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

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0

    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!

    A SECURE MESSAGE FROM JD VANCE: Patriot — I keep my word. I told Republican leaders I’d deliver your response, and I’m not backing down. My next meeting is coming up fast, and I need your answers before I walk in. Complete the GOP Leadership Survey now.

    Trump Gives Blunt Answer What Happens To Iran If He’s Assassinated

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    In an interview broadcast Tuesday night, President Donald Trump delivered a blunt warning to Iran’s ruling regime: any attempt on his life would be met with overwhelming retaliation.

    Speaking with NewsNation host Katie Pavlich on “Katie Pavlich Tonight,” Trump said he has already ordered a devastating response if Iran follows through on threats made against him.

    “They shouldn’t be doing it, but I’ve left notification. Anything ever happens, the whole country is going to get blown up,” Trump told Pavlich. “Originally, Biden should have said something, when they made a statement. We always said, ‘Why isn’t Biden saying anything?’ Because he didn’t.”

    Trump also criticized what he described as weakness from the Biden administration, arguing that failing to respond forcefully to foreign threats only emboldens America’s enemies.

    “But a president has to defend a president. If I were here, and they were making that threat to somebody, even, not even a president, but somebody, like they did with me, I would absolutely hit them so hard,” Trump said. “But I have very firm instructions — anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth.”

    Iranian threats escalate against Trump

    Trump’s comments came as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has posted multiple threatening messages about Trump on social media—including imagery depicting the president in a coffin. Trump said those threats cannot be ignored, especially given Iran’s long history of supporting terrorism and political violence across the Middle East.

    To many conservatives, the threats underscore a larger pattern: Iran’s theocratic leaders grow more aggressive when the United States appears unwilling to enforce red lines. Republicans have repeatedly argued that deterrence only works when America backs it with strength, resolve, and consequences.

    Biden administration acknowledged IRGC assassination plot

    Even under the Biden administration, the threat from Iran has been formally documented.

    Biden’s Justice Department announced the indictment of a senior member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on charges of conspiring to kill former National Security Advisor John Bolton in 2022. Prosecutors alleged that a confidential source was offered $300,000 to carry out the assassination.

    For Republicans, the plot was more proof that Iran is not simply a hostile state—but a regime willing to target Americans directly, including former senior officials.

    Trump’s stance: defend dissidents, punish brutality

    Trump has previously warned Iran not to harm protesters who oppose the regime, threatening consequences if demonstrators were executed. While Iran did not hang those specific protesters, the regime’s security forces killed hundreds during the crackdown.

    Conservatives have long viewed Iran’s government as an oppressive theocracy that violently suppresses its own people while funding terrorist proxies abroad. Many Republicans argue the U.S. should side firmly with dissidents and freedom-minded citizens, not appease the clerics in Tehran.

    Soleimani strike remains a defining moment

    One of the most significant actions of Trump’s first term against Iran was the January 2020 strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, an IRGC commander widely viewed by U.S. officials as responsible for planning attacks on Americans and allied forces.

    The strike was praised by many Republicans as a clear demonstration of deterrence: when Iran targets Americans, the United States responds decisively.

    A major 2025 strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure

    The article also notes that in June 2025, the United States Air Force bombed multiple facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan connected to Iran’s nuclear program, reportedly dropping as many as 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators.

    The operation involved a 37-hour flight by seven B-2A Spirit bombers and inflicted significant damage to Iran’s nuclear capabilities with no American losses.

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    VP Vance Predicts ‘Dumbest’ Democrat Candidate Will Secure Nomination In 2028

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0

    Vice President JD Vance took aim at the Democratic Party’s likely 2028 presidential contenders during a lighthearted but pointed exchange on Fox News, joking that the party’s “dumbest” candidate is most likely to emerge from the primary.

    In an exclusive interview released Wednesday on Jesse Watters Primetime, Watters raised speculation about California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national ambitions, noting the governor’s frequent media appearances and rumored White House aspirations.

    “Gavin Newsom, obviously, is running for president. Have you seen this guy cross his legs? Have you ever seen anyone cross their legs like that?” Watters asked jokingly.

    “My legs don’t cross like that, Jesse,” Vance replied with a laugh. “You can interpret that however you want to.”

    Watters went on to frame the looming Democratic contest as a showdown between Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris.

    “Gavin and Kamala are on a collision course,” Watters said. “Who’s gonna win?”

    “The dumbest candidate will probably win,” Vance quipped. “That’s my guess with the Democratic Party.”

    Vance argued that the current Democratic bench reflects deeper structural problems within the party, particularly its fixation on identity politics over competence.

    “I mean, look, the Democrats have a couple of big issues, and one is that they lean so far into wokeism that they can’t see the obviousness of the fact, which is that Kamala Harris is not qualified to be president of the United States,” Vance said.

    “That’s why she got the vice presidential nomination. That’s why she got the presidential nomination. This is who Kamala Harris is.”

    Vance contrasted Harris with Newsom, describing the California governor as emblematic of failed progressive governance.

    “Now, the flip side is, I think you have an unbelievably corrupt and incompetent governor in Gavin Newsom,” he said. “The fact that those are the two frontrunners just suggests how deeply deranged the Democrat Party is. Let them fight it out. We’ll figure it out.”

    A Weak Democratic Bench for 2028

    While Newsom and Harris dominate early speculation, Democrats face a thin and fractured 2028 field. Other frequently mentioned names include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—each of whom carries significant liabilities with general-election voters. Many Democrats privately acknowledge that the party lacks a unifying figure with broad national appeal, particularly as voters continue to recoil from progressive economic and cultural policies.

    Republicans, by contrast, are positioning themselves as the party of stability, affordability, and public safety heading into the next election cycle.

    Cost of Living and Accountability

    Watters noted that Democrats are expected to campaign heavily on cost-of-living issues in upcoming elections, a strategy Vance dismissed as deeply hypocritical.

    “That’s a pot-meet-kettle situation,” Vance argued, pointing to Democratic-led policies that fueled inflation, higher energy costs, and housing shortages.

    He credited the Trump administration with reversing those trends.

    “We haven’t even been in office for a year, and you’ve already seen prices start to come down. You’ve seen rents start to come down. You’ve seen groceries leveling off,” Vance said.

    “Is there more work to do? Absolutely. But the people who are going to do that work is the Trump administration, is the president of the United States, who is solving the Democrats’ affordability crisis.”

    “You don’t give power back to the very people who set the house on fire,” he added. “You give more power to the person who put the fire out.”

    Impeachment Politics

    When asked whether Democrats would attempt to impeach President Trump again if they regain control of Congress, Vance said such a move would be predictable—and revealing.

    “I’m sure he’ll get impeached,” Vance said. “Look, they have nothing to actually run on or govern on.”

    “Their entire obsessive focus of that party is they hate Donald Trump,” he continued. “So, if they ever get power, are they going to lower Americans’ taxes? No. Are they going to make your life more affordable? No. Are they going to solve the crime crisis? No.”

    “What they’re going to do is they’re going to spend all their time and all of your money trying to get Donald Trump.”

    Vance urged voters to focus on results rather than partisan theatrics.

    “I think the American people should vote for the people who want to make their life more affordable, who want to make their neighborhoods safer,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to deliver every single day.”

    Newsom Responds With a Meme

    Newsom’s office responded to the interview with a digitally altered image of Vance crossing his legs in an exaggerated pose, captioned: “We all know JD copies Daddy.”

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    Fox News Star Predicts Two Dems Will Announce 2028 Bids Early

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    Fox News contributor and former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is already looking ahead to the next presidential cycle—and her prediction underscores a growing concern on the Right: Democrats may try to mimic President Donald Trump’s political playbook after years of vilifying it.

    In a promotional video shared by Fox News on X and captioned, “We asked our talent to share their predictions for 2026!”, McEnany kicked off the segment with a bold forecast. According to McEnany, Democrats—despite routinely attacking Trump’s unconventional style—are quietly preparing to copy the very strategy they once denounced.

    “Happy 2026,” McEnany said. “Here’s my prediction: there will be a Democrat who tries to emulate and copy the Trump playbook—meaning they will declare their candidacy for the presidency before the end of next year.”

    McEnany named California Gov. Gavin Newsom as the most likely Democrat to break with tradition and launch an early White House bid, followed closely—perhaps uncomfortably closely—by former Vice President Kamala Harris.

    “I believe that Democrat will be Gavin Newsom,” McEnany continued. “And shortly thereafter—though I don’t want to scare everyone—I believe Kamala Harris will declare shortly after in 2027. We’ll see!”

    Democrats Imitating Trump?

    The irony of McEnany’s prediction is hard to miss. For nearly a decade, Democrats and legacy media outlets have castigated President Trump for disrupting political norms, launching early campaigns, dominating media attention, and speaking directly to voters outside traditional party structures. Yet as Republicans consolidate behind Trump-style populism, Democrats appear increasingly eager to borrow from the same rulebook—early announcements, personality-driven politics, and nonstop media exposure.

    Newsom, the progressive governor of California, has long been rumored to harbor national ambitions. His frequent appearances on cable news, high-profile red-state visits, and aggressive messaging against Republican governors have fueled speculation that he is positioning himself as the Democratic Party’s next standard-bearer.

    Harris, meanwhile, remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern Democratic politics. After a historically weak vice presidency marked by staff turnover, low approval ratings, and policy misfires—particularly on immigration—Harris has been cautiously testing the waters for a political comeback.

    A Tense California Power Struggle

    Adding intrigue to McEnany’s prediction is the longstanding rivalry between Newsom and Harris, two California Democrats whose careers have frequently intersected—and occasionally clashed.

    The relationship has often been described by political observers as “frenemies.” While publicly supportive, both figures clearly view one another as obstacles on the path to higher office.

    That tension surfaced last summer during Newsom’s appearance on Pod Save America, shortly after Harris replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Asked about the abrupt switch, Newsom responded with thinly veiled sarcasm.

    “We went through a very open process, a very inclusive process,” Newsom quipped. “It was bottom-up—I don’t know if you know that. That’s what I’ve been told to say!”

    The remark was widely interpreted as a jab at Democratic leadership and their handling of Biden’s exit, reinforcing GOP criticisms that Democratic “democracy” often amounts to backroom decision-making.

    Harris, for her part, took a swipe at Newsom in her campaign memoir 107 Days. She recalled calling Newsom to secure his support after Biden dropped out of the race—only to receive a terse text message.

    “Hiking. Will call back,” Newsom reportedly replied.

    “He never did,” Harris added pointedly.

    Signs of a Harris Comeback?

    Despite her past struggles, Harris has been making calculated moves that many Democrats—and Republicans—see as the early stages of a 2028 presidential run.

    According to Axios, Harris has been “stepping toward” another campaign, citing her expanded book tour, renewed engagement with Democratic donors, and a high-profile appearance before the Democratic National Committee earlier this month.

    Reporter Alex Thompson noted that after lying low for much of the year, Harris has suddenly reemerged on the national stage—raising eyebrows within her own party.

    “After embarking on a 2024-focused book tour,” Thompson wrote, “Harris made several moves this week that many Democrats see as the beginnings of a 2028 campaign.”

    DNC Chair Ken Martin has also offered unusually warm public praise for Harris, further fueling speculation.

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    CNN Contributor Says MTG ‘Went Off The Deep End’ After Break with Trump

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3

    CNN contributor and veteran Republican strategist Scott Jennings delivered a blunt assessment of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) during a rare appearance on ABC’s This Week, arguing that Greene’s recent attacks on President Donald Trump stem more from personal frustration than from any serious ideological break within the MAGA movement.

    Jennings appeared on the program to promote his new book when anchor Jonathan Karl asked him about what Karl described as a “burgeoning split” inside MAGA-world — a narrative increasingly pushed by legacy media outlets eager to frame Republican politics as unstable heading into a pivotal election year.

    “The, kind of, divide in MAGA,” Karl said. “Which is a relatively new phenomenon — I mean, there was always a little bit there, but …if I were to say what the most surprising story [of the year] was, I would say Marjorie Taylor Greene becomes not just a Trump critic, but a—”

    Jennings interrupted with a jab that immediately cut through the premise.

    “MTG becomes a lib!” Jennings said.

    While clearly tongue-in-cheek, the comment underscored what many Republicans see as an overreaction to Greene’s recent criticisms of Trump and the party leadership. In recent months, Greene has publicly complained about what she characterizes as broken promises from Republican leadership, lack of follow-through on conservative priorities, and Trump’s decision not to endorse her for a potential statewide run in Georgia.

    Jennings suggested that the dispute is less about policy and more about political disappointment.

    “She got a little bent out of shape because the president wouldn’t support her for a statewide office in Georgia — which she was going to lose if she had gotten into it, by the way,” Jennings said. “And so she goes off the deep end.”

    Greene’s criticism of Trump has surprised many grassroots conservatives, given her long history as one of his most vocal and reliable defenders in Congress. Her sharp turn has included public complaints about Republican leadership, warnings about “uniparty” influence, and suggestions that the party has failed to fully deliver on the America First agenda — rhetoric that has resonated with some activists but raised eyebrows among party strategists.

    That unease only deepened following Greene’s unexpected announcement that she would resign from Congress, a move that stunned allies and critics alike. While Greene framed her departure as a rejection of what she called a broken institution, many Republicans interpreted it as a sign of frustration rather than a serious realignment within the conservative movement.

    Jennings, for his part, rejected the idea that Greene’s break signals meaningful fractures within MAGA or the Republican base more broadly.

    “Look, I don’t think these divisions and all this fraying are as big a deal as some people make it out to be,” Jennings said. “Trump is still extraordinarily popular among Republicans. He’s the strongest party boss in the modern era. And he can get his allies in Congress to do most anything he wants them to do — which is why I think in the coming year they really ought to spend some time trying to codify … his executive orders and some of the other initiatives that he’s had, really try to make it stick and really fight it out.”

    Jennings argued that Republicans would be better served focusing on governing and locking in Trump-era policies rather than amplifying internal disagreements that the media is eager to exploit.

    “Because I think a lot of the things he did would actually be pretty popular political debates to have,” he added.

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    Fox News Host Defies Conservative Line On Trump’s Christmastime Move

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    8

    Brian Kilmeade isn’t on board.

    The Fox & Friends co-host recently broke with several conservative allies after blasting President Trump’s newly unveiled “Presidential Walk of Fame” plaques at the White House, warning the displays go too far — and could come back to haunt Republicans.

    Installed along the White House Colonnade, the plaques feature blunt and often mocking descriptions of former presidents. While some on the right have praised the move as funny and overdue, Kilmeade says it crosses a line.

    “I’m not for this at all,” he said.

    What’s on the plaques

    The displays take direct aim at multiple Trump predecessors:

    • Joe Biden: Replaced with an autopen image and labeled “by far, the worst President in American history.”
    • Barack Obama: Called “one of the most divisive political figures in American history.”
    • Bill Clinton: Noted mainly for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss to Trump.
    • George W. Bush: Also targeted with critical commentary.

    The plaques first sparked debate on The Five, where Jessica Tarlov called them “repulsive behavior.”

    Why Kilmeade objects

    Kilmeade warned that today’s trolling could become tomorrow’s problem.

    “They’re just going to mock President Trump or put something on his plaque,” he said, arguing the displays could fuel endless political payback as power shifts.

    He was especially critical of the autopen image used for Biden.

    “I am not for the autopen,” Kilmeade said, calling it juvenile and unfit for a historic setting.

    “If you’re going to do it,” he added, “just put the profiles up there.”

    History — and consequences

    Kilmeade also noted that presidential reputations often change, pointing to Ulysses S. Grant as a leader once derided but later reassessed.

    Even so, he made clear he opposes using the White House for political trolling.

    “I don’t think it’s going to happen with Joe Biden,” he said, “but I am not for the trolling.”

    Conservatives divided

    Kilmeade’s stance puts him at odds with Fox colleagues Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld, who defended the plaques as entertaining and brushed off concerns about decorum or future blowback.

    What do you think? Is this harmless trolling that is long overdue in response to the left’s taunts, or is it inappropriate for the president to display on the side of the White House? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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    Pelosi Slams Trump’s Mental Fitness—Admits She Didn’t Watch the Speech

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    6
    Nancy Pelosi via Gage Skidmore flickr

    Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., accused President Donald Trump of “mental incapacity” during a recent interview with ABC News—despite admitting she did not actually watch his speech to the nation.

    “I didn’t even think about his speech, but I did see some of it in the news afterward, and I think it was a demonstration of his mental incapacity,” Pelosi told ABC’s Jonathan Karl in a clip that aired Sunday on This Week.

    Pelosi said she chose not to watch the address, explaining that she had “had enough” of the president. Still, she did not hesitate to publicly criticize Trump, continuing a pattern of weighing in on his presidency even when acknowledging she lacked firsthand exposure to the event in question.

    When pressed by Karl to explain her remarks, Pelosi added, “Well, that was a ridiculous speech. Of course, we were all offended because of what he said about Rob Reiner… and Michele just a few days before, after the tragedy. Something’s wrong there, and something’s wrong with the people around him that they don’t stop him from his ridiculousness.”

    During the speech, Trump said he had brought the nation back from “the brink of ruin” in less than a year back in office, sharply criticized Democrats, and touted that he had made America the “hottest country” in the world. As expected, reactions to the politically charged address largely fell along partisan lines, as Trump continues to face negative polling on the nation’s economic outlook.

    Pelosi’s attack on Trump’s mental capacity comes with notable irony, given her role in 2024 in pressuring President Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee—a move that fractured their long-standing political relationship.

    Before Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump last June, Pelosi had been one of the most vocal defenders of Biden’s mental sharpness. She publicly dismissed concerns about his cognitive decline and criticized a Wall Street Journal report detailing issues behind the scenes.

    Earlier that year, Pelosi praised Biden as “very sharp” and “always on the ball.”

    However, according to a book by Chris Whipple, Pelosi privately told a friend that Biden had “lost a step” last year. After Biden’s debate struggles became impossible to ignore, Pelosi’s carefully worded comments on Morning Joe—which avoided endorsing his insistence on staying in the race—signaled that her confidence had waned.

    Biden ultimately dropped out of the race, but the fallout with Pelosi has lingered. The two longtime allies have not spoken since.

    Pelosi has consistently maintained that she did not push Biden to withdraw, claiming instead that she merely urged him to look honestly at polling data showing the steep odds he faced.

    Still, her latest remarks underscore a familiar dynamic: Pelosi distancing herself from accountability for her years of Democratic leadership failures while remaining eager to criticize President Trump—this time without even watching the speech she condemned.

    You stood above the rest. When others talked, YOU acted. When America First needed fighters, YOU showed up. That’s why you’ve been named 2025 PATRIOT OF THE YEAR — MAGA GOLD MEDAL. This honor is reserved for the strongest supporters of President Trump — and you earned it. CLAIM YOUR MAGA GOLD HONOR NOW.

    Republican Senator Signals He Won’t Support Vance In 2028

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) made clear Sunday on ABC News’s This Week that he does not see Vice President JD Vance as someone he would support in a hypothetical 2028 presidential bid, underscoring deep philosophical differences over trade and the future direction of the GOP.

    When asked whether he views Vance — widely viewed within GOP circles as a leading contender to carry the Republican banner after President Donald Trump — as the so-called heir apparent, Paul was direct about the limits of their alignment.

    “I think there needs to be representatives in the Republican Party who still believe international trade is good, who still believe in free market capitalism, who still believe in low taxes,” Paul said, emphasizing his long-standing libertarian philosophy.

    Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    Pressed on whether that description fits Vance, Paul answered, “No.”

    Paul lamented what he sees as a shift in GOP economic thinking — away from traditional free-market conservatism toward protectionist policies that embrace tariffs.

    “It used to separate conservatives and liberals that conservatives thought it was a spending problem — we didn’t want less revenue, we wanted less spending,” he said.
    “But now all these pro-tariff protectionists, they love taxes. And so they tax, tax, tax, and then they brag about all the revenue coming in. That has never been a conservative position.”

    Paul said he intends to continue championing a free-market, low-tax wing of the party and will let time — and voters — determine where GOP leadership settles.

    Context: Trump, Vance, and a Fractured GOP

    Vance’s position as a prominent Trump loyalist — often touted by MAGA-aligned activists as the next leader of the movement — stands in contrast to Paul’s more classical libertarian outlook. Trump and Vance have worked closely throughout the administration, and Trump himself has suggested both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would make strong contenders in 2028, even as speculation swirls about Trump’s own future political plans.

    Paul and Vance’s disagreements aren’t limited to trade. Earlier in 2025, Paul publicly criticized Vance’s support for a controversial U.S. military strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel — going so far as to call the actions Vance defended “despicable and thoughtless” for celebrating lethal force without due process. This public spar highlights deeper philosophical divides between the libertarian wing of the party and its more interventionist or nationalist elements.

    Those tensions reflect a broader conversation within the GOP about its core principles — from foreign policy to economic strategy — as the party prepares for post-Trump leadership.

    Erika Kirk Endorses Vance for 2028

    Adding to the political backdrop, Erika Kirk — the widow of conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk and the organization’s CEO — officially endorsed Vice President Vance for president in 2028 during the group’s annual AmericaFest conference in Phoenix.

    Kirk, speaking to thousands of activists, pledged Turning Point’s powerful grassroots support and framed Vance as a continuation of her husband’s conservative legacy:

    “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible.”

    Her endorsement — and Turning Point’s mobilization capacity on campuses and with younger conservatives — could be a significant boost in the early stages of a national campaign, even though Vance has not yet announced a formal campaign bid

    You stood above the rest. When others talked, YOU acted. When America First needed fighters, YOU showed up. That’s why you’ve been named 2025 PATRIOT OF THE YEAR — MAGA GOLD MEDAL. This honor is reserved for the strongest supporters of President Trump — and you earned it. CLAIM YOUR MAGA GOLD HONOR NOW.

    VP Vance Issues ‘Official’ Two Word Response To Racist Attacks On Wife

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    By Xuthoria - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

    Vice President Vance has had enough…

    Vice President JD Vance had two choice words for racist troll Nick Fuentes and others like MS NOW host Jen Psaki, who have made comments about the second lady: “Eat s–t.”

    “Let me be clear. Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s–t,” Vance told UnHerd in an interview published Sunday.

    “That’s my official policy as vice president of the United States.”

    He then told writer Sohrab Ahmari that “all forms of ethnic hatred” including antisemitism have “no place in the conservative movement.”

    Vance’s response comes after Fuentes bashed him for being a “race traitor” for marrying his wife; Usha Vance is an American citizen born in San Diego to two Hindu Indian immigrants. Fuentes has also used derogatory terms about Indians to describe The Second Lady.

    Fuentes has made a number of racist and antisemitic comments over the years, and he told Piers Morgan earlier this month that he believed Adolf Hitler was “really f*cking cool.” 

    The vice president’s comments were published a few hours after he told the crowd at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest that President Donald Trump had wisely “relegated DEI to the dustbin of history.” 

    Vance said DEI is antithetical to American values and a meritocratic society — which made it an easy target for the second Trump Administration.

    “We don’t treat anybody different because of their race or their sex,” Vance told the Phoenix crowd.

    Vance continued his message about unity:

    In the United States of America, you don’t have to apologize for being white anymore.

    And if you’re an Asian, you don’t have to talk around your skin color when you’re applying for college. Because we judge people based on who they are, not on ethnicity and things they can’t control.

    We don’t persecute you for being male, for being straight, for being gay, for being anything. The only thing that we demand is that you be a great American patriot. And if you’re that. you’re very much on our team.

    Watch:

    Those comments were also well-received by the arena. His remark on white men comes a few days after a viral Compact article reported a number of professional fields had “gatekeepers [who] promised extra consideration to anyone who wasn’t a white man.”

    Vice President Vance touted a number of accomplishments he said the Trump Administration has had in less than a year, including closing down the southern border. He said the crowd must continue to support the “America First Party” — echoing Donald Trump Jr., who earlier in the day said the Republican Party was no longer a thing.

    Trump Jr. said it is a new era for the conservative movement — one that is constantly under attack from the Democratic Party and Republicans In Name Only (RINOs). He said those attacks are ramping up as both parties plow towards the 2026 midterm elections.

    Here is what the told the AmFest crowd:

    Midterms are coming around the corner and make no mistake, the Democrat Party wants to do whatever they possibly can to shut this movement down. Not just the Democrats. The RINOs.

    You see the manufactured attacks on JD [Vance], myself, my father — anyone who understands that this isn’t the Republican Party anymore. It’s the America First Party. It’s the Make America Great Again Party. And we are not going back!

    Watch:

    Democrats just filed articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth — and he could be removed if we don’t act. Hegseth is a God-fearing, America First patriot who made our country safer under President Trump — and that’s exactly why the Left wants him gone. We’re demanding 1,000,000 signatures before MIDNIGHT to show Pete he is NOT alone. STAND WITH PETE. ADD YOUR NAME NOW.

    TikTok Signs Trump-Backed Deal With US Investors To Avert Ban

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    1
    By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

    TikTok has secured a last-minute lifeline.

    The social media giant reached a binding agreement Thursday with a Trump-backed group of U.S. and global investors, restructuring its American operations in an effort to avoid a nationwide ban and remain available to its 170 million U.S. users.

    Under the agreement with its Chinese parent ByteDance, the hugely popular social media app will shift control of its core U.S. operations to a newly created joint venture majority-owned by American investors.

    TikTok’s U.S. business will be placed under a newly created company, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, majority-owned by American investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake — the maximum allowed under U.S. law.

    The new entity will control sensitive areas like user data, algorithms, and content moderation, while ByteDance continues to handle advertising and e-commerce through separate units. Oracle will act as a trusted security partner, hosting U.S. data and monitoring compliance.

    The move comes after years of mounting pressure from Washington. A 2024 bipartisan law forced ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a ban, putting the platform on borrowed time after repeated deadline extensions.

    Trump and other supporters argue the deal protects national security without wiping out one of the country’s most influential tech platforms. Critics remain skeptical, warning that ByteDance’s continued involvement could still pose risks.

    At the heart of the TikTok debate is China.

    ByteDance operates under Chinese laws that can force companies to turn over user data, intensifying fears in Washington that information on millions of Americans could — or may already — be in Beijing’s hands.

    National security officials and lawmakers warn that such data could have military value, raising concerns about potential access by the Chinese Communist Party.

    Mediaite continues:

    The White House has confirmed that Oracle, co-founded by Trump ally Larry Ellison, will license a copy of TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm and expand its existing role managing the data of the app’s 170 million U.S. users. A potential ban was hinged on national security concerns.

    In September, Trump said he had spoken directly with China’s leader, adding: “I had a very good talk with President Xi [Jinping]” and “he gave us the go ahead.” A month later, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared that Washington and Beijing had “reached a final deal on TikTok.”

    During his first term, Trump threatened to ban TikTok outright in 2020. Congress later passed legislation forcing a sale or shutdown over security fears, which former President Joe Biden signed into law in April 2024. The ban was due to take effect in January 2025, but was repeatedly delayed by Trump as negotiations continued.

    Not everyone is on board, however. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) panned the deal in a post on BlueSky late Thursday: “First Paramount/CBS and now TikTok. Trump wants to hand over even more control of what you watch to his billionaire buddies. Americans deserve to know if the president struck another backdoor deal for this billionaire takeover of TikTok.”

    If regulators sign off, the deal is expected to close by Jan. 22, 2026. TikTok says users shouldn’t notice any immediate changes — but scrutiny of the platform is far from over.

    READ NEXT: Trump Immediately Suspends Controversial Program Following Shocking Incidents

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