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Department of Defense Inspector General announces review of Lloyd Austin hospitalization

The Department of Defense Inspector General (IG) is launching an investigation into the department’s highly-criticized handling of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization.  Robert Storch wrote in a memo on Wednesday, stating that, “The objective of the review is to examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions related to the Secretary of Defense’s hospitalization in December 2023– January 2024, and assess whether the DoD’s policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effective transition of authorities as may be warranted due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership.”  Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22, 2023 and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer. Austin was again admitted to Walter Reed on Jan. 1, 2024, due to a urinary tract infection after the procedure, including nausea with severe abdominal, hip and leg pain. He was reportedly hospitalized for days without notifying the White House, leading to many questions and prompting the White House to begin a review of Cabinet protocols for delegating authority.  HOUSE DEMOCRAT PRESSURES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AUSTIN TO RESIGN  The memo from the IG comes as Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder issued a statement saying “Secretary Austin currently remains hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is in good condition.”  LLOYD AUSTIN HOSPITALIZATION: NEW DETAILS EMERGE SURROUNDING INTERNAL DEFENSE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS  “He’s in contact with his senior staff and has full access to required secure communications capabilities and continues to monitor DOD’s day-to-day operations worldwide,” Ryder added. “We do not have a specific date for his release from the hospital at this time but will continue to provide daily updates until then.”  On Wednesday, Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., also became the first House Democrat to call for Austin’s resignation.  Fox News’ Liz Friden, Bradford Betz and Houston Keene contributed to this report. 

House Judiciary subpoenas ODNI’s Avril Haines for records related to alleged collusion with Big Tech companies

EXCLUSIVE: The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on Thursday for documents as part of its investigation into the Biden administration’s alleged collusion with Big Tech companies and its intermediaries to “censor speech.” Fox News Digital reviewed the subpoena issued to Haines on Thursday, and committee Chairman Jim Jordan’s letter to her. Jordan, R-Ohio, has been seeking communications between Haines’ office, private companies and other third-party groups, such as nonprofit organizations, related to the “collusion and coercion.” HOUSE JUDICIARY SUBPOENAS DOJ, FBI FOR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO ALLEGED COLLUSION WITH BIG TECH COMPANIES Jordan said, though, that ODNI’s “response without compulsory process has, to date, been woefully inadequate.” Jordan, back in April 2023, sought voluntary cooperation as part of his investigation, and requested relevant documents. Jordan said that despite communications between the committee and ODNI staff, ODNI “has yet to produce a single document in response to the committee’s request.” Jordan said that through its investigation, the committee has found that the federal government “has pressured and colluded with Big Tech and other intermediaries to censor certain viewpoints on social media in ways that undermine First Amendment principles.” JORDAN DEMANDS BIG TECH RECORDS DETAILING ‘COLLUSION’ WITH BIDEN ADMIN TO CENSOR CONSERVATIVES “The First Amendment prohibits government officials from imposing viewpoint-based restrictions on speech,” Jordan wrote. “State action doctrine prohibits government officials from circumventing constitutional strictures by using private actors—whether through coercion, encouragement, entwinement, or joint participation—to accomplish what the government cannot directly.” Jordan said the investigation has revealed that the Biden administration has “weaponized federal authority to censor speech online directly and by proxy,” and stressed the importance of Congress’ work to “gauge the extent to which ODNI officials have coerced, pressured, worked with, or relied upon social media and other tech companies to censor speech.” Jordan went on to say that the committee has obtained documents that demonstrate that ODNI personnel were invited to meetings between major social media companies and federal government agencies, but said that ODNI has not produced any records related to them, despite repeated requests. “Pursuant to the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee has jurisdiction to conduct oversight of matters concerning ‘civil liberties’ to inform potential legislative reforms,” Jordan wrote. HOUSE WEAPONIZATION COMMITTEE: BIDEN ADMIN ‘COLLUDED’ WITH BIG TECH, ‘FACILITATED THE CENSORSHIP OF AMERICANS’ “Accordingly, given ODNI’s woefully inadequate voluntary compliance, please find attached a subpoena for the Committee’s highest priority documents and information,” Jordan wrote. The subpoena compels ODNI to produce all documents and communications referring or relating to the moderation, deletion, suppression restriction, or reduced circulation of content on social media platforms. It also compels the agency to produce records related to content moderation policies. The subpoena also compels ODNI to produce records referring to ODNI’s identification or analysis of alleged “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malformation;” documents related to meetings with social media companies; and more. The subpoena demands the production of records by Feb. 9 at 9:00 a.m. ET. BIDEN AGENCY ‘LIKELY’ VIOLATED FREE SPEECH BY WORKING WITH BIG TECH TO CENSOR ELECTION CONTENT: COURT Jordan, last February, as part of the investigation, subpoenaed the CEOs of Google, Amazon, Facebook and others for documents relating to the government’s alleged “collusion” with Big Tech companies to “suppress free speech.” Also last year, Jordan subpoenaed the Justice Department and the FBI for documents related to the probe. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The investigation comes after Republicans have sounded the alarm for years on Big Tech censorship and bias against conservatives. Separately, the Supreme Court agreed in October to review a court-ordered ban on certain communications between the Biden administration and Big Tech platforms after state attorneys general from Missouri and Louisiana accused high-ranking government officials of working with social media companies “under the guise of combating misinformation.” They argued this ultimately led to censoring speech on topics that included Hunter Biden’s laptop, COVID-19 origins and the efficacy of face masks.

‘Can’t tolerate…’: says handwritten note found in Goa room rented by Bengaluru CEO Suchana Seth

As per a report, Suchana Seth allegedly killed her son to prevent her estranged husband from meeting the child as part of visitation rights.

In the Texas Panhandle, a nonprofit is fighting rural child care deserts

The Amarillo Area Foundation is funding new day care facilities in Friona and Claude after the towns found that a shortage of child care is making it harder to fill job openings.

Biden has been secretly meeting with donors to ease concerns, including his age and energy: report

President Biden has consistently held several closed-door meetings with his top donors to alleviate their concerns heading into the 2024 election, including worries about his age and energy, according to a report. Biden’s attempts to suppress their anxieties have occurred since the launch of his re-election campaign last spring. The meetings have taken place at the White House and included at least six sessions, each consisting of between four and eight people, and have covered an array of issues, such as how to handle former President Trump if he wins the Republican nomination and abortion rights. Individuals familiar with the matter told the Washington Post, which first reported on the behind-the-scenes gatherings, that Biden’s age and energy were also among their concerns. HILLARY CLINTON SAYS BIDEN’S AGE IS A LEGITIMATE ISSUE: ‘PEOPLE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO CONSIDER IT’ “It has dispelled anybody who has any doubts about his determination and his energy and his passion,” a person familiar with the meetings told the Post.  “It just gives him some seasoning. That is good. It gives him energy, which is very good,” they said. “And these people who are wondering if he has lost a step, they leave and are like, ‘That was great.’” In addition to his top contributors, other individuals that Biden has known for some time have been in attendance, according to the report. The meetings have occurred in areas of the White House not considered “official workspaces,” where political activity can be discussed, such as the Map Room and a private dining room. However, other reports from Wednesday indicate Biden previously showed the donors the Oval Office. The White House Counsel’s office allegedly warned him last year to stop to prevent any potential legal issues, Axios reported. While the exact people who have attended the discussions are unknown, former Disney CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, a left-wing megadonor who co-chairs Biden’s campaign, has facilitated the meetings. Katzenberg told Reuters last year that he believed attacks on Biden’s age would backfire on those who made it an issue, and added his age is his “superpower.”  The worries of his top supporters align with those acknowledged by other prominent Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, who has said Biden’s age is an issue and people have a right to consider it. Clinton made the comments last May during a Financial Times panel after the moderator referenced an incident when Biden almost tumbled down a flight of stairs. DAVID AXELROD WARNS BIDEN’S ‘AGE ISSUE’ IS CONSISTENT CONCERN AMONG VOTERS: ‘ONE THING YOU CAN’T REVERSE’ “There was that heart-stopping moment when he almost fell over coming down the stairs a day or two ago,” the outlet’s editor said. “He didn’t use a railing, and Jill wasn’t there with him.”  “Every time that happens, your heart is in your mouth because these things could be consequential. Is that a concern?” he asked. “It’s a concern for anyone,” Clinton responded. “We’ve had presidents who had fallen before who were a lot younger, and people didn’t go into heart palpitations.” “But his age is an issue, and people have every right to consider it,” Clinton added. “But, you know, he has this great saying – and I think he’s right – don’t judge him for running against the Almighty but against the alternative. I am of the camp that I think he’s determined to run; he has a good record that, three years ago, people would not have predicted would have gotten done.” David Axelrod, a former adviser to former President Obama, also brought up worry over Biden’s age among voters in November. “I have no concerns about polls a year out. I mean, you have to look at them and analyze them and adjust,” Axelrod said. “But I was in a situation as a strategist for Barack Obama in 2011 where we were facing some difficult polls.” CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “The one number in the polling that was concerning, and in the CNN poll that followed after The New York Times poll, had to do with age, and that is one thing you can’t reverse no matter how effective Joe Biden is behind the scenes,” he added. “In front of the camera, what he’s projecting is causing people concerns, and that is worrisome,”  The White House and Biden’s campaign did not immediately provide a comment. 

Sen Ted Cruz hauls in $5.5M past 3 months as he seeks re-election in Texas

FIRST ON FOX — It was another solid fundraising quarter for Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as he builds resources for his campaign for re-election this year to a third six-year term in the Senate. The conservative firebrand lawmaker brought in $5.5 million during the October-December fourth quarter of 2023 fundraising, according to figures shared first with Fox News on Thursday morning. Cruz’s haul from his three fundraising committees is up slightly from the $5.4 million he brought in the previous three months. He raised $4.4 million during the April-June second quarter and $1.8 million during the first three months of 2023.  The senator’s fourth quarter haul is also a $3.7 million increase from the final three months of 2017, the similar fundraising quarter during his 2018 re-election campaign. TEXAS: THE RED STATE DEMOCRATS CONTINUOUSLY DREAM OF TURNING BLUE, BUT KEEEP FALLING SHORT The senator’s team also highlighted that, additionally, the Ted Cruz Victory Fund brought in $1.4 million that was transferred to the National Republican Senatorial Committee — the Senate GOP’s campaign arm — and to the Republican Party of Texas. The campaign showcased that they had 78,000 unique contributions, with an average contribution of $36.67, from Texans in 247 out of the Lone Star State’s 254 counties, as well as supporters in all 50 states.  The Cruz campaign also reported that it closed out 2023 with over $7.3 million cash-on-hand. THESE FIVE DEMOCRATIC-HELD SENATE SEATS ARE MOST LIKELY TO FLIP IN NOVEMBER Cruz spokesman Nick Maddux told Fox News in a statement that “we continue to see an increase in energy and support from patriots across the Lone Star State and the nation. Texans are fired up to re-elect Senator Ted Cruz and ensure that Texas remains our nation’s conservative stronghold.” Additionally, he argued that “the stakes could not be higher as the radical left threatens to dismantle our Texan way of life, which is why Senator Cruz will continue blazing his campaign trail with the people of Texas to ensure that we keep Texas Texas.” Cruz has said that his re-election bid is “going to be a firefight,” and there is a large field of Democrats gunning to win their party’s nomination and face off with him in November. Cruz, who narrowly defeated then-Rep. Beto O’Rourke in a hard-fought 2018 Senate battle, touted in a Fox News Digital interview last year that, after former President Trump, “there is no Republican in the country that Democrats hate more than me.” He added that is “something I wear as a badge of honor. There is no Republican that they would like to beat more than me.” Cruz was significantly out-raised in that 2018 showdown by O’Rourke, and Rep. Colin Allred, the most prominent of the Democrats running to take on Cruz, topped the senator by nearly $2 million during the second quarter of 2023, but the senator topped Allred in the third quarter by roughly $600,000. Allred has yet to announce his fourth quarter fundraising. Candidates for the Senate have until Jan. 15 to file their reports with the Federal Election Commission. Senate Democrats are defending their fragile 51-49 majority in November’s elections. Republicans need a net gain of either one or two seats to win back the majority — depending on which party controls the White House after next year’s presidential election.  The math and the map favor the GOP, as the Democrats are defending 23 of the 34 seats up for grabs, including three in red states and a handful in key general election battlegrounds. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Trump 14th Amendment ballot eligibility challenger arrested on federal tax fraud charges

John Anthony Castro, a long-shot Republican presidential candidate vying to have former President Trump removed from the ballot over the 14th Amendment insurrection clause, was arrested on federal tax fraud charges Tuesday – a day after a federal judge in Nevada threw out one of his lawsuits aiming to bar Trump from running.  Castro, 40, of Mansfield, Texas, was indicted on 33 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent return, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced on Wednesday. Court records show the indictment was filed under seal on Jan. 3. Prosecutors say Castro carried out a pattern of falsely creating and submitting tax returns on behalf of dozens of unsuspecting taxpayers through his tax prep business, resulting in hundreds of thousands of improperly paid claims. He was arrested Tuesday and released later that day after making his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hal R. Ray, Jr. “Mr. Castro’s alleged crimes are stunning in their brazenness,” Simonton, who was nominated by President Biden, said in a statement. “The Department of Justice will continue to hold people accountable who steal from the federal government’s – and the American public’s – pockets.” NEVADA JUDGE REJECTS TRUMP BALLOT ELIGIBILITY CHALLENGE, SAYS GOP OPPONENT ‘IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED’ STANDING “This is precisely the type of conduct IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners are committed to deterring,” Tammy Tomlins, special agent in charge of the Newark field office added. “Today’s indictment sends a clear message, you will be held accountable if you abuse our tax system for your personal financial gain.” Castro told the New York Times in a phone interview he believes the indictment was politically motivated and came as an attempt to disrupt his lawsuits challenging Trump’s eligibility.  “They sat on it for three years to see if I would stop being a problem, politically, and go away, and I didn’t,” Castro told the Times.  Castro also reportedly told The Hill his firm settled the tax return matter with the IRS in 2021 and alleged that certain clients misinterpreted tax law. The indictment was announced after U.S. District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro, of Nevada, issued an order Monday ruling that Castro lacked standing and dismissed his lawsuit that had ultimately asked if the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment bars Trump from holding office over his alleged incitement of the 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.  Navarro, an appointee of former President Obama, had ruled that Castro failed to demonstrate he “suffered a concrete, particularized, and actual or imminent injury” due to Trump’s conduct, and therefore the court lacked jurisdiction on such a “politically charged question of significant interest to the American public.”  The judge also noted how, by his own admission, Castro declared as a candidate and paid the filing fee to show the impermissibility of Trump’s presidency. Five other courts had already rejected Castro’s political competitor standing argument, and Navarro highlighted that Trump and Castro are not even competing on the same ballot in Nevada.  SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE IF TRUMP BANNED FROM COLORADO BALLOT IN HISTORIC CASE According to the indictment, Castro owned and operated Castro & Company LLC., a virtual tax preparation business with locations in Orlando, Florida, Mansfield, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Starting in 2016, prosecutors allege, Castro devised a scheme to falsely create and submit false tax returns on behalf of unsuspecting taxpayers. Taxpayers would seek out Castro’s assistance in filing personal tax returns and Castro would promise a significantly higher refund than taxpayers could receive from other preparers and on many occasions offered to split the additional refund with taxpayers, the indictment says. In order to achieve these larger refunds, Castro allegedly generated false deductions without the taxpayer’s knowledge. In 2018, an undercover agent, posing as a taxpayer, contacted Castro & Company for assistance, according to the indictment. Castro allegedly refused to meet in person unless a $5,000 retainer was paid but offered to assist the undercover agent virtually. During a recorded telephone conversation, prosecutors allege Castro stated he could project the amount of the tax refund the undercover agent would likely receive from another firm and then compare that figure with the refund that Castro would obtain. According to the indictment, an employee of Castro’s interviewed the agent over the telephone regarding deductions.  The employee is said to have stated that Castro would make any decisions regarding what items would be included on the tax filing. The employee did not identify any deductions that would apply to the agent and in the course of the interview, the undercover agent denied any facts that would support deductions, prosecutors say.  On March 14, 2018, Castro filed the agent’s tax return claiming $29,339 in fraudulent deductions. The IRS issued a refund of $6,007, Castro received $2,999 for his services and the agent received the remaining amount of $3,008. As Castro told the taxpayer, he would have received only a $300 deduction had he used another tax prepare, the indictment notes. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 99 years in federal prison – three years per count. The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Though Castro’s legal efforts to ban Trump from the ballot have so far been unsuccessful, dozens of other lawsuits are challenging Trump’s eligibility and the Colorado Supreme Court cited the 14th Amendment in removing Trump from the ballot in their state. Maine’s Democratic secretary of state also banned Trump from the ballot, citing the insurrection clause.  The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up Trump’s challenge to the Colorado ruling and is set to hear arguments in February.

House GOP divided on short-term funding as Congress barrels toward government shutdown deadline

House Republicans are divided over whether to support a short-term government funding extension as Congress hurdles toward the first of two shutdown deadlines next week. “[Jan. 19] is not a rational goal. We need to do something by the 18th,” Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, told reporters Wednesday.  He agreed with earlier comments by Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who suggested a deadline sometime in March for such an extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR). “There’s going to have to be some kind of short-term, I probably lean more toward the kind of Thune orthodoxy that we’re going to need to move it into March sometime, to give us adequate time. But you know, look, we knew this was coming,” Womack said. Meanwhile, Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., suggested Wednesday that Republicans should use a government shutdown as leverage to get GOP policy goals passed.  HOUSE GOP ERUPTS IN DIVISION OVER CALL TO PUSH JOHNSON OUT OF SPEAKERSHIP: ‘WORKING FOR JOE BIDEN’ “A shutdown is something that you have to be willing to risk, especially for the things that are on the line,” Mast said. “If we’re not working to extract the security of our nation and willing to shut the government down and for a period of time in order to secure our nation in part, then I don’t think we’re having the right fight.” Tensions have erupted in the House of Representatives already, less than halfway through the first month of 2024.  A group of 12 conservatives staged a protest vote on Wednesday that tanked a normally sleepy procedural measure in a pointed shot at House GOP leadership over its handling of government funding talks. CHIP ROY SAYS BOOTING MIKE JOHNSON FROM SPEAKERSHIP ‘ON THE TABLE’ It paralyzed the House floor and forced the remainder of the day’s votes to be canceled, heightening concerns that Congress may not reach a deal by next Friday.  Under a previous short-term funding deal passed by Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the new deadline to reach a fiscal year 2024 spending deal was split. Some agencies are funded through Jan. 19, while the remaining ones have until Feb. 2. However, there is another timing element hovering overhead. Because of negotiations Schumer had with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a yearlong CR would trigger a 1% government funding cut in April – something hard-line Republicans have said would be preferable to the current spending deal, but Democrats oppose. Such a standoff could very likely lead to a government shutdown. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., another senior Appropriations Committee member, suggested a short-term CR would be preferable to a shutdown. HOUSE, SENATE RELEASE BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING AS SHUTDOWN DEADLINES LOOM “I think we should work to avoid a shutdown. Republicans are not going to be helped by a shutdown. The country’s not helped by a shutdown and taxpayers are hurt by a government shutdown,” he said. Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern, R-Okla., however, said a shutdown might even be helpful in helping Congress reach a deal if it was only “for a short period of time.” “We work really well when we know that we’ve got to come out of a shutdown,” Hern said. “If we’re talking about working on some policies, working on funding for a few days, then yes, I think it’s better than a CR.” Senate leaders have already acknowledged that a short-term CR is likely needed. Johnson was noncommittal but did not rule it out at a Wednesday press conference. “I’m not ruling out anything, committing to anything, other than getting these appropriations done. And I think we can. And we’re pushing everybody hard,” Johnson told reporters. Fox News’ Brianna O’Neil contributed to this report.

Assam to implement UCC in 2024 after Uttarakhand, Gujarat

The announcement was made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and will exempt the tribal communities from its ambit.

Haley pulls ahead of DeSantis in battle for distant 2nd place behind Trump in new Iowa poll

DES MOINES, Iowa – A new poll in Iowa released four days before the state’s caucuses lead off the Republican presidential nominating calendar suggests that former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has moved past Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for a distant second place behind former President Trump. According to a Suffolk University survey of 500 Iowa voters likely to participate in Monday’s GOP presidential caucuses, Trump stands at 54% support, with Haley at 20% and DeSantis at 13%. The poll was conducted from Jan. 6-10, when Haley and DeSantis faced off in a prime-time debate in Iowa, while Trump simultaneously took part in a Fox News town hall. Multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur and first-time candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who has relentlessly campaigned across the Hawkeye State the past couple of months, stood at 6% support in the poll. WAS THE CANDIDATE WHO SKIPPED OUT ON THIS WEEK’S IOWA DEBATE THE WINNER OF THE COMBATIVE SHOWDOWN? Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who did not campaign in Iowa this cycle as he concentrated nearly all his efforts on New Hampshire, which holds the first primary in the GOP calendar votes eight days after Iowa , registered at 2% in the survey.  Christie suspended his campaign on Wednesday at a town hall in New Hampshire. With Christie out of the race, Suffolk University Political Research Center director David Paleologos highlighted that Haley’s support in Iowa edged up to 22% in his new survey. WHAT DONALD TRUMP SAID AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S FOX NEWS TOWN HALL IN IOWA DeSantis, who was convincingly re-elected to a second term as Florida governor 14 months ago, was once the clear alternative to Trump in the Republican White House race. He was solidly in second place behind Trump, who remains the commanding frontrunner as he makes his third straight presidential bid. However, after a series of campaign setbacks over the summer and autumn, DeSantis saw his support in the polls erode. Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration, grabbed momentum during the autumn, thanks to well-regarded debate performances. In recent weeks, she caught up with DeSantis for second place in polls in Iowa and in national surveys.  Haley also surpassed DeSantis and surged to second place and narrowed the gap with Trump in New Hampshire. DeSantis appears to have staked much of his presidential campaign on a strong finish in Iowa. He has highlighted that he has stopped in all 99 of the state’s counties and showcased his strong grassroots outreach organization in Iowa. Pundits have labeled Iowa a “do-or-die” state for the Florida governor. Last month, in multiple interviews, even though he was down double digits in the polls to Trump in Iowa, DeSantis predicted victory. “We’re going to win Iowa. We’ve got the organization in place,” the governor declared in a Fox News Digital interview in Bettendorf, Iowa, a week before Christmas. On Tuesday, however, when asked at a Fox News town hall in Iowa about his finish in the state, DeSantis twice answered “we’re going to do well.” “I kind of like having lower expectations, to be honest with you,” he added. “I’ve been an underdog my whole life and everything I’ve ever done.” He argued that “the media has kind of tried to go at me a little bit on that… Let them say that. We have it within our power to prove them wrong, and we will do that.” Paleologos told Fox News that “the poll shows the risk of a candidate going all-in. DeSantis’ efforts and commitment to all 99 Iowa counties has yielded a high popularity, and he is the top second-choice of all the candidates.” However, he added that “second choice doesn’t get you far in the Iowa Caucuses. It’s highly improbable that he beats Trump at this point and he’ll have to scramble and fight hard just to finish second.” The survey’s margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.