Trump slams ‘radical Left scum’ in fiery Christmas message while touting accomplishments

President Donald Trump used his Christmas Eve Truth Social post to tout his administration’s accomplishments and to bash those on the left whom he accused of trying to “destroy” the U.S.

“Merry Christmas to all, including the radical left scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our country, but are failing badly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We no longer have open borders, men in women’s sports, transgender for everyone, or weak law enforcement. What we do have is a record stock market and 401K’s, lowest crime numbers in decades, no inflation, and yesterday, a 4.3 GDP, two points better than expected.”

“Tariffs have given us trillions of dollars in growth and prosperity, and the strongest national security we have ever had. We are respected again, perhaps like never before. God Bless America!!!,” the president added.

In the first year of Trump’s second term, the administration launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, introduced controversial tariffs, worked to cut DEI from government programs and took steps toward fulfilling other campaign promises.

TRUMP TAKES NORAD SANTA CALLS WITH CHILDREN, PRAISES ‘CLEAN, BEAUTIFUL COAL’ AND ‘HIGH IQ’ PERSON

The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that it had arrested 17,500 criminal illegal immigrants since Trump signed the Laken Riley Act in January 2025. In a separate DHS announcement, the department unveiled the “2025 Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens,” saying that 70% of all ICE arrests are of illegal immigrants “convicted or charged with a crime in the U.S.”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on the results of the Laken Riley Act that “President Trump has empowered us to arrest and remove the millions of violent criminal illegal aliens unleashed on the United States by the previous administration. Now, these criminals will face justice and be removed from our country.”

Trump’s Christmas Truth Social post on his administration’s accomplishments was also backed up by recent economic data. On Tuesday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released its initial estimate of the third-quarter GDP, which showed the economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the three-month period including July, August and September.

OPINION: MELANIA TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS IS A SHINING BEACON OF AMERICA

“Compared to the second quarter, the acceleration in real GDP in the third quarter reflected a smaller decrease in investment, an acceleration in consumer spending, and upturns in exports and government spending. Imports decreased less in the third quarter,” the BEA said.

While the president issued a cutting Christmas Eve statement on Truth Social, his official Christmas Day message was softer and more focused on the meaning of the holiday and the season.

In the statement, which was released by the White House on Thursday, Trump and first lady Melania Trump relayed their warm wishes to Americans while emphasizing the religious significance of Christmas.

MELANIA TRUMP GIVES UPLIFTING MESSAGE ABOUT SANTA TO YOUNG KIDS AT HOSPITAL

“The First Lady and I send our warmest wishes to all Americans as we share in the joy of Christmas Day and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” the message reads.

Trump went on to recount the biblical story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, calling it “the perfect expression of God’s boundless love and His desire to be close to His people.” The president then tied the story to the founding principles of the U.S.

“For nearly 250 years, the principles of faith, family, and freedom have remained at the center of our way of life. As President, I will never waver in defending the fundamental values that make America the greatest country in the history of the world—and we will always remain one Nation under God.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The president also paid homage to U.S. servicemembers who are overseas and are unable to be with their families for the holiday. Trump thanked them for their service and sacrifice and their dedication to protecting Americans.

“We are grateful for their devotion, and we keep them and their loved ones close in our hearts.”

Trump ended his official message with a prayer for peace in the U.S. and across the globe, extending Christmas wishes to Americans and the world.

“During the Christmas season, we pray for an outpouring of God’s abiding love, divine mercy, and everlasting peace upon our country and the entire world,” he said.. “To every American, and to those celebrating around the globe, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!”

Christmas sides your grandparents served that mostly vanished from holiday tables

Christmas dinner may revolve around a honey-glazed ham or prime rib today, but for generations of Americans, it was the side dishes that truly defined the holiday table.

Long before trendy TikTok foods, freezer-aisle staples and sheet-pan shortcuts, Christmas spreads featured labor-intensive recipes that were passed down and cooked fresh once a year. 

Creamed vegetables, piped potatoes and slow-braised winter produce reflected regional roots and Old World traditions.

AMERICANS TURNED CHRISTMAS DINNER INTO PATRIOTIC DUTY DURING WWI WITH WARTIME RECIPES

As tastes shifted, entertaining grew more casual and time became a luxury, many of these classic sides quietly faded from Christmas menus.

Here’s a look at six vintage Christmas side dishes that were once enjoyed by millions — and aren’t truly forgotten. 

1. Creamed onions

Once a staple of Christmas dinners across the Northeast and Midwest, creamed onions were traditionally served alongside roast beef or ham as a rich, celebratory side, along with their close cousin, creamed celery. 

The dish fell out of favor because peeling pearl onions is labor-intensive and American tastes leaned away from boiled vegetables, though home cooks still debate the best version — fresh, canned or frozen — on Reddit’s r/Cooking page. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

“Creamed onions were a staple,” one user recently recalled. “They were a hit with everyone.”

2. Duchess potatoes

This elegant, piped potato dish originated in 19th-century France and was a popular Christmas showpiece. 

Enriched with butter and egg yolks and baked into decorative shapes, duchess potatoes stay fluffy in the center and develop a crisp, golden exterior. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

As holiday entertaining became more casual and convenience foods like instant mashed potatoes took over, duchess potatoes largely vanished from American tables.

3. Braised red cabbage

Sweet-and-sour red cabbage was brought to the U.S. by German, Scandinavian and Danish immigrants and became a familiar Christmas side in many households, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. 

In Denmark, the dish emerged as a Christmas staple in the 1800s during a period of national romanticism, when red cabbage and boiled potatoes were chosen to reflect the red-and-white colors of the Danish flag, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

4. Spinach soufflé

Spinach soufflés were a mid-century symbol of sophistication for hosts and frequently appeared at Christmas dinners in the 1950s through the 1970s, according to food blogs. 

Because they could deflate easily and required careful timing, they gradually fell out of favor as holiday cooking became more focused on easier, less stressful dishes.

5. Yorkshire pudding

This traditional British side is made from a batter of eggs, flour and milk, baked until light and crisp, and historically served with roast beef to soak up drippings. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

It appeared on Christmas menus in the 19th century, according to the food site Epicurious — and while it was once common in American households, it gradually faded from many Christmas tables as roast beef gave way to other holiday mains. 

Reddit users recently debated whether Yorkshire pudding belongs again on holiday tables, with one commenter arguing that if beef is the main course, it is “surely required.”

6. Parsnips

Parsnips were once a common winter vegetable before potatoes took over American tables. 

Parsnip cakes — a humble British staple introduced to Americans in the early 1900s — remained popular through World War II because the hardy vegetable was easy to grow during rationing, with the mixture baked or fried and enriched with butter or gravy rather than tasting strongly of roots, according to Tasting Table. 

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Over time, parsnips fell out of favor — they gained a reputation for bitterness if overcooked, and tastes shifted toward milder, more familiar vegetables.

Musician cancels Christmas Eve jazz concert at Kennedy Center after Trump name change

A Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center was canceled just days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the iconic performing arts institution in Washington, D.C.

The show’s host, musician Chuck Redd, who has led the holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, said he called off his performance after Trump’s name was added to the facility.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd told The Associated Press.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment. The Kennedy Center’s website lists the show as canceled.

ICONIC DC LANDMARK UNVEILS FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE AS PART OF PUSH TO REVIVE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

The Kennedy Center’s board voted unanimously on Dec. 18 to rename the institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” prompting swift backlash from members of the Kennedy family who said the decision undermined the legacy of President John F. Kennedy.

Maria Shriver, Kennedy’s niece, criticized the decision, calling it “beyond comprehension.”

Last week, workers added Trump’s name to the outside of the center, and the website’s header was changed to “The Trump Kennedy Center.”

ROSIE O’DONNELL DEMANDS TRUMP’S REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OVER KENNEDY CENTER HONOR IN LATEST TIRADE

Another Kennedy niece, Kerry Kennedy, vowed to remove Trump’s name from the building after he leaves office.

President Lyndon Johnson signed a bill in 1964 that designated the center as a living memorial to Kennedy following his assassination in 1963. The law prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else or from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior, the AP reported.

Trump was elected chairman of the Kennedy Center board in February, after removing 18 trustees appointed by former President Joe Biden.

KENNEDY CENTER SALUTES AMERICA’S MILITARY WITH SOLD-OUT HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR: ‘THE GRATITUDE THEY DESERVE’

Since Trump returned to office on Jan. 20, several artists have canceled performances at the Kennedy Center, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, who called off a production of “Hamilton.”

Redd has toured worldwide and performed with numerous musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, according to his website bio.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital has reached out to Redd for comment.

Service members find ways to celebrate holidays while deployed overseas

As families across the United States gather for the holidays, thousands of U.S. service members are spending the season overseas, marking the occasion far from home while continuing their duties.

American troops remain deployed across Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, supporting missions that range from NATO deterrence operations to maritime patrols and humanitarian assistance. While Christmas abroad rarely resembles celebrations back home, service members often find ways to recognize the holiday within the constraints of their mission and location.

Across overseas installations, troops commonly decorate workspaces, living areas and dining facilities with lights, trees or improvised decorations. Many bases organize special holiday meals, often with commanders and senior enlisted leaders serving food. 

Chaplains typically hold Christmas services when schedules and security allow, sometimes in chapels, hangars or temporary facilities. For sailors deployed at sea, Christmas is often marked between watches, with decorated mess decks and holiday meals worked around operational demands.

The holiday season also brings outreach from senior leaders. In recent days, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth placed Christmas morale calls from the Pentagon to service members stationed across the globe, including troops in South Korea, Kuwait, Norway, Greenland and aboard a Navy aircraft carrier operating in the Pacific. The calls were intended to thank service members for standing watch away from home and to recognize the range of missions continuing through the holidays.

AMERICANS TURNED CHRISTMAS DINNER INTO PATRIOTIC DUTY DURING WWI WITH WARTIME RECIPES

In Japan, where thousands of U.S. service members are stationed year-round, bases often emphasize morale and community traditions during the holidays. At Yokota Air Base, leaders delivered baked cookies to airmen living in dorms as part of the installation’s annual “Cookie Crunch,” a tradition aimed at supporting those spending the holidays away from family. 

Other installations across Japan and the Pacific typically host concerts, meals and volunteer events that sometimes include host-nation communities.

MILITARY REVEALS JUST HOW MUCH TURKEY SHIPPED GLOBALLY TO ENSURE AMERICAN TROOPS ENJOY THANKSGIVING MEAL

Elsewhere in Japan, the U.S. Band of the Pacific performed holiday music for local audiences, using seasonal concerts as a way to engage surrounding communities during the holiday period.

One of the military’s most visible holiday efforts in the region is Operation Christmas Drop, the Department of War’s longest-running humanitarian airlift mission. Now in its 74th year, the operation recently concluded at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, where multinational teams prepared and delivered hundreds of aid bundles by C-130 aircraft to remote Pacific island communities. 

The mission combines humanitarian assistance with airlift training and regional cooperation.

Holiday experiences also vary based on assignment type. In places like Japan and parts of Europe, many U.S. troops serve on accompanied tours, meaning spouses and children live with them overseas. 

Bases in those regions often host larger holiday events and family-focused activities. 

In contrast, deployments to the Middle East and parts of Africa are typically unaccompanied, with service members living on base or at forward locations without family present. In those environments, holiday observances are usually smaller and shaped by operational and security constraints.

That distinction also affects leave. Troops stationed overseas on long-term assignments may be eligible to travel home during the holidays if schedules allow, while service members deployed on rotational or combat deployments generally remain in place, with units maintaining normal staffing and mission requirements throughout the season.

Across Europe, U.S. forces mark the holidays while supporting NATO missions and forward presence efforts. Senior leaders use the season to acknowledge the sacrifices of those stationed abroad. In a holiday message to troops, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. T.J. Holland encouraged soldiers to spend time embracing local culture and connecting with family when possible. 

U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich also thanked service members and their families for their service.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

For many deployed troops, the United Service Organizations (USO) plays a key role during the holidays. Across Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, USO centers, mobile vehicles and expeditionary teams provide festive meals, seasonal decorations and spaces where service members can rest and connect. 

Mobile USO teams often reach personnel stationed at remote or demanding locations, offering brief opportunities to recharge.

For deployed units, the holidays often are marked quietly rather than ceremonially. Traditions differ by location, mission and security environment, but service members continue to find small ways to recognize the season before returning to the routines of deployment.

Popular painkiller offers little relief, raises serious health risks, study finds

A widely prescribed opioid painkiller showed limited effectiveness and increased risk of negative effects in a new analysis published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

The study examined tramadol, a common prescription opioid used to treat chronic pain.

Tramadol has historically been perceived as a safer or less addictive opioid, which has contributed to its widespread use in chronic pain treatment, the study authors noted.

PSYCHIATRIST REVEALS HOW SIMPLE MINDSET SHIFTS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE CHRONIC PAIN

“Often, we may use tramadol to avoid more addictive drugs like other opioids, though in fact tramadol is a synthetic opioid. It is much milder,” Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, told Fox News Digital.

In the new analysis, researchers used data from 19 randomized clinical trials involving 6,506 adults with conditions including osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. All the studies compared tramadol to a placebo treatment.

Overall, tramadol led to a small decrease in pain, but the amount of relief was less than what is usually considered clinically meaningful, the authors reported.

“It is notable how minimal the pain reduction was and how clearly the study highlighted the elevated risk of serious adverse events, even over relatively short trial durations,” Alopi M. Patel, M.D., pain medicine physician at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai in New York City, told Fox News Digital. (Patel was not involved in the study.)

MORE PEOPLE TURN TO ACUPUNCTURE FOR BACK PAIN AS STUDY SHOWS RELIEF

Participants receiving tramadol experienced a higher risk of adverse events, both serious and non-serious, compared with those receiving a placebo. 

Serious adverse events primarily included cardiovascular events, such as chest pain, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. The authors concluded that tramadol likely increases the risk of heart-related issues.

The authors concluded that the benefits of tramadol for chronic pain are small and that the harms likely outweigh the benefits. The findings call into question the use of tramadol for chronic pain conditions, they stated.

Study limitations

Most of the trials included in the analysis were short, with treatment periods ranging from two to 16 weeks and follow-up periods from three to 15 weeks. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

This limited the ability to assess long-term outcomes, the researchers acknowledged.

The authors reported that many outcomes had a high risk of bias, which may have exaggerated the apparent benefits and minimized the reported harms.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The trials involved several different types of chronic pain, but the data were not detailed enough to draw conclusions for any specific condition. This makes it “harder to generalize the findings to specific patient populations,” noted Patel.

Though the study has value, Siegel said, “looking at slight increased rates of cancer or heart disease among those on the drug is completely misleading, because it is not controlled for other factors and there is no evidence or hint of causation.”

“You would have to first look at underlying characteristics of that group who took the meds.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The doctor also pointed out that the study “doesn’t compare [tramadol] with full-on opioids like Percocet.”

Experts emphasize that patients should not stop taking tramadol abruptly, as doing so can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Those looking to change their medication should consult a doctor.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“I recommend that clinicians and patients engage in transparent, shared decision-making that considers tramadol’s modest benefits alongside its risks,” Patel advised.

Fox News Digital reached out to several manufacturers of tramadol requesting comment.

Liberal media stars unleash anti-Trump rhetoric after network departures

The media landscape is as fractured and diversified as it’s ever been, with the rise of New Media in the form of podcasts, Substacks and other independent journalism platforms giving consumers a huge array of options for news and analysis.

Several prominent journalists who were best-known as the faces of their respective networks went the independent route in 2025, though not all by choice. The ones who did are, in all cases, even more outspoken than before, suggesting the corporate shackles of their former employers were no longer restraining their true opinions.

Here are five figures who decamped from mainstream media this past year.

CNN STAFFERS IN SHOCK ABOUT JIM ACOSTA’S ABRUPT EXIT FROM THE NETWORK

Jim Acosta

Known for his melodramatic style of reporting as White House correspondent and then news anchor at CNN, Acosta announced in January he was leaving the network after he was offered a midnight time slot instead of a dayside one.

The left-wing anchor, who injected editorializing into his reporting on President Donald Trump and others, started “The Jim Acosta Show” on Substack, where he hosts a liberal podcast and also blogs and reports.

In one of the most bizarre moments of the year in journalism, Acosta in August “interviewed” the artificially animated avatar of deceased teenager Joaquin Oliver, who died in the Parkland massacre, to promote a gun control message. 

Although the teenager’s father endorsed the stunt, the interview drew significant criticism about the ethics of essentially putting words in the mouth of a deceased person and underscored Acosta’s hyperpartisan approach.

Joy Reid

JOY REID SAYS MSNBC FIRED HER WITHOUT WARNING, SPECULATES HER COVERAGE OF TRUMP, GAZA LED TO OUSTER

The long-time anchor for MSNBC — now known as MS NOW — was abruptly fired in February from hosting “The ReidOut.” Reid has speculated it was because of her outspoken stance on the Gaza war and Trump but said she never received a true reason for the ouster.

Reid started “The Joy Reid Show” in June, where she’s brought her far-left commentary and interviews to more than 382,000 subscribers on YouTube and counting.

Among her highlights this year, which included numerous interview appearances on other shows, are sharing a video suggesting the song “Jingle Bells” is racist, mocking Erika Kirk’s attire in the wake of her husband Charlie’s assassination and suggesting Trump might not have really been shot last year.

Terry Moran

The longtime ABC correspondent parted ways with the network in June after being suspended for his social media rant against Trump and policy adviser Stephen Miller, when he referred to each man as a “world-class hater.”

Moran, who had just weeks earlier interviewed Trump in the Oval Office, went the Substack route, naming his site “Real Patriotism.”

EX-ABC NEWS REPORTER ADMITS EMPLOYER BIASED AGAINST TRUMP DUE TO LACK OF ‘VIEWPOINT DIVERSITY’

He also lauded the rise of alternative media that he’s now part of with his Substack.

“The new media is messy, chaotic and sometimes misinformed. But it cannot be denied that this new journalism is more democratic, more diverse and less captured by corporate interests pretending that ‘objectivity’ means silence about reality. The future is here,” he wrote.

Chuck Todd

Todd left NBC News in January after an 18-year run at the network and relaunched his “Chuck ToddCast” podcast in April.

He cited a loss of faith in national media when he made the move.

CHUCK TODD WARNS THAT DEMS ARE FALLING INTO TRUMP’S TRAP, ‘TAKING THE BAIT’ ON REDISTRICTING

“The reason why I am ready to move, I think the media has a lot of work to do to win back the trust and I think, frankly, national media isn’t the place that’s going to be able to do it,” Todd said. 

The former “Meet the Press” moderator doesn’t hesitate to ding Democrats on his podcast, but much of his commentary is solidly anti-Trump.

Jennifer Rubin

The longtime Washington Post columnist left the paper in January over anger at owner Jeff Bezos, who quashed the paper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris for president the previous year.

The stridently anti-Trump writer, who was once the paper’s token conservative opinion writer but sharply veered to the left, started “The Contrarian” with Norm Eisen, a “pro-democracy” Substack that would feature “fearless and distinctive reported opinion and cultural commentary without phony balance, euphemisms or gamified political punditry.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“We’ve watched as corporate and billionaire owners of media outlets abused their audiences’ loyalty and undercut journalism’s vital role in a free democracy,” Rubin said in a statement at the time. “Instead of safeguarding democratic values, they have enabled the gravest threats to democracy – Donald Trump and his allies – at the very time when a robust and independent press is most essential. We need an alternative, truly independent outlet that is unafraid of the administration and unwilling to equivocate or bend the knee.”

Princess Kate surprises royal Christmas service with mother-daughter piano duet

Kate Middleton played piano with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in a sweet mother-daughter duet.

The surprise moment aired on her Christmas Eve “Together at Christmas” carol service as the opening segment.

In the clip, the Princess of Wales sat beside her daughter for a rendition of “Holm Sound” by Erland Cooper.

She shared the moment on the @PrinceandPrincessofWales social media page Wednesday.

PRINCE WILLIAM EAGER TO DITCH OUTDATED ROYAL CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AS KING CHARLES RESISTS THE CHANGE: EXPERT

“Love and connection through music. A special duet playing Holm Sound by @erlandcooper to open this year’s ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service,” the post was captioned. “Watch Royal Carols: Together at Christmas on ITVX now.”

“At its heart, Christmas speaks of love taking full bloom in the simplest, most human ways,” the mother of three is heard saying in the Instagram clip.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Princess Kate wore a dark blue gown, and Princess Charlotte wore a plaid skirt with a blue blouse.

APP USERS CLOCK HERE FOR POST

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

“Not in sentimental or grand gestures, but gentle ones, a moment of listening, a word of comfort, a friendly conversation, a helping hand. Presence. These simple acts of care might seem small, but they contribute to the beautiful tapestry of life to which we all belong,” she added.

In the clip, Princess Charlotte was joined by siblings Prince George and Prince Louis, adding Christmas decorations with their names handwritten on them to the tree located outside of Westminster Abbey.

Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis all coordinated in dark blue and white accented looks.

Prince William wore a dark blue suit, and Princess Kate opted for a dark green calf-length coat.

She ended the clip by wishing everyone a “very happy Christmas.”

The clip is part of the “Together at Christmas” special.

The footage included also shows guests arriving for the service Dec. 5 at Westminster Abbey.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Second-largest Powerball jackpot won in Arkansas on Christmas Eve

A ticket in Arkansas matched the winning numbers drawn on Christmas Eve for Powerball’s $1.817 billion jackpot.

The grand prize has an estimated cash value of $834.9 million, the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won, according to the lottery.

The largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history was won on Nov. 7, 2022, when a California ticket claimed a $2.04 billion prize.

The white balls drawn Wednesday were 4, 25, 31, 52 and 59. The red Powerball was 19 and the Power Play was 2X.

AMERICANS SURGE TOWARD FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2026 AMID HOUSEHOLD BUDGET CONCERNS

“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, said in a statement. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak – every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”

The winner will have the choice between an annuitized prize of $1.817 billion or a lump sum payment worth $834.9 million. If a winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.

Both prize options are before taxes.

TOP TIPS TO HELP LOTTERY WINNERS PROTECT THEIR FINANCES

In addition to the jackpot winner, eight players won $1 million by matching all five white balls. There were also 114 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 31 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.

Wednesday’s win marked just the second time a Powerball jackpot ticket has been sold in Arkansas, with the first coming in 2010.

The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6, when two tickets in Missouri and Texas split a $1.787 billion prize.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

The jackpot will reset to $20 million, with the next drawing on Saturday.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Officer tells Democrat: ‘I’m not the guy for that’ following comment at traffic stop

A prominent Rhode Island Democrat was captured on police bodycam video asking an officer, “You know who I am?” before her arrest during a recent traffic stop. 

Maria Bucci, 51, who is the chairwoman of the Democratic committee in Cranston – the second-largest city in the state – is now facing a misdemeanor DUI charge following a traffic stop on Dec. 18 in East Greenwich, according to media reports. 

“You know who I am right?” Bucci is heard telling an East Greenwich police officer just moments after he said he smelled alcohol in her breath and described her driving as erratic. 

“I don’t know who you are miss,” the officer responds, before adding, “You can start throwing out names and start doing out what you need to do, it’s not going to work with me, I’m telling you right now, I’m not the guy for that.”

RHODE ISLAND PROSECUTOR IN VIRAL ARREST VIDEO PLACED ON UNPAID LEAVE

The bodycam footage shows the officer trying to lead Bucci through a series of sobriety tests. 

Bucci, a former Cranston mayoral candidate, previously served on the City Council from 2004 to 2008 and also launched an unsuccessful bid for a Rhode Island House of Representatives seat last year, the Cranston Herald reported. 

At one point during the traffic stop, Bucci is heard saying, “Call my husband right now, and call the attorney general and everybody else in town, cause this is disgusting, God forbid I was a Black person, I’d be arrested.”

WATCH: FOOTAGE SHOWS BLUE STATE PROSECUTOR WARNING OFFICERS THEY’LL ‘REGRET’ ARRESTING HER: ‘I’M AN AG!’

The officer eventually takes Bucci into custody. As she is placed in handcuffs, she says “you’re a d—” and looks towards the body camera. 

“Like I am not drinking, you’re a loser,” she adds. 

At the beginning of the video, Bucci told the officer she had a glass of wine and had attended a Christmas party.

Bucci, who is expected to be arraigned on Jan. 5, was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance, according to WPRI. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Bucci and the Rhode Island Democratic Party did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.