Democratic candidate for Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is facing scrutiny after text messages from 2022 surfaced in which he allegedly made violent threats against Republican colleagues, including former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
The texts were reported Friday by National Review, which said it obtained the messages from Jones’ former colleague, Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner.
According to the report, Jones sent multiple messages to Coyner in August 2022, months after leaving the Virginia House of Delegates, in which he expressed violent intentions toward Gilbert.
“I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves … [to] send them out awash in something,” Jones wrote, according to National Review.
Jones reportedly went further, writing that if he were faced with Gilbert and two dictators along with a gun containing two bullets, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
In another message, he told Coyner, “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”
Coyner pushed back in the exchange, asking Jones to stop.
“It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them … no matter who they are,” she wrote, according to the outlet.
Jones allegedly responded with “Lol” and “Ok, ok.”
The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations. pic.twitter.com/vvbtcn4vIQ
The texts have become a significant issue in Jones’ campaign against Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares ahead of Virginia’s November general election.
Jones, however, issued a statement to WTVR Richmond, where he did not deny sending the texts but blamed the controversy on what he called “Trump-controlled media.”
“Like all people, I’ve sent text messages that I regret and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Jones said.
He accused Miyares of “dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign.”
According to National Review, after the 2022 text exchange, Jones also called Coyner and reportedly said that Republican officials such as Gilbert should “experience pain” so that it would result in policy changes.
He allegedly suggested that Gilbert’s wife should witness her child die.
Coyner later confirmed the text exchange in a statement to the outlet, saying, “What he said was not just disturbing but disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office.”
Jones’ remarks drew condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.
Former Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger, now the Democratic nominee for Virginia governor, told WJLA that she spoke to Jones after the story surfaced and told him “that he must fully take responsibility for his words.”
BREAKING: Virginia Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger Responds to Bombshell Leaked Messages from AG Nominee Jay Jones
She is “disgusted” and claims she has “made it clear” that she “condemns violent language”.
The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) called on Jones to withdraw from the race.
In a statement posted on X, Executive Director Adam Piper said, “Conservatives are being executed for their beliefs, and text messages like these are part of the problem. Virginia deserves far better.”
Jones’ campaign has already faced controversy over unrelated issues.
In 2022, he served a sentence for reckless driving in Virginia, fulfilling community service hours through his own political action committee.
Miyares criticized the move in a recent post on X, saying Jones attempted to avoid jail time by counting work for his PAC as community service.
“This raises serious, troubling questions about Jay Jones’ judgment, his ability to uphold the law, and, ultimately, his qualifications for Attorney General,” Miyares wrote.
Instead of taking accountability for his actions, it appears that my opponent submitted a letter to the Court stating that he performed 500 hours of ‘community service’ for his own PAC, which isn’t a charitable organization under state code, to dodge potential jail time.
Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed in principle to release all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, including both the living and the dead, and expressed readiness to enter negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
The announcement followed what the group described as “extensive consultations” and came just days after President Donald Trump introduced a detailed peace proposal alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The militant group issued a statement saying it was prepared to immediately begin negotiations with the involvement of mediators to finalize the details of an arrangement.
According to Israeli and international reports, approximately 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 believed to still be alive.
The development comes amid heightened pressure from the United States.
President Trump set a firm deadline of 6 p.m. Sunday for Hamas to accept his peace initiative, warning that “all hell” would break loose if the group refused.
His remarks followed the release of a 20-point peace plan earlier in the week, which Israel formally accepted.
President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict:
1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
3. If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.
4. Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.
5. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
6. Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.
7. Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
8. Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.
9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.
10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.
11. A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.
13. Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.
14. A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.
15. The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.
16. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.
17. In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.
18. An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.
19. While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.
20. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.
Trump and Netanyahu presented the proposal as the most viable path to ending the war that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Israeli forces launched a large-scale ground operation in Gaza in response to that assault, which killed and injured thousands and led to the abduction of hostages into Gaza.
Since then, Israel’s military campaign has targeted remaining Hamas strongholds, with operations continuing even as hostage negotiations moved forward intermittently.
For weeks, international mediators, including officials from Qatar and Egypt, attempted to broker agreements for partial hostage releases, but progress stalled repeatedly.
The announcement from Hamas represents the first time the group has publicly signaled willingness to release all hostages and enter comprehensive negotiations under an American-led framework.
Families of the hostages have urged both governments and international actors to secure their loved ones’ release as quickly as possible, citing deteriorating conditions and uncertainty about their fate.
President Trump has framed the situation as a critical test for Hamas, telling reporters earlier this week that his administration was prepared to escalate consequences if the deadline was ignored.
“All hell will break loose if they don’t agree,” he said, driving home his administration’s position that further delays would not be tolerated.
The conflict, which has stretched nearly a year, has drawn international responses ranging from calls for ceasefire to diplomatic recognition of Palestinian statehood by some European governments.
The announcement from Hamas introduces a possible turning point, though questions remain over whether the group will follow through.
As the deadline approaches, attention remains on whether Hamas will act on its statement and whether the mediated talks will move forward.
For the families of those still in captivity, the possibility of resolution offers a measure of hope, but uncertainty remains as Israel and its allies weigh the next steps in the conflict.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem was denied entry into the Village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois, where she said she and her staff attempted to stop briefly to use the restroom.
The incident drew attention after Noem described being shouted at and physically blocked from entering the taxpayer-funded facility.
According to Noem, the exchange took place when she approached the building and asked, “Can we use your restroom?” A man inside the building responded, “No! You cannot!” before closing the door on her.
“This is what Governor Pritzker calls cooperation,” Noem remarked following the encounter.
She later added, “This is what we have to put up with every single day,” during an interview with podcast host Benny Johnson.
Noem said the situation reflected the type of obstruction federal authorities face regularly, despite their efforts to combat crime.
“All we’re doing is getting criminals and terrorists and heroin and gang members off the streets to make families safer,” she told Johnson.
BREAKING: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was just barred at the doors and screamed at while trying to enter Broadview City Hall.
Sec. Noem says this is the everyday reality for officers in cities led by Democrats like Governor JB Pritzker, facing attacks and harassment just for doing… pic.twitter.com/l3FUGD6NVC
The Village of Broadview, where the incident occurred, receives approximately $1 million annually in federal funding.
Noem stressed that the funding connection made the denial even more troubling.
In a public statement following the event, Noem said, “My team and I were just blocked from accessing the Village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois. We were stopping for a quick bathroom break. This is a public building. The Village of Broadview receives at least $1 million in federal funding every year.”
She added, “This is how JB Pritzker and his cronies treat our law enforcement. Absolutely shameful.”
My team and I were just blocked from accessing the Village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois. We were stopping for a quick bathroom break. This is a public building. The Village of Broadview receives at least $1 million in federal funding every year.
The confrontation highlights an ongoing tension between federal officials and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s administration.
Noem has previously criticized the state’s handling of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and law enforcement support.
The exchange at the Broadview facility added another public clash to that strained relationship.
The Department of Homeland Security under Noem has emphasized efforts to curb illegal activity, including targeting drug trafficking and gang violence.
During her remarks, Noem reiterated that DHS operations are aimed at “making families safer” by removing criminals from communities.
Noem’s comments came as part of broader criticism of Illinois’ approach to federal-state cooperation on law enforcement matters.
The incident in Broadview provided a concrete example for her office to point to, given that the building in question is publicly funded and partially reliant on federal support.
Officials from the Village of Broadview did not immediately provide a statement on the matter.
The refusal, however, has already been circulated widely on social media after Noem shared her account of what took place.
For Noem, the denial of entry into a building supported by federal funds became a symbol of what she describes as daily challenges in carrying out DHS operations.
At present, the Department of Homeland Security has not indicated whether it will pursue any formal complaint regarding the incident, but Noem’s statements suggest the confrontation will continue to factor into her broader criticisms of Illinois leadership.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a public challenge from one of the state’s most famous athletes over his clean energy policies.
Professional golfer Phil Mickelson, a six-time major championship winner and longtime California resident, has called on the governor to participate in a town hall debate about offshore drilling projects, specifically naming Sable Offshore.
Mickelson issued the invitation Wednesday night on social media, posting, “If you would like to have a town hall meeting with me to discuss Sable Offshore I will meet you anytime and anyplace. Let’s discuss this openly so the public knows the facts.”
If you would like to have a town hall meeting with me to discuss Sable Offshore I will meet you anytime and anyplace. Let’s discuss this openly so the public knows the facts. https://t.co/8LB1rgeewz
The unexpected call-out came shortly after Newsom criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for announcing plans to cancel billions in federal subsidies tied to green energy programs.
Bloomberg reported that nearly $8 billion in funding for hydrogen hubs, wind projects, and solar initiatives, including projects in California and the Pacific Northwest, would be halted.
Newsom, who has built a national profile on renewable energy mandates, responded on social media by condemning the cuts.
“In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common-sense be damned,” Newsom wrote.
“We’ll keep chasing an all-of-the-above clean energy strategy to power our future and clean our air — no matter what politicians in DC try to dictate.”
Mickelson quickly pushed back, arguing that the state has overlooked concerns raised by Californians about controversial offshore developments.
He followed up his initial challenge with another post indicating he had attempted to contact the governor directly.
“I called your office yesterday and left my number with your assistant,” Mickelson wrote, adding a crossed-fingers emoji.
The dispute emphasizesa broader conflict between the Trump administration and democratic governors over renewable energy funding and priorities.
White House Budget Director Russell Vought confirmed that the cuts are part of larger spending reductions tied to the ongoing government shutdown, with Democratic-leaning states seeing many of the reductions first.
Hydrogen energy hubs planned along the West Coast were among the initial programs affected. Newsom and other Democrats have pledged to continue advancing clean energy initiatives despite the loss of federal support.
Mickelson’s involvement has drawn attention to Sable Offshore and similar projects, which critics say have moved forward without sufficient transparency or public debate.
His call for a town hall reflects broader frustrations in the state about how energy and environmental policies are being implemented.
Mickelson has previously voiced opposition to California’s high tax policies and hinted at leaving the state, though he has remained a prominent resident and sports figure.
His challenge to Newsom adds a new voice to the debate over the state’s energy direction at a moment when California faces mounting questions about the costs and impacts of its policies.
As of Thursday, Newsom’s office had not issued a response to Mickelson’s offer.
Should the governor agree, it would set the stage for a high-profile and unusual political forum, pairing a celebrated athlete with California’s top elected official to debate the future of energy in the state.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clashed with a reporter Thursday during a press gaggle outside the White House, as she defended President Donald Trump’s position on the government shutdown and criticized Democrats for attempting to restore healthcare benefits for illegal aliens.
Leavitt said the shutdown occurred because Democrats refused to support a continuing resolution (CR) that did not include the restoration of taxpayer-funded benefits to non-citizens.
She argued that Democrats had previously supported similar stopgap funding measures more than a dozen times.
“Democrats have voted for the same CR Republicans introduced 13 times in the past… now all of a sudden they are shutting the government down and they are holding our country hostage over a partisan political matter [healthcare benefits to illegal aliens]… And we stopped it. The President [Donald Trump] stopped it with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill,” Leavitt said.
“And now they want to undo the President’s very popular policy to ensure taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits only go to taxpaying, law-abiding American citizens.”
LEAVITT: DEMS SHUTDOWN HYPOCRISY
“Democrats voted 13 times for the same CR… now they’re shutting the government down to give health care benefits to illegal aliens. We stopped it. President Trump stopped it.” — @PressSec@KarolineLeavittpic.twitter.com/XumVbemnPz
The exchange escalated when a reporter challenged her statement, claiming Democrats could not provide Medicaid to what he referred to as “undocumented immigrants” because it was already prohibited under existing law.
Leavitt countered directly. “Let me ask you, do you think that illegal aliens should receive Medicaid benefits? Medicaid benefits that go to the most vulnerable people in our society.”
As the reporter attempted to redirect the discussion, Leavitt continued.
“Medicaid benefits that were designed to help low-income families and Americans in our country. So what the Biden’s administration did is they allowed tens of millions of illegal aliens from all over the world to come into our country.”
She said the prior administration used parole programs to admit large numbers of migrants and then extended temporary protective status, which in turn allowed them to access government services.
“It was a complete abuse of our immigration system. They slapped a Band-Aid on these illegals. They called it temporary protective status. And then they allowed those illegals from all over the world to get free benefits,” Leavitt said.
She added that Americans struggling under inflation and long wait times in hospitals were being forced to compete with non-citizens for services.
“You know who would like free benefits? Hard-working Americans who work their butts off every day, who are living paycheck to paycheck,” she said.
“Because of the Biden-induced inflation crisis. And there were higher wait times in hospitals under the Biden administration. We saw these illegals committing crimes all over our country. And they’re getting things for free. That is fundamentally unfair. And this administration is not going to do it.”
Watch this exchange re: Democrats wanting free healthcare for illegal aliens:
“You know who would like free benefits? Hard working Americans who work their butts off every day who are living paycheck to paycheck” @PressSecpic.twitter.com/dhm2c9k6Ee
Leavitt placed full responsibility for the shutdown on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), saying Democrats insisted on adding taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens to the funding proposal.
“This White House is showing no weakness when it comes to their messaging on the shutdown, putting the blame squarely on the Democrats and Senator Chuck Schumer,” she said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) backed up the White House’s position, pointing to the Democrats’ legislative text.
“This isn’t a Republican talking point, or political spin… It’s what Democrats put IN WRITING: On page 57, section 2141, of their OWN bill, Democrats restore taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants,” Johnson wrote on X.
Johnson encouraged the public to review the bill for themselves, saying the evidence was clear.
This isn’t a Republican talking point, or political spin…it’s what Democrats put IN WRITING:
On page 57, section 2141, of their OWN bill, Democrats restore taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants.
The exchange marked the latest development in the political standoff over government funding, as both chambers continue negotiations to end what Republicans have labeled the “Schumer Shutdown.”
Apple removed a widely used tracking app from its App Store on Thursday after the Department of Justice (DOJ), under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, raised concerns that the tool endangered federal immigration officers.
The app, ICEBlock, allowed users to anonymously report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. DOJ officials argued the app put federal officers at risk and could help shield illegal aliens from enforcement operations.
BREAKING: Apple has finally TAKEN DOWN the ICEBlock app, which was used by leftists like the Dallas ICE shooter, to dox the location of ICE agents
Good, but this took WAY too long.
The Trump DOJ intervened, pushing Apple to make the move.
“We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Bondi said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed. This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.”
The decision comes amid heightened concern over rising violence against ICE personnel.
Last month, a shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas, Texas, left one detainee dead and two critically injured.
Officials said the suspect, identified as Joshua Jahn, researched tracking apps, including ICEBlock, before opening fire from a rooftop.
Investigators concluded Jahn’s intended targets were ICE employees. One of the injured victims, a 32-year-old father of four, later died from his injuries.
Marcos Charles, acting director of ICE’s removal operations, said at a press conference that attacks on ICE officers have dramatically increased.
“The evidence is clear that this was intended as an assault on ICE personnel who come to work every day to do their job,” Charles said.
“Violent rhetoric has led to an over 1000% increase in assaults on ICE officers, and it has to stop.”
Apple confirmed the app’s removal in a statement, noting it took action after reviewing law enforcement concerns.
“We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store,” Apple said.
Joshua Aaron, the creator of ICEBlock, criticized Apple’s decision. “Capitulating to an authoritarian regime is never the right move,” Aaron said in a statement.
“Apple has claimed they received information from law enforcement that ICEBlock served to harm law enforcement officers. This is patently false.”
Aaron maintained that ICEBlock, which had more than 1.1 million users, functioned similarly to other crowdsourced mapping apps, such as those that alert drivers about speed traps.
He argued the app was not intended to facilitate violence.
“We are determined to fight this with everything we have,” Aaron said.
“Our mission has always been to protect our neighbors from the terror this administration continues to reign down on the people of this nation.”
The removal of ICEBlock highlights growing tensions between federal authorities and technology companies over applications that can interfere with law enforcement operations.
DOJ officials have said the move is part of broader efforts to protect federal officers from targeted attacks, while Aaron and other supporters of the app argue it represents a free speech and community safety issue.
As of Thursday evening, ICEBlock and similar apps were no longer available for download from Apple’s App Store.
The DOJ said it will continue reviewing platforms and tools that pose risks to federal personnel.
Public trust in the mass media has reached its lowest point since Gallup began measuring it nearly fifty years ago.
According to the organization’s latest survey, only 28 percent of Americans say they have “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of confidence in newspapers, television, and radio to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly.
A record-low 28% of Americans trust the media a great deal or fair amount to report the news fully, accurately and fairly. pic.twitter.com/bwOyygz9JS
The 2025 numbers mark a decline from 31 percent in 2024 and 40 percent just five years earlier.
In the 1970s, Gallup found that between 68 and 72 percent of Americans expressed confidence in the media. Trust dropped steadily over the decades and fell below a majority level in the early 2000s.
When Gallup first asked the question in 1972, trust in mass media was above 70 percent, during an era when television anchors like Walter Cronkite were viewed as authoritative.
By 1997, confidence had dropped to 53 percent.
In 2004, as blogs and independent online news sites expanded, Gallup reported that trust had fallen to 44 percent.
Since then, the number has never returned to majority levels.
High-profile controversies, including CBS’s 2004 use of disputed documents in a report about George W. Bush’s military service, accelerated skepticism toward traditional outlets.
In recent years, coverage of President Donald Trump, the handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story, and disputes over COVID-19 reporting further contributed to declining trust levels.
The Gallup poll shows sharp divides along political and demographic lines.
Republican trust in the media remains in single digits, with just 8 percent expressing confidence.
Brand new @Gallup poll. This must be fixed to have a more robust democracy. And the only one who can fix this absolute collapse in media trust is…wait for it…the media. By the way, Democrat trust is also tied for the all-time low. Lack of confidence is bipartisan. pic.twitter.com/MMcJoJX22e
The Gallup survey highlights a steep loss of faith in traditional media outlets and suggests that skepticism cuts across party lines. Confidence in the media stood at 45 percent in 2017; in just eight years, it has dropped to 28 percent.
Media analysts note that diminished trust directly impacts the ability of traditional news outlets to influence public opinion.
Without widespread confidence, newspapers, television, and radio have less ability to shape political narratives or reach undecided voters.
Republicans have long criticized major networks and newspapers as biased against conservatives.
In 2020, more than 50 intelligence officials signed a letter dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story as potential Russian disinformation, a characterization later shown to be inaccurate.
That episode, combined with years of disputes over coverage of President Trump, remains a frequent example cited by those who distrust the press.
Democrats, though traditionally more supportive of mainstream outlets, have also shown declining levels of trust.
After years of media predictions about Trump’s political downfall, polling now shows barely half of Democratic voters confident in the press.
Gallup’s latest findings reveal a continuing downward trend that shows no signs of reversing.
With only 28 percent of Americans reporting confidence in newspapers, television, and radio, trust in the media has fallen to its lowest point in nearly half a century.
As skepticism spreads among Republicans, independents, and even Democrats, the survey suggests that the nation’s leading media outlets face an ongoing challenge in regaining credibility with the American public.
Democratic Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren forcefully denied that her party supports taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants during a heated exchange Thursday morning on CBS Mornings.
The interview came as Democrats face renewed criticism for provisions in their government funding counter-proposal that Republicans argue would restore healthcare benefits to certain non-citizens.
During the interview, host Tony Dokoupil pressed Warren on the issue, noting that the Republican continuing resolution (CR) was blocked after Democrats introduced their own plan, which Republicans said would reinstate healthcare benefits for non-citizens.
The benefits had previously been rolled back under a Trump-era law that Republicans referred to as the “big, beautiful bill.”
“Republicans say what you’re really fighting for is taxpayer dollars, as they put it, for illegal aliens. I know that’s not strictly true, but there is a provision—” Dokoupil began.
Warren interrupted sharply, saying, “Excuse me, not strictly true. It is a flat-out lie. It is a flat-out lie! There is nothing in Medicaid, there is nothing in Medicare that permits one undocumented immigrant to get one dollar of assistance. None, zero.”
Dokoupil attempted to clarify, stating, “In the Democratic counter offer, the proposal for funding, there is a restoration for Medicaid benefits for certain non-citizens that had been taken away in the big, beautiful bill as Republicans put it. Republicans don’t think those people should be getting healthcare on the taxpayers’ dime, I’m not asking on the merits. Politically, putting that in there exposes you to this talking point, this lie as you put it. Why put it in there? Why is it worth it?”
Warren rejected the framing, insisting that Democrats are working to ensure hospitals are reimbursed for emergency care provided to patients, regardless of immigration status.
“We want hospitals to be able to provide emergency care to any patient and still get reimbursed,” Warren argued.
The dispute comes in the wake of Wednesday’s government shutdown, which occurred after Senate Democrats voted against the GOP-led continuing resolution.
Democrats opposed the measure in part because it did not include an extension of Obamacare subsidies first expanded under the Biden-Harris administration.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that permanently extending the tax credit tied to those subsidies would increase the federal deficit by $350 billion between 2026 and 2035.
Republicans insisted Congress should focus on passing a clean government funding measure before considering any long-term healthcare subsidies.
Despite most Democrats voting to reject the Republican CR, a handful broke with the party.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, along with Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, voted to keep the government open.
Fetterman described his vote as choosing “our country over [his] party,” calling the shutdown a “sad day for our nation.”
It’s a sad day for our nation.
Our government shuts down at midnight.
I voted AYE to extend ACA tax credits because I support them—but I won’t vote for the chaos of shuttering our government.
The shutdown is already raising concerns about the potential impact on federal workers.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned Thursday that “thousands” of federal employees could face layoffs in the coming days if Congress does not move to reopen the government.
The exchange between Warren and Dokoupil highlights how the debate over healthcare for non-citizens continues to play a central role in the broader funding battle.
Republicans have said the provisions in the Democratic counter-offer amount to extending taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants, while Warren and other Democrats insist the claims are false.
The issue is likely to remain a key point of contention as negotiations continue over how to bring the shutdown to an end.
The superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools resigned this week after federal immigration officers arrested him on Sept. 26 for working illegally in the United States and evading a deportation order.
Ian Andre Roberts, 51, originally from Guyana, had been earning a $287,000 annual base salary leading Iowa’s largest school district before his arrest.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Roberts attempted to flee and was discovered hiding in brush.
Officers reported finding a fixed-blade hunting knife, a loaded Glock 19 firearm, and $3,000 in cash in the school-owned vehicle he was driving.
Roberts’ employment authorization expired in 2020, yet he continued working in top education positions around the country.
DHS records show he had previously been ordered deported during the Biden-Harris administration.
Roberts built his career on a résumé that, records now indicate, contained numerous fabrications.
The Des Moines Public Schools website listed him as an MBA graduate of MIT’s Sloan School of Management. However, an MIT spokesperson told reporters they had no record of his attendance.
Roberts also claimed to have studied at Harvard and Georgetown, but those affiliations have not been verified.
For years, he said he had earned a doctorate from Morgan State University in Baltimore. Morgan State confirmed he never obtained a degree there.
Roberts’ past included superintendent roles across the country, including Millcreek Township schools near Erie, Pennsylvania, where he worked from 2020 to 2023
. During his tenure, the district faced multiple lawsuits and ultimately paid more than $400,000 in settlements related to sex discrimination claims.
Former colleagues described him as a controversial figure who was more focused on appearances than responsibilities.
In Millcreek, court records show Roberts was named in a settlement involving former HR chief Melody Ellington, who resigned in 2022 after one year on the job and threatened to sue for “constructive discharge.”
The district agreed to pay $250,000 to resolve the matter. Ellington, who had previously worked in St. Louis during Roberts’ tenure as superintendent there, did not return calls for comment.
Sources in Pennsylvania told local media that Roberts was the subject of rumors involving inappropriate relationships with coworkers.
The Post reported unverified claims that he was caught having sex with a colleague on school property.
Former colleagues also said Roberts was hired in part because of his Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion credentials, though many described him as deceptive and ineffective. Some claimed he misrepresented personal details, including the number of children he had.
Past Employment and Public Profile
Before his time in Pennsylvania and Iowa, Roberts served as Chief Schools Officer for Aspire Public Schools in Oakland, California, and as superintendent in St. Louis, Missouri.
Earlier, he worked as a principal in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Records also show he taught in New York City as a substitute teacher from 2000 to 2001.
Roberts is also an accomplished athlete, having competed for Guyana in the men’s 800 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
He studied at Coppin State University in Baltimore, graduating in 1998, and later received a master’s degree from St. John’s University in Queens.
Alongside the revelations about his credentials and immigration status, Roberts was found to have an active Democrat voter registration in Maryland.
Congressional Republicans have since demanded answers from the Maryland State Board of Elections about how a noncitizen was able to remain on the voter rolls, citing concerns about election integrity.
By now, I am sure you have heard about Ian Andre Roberts, the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa. He was arrested last week on a standing deportation order. He was registered to vote despite not being a citizen and had previously worked as a Baltimore City School… pic.twitter.com/HGiT87Tabf
In a statement, Des Moines Public Schools said Roberts’ employment had been properly vetted, including an FBI background check, and that all required paperwork was submitted at the time of his hire.
“The School District received all required clearances, including an FBI background check, prior to Roberts serving as Superintendent. No disqualifying events were identified,” the district said.
Roberts’ resignation was formally accepted Wednesday as ICE continues his detention. Legal proceedings related to his removal from the country are ongoing.
What once looked like a career spanning coast-to-coast leadership roles in education has now collapsed under the weight of fabricated credentials, lawsuits, and a pending deportation order.
Former MSNBC host Joy Reid unleashed a profanity-laced attack on Vice President J.D. Vance this week after the vice president suggested she should show gratitude for her opportunities in the United States, as reported by The New York Post.
The exchange began Thursday morning when Vance posted on X in response to past remarks Reid made in an interview about her mother’s migration from Guyana to the United States. Reid had described her mother’s experience by saying, “My mother got the rude awakening like, ‘Oh, it’s racist here.’ She was like, ‘They didn’t tell me this was the land of opportunity, but not for me.’”
Commenting on the clip, Vance wrote:
“Joy Reid has had such a good life in this country. It’s been overwhelmingly kind and gracious to her. She is far wealthier than most. Yet she oozes with contempt. My honest, non-trolling advice to Joy Reid is that you’d be a much happier person if you showed a little gratitude.”
His post drew over 3 million views.
Joy Reid has had such a good life in this country. It’s been overwhelmingly kind and gracious to her. She is far wealthier than most. Yet she oozes with contempt.
My honest, non-trolling advice to Joy Reid is that you’d be a much happier person if you showed a little gratitude https://t.co/GCl6nTKXZg
Hours later, Reid responded during an interview published on writer Tommy Christopher’s Substack. “J.D. Vance, since you’re paying attention to me: F**k you!” Reid said. She went on to call Vance a “racist a**hole” and dismissed his comments as an attack on her background.
Reid argued she was speaking for “every black woman” offended by Vance’s rhetoric, pointing to a November 2024 campaign speech in which he criticized then-candidate Kamala Harris. “I say that on behalf of every black woman who heard you call Kamala Devi Harris ‘the trash,’” Reid said.
She ended her comments by adding, “Like, f**k you forever!” in reference to Vance, who is currently first in the line of presidential succession.
Reid also pushed back against what she characterized as a dismissal of black immigrants’ achievements.
Joy-Ann Reid speaks during the MLK Day Convocation organized by the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship at Tennessee State University Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Cp17592
“You, because you are a racist a**hole, believe that black people are given opportunity by white people,” Reid said. She added that her mother, who earned a PhD and became a college professor, achieved success through her own efforts.
She further claimed that conservatives such as Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September at Utah Valley University, would argue that her mother’s success came at the expense of others.
Reid was dismissed from MSNBC in February after more than a decade at the network. Since then, she has continued to comment on politics through interviews and digital media outlets.
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