Bill Clinton reveals Trump ‘never said anything’ linking himself to Epstein’s crimes
Former President Bill Clinton told lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee last week that he couldn’t recall President Donald Trump saying anything that would link him to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. As Democrats pressed Clinton on his relationship with Trump and the pair’s numerous mentions in the Epstein files, Clinton paused to clarify his stance. “I hate this because I don’t think I should inject anything, but I do not want to leave the impression… He, the president, never — this is 20-something years ago — never said anything to me to make me think he was involved with anything improper with regard to Epstein,” Clinton told investigators last week. At another point in the deposition, Clinton again clarified his stance on Trump’s relationship with Epstein. HILLARY CLINTON TELLS HOUSE ‘I DO NOT RECALL EVER ENCOUNTERING’ JEFFREY EPSTEIN “As I said earlier, the only conversation I had with President Trump about this was in the early 2000s and I have no information that he did anything wrong,” Clinton said. Lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee deposed the former president as a part of the group’s ongoing probe into Epstein and his crimes. Epstein, a former financier with a robust social circle that included Clinton, Trump, Bill Gates, the United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew and other famous figures, died while incarcerated in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking minors. CLINTONS AGREE TO TESTIFY AFTER HOUSE THREATENS CONTEMPT IN JEFFREY EPSTEIN PROBE Lawmakers are investigating whether Epstein used his expansive social connections to facilitate illegal sexual encounters for his contacts. Democrats, in particular, have sifted through the files with an eye for any connections to Trump. Clinton, who was repeatedly asked by Democrats about Trump throughout his deposition, continued to affirm that he had only limited knowledge of Trump’s relationship with Epstein and that his primary concern was about government transparency on the matter. “I just want it all out there. I want everybody to get it all out there and let everybody see where we are,” Clinton said. Notably, Clinton is pictured in several materials released by the Department of Justice. One places him in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell, an accomplice of Epstein, and a third person whose identity has been redacted. RO KHANNA’S STATE OF THE UNION GUEST RECRUITED OVER 20 UNDERAGE GIRLS FOR EPSTEIN: ‘LIKE HEIDI FLEISS’ Asked again about his communications with the president, Clinton said he had not spoken to Trump in the years since the “early 2000s” about Epstein. “It’s the truth,” Clinton added.
WATCH: Bill Clinton grilled on shirtless hot tub photo amid swirling questions on Epstein relationship
Former President Bill Clinton told lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee that recently uncovered images of him in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell, an accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, and the infamous hot tub photo were taken at a hotel in Brunei and are not linked to any sexual misconduct. “No,” Clinton answered flatly when asked if he had sexual relations with the female in the hot tub photo, whose identity has been redacted by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ is required by law to release any documents or images related to Epstein, but to censor information that could identify Epstein’s victims. Clinton said his stay at the hotel came about as an invitation from the kingdom’s sultan — someone Clinton said he had met during his presidency. HILLARY CLINTON COMES OUT SWINGING AFTER GOP GRILLED HER DURING MARATHON EPSTEIN DEPOSITION “It’s a tiny place but a very wealthy one, and the sultan was a man I had gotten to know well in my eight years as president and his involvement with the Asia-Pacific leaders conference, which I started and which he attended,” Clinton said. Brunei is a kingdom located on an island near Indonesia. “When he knew I was coming, he invited me to stay there. And he said, ‘I want you to stay at this hotel, and I hope that you’ll use the pool.’ So, I did, and then I got out and went to bed, exhausted,” Clinton recalled. BILL CLINTON COMES OUT SWINGING AGAINST COMER FOR REJECTING PUBLIC EPSTEIN HEARING: ‘STOP PLAYING GAMES’ While Clinton said that he remembered that both Epstein and Maxwell had joined him at the resort, he told lawmakers he couldn’t remember who else was there. Clinton didn’t explain why Epstein and Maxwell had accompanied him on the trip. He answered that and said that, to the best of his recollection, no one at the pool had been a minor. He went on to admit that he thought that everybody there was part of their party and that he believes there was a Secret Service agent there too. HILLARY CLINTON TELLS HOUSE ‘I DO NOT RECALL EVER ENCOUNTERING’ JEFFREY EPSTEIN Clinton appeared before lawmakers as a part of their ongoing probe into Epstein and his crimes. Epstein, who rubbed shoulders with rich and powerful figures, died in prison in 2019 while charged with sex trafficking minors. Despite being pictured together with Epstein in several images released by the DOJ, Clinton has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes or having been party to them. “I don’t think there was anyone else in that hot tub. I had forgotten there was anyone in the hot tub,” Clinton said. “I don’t think I ever knew the photo was taken.”
White House doctor explains Trump’s visible neck rash
President Donald Trump’s personal doctor on Monday said he was using a cream after a rash was spotted on his neck, which drew criticism online. The redness on the right side of Trump’s neck was imposed during Monday’s Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House. It appeared just above his shirt collar. DOCTORS REACT TO ALLEGED TRUMP HEALTH CONCERNS AS PHOTOS SHOWING SWELLING AND BRUISING “President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment, prescribed by the White House Doctor,” Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician, told Fox News. “The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks.” Questions about Trump’s health began last year after swelling and bruising was seen on his hands and swelling on his ankles. DOCTORS REACT TO ALLEGED TRUMP HEALTH CONCERNS AS PHOTOS SHOWING SWELLING AND BRUISING “At the time, the White House announced that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when leg veins fail to send blood back to the heart properly.” White House Press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the diagnosis as “benign and common, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.” Regarding Trump’s hand bruises, Leavitt said it was from “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.” “This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy,” she said. “The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here.” In October, Barbabella said Trump was in “excellent overall health” after a follow-up evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Walz jumps into the Iran strike debate and gets dogpiled from both sides
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joined the chorus of Democrats criticizing the Trump administration’s strikes on Iran, leading to brutal mockery on social media, including from those on the left. Walz has been one of the most visible state leaders and Trump critics of the past year, as Minnesota became embroiled in a Somali-linked childcare fraud problem that metastasized to other sectors, while repeatedly condemning the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement efforts in his state. As missiles rained down on Iranian targets and took out 86-year-old theocratic dictator Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Walz posted his objection to X: “No new wars.” JOHN FETTERMAN BREAKS WITH DEMOCRATS OPPOSED TO IRAN STRIKES, BACKS TRUMP’S DECISION TO ACT That missive set off a whirlwind of blowback, including innumerable memes targeting the controversial Democrat and 2024 vice presidential nominee. Comedian Michael Rapaport, who has been vocal against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani but is known for his anti-Trump commentary, slammed Walz by retweeting a response to the governor from an Israeli diplomat. “Iran started this war 47 years ago when they took Americans hostage Honestly, can people to crack open a book before posting nonsense?” wrote Aviva Klompas, whose bio includes time at the Israeli mission to the United Nations. FETTERMAN BLASTS IRAN STRIKE CRITICS, AYATOLLAH’S APOLOGISTS: ‘LET’S SEE WHO GRIEVES FOR THAT GARBAGE’ Rapaport went on to take issue with critics of the Iranian strikes and condemned those who remained silent as Khamenei oversaw mass-murders of tens of thousands of dissidents in recent months. “I’m glad that old bag of s— and his entire regime are gone,” he said of Khamenei. “Ding dong that old bag of s— is dead. 72 virgins have got to deal with that bull— now; good luck ladies,” he added in a message on Monday. “Will this affect your Somali kickbacks?” asked Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., a top pro-Israel voice in Congress. “Didn’t you just try to start a war with Trump a month ago?” another response from conservative videographer Cam Higby – who has tweeted videos of his stringer-type visits to Minneapolis unrest. “No kings,” another critic retorted, as the left has latched onto the idea that President Donald Trump is a monarch. “Just be thankful this is changing the headlines from the Somali fraud in Minnesota,” said another. Others criticized alleged hypocrisy involving Walz’ prior meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his tweet at the time that “Minnesota stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend freedom and democracy.” Late Monday, reports surfaced that Khamenei’s wife Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh succumbed to her injuries from the missile strike that killed her husband.
Trump awards Medal of Honor to three soldiers, honors ‘unsurpassed courage’
President Donald Trump bestowed the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army soldiers Monday in a White House ceremony honoring their “unsurpassed courage.” The president touted the “three really incredible American heroes — one living and two no longer with us.” TRUMP SAYS US SANK 10 SHIPS IN IRAN STRIKE, ‘LAST, BEST CHANCE’ TO ACT The president posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Master Sgt. Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds; posthumously awarded the medal to Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis and awarded the medal to Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson. The president, Monday, first introduced the award for Edmonds. “In 1941, Roddie Edmonds of Knoxville, Tennessee, enlisted in the US Army and soon rose to one of the youngest master sergeants in the military,” the president said. “In 1944, he sailed to Europe vim and vigor, Roddie soon found himself on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge. That was a big one, massively outnumbered by enemy forces, his 1,200 soldier unit fought valiantly until they were completely overrun. The force was massive on the other side. … After a four-day death march, one that was covered very well by the history books, through bitter cold, they were put into a German POW camp.” The president said Edmonds “was the top ranking infantryman and the camp he was number one, meaning he was responsible for the lives of his fellow service members.” “On July 26th, 1945, a Nazi SS officer issued an order over the camp loudspeaker, loud and strong, he said that only American Jews were to show up to roll call. Following this morning, he added ‘all who disobey this order will be shot immediately,’” the president explained. “There were more than 200 Jewish American soldiers in the camp, and Roddie knew their separation from the group would mean certain death. So that night he summoned his team and devised a plan. The next morning, all 1,200 American men fell in line together, shoulder to shoulder. “Enraged, the Nazi commandant rushed forward, drew his Luger pistol, and pressed the barrel between Sgt. Edmond’s eyes. He barked at Roddie, ‘They cannot all be Jews!’ He screamed loud and again and again. And, staring straight back into the raging face of evil, Sgt. Edmonds replied fearlessly, ‘We are all Jews here.’ The Nazi officer lowered his weapon and the soldiers erupted in cheers.” The president said that “with total disregard for his own life, Roddie had saved over 200 of his fellow service members.” “Their camp was liberated two months later,” the president said. The award was accepted by Edmonds’ son, Chris. Next, the president honored Richardson. “On Sept. 12, 1968, 102 brave men of Terry’s Alpha Company were tasked with securing Hill 222 deep behind the enemy’s line in Vietnam,” Trump said. “They didn’t know it at the time, had no idea, but the area was totally infested with nearly 300 enemy bunkers and many, many enemy soldiers, far outnumbering them by at least 4- or 5-, even 6-to-1,” the president said. “As Terry led Lima Platoon up Hill 222, the enemy launched an ambitious and violent attack, unleashing a withering fire of machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Just didn’t stop. They just kept coming, pinned down and hell on Earth.” The president said, “Terry summoned unimaginable courage. Three times. He exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue severely wounded comrades, and three times he dragged them back to the group.” “Terry soon realized that the 82 remaining men had one chance of survival. That was air support. Acting without regard of his own life, he grabbed the radio and charged up hill 222 alone. He needed to be there. It was the only place you’d get reception,” the president explained. “He withstood a storm of enemy bullets, eventually reaching the top where he spent the next eight hours calling in tactical strikes, completely exposed. … An enemy sniper shot rang out and the bullet tore through his right leg violently. He was in bad shape, but Terry disregarded that and pushed through. And after seven more hours of calling in American fire from above, the enemy retreated.” “Later that day, his team found him with both eardrums totally ruptured and a mangled right leg and foot, but still barely living but living nevertheless,” the president said. “Due to Terry’s actions above and beyond the call of duty, 82 men, Alpha Company survived this battle, including two in this room.” The president invited Norm Meyer and Dave Hemmer to stand up. IN MEMORY OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN LESTER TANNER: ‘WE ARE ALL JEWISH’ The president congratulated Richardson, and told him that “today you entered the ranks of the bravest warriors ever to strike the face of the earth.” Finally, the president posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis for gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while serving in Afghanistan. “On Aug. 28, 2013, terrorists detonated a 400-pound car bomb on the east wall of the Forward operating base Kinzie, ripping open a 60 foot-wide breach into a compound that housed NATO coalition forces,” the president explained. “A lot of them, ten Taliban fighters wearing suicide vests swarm through from across the compound.” “Michael saw the pillar of white smoke rising and ran to join the fight, rushing without his gear, wearing almost no gear, no Kevlar helmet, no body armor. Just one magazine in his rifle,” the president continued. “Along the way, he encountered a Polish soldier, and together they advanced under heavy fire. Very, very heavy fire. At one point, shrapnel ripped through the Polish soldier’s legs, rendering him unable to walk very, very severely hurt. In that chaos of gunfire, explosions and charred human remains, a terrorist insurgent appeared rounding a corner with his suicide vest, fully armed. And you could see it. It was going to happen.” The president said the terrorist “charged the wounded Polish soldier without hesitation.” “Michael raised his
Adams unloads on Mamdani over Iran, says he’s choosing ‘tyrants over victims’
Former New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams sounded off against his successor, Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and politicians on both fringes of the political spectrum for their knee-jerk reaction to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Adams has not been shy about attacking people within his own party, including Kamala Harris, in a recent volley, and on Sunday addressed what he suggested could be construed as hypocritical sympathy for the Iranian dictatorship rather than the actual will of the oppressed Iranian people. He said Iranian Americans living in New York are cheering and not protesting the U.S. for “finally confronting the savage regime that has tortured, murdered, and terrorized their families for nearly half a century.” “The ones screaming in protest are the usual political fanatics on the far left and far right, people so blinded by ideology that they will defend a regime that whips women for showing their hair, executes LGBTQ people from cranes, bankrolls terrorism, and openly calls for America’s destruction,” Adams said. MAMDANI PLEDGED TO FIGHT FOR ALL BUT SCRAPPED ORDER JEWISH STUDENTS SAY PROTECTED THEM “If you are running interference for that regime, you are not ‘anti-war,’ you are morally hollow,” Adams said, going on to share images of New Yorkers, including children, waving Iranian flags. Adams posted the statement in response to Mamdani’s own critical view of the military action, in which the socialist said, “Americans do not want this… You are choosing tyrants over victims.” “Today’s military strikes… mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression. Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theater of war,” Mamdani said. “They want relief from the affordability crisis. They want peace. I am focused on making sure that every New Yorker is safe.” Mamdani then addressed Iranian American New Yorkers directly, telling them they are the “fabric of this city” and that they will be “safe here.” Adams’ critique of Mamdani – and the far-left and far-right – came following his own lengthier commentary on the Iran matter, in which he celebrated the death of Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei. TEL AVIV ANALYST SHELTERS FROM 30 MISSILE SIRENS IN 48 HOURS, SAYS IRAN ‘WON’T RECOVER’ “While the military operation continues and the regime’s ultimate fate remains uncertain, the passing of a man who ruled through fear, repression, and brutality cannot be ignored,” he said. “We also stand with the Iranian people, who have endured so much and long for dignity, liberty, and a future free from tyranny. New York is home to a vibrant Iranian community. I know how long you have hoped and prayed for the freedom of your loved ones in Iran. Be assured that the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers stand with you tonight.” Adams received bipartisan praise, including from former Secretary of Defense Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis, Ret. “Many Iranian Americans support the U.S. for taking action against Iran’s brutal regime, while the loudest critics are ideological extremists defending tyranny over victims. New Yorkers stand with those confronting this evil and protecting freedom,” Mattis said, adding that Khamenei’s death is a “significant moment” but the focus must remain on support for U.S. forces. Adams’ comments drew global reaction as people responded on X with videos of street celebrations in Washington, Berlin, Sydney and beyond, with some wishing the ex-mayor had been as cogent on the campaign trail and thereby prevented Mamdani’s rise. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.
1 in 4 Americans back Trump’s Iran strikes, most say he’s too quick to use force: poll
About one in four Americans, but a majority of Republicans, say they approve of the U.S. military strikes on Iran ordered by President Donald Trump, according to a new poll. The national survey, conducted Saturday and Sunday by Reuters/Ipsos in the hours after the start of “Operation Epic Fury” by American and Israeli forces on Iran that resulted in the killing of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also indicates about half believe Trump is too willing to use military force. Twenty-seven percent of those surveyed said they approved of the strikes, with 43% disapproving and nearly three in 10 not sure. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS UPDATES ON THE ATTACKS ON IRAN But there’s a partisan divide, with Republicans by a 55%-32% margin supportive of the military action. The vast majority of Democrats, 73%, disapproved of the strikes, with only seven percent saying they approved. A plurality of independents, 44%, disapproved of the military attack, with 19% supportive and nearly four in 10 unsure. IRAN’S NEAR HALF CENTURY WAR ON AMERICANS The poll was conducted before the U.S. military announced on Sunday the first U.S. casualties in the operation — three service members killed and five more seriously wounded. “I think that the polling is very good, but I don’t care about polling. I have to do the right thing. I have to do the right thing. This should have been done a long time ago,” Trump said in an interview Monday with the New York Post when asked about the new survey. The joint U.S.-Israeli operation is expected to carry on for days, with officials telling Fox News that Israel is targeting Iranian leadership, while the U.S. is attacking military targets and ballistic missile sites that pose an “imminent threat.” The attack has plunged the volatile Middle East into a new and unpredictable conflict. Iran has retaliated against Israel and other nations in the region. Trump on Sunday warned against Iranian retaliation, saying that if Iran were to “hit very hard,” they would be met with “a force that has never been seen before.” OIL PRICES SURGE AFTER TANKERS STRUCK NEAR STRAIGHT OF HORMUZ The attack on Iran follows strikes Trump has ordered in recent months against Venezuela, Syria, and Nigeria. According to the poll, 56% of Americans think the president is too willing to use military force to advance U.S. interests. Nearly nine in 10 Democrats, six in 10 independents, and nearly a quarter of Republicans said Trump was too willing to use military force. Trump, in his interview with the New York Post, emphasized that “it’s not a question of polling. You cannot let Iran, who’s a nation that has been run by crazy people, have a nuclear weapon.” “I think people are very impressed with what is happening, actually,” Trump insisted. “I think it’s a silent — if you did a real poll, the silent poll — and it’s like a silent majority,” the president added. Trump’s overall approval in the new survey stands at 39%, down a point from the previous Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-February.
Gas prices could jump as Middle East tensions threaten global oil supply
Americans could soon see higher gas prices as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten a critical global oil choke point, raising fears of supply disruptions that could quickly reverberate across U.S. energy markets. After joint U.S.–Israeli strikes, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, targeted Iranian sites over the weekend and killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, concerns quickly shifted to how Tehran might respond and whether oil infrastructure or tanker traffic could become collateral damage. Any disruption to global crude supplies could translate into higher costs for American drivers at the pump. “Every time we’ve had flare-ups in the Middle East like we’re seeing right now — and we’ve seen this kind of situation periodically over the last 50 years — it has caused significant disruption to energy markets,” economist Stephen Moore told Fox News Digital. “I would expect we could see anywhere from 25 to 50 cents a gallon increase in gas prices in the short term,” he said. TOMAHAWKS SPEARHEADED US STRIKE ON IRAN — WHY PRESIDENTS REACH FOR THIS MISSILE FIRST Market data already shows prices moving higher. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said oil prices were up $5 per barrel, while wholesale gasoline prices had risen 11 cents per gallon. He expects retail gas prices to begin climbing immediately, especially in areas where stations tend to adjust prices in sharp, periodic jumps. The national average could hit $3 per gallon as soon as Monday, De Haan said, with some stations increasing prices by 10 to 30 cents this week and potentially more in markets that see larger price swings. Moore warned that prices could climb further and remain elevated if vital transit routes or oil facilities are disrupted. TRUMP PLEDGES TO ‘AVENGE’ FALLEN US SERVICE MEMBERS AS TENSIONS WITH IRAN INTENSIFY “Huge amounts of global oil travel through the Strait of Hormuz, so this could be incredibly disruptive, delaying delivery of oil and gas,” he said. “The Iranians have already knocked out some oil facilities in the Middle East, and who knows what they’re up to next. When you have less supply, prices go up. The big question is whether this will be a temporary bump or something more prolonged.” The ongoing conflict sits near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors. “This shipping route represents around 25% of global oil trade and 23% of liquefied natural gas trade,” explained Jaime Brito, executive director of refining and oil products at OPIS. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between Iran and Oman that has long been a flash point during regional crises, serves as a vital artery for global energy markets. Roughly 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products — about one-fifth of global oil supply — transit the strait each day, underscoring how disruption there can quickly send shock waves through international energy markets. HORMUZ ERUPTS: ATTACKS, GPS JAMMING, HOUTHI THREATS ROCK STRAIT AMID US-ISRAELI STRIKES Highlighting the growing concern, Maersk, widely regarded as a bellwether for global ocean freight, said it will suspend all vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice and cautioned that services to Arabian Gulf ports may be delayed. Still, not all price movements are immediate. “Developments over the weekend in the Middle East should hypothetically take time to ripple into the global supply chain. An initial assessment would suggest no specific price impacts should be seen in the gasoline market across the world, including the U.S.,” Brito told Fox News Digital. However, Brito said prices could climb quickly if markets expect trouble ahead, even before supplies are actually affected. As a result, Brito said, developments in Iran may have already translated into higher gasoline, diesel and other fuel prices in parts of the U.S., depending on regional supply dynamics and individual company pricing strategies. From a domestic standpoint, Brito added that gasoline prices follow a seasonal pattern, typically climbing during the summer travel months. “March prices are not expected to be significantly high,” he said, noting that spring break travel could support demand in certain areas — but not at the level seen during peak summer driving season. Ultimately, the direction of gasoline prices will depend less on seasonal demand and more on how the geopolitical situation unfolds in the days ahead.
Prediction markets point to Talarico-Paxton showdown in Texas Senate race
Traders on prediction market platform Kalshi are signaling growing confidence that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico are on track to secure their parties’ Senate nominations. The Texas primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, with voting opening in the morning and results expected later that night or early Wednesday. Kalshi’s market data shows traders assigning Talarico a 75% probability of securing the Democratic Senate nomination, a 49-point advantage over fellow Texas Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Talarico, 36, is a Texas state representative first elected in 2018, has positioned himself as a progressive voice within the party and has emerged as a rising Democratic figure in the Lone Star State. PREDICTION MARKETS FAVOR DEMOCRATS IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, VIRGINIA IN 2025 ELECTION RACES Trading volume, or the total dollar amount wagered on this market, stands at just over $5.2 million. While odds on these markets don’t serve as formal forecasts, they do provide a real-time snapshot of trader expectations. While Democrats appear to be consolidating behind Talarico, the Republican primary has taken a sharper turn, with traders overwhelmingly backing Paxton over longtime Sen. John Cornyn. Traders assign Paxton an 81% probability of securing the GOP nomination, a 63-point lead over Cornyn. About $2.2 million has been wagered on this market. CORPORATE AMERICA IS ON THE MOVE, AND THESE RED STATES ARE CASHING IN Paxton, a conservative firebrand and longtime ally of President Donald Trump, has served as the state’s attorney general for nearly a decade. Cornyn has represented Texas in the Senate since 2002. When it comes to the general election in November, prediction markets give the Republican Party an edge. Even with Talarico leading the Democratic field, traders appear to believe the GOP remains better positioned statewide. Kalshi traders see a Talarico and Paxton contest with Paxton winning the Senate seat. Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in more than three decades. Whether those odds hold will depend on how voters respond in the months ahead, but for now, prediction markets suggest Texas remains in Republican hands.
US surges forces to Middle East as Pentagon warns Iran fight ‘will take some time’
More U.S. forces are headed to the Middle East, according to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff Gen. Dan Caine, as the U.S. escalates its campaign against Iran. “The flow of forces continues today. In fact, Admiral Cooper will receive additional forces even today,” Caine said during a Pentagon briefing Monday morning, referring to Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper. Caine declined to provide troop numbers, saying, “I don’t want to talk specifics, because that would tip the enemy off. We have more tactical aviation flowing into theater just based on the time it took to get it out there.” “I think we’re just about where we want to be in terms of total combat capacity and total combat power for Admiral Cooper.” IRAN’S TERROR PROXIES FROM IRAQ-TO-LEBANON SAY READY TO RESPOND TO US-ISRAEL ATTACKS Caine said the additional forces build on a monthlong repositioning of U.S. assets across the region, including carrier strike groups, advanced fighter aircraft and air defense systems, as the U.S. prosecutes what officials described as “major combat operations” that have already resulted in the death of 555 Iranians, according to an Associated Press count, as of Monday morning. Caine said the U.S. mission in Iran is to “prevent Iran from (the) ability to project power outside its borders.” “This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it today,” added War Secretary Pete Hegseth. AMERICA STRIKES IRAN AGAIN — HAS WASHINGTON PLANNED FOR WHAT COMES NEXT? Hegseth said the mission was to destroy Iranian missiles and missile production, destroy its navy and ensure it has no capability to pursue a nuclear weapon. The general warned the operation “will take some time” and acknowledged, “We expect to take additional losses.” Four U.S. service members have been killed in the operation that began in the early hours of Saturday Eastern Time. Hegseth said the service members were struck by an Iranian missile that penetrated air defenses at a tactical command center. Asked whether there are American boots on the ground in Iran, Hegseth replied, “no,” but said the administration would not telegraph future options. It’s “one of the fallacies” that “this department or presidents or others should tell the American people — and our enemies, by the way — ‘here’s exactly what we’ll do,’” Hegseth said. “It’s foolishness.” At the start of the operation known as Epic Fury, Caine said more than 100 aircraft launched from land and sea in a synchronized wave, including fighters, tankers, electronic attack aircraft, bombers and unmanned platforms. U.S. cyber and space forces first conducted non-kinetic operations designed to disrupt and degrade Iran’s ability to communicate and respond, he said. Tomahawk missiles fired from U.S. Navy vessels struck Iranian naval forces along the southern flank, while coordinated precision strikes targeted command and control infrastructure, ballistic missile sites and intelligence facilities. Caine said the opening phase struck more than 1,000 targets in the first 24 hours. American B-2 bombers flew 37-hour round-trip missions from the continental United States to hit underground facilities with penetrating munitions, he added. “We are now roughly 57 hours into the operation,” Caine said Monday, adding that U.S. forces have launched hundreds of missions and delivered tens of thousands of pieces of ordnance as the campaign continues to scale.