Stefanik takes aim at Hochul with controversial jab referencing online scandal
It was the Kiss Cam seen around the internet, and now one House Republican is using it as a political cudgel.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., used the viral moment caught during a Coldplay concert that sparked allegations that Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his head of human resources, Kristin Cabot, were having an affair, to bash New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
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“Commie Mamdani holding [Gov. Kathy Hochul] headed for re-election in 2026,” Stefanik said on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to Hochul and Mamdani’s offices for comment.
Stefanik has so far flirted with a bid for the New York governor’s mansion, but has yet to throw her name into the race.
She was previously the number three Republican in House GOP leadership until she was tapped to be President Donald Trump’s U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. However, Trump pulled his nomination and Stefanik returned to the House, where she again earned a spot in leadership.
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However, Stefanik is not the only House Republican eying a challenge against Hochul, who first took office in 2021 after former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is now battling Mamdani in New York City’s mayoral contest, resigned. She won her first full term in 2022.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., is also mulling a bid against Hochul, and like Stefanik, has yet to announce his intentions. Lawler has twice won in typically Democratic districts, while Stefanik has held her seat in a deep red portion of upstate New York.
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But a recent poll found that if either entered the race, along with a potential third in Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, they would have an uphill climb against Hochul.
A recent poll from Sienna College found that Hochul leads each potential gubernatorial candidate by at least 20 points each.
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Meanwhile, Mamdani is fresh from Washington D.C., where he met with the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
He’s now back in New York to meet with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., in a bid to secure their endorsements in his quest to beat New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Agents chase down migrant with 67 jail bookings during tense Home Depot sweep
Despite pushback from California officials to federal immigration enforcement, Border Patrol in Sacramento arrested 11 illegal migrants during a tense raid at a Home Depot parking lot on Thursday — including one man with 67 prior jail bookings in California since 1986 and a prior fentanyl trafficking conviction.
Fox News was on scene as the migrants scattered in all directions when federal agents moved in to make arrests in the sanctuary city.
That triggered multiple foot chases and several physical encounters between masked agents and fleeing migrants.
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In one foot pursuit, agents chased a man who they say slashed the tire of a law enforcement vehicle. The man claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
Agents eventually maced the man in the face before arresting him and taking him into custody. His wife shouted at agents throughout the incident, insisting he is a U.S. citizen.
Border Patrol agents were forced to drive the damaged vehicle away on its rims.
Gregory Bovino, U.S. Border Patrol chief for the El Centro Sector, said his agency will continue prioritizing the removal of criminal illegal immigrants.
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“There is no sanctuary city, Sacramento is not a sanctuary city, the state of California is not a sanctuary state, there is no sanctuary anywhere,” Bovino said. “We’ll be here, you’ll probably see us in many other locations as well. We’re here to stay, we’re not going anywhere. We’re going to effect this mission and secure the homeland.”
The migrant with 67 prior jail bookings is Mexican national Javier Dimas-Alcantara, who is an aggravated felon with convictions and charges spanning decades.
His criminal history includes multiple instances of transporting and selling narcotics or controlled substances, felony burglary, possession of a controlled narcotic with intent to sell, carrying a loaded firearm in public and multiple felony-level marijuana possession charges for sale.
He’s also been arrested for illegal entry, revocation of probation due to reoffending, multiple instances of providing false identification to law enforcement, multiple cases of narcotic possession and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the defenders of sanctuary policies.
“Dimas has been convicted of a myriad of offenses — you would not want this man to be your neighbor and yet politicians like [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom defend criminals who terrorize American communities and demonize law enforcement who defend those same communities,” McLaughlin said.
“He and every other sanctuary politician should be thanking CBP for getting this scum out of American communities instead of obstructing federal law enforcement at every possible turn.”
McLaughlin said that the Trump administration has been given a clear mandate by the American people to get violent illegal aliens off the streets and out of the country.
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The other apprehended migrants included a previously deported Guatemalan aggravated felon and a previously deported Mexican migrant with a prior arrest for driving without a license.
Another detainee is a Guatemalan migrant who had a voluntary return removal in 2009 with prior arrests for trespassing and failure to provide ID.
Their names have not been released yet.
Governor’s ‘green agenda’ drives fuel taxes higher while state refineries shut down
California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom’s presidential aspirations are Washington’s worst-kept secret. More than three years before the next election, he’s on the campaign trail in South Carolina, protesting immigration raids on cannabis farms and even politicizing the Second Family’s visit to Disneyland.
Before Newsom gets anywhere near Washington, he must “confront his California problem,” as even Politico observed. Blessed with incredible natural resources, the Golden State has the highest living costs in the nation. Nowhere is this trend more evident than in energy, where there is a direct correlation between Newsom’s wrong-headed policies and overall unaffordability.
Here are three examples.
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California gas taxes are going up
At $4.51 per gallon, California drivers already pay the most at the pump — that’s 45% higher than the national average, which hit a four-year low during the recent Independence Day holiday and kept dropping.
As bad as that sounds, the pain is only just beginning. On July 1, motorists were hit with another 1.6-cent gas tax, and overall gas taxes are expected to cost the average household $612 over the course of the year. A separate $0.05-$0.09 tax increase is expected not far behind. Newsom’s office touted the decline in gas prices by issuing a press release bragging about it.
California refineries are closing
Sadly, the latest gas tax could pale in comparison to other factors. Industry experts are projecting a gallon of gas potentially reaching $8 in the aftermath of California refinery closures.
GAVIN NEWSOM IS MAKING A STRATEGIC VISIT TO A KEY PRIMARY STATE, RAISING EYEBROWS
For crude oil to become a usable petroleum product like gasoline, it must go through the refining process. Earlier this year, the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles and the Valero refinery in Benicia announced plans to close by 2026, taking nearly 20% of the state’s total gasoline production with them, not to mention hundreds of jobs.
The trend is part of a sad and steady decline directly attributed to increasing red tape and regulations. During the 1980s, under the presidential administration of its former governor Ronald Reagan, California had as many as 43 operating refineries, a number that plummeted to just 14 last year, a drop of 67%. This is not for lack of resources. In fact, California has the fifth most oil reserves in the nation, outpacing places like Colorado and Oklahoma more often associated with the industry.
California is home to extreme green policies
Newsom has denigrated the oil and gas industry as the “polluted heart of this climate crisis.” He accused them of “lying and gouging Californians” and blamed them for “more kids getting asthma.”
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Along the way, he pursued policies aimed at making his state “carbon neutral” by 2045. That’s political speak for ending oil and gas entirely in favor of “cleaner” forms of energy like wind and solar, which are unreliable, untested and often rely on products from China (where roughly 80% of the world’s solar panels are manufactured).
STEVE HILTON: GAVIN NEWSOM’S $9 GAS NIGHTMARE LOOMS OVER THE GOLDEN STATE
A lynchpin of Newsom’s scheme was forcing drivers into electric vehicles. By 2035, less than a decade from now, 100% of vehicles sold in California were to be electric under a Newsom administration mandate that the U.S. Senate thankfully overturned in May.
As painful as the edict would have been for California’s nearly 40 million residents, the shockwaves were set to extend far and wide. As many as 13 states were on a track to follow where California was leading.
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To his political credit, Newsom appears aware of the unpopularity of some of his policies. He went on Turning Point USA President Charlie Kirk’s podcast and turned heads by calling the concept of biological men competing in women’s sports “unfair,” but that demonstrates the power the green movement.
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Newsom is far more likely to flip-flop on cultural issues than admit the green agenda is failing his state. In the aftermath of President Donald Trump making the rollback of the EV mandates official, Newsom’s administration immediately took legal action and signed an executive order “doubling down” (his words) on his commitment to the nonsensical plan.
At the heart of the dissatisfaction with the Biden years was inflation and high costs of living, making it the top priority for more than six in 10 voters. Making energy expensive made life expensive and Americans could not afford another four years of Biden/Harris energy policies. Newsom’s stubborn commitment to the failed green agenda, which has failed California spectacularly, should send his White House bid sputtering before it gets out of the starting gates.
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Former gymnast shares painful truth behind why she never made it to Olympic stage
Former LSU Tigers gymnast Olivia Dunne opened up about a gruesome injury she suffered when she was younger that essentially shattered her dreams of becoming a U.S. Olympian.
The New Jersey native began her foray into elite gymnastics in 2014 and was added to the national team and began to work her way up to the senior elite level before committing to LSU, where she earned a national championship with the program before her collegiate career ended.
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Dunne explained on “What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon” that she suffered the devastating injury in 2018.
“I was actually competing on a hurt ankle at the 2018 USA Championships and, yeah, part of my ankle bone died. … Yeah, it just died. So, my Olympic dreams died with it,” she said. “It kind of healed a little bit. It stopped bothering me. I went to college after that, but it was so painful. That was kind of my first real injuries.
“I’ve actually never gotten any surgery, which is kind of crazy for a gymnast. And I was like, I think if I just give myself time to heal, I can heal without surgery. But that’s something I take pride in. I have never needed surgery as a gymnast, which is very uncommon.”
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Dunne was able to compete at LSU until an injury ultimately derailed her final year at the program.
She has been one of the most-followed athletes on social media since she joined LSU. She boasts more than 8 million followers on TikTok and another 5.4 million on Instagram. She helped the Tigers to a national championship in 2024, but her final year with LSU was derailed because of an injury.
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Since then, she’s been spotted cheering on her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, as he makes waves in MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Texas power couple unearths ‘priceless’ royal tomb filled with 1,700-year-old treasures
A Texas archaeologist couple recently unearthed the ancient tomb of a legendary king in Central America — a feat that’s been over 40 years in the making.
Arlen Chase and Diane Chase, both professors at the University of Houston, uncovered the 4th-century tomb at the Caracol archaeological site in Belize. The university shared the discovery on July 10. (See the video at the top of this article.)
Caracol was a major Mayan city established in the 300s A.D. The tomb belonged to Te’ K’ab Chaak, the earliest ruler of the city and the founder of its royal dynasty – and it’s the first confirmed royal tomb found at the site.
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“Now in ruins, this metropolis was a major political player in Maya history, dominating the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula from 560 through 680 AD before its abandonment by 900 AD,” the University of Houston said in its press release.
Teʼ Kʼab Chaak’s tomb was filled with treasures, including 11 pottery vessels and carved bone tubes. Excavators also found a mosaic death mask made of jadeite, along with jewelry made from the same type of gemstone.
The Chases are the foremost scholars on Caracol, and this latest excavation is just one of many they’ve conducted.
Their son, Adrian, is also an archaeologist and discovered Caracol’s decentralized water system.
“The true value of the materials is in what they can tell us about the ancient culture.”
Judging from the ruler’s remains, the Chases also found that Te’ K’ab Chaak was 5’7 in height and died at an advanced age. He also had no remaining teeth.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Arlen Chase called the recently unearthed artifacts “priceless.”
“Professional archaeologists will not put a dollar value on the items they dig up … That being said, the true value of the materials is in what they can tell us about the ancient culture,” the expert described.
ANCIENT CHRISTIAN FIGURINES DISCOVERED IN 1,500-YEAR-OLD DESERT GRAVES
“In this case, most of the individual artifacts are unique, but together they not only tell a story about the individual who once owned them but also enable us to provide a date for the burial.”
Arlen Chase said the artifacts date to 350 A.D. and “include a full range of vessel types for this time period,” including two from the Highlands of Guatemala and shells from the Pacific Ocean.
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Both these types of treasures, he noted, were the “result of long-distance trade.”
Arlen Chase also confirmed that archaeologists identified the burial “based on the size of his chamber, the presence of jadeite mosaic death mask and earflares, and everything being covered in cinnabar.”
Diane Chase told Fox News Digital that the ceramic vessels in particular really showed off Teʼ Kʼab Chaak’s status and wealth.
“The two Pacific spondylus shells near his head, the jadeite earflares, the carved jadeite tubular beads, and the mosaic jadeite death mask also show his ability to obtain long-distance prestige items,” she noted.
A car trip between Teotihuacan and Caracol today would take over 23 hours. Ancient people would have had to walk at least 153 days to complete the journey, making the burial offerings particularly special.
Above all, Diane Chase noted that finding a ruler’s burial is “extremely unusual, and important.”
She said, “This is the first one we have discovered within the ancient city of Caracol.”
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She added, “Even more important, he is the first ruler of the Caracol dynasty with some 30 other rulers following him (according to the hieroglyphic[s]) before the city was abandoned.”
High-fructose corn syrup vs cane sugar in foods: The cost of switching ingredients
Replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar could come at a cost, according to industry experts.
Bulk high-fructose corn syrup cost about $0.35 per pound for 2025, only rising from $0.27 in 2015, and remaining fairly close to this price in the past few years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In comparison, the price of refined white sugar is $1.01, which is up substantially from $0.61 in 2015.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump relayed that Coca-Cola agreed to use “real” cane sugar in Coke sold in the United States.
“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”
Coca-Cola has not confirmed whether it is making this switch. FOX Business reached out to Coca-Cola for comment.
In the 1980s, the beverage giant swapped cane sugar, which came with high tariffs, for high-fructose corn syrup. High-fructose corn syrup was the cheaper alternative due to corn farming subsidies.
Despite such praise, experts say there are financial consequences of the switch to cane sugar for the consumer as well as farmers.
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The main issue, according to Bryan Le, a food scientist and principal food consultant at Mendocino Food Consulting, is that there is significantly more corn available in the U.S. compared to cane sugar.
Corn represents the No. 1 crop produced in the U.S., with the vast majority of states producing it. This means it the 850 billion pounds of corn produced each year can easily and cheaply be converted to corn syrup, Le said.
Meanwhile, three states – Texas, Florida and Louisiana – produce 8 billion pounds of cane sugar each year. The remaining sources of cane sugar are from Mexico, which is facing tariffs.
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Another issue that drives up the cost of cane sugar is that the ingredient “requires more extensive processing and energy to crystallize, filter and transform it into a white product,” according to Le.
“It is much less complex of a process to produce high-fructose corn syrup from many of the possible low-cost inputs available from the corn industry,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), argued that there would be severe economic implications if the industry eliminated high-fructose corn syrup, which the group says has been “a foundational ingredient in the U.S. food supply for nearly half a century.”
The association said that if high-fructose corn syrup was completely eliminated it would slash corn prices by up to $0.34 per bushel, wiping out $5.1 billion in revenue to farms.
“The resulting economic shockwave would lead to rural job losses and significant economic consequences to communities across the country,” the association wrote in a July report.
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The corn refining demand loss from HFCS, glucose, dextrose and starch could result in short-term losses of $13.9 billion, with losses eventually reaching between $5.2 billion and $7.5 billion annually, according to the group, which highlighted that this would hurt local economies, “especially in regions anchored by corn refineries, where farmers stand to lose $0.25 to $0.50 per bushel in price premiums alone.”
While it remains to be seen what Coca-Cola will do, Arun Sundaram, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research, told FOX Business that it’s more likely that the company would launch a new product line featuring cane sugar in place of corn syrup, rather than pulling its core lineup, which uses corn syrup, from shelves.
“A cane sugar variant would likely carry a premium price, given the higher cost of natural ingredients. Matching current price points would require a significant increase in U.S. production or imports of cane sugar, a scenario that seems unlikely in the near term, especially with existing tariffs on key exporters like Brazil,” he said.
Doctors react to alleged Trump health issues as pics show bruising and swelling
After photos circulated recently of President Donald Trump’s apparently swollen legs and bruised hand, doctors are speaking about potential causes and concerns.
In an “effort of transparency” on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a note from Trump’s physician after he underwent a “comprehensive examination” by the White House Medical Unit.
During a press briefing, Leavitt stated that Trump’s swollen legs were part of a “benign and common condition” called “chronic venous insufficiency” that can affect older individuals. (The president is 79.)
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“Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” she said.
Leavitt attributed the bruising on the president’s hand to “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.”
“This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen,” she said.
“This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy, and the president remains in excellent health.”
‘Common condition’
Scott A. Sundick, M.D., a vascular and endovascular surgeon at The Cardiovascular Care Group in Westfield, New Jersey, commented on the concerns that have been raised. (He has not treated the president.)
“Leg swelling is a common condition, particularly among older adults. As a practicing vascular surgeon, I see patients for this issue more frequently than almost any other complaint,” he told Fox News Digital.
“The president remains in excellent health.”
While leg swelling is often benign, it can sometimes be a symptom of serious, potentially life-threatening conditions, such as acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), congestive heart failure (CHF) or renal failure, according to the doctor.
“In the president’s case, these more concerning causes were appropriately ruled out through a combination of diagnostic testing, including a venous Doppler ultrasound, echocardiogram and laboratory evaluations respectively,” he added.
Sundick also spoke about the president’s diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, which he described as a “relatively common and benign condition.”
“Under normal circumstances, blood returns to the heart from the legs through the veins, aided by the contraction of leg muscles with each step we take,” he said.
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“These contractions help push blood upward, and valves within the veins prevent it from flowing backward toward the feet. When these valves become weakened or incompetent, blood can pool in the lower legs — a condition known as venous insufficiency.”
This condition can cause symptoms such as leg swelling or varicose veins, the doctor noted.
Treatment usually includes the use of compression stockings or, in some cases, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure called venous ablation.
Regarding the bruising being attributed to aspirin therapy, Sundick noted that many older adults take daily low-dose aspirin as part of a cardiovascular disease prevention strategy.
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“Aspirin works by inhibiting platelet function, reducing the risk of blood clots that could lead to heart attacks or strokes,” he said.
“A well-known side effect of aspirin therapy is an increased tendency to bruise easily, even with minor trauma.”
Sundick said this is “common and generally not concerning,” particularly considering aspirin’s “well-established cardiovascular benefits.”
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Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News’ senior medical analyst, also commented on the bruising seen on Trump’s hand.
“As you age, your skin can become more friable (fragile), less elastic and more prone to easy bruising,” Siegel, who has not treated the president, told Fox News Digital.
“I don’t think there’s anything hidden there at all.”
“Aspirin interferes with platelet function, making this more likely.”
On a Thursday episode of “America Reports,” Siegel noted that he found the medical update “reassuring,” calling Trump’s condition “not serious, completely benign and cosmetic.”
“It’s expected for a man who’s in his late 70s and standing on his feet all the time,” Siegel added, noting that compression stockings and elevating the legs could help to reduce swelling and any potential discomfort.
The doctor also said he “accepts the explanation” that Trump’s hand bruising is caused by “vigorous handshaking.”
“I don’t think there’s anything hidden there at all,” Siegel said.
Trump directs attorney general to seek unsealing of Epstein grand jury transcripts
President Donald Trump late Thursday directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to work on releasing grand jury transcripts in the case of Jeffrey Epstein.
It’s unclear exactly when any testimony may go public. The Justice Department is expected to file Friday asking a judge to unseal transcripts.
The order came after a barrage of criticism against the Trump administration following the release of a joint DOJ-FBI memo that concluded there was no evidence that the disgraced financier had blackmailed powerful people, kept a client list or was killed while in jail.
The memo has created deep fissures among Trump supporters who have complained of a lack of transparency from the administration. A source told Fox News Digital that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino had been considering resigning over the matter, though he has not stated anything publicly.
The president, meanwhile, has pushed back at the criticism, calling the charges a “hoax” and contending that his supporters are being “duped” by Democrats. Trump posted to Truth Social on Friday morning, “If there was a ‘smoking gun’ on Epstein, why didn’t the Dems, who controlled the ‘files’ for four years, and had [then-Attorney General Merrick Garland] and [then-FBI Director James Comey] in charge, use it? BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTHING!!!”
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Before joining the Trump administration, Bondi was among the staunchest advocates for releasing the Epstein list, telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity in 2024: “It should have come out a long time ago.”
The Justice Department released a new batch of Epstein files in February, but the documents revealed no new revelations in the case. Many of the documents had already been released during the federal criminal trial of Epstein’s associate, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.
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Trump has defended Bondi over the latest fallout, telling reporters earlier this week: “She’s handled it very well, and it’s going to be up to her, whatever she thinks is credible she should release.”
On Thursday, Trump said he had directed Bondi to release all “pertinent” transcripts on the case.
“Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Testimony, subject to Court approval,” Trump wrote on Truth Social late Thursday. “This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”
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Bondi said her team was “ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts.”
Epstein, a 66-year-old millionaire financier with a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, died in federal custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Dave Portnoy says new Barstool Sports partnership marks shift from past media deals
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy says the company’s new partnership with FOX Sports marks a major shift from past collaborations, and it’s one that finally feels like the right fit.
Portnoy reflected on earlier attempts to work with major media networks, including a deal with ESPN. It’s something, he admits, didn’t meld with their brand.
“When we did the ESPN deal, they looked like they had a sour taste in their mouth every time they looked at me,” Portnoy told “Fox & Friends” Friday. “They wanted nothing to do with Barstool. They were embarrassed by it.”
That experience, he says, is completely different to the new partnership with FOX Sports.
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“Fox is the exact opposite. They’re embracing everything they do,” Portnoy said. “They’re embracing why people like us. They are basically [going to] be a true partner.”
As part of the collaboration, Barstool personalities, including Portnoy and Dan “Big Cat” Katz, will be featured on FOX Sports programming. Portnoy will join “Big Noon Kickoff” this fall to cover college football, with a particular interest in representing his alma mater.
“I’m going to be on the road every single week with these guys,” he said. “It’s about time Michigan gets represented. Since we do run the conference, it’s only natural you have an alumni there.”
Portnoy also revealed that he’ll be appearing on a new Monday show on FOX Sports 1, and that a dedicated Barstool studio is being built in Chicago as part of the expansion.
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“Our cast of characters will be on it,” he added.
“FOX Sports really wanted the Barstool feel. They want what makes us attractive, which is, you have a bunch of idiots just trying to get along in the world, make people laugh.”
Looking ahead, Portnoy said he’s excited about what the partnership will bring for both fan bases.
“It’s a totally new chapter for us,” he said. “We’ve never partnered with a network as big, as many resources, as much talent as FOX Sports that is invested in us.”
“They’re as excited about it as we are,” he added. “So, you know, the sky’s the limit.”
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