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Move to oust Nancy Guthrie sheriff fails as Pima County supervisors refer perjury allegations to AG

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:58:04 -0400

A move to oust Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos failed during a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday night, though the board voted to refer perjury allegations to the state attorney general's office as Nanos' past record and handling of the Nancy Guthrie case have been heavily scrutinized.

Republican Steve Christy moved to have the board declare the sheriff's office vacant and begin the process to replace him immediately. No one seconded the motion, though, and the bid to oust him failed.

Democrat Rex Scott then made a motion to refer allegations of perjury against Nanos to the state AG's office, which the board approved by a vote of 4-0, with Christy abstaining.

"My chief concern with what’s been going on within the sheriff’s department is that our elected sheriff has taken no discernible efforts to repair relationships and trust within our largest department," Scott said after that vote. "The most telling example of that was the unanimous vote of the Pima County Deputy's Organization declaring no confidence in his leadership."

The board's actions capped a high-stakes showdown over allegations that the man leading the Guthrie kidnapping investigation lied under oath about his past police record.

PIMA COUNTY SUPERVISORS MOVE TO OUST SHERIFF LEADING NANCY GUTHRIE KIDNAPPING PROBE OVER PERJURY CLAIMS

The developments followed weeks of mounting pressure from within the county’s own leadership, with two supervisors, Christy and Democrat Matt Heinz, pushing to remove the elected sheriff or take formal action against him.

"This is accountability for a guy who has evaded accountability for decades," Heinz told Fox News Digital last week, calling Nanos a "public safety threat."

At the center of the controversy are claims Nanos misled officials about his disciplinary history as a Texas police officer in the 1970s and 1980s.

The allegations stem from a deposition in a lawsuit, where Nanos said under oath that he had never been suspended as a law enforcement officer.

Records from El Paso, first obtained by the Arizona Republic and later posted publicly by the county, show he was suspended multiple times and resigned in lieu of termination.

Christy said the sheriff had already missed a deadline to answer questions under oath from the board — escalating the situation.

SHERIFF LEADING NANCY GUTHRIE PROBE ADMITS QUITTING PAST POLICE JOB TO DODGE DISCIPLINE

"He’s already failed that request… so we’re into the next phase," Christy said, signaling a potential move to vacate the office.

LEAD NANCY GUTHRIE COP HAD NO HOMICIDE EXPERIENCE, SHERIFF BENCHED TOP DETECTIVES: SOURCES

Because the sheriff is an elected official, removing him is legally complicated, though supervisors have pointed to a rarely used Arizona law dating back to the 1800s as a possible path forward.

WHO IS CHRIS NANOS? PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF WITH 50 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HEADS NANCY GUTHRIE INVESTIGATION

Even without removal, Heinz said the board could still take other actions, including passing a resolution expressing a lack of confidence or referring the allegations for criminal investigation by the state attorney general.

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He also noted that a conviction on perjury charges would ultimately force the sheriff from office.

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Adding to the tension, both sides have retained outside legal counsel rather than relying on the county attorney’s office, a move Christy said is costing taxpayers additional money.

SHERIFF UNDER FIRE AMID NANCY GUTHRIE CASE ALLEGEDLY BROUGHT LOADED FIREARM TO AIRPORT CHECKPOINT

In a written response to the board, Nanos pushed back on the claims, arguing the controversy stems from a misunderstanding, not perjury.

His attorney says the sheriff’s testimony referred only to his Arizona career, noting he was never suspended during his decades with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, though he faced discipline earlier in Texas.

The memo also confirms Nanos resigned from the El Paso Police Department in 1982 rather than accept a proposed suspension following a dispute with a supervisor.

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Heinz has disputed that characterization, arguing the record shows Nanos resigned in lieu of termination, not discipline.

The sheriff declined to answer questions in person under oath, instead submitting a notarized statement to the board after the deadline, which Heinz said may still be accepted but does not resolve the underlying concerns.

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The investigation into Guthrie’s Feb. 1 disappearance has now stretched past 100 days with few public breakthroughs.

The case, involving the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, has drawn national attention and sparked tension between Nanos and the FBI, including a public clash with Director Kash Patel over whether federal agents were initially sidelined.

Heinz has also called on the sheriff to hand over the investigation to federal authorities.

"It’s ridiculous," he said. "Almost every other jurisdiction would have done so by now."

More than $1.2 million in reward money is now being offered for information that leads to answers, as her family continues to plead for help.

Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:45:30 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio ditched his usual suit for a Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One, sparking widespread online reactions as images of the unexpected look spread across social media.

Photos posted to X by White House communications director Steven Cheung showed Rubio wearing a gray Nike Tech fleece outfit — a notably casual departure from the formal attire typically worn by top U.S. officials during official travel.

The moment comes as Rubio travels with President Donald Trump on a high-stakes trip to China, where officials are expected to focus on trade and national security issues, creating a contrast between high-level diplomacy and a social media-driven fashion moment.

The outfit quickly drew comparisons to the internet’s so-called "Venezuela Nike Tech" meme, which gained traction earlier this year after images of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro wearing a similar tracksuit circulated online.

DAN GAINOR: FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO SECRETARY OF MEMES, RUBIO WINS OVER MAGA

Social media users flooded X with jokes and commentary after the images surfaced.

"Is Marco going to be the DJ for the flight?" one X user wrote alongside an edited image showing Rubio standing behind a DJ booth.

Another viral meme labeled Rubio "Nicolás Maduro as Marco Rubio," continuing the comparisons between the secretary of state’s outfit and the now-viral Maduro images.

MARCO RUBIO SPOTTED BEHIND DJ BOOTH AT FAMILY WEDDING AS SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS TO VIRAL CLIP

Another user wrote, "Okay — did I miss one of Marco Rubio’s new jobs? Sportswear model?"

Others dubbed the outfit "the Maduro fit," while some questioned the casual attire aboard Air Force One.

Rubio has also become an unlikely recurring viral figure online in recent weeks. Earlier this month, videos shared by White House officials showed the secretary of state DJing at a family wedding, wearing headphones behind a mixing booth as guests danced around him.

Nike Tech fleece tracksuits have surged in popularity online in recent months, fueled in part by the Maduro images that helped turn the minimalist athletic style into an unlikely political meme.

While senior officials are typically seen in formal wear during Air Force One travel, Rubio’s off-duty look offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse — and quickly became another social media talking point.

Christopher Nolan confirms bizarre 'The Odyssey' casting choices including rapper Travis Scott

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:27:49 -0400

Christopher Nolan is one of the entertainment industry's most celebrated filmmakers. He's responsible for some of the biggest financial and critical successes since the turn of the century.

"The Dark Knight." "Inception." "Dunkirk." "Interstellar." And his most recent release, "Oppenheimer," which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Nolan, like few other modern directors, has achieved an "auteur" status, essentially a signature style and control over the creative process and output that's distinctive compared to his peers.

When news broke that Nolan's next project would be "The Odyssey," it seemed like an unexpected, fascinating fit. The 55-year-old director has tackled different subjects with unique, high-quality film-making. "Batman Begins" was credited with redefining the comic book, superhero movie by grounding it in realism with a much darker tone than more cartoonish predecessors. "Dunkirk" featured an exceptional recreation of an aerial battle in World War II, and "Interstellar" was so groundbreaking in its scientific accuracy that it led to an academic research paper on its portrayal of a black hole. "Tenet" was a fascinating and original exploration of time that was fanatical in its commitment to the rules of the film, outlandish though they might have been. Even "Oppenheimer," though it took plenty of historical license, was praised for the depiction of the first test of a nuclear bomb as part of The Manhattan Project.

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All of this attention to detail and grounded realism despite remarkable scale, made "The Odyssey" such an interesting choice. An epic story, one of history's oldest, interweaving mythology and the very human story of Odysseus trying to return home to his family. But with mythological elements seemingly a new direction for Nolan to take.

The film is set to release this summer on July 17th, and speculation over its cast started as soon as some of the list hit the internet. Along with Matt Damon was Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page and many others. Initially, it wasn't clear which characters those actors and actresses would portray.

But a new interview with the director and cast published on Tuesday by Time, confirmed some of the most rumored details. And in doing so, brought him in for some heavy criticism or outright confusion. It starts with Matt Damon, playing Odysseus, saying that Nolan is "...very faithful to Homer because that’s not somebody you rewrite. But thematically, what he looked at was really interesting."

Nolan's attention to detail and commitment to authenticity went as far as building a "genuinely seaworthy" ship for Odysseus and his crew that could sail around the Mediterranean. Which is what makes his casting choices so...well, odd.

The Time article explains that the character of "Helen," famously known in the story as "the most beautiful woman in the world," and described by Homer as having white skin and other historic authors as golden, or having light hair, is played by Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o.

Then, Nolan reportedly told composer Ludwig Göransson "not to use an orchestra in the score." Göransson added, "It's not like the orchestra existed back then," per the Time story. Nolan also put rapper Travis Scott in the film, saying, "I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap."

So his dedication to accuracy was so extreme that he had his crew build an actual seaworthy ship for Odysseus, refused to use an orchestra to score the film, and his lead actor praised how "faithful" he was to Homer's text. And yet he cast a Kenyan-Mexican actress to play a Greek woman, and used a modern rapper to nod to oral poetry from 2,700 years ago?

Nolan's earned the benefit of the doubt, and his films are always fascinating, even if there are legitimate, sometimes plentiful criticisms of the writing or plot points. "The Odyssey" will undoubtedly contain his trademark scale and technical quality. But it's odd that he chose to abandon that realism to subvert specific characters. Nyong'o is a very talented and attractive actress who's deserving of being in a Christopher Nolan movie...and also totally miscast as Helen of Troy.

You could make a similar case with Matt Damon, who has a Nordic ethnic background that's looks little like someone born around the Mediterranean. It's made even more bizarre by how Nolan brags about how much "research" went into the movie.

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"Nolan speaks with pride about the level of research that went into the production from all departments," the story says. Then explains soon after, "The oldest depictions of Homeric characters tend to be depicted in the manner of people living in Homer’s time. So there’s a pretty strong case there for portraying things that way because that’s the way the first audience received the story."

Except for the cast? Did the audience who first "received the story" get it by way of Travis Scott?

Again, none of this means Nyong'o shouldn't be in the movie. Or Scott for that matter, though given his limited acting experience, it's possible he immediately pulls the audience out of the movie. But it's an odd disconnect to focus on historic realism, research, and attention to detail, and then thoroughly discard descriptions of characters in order to meet a modern expectation.

It's unlike Nolan. Or at least, what Nolan seemed to represent, until now.

Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello faces backlash after singing at NYC ICE protest rally

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:52:26 -0400

Musician Tom Morello faced a backlash from conservatives after he played to the crowd Tuesday at the Hands off NYC protest at the Federal Plaza in Manhattan.

The guitarist, who is known for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, sang Woodie Guthrie’s "This Land is Your Land," along with the lines that said: "In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple, near the relief office, I see my people. Some are crumbling and all are wondering if this land’s still made for you and me."

A cheering crowd who held signs that said "Hands off NYC" and "ICE is illegal" sang along with the 61-year-old.

"My mother and I lived at 142nd and Riverside a long time ago," Morello told the crowd, according to Rolling Stone. "Brothers and sisters, if I’ve learned one thing in all my years since then, it’s that if it looks like fascism, sounds like fascism, dresses like fascism, talks like fascism, kills like fascism, and lies like fascism — brothers and sisters, it’s f---ing fascism."

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN OFFERS 'PRAYER' FOR TRUMP AFTER WHCA DINNER SHOOTING DESPITE MONTHS OF CRITICISM

He also referred to the Trump administration as an "authoritarian clown show" and called for a "mass movement of peaceful anti-fascist crime fighters."

A video of Morello singing that was posted to X received a multitude of negative comments.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TRASHED BY HOME STATE PAPER OVER EXPENSIVE ANTI-TRUMP CONCERTS

"Performs being the apt word here, lol. Like a commie circus clown," one person wrote while another said: "Lowlife Tom Morello wants Americans to be murdered by illegal aliens and trillions wasted on them. F this guy."

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A third person said: "So now he's raging for the machine he pretended to rage against... does he know?" and another said: "Making money on the downfall of America."

"It's honestly pathetic. Tom Morello is a washed-up loser trying to stay relevant," a fifth wrote." I bet all the terrorist Gen Zers in the crowd have no idea who he is or what he actually stands for. Very sad to see what has happened to our culture."

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He received a swell of support, though, on Instagram.

"Thanks Tom Morello and New York! Appreciate your support for immigrants," one commenter wrote. "One of my favorite Woody Guthrie sings. Great lyrics. Keep up the good work. In the end, we will derail Trump & friends’ authoritarian train and get the country on a better track towards justice for all, citizens and immigrants alike."

"thanks tom! Great message!" another said, and a third wrote: "The song stands for we the people you d--n right it’s our soul. Thank you for sharing."

"Keep singing, keep protesting!" another urged, while a fifth person said: "This is so beautiful."

Morello also played a show with fellow President Donald Trump critic Bruce Springsteen on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Morello for comment.

High school student with history of anger issues charged with murder of homeless woman in Las Vegas

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:51:10 -0400

Authorities on May 5 arrested a 17-year-old male accused of murdering a 61-year-old woman who was found dead on April 21.

Local outlet Las Vegas Review-Journal identified the suspect as Dennis Geiggar, a high school student with a reported history of behavioral issues and anger-related incidents.

He is accused of killing 61-year-old Marceline Biasini, who the Review-Journal reported regularly slept in the area where she was found dead.

The victim was found lying on the sidewalk outside a business and "suffering from apparent injuries" just after 8 a.m. on April 21, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) told Fox News Digital.

NYC TEEN ARRESTED, CHARGED FOR SETTING HOMELESS SUBWAY RIDER ON FIRE, POLICE SAY

Nearby surveillance video captured a brief, suspicious encounter in the middle of the night, showing a suspect approaching the victim’s area and leaving about a minute later, the Review-Journal reported, citing police records.

While the footage did not capture the killing itself, it reportedly recorded what appeared to be a loud scream followed by approximately 61 loud impact sounds.

"The precise location of the crime scene was obstructed from surveillance cameras, but video surveillance with audio … captured the suspect approaching Marceline’s location and, seconds later, a scream is heard followed by approximately 61 loud thuds," the Review-Journal report said.

Detectives determined the woman had been "battered at some point during the night," according to a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

The Clark County coroner’s office ruled Biasini’s death a homicide, citing blunt head trauma, according to the Review-Journal.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CHARGED WITH "RANDOM" MURDER AFTER 68-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN MASSACHUSETTS HOME

Geiggar reportedly has a history of anger issues and troubled behavior.

He was expelled from Valley High School in January after allegedly attempting to start a fire on campus, the Review-Journal said, adding that he has since been attending school online.

Police also said Geiggar had "numerous incidents where his anger had resulted in his punching walls and trash cans" and had been participating in anger management classes, according to the outlet.

According to police reports, surveillance video from a nearby 7-Eleven showed a suspect wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and Vans shoes, clothing Geiggar was reportedly seen wearing while attending Valley High School.

In addition, detectives reportedly found bloody footwear impressions at the crime scene.

Tests on Geiggar’s Vans shoes came back presumptively positive for blood, though DNA comparison has not yet been completed, the outlet said.

Police added that Geiggar’s physical description matched that of the suspect.

Documents state Geiggar has denied the accusations, though he acknowledged visiting a 7-Eleven nearby around 1–2 a.m. with his older brother, the Review-Journal reported.

Video from that store reportedly did not show him inside at that time.

Geiggar has denied the accusations, according to documents cited by the Review-Journal. It was not immediately clear whether he had retained an attorney who could comment on his behalf. He has not been convicted in connection with Biasini’s death, and the case remains pending.

Geiggar has been taken into custody on one felony count of open murder, a charge alleging homicide without specifying the degree of the offense.

Ex-MLB pitcher Noah Syndergaard blasts Zohran Mamdani as Mets dysfunction reflects New York chaos

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:35:39 -0400

The Apple is rotting from the inside out, and former Mets ace Noah Syndergaard knows who to blame.

Appearing on OutKick's "Tomi Lahren Is Fearless,"Tomi Lahren Is Fearless, the ex-MLB pitcher unloaded on the state of his old squad and the political climate in New York City.

With the Mets languishing at the bottom of the NL East, Syndergaard suggested the problems go far beyond the bullpen.

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Speaking with Tomi, a Mets fan, Syndergaard addressed the departures of fan favorites Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso. For him, the shift in the locker room reflects something bigger happening in the city itself.

"It's kind of also ironic," Syndergaard told Lahren. "Those two guys are some of the biggest conservatives I've played for as well as with, with Jacob deGrom. The craziness that's going on in New York."

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Even so, Syndergaard admitted the draw of playing in New York never really goes away.

PETE ALONSO RIPS ON TRAFFIC, CRUSHES HOMER AGAINST YANKEES IN RETURN TO NYC

"But I mean, if I still played for the Mets or the Yankees, I'd be like, oh, this is freaking awesome," he continued. "Like I could block the crazy part out and still focus on, I get to play a kid's game in one of the greatest cities in the world."

"Albeit, ran by a lunatic or, I don't know. He's 34 years old ... like I'm 33 and I can't imagine being a mayor."

The "lunatic" in question: Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist mayor.

MODERATE DEMS IN ALBANY SHIFT FURTHER LEFT AS MAMDANI PUSHES SOCIALIST AGENDA, ASSEMBLYMAN WARNS

Syndergaard, who bled orange and blue for eight years, expressed disbelief that a 34-year-old with Mamdani's resume is running the world’s most iconic city.

"Well, he's like 34 years old and never really held an actual job beforehand," Syndergaard said.

For the Mets, the curse appears to be more than just bad luck on the field. The Amazin' have struggled to justify a massive payroll with little to show for it.

Lahren pushed the criticism even further, taking aim at Mamdani’s political history and describing his "bent towards communism and globalizing the Intifada" as the primary rot at City Hall.

When asked what advice he would give the struggling franchise, Syndergaard went off.

"Stop hanging out with socialist mayors, I guess, probably. ...

"I hate saying it, but at the end of the day, the Mets are going to Met," he said. "I think I'm allowed to kind of say that because I bled orange and blue for eight years. Made it to the World Series with them.

"Just kind of disappointed to see A) who they're inviting into their clubhouse and B) the lack of success they're having. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. We have a huge payroll, and it's not creating great dividends for them."

As Mamdani pushes his agenda from City Hall, the Mets are finding out that when a city attracts radicalism, its teams may suffer with it.

Until the Mets stop courting Democratic Socialists, they'll probably keep luring the bad luck like a magnet. In the meantime, Thor will watch and keep taking swings when no one else steps up to the plate.

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

Nebraska's Pillen wins Republican renomination in bid for second term as governor

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:30:39 -0400

Republican Gov. Jim Pillen of Nebraska is a big step closer to winning re-election as governor of the red-leaning Great Plains state.

Pillen easily topped five challengers in Nebraska's GOP gubernatorial primary to win his party's 2026 nomination, the Associated Press reports.

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The governor, a practicing veterinarian and chair of Pillen Family Farms who also played defensive back for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team five decades ago, was first elected in 2022.

The backing of the outgoing Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts helped Pillen top a crowded field of GOP rivals in the primary before going on to easily win the general election.

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One week after being sworn in as governor, Pillen appointed Ricketts to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant when Republican Sen. Ben Sasse stepped down to become University of Florida president.

Pillen will be considered the clear favorite in the general election in a state President Donald Trump carried by 20 points as he won back the White House in 2024.

The governor will face off against former state Sen. Lynne Walz, who won the Democratic nomination, the Associated Press reports.

Walz crushed perennial candidate Larry Marvin in the Democratic primary.

Cruise passenger shows life inside Nebraska quarantine after hantavirus exposure scare

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:15:50 -0400

One of the passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship posted video showing his quarantine room at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha as officials monitor a hantavirus outbreak tied to the voyage.

Jake Rosmarin, a passenger currently under quarantine, has been documenting his experience on social media, posting videos from both the ship and the medical facility. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the video.

Health officials have said the passengers are being monitored out of caution after potential exposure to Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, and have emphasized that the risk to the public remains low.

In one recent clip, Rosmarin showed his room, which included a wall-mounted hand sanitizer, a thermometer and other health provisions. The room also featured a stationary bike.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DESCRIBES UNCERTAINTY AFTER 3 DEATHS AMID HANTAVIRUS PROBE

"I can have stuff sent here for the duration of my stay, so I'm definitely going to be getting some things for me to feel more at home and more comfortable," Rosmarin said.

He added that he plans to continue sharing updates in the coming days and said he is currently feeling "well."

Rosmarin also said he has not tested positive for hantavirus.

The footage shows conditions inside the quarantine unit as health officials monitor passengers for potential exposure following the outbreak.

CDC SPELLS OUT NEXT STEPS AFTER AMERICANS EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS ON CRUISE SHIP

Health officials have said passengers may be allowed to leave the Nebraska facility before a 42-day monitoring period ends if they meet certain conditions, including remaining symptom-free and being able to safely isolate at home.

Officials will also evaluate whether individuals can maintain contact with local health departments and quickly access testing or medical care if symptoms develop.

Of the 18 individuals transported to the U.S. after the outbreak, 16 are in Nebraska and two are in Atlanta. Most are in quarantine, while one individual was placed in a biocontainment unit after an earlier test result.

Officials have emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, noting that the Andes variant of hantavirus does not spread easily and typically requires prolonged, close contact with a symptomatic individual.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

House GOP launches new task force, probes alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:15:12 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: House Republicans are rolling out a new oversight task force, starting with an investigation into alleged social services fraud in Ohio.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., tapped Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, a member of the oversight panel, to lead the Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, Fox News Digital has learned.

The duo sent a letter to Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Scott Partika on Tuesday to request documents related to a bombshell report in the Daily Wire, probing widespread fraud in the state’s Medicaid waiver program for home health and community-based services.

The outlet reported on 288 home health companies in Columbus, Ohio, that shared the same addresses, dozens of which were housed in office buildings that appeared to be vacant or in poor condition. The entities billed the federal government more than $250 million in Medicaid spending between 2018 and 2024, though the outlet’s reporting cast doubt on whether the companies billed Medicaid correctly or provided the services.

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"Americans deserve truth, transparency and justice," Gill said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. "They are sick of being defrauded by government institutions and programs that should have been putting them first, not robbing their tax dollars."

"Under his leadership, we will continue to expose radical ideologies being pushed on Americans and fight to safeguard our freedom that we’ve enjoyed as a nation for 250 years," Comer said in a statement, adding that Gill, a freshman lawmaker, had become a pivotal player on the Oversight Committee.

Gill’s task force will have a broad purview, including investigating institutions that uphold diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, individuals who misuse immigration and social welfare programs, and efforts by foreign actors and dark money groups to censor Americans’ speech.

The panel's creation comes as House Oversight Republicans are currently investigating social services fraud in Minnesota and California.

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"The current Medicaid system either does not have sufficient internal controls to prevent and detect fraud or is not conducting proper oversight of these HCBS [Home and Community-Based Services] providers," Comer and Gill wrote in the letter. "As a result, Americans across the country are paying for this fraud while vulnerable patients are being exploited."

Comer has authorized the task force for six months, and Gill is expected to hold hearings at a later date.

Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has pledged to scrutinize the state’s Medicaid spending if elected governor in November.

"We're going to have to take a deep, hard look at the way the $40-plus billion in state Medicaid dollars are being spent," Ramaswamy told "Saturday in America" host Kayleigh McEnany.

"I think the right answer is any instance of waste, fraud, abuse ... deserve[s] to be prosecuted, and we intend to investigate them aggressively, as well as to prosecute aggressively, to send a deterrent signal that our government is not a piggy bank. The taxpayer is not a piggy bank to be bilked."

The Ohio Department of Medicaid told the Daily Wire it has sufficient safeguards in place to combat fraud and had been investigating home health companies that may be abusing the system prior to the outlet's reporting.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill announces another NJ Transit World Cup ticket cut days after first reduction

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:14:05 -0400

Just days after NJ Transit reduced 2026 FIFA World Cup train ticket prices after backlash, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced yet another cut.

Last week, the round-trip tickets from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey were cut from the initial cost of $150 to $105.

Now, Sherrill announced the tickets have gone down to $98 round-trip ahead of them going on sale Tuesday night.

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"Good news: Ahead of NJ TRANSIT World Cup train tickets going on sale tonight, @NJTRANSIT is lowering ticket prices to $98 without New Jersey taxpayer money," Sherrill wrote on X.

"Thank you to our partners — DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries, and American Water — for helping make this possible.

"We’re excited to host a world-class event this summer and showcase New Jersey on a global stage."

NJ TRANSIT REDUCES WORLD CUP TRAIN TICKET PRICES AFTER BACKLASH, CITING MORE MONETARY SUPPORT: REPORT

NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee caught flak after the originally announced $150 price of the round-trip tickets. Their argument was it would eventually cost taxpayers if they didn’t have that abnormal price set for the influx of those getting to MetLife Stadium from New York City.

Then, NJ Transit announced last week it received monetary support from "sponsors and other sources" in able to get prices lowered. Now we know those sponsors after Sherrill’s statement on social media.

Sherrill and FIFA got into a spat after the $150 price came out as well. The governor said FIFA should help pay for train tickets, while the governing body criticized Sherrill’s "unprecedented" plan and added that the expensive train tickets would have a "chilling effect" on the fan experience.

"Governor Sherrill has been clear that FIFA should contribute to transport its fans to World Cup games. Since it hasn’t, she directed NJ Transit to seek private and non-taxpayer dollars to significantly reduce the fare," a spokesperson for Sherrill told The Athletic. "The Governor appreciates all the companies that have already stepped up to lower the costs for ticket holders. She will continue to ensure the World Cup is an experience that benefits fans and all New Jerseyans."

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri defended the original price, saying the ultimate cost to the public transportation company shouldn’t burden New Jersey commuters.

"It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey's diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Equally important, (Sherrill) has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair," Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.

"In order to move 40,000 people and to pay for the cost of $6 million (per game), we have to charge $150."

The regular train fare from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium round-trip is $12.90.

Meanwhile, parking has been prohibited at MetLife Stadium, and ride-sharing will be limited, ultimately leading to a natural increase in NJ Transit commutes for World Cup matches.

The first game at MetLife Stadium is June 13 with a group stage match between Brazil and Morocco.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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

Republican Ricketts wins GOP primary in Nebraska, advances to key Senate showdown

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:10:01 -0400

Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts is a step closer to serving a full six-year term in the Senate, after winning renomination in red-leaning Nebraska's primary.

Ricketts, who was appointed in 2023 to replace Ben Sasse, and who won a 2024 special election to fill out the final two years of Sasse's term, topped four GOP primary challengers on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Ricketts now heads to this autumn's midterm elections, where he will face off in what's expected to be a competitive Senate race against independent candidate Dan Osborn, the industrial mechanic and military veteran who gave Republican Sen. Deb Fischer a scare in her 2024 re-election.

Tuesday's primary was held with less than six months to go until the midterm elections, when Republicans aim to hold their razor-thin House and slim Senate majorities, and Democrats hope to ride a blue wave to escape the political wilderness.

DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB

"Thank you, Nebraska! I'm honored to be your Republican nominee," Ricketts said in a social media post following his primary victory.

But looking ahead to the general election showdown, he added, "Our work is far from over."

In a fundraising pitch, Ricketts argued, "Out-of-state liberal donors are going to pour millions into Nebraska this fall. Chip in now and send them a message: Nebraska elections won’t be bought by liberals in California."

Even though the Nebraska Democratic Party supports Osborn in the general election, community college instructor Cindy Burbank and pastor Bill Forbes faced off for the Democrats' nomination in the primary.

Burbank secured the Democratic nomination, the Associated Press reports, as she crushed Forbes in the primary election.

Both candidates were last-minute filers, and some Nebraska Democrats alleged that Forbes jumped into the race so that a Democrat would be on the fall ballot and siphon votes away from Osborn to help Ricketts.

SIX MONTHS TILL MIDTERMS: THE TEN RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE'S MAJORITY

Forbes denied the claims.

Burbank says she jumped into the race to keep Forbes off the ballot in November.

Ricketts is the eldest son of TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, and, along with other family members, is part owner of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs.

DEMOCRATS EYE NARROW PATH TO CAPTURE SENATE MAJORITY, BUT ONE WRONG MOVE COULD SINK THEM

Ricketts won election in 2014 and re-election in 2018 as Nebraska governor. One week after finishing his second term, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate by his successor as governor, Republican Jim Pillen.

Top nonpartisan political handicappers rank the Senate general election showdown in Nebraska as likely Republican.

The GOP currently controls the Senate with a 53-47 majority.

Big city Democrat mayor arrested at ICE protest faces voters in re-election bid

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:04:07 -0400

A big-city Democratic mayor who grabbed national attention last year as he was arrested during an anti-ICE protest outside a federal immigration detention center cruised to re-election on Tuesday.

Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark, New Jersey, easily topped 50% of the vote in Tuesday's election as he faced off against seven challengers, the Associated Press reports.

Since Baraka clinched a majority of the vote as he ran for a fourth term steering New Jersey's largest city, he'll avoid a runoff in November.

DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB

While Baraka is a Democrat, mayoral elections in Newark are technically nonpartisan.

Baraka, who is considered one of the most progressive mayors in the nation, last year opposed the reopening of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, which was part of President Donald Trump's second-term crackdown on illegal immigration.

On May 9, 2025, Baraka was arrested by ICE agents outside the facility after he unsuccessfully attempted to join a congressional delegation's tour of the facility.

The mayor's arrest made national headlines.

The charges against Baraka were dropped, and he later ran for governor, coming in second to then-Rep. Mikie Sherrill in last year's Democratic gubernatorial primary. Sherrill ended up winning election as New Jersey governor.

New York Times defends controversial anti-Israel piece, 'no truth' to retraction claims

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:00:54 -0400

Note: This story contains graphic allegations of sexual violence.

The New York Times stood by one of its opinion writers on Tuesday after they wrote a controversial piece claiming that Palestinians were regularly being sexually abused by everyone from Israeli prison guards to dogs.

The paper's latest statement came in response to journalist David Shuster claiming that he heard reports of the NY Times planning on retracting opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof's piece after it received backlash from readers as well as the Israel Foreign Ministry.

"Hearing from longtime friends @nytimes there are already discussions, including up the masthead, about retracting @NickKristof column. Issues with source credibility and lack of evidence. No indications the Kristof sourcing mistakes were deliberate. Still problematic," Shuster wrote on X Monday night.

NEW YORK TIMES FACED INTENSE SCRUTINY IN 2023 OVER ISRAEL-HAMAS COVERAGE

The NY Times eventually responded to this claim, saying there was "no truth" to the rumor and defending Kristof as "one of the world’s best on-the-ground reporters."

"There is no truth to this at all. Nicholas Kristof is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has reported on sexual violence for decades, and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best on-the-ground reporters documenting and bearing witness to sexual abuse experienced by women and men in war and conflict zones," NY Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said.

He continued, "He traveled to the region to report firsthand on the stories of Palestinians who suffered abuse, and his article collects accounts in the victims’ own words, backed by independent studies."

NEW YORK TIMES 'BY FAR' HAD THE WORSE ISRAEL-HAMAS COVERAGE IN US MEDIA, JERUSALEM POST EDITOR SAYS

Kristof's piece headlined, "The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians," featured men and women alleging "brutal sexual abuse at the hands of Israel’s prison guards, soldiers, settlers and interrogators."

In the article, he alleged that Palestinians "had their genitals yanked or were beaten on the testicles," "some men had to have their testicles amputated by doctors," and metal batons were used to rape men. Kristof also said a Gaza journalist claimed he was "mounted" by a dog.

Several commentators have called Kristof's report into question, remarking that many of the "14 men and women" he interviewed have ties to Hamas or anti-Israel activism.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the piece, calling it "one of the worst blood libels ever to appear in the modern press" and warned that "the truth will prevail."

"In an unfathomable inversion of reality, and through an endless stream of baseless lies, propagandist Nicholas Kristof turns the victim into the accused. Israel - whose citizens were the victims of the most horrific sexual crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, and whose hostages were later subjected to further sexual abuse - is portrayed as the guilty party," the Israel Foreign Ministry wrote on X Monday.

DHS Sec Mullin points finger at Newsom over alleged Chinese infiltration of California after CCP mayor charged

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:00:22 -0400

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin blamed California Gov. Gavin Newsom's policies for leading to the alleged infiltration of Chinese actors into California on "The Story" Tuesday.

His comments come after the Justice Department accused a California mayor of acting at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party.

"[Newsom] does the bidding for the extreme left, and he's more interested in taking care of the criminals on the streets than taking care of the constituents on his actual streets," Mullin told Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum.

"You expect this kind of stuff to happen. It's shameful. It should never happen, but unfortunately, in this case, it looks like it did."

CALIFORNIA POLITICAL OPERATIVE ALLEGEDLY ACTED AS ILLEGAL AGENT OF CHINA: DOJ

Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang was federally charged with acting as an illegal agent for the People’s Republic of China, according to the DOJ, and has since resigned from her post.

Mullin said California’s sanctuary jurisdiction as well as Democrats’ "political theater" entices foreign adversaries to infiltrate the United States.

CHINA'S MALIGN INFLUENCE TOUCHES EVERY ASPECT OF US LIFE. WE ALL NEED TO HELP STOP THEM

"They feel like there is an open-door invitation in these sanctuary cities, and it's not just China. This is North Korea, this is Russia," the DHS secretary said. "This is our adversaries all over the place that’s using the political theater that the Democrats have drawled as a point of weakness to be able to infiltrate our communities."

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S VISA POLICY THWARTS CHINA’S SPY NETWORK ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES – AND IN CONGRESS

Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom and his office for comment.

Federal prosecutors alleged Wang pushed pro-China messaging from 2020 to 2022, before taking office.

Wang agreed to plead guilty to the felony offense and has admitted to have acted "at the direction and control" of the Chinese government. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison with a potential $250,000 fine.

This case, which Mullin said undermines national security, comes as President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a high-stakes summit in China this week.

Mullin said Chinese leadership cannot outmaneuver Trump while expressing hope the meeting could bring about positive change for Taiwan and the U.S.-China nuclear arms agreement.

"Hopefully we can prevent China from going into Taiwan in 2027, like they have repeatedly said they were going to do. Hopefully we can keep this nuclear arms build-up from getting out of control," he added.

"China hasn't always been a great partner, but with President Trump, maybe we can get back on solid ground, and the only person that could do it would be President Trump if it's possible."

Warner calls Virginia court ruling ‘outrageous’ as Kaine urges Democrats to ‘go win’

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:43:32 -0400

Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine weighed in after the state Supreme Court blocked a newly drawn congressional map Friday, with Warner calling the ruling "outrageous" and Kaine urging candidates to "go win."

"I was really disappointed by the court," Warner said.

VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT RULES ON NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP

The court ruled the redistricting effort failed to meet Virginia’s constitutional amendment requirements, halting a plan Democrats had hoped would help flip several GOP-held seats as both parties battle for control of the House.

The amendment, passed in 2020, established stricter guidelines for congressional map-drawing and approval. It also included limits on how political influence can shape district boundaries — a key issue cited by the court.

"I’m not going to second-guess the fact that the majority of Virginians voted for this," Warner said.

Democratic lawmakers had aimed to target four GOP-held seats under the proposal, which voters approved in May before it was overturned by the court. The plan would have reshaped the state’s House map in Democrats’ favor ahead of the midterm elections.

THIS CRUCIAL STATE IS THE LATEST BATTLEGROUND IN REDISTRICTING WAR BETWEEN TRUMP AND DEMOCRATS

Those targeted districts were seen as crucial in Democrats’ efforts to gain ground in Virginia, which remains competitive in federal races even as it leans Democratic statewide.

"Here’s what I think," Kaine said. "We need to do now what we did last November and just go win a whole lot of seats on the maps we didn’t draw."

Kaine’s response shows the face Democrats are putting on in Virginia amid the redistricting fallout as both parties struggle for control of the House in the upcoming November midterms.

He did not directly address the question, instead pointing to his party’s candidate strength and its ability to compete in key races heading into the election.

"Everything about the candidates who are in the races and the dynamic that they're feeling tells me we can do that, so that's what I'm focused on now," he said.

Republicans have criticized the redistricting effort as an attempt to tilt the map in Democrats’ favor, while Democrats have pointed to similar efforts in GOP-led states as part of a broader national fight over congressional lines.

TRUMP URGES VIRGINIA VOTERS TO REJECT 'BLATANT PARTISAN POWER GRAB' BY DEMOCRATS

Kaine accused Republicans of redrawing maps "through backroom deals" in a separate statement while scolding the Virginia Supreme Court for raising concerns about the referendum after "three million Virginians cast their ballots."

"It sure as heck seems like there are one set of rules for Democrats and another set of rules for Republicans," Warner said.

With the proposed map blocked, both parties are expected to focus on key competitive Virginia districts that could decide control of the House.

Trump expected to name ICE veteran with private detention ties as agency’s acting director

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:39:57 -0400

A longtime immigration enforcement official with deep ties to the detention industry is expected, according to Fox News’ sources, to take the helm of ICE, a move expected to draw renewed scrutiny from Democrats over his past work with a private prison giant as Republicans push to expand the agency’s funding and deportation efforts.

David Venturella is expected to be named acting ICE director as current Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons officially leaves his post next week, multiple sources familiar with the matter told Fox News.

Venturella, who has been working in the Trump administration as an ICE senior advisor, has reportedly held a senior role in the ICE division that manages detention-center contracts, though ICE has said he has no role in reviewing, approving or recommending contracts.

He was recruited with help from Tom Homan after President Donald Trump was elected.

ACTING ICE DIRECTOR TODD LYONS SUBMITS RESIGNATION LETTER TO DHS SECRETARY MARKWAYNE MULLIN

Before his current stint in government, Venturella worked for more than a decade at a private prison firm called The GEO Group, which has contracts with ICE to operate immigration detention facilities.

The company has faced numerous allegations and lawsuits claiming abuse, neglect and substandard care at Geo detention facilities.

Venturella, a career immigration enforcement official, made millions after moving to GEO-operated, where he worked as an executive from 2012 to 2023 and as a paid consultant through Jan. 31, 2025.

DEM-BACKED ‘DIGNITY’ BILL COULD STRIP ICE OF DETENTION POWERS, ERASE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, CRITICS WARN

He started his career in 1986 at the former INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and as acting director and assistant director of ICE’s Office of Detention and Removal Operations.

Sources said he is well liked within ICE and one source described him as "definitely on board with the mission and the mass deportation agenda," though he does not support certain policies, including roving immigration patrols, that were being used during former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure.

As Republicans attempt to push through a roughly $70 billion reconciliation package to fund ICE and CBP, Democrats are expected to make noise about Venturella’s prior stint with GEO, which has a history of complaints.

There will also likely be questions about Venturella's past financial ties to GEO and potential conflicts, given reports that he has held a senior role in the ICE division that manages detention-center contracts that could go to his former employer. ICE has said Venturella has divested from GEO, has no financial ties to the company and has no role in reviewing, approving or recommending contracts.

South Carolina Republicans defy Trump, tank redistricting, for now

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:25:43 -0400

A handful of Republican state senators in South Carolina on Tuesday derailed an effort in the GOP-dominated legislature to redraw their state's congressional district map which aims to erase the only Democrat-dominated U.S. House seat ahead of the midterm elections.

Five Republican state senators broke with their party and teamed up with Democrats to defeat a proposal that would have allowed the chamber to vote on redistricting after the South Carolina legislative session comes to a close later this week.

The move came hours after President Donald Trump warned on social media that he'd be "watching closely" as lawmakers met to move forward with changing their state's map.

The setback means it will be much harder for South Carolina to join Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana, which are altering their maps to eliminate Democrat-controlled congressional districts in time for the midterms, when the GOP will be defending its razor-thin House majority. The southern states are the latest battleground in the nationwide redistricting showdown. At stake is which party will control the House during the final two years of Trump's second term in the White House.

DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB

The efforts by Republicans in the southern states come in the wake of a decision by the conservative majority on the Supreme Court to slash a key protection in the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act. The justices ruled that race should not dictate the redrawing of legislative district maps.

South Carolina Republicans were trying to advance a new map that could put longtime Rep. Jim Clyburn, the only Democrat in the state's seven-person House delegation, out of a job.

Clyburn this past week remained optimistic he can still win re-election.

"I don’t know why people think I could not get re-elected if they redistrict South Carolina," Clyburn said in a CNN interview. "I have a district that’s about 45 percent African-American. I have no idea what the number will be after the legislature finishes, but whatever that number is, I will be running on my record and America’s promise."

ALABAMA REPUBLICANS PLOW FORWARD ON REDISTRICTING

Trump, in a social media post Monday night, urged "South Carolina Republicans: BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS."

"Move the U.S. House Primaries to August, leave the rest on the same schedule. Everything will be fine. GET IT DONE!" he emphasized.

Trump's message came a week after five Indiana Republican state senators who in December helped sink congressional redistricting in the solidly red Midwestern state were ousted by Trump-backed challengers in GOP primaries.

Shane Massey, the South Carolina Senate's Republican majority leader, argued in a floor speech that following Trump's lead on edistricting would be against the interests of the Palmetto State.

"South Carolina has always punched above their weight," Massey said. "Doing this will diminish that influence."

But he also acknowledged that he will likely face political payback from Trump and the president's allies.

"There are likely consequences for me, personally, taking the position that I am right now," Massey said. "I’m comfortable with that. I may not like it, but I’m comfortable with it...My conscience is clear on this one."

Other South Carolina Republicans had raised concerns that carving up the district represented by Clyburn could backfire on their party in the midterms.

The top four Republicans running for governor this year, Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, Attorney Gen. Alan Wilson, and Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman all criticized the lack of legislative action, with Evette describing it as "a betrayal of the people of South Carolina" and in "direct defiance" of Trump.

The current governor, Republican Henry McMaster, a top Trump ally, could still call the legislature back into special session to try and push through redistricting, but his office has so far said that scenario is unlikely.

WHAT'S ON THE LINE AS THESE STATES HOLD PRIMARIES TODAY

The GOP-dominated Tennessee legislature on Thursday quickly adopted a new map that would eliminate the only Democrat-controlled congressional district in the state, and would likely give Republicans control of all nine districts.

GOP Gov. Bill Lee quickly signed the new maps into law.

Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, who represents the majority Black district that's being carved up, vowed legal action.

"Trump knows he HAS TO rig the game to keep his majority in November. And the TN GOP was willing to go along with it. It’s shameful," Cohen wrote on social media. "Next stop is the courts."

Trump praised Tennessee Republicans in his social media post and urged GOP lawmakers in South Carolina to act "just like the Republicans of the Great State of Tennessee were last week."

It's back to the future in Alabama, after the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ideological ruling, cleared the way for the state to put in place a map Republicans drew up in 2023 that had been blocked by lower courts. The map would eliminate one of the state's two blue-leaning congressional seats.

GOP Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday called for a special primary election in August in the four U.S. House districts altered by the new map.

Last week, the Supreme Court said that its decision declaring Louisiana's map unconstitutional should go into effect immediately.

That cleared the way for the GOP-controlled state legislature to begin the process of reshaping the map, and hearings got underway on Friday.

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, a top Trump ally, took swift action in the immediate aftermath of the high court's ruling, when he delayed the May 16 U.S. House primary elections in Louisiana.

Louisiana Republicans are aiming to erase one or both of the two Black-majority House seats, which are represented by Democrats.

BLOCKBUSTER SUPREME COURT VOTING RIGHTS RULING IGNITES REDISTRICTING WAR ACROSS SOUTHERN STATES

In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed a bill by the GOP-dominated state legislature that overhauls the red-leaning state's congressional districts, adding four more right-leaning seats by eliminating districts currently controlled by Democrats.

Republicans currently control Florida's U.S. House delegation by a 20-8 margin.

Democrats are fighting back.

On Monday, Democrats filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt a Virginia state Supreme Court ruling invalidating a ballot measure that would have given their party an additional four left-leaning U.S. House seats.

Last week's ruling in Virginia means the map used in the 2024 elections will stay in place for the 2026 ballot box showdowns. Democrats currently control the state's U.S. House delegation by a 6-5 margin. The now overturned map could have resulted in a 10-1 advantage for Democrats in the blue-leaning but competitive state.

How we got here

The battle over the maps ignited last spring when Trump, aiming to prevent what happened during his first term in the White House when Democrats reclaimed the House majority in the 2018 midterms, first floated the idea of rare, but not unheard of, mid-decade congressional redistricting.

The mission was simple: redraw congressional district maps in red states to pad the GOP's fragile House majority to keep control of the chamber in the midterms, when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses seats.

When asked by reporters last summer about his plan to add Republican-leaning House seats across the country, the president said, "Texas will be the biggest one. And that’ll be five."

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas called a special session of the GOP-dominated state legislature to pass the new map.

But Democratic state lawmakers, who broke quorum for two weeks as they fled Texas in a bid to delay the passage of the redistricting bill, energized Democrats across the country. Among those leading the fight against Trump's redistricting was Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.

California voters in November overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50, a ballot initiative that temporarily sidetracked the left-leaning state's nonpartisan redistricting commission and returned the power to draw the congressional maps to the Democratic-dominated legislature.

That led to five more Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California, which aimed to counter the move by Texas to redraw their maps.

But the fight quickly spread beyond Texas and California.

Republican-controlled Missouri and Ohio and swing state North Carolina, where the GOP dominates the legislature, drew new maps as part of the president's push.

But in blows to Republicans, a Utah district judge late last year rejected a congressional district map drawn by the state's GOP-dominated legislature and instead approved an alternate that will create a Democratic-leaning district ahead of the midterms.

And as mentioned, Republicans in Indiana's Senate in December defied Trump, shooting down a redistricting bill that had passed the state House.

Fetterman warns Democrats must confront ‘rising antisemitism problem’ after clashes outside NYC synagogues

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:18:13 -0400

Amid mobs clashing with police outside synagogues in New York City, and after a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice announced he would be abandoning the Democratic Party over its "acquiescence to Jew-hatred," Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., called out his party for its "antisemitism problem."

A Supreme Court justice in Pennsylvania, David Wecht, who began serving on the court in 2016 and was retained in a 2025 election, put out a statement Monday obtained by Fox News Digital indicating he would no longer affiliate himself with the Democratic Party as a result of "activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party" acquiescing to a rise in antisemitism on the left.

Fetterman subsequently posted on social media that, while he may not have plans to change parties himself, something he affirmed in an op-ed earlier in May, he understood Wecht's choice and added that "the Democratic Party must confront its own rising antisemitism problem."

FETTERMAN SAYS 'MORAL CLARITY' DRIVES HIS WIDENING BREAK WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

In the past week, two mobs have clashed with police outside synagogues in New York City.

The latest incident took place Monday night when agitators — three of whom police said were arrested — swarmed an area near the Young Israel Senior Services of Midwood, which had been hosting an event advertising real estate in Israel, according to local media reports.

Hezbollah flags, chants of "Zionism will fall" and a banner bearing the red inverted triangle Hamas uses to designate Israeli targets were seen and heard at the Monday clash, according to the Combat Antisemitism Movement and videos shared on social media.

"Mob of Pro-Hezbollah / Hamas s(---)heads raging against law enforcement and terrorizing the NYC Jewish community near a synagogue and day care," Fetterman wrote in a Wednesday post on X following a clash earlier in May outside a separate NYC synagogue holding another Israeli real estate event. "Where’s my party’s condemnation?"

"There’s a synagogue here. This is clearly a Jewish neighborhood, and they deserve the right to worship in peace," a counterprotester at the anti-Israel clash in recent days in Brooklyn told Spectrum News New York.

In Wecht's statement about his plans to leave the Democratic Party, he said that while antisemitism has festered on the fringes of the right for a long time, "that same hatred has grown on the left," and blamed leaders in the party for failing to stamp it out.

Wecht did not necessarily provide any specific names, or instances, but he hinted at pro-Palestinian protests, mentioned "attacks at synagogues" and appeared to reference one of the party's burgeoning Democratic Party candidates in Maine, U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, who has been forced to explain a tattoo he has that resembles Nazi insignia.

JOHN FETTERMAN BREAKS WITH PARTY OVER 'ORGY OF SOCIALISM' MAY DAY PROTESTS

"From 1998 to 2001, years that preceded my judicial career, I served as Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. In the quarter century that has passed since then, the Democratic Party has changed. Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled. Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party," he asserted in part of his statement obtained by Fox News Digital.

After Wecht announced his plans to abandon the Democratic Party, Fetterman posted on social media that he "fully understand(s) David's personal choice."

"I know David and his legendary father, Cyril," Fetterman said in a post on X that included a screenshot of a headline about Wecht's decision to leave the Democratic Party. "As I’ve affirmed, I’m not changing my party—but I fully understand David’s personal choice. The Democratic Party must confront its own rising antisemitism problem."

Earlier in May, Fetterman penned and op-ed in The Washington Post saying "it has become increasingly lonely" for him in the Democratic Party.

Fetterman slammed the party's disdain for "once-common views," which he argued was the result of "catering to the fringe and agitated parts of our base."

"There's been a fracturing between me and my party... primarily it's been Israel," Fetterman said on "Life, Liberty & Levin" in April, noting that he was one of the few Democrats to support Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran.

However, while Fetterman has publicly discussed his widening break with the Democratic Party, in his op-ed, Fetterman reassured skeptics that he did not have any plans to switch parties.

He wrote that while "being an independent voice" may put him at odds with much of the contemporary Democratic Party, he remains committed to it and wrote explicitly that he has "no plans to leave" the party.

"Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats," Fetterman concluded in the May 7 editorial.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for comment on Fetterman's remarks.

Patel, Van Hollen trade barbs over 'slinging margaritas' in heated Senate clash

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:06:45 -0400

FBI Director Kash Patel and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., clashed in a heated Senate hearing Tuesday, trading personal accusations over allegations of misconduct and a past overseas trip.

The exchange escalated from questions about Patel’s leadership into a direct confrontation, with Van Hollen citing allegations reported in The Atlantic and Patel responding by accusing the senator of misconduct during a 2025 visit to El Salvador — a claim Van Hollen denied.

During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Van Hollen pointed to allegations of "erratic" behavior, "excessive drinking" and "unexplained absences" outlined in the report. Patel has denied the claims.

"When your private actions make it impossible for you to perform your public duties, we have a big problem. You cannot perform those public duties if you’re incapacitated," Van Hollen said.

FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL FILES $250 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ATLANTIC OVER 'DEFAMATORY HIT PIECE'

"And Director Patel, these reports about your conduct, including reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home are extremely alarming. If true, they demonstrate a gross dereliction of your duty and a betrayal of public trust," Van Hollen said.

Patel called the report "unequivocally, categorically false" before turning the focus to Van Hollen.

"The only person who was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang banging rapist was you," Patel said.

Public records do not establish that Abrego Garcia is a convicted gang member or convicted rapist.

MARYLAND SHERIFF INFURIATED BY SENATOR'S TRIP TO VISIT MS-13 SUSPECT, SILENCE ON LOCAL MURDER VICTIMS

"The fact that you mentioned that indicates you don’t know what you are talking about," Van Hollen replied.

Patel later posted, "Fact check @ChrisVanHollen," referencing images from the trip.

The exchange stems from Van Hollen’s 2025 visit to El Salvador, where he met with deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had been sent to the country’s high-security "Terrorism Confinement Center" (CECOT) over alleged MS-13 ties. His attorneys have denied any gang affiliation.

Images from that meeting — showing the two seated at a table with drinks — resurfaced and drew criticism, including from El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Van Hollen has previously dismissed the images as a "staged hoax" by the Salvadoran government and said no alcohol was consumed.

"Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps’ & ‘torture,’ now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!" Bukele wrote at the time.

Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over the report. The Atlantic has said it stands by its reporting.

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

Carrie Underwood fires back at Nikki Glaser feud rumors after 'noticeable' tension on 'American Idol'

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:03:31 -0400

Carrie Underwood might have "saved a little trouble for the next girl" by putting rumors to rest about a reported feud with a fellow blonde star.

Nikki Glaser — a self-declared Swiftie — served as a guest judge during the recent Taylor Swift-themed episode of "American Idol," and fans were convinced they caught tension between Underwood and the comedian.

Underwood, who joined the singing competition series as a judge in 2025, stood firm against any negativity assumed between the pair during an appearance on "The Highway with Cody Alan."

COUNTRY MUSIC FEUD TAKES UNEXPECTED TURN AS SINGERS QUASH THE 'BEEF'

The "Jesus, Take the Wheel" singer shared a snap with Glaser on Instagram following the episode, and wrote, "Had a fun night with the beautiful hilarious Nikki Glaser joining us as a guest judge tonight on 'American Idol.'"

Fans were quick to question the sincerity of Underwood's post after calling out the country star for seemingly sending shade toward the comedian during the episode.

"Carrie didn’t look like she enjoyed Nikki sitting next to her," one fan wrote. "Rarely looked at her during the show."

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Another fan asked, "Why are you so fake? … during Keyla’s performance just when @nikkiglaser was about to comment on judging for Keyla you did a side eye to @lionelrichie and rolled your eyes … like it was so noticeable … be kind Carrie do better and you too Lionel."

Alan couldn't help but roll his eyes over social media discourse involving the "Before He Cheats" singer.

"They want to cause a cat fight over the smallest things," Alan said before Underwood jumped in with her own theory.

"I'm very used to that," Underwood assured the radio host. "Cause I feel like if you have two ladies in the same room together, somebody's going to try to make something of it."

"She was wonderful and I think she did such a great job, cause it's not an easy thing to come sit behind that desk and try to think of, you know, constructive things to say. I feel like she did everything wonderfully."

Underwood assured listeners, "No, there's no beef. I have no beef."

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The radio show host also pried into Underwood's past experience as the Season 4 winner of "American Idol," and wondered if she still had the same worries walking on stage now that she did then.

"It's evolved over time," Underwood said. "My time on 'Idol,' you know, we kind of had message boards and things like that. It was kind of the beginning of just meanness online."

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The mother-of-two explained that contestants now have to "deal with so much more" than she had to experience.

"We just kind of are in a world right now where we forget that we're watching human beings do things," she said. "It's so easy to talk about that, but now it's so easy for them to see that.

"It's no longer like water cooler chats that I never would have known about what people were talking about in school or whatever, and now you can just say it online."

She added, "That's the thing that everybody has to navigate. I'm like, 'I promise you some day you won't care,' but right now I know they do care."

MLB owners and players begin CBA negotiations in New York as salary cap fight looms over 2026 season

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:01:25 -0400

The 2026-2027 Major League Baseball offseason won’t be dominated by free agency, or big trades. It’ll be dominated by the most exciting aspect of any sport: labor negotiations.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the Major League Baseball Players Association expires this December, and extensive disagreements between the two sides are expected to lead to contentious debate.

Well, per several new reports, those negotiations are officially underway as owners and the players look to avoid a work stoppage that could derail baseball’s hard fought momentum.

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Both Jeff Passan and Evan Drellich reported on Tuesday that representatives from the league office and MLBPA met in New York City to start the process. And there’s plenty to unpack from the leadup to these discussions already.

Per Drellich’s report, this first meeting was not intended to discuss "formal proposals." Instead, it was "about setting the stage with opening presentations."

"Both the league and the players were expected to outline their respective visions for how the game is operating today," he wrote. "Moving forward, the real heavy lifting begins, with subsequent meetings set to feature formal proposals on the economics and core issues at hand."

While details on the proposals are scarce, it’s no secret where both sides sit. And the first quarter of the 2026 season has put some very big holes in the league’s arguments already.

Ownership wants to incorporate a salary cap and salary floor, based on arguments and assumptions that big market, high spending teams like the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers are making competitive balance impossible for smaller market organizations.

The players, meanwhile, have repeatedly said that a salary cap is a non-starter for negotiations. Their contention is that it limits their earning potential with few benefits, particularly competitive ones.

And there’s plenty of evidence they’re right.

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It’s still early, but with roughly 25% of the season completed, the New York Mets, with their $370 million and more than $100 million in luxury tax penalties, are one of the worst teams in baseball. They’re 15-25, in dead last in the National League East, and are a whopping 12.5 games out of first place. An expensive lineup that features the highest-paid player in baseball, Juan Soto, along with other high-priced players like Bo Bichette, Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr., has scored just 139 runs in 40 games. That’s tied for the lowest run scoring total in MLB this year.

The other team tied at 139 runs scored? The big-market, high-payroll San Francisco Giants. San Francisco has a $200 million payroll thanks to expensive players like Willy Adames at $26 million per year, Matt Chapman at $25 million, Jung Hoo Lee at nearly $19 million, and Rafael Devers, who’s making nearly $30 million annually. The Giants are 17-24 and 7.5 games out of first place.

The Philadelphia Phillies, with a nearly $300 million payroll, are 19-22, have been outscored on the season by over 30 runs, and are nine games back in their division.

Even the Dodgers, who have been accused of "ruining baseball" and making the sport not worth watching, are currently in second place behind the Padres. Their big free-agent acquisition, Kyle Tucker, is hitting just .250 with four home runs and a .392 slugging percentage thus far. He’s making $60 million this year.

Meanwhile, the lowly Tampa Bay Rays, whose entire team payroll is just $87 million, are 27-13 and in first. They have one player making more than $9 million this year, pitcher Nick Martinez.

In the American League West, a division filled with teams in Houston, the Los Angeles metro area, Dallas, and Seattle, it’s the (Sacramento) Athletics in first place as of May 12. The Cleveland Guardians sit first in the AL Central.

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In fact, here are the markets in first in all six divisions:

How can the owners make a serious argument that it’s impossible to compete with big market teams with the standings the way they are? Well, it won’t be a serious argument because competitive balance is the least of their concerns. Increasing their franchise values and limiting costs are.

The theory across baseball ownership is that spending less money on contracts makes organizations more valuable. Interestingly, the San Diego Padres, with several big commitments on their books, despite their small market, just sold for $3.9 billion. So that argument falls apart on any level of scrutiny as well.

In reality, a salary cap benefits ownership by limiting a free market. Players have little reason to agree to it; therefore, a lockout seems inevitable. If anyone analyzing from the outside can see the standings and make this connection, you can bet the players have too.

It’s a long way from May to December. Hopefully these negotiations, presentations and proposals are successful. Based on prior results, that seems unlikely.

Shelley Moore Capito wins West Virginia GOP Senate primary with Trump's endorsement backing her bid

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:01:01 -0400

Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia is a big step closer to re-election, thanks in part to support from President Donald Trump.

Capito easily defeated five Republican challengers in Tuesday's GOP Senate primary in West Virginia, the Associated Press reports, to secure her party's nomination in the solidly red Mountain State.

The two-term lawmaker who served a decade and a half in the House before first winning election to the Senate in 2014 and making history as the state's first female senator hails from a political family. Her late father was Arch Moore Jr., a former three-term governor and six-term congressman.

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Among those trying to defeat her in Tuesday's primary was state Sen. Tom Willis, who argued that it was "time for a change" and took aim at "career politicians."

But Capito, as she ran for re-nomination, spotlighted her support from Trump.

"I’m honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement as we fight to protect West Virginia jobs, make life more affordable, secure our border, and defend our shared values in the Mountain State," she wrote last month.

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And on Tuesday, she took to X to highlight, "Proud to lead President Trump’s ticket in West Virginia today."

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which backs Capito, touted on X after her primary victory that the senator "is ready to keep fighting alongside President Trump to put West Virginia FIRST!"

And Trump took to social media to highlight Capito's victory and his endorsement of the senator.

Capito, in a statement after her victory, said: "West Virginia Republicans sent a clear message that we are ready to continue delivering wins with America First policies through my strong leadership in the U.S. Senate."

West Virginia, once a state where Democrats dominated, is nowadays dark red. Trump carried the state by over 40 points in his 2024 White House victory.

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Capito will now be considered the overwhelming favorite in the November midterm elections, as top nonpartisan political handicappers rate the race as solidly Republican.

The GOP currently controls the Senate with a 53-47 majority.

Former Morgantown city council member Rachel Fetty Anderson topped four rivals to win the Democratic Senate nomination, the Associated press reports.

Seattle Democrat rejects wealth 'exodus’ concerns as businesses flee for lower-tax states

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:00:22 -0400

The Seattle state lawmaker behind Washington’s newly minted "millionaire's tax" is dismissing concerns that a high-income tax hike will trigger an exodus of wealthy residents and businesses from the Pacific Northwest.

"The reality is the millionaire tax is not likely to result in businesses leaving," State Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) told a local FOX affiliate following the bill’s signing.

Pedersen, the Senate Majority Leader representing Washington's 43rd Legislative District, maintains there is no evidence that the tax—recently signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson—will drive the state's top earners to lower-tax jurisdictions like Florida or Texas.

"The drivers that we heard about from [businesses] are concerned about the sales tax on services [and] concern about the estate tax. Both of those things the legislature took action on in the last session," Pedersen said. "I do not have any indication that the millionaire's tax is going to cause some significant exodus."

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The legislation marks a seismic shift for a state that has historically prided itself on having no personal income tax. Pushed through by the Democratic majority during the 2026 session, the bill imposes a 9.9% tax on annual income exceeding $1 million for individuals or households.

While the tax was signed in March 2026, it is not scheduled to take effect until January 1, 2028, with the first payments due in 2029. The delay is intended to allow the state's Department of Revenue to build a collection infrastructure—and to allow time for the inevitable wave of constitutional challenges to clear the courts.

Despite Pedersen's optimism, the regional business landscape is already showing signs of strain. Coffee giant Starbucks recently announced it will shift 2,000 corporate jobs—primarily in IT and supply chain management—to a new regional headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. While Starbucks maintains it is not abandoning its Seattle roots, the move to a state with no personal income tax has amplified fears of "tax flight."

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Furthermore, multiple local business owners told FOX 13 Seattle they were forced to shutter operations due to the state's expanded retail sales tax on services. In response to this pressure, the legislature recently moved to scale back those expansions and is expected to roll back certain retail taxes within three years.

Central to the debate is a century-old legal precedent. Since the 1930s, the Washington State Supreme Court has classified income as "property," which, under the state constitution, must be taxed at a uniform rate (no more than 1%). To bypass this, Democrats have characterized the millionaire’s tax as an "excise tax"—the same legal maneuver used to uphold the state’s capital gains tax in 2023.

Pedersen has been vocal about his desire to overturn the old case law entirely.

"I’d like to force the Washington State Supreme Court to reconsider its case law that considers income to be property. Do you have any other suggestions about how to bolster the argument that this would be an excise tax and not a property tax?" Pedersen reportedly wrote:

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The tax debate comes as Seattle’s local leadership faces national scrutiny. Mayor Katie Wilson, a self-described socialist who took office following the 2025 election, has been criticized for her dismissive attitude toward taxpayer frustration.

The Washington Post editorial board recently joined the fray, lambasting Wilson for being "arrogant" and "dismissive" regarding the potential departure of high-net-worth residents. The board argued that Wilson’s rhetoric ignores the reality of a shrinking tax base and growing "taxpayer fatigue" over soaring local rates.

In 2025, the legislature also increased the state's estate tax to 35% for the wealthiest residents—the highest rate in the United States—though lawmakers were forced to slightly moderate those figures earlier this year following intense backlash from the business community.

Sen. Pedersen’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital's latest request for comment.

Islamabad denies sheltering Iran jets, Trump praises Pakistan's mediation as 'absolutely great'

Tue, 12 May 2026 19:56:33 -0400

Pakistan rejected reports Tuesday that it allowed Iranian aircraft to use its airfields amid tensions with the United States—claims suggesting the move could have shielded the planes from potential airstrikes—even as Islamabad positioned itself as a high-profile mediator between the two sides.

According to the report May 11, Tehran was also said to have possibly sent a civilian aircraft to Afghanistan during the conflict.

Pakistan said Tuesday the CBS report was "misleading and sensationalized. Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, a number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process," the ministry said before clarifying that "some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement."

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The alleged Iranian asset movements had also suggested there was an effort by Iran to conceal some of its remaining aerial assets as Pakistan worked behind the scenes to broker a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

President Donald Trump also confirmed Tuesday he was satisfied with the mediation work carried out by Pakistan, telling reporters ahead of his trip to China that they were "great."

"I think the Pakistanis have been great. The field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been absolutely great," Trump clarified.

In April, Pakistan had emerged as a key mediator in efforts to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the regional conflict.

Islamabad hosted senior delegations for talks on April 11–12 after helping secure a temporary two-week ceasefire.

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Pakistan’s position was unique, given its geographic proximity to Iran and its longstanding strategic partnership with the United States.

Mediation efforts were led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Officials told CBS that, days after Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April, Tehran sent multiple aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan.

Nur Khan Airbase, located near Rawalpindi, is said to be a key installation of the Pakistan Air Force and serves as a major logistical and operational hub.

Among the aircraft reportedly moved there was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the outlet said.

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Despite initial progress between the U.S. and Iran, talks in Islamabad on April 11 ultimately collapsed.

However, Pakistani leadership said it felt optimistic. "We are very optimistic that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

Trump also praised Pakistan’s mediating role again, stating on May 7, "Pakistan has been fantastic. And its leaders have been fantastic—the marshal and the prime minister."

As part of the next response, Trump also launched "Project Freedom" to guide vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and to help free up shipping.

Trump's initiative to help thousands of stranded crew lasted 48 hours, with the president later acknowledging that it was halted "at the request of Pakistan and other countries," including Saudi Arabia, to avoid jeopardizing ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said Monday that if Pakistan did shelter Iranian aircraft during mediation then it would force a complete reassessment of Pakistan’s role.

"If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties. Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true," Graham said in a post shared on X.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Government of Pakistan, The White House and U.S. Central Command for comment.

Brooks Nader narrowly avoids wardrobe malfunction minutes before 'Baywatch' reboot red carpet

Tue, 12 May 2026 19:38:14 -0400

Brooks Nader suffered a wardrobe malfunction right before her big moment.

The 29-year-old model and actress attended the 2026 FOX Upfronts in New York City to promote the new "Baywatch" reboot, and narrowly avoided a major wardrobe malfunction while on the red carpet.

She shared a photo on her Instagram stories of her standing in front of a mirror in a small room with the back of her dress completely busted open in the back and her white lace underwear visible through the tear.

"When you bust out of your dress 4 minutes before showtime!!! Classssssicc," she wrote over the photo, adding two laughing crying emojis.

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Nader followed that up with another photo of her getting sewn into the dress, captioning the photo, "We've got 4 earth angels sewing me back into this sucker."

The Sports Illustrated model later posed on the red carpet at the event in a red minidress with a halter neckline, matching the red she and the other "Baywatch" lifeguards wear on the show. She kept the accessories to a minimum and styled her hair in loose curls.

In the new iteration of the show, Nader portrays Selene, one of the captains of the Zuma Beach Lifeguards. While she told Extra on the red carpet at the upfronts that getting cast in the role was "a pinch me moment," many fans were not happy with her involvement in the reboot.

Critics flooded social media with skepticism about the reboot’s casting choices, some calling it "influencer casting, not acting" and slamming the project as "a JOKE" with an "awful cast," after she was announced as part of the cast.

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"I think that the times are different, and everyone is so multi-hyphenate now. And you can be both an actor and an influencer and have influence," Nader told the Daily Mail in March. "And that's the beauty of the culture that social media has created."

She went on to explain that "we all have platforms now" that didn't exist during the original run of the show, which means "people could use their voice now," which can potentially "bring a vibe to the show."

Aside from Nader, influencers Noah Beck and Livvy Dunne will also appear on the show in different capacities, which Nader says will "only help" the show in the end.

The original show aired for 11 seasons from 1989 to 1999 and starred David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Nicole Eggert, Donna D'Errico and many others.

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When asked about Nader's role in the reboot and whether Electra thinks she was the right fit for the show, Electra told People in March, "I do. Absolutely. Yeah."