HHS Sec RFK Jr previews ‘spiritual realignment’ for Americans in pain
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed to bring “radical transparency” to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hours after he was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in at the White House.
“We need somebody different who can come in and say, ‘I’m going to be a disruptor. I’m not going to let the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry run health policy anymore,’” he said in an exclusive interview Thursday on “The Ingraham Angle.” “We’re going to make — we’re going to turn health policy over to people who are actually concerned with public health.”
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch administered the oath of office to Kennedy in the Oval Office on Thursday afternoon with his wife, Cheryl Hines, family members and President Donald Trump looking on.
His confirmation capped a contentious nomination process as some lawmakers expressed concerns about his vaccine views and his goals for the agency’s future. The nephew of former President John F. Kennedy joined forces with Trump on the 2024 campaign trail, vowing to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was the lone Republican who voted against his confirmation.
“Individuals, parents, and families have a right to push for a healthier nation and demand the best possible scientific guidance on preventing and treating illness. But a record of trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding trust in public health institutions does not entitle Mr. Kennedy to lead these important efforts,” read a statement in part from McConnell, who cited his own battle with childhood polio as an example of the effectiveness of vaccines.
Kennedy told Fox News host Laura Ingraham the country isn’t just facing a “health crisis,” but a “spiritual” one as well.
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He said he sensed while traveling across the country that some Americans feel “disconnected.”
“You have a whole generation of kids that feel alienated, dispossessed, and they are in a[n] existential crisis, not only because their health is, you know — 77% of our kids can’t qualify for military service. There’s a [purpose] in their lives, and no sense of usefulness or effectiveness or connectedness to their communities,” the 2024 independent presidential candidate explained.
Kennedy argued that the lack of connectedness is driving a chronic disease epidemic as well as depression, suicide, alcoholism and drug addiction.
“I think we have to address all of those things at the same time. We can’t just say we’re going to make you physically healthy,” he said.
The newly sworn-in HHS secretary added that he’s been a recovering addict for over 40 years and wants to help people overcome impulses that are biologically hardwired.
The only way to do that, he said, is with a “spiritual realignment.”
“A spiritual fire,” Kennedy told Ingraham.
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He explained that he believes Americans should have freedom of choice when it comes to the food they eat, but he wants “radical transparency” so people understand what’s going into their bodies.
“We have 10,000 additives in our food. The Europeans have 400. Many of the additives that we have are just illegal in Europe, and we need to move more and more toward the European standards,” said the 71-year-old.
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He vowed to investigate the impact of high-THC marijuana on people and not to take away anyone’s access to vaccines, but rather provide them with access to “good science.”
Independent voters take clear stance on Trump’s executive actions targeting trans ideology
Republican and independent voters in a Fox News Digital focus group reacted positively to President Donald Trump’s executive actions targeting transgender ideology in America’s sports and other institutions.
The focus group of 156 voters across the political aisle watched a video clip of the president signing his executive order, “Keeping men out of women’s sports,” on Feb. 5.
Trump said, “Actions were taken today are the latest in a sweeping effort to reclaim our culture and our laws from the radical left crusade against biological reality.”
“On day one, I made it official, and I’m making it official policy of the United States government that there is, you know, two genders. We have two genders. What might they be? Man and woman, Right? Male and female. Male and female. Can’t think of too many others, but it’s pretty amazing,” he said.
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“I rescinded federal funds, too, and this is so important, to any program that promotes transgender ideology using taxpayer dollars. We’re not going to do it. We’re not going to do it. And last week I effectively banned the chemical castration and surgical mutilation of minor children.”
After Trump referred to two genders and his action to strip federal funding for transgender surgeries, Democratic voters’ approval remained steady, but Republican and independent voters’ approval steadily climbed, according to the Fox News Dial.
President of Maslansky + Partners Lee Carter, who conducted the focus group for Fox News Digital, remarked, “Even Democrats mostly agree!”
“For anyone who is hysterical and thinks this resonates because people are transphobic — that is not it at all,” she added.
NEW POLL SHOWS WHAT AMERICANS THINK OF TRUMP’S RECORD-SETTING FIRST 3 WEEKS
“People believe a few things: 1. Children need to be children. 2. If you are too young to have a beer or get a tattoo you are too young to make this decision. 3. Common Sense needs to prevail. 4. Our tax money shouldn’t fund it,” Carter continued.
One focus group member said, “Finally, something that makes sense. Taking away government money for things we shouldn’t be involved in was one of the best things Trump has ever done.”
The group also reacted to a video of Trump discussing his initial executive orders challenging diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology in American institutions during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 23.
“With the recent yet somewhat unexpected great Supreme Court decision just made, America will once again become a merit-based country,” Trump said. “You have to hear that word ‘merit-based country.'”
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“And I’ve made it official, an official policy of the United States that there are only two genders, male and female, and we will have no men participating in women’s sports and transgender operations, which, became the rage will occur very rarely. Finally, as we restore common sense in America, we’re moving quickly to bring back strength and peace and stability abroad,” he continued.
Republican and independent voters’ approval shot up when Trump brought up making America once again a “merit-based country.” After he declared a ban on male athletes in women’s sports and transgender medical operations, both groups’ approval steadily increased.
Democratic voters‘ approval remained level, dipping slightly during his remarks about gender ideology, according to a Fox News Dial.
Carter found the groups’ reaction “fascinating.”
“Look at the strength of reactions to ‘merit-based’ and ‘common sense’,” she remarked.
One focus group member said, “He may be a rude dude, but I love his thoughts and how much common sense he is making! Love this!”
A total of 156 voters participated in the Fox News Digital focus group. Seventy-five Democratic voters participated, along with 49 Republican voters and 32 independent voters.
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Trump has signed 63 executive orders since his inauguration, according to a count from Fox News, which far surpasses the rate of any presidential predecessors during their first weeks in office.
According to a Marquette Law School Poll national survey released on Wednesday, Trump’s most popular executive action with Americans is his order having the federal government recognize only two sexes — male and female.
Sixty-three percent of adults nationwide supported the move, with just 37% opposed, the survey indicates.
World leader takes page out of Trump’s book, praises ‘partnership for prosperity’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a page from President Donald Trump’s playbook during a joint press conference Thursday, saying he wants to make India great again, or “MIGA.”
Modi met with Trump at the White House, where the world leaders discussed a range of issues, including trade, the economic relationship between India and the United States and military sales.
During a press conference, Modi said Indian people were focusing on their heritage and ways to ensure his nation is developed by 2047.
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“Borrowing an expression from America, our vision for a developed India is to make India great again, or MIGA,” he said through a translator. “When America and India work together, that is, when it’s MAGA plus MIGA, it becomes a mega partnership for prosperity.
“And it is this mega spirit that gives new scale and scope to our objectives.”
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At the beginning of the press conference, Trump announced the United States would be providing India F-35 fighter jets and increasing military sales to the country by billions of dollars.
Trump also said his administration approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, one of the plotters of a deadly 2008 terrorist attack that killed 160 people.
“I’m pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and one of the very evil people of the world having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India,” Trump said.
In addition, Modi said India would accept illegal Indian immigrants in the United States who are deported back home.
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“Anybody who enters another country illegally,” Modi said, “they have absolutely no right to be in that country.
“And as far as India and the U.S. is concerned, we have always been of the same opinion. And that is that any verified Indian who is in the U.S. illegally, we are fully prepared to take them back to India.”
Trump tells reporter ‘nobody watches’ her network because it has ‘no credibility’
President Donald Trump locked horns with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins as he signed a reciprocal tariff plan at the White House Thursday, saying her network has “no credibility.”
As he held up the signed plan for the cameras of the press gathered in the Oval Office, Collins began asking, “Mr. President, you won the White House, in part, because of high inflation. If your tariffs make prices go up-“
“Excuse me,” Trump replied, “We haven’t asked you to speak yet.”
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Trump then answered questions from reporters about the military conflict in Ukraine, saying he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the war to end.
“I believe he wants peace,” Trump told one reporter. “I believe that President Putin- when I spoke to him yesterday- I know him very well. I think he wants peace. Yeah, I think he would tell me if he didn’t. I would like to see peace.”
“Do you trust President Putin?” Collins asked.
Trump said Russia wants the war to end, arguing that the conflict easily could have been avoided.
“I believe that — yeah, I believe that he would like to see something happen. I trust him on the subject. I think he would like to see something happen. I think it could have happened a long time ago,” Trump said. “I think Biden — number one, it shouldn’t have started, but it did, and now all those cities are knocked down, like demolition sites.”
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Trump went on to argue that some sort of negotiation to stop the war “should have been done by Biden years ago. This should have never been allowed to happen. I know he’s a friend of yours,” he said to Collins.
“But couldn’t Putin just withdraw-” she began.
“He’s a friend of CNN. That’s why nobody watches CNN anymore, because they have no credibility,” Trump said, before moving on.
Lawsuit uncovers grisly details after wild beast mauls American tourist to death
The husband of a New Jersey woman, who was killed by a rampaging hippopotamus during the couple’s trip in Zambia last year, is suing the safari tour operator for alleged negligence.
According to a court document reviewed by Fox News Digital, a complaint was filed on Feb. 5 in Connecticut’s Stamford Superior Court by Craig Manders of Cranford, New Jersey against African Portfolio.
The complaint stated that Craig, 72, and his wife Lisa, 70, participated in a 10-day safari trip in Zambia arranged through the Connecticut-based African Portfolio.
“Craig and Lisa Manders reasonably relied on African Portfolio to ensure the Zambia Safari was planned, executed and operated in a reasonably safe manner,” the complaint noted.
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During the couple’s guided “bush walk” last May, a hippo, which was partially submerged in a river, “suddenly and without warning, lifted its head and charged from the water.”
Lisa attempted in vain to flee, but “was unable to escape, and the hippopotamus violently attacked her, grabbing her by its mouth, lifting her from the ground, shaking her entire body, and crushing her head and body with its bite,” according to the court document.
She suffered “catastrophic injuries” and died following the attack.
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The lawsuit noted that the armed guide fled as Craig had a front-row seat to the horrific attack.
“They should have known that approaching and/or standing on the bank of the body of water near the wild hippopotamus posed an immediate and grave threat to the safety and well-being of Craig and Lisa Manders,” the lawsuit said.
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“Craig and Lisa, in contrast, were neither fully aware nor adequately warned,” it says.
African Portfolio attorney Rodney Gould told Fox News Digital that African Portfolio arranged the couple’s lodging and the owners of the lodging, Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, provided the tour guides.
“The incident occurred on a walking safari arranged by Chiawa Lodge. Chiawa reported that the guests were accompanied by a highly trained and experienced professional guide, a ranger and an armed National Park scout,” he said. “During the safari, a hippo unexpectedly charged, killing one of the guests. Chiawa Lodge confirmed to both the Police, and Department of National Parks & Wildlife investigations at the time, that all safety measures had been implemented both before and during the incident, and repeated verbal warnings for the guests to return to the safety of the vehicle were issued during the incident.”
“Immediately afterwards, African Portfolio’s founder flew to Zambia to provide assistance, along with the owner of Chiawa Lodge, to ensure that everything possible was being done to support the family and all those involved,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family, and everyone else involved in this tragic incident.”
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The attack left Craig Manders emotionally debilitated and traumatized, according to the complaint. He’s seeking at least $15,000 in damages to pay for Lisa’s funeral and other expenses.
Lisa Manders had worked in the financial industry for over 40 years and loved cooking, traveling and visiting New York City, where she was born in Queens in 1953, according to her obituary.
The couple had three children and a granddaughter.
Jamie Dimon’s blunt message to employees protesting company policy
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon lashed out at employees who had been strongly advocating for the Wall Street giant to ease up on its five-day return-to-office policy.
“Don’t waste time on it. I don’t care how many people sign that f—ing petition,” Dimon said when asked about the in-person work policy during a town hall meeting Wednesday, according to a recording reviewed by Reuters.
Dimon was referring to a petition that had been circulating among a group of workers opposed to the company’s latest policy, which was requiring hybrid workers to come back to the office full-time.
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The company told employees in January that its new policy would take effect in March, effectively dissolving its hybrid model. It ignited frustrations among certain staffers, causing 950 people to sign a petition to do away with the policy, according to Reuters. Still, that figure pales in comparison to the bank’s global workforce, which totals more than 317,000 employees.
However, more than 60% of its employees were already in the office full-time even before this announcement.
JPMorgan declined to comment.
Dimon also asserted during the town hall that there is “zero chance” managers will be allowed to determine in-office requirements, saying the “abuse that took place is extraordinary.”
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Since the early days of the pandemic, Dimon has made it clear he is against remote work, given that it hindered productivity. At its town hall, Dimon even noted that some staffers had a hard time paying attention during zooms, cutting down on efficiency and creativity.
His firm was one of the first among rivals to ease office restrictions during the pandemic. Top traders were called back to the office in late 2020. However, most employees came back on a rolling basis the following year, according to reports. Managing directors went back full-time in April 2023.
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The firm has fared well in the meantime, as its profit rose to a record high in 2024 thanks to a resurgence of deal-making. In mid-January, JPMorgan reported managed revenue of nearly $43.74 billion for the fourth quarter. Its quarterly net income came in at $14 billion, marking a 50% jump year-over-year.
It had $4 trillion in assets and $345 billion in stockholders’ equity at the end of 2024, according to the company.
A humpback whale swallowed a man on a kayak off the coast of Chile last week, before he was quickly able to get out of the leviathan’s mouth unharmed.
Video shows the death-defying and terrifying moment from last Saturday, when Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan, off Chilean Patagonia.
As Simancas was paddling in what appeared to be an inflatable kayak, a humpback whale rolled on the surface with its mouth open, swallowing the kayaker.
Moments later, the tail broke the surface and the whale dove to deeper depth. Simancas and his yellow kayak then resurfaced after being freed from the clutches of the whale’s jaws.
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The Associated Press reported that Dell captured the moment on video and encouraged his son to stay calm.
“Stay calm, stay calm,” the father was heard saying in Spanish after his son was released from the whale.
“I thought I was dead,” Adrián told the AP. “I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.”
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He described the few seconds of “terror” to the wire service, explaining that his real fear set in after resurfacing, fearing that the whale would hurt his father or that he would die in the cold waters.
“When I came up and started floating, I was scared that something might happen to my father too, that we wouldn’t reach the shore in time, or that I would get hypothermia,” Adrián said.
Adrián ultimately reached his father’s kayak, and both returned to shore without injuries.
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The Strait of Magellan, which is located about 1,600 miles south of Santiago, Chile, is a major tourist attraction in Chilean Patagonia, and is known for adventurous activities.
The frigid waters in the area pose a challenge for those who attempt to cross the strait.
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While whale attacks on humans are extremely rare in Chilean waters, whale deaths from collisions with cargo ships have increased in recent years, and strandings have become a recurring issue in the last decade.
Chiefs reportedly give Travis Kelce a deadline on retirement decision
Travis Kelce all but admitted this week he is contemplating retiring after 12 NFL seasons. Apparently, the Kansas City Chiefs don’t want to wait very long for his decision.
The star tight end just played in his third consecutive Super Bowl and, at age 35, he has not much left to accomplish in what is sure to be a Hall of Fame career.
Well, the Chiefs have reportedly given him a soft deadline of “around March 14” to make his decision, according to The Athletic.
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The date makes sense, as it’s two days after free agency officially begins, but arguably more importantly, his $11.5 million roster bonus is due the next day.
A report from NFL.com on Super Bowl eve said Kelce was “expected to take time after the Super Bowl, consider his future and make a decision before free agency.”
On the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with his future Hall of Fame brother Jason, he said he is “kicking every can I can down the road.”
“I am not making any crazy decisions, but right now the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding there’s a lot that goes into this thing. I’ve been fortunate over the past five, six years, I’ve played more football than anybody,” Kelce said. “The fact that we keep going to these AFC Championships and Super Bowls, that means I’m playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body.”
“It’s a lot of time in the building. … That process can be grueling. It can weigh on you. It can make you better, and it can drive you crazy,” he added. “Right now, it was one of those things where it was driving me crazy this year. It happens as you tail off toward the back nine of your career.”
With the Chiefs’ success over the last eight seasons, Kelce has played 25 playoff games, adding nearly a season and half worth of games to the 175 regular-season games he has played in his career.
Clips of Kelce’s apparent lack of effort in the Super Bowl have gone viral, with fans thinking he’s rather checked out.
Among tight ends in NFL history, Kelce ranks third in catches (1,004) and yards (12,151) and fifth in touchdowns (77). That comes despite 11 tight ends, including those ahead of him in those prior categories, playing more games than him. For reference, Tony Gonzalez, who leads in catches and yards, played in 270 games, 95 more than Kelce.
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However, it’s clear that he’s not his All-Pro self anymore. This season marked the first time since 2015 in which Kelce played in at least 16 games and failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark. He also scored only three touchdowns in the regular season, the lowest mark of his career outside his one-game rookie season where he didn’t take an offensive snap before undergoing knee surgery.
If Super Bowl LIX was the final time fans saw Kelce on the field, it’s certainly the end of a legendary career. Kelce has made 10 Pro Bowls and was either a First- or Second-Team All-Pro seven times.