Judge rules father cannot opt son out of kindergarten lessons on gender stereotypes

A Massachusetts judge has ruled that a father cannot pull his 5-year-old son out of kindergarten lessons that include books addressing “gender stereotypes.”

Last year, U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV granted a preliminary injunction to a Massachusetts father identified as Alan L. to allow him to opt out his son, identified as J.L., from kindergartner classroom instruction involving books with LGBTQ+ themes in Lexington Public Schools, according to the Boston Herald. 

However, on Tuesday, Saylor issued a memorandum ruling in favor of Lexington Public Schools regarding two books in the kindergarten curriculum, the Herald reported.

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Saylor said the two disputed books, “Pink Is For Boys” and “Except When They Don’t,” do not fall under the opt-out provision because they focus on gender stereotypes rather than explicit themes regarding gender identity or LGBTQ+ relationships.

According to its Amazon profile, “Pink Is for Boys” is a book that “rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids and their grown-ups to express themselves in every color of the rainbow.” The profile adds that it “invites and encourages children to enjoy what they love to do, whether it’s racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up.” 

Amazon describes “Except When They Don’t” as a “stereotype-breaking book” that “invites children to examine what they’re told ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ activities are and encourages them to play with whatever they want to and to be exactly who they are! This book is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.”

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In his ruling Tuesday, Saylor wrote that “because the book teaches about gender stereotypes, not gender identity, it does not violate plaintiff’s religious faith, as defined in the complaint, and therefore falls outside the scope of the preliminary injunction.”

Saylor also included a definition of the term “LGBTQ+,” appearing to quote Wikipedia and said that the term “means relating to people who ‘[are of] a sexual orientation that is nonheterosexual, including lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, and asexual people; people who are transgender or non-binary; people who are intersex; and queer people.’”

“Based on the record evidence, defendants are not required to provide an opportunity for plaintiff to opt his child out of classroom instruction using the books Pink Is For Boys by Robb Pearlman and Except When They Don’t by Laura Gehl,” Saylor wrote. 

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Sasha Gill, partner at Louison, Costello, Condon & Pfaff, LLP who is representing Lexington Public Schools, told Fox News Digital in a statement, “The court’s ruling shows that parents do not have carte blanche in seeking opt-outs for religious reasons and that opt-out requests need only be granted when the identified materials directly conflict with parents’ stated beliefs.

“It’s not about how the curricular materials are marketed to the public or whether they have a connection to groups that advocate beliefs the parent finds objectionable,” Gill said. “The question is how the materials are actually presented to students, something the Supreme Court made very clear in Mahmoud.

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“Overly broad opt-out requests like the one made by this parent expose some of the practical implications of implementing Mahmoud in the public-school setting, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. 

“For this one child, Lexington Public Schools administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals have now spent an unthinkable amount of time trying to ensure two same-sex characters in a storybook aren’t standing too close to each other, lest they be considered gay-appearing enough. It’s an incredible burden to put on public schools.”

Sam Whiting, counsel at Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center, who is representing Alan L., told Fox News Digital in a statement, “We were very pleased that the Court issued a preliminary injunction order which forces the school to opt our client’s child out of over a dozen books that clearly violate his religious beliefs on sexuality and gender identity.” 

Whiting added, “The court’s recent clarification of this order allows the school to use two books on gender stereotypes with our client’s child but, importantly, does not modify the substance of its holding that our client has a constitutional right to opt out of LGBTQ+ curriculum materials. The determination of this side issue does not affect the major victory the Court handed down in favor of this father’s parental rights.”

American figure skater ‘Quad God’ falls from gold medal favorite to eighth place finish

Ilia Malinin had a clear path to the gold medal on Friday night, but that’s why nothing is played on paper.

The 21-year-old American skating phenom, nicknamed the “Quad God” for his amazing leaping ability, failed to medal after being the heavy favorite to win gold, finishing in eighth place.

Malinin dominated the short program earlier this week, entering the day leading by more than five points with a score of 108.16. But Friday was the polar opposite.

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Malinin connected on a quad-flip to start but then settled for a single axel. He then had a double loop instead of a quad loop, which was not exactly what he had hoped for. 

It was all downhill from there. Malinin then fell on a quad Lutz attempt and then fell on another jump shortly after. He scored a 156.33, a far cry from the world record of 238.24 he set in December and the 200-mark he routinely hits in the free skate.

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan won the gold with a total score of 291.58, a personal best. His 198.94 score in Friday’s free skate was also the highest of his career.

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan got the silver, and Shun Sato, Kagiyama’s teammate, came away with the bronze.

Malinin, who posts total scores in the 300s regularly, settled for just 264.49. His personal best is 333.81.

While on the bench, Malinin said if he had been in Beijing four years ago, he would not have skated as poorly as he did. Malinin was 17 when he was left off the roster in favor of veterans. That was a tell-tale sign of a mental battle, which Malinin confirmed almost immediately after he got off the ice.

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“I was not expecting that,” Malinin said. “Honestly, I can’t process what just happened.”

Milanin said he was actually “too confident it was going to go well.”

When asked what his initial thoughts were when he came off the ice, he kept it real simple.

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“I blew it.”

It won’t be all failures for Malinin. He earned gold in the team event earlier in the Games. He is also only 21 years old with nine victories in international competition in his career, so he has plenty of time to rewrite his story.

AG Bondi’s binder strategy turns House hearing into political firestorm

The overstuffed white binders appeared a few moments before Attorney General Pam Bondi exited her motorcade, and strode through the horseshoe entrance of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Roll Call photographer Tom Williams and I stood in the hallway, negotiating our positions for Bondi’s entrance. Williams would position himself on the far side. I slid to the wall nearest the horseshoe entrance. Ali Vitali of MS NOW and Jay O’Brien of ABC worked the sidewall.

A coterie of Bondi’s aides appeared. One bogged down by the massive binders.

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“Let her get into the room,” instructed the aide.

I politely reminded the aide that the corridor was an open hallway on Capitol Hill. It wasn’t closed off by the U.S. Capitol Police. So, tossing questions at the Attorney General was fair game.

And, thus began another dance between reporters, security details, the U.S. Capitol Police, aides and Cabinet members when they appear for major Congressional hearings.

At the time, we had no clue what was in the binders. But you couldn’t ignore the sheer size of them.

It’s not uncommon for aides to haul in briefing books for a principal when they testify. However, no one has seen binders like this since Kinko’s was still in business.

The contents of what the binders contained was about to play a central role in Bondi’s testimony to the House Judiciary Committee.

But the first charge of the morning was to query Bondi. There was so much going on. All of which were subjects that the Attorney General could address.

Speaking of files…

Bondi wasn’t there to testify about the Epstein files, per se. But Democrats – and one Republican – would make the Justice Department’s release of partially redacted documents the focus of the hearing. So there was plenty to ask Bondi about that.

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However, there were overnight developments from Arizona. Authorities detained a person near the Mexico border in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. What Bondi might know about the FBI’s role in this was worth a question. 

Then, there was a cryptic alert that officials were shutting off the airport in El Paso to all air traffic for ten days. Was there a threat of terrorism? Something about cartels? Finally, a story broke overnight that the Justice Department sought to indict six Democratic lawmakers for their video telling service members they didn’t have to comply with unlawful orders. A District of Columbia grand jury refused to indict any of them.

So the press corps waited for Bondi and her security detail to breeze through the door. We’d have about a minute to pepper her with questions as she walked from the horseshoe entrance to a back anteroom.

Reporters must be strategic with such brief “walk-and-talks.” Rapid, Gatling gun-like questions. Succinct. Straight to the point. And agile enough to skip to the next line of inquiry if the figure arriving on Capitol Hill doesn’t answer or gives a brief response.

In another universe, I may have started with Epstein. But the Nancy Guthrie story has consumed the nation for weeks now. There was a development overnight. Nearly every story on the planet always occupies a lane somewhere on Capitol Hill. The Nancy Guthrie saga was no exception.

I had positioned myself on the inside track as we walked down the hall. Able to sidle up close to Bondi as she moved through the building.

“Madam Attorney General, any comment about the investigation of Guthrie? Any update on that right now?” I began, getting to Bondi first.

“Yeah, I can’t talk about that now. Praying for Savannah and her family,” replied Bondi.

Check. Moving on.

“What happened in El Paso? Why did they close off El Paso? Is that something you don’t know about? Or you just can’t comment?” I asked.

“I cant discuss it,” responded Bondi.

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Then, the main event.

“And what about the Epstein files? A lot of members have been upset that some of these files have not been fully unredacted. What do you say to that?” I inquired.

“We’re going to discuss that today,” answered Bondi.

I backed off to allow my colleagues a chance to pose questions.

“But why was certain information redacted that’s against the nature of the law? Why was certain information redacted that’s against the law?” asked Vitali.

No response.

So I tagged back in, returning to the initial lines of questioning.

“Did you get any updates overnight on the Guthrie investigation? Were they keeping you informed overnight on that? And when did you first find out about the El Paso situation? When did you first hear about the El Paso situation, Madam Attorney General?”

Bondi was silent.

The scrum processed down the hall, camera operators and reporters bumping all over one another, edging backwards. A semi-blob of security personnel slightly shielded Bondi.

But the end was near. The throng approached the backdoor to the Judiciary Committee. Bondi would soon turn right and disappear inside.

Just enough time for one final topic.

“What about the attempt to prosecute the six lawmakers? Any comment on that failed grand jury indictment?” I hollered.

“I’ll refer that to U.S. Attorney Pirro,” replied Bondi, referring to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeannine Pirro, who tried to indict the six.

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“Do you know why that went wrong?” I asked.

But that was it. The shot clock expired.

Bondi ignored the question, turning right with her security detail and retreating into the anteroom.

When he hosted Meet the Press on NBC, late host Tim Russert would sometimes boast that they had the Vice President or Secretary of State “for the whole hour.”

The exchanges with Bondi were a fraction of that, consuming a meager one minute and three seconds. From 9:42:03 am et until 9:43:06 am et. There was efficient questioning. And Bondi fielded the questions. But there wasn’t a lot which advanced any of the stories. Still, it’s important to pose the questions and get the exchanges on camera. That made it a productive exercise. Sometimes the Capitol press corps never even sees the big witnesses arrive. Or if we do, they don’t even respond to questions.

The group of aides ducked into the Judiciary Committee suite, one aide lugging the ginormous binders like a stack of Christmas presents.

These binders were about to become the most famous folios in American politics since former Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) proclaimed he had “binders full of women” during a 2012 debate with President Obama.

The hearing would start a few moments later, carried live on multiple TV networks. The purpose of the binders soon became clear. Each binder contained dossiers on every single Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. Bondi would turn to a specific section in each binder, mining for barbs to lob back at Democrats on the dais. Sometimes about their voting history. Sometimes about a law enforcement or immigration issue in their district. Bondi frequently lashed Democrats – and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) – with ad hominem attacks. She derided Massie as a “failed politician.” She called Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top Democrat on the panel “a washed-up, loser lawyer.”

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) tried to bait Bondi, asking her to “give me your best” bit of opposition research. The Florida Democrat would then grade what Bondi’s staff concocted.

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The hearing devolved into five hours of shouting, screaming and mayhem. One of the most chaotic, cacophonous hearings in recent memory. The spectacle spoke volumes.

All of which could fill a stack of overstuffed binders.

Texas Democrat blames racism for her likely Senate loss before votes are even cast

Heated racial rhetoric in Texas is flaring this primary season, as Democratic contenders lean into identity-focused messaging that Republicans say is divisive and a clinic in “wokeness at its worst.”

Texas Democrats are heading into primary season with an intraparty fight that is increasingly spilling into race and identity. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is running for the Senate, has suggested racism would be to blame if she loses, while former Rep. Colin Allred accused Crockett rival and Austin state Rep. James Talarico of calling him “a mediocre Black man” in a political spat affecting races in the Senate and House.

“These disgusting comments are wokeness at its worst and the silence is deafening from Democrats,” RNC spokesman Zach Kraft said of the recent rhetoric out of Texas in recent months.

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Crockett, who is running for the Senate to replace Republican Sen. John Cornyn, offered a fiery response.

“You think I didn’t know I was a black woman when I woke up and decided that I was going to run for the U.S. Senate? You think I didn’t factor in and make sure we had enough room to account for that?”

Racially focused flare-ups have broken out in recent weeks as Democrats eye high-profile races and try to energize blue voters in the red state.

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“Look no further than the Senate primary to see how the woke mind virus has spread like wildfire among the ranks of Texas Democrats. James Talarico spent last week apologizing for his ‘white privilege,’ and Jasmine Crockett is taking a page out of Kamala Harris‘ playbook by preemptively blaming racism and sexism for why she will lose,” Kraft told Fox News Digital.

Just this month, Texas Democratic state Rep. Gene Wu, the minority leader of the Texas House, drew backlash over a resurfaced clip from a 2024 interview in which he described white Americans as “oppressors” of “non-whites.”

“That there is a sense of, ‘America really just belongs to White people,’ that this was that a lot of people believe that God gave America to White people to rule, and that any time that immigrants, minorities make progress in this country, that that is seen as a slight against them,” Wu, of Houston, said in 2024 on “Define American” podcast with Antonio Vargas.

Wu, who was born in Guangzhou, China, added that Latinos, Asians and Black Americans — “everybody” — are kept divided because powerful forces have spent time and money ensuring they do not unite. Instead, he argued, those groups are pushed to see each other as rivals even though they share the same oppressor, and he claimed the oppression “comes from one place.”

“I always tell people the day the Latino, African-American, Asian and other communities realize that they are — that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning, because we are the majority in this country now,” he continued. “We have the ability to take over this country and to do what is needed for everyone and to make things fair.”

The clip set off swift condemnation from Texans as it circulated online, including Republican Sen. Ted Cruz saying, “The Democrat party is built on bigotry.”

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Allred recently told former DNC chairman Jaime Harrison of South Carolina on his podcast that Talarico made another disparaging comment about him in private while the former Tennessee Titans linebacker was still a candidate in the Senate race.

Allred has since dropped out and is seeking a newly drawn 33rd Congressional District near Dallas. The current 33rd District in the Metroplex is represented by Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey.

“He’s said some things to me that I don’t like. He said to me before he got into the race that he thought that he would be a better candidate because he doesn’t have a family, and that… he could spend more time campaigning,” Allred said.

“As you know, Jaime, like I didn’t know my dad, so I’m like all about being a father to my two boys, right? I was like, no, no, no, I run because of my family.”

A TikTok influencer named Morgan Thompson originally claimed Allred made the “mediocre Black man” comments, recounting the conversation from a Talarico rally in Plano.

“James Talarico told me that he signed up to run against a mediocre Black man, not a formidable and intelligent Black woman,” Thompson said, adding she now supports Crockett.

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Talarico released a statement soon after calling the situation a “mischaracterization of a private conversation” and said he was talking about Allred’s “method of campaigning,” not his life.

“I would never attack him on the basis of race,” Talarico said. “As a Black man in America, Congressman Allred has had to work twice as hard to get where he is. I understand how my critique of the Congressman’s campaign could be interpreted given this country’s painful legacy of racism, and I care deeply about the impact my words have on others,” Talarico said, according to the Texas Tribune.

Talarico recently announced that he raised $7.4 million in the first six weeks of the quarter in his contest against Crockett.

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He did not respond to a request for comment. Crockett’s campaign also did not respond to an inquiry left in its campaign inbox, which is separate from her official congressional office due to the Hatch Act.

.  

Jason Aldean slams Zach Bryan with brutal one-liner in country music feud

Jason Aldean had a simple response to Zach Bryan’s continued criticism after the Turning Point USA alternative halftime show.

Bryan took aim at Aldean and Brantley Gilbert, who performed “Dirt Road Anthem” at the Feb. 8 show. The “Something in the Orange” singer posted a video of himself and Harley Carmichael singing a parody of Gilbert’s song – which Aldean covered on his 2010 album, “My Kinda Party.”

Gilbert seemingly laughed off the jab, posting a video of himself eating a chili dog in response to Bryan’s parody song – which featured the changed lyrics: “Chili on a hot dog, talkin’ ’bout chili on a hot dog.”

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“@zachlanebryan, you can climb all the fences you want, you’re not getting my chili dog,” Gilbert wrote in his caption, referencing a video of Bryan climbing a fence in an argument with fellow country singer Gavin Adcock.

“Best song I’ve heard from that guy,” Aldean quipped in the comments, referring to Bryan’s parody.

The online back-and-forth comes after Bad Bunny took the stage at Super Bowl LX. Bryan initially criticized the TPUSA halftime show on Instagram.

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“What kid rock actually thinks is happening across America,” he wrote on his Instagram Story, per Whiskey Riff. The video featured Bryan’s friend watching the TPUSA show on a cell phone, while pretending not to watch the Bad Bunny-led performance playing on the television in the background.

He shared a message he received from a follower that read, “wtf happens to you? Boy you turned into a Hollywood sell out b—- real quick. You were my favorite artist. Now you are nothing but another dumba– out of touch elitist. S— happens real quick homie.”

Bryan wrote, “I don’t care what side you’re on, a bunch of adults throwing temper tantrums and their own halftime show is embarrassing as hell and the most cringe s— on the planet.”

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The show, featuring Gilbert, Kid Rock, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, streamed on YouTube at the same time as the Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny took place.

Fans were quick to criticize Bryan’s remarks.

“Where’d your patriotism go?” one fan wrote on Instagram.

“Look who didn’t get invited to the Super Bowl or the turning point halftime show,” another commented. 

“lol go throw another cringe worth tantrum Zach and get over your jealousy of KidRock! lol! Your career is over lol” one added.

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Ocasio-Cortez, on world stage, says it’s time to impose a wealth tax ‘expeditiously’

Two of President Donald Trump’s top Democratic critics are using appearances at a high-profile European gathering to blast the Republican president’s agenda and beef up their foreign policy chops on the world state ahead of possible 2028 White House runs.

“Donald Trump is temporary,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday during a climate change discussion at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. “He’ll be gone in three years.”

And Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, during a town hall at the prestigious conference, pointed to Trump and charged, “We are seeing our presidential administration tear apart the transatlantic partnership, rip up every democratic norm.”

Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez are the most well known of a small group of potential Democratic presidential contenders using appearances in Munich to criticize Trump’s international agenda and offer a contrast to Vice President JD Vance, the perceived 2028 Republican front-runner, who delivered a scathing attack on Europe during his speech at the security forum last year.

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The other Democrats with likely national ambitions making the rounds at the confab and meeting with international leaders are Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, and former Commerce Secretary. Gina Raimondo.

Ocasio-Cortez pointed to her fellow Democrats in Munich and said, “I think many of us are here to say we are here, and we are ready for the next chapter, not to have the world turn to isolation, but to deepen our partnership … and increase our commitment to integrity to our values.”

At a second discussion later on Friday, Ocasio-Cortez argued that “the United States is very much in a compromised position compared to where we were five years ago. Our relationships with our allies are strained. Our commitment and demonstrated consistency on democratic values and human rights are also incredibly strained.”

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Newsom, who is speaking at his third major international conference in recent months, following appearances last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and late last year at a world climate conference in Brazil, hammered Trump over climate policy, arguing the president is “doubling down on stupid.”

“Never in the history of the United States of America has there been a more destructive president than the current occupant of the White House in Washington, D.C.,” Newsom charged. “Donald Trump is trying to turn back the clock.”

THE 2028 WHITE HOUSE RACE IS ALREADY UNDERWAY

Fox Digital has reached out to the White House for a response to the jabs from Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez.

Ocasio-Cortez, during the first of her two appearances at the conference, was asked by the town hall moderator, “When you run for president, are you going to impose a wealth tax or a billionaire’s tax?”

Responding with a laugh, the four-term federal lawmaker who has long advocated for significant tax increases on the ultra-wealthy to fund progressive initiatives then said, “We don’t have to wait for any one president to impose a wealth tax… That needs to be done expeditiously.”

Matthew Bartlett, who served at the State Department during the first Trump administration, told Fox News Digital that “the regular foreign policy crowd is turning into something of a cattle call for 2028 as numerous Democrats take Munich to articulate their vision and try to develop some sort of foreign policy credential as the next presidential race is on the horizon.”

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And Terry Shumaker, who served as U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago during the Clinton administration, noted that the appearances in Munich by the potential candidates “gives them experience, confidence, and something to refer back to on the campaign trail when they’re asked about their foreign policy experience.”

And Shumaker, a longtime New Hampshire-based attorney and Democratic Party activist, said it also signals to the world “that Trump is not a monolith. That there’s another side of the story in the United States.”

Tech boss found guilty in brutal family massacre after shocking business betrayal

New Jersey tech boss Paul Caneiro was found guilty Friday of killing his brother and his brother’s family before setting their home on fire. 

Caneiro, 59, was found guilty on four counts of murder, two counts of aggravated arson and two weapons counts in the 2018 killing of his brother, Keith Caneiro, 50; Keith’s wife, Jennifer, 45; and their two young children. 

A Monmouth County jury handed down the verdict after five hours of deliberation. 

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Keith and Paul Caneiro were partners at a technology firm in Asbury Park called Square One. 

Caneiro killed his relatives over a soured business relationship with his brother, prosecutors alleged. 

Keith Caneiro discovered that his brother was stealing money from their businesses and from him personally. After the killings, Paul Caneiro then set their mansion on fire and his own home in an attempt to cover it up, authorities said.

Caneiro set fire to his own home in Ocean Township, allegedly using gasoline to set the structure ablaze while his wife and two daughters were inside. No one was hurt in that fire.

BROTHER OF TECH CEO KILLED WITH FAMILY AT BURNING MANSION ACCUSED OF TRYING TO TORCH HIS OWN HOME WITH KIN INSIDE

Paul Caneiro had sneaked up on his brother’s family while they slept in the middle of the night, then set both fires to make it appear the entire family was being targeted, the Asbury Park Press and NJ.com reported.

Defense attorneys told the jury investigators failed to investigate anyone else for the crime, including a third Caneiro brother.

They suggested that two people reportedly seen at Keith Caneiro’s home shortly before police and emergency responders arrived may have been involved in the killings. 

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Paul Caneiro now faces a potential life term when he’s sentenced May 12.

Spanberger under fire for barbecue post as social media users express disgust

Virginia’s new Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger is being widely mocked for a photo of her grilling, with many on social media expressing alarm and disgust over what appears to be some type of shredded meat over the fire.

Spanberger, who ran as a moderate Democrat, has been criticized for enacting radical day one policies, including moving to end cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and restore diversity, equity and inclusion. But this week the primary criticism against her was over a photo she posted of herself smiling over a grill on Thursday with the caption, “Order up.”

The post garnered immediate mockery, with many comparing it to the viral photo of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in which the senator could be seen smiling with several of what appeared to be uncooked burger patties, one of which already had cheese on it.

Conservative commentator Greg Price reacted to the photo of Spanberger alongside images of Schumer, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe in front of grills, with the caption, “I hope Democrat politicians never stop doing photo ops behind a grill.”

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Though the new governor was wearing a black apron with the words, “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner,” her post was flooded with comments asking what the strange-looking meat on the grill truly was.

“Ma’am, what is that?” reacted independent journalist Breanna Morello.

Popular satire account Three Year Letterman commented, “How many neighborhood cats are missing” and “arrest her.”

“Did you cut your meat with a weed wacker?” wrote Parker Thayer, a researcher at Capital Research Center.

Heritage Foundation research fellow Jason Bedrick commented, “What you did to that meat violates the Geneva Convention.”

Another user, conservative commentator David Freeman, simply reacted, “No thanks.”

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Beef supplier Merriwether Farms wrote, “Virginia is in trouble.”

In 2024, Schumer took similar criticism over a Father’s Day post, which the New York Democrat eventually deleted, showing off his backyard grill.

Our family has lived in an apartment building for all our years, but my daughter and her wife just bought a house with a backyard and for the first time we’re having a barbeque with hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill!” Schumer posted on X on Sunday. “Father’s Day Heaven!”

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The post was immediately criticized by conservatives accusing him of placing cheese on one of the burger patties prematurely and not knowing how to properly grill the burger.

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“Chuck is making an E. coli with cheese,” Cavalry founding partner Michael Duncan posted on X. 

Spanberger’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

James Van Der Beek’s family raises over $2M as famous friends step in to help

James Van Der Beek‘s GoFundMe organizers shared they raised over $2 million after previously sharing that the family was in “urgent need” of funds following the star’s death.

The $2 million in donations largely stems from Van Der Beek’ star-studded circle. Zoe Saldaña, Derek Hough, Steven Spielberg and more have donated thousands to help the “Dawson’s Creek” star’s family. 

The GoFundMe page, which was created by the friends and family of James Van Der Beek, shared an update on Feb. 12, thanking fans for their donations.

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“Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words. In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James’s spirit continues to bring people together,” the page wrote.

Prior to the update, designer Erin Fetherston told Extra that the family was in “urgent need” of money after Van Der Beek passed away following a battle with colorectal cancer.

“There is a sincere and urgent need here for the family.”

— Erin Fetherston

“I’m just so happy and grateful that so many people feel moved in their hearts the way that those of us close feel. There is a sincere and urgent need here for the family. They have really been through it, and I just want to thank everyone on their behalf who has given and who may feel inspired to give,” Fetherston told the outlet on Thursday.

She explained that Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and their children are struggling financially following his death.

“These are six children who are facing life without a father. Their amazing mother, Kimberly, has been a devoted wife and mom,” Fetherston continued. “She’s had six children and been public about losing babies along the way. She has been in the space of motherhood and supporting James all of these years. Now, she’s really left to pick up the pieces.”

The designer concluded with: “By supporting them, you’re helping them just maintain some stability in their life after going through a terribly challenging, painful, and heartbreaking journey that has ended in the loss of their father.”

It appears Van Der Beek’s famous friends are coming to the family’s rescue with hefty donations. According to Us Weekly, Spielberg and his wife donated $250,000. 

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Page Six reported that Saldaña donated $2,500 a month. “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu donated $10,000 and Hough donated $1,000, according to Page Six. The outlet also lists Ricki Lake, Miranda Kerr, Kaley Cuoco and Lydia Hearst as donors, but did not disclose specific amounts.

The goal for the GoFundMe page was originally set at $250,000, but has increased as donations rolled in. The goal on the website as of Friday is set at $1.5 million and has topped $2 million.

Users on Reddit have shared their thoughts on the Van Der Beek family launching a GoFundMe.

One user was happy to see the GoFundMe page reach its requested donations. “It’s shameful what a terminal disease does to a family in America. They shouldn’t have had to spend any money fighting this. I’m happy to see so much has already been donated,” the user wrote.

Meanwhile, another Reddit user commented, “Why are we donating to a celebrity? This is dystopian. $1m is more than a lot of American families will see in their lifetime. Another person said, “Asking for money to keep your kids in your $2 million, 36 acre compound is certainly…a choice.” 

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Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and their six kids: Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah. Kimberly announced her husband’s death in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” her caption began. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

Following his death, tributes began pouring in for Van Der Beek. His “Dawson’s Creek” co-stars, including Katie Holmes, Busy Philipps, Mary Margaret Hume, Sasha Alexander and Chad Michael Murray, were among the dozens of stars who remembered the late actor.

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In November 2024, Van Der Beek — who was officially diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023 — first revealed his diagnosis in a statement to People: “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”

“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he added.

In December 2025, Van Der Beek sat down with “Today’s” Craig Melvin and opened up about his health. 

“I feel much, much better than I did a couple months ago,” Van Der Beek said at the time. “It’s been a longer journey than I ever thought it would be. It’s required more of me — more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong — I didn’t know I was this strong. But I feel good.”

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