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Trump says ‘we’ll see what happens’ when asked about possibility of striking Venezuela amid rising tensions

Trump says ‘we’ll see what happens’ when asked about possibility of striking Venezuela amid rising tensions

President Donald Trump on Sunday responded vaguely to questions about the possibilities of the U.S. striking mainland Venezuela as well as additional drug-smuggling boats amid rising tensions between the two countries. Trump answered several questions about Venezuela while speaking to reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, on Sunday — including the possibility of striking the country and whether he fears escalation from President Nicolás Maduro. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump said on Sunday in response to a question about the likelihood of a U.S. strike on the Latin American nation. “Look, Venezuela is sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs. It’s not acceptable.” VENEZUELAN MILITARY JETS BUZZ US NAVY SHIP IN ‘HIGHLY PROVOCATIVE’ MOVE, PENTAGON SAYS The president also said that the number of boats seen off the coast of Venezuela, where his administration recently bolstered the U.S. Navy’s presence, has decreased significantly. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters for a second time when asked if he intends to launch additional strikes on Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats. “There’s certainly not a lot of boats out there. …. There’s been very little boat traffic.” TRUMP TOUTS US STRIKE AS MADURO SLAMS MILITARY ‘THREAT’ OFF VENEZUELA When asked on Sunday if he was concerned about a possible escalation from Maduro, who has labeled some of Trump’s actions illegal, Trump pointed to the millions of drug deaths that occurred in the U.S. last year. “What’s illegal are the drugs on the boat, and the drugs that are being sent into our country and the fact that 300 million people died last year from drugs, that’s what’s illegal,” Trump fired back. TRUMP ANNOUNCES US MILITARY CONDUCTED ‘LETHAL STRIKE’ ON VENEZUELAN DRUG BOAT IN CARIBBEAN The remarks from Trump come amid escalating tensions after a U.S. military strike earlier this month blew apart a Venezuelan drug boat in the southern Caribbean, leaving nearly a dozen suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) narco terrorists dead. On Saturday, Venezuela’s foreign minister accused U.S. Navy personnel of boarding a tuna boat with nine fishermen in Venezuelan waters, according to The Associated Press. “A lot of drugs are coming out of Venezuela. A lot of Tren de Aragua,” Trump told reporters. “They’re trying to get out, but we’re stopping them successfully at the border in Venezuela.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In February, the Trump administration also designated drug cartel groups like Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel and others as foreign terrorist organizations.

Zohran Mamdani lands key endorsement in New York City mayoral race

Zohran Mamdani lands key endorsement in New York City mayoral race

It took nearly three months, but the top Democrat in New York state has finally endorsed New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani. “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday evening in a social media post. The governor’s endorsement is significant, as it may help Mamdani secure the backing of other key members of the party’s establishment. And it will likely put more pressure on two other top Democrats in New York State who are still withholding their backing of Mamdani – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the top two Democratic Party leaders in Congress. Mamdani, in a statement, said he was “grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare.” TRUMP REVEALS NEW NICKNAME FOR MAMDANI Hochul announced her support for Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens who shocked the political world in June with his convincing win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates to capture the Democratic Party’s mayoral nomination, in the New York Times. “In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements,” the governor wrote. “But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.” POLL POSITION: JUST HOW LARGE IS MAMDANI’S LEAD IN THE NYC MAYORAL RACE? The Ugandan-born Mamdani, if elected, would become the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation’s most populous city. He is the clear frontrunner in the latest public opinion polls in the mayoral race in the Democrat-dominated city. Mamdani is sitting on 22-point margin leads over Cuomo and the rest of the field in surveys released last week from Quinnipiac University and New York Times/Siena College. And a survey from Emerson University and the Hill also indicates Mamdani comfortably ahead by double digits. CUOMO SHAKES UP CAMPAIGN IN BID TO TAKE DOWN MAMDANI Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who for a second straight election is the Republican mayoral nominee in the Democrat-dominated city, was a distant third in the polls, with embattled incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after deciding to skip the Democratic primary amid anemic polling, further down in fourth place. Both Sliwa and Adams have repeatedly committed to staying in the race in recent weeks amid multiple reports that Trump’s advisors floated administration roles for both mayoral hopefuls if they dropped out. On Sunday, following a new report that Adams would drop out in the coming days, the mayor’s spokesman fired back. “Let me be perfectly clear: any rumor or tweet suggesting Mayor Adams is stepping down this week is complete bulls—,” spokesman Todd Shapiro wrote in a statement. “These lies are being spread by desperate opponents who can’t match the mayor’s record, his campaign energy, or his support across this city.” Mamdani surged to the Democratic primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City’s high cost of living. It was fueled by a grassroots army of supporters and backing from top national progressive champions, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Mamdani made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating fares to ride New York City’s vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) “tuition-free,” freezing rents on municipal housing, offering “free childcare” for children up to age 5 and setting up government-run grocery stores. Mamdani has been heavily criticized by his rivals for his past critical comments of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and his proposal to shift certain responsibilities away from the NYPD and focus on social services and community-based program.  Hochul recently said an apology from Mamdani was in order, and the mayoral hopeful told the New York Times a couple of days ago that he intended to apologize. Hochul said that in her conversations with Mamdani she made “it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe. I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed.” The governor also addressed Mamdani’s past critical comments about Israel. “We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally. I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly,” Hochul said. Hochul’s endorsement may not only benefit Mamdani, but could also help the governor shore up support from the Democrats’ progressive base as she seeks re-election next year. Mamdani praised Hochul for her focus on tackling affordability.  “I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family,” he said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP But Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a top Trump ally who is expected later this year to launch a 2026 run for governor, took aim at Hochul. “At the exact moment when New Yorkers are looking for strong leadership from their Governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York making it less affordable and more dangerous – once again putting criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST,” Stefanik argued

Knives are out for embattled FBI Director Kash Patel, despite Trump support

Knives are out for embattled FBI Director Kash Patel, despite Trump support

On Monday, former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey – once President Trump’s top pick to lead the FBI – will be sworn into a new power-sharing role with deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino. Bailey’s installment comes at a perilous time for FBI Director Kash Patel, whose leadership atop the nation’s premier law enforcement agency is under fire, according to ten sources from multiple federal offices granted anonymity to speak freely. The White House’s reasoning to create an unprecedented office for Bailey has not been explained and left FBI leadership confused, two people at the agency said. “The White House, Bondi, Blanche have no confidence in Kash,” one source with knowledge of ongoing personnel discussions said. “Pam in particular cannot stand him. Blanche either,” they said, referring to Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche. Bondi and Blanche denied the characterization, and White House officials denied any plans to remove Director Patel from his position. KASH PATEL’S FALSE START ON CHARLIE KIRK KILLER DRAWS SCRUTINY, BUT FBI NABBED SUSPECT IN THE END But allies of President Trump and Patel’s harshest critics have begun to circulate word that contingency plans for Patel’s ouster are forming. They also claim his hopeful successor, Andrew Bailey, made clear that he would not leave his post as Missouri’s AG – or abandon his aspirations to run for state governor – only to serve as Patel’s number two. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, Bailey, who starts at the Bureau on September 15th, would be eligible to fill the FBI Director post – should it become vacant – after he has been employed by the FBI for at least 90 days. Multiple sources close to Trump acknowledged the president was not thrilled with some past episodes of Patel’s performance – including a public feud with AG Bondi over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. One senior White House official involved in personnel decisions also framed Patel’s botched communications during the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s assassin as something Patel likely wished he could do differently, if he could do it all over again. Trump did not call for any action to be taken in response to it, the person said. Patel’s purported off-ramp, which the White House denies, would not involve his firing but a reassignment to another administration role, according to multiple people who described it.  “He’ll get Billy Long-ed,” one person said. Less than two months after his Senate confirmation, recent former IRS Commissioner Billy Long was nominated to become the next U.S. ambassador to Iceland. Such decisions would originate from the White House, and a senior official involved in decision-making there dismissed the allegations as baseless and even wishful thinking from figures who might benefit. Three sources also pointed out co-Deputy Director Dan Bongio’s days are more likely numbered than Patel’s, as he threatened to quit amid fallout from the Epstein feud with Bondi. Bongino declined to respond to claims from anonymous sources. In a phone call, he emphasized the FBI’s accomplishments in the short tenure of the new administration, including the success of Operation Summer Heat against violent crime nationwide. After DOJ leadership announced Bailey’s new position, Patel’s allies began quietly inquiring with figures inside and outside the administration about whispers of plans for his departure. Some of the claims were less whispers than shouts, with some going so far as to claim White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was supportive of plans to replace Patel. Wiles strongly denied ever making such statements and described Kash as a friend of many years. NEW FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR ANDREW BAILEY BEGINS WORK ALONGSIDE BONGINO Bailey said in a statement to FOX, “Any suggestion that I was brought in to replace anyone in leadership at the FBI or spin my appointment into a sign of division, is simply false – I am honored to serve the FBI and Department of Justice as we work together to keep our nation safe.” Wiles also told FOX, discussions surrounding Bailey’s hiring pertained only to the co-deputy director job he is set to serve in, starting Monday. Fox is told Patel has received ongoing guidance from Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on improving his working relationship with Bondi. A senior White House official close to President Trump also expressed a desire for Patel to limit his presence on social media, given the gravity of the position he holds. Patel’s conduct online sparked the latest flashpoint in concerns over his ability to effectively carry out his duties as FBI Director. On Thursday, investigators in Orem, Utah delayed an afternoon press conference citing “rapid developments” as Patel jetted in from New York to appear alongside Gov. Spencer Cox. When officials took to the podium late in the evening, the FBI Director did not speak. Multiple sources told FOX he was forcefully instructed not to – adding that investigators had still not identified a suspect when the briefing was delayed. The unusual field appearance from the FBI Director – which current and former agents say can grind time-sensitive fieldwork to a halt – followed Patel’s hasty announcement on social media Wednesday that “the subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.”  The news came as an apparent surprise to local authorities about to deliver an update in a televised briefing, who indicated the killer was still at large. Shortly after, the FBI clarified that two people had been questioned and released, and the search was ongoing. “Total amateur hour,” one federal official said of the incident. The back-to-back communications fumbles sparked fury from AG Bondi, Deputy AG Blanche, and the White House, multiple sources told FOX. On Friday, when authorities announced that the 22-year-old Utah man suspected of Kirk’s murder was in custody, Governor Spencer Cox took the leading role in handling the press. There was concern, one source told FOX, that “letting Kash talk much could f*ck up the prosecution”. Asked

Turning Point USA says campus chapter requests surge to over 32,000 after Kirk’s assassination

Turning Point USA says campus chapter requests surge to over 32,000 after Kirk’s assassination

Turning Point USA has seen a massive surge in inquiries for new college chapters as the organization works to advance Charlie Kirk’s vision following his assassination last week. Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” said Sunday that, in the past 48 hours, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has received more than 32,000 inquiries from people wanting to start new campus chapters. “To put that in perspective, TPUSA currently has 900 official college chapters and around 1,200 high school chapters, with a presence of 3,500 total,” Kolvet, who is also a TPUSA spokesman, wrote on X. SLEEPING GIANT’ LIKELY WOKE UP FOR TURNING POINT USA AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION “Charlie’s vision to have a Club America chapter (our high school brand) in every high school in America (around 23,000) will come true much, much faster than he could have ever possibly imagined,” Kolvet added, calling the response to expand Kirk’s mission “truly incredible.” In a separate post, Kolvet wrote, “This is the Turning Point.” Kirk was assassinated during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. The event was the first in what was supposed to be a series called “American Comeback Tour.” Kirk, the charismatic 31-year-old founder of the conservative youth activist group, gained recognition for his signature political debates on college campuses.  COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK  On Thursday evening, the second family escorted Kirk’s casket and family from Utah to their home state of Arizona on Air Force Two. A video of the moment showed his wife, Erika Kirk, visibly emotional on the tarmac as the casket passed before her. The couple have two young children. Kirk’s celebration of life ceremony is scheduled for next Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.  President Donald Trump said he will attend Kirk’s funeral.  On Friday evening, Kirk’s widow galvanized the TPUSA movement and vowed to carry on her husband’s mission. ‘DARK MOMENT FOR AMERICA’: TRUMP DECLARES KIRK’S VOICE ‘BIGGER AND GRANDER’ AFTER ASSASSINATION “To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” Kirk said. “I refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband’s name. And I will make sure of it. It will become stronger. Bolder. Louder and greater than ever,” Kirk said. She also said that TPUSA’s annual “AmericaFest” conference in Phoenix this December will continue as scheduled. Judah Waxelbaum, a former campus activist at Arizona State University for Republican causes, said that the assassination likely awoke a “sleeping giant” and will likely see an increase in members. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Turning Point’s not going anywhere. Turning Point, I think, will probably actually get significantly larger in the wake of what happened to Charlie,” he told Fox News Digital in an interview on Saturday. “You couldn’t do youth politics in Arizona, really anywhere in the United States without coming across Charlie Kirk. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve woken up a sleeping giant.” Fox News Digital’s Cameron Arcand contributed to this report.

Marc Marquez wins San Marino MotoGP to close in on world championship title

Marc Marquez wins San Marino MotoGP to close in on world championship title

Marquez’s latest victory means he can clinch a seventh MotoGP world title at the next race in Japan in a fortnight. Ducati’s Marc Marquez resisted a spirited challenge from Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi to win the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday, taking his revenge after crashing out of the lead in Saturday’s sprint, and inching closer to the MotoGP title. Bezzecchi had inherited victory in the sprint when Marquez crashed out. This time, however, the determined Spaniard overtook the Aprilia rider on lap 12, having started on the second row of the grid, and never looked back. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Marquez’s 11th race victory of the season takes him to 512 points – a record tally for a MotoGP rider in a single season – and he celebrated his victory by unzipping his leathers and holding his red suit up on the podium like a matador. Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez finished a distant third, and brother Marc, with a 182-point lead, can clinch his seventh title at the Japanese Grand Prix this month. “Today I gave everything I had. It’s true that the mistake from yesterday gave me extra concentration, extra power, extra energy,” an exhausted Marc Marquez said. “I was just there following him [Bezzecchi], trying to push him always super close, because it’s impossible to do 27 laps without any mistake. And in the end, he did a small mistake on turn eight, and then I led the race. “Super important for Ducati; I felt the pressure this weekend.” Six more rounds remain, but Marc Marquez can now win his first title since 2019 if he outscores brother Alex by just three points in Japan. Superb launch At the start, Marc had a superb launch off the line and he veered to the outside to quickly move up to second behind polesitter Bezzecchi while Alex was pushed down to third. Advertisement As the top three streaked away, Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo found it difficult to maintain that pace, and he was soon battling with KTM’s Pedro Acosta, who eventually found his way past the former champion to chase the leading pack. But Acosta’s hopes of fighting for the podium went up in smoke when he retired with a broken chain, with the young Spaniard furiously wagging his finger at the bike after he stopped on the side of the track. Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia had another race to forget in a nightmare season for the twice champion, who crashed out of seventh place, his third place in the championship now seriously under threat from Bezzecchi. Up front, Marc continued piling the pressure on Bezzecchi, and the Aprilia rider finally buckled on lap 12 when he was a breath late on the brakes and went wide, opening the door for the red Ducati to ease past him and into the lead. Marc Marquez, left, trailed polesitter Marco Bezzecchi for the first 12 laps of the San Marino MotoGP [Andreas Solaro/AFP] Unrelenting Bezzecchi Bezzecchi gave chase, unrelenting and eager to reclaim the lead. But Marc remained calm and the Spaniard was in no mood to crash out of the lead twice in one weekend. Bezzecchi shook his head in frustration with six laps left as Marc set the fastest lap of the race. Marc tried his best to shake off the younger Italian, who found an extraordinary late race pace to challenge for the lead. But the Ducati rider responded once again as they traded fastest laps and left third-placed Alex more than six seconds behind. “Besides [missing out on] the victory, this is maybe the best race of my life, because I was super competitive all weekend – pole position, sprint win, second place,” Bezzecchi said. “I was close to Marc, who is at the moment the strongest on the grid. I’m very happy, I gave my all, I’m destroyed!” VR46 Racing riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer was sixth. Ducati Lenovo Team’s Marc Marquez crosses the line to win the San Marino MotoGP [Andreas Solaro/AFP] Adblock test (Why?)

Are weddings a financial nightmare?

Are weddings a financial nightmare?

Today on The Stream: Weddings used to be about the couple; now they’re about the content.  Social media’s influence and society’s pressure for the “perfect” wedding often push couples into debt before they even say “I do”. We’re breaking down whether a budget-friendly wedding is still truly possible – and examining the heavy financial burden that comes with a lavish celebration. Presenter: Stefanie Dekker Guests:Claudia Sokolova – Wedding planner and content creatorKiara Brokenbrough – Content creatorSumera Batool – Associate professor at Lahore College for Women University Published On 14 Sep 202514 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)

More Middle East mayhem amid unconditional US support for Israel?

More Middle East mayhem amid unconditional US support for Israel?

US political analyst John Mearsheimer argues that Israel attacked Qatar to preclude any closure to the war on Gaza. In the aftermath of an Israeli attack on Qatar targeting the leadership of Hamas, American political scientist John Mearsheimer argues, “The Israelis are interested in making sure there are no negotiations that settle the conflict in Gaza.” Mearsheimer tells host Steve Clemons that the United States and Israel “basically act as a tag team”, and despite a mild rebuke by President Donald Trump, “the US supports Israel unconditionally”. He adds that Israel has three main strategic goals: expand territory, move the Palestinians out of all conquered territory, and ensure that all countries in the region are weak. Published On 14 Sep 202514 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)