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New book exposes how top Biden comms staffer was ‘tip of the spear’ covering up Biden’s cognitive decline

A new book sheds light on former White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates’ role in defending President Joe Biden’s mental acuity, which the book alleges was done without the White House staff having the full picture of the president’s actual condition. 

‘Some of Bates’s colleagues believed that Biden’s inner circle took advantage of his loyalty and told him to deny things they knew were true,’ Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson wrote in their new book ‘Original Sin,’ detailing the inner workings of the Biden White House and attempts to downplay concerns about the president’s mental and physical fitness.

‘He, along with most of the press team, rarely met with the president and didn’t have firsthand knowledge of the president’s wherewithal,’ the book continued. ‘They relied on senior staff for answers. Still, risking his own credibility, Bates willingly became the White House’s tip of the spear when it came to fighting off any reporting on Biden’s acuity.’

Outside of White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Bates was perhaps the most prominent face of the public-facing defense of Biden during his administration, often handling requests for comment from reporters and is mentioned about half a dozen times in the book.

The book goes into detail about an alleged ‘modus operandi’ from the Biden campaign and the White House for ‘attacking any journalist who covered any questions about the president’s age’ with the goal to ‘shame journalists and create a disincentive structure for those curious about the president’s condition.’

‘To answer the question on everyone’s minds: No, Joe Biden does not have a doctorate in foreign affairs. He’s just that f—ing good,’ Bates posted on X following a Biden press conference two weeks after the debate performance that many believe was the beginning of the end of his campaign. 

The book looked back on that remark and stated that it ‘reflected the views of the Politburo but among professional Democrats, it became an instant legend for its sycophancy and tone-deafness.’

Bates dismissed the book’s narrative about him, telling Fox News Digital it ‘is distorted, stretching select facts while excluding others.’

A former Biden White House staffer also came to Bates’ defense, telling Fox News Digital, ‘This gets important facts wrong.’

‘Bates served as a senior spokesperson who met with and traveled with the President, including in the Oval and on Air Force One, staffing him around the country and on Capitol Hill. That’s public information. He served as a point person in the press office on major legislative and political issues,’ the former White House staffer continued. ‘He was known for being respectful and considerate if a colleague didn’t want to do an interview for a challenging story, whether it was about policy or anything else.’

The book details one specific instance of the White House successfully killing a story when ‘weeks’ before the explosive Wall Street Journal story detailing concern about Biden’s decline came out in June, Steve Ricchetti, former White House deputy chief of staff, strongly denied claims that the president was slipping to another journalist.

‘[A] reporter with a different national news outlet had been hearing from White House aides that behind the scenes the president was having serious and disturbing moments, forgetting names and facts, sometimes seeming seriously confused at meetings,’ the book read.

‘The reporter reached out to members of the White House press office, which not only aggressively—and angrily—disputed her reporting but also took the unusual step of having Steve Ricchetti call her,’ the book said. ‘He talked to her off the record, so she couldn’t use any of what he said or even attribute it to ‘a White House source.’ But he told her that everything the others were saying was false, and that he was at the meetings as a counselor to the president.’

According to Tapper and Thompson, the Biden White House was going all out trying to control the perception of his health.

‘The message from the White House was clear, this reporter believed: If she went forward with the story from anonymous aides, the White House would aggressively dispute it, on the record, and portray her as a liar,’ the book reads. ‘The tacit threat worked.’

The book has sparked intense reactions from both sides of the aisle, leading many to slam the media’s coverage of Biden’s mental acuity and blame the media and Biden’s team for covering up the facts of the situation. 

Fox News Digital has written extensively dating back to the 2020 presidential campaign about Biden’s cognitive decline and his inner circle’s role in covering it up.

Others have pushed back against the framing of the book, including Naomi Biden, Joe Biden’s granddaughter, who delivered a scathing rebuke to the new book, calling it ‘silly’ and ‘political fairy smut.’

CNN, Tapper’s network, has also faced pushback for its promotion of the book, including from ‘The View’ and Daily Show host Jon Stewart, who took issue with the network promoting the book under the backdrop of Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Biden spokesperson said, ‘There is nothing in this book that shows Joe Biden failed to do his job, as the authors have alleged, nor did they prove their allegation that there was a cover up or conspiracy.’

‘Nowhere do they show that our national security was threatened or where the President wasn’t otherwise engaged in the important matters of the Presidency. In fact, Joe Biden was an effective President who led our country with empathy and skill.’

Fox News Digital’s Hanna Panreck and Rachel del Guidice contributed to this report

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NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt’s children discuss new documentary

The first decade of what’s become the Cup Series saw lots of parity with multiple drivers competing for championships. Lee Petty had the most with three (1954, 1958-59). His son Richard became the first NASCAR driver to win seven championships, the first in 1964. He also won titles in 1967, 1971-72, 1974-75 and 1979.

That was one of the most dominant stretches in NASCAR history. Richard Petty still holds the record for most Cup Series wins with 200.

One year after Richard’s final title, a new champion was crowned: Dale Earnhardt.

The North Carolina native took the mantle from Petty as the dominant force in NASCAR. Earnhardt took his first Cup Series title in 1980 and equaled Petty’s total of seven championships with titles in 1986-87, 1990-91 and 1993-94. His driving style earned him many nicknames, including ‘The Intimidator,’ ‘Ironhead’ and ‘The Man in Black,’ a nod to his black No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

But for many younger NASCAR fans, Earnhardt is only the stuff of legend. The seven-time champion died in a last-lap crash during the 2001 Daytona 500.

Now his kids, Kelley Earnhardt Miller and longtime NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., have partnered with Amazon Prime on a new documentary series titled ‘Earnhardt,’ covering their father’s career and the Earnhardt family.

Earnhardt Jr. and Earnhardt Miller both spoke with USA TODAY about the documentary.

‘Earnhardt’ documentary origins

NASCAR’s gone through multiple era changes since Earnhardt’s death. Another driver has equaled his championship total — Jimmie Johnson — and a new generation of drivers are in their primes, including the likes of Kyle Larson, William Byron, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott.

‘For me, I just wanted to introduce Dad and his greatness to a generation of fans that hadn’t seen him race or didn’t understand why he was so loved or appreciated,’ Earnhardt Jr. said.

This documentary also gives viewers a chance to understand Earnhardt’s story prior to his NASCAR career.

‘There’s been a few different documentaries and pieces done but I don’t think anything this comprehensive,’ Earnhardt Miller said. ‘A kind of human side of our dad, not the racer, not always the racer that people know. The father and the person and the friend and all that he was to people.’

What makes ‘Earnhardt’ different?

There’s no shortage of media about Earnhardt. The 2004 ESPN film ‘3: The Dale Earnhardt Story’ and 2007’s ‘Dale – The Movie’ narrated by Paul Newman are some of the other films about the NASCAR icon.

This new series takes a wider view, including touching on less positive sides of the seven-time champion. It includes a lot of candid interviews that discuss private conversations Earnhardt had with friends and other drivers.

Both of Earnhardt’s children felt it was important to be honest about how he was with them.

‘We’ve grown to understand to tell this story, Dad’s story, which has been told many, many times, to truly tell it was to be honest,’ Earnhardt Jr. said. ‘Had we not, we would be just regurgitating the same ‘seven-time champion,’ ‘won this many races,’ ‘what a great guy,’ ‘he’s amazing,’ ‘The Intimidator,’ that everybody knows and loves. But to do this project justice, we had to be honest about what it was like being around him.’

Through this documentary, the two learned more about their father. Earnhardt’s longtime friend Hank Parker Sr. recounted a conversation in which Earnhardt said he couldn’t tell his children he loved them.

‘(Parker) hangs up the phone with his son and says, ‘I love you, son,” Earnhardt Miller said. ‘And when he hangs up, my dad says ‘that’s not something I can say to my kids.”

‘For me and Kelley to hear that was incredible,’ Earnhardt Jr. said. ‘There’s a couple little nuggets of that in there with (Parker) and other people who contributed to the project that … I would’ve never believed that was what Dad said or how that went down.’

For Earnhardt Jr., it was an emotional watch to see the final two episodes of the documentary with his interviews included.

‘Reliving one of the more difficult parts of your life … having to go through that was difficult,’ Earnhardt Jr. said. ‘But I wanted at the end for there to be this really, really amazing project. For (people who) will never meet this man, this here might help you get as close as you possibly can.’

How to watch ‘Earnhardt’

‘Earnhardt’ premieres on Prime Video on Thursday, May 22. The first two episodes are included in the premiere with the final two set for release on May 29.

This coincides with NASCAR’s broadcast on the streaming service. Earnhardt Jr. will be part of Prime Video’s broadcast team calling the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend from Charlotte Motor Speedway.

‘They’re going to come at it with a fresh lens,’ Earnhardt Jr. said. ‘If you look at their broadcast of (Thursday Night Football), they have new ideas, new ways of presenting the game and experience to the fan and I think this will be very similar.’

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Haliburton, Pacers stun Knicks in OT after wild Game 1 rally

NEW YORK — It was fitting that overtime would be wild, too.

To cap what was a thrilling game, the Indiana Pacers stole Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night, scraping past the New York Knicks in an overtime that saw eight lead changes, 138-135.

The Knicks would get a pair of 3-point looks inside the final seconds of overtime — one from Jalen Brunson and one from Karl-Anthony Towns — but both clanked wide.

The fact that we got here in the first place was improbable. The Pacers erased a 15-point Knicks lead with fewer than five minutes to play on a run marked by seven consecutive made 3s.

All-Star Tyrese Haliburton led all Pacers with 31 points, none bigger than his stepback two at the top of the key that tied the score, sending it into overtime. At first, Haliburton thought it was a 3 and he had won the game, turning toward the Madison Square Garden crowd and making the choke sign.

“Basketball is fun. Winning is fun. I’m so proud of the resilience of this group. … We kept going. Kept fighting,” Haliburton said during a TV interview after the game. “… I thought it was a 3. I tried to hit the celly and it didn’t work. But we finished it in overtime.

“… That’s a hell of a win. But I really do think there’s a lot for us to improve on.” 

Shooting guard Aaron Nesmith poured in 30, after scoring 20 in the fourth quarter.

Brunson led New York with 43, while Towns added 35 and 12 rebounds.

Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for all the highlights of Pacers vs. Knicks Game 1 from Madison Square Garden:

Game 1 highlights: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)

OT: Pacers 138, Knicks 135

End of regulation: Knicks 125, Pacers 125

NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers, somehow, are still alive in Game 1.

Indiana erased a 15-point Knicks lead late in the fourth quarter and tied the score at 125 on point guard Tyrese Haliburton’s deep stepback to send the game into overtime. The shot initially appeared to be a game-winning 3-pointer, but a quick review revealed that Haliburton stepped on the line.

Pacers shooting guard Aaron Nesmith, who scored 20 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, drained six consecutive 3s late in the fourth quarter to spark a run that kept Indiana close.

Knicks’ Jalen Brunson in foul trouble

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks and their most important player are facing foul trouble.

Early in the fourth quarter, All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, picked up his fifth foul when he swiped down on a layup attempt from Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell, catching all forearm. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau pulled Brunson, who leads New York with 31 points, out of the game quickly to preserve him for later in the game.

The Knicks, at least initially, did not miss him.

Forward OG Anunoby laced a step-back 3 and then put home a tough layup to score five quick points, prompting a Pacers timeout.

The Knicks are up, 99-92.

Pacers pay tribute to Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts owner who died at 65

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died earlier Wednesday. He was 65. The Pacers were among several to pay tribute to Irsay.

3Q: Knicks 90, Pacers 87

NEW YORK — Things are tightening up in the Garden.

The Pacers outscored the Knicks by four in the third quarter to close their deficit to three heading into the fourth quarter of what has been an entertaining, back-and-forth affair.

The Pacers amped up their defensive physicality and bodied Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, often doubling him in the paint once he got past the first defender. And though there were times when Indiana did appear to frustrate Brunson, he nonetheless remained productive and scored nine points in the quarter to bring his total to a game-high 27.

The Pacers opened the quarter on a 10-6 run, and point guard Tyrese Haliburton continued his stretch of aggressive play, seeking his shot. Through three quarters, he has 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The Pacers also did a better job in the third quarter of cleaning up the glass, collecting several offensive rebounds that led to second-chance opportunities.

The Knicks are up, 90-87.

Halftime: Knicks 69, Pacers 62

NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers could barely miss in the first quarter. The second was a different story — at least initially.

One frame after they shot 73.7% from the floor, the Pacers cooled down considerably. There were airballed 3s, smoked layups and even a wide open dunk attempt by Obi Toppin — a player known to rattle home dunks with power — that he flubbed off the back of the rim. Indiana, which started the game making its first nine shot attempts, followed that up by making just nine of its following 24.

That allowed the Knicks to go on a 13-1 run in the middle of the quarter and build a seven-point lead headed into halftime, 69-62.

New York has not shied from the quick tempo of the game, something that is more of a Pacers’ strength. The Knicks also looked to race out in transition to put up quick shot attempts. Another area where the Knicks are outperforming the Pacers is on the glass, where New York holds a 35-29 advantage.

The Pacers would course correct late in the period to stop the bleeding, as All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton scored the team’s final 10 points.

Jalen Brunson (18 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (15) and Mikal Bridges (12) lead the way for the Knicks. 

Celebrities, former Knicks dot MSG crowd

Stars are just like us — They get starstruck too.

TNT commentator Kenny Smith offered fans an inside look into how players feel competing in front of a star-studded crowd, especially in New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.

‘You cannot glance to the left. You cannot glance to the right. You have to stay focused in, because there’s Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, all the famous rappers that you’ve ever wanted to talk to. They are here tonight,’ Smith said on the ‘Inside the NBA’ pre-game show. ‘When you’re in the Eastern Conference Finals, you have to knock that out and not pay attention to any of that.’ — Cydney Henderson

Q1: Knicks 36, Pacers 34

NEW YORK — The Eastern Conference finals started with a flurry.

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks flushed shots at a blistering rate in the first quarter, with both teams combining to go 29-of-42 — or 69.0% — from the field. But, with a 13-5 run to close the quarter, the Knicks are taking a two-point lead into the second quarter, 36-34.

Indiana made each of its first nine field goal attempts, and, by the time it had connected on its first seven, all five starters had scored.

The Pacers shot a ridiculous 73.7% from the field in the first, with center Myles Turner, who hit all five of his attempts, leading the way with 11 points.

The Knicks were led by Jalen Brunson (nine points) and Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, both of whom chipped in eight.

What time is Pacers vs. Knicks?

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers tips off Wednesday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET.

How to watch Pacers vs. Knicks: TV, stream

  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Location: Madison Square Garden; New York
  • TV: TNT
  • Stream: Max, Sling

Knicks starting lineup for Game 1

Pacers starting lineup for Game 1

Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the NBA MVP award

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got off to a great start. He kept playing like an MVP, and Oklahoma City kept winning.

The Thunder finished 68-14 and earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and Gilgeous-Alexander is one of three finalists for MVP after averaging a league-best and career-high 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks and shooting 51.9% from the field, 37.5% on 3-pointers and 89.8% on free throws. No guard attempted more free throws per game (8.8) and he led the league in free throws made per game (7.9).

An All-Star and first-team All-NBA guard who is the best player on the best team deserves the MVP.

That’s Gilgeous-Alexander. Read why Jeff Zillgitt thinks SGA deserved the award here.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins first NBA MVP award

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar guard who led his team to the NBA’s best record, was named the league’s most valuable player during Wednesday’s ‘NBA on TNT Pregame Show.’

Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, is the third Thunder player to win the MVP. Kevin Durant took home the honors in 2014 and Russell Westbrook won it in 2017.

It’s the seventh consecutive season a foreign-born player has won the award, as Gilgeous-Alexander is a native of Canada.

ESPN first reported the news.

Led by Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder won 68 regular-season games, including going 29-1 against the Eastern Conference, winning games by an average of 12.9 points per game and outscoring their opponents by 1,055 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander received 71 first-place votes (worth 10 points) and 29 second-place votes (worth seven points) to win the award with 913 points. Three-time MVP winner Nikola Jokic received the other 29 first-place votes and 71 second-place votes to finish with 787 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished in third (470 points), marking the seventh consecutive year he’s finished in the top four. Jayson Tatum placed fourth (311 points) and Donovan Mitchell rounded out the top five (74 points). ‒ Scooby Axson and Jace Evans

Eight infamous moments from Pacers vs. Knicks rivalry

They didn’t face one another in the NBA playoffs until 1993, but the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers got acquainted really quickly after that.

The two franchises wound up playing six memorable playoff series against one another over an eight-season span, including two-consecutive matchups in the Eastern Conference finals in 1999 and 2000.

A quarter-century later, it’s Knicks vs. Pacers for a spot in the NBA Finals once again. The two teams begin their best-of-seven series with Game 1 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, and it’ll rekindle one of the league’s great rivalries of the 1990s that’s suddenly been given new life with the rise of the Knicks under Jalen Brunson and the Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton the past two seasons. Read Mark Giannotto’s story here.

Keys to Knicks, Pacers winning Eastern Conference finals

In many ways, the Eastern Conference finals is a battle of contrasting styles.

The Indiana Pacers love to speed up the game, while the New York Knicks tend to play deliberately. The series will be determined by the team that dictates its style.

The stakes are high. If the Pacers win the series, they would be making their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000 and would have a chance to win their first Larry O’Brien trophy. New York, meanwhile, would be making its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, with the chance to win its first title since 1973. Read Lorenzo Reyes’ analysis here.

Players to watch, X-factors in Eastern Conference finals

The marquee matchup is at point guard, where Jalen Brunson of the Knicks and Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers will be counted on to carry their respective teams. Yet, each squad will need so much more to advance, from role players stepping up to coaches making the necessary adjustments. Read Lorenzo Reyes’ five storylines to watch here.

Pacers vs. Knicks predictions: Expert picks for Game 1

USA TODAY Sports experts make predictions ahead of the Eastern Conference finals Game 1:

Pacers vs. Knicks series winner

  • Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers in six
  • Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks in seven
  • Heather Tucker: Knicks in seven
  • James Williams: Knicks in six
  • Jordan Mendoza: Knicks in seven
  • Scooby Axson: Knicks in seven
  • Cydney Henderson: Knicks in six

Pacers vs. Knicks Game 1 winner

  • Jeff Zillgitt: Indiana Pacers
  • Lorenzo Reyes: New York Knicks
  • Heather Tucker: Indiana Pacers
  • James Williams: Indiana Pacers
  • Jordan Mendoza: New York Knicks
  • Scooby Axson: New York Knicks
  • Cydney Henderson: New York Knicks

Pacers vs. Knicks odds

Odds via BetMGM as of Monday, May 19

Game 1 odds

  • Spread: Knicks (-4.5)
  • Moneyline: Knicks (-185); Pacers (+150)
  • Over/under: 223.5

Odds to win Eastern Conference final

  • New York Knicks: -155
  • Indiana Pacers: +130

Watch Pacers vs. Knicks Game 1

Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference finals schedule

(all times Eastern; * – if necessary)

Indiana leads series 1-0

  • Game 1: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)
  • Game 2: Pacers at Knicks | Friday, May 23, 8 p.m. | TNT
  • Game 3: Knicks at Pacers | Sunday, May 25, 8 p.m. | TNT
  • Game 4: Knicks at Pacers | Tuesday, May 27, 8 p.m. | TNT
  • Game 5: Pacers at Knicks | Thursday, May 29, 8 p.m. | TNT *
  • Game 6: Knicks at Pacers | Saturday, May 31, 8 p.m. | TNT*
  • Game 7: Pacers at Knicks | Monday, June 2, 8 p.m. | TNT*

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Red Cross fighting to reach hostages, alleviate ‘catastrophic’ situation in Gaza

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not had the opportunity for more than 590 days to visit hostages in Gaza and provide them with medical care. However, Communications Coordinator for the International Committee of the Red Cross Jacob Kurtzer tells Fox News Digital that the organization has been ready to provide hostages with medical assistance ‘from day one’ — despite not being granted access to them.

‘It’s no secret that the ICRC has not been able to visit hostages to carry out the work that’s mandated — to carry out our humanitarian work, to visit, to bring medicine,’ Kurtzer told Fox News Digital. ‘I can assure you it’s not for lack of trying, and I can assure you that every single day, our colleagues here, our colleagues at headquarters, and our colleagues at other delegations are working to try to find a way to get access.’

Since its establishment over 160 years ago, the ICRC has prided itself on serving as a neutral body focused on delivering aid and medical care. However, since the war in Gaza began, the ICRC has faced criticism from some for not pushing to visit the hostages and for its volunteers taking part in Hamas-led hostage release ceremonies.

When asked by Fox News Digital about the ceremonies, Kurtzer said that ICRC workers in Gaza have ‘very little ability to dictate the terms and the protocols of the release operations.’ However, he added that the organization believes these hostage release operations ‘must be done in dignity and should be done privately.’

‘So, certainly there were things that we saw that we didn’t like. We conveyed our views about those directly through what we call our bilateral and confidential dialogue,’ Kurtzer said. 

Despite facing mounting pressure and obstacles, the ICRC seems to be sticking to its mission. Kurtzer said that the organization is ready to ‘jump at’ any opportunity to reach the hostages and provide them with assistance. However, Hamas has still not given them that opportunity.

Kurtzer also addressed the ICRC’s position on access to Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

When discussing the lack of opportunities to visit the hostages who have been held in Gaza since Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 massacre, Kurtzer also mentioned that the ICRC would like to have the opportunity to visit Palestinians being held by Israel. Fox News Digital then pressed Kurtzer on whether the ICRC saw the situation of hostages in Gaza and Palestinians being held in Israel as equivalent. Kurtzer later clarified the comments in a statement to Fox News Digital.

‘The ICRC recognizes the distinction between hostages and detainees enshrined in international humanitarian law (IHL). Hostages are captured or held with the threat of being harmed or killed to pressure another party into doing something, as a condition for the hostage’s release or safety. Hostage-taking is a violation of IHL,’ he said. ‘We provide assistance and work to alleviate suffering on all sides of a conflict. Under IHL, the ICRC must be notified of and granted access to Palestinians in Israeli custody, and we continue to seek this access.’

Beyond the hostages, ICRC is tasked with providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza, something Kurtzer said is urgently needed. He called the situation in the Strip ‘catastrophic.’

Kurtzer recalled the relief that the recent ceasefire provided those on the ground in Gaza. 

‘It provided hope. It provided hope for families on all sides. It provided hope to families of the hostages. It provided hope for people living inside Gaza,’ Kurtzer said. However, the resumption of military action has ‘contributed to a sense of despair,’ he said.

Since Kurtzer spoke with Fox News Digital, Israel has altered its position on humanitarian access, now allowing some aid trucks into Gaza. However, critics argue that the scale of assistance remains insufficient.

U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy announced on Tuesday that his country was suspending trade talks with Israel over the handling of the war in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned Israel in a post on X. Additionally, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the aid being allowed in was a ‘drop in the ocean.’

‘We really believe that the path forward is one where humanitarian assistance is allowed in and we urgently and we appeal over and over again for the parties themselves to find a better path forward because what we’re seeing now is just really very, very devastating,’ Kurtzer told Fox News Digital.

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Mike Johnson, Donald Trump get ‘big, ‘beautiful’ win as budget passes House

President Donald Trump’s ‘one big, beautiful bill’ passed the House of Representatives early on Thursday morning with few Republican defections.

It is a significant victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who navigated deep inter-party friction within the House GOP Conference to deliver a product from which few Republican lawmakers ultimately defected.

The bill is a sweeping multi-trillion-dollar piece of legislation that advances Trump’s agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense and the national debt. It’s sought to make a dent in the federal government’s spending trajectory by cutting roughly $1.5 trillion in government spending elsewhere. The U.S. government is over $36 trillion in debt and has spent $1.05 trillion more than it’s collected in the 2025 fiscal year, according to the Treasury Department.

The bill passed 215 to 214 with just two Republicans, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, voting against it. All Democrats voted against the bill as well, and House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., voted ‘present.’

Republicans spent more than 48 hours continuously working on the bill from the time it came before the House Rules Committee – the final gatekeeper before a House-wide vote – at 1 a.m. on Wednesday to when it passed the chamber just after 7 a.m. on Thursday.

‘It quite literally is morning again in America,’ Johnson said. ‘What we’re achieving today is nothing short of historic.’

All the while, Democratic lawmakers attempted a variety of delay tactics, from introducing amendments targeting key Trump policies to forcing several procedural votes on the House floor ahead of debate on the legislation.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., notably spoke on the House floor for over 30 minutes just before the vote in a last-ditch effort to stretch out the seemingly endless day of debate and votes.

‘This bill represents a failed promise. Last year, Donald Trump and House Republicans spent all of their time to lower the high cost of living in the United States of America,’ Jeffries said on the House floor. ‘We’re now more than 120 days past the inauguration. Costs aren’t going down, they’re going up.’ 

Tensions flared at multiple points as visibly weary lawmakers continued to fight their ideological battle into the early morning. 

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., who was presiding over the House at the time, warned Jeffries multiple times to address the chair in his remarks rather than directly attacking Republicans sitting across the chamber.

‘Every time I’m interrupted, that’s going to add another 15 minutes to my remarks,’ Jeffries said as Democrats sitting around him sounded off in support.

The bill seeks to permanently extend Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while also implementing newer Trump campaign promises like eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay, and giving senior citizens a higher tax deduction for a period of four years.

The legislation also included new funding for the border and defense, including more money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and $25 billion to kick-start construction of a ‘Golden Dome’ defense system over the U.S.

Cuts include new work requirements for able-bodied Medicaid recipients, as well as putting more of the cost-sharing burden on states that took advantage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s expanded Medicaid enrollment by giving illegal immigrants access to the healthcare program.

The legislation would also roll back a host of green energy tax credits awarded in former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – which Trump vowed to repeal in its entirety on the campaign trail. 

It also would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by roughly 20% by introducing some cost-sharing burdens on the states and increasing the amount of able-bodied Americans facing work requirements to be eligible for food stamps.

All House Democrats rejected the bill, accusing Republicans of disproportionately favoring the wealthy at the expense of critical programs for working Americans. Republicans, on the other hand, have contended that they are preserving tax cuts that prevent a 22% tax increase on Americans next year if TCJA was allowed to expire, as well as streamlining programs like Medicaid and SNAP for vulnerable Americans who need it most.

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, chair of the House’s 189 member-strong Republican Study Committee, told Fox News Digital, ‘This transformational legislation permanently extends President Trump’s historic tax cuts, provides unprecedented funding for border security, and obliterates the last four years of catastrophic Democratic policies.’

And while most GOP lawmakers united on the final bill, divisions appeared to persist until the final moments. Conservatives had pushed for more aggressive targeting of Medicaid waste and Biden green energy subsidies, while blue state Republicans pushed for tax relief for Americans in high-cost-of-living areas. 

To resolve outstanding differences, House Republican leaders released a list of eleventh-hour changes to President Donald Trump’s ‘one big, beautiful bill,’ hours before their full chamber is expected to consider the legislation.

New provisions in the bill include a ban on federal funding for transgender adults’ medical care, and $12 billion in new funding to reimburse states for money they spent countering the former Biden administration’s border policies. 

A key request from fiscal conservatives was also honored, with House GOP leaders apparently agreeing to speed up the implementation of work requirements for certain able-bodied recipients of Medicaid.

The bill initially had Medicaid work requirements going into effect in 2029.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, one of the fiscal hawks leading GOP opposition to the bill, told Fox News Digital just after midnight Thursday that he was not sure if the legislation went far enough – but suggested the White House could persuade him with other avenues for change.

‘There are things in the executive space, executive actions that we think could take care of … some of our concerns on the Medicaid expansion,’ Roy said.

The legislative update also included a victory for blue state Republicans who have been pushing for a higher state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap – the current $10,000 cap would be quadrupled to roughly $40,000, but only for people making less than $500,000 per year. The $10,000 cap was first instituted in TCJA. 

‘This is what real leadership looks like. President Trump and House Republicans made a promise to the American people to secure our border, protect seniors, cut taxes on tips and overtime, and shut off the spigot of benefits for illegal immigrants,’ first-term Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital. 

Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, told Fox News Digital, ‘More than 77 million Americans made clear at the polls that they want President Trump’s America First agenda codified into law, and our ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ delivers on this promise.’

But while House GOP leaders are enjoying their hard-fought victory now, the battle over Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ is not over.

Senate Republicans have already signaled they expect to make changes to the bill when it reaches the upper chamber, despite House GOP leaders publicly urging them to amend as little as possible.

There is a significant number of senators who have expressed wariness at the level of Medicaid and SNAP cuts sought by the House. An increase to the SALT deduction cap could also be met with skepticism in the Senate, where no Republican represents a blue state – unlike the House, where New York and California districts are critical to the majority.

The House and Senate must pass identical bills before sending them to Trump’s desk for a signature. GOP leaders have signaled they hope to do that by the Fourth of July.

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Federal judge blocks Trump admin from firing 2 Dem members of privacy oversight board

A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from firing two Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board on Wednesday.

Trump fired all three Democratic members of the five-person board in February, resulting in two of them filing a lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton found that allowing unilateral firings would prevent the board from carrying out its purpose.

Walton wrote that allowing at-will removals would make the board ‘beholden to the very authority it is supposed to oversee on behalf of Congress and the American people.’

The oversight board was initially created by Congress to ensure that federal counterterrorism policies were in line with privacy and civil liberties law.

‘To hold otherwise would be to bless the President’s obvious attempt to exercise power beyond that granted to him by the Constitution and shield the Executive Branch’s counterterrorism actions from independent oversight, public scrutiny, and bipartisan congressional insight regarding those actions,’ Walton wrote.

Trump’s firings left just one Republican on the board. The third Democratic member had just two days left in her term when she was removed, and she did not sue the administration.

Should judges be allowed to issue injunctions against presidents?

The two plaintiffs, Travis LeBlanc and Edward Felten, argued in their lawsuit that members of the board cannot be fired without cause. Meanwhile, lawyers for Trump’s administration argued that members of other congressionally created boards do have explicit job protections, and it would therefore be wrong for Walton to create such protections where they are absent.

‘The Constitution gives President Trump the power to remove personnel who exercise his executive authority,’ White House spokesman Harrison Fields told the Associated Press. ‘The Trump Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue.’

The plaintiffs also argued that their firings left just one member on the board, a Republican, and that falls short of the quorum required for the board to function.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ranking the SEC’s 10 best rivalries as league debates schedule expansion

  • The SEC cares so deeply for its rivalries. Enough to keep secondary rivalries on the long-term schedule? We’ll see.
  • If SEC persists long term with eight-game schedule, that puts secondary rivalries like Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee in jeopardy. A nine-game schedule format allows room to keep more key games.
  • The ‘Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry’ is long on history, but other rivalries have been much better for the past decade.

The SEC cares so deeply for its rivalries that it once built its interdivisional schedule model around preserving the Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee games. And those matchups don’t even rank as the No. 1 rivalry for those schools.

Then, the SEC built an eight-game conference schedule model for the 2024 and 2025 seasons that retained primary and prominent secondary rivalries after the conference expanded to 16 teams.

The two-year schedule format to accommodate Oklahoma and Texas joining the league served as a stop gap while conference brass continued to mull a long-term schedule plan.

SEC officials have, for years, debated increasing from an eight- to a nine-game conference schedule. The league membership consistently decided to stay at eight.

The SEC must soon consider that age-old question again, with a scheduling solution needed for 2026 and beyond.

The SEC spring meetings, which begin May 27, offer a stage for the schedule debate to revive. Oklahoma and Texas could help tip the vote to approve expansion.

The rivalry tentacle attaches to the debate. A nine-game conference schedule offers avenues to annually retain not only primary rivalries, but also secondary rivalry games. Continuing with an eight-game schedule probably would mean dialing back secondary rivalries that the SEC steadfastly protected for so long.

Some matchups like the Iron Bowl, Egg Bowl and Red River are non-negotiable. They’re going nowhere, no matter the format. The importance of other rivalries varies based on factors such as your age, where you’re from, and the extent to which history matters to you.

Here’s how I rate the conference’s 10 best rivalries, some of which likely would go on the chopping block if the eight-game schedule persists in perpetuity.

1. Alabama-Auburn (Iron Bowl)

Instate rivalries hit differently, especially when that state is football-crazed Alabama. As an Auburn fan once said, the Iron Bowl isn’t life or death. It’s much bigger than that. There been national title implications and memorable moments that serve to add to the lore.

2. Oklahoma-Texas (Red River)

When the SEC added Oklahoma and Texas, the conference didn’t just gain two iconic brands, it acquired one of college football’s best rivalries. Most games are better when played on college campuses, but this one at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas stands as an exception to that rule.

3. Mississippi-Mississippi State (Egg Bowl)

Mississippians’ chosen side in this rivalry points not just to their allegiance, but to their identity. Opposing sides don’t just dislike each other. They despise each other. This rivalry often features a dash of zaniness. When Ole Miss won the game in 1926, fans of both teams stormed the field. Rebels fans went for the goal posts, and Mississippi State (then Mississippi A&M) fans rushed to fight Ole Miss fans.

4. Florida-Georgia

This rivalry touts its own hall of fame dedicated to the series. The longtime designation of this rivalry as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” sums up the vibe for this game played in Jacksonville, Florida.

5. Texas-Texas A&M

Thanksgiving week felt incomplete during the 12 seasons this rivalry went dormant after the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC. The SEC’s addition of Texas rekindled the series. This game packs its stiffest punch when scheduled for Black Friday, like it is this year. The Texas fight song and the Aggie War Hymn each includes a line needling their in-state rival.

6. Alabama-LSU

LSU counts as many rivals as any SEC team, but none is more collectively hated than Alabama. You can thank Nick Saban (and copious amounts of liquor in Louisiana) for that. LSU fans even burned Saban in effigy in 2008. Vitriol for Saban aside, this game became one of the nation’s most influential clashes throughout the 2010s.

7. Auburn-Georgia

As the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry,” no SEC series touts more history. Georgia’s stretch of 11 victories in the past 12 matchups dulled the luster of a series that once delivered such thrills as the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare.” Throughout its history, this ranks as one of the SEC’s most evenly matched rivalries.

8. Alabama-Tennessee

Saban’s dominance took some shine off this series, but the Vols renewed vigor to “The Third Saturday in October” after they upset Alabama in 2022, then tore down the goal posts and baptized them in the river. This rivalry features a distinct smell. When cigar smoke wafts through the stadium, you know the outcome has been decided.

9. LSU-Mississippi (Magnolia Bowl)

The rivalry that supplied Billy Cannon’s Halloween run and “The Night the Clock Stopped” found its peak stride the past few seasons. Fans from the winning side stormed the field in each of the past three years. This rivalry is not as heated as some others, but its games usually supply rich entertainment value.

10. Florida-Tennessee

This rivalry lacks the tradition of others, but at its crescendo in the 1990s and early 2000s, this September clash charted the course for SEC supremacy. The game peaked when it pitted Steve Spurrier against Phillip Fulmer, but, even now, animosity lingers between these fan bases.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com. Follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

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Tyrese Haliburton forces OT with incredible shot, celebrates early

Haliburton immediately reached for his neck to make a “choking” taunt after the play.

“I thought it was a 3,’ Haliburton told TNT after the game. ‘I tried to hit the celly and it didn’t work. But we finished it in overtime.”

The taunt was a callback to Reggie Miller’s ‘choke’ celebration from Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. The Hall of Fame Pacers guard scored 25 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter of that contest.

While members of the Pacers rushed the court to celebrate with Haliburton, a replay showed that Haliburton had his foot on the line and the play would result in two points, tying the game at the end of regulation at 125.

The Pacers managed to capitalize on their momentum and secure the road victory and take a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Watch Tyrese Haliburton force Game 1 overtime

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Peyton Manning, Pat McAfee, NFL world react to death of Jim Irsay

Longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died at 65, the team announced in a statement Wednesday.

‘We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,’ Pete Ward, the team’s chief operating officer, announced.

‘Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.’

Irsay was 12 years old when his father, Robert Irsay, acquired the Baltimore Colts in 1972. Jim Irsay worked in various roles throughout the organization before becoming the team’s vice president and general manager in 1984, the same year the team made the controversial move to Indianapolis.

Irsay assumed day-to-day management of the Colts in 1995 after his father suffered a stroke. He went on to oversee one of the most successful periods of the franchise’s history, which began when the team selected Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Irsay also became heavily involved with the Indianapolis community, as the team noted in its statement.

‘Jim’s generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country,’ the team wrote. ‘He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives. Music was one of Jim’s passions and the ability to share his band and collection with millions of people across the world brought him tremendous joy. Simply put, he wanted to make the world a better place and that philosophy never wavered. Jim will be deeply missed by his family, the Colts organization, and fans everywhere, but we remain inspired by his caring and unique spirit.’

Plenty from around the NFL world paid homage to Irsay after his death, including Peyton Manning. Below are some of the most notable tributes to the late Colts owner.

Peyton Manning reacts to death of Jim Irsay

Pat McAfee reacts to death of Jim Irsay

McAfee, the former Colts punter, shared a lengthy message on social media:

‘This is devastating.. Jim had friendships with a lot of his former players.. I was lucky to be one of them.

‘Playing for a team that Mr Irsay ran was an honor. He was funny, brilliant, unique, and somehow still wildly relatable for a man who became the sole owner of an NFL team at the age of 37.. and before that, hired as the youngest general manager in the history of the league as a 24 year old.

‘He battled his demons, as we all do but, God blessed Jim Irsay with an abundance of compassion.. he wanted to give back/help everybody and everything he saw or knew about… putting a list together of all of the causes/things/people that he’s given to would be an impossible task.. probably well over $100,000,000.. there was even a whale about to get an assist from Jim at one point.

‘The 1st time he and I really had an extended convo was at training camp after the lockout in 2011.. players and front office weren’t allowed to communicate with each other during the lockout but, Jim followed me on Twitter throughout the CBA negotiations.. his first day at training camp, immediately after the lockout ended, he drove his golf cart over to where I was and started firing off questions about Twitter.. He enjoyed the thought of being able to connect with Colts fans all over the world.. he appreciated the opportunity to be able to share some of his thoughts in his own way.. and he absolutely LOVED the idea of being able to give money/experiences/tickets/etc. away to people on Twitter.

‘He was a mogul who had a creative artist’s brain.. Everything he did he wanted to do in a big and imaginative way.. his Twitter Giveaways became just that.. he wanted them to be awesome… and they were. He was a Billionaire who yearned to share his wealth in fun ways.

‘Anybody that met him would say that he seemingly woke up everyday wanting to help people.. life got in the way sometimes but, anybody who actually knew him, loved him.

‘A true anomaly.

‘When I decided to retire.. he and I had a 2.5 hour conversation in his office. He was sitting at his desk.. hitting the (crap) out of his vape .. and we talked about everything I was hoping to go do.

‘He tried to stop me for a few minutes.. even offered to renegotiate my contract.. and then once he realized my decision was made.. the convo turned into him trying to give me as much game as possible about running a business and maintaining authenticity. He gave me quotes and words to live by.. told me stories of mistakes he and others had made and he promised he would do anything he could to help me in my venture.

”If for some reason this doesn’t work or you don’t want to do it anymore, you’ll always have a job here at the Colts. You are family.’

‘Since that day.. Jim has done everything he can to help me succeed.. He’d join our show anytime I asked, no matter where he was in the world.. He’d send me motivational messages when he heard I was going thru something.. he’d forward articles that he’d come across that he thought I should read.. He’d answer any question I had about decisions I had to make.. and he even offered up his connections if I wanted to ‘buy that lovely wife of yours something nice brother’

‘Jim was a real one.. and we will all miss the (crap) out of him.

‘I send my positive prayers and vibes to his daughters, his grandkids, his loved ones, his staff, and everybody who has been working with Jim for the last 40 years.

‘Thank you for EVERYTHING big man.. You were a damn legend. Rest Easy, brother.’

Former Colts, NFL world react to death of Jim Irsay

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Softball tournament super regional breakdown as teams fight for WCWS spots

The round of 16 has arrived in the NCAA softball tournament. The remaining teams are set to square off in eight super regional series, with the winners earning a ticket to the sport’s showcase event, the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Two of the eight best-of-three matchups, hosted by fifth-seeded Florida State and No. 6 Texas, will get started Thursday night, with the rest starting on Friday. All could be wrapped up as early as Saturday, but the odds are there will be at least one series that will require a decisive third contest.

Here’s a breakdown of the matchups and the schedule with TV channels for each series (all times eastern).

No. 16 Oregon vs. Liberty

Liberty made the biggest splash of the regionals by eliminating top overall seed Texas A&M. Outfielder Rachel Roupe provides much of the pop from the plate with 23 homers and 73 RBI. Oregon’s Lyndsey Grein has a 28-2 record with a 2.15 ERA.

Friday, May 23

Game 1, 10 p.m., ESPNU

Saturday, May 24

Game 2, 7 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2

Sunday, May 25

Game 3, if necessary.

No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Alabama

This Sooners team might not be quite as dominant as some of its recent championship squads, but it finds ways to win more often than not. It usually starts in the circle with Sam Landry, who is 22-4 with an ERA of 2.00. The sparkplug for the Crimson Tide is freshman sensation Audrey Vandagriff, who bats .406 and has swiped 50 bases.

Friday, May 23

Game 1, 5 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, May 24

Game 2, 3 p.m., ESPN

Sunday, May 25

Game 3, if necessary.

No. 3 Florida vs. Georgia

The Bulldogs had to go on the road for their regional but overcame Duke in extra innings in an elimination game to earn this date with the archrival Gators. Florida’s Taylor Shumaker (.387, 21 HR, 83 RBI) was named national freshman of the year by Softball America.

Friday, May 23

Game 1, 11 a.m., ESPN2

Saturday, May 24

Game 2, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN

Sunday, May 25

Game 3, if necessary.

No. 4 Arkansas vs. Mississippi

Arkansas overcame an early challenge by Oklahoma State but powered through the remainder of its regional. The catalyst for the Razorbacks is Bri Ellis (.457, 26 HR, 72 RBI), who already has single-season school records in the latter two categories. Ole Miss, however, took two of three from the Razorbacks in Oxford back in March.

Friday, May 23

Game 1, 8 p.m., ESPNU

Saturday, May 24

Game 2, 9 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2

Sunday, May 25

Game 3, if necessary.

No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 12 Texas Tech

The Seminoles and Red Raiders take the field first this weekend. FSU shortstop Isa Torres is a textbook leadoff hitter with a .448 batting average and 70 runs scored. But she and the ‘Noles will be up against one of the nation’s most dominant pitchers in Red Raiders junior NiJaree Canady, who has struck out 272 over 191 innings.

Thursday, May 22

Game 1, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Friday, May 23

Game 2, 3 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, May 24

Game 3, 7 p.m., if necessary.

No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Clemson

National runners-up in Oklahoma City a year ago, the Longhorns look to take the next step on their redemption tour. If they do it, it will likely be battery mates Teagan Kavan and Reese Atwood setting the tone. The Tigers feature ACC pitcher of the year Reese Basinger and do-everything freshman Macey Cintron.

Thursday, May 22

Game 1, 9 p.m., ESPN2

Friday, May 23

Game 2, 9 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, May 24

Game 3, 9 p.m., if necessary.

No. 10 Tennessee vs. Nebraska

The star power in this series makes it arguably the most compelling of the weekend. In this corner, the Volunteers have the nation’s ERA leader in Karlyn Pickens with a minuscule 0.90 average through 186.1 innings pitched. The Cornhuskers, meanwhile, have two-way standout Jordyn Bahl, who can take over a game with her arm and her bat.

Friday, May 23

Game 1, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, May 24

Game 2, 5 p.m., ESPN

Sunday, May 25

Game 3, if necessary.

No. 8 South Carolina vs. No. 9 UCLA

The overall strength of the SEC likely helped the Gamecocks’ case for hosting privileges for this series that could certainly go either way. Jori Heard and the rest of the South Carolina pitching staff will have their hands full with the Bruins’ one-two power punch of Megan Grant (25 HRs) and Jordan Woolery (22).

Friday, May 23

Game 1, 1 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, May 24

Game 2, 1 p.m., ESPN

Sunday, May 25

Game 3, if necessary.

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