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Social media erupts over Mamdani’s silence after Brooklyn coffee shop bans Jewish congressman

Social media erupts over Mamdani’s silence after Brooklyn coffee shop bans Jewish congressman

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing swift backlash after declining to condemn a local coffee chain that told a Jewish congressman with pro-Israel views that he was not welcome. Mamdani has remained silent after the Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based Poetica coffee shop posted — and later deleted — a message on social media telling Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., not to return after he stopped by the shop with his daughter Monday. The mayor declined to comment through a spokesman when contacted by The New York Times on Monday. “Shameful,” Fox News Radio analyst Josh Kraushaar wrote on social media in response to a section of The Times story detailing that Mamdani declined to comment. “Well folks, we’ve reached the stage of antisemitism where Jews are being publicly barred from businesses,” the CEO and co-founder of the antisemitism-focused nonprofit Boundless Israel said on X. “A coffee shop in Mamdani’s New York City told Jewish Congressman Dan Goldman he wasn’t welcome in their store.” MAMDANI SKIPS ISRAEL DAY PARADE DESPITE JOINING OTHER CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS “The café is implementing Mamdani’s wishes,” journalist Melissa Braunstein said. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment but did not immediately hear back. In a since-deleted social media post, Poetica Coffee said it would have declined to serve Goldman had staff recognized him in the store. Goldman has notably declined to characterize Israel’s war in Gaza as a genocide and has received financial contributions from the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, drawing criticism from some on the progressive left.  “Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?” the post said. “See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between,” the post continued. “Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.” The coffee chain has since deleted its Instagram page amid social media backlash. Mamdani’s silence comes as he is working to unseat Goldman, despite the incumbent lawmaker being a leading Trump critic and embracing an array of leftist legislative proposals. Goldman notably did not endorse Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, citing concerns about how his administration would approach Jewish New Yorkers. The mayor publicly backed former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander to represent Goldman’s district, which spans Lower Manhattan and deep-blue, wealthy pockets of Brooklyn. Democratic voters will decide whether to hand Goldman a third House term during the Empire State’s primary elections on Tuesday. NY DEM WOULDN’T BACK MAMDANI FOR MAYOR — NOW MAMDANI IS BACKING HIS CHALLENGER Since both men largely hold the same policy stances, the bruising primary battle has revolved around support for Israel — with Lander vowing to elevate the Palestinian cause if elected to the House. Goldman has notably supported military aid to Israel following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and distanced himself from inflammatory rhetoric used by some on the left to criticize Israel. Goldman offered a tempered response after the coffee chain effectively banned him from their storefronts. “I’m sorry to see this post,” he said. “The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me—allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything. I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved.”  Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said Tuesday her office has opened an investigation into the matter. “Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin,” Dhillon wrote. “These actions are not only reprehensible, they’re potentially illegal.”

Swalwell pal accused of using campaign cash to bankroll ‘luxury lifestyle’ — including Super Bowl tickets

Swalwell pal accused of using campaign cash to bankroll ‘luxury lifestyle’ — including Super Bowl tickets

Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona who was a key ally of disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, used campaign cash to fund luxury trips with his family and to cover his childcare expenses, according to campaign finance filings and a source familiar with his finances. Gallego, through his leadership PAC, has paid for trips to the Caribbean island getaway of Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World, Miami and Chicago, finance filings show. A source familiar with Gallego’s spending told Politico that the lawmaker would often bring his family along for the luxury jaunts, and use donor cash to pay for babysitting services. “He just spends his campaign account like it’s his personal slush fund,” the source said. “He’s using campaign cash to live a luxury lifestyle.” Campaign finance records show that Gallego’s leadership PAC and his campaign have collectively paid over $18,000 to cover childcare costs, including a $400 payment to his wife’s mother. FAR-LEFT FIREBRAND SPENDS EYE-POPPING AMOUNT OF CAMPAIGN CASH ON LUXURY HOTELS, ‘TOP-TIER’ LIMO SERVICES “This is not breaking news,” he told Politco of expenses for childcare and family travel. “With the rising costs of childcare and the burden it has on the budgets of American families, Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the White House alike regularly travel with their wives and children, as is permitted by the FEC.” In one campaign expense, Gallego and Swalwell established a joint fundraising committee that they then used to pay for tickets to watch Super Bowl LVII in 2023. The event, which cost over $37,000, was billed as a fundraising operation where they recruited donors to attend the game and have brunch with them in exchange for a sufficiently high campaign contribution.  The duo of lawmakers each profited just under $8,000 from the event, effectively shuttering the joint committee after the game. A Gallego spokesperson told Politico that the “tickets were purchased at fair market value” and that “hosting donors and supporters at sporting events in their areas is a common, bipartisan practice.” SENATE HOPEFUL WITH DEEP DEM TIES HAS PAID FAMILY OVER $350K FROM HIS CAMPAIGN COFFERS The source familiar with Gallego’s finances told Politico that the trip to Saint Barthélemy was for his wife’s boss’ birthday and that the trip to Miami, where he racked up $9,000 in charges at a beachfront hotel, was to commemorate his wife’s birthday. A Gallego spokesperson explained to Politico that the travel to Saint Barthélemy was part of “a multi-stop political and fundraising swing — as senators regularly do,” and that on the Miami trip the senator and his wife “attended several widely attended political events and fundraisers.” Federal lawmakers are barred from using funds donated to their primary campaign committees for “personal use,” or expenses that are not related to their campaigns for office. Leadership PACs, however, are held to a looser standard wherein expenditures are allowed so long as they serve some kind of fundraising purpose. There is nothing that suggests any of Gallego’s leadership PAC expenditures were made unlawfully. TALARICO TOUTS TEXAS ROOTS AS OUT-OF-STATE CASH POWERS SENATE CAMPAIGN Gallego is far from the only legislator to use his leadership PAC in this way, with many lawmakers using their committees to fund pricey trips to exclusive locations. Transparency advocates have argued that the permissive spending rules surrounding how politicians can use funds donated by leadership PACs allow corporate interests to more easily accrue influence with lawmakers by contributing to what is effectively an account for their luxury expenses. About half of the donations to Gallego’s leadership PAC have come from corporate sources, according to campaign finance records.  Gallego is reportedly exploring a 2028 presidential run, with many seeing him as a progressive with significant crossover appeal following his 2024 Arizona Senate victory. Some in the senator’s inner circle, however, have doubts that he could make it through vetting, according to the source who spoke with Politico. SWALWELL’S ‘BEST FRIEND’ IN CONGRESS TURNS ON HIM AFTER BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS TORPEDO HIS POLITICAL CAREER His longtime friendship with Swalwell, who suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from Congress following multiple allegations of sexual assault, is seen as one potential vulnerability. Additionally, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., has pressed the Senate to investigate Gallego over alleged sexual misconduct and campaign finance infractions.  The senator has dismissed the allegations. IRS records show that he established a legal defense fund last month. “Any person close to Gallego would know that he is one of the most vetted candidates after his tough 2024 campaign where millions of dollars were spent against him,” Jacques Petit, Gallego’s communications director, told Politico. “Despite that, he overperformed the top of the ticket. Now he is focused on delivering for Arizonans and electing Democrats in 2026.” Gallego did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Monday.

Trump backs both South Carolina GOP rivals as runoff tests his endorsement grip

Trump backs both South Carolina GOP rivals as runoff tests his endorsement grip

PELZER, South Carolina — Both candidates in Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial runoff election in this solidly red southeastern state have President Donald Trump’s blessing. Trump, seemingly aiming to cover his bases, made an 11th-hour endorsement ahead of the runoff and is now backing both contenders in the showdown to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McMaster. The South Carolina runoff had been viewed as the latest test of Trump’s immense grip over the GOP and the power of his endorsements in Republican nominating contests. But on Friday, just three days after the candidate Trump was backing in neighboring Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial runoff lost, the president took to social media to say that he was supporting longtime state Attorney General Alan Wilson as well as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the battle for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. TRUMP WINS TWO, LOSES ONE AS GEORGIA BILLIONAIRE DELIVERS RARE BLOW TO ENDORSEMENT MACHINE “I can’t hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to Endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!” Trump wrote, adding: “With either one you can’t go wrong.” The endorsement of Wilson appeared to be a move by Trump to hedge his bets, because Trump was already backing Evette, who is also supported by McMaster, a longtime top ally of the president. Trump’s decision to support both Evette and Wilson wasn’t the first time he’s made dual endorsements in the same Republican race. Most famously, Trump endorsed “ERIC” in the 2022 GOP Senate primary in Missouri, where the two major candidates were Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens. Both candidates claimed the endorsement, with Schmitt ultimately winning the nomination. In South Carolina, Trump endorsed Evette late last month, a week and a half before the gubernatorial primary. Evette finished on top of a crowded field of contenders in the primary election, with Wilson second. The field also included Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and multimillionaire businessman Rom Reddy. Since no candidate won a majority of the vote, as the top two finishers, Evette and Wilson advanced to the June 23 runoff. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Mace and Norman endorsed Wilson after failing to advance to the runoff. And Wilson was also backed — and joined on the campaign trail on the eve of the runoff by Sen. Ted Cruz, the conservative firebrand from Texas. Mace, reacting to Trump’s endorsement of both Evette and Wilson, wrote on social media, “LMAO,” which is a common abbreviation for the phrase “laughing my a– off.” The runoff between Evette and Wilson turned combustible, and in last week’s final debate, both candidates launched personal attacks and accused each other of lying and misrepresenting their records. Wilson worked to contrast his tenure as attorney general with what he’s argued is Evette’s largely ceremonial role as lieutenant governor. And he has spotlighted his experience as a combat veteran, prosecutor and the state’s top law enforcement official. Evette showcased herself as an outsider and a Trump-endorsed businesswoman, while casting Wilson as a career politician. “The president had a lot of confidence in me when it was a crowded field, and I won it for him on June 9. I’m going to win it for him again on June 23,” Evette told Fox News Digital on the eve of the runoff. “I have always been very loyal to the president. I’ve traveled wherever he’s asked me to help stump for him, fundraise for him.” Wilson, campaigning with Cruz, pointed to Trump and said in a Fox News Digital interview, “I’ve been fighting and defending his agenda for the better part of a decade, and to have the president reflect that understanding in his endorsement a few days ago means so much to me.” Cruz, who endorsed Wilson a week ahead of Trump’s backing, told Fox News Digital, “I was very glad to see the president endorsing Alan Wilson… My philosophy, as you know, is that I support the strongest conservative who can win, and I think in the governor’s race that’s Alan Wilson.” The brute force of the president’s endorsement power has been on display in GOP primaries over the past two months, with his candidates ousting incumbents he targeted in showdowns in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas that grabbed plenty of national attention. But Trump’s endorsement streak in statewide and congressional Republican primaries was snapped three weeks ago when his 11th-hour endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa in the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds wasn’t enough to propel the three-term congressman to victory. Feenstra was narrowly edged by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who was backed by the political wings of MAHA — the acronym for the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk. Trump rebounded two weeks ago, as Evette finished first and advanced to Tuesday’s runoff. Meanwhile, longtime Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham did win a majority of the vote in the Republican Senate primary, and avoided a runoff. Graham, who was endorsed by Trump, was facing primary challenges from five candidates, including conservative businessman Mark Lynch, who took aim at the senator over his support for the war in Iran. Lynch was backed by some MAGA leaders who have been critical of the president. Last week, Trump-backed candidates won two of the three top races. Rep. Barry Moore, a House Freedom Caucus member and longtime Trump supporter who was endorsed by the president, comfortably defeated rival Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL sniper who was supported by some top names on the right, in solidly red Alabama’s GOP Senate runoff. In battleground Georgia’s Republican Senate runoff, an 11th-hour endorsement by Trump this past weekend helped boost Rep. Mike Collins, a MAGA champion, to victory over former college football coach Derek Dooley, who was backed by popular

Alan Greenspan, former US Federal Reserve chairman, dies at 100

Alan Greenspan, former US Federal Reserve chairman, dies at 100

Toggle Play Alan Greenspan, former US Federal Reserve chairman, dies at 100 NewsFeed Alan Greenspan, one of the most influential economic policymakers in modern US history, has died aged 100. Greenspan led the Federal Reserve for nearly two decades under four presidents, overseeing a long period of economic growth but also faced criticism linked to the 2008 financial crisis. Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)

Conservative radio host defends Trump, says he’s better than Vance

Conservative radio host defends Trump, says he’s better than Vance

NewsFeed Sid Rosenberg, a prominent conservative New York radio host, spoke at the International Policy Summit, an Israeli forum, to defend Trump’s handling of the Iran war while rebuking Vice President JD Vance. Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)

Last one, the best one? How Lionel Messi keeps doing it at the World Cup

Last one, the best one? How Lionel Messi keeps doing it at the World Cup

Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Lionel Messi cemented his status as arguably the greatest football player of the modern era after sweeping aside several records as he powered his side to the round of 32 at the World Cup — the Argentinian captain’s record sixth appearance. Messi broke the record for the highest number of goals in the history of the World Cup after scoring his team’s opening goal in their Group J match against Austria on Monday. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list He then added another in the final minutes, taking his tally to 18 goals in six tournaments to reach the top of the charts to deafening roars at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Austria coach Ralf Rangnick, who has revived the national side since taking over in 2022, attempted to break down the nearly 39-year-old Argentinian maestro’s work ethic. “Lionel Messi maybe doesn’t put in the same legwork as in the past,” Rangnick said. “He likes to stay on the side, and sometimes he likes to stop in front of the goal, in the offside position. “That doesn’t mean that they have one man less, but they have one man less that works in the counter-pressing. “But that makes him so dangerous, because he might be in a position, free in a position, and we need to be prepared for that. “We shouldn’t have too many transition moments, and not allow transition moments, and not allow him to be free to accept the ball.” ‘Very angry’ That notion unravelled in front of a frenzied crowd of 70,000 dominated by Argentina fans decked out in light blue and white. Messi pulled an early penalty wide to pass up the chance to move clear of Miroslav Klose for the most World Cup goals. Advertisement Messi said afterwards that he was “very angry” with himself, and then twice came close to scoring after that, only for Austria captain David Alaba to deny him twice. And then came the big moment, Messi sweeping in on 38 minutes after being set up by Facundo Medina. Just as Rangnick had warned, Messi had ambled into space and was all alone to score with a trademark swing of his left foot. It was his 17th World Cup goal, and his 18th arrived when Messi pounced again in the fifth minute of injury time. This time, the veteran squeezed home as several defenders threw themselves desperately at the ball. Messi, at his sixth World Cup, was still going strong in the 95th minute. The goals took the maestro to five at this edition, having hit a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. That was Messi’s first treble at a World Cup. Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Argentina against Austria, in Dallas, USA, on June 22, 2026 [Jeffrey McWhorter/EPA] Last Messi the best one? Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi’s teammate at the 2006 World Cup, has built an ecosystem around Messi to allow his captain to do his thing. That means letting others do the running around him. Not that Messi is totally exempt from the dirty work. “Today, when the team was struggling without possession, he put in the work,” Scaloni said. “You could see his commitment, that speaks volumes about him.” Renowned Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, who wrote an authoritative biography of Messi, said before the World Cup that this version of the player was “very different” from the one that burst onto the scene with Barcelona in the early 2000s. “Messi has reinvented himself at least five times to evolve into the player he is now for Argentina and Inter Miami,” Balague wrote in a column for the BBC. “He has adapted so he can dominate and stay ahead of a game that has always been chasing him,” he added. He noted how Pablo Aimar, Messi’s childhood idol, once said: “The last Messi is always the best Messi.” That version is a player who walks more than he runs, said Balague, but “still sees everything first”. “Critics once used this [lack of running] against him. Now it reads as mastery,” he wrote. Adblock test (Why?)