Spin wars: Trump pushes back on talk he needs to top 50% in Iowa caucuses
DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is taking to the airwaves hours before her state’s caucuses lead off the 2024 Republican presidential nominating calendar to raise expectations for former President Trump. “I think it’s going to be bad for President Trump if he doesn’t come in over 50. He’s not meeting expectations that the media and the polls have been putting out for the past several months,” Reynolds argued in an interview Monday morning on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.” The popular Iowa governor is the top surrogate in the Hawkeye State for Trump’s rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is battling former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for a distant second place in Iowa behind Trump, who is the commanding frontrunner for the GOP nomination as he makes his third straight White House run. It is not just Reynolds, either. WHAT’S ON THE LINE FOR TRUMP, DESANTIS, AND HALEY IN THE IOWA CAUCUSES DeSantis campaign manager James Uthmeier, in a Sunday appearance on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” argued that “expectations are high for Trump…he’s got to perform. If he gets less than half the vote, more people voting against him than for him. I think that’s, you know, setting up doom down the road.” WHAT THE FINAL POLL BEFORE MONDAY’S IOWA GOP PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUSES SHOWS Haley, in an interview on the same program, noted that people will be looking to see if Trump “is falling below 50%.” Additionally, Haley’s campaign, in a video Monday morning, spotlighted clips of Trump touting how he is up by 60 points in some polls. Trump is confident he will do “very well” in Monday night’s Iowa caucuses. However, the former president is not ready to make a prediction on whether he will top 50%. As he left his hotel in Des Moines on Sunday, Trump was asked by Fox News’ James Levinson about whether he would receive more than 50% of the vote in the caucuses. “I don’t know, I think we are doing very well,” Trump answered. The former president is sitting on extremely large double-digit leads in the latest polls in Iowa as well as in national surveys in the GOP presidential nomination race. HALEY KNOCKS MEDIA EXPECTATIONS BUT LOOKS TO ‘BIG SHOWING’ IN IOWA Trump made history last year as the first former or current president to be indicted for a crime, but his four indictments, including charges he tried to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss, have only fueled his support among Republican voters. Trump grabbed 50% support or higher in a slew of polls over the past month in Iowa. Additionally, he stood at 48% support in the final Des Moines Register/Mediacom/NBC News poll of likely Republican caucusgoers that was released Saturday night. Haley and DeSantis stood at 20% and 16% in the new survey, respectively. The closely-watched and highly-anticipated survey, conducted by longtime pollster Ann Selzer, has a well-earned tradition of accuracy in past GOP presidential caucuses, and it is considered by many as the gold standard in Iowa polling. However, Trump and his campaign are taking aim at the high expectations he faces in Iowa. WILL RON DESANTIS BIG BET ON IOWA PAY OFF? “No one has ever won the Iowa caucus by more than 12%,” Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita told Fox News Digital on Saturday. “I think the public polls are a little rich.” Trump, speaking with reporters on Sunday, said “there seems to be something about 50%.” “I think they’re doing it so that they can set a high expectation. So if we end up with 49%, which would be about 25 points bigger than anyone else ever got. They can say he had a failure, it was a failure. You know fake news,” he argued. However, despite his best efforts, plenty of analysts and pundits will be focusing on how Trump finishes. Longtime Republican strategist David Kochel, a veteran of numerous GOP presidential campaigns and statewide contests in Iowa, told Fox News “there are two campaigns going on in Iowa right now.” “One is Trump vs. his expectations and the other one is Haley vs. DeSantis to see who gets the right to take on Trump one-on-one,” noted Kochel, who remains neutral in the Republican presidential caucuses. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
‘Share real-time updates’: DGCA issues SOPs for airlines amid flight delays, cancellations
Against the backdrop of a significant number of flights getting delayed and cancelled and passengers facing tough times, the regulator has come out with a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
35 trains re-routed, 10 cancelled due to work on tracks ahead of Ram Mandir inauguration
Ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony here, the movement of trains will be affected from January 16 to 22 due to the doubling of tracks.
This 2024 GOP candidate was targeted by way more attack ads than any other heading into the primary elections
Republican candidates will begin squaring off Monday in Iowa as caucusgoers and voters start deciding which GOP nominee will take on President Biden this November. The Republican primary race has been underway for almost a year and has included large-scale attacks as candidates have jockeyed to close the gap between themselves and former President Trump, who has maintained commanding leads in polls. But despite Trump’s frontrunner status, he has not been the most targeted GOP candidate. Instead, the candidates battling behind him have set their sights on each other, attempting to cut down and distance themselves from their challengers. BLIZZARD DERAILS IOWA CAMPAIGN EVENTS, WILL BELOW ZERO TEMPS DEPRESS CAUCUS TURNOUT? The race has featured extensive cash poured into political maneuvering, including attack ads. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been the most targeted GOP candidate in that regard as voters begin selecting the Republican presidential nominee. According to Federal Election Commission filings, DeSantis has faced nearly $48 million in negative independent expenditures, including TV and radio ads. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has been attacked the second most, with almost $24 million in negative independent expenditures going toward her. Haley and DeSantis, in particular, have targeted each other relentlessly as they attempt to solidify themselves as the Trump alternative. Trump, meanwhile, has faced $23 million in negative independent expenditures, filings show. President Biden has seen $21 million in such spending aimed at him. DESANTIS BETS BIG ON IOWA – WILL IT PAY OFF? Iowans will head to more than 1,600 caucus sites Monday night while braving frigid below-zero temperatures to cast ballots in the lead-off contest of the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Biden approval rating plummets to 15-year low, poll finds
President Biden’s approval rating plummeted to the lowest on record for a U.S. president in the last 15 years, according to a new poll by ABC News. Biden’s approval rating sits at just 31%, according to a national survey produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates, with fieldwork by Ipsos Public Affairs via its online, probability-based KnowledgePanel. The poll found 58% of respondents disapprove of the job Biden is doing as president. That makes his approval rating worse than even former President Trump’s lowest in office, which was 36%, according to ABC News. It also marks the lowest since former President George W. Bush’s administration in the mid-2000s. Just 18% approve of how Biden is handling immigration at the southern border – half of his approval rating on the issue in the spring. ABC News said that means Biden has the lowest approval ranking on immigration in particular for any U.S. president featured in past ABC News/Washington Post polls that asked a version of the same question since January 2004. BIDEN APPROVAL RATING NUMBERS DISMAL COMPARED TO PREVIOUS MODERN PRESIDENTS, GALLUP FINDS On the economy, the poll found that just 13% of Americans say they are better off financially since Biden took office. Following a 37-year record set in September, 43% of the respondents surveyed from Jan. 4-8, 2024, said they’re not as well off, and 41% said they were about the same financially since the current administration started. ABC News said that around the middle of Trump’s term, just 13% – one-third as many people as Biden – said they were not as well off as before he took office, replacing former President Obama. The poll found that just 31% approve of how Biden is handling the economy, while 56% disapprove. BIDEN HAS BEEN SECRETLY MEETING WITH DONORS TO EASE CONCERNS, INCLUDING HIS AGE AND ENERGY: REPORT Just 26% of Americans approve of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, while 48% disapprove. Though the poll noted a substantial 25% don’t express an opinion on the issue.
Johnson privately told House Republicans he would refuse Senate border deal, lawmaker says
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., privately told House Republicans that he will not accept whatever border security deal comes out of current talks between the Senate and White House, a GOP lawmaker familiar with the call said. His GOP Conference held a conference call Sunday night, when Johnson held firm on his position that the House would not back anything less than Republicans’ Secure the Border Act, known as H.R.2, the lawmaker said. Fox News Digital was told that border security negotiations became the main topic of discussion, with lawmakers discussing how to force passage of conservative border policies. KEY MODERATE REPUBLICAN COMES OUT IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHING MAYORKAS, SAYS HE SHOULD BE ‘TRIED FOR TREASON’ It comes as a bipartisan group of senators is discussing what kind of border policy compromises could be reached in exchange for Republican support for Democrats’ $110 billion supplemental funding request for Ukraine, Israel and other humanitarian causes. Republicans on the call were told that the Senate is nearing a deal, the lawmaker said. One has not yet been announced. JOHNSON CAUGHT BETWEEN WARRING HOUSE GOP FACTIONS: ‘DRIFTING TOWARD MOB RULE’ Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson’s office for further comment. Johnson has maintained both in public and private that the House GOP’s default position is H.R.2, the immigration and border bill that passed the House along party lines in May. The bill, which includes a return to Trump administration-era policies like Remain in Mexico and construction of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, has been labeled a nonstarter by the Democrat-held Senate and White House. Johnson pledged on the call to “use every tool we can” to get H.R.2 passed, Fox News Digital was told. HOUSE, SENATE RELEASE BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING AS SHUTDOWN DEADLINES LOOM A second GOP lawmaker told Fox News Digital after the call, “I don’t think any Republican in the House wants the Senate deal.” “Where’s the border security in it? We need H.R.2 or a functional alternative, but the speaker makes a good point when he says the president unilaterally made over 60 policy changes that dismantled our border security and got us here,” the second lawmaker said. “He can unilaterally fix it today without any legislative action.” Last week, Johnson’s office put out a memo pointing out 64 policy decisions by Biden and his officials that Republicans argue have undermined border security over the last two years.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released from hospital after 2 weeks, will work remotely ‘for a period of time’
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been released from the hospital following complications from a prostate cancer surgery. According to the Pentagon, Austin continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday. “The Secretary will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon. He has full access to required secure communications capabilities,” the statement read. Dr. John Maddox, Trauma Medical Director, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, Director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research at the Murtha Cancer Center, of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, released a statement providing an update on his medical condition and treatment. DEFENSE SEC. LLOYD AUSTIN IN ‘GOOD CONDITION’ AS HOSPITALIZATION APPROACHES TWO-WEEK MARK: PENTAGON OFFICIALS “Secretary Austin progressed well throughout his stay and his strength is rebounding,” the doctors said. “He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, to include resolving some lingering leg pains.” According to Maddox and Chesnut, Austin is expected to make a full recovery. He was discharged to his home but has planned physical therapy and had scheduled a follow-up appointment, the statement said. DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER “Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent. He has no planned further treatment for his cancer other than regular post-prostatectomy surveillance,” the doctors continued. They added: “Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer among American men, and it impacts 1 in every 8 men — and 1 in every 6 African American men — during their lifetime. Early detection and treatment can result in an expected near-100% survival rate when treated with appropriate individualized care plans.” And, “Early screening is important for detection and treatment of prostate cancer and people should talk to their doctors to see what screening is appropriate for them.” The Pentagon publicly revealed on Jan. 5 that Austin had been in the hospital since Jan. 1 due to complications from “elective surgery.” The American public and the media as well as senior members of the White House and top officials in the Pentagon were not unaware Austin was in the hospital, prompting concerns about transparency. The non-disclosure prompted a flurry of bipartisan concern from Democrats and Republicans. Despite the apparent lack of communication, President Biden told a group of reporters outside Allentown, Pennsylvania on Friday that he has confidence in Austin as he resumes his duties as Defense Secretary. “I do,” President Biden answered, when asked about whether he trusted the Pentagon chief’s leadership. Fox News’ Liz Friden and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
‘Ready to deal with any situation’: Army Chief General Manoj Pande amid India-China border tensions
Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that the Indian Army is well-prepared to handle any situation along the northern borders.
NYC mandates curfew for migrants amid panhandling complaints
New York City is invoking a curfew for migrants after residents complained about panhandling. The curfew is from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., a spokesperson for city hall confirmed. Migrants staying at respite centers will have to check in, and curfews are similar to those in place at homeless shelters in the city. “This policy will allow for more efficient capacity management for migrants in the city’s care,” a statement from a city hall spokesperson reads. People living near migrant housing centers have complained asylum seekers are begging door-to-door for food and clothes, according to the New York Post. MAYOR ADAMS SAYS NYC MIGRANT CRISIS HAS ‘NOTHING TO DO WITH SANCTUARY CITIES’ Migrant housing residents are being told of the new rules on Monday, with Tuesday being the first night the City Hall directive is in effect. “My constituents are terrified,” City Council member Joann Ariola told FOX 5 New York. “They have people that they don’t know at their doorbell. They usually have a child with them. They have their telephone, their iPhone and on it, it says, in English, ‘I’m a migrant from Floyd Bennett Field, please give me money.’ It’s very, very concerning because at times, they find them on their property.” OUTRAGED NYC PARENTS LASH OUT AT CITY FOR DISPLACING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HOUSE MIGRANTS Nearly 2,000 migrants being sheltered in a tent shelter at Floyd Bennett Field arrived at James Madison High School on Bedford Avenue, forcing students to pivot to remote learning last week. Mayor Eric Adams’ office said the move was for safety reasons due to incoming storms and potential high winds. According to the New York Daily News, Adams told reporters that it was being done out of an “overabundance of caution.” Although Adams has been criticized for the relocation, he has recently feuded with the federal government, pleading with the Biden administration for help as migrants are bussed to his city, and other sanctuary cities, nationwide. Four respite centers will be subject to the new curfew, according to the New York Post. Fox News’ Elizabeth Heckman and Bailee Hill contributed to this report.
Navy SEALs missing off coast of Somalia were chasing Iran-made weapons bound for Yemen, official says
The two U.S. Navy SEALs missing at sea off the coast of Somalia were on a mission chasing shipments of Iranian-made weapons bound for Yemen, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News. The SEALs were attempting to board a ship they suspected was falsely flagged that could have been smuggling weapons, the U.S. official said, though it’s unclear if any weapons were located. The revelation comes amid reports that the SEALs went missing after conducting a nighttime interdiction mission Thursday off the coast of Somalia. The two special forces operators were climbing on a ladder aboard a vessel while on a mission in the Gulf of Aden when high waves knocked one into the sea. The second SEAL jumped in after the first as part of Navy SEAL protocol to help a partner in distress and both vanished, The Associated Press said. Both are still missing and a search and rescue mission continues in the Gulf of Aden where, according to officials who spoke to The Washington Post, powerful swells and exhaustion are more of a concern than hypothermia as commanders remain hopeful that the two SEALs will be found alive. 2 NAVY SEALS GO MISSING OFF COAST OF SOMALIA DURING NIGHTTIME BOARDING MISSION White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addressed the reports during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “As far as we know, that search is still ongoing for those – for those two sailors that are in the water,” Kirby said. “This was not related to the strikes in Yemen. This was normal interdiction operations that we’ve been conducting for some time to try to disrupt that flow of weapons supplies to Yemen. So it’s not related to the strikes that we took against the Houthis.” “Nobody wants a conflict with the Houthis. We’re not looking for a conflict with Yemen here. We’re trying to get these attacks to stop,” Kirby added. The U.S. Navy has conducted regular interdiction missions, where they have intercepted weapons on ships that were bound for Houthi-controlled Yemen. 2 US NAVY SAILORS MISSING OFF COAST OF SOMALIA: CENTRAL COMMAND One official told the AP on Saturday that the mission was not related to Operation Prosperity Guardian, the ongoing U.S. and international mission to provide protection to commercial vessels in the Red Sea, or the retaliatory strikes that the United States and the United Kingdom have conducted in Yemen reportedly against numerous radar stations, missile launch sites and storage facilities used to stage the Red Sea attacks over the prior two days. The SEALs’ mission was also not related to the seizure of the oil tanker St. Nikolas by Iran, another U.S. official told The AP. Yet, senior U.S. officials who spoke to the Post did blame Iran for having “aiding and abetted” the crisis by providing technological and intelligence support for the Houthis. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reported on Monday that a missile fired from Yemen struck a U.S.-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden – less than a day after Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea. In a statement published on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate the two sailors but “for operational security purposes” no additional information would be released “until the personnel recovery operation is complete.” “Out of respect for the families affected, we will not release further information on the missing personnel at this time,” CENTCOM said, without identifying the SEALs. “The sailors were forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) area of operations supporting a wide variety of missions.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.