Category: blaze media

British band Bob Vylan is in some serious trouble.

The English punk rap duo began a pro-Palestinian chant during a show at Glastonbury, which quickly escalated into them leading the audience in calling for harm against Israel. During their set, they screamed, “From the river to the sea,” and, “Death, death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

Though the crowd seemed to enjoy the chant, the band is now facing the consequences of their actions, as several countries are prohibiting them from entering.

“The @StateDept has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants. Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote in a post on X.

“Did they say anything about America? No,” BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales comments. “But that type of hatred and violence — we don’t have to let just anybody in. This is the United States of America. We should be very selective when we decide who to let into our country, even if for a brief amount of time.”

While some are siding with the band and calling it an attack on First Amendment rights, BlazeTV contributor Jaco Booyens notes that foreigners “don’t have First Amendment rights.”

“It really has been refreshing to see this administration get tough on how, you know, they’re shutting down all of these visas until they can figure out how to properly vet these people on social media. I mean, this is people overseas,” Gonzales agrees.

“All of these foreigners think that it’s just some sort of a right that they should have to be able to come over here whenever they want, and it’s like, no, this is the greatest country in the world, and we have to protect that,” she adds.

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Rioting against Americans moving to Mexico has roiled Mexico City, and the Department of Homeland Security used the occasion to mock the controversy surrounding illegal immigration.

Mexicans have complained that the growing number of Americans moving south has made housing costs soar and displaced locals, but the anger erupted in vandalism over the weekend.

‘It’s almost impossible to live, to find housing. … We’re living the consequences of gentrification.’

“If you are in the United States illegally and wish to join the next protest in Mexico City, use the CBP Home app to facilitate your departure,” read the post from the DHS.

The agency posted a link to a Reuters report quoting a protester about the purpose of the demonstrations in Mexico City.

“The reason we’ve gathered here is precisely to hear the thoughts of many victims, mainly young people today, for whom it’s almost impossible to live, to find housing,” said Eduardo Alanis, as translated from Spanish by Reuters.

Protest signs had messages comparing the gentrification to neo-colonization. An Associated Press video showed one protester spray-painting the message, “Kill a gringo,” referring to white people who had moved to Mexico City.

“We’re living the consequences of gentrification, which is the government directing its public policies towards people with high purchasing power,” he added, “often illegally displacing local populations who have lived in these neighborhoods for 40, 50, and we have documented cases of up to 60 years.”

RELATED: DHS releases details about ‘barbaric, dangerous’ illegal aliens on Sudan deportation flight after judge ruling

Immigration hawks have made similar claims about illegal aliens exacerbating the housing crisis in the U.S. Others have argued that illegal aliens bring housing costs down by providing cheap labor in the construction industry.

In Los Angeles, some activist and union groups are demanding a rent moratorium in order to help the families of those displaced by immigration raids. They reported that many are afraid to go to work or leave their homes because of the mass deportation policies of the Trump administration.

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​Mexico city protests, Mexicans vs us foreigners, Mexico gentrification, Mexicans vs immigration, Politics 

The Texas flooding tragedy that has claimed so many lives has also become a battleground for partisans attempting to place blame on their opponents for the catastrophe.

Many critics on the left are trying to blame cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration made by the Trump administration for the deaths of at least 95 people from disastrous flooding, according to NBC News. Twenty-seven of the deaths were counted among campers and counselors from Camp Mystic.

‘When everything is labeled “extreme weather,” nothing seems extreme any more.’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt forcefully denied the allegations during Monday’s media briefing.

“Ninety-one innocent souls have now perished,” she said.

“President Trump swiftly signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure our heroic first responders have every resource they need in the relief and recovery efforts,” Leavitt added.

“Unfortunately, in the wake of this once-in-a-generation national disaster, we have seen many falsehoods pushed by Democrats such as Sen. Chuck Schumer [D-N.Y.] and some members of the media,” she said. “Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning.”

On Monday, Leavitt may have found an unlikely ally as she pushed back on those reports. In his daily “Reliable Sources” newsletter, CNN media analyst Brian Stelter appeared to put some of the blame on the media for constantly tossing weather emergency warnings at the public.

Stelter cited reporting from the CNN team that warnings were sent out ahead of the flooding, but the question was whether those warnings reached “who they needed to reach.”

He went on to say that “warning fatigue” was being cited by more experts as one of the causes of the disaster.

“When everything is labeled ‘extreme weather,’ nothing seems extreme any more,” Stelter explained.

RELATED: Horror and heroism in Texas as search for flood survivors continues

In addition to CNN’s reporting, a separate Politico report documented that warnings were sent as early as 12 hours ahead of the flooding but said that they may not have been interpreted well enough by local law enforcement to prevent the death and destruction.

“The crux of this disaster is a failure of the last mile of communication,” said Tom Fahy of a National Weather Service union. “The forecasts went out, they communicated the forecasts, they disseminated the watches and warnings. And the dilemma we have is there was nobody listening at 4 o’clock in the morning for these watches and warnings.”

On Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said that more than 36 people continued to be unaccounted for, and there may be other casualties not yet discovered.

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​Brian stelter, Texas flooding disaster, Warning fatigue, Deaths from flooding, Politics 

While President Donald Trump continues to deliver big wins for the American people, the Democrat base is becoming increasingly desperate.

Several Democrat lawmakers have expressed concerns as their constituents grow increasingly frustrated with what they view as inaction.

“We’ve got people who are desperately wanting us to do something. … No matter what we say, they want [more],” Democrat Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois said.

‘The expectations aren’t just unreal. They’re dangerous.’

“Some of them have suggested … what we really need to do is be willing to get shot,” another Democrat said.

RELATED: Democrats unanimously vote against condemning ‘mostly peaceful’ anti-ICE riots

Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

These lawmakers, most of whom spoke to Axios on the condition of anonymity, also said most of these voters were “white, well educated, and live in upscale suburban or urban neighborhoods.”

“What I have seen is a demand that we get ourselves arrested intentionally or allow ourselves to be victims of violence, and … a lot of times that’s coming from economically very secure white people,” one Democrat said.

“Not only would that be a gift to Donald Trump, not only would it make the job of Republicans in Congress easier if we were all mired in legal troubles … [we are] a group that is disproportionately people of color, women, LGBTQ people — people who do not fare very well in prison.”

RELATED: DNC plagued by infighting and incompetence, leaving Democrats desperate for cash

Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Democrats are growing increasingly concerned that the grassroots base is expecting bloodshed as penance for Trump’s historic victory in November 2024 and all his administration has accomplished since then.

“Our own base is telling us that what we’re doing is not good enough … [that] there needs to be blood to grab the attention of the press and the public,” one Democrat said.

“It’s like … the Roman coliseum. People just want more and more of this spectacle,” another Democratic lawmaker said.

The increase in calls for violence coincides with the increase in attacks against law enforcement officers.

As recently as Monday, two Border Patrol officers and one employee were shot by a suspect in tactical gear. The three victims are currently being treated for their injuries at a nearby hospital in Texas. The suspect was shot dead by law enforcement. Another Texas police officer was shot in the neck on Thursday in what appears to be a coordinated attack outside an ICE detention facility.

“The expectations aren’t just unreal,” one Democrat said. “They’re dangerous.”

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In late October 1998, Hurricane Mitch tore through Central America on its way to Southern Florida and the Bahamas. It left destruction and thousands of people dead. In early 1999, the Clinton administration granted Temporary Protected Status to immigrants from two of those Central American countries. Over the last quarter-century, those protections have been extended several times.

Now, those deportation protections for Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals are in the crosshairs of Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security as the Trump administration continues to clamp down on the national immigration crisis.

‘Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that — temporary.’

The DHS is moving to revoke Temporary Protected Status for certain Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals living in the U.S., which was set to expire on July 5, according to unpublished Federal Register notices.

“After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. Government agencies, the Secretary determined that” both of the countries do not “meet the conditions for designation for TPS,” the notices read.

Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals residing in the U.S. will lose TPS 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register, which has not yet occurred as of Monday morning.

RELATED: Lawfare strikes again: Rogue judge ignores SCOTUS, shields 500,000 from Trump’s immigration crackdown

Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

The DHS explained that Honduras and Nicaragua were initially granted TPS in 1999 following Hurricane Mitch, which caused at least 10,000 fatalities in Central America.

In the case of Nicaragua, the federal government extended TPS “13 consecutive times (for periods of 12 or 18 months at a time) under the same statutory basis of environmental disaster.” The agency added that TPS was also “continuously extended” for Honduras.

Trump’s DHS cited the countries’ notable progress, such as hurricane recovery and growing tourism, as some of the reasons why they no longer meet the designation requirements.

The DHS’ order is expected to impact 72,000 Honduran nationals and 4,000 Nicaraguan nationals currently living in the U.S.

Noem told Fox News Digital, “Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that — temporary.”

“It is clear that the government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, almost 27 years ago,” Noem said.

“Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return,” she continued. “Honduras has been a wonderful partner of the Trump administration, helping us deliver on key promises to the American people. We look forward to continuing our work with them.”

RELATED: Noem prepares to deport 500,000 immigrants from one long-troubled island

Aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Photo by YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images

A DHS source told Fox News Digital, “The impacts of a natural disaster impacting Nicaragua in 1999 no longer exist.”

“The environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home. This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that TPS remains temporary,” the source added.

In late June, Noem announced that the DHS would revoke TPS for 500,000 Haitian nationals. A rogue federal judge moved to block the administration’s actions despite the Supreme Court limiting the scope of district courts’ universal injunctions.

​News, Illegal immigration crisis, Illegal immigration, Immigration crisis, Immigration, Department of homeland security, Dhs, Kristi noem, Donald trump, Trump, Trump administration, Trump admin, Temporary protected status, Tps, Honduras, Nicaragua, Politics 

Over the weekend, catastrophic flash floods struck Texas Hill Country, particularly in Kerr County, after torrential rains dumped 12 to 14 inches of rain in just hours, causing the Guadalupe River to swell 26 feet in 45 minutes. The floods have already killed over 80 people, many of whom were children, devastating communities and summer camps, especially Camp Mystic. Dozens of people are still missing, prompting extensive rescue efforts and a federal disaster declaration.

In the midst of this tragedy, however, a lot of false information is circulating.

To get the truth about these tragic floods and the circumstances around them, Glenn Beck invited Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) to “The Glenn Beck Program.”

Some people are saying that the local authorities should have known Texas is prone to flash floods and been more prepared.

“What you saw [over the weekend] was a level of water that went so fast and so furiously,” says Roy. “They were prepared for flash flooding, but they were prepared for what you would call normal or even bad flash flooding – not the level that occurred.”

As for Dana Bash’s comments during CNN’s “State of the Union” that the Trump administration’s staffing cuts at the National Weather Service contributed to inadequate warnings for the Texas floods, Roy says, “It’s all just so absurd.”

“I was with the families who have not been able to find their daughters or who are learning the bad news about their daughters … I don’t know where Dana Bash was, but she wasn’t there,” he adds, noting that Bash’s comments are not only “false” but are also clearly aimed at the “politicization” of a tragedy. “You and I both believe that there’s probably bureaucracy at NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] and in commerce that could be made better … I know President Trump believes that,” but “to say they weren’t doing their job and they didn’t have the resources, there is a lie.”

“Our Texas Department of Emergency Management started moving resources there because their view of the tropical storm combined with what they were getting from the National Weather Service told them that yeah, this is starting to get a little bit interesting,” he says. “People were paying attention; people were preparing, but it was an extraordinary event.”

Further, Kerr County had formerly determined that it would not install flood sirens. Even though the NWS sent out flash flood warnings, these were sent during hours most were sleeping, and some messages didn’t make it due to the lack of cell service in certain areas.

“How is anybody going to get the information to people – even if they did know it – at 3:00 in the morning without sirens?” asks Glenn.

“That’s right,” says Roy. “That’s my starting position.”

To hear more of his analysis, watch the video above.

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The deadly flash floods in Texas brought out the best in heroes such as Dick Eastland, the co-owner of Camp Mystic who died trying to save campers from the rising waters; 27-year-old Julian Ryan, who perished trying to save his mother, wife, and two young boys as the Guadalupe River poured into their home; and Coast Guard rescue swimmer and Petty Office Scott Ruskin, who Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem indicated “directly saved an astonishing 165 victims in the devastating flooding in central Texas.”

This natural disaster also brought out the worst in a pair of liberal women who evidently couldn’t resist the urge to put a political spin on the deaths of American children.

Both Christina Propst, a Houston-based pediatrician, and Sade Perkins, a race-obsessive Democrat appointee to Houston’s Food Insecurity Board, found out the hard way that Texans have a low tolerance for vile remarks about bereaved families, particularly those who just lost children in a horrific flood.

Perkins is a community organizer from Houston’s Fifth Ward who apparently owns the Freedmen’s Town Farmers Market and was involved with Princeton University’s black-centric Crossroads Project.

According to the Houston Mayor’s Office, the late Democrat Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed Perkins to the city board in 2023 and her term expired in January.

Perkins complained in a TikTok video that the victims of the flooding at Camp Mystic — the Christian camp in Hunt that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday was “horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I’ve seen in any natural disaster” — were receiving an undue amount of attention on account of the campers’ supposed immutable characteristics and insinuated that the parents of the dead and missing girls were racists.

‘I think that context needs to be said.’

“I know I’m probably going to get canceled for this, but Camp Mystic is a white-only girls’ Christian camp,” lied Perkins. “They don’t even have a token Asian. They don’t have a token black person. It’s an all-white, white-only conservative Christian camp.”

“If you ain’t white, you ain’t right, you ain’t getting in, you ain’t going. Period,” added the Democrat appointee.

RELATED: Horror and heroism in Texas as search for flood survivors continues

Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

“I think that context needs to be said,” continued Perkins. “If this were a group of Hispanic girls out there, this would not be getting this type of coverage that they’re getting. No one would give a f**k, 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.'”

Perkins made explicit her accusation of racism against the victims’ bereaved parents, claiming they sought to carve out “an all-white, whites-only enclave for [their] white children.”

The Democrat appointee noted further that before expressing sympathy for the families or heading out to help find the missing girls, would-be rescuers should keep in mind that the victims’ families are supposedly “deporting your family members” and “setting up concentration camps and prisons for your family members.”

‘May they get what they voted for.’

Camp Mystic indicated on its website that 27 campers and counselors died in the floods.

Among the little girls who perished at the camp were 8-year-old Renee Smajstrla, 9-year-old Janie Hunt, 9-year-old Lila James Bonner, and 8-year-old Anna Margaret Bellows.

Shawn Salta, Smajstrla’s uncle, said in a statement after the girl’s body was recovered, “We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic. Please continue to pray for the other families in Kerrville.”

Bonner’s family told People magazine, “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”

Houston Democrat Mayor John Whitmire’s office said in a statement regarding Perkins’ comments, “Mayor John Whitmire will not reappoint her and is taking immediate steps to remove her permanently from the board.”

Despite losing out on the municipal gig and facing widespread public condemnation, Perkins still appeared to find the situation amusing, characterizing her critics as white supremacists, emphasizing her exhaustion “with white folks,” and blaming President Donald Trump and other Republicans for the floods.

Whereas Perkins’ attack on Trump largely appeared to be an afterthought tagged onto one of her anti-white diatribes, the vile remarks from Christina Propst — the New York City-born pediatrician who until this past weekend worked at Blue Fish Pediatrics in Houston — appeared to have been primarily animated by a hatred for Trump’s supporters.

RELATED: Why leftism attracts the sad and depressed — and keeps them that way

Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

A screenshot of a post on Propst’s alleged old Facebook account went viral over the weekend with the help of amplification on X by Libs of Tiktok, whose retweet had over 3.8 million impressions at the time of publication.

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

It didn’t take long for Propst to reap the whirlwind over her alleged post.

On Saturday, Blue Fish Pediatrics issued a statement clarifying that Propst’s remarks “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.”

Evidently recognizing that a platitude-heavy post and condemnation of the remarks wasn’t enough, Blue Fish Pediatrics announced on its website on Sunday that Propst had been canned.

It appears Propst might ultimately lose more than her gig at Blue Fish Pediatrics.

Sherif Zaafran, president of the Texas Medical Board, indicated on X that he had been made aware of Propst’s remarks and that “any complaints we may receive will be thoroughly investigated.”

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​Sade perkins, Houston, Texas, Texas flood, Texas floods, Camp mystic, Christina propst, Racism, Donald trump, Trump, Democrat, Maga, Politics, Little girls 

Tom Homan has a message for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani: He cannot stop the deportations.

Homan, who is in charge of immigration enforcement and removal operations, has brought the hammer down on illegal immigrant hot spots across the country. The socialist Mamdani pledged to put that to a stop if he were elected mayor of New York City in November.

‘We’re going double down, triple down on the sanctuary cities.’

Mamdani said in a public statement that he would “refuse” to let federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement “terrorize” New York City, after previously stating that he would also “stop masked ICE agents from deporting our neighbors.”

On Monday, Homan responded to the idea that Mamdani would refuse to cooperate with ICE. A reporter asked Homan outside the White house if there was a plan to “work around” Mamdani’s plan to not work with ICE agents in the city. It was at that point that Homan informed the Democrat of the harsh reality.

“Good luck on that. We’re gonna be in New York City,” Homan replied. “We’re going double down, triple down on the sanctuary cities. Why? Not because they’re blue city or blue state, because we know that’s where the problem is.”

Border czar Homan then claimed sanctuary city mayors have knowingly released threats to public safety into their streets, in apparent acts of defiance against the federal government.

RELATED: Mamdani’s Marxist agenda EXPOSED — will this SINK his campaign?

— (@)

“We know they’re releasing public safety threats and national security threats to the streets every day because they don’t honor our detainers. We know that,” Homan explained.

The Trump appointee admitted that the same problem has not persisted in states like Florida, where ICE receives full cooperation from the state. Therefore, Homan said he would continue to send “assets” where the problem is: “sanctuary cities.”

“We’ll flood the zone of sanctuary cities,” Homan continued. “If they don’t let us arrest the bad guy in the county jail, they’re gonna arrest them in the community, we’re gonna arrest them at a worksite. So we’re gonna increase community operation. We’re gonna increase worksite enforcement operation. We’re gonna get the bad guys.”

The latter sentiment has been a point of contention among the Trump administration and the president’s supporters, despite the administration performing raids at manufacturers and food packagers across the country.

A Department of Homeland Security memo told agents in June to put raids on farming, hospitality, and restaurant industry locations on hold, but the White House quickly ended the directive and reversed the policy just days later.

On Thursday however, Trump told supporters in Des Moines, Iowa, that “radical right people” would be unhappy to hear that he is working on legislation to protect presumably illegal farm and hospitality workers who get “viciously” thrown out of the country.

RELATED: ‘Doing her best’: ICE agents mass-arrest illegal employees at ‘family-owned’ manufacturer in North Carolina

— (@)

Nevertheless, Homan reiterated on Monday that even though ICE has aimed for 3,000 detainees per day, the goal is even higher than that.

“Do the math. We’ve got to arrest 7,000 illegal aliens every single day for the remainder of this administration just to catch the ones Biden released into this nation,” Homan told reporters.

According to Customs and Border Patrol data, more than 8.7 million illegal aliens were encountered in the United States between 2022 and 2024 under President Biden.

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​News, Border patrol, Ice, Homeland security, New york city, Nyc, Zohran mamdani, Tom homan, Deportations, Politics 

In a massive win for the Trump administration — as well as women’s rights — the University of Pennsylvania has modified a trio of school records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas as part of a resolution of a federal civil rights case.

Even better, the university will announce that it “will not allow males to compete in female athletic programs” and must adopt “biology-based” definitions of male and female.

UPenn will also send a personalized letter of apology to each impacted swimmer, like Riley Gaines.

“There’s going to be a lot of people that are going to be eating their words on that, which is absolutely fantastic,” BlazeTV contributor Matthew Marsden tells BlazeTV contributor Eric July and BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales on “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered.”

“But, I’ve got to say this, like where are we that we are looking at this as a win, that now we’re saying that a man cannot swim in women’s races? I mean, it is, don’t get me wrong. I’m loving it. I’m loving the fact that Trump has done it,” he continues.

“I mean, some of the conversations that I’ve been having over the last four years, I’m like, ‘Wow, I wouldn’t even have thought we would have had those conversations ever.’ Like even the whole transitioning of children,” July responds, adding, “but for some reason, there’s doctors that are out there still operating, by the way, and performing these surgeries on minors.”

“That is where the world has gone. It is screwed up. Nothing makes sense,” he continues. “It’s more like a course correction.”

Want more from Sara Gonzales?

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New leaked documents from former President Joe Biden’s campaign reveal the true extent of political malpractice that took place behind closed doors in response to his rapid mental decline.

The bombshell memo shows Biden’s closest advisers pressuring the aging president to hold an early summer debate with then-candidate Donald Trump last year “before many Americans would already be voting,” which some have described as “the worst political advice” that could have been offered. The memo also encouraged an early debate so that Biden could “set the terms of debate to best work for [him]” and reach the “widest audience possible.”

This memo is the latest development from the overarching narrative surrounding Biden’s mental decline.

The memo also capitalizes and bolds every reference made to Biden, presumably to avoid any confusion for the reader. The document was circulated just 73 days before Biden’s now-infamous performance on June 27, 2024.

“By holding the first debate in the spring, YOU will be able to reach the widest audience possible before we are deep in the summer months with the conventions, Olympics, and family vacations taking precedence,” the memo reads.

“In addition, the earlier YOU are able to debate the better, so that the American people can see YOU standing next to Trump and showing the strength of YOUR leadership, compared to Trump’s weakness and chaos.”

As Byron York put it, this memo contained “the worst political advice in the history of the world.”

Democrats, however, are largely silent about the memo, as they have been about Biden’s health for the entirety of his presidency and campaign.

RELATED: A look at the next Biden insiders to testify to Congress about ‘historic scandal’

Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Although the memo shows officials initially encouraging Biden to participate in two debates, the former president withdrew from the campaign and nominated Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him before he was able to face off with Trump in a second debate.

This memo is the latest development in the broader inside story of Biden’s mental decline. Although it was obvious to critics and onlookers that the former president had been rapidly aging, Biden’s allies in politics and the media repeatedly defended his overall health.

RELATED: Oversight Project over target: Dems seethe as facade of autopen presidency comes crashing down

Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The mainstream narrative quickly shifted when pundits and politicos admitted that they were wrong to defend Biden’s performance. This document is just the latest addition to the mounting evidence of political malpractice that took place during Biden’s presidency and campaign. The leaked memo is set to be published in the upcoming book “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,” written by reporters Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf.

The book also details that multiple aides in the White House weren’t at all in favor of any debate between Biden and Trump, and it’s clear why. As Politico noted, Biden simply “melted down” during his debate performance, with “his basic faculties failing him” and with “his re-election hopes essentially torched inside 15 minutes.”

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​Joe biden, Donald trump, Biden administration, Biden decline, Democrats, Kamala harris, Biden debate, Coverup, Original sin, Alex thompson, Jake tapper, White house, Biden’s mental health, Biden mental fitness, Disastrous debate, Politics 

Many of us just celebrated Independence Day, that most American of holidays, with fireworks, parades, picnics, and backyard cookouts.

Although patriotism is apparently declining in the U.S., even the haters likely enjoyed their hot dogs and day off from work. (See this thoughtful piece about why there’s still much to celebrate despite the downturn in patriotism.)

There’s also the limited-edition “President Donald J. Trump Signature Edition” Bible, which will run you a cool $1,000.

As we take down our stars-and-stripes decor, it seems a good time to review how patriotism and Christianity should not be conflated — and how when that happens, it harms the cause of Christ.

Here are a few examples of that confusion.

Recasting worship service as ‘Freedom Sunday’

In my general neck of the woods, we have a big church that goes all out for July Fourth, so much that celebrating America takes over the entire worship service the week before.

Dr. Robert Jeffress and First Baptist Dallas are no doubt very patriotic, and “Freedom Sunday” looks like a heck of a show, but this isn’t what church is about.

I believe this church — and others that do a “Freedom Sunday” — usually preach Christ, but why take the focus off Him for even one Sunday? It’s glorifying America; is it glorifying God?

Let’s say I’m visiting Canada and I’ve found what I believe to be a solid church that I can attend while visiting. But the Sunday I’m there is right before Canada Day, and instead of worship focused on God, Canadian Mounties ride their horses through the building as the choir sings “O Canada” and sprays everyone with red and white paper maple leaves. It’s glorifying Canada; is it glorifying God?

(Hint: The answer is no, both times.)

Promoting ‘Christian nationalism’

Since every secular media outlet now labels all Christians in America Christian nationalists, we need to understand what real Christian nationalists are after.

Misunderstanding the Great Commission, they seek to impose a Christian government, from the top down — in effect “Christianizing” America. Here’s a brief clip from Christian nationalist Joel Webbon’s podcast, in which he and his co-hosts discuss how great it would be for the government to forcibly redistribute property from bad churches to “good” churches.

Note their glee at the thought of Big Brother sending soldiers into the street to raid churches.

And lest you be tempted to think any part of that is a good idea, consider that a proudly self-identifying Christian nationalist recently told me I’m going straight to hell because I appreciate John MacArthur’s teaching. So apparently his church would also be forcibly raided, along with most others, since (thankfully) there are not a lot of churches on board with this nonsense.

RELATED: 9 reasons we (still) love America — and you should too

GraphicaArtis/Getty Images

Critiquing the whole movement is beyond our scope today; it’s enough for now to point out the obvious upside-down thinking that leads these men to think Christianity in any way benefits from forcing it on a population. This is the opposite of how we are to approach our neighbors, and this wrongheaded movement is now actively driving people away from Christianity. It’s utterly antithetical to the faith.

Say it with me, louder for the ones in back: This is not what followers of Jesus are here to do.

Wrapping the Bible in Stars and Stripes

Other bad ideas are less Stalin-esque but equally damaging to the faith, and here’s an especially egregious example. Meet the “God Bless the USA Bible.”

For just $99.99, you can have your very own “Patriot Edition” of the King James Version Bible, its cover “custom embossed” with the statement: “We are one people united by a common destiny and a shared purpose to love one another and the United States of America,” followed by “God Bless the USA” and an image of a billowing American flag.

This is a Bible, but it’s not for everyone, is it? It’s for Americans who love the U.S.

Hey, I’m an American who loves the U.S., but this Bible is a bad idea. Why would we ever tamper with the word of God this way?

And speaking of tampering, according to the product description, this Bible also includes:

a handwritten chorus to “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood;the U.S. Constitution;the Bill of Rights;the Declaration of Independence; andthe Pledge of Allegiance.

With the exception of Greenwood’s contribution, these are all important, worthy documents.

But they don’t belong in the Bible. Putting them there implies that they are somehow equivalent with the word of God. That’s not just wrong; it’s heretical.

But wait — there’s more!

Other editions on offer include the “Presidential Edition,” the “First Lady Edition,” and the “Vice Presidential Edition,” each embossed with the respective office’s seal.

I think these folks are a great improvement over the last administration, but are any of them actually Bible-believing Christians? What are they doing on the cover of a Bible?

There’s also the limited edition “President Donald J. Trump Signature Edition,” which will run you a cool $1,000.

Someone is making bank.

Did it just get a little “den of thieves-ish” in here? Might be time for some table-flippin’ again.

Interpreting scripture as being about America

I’ve no intention of buying one of those Bibles to find out, but I suspect they might feature the kind of biblical-patriotic imagery that litters our social media feeds in the days leading up to July 4.

For example, a picture of an American flag overlaid with the passage from 2 Chronicles 7:14: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

The Christian nationalist guys like this verse, I’m sure, but “my people” here refers to Israel. This is not a promise for America or any other nation.

So it is with another popular meme, which puts Psalm 33:12 over Old Glory: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.”

Nope, Israel again. The psalmist was talking about Israel.

The Christian nationalists think they can create a theocracy where this would apply, but they can’t because that is not what God has ordained for us. We can only win people to Jesus, loving them one at a time.

Then there’s the image of a stern bald eagle (posing in front of the Stars and Stripes) glowering at us to do our duty as citizens and ponder the accompanying verse from Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Do not submit to sin. The slavery referred to here is to sin. Hardly the message the eagle with an attitude is giving off, though. And our freedom in Christ has literally nothing to do with our freedom as American citizens.

Ditto for another meme that splashes Galatians 5:13-14 across an American flag: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”

Ditto. You were called to be free — from sin. See above. I love this particular passage so much, and I hate to see it “USA-ized.”

Almost 10 years ago, writer Michelle Lesley wrote about this conflation of American imagery with Bible verses, and I can’t sum it up any better:

It is good to thank God for the blessing of liberty. It is right to be patriotic and celebrate our nation’s founding. It is evangelistic to use Independence Day as a springboard for explaining to people how they can find real freedom in Christ. And with that freedom — our freedom in Christ and our freedom as American citizens — comes great responsibility. Namely, the responsibility not to throw all of those things into the Cuisinart at once and turn them into an Americhristian smoothie with red, white, and blue sprinkles.

Yes, let’s skip that smoothie. While we should be thankful for our blessings as American citizens — which, let’s face it, are always under threat — we should be even more thankful for true freedom, which is forever and found only in Christ.

And let’s not diminish Him or His word by conflating the two.

​Abide, Christian nationalism, Christianity, July 4, Memes, Bibles, Donald trump, Faith 

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) joined “The Glenn Beck Program” on Monday morning to provide an update on the devastating flash flood that killed at least 82 people, including 28 children, in Kerr County.

Roy highlighted the community’s heroism and torched the legacy media for sharing baseless falsehoods about the government’s response in the wake of the natural disaster.

‘This is just the kind of hateful rhetoric that comes out of people that want to politicize everything, demean everything.’

The congressman noted that he typically spends each Fourth of July with his family in Kerrville to attend a concert, but he spent it in Washington, D.C., this year after President Donald Trump’s team requested he stay for the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“I’ve spent most of the last three days [in Kerrville],” Roy told Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck. “There’s long waiting lines for people to volunteer.”

He called the community’s support “a great testimony to the strength, resolve, [and] compassion of not just people at Kerrville but across Texas and the whole country.”

RELATED: Horror and heroism in Texas as search for flood survivors continues

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Roy blasted legacy media for “politicizing” the tragedy and spreading false information to criticize the Trump administration.

“The finger-pointing, generally, is just offensive,” he told Beck. “We’re down on the ground with first responders, trying to find people, and we’re trying to clean up debris, and we’re trying to help a community heal.”

He shared stories of “tremendous acts of heroism,” including Jane Ragsdale, a longtime camp director, and Dick Eastland, a Christian summer camp owner, who both died while trying to save children from the flash flood.

“You got a camp director, who died trying to save little girls, and I’m there with his daughter, who is now there with the families of the people who lost their little girls at this camp, and she was there because she loves them. Do you know how hard that was?” Roy stated. “And then you got these people like [CNN’s] Dana [Bash], who were out there making this conjecture about budget cuts or the Trump administration didn’t have people there, which, first of all, is false. It’s just not true.”

“My observation of all this is, the president, the federal government was doing what they normally do and more,” he said.

Roy further slammed the media for “tracking down the family members” and publishing photographs of the children from families’ social media posts.

RELATED: ‘Incomprehensible tragedy’: Dozens dead, 27 girls from Christian camp missing amid deadly Texas floods (UPDATE)

Photo by Eric Vryn/Getty Images

He also addressed comments from Sade Perkins, a former member of the Houston Food Insecurity Board, who claimed that Camp Mystic was a “white-only, conservative [and] Christian” program.

Roy called Perkins’ claims “totally false” and “absolutely ridiculous,” adding that the camp “welcomes anybody and everybody.”

He told Beck, “This is just the kind of hateful rhetoric that comes out of people that want to politicize everything, demean everything. Everything has to be woke, everything has to be this [diversity, equity, and inclusion] ideology that’s destroying our country.”

“The fact is, these are really, really good people who are dedicated to the mission of advancing the Kingdom of Christ and doing so with these historic camps that have been multigenerational along a great and beautiful part of the rivers in Texas,” Roy added.

Roy emphasized his commitment to working with local, state, and federal officials to prevent future “extraordinary” tragedies, stressing that installing warning sirens may be an urgent first step.

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​News, Glenn beck, Chip roy, Texas, Kerr county, Kerrville, Texas flood, Flood, Cnn, Legacy media, Corporate media, Mainstream media, Msm, Natural disaster, Trump administration, Trump admin, Donald trump, Trump, One big beautiful bill, Bbb, Big beautiful bill, Politics 

The Ultimate Fighting Championship and the Trump administration have reportedly come to terms on a monumental agreement, a first of its kind.

President Trump made the announcement from behind the presidential bulletproof glass in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, while speaking about America’s national parks. He had just announced an executive order that calls for the lowering of costs at national parks for American visitors while increasing fees for foreign tourists.

However, the president told his Iowa supporters that he had much bigger plans for perhaps the country’s most historic site: the White House.

‘This is what the Roman Senate would do …’

With a “USA” hat on, the president announced that “every one of our national parks, battlefields, and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250,” the country’s birthday in 2026.

Trump then shocked the audience when he revealed, “I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight.”

“We’re going to have a UFC fight,” Trump continued. “Think of this, on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”

With supporters behind him laughing, unsure whether or not to take the announcement seriously, the president announced a full-fledged “championship fight” with more than 25,000 attendees on White House grounds.

“We’re going to do that as part of 250 also. We’re going to have some incredible events, some professional events, some amateur events, but the UFC fight’s going to be a big deal,” Trump announced.

Following the president’s remarks, UFC greats wasted no time throwing their hats in the ring to be included in the historic event.

RELATED: Joe Rogan targeted by Liver King in wild videos with gold guns, wolf pelts, and enemas; Netflix raw meat influencer arrested

“Happy 4th of July, USA,” former UFC champion Conor McGregor wrote on X. “Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House. I would be honoured! Count me in!”

McGregor has not fought since 2021, and there has been focus on legal troubles and potential political runs in his home country of Ireland. McGregor still consistently teases a comeback, though, an endeavor that would require a significant amount of lead-up time to re-enter the drug testing pool.

Recent heavyweight champion Jon Jones is a more likely candidate, however. The on-again, off-again fighter perked up on the Fourth of July to write on his X page, “Fighting at the White House?” followed by some mischievous eyes.

Jones has fought just twice in the last two years and was recently thought to have retired, conceding his belt. As is typical of Jones, though, he claimed just 20 minutes after his post that he had re-entered the drug testing pool just to “keep everyone’s options open.”

RELATED: UFC fighter Miesha Tate rejects transgender athletes being in women’s sports ‘in any form’

— (@)

Fans had their own concerns in reaction to the news. One replied to the announcement on X that the “security risk” for an event at the White House meant it “surely it doesn’t go through.”

While some thought the event might be “one for the history books,” others decided such a display indicates a failing empire.

“This is what the Roman Senate would do to distract the plebs from revolting against unfair taxation,” an X user said in reaction to ESPN’s report.

NBC News confirmed through a UFC spokesperson last week that the event is indeed in the works, and the president implied that an official UFC Octagon and setup will be built at the White House.

“We’re going to build a little. … We’re not; Dana’s going to do it,” Trump joked about UFC President Dana White.

Historically speaking, this would not technically be the first sporting event to take place on White House grounds, a fact that comes with a huge asterisk. The Tee Ball on the South Lawn games under President George W. Bush predate any possible UFC card, although both events are likely to have served burgers and hot dogs.

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​Fearless, Ufc, Trump, White house, Mixed martial arts, Dana white, Sports 

A 14-year-old boy was walking near a bus stop in Chicago one afternoon last month when four males approached him, CWB Chicago reported, citing authorities.

One of the males asked for his sweater, authorities said, according to the outlet. But when the boy ignored them and kept walking, the same male allegedly picked him up — after which the boy punched the male in defense, CWB Chicago reported, citing authorities.

The outlet said that about five minutes after the robbery, the boy and his mother went to the house where two of the suspects had been seen entering.

With that, a second male allegedly rifled through the boy’s pockets and stole his iPhone, Nike gym shoes, and hoodie, the outlet said, adding that the Chicago Police Department report said the items are worth between $1,200 and $1,450.

RELATED: Thug carjacks a grandmother as her 6-year-old grandson looks on. But crook soon gets his comeuppance.

Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Authorities said the teen ran barefoot to his grandmother’s home nearby, and police were notified shortly afterward, the outlet said, citing the arrest report.

More from CWB Chicago:

Part of the attack was caught on video, prosecutors said in a detention proffer. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the boy fleeing the scene without his shoes and entering his grandmother’s house. It also captured two of the suspected offenders running into a building in the 3600 block of West Grenshaw Street, while the other two fled down an alley.

The victim told his mother he recognized one of the robbers by a tattoo above his left eyebrow and said he remembered seeing the man at a facility where his mother works. She identified that person as Dnario Brown, according to police.

The outlet said that about five minutes after the robbery, the boy and his mother went to the house where two of the suspects had been seen entering.

CWB Chicago reported that the teen got back his iPhone and hoodie at this location. The outlet, citing the detention proffer, added that Brown was “beaten up by members of [the boy’s] family” at this location as well.

Police from the city of Burbank — which is located near the southwest side of Chicago — responded to the scene and detained Brown until Chicago police arrived, the outlet noted, citing the arrest report.

RELATED: ‘I’ll blow your head off’: Carjacking victim threatened crook after turning the tables on him. Now carjacker learns his fate.

Lloyd Fox/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Brown, 18, was charged with robbery in connection with the June 16 incident, CWB Chicago reported.

Judge Ankur Srivastava during a bond hearing ordered Brown held in custody pending trial, the outlet said. Brown had been arrested four prior times in connection with violent crimes and already was facing charges in an unrelated pending case at the time of the robbery, CWB Chicago reported, citing the judge’s detention order.

According to Cook County Jail information, Brown’s next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, and no bond amount is listed.

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​Fighting back, Arrest, Chicago, Robbery, Physical attack, Family stands up for member, Teen boy victim, Payback, Jailed, Crime 

President Donald Trump and billionaire inventor Elon Musk had a major falling out last month after the tech magnate publicly campaigned against Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination.”

The world’s most powerful man and the world’s richest man subsequently traded barbs online — Trump threatening to terminate Musk’s governmental subsidies and contracts and Musk both threatening to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and suggesting that “the real reason” the Epstein files had not been made public was because Trump was somehow implicated in them.

There were, however, some signs of a possible reconciliation.

Trump, for instance, said of Musk during a June 9 press conference, “We had a great relationship and I wish him well — very well, actually.” Musk, expressed regret over some of his more incendiary posts aimed at the president, deleted them, and stated, “They went too far.”

Musk has since crossed the Rubicon, kicking off an anti-MAGA campaign and announcing the formation of a new political party he says “is needed to fight the Republican/Democrat Uniparty.”

‘The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS.’

The announcement was poorly received by many inside the MAGA coalition. Trump was especially critical of Musk’s announcement, noting Sunday evening on Truth Social, “I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks.”

RELATED: The political future of Elon Musk

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

“He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States — The System seems not designed for them,” continued Trump. “The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS, and we have enough of that with the Radical Left Democrats, who have lost their confidence and their minds!”

As Trump indicated, third parties — such as the Libertarian or Green parties, failed Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s Forward Party, and even President Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Party — have long proven unable to make a meaningful splash. It certainly does not help Musk that 57% of voters already have an unfavorable opinion of him, according to a national Quinnipiac University poll released last month.

In addition to suggesting that Musk’s animus was fueled by the BBB’s elimination of “the ridiculous Electric Vehicle Mandate, which would have forced everyone to buy an Electric Car in a short period of time,” Trump indicated that Musk was angry that he pulled his nomination for Jared Isaacman to run NASA.

“I was surprised to learn that he was a blue blooded Democrat, who had never contributed to a Republican before,” wrote Trump. “Elon probably was, also. I also thought it inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the Space Business, run NASA, when NASA is such a big part of Elon’s corporate life.”

It appears that Musk, who spent more than $270 million last year in hopes of getting Trump elected and lost key tax credits for Tesla as a result of the BBB, has long entertained the idea of forming another party.

While recognizing that it was “not realistic,” he suggested in May 2022 that “a party more moderate on all issues than either Reps or Dems would be ideal.”

It’s clear the billionaire began taking the idea more seriously in recent weeks.

On June 5, he asked his global audience on X, “Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?” Of the over 5.6 million people worldwide who responded, 80.4% said, “Yes.”

On Independence Day, Musk ran a similar poll, this time asking his followers in and outside of America whether he should create the America Party and promising to do so the day after Trump signed his administration’s signature legislative achievement. Over 1.24 million users cast votes, with 65.4% saying, “Yes.”

Musk’s plan for 2026, he said, is to “laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts. Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people.”

RELATED: ‘There’s nowhere to go’: Will Elon Musk stop the AI Antichrist — or become it?

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Tesla investors appear unsettled by Musk’s grand strategy. Shares in the company fell nearly 8% in pre-market trading.

“Musk diving deeper into politics and now trying to take on the Beltway establishment is exactly the opposite direction that most Tesla investors want him to take during this crucial period for Tesla,” Dan Ives, analyst at Wedbush Securities, wrote. The moves, he added, are “just causing exhaustion from many investors.”

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​Maga, Donald trump, Elon musk, America party, Republican party, Republican, Tesla, Politics 

Could the rules behind your car’s fuel economy be hiding a big secret?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says Biden-era fuel economy standards were illegal, and he’s rolling them back. This move could lower car prices and give you more options. But what does it mean for your wallet and your drive?

Biden’s rules, Duffy argues, assumed massive EV growth, inflating fleet efficiency targets and effectively mandating more EVs.

The Trump administration is shaking up the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which set miles-per-gallon targets for automakers.

In June 2025, Duffy announced that Biden’s rules requiring an average of 50 mpg for light-duty vehicles by 2031 were illegal. Those standards, finalized in 2024, demanded 2% annual efficiency gains for cars starting in 2027 and light trucks in 2029, banking on a surge in electric vehicle sales.

Duffy’s new interpretive rule, “Resetting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program,” doesn’t change standards yet but empowers the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to revise them soon. It argues that Biden’s team violated federal law by factoring EVs into CAFE calculations, something banned under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Adding fuel to the fire, Senate Republicans proposed scrapping fines for automakers missing CAFE targets with gas-powered vehicles, part of a June 2025 tax bill. These moves aim to ease burdens on carmakers and shift away from EV-heavy policies, but they’re sparking fierce arguments about cost, choice, and environmental impact.

Why ‘illegal’?

At the heart of Duffy’s claim is how Biden’s CAFE standards were set. Federal law requires NHTSA to establish “maximum feasible” mpg goals for gas-powered vehicles, weighing technology, cost, and energy savings. But it explicitly prohibits counting EVs — classified as “dedicated alternative fuel vehicles” — in these calculations.

Biden’s rules, Duffy argues, assumed massive EV growth, inflating fleet efficiency targets and effectively mandating more EVs. This raised costs for automakers, who had to invest heavily in electric models or face hefty fines.

Supported by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Duffy says this approach broke statutory limits, making the standards unlawful. Major automakers like GM, Ford, and Stellantis agree, arguing that Biden’s targets were unrealistic and forced them to prioritize EVs over popular gas-powered SUVs and trucks. The Trump administration claims resetting CAFE will cut manufacturing costs, make cars more affordable, and let you choose what you drive, whether it’s gas, hybrid, or electric.

Inside Biden’s ambitious plan

To grasp the rollback, consider what Biden’s rules demanded.

Set in June 2024, they aimed for 50.4 mpg for light-duty vehicles by 2031, saving 64 billion gallons of gas and cutting 659 million metric tons of emissions by 2050. Heavy-duty pickups and vans faced tougher goals, with 10% yearly efficiency jumps from 2030 to 2032. These standards were part of a push to halve vehicle emissions by 2032, with EVs expected to dominate new car sales.

Biden’s team argued the rules would save drivers about $600 per vehicle in fuel costs over its lifetime, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and fight climate change. Environmental groups like the Environmental Defense Fund cheered, citing cleaner air and energy security.

But automakers weren’t convinced, citing sky-high compliance costs and a market where EVs, despite heavy investment, remain pricier and less popular than gas vehicles. A credit-trading system let EV makers like Tesla sell excess credits to others, earning billions but adding costs for traditional carmakers, who called it unfair. Duffy’s rule challenges this system, aiming for a fairer market.

How this affects you

This isn’t just a policy debate — it impacts your next car purchase.

Duffy says scrapping Biden’s rules will lower production costs, letting automakers offer cheaper vehicles, especially affordable models for families and small businesses. High CAFE standards drove up prices by requiring costly tech like turbochargers or hybrids. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation suggests this could revive entry-level cars. However, less efficient vehicles could mean bigger fuel bills, potentially wiping out savings.

The rollback could also expand your choices. Strict standards pushed carmakers toward EVs, sidelining gas-powered SUVs and trucks that lead U.S. sales. Looser rules might bring more variety, including heavier, safer designs, as data shows these fare better in crashes. But environmentalists like Katherine Garcia of the Sierra Club warn this could limit clean vehicle options, frustrating eco-conscious buyers. Older, less efficient cars — more common if prices drop — may also pose safety risks, creating a complex trade-off.

Biden’s rules promised major cuts in emissions, but in some cases they could actually stall progress. In coal-heavy regions like the Midwest, EVs aren’t always cleaner than efficient gas vehicles. Curious? The EPA’s Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator shows how your local grid affects EV emissions — it’s worth a look.

Policy meets politics

This fight goes beyond mpg — it’s a battle of priorities. Biden used CAFE to speed up EV adoption, tying it to climate goals and the Inflation Reduction Act’s EV subsidies. Trump, backed by automakers and oil interests, sees it as government overreach. His January 2025 executive orders “Unleashing American Energy” and “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions” directed agencies to ditch EV mandates and boost fossil fuels.

The timing adds intrigue. Duffy’s rule landed amid a public clash between Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, with Trump suggesting that Musk opposed a budget bill cutting EV tax credits. Musk pushed back, but it highlights tensions as EV policies unravel. The EPA, now led by Lee Zeldin, is also rethinking emissions rules and California’s 2035 gas car ban, signaling a wider retreat from green policies.

Environmentalists are alarmed. Garcia warns that weaker standards will raise fuel costs, increase pollution, and harm health. Automakers, however, see relief after struggling with EV investments and sluggish sales. Stellantis, for instance, delayed its electric Ram pickup and doubled down on gas models post-election, reflecting the industry’s shift.

What’s next?

Duffy’s rule is a starting point. NHTSA will soon propose new standards, likely easing mpg targets and excluding EVs. Senate plans to eliminate fines could further relax enforcement, giving carmakers room to breathe. But legal battles are brewing — environmental groups may sue, arguing that NHTSA must set “maximum feasible” standards. California’s tougher rules could also trigger a federal-state clash.

For now, the rollback aligns with Trump’s promise of affordability and choice. Whether it delivers cheaper cars or dirtier air depends on NHTSA’s next steps and consumer response. Fuel economy standards, born during the 1970s oil crisis, remain a flashpoint for energy, economics, and the environment.

Why you should care

This story hits your driveway, your budget, and the world you live in. Biden’s CAFE rules aimed high but, per Duffy, broke the law by banking on EVs. The Trump rollback could make cars cheaper and give you more options, but it risks higher fuel costs and emissions.

Stay tuned for NHTSA’s next moves and tell policymakers what matters to you. Whether you love gas, lean electric, or ride hybrid, you deserve rules that balance cost, choice, and a cleaner future.

​Fuel efficiency standards, Sean duffy, Joe biden, Evs, Ev mandate, Auto industry, Lifestyle, Align cars 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that his government would rescind the Digital Services Tax. Yes, Carney caved.

Canadians should be relieved.

Within 48 hours, the PM was on the mat, again acquiescing to Trump even after his finance minister had categorically rejected abandoning the tax.

The Liberal government enjoys inventing new ways to tax both Canadians and anyone doing business in Canada. Canada is the home of the Goods and Services Tax and the Harmonized Sales Tax.

Now it was about to have a DST.

Punitive taxation

Of course, taxation for globalists like Carney has nothing to do with raising money. He can always print more money. Taxation has become punitive — either punishing the poor hapless citizens with an ever-increasing tax burden or using taxation to prevent Canadians from receiving anything not officially sanctioned by the Liberal government.

In this case, it’s about restricting access to unacceptable news.

On June 30, U.S. tech companies operating in Canada were expected to begin paying the DST — a 3% tax on all their Canadian earnings. And it would have been retroactive to 2022. The cost was estimated to be over $2 billion, but the experts were probably lowballing it.

On June 27, President Donald Trump announced that if the DST was not scrapped, trade talks between Canada and the U.S. would be terminated.

We have a great relationship with the people of Canada, but it’s been very difficult, and they put a charge, and they were a little bit early. We found out about it, and we have all the cards. We have every single one.

… So I said, we’re going to stop all negotiations with Canada right now, until they straighten out their act.

Bluff called

Carney’s reaction was initially another example of his cocky, insouciant attitude, as he pretended there was nothing to worry about.

But within 48 hours, the PM was on the mat, again acquiescing to Trump even after his finance minister had categorically rejected abandoning the tax. Just another example of the president’s unique version of realpolitik.

RELATED: ’51st state’: Trump teases annexation again after Canada quickly caves on major tax

STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The winners in the flip-flop are American tech companies and Canadians who have been given a reprieve from another odious piece of Liberal government censorship legislation.

War on bad thoughts

Under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Canada adopted Bills C-11, the Online Streaming Act, and C-18, the Online News Act, and came very close to passing Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, which would have jailed people for broadcasting “hate speech” and actually contained a thought crimes component that envisioned house arrest for people accused by neighbors of thinking bad thoughts.

Bill C-11 demands that foreign companies produce an acceptable amount of Canadian content on the internet, just as Canada has always demanded similar rules from television, radio, and print media.

Bill C-18 went a step farther and demanded that U.S. social media companies provide an annual stipend to the Canadian government if they post Canadian news content on their platforms. The result has been the death of Canadian news on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram sites because the companies have refused to submit to this extortion.

Storming Fortress Canada

The net effect is to entrench the influence of the mainstream media in Canada, which receives massive subsidies from the federal government; and to weaken independent media, which tends to depend far more on social media exposure.

The DST would have furthered this government control and passive censorship of the internet, because many U.S. companies would probably simply have refused to pay the tax and told the Carney government to move on.

For more than a decade the Liberals have been trying to create some kind of Fortress Canada in which independent and foreign voices have no power to shape the national narrative. It is a dangerous and toxic authoritarian experiment.

Canadians should thank Donald Trump for at least slowing the process down by getting his way on the DST.

​Donald trump, Mark carney, Trade talks, Trade wars, Censorship, Digital services tax, Meta, Instagram, Lifestyle, Justin trudeau, Letter from canada 

The director of the new “Superman” movie has found himself under attack from online critics after he talked about what it feels like to be attacked by online critics.

For director James Gunn, it may feel like he is living in an alternate timeline (much like his superhero movies), but unlike the Avengers, he cannot be snapped into a different reality.

Gunn was doing a press junket interview with popular outlet the Reel Rejects (1.37 million subscribers on YouTube) when he was asked how he deals with online hate. Gunn’s response was seemingly innocuous, but as usual, nothing could prepare him for the offense that was taken.

‘It may not be directly racist, but it does contribute.’

“I do tune out most of social media, but every once in a while someone will say something, it’s always the weirdest stuff,” Gunn told reporter Greg Alba.

The director, touching on how the Superman character is faced with criticism in the new movie, explained that he typically comes to terms with online remarks after thinking about the insignificance of them.

“It’s never what you expect, some weird thing … and then I go, I think I might be getting upset about something a 12-year-old in India is saying, you know what I mean? I’m like, let it go.”

Sadly, the backlash for simply saying “India” was immediate.

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The Financial Express noted immediate calls for a boycott by those reacting to a clip of the exchange on X. Viewers called Gunn’s remarks “casual racism” and labeled him “racist to the core.”

“He could’ve just avoided mentioning the location knowing the fact India already faces so much racism online,” another viewer wrote on X. “These guys very well know what they speak. It may not be directly racist but it does contribute,” the person claimed.

The Reel Rejects published the interview on July 1, with another interview with Gunn and Rachel Brosnahan (who plays Lois Lane) published by the Hindustan Times out of India the very next day.

The dates of the interview are significant because in the latter, Gunn appeared absolutely head-over-heels in love with India.

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“Bollywood films are important to me when I’m telling stories,” Gunn told the Indian outlet. “What those films give to me is that they aren’t afraid of making a movie that has heart, that has drama, but that’s also funny, there’s music, and all of those things are beautiful.”

From there, Gunn continued to shower praise on India and Indians:

“I would love to see an Indian actor be a part of the global superhero universe, but I would also love to have Indian filmmaking collaborators. … Who’s our Indian superhero, and who are the Indian filmmakers that want to be a part of this universe, that’s important to us. We’ve already got things started in Korea, Japan, and Brazil. So it would be great to collaborate with some Indians.”

The 58-year-old went on to say how “grateful” he is for Indian fans and that he thought about how much Superman means to the people of India while he was making the movie.

While it is difficult to tell the original recording date of each interview, Gunn’s worldwide press tour started on June 19, which indicates both were likely filmed in late June.

However, the only two stops in June were in Manila and Rio de Janeiro, nowhere in India.

Movie critic and “Hollywood in Toto” podcast host Christian Toto told Blaze News that he thinks Gunn will “pander to any and every group (except conservatives) to ensure” the success of his latest film.

“[Gunn] famously got canceled for inappropriate jokes prior to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 3.’ Now, he needs his ‘Superman’ to be an unmitigated success.”

Toto added, “He doesn’t realize it’s 2025, and this kind of hostage-style apology no longer goes over like it used to.”

The film critic was referring to Gunn getting dropped as the director for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” series in 2018, after old social media posts of his resurfaced that showed him making jokes that were deemed inappropriate by the powers that be. The jokes reportedly were about “pedophilia and rape.”

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Former Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York went on a fiery rant on CNN, blaming everything from obesity to heart disease in the black community on Republican colleagues and getting “called the N-word.”

“The problem is we are not dealing with America’s original sin and its disease of hate and racism towards black and brown people and sexism towards women and anti-LGBTQ sentiment,” Bowman said.

“We are not dealing with that. Your colleagues in the Republican Party do not hold each other accountable when it comes to the racism that comes from the party on a consistent basis,” he continued. “You can’t be calm about this. I’m a black man in America.”

“The reason why heart disease and cancer and obesity and diabetes are bigger in the black community is because of the stress we carry from having to deal with being called the N-word directly or indirectly every day,” he added.

BlazeTV host Pat Gray of “Pat Gray Unleashed” is shocked.

“So, even obesity in the black community is the fault of white people,” Gray says, astounded.

“They only get called the N-word by black people,” Jeffy argues.

“That’s true,” Gray agrees. “So maybe you might want to deal with that in your community.”

Want more from Pat Gray?

To enjoy more of Pat’s biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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President Trump’s tariffs are set to snap back to the “reciprocal” rates on Wednesday — unless foreign countries can cut deals. So far, the only major players to reach agreements in principle are the United Kingdom and, ironically, China.

Others aren’t so lucky. The European Union, Japan, and India all risk facing a sharp increase in tariffs. Each claims to support free trade. India has even offered a so-called zero-for-zero deal. Vietnam offered similar terms.

Free trade is a myth. Tariffs are reality. The Trump administration should raise them proudly and without apology.

The Trump administration should be skeptical. These deals sound good in theory, but so does communism. In practice, “true” free trade — like true communism — has never existed. It’s impossible. The world’s legal systems, business norms, and levels of development differ too much.

Economists may still chase unicorns. But the Trump administration should focus on tilting the board in our favor — because someone else always will.

Free trade is a mirage

Start with the basics: Different countries are different. Their economies aren’t equal, their wages aren’t comparable, and their regulations certainly aren’t aligned.

Wages may be the most obvious example. In 2024, the median annual income for Americans was around $44,000. In India, the median annual income was just $2,400. That means American labor costs nearly 20 times more. And since labor accounts for roughly a third of all production costs, the math practically begs U.S. companies to offshore work to India.

RELATED: Trump’s tariffs take a flamethrower to the free trade lie

Photo by JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images

It’s China in 2001 all over again.

Back then, the average U.S. wage was about $30,000. China’s? Just $1,100. When China joined the World Trade Organization, American manufacturers fled en masse. Since 2001, more than 60,000 factories have disappeared — and with them, 5 million jobs.

The result: decimated towns, stagnant wages, and hollowed-out industrial capacity. And don’t blame robots or automation. This was policy-driven — an elite obsession with free trade that delivered real pain to working Americans.

We’ve run trade deficits every single year since 1974. The inflation-adjusted total? Roughly $25 trillion. And while U.S. workers produce more value than ever, their wages haven’t kept up. They’ve been undercut by cheap foreign labor for decades.

Equal partners? Think again

What if the other country is rich? Can free trade work between economic peers?

Not necessarily. Even when GDP levels match, hidden differences remain. Take regulation. America enforces labor standards, environmental protections, and workplace safety rules. All of those raise production costs — but for good reason. American-made goods reflect those costs in their price tags.

Meanwhile, competitors like China or Mexico cut corners. They dump waste, abuse workers, and sidestep accountability. The result? Cheaper products — on paper. But those costs don’t vanish. They just get pushed onto others: polluted oceans, exploited laborers, sicker consumers.

This is why the sticker price on a foreign good doesn’t reflect its true cost. The price is a lie. Cheapness is often just corner-cutting with a smile.

National strength means self-reliance

Rather than debating whether free trade is possible, we should ask whether it’s good for America.

Should we outsource core industries to foreign nations with no loyalty to us? Should we depend on countries like China for our pharmaceuticals, our electronics, or even our food?

The founders didn’t think so. The Tariff Act of 1789 wasn’t about boosting exports — it was about building an independent industrial base. A sovereign nation doesn’t beg for favors. It builds.

We aren’t just an economy. We are a people — a nation united by heritage, language, faith, and trust. That matters more than quarterly profits.

Free trade is a myth. Tariffs are reality. The Trump administration should raise them proudly — and make no apologies for putting America first.

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