Texas Weekly Online

NYC councilwoman’s glamorous evening gown sends message to ‘The Squad’

NYC councilwoman’s glamorous evening gown sends message to ‘The Squad’

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made headlines in 2019 when she defiantly wore an evening gown at the exclusive and trendy “Met Gala” bash with the words “Tax the Rich” emblazoned across it. Her message was seen as pointed and, to some, a rude display at the annual gathering of the wealthiest supporters of the Metropolitan Museum of Art where tickets go for $50,000 each. FAR-LEFT DEMS UNDER FIRE FOR STANCE ON ISRAEL SHOWER COLLEAGUES WITH CAMPAIGN CASH Now another New York City elected official has worn a glamorous evening gown… with a message of her own. New York Republican City Council Member Inna Vernikov wore a striking blue and white evening dress emblazoned with the Jewish star…the Israeli flag…at the annual Manhattan Republican Club gala last night. HAMAS TERRORISTS SURRENDERING IN DROVES, AS NETANYAHU VOWS WAR IS NEARING END “So many Jewish New Yorkers & Jewish college students all over the country are afraid to display their Jewish identity, war a Kipa, a Star of David, or express support for the great state of Israel,” Vernikov wrote on “X” “We cannot be afraid! We cannot remain silent! Be Jewish. Be Loud. Be Proud. This is where we live and we will not be intimidated!” Vernikov, who is Jewish and born in Ukraine, has been an outspoken advocate for democracy and human rights, especially against Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of her homeland and the continuing attacks, both verbal and physical, against American Jews. JEWISH WOMAN BEATEN UNCONSCIOUS IN POSSIBLE HATE CRIME CAUGHT ON VIDEO She says the dress was quickly put together in 24 hours by celebrity designer Irina Shabayeva.  Shabayeva studied at the Parsons School of Design and is a Project Runway television show winner. Her creations have been worn by Selena Gomez and Carrie Underwood, among other celebrities. She thanked Vernikov for her “bravery and leadership” in wearing the dress as a statement supporting the Jewish state. Vernikov has been outspoken in her support of Israel, calling it “our only true ally in the Middle East”

Trump says he will not testify at his civil fraud trial

Trump says he will not testify at his civil fraud trial

Former President Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday, that he no longer plans to testify at his civil fraud trial on Monday. Trump had been scheduled to testify Monday as one of the final defense witnesses in a trial that has lasted two months and is entering its final week of testimony. Court officials also confirmed to Fox News that Trump has notified the court that he is not testifying.  “As everyone knows, I have very successfully & conclusively testified in the corrupt, Biden directed, New York state attorney general’s rigged trial against me. World renowned experts, highly respected bank & insurance executives, real estate professionals, as well as others, both honest & credible, have stated, clearly & unequivocally, that I, and my very successful company, did nothing wrong! My financial statements were conservative, liquid, & ‘extraordinary,’” Trump posted. TRUMP CALLS CLAIMS HE’S A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY A ‘HOAX,’ SAYS BIDEN IS THE REAL THREAT: ‘I WILL SAVE DEMOCRACY’ The reversal of Trump’s testimony came after an accounting expert testified that the AG’s case had no merit and that he didn’t see any evidence of fraud in the financial statements that were being challenged by the AG. “A top professor from NYU Stern said, “If Mr. Trump were my student, he would get an ‘A’ on his financial statements. I’ve never seen a statement that provided so much detail, and is so transparent, as these statements.” Plus, they all have an ironclad disclaimer clause stating that the users must do their own due diligence & analysis – no reliance! The only fraud committed was by the highly partisan and out-of-control judge, and racist A.G., who promised that, ‘I will get Trump,’” Trump exclaimed.  New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages and to bar Trump from conducting business in the state. The attorney general’s complaint accuses Trump, his sons and his company of fraudulently inflating the values of his properties to obtain more favorable loan and insurance rates. KEY ASPECTS OF TRUMP GAG ORDER UPHELD BY FEDERAL APPEALS COURT “Donald Trump already testified in our financial fraud case against him. Whether or not Trump testifies again tomorrow, we have already proven that he committed years of financial fraud and unjustly enriched himself and his family. No matter how much he tries to distract from reality, the facts don’t lie,” James told Fox News.  Trump went on to share more details about his reasoning for not testifying. “They claimed that Mar-a-Lago was worth only $18,000,000, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount, in order to illegally reduce my values & make a fake case against me. They did this on other properties, as well, and wouldn’t give me a jury. Likewise, the A.G. thugs do not want to acknowledge that I have paid almost 300 million dollars in New York City and state taxes during the years in question. Importantly, I won at the appellate division, which effectively ended most of the case, but the biased judge refused to accept their order, an unheard of first!” Trump posted. TRUMP SEEKS PAUSE OF FEDERAL ELECTION TRIAL TO CHALLENGE IMMUNITY RULING Trump continued his post by calling the case a witch hunt against him. “Based on the above, and the fact that our unassailable final expert witness has been so strong and irrefutable in his testimony, which will conclude on Tuesday, and that I have already testified to everything and have nothing more to say other than that this is a complete and total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt, that will do nothing but keep businesses out of New York, I will not be testifying on Monday. Maga!” Trump said. TOP WYOMING OFFICIAL SLAMS BRAKES ON COURT LABELING TRUMP ‘INSURRECTIONIST’: ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ Court officials said proceedings will resume Tuesday as scheduled, and Eli Bartov, an accounting expert who Trump came to see testify last week, will resume the final part of his testimony. The attorney general’s office will then have a day for rebuttals, then each side has until January 5 to file briefs, and closing arguments will take place January 11.

Nancy Mace puts House colleagues on notice over silence on Hamas sexual assault of Israeli women

Nancy Mace puts House colleagues on notice over silence on Hamas sexual assault of Israeli women

Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace called out House colleagues who have not condemned the sexual violence of Israeli women at the hands of Hamas. “Where are the women’s groups who profess to be fighting for women around the world who’ve been dead silent on this issue? And then look at my colleagues in the House. Where are they?” Mace said on “Fox News Sunday.” Videos and photos on social media, as well as Israeli police accounts, have detailed that Israeli women have faced violent rape crimes after Hamas launched attacks on the nation on Oct. 7. Mace reacted to a series of clips showing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Democrat New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and philanthropist Sheryl Sandberg publicly condemning the rape and sexual assault of Israeli women by Hamas as war rages. JAYAPAL LIT UP BY WOMEN’S GROUPS FOR ‘REVOLTING’ REMARKS ON HAMAS RAPES: ‘IT IS CHILLING’ Mace said she agreed with Clinton, Gillibrand and Sandberg’s condemnation of the crimes but asked why her House colleagues have not also denounced the violence. She specifically called out Democrat Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal and her “excuses last week.” JAYAPAL’S CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS ON HAMAS RAPE HIT BY FELLOW DEMOCRAT: ‘INDECENT TO DOWNPLAY’ ATROCITIES “Rep. Jayapal, her excuses last week, I mean, now we know that Hamas, in their battle plan, was to go in and systematically rape, mutilate and murder these Israeli women,” she said.  “I’m a survivor of rape. But the difference here is that I survived, but many of these Israeli women didn’t,” said Mace, who revealed in 2019 that she was the victim of rape as a teenager. FURY AIMED AT ‘ANTISEMITIC’ UN COMMITTEE PROBING HAMAS’ SEXUAL ATROCITIES AGAINST ISRAELI WOMEN Jayapal came under fire last Sunday following an appearance on CNN where she was pressed about Hamas’ sexual violence against women, repeatedly redirecting the conversation to Israel while saying she “absolutely” condemns Hamas raping Israeli women. The Washington Democrat issued a statement shortly after the interview, clarifying she condemns the rape of Israeli women.  “Let me be completely clear again that I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ use of rape and sexual violence as an act of war. This is horrific and across the world, we must stand with our sisters, families, and survivors of rape and sexual assault everywhere to condemn this violence and hold perpetrators accountable,” she said in a press release Monday.  UNITED NATIONS SLAMMED FOR SILENCE OVER HAMAS RAPES, MUTILATION, MURDER OF ISRAELI WOMEN, CRITICS SAY Mace continued in her interview on Fox News that it’s “shameful” that some of her House colleagues have not publicly condemned the violent crimes. “I can’t think of anything more shameful to see these women’s groups, to see women on the left, women in the House — my colleagues on the left — who refuse to say what this is, which is shameful. It’s disgusting, it’s barbaric, and we ought to be condemning it from every corner of our country,” Mace said.

President Biden invites Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for White House visit

President Biden invites Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for White House visit

President Joe Biden has announced he is welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, December 12. In a statement issued by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. the meeting is set to highlight the United States “unshakable commitment” to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion. “As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment,” Jean-Pierre announced. This visit comes just days after Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh called on Congress to approve additional security aid to Ukraine. PENTAGON SAYS FURTHER MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE A ‘SMART INVESTMENT,’ WILL PREVENT LARGER WAR IN EUROPE During the press conference, Singh said that further assistance to Ukraine would be a “smart investment” in U.S. national security and would prevent a “larger war in Europe while strengthening our defense industrial base and creating skilled jobs back home here for the American people.”  GOP LAWMAKERS BLOCK BIDEN SECURITY AID TO UKRAINE, ISRAEL AND INDO-PACIFIC, PRESS FOR MORE BORDER FUNDING On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked billions of dollars in additional security aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, as they pressed President Biden to focus on tougher measures at the U.S.-Mexico border.  Biden has asked Congress for nearly $106 billion to fund the wars in Ukraine and Israel and other security needs. His administration has warned of dire consequences for Kyiv, and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, if lawmakers don’t act.  SPEAKER JOHNSON GIVES BIDEN AN ULTIMATUM ON UKRAINE FUNDING, IMMIGRATION According to records, the United States has spent more than $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.