, as my old little league coach used to say.

Welcome to a Friday Nightcaps — the one where NASCAR mom Natalie Decker revs engines again for the first time since her Hall of Fame radio tirade last month.

What else? I've got the best of the rest from a big week of #content, some reader mail that I'd like to address, more rib talk, and AJ McCarron gives us all a pep talk heading into the weekend.

Sound good? Good!

Grab you a peanut butter cookie for National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, and settle in for a Friday 'Cap!

First of all, a warm, soft peanut butter cookie (preferably from Publix) is elite. Not the best, but it's on the Mount Rushmore.

Now that that's out of the way ... we're gonna switch things up a bit and start class with some mail.

BUBBA WALLACE 'SEEING RED' AFTER BEING WRECKED, FEMALE DRIVER RAGE-QUITS AND CRIES & NASCAR MISSED THE MARK

From Sherri U:

Dude,

Help us middle agers and seniors out a little bit. Your story today was effectively a stream of consciousness rant with a bunch of screenshots. I was interested in the DCC that was fired, but no clue what's up based on what you wrote and a bunch of screenshots.

Check out some of the comments. See posts at top and bottom of this screenshot, which was within first hundred posts.

You're posting on Fox, not X, Instagram, Reddit etc. Please upgrade your writing style for your Fox readership.

Some of us choose to stay away from X, Instagram and the like, so posting a bunch of screenshots with links to additional story info on social media apps is useless.

Thanks, Sherri!

So, OutKick and Fox effectively became one unit about six weeks ago. It's been a bit bumpy, as these things usually are. While we've always been under one roof, the two sites are ... different. That's just the honest truth.

OutKick is a little more loosey-goosey. A little (lot) more opinionated. This column, in particular, has been a culture shock to a lot of folks who haven't been here for the past three years.

Nightcaps is a daily column we started back in 2023. In a nutshell, it's a daily rundown of the most viral moments you may have missed while at work. If you're getting on the subway, or the bus, or reading at red lights in your car on the way home, it's a way for you to catch up on the newsy things from the day you missed.

It's a bunch of quick-hitters, mainly from social media. It's fast, it's fun, it's interactive. I use a lot of embeds from Twitter and Instagram. I realize they don't work for some folks. I realize some folks may not be visual learners like I am. I realize some folks don't have access to them for whatever reason.

Going forward, now that we have a new audience, I'm going to do my best to work around this. I'll try to explain what I'm showing you via Twitter or Instagram a little better. It won't be perfect, and it'll almost certainly be ever-changing, but we are trying to workshop some things to make the transition a little smoother.

SMOKIN' CHARLEY HULL GETS OFF TO A FAST START AT U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN BEFORE FADING, STEPHEN A WEIGHT LOSS & MEAT

There's no real point to this explanation beyond me just being open and honest with everyone — including the longtime readers and the newcomers. I'm nothing if not open and honest. It's sort of the point of this class.

OK, we're nearly 700 words in and it's a summer Friday. Let's get this show on the road so we can all mail it in and get the weekend going.

NASCAR's Natalie Decker is BACK behind the wheel this weekend at Pocono for the first time since her radio meltdown in last month's truck race at Dover.

And while that was certainly embarrassing, we are still big Natalie Decker fans around here:

Welcome back, Natalie!

For those who can't see those embeds, or have no idea how to open them, some background ...

That, of course, isn't the whole story. Not even close. The in-car rant that followed was jarring to hear.

"You guys, I'm trying to hold my s--- together, but I don't want to keep doing this," she said after being told to come down pit road for a pass-through penalty. "There’s just so many s----- things that I could say right now, and I’m just trying to keep it together, about the f---ing director of the series.

"I feel like a f---ing failure ... There’s so many things I want to say and I’m probably going to get f---ing suspended, you have no idea."

Seems like a little time away has Natalie refreshed and ready to give the whole racing thing another go. Like any good American, I will be monitoring the situation this weekend at Pocono.

OK, let's get to the best internet #content from a big week. We'll start off with more Natalie, because it's a Friday after all:

Great week. For early June, you guys nailed it. Some consider this the down part of the year. Hogwash! And hey! The College World Series starts this weekend.

Give me that over FIFA any day of the week!

OK, let's rapid-fire this weird Friday class into a big Friday night. First up? Anyone see this Royals pitcher take one off the dome earlier this week?

Terrifying:

Goodness gracious. We see this happen about 2-3 times a season, and it's a hold-your-breath moment every time. I've NEVER seen a welt pop up that quickly. That has to be some sort of record.

Brandon Nimmo and Lugo were teammates with the Mets for years, by the way, which explains the immediate concern. He damn near ran over to him without even calling time. Lordy.

You'll be shocked to know that Lugo will be going through concussion protocol before his next start. Probably wise.

Next? A few more emails on this week's raging rib debate that I accidentally started when I told you I didn't pull the membrane off my rack (hey now!) earlier this week.

From Carole C:

NO…clock ticking or not…the silver skin HAS GOT TO GO….period! Sorry, you lose that one.

And, from Dom Z. in Scottsdale:

It’s a sham. Leave the skin ON.

I used to pull them, but I spent a good four years in KC, went to a lot of different BBQ Joints, and learned something. There is an old BBQ Joint called the Woodyard. I was watching and talking to their old Pitmaster put his ribs on. Their pit was literally right out front. Handmade brick one they built when they decided to BBQ their own meat and open a restaurant. He was not pulling the skins. So I asked, "What’s up?" He just smiled at me and said, "Now why would I ever do that?"

Thanks, you two! Obviously, I agree with ... Dom Z!

To be fair, I've done it both ways. I understand both sides of the argument. I will say this, and I omitted this from the column earlier this week ...

When I bought the ribs, I asked the butcher if the membrane was still on. He told me yes, he never pulls the membrane from St. Louis ribs because it's too hard and doesn't make a difference.

Take that for whatever it's worth.

OK, that's it for today. Good class, good week. Here's former Alabama QB AJ McCarron absolutely ripping his UFL team to SHREDS to get you fired up for a big weekend.

See you Monday.

OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots).

Ever taken 107 off the face? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.

EXCLUSIVE: ICE nabs multiple convicted killers in single day amid nationwide immigration sweep

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:30:16 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Federal immigration agents arrested several convicted killers, a rapist and multiple drug traffickers in a single day Thursday, underscoring the Trump administration's push to target what Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials call the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal immigrants living in the U.S.

"Yesterday, [Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] arrested multiple murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers from our communities," Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.

"Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S.," she said. "Every day, our officers are putting their lives on the line to remove criminals from our communities."

According to DHS, Thursday's arrests include:

DHS ARRESTS 5 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONVICTED OF VIOLENT CRIMES INCLUDING MANSLAUGHTER, CHILD ASSAULT

Roque Cinto-Mejia, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, is convicted of manslaughter in Brooklyn, New York.

Alejandro De Jesus-De La Cruz, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, is convicted of voluntary manslaughter in San Bernardino, California.

Francisco Antonio Morales-Acencio, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, is convicted of rape, assault and battery of a family member in Fairfax, Virginia.

Heriberto Mendoza-Pineda, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, is convicted of trafficking methamphetamine in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Manuel Soto, an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was twice convicted of drug possession and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in Boston, Massachusetts.

Top Trump agency purges over 20 suspected China-linked products from federal marketplace

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:29:56 -0400

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in collaboration with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), is removing nearly two dozen foreign products from its official catalog that supplies government agencies, citing fears that some of them may be misrepresenting their sourcing.

Kelly Loeffler, SBA administrator, raised concerns that China-based companies were falsely marketing their products as "made in America" on the Advantage! platform — a listing service the government uses to connect vendors with agencies.

"As part of our commitment to rebuilding American industry and supply chains, the Trump SBA believes that every taxpayer dollar spent by the federal government should go to support American businesses, workers and products," Loeffler said.

SBA’s crackdown furthers efforts by the Trump administration to double down on American manufacturing and aims to reduce the risk associated with purchasing or implementing compromised China-sourced goods.

REPUBLICANS LOOK TO STOP CHINA'S 'BACKDOOR' TARIFF DODGING SCHEME

The concerns first arose at the White House Small Business Summit where a New York-based small business, Sherrill Manufacturing, communicated suspicions to SBA that China-based companies were only partially assembling or finishing their products in the U.S.

Sherrill, according to the SBA, is the only manufacturer of stainless steel flatware that is 100% made in America.

"When foreign companies were caught falsely claiming ‘Made in America’ status in the federal procurement system, President Trump directed the SBA and GSA to take aggressive action," Loeffler said.

Even in his first term, Trump used executive orders to maximize the use of domestically sourced raw materials such as iron, aluminum and cement. He issued a similar executive order earlier this year.

INTEL RIVAL SKYWATER PITCHES ITSELF AS ALL-AMERICAN FIRM AS TRUMP MULLS MORE EQUITY DEALS

But sourcing protections for federal materials didn’t start with him.

For security reasons, the Berry Amendment, implemented in 1941, requires the Department of War to purchase only American-sourced steel.

Similarly, the Buy American Act (BAA), a Great Depression-era law that passed in 1933, requires federal agencies to prioritize American-made goods over certain value thresholds.

Loeffler explained that companies like Sherrill Manufacturing can be put unknowingly at risk of violating those requirements if vendors aren’t honest about their sourcing.

"The Trump Administration is sending a clear message that we will not tolerate foreign impostors that hijack Made in America labels, or those that undercut honest, generational, American small businesses like Sherrill Manufacturing," Loeffler said.

The company’s CEO, Matthew Roberts, praised the SBA’s work and thanked the Trump administration.

"The factory where Sherrill Manufacturing and Liberty Tabletop produce their flatware has a manufacturing history dating back to supplying America’s armed forces during World War I," Roberts said.

18 BRANDS STILL MAKING COOKWARE AND KITCHEN TOOLS IN THE U.S. — FROM SKILLETS TO SPATULAS

"We deeply appreciate President Trump, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and GSA Administrator Ed Forst, along with their offices, for their continued efforts to keep American manufacturing alive and restore pride in products made in the USA," he added.

SBA did not list which specific vendors have been removed from the Advantage! platform.

TCU official social media account gives savage response to Texas Tech-Brendan Sorsby statement

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:23:38 -0400

The Texas Tech Red Raiders' heel turn, from lovable outsiders looking to shake up the system to the unquestioned villains of college football, has been equal parts staggering and entertaining.

The genesis of this villain arc is, of course, the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga that continues to unfold before our very eyes.

The university, its athletic department and anyone associated with it haven't done the Red Raiders and their quarterback any favors, either, with people like head coach Joey Maguire and billionaire booster Cody Campbell sounding off on the issue and only angering fans further.

Sensing this to be the case, Texas Tech's athletic department released a 21-minute video statement on Thursday evening to try and put out the flames from the Sorsby fallout, hoping to clear up any misconceptions from the ongoing case.

BRENDAN SORSBY’S LAWSUIT AGAINST NCAA COULD SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT IN COLLEGE SPORTS MOVING FORWARD

You can watch the video for yourself and draw your own conclusions, but it's safe to say fans across social media are rejecting this statement and taking every opportunity to dunk on the Red Raiders while they are at it.

The comments section is filled with college football fans from all over the country calling the university's athletic department a bunch of clowns and hypocrites, but one Big 12 rival, the TCU Horned Frogs, put out a statement of their own in response to Tech's video.

Absolute savagery.

TEXAS LONGHORNS HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN BY ANSWERING TEXAS TECH CHALLENGE, WOULD BE FOOLISH TO ACCEPT TERMS

The didn't quote the original post or even tag Texas Tech in their response, but given the timing of their post, everyone and their mother knew exactly what TCU was referring to.

Kudos to whoever runs their social media account, because I'm sure Horned Frog fans were thinking exactly what the admin was saying here.

Even fans of rival programs in the state and conference were giving TCU their props for their dig at the big bad bullies of the Big 12.

TEXAS TECH MEGABOOSTER CLAIMS BIG 12 RIVALS WANT TO BOYCOTT GAMES BECAUSE THEY FEAR BRENDAN SORSBY

I have to say, I love this. All of it.

Texas Tech morphing from plucky underdog to college football antagonist in less than a season is exactly what the sport needs.

College football was in desperate need of a new villain after the infighting between the SEC and Big Ten had gotten stale.

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

Obviously, whatever demons Sorsby is battling, college football fans can and should hope he gets the help he needs.

But at the same time, it's nice to see rivals taking shots at each other on social media in the summer.

When the Horned Frogs travel to Lubbock for rivalry week, you had better believe both fanbases will be foaming at the mouth ready to exact some revenge on the field.

Is it September yet?

Scottish fans drank every beer on their plane before landing in Boston ahead of World Cup opener

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:22:55 -0400

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and fans from around the world are still making their way into North America to cheer on their teams.

However, few fan bases have made an entrance quite like Scotland's, and that should really come as no surprise.

They know how to party there, and in fact, it seems like some airlines weren't even prepared for the sheer volume of drinking that they were hell-bent on doing.

The Scots get their slate underway on Saturday night against Haiti at Boston Stadium, or as we all know it outside of World Cup times, Gillette Stadium.

The verdict is in: Europeans are obsessed with rural America during 2026 World Cup stay

So, Scottish fans rolled into Logan International Airport ahead of the match, but the news became less about the Tartan Army's arrival and more about their journey there and the drinking they did along the way.

It can be a little tough to hear through the thick Scottish brogues, but here's the gist: They drank all the beer on their plane, with some starting to booze as soon as they woke up at 1 in the morning.

The Scottish are absolute legends.

Do you realize how much drinking you have to do for it to be newsworthy in Boston?!

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

I think the big failure here is whatever airline they were on not doing the math that a flight from Scotland to Boston the day before a World Cup match might move a lot of beer.

Sure, they can only load up so much, but maybe they need to develop some sort of midair refueling system like our military uses. Just instead of jet fuel, they funnel a few kegs of Tennent's Lager into the galley.

Well, I'm sure "Boston Stadium" (that is going to be the trickiest part of this World Cup, remembering that all the stadiums have different names) won't be running out of beer the way their plane did.

Because, surely, the folks there just got a massive hint that they better order a few backup kegs just in case.

Progressive Talarico knifes Biden's open border, tries moderating stance on key issues in Texas Senate race

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:15:49 -0400

The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas torched former President Joe Biden's open borders policies as he races to clean-up past comments amid criticism he is too radical to be elected in Texas.

James Talarico hardened his stance on border security and pitted himself against the former president during a podcast interview on "Cogdell Law Uncensored" earlier this week.

The Democrat member of the Texas legislature has a far-left track record that includes calls to "tear down" Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), an agency which he has called "secret police," and claiming the border should act as a "welcome mat" for illegal immigrants.

He is now the Democratic nominee taking on Trump-backed Republican Ken Paxton in the race for a Senate seat in Texas in November.

JAMES TALARICO SAYS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS CONVINCED BORDER SECURITY WAS 'RACIST'

"I called out Joe Biden for failing to secure our southern border and I got a lot of heat from my own party for doing that," he told podcaster and attorney Dan Cogdell. "But I remember talking with my colleagues in the legislature who represent border communities and they told me about the utter chaos caused by President Biden's policies."

Those calls and his more moderate immigration stance emerged only after Talarico launched his Senate bid in the most populated U.S. red state where the most illegal immigration happens.

When asked repeatedly by Fox News Digital, Talarico's campaign officials could not produce evidence to support the progressive candidate's claims he was ever at odds with Biden on the issue of border security before his Senate campaign began and while Biden was still in office.

Millions of illegal aliens poured undetected into the United States during the previous presidency, while Talarico occupied his seat in the Texas House legislature.

Talarico said in the podcast: "The Democratic Party, we're the ones that should be about making government work for people and our immigration system is a prime example of government not working for people. So I'm a border security Democrat. I believe we've gotta have a sane, orderly process to ensure that we know who's coming into our country."

While he has accused ICE of "terrorizing our country," called for Americans to "stand up and fight back" and in 2019 slammed Texas Republicans for passing an "anti-immigrant bill" that funded President Donald Trump's border wall project, Talarico said on the podcast this week that public safety should be a priority.

TEXAS DEM TALARICO'S ‘CULTURE OF VIOLENCE’ REMARKS RESURFACE AS HE DENIES DEFUND POLICE TIES

"But I also think we need to keep out folks who want to do us harm, and public safety is the most important thing the government does," he said.

Under Trump, ICE has been tasked with zeroing in on the "worst of the worst" illegal aliens for arrest and deportation, especially those with violent criminal records.

"James has never supported abolishing ICE and supports more border security — which is why he’s authored legislation to modernize our ports of entry and called for more Border Patrol agents," Talarico's press secretary JT Ennis told Fox News Digital.

"Both parties have failed us on the issue of immigration, so James is running for Senate to keep our country safe by deporting criminals instead of hunting down moms, babies, and small business owners who have been contributing to our economy for decades."

Speaking to Cogdell, Talarico also pitched himself as a defender of the Second Amendment while simultaneously calling for strict gun control methods.

TEXAS DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATES SIDESTEP ISLAMIC TERRORISM CONCERNS FOLLOWING DEADLY AUSTIN ATTACK

"I am a believer in the Second Amendment. I don't pick and choose between the Bill of Rights. I believe in the Second Amendment just as much as I believe in the First," he said. "We have a right to bear arms, to protect ourselves, our families. We have a right to own weapons for sport or for hunting, but like any freedom in the Bill of Rights, it's not absolute."

"We've gotta keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals. We've gotta make sure that we've got safe storage laws and background checks so that we're keeping everybody safe," the candidate qualified.

He positioned himself during the conversation as a moderate Democrat, chastising people on the political left who are "trying to take away people's guns" and people on the political right who "don't want to see any regulations."

MS NOW ANALYST ADMITS TALARICO ‘NOT A MODERATE,’ HAS PROGRESSIVE VIEWS LIKE CROCKETT

But only a few months ago, Talarico said he favored "red flag laws," which allow judges to order Americans to be stripped of their firearms if they think a person is a danger to themselves or others. Talarico also once accused Republicans of loving guns more than children.

"You can’t be the party of freedom and control women’s bodies," he said at a 2024 event with the Travis County Democratic Party. "You can’t be the party of family and love your guns more than our kids. You can’t be the party of faith and worship at the feet of Donald Trump."

Ennis said that the candidate has "always believed, like the vast majority of Texans, that we must protect the Second Amendment while also enacting popular, common sense measures like universal background checks that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals."

MARK HALPERIN: IS DEMOCRAT JAMES TALARICO THE REAL DEAL — OR BETO 2.0 HEADED FOR A TEXAS FLOP?

Talarico also distanced himself from child sex change surgeries, sometimes called "gender affirming care," and said he does not support them despite often earning criticism for his comments regarding children who identify as the opposite of their biological sex.

"I oppose gender reassignment surgeries for minors," he told Cogdell, claiming "the people that are in power" are trying to distract from "corruption in our government."

"So they're gonna use a tried and true playbook to get out of this," he said. "Distraction and division. That is how corrupt public officials stay in power."

‘GOD IS NON-BINARY’: TEXAS DEM NOMINEE TALARICO’S PAST REMARKS ON ABORTION, RACE AND GENDER DRAW SCRUTINY

Talarico's emphatic support for transgender children has raised eyebrows since he's entered the national spotlight.

He has said he loves them on multiple occasions, including on a podcast in 2023 when he was asked to name something that he loved other than his friends and family.

"I love, I’m just saying this because it’s all on my mind, the trans children who showed up yesterday at the state capitol to advocate for their humanity," he said on the Superbloom Podcast.

At the time, he had voted against a state bill to ban cross-sex hormones for minors.

"I just want to say, I love you and so do a lot of people in this room, and so do a lot of people around this big state. I know it may not seem like it tonight, but you are loved beyond measure," Talarico also said in 2023 on the Texas House floor, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"James opposes gender reassignment surgery for minors," said Ennis. "While billionaire-bought politicians like Ken Paxton spread lies to divide Texans, James will continue to stand up against both political parties to fix this broken, corrupt political system and support Texas families."

Paxton's campaign did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment on Talarico's apparent flip-flop on the border, Second Amendment or transgender youth

Victor Wembanyama isn't good or mature enough to be the face of the NBA — at least not yet

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:57:48 -0400

Before the start of the NBA Finals, a number of analysts and reporters anointed Victor Wembanyama as the new "face of the NBA."

They had plenty of reasons to do so. Wembanyama is only 22-years-old. At 7-foot-4 with guard-like ball-handling skills and a smooth jump shot, he is unlike any player the NBA has ever produced. He also led the Spurs to the NBA Finals in just his third professional season.

But through four games, with the Knicks holding a commanding 3-1 series lead, Wembanyama has done little to justify the hype. Instead, it has become increasingly clear that he was crowned too soon.

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

In each of San Antonio's three losses, Wembanyama has struggled in the biggest moments. In Game 1, he became passive in the second half and finished just 6-of-21 from the field. In Game 2, a costly turnover and poor shot selection on consecutive possessions helped seal the Spurs' fate. He bounced back with a strong performance in Game 3, only to shoot 36% from the field in Game 4 as San Antonio squandered a historic 29-point lead. He also missed two crucial free throws late in the game, opening the door for New York to steal the win.

"If you're going to be doing all the yapping, all the clapping, the taunting, when the game is on the line and you've got the biggest free throws of your career, you can't brick them both," ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon said after the game. "He wants to be the face of the league, but there's pressure that comes along with it. When the pressure was highest, he failed."

MacMahon's criticism reflects a broader issue. Wembanyama has embraced the villain role, engaging in trash talk, hard fouls and flagrant-worthy play. He welcomes the attention and the spotlight. Yet when the pressure has mounted, he has not backed up the persona.

Wembanyama has also drawn attention for his willingness to use his platform to express his discontent with the U.S. government.

In January, he accused U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of "murdering" civilians.

"Yeah, PR has tried, but I'm not going to sit here and give some politically correct answer," Wembanyama told reporters who asked him about unrest following the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

"Every day I wake up and see the news, and I'm horrified. I think it's crazy that some people might make it seem like, or make it sound like, the murder of civilians is acceptable."

For the record, "murder" is a legal term. The agents involved in the shootings were never charged with murder.

During the Finals, Wembanyama has also appeared to make a statement during the national anthem. Before Game 1, cameras showed him standing with his arms crossed during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." OutKick asked his management team and the Spurs for an explanation. Was the gesture intended as a statement? Neither responded.

OutKick also asked President Donald Trump about Wembanyama's anthem posture aboard Air Force One after Game 1. Trump said he had not seen the moment but suggested someone should ask Wembanyama what he meant by it.

Unfortunately, no credentialed reporter appears to have asked him.

As attention around the story grew, Wembanyama reportedly remained in the locker room during the national anthem before either Game 3 or Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.

The last thing the NBA needs right now is for Wembanyama to be the latest wannabe activist.

The league is finally recovering from a turbulent decade during which television ratings dropped by nearly 48% as many of its most prominent players, coaches and executives increasingly inserted themselves into partisan political debates. In recent years, the NBA has attempted to distance itself from that image.

NBA FINALS RATINGS SURGE AS THE LEAGUE WELCOMES TRUMP, DROPS WOKE MESSAGING — BUT IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

This week, Commissioner Adam Silver welcomed President Trump to Game 3 of the Finals, signaling a league that appears more interested in broadening its appeal than engaging in political theater.

The strategy appears to be paying off. A less political NBA, combined with the New York Knicks chasing their first championship since 1973, has helped generate some of the strongest Finals interest in years.

"For a decade LeBron, Silver, Popovich and Kerr ridiculed Trump voters and Republicans. That has now ended. It's a return to the Jordan, 'Republicans buy sneakers too,' era. Smart business and good for sports culture too. Good decisions get rewarded, bad decisions get punished," Clay Travis argued this week.

Wembanyama now risks undermining much of that newfound goodwill. And, at the risk of sounding like Skip Bayless, he may lack the clutch gene.

Suddenly, Wembanyama looks far less like the ideal candidate to lead the NBA into the post-LeBron James and Steph Curry era.

In the span of just two weeks, Wembanyama has gone from an engrossing basketball phenomenon to, as Jason Whitlock called him, an overprotected punk.

"Victor Wembanyama is a punk and possibly the most protected player in the history of sports," Whitlock argued.

A punk who hasn't shown he knows how to win.

Of course, there is still plenty of time. Wembanyama is only 22-years-old. LeBron James didn't win his first championship until age 27. Michael Jordan didn't win his first title until 28.

Wembanyama may still become the "face of the NBA" someday. But he isn't there yet. Not based on how he has responded when the pressure has been greatest.

He isn't ready for that title or responsibility. He isn't good enough. He isn't mature enough.

Not yet, anyway.