Trump and his chief cost-cutter address Dems’ cries of a ‘constitutional crisis’

President Donald Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk responded to allegations from liberal media pundits and Democratic leaders that they are creating a constitutional crisis, arguing their detractors “are guilty of the crime of which they accuse us.”

“That’s always the first thing they do. ‘He’s in violation of the Constitution.’ They don’t even know what they’re talking [about],” Trump said during the pair’s first joint interview on “Hannity” Tuesday.

The 47th president added the accusers “couldn’t care less about the Constitution.”

TRUMP, MUSK SHUT DOWN MEDIA ATTEMPTS TO ‘DRIVE US APART’ AMID DOGE EFFORTS

Musk added during the “Hannity” exclusive that the allegations are “absurd.” 

“When these attacks occur, the thing that they’re accusing the administration of is what they are guilty of. They’re saying that things that are being done are unconstitutional, but what they are doing is unconstitutional,” the Tesla founder argued.

The seemingly unlikely political duo discussed a range of topics during the exclusive wide-ranging interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, including the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump’s first 100 days in office and other major issues.

Trump officially announced Musk’s role in his new administration shortly after his decisive victory in the November election, tapping him to help DOGE “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” 

In recent weeks, DOGE has targeted the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Education. 

Since taking office, Trump and the DOGE agenda have faced mounting scrutiny from many Democrats. Several media outlets and Democratic voices have targeted Musk, accusing him of usurping presidential powers through DOGE and mocking him as “President Elon Musk.”

“We must be over the target or doing something right,” Musk told Fox News host Sean Hannity. 

“They wouldn’t be complaining so much if we weren’t doing something useful… What we’re really trying to do here is restore the will of the people through the president. And what we’re finding is that there’s an unelected bureaucracy – speaking of unelected, there’s a vast federal bureaucracy that is implacably opposed to the president and the cabinet.”

Musk concluded that outrage from many on the left is “the thrashing of the bureaucracy as we try to restore democracy and the will of the people.”

DEMOCRATS LOVED IDEA OF DOGE BEFORE TRUMP, WHITE HOUSE QUIPS

The pair also explained how their unsuspecting political alliance came in conjunction with the “opportunity to fix the system and to restore the power of democracy” provided by Trump’s decisive 2024 election victory.

While DOGE is the administration’s primary vessel for addressing “waste, fraud and abuse,” Trump and Musk also emphasized the role of “competence” and “care” in bringing about government change.

“When you add more competence and caring, you get a better deal for the American people,” Musk said, claiming that the American taxpayer has been getting a “terrible deal” particularly in the previous Biden administration.

Also during the “Hannity” exclusive, Musk opened up about his experience with “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” revealing he didn’t realize it was a real thing until he was at a friend’s dinner party a month or two before the Nov. 5, 2024 presidential election.

“I happened to mention the president’s name, and it was like they got shot with a dart in the jugular that contained like methamphetamine and rabies,” Musk said in the joint interview.

Musk imitated people at the party going crazy and questioned why they couldn’t have a normal conversation.

“It’s like they’ve become completely irrational,” he said. 

Trump and Musk also shut down various attempts by the media in recent weeks to “drive us apart.”

“Isee it all the time,” Trump said. “Actually, Elon called me — he said, you know, ‘They’re trying to drive us apart.’ I said, ‘Absolutely.’”

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“It’s just so obvious. They’re so bad at it. I used to think they were good at it. They’re actually bad at it because if they were good at it, I’d never be president,” Trump added, who is no stranger to criticism. 

Press secretary Leavitt shreds Schumer after Dem blames Trump for Canada plane crash

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt ripped Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for blaming President Donald Trump for the Delta airliner that crash-landed upside-down in Toronto.

During an interview on “America Reports” on Tuesday, she blasted the lawmaker for saying that Trump’s recent cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration’s workforce contributed to the accident.  

“It’s incredibly irresponsible for Chuck Schumer to say such a thing when the investigation is still underway,” Leavitt said.

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A Delta Air Lines plane that departed from Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport on Monday crashed upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Video of the incident showed the plane touching down and rolling over onto its top side amid an eruption of flames. 

Footage of the crash’s aftermath showed the plane upside-down as passengers scrambled out of the passenger doors. All 80 passengers survived the crash, although 18 were injured, three of whom suffered critical injuries.

The crash sparked some political debate on X, with Schumer pointing the finger at Trump for what happened. In a series of posts, he stated, “I’m thankful that everyone in the flight incident in Toronto that took off from Minneapolis is safe, but we keep seeing these incidents day after day. Meanwhile, Trump’s doing massive layoffs at the FAA – including safety specialists – and making our skies less and less safe.” 

“Democrats are fighting to protect the flying public,” he added. In a subsequent post, Schumer wrote, “To those asking whether it matters that the plane’s destination was in Canada: The flight took off from Minneapolis. The FAA was still responsible for inspecting the aviation equipment, and Trump just let go of FAA safety specialists.”

TORONTO PLANE CRASH TIMELINE: DELTA FLIGHT FROM MINNEAPOLIS FLIPS UPSIDE DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND

Schumer’s social media posts came in the wake of Trump blaming Biden-era FAA standards for contributing to the deadly crash between an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last month.

Leavitt repeatedly pushed back against the senator and dissected his claims. She began by noting that Canadian air-traffic controllers were responsible for directing the plane at the time of the crash.

Speaking to “America Reports” co-anchor John Roberts, she said, “And as you rightfully pointed out, John, this crash unfortunately took place in Canadian airspace with Canadian air-traffic controllers overseeing it.”  

PLANE CRASHES SPARK RENEWED FEAR OF FLYING: 10 CAUSES OF AVIATION DISASTERS

She then disputed the point about Trump firing FAA officials. “And the facts about the FAA are that no air-traffic controllers have been let go by Secretary Duffy or this new administration. In fact, Secretary Duffy has put great emphasis on hiring the best and the brightest air-traffic controllers who want to be part of the FAA,” she argued.

“And President Trump signed a very strong executive order to ensure that the FAA and all federal government agencies are focused on merit and skill-based hiring,” she continued. “We want the best and the brightest, the most competent individuals in positions especially of public safety at the FAA, the Department of Transportation, and all departments across this federal government, so we can best serve the American people.”

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Leavitt concluded her point by accusing former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and the Biden administration of having “sat on their hands when it came to aviation safety for four years.”

Jon Stewart sounds off on liberal media’s constant panic towards Trump

“Daily Show” host Jon Stewart sounded off on the media’s constant “fascist” attacks towards President Donald Trump, saying they’ve “numbed” the country as a result. 

In an off-air clip shared by the show on X, Stewart was asked by an audience member about what he would say to critics who accused him of being “light on the fascist message recently.”

“Oh, well, I’d tell my critics- shut up! You’re a fascist!” Stewart jokingly responded. 

Stewart told the audience he appreciated the question and understood the “desire” of calling Trump a “fascist,” but went on to explain why he himself has refrained from using such rhetoric. 

JON STEWART ASKS DEMS TO STOP ‘TROTTING SCHUMER OUT’ TO COUNTER TRUMP AFTER AVOCADO, BEER RESPONSE TO TARIFFS

“I’m very big on- and I know it’s annoying, but specificity and nuance,” Stewart said. “And I think if you cry ‘fascism’ at every administrative overreach, even the ones that are constitutionally OK, you will find yourself out of fascism bullets when the time really comes.”

“I think what the media has done over the past ten years is cry wolf, to the point where they numbed everybody,” he continued. “It was an anesthetic, and it got to where- what was the thing they litigated throughout this campaign? ‘He’s a fascist, he’s a terrible person, democracy is on the ballot.’ Guess what lost at the [ballot box]? If you told us democracy was on the ballot, democracy got its ass kicked by a majority vote.”

“So I am very cautious about when to know, like, yeah- hopefully I won’t do it the night after Kristallnacht… but it’s like when you put your dog down. It’s one of those things, like, you’re not quite sure, but I do understand how annoying that is,” Stewart added. 

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Stewart isn’t the only one to question the left’s use of the “fascist” label for Trump. “Breakfast Club” co-host Charlamagne Tha God called out Democrats for their sudden change of heart after Trump won the presidential election. 

“Don’t y’all find it strange that now that he’s won, they’re not calling him a threat to democracy? They’re not calling him a fascist. I mean, damn, on Monday, they was just calling him that,” Charlamagne said in November. 

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“I would think that, you know, if you really believe that, then somebody’s speech would be about how America effed up and how things are about to be really bad. It just makes you wonder how much of it did they really believe, or how much of it was just politics. That’s all,” he added. 

Christian girls’ team facing trans opponent as blue state defies Trump’s order

As California continues to defy President Donald Trump’s recent executive order forbidding trans athletes from competing in girls’ sports, the state’s residents will see the ramifications of that decision play out on a basketball court this week. 

An upcoming high school girls’ basketball playoff game will feature an openly transgender athlete playing for San Francisco Waldorf against Cornerstone Christian on Saturday. The same trans athlete played for Waldorf’s girls’ volleyball team this past fall, prompting Stone Ridge Christian to forfeit a playoff match on Nov. 16. 

However, Cornerstone Christian currently intends to play its upcoming game against the trans athlete. 

“As long as the parents are on board with playing the game, we will support the girls’ hard work this season and play the game,” Cornerstone Christian athletic director Madison Alexander told Fox News Digital. 

The team came to this decision after a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. 

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The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is currently under investigation by Trump’s Department of Education (DOE) and Office of Civil Rights (OCR) for its defiance in following the president’s executive order as it continues to instruct schools to allow trans athletes to compete as women. 

The DOE’s deputy general counsel, Candice Jackson, told Fox News Digital that the department will be monitoring the state’s girls’ basketball playoffs as it conducts its investigation. 

“CIF sets the parameters under which schools compete in these playoffs, and they have responsibility as recipients of federal funds to comply with Title IX. OCR’s investigation into CIF is continuing as it appears that CIF’s disregard for Title IX is continuing,” Jackson said. 

The CIF has not responded to a request for comment on the situation involving the upcoming playoff game. The CIF previously told Fox News Digital that it will continue to follow state legislation on the issue of trans athletes that has been in effect since 2014.

“The CIF provides students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete in education-based experiences in compliance with California law [Education Code section 221.5. (f)] which permits students to participate in school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, consistent with the student’s gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s records,” the statement reads. 

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A law called AB 1266 has been in effect since 2014 and gives California students at scholastic and collegiate levels the right to “participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records.”

Many California residents have protested and threatened lawsuits against the state for its refusal to comply with Trump’s order.

On Friday, California lawmakers introduced three bills in the state legislature aimed to combat trans inclusion. One bill, which was introduced by Assemblymember Bill Essayli, focused specifically on sports. His bill would require that students use all school facilities to only play on sports teams based on their biological sex and not their gender identity, reversing AB 1266. 

“We know the state of California is going to do everything it can to resist and avoid compliance with federal law, so it’s our role to try to force change at the state and local level,” Essayli said at a press conference outside the state Capitol building in Sacramento on Friday.

California State Assembly member Kate Sanchez previously announced on Jan. 7 that she is introducing her own bill to ban trans athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. 

California’s enabling of trans athletes to compete with girls and women in the state has resulted in multiple controversies over the last year alone, as one lawsuit has already been filed against California Attorney General Rob Bonta. 

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Parents at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, expanded their lawsuit to include Bonta after a girls’ cross-country runner lost her varsity spot to a trans athlete, and then the school administrators allegedly compared the girls’ “Save Girls’ Sports” T-shirts to swastikas.

In San Diego, a middle school was recently thrust into local controversy because of a transgender student using the girls’ locker room. San Elijo Middle School provided a statement to Fox News Digital, crediting its enabling of the transgender student to access the girls’ locker room to the school’s obligation of following state law. 

San Francisco Waldorf found itself in a national controversy over the subject after the volleyball playoffs back in November when Stone Ridge Christian forfeited. Former NCAA swimmer and OutKick contributor Riley Gaines then honored Stone Ridge Christian for its decision to forfeit with a ceremony at their high school in early December. 

Trump’s executive order vows to cut federal funding for any institution that enables trans athletes to compete against girls and women. According to USA Facts, California public schools receive about $16.8 billion per year, which is 13.9% or one in every seven dollars of public school funding, which is well above the national average. 

Study reveals surprising reason behind spike of lung cancer in non-smokers

Cigarette smoking is by far the biggest risk factor for lung cancer, data shows — but in a surprising turn of events, the most common form of the disease is primarily found in non-smokers.

Researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) analyzed global trends in four main lung cancer subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, small-cell carcinoma and large-cell carcinoma.

They found that adenocarcinoma has been the most “predominant subtype” in recent years, according to a press release summarizing the study. Younger females were found to be at a particularly high risk.

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The study was published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine earlier this month, based on global cancer data from 2022.

Adenocarcinoma — which starts in the cells lining the air sacs in the lungs — is the most common type of lung cancer among people who have never smoked, comprising up to 50% of diagnoses in that group, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Air pollution was cited as a key driver of this type of lung cancer, with the highest levels reported in East Asia, particularly China, the release stated.

Worldwide, adenocarcinoma made up more than 45% of lung cancer cases in males and nearly 60% of female cases.

“Air pollution can lead to adenocarcinoma of the lung, which is almost 50% of lung cancers.”

“This population-based study seeks to better understand variations in lung cancer incidence by place and time according to its constituent subtypes. We examine changes in risk in different countries across successive generations and assess the potential burden of lung adenocarcinoma linked to ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution,” said lead study author Dr. Freddie Bray, head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, in the release. 

“The results provide important insights as to how both the disease and the underlying risk factors are evolving, offering clues as to how we can optimally prevent lung cancer worldwide.”

US NAVY VETERAN BEATS CANCER WITH EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT AND RELIANCE ON FAITH

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but discussed these lung cancer trends with Fox News Digital.

“The main reason for increasing rates in non-smokers is air pollution, which can lead to adenocarcinoma of the lung, which is almost 50% of lung cancers now,” he confirmed.

Increased vaping rates are also associated with the ramp-up of lung cancer rates, the doctor noted.

“Secondhand smoke also continues to be a factor, even though smoking rates have fallen dramatically,” Siegel said.

Genetic risk factors may also come into play and “need to be further explored,” according to the doctor.

“Artificial intelligence can play a huge role here in terms of early diagnosis and pattern recognition, even before discrete lung nodules develop,” he added. “However, lung CT scans remain the best diagnostic tool for those at risk.”

“Pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter and industrial emissions, can damage lung tissue and lead to cancer over time.”

Marianne Matzo, PhD, a certified advanced nurse practitioner in Dallas, Texas, agreed that poor air quality and pollution can contribute to lung cancer. 

“Pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter and industrial emissions, can damage lung tissue and lead to cancer over time,” Matzo, who was not part of IARC’s research, told Fox News Digital. “This complicates the diagnosis and treatment process.”

Some veterans who have been exposed to hazardous materials may also face a higher risk of lung cancer, she noted.

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“Veterans based in the Middle East (in particular Afghanistan and Iraq) were exposed to burn pits,” said Matzo, who worked in oncology at the VA hospital. 

“The waste included paints, solvents, human and medical waste, trash, and plastics that were ignited with JP-8 jet fuel, which contains benzene.” 

“We are starting to see the effects of the pollution from those pits on young vets being diagnosed with lung cancer.”

Exposure to high doses of radiation, as well as chemicals like asbestos and benzene, can also increase the risk of developing cancer, she cautioned. 

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“Bacterial and viral infections can also cause genetic mutations and chronic inflammation, which contribute to the development of cancer.”

In some cases, lung cancer can develop seemingly at random with no direct cause.

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“What people miss when they say, ‘I never smoked a day in my life, how could I have lung cancer?’ are the variables of chance and genetics,” Matzo added. “We can’t control our genetics, and there can be genetic predispositions to cancer.”

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Famous rocker will not be able to tour again, fellow musician says

Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum said that despite singing at a recent charity concert, Steven Tyler won’t be going on tour again. 

“It was a really big moment for him because he hurt himself bad,” Sorum told WBAB radio recently of Tyler’s performance at the Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party, which benefits his charity Janie’s Fund, after injuring his larynx last year.

“Now is he going to tour again? No, he’s not, and I explain this to people. Steven cannot put himself under the rigors of doing a full worldwide tour because it’s a lot of pressure and if you’re not a singer you wouldn’t understand what he goes through, but he’s 77 years old, and he’s a perfectionist, and if he doesn’t sing correctly, it bothers him.”

Last August, Aerosmith announced the band would retire from touring after more than 50 years after Tyler injured his larynx while singing onstage.

AEROSMITH’S STEVEN TYLER VISITS LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS AFTER THREE CHILDREN DIED IN MASSACHUSETTS TRAGEDY

“As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury,” the statement read. “We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side.

“Sadly, it is clear, that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision — as a band of brothers — to retire from the touring stage.” 

“Now is he going to tour again? No, he’s not, and I explain this to people. Steven cannot put himself under the rigors of doing a full worldwide tour because it’s a lot of pressure and if you’re not a singer you wouldn’t understand what he goes through, but he’s 77 years old and he’s a perfectionist and if he doesn’t sing correctly, it bothers him.”

— Matt Sorum

Sorum added that Tyler wasn’t willing to prerecord his voice like some other artists do. 

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“He’s not going to put it on tape, like 80% of the people that are out there taking your money. He will not be on tape, and he will not change the keys to the song,” he explained. “That’s just who he is. He’s like, ‘I’m an artist. I’m a singer. This is my band. I’ve been doing this for 50 years and if I can’t do it perfect, I can’t do it,’ and I respect that.”

Sorum said he suggested to Tyler that he just sing four or five songs.

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“And that was just one time. Maybe down the line he’ll do it again and possibly do the same amount of songs, but it’s a lot of pressure for a guy like him. I wanted to explain that to the fans that are commenting.”

He added, “So to have him on stage, I cried. I was just beautiful, and I hope that he can do more because it’s in his blood, and when we play rock and roll and music, it’s not about us jumping up there and like ‘Oh OK!’ It’s what we do.”  

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“And when Steven came offstage… he was so happy that he was able to do it,” he added. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to Tyler for comment. 

Fast-food chain relocates headquarters to red state citing better prospects for growth

KFC, the company once known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is leaving the state for Texas. 

The chain founded by Col. Harland Sanders is leaving its Louisville headquarters to set up shop in the Dallas suburb of Plano, Yum! Brands announced Tuesday. 

Around 100 U.S. employees will be required to relocate over the next six months and another 90 who work remotely will be required to move over the next 18 months. 

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KFC and Pizza Hut Global will both be headquartered in Plano, the company said. Yum! Brands and the KFC Foundation will maintain corporate offices in Louisville. 

Taco Bell and the Habit Burger & Grill will remain headquartered in Irvine, California. 

“These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders,” said Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs. “Ultimately, bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage. I’m confident this is another important step in growing our iconic restaurant brands globally.” 

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The company isn’t abandoning Kentucky entirely. It will provide a $1 million endowment to the College of Business at the University of Louisville to fund Yum!-sponsored scholarships and further support the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence.

KFC will continue its brand presence in Louisville with the ambition of building a first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant, the company said. 

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In 2020, Papa Johns moved its headquarters from Louisville to Atlanta. In February 2023, the pizza giant announced that it would keep staff in Louisville despite plans to sell the former headquarters building.