Trump CMS faces bipartisan pushback over Medicare proposal tied to Biden-era drug pricing law
EXCLUSIVE: A bipartisan group of more than 50 lawmakers is urging the Trump administration not to finalize a proposed Medicare policy tied to the Biden-era drug price negotiation program, arguing it could discourage development of improved cancer treatments. In a Sept. 21 letter obtained by Fox News Digital, the lawmakers called on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to remove the agency’s proposed fixed-dose combination policy from its final rule implementing Medicare’s Drug Price Negotiation Program. The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program was created under the Inflation Reduction Act, which former President Joe Biden signed into law in 2022. The Trump administration proposed the policy in June as part of implementing that program. At the center of the dispute is how Medicare would treat newer versions of existing drugs for price negotiation purposes. DR OZ WARNS MEDICARE SCAMMERS ARE STEALING BILLIONS — AND YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION COULD BE NEXT The lawmakers argue the proposal would cause some improved treatments to face Medicare price negotiations much sooner after receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. They say that would reduce incentives for drugmakers to develop better versions of existing medicines. “If finalized, the proposed fixed-dose combination policy would subject these advancements to negotiation almost immediately after FDA approval, harming patient access as well as incentives to develop these improved therapies,” the lawmakers wrote. CMS, meanwhile, said the proposal is designed to prevent drugmakers from avoiding or delaying negotiated Medicare prices by making only limited changes to existing drugs and introducing them as new products. DR OZ NAMES 5 STATES IN FRAUD CRACKDOWN AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARGETS MEDICAID ABUSE The lawmakers pointed to advances in cancer immunotherapy that allow some patients to receive a quick injection instead of spending hours receiving an intravenous infusion. They said those improvements can make treatment faster, easier and more accessible, particularly for patients in rural areas. “Patients fighting cancer deserve access to the most advanced new therapies, and if CMS finalizes this proposal, those advances are less likely to reach those who need it the most,” the letter states. The lawmakers also argued the FDA already evaluates the therapies as separate medicines, requiring separate clinical trials and approvals. They said CMS should treat those therapies as separate medicines under the Medicare drug price negotiation program. The lawmakers also argued that CMS actuaries “have not been able to show this policy would produce meaningful savings for taxpayers.” DR OZ REVEALS THE HEALTHY RETIREMENT HABIT THAT COULD MAKE AMERICA $1 TRILLION RICHER “We strongly urge CMS to withdraw the fixed-dose combination proposal from the final rule,” the letter states. “The patients we represent need policies that expand access to lifesaving care and reward medical progress and innovation in the treatment of deadly diseases.” The letter was signed by more than 50 lawmakers from both parties, including Reps. John Joyce, R-Pa., Darin LaHood, R-Ill., Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, Tim Moore, R-N.C., Jim Costa, D-Calif., Donald Davis, D-N.C., and more. CMS could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
Dem Senate nominee breaks silence after Susan Collins’ office was vandalized with vulgar message
Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she would not be “intimidated” after one of her Maine constituent offices was vandalized Monday, prompting her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, to break his silence Monday night and condemn the “vandalism and intimidation” as “wrong.” The senator’s constituent office in Biddeford, Maine was vandalized on Monday, with the words “Trump Whore” sprayed on the entry doors. The senator’s office confirmed the incident, while a photo of the defaced doors was posted on Facebook and X by Maine state Sen. Matt Harrington, the assistant Republican leader in the chamber. Meanwhile, the Biddeford police confirmed the presence of an investigation into the matter to Fox News Digital. “Vandalism is unacceptable. Senator Collins and her staff will not be intimidated. Our Biddeford constituent service office remains open, and we will continue serving the people of Maine,” Collins Chief of Staff Katie Brown said in a statement to Fox News Digital. SUSAN COLLINS DEFIES BLUE-STATE HEADWINDS IN CRUCIAL SENATE BATTLE AS NEW POLL REVEALS STRIKING SPLIT Collins is running for re-election this year for a sixth six-year term representing blue-leaning Maine in the Senate, and is locked in a competitive contest with Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, the former Maine Senate president. The race is a must-flip for the Democrats as they try to recapture the Senate majority from the GOP in this autumn’s midterm elections. “There’s no place for this in Maine. Vandalism and intimidation are wrong, full stop,” Jackson told Fox News Digital after publication. “Senator Collins and her staff should be able to do their jobs without anyone defacing their office, and I condemn whoever did this.” SUSAN COLLINS DROPS BRUTAL REMINDER OF DEM RIVAL ROCKED BY ACCUSATIONS Former Maine state Rep. Austin Theriault, the 2024 Republican congressional nominee who narrowly lost to Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and is now seeking to return to the state House, told Fox News Digital “there shouldn’t be any hesitation to condemn these sort of actions, regardless of where you are on the political spectrum.” “I’m very confident that Sen. Collins herself would very quickly condemn this if the shoe was on the other foot,” Theriault said, while questioning whether Maine Democrats have an “identity problem” following Jackson’s initial silence. Maine GOP Communications Director Kristina Parker argued in a statement to Fox News Digital that the vandalism “is just another example of the radical left’s aggression and inability to have civil discourse.” MAINE ICE SHOOTING VICTIM WAS NOT TARGET OF ARREST WARRANT, SEN. KING’S OFFICE SAYS AFTER EARLIER DHS ACCOUNT “We hope the prosecution is quick and smooth. Our political environment should not tolerate this volatile and disgusting behavior,” she added. Collins’ office in Biddeford is located just a few blocks from the site of a fatal shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in July. Following the shooting, protesters marched to the senator’s Biddeford office to demonstrate against Collins’ support for ICE funding. The senator, a moderate Republican who has occasionally broken with President Donald Trump, has drawn bipartisan attention throughout the campaign. She received praise this summer after casting her 10,000th consecutive Senate vote, but has also faced criticism from both parties. Collins has criticized Trump’s tariff policies toward Canada and voted against Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation, while Democrats have continued to target her over her defense of her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who later joined the Supreme Court majority that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Dem Senate nominee silent after Susan Collins’ office was vandalized with vulgar message
Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she would not be “intimidated” after one of her Maine constituent offices was vandalized Monday as Democratic challenger Troy Jackson‘s campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the incident. The senator’s constituent office in Biddeford, Maine was vandalized on Monday, with the words “Trump Whore” sprayed on the entry doors. The senator’s office confirmed the incident, while a photo of the defaced doors was posted on Facebook and X by Maine state Sen. Matt Harrington, the assistant Republican leader in the chamber. Meanwhile, the Biddeford police confirmed the presence of an investigation into the matter to Fox News Digital. “Vandalism is unacceptable. Senator Collins and her staff will not be intimidated. Our Biddeford constituent service office remains open, and we will continue serving the people of Maine,” Collins Chief of Staff Katie Brown said in a statement to Fox News Digital. SUSAN COLLINS DEFIES BLUE-STATE HEADWINDS IN CRUCIAL SENATE BATTLE AS NEW POLL REVEALS STRIKING SPLIT Collins is running for re-election this year for a sixth six-year term representing blue-leaning Maine in the Senate, and is locked in a competitive contest with Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, the former Maine Senate president. The race is a must-flip for the Democrats as they try to recapture the Senate majority from the GOP in this autumn’s midterm elections. Jackson did not respond to repeated inquiries from Fox News Digital seeking comment about the vandalism. SUSAN COLLINS DROPS BRUTAL REMINDER OF DEM RIVAL ROCKED BY ACCUSATIONS Former Maine state Rep. Austin Theriault, the 2024 Republican congressional nominee who narrowly lost to Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and is now seeking to return to the state House, told Fox News Digital “there shouldn’t be any hesitation to condemn these sort of actions, regardless of where you are on the political spectrum.” “I’m very confident that Sen. Collins herself would very quickly condemn this if the shoe was on the other foot,” Theriault said, while questioning whether Maine Democrats have an “identity problem” following Jackson’s silence. Maine GOP Communications Director Kristina Parker argued in a statement to Fox News Digital that the vandalism “is just another example of the radical left’s aggression and inability to have civil discourse.” MAINE ICE SHOOTING VICTIM WAS NOT TARGET OF ARREST WARRANT, SEN. KING’S OFFICE SAYS AFTER EARLIER DHS ACCOUNT “We hope the prosecution is quick and smooth. Our political environment should not tolerate this volatile and disgusting behavior,” she added. Collins’ office in Biddeford is located just a few blocks from the site of a fatal shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in July. Following the shooting, protesters marched to the senator’s Biddeford office to demonstrate against Collins’ support for ICE funding. The senator, a moderate Republican who has occasionally broken with President Donald Trump, has drawn bipartisan attention throughout the campaign. She received praise this summer after casting her 10,000th consecutive Senate vote, but has also faced criticism from both parties. Collins has criticized Trump’s tariff policies toward Canada and voted against Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation, while Democrats have continued to target her over her defense of her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who later joined the Supreme Court majority that overturned Roe v. Wade.
‘Insulting’: Ex-Trump official’s ‘dishonest’ campaign ad triggers conservative revolt
Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders ignited backlash from conservatives Monday after releasing a campaign ad depicting a young White man as the face of welfare abuse, with critics arguing the portrayal was misleading. The ad, released as Huckabee Sanders runs for reelection on new welfare work requirements, follows a fictional character named “Brad,” who is portrayed as an able-bodied White man spending his days playing video games, lounging on the couch and avoiding work while relying on taxpayer-funded benefits. Huckabee Sanders argues her proposal would require able-bodied adults without dependents to work, train for a job or volunteer in order to continue receiving assistance. “Meet Brad,” Huckabee Sanders starts the ad. “Brad has turned relaxing into a full-time profession. But you – you actually work hard. You pay taxes to cover welfare for guys like Brad who just choose not to work.” Huckabee Sanders, who served as President Trump’s White House press secretary from 2017 to 2019, faced backlash from conservatives who slammed the campaign’s execution, arguing the decision to depict a young White man as the face of welfare abuse did not reflect reality. FLORIDA BECOMES FIRST STATE TO BLOCK WELFARE CASH FOR TATTOOS, VAPES AND MORE “Great policy,” Co-founder and CEO of The Federalist Sean Davis argued. “Terrible ad that is so dishonest and insulting that it will entirely overshadow the genuinely great policy.” “This is a massive own goal, [Sarah Huckabee Sanders], and you should fire the consultants who made this ad,” Will Chamberlain, the Article III Project senior counsel, posted on X. “Do not portray your core voting bloc as losers, period. “ “White males are the Republican Party’s voting base and yet they are the group the Republican Party sh—s on at every possible opportunity,” responded Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh. “Meanwhile, back in reality, women are significantly more likely to be on welfare than men. And black people are astronomically more likely to be on welfare than white people. So the number of single young white male ‘Brads’ abusing the welfare system is minuscule.” WARNOCK WARNS DEMS TO CUT THE ‘JARGON’ AND SPEAK ‘PLAIN ENGLISH’ WITH YOUNG MEN WHO FEEL LEFT BEHIND “Attacking white (specifically Christian) young men is the most acceptable political tactic in America thanks to the evils of liberalism,” said the American Principles Project’s Caleb Pascoe. “It’s staggering how much even the majority of GOP politicians feel safe attacking white young men, instead of communicating the truth of welfare, because they might get called ‘racist’ or whatever.” “Always a white male villain in these ads,” another conservative account wrote. “I hate the GOP so much it’s unreal.” After the initial post got millions of views, Huckabee Sanders followed up with an X post that said, “Some critics online don’t like my welfare work requirement ad. Next thing you know they’ll say I should have used cookies instead of cheese balls.” “If you are able-bodied you should not collect welfare simply because you choose not to work. Period. WATCH->” she continued, which invited conservatives to attack the video again. “Your ad targeted and mocked the one demographic—young white men—that is least likely to be on welfare and yet the most likely to be illegally locked out of the job market,” Davis added in a follow-up post. “Why?” “Is this an op?” another account wrote. EX-HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS CHAIR SAYS GOP ISN’T ‘A CONSERVATIVE PARTY ANYMORE,’ BUT DEMOCRATS ARE ‘WORSE’ The unusual backlash from the right also attracted attention from critics on the left, who seized on the intra-conservative dispute over the ad. Among them was left-wing commentator Keith Olbermann, who mocked what he called the “White Power GOP Party” for turning on Huckabee Sanders over the ad’s depiction of a white welfare recipient. “Huck puts out the first honest TV ad by a republican in 75 years and the White Power GOP Party is big mad that the welfare leech shown is a white guy named Brad,” Olbermann said amid the backlash. “Republicans are insanely mad this Sarah Huckabee Sanders ad portrays a white gamer guy as the face of welfare,” Will Sommer, a senior reporter for The Bulwark, posted on X. “Republicans in the comments are furious that Sarah Huckabee Sanders dared to depict a white man on welfare and are blaming “jews,” far-left media company MeidasTouch posted on X. “The Republican Party has a massive racism and antisemitism problem.” Fox News Digital reached out to Huckabee Sanders’ team for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
El-Sayed questions ethics of football in resurfaced audio
Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed took aim at football culture, questioning whether America’s most popular sport is “ethical,” according to a resurfaced audio clip posted online Monday by the Republican Party. In a 2023 podcast episode, the Michigan Democrat questioned whether American football could be considered “ethical” or “safe” due to the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) for players and perceived ties to toxic masculinity and violence. “What is it about this brutal sport that keeps us coming back?” El-Sayed is heard saying. “Is there a version of football that’s actually ethical and safe? What would need to change?” El-Sayed has questioned the sport in the past, most recently earlier this month when he released a video voicing concerns about the cost to attend NFL games. ABDUL EL-SAYED DODGES ‘RACIST NFL’ CLAIM, CONTINUES DEFENDING COLIN KAEPERNICK The video shows El-Sayed throwing and catching a football while questioning the high prices of tickets, in addition to money spent on concessions. NEW RESEARCH FINDS 1 IN 4 NFL PLAYERS COULD DEVELOP CTE IN THEIR LIFETIME: ‘SHOULD BE A CALL TO ACTION’ “It’s gotten way too expensive,” he said. “That means that something that’s supposed to bring us all together, like football, separates those who have and those who have not.” He also noted that many football stadiums are subsidized by taxpayer funds, and yet, ticket prices continue to climb. In October 2021, El-Sayed wrote that “the toxic masculinity at the heart of America’s most popular sport — and men’s sports culture more generally — is way deeper than a few emails or a Jay-Z turnaround.” The Democratic Senate hopeful played football growing up and was the captain of his high school team. He called sports his “lifeline.” Despite his criticism of what he described as the toxic elements of male sports culture, El-Sayed has also defended masculinity and chided Democrats for talking down to men, often posting fitness-related content as part of his strategy to appeal to male voters. Fox News Digital has reached out to El-Sayed for comment.
Protester storms DC party, flips off crowd as ‘USA!’ chants erupt amid Trump’s AI push
Protesters crashed a large pro-data center party in Washington, D.C., making obscene guestures attendees and shouting about the industry’s water use as President Donald Trump pushes to accelerate America’s artificial intelligence and data center boom. “Thank you for using all of our water!” and “You’re killing the world,” the protester shouted as a woman interrupted the party, directing middle fingers at the crowd while chanting against the data center industry. The “Data After Dark” party was hosted by three self-proclaimed data center “fanboys,” bringing together more than 600 people to show support for data center infrastructure. FIRST ON FOX: ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST NETWORK BEHIND FIGHT AGAINST AI DATA CENTERS AND FLOCK CAMERAS Party co-host and Young Voices CEO Casey Givens told Fox News Digital that one protester initially approached him asking to give a toast in support of data centers, but after he refused, she jumped onstage and attempted to grab the microphone from co-host Jonas Du. After the protester was removed by security, the crowd responded by chanting, “USA, USA, USA.” Data centers power artificial intelligence by housing thousands of high-performance computers that store, process and analyze data, enabling AI systems to be trained and operate. INSIDE THE FAR-LEFT’S ANTI-DATA CENTER PUSH AND WHAT EXPERTS SAY IS DRIVING IT: ‘PLAYBOOK WE’VE SEEN BEFORE’ “I organized the party along with my co-hosts because the three of us were dismayed by how one side was dominating the data center conversation with hysteria instead of reason,” said Givens. “We wanted to push back by throwing a celebration of technology and benefits of data centers — locally in terms of tax revenue and economic development, and nationally in terms of innovation and the fight against China,” Givens added. The party featured themed cocktails such as “Loudoun County Iced Tea,” named after the Northern Virginia county that handles more than 70% of global internet traffic across roughly 250 data centers, according to the county’s website. CHINA ‘THROWING GASOLINE ON THE FIRE’ IN AI DATA CENTERS RACE, SAY LAWMAKERS Trump has pushed for a rapid buildout of data centers as part of his broader AI agenda, contending the U.S. must stay ahead of China in the global AI race and that resistance to the projects gives Beijing an advantage. “If you want to go through poverty, crime and squalor, I would say don’t approve of data centers,” Trump said from the Oval Office Sept. 4. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Trump boasted about American AI supremacy over China during an address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York Tuesday, using his newly-minted term for the technology, “superintelligence.” “Every major new technology brings challenges, and superintelligence is no exception,” said Trump. “Whoever wins superintelligence wins. That’s the group that wins. And we’re leading now over China by a lot and everyone else. And we’re going to keep it that way.”
DOJ pleads with Supreme Court to save ban on transgender treatments in federal prisons
The Justice Department on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) policy banning payment for hormone treatments and social accommodations for transgender inmates. The DOJ is asking the high court to block a lower court’s ruling so that the federal government can immediately enforce its updated prison policy regarding gender dysphoria. “BOP’s decision to prioritize mental-health treatment, while discontinuing medically disputed and unproven sex-rejecting interventions, falls well within the bounds of reasoned decision-making,” U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in the DOJ petition. WOMAN OBJECTED TO TRANS SEX OFFENDER ROOMMATE — THEN SHE WAS SENT BACK TO PRISON, LEGAL GROUP SAYS The BOP issued a new policy in February prohibiting any surgeries aimed at modifying sex traits, as well as discontinuing hormone treatments for inmates not currently on hormone therapy. In addition, the policy prevents social accommodations for inmates, such as breast/buttock padding, chest binders, makeup, wigs, or undergarments that do not align with an inmate’s biological sex. FEMALE INMATE SUES WASHINGTON STATE AFTER ALLEGED ATTACK BY MALE-BORN PRISONER IN WOMEN’S FACILITY Earlier this year, a group of federal inmates sued the Trump administration over an executive order issued at the start of his second term that prohibited the use of federal funds for medical treatments or procedures for transgender inmates. In June, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, ordered the BOP to continue providing accommodations and care for transgender inmates in federal prisons, saying officials had not provided a serious explanation for why medical treatment for gender dysphoria should be handled differently than in other cases. JD VANCE CALLS ON DOJ TO PROSECUTE ALLEGED FRAUD IN TEEN TRANSGENDER TREATMENT The lower court found that the BOP failed to adequately consider its own past experience providing care aligned with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). In its Supreme Court filing, the DOJ said the care guidelines from WPATH are scientifically flawed, biased, and unreliable. LIBERAL JUSTICE HAMMERS SUPREME COURT FOR FAST-TRACKING EMERGENCY DOCKET CASES Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit declined to revive the policy while proceedings moved forward following an appeal by the Justice Department. In the lawsuit, the DOJ and Sauer argued that courts must grant double deference to federal prison administrators. “Prison administrators . . . should be accorded wide-ranging deference in the adoption and execution of policies and practices that in their judgment are needed to preserve internal order and discipline and to maintain institutional security.” “The court’s demand for additional evidence cannot be reconciled with bedrock principles of administrative law or the double deference that BOP is due in this context.”
Vance unloads on tech titans using foreign visa holders to displace American workers
Vice President JD Vance wants to drastically change the H-1B foreign worker visa program in favor of a system that prioritizes American workers rather than the one he says currently displaces members of the domestic workforce. “So, what are the things we can do administratively to ensure that if a tech company is going to try to get an H-1B visa, it’s an actual genius, it’s a person that is going to significantly enrich the tech ecosystem or the American economy?” Vance asked in a Sept. 15 episode of the “All-In” podcast, hosted by financial gurus Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks and David Friedberg — all entrepreneurs and investors. Vance explained that Congress doesn’t have the “political will” to make significant changes to the visa program, leading to recent executive action on the subject. AMERICA’S BROKEN LEGAL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS REPLACING US WORKERS BY DESIGN H-1B visas are temporary nonimmigrant programs that allow foreign workers in “specialty occupations,” often referred to as “high-skilled workers,” to come to the United States and work, typically for three years, according to United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS). But critics say the program has been abused by large companies, many in the tech industry, to simply replace Americans in the workforce with cheaper labor from abroad. Many also argue that the visa recipients aren’t better suited than American workers to do the jobs. Vance said the administration is trying to ensure companies are, “not just replacing one accountant who makes $60,000 with a lower-wage foreign accountant who makes $45,000 a year.” CEO UNDER FIRE FOR MASS LAYOFFS AMID FOREIGN WORKER HIRING SPREE NOW APPOINTED TO FED’S TASK FORCE ON JOBS “We’re also looking at various ways of preventing companies that use H-1B visas from laying off a bunch of American workers,” said Vance in a clip shared on Sunday that sparked chatter on social media. “So, one of the things that I find just shocking about this is that you’ll have a company that applies for an H-1B, and they’ll say, ‘oh, we’re desperate for workers, we can’t find the workers,’ and then you go and look at their history and they’ve laid off 5,000 people,” he explained. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in August a new rule to charge $103,265 to companies as an additional fee for every H-1B petition subject to the annual statutory cap of 65,000 per year. FEDERAL JUDGE STRIKES DOWN TRUMP’S $100K H-1B VISA FEE, RULING IT AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL TAX A similar proposal from the administration was previously struck down by a federal district court. “That’s ridiculous,” Vance said of American employers abusing the program to cut labor costs. “If you’re laying off American workers you shouldn’t be going to the market searching for foreign workers to replace them,” he said. “So, we’re doing a lot, within the confines of course of what we’re allowed to do legally. We’ve gotten sued on some of this stuff. But I think fundamentally, we’re on [sic] the right on both the law and the policy.” ‘The H-1B should not exist to replace American workers with low-wage foreigners. It should exist to enrich the American economy.” Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.
FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey resigns after year in role
Andrew Bailey, the co-deputy director of the FBI, announced in a social media post on Monday that he will resign from the agency, citing family reasons. Bailey, who stepped into the post in August 2025, said he would be returning to his family in Missouri. “With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am announcing that I am stepping down to return to my family in Missouri,” Bailey said in a post on X. “I am confident Director Patel will continue to reform the FBI, combat violent crime, defend the homeland, ensure strong organizational accountability and restore public trust in this institution of excellence.” DAN BONGINO REVEALS HOW HE TRAPPED ‘SNAKES’ INSIDE FBI TO STOP MEDIA LEAKS Bailey initially served in his role alongside Dan Bongino, a conservative podcaster and former U.S. Secret Service member who stepped down in December 2025 amid clashes with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. He then served with his FBI co-deputy, Chris Raia, the former assistant director in charge of the bureau’s New York City Field Office, in a continuation of the nontraditional co-deputy structure initiated by FBI Director Kash Patel. KASH PATEL TO TOUT ‘LARGEST’ YEAR-TO-YEAR VIOLENT CRIME DROP IN US HISTORY In a social media post of his own, Patel thanked Bailey for his service. “Although Andrew is leaving the FBI in order to return to his family in Missouri, his fantastic contribution instituting critical reforms which resulted in our historic success will live on. Andrew’s leadership at the FBI will be missed but we are grateful he answered the call to serve!” Patel wrote. “Thanks Andrew for your tremendous dedication to the mission of this FBI.” FBI TOUTS 6,000 ARRESTS, 44% HOMICIDE DROP ONE YEAR INTO TRUMP’S DC CRIME CRACKDOWN The FBI referred Fox News Digital to Bailey’s social media post., while the White House deferred to Patel’s remarks. The resignation came after two FBI agents were demoted and reassigned last week amid concerns that the agency wasn’t acting fast enough to investigate alleged threatening phone calls to Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Meanwhile, the FBI Rapid Response account on X disputed claims that Bailey was “annoyed” over recent personnel moves at bureau’s Washington Field Office. “This is clickbait dressed up as reporting,” the post states. “Fake news.”
Mamdani’s latest freebie sets off online fury as critics rip city priorities: ‘Opera socialism’
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a plan last week to give away 70,000 free tickets to the Metropolitan Opera House, firing up critics on social media who argue there are more pressing issues facing New Yorkers. “Opera for All,” a partnership between the city and the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, will allow New Yorkers who have never attended a performance to enter a monthly lottery for tickets to productions ranging from Macbeth to La Bohème, according to a press release from the mayor’s office. A spokesperson for Mamdani’s office told Fox News Digital the city is not paying for the program. The Metropolitan Opera is donating tickets from its pool of unsold seats, representing about 10% of its seasonal capacity, while the city will help promote and distribute them. In a video announcing the latest giveaway, Mamdani appeared alongside the cast of La Bohème, telling viewers that “every New Yorker should have the opportunity to see this no matter how much money is in their pocket.” He also highlighted former New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia’s “People’s Opera,” which was founded in 1943 to offer affordable tickets before filing for bankruptcy in 2013 and relaunching in 2016. GROCERS ISSUE WARNING OVER MAMDANI’S TAXPAYER-BACKED STORES: ‘WE’RE GOING TO GO AFTER’ THEM “This art form was meant to be seen by everyone,” he said. While many liberals have touted Mamdani’s move, conservatives on social media were quick to ridicule Mamdani’s announcement, which was viewed over 6 million times on X, calling it a case of misplaced priorities. In a post on X, former Los Angeles mayoral candidate and reality TV star Spencer Pratt wrote, “Prior generations of billionaires gave endowments to the arts. Today’s autistic billionaires ignore culture and spend all their philanthropy fixated on the fecundity of peasants 10K miles away, then are baffled by why they’re so hated here & can’t get data centers approved.” MAMDANI’S AFFORDABILITY REVOLUTION STUMBLED AS RENT COSTS SOAR TO RECORD HIGHS “His entire shtick is designed to make you believe there’s this starving underworld that longs for things like opera tickets but is so oppressed they cannot attain them,” Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt posted on X. “It’s all bull—- and he’s just wasting your money.” “A random entertainment lottery for the poors? What the f— is this? The Hunger Games?” music video director Joseph Kahn posted on X. NYC BUSINESS OWNERS REVOLT OVER MAMDANI’S GOVERNMENT-RUN GROCERY STORES: ‘DOOMED FOR DISASTER’ “Ever see a fight break out at an opera?” comedian Danny Polishchuk posted on X. “Do you want to? Now’s your chance!” But this is not the first time Mamdani has pushed his democratic socialist agenda. In August, New York City high school students were offered thousands of free and discounted Broadway tickets through a partnership with the Theatre Development Fund (TDF). His other affordability-focused proposals, including fare-free buses, city-owned grocery stores, rent freezes and free child care programs, have also sparked concerns over expanded government and taxpayer burdens. The partnership with the Metropolitan Opera will remain permanent and continue into next season, with tickets available throughout the venue, excluding standing-room tickets. Fox News Digital reached out to the Metropolitan Opera for comment.