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Hunter Biden Was Part of Chinese Operation to Spy on Biden Family

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    President Joe Biden hugs his family during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)

    ANALYSIS – The stakes continue to grow for Joe Biden as more evidence is discovered about his son Hunter’s damning ties to Communist China.

    While the establishment media is slowly coming around to the veracity of the information on Hunter’s laptop, they continue to downplay the more severe implications of his links to Chinese intelligence.

    Thankfully, Republican lawmakers and former White House officials remain dogged in their pursuit of the truth.

    As part of this effort, House Republicans last week released evidence on how the president’s son’s former business partner was connected to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

    And former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker told Fox News that this evidence shows Hunter Biden was “part of a Chinese intelligence mission that was trying to gather as much information as possible about Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and the entire Biden family.”

    Just The News reported:

    His [Whitaker’s] interview came days after House Republicans released evidence that before becoming Hunter Biden’s business partner and close associate, JiaQi “Jackie” Bao worked for the Chinese Communist Party at an agency that approves foreign-funded projects.

    “I have always felt that in addition to the sort of just the classic political corruption that is contained in this case, there is this national security concern that I think actually elevates it to, you know, a higher level of a case,” Whitaker said.

    Meanwhile, Fox News reports this new evidence is raising major national security concerns.

    Republicans are demanding information from the FBI about Hunter Biden’s business partner’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party and her successful infiltration into President Biden’s family’s affairs, which they say jeopardizes national security.

    James Comer, R-Ky., sent a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray Wednesday morning stating that committee Republicans have documents that “reveal Hunter Biden’s business partner and close personal associate was linked to the Communist Party of China (CCP), her employer before the Biden family.”

    Republicans say Hunter’s partner, JiaQi “Jackie” Bao, provided the president’s son information on how to purchase natural gas in the U.S. and sell it to China. In addition, they say documents show that Bao had access to the Biden family’s financial information and worked closely with CCP agents.

    “After infiltrating the Biden family, Bao urged Hunter to encourage Joe Biden to run for president months before he announced and then supplied the Biden family campaign advice related to China,” Comer’s letter said.

    Media reports and documents reviewed by Committee Republicans suggest that Bao and Hunter’s relationship extended beyond professional obligations — a common tactic employed by Chinese intelligence agents.

    Committee Republicans are concerned Hunter Biden may have been compromised by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and foreign intelligence services (FIS). Due to the interconnected nature of the Biden family’s finances and business dealings, this type of access would jeopardize U.S. national security,” Comer added.

    This growing evidence increasingly indicates Hunter Biden was compromised by Chinese intelligence and in turn compromised the entire Biden family, especially his father, Joe Biden.

    Expect explosive revelations as soon as the GOP gains control of Congress and launches more detailed investigations.

    Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.

    RFK Jr. Accuses Trump, Biden Of ‘Collusion’

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      Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

      Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ripped into Joe Biden and Donald Trump after CNN announced it would host a debate between the Republican and Democrat candidates.

      In response to the news, the independent candidate suggested that denying him access to the debates is a knock against democracy, even going as far as accusing the two of “colluding” against him.

      “Presidents Trump and Biden are colluding to lock America into a head-to-head match-up that 70% say they do not want,” Kennedy Jr. wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy.”

      “By excluding me from the stage, Presidents Biden and Trump seek to avoid discussion of their eight years of mutual failure including deficits, wars, lockdowns, chronic disease, and inflation,” Kennedy Jr. wrote after the debate was confirmed.

      The independent candidate was not explicitly barred from the debate. According to CNN, candidates simply need to meet the criteria for the debate. At this time, only Biden and Trump have qualified. Those qualifications include being on enough state ballots to realistically be able to earn 270 electoral votes and hitting 15% in four national polls.

      Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler was asked on Wednesday by CNN’s Jake Tapper if Kennedy Jr. should make the debate stage in September if he’s qualified. Tyler said the “reality” is only Biden or Trump can win the election.

      “The American people deserve to hear from them because that is the reality we are facing,” he said. “That’s the choice in this election, so we should have a debate between the two candidates.”

      Kari Lake Calls On Arizona GOP Chair To Resign

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        Kari Lake speaking with supporters at a "Stand for Freedom" rally at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. [Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]

        On Wednesday, Arizona GOP chairman Jeff Dewit resigned after leaked audio appeared to show him attempting to bribe Senate candidate Kari Lake.

        On Tuesday, Lake demanded the chair resign after a recording surfaced of him appearing to offer Lake money in exchange for ending her Senate campaign.

        The recording, first reported by The Daily Mail, purports to capture DeWit offering Lake money in exchange for her staying out of politics for two years.

        “There are very powerful people who want to keep you out,” DeWit reportedly told Lake in the recording, saying only that these figures were from the “east.”

        “Just say, is there a number at which,” DeWit begins, before being cut off.

        “I can be bought? That’s what it’s about,” Lake retorted.

        “You can take a pause for a couple of years,” DeWit continued. “You can go right back to what you’re doing.”

        Lake said she would not accept a billion dollars to leave the Senate race.

        The former TV news anchor and current rising MAGA star’s Senate campaign has been met with some hesitation from Republican strongholds who would reportedly prefer a stronger fundraiser in the race.

        She said Tuesday that she didn’t have anyone in mind to replace DeWit.

        “I haven’t given it a lot of thought. What I want to do is make sure we get the corrupt people out,” she said.

        On Monday, the chair of the Maricopa County GOP, Craig Berland, also called on DeWit to resign.

        “If this is, in fact, true, I’m asking AZGOP Chairman Jeff DeWit to resign,” he said in a statement about the recording.

        Judge Impedes Trump Plans To Attend Son’s Graduation

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          Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

          It is unlikely that Donald Trump will be able to attend a milestone event in his youngest child’s life.

          Indeed, according to the 45th president, it is all but guaranteed that he will not attend his son Barron’s high school graduation next month.

          Obviously, the president’s absence won’t be out of neglect or emotional abuse but a consequence of the limitations imposed by Judge Juan Merchan in his hush money trial.

          In a recent social media post, Trump’s frustration was palpable.

          “Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus ‘Biden Case’ which, according to virtually all Legal Scholars and Pundits, has no merit, and should NEVER have been brought,” Trump fumed on Truth Social.

          The post continued, claiming: “This Fake Case is solely meant to attack Crooked Joe Biden‘s Political Opponent, ME, who is seriously leading him in the Polls, for purposes of Election Interference. The Judge, Juan Merchan, is preventing me from proudly attending my son’s Graduation. Seems very unfair, doesn’t it? But this whole event is unfair. Every one of the many Fake Cases that are perpetuated by the White House in order to help the Worst President in History, by far, get Re-Elected, are UNJUST SCAMS. We won’t let that happen, but we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

          Trump further criticized Merchan for denying his request to attend the presidential immunity hearing before the Supreme Court on April 25.

          As Breitbart reports:

          The hush money case involves whether Trump committed a felony when marking payments to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen legal expenses when New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg argues they should have been marked as campaign-related expenses because the payments included “hush money” payments meant to keep adult actor Stormy Daniels quiet before the 2016 election. Legal experts have pointed out that Bragg’s argument is a novel one that faces skepticism.

          Bragg has brought state charges under Section 175 for falsifying business records, based on the claim that Trump concealed the payments as “legal expenses.” A Section 175 charge would normally be a misdemeanor, but Bragg is trying to convert it into a felony by showing that the “intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof.” The crime would be federal election violations, which the Justice Department previously declined to charge. However, much will depend on whether Bragg can make that case to jurors in Manhattan, which is overwhelmingly Democrat.

          Barron is set to graduate from Oxbridge Academy, a private school located in Palm Beach, Florida, on May 17.

          His plans for college have not been disclosed.

          This article originally appeared on Official Trump Tracker

          Democrats Get Dramatic After Kamala Loss – Blame Biden

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            Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

            Democrats are still reeling after Donald Trump’s landslide victory…

            Democrats are turning on Joe Biden after Vice President Kamala Harris‘ loss to the former President.

            They say his advancing age, questions over his mental acuity and deep unpopularity put Democrats at a huge disadvantage. According to reports from Politico, Democrats are livid that they were forced to embrace a candidate who voters had made clear they did not want — and then stayed in the race long after it was clear he couldn’t win.

            “He shouldn’t have run,” said Jim Manley, a top aide to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “This is no time to pull punches or be concerned about anyone’s feelings. He and his staff have done an enormous amount of damage to this country.”

            “He’s a good man who can be proud of his accomplishments. But his legacy is in tatters,” Manley said. “The country is headed in a very dangerous direction and it’s due in part to his arrogance.”

            “She ran an extraordinary campaign with a very tough hand that was handed to her,” Mark Longabaugh, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), said of Harris. “The truth of the matter is, Biden should have stepped aside earlier and let the party put together a longer game plan.”

            “There was a Biden weariness,” James Zogby, a three-decade veteran of the Democratic National Committee, said of the shift among the electorate in recent years. “And he hung on too long.”

            Senior Harris campaign advisor David Plouffe also seemingly blamed Biden for Kamala’s poor Election Day performance.

            In what many perceived as a swipe at Biden, Plouffe wrote on X: “We dug out of a deep hole but not enough. A devastating loss.”

            Plouffe dismantled his X account late Wednesday after receiving backlash for his remarks.

            According to Fox News White House senior correspondent Jacqui Heinrich one source in the Biden camp branded Plouffe a “sanctimonious ass” and another told her the tweet was “unproductive” – adding: “Joe Biden is the President of the United States and won without [Plouffe]. He successfully beat Donald Trump – something [Plouffe] never did.”

            Palm Beach County Signs Off On Trump Airport Trademark Deal

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            Image via Pixabay

            Palm Beach County commissioners narrowly approved a controversial trademark agreement Tuesday that clears the way for Palm Beach International Airport to be renamed after President Donald Trump — pushing forward a politically charged project that has divided local leaders and raised fresh concerns about taxpayer costs and oversight.

            In a 4-3 vote, the commission signed off on a licensing deal with DTTM Operations LLC, the Trump family company that manages the president’s trademarks. The agreement gives Trump’s organization significant control over how the airport’s new identity is used, including authority over branding, marketing materials and the sale of airport-themed merchandise.

            The vote marks the first official action by county commissioners tied directly to the airport renaming effort, which was mandated earlier this year by Florida lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

            Under the agreement, the airport is expected to adopt the name “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” matching trademark filings submitted by Trump’s company in February.

            Supporters of the deal argued the county had little choice but to move forward after state lawmakers forced the renaming through Tallahassee. Republican commissioners said approving the trademark agreement ensures Palm Beach County retains at least some role in negotiations surrounding the airport’s future branding and operations.

            But critics warned the agreement grants unusually broad authority to Trump’s business organization while locking the county into a deal with no clear exit strategy.

            Democratic commissioners Gregg Weiss, Joel Flores and Bobby Powell Jr. voted against the measure, saying they were given less than 24 hours to review the final agreement before Tuesday’s meeting.

            They also raised concerns about provisions allowing Trump’s company to approve how the president’s image and biography are used in airport promotions and displays. Another clause requires airport retailers to source airport-branded merchandise only from vendors approved by Trump’s organization.

            Trademark attorney Josh Gerben said portions of the agreement go beyond what is typically included in standard licensing deals.

            “Normally a trademark agreement focuses on quality control standards,” Gerben said. “It’s unusual to see language requiring retailers to purchase merchandise from approved sellers selected by the trademark owner.”

            County Attorney David Ottey defended the provision during Tuesday’s meeting, saying it was designed to maintain quality standards and insisting the Trump family would not financially benefit from sales made inside the airport. However, county officials acknowledged they still do not know which vendors may ultimately be approved.

            The agreement also contains no termination clause, meaning Palm Beach County would remain bound by the deal indefinitely unless state law changes in the future.

            Beyond the political controversy, county officials continue to warn about the financial impact of the renaming project. Administrators estimate the airport overhaul — including signage changes, marketing updates, federal documentation and operational adjustments — could cost taxpayers roughly $5.5 million.

            County leaders have repeatedly urged the state to cover those costs rather than forcing local officials to redirect funding away from other infrastructure projects.

            Officials have also raised concerns in recent months about possible safety and logistical complications tied to changing the airport’s name, particularly involving aviation systems, emergency coordination and federal regulatory updates.

            Still, with Tuesday’s approval now complete and Trump having already signed the agreement over the weekend, the renaming effort appears poised to move ahead — cementing one of the most politically symbolic airport name changes in the country.

            This article originally appeared on Official Trump Tracker. Republished with permission.

            Bill O’Reilly Flips Out When Host Says Trump ‘Backing Down’ After Shooting

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            Veteran broadcaster Bill O’Reilly forcefully pushed back Monday night against claims that President Donald Trump is “backing down” following violent unrest in Minneapolis after a Border Patrol–involved shooting that sparked protests and national controversy.

            The confrontation unfolded during NewsNation’s On Balance with Leland Vittert, where O’Reilly accused the host of adopting left-wing media framing by suggesting Trump had retreated under political pressure.

            The unrest began Saturday after Border Patrol agents shot Alex Pretti during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. As video of the incident circulated online, activist groups and Democratic officials immediately accused federal authorities of misconduct, triggering protests that quickly escalated into disorder.

            As is often the case in fast-moving, emotionally charged incidents, early claims about the shooting were disputed. Trump administration officials initially described Pretti as a dangerous suspect, while critics accused the government of spreading false narratives. Multiple videos later emerged that fueled further debate over what exactly occurred.

            President Trump responded first with a blunt social media statement condemning lawlessness, defending federal officers, and criticizing Democratic leadership in Minnesota for what he has long argued is a refusal to enforce federal immigration law. As tensions grew, Trump administration officials—including Border Czar Tom Homan—shifted toward de-escalation, engaging with local leaders to restore order.

            That shift became the flashpoint of the exchange between O’Reilly and Vittert.

            During the interview, Vittert referenced O’Reilly’s recent commentary criticizing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, drawing a historical comparison that sparked sharp disagreement:

            LELAND VITTERT: You write “Who is the modern John C. Calhoun,” about Walz, “a despicable South Carolina senator who actually wanted the Civil War to happen.”

            Do you think Walz wants the Civil War to happen and therefore should be arrested as though he was a southern governor or something in the early or late 1850s?

            O’Reilly responded by arguing that state officials who openly defy federal law should face scrutiny under existing statutes:

            BILL O’REILLY: I think there is evidence that should be examined, and you might be able to charge Walz with insurrection under the, if you want me to read it to you, I got it right here. It fits Walz to a tee.

            Pressed on whether such action would be good for the country, O’Reilly emphasized order and de-escalation—values long central to conservative governance:

            LELAND VITTERT: Would that be good for America?

            BILL O’REILLY: I don’t care. Look, anarchy is the worst thing that could happen, the worst. Right now, in this present moment, de-escalation is the best thing that can happen. So Homan meeting with Frey has my 100% endorsement. Walz calling Trump, vice versa, 100%.

            O’Reilly argued that cooperation does not mean capitulation—and that enforcing federal law remains non-negotiable:

            BILL O’REILLY: But that doesn’t excuse what has happened and is happening, which is a rebellion against the United States law passed by Congress, by a state under the governance of Walz and a city where Frey runs.

            If you continue, and I say you in a general sense, to allow states and cities to not enforce federal law, you don’t have a country. It goes! Okay? Everybody should understand.

            The interview reached its most heated moment when Vittert suggested Trump was “backing down” in response to public pressure:

            LELAND VITTERT: So then why is Trump backing down?

            O’Reilly erupted at the framing, accusing the host of echoing legacy media talking points:

            BILL O’REILLY: Now here’s the second part of the story. He’s not backing down! He’s trying to defuse. Why would you say he was backing down?! Do you want a CNN contract?!

            He’s backing down! He’s defusing the way he should!

            Texas Pediatrician Suspended and Removed Over Viral Flood Rant

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              A pediatrician has been fired after politicizing the deadly floods in Texas.

              Dr. Christina B. Propst came under fire over a now-deleted social media post about the tragic and deadly flooding in Texas, which has left at least 79 people dead — including at least 28 children.

              In a now-deleted post that was shared by screenshots on X, Propst, under her old Facebook username Chris Tina, wrote about the flooding and expressed apparent ill-will toward MAGA voters in affected areas, suggesting they should ‘get what they voted for.’”

              “May all visitors, children, non-MAGA voters and pets be safe and dry,” the original post read. “Kerr County MAGA voted to gut FEMA. They deny climate change. May they get what they voted for. Bless their hearts.”

              A screenshot was shared on X and went viral very quickly, taking off especially on Sunday after a quote retweet from the Libs of TikTok account.

              Many more messages followed, both in the originating thread and from other users. Late Saturday night, Blue Fish Pediatrics issued a statement that was shared on their social media accounts, and which at this time shows up as an alert message at the top of their website. The statement was also shared by head of the Texas Medical Board Dr. Sherif Zaafran.

              The statement reads:

              To Our Patients and Community

              At Blue Fish Pediatrics, our hearts are broken for the families impacted by the devastating flooding in our Central Texas communities near Camp Mystic. Like so many across Texas and beyond, we are grieving with those who have lost loved ones and are praying fervently for all families still awaiting news.

              We are aware that a personal social media comment by one of our physicians has caused significant hurt and outrage. The content and timing of that post do not reflect the values, standards, or mission of Blue Fish Pediatrics. We want to be clear: we do not support or condone any statement that politicizes tragedy, diminishes human dignity, or fails to clearly uphold compassion for every child and family, regardless of background or beliefs.

              Our practice exists for one purpose only — to provide excellent, loving, and respectful care to all children and their families. Our patients come from every walk of life, every political belief, and every background, and we are honored to serve each of them with empathy and integrity.

              In moments of crisis, we believe in unity over division, healing over judgment, and humility over rhetoric. We are taking this matter seriously, reviewing it internally, and have placed the physician on administrative leave.

              In the meantime, we extend our full support to the families and the surrounding communities who are grieving, recovering, and searching for hope.

              Sincerely,

              Blue Fish Pediatrics Leadership Team

              Propst’s profile page has been removed from both the Blue Fish Pediatrics website and the Memorial Hermann website. Memorial Hermann also posted a statement on X.

              A former member of Houston’s Food Insecurity Board was also fired after she posted a racially tinged video about the victims of the flash flooding over the Fourth of July weekend, specifically calling out the young girls at Camp Mystic.

              A former member of Houston’s Food Insecurity Board was fired after she posted a racially tinged video about the victims of the flash flooding over the Fourth of July weekend, specifically calling out the young girls at Camp Mystic.

              “I know I’m probably gonna get cancelled for this, but Camp Mystic is a whites-only girls’ Christian camp. They don’t even have a token Asian, they don’t have a token black person. It is a all-white, white-only conservative Christian camp,” Perkins said in the video. “If you ain’t white, you ain’t right. You ain’t getting anywhere, you goin,’ period. And I think that context needs to be said in this matter.”

              “It’s not to say that we don’t want the girls to be found, whatever girls that are missing or whatever right now, but you best believe, especially in today’s political climate, if this were a group of Hispanic girls — especially with them being in east Texas, it should be most likely Hispanic — if this were a group of Hispanic girls out there, this would not begin this type of coverage that they’re getting, no one would give a fuck, and all these white people, the parents of these little girls would be saying things like, ‘They need to be deported, they shouldn’t have been here in the first place,’ and yadda-yadda-yadda,” Perkins continued.

              Perkins then claimed that the parents of the children would have been demanding that Hispanic children be deported before claiming that the camp was an “all-white, whites-only enclave.”

              “Before y’all comment me, before y’all start leaving hate comments on my page about, oh, these are just kids and they don’t know no better, the parents of these children who are choosing — and it is a choice in 2025, it is definitely a freaking choice to go into east goddamn Texas and to make a all-white enclave, exclusionary, just for white people,” Perkins continued. “With all the black people in east Texas, with all the Hispanic people in east Texas, somehow, some way, you have carved out an all-white, whites-only enclave in east Texas for your white children. Yeah, I have a problem with that. I have a big problem with that.”

              “Once again, this is no shade to the girls, I hope they all get found, but once again, y’all have to understand the climate that we’re living in. They want you to have sympathy for these people,” Perkins said. “They want you to get out of your bed and to come out of your home and to go find these people and to donate your money to go find these people. Meanwhile, they are deporting your family members. Meanwhile, they’re setting up concentration camps and prisons for your family members. And I need y’all to keep that in mind before y’all get out there and put on the rain boots and go find these little girls.”

              “We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us,” said the camp, which describes itself on its website as a “private Christian summer camp for girls.”

              As rescue teams continue to work around the clock to help rescue and recover flood victims, some Democrat officials have attempted to blame the Trump administration for the disaster.

              White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that “Unfortunately, in the wake of this once in a generation natural disaster, we have seen many falsehoods pushed by Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer and some members of the media.  

              “Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning,” she told reporters. 

              “In the lead up to this tragic natural disaster, the National Weather Service did its job. Despite unprecedented rainfall, the National Weather Service executed timely and precise forecasts and warnings,” Leavitt added. 

              “On July 3rd, the National Weather Service office in Austin [and] San Antonio, Texas, conducted forecast briefings for emergency management in the morning and issued a flood watch in the early afternoon,” Leavitt continued. “Flash flood warnings were also issued on the night of July 3rd and in the early morning of July 4th, giving preliminary lead times of more than three hours before flash flooding conditions occurred. The National Weather Service office in New Braunfels, which delivers forecasts for Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas, had extra staff on duty during the storms, despite claims of the contrary.”  

              “So to any person who has deliberately lied about these facts surrounding this catastrophic event, you should be deeply ashamed,” Leavitt declared. “At this time, the administration’s focus will be giving on giving the victims and their communities the support they deserve during these recovery efforts in this tragic time.” 

              Republican Senator Calls On Trump Nominee To Quit Drinking

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                By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0

                North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer (R) called on President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense to stop drinking amid concerning reports.

                The New Yorker reported on Sunday that Hegseth was forced to step down by two nonprofit advocacy groups he ran due to mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety and excessive drinking. NBC News reported on Tuesday that Hegseth’s drinking also worried colleagues at Fox News, where he was a weekend host until earlier this month. 

                “One of the things I’d love to hear is that he’s committed to not drinking,” Cramer told CNN on Wednesday. “Being familiar with the problems of alcoholism and the dumb things we do when we drink too much, it’d be really nice if he could set that one aside for good, if not at least through his term as secretary.”

                Cramer’s comments come as Hegseth faces an uphill battle toward Senate confirmation for the top post at the Pentagon.

                Hegseth was set to meet with Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) on Tuesday and traveled again to Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

                Sources close to the President-elect informed The Wall Street Journal that he’s considering nominating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to replace Hegseth if he can’t gather the support for confirmation. (RELATED: Trump Signals Plan To Nominate DeSantis For Admin. Role)

                Superstar Elton John Shares What Would Make Trump One Of The ‘Greatest Presidents In History’

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                Elton John told Variety last week that if President Donald Trump helps deliver on the long-standing goal of ending AIDS, it would cement a historic legacy—an appeal that comes as scientific breakthroughs and policy debates converge around HIV prevention and global aid.

                Speaking Tuesday with Variety about the work of his namesake Elton John AIDS Foundation, the “Tiny Dancer” singer emphasized the value of bipartisan cooperation. He noted past support from Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and urged the Trump administration to keep pushing toward eradication.

                “The bipartisan thing makes common sense,” John said. “To see us come so far with the medical and scientific advances, and to think this is the only disease that can be completely cured in one’s lifetime. President Trump has maybe solved the peace problem. If he wants to go down as one of the greatest presidents in history… if he ended AIDS, that would really be a feather in his cap.”

                John’s remarks come as new medical advances have added momentum to HIV prevention. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in June a new, twice-yearly shot from Gilead Sciences, a U.S. private sector biopharmaceutical company, to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. In clinical trials, the shot was nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV transmission and performed better than prior prevention options.

                Trump has also previously stated a goal of eradicating the disease by 2030, announcing an initiative to end HIV during his first term in 2019.

                Even so, the politics of global health funding remain contentious. The Trump administration sought to cut funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the president’s original rescissions package in July, though Senate Republicans later agreed to preserve PEPFAR funding.

                John said he is frustrated when governments scale back support—whether through budget decisions or legal restrictions—despite the availability of effective tools.

                “I just am enraged by it,” John told Variety. “It’s very frustrating when you’ve got the tools in your hand to end it, and then you find that countries won’t help.”

                In a comment to Fox News Digital, White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration is continuing its efforts domestically and internationally.

                “Elton John can rest assured that the Trump administration is robustly tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic both at home and abroad,” Desai said. “The State Department is working directly with foreign governments to implement a global health strategy to streamline America’s foreign assistance and modernize our approach to countering infectious diseases like HIV.”

                He added, “HHS, meanwhile, is advancing next-generation HIV prevention and treatment options, strengthening viral suppression nationwide via HRSA’s Ryan White program, supporting emergency preparedness, and expanding access to trusted HIV information.”

                John’s comments also reflect a long-running, sometimes surprising, cordiality toward Trump. He has spoken positively about the president before—including reacting to Trump’s “Little Rocket Man” nickname for North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, a reference to John’s music.

                “I laughed, I thought that was brilliant,” John said in 2024. “I just thought, ‘Good on you, Donald’… Donald’s always been a fan of mine, and he’s been to my concerts many, many times. So, I mean, I’ve always been friendly toward him, and I thank him for his support. When he did that, I just thought it was hilarious. It made me laugh.”