Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s, R-S.C., sudden death from an undisclosed illness has triggered a two-pronged approach to replace him, and President Donald Trump will likely be a focal point in the process. Graham’s passing overnight comes at a time when Republicans in the upper chamber need every vote they can get. The Senate GOP now holds a 52-seat majority, and with the timetable for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s, R-Ky., absence still unclear, that majority is now effectively 51 votes. That will up the pressure, and drama, to find a replacement for the longtime South Carolina lawmaker. LINDSEY GRAHAM, SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR WHO ROSE FROM SMALL-TOWN ROOTS TO GOP POWER BROKER, DIES AT 71 Trump, during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, said, “I have somebody that I think would be great.” “But I don’t want to say it now because it’s just, it’s too soon with Lindsey,” Trump said. “I don’t wanna even talk about anybody, but I do have somebody that I think is really good.” It’s a process guided by the Constitution and state law. The first step will require South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, to appoint a replacement for Graham on a temporary basis. McMaster, a close ally of Trump, can appoint a temporary replacement as soon as he wants. That pick will serve until the next special or general election. MCCONNELL FACES FRESH CALLS TO COME CLEAN ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES Fox News Digital did not immediately hear back from McMaster’s office on when he would make the announcement, or who he was considering for the seat. Graham was already in-cycle running for a fifth term in the upper chamber, and he easily cruised to a primary victory early last month. That means that whoever McMaster taps would serve until the end of the year to finish off the remainder of Graham’s fourth term. The second prong is finding his long-term successor. The candidate filing period for that special election to win the GOP nomination opens July 21. The election is slated for Aug. 11, according to South Carolina law. That race could see several familiar faces in South Carolina GOP politics jumping in, including McMaster himself, who is termed out as governor. TRUMP’S ENDORSEMENT POWER FACES ANOTHER GOP TEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA AFTER ALAN WILSON ADVANCES Trump heaped praise on McMaster, noting that he endorsed his first bid for the White House in 2016. “Henry’s been a great governor, you know now he’s termed out, but he’s going to do the right thing,” Trump said. “I think Henry will be fantastic.” There are six members of South Carolina’s GOP congressional delegation who could toss their hats into the mix. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who recently lost a bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, is eyeing jumping into the special election. A person familiar with Mace’s plans told Fox News Digital, “Congresswoman Mace is considering a bid to run.” Then there’s Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., the longest-serving Republican member of the Palmetto State’s delegation. He quickly snuffed speculation about whether he’d leap into the fray. “I was grateful to speak with President Trump today reminiscing about our mutual friend, Senator Lindsey Graham,” Wilson said on X. “I assured him my goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority for the American people!!!” Then there’s the remaining four: South Carolina Republican Reps. Ralph Norman, who also lost out on scoring the GOP nomination for governor, Russell Fry, William Timmons and Sheri Biggs, none of whom, so far, have signaled that they would jump into the battle for Graham’s seat. Meanwhile, Pamela Evette, who Trump endorsed in the governor’s race but ultimately lost to GOP nominee and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, could also be in the mix. Fox News Digital did not immediately receive responses to requests for comment from each possible contender.
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator who rose from small-town roots to GOP power broker, dies at 71
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday at 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness,” spent more than three decades as one of the Republican Party’s most influential voices. The South Carolina Republican forged a congressional career spanning more than 30 years, emerging as one of Capitol Hill’s most recognizable Republicans and a trusted advisor to President Donald Trump on national security, judicial nominations and foreign policy. Born on July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham grew up helping his parents run the family business before becoming the first in his household to attend college. His life changed dramatically while he was a student at the University of South Carolina, when both of his parents died within 15 months of each other, leaving him to raise his younger sister. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER ‘BRIEF AND SUDDEN’ ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYS After earning a law degree, Graham joined the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, serving as a military lawyer before entering politics. He remained in the Air Force Reserve throughout much of his congressional career, retiring as a colonel after more than three decades of service. His political career began in 1992, when he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. Two years later, he won a seat in the U.S. House as part of the Republican wave that gave the GOP control of Congress. He emerged as a national figure during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment, serving as one of the House managers who presented the case against Clinton during the 1999 Senate trial. The high-profile role elevated his standing within the Republican Party and helped establish him as a rising conservative voice on Capitol Hill. ‘AMERICA AND THE WORLD HAVE LOST A DETERMINED LEADER’: TRIBUTES POUR IN AFTER SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM’S DEATH In 2002, he was elected to the Senate, succeeding longtime Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond. Over the next two decades, Graham became one of the Senate’s most influential Republicans on national security, serving on the Armed Services and Judiciary committees while emerging as a leading voice on military affairs, judicial confirmations and U.S. foreign policy. One of Graham’s closest political relationships was with Arizona Sen. John McCain. Along with Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman, the three became known as the bipartisan “Three Amigos,” frequently traveling to war zones and emerging as some of Congress’ strongest advocates for American military power and support for U.S. allies. CHAD PERGRAM BREAKS DOWN WHAT’S NEXT FOR GOP AFTER GRAHAM’S DEATH Graham championed higher defense spending and was among Congress’ most vocal supporters of Israel and, more recently, Ukraine. He also played a central role in reshaping the federal courts. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Graham helped steer the confirmation of dozens of federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. He also emerged as one of Brett Kavanaugh’s fiercest defenders during the justice’s contentious 2018 confirmation battle, calling the process “the most unethical sham” he had seen in politics. His relationship with Trump underwent one of Washington’s most notable political transformations. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER After sharply criticizing Trump during the 2016 Republican primary, Graham became one of the president’s closest congressional allies, advising him on judicial nominations, national security and foreign policy while serving as a key defender of his agenda. Graham was once again critical of Trump in the wake of the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, but Trump appeared to shrug that off when he returned to the White House. Graham remained a leading voice in the Republican conference until his death. At the time of his death, he was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and campaigning for a fifth Senate term. He never married and had no children. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called Graham “irreplaceable” and the “fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America.” Per South Carolina law, McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, who was seeking a fifth term in November. President Trump wrote on Truth Social that Graham “was always working,” and called the Palmetto State senator “a true American Patriot.” Funeral and memorial arrangements were not immediately announced. Trump said on Truth Social that “details and arrangements” would follow.
‘America and the world have lost a determined leader’: Tributes pour in after Sen Lindsey Graham’s death
Tributes poured in Sunday from President Donald Trump, congressional leaders and foreign allies after Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died at 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness,” bringing to an end the career of one of the Senate’s most influential Republican voices. The South Carolina Republican had served in the Senate since 2003 and became one of the GOP’s leading voices on national security and foreign policy. Once a sharp critic of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, Graham later emerged as one of the president’s closest allies while maintaining a prominent role on issues ranging from judicial confirmations to Ukraine, Israel and Iran. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Graham “was always working,” and called the Palmetto State senator “a true American Patriot.” “Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!” Trump wrote. “So sad!” SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER ‘BRIEF AND SUDDEN’ ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYS South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called Graham “irreplaceable” and the “fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America.” Per South Carolina law, McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, who was seeking a fifth term in November. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said his “heart is heavy” following Graham’s death, calling him a trusted advisor whose influence “on the federal judiciary, our national defense, and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations.” Thune praised Graham as a tireless advocate for the United States and its allies, saying he believed in “the might of America to achieve good in the world” and spent his career advancing that cause. Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, remembered Graham not only as a senator, but as a fellow military officer. Waltz said he first met Graham when he was serving as a colonel in the Air National Guard, recalling that Graham spent his annual training deployments in Afghanistan helping train Afghan Army Judge Advocate General officers. Waltz also praised Graham’s commitment to the U.S. military and foreign policy, saying no member of Congress traveled more extensively “from Libya to Lebanon” to meet with American troops and bring “ground truth back to legislating.” “Rest easy, Patriot,” he wrote on X. Graham’s death also prompted tributes from across the aisle. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., remembered his Republican colleague as “kind, gracious, and thoughtful,” and an expert on foreign policy. “Sudden and awful news about Senator Lindsey Graham,” Fetterman wrote. “The United States Senate lost a foreign policy giant.” The outpouring of tributes quickly spread beyond Washington, with world leaders remembering Graham as one of America’s most influential voices on national security and foreign affairs. CHAD PERGRAM BREAKS DOWN WHAT’S NEXT FOR GOP AFTER GRAHAM’S DEATH In one of his final overseas trips, Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. The visit marked his 10th trip to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, where the two, according to readouts of the meeting, discussed tougher sanctions on Russia and the country’s air defense needs. After Graham’s death, Zelenskyy posted on X, calling him “a true defender of freedom” who stood with Ukraine “when it was most needed.” He said Graham’s bipartisan work to increase pressure on Moscow helped bring “peace closer,” adding, “America and the world have lost a determined leader.” Other European leaders echoed those sentiments. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described Graham as “a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.” Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praised his “tireless commitment” to NATO and the trans-Atlantic bond, as well as his “staunch support” for Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Graham was “a true friend and partner of Germany in the transatlantic alliance. We stood side by side for more than four decades.” SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The tributes extended to the Middle East as well, where Graham was remembered as one of Israel’s strongest allies in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “a great friend of Israel” and “a cherished friend of mine,” saying Graham understood that the security of Israel and the United States “is inseparable” and devoted his life to strengthening the alliance between the two countries. “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said. Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren told The Associated Press that Graham’s death leaves Congress without one of its most steadfast pro-Israel voices at a particularly precarious moment. “You have a few Democrats and Republicans willing to stand up in Israel’s defense, but those type of people are few, it’s not a body of people,” he said. “So when you lose someone like Lindsey Graham, it’s a diplomatic and strategic loss for the state of Israel.”
Platner aide hit with brutal timeline check after campaign denied rape claim, then folded days later
A political advisor to Graham Platner’s now-defunct Senate campaign is facing scrutiny after saying the team urged him to end his candidacy “as soon” as it learned of a rape allegation — despite the campaign publicly denying the claim before Platner suspended his run two days later. “As soon as the team became aware of the rape allegations against Graham Platner, we advised he suspend his candidacy, and in the following days worked to wind down the campaign,” Platner political advisor Morris Katz wrote on X Wednesday. The allegation, first reported by Politico on Monday, came from Maine resident Jenny Racicot, who said Platner raped her in 2021. Platner has denied the claim, calling it false and politically motivated. EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION ROCKS PLATNER CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF KEY DEADLINE IN CRUCIAL SENATE RACE Katz, one of Platner’s top political advisors, faced scrutiny over the post on Thursday, including receiving an X community note for its timeline. “When asked by CNN about Jenny Racicot’s rape allegation on July 6, Platner’s campaign denied it was true rather than immediately advising suspension, which occurred two days later,” the community note reads. CNN’s Jake Tapper weighed in on Katz’s message, posting to X: “As soon as we asked the campaign about what Jenny Racicot told us on the record and on camera Monday, the campaign said that her assertion he had raped her was false.” Platner responded within minutes to the Politico article, posted at 3:18 p.m. Monday, sharing a video on X at 3:29 p.m. He said his campaign was “taking time to reflect on the best path forward.” His campaign also commented in the article, noting Platner “vigorously denies” the “very serious” allegations, while arguing critics were working to push him out of the running. “They are also coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives,” the campaign told Politico on Monday “For a year, opponents of this campaign have thrown everything they can at Graham –– calling him a Nazi, a war criminal, and a communist. None of it has been true and this is no different. It is not a coincidence that this story comes a week before the ballot deadline, just as the previous false allegations came a week before the primary. Graham began this campaign to fight for a Maine where everyone is treated with dignity and where Mainers are put first, and no amount of desperate smears will stop this movement from seeing that vision through.” PLATNER’S LATEST ACCUSER CLAIMS THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE ‘ABSOLUTELY’ RAPED HER As calls grew for him to exit the race, Platner’s campaign announced Wednesday that he would speak later that day, but did not say what he planned to address before he posted an 11-minute recorded video on X. In the video, Platner said the allegations were “all false,” blaming the political establishment for working against him to force him out of the race. “Much like the news that was created the week before the primary. There is a reason that this is happening now. I only have until July 13th until I am officially the nominee. This was the last week to try to get me off of the ballot. And that’s why this is occurring,” said Platner. He announced the suspension of his campaign in the Wednesday video. “For the movement to continue, it can’t be me. For that reason, we are suspending campaign operations,” Platner said in a video posted to social media. Platner officially ended his Senate campaign on Friday afternoon. Critics on social media seized on the timeline, questioning when the campaign learned of the allegation and why Platner did not suspend his campaign until two days later. “Important to note that Morris and his team began calling former girlfriends of Platner LAST YEAR because they knew there were issues,” wrote Republican commentator Matt Whitlock on X. “The Democrat establishment was fully ready to make a rapist a United States Senator. They only took him out because he was going to lose,” wrote the Republicans X account. “11 minutes and zero accountability,” wrote Democratic, pro-choice women’s PAC, Emily’s List. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IF PLATNER DROPS OUT? HERE’S WHO COULD REPLACE HIM ON THE BALLOT AND HOW IT WOULD WORK Maine Democrats were racing a July 13 deadline for Platner to formally withdraw from the race, a step that would allow the party to select a replacement nominee by July 27 to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Fox News Digital reached out to Platner’s team and Katz for comment.
EXCLUSIVE: Former ‘Apprentice’ star picked by Trump to showcase America’s 250th anniversary through art
WASHINGTON — Nearly two decades after hearing “You’re fired!” on NBC’s “The Apprentice,” Erin Scavino says President Donald Trump chose her to lead one of the federal government’s least-known offices as it helps tell America’s story to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Scavino, director of the State Department‘s Art in Embassies program, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview inside the Art Museum of the Americas that she never imagined she’d go from reality TV to overseeing one of the Trump administration’s signature America 250 cultural initiatives. She said she views her appointment as part of Trump’s broader effort to elevate American culture alongside American history ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. WHITE HOUSE TOUTS TRUMP’S ‘BOLD VISION’ FOR TOWERING INDEPENDENCE ARCH FOR AMERICA 250 “I was a day one hire by President Trump because just like we’ve seen with the Kennedy Center, he wanted to make the performing arts great again, and he also put me at Art in Embassies to make visual arts great,” Scavino said. Although little known to most Americans, the Art in Embassies office has existed since 1964, placing American artwork in nearly 190 diplomatic properties around the world as a form of cultural diplomacy. Scavino said the nation’s 250th anniversary offered an opportunity to introduce the program to a broader audience. Opening July 30 at the Art Museum of the Americas, “Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy” will bring together more than 30 contemporary American artists whose work explores patriotism, diplomacy, military service, immigration and national identity in what organizers describe as a celebration of the ideals that have shaped the U.S. since its founding. The exhibition, presented through a partnership between the State Department’s Office of Art in Embassies and the American Arts Conservancy, will be free to the public through Oct. 18. PRO-TRUMP ARTIST UNLEASHES POWERFUL MESSAGE ABOUT AMERICAN FLAG, TOUTS MASSIVE OLD GLORY PAINTING The exhibition spans dozens of contemporary works exploring patriotism through photography, painting, sculpture and fashion, with each gallery approaching the American story from a different perspective. Among the featured works is “Gallantly Streaming” by acclaimed artist Barbara Ernst Prey, a sweeping interpretation of the American flag that anchors the exhibition’s exploration of national identity. Internationally recognized pop artist Romero Britto also reimagines the Statue of Liberty in his signature bold palette for the exhibit, layering vibrant colors against the Stars and Stripes to celebrate what Scavino described as the enduring promise of the American dream. The exhibit will feature a powerful series of photographs by Korina Marie Moore, whose images capture moments of military service through a deeply personal lens. Rather than focusing solely on combat, Moore’s photographs spotlight the men and women who serve — from sailors gathered around a U.S. Navy vessel to service members standing watch as the Statue of Liberty rises across New York Harbor and the solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery. THE STORY BEHIND BETSY ROSS AND THE FIRST AMERICAN FLAG AS AMERICA CELEBRATES 250TH BIRTHDAY Visitors will also encounter an America 250 haute couture gown created specifically for the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration, inspired by Betsy’s Ross’ flag. For Scavino, the exhibit represents the latest chapter in a career that unexpectedly led from “The Apprentice” to the Trump administration. Looking back on that journey, she said there has been one constant. “The common thread throughout all of this is President Trump,” Scavino said. “That’s why I always thank him so much for these great opportunities.” Scavino says the opportunity has opened her eyes to the people behind the offices. “Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe,” she said. “That’s what’s really special about the State Department.” “People often think [the State Department is] really serious, and yes, of course, there’s so much diplomacy and so many very serious things that are going on,” Scavino said. “But there are so many interesting components, like Art in Embassies.” “This isn’t something that was created for me,” she added. “Art in Embassies has been around since 1964 under President Kennedy… Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe.” Scavino said one of her goals was to create an exhibition that feels welcoming to visitors who might never consider themselves “art people.” “Art has become sort of a gatekeeping situation or something that’s only for the rich or the elite,” she said. “I wanted to say, ‘Hey, no. We want kids. We want grandparents. We want moms. We want families. We want dads. We want people all over the world to come to this museum because there is something for everyone.’” Each artwork includes QR codes allowing visitors to hear directly from artists about their work and creative process, an effort Scavino said makes the exhibit more approachable. “You don’t have to have your nose in the air saying, ‘Oh, that Monet’ or ‘That Degas,’” she said. “You’re going to see a flag. You’re going to see a sculpture. You’re going to hear Americans tell their stories.” Scavino pointed to Romero Britto’s colorful Statue of Liberty piece, “Liberty for All,” as one example of the American dream reflected throughout the exhibit. “When I think about his hearts or his Statue of Liberty, it just makes me think about the American dream,” she said. “He is so patriotic and he loves this country.” “There are so many stories that are often overlooked,” Scavino said. “We show pictures of loss. We show people that have lost their lives for this nation. We show people who are celebrating serving our country… I think that we have to honor those who have served.” One of the exhibition’s most unexpected pieces isn’t a painting or sculpture — it’s a couture gown inspired by Betsy Ross’ American flag. Scavino said the idea came while she was searching for a wedding dress ahead of her February wedding to fellow Trump administration official Dan Scavino at Mar-a-Lago, when she discovered designer Kate Wasserbach Moore, whose appreciation for American
Democrat politicos rerun underhanded leftist playbook in effort to torpedo Trump’s AG nominee
Washington D.C.’s entrenched politicos sprang into action this week before key confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate to try and sink President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Roughly 1,200 Department of Justice (DOJ) alumni signed off on a letter on Tuesday sent to high-ranking Senate Judiciary Committee leaders demanding they reject elevating Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as he prepares for confirmation hearings next week on July 15 and 16. Blanche, who previously served as former AG Pam Bondi’s No. 2, has been tapped by the 47th president to do the job permanently, sending the former bureaucrats into a frenzy. TRUMP SAYS HE WILL NOMINATE ACTING AG TODD BLANCHE TO PERMANENTLY LEAD JUSTICE DEPARTMENT The signatories of the letter trying to stop the process bill themselves as former DOJ employees from Republican and Democratic administrations, which is true. But even a cursory look at some of the names reveals the letter’s true hyperpartisan nature. Here are a few: UNEARTHED DOJ EMAILS EXPOSE TURMOIL OVER BIDEN-ERA MEMO URGING CRACKDOWN ON PARENTS “This list is a who’s who of partisan activists, including liberal politicians such as former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who saw crime drastically rise under her tenure, Trump impeachment witness Pamela Karlan, and multiple former disgruntled Biden administration officials, some of whom were directly involved in the weaponization of the Department,” a DOJ spokesperson told Fox News Digital of the letter. A former White House official quipped that, “It looks like they passed a petition around the MS NOW green room.” The Trump DOJ says Blanche has the support of law enforcement. “Law enforcement throughout the nation supports the nomination of Acting Attorney General Blanche, including the Major Cities Chiefs Association, representing police leadership in dozens of major U.S. cities; the International Association of Chiefs of Police, representing tens of thousands of law enforcement leaders worldwide; and the Major County Sheriffs of America, representing hundreds of the nation’s largest sheriffs’ offices,” the spokesperson said. The letter itself states that as former DOJ employees, the signatories take seriously their “oath to support and defend the Constitution, not the occupant of the White House.” It complains that Blanche has fired hundreds of DOJ employees, some of whom, they say, were fired for “having worked on cases the President didn’t like.” “The consequences of Blanche’s attacks on DOJ’s apolitical workforce radiate beyond the halls of Main Justice, affecting the entire country,” the letter says. “They’ve meant that much of the department’s vital work isn’t being done, or isn’t being done as well – leaving communities less safe, Americans’ rights less protected, and our national security more vulnerable.” But the note is eerily reminiscent of another widely-covered stunt that turned out to be a political operation to protect then-presidential candidate Joe Biden during his 2020 election bid. In that instance, 51 former intelligence officials, including known Trump adversaries former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan, penned a letter to the public claiming that the Hunter Biden laptop scandal appeared to be a foreign intelligence operation. The contents of Hunter Biden’s personal computer, published in October 2020 by the New York Post, contained shocking videos and photos of drug use, lewd sex acts, and sensitive business communications. It eventually was dubbed the “laptop from hell” due to the public relations nightmare it caused for the Biden campaign. The former intelligence officials immediately jumped to Biden’s defense, claiming the letter had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.” “Such an operation would be consistent with some of the key methods Russia has used in its now multi-year operation to interfere in our democracy — the hacking (via cyber-operations) and the dumping of accurate information or the distribution of inaccurate or misinformation,” the letter said. Mainstream news outlets ran with the letter, downplaying the scandal. By early 2022, many of those same news outlets were forced to report that the emails and files from the laptop were, in fact, authentic after federal investigators looked into the matter. Clapper was one of the few signatories who answered for the bogus Russian intelligence claim, but he stood by the letter, claiming the ex-intel crowd never said for sure that the laptop was a Russian operation. “Yes, I stand by the statement made AT THE TIME, and would call attention to its 5th paragraph,” he told The New York Post. “I think sounding such a cautionary note AT THE TIME was appropriate.” So it appears the latest actions are just a repeat of the same playbook Democrats have been using to push their agenda against Trump.
Steve Forbes backs Trump’s Mt. Rushmore warning on communism: ‘He’s right’
Steve Forbes has been a bold advocate for the American capitalist system, free markets and sound money for decades. As the chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes, and a presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000, he has been one of the nation’s leading voices on economics. Recently, Forbes sat down with Fox News Digital at Freedom Fest in Las Vegas to discuss the state of the American economy, New York City’s socialist turn, and the policies of the Trump administration. STEVE FORBES: CHUCK SCHUMER HAS A BEEF WITH BEEF, BUT DOESN’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GRILL IT “First of all, New York City has had a reputation in the past of electing radical candidates, including the allegedly only communist member of Congress back in the late 1940s. So there is that streak there. But more importantly, I think it shows that people, a lot of people, are dissatisfied. The 78-year-old scion of a publishing empire said the left is better organized than it’s freedom-loving counterparts. “We’ve got to get the message out,” he said. “And one thing that the left has learned is that you try to occupy the high moral ground. Even if you wreck people’s lives, kill millions of people under socialism, communism, your intentions were good. “So they try to play the moral card. And so it’s not enough to say, ‘Well, free enterprise gives you more prosperity.’ You also have to put on the plane that free enterprise is moral. It’s based on liberty, based on allowing human beings to be creative, or as Lincoln put it, improve your lot in life.” Following Trump’s Mount Rushmore speech and its depiction of the internal threat of communism, Forbes agrees, citing another U.S. president. “Whatever you call it, communism, socialism, extreme leftism, anti-Semitism, it’s all the same disease,” Forbes said. “Abraham Lincoln put it very well in the 1800s. He said, ‘It won’t be foreign forces that destroy the United States. It’ll be things we do internally.’” Forbes suggested that many incorrectly blame problems on free markets, when they should instead be blaming government policies: “What happens is when governments start making mistakes and doing things that people don’t like and that hurt people’s prospects for getting ahead, upsetting society, they blame it on capitalism. They blame it on free markets,” he said. “So they help wreck free markets and then say, ‘The victim is the cause of it.’” Prosperity and innovation can only flourish with freedom, Forbes said. While capitalism isn’t perfect, it has led to inventions that improve our lives, according to Forbes. STEVE FORBES: MAMDANI’S SOCIALIST RENT CONTROL PUTS NEW YORK ON THE ROAD TO HOUSING RUIN “Take your handheld,” he said. “If you’d said 30 years ago [that your] grandma could operate a supercomputer, you’d have gotten a rather strange look. Now we take it for granted. The first one was just 40 years ago, cost $3,995, weighed like a brick, the size of a shoebox. And today we have handhelds that are really supercomputers that can do anything anywhere. And in real terms, they get cheaper and cheaper. So that’s the miracle of human creativity. And then the amazing thing is we take it for granted.” Forbes has long been an advocate for sound money, and a prominent critic of the Federal Reserve: “Start with the Federal Reserve, the idea that prosperity causes inflation. Experience shows time and time again, it’s absolute nonsense. So if the economy starts to do well, you hear mutterings from the central bank asking, ‘Is the economy overheating?’ as if the economy is a machine,” Forbes said. “So ask yourself, if your income is improving, do you start to feel overheating? Do you start to sweat at night? You know, ‘Take it away because I’m overheating?’ No, it’s preposterous,” he said. The central bank’s role is to preserve the integrity of the dollar, not to manage economic activity by trying to manipulate interest rates, according to Forbes. “And yet most free marketeers, for example, realize rent control distorts markets and ends up costing more and giving people less,” Forbes noted. “Well, what is controlling interest rates? It’s a form of rent control. They used to call interest rent. You’d rent the money.” His prescription for the Trump administration is simple: “On the domestic front, go for a new round of tax cuts. Reduce tax rates for individuals and for businesses,” Forbes said. “Taxes are a price. So, propose it. Congress may not pass it, but you’ve got an issue you can take to the voters. Selling such a plan to the public could be done with some savvy marketing, Forbes added. “Bring out examples of people who have benefited enormously from not taxing overtime, not taxing tips, and saying, remember those old late night TV commercials [where hawkers would say] ‘But wait, there’s more?’ They can say, ‘But wait, there’s more. We’re going to have big tax cuts. Everyone’s going to benefit.’ “And continue with the deregulation,” he concluded. “You go on that path, and good things will happen.”
Trump’s ambitious energy bet could be a winning hand as the world burns more oil, gas than ever
The world consumed more energy than ever before in 2025, with fossil fuels still supplying the vast majority of global energy despite record growth in renewable power, according to a new report. The findings come as President Donald Trump pushes to expand U.S. oil and gas production, arguing domestic energy is key to lowering prices, strengthening national security and boosting economic growth. The Energy Institute’s 2026 Statistical Review of World Energy found oil, natural gas and coal accounted for 86% of global energy use last year, underscoring that despite years of investment in wind and solar power, the world continues to rely overwhelmingly on fossil fuels to power homes, businesses, transportation and industry. Overall, the world consumed more energy than at any point on record. GAS SURGE TIED TO IRAN CONFLICT HITS SWING STATES, TESTING TRUMP’S LOW-PRICE PITCH The findings align with the Trump administration’s argument that expanding domestic oil and gas production is critical to lowering energy costs, strengthening U.S. energy security and fueling economic growth ahead of next year’s midterm elections, where both parties are expected to make the economy and inflation central campaign issues — but for very different reasons. America’s dominant position in global energy markets was on full display in the report — and Trump is taking a victory lap. “Even left-wing studies are finding that President Trump’s energy dominance agenda has been undeniably successful in unleashing reliable, affordable, and secure energy,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. “Thanks to the President, U.S. oil, natural gas, and coal production has increased – which benefits American families and businesses by lowering prices, creating jobs, and strengthening our energy security,” she added. “America has abundant resources—President Trump is unleashing them.” WHY THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MATTERS AS TRUMP ISSUES FRESH ULTIMATUM TO IRAN U.S. oil production reached a record 21.1 million barrels a day in 2025, nearly matching the combined output of Saudi Arabia and Russia. The U.S. also remained the world’s largest natural gas producer and the world’s leading exporter of petroleum products. The report also comes as the conflict with Iran has renewed concerns about energy security and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Although its data predate the conflict, the report underscores how geopolitical tensions can threaten global energy supplies. Few places are more important to global energy markets than the Strait of Hormuz. About 20 million barrels of oil and one-fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas pass through the waterway each day, along with shipments of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Economist Steve Moore said the latest conflict illustrates why the U.S. should continue expanding domestic energy production. “Every time we’ve had flare-ups in the Middle East, this has caused a lot of disruption to the energy markets,” he told Fox News Digital. Moore said the conflict has once again exposed the world’s dependence on oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, putting upward pressure on energy prices. BBQ LOVERS BEWARE: MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT MIGHT DISRUPT YOUR SUMMER PLANS THIS YEAR Heritage Foundation chief economist EJ Antoni said the conflict underscores the need for the U.S. to move beyond energy independence and embrace what Trump has called “energy dominance.” “The Iran war has shown us it’s not simply enough for America to be pumping at current levels. America needs to be not just energy independent, but energy dominant,” Antoni told Fox News Digital. He said the U.S. should continue expanding domestic energy production and refining capacity to strengthen its energy security. The White House has argued that increasing domestic oil and natural gas production will help shield Americans from geopolitical shocks while lowering energy costs, a key pillar of Trump’s broader economic agenda. Read the full report here:
Sen. Lindsey Graham dead at 71 after ‘brief and sudden’ illness, office says
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died Saturday evening following a “brief and sudden” illness, according to a statement from his office. He was 71. “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” his office said. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” it continued. DEM GOVERNOR ESCALATES MCCONNELL HEALTH DEMANDS, CITES RESPONSE TO PAST TRUMP HEALTH CONCERNS President Donald Trump reacted to Graham’s death, calling the longtime South Carolina senator a “true American Patriot.” “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster released a statement early Sunday morning expressing that he is “devastated” by the news of Graham’s passing. “Peggy and I – and our children – are devastated,” he said in a statement. “Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his developed staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.” Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and won re-election three times. He was seeking a fifth Senate term after winning the Republican primary last month. Graham served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and sat on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works committees. Before joining the Senate, Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, becoming the first Republican to represent South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District since 1877. MCCONNELL’S WIFE, ELAINE CHAO, SAW NO NEED FOR ‘IMMEDIATE RETURN’ FROM CHINA AS FORMER GOP LEADER HOSPITALIZED Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Graham was a steadfast advocate for the United States and its allies, adding that his influence on the federal judiciary, national defense and his home state of South Carolina “will be felt for generations.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends” with Graham’s death, calling the senator “a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine.” “Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable,” Netanyahu said. “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.” HOUSE DEMOCRAT RO KHANNA SAYS HE WAS DETAINED BY ARMED ISRAELI SETTLERS IN WEST BANK Graham, who frequently visited Ukraine, had just met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday. He was scheduled to appear on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning. Israeli President Isaac Herzog mourned Graham’s death, calling the South Carolina senator a “great American patriot” and a “great friend of Israel.” “Senator Graham was a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the U.S.-Israel partnership,” he said in a statement. “We will never forget how he stood by the people of Israel in our most difficult moments, and we will remain eternally grateful for his sense of justice, truth, and loyalty. “The people of Israel mourn his loss, and I will miss my great friend very dearly,” he added. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz remembered Graham as “an unwavering voice in support of Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.” He noted that Graham repeatedly visited Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, calling him “an exceptional leader, a man of principle, and a dear friend whose legacy will endure for generations.” Graham served 33 years in the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, retiring as a colonel in 2015. An Air Force lawyer, he served in Germany during the Cold War, was called to active duty during the Gulf War, and later completed multiple Reserve deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during congressional recesses. Graham’s office confirmed his death in a statement to Fox News Digital. This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.
‘Die Hard’ actor Robert Davi blasts Mamdani after NYC map omits Little Italy
“Die Hard” actor Robert Davi blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Friday after a city map highlighting immigrant enclaves omitted Little Italy. The “New York City Immigrant Enclaves” map resurfaced on social media earlier this week after users pointed out it omitted Little Italy, as well as historically Jewish and Irish neighborhoods, despite highlighting 30 immigrant communities across the five boroughs. Following criticism from Italian-American groups, the city said it plans to update the map to include Little Italy. MAMDANI DEFENDS CONTROVERSIAL NYC MAP AFTER OMITTING ICONIC LITTLE ITALY, JEWISH AND IRISH NEIGHBORHOODS Davi, who was born in Astoria, Queens, lashed out at Mamdani in a video posted on X, calling him a “jerk” for snubbing Little Italy. “I hope every New York Italian American and Irish American spits on you when they see you,” Davi said. “I would spit on you if I saw you. Shame on you, you garbage man. Shame on you. Respect the city you’re in and understand the people who helped build it.” “My grandparents came from Sicily and Naples and they taught me, speak the English. This is America. God bless America,” the 75-year-old “Licence to Kill” actor said. ZOHRAN MAMDANI PRAISED FOR ‘FANTASTIC’ QUESTION-DODGING ON PRESIDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY “My grandfather enlisted in World War I and got wounded three times … he helped build New York City as an immigrant, an Italian immigrant,” he continued. The veteran actor also suggested the mayor, whom he described as a “leftist Marxist Communist,” leave the United States. “Go back to where you were born, Mamdani,” Davi said. “You don’t belong in America.” MAMDANI BLASTS ICE AGENTS, ELON MUSK AND ‘SUPREMACY’ IN AMERICA 250 SPEECH AHEAD OF JULY 4 WEEKEND Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to the United States when he was 7 years old. Davi also suggested there should be a constitutional amendment preventing Mamdani from running for public office. “You should spend time in America, at least a generation, especially those of you that come from a country that has a totally different philosophical ideology bent,” he said. The mayor’s office previously directed Fox News Digital to remarks Mamdani made during an unrelated press conference Friday, where he defended the map and said it had originally been created under the previous administration in 2023. “This map was initially created by the prior administration in 2023, and when we inherited it, we added a few additional neighborhoods,” Mamdani said. “It’s clearly not an exhaustive list of the more than 200 ethnic communities that call our city home, and we’re going to be making additional changes in the future to reflect that and that includes Little Italy.” Fox News Digital has reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment. According to the Library of Congress, more than 4 million Italians immigrated to the United States between the 1880s and 1924, with roughly one-third settling in New York City. Fox News Digital’s Brittany Miller contributed to this report.