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DEI Consultant On Cracker Barrel Board Raises Questions From Angry Customers
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DEI Consultant On Cracker Barrel Board Raises Questions From Angry Customers

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Cracker Barrel is facing criticism from consumers and conservative activists after unveiling a new logo, redesigned interiors, and continued promotion of diversity initiatives.

Much of the backlash has centered on one of the company’s board members, Gilbert Davila, who has spent years working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consulting.

Davila, 61, joined Cracker Barrel’s board of directors in July 2020 and is listed among the company’s top individual shareholders.

He is also the president and CEO of DMI Consulting, a firm he founded in 2010 that describes itself as “a leading multicultural marketing, diversity & inclusion and strategy firm in the United States.”

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck called attention to Davila’s background in a video criticizing the company’s recent direction.

Starbuck argued that Cracker Barrel’s leadership has been steering the restaurant chain away from its traditional values and customer base.

“What qualified him for this board seat?” Starbuck asked in his video.

“Well, you see, he’s owned a DEI consulting and strategy firm for 15 years that focuses on pushing DEI and DEI advertising.”

Starbuck said the chain’s changes are not simply cosmetic, but part of a broader cultural shift.

The controversy followed Cracker Barrel’s announcement of a new logo, which replaced the image of a man leaning on a barrel with a simpler design: the restaurant’s name in black text over a yellow, barrel-shaped backdrop.

The company also redesigned restaurant interiors, replacing its rustic Americana style with a modern look.

Starbuck argued that the changes reflect a move away from the chain’s middle-America identity.

He said the company has been participating in LGBTQ pride events and implementing DEI-based hiring policies, describing it as part of a trend seen in other corporations.

“People like him are behind the woke advertising push that we’ve seen in recent years,” Starbuck said, referring to Davila.

“And he was also one of the people responsible for DEI at Disney.”

According to Davila’s LinkedIn page, he is “widely recognized… for his multicultural market knowledge and his proven track record on how to best embed a multicultural perspective into a corporation’s entire operation.”

Before founding DMI Consulting, Davila spent seven years at The Walt Disney Company, serving as vice president of global diversity and multicultural market development from 2003 to 2010.

He previously worked at Sears & Roebuck Company as vice president of multicultural management and at Coca-Cola USA as a marketing director.

Davila also co-founded the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing under the Association of National Advertisers, where he continues to serve as a director.

Starbuck’s video, which runs about 15 minutes, pointed to Davila’s background as evidence of why Cracker Barrel has moved toward embracing progressive cultural positions.

“The American people are sick of having our culture and heritage stripped from us,” Starbuck told Fox News Digital last week, framing the reaction to the company’s changes as part of a larger frustration with corporations adopting DEI and similar policies.

Fox Business reached out to Cracker Barrel and to Davila’s firm, but neither responded by the time of publication.

The debate over Cracker Barrel’s new look and leadership decisions comes as major brands across the country continue to face questions from consumers about their alignment with political and cultural issues.

Democrat-Linked Judge Sparks Outrage After Freeing Human Trafficking Suspect
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Democrat-Linked Judge Sparks Outrage After Freeing Human Trafficking Suspect

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes is under scrutiny following her decision to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national accused of human trafficking and suspected of MS-13 gang ties.

The ruling came Friday, when Holmes rejected a government request to keep Abrego Garcia in federal custody ahead of trial.

Abrego Garcia was initially arrested in 2022 in Tennessee while driving a vehicle registered to a convicted human trafficker, flagged by the Department of Homeland Security.

Several illegal aliens from South and Central America were passengers in the vehicle at the time. According to court filings, Abrego Garcia, who resides in Maryland, told authorities he was transporting the individuals from Houston, Texas, to Maryland for work.

The case drew further attention during a June hearing, when Judge Holmes sustained an objection limiting witness testimony about Abrego Garcia’s alleged sexual relationships with women, including minors, who were reportedly among those he was helping to smuggle into the United States.

The decision to release Abrego Garcia has placed Judge Holmes’ background and affiliations under renewed scrutiny.

According to Breitbart News, campaign finance records show that between 1993 and 2007 she contributed $750 to Democratic candidates, including $250 to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Holmes has a lengthy record of professional involvement in legal organizations.

She was president of the Nashville Bar Association in 2002 and served multiple terms on its board of directors.

After her appointment as magistrate judge in 2015, she continued to play a role in legal associations, including serving as Judges Chair for the Legal Aid Society’s 2018 Campaign for Equal Justice.

The Legal Aid Society, particularly its New York branch, has promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and provided legal representation for illegal aliens.

The group once featured a webpage highlighting its commitment to “fighting for racial equality,” alongside imagery from the George Floyd protests.

In October 2021, Holmes organized the National Association of Women Judges’ 43rd annual meeting, which featured groups such as the “Song Suffragettes.”

In a 2017 profile naming her an outstanding alumna of Adams State University, Holmes said she was “inspired by the new citizens I meet during naturalization ceremonies, by their determination, and especially by their appreciation for things that we too often take for granted, like the privileges of citizenship.”

Records reviewed by Breitbart also show Holmes is registered as an unaffiliated voter in Nashville, Tennessee.

Voting records suggest she has participated in both Republican and Democratic primaries.

Holmes’ decision has been compared to previous cases involving judges perceived as aligned with Democratic Party causes.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, for example, presided over multiple high-profile cases that sought to block actions by the Trump administration during the early weeks of his second term.

Boasberg later spoke at a judicial conference where he discussed efforts to counter the administration and called on Chief Justice John Roberts for support.

Abrego Garcia’s release comes as debates intensify over the handling of human trafficking and illegal immigration cases.

While federal prosecutors pushed for pre-trial detention citing flight risk and danger to the community, Holmes determined that conditions such as monitoring and restrictions were sufficient.

The decision has triggered questions about judicial discretion, especially in cases involving illegal aliens accused of serious crimes.

The case against Abrego Garcia remains ongoing, and his release has further fueled discussion over how federal courts are handling immigration-related prosecutions at a time of heightened national concern over border security and public safety.

Jeanine Pirro Slams DC Court After Carjacking Suspects Let Off Easy
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Jeanine Pirro Slams DC Court After Carjacking Suspects Let Off Easy

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Judge Jeanine Pirro, recently confirmed by Congress as President Donald Trump’s U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, is continuing to weigh in on the city’s public safety challenges.

Pirro, who previously served as a district attorney and judge and hosted Fox News’ Justice With Judge Jeanine for more than a decade, joined President Trump and other officials Thursday evening at the U.S. Park Police headquarters in Anacostia.

The group met with D.C. law enforcement officers and National Guard members mobilized under the administration’s recent federal crime crackdown.

During brief remarks, Pirro assured officers that they had the full backing of the administration in carrying out arrests.

“I am making sure that we back the blue to the hilt,” Pirro said.

“Every arrest you make, we’re going to the — longest way to make sure that we charge in those cases.”

Her comments came as a recent court ruling stirred debate in Washington.

The case involves the August attack on Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency employee who was assaulted while defending a woman during an alleged carjacking attempt.

Several teenagers were arrested following the incident, which drew national attention.

This week, Judge Kendra D. Briggs, who was nominated to the federal bench in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden, approved the release of two 15-year-old suspects previously held at D.C.’s Youth Services Center.

One of the teens was ordered to a youth shelter, while the other was granted home confinement.

Both remain subject to curfews, electronic monitoring, and weekly drug tests, according to NBC4 Washington.

Pirro addressed the development in a video posted to her X account, emphasizing her concerns about lenient treatment of violent offenders.

“Two 15-year-olds, out of the eight or 10 that attacked the ex-DOGE staffer and his woman friend that he was with, have been released from the family court, and they have been told that they are now on a curfew,” Pirro said.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about. This is why I want jurisdiction of these cases because, as a prosecutor, it’s time to prosecute so they understand the consequences of what they have done.”

Pirro tied the case to President Trump’s broader decision to federalize the D.C. National Guard and assume jurisdiction over certain law enforcement functions.

“I want to remind you that this pretty much began with the attack on that ex-DOGE person who was working at the White House, as part of an attempted carjacking, pretty much beaten to a pulp,” Pirro said.

She also provided updates on the results of the federal surge.

According to Pirro, D.C. has recorded zero homicides in the past eight days, compared to the city’s average of one per week.

She reported that 40 additional arrests were made Thursday night alone, along with the seizure of five more firearms.

In total, Pirro said the crackdown has so far resulted in 719 arrests and 91 firearms being taken off the streets.

The developments highlight the ongoing tension between federal authorities and the local justice system over how to handle violent crime in the District.

While President Trump and federal officials cite declining crime numbers as evidence of progress, local court decisions have sparked questions about whether youthful offenders are being held accountable.

CNN Fact Check on Trump’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer Claim Debunked by the Constitution
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CNN Fact Check on Trump’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer Claim Debunked by the Constitution

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Federal agents conducted a raid on the home of former National Security Adviser John Bolton early Friday morning as part of an ongoing FBI investigation into classified documents.

The search took place around 7 a.m. at Bolton’s residence in Bethesda, Maryland, according to officials familiar with the matter.

The raid adds Bolton to the list of high-profile figures facing scrutiny over the handling of classified materials, a controversy that has dominated headlines since similar cases involving other government officials.

The FBI has not released details on the scope of the investigation or what agents seized during the search.

President Donald Trump addressed the raid later in the day, commenting on the broader issue of federal investigations and law enforcement authority.

In his remarks, Trump reiterated his position that as president, he is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States.

CNN quickly moved to fact-check Trump’s statement, highlighting Department of Justice materials that describe the attorney general as holding the role of the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

However, constitutional experts point out that the U.S. Constitution grants the president authority to ensure that the nation’s laws are faithfully executed.

Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution states: “He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.”

The FBI raid on Bolton’s home comes amid heightened political debate over the scope of federal authority and the treatment of officials under investigation.

Media coverage of the incident drew immediate comparisons to the FBI’s search of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in 2022, which similarly centered on disputes over classified records.

Bolton, who served as national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, has not publicly commented on the search of his residence.

The Department of Justice has also declined to provide additional information, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The raid is expected to fuel continued debate in Washington over the FBI’s handling of politically sensitive cases, as well as the extent of presidential and Department of Justice authority in such matters.

With Bolton’s case now added to the ongoing discussions, the political and legal fallout is likely to extend in the weeks ahead.

“The Cracker Barrel Story Is Not About a Logo, They Thought We Were Stupid”: Robby Starbuck
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“The Cracker Barrel Story Is Not About a Logo, They Thought We Were Stupid”: Robby Starbuck

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Conservative activist Robby Starbuck released a lengthy video this week criticizing Cracker Barrel after the company unveiled a new logo design. In a 15-minute breakdown posted to his followers, Starbuck argued that the restaurant chain’s shift represents a departure from “old American nostalgia” to what he described as “cold, dead, lifeless and modern.”

Starbuck’s video examined both the company’s logo change and its broader corporate direction.

He claimed that Cracker Barrel, traditionally associated with Americana, has embraced what he called “wokeness” through its recent business and cultural decisions.

According to Starbuck, the company is now “infested with left-wing activists who are more interested in safe spaces, pronouns, and virtue signaling than they are in their customers.”

Starbuck highlighted Cracker Barrel’s previous support for LGBTQ+ organizations and events, including Nashville Pride, River City Pride, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

He pointed to the company’s rainbow-colored rocking chairs — a signature item tied to the chain’s porch-lined restaurants nationwide — and noted that one was even placed inside its Tennessee corporate headquarters.

“The fact that it’s located there is important to this story because what’s happened here is a microcosm of the parasitic operating procedure of left-wing activists,” Starbuck said in the video.

“They don’t just wanna force their soulless, godless, hedonistic vision of the future onto blue hellscapes that their party controls. No, it’s much more important to them that they shove it down into your towns, into your kids’ schools, and into your way of life. So, sticking a pro-trans rocking chair into their headquarters in a predominantly conservative town is exactly the type of thing they revel in doing.”

Starbuck also pointed to the company’s participation in the Out and Equal Workplace Summit, where it created rainbow rocking chairs to represent the LGBTQ+ flag.

Out and Equal later recognized Cracker Barrel with an award for having 2018’s top LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group.

The chain also took part in the HRC Corporate Equality Index, which rates companies on policies and benefits for LGBTQ+ employees.

In response to the renewed attention, Cracker Barrel told Fox News Digital on Friday that it “has not participated in the Human Rights Campaign Index or had any affiliation with HRC in several years.”

In his video, Starbuck singled out two company employees.

He showed a LinkedIn screenshot of Steve Smotherman, who worked as head of management training and development at Cracker Barrel for 15 years before joining Out and Equal.

Smotherman currently serves on HRC’s Business Advisory Council. Starbuck labeled him “the archetype activist employee that fueled the rise of DEI in corporate America.”

He also criticized Rachel CampBell, a Cracker Barrel manager of training and development, for celebrating the rainbow rocking chairs online.

“And it’s important to note all of this because these types of employees play a critical role in turning companies away from the values of their customers and moving the companies toward wokeness,” Starbuck said.

Starbuck additionally mentioned Gilbert Dávila, a member of Cracker Barrel’s board since 2020.

Dávila has held executive roles at Disney, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble, and is co-CEO of DMI Consulting, a firm that promotes “cultural relevance and creativity.”

Starbuck argued that Dávila and similar executives drive the “woke advertising push” seen across major corporations.

Starbuck stressed that the controversy extends beyond branding.

“It’s very, very important to understand that the Cracker Barrel story is not about a logo. It’s not at all about a logo, it is about a country, it is our heritage, and it is a culture. It’s about a power structure built to tell us that we are somehow backwards, embarrassing or bigoted,” he said.

He concluded by urging conservatives and Christians to withhold their business.

“A conservative can’t give their money to Cracker Barrel. A Christian cannot give their money to Cracker Barrel, and so we won’t,” Starbuck said.

According to Starbuck, the company now faces a choice between continuing its current course and losing customers or reverting to its 1977 logo to maintain its traditional base.

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Canada Bends the Knee to Trump’s Will, Drops Tariffs on U.S. Goods
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Canada Bends the Knee to Trump’s Will, Drops Tariffs on U.S. Goods

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Canada announced Friday that it will remove a large portion of its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in an effort to restart trade negotiations that have been stalled in recent months.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move is aimed at restoring momentum to bilateral trade discussions under the framework of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Tariffs imposed on U.S. goods compliant with USMCA will be lifted, while restrictions on autos, steel, and aluminum will remain in effect.

“In this context and consistent with Canada’s commitment to USMCA, I am announcing today that the Canadian government will now match the United States by removing all of Canada’s tariffs on U.S. goods specifically covered under USMCA,” Carney said during a press conference in Ottawa.

“Canada and the U.S. have now re-established free trade for the vast majority of our goods,” Carney added.

He noted that compared to other trading partners, Canadian exports continue to face relatively low U.S. tariffs.

“Canada currently has the best trade deal with the United States. And while it’s different from what we had before, it’s still better than that of any other country,” he said.

Carney also said President Donald Trump told him the Canadian action would help relaunch trade talks.

“We welcome this move by Canada, which is long overdue,” a White House official told FOX News.

“We look forward to continuing our discussions with Canada on the Administration’s trade and national security concerns.”

Friday’s announcement follows other recent steps by Canada aimed at smoothing trade relations with the United States.

In late June, the Canadian government withdrew plans for a digital services tax, which had prompted significant pushback from U.S. companies, especially in the technology sector.

The removal of the proposal was seen as an attempt to clear a major obstacle in the trade talks.

Last month, Carney’s government also ended threats to impose new tariffs on U.S. goods if the two countries failed to reach a deal by August 1.

The latest rollback of tariffs underscores Canada’s effort to reduce friction with its largest trading partner and return to negotiations focused on long-term trade stability.

The U.S. and Canada remain each other’s largest or second-largest trading partners depending on the year, with deep ties in energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Canada was the top destination for U.S. exports in 2024 and the third-largest source of imported goods.

Canada exported more than three-quarters of its goods to the United States last year, while nearly half of its imports came from the U.S.

U.S. exports to Canada include vehicles, machinery, energy products, and approximately $30 billion in agricultural goods.

Canada’s primary exports to the United States are energy and vehicles, in addition to more than $40 billion in agricultural products.

While most tariffs covered under USMCA are now removed, major sticking points remain over auto, steel, and aluminum products, which continue to be central to ongoing disputes between the two countries.

Both governments have signaled that trade negotiations will resume in the coming weeks, with the goal of resolving outstanding issues and strengthening the long-standing economic relationship.

The tariff removal marks the latest attempt by Canada and the United States to re-establish common ground under the USMCA framework while preserving leverage over key industries where disagreements remain.

American Tests Positive for the Bubonic Plague in California
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American Tests Positive for the Bubonic Plague in California

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Health officials in California have confirmed that a resident of South Lake Tahoe has tested positive for plague, marking a rare but serious case of the illness in the state.

Authorities believe the individual contracted the disease from a flea bite while on a camping trip.

El Dorado County’s acting director of public health, Kyle Fliflet, released a statement addressing the case.

“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” Fliflet said.

“It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present,” he added.

The plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is typically carried by rodent species.

According to historical records, it was introduced to the United States in the early 20th century by immigrants traveling on rat-infested ships.

There are three primary forms of the disease:

  • Bubonic plague, which affects the lymph nodes.
  • Septicemic plague, which enters the bloodstream.
  • Pneumonic plague, which impacts the lungs.

Symptoms of plague are often similar to those of the common cold and can take up to two weeks to appear after exposure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the United States sees an average of seven cases annually.

Most are recorded in the western states, including New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.

Transmission to humans generally occurs through flea bites, direct contact with an infected rodent, or improper handling of an animal carrying the disease.

Although plague is historically associated with catastrophic outbreaks such as the Black Death in the 14th century, modern medicine has significantly reduced its threat.

Infections today are commonly treatable with antibiotics, and the prognosis is generally favorable with timely medical intervention.

The last epidemic of plague in the United States occurred in Los Angeles between 1924 and 1925.

Since 2000, a total of 15 people nationwide have died from the illness, according to federal health data.

Earlier this summer, health officials in Arizona confirmed a plague-related death, the first fatality recorded in the United States in 2024.

That case was linked to a prairie dog die-off in the region.

California health officials are urging residents and visitors to remain cautious while outdoors, particularly in areas where rodents are active.

Recommended precautions include keeping pets on leashes, avoiding contact with wild animals, using insect repellent, and promptly reporting any unusual die-offs of rodents or other wildlife to local authorities.

The El Dorado County Department of Public Health has not released further details about the South Lake Tahoe patient, including their current condition.

Officials continue to monitor the area and are emphasizing preventive measures to reduce the risk of additional cases.

Trump’s Crypto Agenda Gets Million Boost From Winklevoss Brothers
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Trump’s Crypto Agenda Gets $21 Million Boost From Winklevoss Brothers

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Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, co-founders of the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange, announced Wednesday that they donated more than 188 bitcoin — valued at approximately $21 million — to the Digital Freedom Fund PAC.

The political action committee is aligned with President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand America’s role as a global leader in cryptocurrency.

“Today, @cameron and I donated $21 million in bitcoin (188.4547 BTC) to the Digital Freedom Fund PAC. The mission of the @FreedomFundPAC is to help realize President Trump’s vision of making America the crypto capital of the world,” Tyler Winklevoss wrote on X.

According to the announcement, the Digital Freedom Fund PAC will focus on supporting Trump’s crypto policies and ensuring Republicans maintain control of Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.

“We will identify and support champions of President Trump’s crypto agenda in primary races and the midterm elections,” Winklevoss added.

In his post, Winklevoss cautioned that if Republicans lose the majority in either chamber, Democrats could work to obstruct the administration’s agenda.

“Democrats will have power to slow down and interfere with President Trump’s agenda. We know from their past behavior that they will resort to whatever bad faith tactics and tricks they can think of (e.g., bogus impeachments, lawfare, etc.) to try to derail the President. We don’t want that. We want the American Golden Age and we are ready to fight for it,” he wrote.

The twins outlined several policy priorities the PAC will advocate for, including reforms to support the growth of the cryptocurrency industry.

Winklevoss said they will push for “thoughtful Market Structure legislation that enshrines the freedoms that will allow the crypto industry to thrive and avoids the pitfalls of overregulation, bloated licensing regimes, and increased red tape that only serves to choke off innovation, grow the Regulatory Industrial Complex, and empower the swamp.”

Another stated priority is advancing legislation that would establish a “Bitcoin & Crypto Bill of Rights.”

Such measures would aim to protect individuals’ ability to own digital assets, hold them in self-custody, and use them for peer-to-peer transactions without interference.

Winklevoss also emphasized opposition to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), arguing they represent a threat to personal freedoms.

“We will fight for legislation that bans Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and other totalitarian technologies that tread on your freedoms and can be easily wielded by power hungry politicians and unelected bureaucrats to encroach upon and take away your liberty,” he wrote.

The announcement reflects the twins’ ongoing public support for Trump. Both Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss endorsed Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election and have continued backing his administration’s approach to cryptocurrency policy.

The donation marks one of the largest single contributions in bitcoin to a political committee and underscores growing efforts among cryptocurrency entrepreneurs to shape legislation favorable to the industry.

The Digital Freedom Fund PAC is expected to play a significant role in upcoming campaigns as Republicans seek to maintain congressional majorities in 2026 while advancing Trump’s economic and regulatory policies.

Carnival Cruise Descends Into Chaos as Passengers Brawl Over Fried Chicken?
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Carnival Cruise Descends Into Chaos as Passengers Brawl Over Fried Chicken?

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A large brawl broke out on a Carnival Cruise ship early Monday morning, reportedly sparked by an argument in a late-night food line.

The incident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. aboard the Carnival Sunshine as the ship was returning to Miami from a voyage that included stops in the Bahamas.

Footage from the scene shows about two dozen passengers engaged in a violent altercation, while others shouted for security to intervene.

In the video, one bystander can be heard yelling, “Where the f–k is security?!” as multiple passengers exchanged punches and tackled one another to the floor.

Several shoes and personal belongings were seen scattered across the area as the fight continued.

Carnival security personnel attempted to break up the melee.

At one point, an officer appeared overwhelmed, retreating from the crowd and reaching for his radio to call for additional assistance.

Bronx-based content creator Mike Terra, who was aboard the ship, filmed the incident and shared it on his social media accounts.

While recording, he turned the camera on himself and said, “Over chicken tenders is crazy.”

Terra later explained in follow-up comments that the fight was an “isolated incident” that escalated around 2 a.m.

He added that while food appeared to be at the center of the dispute, there may have been other factors involved.

Speaking with the New York Post, Terra said, “We weren’t close enough to know why [the fight] really started, we just knew they were in line for food.”

In his video caption, Terra wrote: “I always hear Carnival is ghetto/ratchet. I been cruising for years but this my 1st time seeing some action on a ship I was on. YNs was tripping.”

The footage quickly spread online, drawing attention to the disruption during what was otherwise a routine cruise.

Terra emphasized that such disturbances are rare, despite perceptions of Carnival ships as rowdy.

The Carnival Sunshine had departed Miami on Thursday and visited two destinations in the Bahamas before heading back to the United States.

The altercation occurred during the final leg of the voyage, just hours before the ship was scheduled to return to port in Miami.

As of Wednesday, Carnival had not released a public statement detailing what prompted the fight or whether any passengers faced disciplinary action.

The cruise line typically enforces strict codes of conduct for passengers, and security staff are tasked with addressing any violations on board.

No serious injuries were reported in connection with the brawl.

The company has not confirmed whether local law enforcement was contacted once the vessel returned to port.

The altercation marks the latest in a series of high-profile incidents on cruise ships that have been widely shared on social media in recent years, often drawing public scrutiny to passenger behavior and the ability of ship security to respond to large-scale disturbances.

Texas Dem Flees Bathroom Video Conference Call When Informed She’s Committing a Felony
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Texas Dem Flees Bathroom Video Conference Call When Informed She’s Committing a Felony

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Texas Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier abruptly left a virtual call with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders after claiming she was told her participation from inside the state Capitol could constitute a felony.

Collier joined the meeting with Newsom, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, and other party members while the Texas House of Representatives was debating a redistricting bill backed by President Donald Trump.

During the call, Collier argued that the bill violated the Voting Rights Act, saying it would “prevent Black and Brown individuals from selecting the candidates of their choice because they’re cracking and packing these districts.”

Roughly 30 minutes into the call, Collier interrupted Martin to announce she had to leave.

“Sorry, I have to leave. They said it’s a felony for me to do this,” she said.

Collier explained that she was not permitted to remain on the House floor or even in the bathroom during the meeting.

Turning off camera, she added, “You told me I was only allowed to be here in the bathroom,” before concluding, “No, hang on. Bye everybody. I’ve got to go.”

Her sudden exit prompted immediate responses from other Democrats on the call.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said, “That is outrageous. Let me tell you something, Rep. Collier in the bathroom has more dignity than Donald Trump in the Oval Office.”

Newsom responded, “There you go,” nodding in agreement.

Booker added, “What they’re trying to do right there is silence an American leader, silence a Black woman, and that is outrageous. What we just witnessed, them trying to shut her down and saying it’s illegal for her to be in the bathroom and on this call, this is the lengths that they’re going to in Texas.”

The exchange occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Democratic resistance to the Texas redistricting plan.

Weeks earlier, dozens of Democratic lawmakers left the state for more than two weeks to block the measure by denying the House a quorum.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders ordered the absent lawmakers to be arrested if they did not return to conduct legislative business, warning they could also face removal from office.

Upon their return, Democrats were met with new security protocols designed to maintain quorum. Lawmakers reported that officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety monitored their movements throughout the Capitol, including standing guard outside their offices and following them when they left.

Some legislators said they were required to sign “permission slips” to leave the building and submit to surveillance.

Collier chose to remain on the House floor late into Monday night and Tuesday rather than comply with the restrictions.

Despite the ongoing dispute, the Texas House voted on Wednesday to approve new congressional maps.

In response, Newsom announced that California would push forward with its own redistricting plan to counter Texas’ legislation.

On Friday, California Democrats and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released a new map that could eliminate five Republican congressional seats in California, potentially offsetting the five additional seats Republicans would gain under the Texas maps.

The parallel developments in Texas and California underscored the partisan battle over redistricting ahead of future elections, with both parties using state legislatures to shape congressional representation.


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