Would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh’s daughter screams and runs from courthouse after guilty verdict read
The daughter of 59-year-old Ryan Routh, who was convicted on Tuesday of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, stormed out of the courtroom after the verdict, cursing at the press and making threats. The drama came after Routh was found guilty of all charges against him, and seemingly tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen several times before four U.S. Marshals restrained him. His daughter, Sara Routh, stood up in the courtroom and started cursing in front of the jury. BONDI PRAISES RYAN ROUTH VERDICT, SAYS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT WAS AN ‘AFFRONT TO OUR VERY NATION ITSELF’ “Don’t do anything. I will get you out,” Sara Routh said. “What the f—. F—. He didn’t hurt anybody. This is not fair. This is all rigged — you guys are a–holes.” She stormed out of the building, telling the media to “go away” and “get the f— out of my face.” JURORS BEGIN DELIBERATIONS IN TRUMP GOLF COURSE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT TRIAL Ryan Routh, who represented himself, was convicted of five criminal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple gun charges. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. As Ryan Routh departed in a black SUV, Sara Routh chased after it, repeatedly shouting, “I love you.” PROSECUTORS PRESENT FINAL WITNESS TYING RYAN ROUTH TO TRUMP’S GOLF CLUB AND GUN PURCHASE Sara Routh and her brother, Adam Routh, walked to their car, as she continued to berate the press. One reporter asked, “Is your dad OK?” to which she replied, “He’s better be or everybody’s f–king dead… You can all go to hell. It’s all y’all’s fault. F–king lies. Spreading lies about my f—ing father.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Adam Routh, who appeared to remain calm during the meltdown, ushered his sister into the car. As the media crowded the vehicle, he pointed and asked reporters to move out of the way, before driving off. Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch, Jamie Joseph and Heather Lacy contributed to this report.
Trump and Zelenskyy signal stronger ties after UN meeting: ‘Better relations than before’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News anchor Bret Baier in an exclusive interview with “Special Report” that his relationship with President Donald Trump has grown closer, with more frequent communication and stronger alignment on how to handle the ongoing war with Russia. Asked directly by Baier if his ties with Trump had improved, Zelenskyy said, “I think we have better relations than before. It’s good that we have often [had] phone calls and meetings, and the fact that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin was lying to President Trump so many times also made a difference between us.” Zelenskyy also said the intelligence shared between Kyiv and Washington is now more closely aligned, which he described as important for making decisions on the battlefield. ZELENSKYY ACCUSES TRUMP OF GIVING PUTIN ‘WHAT HE WANTED’ AT ALASKA SUMMIT During the program, Baier read part of a Truth Social message in which Trump said Ukraine, with European and NATO backing, could win back all its territory. Zelenskyy admitted the outlook surprised him but called it encouraging. “President Trump was more positive in it, and he showed that he wants to support Ukraine to the very end,” Zelenskyy said. “I was very positive about signals from the side that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war.” Zelenskyy said Trump understands the need for stronger measures against Moscow. He called for pressure directly on Russia’s energy sector and banking system and said more sanctions are expected from the U.S. BACK FROM ALASKA, TRUMP STARTS WEEK WITH CRUCIAL FOREIGN POLICY TALKS OVER UKRAINE WAR He added that Trump’s position has shifted to territorial concessions. “I think he understands for today that we can’t just swap territories. It’s not fair,” Zelenskyy said. The interview marked Zelenskyy’s clearest signal yet that he believes Trump’s administration is committed to Ukraine’s defense. The Ukrainian leader said he wants the conflict to an end as quickly as possible, while cautioning that Putin remains unwilling to negotiate in good faith. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “As I said, we are ready for peace, but we have to be in strong position,” Zelenskyy told Baier. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Duffy torches Buttigieg-Biden for rail safety ‘backlog,’ says safety funds sat idle for years
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is slamming the Biden administration, especially former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, for leaving behind an “unprecedented backlog” of critical infrastructure safety improvements across the country. A spokesperson for Buttigieg, who is a rumored 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, dismissed the DOT’s criticisms as “nonsense.” This week, Duffy announced that his department is obligating four grants, totaling $42 million, to improve safety on Florida’s Brightline high speed railway, which runs from Miami to Orlando. According to the department, the grants were announced and touted under Buttigieg’s leadership, but the Biden administration never actually delivered on obligating those funds. The DOT said the Trump administration inherited a backlog of over 3,200 grants that were announced but never obligated by Buttigieg-Biden. The department said that this has “delayed critical investments in communities across the country.” DUFFY EXPANDS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TRAINING PROGRAM TO FIGHT NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE In Florida, the oldest grant now being obligated by the Trump administration was first announced three years ago in 2022. The department said that “after much fanfare, their administration failed to do any of the work to actually process and deliver these funds to Brightline or project sponsors in Florida.” DOT said these unfulfilled grants were to help install safety fencing, grade crossing upgrades and a trespassing alert system. The grants included $24.9 million for a trespassing and intrusion mitigation project, $15.4 million for a Broward County sealed corridor project, $1.6 million for a trespassing identification and classification system and a $150,000 grant for Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to support overtime costs for enforcement of pedestrian trespassing at hot spots. “Under Secretary Duffy’s direction, the Department of Transportation is working diligently to accelerate the distribution of these long-overdue funds and address core infrastructure projects,” said DOT. In the statement, Duffy called the unfulfilled safety grants “the latest consequence of the unprecedented Biden-Buttigieg backlog.” One of the defining moments of Buttigieg’s tenure as transportation secretary involved a major train wreck that released toxic materials in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023. While Buttigieg was criticized for his handling of the crisis, he placed the blame on the Trump administration for reversing a rail regulation because of a law passed by Congress in 2015. “Their failure to execute on these rail grants – some of which stretch back years — put Brightline’s three million annual passengers and Florida communities in unnecessary danger,” said Duffy. “Under President Trump’s leadership, America is building again. We are delivering critical resources in record time to enhance safety on our railways, roads, and bridges.” BUTTIGIEG ‘GOT NOTHING DONE,’ DUFFY DECLARES: ‘PETE APPEARS UNBURDENED BY NO LONGER BEING A CABINET SECRETARY’ In response, Chris Meagher, a spokesman for Buttigieg, dismissed the DOT’s criticisms as “more of the same nonsense we’ve heard from them in the past.” “We invested in more projects than any administration in the past, and more than 22,000 projects were completed during Pete’s time in office,” Meagher told Fox News Digital. He said that during Buttigieg’s tenure, the DOT announced more than $390 billion of funding for more than 78,000 projects, more than 22,000 of which were completed, including 445 rail projects, over 200,000 miles of roadway repairs and improvements, over 12,300 projects to build, repair and modernize bridges, and other projects. He noted that “some of those projects take time to get done right.” “As with any change in Administration, it then becomes the job of the incoming Administration to finish the job, which is nothing new,” said Meagher. “What is new is that the current officeholder complains about it instead of just getting the job done.” BIDEN’S STAFF WANTED A COGNITIVE TEST TAKEN AFTER 2024 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE A spokesperson for the Trump DOT, meanwhile, told Fox News Digital that while Buttigieg and Biden “talked a big game,” their backlog “speaks volumes.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “They didn’t do the hard work to actually get critical infrastructure dollars out the door. Instead, they spent their time wasting billions on DEI programs and worrying about whether the term cockpit was offensive,” said the spokesperson. “The contrast here couldn’t be more clear,” the spokesperson went on. “In less than a year, Secretary Duffy has moved quickly to get clear the backlog and invest in real infrastructure projects like these rail grants. Brightline riders and Florida communities will be safer because of it.”
New Jersey police union makes red shift with Trump-backed gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli endorsement
The New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police (NJ FOP) endorsed gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli Tuesday, marking a red shift on law enforcement issues in the Garden State. Ciattarelli, a former State Assembly member endorsed by President Donald Trump, reacted to the endorsement on X, noting he was “honored” to have the faith, trust and confidence of the organization’s leadership. “As Governor, I will do everything in my power to support law enforcement – and their families. Working in close partnership, we can and will make communities all across New Jersey safe,” he wrote in a post. “In a number of ways, the job of law enforcement has never been more difficult, which is why recruitment, retention and morale is down. We can change all that by restoring respect for authority, law and order and, most of all, the men and women in blue who are trained and dedicated professionals very much committed to serving and protecting.” TRUMP NOT ON BALLOT, BUT PRESIDENT FRONT AND CENTER IN 2025 ELECTIONS The NJ FOP does not always endorse a gubernatorial candidate. Its most recent endorsement before the Ciattarelli nod was handed to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in 2016. Murphy, who led consistently in the polls, won the race in 2017. “Law enforcement needs the support of our political leadership,” Ciattarelli wrote in the post. “As Governor, they will have it from me, the Attorney General, and my entire administration.” GIANNO CALDWELL MULLS SENATE BID AS CHICAGOANS ARE ‘BEGGING FOR CHANGE’ ON CRIME WOES The 63-year-old business owner first ran for governor in 2017, finishing runner-up in the Republican primary. In 2021, he secured the GOP nomination but fell short of ousting Murphy in a near upset. Ciattarelli vowed that, on his first day of office, he will repeal the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which restricts local police from working closely with federal immigration authorities. While he promised to direct the attorney general to withdraw lawsuits brought against the Trump administration, he said his allegiance is with New Jerseyans. In response to recent surveys predicting he is falling behind Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., Ciattarelli told affiliate FOX 5 New York, “This is the same polling that had me down double digits with two weeks to go last time. We’ve got it as a dead heat, as does my opponent.”
‘PURE EVIL’: ICE targeting illegal charged with strangling infant
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is targeting an illegal alien who is charged with strangling his infant sister with a power cord, leaving the baby in critical condition. In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced it had lodged a detainer against Alvaro Mejia-Ayala, a 21-year-old Salvadoran national, after he was arrested for strangulation of an infant by police in Leesburg, Virginia. According to the Leesburg Police Department, police responded to a report of an infant not breathing on the morning of Sept. 17. The department said it discovered the baby had been the victim of an assault and that Mejia-Ayala had fled on foot. Local Fox affiliate Fox 5 reported that the infant was found unresponsive with a white charging cable around her neck. TRUMP OFFICIALS SLAM BLUE STATE GOVERNOR FOR IGNORING CHAOTIC ANTI-ICE ‘RIOTERS’ DISRUPTING OPERATION With the assistance of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the department tracked down Mejia-Ayala. He is now in custody and is being charged with strangulation. According to DHS, the baby is in critical condition. A spokesperson for the agency told Fox News Digital that Mejia-Ayala entered the U.S. as part of a family unit from El Salvador during the Obama administration in 2016. The spokesperson said that on Oct. 17, 2024, the Biden administration dismissed Mejia-Ayala’s immigration case, allowing him to illegally remain in the U.S. indefinitely. DHS also said that Mejia-Ayala was previously arrested by police for reckless driving in 2024, but he was released “before ICE could even lodge a detainer.” DHS REJECTS NBC REPORT CLAIMING ICE USED 5-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC GIRL AS BAIT TO ARREST FATHER The Virginia General District Court online database says that Mejia-Ayala pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving in February 2024. The database also lists several other charges against Mejia-Ayala, including driving without a license in 2023 and failure to display license plates in 2024 and 2025. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the case, saying that “ICE lodged an immigration detainer to ensure this heinous criminal is not released on U.S. streets.” “What kind of sick monster strangles a defenseless, innocent baby girl with a charging cord? This barbarism has no place in the U.S.,” said McLaughlin. “President Trump and Secretary Noem have been clear: Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States.” In a separate message posted to X, McLaughlin wrote, “Pray for this precious baby girl. May God cover her and protect her.” MISSING NY GIRL FOUND IN ILLINOIS AMONG ILLEGAL MIGRANTS In another X post, Homeland Security called Mejia-Ayala a “monster” and the case an example of “PURE EVIL.” “This criminal illegal alien STRANGLED AN INFANT with a charging cable,” DHS wrote, adding, “President Trump and @Sec_Noem will not allow this barbarism in America.” A spokesperson for Biden declined to comment. Fox News Digital also reached out to Obama spokespeople but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Melania Trump declares ‘the moment is now’ for new global children’s initiative at UN
First lady Melania Trump used the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) stage Tuesday to deliver a warning and a call to action: children must be protected as technology races ahead. Trump unveiled her new initiative “Fostering the Future Together” in her remarks, a global coalition of nations dedicated to advancing children’s well-being in the digital era through education, innovation and technology. Opening in a moment of reflection, the first lady urged leaders to see childhood imagination not as trivial, but as a rehearsal for innovation later in life. “As children, we all played marbles, flew paper airplanes and ran with the string in our hand, watching our kites lift off,” she said. “Great minds have turned marbles into microchips, paper airplanes into drones and kites into satellites.” LEAVITT CALLS FOR FIRING, INVESTIGATION IF UN ESCALATOR MALFUNCTION WITH TRUMPS ON BOARD WAS INTENTIONAL Trump stressed her appreciation for technology, saying it has “saved lives, expanded access to knowledge and connected people.” But, she stressed, safety must come first. “Since technology is evolving at a pace that exceeds lawmaking, we must identify simple solutions to protect our children’s ingenuity,” Trump said. The first lady said the coalition’s mission is “to ensure that every child can flourish in the digital era.” She called on spouses or equivalents of heads of government to lead programs in their own countries and confirmed the first meeting will be hosted at the White House in the first quarter of 2026. According to a news release, the coalition will work with the private sector to expand children’s access to innovative education technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and blockchain while also exchanging best practices about AI’s advantages and risks. GOOGLE CEO, MAJOR TECH LEADERS JOIN FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP AT WHITE HOUSE AI MEETING Issuing a call to action, Trump added, “The moment is now. Please join me to foster the future together. Work with me to empower children to achieve new heights across our planet.” The announcement builds on the first lady’s long-standing focus on children’s health, safety and opportunity, now elevated to the global stage. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump urged safety above all in her new coalition: “Nothing comes before safety. We must safeguard healthy environments for our children, protect their personal freedom, their confidence and motivation.” The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Sabotage? Leavitt demands answers to UN escalator malfunction with Trumps: ‘What it appears to be to me’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called for the firing and investigation of those responsible for a stalled escalator that carried President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at Tuesday’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The escalator malfunction occurred before Trump addressed the General Assembly in New York, and he and the first lady were forced to walk up the stalled machine before making his remarks to other world leaders. “If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X in response to a Times of London article published Sunday. TRUMP DRAWS LAUGHS FROM WORLD LEADERS MOMENTS INTO UN SPEECH The Times reported that U.N. staffers joked that they may switch off the escalator. When asked on “Jesse Watters Primetime” Tuesday evening whether the malfunction might be an act of sabotage, Leavitt was blunt. “That’s definitely what it appears to be to me,” she said. “There’s was some concerning reporting over the weekend from the London Times… that U.N. globalist staffers were basically plotting to set up the President of the United States.” Leavitt said the U.S. Secret Service was looking into the matter. “If we find that these were U.N. staffers who were purposefully trying to trip up, literally trip up the president and the first lady of the United States, well there better be accountability for those people,” she added. A United Nations spokesperson later told Fox News that someone from the U.S. delegation or security detail ran up the escalator and then back down again before the Trumps were off the escalator. The act of running down the up-moving escalator triggered an alarm, halting it. “After passing through the security gates, President Trump and the First Lady approached the escalator,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. “In an effort to document their arrival, a videographer from the US delegation stepped on to the escalator ahead of the President and First Lady. As the videographer, who was traveling backwards up the escalator reached the top, the First Lady, followed by President Trump, each mounted the steps at the bottom. At that moment (9:50am), the escalator came to a stop. At that moment, the escalator stopped, Dujarric said. “Our technician, who was at the location, reset the escalator as soon as the delegation had climbed up to the second floor,” he added. “A subsequent investigation, including a readout of the machine’s central processing unit, indicated that the escalator had stopped after a built-in safety mechanism on the comb step was triggered at the top of the escalator. The safety mechanism is designed to prevent people or objects accidentally being caught and stuck in or pulled into the gearing.” Dujarric said the videographer may have inadvertently triggered the safety function. The U.N. added that there was nothing nefarious about what happened. TRUMP SLAMS UN FOR ‘CREATING NEW PROBLEMS,’ QUESTIONS ITS ROLE IN FIERY UNGA SPEECH Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Secret Service. The White House referred Fox News Digital to Leavitt’s post on X. The escalator malfunction wasn’t the only breakdown. Trump was forced to improvise his speech after a teleprompter froze. “I feel very happy to be up here with you, nevertheless — and that way you speak more from the heart — I can only say that whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble,” he said, drawing laughs. The teleprompter resumed a few minutes into his address. “I ended seven wars, dealt with the leaders of these countries and never even received a phone call from the United Nations offering to help in finalizing the deal,” Trump said. “All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle. “If the first lady wasn’t in great shape, she would’ve fallen. But she’s in great shape. We’re both in good shape. We both stood,” he added, drawing more laughter. “These are the two things I got from the United Nations: a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter.”
Bondi praises Ryan Routh verdict, says assassination attempt was an ‘affront to our very nation itself’
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday’s guilty verdict for Ryan Routh, who was accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump while he played a round of golf at a Florida golf course, was part of the Justice Department’s commitment to combating political violence. A jury convicted Routh on all charges after he attempted to assassinate then-presidential candidate Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club last September. Following the verdict, Routh reportedly tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen before four U.S. Marshals restrained him. TRUMP GOLF CLUB GUNMAN FOUND GUILTY AFTER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT; TRIED TO STAB SELF IN COURT “Today’s guilty verdict against would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence,” Bondi said. “This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our President, but an affront to our very nation itself. I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones, his entire trial team, and our law enforcement partners for protecting President Trump and securing this important verdict.” Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Congratulations to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the entire DOJ team on the conviction, in Florida, of the person who attempted an assassination on my life. The trial was meticulously handled, and I would like to thank the Judge and Jury for their time, professionalism, and patience. This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him,” Trump wrote. “I would also like to thank the Secret Service, Department of Florida Law Enforcement, and the wonderful person who spotted him running from the site of the crime, and acted by following him, and getting all information on car type and license plate to the Sheriff’s Office, IMMEDIATELY, which led to his arrest and conviction. What incredible instinct and foresight this person had — A very big moment for JUSTICE IN AMERICA!” TRUMP DRAWS LAUGHS FROM WORKD LEADERS MOMENTS INTO UN SPEECH Trump, who was in New York City attending Tuesday’s United Nations General Assembly when the verdict was announced, told reporters he was “very appreciative” of the justice that was given and the way it was handled by the Justice Department. “Everybody involved, along with their team of people, handled it really well, and it was very important,” he said. “You can’t let things like that happen. It’s not just about me — it’s about protecting any president, or even any person.” “You can’t allow that to happen. And so justice was served, and we’ll see what happens,” he added. “But I very much appreciate the judge and jury and everybody on that. It was so professionally handled, and it’s a great honor.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Routh, 59, was charged on five federal criminal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses. He faces life in prison.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Ryan Routh found guilty
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Trump cancels meeting with Schumer, Jeffries over ‘unserious,’ ‘ridiculous demands’ as funding deadline looms – Trump mocks NATO allies for ‘funding the war against themselves’ with Russian energy purchases -Top House Dem fires back at Trump’s ‘unhinged’ shutdown remarks amid collapse of gov funding talks Jurors on Tuesday delivered a guilty verdict for Ryan Routh on all charges after he attempted to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club last September. After the verdict was read, Routh reportedly appeared to try to stab himself in the neck with a pen before four U.S. Marshals restrained him. His daughter, Sara Routh, reportedly stood up and said: “Don’t do anything. I will get you out. What the f—, f—, he didn’t hurt anybody. This is not fair. This is all rigged – you guys are a–holes.” The jury was still in the room at the time…Read more WHO’S WATCHING WHO: Lawsuit claims baby monitors marketed as safe may be feeding data to Beijing TRUMP VS. WORLD: Trump slams European recognition of Palestinian state as ‘reward’ for Hamas FUNDING CHAOS: Trump slams UN for ‘creating new problems,’ questions its role in fiery UNGA speech UNSECURE COUNCIL: Baltic leaders rip UN Security Council as useless while Russia holds permanent seat FRANCE VS TRUMP: Watch: Macron calls Trump after presidential motorcade blocks him in NYC traffic WARNING ON GLOBALISM: Trump scolds European nations over immigration policies during major UN address ON NOTICE: Trump says NATO countries should shoot down Russian jets that violate airspace MONEY VS POLITICS: House Oversight probes whether American retirees’ pension funds ‘are being used in a progressive playbook’ TECH REPENTS: Google to reinstate banned YouTube accounts censored for political speech GRACE VS JUSTICE: Cully Stimson analyzes whether Erika Kirk’s forgiveness has legal ramifications WHO’S WATCHING WHO: Lawsuit claims baby monitors marketed as safe may be feeding data to Beijing PRICED OUT: NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani calls World Cup tickets ‘absurd’ at ‘$6,000’ for final game at MetLife Stadium MILLION DOLLAR DODGE: New Jersey Democratic candidate for governor faces net worth questions as viral clip resurfaces ‘DIVISIVE’ AGENDA: Hegseth axes Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services citing divisive agenda ‘POLICY FAILURES’: South Dakota Democratic lawmaker switches registration to Republican ‘WHAT IS HAPPENING?’: New book reveals what Kamala Harris ‘moaned’ to her husband during Walz’s disastrous VP debate Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Trump denounces European recognition of Palestinian state as ‘reward’ for Hamas
President Donald Trump sharply criticized a wave of European nations that recently recognized a Palestinian state, warning that such moves reward Hamas and encourage continued conflict in Gaza. “As everyone knows, I have also been deeply engaged in seeking a cease-fire in Gaza. Have to get that done. You have to get it done,” Trump said. “Unfortunately, Hamas has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace. We can’t forget October 7th, can we? Now, as if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state … this would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7th.” His remarks came one day after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his nation would recognize a Palestinian state, hosting a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly along with Saudi Arabia on a two-state solution. ISRAEL CALLS UN PUSH FOR PALESTINE STATEHOOD A ‘CHARADE,’ WARNS OF ‘CONSEQUENCES’ FOR RECOGNITION MOVES Several other longtime Israeli allies — the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada — did the same on Sunday, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and expanding settlements and violence by settlers in the West Bank. The U.S. remains squarely on the side of Israel, and Trump said such recognition undermines efforts to free hostages held in Gaza and risks emboldening Hamas. “Even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept the cease-fire, instead of giving to Hamas and giving so much because they’ve taken so much, they have taken so much. This could have been solved so long ago,” Trump said. “Instead of giving in to Hamas as ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: release the hostages now. Just release the hostages.” Trump said he always knew the last 20 remaining hostages would be “the hardest” to get back — but said the bodies of the deceased were just as important to reclaim. “Those parents came to me and they want them back … as though they were alive. They want them every bit as much as if their son or daughter were alive.” On Monday, France became the first major Western nuclear power and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council from the G7 to formally recognize Palestine. MACRON STAKES ANTI-TRUMP GLOBAL ROLE WITH GAZA INITIATIVE AT UN SUMMIT Macron said: “The time has come to no longer talk about the existence of Israel — it’s self-evident. The time has come to do justice to the Palestinians, to recognize the state of Palestine.” “We must do this to save lives.” Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon warned there will be “consequences” for nations that recognize Palestine. On Tuesday, Trump will hold a closed-door meeting with Arab leaders who are expected to implore him to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to end the war in Gaza. Trump is expected to present his Middle Eastern counterparts with the U.S. outlook for peace and post-war governance in Gaza.