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Riley Gaines Pushes Back on Megan Rapinoe’s Criticism of Female Sports Categories
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Riley Gaines Pushes Back on Megan Rapinoe’s Criticism of Female Sports Categories

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Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines responded Wednesday to comments made by former U.S. Women’s Soccer player Megan Rapinoe regarding efforts to protect female athletics. Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has become a prominent figure in the “Save Women’s Sports” movement, said Rapinoe’s criticism demonstrated what she called “peak irony,” as reported by the Western Journal.

Gaines’ remarks were posted on X, where she has frequently addressed issues surrounding women’s sports. Her message came after Rapinoe questioned the motives of those who support restrictions preventing men who identify as women from competing in female athletic categories.

The debate has remained a central part of Gaines’ public advocacy, with her efforts focused on keeping competition limited to biological women.

“Megan Rapinoe questioning the motives behind protecting women’s sports is peak irony,” Gaines wrote. “The only reason she had a professional career at all is because she had a protected female category.”

The reaction followed broader discussions circulating online about divisions within women’s athletics on the issue of eligibility. Supporters of Gaines’ movement have pointed to longstanding policies that separate male and female competition as essential to ensuring fairness.

Rapinoe has taken the opposite position in numerous public statements and has frequently defended the inclusion of individuals who identify as transgender in women’s sports.

The commentary came after an opinion piece circulated widely on social media describing wokeness as a “derangement,” characterizing it as behavior that cannot be explained by a single cause.

The piece claimed that certain elements appear to contribute to this mindset but do not fully account for it. That commentary was not authored by Gaines but was part of the broader online discussion occurring at the same time as her post.

Gaines’ remarks on Wednesday centered exclusively on Rapinoe’s criticism of the Save Women’s Sports movement.

Mar 18, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Penn Quakers swimmer Lia Thomas holds a trophy after finishing fifth in the 200 free at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships as Kentucky Wildcats swimmer Riley Gaines looks on at Georgia Tech. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The movement has gained national attention over the past several years, driven in part by disputes in collegiate and professional sports regarding competitive standards and the preservation of women’s athletic categories.

Gaines has described her efforts as focused on fairness and maintaining the integrity of women’s sports, often emphasizing the impact of policy decisions on young female athletes.

Rapinoe has consistently taken a different approach, urging broader inclusion in sports and challenging claims that such policies undermine fairness.

Her recent comments reignited debate between the two sides, with Gaines responding publicly through her social media account.

The exchange marks the latest chapter in an ongoing national conversation about athletic competition and eligibility rules.

The two athletes have not spoken directly to each other in the public comments referenced, but their positions continue to draw strong reactions from supporters on both sides of the issue.

Teachers Union Big Cheese Says Opposing DEI Puts Nation ‘On the Road to Fascism’
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Teachers Union Big Cheese Says Opposing DEI Puts Nation ‘On the Road to Fascism’

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American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said Wednesday that efforts to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies threaten civil rights progress and amount to what she described as a path toward fascism.

Weingarten made the remarks during an appearance in New York on “State of New York” at 92NY while discussing her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers.

Weingarten referenced President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting DEI programs in the federal government.

Trump has described such programs as creating “an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system.”

During the event, Weingarten said opponents of DEI initiatives were attempting to erase long-standing civil rights advancements.

“In the last two or three years, the behavior of some is very, very, very dangerous,” Weingarten said.

She continued, “The erasure of the civil rights movement and of equal opportunity… making [the] words diversity and inclusion toxic when there was just a civil rights survey that said, 88% of people in America believe in diversity, the attempt to Balkanize, to undermine pluralism and the attempt to stop teachers from in schools all across America, not just pre-K through 12, but in higher education from teaching, critical thinking and problem solving. To me, all of that is gets you on the road to fascism.”

Weingarten also described what she characterized as “dehumanization,” pointing to a prior exchange with Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia during a congressional hearing.

Weingarten noted that Greene apologized for earlier comments she had made.

In a separate interview in November 2023 with Julia Manchester of The Hill, Weingarten said that criticism of her leadership stemmed from homophobia and antisemitism.

The remarks come as nationwide student achievement remains below pre-pandemic levels.

According to 2024 data from the Nation’s Report Card, student test scores have not recovered from the declines that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Math and reading scores posted the steepest drop in 50 years, based on 2023 figures from the National Center for Education Statistics.

During the period in which scores fell, national teachers unions publicly supported left-leaning policy issues, including critical race theory, gun control measures and gender-related instruction in school curricula.

These efforts drew sustained objections from parents in multiple states. Weingarten also reportedly opposed President Donald Trump’s July 2020 proposal to reopen schools during the pandemic.

Weingarten’s comments at the New York event continued her criticism of those seeking to reverse DEI efforts and restrict certain instructional topics.

The interview promoted themes from her book and addressed ongoing debates surrounding civil rights, education policy and the role of classroom instruction in public schools.

Illegal Alien Trucker with NY CDL Kills Indiana National Guardsman in Deadly Crash
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Illegal Alien Trucker with NY CDL Kills Indiana National Guardsman in Deadly Crash

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An illegal alien who held a commercial driver’s license issued by the State of New York was arrested over the weekend after a multi-vehicle crash in Boone County, Indiana, that resulted in the death of an Indiana National Guardsman.

The driver, identified as 56-year-old Georgian national Goderdzi Gujabidze, is now in custody following the incident.

Authorities said Gujabidze was operating an 18-wheeler when he collided with a military Humvee and another vehicle.

Indiana National Guardsman Terry Frye was pronounced dead at the scene. Three additional individuals were transported to a hospital for treatment.

When deputies attempted to communicate with Gujabidze, law enforcement reported a “language barrier” that required the assistance of a translator.

Officials later confirmed that Gujabidze had obtained a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license in New York. According to information reviewed after the accident, he entered the United States in 2022 at San Luis, Arizona.

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement to The Daily Wire addressing the incident.

“Another senseless and avoidable tragedy on America’s roads at the hands of an illegal alien driving a commercial vehicle. Sanctuary states are recklessly providing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens who should not be operating 18-wheeler and trucks on America’s highways,” she said.

McLaughlin added, “Thanks to the cooperation from Boone County Sheriff’s Office, this illegal will never again be allowed to terrorize American roads again. We pray for the family of Terry Frye as they mourn the loss of their son and thank him for his service to this nation.”

The Trump administration has launched a federal review of state practices involving commercial driver’s licenses issued to individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States.

The move follows a series of fatal roadway collisions in Florida and California involving foreign nationals who held CDLs issued by state authorities.

The Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Sean Duffy, initiated an audit of state records related to CDL holders.

During the review, California was found to have improperly issued 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses to foreign nationals. Federal officials have stated that additional findings from other states are forthcoming.

Secretary Duffy addressed the audit results in a recent statement.

“What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American,” he said.

“Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers — often times illegally. This is a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road, and I won’t stand for it. Today’s actions will prevent unsafe foreign drivers from renewing their license and hold states accountable to immediately invalidate improperly issued licenses.”

Gujabidze remains in custody as the investigation continues, and Indiana officials are coordinating with federal authorities regarding his immigration status and commercial licensing history.

Dem Mayoral Candidate With Child Molestation History Tells Voters They’re ‘Wrong’ to Object
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Dem Mayoral Candidate With Child Molestation History Tells Voters They’re ‘Wrong’ to Object

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Michael English, a Democratic candidate running for mayor of Providence, is addressing renewed attention on a criminal record that includes child molestation convictions from the late 1990s.

English has referred to the actions that led to his convictions as “immature decisions” that resulted in a “period of incarceration.”

According to the Providence Journal, English was 26 when he engaged in a relationship with a 13-year-old.

The outlet reported that after serving a little over a year in prison, English attempted to contact the victim again in 2009.

The Providence Journal reviewed court documents related to the case, as English’s file is not easily accessible and he does not appear on the Rhode Island Sex Offender Registry after successfully appealing the requirement to register.

English told the Providence Journal that he did not know the age of the victim at the time of the initial offense.

Court records reviewed by the outlet state that the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office alleged English engaged in sexual acts with the victim between January and March 1997.

The indictment said he lived in North Providence and met the girl at various places in Cumberland, North Smithfield, and Lincoln, including the Lincoln Mall.

In March 1998, English pleaded no contest to four counts that included first-degree child molestation, second-degree child molestation, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Superior Court Judge Ronald Gagnon sentenced him to 20 years, with 18 and a half years suspended, and ordered him to register as a sex offender.

More than 90% of the sentence was suspended.

In September 2009, the victim reported to police that English had driven to her home and attempted to speak with her, suggesting they get coffee.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in that case. He served a little less than two years before being placed on house arrest for two months, with the remaining portion of the sentence forgiven.

When questioned about his criminal history during his current campaign, English pointed to his academic credentials and experience raising his own children.

Responding to concerns about whether the record should be seen as disqualifying, he told the Providence Journal, “They’d be wrong, legally. They also should calculate what did I do from then.” He also said, “If I’m the bad guy here, God help you all.”

English’s public comments have drawn attention as he seeks office in Providence, with his prior convictions and subsequent re-offense forming part of the scrutiny surrounding his candidacy.

Photos Reveal Moment UPS Jet’s Engine Detached Before Deadly Kentucky Crash
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Photos Reveal Moment UPS Jet’s Engine Detached Before Deadly Kentucky Crash

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Newly released photos from the November 4 crash of a UPS cargo plane in Kentucky show the moment one of the aircraft’s engines separated and ignited during takeoff.

The National Transportation Safety Board published the images along with its preliminary findings on Thursday.

The MD-11 aircraft was taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport when its left engine detached.

The photos show the engine breaking away and appearing to strike the fuselage.

The crash resulted in 14 fatalities, including all three crew members on board and 11 people on the ground.

According to the NTSB’s initial report, investigators found “fatigue cracks” and indications of “overstress” on the pylon that supported the left engine.

The cracks were identified in the aft mount of the left pylon, the structure that connects the engine to the wing.

The report also stated that the bearing used to secure that connection had fractured.

The NTSB noted that there were no signs of pre-existing fractures or deformation on other components that attach the engine to the wing.

The aircraft involved in the incident was manufactured in 1991 and had undergone recent maintenance before the flight.

Investigators said takeoff for UPS Flight 2976 was routine until the final moments, when the engine failure occurred.

The aircraft did not climb higher than 30 feet before it descended and struck a UPS warehouse and recycling facility located just south of the airport.

The preliminary findings indicate similarities to the 1979 crash of an American Airlines flight in Chicago, in which the left engine also separated during takeoff.

That incident resulted in 273 fatalities and remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in U.S. history.

The NTSB’s investigation into the November crash is ongoing. Officials recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the site and are analyzing both devices.

Investigators are also reviewing the maintenance history of the 34-year-old cargo aircraft, including repairs completed in Texas in the weeks leading up to the crash.

Jobs Report Crushes Expectations, But It’s Even Better When You Dig Deeper
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Jobs Report Crushes Expectations, But It’s Even Better When You Dig Deeper

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The latest jobs report showed payroll growth alongside an unemployment rate of 4.4%, the highest in four years.

The rise in unemployment included an increase in Black unemployment.

The data also reflected a shift in the composition of the workforce between native-born and foreign-born workers.

According to the report, the number of native-born workers increased by 676,000 in September, following a decline of 561,000 in August.

During the same period, the number of foreign-born workers decreased by 70,000.

Month-to-month changes are affected by seasonal patterns, but the broader trend described in the employment data shows movement in workforce composition since the start of 2025.

A longer-term review of labor force figures shows that the foreign-born workforce declined from 33.7 million in March 2025 to 32.1 million in September, a decrease of 1.6 million.

During that same timeframe, the native-born workforce rose from 131.2 million to 133.2 million, marking an increase of two million and reaching a new recorded high.

Before the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the foreign-born workforce was approximately 28.7 million.

Under the previous administration, that number increased by 4.5 million.

Over those same years, the number of native-born workers decreased.

Analysts at the time attributed the decline to demographic changes and labor participation trends.

The employment report’s data reflects workforce changes that have taken place since early 2025, when the number of native-born workers began rising again following several years of little movement.

The figures also reflect the decrease in foreign-born workers during the same period.

Dem Senator Van Hollen Found a New ‘Maryland Mom’ Criminal Illegal Alien to Go to Bat For
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Dem Senator Van Hollen Found a New ‘Maryland Mom’ Criminal Illegal Alien to Go to Bat For

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A Department of Homeland Security official responded Wednesday to remarks from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) after he claimed that the Trump administration was preparing to deport what he described as an innocent mother and business owner from his district.

DHS later confirmed that the woman, identified as 44-year-old Melissa Tran, is an illegal alien from Vietnam with criminal convictions and a final order of removal.

Sen. Van Hollen posted on X about Tran’s case, writing, “Melissa Tran came here on a Green Card at age 11. She’s since raised 4 kids, started a business, and is a beloved member of the Hagerstown community. Trump is deporting her, despite a judge saying she poses no threat. Is she the ‘worst of the worst’? Do you feel safer yet?”

His post referenced a news article about her situation.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, responded to the senator on X with additional details.

“Omitting some pesky facts, Senator. Mong Tuyen Thi Tran, is a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, with criminal convictions including grand larceny, multiple counts of forgery and fraud. An immigration judge issued her a final order of removal in 2004–over 20 years ago,” she wrote.

The senator’s post received a community note on the platform.

Sen. Van Hollen drew national attention earlier this year when he traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an MS-13 gang member cited in domestic violence allegations.

Social media users questioned the senator’s characterization of Tran’s case.

One user wrote, “Great community note, Chris. Have you ever met a criminal you wouldn’t go to bat for?”

Another said, “Her green card was revoked in 2003 following a felony theft conviction. Seems like 22 years is plenty of time to resolve the citizenship challenge.”

Another comment read, “Feeling safer already!! Woooo support your local ICE raid!!”

According to McLaughlin, Tran was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May.

The Banner reported that Tran, who operated a nail salon, had been detained at an ICE facility in Washington state until a judge ordered her release in October.

After Vietnam approved her passport for return, ICE arrested Tran again in Baltimore on Friday.

Her removal proceedings resumed following approval of travel documentation.

Tran is currently held at an ICE facility in Louisiana.

Democrats Melt Down After Trump Calls Out Lawmakers for ‘Seditious Behavior’
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Democrats Melt Down After Trump Calls Out Lawmakers for ‘Seditious Behavior’

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Congressional Democratic leaders issued warnings Thursday after President Donald Trump posted several messages on Truth Social accusing a group of Democratic senators and representatives of “sedition.”

The posts referenced a viral video in which six Democratic lawmakers urged members of the military and intelligence community to reject “illegal” orders from superiors.

President Trump wrote that the video was “really bad, and Dangerous to our Country.”

He added, “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT.”

In a subsequent post, he wrote, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

He also reposted another user who wrote, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded on the Senate floor.

He said President Trump was explicitly calling “for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious.”

Schumer said, “Every time Donald Trump posts things like this, he makes political violence more likely.”

He continued, “When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen. He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., issued a joint statement with House Democratic leadership.

They condemned what they called President Trump’s “disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress” and called on House Republicans to join them.

Jeffries said, “We have been in contact with the House Sergeant-at-Arms and the United States Capitol Police to ensure the safety of these Members and their families. Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed.”

The video cited in President Trump’s posts featured Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Reps. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.

In the video, the lawmakers called on military personnel to refuse to follow unlawful orders.

Republicans and officials in the Trump administration criticized the video and asked the lawmakers to specify what they considered to be unlawful directives.

The video circulated as lawmakers questioned the legality of President Trump’s authorization of strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean.

It also followed the administration’s decision to deploy National Guard personnel to several major cities.

The exchange occurred during a period of heightened concern about political violence.

There have been two attempted assassinations of President Trump, as well as the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Threats against members of Congress have also increased over the last several years.

Murphy Explodes, Drops an F-Bomb After Trump Blasts Democrats’ ‘Illegal Orders’ Video
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Murphy Explodes, Drops an F-Bomb After Trump Blasts Democrats’ ‘Illegal Orders’ Video

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Democrat Senator Chris Murphy criticized President Trump on Thursday after reacting to Trump’s Truth Social posts about a video released by six Democrat lawmakers.

The video featured Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, along with Representatives Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania.

In the video, each lawmaker repeated statements such as, “You can refuse illegal orders,” or “You must refuse illegal orders.”

No specific examples of unlawful directives were cited.

President Trump responded to the video on Truth Social on Thursday morning. “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT,” he wrote.

In a separate post later that morning, he stated, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

Senator Murphy reacted publicly to President Trump’s posts later in the day.

“The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. ‘HANG THEM’, he posted,” Murphy said.

He followed with a second statement: “If you’re a person of influence in this country and you haven’t picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a f**king side.”

Following the circulation of the video, Senator Lindsey Graham sent a letter to the six Democrat lawmakers seeking clarification.

In the letter, reported by Fox News, Graham wrote, “I cannot find a single example of an illegal order during this administration, but as a Member of Congress, I believe you owe it to the country to be specific as to which orders you believe are unlawful.”

Graham continued by addressing the content of their message to service members and intelligence professionals.

“However, to say that I am disturbed by your video encouraging service members and Intelligence Community professionals to refuse ‘unlawful orders’ is an understatement,” he wrote.

Graham asked the lawmakers to identify which directives issued by President Trump or officials in his chain of command they consider illegal, stating, “In that regard, could you please provide clarity on what orders, issued by President Trump or those in his chain of command, you consider illegal?”

The video from the six Democrats continued circulating online throughout the day, prompting responses from lawmakers in both parties.

President Trump maintained his position in posts made Thursday morning, while Senator Murphy’s comments marked one of the strongest reactions from a Democrat in Congress.

Graham’s letter represented the first direct call from a Republican senator for the lawmakers to specify the basis for their statements in the video.

Democrat Admits She Hates the City She’s Running to Be Mayor Of, Proudly Bullies ICE
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Democrat Admits She Hates the City She’s Running to Be Mayor Of, Proudly Bullies ICE

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Tennessee State Rep. Aftyn Behn is facing criticism in the final days before the December 2 special election in the Seventh Congressional District after audio resurfaced from a 2020 podcast in which she said she “hates” Nashville, a city included in the district she is seeking to represent.

Behn is the Democratic candidate in the race to fill the seat vacated by former Republican Rep. Mark Green, who retired following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in July.

The district has a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+10.

Despite the Republican advantage, the Republican National Committee has moved significant resources into the contest, citing recent high Democrat turnout in elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

The resurfaced audio circulated widely this week. In the recording, Behn said, “I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it’ city to the rest of the country. But I hate it.”

President Trump won the district by 22 points last November.

Although the district leans Republican, it includes parts of Nashville, the state capital and Tennessee’s most populous city.

Nashville is a major tourist destination known for its cultural history and its ties to country music.

The Seventh District includes areas of north and west Nashville, including parts of the downtown area.

The audio prompted response from Republican candidate Matt Van Epps and national party officials.

“The Democrat running in a special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, Aftyn Behn, is running on the message: ‘I hate this place, elect me!’ Tennessee deserves better,” the Republican National Committee posted on social media Thursday.

Behn became the nominee after winning last month’s special primary election.

She prevailed over former State Rep. Bo Mitchell and political newcomer Darden Copeland, both of whom received more than 20 percent of the vote.

Republicans have invested heavily in the race despite the district’s partisan rating.

Public filings show that billionaire Jeff Yass has contributed more than $1.3 million toward efforts in the contest.

Additional expenditures include more than $600,000 from the Ken Griffin-supported Conservatives for American Excellence and $453,000 from the School Freedom Fund.

Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC has also spent seven figures on activity related to the race.

The Seventh Congressional District special election is scheduled for December 2.


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