Vance hails ‘days of destiny’ as VP seeks to build on ceasefire agreement
Vice President JD Vance declared Wednesday that, “these are days of destiny,” as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to build on the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. “We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza to make life better for the people in Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel,” Vance said in Jerusalem, speaking alongside Netanyahu. “That’s not easy. I think the prime minster knows that as well as anybody. But it’s something that we’re committed to in the Trump administration,” Vance continued. “And I think that we’ve, even in the past 24 hours, had a lot of good conversations with our friends in the Israeli government, but also, frankly with our friends in the Arab world who are stepping up and volunteering to play a very positive role in this.” “As the prime minister said, these are days of destiny, and we’re very excited to sit down and work together on the Gaza peace plan,” Vance added. VANCE WARNS HAMAS AS GAZA PEACE PLAN’S CIVILIAN MILITARY COOPERATION CENTER OPENS Netanyahu told reporters that Israel has an unmatched alliance and partnership with the U.S. that is generating opportunities for security and the expansion of peace in the Middle East. Vance also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday, telling reporters afterward, “We’re here to talk about how to ensure that the peace agreement that started about a week ago sticks, that we move into phase two, into phase three with success.” JOHNSON, SCALISE DEMAND ANSWERS AFTER SUSPECTED HAMAS OPERATIVE DISCOVERED ON US SOIL The peace deal included the release of hostages being held by Hamas. “As the president said, there will be torments along the way. It will be difficult, but I feel very optimistic based on my conversation with our Israeli friends and also with our Gulf Arab friends, that it’s possible that we actually can make peace stick, and that we can create the kind of environment where our Gulf Arab friends and our Israeli friends can build a better Middle East for everybody,” Vance added. “So that is the goal of the administration. We think that it’s in the best interest of the United States. We also think that it’s in the best interest of everybody who lives here.” Herzog said, “I truly believe that the fact you’re here is another brick in building the future for peace.” “We all are grateful to President Donald Trump for his steadfast insistence on moving forward. We must move forward,” Herzog continued. “We must offer hope for the region, for Israel, the Palestinians, our neighbors, and for the future of our children.”
WATCH: Scathing report exposes what New Yorkers think of sanctuary policies as Mamdani victory looms
EXCLUSIVE: As the New York City mayoral election quickly approaches and socialist Zohran Mamdani is heavily favored to win, New Yorkers are sounding off on the human toll that sanctuary policies have had on their city. In a new investigative video released by The American Border Story (TABS), New Yorkers detailed their concerns about how the city’s migrant shelters and sanctuary policies had resulted in a surge in organized crime in their neighborhoods. One New Yorker said the blame for the policies lies directly with the progressive Democratic city council. “This is the worst city council I have ever seen in my life in New York City,” said Renee Collymore, a local organizer and Democrat. NEW POLL REVEALS MAMDANI STILL HOLDS COMMANDING DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD OVER RIVALS IN NYC MAYORAL RACE “This council is a predominantly progressive, leftist, socialist council,” Collymore went on. “And when you have a one-sided council, you can’t get work done, because they believe that the middle of the road Democrats, the Democrats such as myself and my family, so many people in our district are traditional Democrats, they believe that we are the ones that are standing in the way of progress.” “If you know that there’s gang activity and nothing is being done, shame on you. Because all that does is hurt the community. It puts people at risk,” she said, adding, “The sanctuary city law has to be overturned.” Instead of overturning or amending the law, Collymore complained that “our legislators are acting like the migrants are their children,” while telling moderates, “You’re anti-migrant.” “How am I anti-migrant? My father’s from the West Indies. They make these claims because it’s not affecting them where they live. But people who live on Hall Street will tell you, they were terrorized,” she said, adding, “This is unbelievable.” MAMDANI PROPOSES MASSIVE AMOUNT OF LEGAL DEFENSE FUNDING FOR IMMIGRANTS IN ‘TRUMP-PROOFING’ NYC PLAN According to Collymore, after a migrant shelter was opened in her community, there was a rise in sex trafficking and parents no longer felt safe taking their children to public playgrounds. She also said that Venezuelan gangs took over the streets and would even patrol the streets carrying metal pipes. “This was not a joke. There were stabbings, a triple murder,” she said. Another New Yorker said that former President Joe Biden‘s “error was when he allowed certain countries, you know, like Venezuela, certain countries like Colombia, even certain countries in Europe and certain countries in Africa that he allowed to just exile their prisoners,” large numbers of whom eventually found their way to New York City. “I feel like his error was opening the borders and just saying, ‘Okay, send everybody and we’re going to take them regardless of their background, regardless of any type of check being done,” he said. Dino, a pizzeria owner and immigrant himself, said that the migrant influx into New York brought up new challenges, including from gang members. He said that though sanctuary policies “could work on paper, in reality, it does not work.” Dino also told Fox News Digital, “I’ve run my business here for years — I know what this neighborhood used to feel like. Now my employees are scared walking home at night, customers are staying away, and gangs are running the streets.” “We need our leaders in New York to stop protecting politics and start protecting people,” he said. ‘NO KINGS’ AGITATOR VOWED TO ‘FIGHT ICE’ WITH FIREBOMBS AT BLUE CITY’S PROTEST: REPORT Leeroy Johnson, a local independent journalist, also spoke with TABS. He said that though many migrants came looking for a better life, “some of them were planning way before they came here to come here and cause problems in New York.” “Of course, local gangs are going to recruit them. Of course, the older migrant gangs that came here are going to recruit them because they know nothing’s going to happen to them and they need money, and they will do whatever they can to get money. Some of these guys have committed heinous crimes back in their home country, murders, robberies, stabbings. We let them loose on the street, local gangs are going to jump on that quickly.” “It’s extremely dangerous,” he went on. “And they’re committing crimes right and left and they know they can commit it and get away with it because they’ll be right out, an hour, two hours, 24 hours later, back on the street doing the same thing, hurting more people over and over again.” This comes as New York City has closed down several of its migrant shelters, including perhaps the most infamous one at the famous Roosevelt Hotel, which became an epicenter for gang crime related to Tren de Aragua, a group that has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. DEM JUDGE IN HOT SEAT AFTER DHS EXPOSES ‘WHOLE NEW LEVEL’ OF ACTIVISM, SHELTERING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT The New York City mayoral election will be on Nov. 4. Mamdani, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and is the Democratic mayoral nominee, currently leads the race by double digits against independent candidate, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani has pledged to resist the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations, accusing ICE of terrorizing the city and saying, “If I’m mayor, we will stop masked ICE agents from deporting our neighbors.” Commenting on the video, Nicole Kiprilov, executive director of TABS, told Fox News Digital, “What you’re seeing in New York is the direct result of failed border policies.” “Families are scared, neighborhoods are changing overnight, and city officials are nowhere to be found. This crisis isn’t contained at the border anymore — it’s on America’s doorstep,” said Kiprilov.
Japan plans to tell Trump it will build up its military after years of 1% defense spending
After years of pressure to increase defense spending, Japan announced plans to do so just ahead of a trip by President Donald Trump to the region next week. “We are firmly preparing for President Trump’s visit,” Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said. Trump is expected to meet with Japan’s new hawkish Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office on Tuesday and leads a new right-wing coalition. Trump already congratulated the new prime minister on becoming Japan’s first female top leader. Motegi said the new government hoped to strengthen U.S. relations during the visit and build a personal relationship with the Trump administration. CHINA’S GROWING NUCLEAR ARSENAL AIMS TO BREAK US ALLIANCES AND DOMINATE ASIA, REPORT WARNS Defense analysts have long called on Japan to increase its defense spending, which stands at 1% of GDP. The nation is currently undergoing a five-year military buildup with aims at 2% defense spending by 2027. Takachi plans to move the 2027 target up to this year, according to a Kyodo News report. During the meeting with Trump, Takaichi is expected to face pressure to raise defense spending even further to match NATO’s 5% target. Next week Trump is set to travel to Asia for meetings in Japan, Malaysia and South Korea, where he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. JAPAN POISED FOR FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER AFTER RULING PARTY ELECTS SANAE TAKAICHI AS NEW LEADER The meetings come as U.S.-China relations have turned frigid, with Beijing cutting off exports of key critical minerals and the U.S. cutting off tariff negotiations. Takaichi, who as a young woman spent time interning in the U.S. Congress, has expressed concern about Japan’s reliance on the U.S., but signaled intentions to work closely with Trump. She took office on a recent populist wave in Japan similar to the MAGA movement. The U.S. has spooked some Japanese officials with Trump’s suggestion that Japan should pay for U.S. troops in the region. Around 60,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Japan, making it the largest foreign host of U.S. forces. Adding to those concerns, a trade framework in July placed a 15% tariff on imported Japanese goods, with higher rates for steel, aluminum and auto parts. Takaichi has taken a hawkish approach to China and declared “Japan is back,” while promising to more strictly regulate immigration and tourism and suggesting Japan’s textbooks should revise how they teach World War II to reflect a more nationalistic view. The shift marks a dramatic moment for Japan’s postwar defense policy, which has traditionally emphasized restraint under its pacifist constitution. A push toward rearmament under Takaichi would cement a broader regional trend toward military expansion, as China, South Korea and Taiwan all race to modernize their forces amid growing instability in the Indo-Pacific. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hawley vows to hold Democrats’ ‘feet to the fire’ with new government shutdown funding bills
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is looking to hold Democrats’ “feet to the fire” with new legislation seeking special funding for farmers and food assistance programs amid the government shutdown. Hawley’s bills would reinstate federal funding for the Farm Service Agency as well as the federal SNAP food program. Democrats have so far refused to work with Republicans amid the government shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history. “We need to start forcing Democrats to make some tough votes. We need to start holding their feet to the fire,” Hawley said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “I mean, do they really not want people to be able to eat? This situation is ridiculous.” He says the farm bill is critical as the shutdown has landed squarely in harvest season for much of the country, including his home state of Missouri. WHITE HOUSE SLAMS SCHUMER’S ‘DISGUSTING’ STATEMENT ON SHUTDOWN AS POLITICAL STANDOFF CONTINUES Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has led Republicans in voting to fund the government 11 times since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, but Democrats have refused to cooperate, demanding extensive changes to the budget. SENATE DEMS EMBOLDENED BY WEEKEND RALLIES BLOCK GOP PLAN TO END SHUTDOWN FOR 11TH TIME President Donald Trump has taken executive action to secure funding for members of the military, but the vast majority of the government remains stalled. “I have huge respect for what President Trump has done during this shutdown with shifting the funding pools available to him to help servicemembers and police. But even he is going to run out of tools soon,” Hawley said. Trump, speaking to Hawley and other Senate Republicans at the White House on Tuesday, accused Democrats of “holding the entire federal government hostage.” ‘GOOFBALLS’ AND HOSTAGES: GOP SENATORS SAY SCHUMER’S SHUTDOWN TACTICS DESTROYING THE SENATE Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, R-N.Y., has remained obstinate in his demands for an extension to expiring Obamacare subsidies. Though Senate Republicans have been open to holding a vote on the matter after the government reopens, Democrats want an ironclad guarantee that the subsidies will be extended well before their expiration at the end of this year. Thune reiterated at the White House on Tuesday that Senate Republicans are united in their war of attrition strategy to continue putting the same bill on the floor again and again. “I mean, they want $1.5 trillion in new spending. They want free healthcare for people who are noncitizens in this country. That is just a flat nonstarter. It doesn’t pass the Senate. It won’t pass the House. It won’t be signed into law by the president,” Thune said. Fox News’ Greg Norman contributed to this report.
Coast Guard surges to Rio Grande in new border security mission, Operation River Wall
The Coast Guard is bolstering its forces along western Texas’ Rio Grande to support President Donald Trump’s border security mission as part of a “surge operation,” according to the service. Trump declared a national emergency at the border in January, and his administration stood up Joint Task Force Southern Border in March to allow troops under the Department of War to assist with the Department of Homeland Security’s border mission. Dubbed Operation River Wall, the Coast Guard deployment aims to counter the influx of drugs into the U.S., and to deter and interdict illegal immigrants along the 260-mile stretch of the river that is part of the U.S. border, the service announced Monday. The Coast Guard said it is dispatching additional response boats, shallow watercraft, command and control assets, and tactical teams to the area to support the operation. WATCH: COAST GUARD SEIZES COCAINE, SUSPECTED NARCO-TERRORISTS IN PACIFIC VIPER RAID The service said it is leading operations it is conducting alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of War under U.S. Northern Command to advance Trump’s border priorities. “U.S. Coast Guard is the best in the world at tactical boat operations and maritime interdiction at sea, along our coasts, and in riverine environments,” Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, said in a Monday statement. “Through Operation River Wall, the Coast Guard is controlling the U.S. southern border along the Rio Grande River in eastern Texas.” COAST GUARD BURNS, SINKS SUSPECTED ‘DRUG BOAT,’ APPREHENDS 7 ALLEGED DRUG SMUGGLERS: VIDEO It’s unclear exactly how many Coast Guard personnel and assets are involved in Operation River Wall, and the Coast Guard did not provide specifics, citing operational security concerns. “We are deploying a range of assets, personnel, and equipment appropriate to maximize coverage of the Rio Grande River,” Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Steve Roth said in a Tuesday statement to Fox News Digital. “Due to operational security concerns, we cannot provide specific details about deployment numbers or specific locations.” However, the Coast Guard announced in March it was beefing up its operational presence along the southwest border for border security operations. Between January and March, the Coast Guard Southwest District announced it tripled its forces there. The Pentagon said in July that roughly 8,500 troops are assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border to provide backup to the Coast Guard and Border Patrol, and have been tasked with responding to security threats along the border. COAST GUARD OVERHAUL TAKES OFF AMID TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S IMMIGRATION, NARCOTICS CRACKDOWN The Coast Guard has launched several high-profile operations in recent months. For example, the service kicked off Operation Pacific Viper in August — a joint effort between the Coast Guard and Navy aimed at countering the influx of illegal drugs to the U.S. as part of Trump’s larger effort to crack down on drug cartels. So far, the Coast Guard has confiscated 100,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since August, averaging 1,600 pounds of cocaine daily, according to the service.
Spanberger uses SpongeBob to mock Sears-Trump relationship, as president praises GOP nom
President Donald Trump praised Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears this week after Democratic challenger Abigail Spanberger mocked the Republican over her non-endorsement with a SpongeBob SquarePants reference. Trump was asked about Earle-Sears on Air Force One and praised her debate performance while appearing to criticize Spanberger’s refusal to explicitly call for scandal-plagued attorney general candidate Jay Jones to drop out after his texts envisioning the murder of a former House Republican leader. “I think the Republican candidate is very good and she should win because the Democrat candidate is a disaster,” he said. EARLE-SEARS COMES OUT SWINGING IN HEATED DEBATE AS SPANBERGER DODGES JAY JONES QUESTIONS “I haven’t been too much involved in Virginia — I love the state; I did very well in the state but I will tell you I think the republican candidate is excellent and the Democrat candidate is a disaster,” he said. He warned that both Spanberger and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J. – the Democratic nominee in the Garden State – will preeminently be bad for the current U.S. energy dominance agenda. “Both the Democrats are going to drive the energy prices through the roof,” he said. OBAMA ENDORSES SPANBERGER, ATTACKS REPUBLICANS IN VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S RACE ADS Trump, however, again appeared to stop short of issuing an endorsement in the style he usually does – which includes effusive praise and “total endorsement” on Truth Social. Fox News Digital also reached out to the White House for clarity on whether the AF1 comments constituted an endorsement. Former President Barack Obama was clearer in his commendation of Spanberger, whom he formally endorsed last week. WINSOME EARLE-SEARS RELEASES ‘TWO BULLETS’ AD SCATHING OPPONENT FOR FAILING TO DEMAND JAY JONES’ OUSTER A Spanberger campaign spokesperson also confirmed the two will rally in Virginia in the coming days. The site will reportedly be in Hampton Roads. Obama released a video calling Virginia’s elections “some of the most important in the country this year.” “I am proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger for governor. Republican policies are raising costs on working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts,” Obama said, echoing congressional Democrats. TRUMP VOICES SUPPORT FOR GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, ADMITS SHE HAS ‘TOUGH RACE’ Asked about Trump and Obama, the Earle-Sears campaign said the video endorsement shows Spanberger is “scared – and it shows.” “After losing support across Virginia, she’s leaning on liberal elites to try and save her collapsing campaign,” press secretary Peyton Vogel told Fox News Digital. “This is a desperate play from a candidate who’s run out of support, out of ideas, and out of time. Voters see through it, and that’s why Winsome Earle-Sears is surging.” Spanberger got another boost Tuesday from PBS’ “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” who condemned Trump in a raucous speech over the weekend and will rally with the Virginia Democrat in Charlottesville. When asked about Nye’s resurgence on behalf of Democrats, a White House spokesperson quipped, “You mean, ‘Bill Nye the Liberal Activist Guy’?”
Former top leader of radical group tied to Mamdani has been on AOC’s campaign payroll for years
FIRST ON FOX: A former top leader and “lifetime member” of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has been on the payroll of “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s, D-N.Y., campaign since she first ran for Congress in 2018. Frank Llewellyn, the former director of the largest socialist organization in America and a founding member of the socialist group that would later become DSA’s sister organization, serves as the treasurer for both Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign and her political action committee, Courage to Change. Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign has paid Llewellyn a total of over $250,000 for payroll, travel and other administrative expenses dating back to 2018, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings reviewed by Fox News Digital. Disbursements range from $77.50 for cellphone, travel and internet stipends and salary payments of $1,281 approximately every two weeks. Besides working on Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign, Llewellyn also sits on the board of the Democratic Socialists of America Fund, a sister organization to the DSA, according to the group’s website. AOC DROPS THOUSANDS ON LUXURY HOTELS WHILE ‘FIGHTING OLIGARCHY’ WITH SANDERS, FILINGS REVEAL “Frank Llewellyn was one of the original incorporators of the Institute for Democratic Socialism which later became the Democratic Socialists of America Fund,” the DSA Fund website says. “A lifelong activist and socialist he served Democratic Socialists of America in New York City since the organization was founded. He served on its National Political Committee and as its National Director for more than ten years.” Llewellyn was national director of DSA for over 10 years, from 2001 to 2011. Llewellyn confirmed to Fox News Digital that he continues to be a “lifetime member” of DSA and that he has been on Ocasio-Cortez’s staff since her first election in 2018. One of the most significant achievements of DSA during Llewellyn’s time as director was the election of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 2006. Llewellyn wrote an article in the DSA’s magazine celebrating Sanders’ election as the first time in American history that “a self-declared socialist has won a seat in the United States Senate.” In the article, Llewellyn detailed DSA’s deep involvement with Sanders’ campaign, saying fundraising for his successful campaign “is a major accomplishment in which we can take great pride.” SPECULATION SWIRLS AS AOC IS RUMORED TO HARBOR 2028 ASPIRATIONS: ‘SAVVY POLITICIAN’ Llewellyn wrote that “in the coming period, it is vital that we use our newly gained grassroots network, and our ties to truly progressive Democrats and Bernie Sanders, to promote both a progressive agenda and progressive organizing.” The organization also later went on to endorse Sanders during both his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. An examination of Llewellyn’s social media shows that he continues to be an active member of the Queens branch of the New York City DSA. He posts regularly about Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders as well as New York City socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is also an active member of DSA. In a 2021 Facebook post, Llewellyn said he was “very pleased to vote for Queens DSA endorsing [Mamdani]” when he successfully ran for the New York State Assembly. Though Mamdani leads the New York City mayoral race by double digits, sparking concerns about the rise of socialism in America, a recent Fox News national survey revealed capitalism remains more popular than socialism. However, voters indicated they support raising taxes on the wealthy. Fox News Digital previously reported on DSA’s massive influence on the Mamdani campaign, including highlighting how DSA members discussed during a July panel how they have been closely collaborating with Mamdani and how he has the organization positioned to “seize state power.” DSA organizer Daniel Goulden claimed the organization has been intimately involved in Mamdani’s campaign, even helping to write portions of his platform. “With Zohran, we’re in basically the best possible position to seize state power that we can be in because, you know, we’re like this,” Goulden said, indicating with his fingers that the campaign and organization are very close. Goulden went on to suggest that “one of the things that made Zohran really successful with his policy rollouts is specifically relying on DSA.” AOC and Sanders, who are both self-proclaimed democratic socialists, have both endorsed and promoted Mamdani’s campaign and will be participating in a rally with him this upcoming Sunday. FOX NEWS POLL: CAPITALISM REMAINS MORE POPULAR THAN SOCIALISM, YET MAJORITIES SUPPORT TAXING THE WEALTHY The national DSA organization and its chapters, including the NYC-DSA, have shared views on several issues that they have been vocal about, including their disdain for ICE and cracking down on “bad landlords” by having the city take control of properties when a landlord refuses to make repairs or “demonstrates consistent neglect” of their tenants. Earlier this year, Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders went on a “Fighting Oligarchy” tour against the “billionaire class and corporate greed,” which amassed more than 300,000 attendees across 34 rallies in 20 states, according to Sanders. Ocasio-Cortez faced criticism for racking up thousands at boutique hotels during the tour. Sanders also faced backlash after Fox News Digital exposed him and AOC for flying on private jets, racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in disbursements during the tour. Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office and DSA for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Trump celebrates White House demolition as new ballroom rises: ‘Music to my ears’
President Donald Trump‘s privately funded $200 million White House ballroom is the latest “bold, necessary addition” to the executive residence, officials said, describing the East Wing construction as a continuation of presidential upgrades dating back more than a century. Photos of the East Wing façade being demolished went viral Monday, prompting criticism online and a swift rebuttal from the White House, which wrote that “unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump’s visionary addition of a grand, privately funded ballroom … a bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and additions from commanders-in-chief to keep the executive residence a beacon of American excellence.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the president’s message Tuesday on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” saying, “I believe there’s a lot of fake outrage right now. HILLARY CLINTON FIRES UP VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION: ‘NOT HIS HOUSE” “Nearly every single president who’s lived in this beautiful White House behind me has made modernizations and renovations of their own,” Leavitt added. “In fact, presidents for decades — in modern times — have joked about how they wished they had a larger event space here at the White House, something that could hold hundreds more people than the current East Room and State Dining Room. “President Obama even complained that, during his tenure, he had to hold a state dinner on the South Lawn and rent a very expensive tent.” In an article shared Tuesday, the administration listed more than a dozen examples of leaders “renovating, expanding and modernizing” the property to “meet the needs of the present day,” from Theodore Roosevelt’s West Wing in 1902 to Barack Obama’s Kitchen Garden in 2009. Trump first confirmed the ballroom project Monday on Truth Social, writing, “I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken … to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom. Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized … and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!” “For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom … I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!” he continued, crediting “many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and yours truly” for funding the build. “This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!” The White House’s Rapid Response 47 account also shared a detailed thread on X Tuesday showing how past presidents “have been renovating, expanding, and modernizing the White House to meet the needs of the current day.” TRUMP BREAKS GROUND ON MASSIVE WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM PROJECT WITH PRIVATE FUNDING FROM ‘PATRIOTS’ Trump elaborated Tuesday, calling the federal government “this big for nothing.” “We’re building a world-class ballroom,” he said. “You probably hear the beautiful sound of construction to the back here. That’s music to my ears. People don’t like it. I love it. When I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. In this case, a lack of money, because I’m paying for it.” Trump also noted that the East Room, currently the largest indoor event space, is little more than “a cocktail area” that holds about 88 people. During a Diwali event at the White House Tuesday night, Trump again referenced the project and his decision not to accept a salary, quipping that “they probably owe me a lot of money” for everything he’s put into the building. “If I get money from our country, I’ll do something nice with it. Like give it to charity or give it to the White House,” he said. “We restore the White House, and we’re doing a great job. The ballroom is under construction. They’ve been trying to get it for 150 years.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The ballroom project is the latest in Trump’s improvements to the property, which include an overhaul of the Rose Garden and the Palm Room. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Trump warns ‘I’d rather have a Democrat than a communist’ as NYC mayoral race enters homestretch
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he believes New York City could soon elect a “communist” mayor and signaled he’d prefer a Democrat to take the reins at City Hall over a far-left candidate. Asked during a White House press gaggle whether he’d urge Republican Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race, Trump didn’t endorse anyone, but made clear his concern about current polling with just two weeks to go until Election Day. “Well, I looked at the polls and looks like we’re going to have a communist as the mayor of New York,” Trump said. “It’ll be very interesting. But here’s the good news. He’s got to go through the White House, everything goes through the White House. At least this White House, it does.” Trump appeared to suggest that if Sliwa exited the race, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo might close the gap with Democratic socialist nominee Zohran Mamdani, but wasn’t confident it would change the outcome. BILL ACKMAN JUMPS INTO NYC MAYORAL FIGHT, SAYS SLIWA MUST DROP OR ‘WE ARE TOAST’ “If he [Sliwa] dropped out, he’s not going to win. And not looking too good for Cuomo either,” Trump said. “Maybe if he dropped out, Cuomo would have a little bit of a chance. But not much. Because it looks like the lead is—it’s not a great lead, but it’s big enough that he should be able to win.” Pressed on whether he’d be willing to meet with Mamdani if elected, Trump said he would. “Yeah, I’ll speak to him,” the president said. “I think I have an obligation to speak to him.” FOX NEWS POLL: MAMDANI MAINTAINS SIGNIFICANT LEAD IN NYC MAYORAL RACE Still, Trump lamented what he sees as the city’s decline under progressive leadership. “I love New York. I’ve always loved New York. I just can’t believe a thing like this is happening,” he said. “I left New York, and we had a mayor, [Bill] de Blasio, who was a disaster… New York was a hot city. And now it’s — it’s sad to see what’s happening, frankly.” “With the communist in charge… look, you just go back a thousand years. I mean, it’s been done many times, a thousand years. It’s never worked once. So it’s not going to work now.” Mamdani, a state assemblyman and longtime Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member, has embraced calls to legalize prostitution and tax the wealthy. His campaign has drawn endorsements from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and other national progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The city’s mayoral election is Nov. 4. The Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa campaigns did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
GOP lawmakers warn Trump’s Argentina beef proposal could rattle US ranchers
FIRST ON FOX: A group of House Republicans is raising concerns about the potential effects of the U.S. importing Argentinian beef after President Donald Trump floated the idea earlier this week. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., is leading seven other House GOP lawmakers in a letter to the president on Tuesday evening, warning the potential plan has rattled the multibillion-dollar American ranching industry. “America’s cattle producers are among the most resilient and hardworking in the nation,” the Republicans wrote. “Collectively, the cattle industry supports thousands of jobs across our districts and contributes $112 billion to rural economies nationwide.” “In recent days, we have heard strong concerns from producers regarding reports that the U.S. may import beef from Argentina.” HOUSE PASSES TRUMP-BACKED PLAN TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN The House Republicans acknowledged the “importance of strong trade relationships and diverse markets” but added that beef producers in their districts “are seeking clarity on how this decision will be made, what safety and inspection standards will apply, and how this policy aligns with your administration’s commitment to strengthening American agriculture.” Trump suggested Sunday that buying beef from Argentina could help lower prices for Americans at home, amid a wider promise to lower costs for U.S. citizens. “One of the things we’re thinking about doing is beef from Argentina,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He later elaborated in his conversation with reporters, “We would buy some beef from Argentina. If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.” “Our groceries are down, our energy prices are down. I think we’re going to have $2 gasoline pretty soon. We’re getting close and everything’s down. The one thing that’s kept up is beef,” Trump said. He added that it would not be “that much” but argued it would help Argentina, a U.S. ally, as well. 58 HOUSE DEMS VOTE AGAINST RESOLUTION HONORING ‘LIFE AND LEGACY’ OF CHARLIE KIRK But the House Republicans questioned whether imported beef would be held to the same food safety and animal health requirements as that of the U.S., which they called “the gold standard.” “Any import policy must hold foreign suppliers to those same rigorous standards. Introducing beef from countries with inconsistent safety or inspection records could undermine the confidence that U.S. ranchers have worked decades to earn,” the lawmakers warned. “We respectfully request additional information on this matter and urge your administration to ensure that any future decisions are made with full transparency, sound science, and a firm commitment to the U.S. cattle industry. America’s producers can compete with anyone in the world. If given an opportunity, they will continue to respond quickly to the market demand for more quality American beef in our grocery stores.” In addition to Fedorchak, the letter is also signed by Reps. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., Troy Downing, R-Mont., Gabe Evans, R-Colo., Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., Derek Schmidt, R-Kan., Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., and Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger, R-Texas. White House spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News Digital in response, “The Trump administration remains committed to addressing the needs and concerns of American cattle producers and safeguarding their interests at home and abroad. That’s why the administration has secured billions in new export opportunities for American agricultural products in our historic trade deals with the UK, Japan, the EU, and others.” “It’s also why the administration is focused on reversing a prolonged decrease in the supply of live cattle by growing American cattle herds with robust action to deliver disaster relief to cattle country, support new ranchers, and reduce risk for cattle producers,” Desai said. Trump’s proposal has stirred some anxiety among some Republicans whose constituencies depend on cattle ranching. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., posted on X Tuesday, “If the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isn’t the way.” “The U.S. has safe, reliable beef, and it is the one bright spot in our struggling ag economy. Nebraska’s ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when they’re just getting ahead or simply breaking even,” Fischer wrote. Meanwhile, Fox News Digital was told that Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., also raised significant concerns about what importing beef from Argentina could do to the U.S. cattle ranching industry during a call with fellow House Republicans on Tuesday. But some Republican responses were more muted. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told reporters that Trump “definitely identified a problem” regarding a shortage of cattle in the U.S. He added, “I understand what he’s trying to get done. I think there’s more ways to implement it.” Fedorchak herself told Fox News Digital, “We’ve all received a number of questions and calls from our constituents over the last few days, so we are asking for clarity on the administration’s long-term plans. Our farmers and ranchers stand ready to deliver on the president’s America-First agenda. North Dakotans take great pride in producing the safest, highest-quality beef in the world — and we should be building on that success.”