Harris fundraiser reportedly met with ‘profanity-laced rejection’ as DNC donors flee
Democratic donors reportedly backed out of a major fundraising event for former Vice President Kamala Harris, with one even sending a “profanity-laced rejection,” according to a report Wednesday.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has been struggling to raise money during President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
According to several people “familiar with the conversations,” the DNC attempted to reach out to major donors earlier this year through the San Francisco-based fundraiser, but most had declined.
“Upon receiving the invitation, one replied with a profanity-laced rejection,” the report read. “Others said they didn’t want to give to the party until it produced substantive plans to win elections. Those who declined told the national party they had commitments and couldn’t make it work.”
DEMOCRATIC DONORS RELUCTANT TO GIVE TO BIDEN’S PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY: REPORT
The Wall Street Journal reported that the DNC eventually found a donor to host the event but it “raised less than organizers had hoped.”
It added that this reaction, as well as a significant decrease in funding, could be a response to frustrations over Harris’ failed presidential campaign and a lack of a new game plan for the midterm elections.
FETTERMAN BREAKS WITH DEMOCRATS OVER SHUTDOWN, VOWS TO PUT ‘COUNTRY OVER PARTY’
“A top official at a national Democratic group said some donors remain angry about how their money was spent in last year’s presidential election by outside groups, including on what they see as excessive salaries for Washington, D.C., consultants. The official said the party has failed to complete a public postelection investigation into what went wrong in 2024,” the report said.
Rachel Pritzker, chair of the think tank Third Way, also told The Wall Street Journal, “It is shocking how little reassessment the party and its leadership has done.”
However, some were more optimistic about the party’s chances, with some donors reportedly focusing more on state-level elections, like Abigail Spanberger’s bid for Virginia governor.
BERNIE SANDERS SAYS DEMOCRATS NEED TO MAKE ‘FUNDAMENTAL DECISION’ ABOUT WHAT THEY STAND FOR
According to The Wall Street Journal, the DNC has about $12 million in cash reserves compared to the $86 million held by the Republican National Committee. Though some told The Wall Street Journal that this was a reflection of the party that is out of power raising less money. Others believed it is a sign of the growing schism between progressive and establishment candidates.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the DNC for comment.
Trump fires back at B-1 bomber report while warning drug smugglers
Fox News has learned two B-1 bombers took off from Dyess Air Base in Texas Thursday morning, flying toward Venezuela as seen on open source flight trackers, according to senior U.S. official sources.
During a White House roundtable on immigration and crime crackdowns Thursday, President Donald Trump denied the report, which was first published by The Wall Street Journal.
“No, it’s not accurate. It’s false,” Trump said. “But we’re not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons, drugs being one of them. But, also, they’ve been sending their prisoners into our country. … Nobody can do that.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth did not correct the president during the Q&A with reporters.
IS TRUMP’S ‘HEAT’ ON VENEZUELA THE START OF A WIDER CAMPAIGN FOR REGIME CHANGE?
During the roundtable with law enforcement and administration officials to discuss the successes of Homeland Security task forces, Trump honed in on the ongoing efforts to curb illegal drug smuggling into the U.S., noting he believes the cartels will begin infiltrating the U.S. by land.
“Now they’re coming in by land,” Trump said. “Even the land is concerned, because I told them … the land is going to be next. We may go to the Senate, we may go to Congress and tell them about it. But I can’t imagine they’d have any problem with it.”
TRUMP UNLEASHES US MILITARY POWER ON CARTELS. IS A WIDER WAR LOOMING?
“Between that and my discussion with [Chinese] President Xi, I think we have never made progress like we’ve made,” Trump added. “The sea drugs are almost dead, and they can’t come in that fast from the land. And the land drugs are much more dangerous for them. It’s going to be much more dangerous. You’ll be seeing that soon. So, that’s the way it is.”
Hours earlier, Hegseth confirmed the U.S. military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel Wednesday, killing three suspects.
TRUMP SAYS ‘WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS’ WHEN ASKED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF STRIKING VENEZUELA AMID RISING TENSIONS
The attack marked the ninth vessel strike since September and the second strike reported in the Eastern Pacific.
A total of 37 people have reportedly been killed, with two survivors later repatriating to their home countries.
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When asked by reporters why he is not asking Congress to approve a declaration of war against the cartels, the president said he did not think it was needed.
“I don’t think we’re going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war,” Trump said. “I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. … They’re going to be, like, dead.”
Isabelle Adora Tate, actress on ‘9-1-1: Nashville,’ dead at 23 years old
Isabelle Adora Tate, a 23-year-old actress on “9-1-1: Nashville,” has died.
The Nashville-native died on Sunday, Fox News Digital confirmed.
“Isabelle was full of fire, a fighter, never once making excuses for the fact that she might have a disability relative to others,” her obituary said. “She was also quite musically inclined, often spending hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few.”
Her obituary added: “What she loved the most though was spending time with family and friends, always the life of the party. Her sister was her best friend and her mom was her shining beacon of light.”
COUNTRY MUSIC ICON JEANNIE SEELY DEAD AT 85
She appeared in the premiere of “Nashville: 9-1-1” earlier this month alongside LeAnn Rimes and Chris O’Donnell. Fox News Digital has learned that there will be an in-memoriam end card in next week’s episode of “9-1-1 Nashville.”
“Isabelle ‘Izzy’ Tate had a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. She passed away peacefully on the 19th of October,” her agent told Fox News Digital in a statement. “The family requests privacy as they deal with this sudden and shocking loss.”
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Tate was in a wheelchair due to a rare neuromuscular disease, which she opened up about on her Instagram in 2022.
“When I was 13, I got diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease that weakens my leg muscles over time. When I was first diagnosed, I couldn’t fully understand what it was or grasp what it could be,” she wrote at the time.
LEANN RIMES REFLECTS ON SURVIVING FAME, ADMITS A LOT OF CHILD STARS ‘DON’T SEE 43’
She said, “recently, it’s really progressed and I’ve come to terms that if I want to live my life to the fullest I need to use a wheelchair at time.”
Tate continued, “This has been a difficult journey for me because having to accept help and surrender to the progression of this condition has been extremely hard. While I was trying to come to terms with this, I really did find that I lost myself in certain ways. I hated that it was not only breaking me down physically, but I was allowing it to also break down my spirit.”
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But she added that while she doesn’t know “why these were the cards I was dealt in life … I can’t change it so I’m choosing to embrace it and not let it define me.”
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She is survived by her mother, stepfather, father and sister.
ESPN star issues Trump warning after illegal gambling probe nets NBA figures
ESPN star Stephen A. Smith offered a warning about President Donald Trump after dozens of people, including three NBA figures, were arrested in a widespread FBI illegal gambling probe.
Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and retired NBA player Damon Jones were among those arrested in the investigation that probed two separate alleged operations.
Smith offered his opinion on the arrests on ESPN’s “First Take” Thursday.
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“You know what world we’re living in in terms of politics. How many times with one incident after another? Trump is coming,” Smith said. “He’s coming. I’m going to say it on national television again. … Remember, Trump has a long, long history connected to the world of sports because he had those casinos. Where do you think those folks were coming half the time? I’m not talking about the individuals. I’m talking about the culture.
“Don’t be surprised if the WNBA is next on his list. Because when you got all of these protesters that have been going out there and people who have been protesting against him and what have you, this man is coming. He’s coming. And I’ve been saying it for a long time. To me, this is the latest nugget of evidence that we’re talking about right here. It’s not to question the legitimacy of the case. We don’t know. But anybody that’s been around him, anybody that has talked to him, anybody that has seen his reactions from the sports leagues and the positions that people have taken, they are not surprised at what’s going on today.”
HOW CHAUNCEY BILLUPS, DAMON JONES WERE ALLEGEDLY USED TO COERCE VICTIMS INTO ILLEGAL POKER GAMES
Smith said athletes have gotten in trouble with law enforcement before, but he hasn’t seen the FBI director get involved or hold a press conference about investigations.
“It’s not coincidental. It’s not an accident. It’s a statement. And it’s a warning that more is coming, and that’s what they’re saying here. … In (Trump’s) eyes, folks tried to throw him in jail. In his eyes, he’s innocent, and they tried to put me behind bars. ‘I’m getting everybody.’ He’s not playing.”
Smith added that he’s spoken to people from the major sports leagues, and they told him that this scandal is “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The NBA placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave of absence.
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“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the league said. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
Hawley turns tables on reporter when asked if White House renovation is destroying history
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., reminded liberals Wednesday of how many of them wanted historical artifacts destroyed when he was asked about President Donald Trump tearing down the East Wing of the White House.
CNN reporter Manu Raju pressed Hawley on Trump tearing down a portion of the White House complex this week to begin construction on a new ballroom for the building. The reporter suggested Trump was demolishing a precious historical edifice in the process.
Hawley replied that the far left has supported the destruction of statues of U.S. historical figures in recent years.
“I made this point yesterday, that I hear all of a sudden from my liberal friends that they’re very concerned about our history. Really? These are the same people who tore down every statue they could get their hands on in the last four years,” the lawmaker said.
HILLARY CLINTON FIRES UP VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION: ‘NOT HIS HOUSE”
Construction crews began demolition work on the East Wing facade Monday as part of the planned ballroom project. Historic preservation groups, some lawmakers and social media users voiced immediate criticism after seeing images of the demolition.
The White House did issue a statement defending the demolition, saying the new ballroom is a privately funded addition meant to “echo the storied history of improvements and additions by presidents to the executive residence.” The statement called criticism “unhinged” and accused media outlets of overreacting.
TRUMP BREAKS GROUND ON MASSIVE WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM PROJECT WITH PRIVATE FUNDING FROM ‘PATRIOTS’
On the topic of the building’s significance, Raju asked Hawley, “What about just uprooting the — you know — this is an iconic building?”
Hawley said he was not troubled by the demolition and argued that critics on the left lacked credibility, pointing to past efforts to remove monuments of U.S. historical figures amid racial justice protests.
He pointed to how the riots sprung from the George Floyd protests in 2020 defaced and destroyed monuments to the United States’ historical figures.
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“Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt. They didn’t have any concern for history then. Now, all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘Oh, the facade of the East Wing is iconic,'” Hawley said. “Oh, give me a break. I mean, give me a break.”
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Outrage grows after teen accused of violent sex crimes given break by court
Parents and community members in Payne County, Oklahoma, are expressing outrage after a student accused of multiple violent sexual assaults was reclassified in court from being tried as an adult to a “youthful offender.”
Now 18, Jesse Butler recently entered a no contest plea to 11 felony charges, including attempted first-degree rape, strangulation and violating a protective order. Because authorities said the crimes happened before he turned 18, the court adjusted his legal status under Oklahoma’s youthful offender laws.
Court filings show Butler was originally charged as an adult in March. He’s now being prosecuted as a youthful offender for rape, sexual battery and domestic assault and battery by strangulation.
His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Payne County District Court.
ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT WITH FOUR PRIOR CASES WALKS FREE ON $9.5K BOND AFTER BRUTAL TRAIL ATTACK
The Stillwater Police Department said officers were first notified Sept. 12, 2024, of incidents that reportedly took place earlier that year.
“A full investigation was initiated the following day that resulted in SPD submitting the case to the Payne County District Attorney’s Office, where it was reviewed and charges were filed,” the department said in a statement.
At the time, Butler was a student in Stillwater Public Schools. Court records obtained by KOCO include several emotional victim impact statements describing lasting fear and trauma.
“You didn’t just strangle me with your hands — you strangled my voice, my joy, my ability to feel safe in my own body,” one victim wrote.
SLAIN STUDENT’S GRIEVING DAD VOWS ACTION AFTER REPEAT OFFENDER ALLEGEDLY MURDERED DAUGHTER
She said Butler also threatened to kill her if she spoke out.
A mother of one of the victims told KOCO the justice system “failed” her daughter.
“As a mom, I never thought I’d have to watch my daughter fight this kind of battle, one where she had to prove she was the victim, over and over again, while the system made excuse after excuse for the person who hurt her.”
Jesse Butler’s father, Mack Butler, is the former director of football operations at Oklahoma State University, located in Stillwater.
A police affidavit reviewed by Fox News details brutal acts, including a girlfriend who said she was repeatedly raped and strangled if she refused, and a doctor warned she would have died in one instance if the strangulation lasted seconds longer.
WATCH: Violent teen predator avoids prison time on sexual assault charges
Court documents show Butler remains bound by a sentence issued Aug. 25, 2025, contingent on full compliance with a state-supervised rehabilitation plan.
While Butler was sentenced to a total of 78 years, the sentence is suspended under Oklahoma’s youthful offender program, meaning Butler will not serve prison time unless he violates the plan’s conditions.
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He remains under Office of Juvenile Affairs supervision until his 19th birthday, subject to counseling, therapy, more than 100 hours of community service, a curfew, no social media, daily check-ins and weekly counseling, according to documents obtained by Fox News.
The Payne County District Attorney’s Office said it followed state law in handling the case, noting that Butler was 17 at the time of the offenses and therefore fell under Oklahoma’s youthful offender statute.
The office said the designation allows the court to maintain supervision until the defendant’s 19th birthday and gives him a chance for rehabilitation while still holding him accountable.
A spokesperson added that the law does not erase the crimes or minimize their impact but provides “a legal path for accountability and rehabilitation under state law.”
If Butler fulfills the terms of the program and avoids further legal trouble, he can remain out of prison, though any violation could result in the full sentence being enforced.
State Rep. J.J. Humphrey, R-Lane, called the outcome “unacceptable” and said he plans to file a petition for a grand jury investigation into how Payne County prosecutors handled the case.
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“If that don’t set you on fire, your wood’s wet,” Humphrey told Fox News Digital. “You know what I mean? You’ve got a bad deal. That sets me on fire.”
He accused local officials of showing “favoritism” and contrasted Butler’s case with others in which defendants faced harsher penalties.
“Does it absolutely smack of political favor that you’re going to erase rapes and sexual crimes so you can give this guy a slap on the wrist?” Humphrey said. “Oklahoma, better pay attention. Wake up.”
Neither the presiding judge nor the District Attorney’s Office has issued additional comment beyond the written statement. Fox News Digital reached out to Butler’s legal team for comment.
Three major airports issue ground stops due to widespread air traffic controller shortages
Three major U.S. airports issued ground stops or delays Thursday, all attributed to staffing shortages amid the federal government shutdown.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C., was the first to issue a ground delay program Thursday, noting flights were pushed back an average of 30 minutes due to staffing issues.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York later issued ground stops due to staffing, halting all departures from the two major airports.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DRIVES STAFFING FLIGHT DELAYS FROM 5% TO 53% AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS CALL OUT
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the probability of the ground stops being extended is “medium,” or 30% to 60%.
Earlier this month, the FAA confirmed it was facing nationwide air traffic disruptions as staffing shortages hit several major control centers, including Chicago, Nashville, Houston and Las Vegas.
Officials said the understaffing coincided with the ongoing government shutdown, which has entered its 23rd day.
FAA BRACES FOR NATIONWIDE FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SHORTAGES HIT MAJOR AIRPORTS
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previously told Fox News’ Will Cain that normally, 5% of delays are attributed to staffing shortages.
Due to the shutdown, Duffy said 53% of delays have been caused by understaffing.
AMERICAN AIRLINES JET CANCELS TAKEOFF AFTER LAX RUNWAY INCURSION
“My message to the air traffic controllers who work for DOT is show up for work,” Duffy said. “You have a job to do, and, by the way, those who have shown up, I’m grateful for them and their service. But the bottom line is, these controllers are stressed out, and they’re rebelling on this shutdown because they may not get paid.”
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He added “safety comes first,” noting the Department of Transportation will slow down or stop traffic if it is not safe for air travel.
Bunnie fires back at critic after Jelly Roll’s shocking affair confession
Jelly Roll‘s wife stood strong in her decision to fight for their relationship after the “Son of a Sinner” singer admitted one of the “worst moments” of his life was cheating on Bunnie XO.
The podcast host responded with love to a critic’s comment condemning Bunnie’s choice to stand by her man even during difficult times.
Bunnie used the Ozzy Osbourne song “No Tears” as she told the anonymous follower to look within in an Instagram story shared Thursday.
JELLY ROLL’S WIFE SLAMS TROLLS WHO CRITICIZED HER FOR TRASHING COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE
The fan wrote, “Oh my dear. Your husband had an affair on you. You took him back and have sung perfection since. I’m super bummed. We can’t look up to you now. Where are your friends. How can anyone support this? Dear lord provide bunny the strength to hop away.”
Bunnie clapped back and wrote, “It actually takes a stronger woman to face pain head-on, do the work, and rebuild with the man she loves – instead of running or gossiping.”
She added, “Growth isn’t weakness, it’s grace. But not everyone’s built for that kind of strength. I pray you never have to feel that pain bc you’re judging another woman’s life.”
JELLY ROLL’S WIFE BLASTS TROLLS WHO QUESTION HER FAITH AFTER RECEIVING BACKLASH FOR SKIMPY HALLOWEEN COSTUME
Jelly Roll admitted he stepped out on his relationship during an appearance on the “Human School Podcast.”
“I don’t talk about this publicly at all, but one of the worst moments of my adulthood was when I had an affair on my wife,” he said. “Because it was the first time that I was like, ‘I really can’t get this right at all. I know I’m in love with this woman.’ It just really, really, really blew me back.”
“And I did a lot of work to repair that relationship,” he added. Jelly Roll and his wife married in 2016 and renewed their vows in 2023.
The “I Am Not Okay” singer said he’s proud of the strength of his relationship with Bunnie XO today.
“Like the repair has been special, man. We’re stronger than we could have ever been. And I wish our story would have went in the way that it never had an affair,” Jelly Roll explained. “And I’m in no way glad it happened, but man, I’m proud of who we are today.”
When reflecting on that time in his life, Jelly Roll said he was hanging around people who weren’t a good influence on him.
“I was hanging around a bunch of people that were cheating on their wives,” he said. “When I was doing cocaine, I was hanging around a bunch of people that were doing cocaine.”
“I used to be proud of long-standing friendships just because they had a number attached to them. Horrible humans. But I would just be proud to say, ‘That dude’s been with me 12 years.’ S—-y human!”
JELLY ROLL FELT LIKE ‘SCUM OF THE EARTH’ BEFORE DAUGHTER’S BIRTH INSPIRED LIFE CHANGE
It’s unclear when the infidelity occurred, but Bunnie previously acknowledged the couple’s rocky patch in a TikTok caption.
“Who knew that us breaking up in 2018, me moving back to Vegas & you coming to get me back – would have put us on this wild journey called life,” she wrote.
“We finally committed to each other & did everything we promised each other the first night in 2016. Our castle in the sand had to crumble so we could rebuild on solid ground.”
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Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll first met in 2015, after the former sex worker met the rising star at a concert in Las Vegas.
The two eloped a year later after Jelly Roll proposed onstage at a Yelawolf and Deftones concert.
After seven years of marriage, the couple renewed their vows at the same Vegas chapel where they got married to establish an anniversary date after years of not being able to remember the exact date they tied the knot.
WATCH: JELLY ROLL REVEALS SECRET TO HIS STRONG MARRIAGE TO BUNNIE XO
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Jelly Roll shared how he’s kept his marriage to Bunnie XO strong during an interview with Fox News Digital at the 2024 CMT Music Awards.
“Open, real, honest communication,” Jelly Roll explained. “We talk about the uncomfortable stuff up front. It’s a real important thing in our marriage.”
He noted that it helps to have a sense of humor when it comes to love.
“And also, we don’t take nothing too serious,” he added. “Have a short memory. Laugh as much as you can. Laughter is the best medicine.”
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