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New Details Emerge in Luigi Mangione Case….’Ladyboys’ in Thailand?
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New Details Emerge in Luigi Mangione Case….’Ladyboys’ in Thailand?

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Federal prosecutors say 27-year-old Luigi Mangione, charged in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan, once told friends about a violent encounter with transgender women while traveling in Thailand.

According to a report from the New York Post, Mangione allegedly described incidents from his backpacking trip across Asia in WhatsApp messages, including one where he claimed he was “beaten up by seven ladyboys,” using a slang term for transgender women.

X Screenshot – Luigi Mangione

He reportedly sent friends a photo of a bruised arm following the altercation.

Mangione, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges stemming from the December 2024 killing of Thompson.

The UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot outside an investor conference in Manhattan in what authorities have described as a deliberate attack.

The Justice Department has confirmed that it is pursuing the death penalty in the case.

Prosecutors allege that Mangione acted with premeditation and was in possession of a firearm during the killing.

The shooting, which occurred outside UnitedHealthcare’s event headquarters, drew national attention both because of Thompson’s high-profile position and due to online reactions from users who appeared to celebrate the attack.

Federal investigators have since been monitoring social media activity linked to the case.

Mangione is scheduled to return to federal court on December 5, though no trial date has been set.

Court documents indicate that he remains in custody as the Justice Department continues its investigation into potential motives and mental health concerns.

While prosecutors have not confirmed whether the alleged incident in Thailand will be introduced as evidence, federal sources told the Post that investigators consider the WhatsApp messages relevant in establishing Mangione’s behavioral history.

Authorities described him as exhibiting erratic tendencies in the months leading up to the killing, citing multiple reports of volatile behavior and disturbing messages recovered from his devices.

The federal indictment charges Mangione with premeditated murder and weapons violations.

If convicted, he could face either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Prosecutors are also examining the timeline of his movements in the days before the attack, including surveillance footage and digital evidence obtained from his phone and laptop.

According to the Justice Department, the shooting appeared to be targeted and planned in advance.

Federal officials have not disclosed a specific motive but have confirmed that the attack was not random.

UnitedHealthcare released a statement following Thompson’s death describing him as a respected leader within the organization and the healthcare industry.

The company has continued to cooperate with investigators and has tightened security protocols at corporate events.

Mangione’s defense attorneys have not commented publicly on the details of the prosecution’s latest revelations.

They previously stated that Mangione maintains his innocence and intends to contest the charges at trial.

The case remains under the joint investigation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the NYPD.

Poll: Most Dems Want Government Shutdown to Keep Going While Federal Workers Miss Paychecks
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Poll: Most Dems Want Government Shutdown to Keep Going While Federal Workers Miss Paychecks

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As the government shutdown enters its third week, a new Rasmussen poll reveals that a majority of Democrats, along with a significant number of Republicans and independents, support allowing the shutdown to continue.

The data challenges long-held assumptions about how voters react to federal shutdowns.

Historically, both parties have tried to avoid blame for interruptions to government services and paychecks, fearing backlash from voters.

But this latest polling indicates that public opinion has shifted, particularly among Democrats.

According to the poll, roughly two-thirds of Democratic respondents said they wanted the shutdown to continue, compared with 41% of Republicans and 44% of independents who shared the same view.

The findings suggest that frustration with Washington gridlock is being tempered by partisan priorities and differing views of government’s role.

The shutdown began on October 1, following the failure of Congress to pass a funding measure.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nearly all Senate Democrats voted against a bipartisan bill that would have temporarily extended government funding, citing disagreements over healthcare and spending priorities.

It marked the eleventh consecutive failed attempt to end the impasse.

President Donald Trump has stated he will not reopen the government until Democrats agree to negotiate on healthcare subsidies and immigration funding.

On Feb 3, 2025, President Donald Trump signs executive orders and proclamations in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, and speaks to reporters about U.S.-Mexico tariff negotiations.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have insisted they will not vote on new funding until their policy demands are addressed.

The Rasmussen findings come as both parties attempt to control the narrative surrounding the shutdown.

For decades, political strategists have operated under the assumption that whichever party is blamed for closing the government would suffer in future elections.

However, the new data suggests that Democrats may view the standoff as politically beneficial, even as federal workers remain unpaid.

Republican lawmakers have expressed skepticism toward government expansion, arguing that the shutdown limits unnecessary spending and bureaucratic interference.

For many conservative voters, temporary government closures are viewed as a sign that Washington is being held accountable.

Democrats, on the other hand, traditionally argue that government is an essential institution for providing services and ensuring stability.

But this poll suggests that anti-Trump sentiment among Democratic voters may outweigh their concerns about a prolonged shutdown.

The Rasmussen report highlights what it calls a “polarized political environment,” noting that attitudes about the shutdown are increasingly tied to perceptions of President Trump’s leadership.

WASHINGTON D.C., USA – April 7, 2025: United States President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House in Washington DC.

CNN and other networks have reported that despite the closure, Trump’s approval rating has remained steady and even improved slightly in recent polling.

Political analysts have pointed out that the Democrats’ resistance strategy could prolong the shutdown indefinitely.

Without a shift in position from Senate Democrats, additional funding bills are likely to fail in the near term.

President Trump is scheduled to meet with congressional leaders later this week to discuss potential resolutions, though no major progress has been announced.

Administration officials have continued to emphasize that the President is open to negotiation once Democrats agree to reopen the government.

As the standoff continues, millions of federal workers and contractors remain furloughed or unpaid, while agencies continue to suspend nonessential services.

The longer the shutdown drags on, the more both parties risk being blamed by voters frustrated with Washington’s inability to govern.

For now, the polling indicates that partisans on both sides see little incentive to compromise, suggesting that the shutdown could continue well into the coming weeks unless a bipartisan deal emerges.

Top Democrat Says Families Must Suffer for Shutdown Negotiating Power
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Top Democrat Says Families Must Suffer for Shutdown Negotiating Power

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Rep. Katherine Clark (D-CT), the second-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, said Thursday that the ongoing government shutdown — now stretching into its third week — presents her party with “leverage” in negotiations with Republicans, as reported by Breitbart.

During an interview with Fox News, Clark acknowledged that the shutdown is causing pain for families but suggested it is one of the few moments Democrats can use to gain ground in the budget process.

“Shutdowns are terrible, and of course there will be families that are going to suffer,” Clark said. “We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

Clark, who serves as House Minority Whip, added that the situation represents a critical moment for negotiations. “It is an inflection point in this budget process where we have tried to get the Republicans to meet with us and prioritize the American people,” she said.

Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have maintained that they are willing to negotiate on key spending priorities once the government is reopened. GOP leaders have pushed for a clean continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding at current levels without policy additions or cuts.

Despite those offers, Democrats have not agreed to end the shutdown, which began amid disputes over healthcare funding and other budgetary measures. The standoff has left federal workers without pay and created uncertainty for millions of Americans who rely on government services.

Clark’s comments came just days before the start of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), set for November 1. The law’s tax credits are set to expire within days, but the shutdown has delayed agency operations tied to healthcare enrollment.

“The marketplace, the ACA [Obamacare] marketplace, open enrollment takes place on Nov. 1,” Clark said. “People are receiving their premium notices that they’re going to go to that marketplace and say, ‘I can’t afford this.’ That is a real crisis for American families.”

She continued, “It drives up the cost of healthcare for every single person, no matter where you get your health insurance from.”

Republicans have argued that reopening the government would allow both parties to address those healthcare challenges immediately. GOP lawmakers have said their proposed clean CR would fund the government without delay while broader budget negotiations continue.

President Trump and House Republican leaders have emphasized that they are prepared to continue discussions with Democrats on healthcare and other fiscal priorities once the shutdown ends.

The ongoing stalemate has also raised questions about political strategy, as Democrats face criticism for allowing the shutdown’s impact to deepen while admitting it serves as a tool for negotiating leverage.

Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Marlin Stutzman Introduce Bill to Protect Persecuted Christians in Nigeria
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Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Marlin Stutzman Introduce Bill to Protect Persecuted Christians in Nigeria

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Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana and Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas have introduced legislation aimed at protecting Christians in Nigeria, where thousands have been killed in a surge of jihadist violence.

Stutzman introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act on Tuesday in the U.S. House of Representatives as a companion to Cruz’s Senate bill, according to Blaze News.

The legislation is a response to what lawmakers have described as the “rapidly deteriorating” conditions for Christians in Nigeria, who continue to face widespread abductions, targeted attacks, and mass killings by jihadist groups.

The measure seeks to hold Nigerian officials accountable for enabling or participating in religious persecution.

According to the bill’s text obtained by Blaze News, it would impose targeted sanctions on government officials who either facilitate violence against religious minorities or enforce Sharia law within the country.

The legislation would also formally designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act and ensure that Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa remain classified as “entities of particular concern.”

These designations would maintain strict U.S. sanctions and enhance reporting requirements on the Nigerian government’s handling of religious freedom violations.

“It is the responsibility of the United States to protect religious freedom worldwide,” Stutzman told Blaze News.

“Implementing Sharia law and condoning the murder of innocent people is barbaric.”

He added, “We must use the targeted tools we have at our disposal to combat religious violence in all its forms. I am proud to partner with Senator Cruz to introduce this important legislation, which will create real consequences for those responsible for violence and save the lives of thousands of Christians who are facing persecution.”

According to human rights groups and church organizations, the violence against Nigerian Christians has reached critical levels.

Since Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009, over 125,000 Christians have been killed.

In 2025 alone, jihadist groups have reportedly murdered more than 7,000 Christians, abducted at least 7,800 others, and destroyed an estimated 100 churches each month.

Sen. Cruz echoed Stutzman’s call for action, emphasizing the importance of imposing consequences on officials who have failed to stop the violence or have actively supported it.

“Nigerian Christians are being targeted and executed for their faith by Islamist terrorist groups, and are being forced to submit to Sharia law and blasphemy laws across Nigeria,” Cruz said in a statement.

“It is long past time to impose real costs on the Nigerian officials who facilitate these activities, and my Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act uses new and existing tools to do exactly that,” Cruz said.

“I urge my colleagues to advance this critical legislation expeditiously.”

Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, has been responsible for thousands of killings, kidnappings, and attacks on churches and villages.

The group, along with its splinter faction ISIS-West Africa, continues to carry out large-scale assaults targeting Christian communities.

Both Cruz and Stutzman have said the bill is intended not only to address the crisis in Nigeria but to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to protecting religious liberty worldwide.

The legislation will now move to committee review in both chambers of Congress.

If passed, it would direct the U.S. State Department to apply sanctions and diplomatic measures against Nigerian officials complicit in religious persecution, as well as expand reporting and monitoring of human rights violations in the region.

Trump Weighs In on NYC Election, Says He’d Pick Democrat Over ‘Communist’
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Trump Weighs In on NYC Election, Says He’d Pick Democrat Over ‘Communist’

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President Donald Trump gave his latest assessment of the New York City mayoral race on Tuesday, describing Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa’s chances as slim and suggesting he would prefer a Democrat over what he called a “Communist” in charge of the city, as reported by The New York Post.

Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump addressed the three-way race between Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo — now running as an independent — and Republican candidate Sliwa.

“If [Sliwa] dropped out, he’s not going to win — and not looking too good for Cuomo either,” Trump said.

New York, NY – April 3, 2025: Former Gover Andrew Cuomo speaks at the city mayoral candidates forum held by Reverend Al Sharpton at 2025 annual NAN Convention at Sheraton Times Square

Trump continued, “But maybe, I don’t know, if he dropped out, maybe Cuomo would have a little bit of a chance, but not much, because it looks like the lead is, it’s not a great lead, but it’s big enough that he should be able to win.”

Recent polling shows Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani leading the race with 43.2% support. Cuomo trails at 28.9%, while Sliwa stands at 19.4%.

Analysts have noted that if Sliwa exited the race, Cuomo would narrow the gap to just four points — within the survey’s margin of error — making the contest significantly tighter.

Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels and wearing his signature red beret, has faced increasing pressure from some Republican and independent voters to suspend his campaign to allow opposition votes to consolidate behind Cuomo.

Despite that pressure, Sliwa has vowed to remain in the race until Election Day.

“I’m not dropping out. I’m staying in this fight for New York,” Sliwa said during a campaign stop earlier this week.

Trump, who has not issued a formal endorsement in the race, used the moment to take aim at Mamdani, referring to the Democratic frontrunner as a “Communist.”

“So I don’t know that I want to get involved. It’s really a question of, would I rather have a Democrat or a Communist? And I would rather have a Democrat than a Communist if he dropped it,” Trump said.

The New York City mayoral election is scheduled for November 5. Early voting begins this weekend.

Cuomo’s independent bid marks his first campaign since resigning as governor in 2021.

Mamdani, who represents a progressive district in Queens, has campaigned on expanding housing programs and increasing city oversight of law enforcement, positions that have drawn sharp criticism from Republicans and centrist Democrats alike.

Sliwa’s platform has focused heavily on public safety, crime prevention, and opposition to sanctuary city policies. He has repeatedly argued that the city’s leadership needs to “put New Yorkers first again.”

With less than two weeks remaining, the contest remains volatile, with Trump’s remarks adding new attention to a race already marked by party divides and shifting alliances.

Democrat Infighting Explodes in Maine as 2026 Senate Primary Heats Up
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Democrat Infighting Explodes in Maine as 2026 Senate Primary Heats Up

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The Democratic Party in Maine is already showing deep divisions nearly two years ahead of the state’s 2026 Senate primary, as establishment figures and progressive activists begin clashing over who should lead the ticket.

The race, set for June 9, 2026, has exposed tensions between Governor Janet Mills and a new wave of far-left challengers, including a Bernie Sanders-backed candidate facing multiple controversies.

Kennebunkport Town Manager Laurie Smith, left, greets Maine Governor Janet Mills as she arrives at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new and improved Pier Road Causeway on Monday, July 1, 2024.

Governor Janet Mills, 77, officially entered the Senate race in mid-October, confirming months of speculation about her intentions.

Her announcement came amid growing concern among Democrats about her age, stamina, and ability to connect with younger voters.

In an interview, Mills sought to address those concerns directly, stating, “Honestly, I would not plan to serve for more than one term. But this time is vital, and this moment in our history is urgent and very troublesome.”

Mills, who previously served as Maine’s attorney general before becoming governor in 2019, remains a prominent figure in the state’s Democratic establishment.

However, her bid for the Senate nomination is far from guaranteed.

The governor now faces strong resistance from the party’s progressive wing, led by Graham Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer who has the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Platner’s campaign has promoted him as a “working-class” alternative to Mills, emphasizing his military background and rural roots.

Supporters describe him as an outsider capable of appealing to both Democrats and independent voters who might otherwise support incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

However, Platner’s campaign has been rocked by a series of controversies stemming from his past online activity.

CNN’s KFile reviewed deleted Reddit posts attributed to Platner dating back to 2013, in which he reportedly referred to himself as a “communist,” used profane language to describe police, and claimed that “rural White Americans actually are racist and stupid.”

The resurfacing of the posts has drawn national attention and criticism from both within and outside his party.

Platner responded to the revelations by suggesting that his views have changed since those posts were written.

“I’m a different person now,” he said in a statement following the report, adding that his experiences as a veteran and small business owner have shaped his perspective.

A separate controversy has since emerged involving a tattoo that a former acquaintance alleged carries Nazi-related symbolism.

Platner denied any malicious intent, saying the tattoo was obtained while drinking with fellow Marines during his service.

“We got very inebriated, and we did what Marines on liberty do, and we decided to go get a tattoo,” he said.

The incidents have caused friction among Democratic factions in Maine and beyond.

Some of Platner’s supporters, including progressive activists aligned with Sanders, have accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee of undermining the candidate.

They claim the party leadership is working behind the scenes to protect Mills’ candidacy and suppress grassroots challenges.

The Maine race reflects a broader national divide within the Democratic Party between traditional establishment figures and an increasingly outspoken socialist movement.

The conflict comes as Democrats seek to defend their narrow Senate majority in 2026, with several key races expected to determine control of the chamber.

With months still to go before the primary, both sides appear entrenched. Mills has the backing of party leaders and major donors, while Platner continues to rally progressive activists frustrated with what they view as the Democratic establishment’s unwillingness to embrace more left-wing policies.

The outcome of the Maine Democratic primary could have major implications for the party’s message heading into the general election, where the winner is expected to face Senator Susan Collins in one of the nation’s most closely watched races.

Karine Jean-Pierre Admits She Never Believed Kamala Harris Could Win Presidency
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Karine Jean-Pierre Admits She Never Believed Kamala Harris Could Win Presidency

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Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre revealed in her new memoir that she never thought Kamala Harris could win the presidency, saying the country “just wasn’t there yet,” as reported by Fox News.

In her book Independent, Jean-Pierre writes that she was not surprised by the outcome of the 2024 election, which saw President Donald Trump reelected.

oct 7 2024 Washington DC The House Press Press Briefing By Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Spoke to the media

“When I woke up, it was over. Harris had lost. I received calls from friends who were distraught or numb with disbelief. But I wasn’t surprised by the outcome,” she wrote.

“The truth was, I never really believed Harris could win. I’d been in the body of a Black woman all my life. I’d stood at the podium in the White House briefing room, traveled in my chocolate skin through rural towns, and all my experiences of blistering stares and racist assumptions left me unable to see this country electing a president who looked like me.”

Jean-Pierre’s memoir also outlines her decision to leave the Democratic Party, accusing party leadership of betraying former President Joe Biden.

“It was deeply disturbing that after shoving Biden aside in a disgraceful display, the party’s elders couldn’t summon enough know-how to help an intelligent, accomplished attorney like Harris defeat an ignorant former reality TV star,” she wrote.

“The party had to redefine its mission, and figure out a way to move forward without publicly tearing apart our standard bearers or leaving their successors dangling in the wind.”

She described feeling pessimistic about Harris’s chances due to what she called the sexism and double standards she encountered during her own time in the administration.

Oct 29, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Democratic Presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a campaign speech at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. The location is the site where Donald Trump encouraged his supporters to fight like hell on Jan. 6, 2021 before rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol as Congress was convening to certify Joe Biden’s victory.. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Harris and so many others had fought and hoped so hard. I wanted to believe. I wanted to believe. But in the end, I was proven right. The United States just wasn’t there yet,” she wrote.

“Once again, and this time not because of an electoral artifact embedded in the Constitution, we had elected Trump.”

Jean-Pierre also said Harris deserved the opportunity to run without interference.

“Bypassing Harris would have also been disrespectful to Black women overall, the ride-or-die foot soldiers of the Democratic Party who’d long done the work but too often got bypassed or overlooked once the campaigns that needed their votes and labor were in the rearview mirror,” she wrote.

VALHALLA, NY, USA – MAY 10, 2023: President Joe Biden delivers remarks about the debt limit on May 10, 2023 at SUNY Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York, United States.

Biden, who appeared on The View following the election, said he believed sexism and racism contributed to Harris’s defeat. “I wasn’t surprised, not because I didn’t think the vice president was the most qualified person to be president. She is,” Biden said.

“I was surprised because they went the route of, the sexist route, the whole route. I mean, this is a woman, she’s this, she’s that. I mean, it really, I’ve never seen quite as successful and a consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldn’t lead the country, and a woman of mixed race.”

Harris has since written her own memoir about the 2024 campaign, insisting on her book tour that President Trump “does not have a mandate” and describing the election as the “closest” of this century.

Texas Identifies Over 2,000 Potential Noncitizens on Voter Rolls Following State Review
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Texas Identifies Over 2,000 Potential Noncitizens on Voter Rolls Following State Review

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Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced Tuesday that her office has completed a review of the state’s voter registration database against federal citizenship records, identifying more than 2,000 potential noncitizens who may have voted in recent elections.

The review, conducted through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, was made possible through federal data-sharing access granted to states during the Trump administration.

The findings have been sent to county election officials across Texas for further investigation.

“Only eligible United States citizens may participate in our elections,” Nelson said in a statement.

“The Trump Administration’s decision to give states free and direct access to this data set for the first time has been a game changer, and we appreciate the partnership with the federal government to verify the citizenship of those on our voter rolls and maintain accurate voter lists.”

According to Nelson’s office, 2,724 potential noncitizens were flagged out of the state’s approximately 18 million registered voters.

County officials will now review the data and determine whether each individual is eligible to remain on the rolls.

If local investigations confirm that any of the identified voters cast ballots illegally, the cases will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution.

Nelson emphasized the importance of accuracy and transparency in the state’s voter registration system, adding that every legitimate vote must be safeguarded.

“Everyone’s right to vote is sacred and must be protected,” she said.

“We encourage counties to conduct rigorous investigations to determine if any voter is ineligible — just as they do with any other data set we provide. The SAVE database has proven to be a critically important data set and one of many that we will continue to use in Texas to ensure that only qualified voters cast a ballot in our elections.”

Under state law, voters identified as potential noncitizens will receive written notification from their county registrar.

Each individual will have 30 days to respond with proof of U.S. citizenship to remain on the voter rolls.

If a voter fails to provide documentation by the deadline, their registration will be canceled.

The registration can later be restored if proof of citizenship is submitted.

The announcement follows years of debate in Texas and across the country over election integrity and noncitizen voting.

Texas has consistently sought to verify voter eligibility through various cross-checking systems, though access to the federal SAVE database has allowed for more direct verification of citizenship status.

Nelson said her office would continue to work closely with counties to ensure the voter registration list remains accurate and up to date.

She also credited the federal partnership with providing an important tool in protecting the state’s elections from unlawful participation.

The review represents the latest step in Texas’ broader effort to strengthen voter list maintenance procedures and prevent ineligible voting.

Counties are expected to complete their local reviews and submit findings to the Secretary of State’s office before the end of the year.

Hunter Biden Rages Over Obama’s ‘Disrespectful’ Onstage Moment With His Father
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Hunter Biden Rages Over Obama’s ‘Disrespectful’ Onstage Moment With His Father

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Hunter Biden expressed outrage at former President Barack Obama after a June 2024 fundraiser where Obama appeared to lead then-President Joe Biden off stage by the hand, according to a forthcoming book by ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, as reported by Fox News.

In the book Tired of Winning, an excerpt obtained by Axios reveals that Hunter viewed the gesture as an act of disrespect toward his father. “I almost jumped up on the stage and said, ‘Don’t ever f**king do that to the president of the United States again — ever,’” Hunter told Karl during an interview.

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, makes an appearance at the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Jan. 10, 2024.

Karl wrote that Hunter “believed Obama had disrespected and embarrassed the president.” The younger Biden insisted that his father was merely taking extra time to acknowledge the audience at the event, not wandering or confused. “I knew that that was going to be a meme,” Hunter recalled.

“That really, really, really, really pissed me off.”

The moment became one of several instances late in Joe Biden’s presidency that fueled public discussion about his age and fitness for office. Polling throughout mid-2024 showed that a large majority of voters, including many Democrats, questioned whether he was capable of serving another term.

The fundraiser incident quickly circulated online, showing Obama taking Biden’s hand and appearing to guide him toward an exit as the crowd applauded.

The visual drew widespread attention and added to growing speculation among voters and media commentators about Biden’s declining physical presence at public events.

Just days before the fundraiser, a similar scene unfolded at the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy, where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was seen redirecting Biden back toward a group of world leaders after he briefly appeared to walk away.

The clip went viral and prompted questions about Biden’s situational awareness during international events.

At the time, the White House dismissed concerns, claiming the video was misleading and taken from an “artificially narrow frame” that made it appear as though Biden was separated from the group. Officials maintained that the president had been greeting skydivers who had just landed nearby.

Karl’s reporting suggests that Hunter took the Obama incident personally, viewing it as emblematic of how his father’s political allies handled the president during his final months in office.

The exchange, according to the book, reflected broader tensions inside Biden’s circle as questions about his age and public image intensified.

The fundraiser took place as Obama had stepped up his role as a surrogate and advisor during the final year of Biden’s presidency, frequently appearing at high-profile Democratic events. Neither Obama nor Hunter Biden have publicly commented on the account.

Hillary Clinton Gets Obliterated Over Furniture Scandal After Criticizing Trump’s White House Ballroom
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Hillary Clinton Gets Obliterated Over Furniture Scandal After Criticizing Trump’s White House Ballroom

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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced swift backlash from conservatives after attacking President Donald Trump for his newly announced White House ballroom project — a privately funded modernization effort that comes at no cost to taxpayers, as reported by Fox News.

Clinton posted to X on Tuesday, accusing Trump of “destroying” the White House following reports that construction crews had begun demolishing the East Wing façade to begin work on a 90,000-square-foot ballroom capable of seating 650 guests.

“It’s not his house,” Clinton wrote. “It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”

The post immediately drew attention from conservatives who pointed to the Clintons’ own history with the White House.

One of the favorites was the 2001 furniture controversy that erupted when the couple left office.

“At least he didn’t steal the silverware,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) wrote on X in response to Clinton’s post.

In 2001, the Clintons were criticized for taking an estimated $28,000 in furnishings provided by donors and paying $86,000 for other gifts.

“Gifts did not leave the White House without the approval of the White House usher’s and curator’s offices,” the Clintons said in a statement at the time. “Of course, if the White House now determines that a cataloging error occurred … any item in question will be returned.”

“All of these items were considered gifts to us,” Hillary Clinton said at the time. “That’s what the permanent record of the White House showed. But if there is a different intent, we will certainly honor the intention of the donor.”

President Trump formally announced Monday that construction had begun on the new ballroom, describing it as part of a broader effort to modernize the East Wing.

“I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom,” Trump said on Truth Social.

“Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!”

The ballroom, according to the White House, is being financed entirely through private donations, with no taxpayer funds involved.

Conservative commentators and Trump supporters used Clinton’s post as an opportunity to revisit past scandals involving the former first family.

“Hi Hillary, remind us — wasn’t it you who walked off with $28,000 in White House furniture when you moved out?” conservative commentator Benny Johnson wrote. “And your husband who defiled the Oval Office during his presidency? President Trump’s funding a beautiful new ballroom out of his own pocket.”

Eric Trump also weighed in, responding directly to Clinton’s post: “The ballroom will be spectacular… unlike your work in Haiti.”

Other critics referenced Bill Clinton’s alleged practice of offering overnight stays in the Lincoln Bedroom to donors during his presidency.

“Yes, between selling nights in the Lincoln Bedroom to donors and her husband’s tutelage of the interns in the Oval Office, if anyone treated the WH as sacred it was the Clintons,” conservative writer Mark Hemingway said.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital that the ballroom construction represents long-overdue updates to the White House.

“President Trump is working 24/7 to Make America Great Again, including his historic beautification of the White House, at no taxpayer expense,” Ingle said. “These long-needed upgrades will benefit generations of future presidents and American visitors to the People’s House.”

Clinton’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


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