NASA astronauts stranded in space since June suffer another setback
SpaceX and NASA scrubbed the planned rocket launch of Crew-10 to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday due to a hydraulic issue with one of the ground systems, according to officials giving a live broadcast of the event.
NASA and SpaceX will get their next opportunity to send the rocket into space when the launch window opens on Thursday at 7:25 p.m.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared a message of support for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 ahead of their launch on Wednesday, highlighting the U.S. military’s prominent role in the mission.
“I just want to take a brief moment to say we are praying for you,” Hegseth said in a video posted to X. “We wish you Godspeed, and we look forward to welcoming you all home soon.”
TRUMP SENDS SPECIAL MESSAGE TO STRANDED ASTRONAUTS, JOKES HE MAY GO ALONG FOR RESCUE: ‘WE LOVE YOU’
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 was slated to launch from the Kennedy Space Center at 7:48 p.m. on Wednesday.
NASA officials said Wednesday night’s launch was scrubbed due to a hydraulics issue with a clamp arm on the launch tower.
Officials have not mentioned when the next launch attempt will take place, though there are alternative times on Thursday and Friday, including the next opening on Thursday at 7:25 p.m.
In the meantime, the crew will remain in the capsule while they wait for the “egress” team to remove them.
Once cleared, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry a crew of four to the ISS for a six-month residency. The mission is set to usher in the much-anticipated homecoming of Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams.
NASA ASTRONAUTS NOT ‘FRETTING’ OVER EXTENDED MISSION, ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR MORE TIME IN SPACE AFTER STARLINER WOES
“President Trump said to Elon Musk, ‘get the astronauts home and do it now’ – and they’re responding,” Hegseth continued. “And they’re bringing NASA astronauts, [who] also happen to be retired U.S. Navy Capt. Butch Wilmore and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Suni Williams, home.”
The American astronauts have been stranded on the ISS for nine months after arriving there in June of last year. They were only supposed to stay for about a week.
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft had transported the pair of astronauts from Earth to the ISS. However, it returned to Earth unmanned in September. This came after Starliner suffered “helium leaks” and “issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters” while docking with the ISS.
“Now, the Department of Defense is also proud to have multiple branches and two active-duty U.S. military officers represented in the mission that’s kicking off tonight between NASA and SpaceX. Yet, U.S. Army Colonel Anne McClain and U.S. Air Force Major Nichole Ayers,” Hegseth said. “So this is Army, Air Force and Navy tonight.”
In addition to McClain and Ayers, Crew-10 also includes an astronaut from Japan and one from Russia.
BOEING’S STARLINER SPACECRAFT LANDS BACK ON EARTH WITHOUT A CREW
The planned launch comes after President Donald Trump asked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to rescue the stranded astronauts sooner than NASA had planned.
Trump has repeatedly said former President Joe Biden “abandoned” them in space.
Musk definitively told FOX Business’ Larry Kudlow earlier in the week: “We’re gonna get ’em back.”
BOEING STARLINER UNDOCKS FROM SPACE STATION, HEADS TO EARTH UNMANNED AS CREW STAYS BEHIND
NASA said there will be a “handover period” with the SpaceX Crew-10 before Wilmore and Williams head back to their home planet. They could return to Earth as early as Sunday.
NASA ASTRONAUT SAYS STARLINER CREW LIKELY TO CHANGE EXERCISE ROUTINE DURING EXTENDED ISS STAY
Last week, Trump shared a special message for Wilmore and Williams.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Elon [Musk] is right now preparing a ship to go up and get them,” the president told Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy. “We love you, and we’re coming up to get you, and you shouldn’t have been up there so long.”
VA secretary accuses reporter of spreading ‘rumors’ about DOGE: ‘Let’s get it right’
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins accused a reporter of spreading “rumors” and “innuendo” about the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) actions at the agency in an interview that went viral on social media.
In a clip posted to his X account on Tuesday, Collins confronted Military.com reporter Patricia Kime about her February 5 article entitled, “Elon Musk Aide Is Now Working at VA and Accessing Its Computer Systems.”
Collins pulled out a printed copy of the report and accused Kime of trying to “scare” veterans by citing unconfirmed rumors about DOGE’s actions at the department.
“All I seem to be doing lately is fighting back against innuendo and rumor stories… In fact, Patricia, part of it is with you,” he said, handing the paper to Kime.
SENATE CONFIRMS DOUG COLLINS TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
“I just need your help because when you start headlines with ‘There’s a rumor going around’ and that ‘we’ve heard that,’ that hurts my veterans, that scares my veterans. That scares my employees. Because it’s not true,” Collins said.
“Will you commit to not doing that in the future?” he pressed the reporter.
Collins went on to tell Kime she should have asked a DOGE liaison about these rumors, to which she said she did.
The Military.com report cited “rumors” about DOGE employees visiting the VA that week “with an intent to mine data on disability compensation and benefits.”
The report quoted a VA spokesperson confirming a single DOGE employee would be tasked with identifying waste and improving efficiency but denied this individual would have access to veterans’ or beneficiaries’ data.
‘CHANGES THAT ACTUALLY HELP OUR VETERANS’: VA SECRETARY DEFENDS PROPOSED 15% WORKFORCE REDUCTION
Collins criticized Kime for citing unsubstantiated claims from the start, telling her these claims about DOGE were either “true or false.”
He proceeded to scold the reporter for citing a press release from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in which the senator claimed DOGE “may have barged into the VA” that day.
That’s “unconfirmed hearsay,” Collins said, and told Kime she should have called it an “unconfirmed report.”
“So, Patricia, I want to work together with you, but I need you to commit to me that you’re not gonna do this,” he said.
“That’s fair. I’m working on it,” Kime responded before attempting to ask Collins a follow-up question, but he continued to press her to answer his question.
“No, I want to hear the answer first. Are you committing not to do rumors? Because you’re scaring my VA employees about this and you’re scaring my veterans,” he said.
WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR LOSES PATIENCE WITH REPORTER OVER QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUMP’S TARIFF STRATEGY
Kime pushed back on Collins’ characterization of her report, saying, “I take issue with parsing out my stuff, but that’s fine.”
Collins continued to argue with Kime about her headline and the details in her reporting before saying, “I want to work with you a lot as we go forward. We’re going to have a lot of time together. But I’m not gonna have any reporter scaring my employees and scaring the veterans. And that’s what this is doing. Let’s get it right.”
“I’m the most transparent VA secretary we’ve had yet. I’m on video, I’m on interviews, I do everything I possibly can to push back against everything I’m hearing. So, we got a team that will help you, but I need your commitment to help me, too,” he added.
The clip of the interview had racked up over 1 million views on Collins’ X account in less than 24 hours.
Zachary Fryer-Biggs, managing editor for Military.com, defended Kime in a fiery response posted to X and shared with Fox News Digital.
“Mr. Secretary – You willfully misrepresented what was in that story, one where your own press office confirmed the details, and was quoted. Patricia is not going to be distracted by this nonsense, she’s going to continue doing the important reporting she’s done for years,” Fryer-Biggs wrote on X.
When reached for comment, an official for the VA told Fox News Digital, “Without even citing a source, Patricia Kime reported on ‘rumors’ that DOGE representatives would access VA disability compensation and benefits information.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Collins has defended DOGE cuts at the VA as part of the new administration’s efforts to reform the department and better serve veterans.
In a press release last month, the VA announced that the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees would enable the department to redirect over $98 million per year in resources back to health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.
Trump reacts to Rosie O’Donnell fleeing the US after his election victory
President Donald Trump criticized actress Rosie O’Donnell and her decision to move to Ireland during his White House meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Wednesday.
When a reporter asked Irish Prime Minister Martin why he allowed the American comedian to move to the country, Trump was quick to respond.
“Ireland is known for very happy, fun-loving people,” a reporter noted to Martin at the White House.
ROSIE O’DONNELL FLEES US AFTER TRUMP WIN, WON’T RETURN UNTIL IT’S ’SAFE FOR ALL CITIZENS TO HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS’
“Why in the world would you let Rosie O’Donnell move to Ireland?” the reporter asked. “I think she is going to lower your happiness.”
Before Martin could answer, Trump chimed in and replied, “That’s true, I like that question. Do you know you have Rosie O’Donnell? Do you know who she is? You’re better off not knowing.”
WATCH: TRUMP POKES FUN AT ROSIE O’DONNELL AFTER SHE FLEES US
Reps for O’Donnell did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Trump made the comments after the comedian revealed she has been living in Ireland and is in the process of applying for Irish citizenship.
“It’s been pretty wonderful, I have to say,” the 62-year-old said in a video on TikTok. “And the people have been so loving, so kind and so welcoming. And I’m very grateful.”
O’Donnell said she left the country on Jan. 15, five days before President Trump’s inauguration.
“Although I was someone who never thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child,” she explained.
ELLEN DEGENERES AND PORTIA DE ROSSI REPORTEDLY FLEE US AMID TRUMP VICTORY
O’Donnell and Trump have been involved in a feud since 2006 after she criticized him on “The View” about his leniency toward a Miss USA winner who had been accused of drug use and other bad behavior.
Trump responded to the criticism by calling O’Donnell a “real loser.”
At the time, in reference to Miss USA Tara Conner, Trump said he was a “believer in second chances. Tara is a good person. Tara has tried hard. Tara is going to be given a second chance.”
In 2014, O’Donnell claimed her feud with Trump resulted in the “most bullying I ever experienced in my life.”
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Since Trump’s first presidential run and win, O’Donnell joked to “Late Night” host Seth Meyers about how she spends “about 90% of my working hours tweeting hatred toward this administration.”
In 2015, Trump harshly replied to a question regarding O’Donnell during the Republican primary debate.
When Trump was asked about having called women disparaging names like “fat pigs” and “slob,” he laughed and answered, “Only Rosie O’Donnell.”
During last year’s election, Trump brought up O’Donnell’s name again when he told a crowd at the October Al Smith dinner that “The View” had gotten “so bad” that showrunners “really need to bring Rosie O’Donnell back.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Despite her ongoing sparring with Trump, O’Donnell said she and her daughters are “happy” in Ireland.
“I miss my other kids,” she added of her five grown children. “I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home. And I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country. And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
The “Flintstones” star additionally said she thinks about the U.S. every day, and “I am hoping that we can turn things around. I’m counting on you, all of you, to do what’s right. And I think deep down inside we all know what that is.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Teen runner who hit opponent in head with baton faces assault and battery charge
The Virginia high school track and field athlete who was seen bashing an opponent’s head with a baton during a race has been charged with assault and battery, Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Office confirmed to Fox News Digital.
I.C. Norcom High School student athlete Alaila Everett was seen smashing her baton on the head of Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker during a championship meet last week. Footage of the incident went viral in the following days, prompting national controversy and backlash against Everett.
Tucker was later diagnosed with a concussion and possible skull fracture.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Tucker and her family members did not definitively say whether they would press charges against Everett after the incident in an interview with WSET ABC 13. However, charges have now officially been pressed, as Everett faces one misdemeanor count assault and battery.
Everett has since said the hits were accidental, in interviews with WAVY and “Good Morning America.”
Prior to the charges being announced on Everett, the Portsmouth NAACP released a statement defending the embattled teen on Wednesday.
“Alaila is NOT AN ATTACKER and media headlines that allude towards that in any way is shameful. We understand the sensitivity of the circumstances for both athletes and their families involved but this narrative must not go unaddressed,” the statement read.
“Alaila is an honor student and a star athlete at the historic I.C. Norcom High School. From all accounts, she is an exceptional young leader and scholar whose athletic talent has been well documented and recognized across our state. She has carried herself with integrity both on and off the field and any narrative that adjudicates her guilty of any criminal activity is a violation of her due process rights.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Everett’s family via the Portsmouth Public School District for comment.
Tucker recounted the incident in an interview with WSET ABC 13 last Friday, and said the entire section gasped when they saw the repeated baton bashing.
“The whole section just gasped,” Tucker told the station about those around her in the bleachers. “We had family come from out of town. Her godparents were here from Myrtle Beach. Everybody just gasped. When I saw her go down, all I could do is run out of the bleachers. I just knew I had to get to her.
WOMEN ATHLETES DON’T COMPETE VS. TRANSGENDER IN TEAM USA TRACK EVENT, GIVING DEFAULT VICTORY TO TRANS ATHLETE
“She was kind of hysterical because she just couldn’t believe that’s what had happened.”
Everett claims the hits occurred because she lost her balance and her baton got “stuck” behind her opponent’s back.
“After a couple times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again. She got hit,” Everett said in an interview with WAVY. “I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose.”
Everett also said that while she caused physical pain for Tucker, there is not enough empathy for Everett’s own “mental” impact.
“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking of my mental,” Everett said. “They are assuming my character, calling me ghetto and racial slurs, death threats… all of this off of a nine-second video.”
During an interview with Good Morning America on Wednesday, Everett and her family showed a different angle of the footage, and re-enacted the incident to try and prove it was an accident.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Her arm was literally hitting the baton like this until she got a little ahead and my arm got stuck like this,” Everett said while using a family member to represent Tucker during the incident in the clip.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) previously issued a statement to Fox News Digital on the matter.
“The VHSL does not comment on individuals or disciplinary actions due to FERPA,” the league’s statement read. “The actions taken by the meet director to disqualify the runner were appropriate and correct. We thoroughly review every instance like this that involves player safety with the participating schools. The VHSL membership has always made it a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition.”
Idaho gov changes preferred execution method as Kohberger could face death penalty
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed his name on a bill Wednesday making Idaho the only state in the U.S. to have a firing squad designated as the preferred execution method for capital punishment, beginning next year.
The governor’s action comes less than a week after Brad Sigmon, 67, of South Carolina, was executed by way of a firing squad for killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat in 2001.
Sigmon was pronounced dead nearly three minutes after being shot by three volunteer prison employees last Friday – a method used for the first time in 15 years in the U.S.
The Idaho Statesman reported that Idaho has nine prisoners on death row, though the death penalty has not been carried out in the state in over a dozen years.
IDAHO BEEFS UP FIRING SQUAD AS BRYAN KOHBERGER TRIAL NEARS
Last year, the state was unable to execute Thomas Eugene Creech, one of the longest-serving death row inmates in the U.S. Medical personnel administering the lethal injection failed to establish an IV line despite trying for roughly an hour.
The bill’s tracking sheet shows that over two-thirds of the Republican-controlled legislature supported the measure, which, along with making death by firing squad the preferred method, also kept lethal injection as the state’s backup method.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Little’s office for comment on the matter.
IDAHO SERIAL KILLER SURVIVES LETHAL INJECTION ATTEMPT, PROMPTING RENEWED PUSH FOR FIRING SQUAD
Little approved a law in 2023 to add execution by firing squad as the state’s backup execution method, though at the time he said his preferred method was by lethal injection.
Idaho, then became the fifth state in the country to legalize the practice, following Utah, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
This time around, bill sponsor Rep. Bruce Skaug, who previously pushed for legislation that restored the firing squad as a backup option to lethal injection, argued that the botched lethal injection of Creech last year highlights problems with that method.
IDAHO’S MOVE TO RESURRECT FIRING SQUAD ‘MAKES SENSE’ AS ‘QUICKEST, SUREST’ DEATH PENALTY OPTION, EXPERT SAYS
The newly legalized execution method could impact the state’s eight current death row inmates and possibly the future University of Idaho college murders suspect Bryan Kohberger.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
Little signed the bill as prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty for Kohberger if he is convicted. His trial is scheduled for later this year, and he faces four charges of first-degree murder and another charge of felony burglary.
A judge entered not-guilty pleas on his behalf at his arraignment.
Oregon mental health advisory board includes member who identifies as a ‘turtle’
A member of a state panel advising the director of Oregon’s Health Authority (OHA) on best practices and policies in mental health identifies as a “turtle.”
JD Holt, who also goes by “JD Terrapin” on Facebook, is one of roughly two dozen “consumers” on the OHA’s Consumer Advisory Council (OCAC). The council, established by administrative statute, is appointed by OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, who was appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat.
The purpose of the OCAC is to advise Hathi on the state’s provision of mental health services, including through investigations and reviews of current practices.
“Hello everybody, it’s JD. I use they, them and turtle for my pronouns. I’m in the Springfield-Eugene area and I get to be part of the council,” Holt said during a Dec. 20 virtual OCAC meeting. Gender Wiki, a website that documents the list of non-binary genders, describes “turtlegender,” sometimes called “tortoisegender,” as “a xenogender identity in which one feels a gendered connection to turtles.”
TRUMP ADMIN CUTS FUNDING TO MAINE UNIVERSITIES AS STATE DEFIES ORDER TO BAN TRANS ATHLETES FROM WOMEN’S SPORTS
“One may feel their gender is replaced by a ‘turtle,’ or their gender is best described with the use of turtles,” the site reads.
During a Dec. 17 meeting, an OHA member introduced themselves as, “Luke A Shooting Star.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, OHA said that every member of the Consumer Advisory Council and the perspectives they bring “are highly valued.”
“In following Oregon statute, every member of the Oregon Consumer Advisory Council is someone with lived experience, bring [sic] the voice and experiences of people across the state that have experienced behavioral health challenges,” said OHA spokesperson Amber Shoebridge.
PARENTAL RIGHTS GROUP FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST OREGON SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR ALLEGED RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
In response to questions about how Hathi goes about appointing members of the committee, Shoebridge said it is a joint effort between existing members on the council, a seven-member committee appointed by the council and the director, who ultimately makes the final decision. Shoebridge added that those selected “represent independent, consumer-run organizations, consumer-run advocacy organizations and consumer-operated advisory councils that are active or headquartered in this state.”
Duties of the advisory council, among other things, include the ability to “investigate,” “evaluate” and “recommend” the state’s behavioral health resources. Specifically, the OCAC develops a working plan with recommendations and goals every year, and is also given the authority to establish “committees to investigate specific areas of interest related to Behavioral Health services.”
The council’s governing rules were updated as recently as last year, and state legislators have previously taken steps to strengthen its role in shaping decisions on mental health service policies. The OHA did not respond to questions about how much money gets allocated to the OCAC in time for publication; however, the OHA budget for the 2023-2025 biennium was $35.8 billion, according to the agency’s website.
PENTAGON SAYS TRANSGENDER TROOPS ARE DISQUALIFIED FROM SERVICE WITHOUT AN EXEMPTION
Each council member serves for a term of two years and can be reelected once, according to the administrative statute establishing the panel.
According to a Fox News review of Holt’s public Facebook posts, Holt has promoted “anarchist” causes and encouraged people to obstruct immigration enforcement actions.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“WHAT TO DO AT AN ICE CHECKPOINT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WHITE and/or FEEL THE NEED TO JAM UP THE WORKS,” Holt wrote in a Jan. 29 Facebook post. Holt’s post encouraged people to yell and scream at federal immigration authorities and make their jobs as “difficult and uncomfortable” as possible.
Fox News Digital reached out to Holt, Hathi and Kotek, but did not hear back by press time.
Disney scales back movie premiere following multiple controversies
Walt Disney Studios is forgoing the glitz and glamour for the upcoming Los Angeles premiere of its live-action “Snow White” movie.
Variety reported this week that the studio is scaling down the film’s red carpet premiere on March 15, making it a smaller event than Disney’s typical big-budget premieres.
The smaller red carpet event will not be attended by media outlets that usually attend premieres to speak to the film’s cast and crew. Though film stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot are set to attend a pre-party and screening at L.A.’s El Capitan Theatre, media coverage will only include photographers and a house crew.
‘SNOW WHITE’ REBOOT STAR RESPONDS TO BACKLASH OVER HER COMMENTS CRITICIZING ORIGINAL 1937 FILM: ‘MADE ME SAD’
Disney did not reply to Fox News Digital’s questions about why the premiere was downsized, but the news comes as the film has been mired in controversy for years, stemming from the outspoken views of its lead actress, Zegler, as well as the film’s original portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs.
Zegler has courted social media backlash on a variety of occasions since the start of the film’s production, taking heat for comments slamming the themes of the classic 1937 version of “Snow White.”
During Disney’s D23 expo in 2022, the actress told the media, “I mean, you know, the original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didn’t do that this time.”
Zegler made other comments trashing what she perceived as the original film’s anti-feminist bent. The comments prompted a deluge of social media responses slamming her and the film.
POLLSTER WARNS DEMOCRATS’ ‘AMATEURISH’ ANTI-TRUMP ANTICS ARE ‘TANKING’ WITH AMERICANS
Since then, Zegler has dismissed her online critics, claiming that their response is simply due to her “outspokenness” and being “fearless” with her opinions.
Zegler courted even more backlash with her response to the 2024 presidential election. Following President Trump’s win last November, she posted on Instagram, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.”
“F— Donald Trump,” she added. Shortly after sharing her post, the actress apologized, stating, “I let my emotions get the best of me. Hatred and anger have caused us to move further and further away from peace and understanding, and I am sorry I contributed to the negative discourse.”
Zegler started another internet firestorm earlier that year, writing, “And always remember, free Palestine” in an X post promoting the trailer for “Snow White.” Some wondered if the political message was a subtle dig at film co-star Gadot, who had defended her home country of Israel from anger and criticism following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack in the country.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE
In addition to the drama surrounding its leading lady, the film was delayed from its planned 2024 release until 2025, with some social media users speculating that the movie was being overhauled after backlash to progressive elements.
The film underwent a course correction early into production, when “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage — who has dwarfism — accused Disney in 2022 of being insensitive in its portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs.
The studio put out a statement in response, which stated, “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.”
However, the most recent trailers for the film revealed that Disney opted to portray the Seven Dwarfs similarly to how they were portrayed in the animated classic, albeit in CGI form. Social media users speculated the studio changed them again after social media backlash against the proposed modernized depiction of the characters.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Photo of ‘heartbreaking’ McDonald’s ‘PlayPlace’ triggers social media firestorm
A McDonald’s in Franklin, Tennessee, is attracting viral attention after a customer called out the children’s play area.
X user @NancyAFrench posted an image of the PlayPlace, writing, “This is so heartbreaking. I’m at a new McDonald’s in Franklin, TN, and look at their ‘play place’ for children. Two screens/two chairs.”
The photo showed a corner of the restaurant with a sitting area and two screens embedded in the wall.
SCHOOL MEALS RAISE EYEBROWS AS MAHA ADVOCATES URGE ‘DIFFERENT CHOICES IN THE LUNCH LINE’
“McDonald’s and our franchisees are proud to provide family-friendly spaces across many of our U.S. restaurants,” a McDonald’s spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“While this restaurant has a few interactive features for younger guests, it does not represent the full PlayPlace design and experience,” the spokesperson added.
The X user added a video to her thread, saying, “I went back in to make sure I didn’t miss something.”
She continued, “There was this column thing that might be for getting kids to exercise. But I don’t think this is temporary. I think this is it.”
VEGAN KIDS WHO SEEK FOOD FROM MEAT-EATING FAMILIES MAY LACK NUTRITION OR CRAVE THE FORBIDDEN, SAY EXPERTS
The video shows the woman stomping on an interactive music pad along with a “playground safety rules” sign.
The post garnered more than 16 million views and nearly 2,000 comments.
“I hope that’s only temporary! We still have the play equipment at my local McD’s,” commented one X user.
FAMILY’S CHICKEN LAYS ‘GINORMOUS EGG’ 3 TIMES THE NORMAL SIZE
“Upsetting,” another user wrote.
“This is more of a punishment place,” added another.
A user reminisced about previous times — and “so many joys our kids will never know.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“The playpits were filthy, and this screen thing is an abomination,” declared one woman.
“Nothing says childhood fun like staring at a screen in a slightly different location than home,” another person wrote.
One woman commented, “If kids won’t pick up toys to play with anymore and demand screens – businesses provide what the consumer keeps asking for, repeatedly. The digital heroin conditioning.”
Other X users didn’t appear to be fazed by the play area.
“Seems fine to me,” one person commented.
“McDonald’s is not a childcare facility. They are there to eat,” another user wrote.
Children ages 8-12 spend four to six hours a day watching or using screens, while teens spend up to nine hours, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).
It is advised that children between the ages of 2 and 5 limit non-educational screen time to an hour per weekday and a maximum of three hours on weekends.
For children 6 and over, the AACAP recommends encouraging “healthy habits and limit[ing] activities that include screens.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Too much screen time can cause obesity, irregular sleep, behavioral problems and possible exposure to violent content, according to Mayo Clinic.