Fox News 2024-07-12 12:07:54


Trump swipes Biden over VP gaffe at NATO, he quickly hits back with fiery response

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Biden, Trump trade barbs over Biden’s VP Trump-Harris selection mishap

President Biden’s remark during his press conference Thursday night about selecting Donald Trump as his vice president shook the airwaves, and the internet.

Trump was quick to quip on X.

“Crooked Joe begins his “Big Boy” Press Conference with, “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.” Great job, Joe!” Trump tweeted.

Biden tweeted after his news conference.

“By the way: Yes, I know the difference,” Biden wrote on X. “One’s a prosecutor, and the other’s a felon.”

Trump was convicted by a New York court for giving hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. No sentencing has been unveiled.

Harris is a former attorney general in California before becoming a U.S. Senator and eventual vice president.

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McCaul says Democratic leaders need to get Biden to step aside after Putin gaffe

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, says Democratic Party leaders need to “stand up and make” President Biden step aside, after the president mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Thursday, Biden was speaking at a NATO summit in Washington, D.C., alongside Zelenskyy, when he said, “And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” before walking away from the podium.

Biden then seemed to realized his mistake and corrected himself to say President Zelenskyy.

McCaul responded to the gaff in a statement to Fox News.

“This is the person who has first-strike capabilities with our nuclear arsenal,” the House Republican said. “We are continuing to send a powerfully dangerous signal to our adversaries that the commander-in-chief is not in control of his faculties. The emperor has no clothes, and if he won’t step aside other senior leaders in the Democratic Party need to stand up and make him – for the security of our nation.”

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17th Dem lawmaker calls on Biden to drop out of presidential race

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen of Illinois on Thursday became the 17th Democratic lawmaker to publicly call on President Biden to drop out of the presidential race.

In a statement posted on X, Sorensen praised Biden for having dedicated the “bulk of his life” in public service. He noted that Biden ran for president in 2020 “with the purpose of putting country over party.”

“Today, I am asking him to do that again,” Sorensen said.

Sorensen stressed the importance of having a candidate “who will communicate a positive vision for every person in this country” and had “the strength and wisdom needed to lead us through the worst storms.”

“Every day, I remain committed to the people of Central and Northwestern Illinois. I believe our best days are still ahead,” Sorensen said. “And today, I am hopeful President Biden will step aside in his campaign for president.”

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16th Dem lawmaker calls on Biden to drop out of presidential race

Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., on Thursday became the 16th Democratic House lawmaker calling on President Biden to drop his bid for a second term in the White House.

“Today I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign. The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course. My conscience requires me to speak up and put loyalty to the country and to democracy ahead of my great affection for, and loyalty to, the President and those around him,” Peters said in a statement.

“We must find a candidate from our deep bench of talent who can defeat Donald Trump. That means fielding a ticket that can win in the swing states where Democrats are not dominant but where this election will be decided. The candidate must be selected through a fair and transparent process, and then, when we leave our convention next month in Chicago, we must rally together and fight like hell. I hope all Democrats will join me in putting the country first, preserving the progress of the past four years, and solidifying Joe Biden’s legacy as one of the great leaders of our time — by defeating Donald Trump.”

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Biden says he has to pace himself a lot more

President Biden said during a press conference Thursday night that he has to pace himself a lot more, showing his energy is not what it used to be when he was elected in 2020 and took on one of the most strenuous jobs in the world.

Biden was asked by a reporter about reports in which the president has acknowledged he needs to go to bed earlier.

“That’s not true. Look, what I said was, instead of my day starting at seven and going to bed at midnight, it would be smarter for me to pace myself a little more,” the president said, adding that instead of starting a fundraiser at 9 p.m. for people to leave by 10 p.m., he would rather see them start as early as 6 p.m. and no later than 8 p.m.

He also blamed his jam-packed schedule on his poor debate performance in June, against former President Trump.

“I always have an inclination, whether I was playing sports or doing politics, just to keep going nonstop,” Biden said. “I just got to pace myself a lot more, pace myself. And the next debate, I’m not going to be traveling 15 time zones a week before. Anyway, that’s what it was about.”

He also took a dig at his staff.

“I love my staff, but…they add things all the time. I’m catching hell from my wife for that,” Biden said.

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Biden addresses ‘limitations’: ‘I just have to pace myself a little more’

President Biden, speaking during a high-stakes press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. Thursday, downplayed earlier remarks he made concerning the limitations he needed to place on his work schedule amid questions over his mental fitness.

“That’s not true,” Biden said when the reporter pressed him on his previous statements about the need to go to bed earlier.

“Look, what I said was, instead of my every day starting at seven and going to bed at midnight, it’d be smarter for me to pace myself a little more. And I said, for example, the eight, seven, six stuff – instead of starting a fundraiser at 9:00 o’clock, people get to go home by 10:00 o’clock. That’s what I’m talking about,” Biden said.

The embattled president has, for weeks, been fending off calls to drop out from the presidential race after last month’s debate put concerns about his mental acuity front and center in the campaign.

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Another House Dem drops support for Biden candidacy after high-stakes press conference

Jim Himes, D-Conn., on Thursday dropped his support for President Biden after the president’s high-stakes press conference.

In a message posted on X, Himes, like his fellow Democrats, praised Biden’s record of public service, but implored the president not to risk that legacy.

Himes said it was because of the Biden administration’s accomplishments, that he hopes “Biden will step away from the presidential campaign.”

“The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the thereat posed by Trump’s promised MAGA authoritarianism,” Himes said. “I no longer believe that is Joe Biden, and I hope that, as he has throughout a lifetime of public service, he will continue to put our nation first and, as he promised, make way for a new generation of leaders.”

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Biden says he’ll have another neurological exam

President Biden
said if a neurologist thinks he should have a neurological exam, he will do it.

The statement came after a reporter asked him during the president’s “Big Boy” conference about whether he would be open to taking another physical or test before the upcoming election in November.

Reporters have hammered White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre over the president’s health at recent press briefings, particularly in terms of health exams.

“I’ve taken three significant and intense neurological exams by a…neurologist. In each case, as recently as February, they say I’m in good shape,” Biden said. “I’m tested every single day about my neurological capacity, the decisions I make every day.”

The president then addressed his age, saying, the only thing age does is create a little bit of wisdom.

“Every single day, I’m surrounded by good docs. If they think there’s a problem, I promise you, or even if they don’t think it’s a problem and think I should have a neurological exam again, I’ll do it,” Biden said. “No one’s suggesting that to me now.

“No matter what I did, no one’s going to be satisfied,” he added.

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Biden says he wants to allay fears of viability by getting ‘out there’

President Biden told a reporter Thursday reiterated his decision to stay in the race, telling a reporter that it’s important he “allay fears” by getting out in the public spotlight more.

Pressed to respond to doubts growing within his own party about his viability as a presidential candidate, Biden said he was “determined on running.”

“I think it’s important that I … allay fears by [letting] them see me out there … For the longest time it was, you know, ‘Biden’s not prepared to sit with us unscripted. Biden’s not prepared to…any way,” Biden said, seeming to trail off.

“And so,” what I’m doing – what I’ve been doing – is, I think we’ve done over 20 major events from Wisconsin to North Carolina, to anyway, to demonstrate that I’m going out there is where you think we can win, where we can persuade people to move our way,” Biden said.

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Biden tells reporters he is following advice from ‘my commander-in-chief’

President Biden said he was following the advice of his commander-in-chief when it came to imposed limitations on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his country’s use of American weapons on Russia.

Biden spoke to reporters at a NATO summit on Thursday in Washington, D.C., and was asked by a reporter about his meeting with Zelenskyy that day.

Specifically, the report asked about the Ukrainian president pressing Biden about lifting limitation on Ukraine’s use of American weapons, saying afterward his country cannot win the war with Russia unless the limitations are lifted. The reporter then asked Biden if he had plans to reconsider his position.

In response, Biden said, “I’m following the advice of my commander-in-chief.”

He then seemingly appeared to notice his mistake, saying, “My, the chief of staff of the military, as well as the secretary of defense and our intelligence people.”

Biden also said he and his staff are making a day-to-day basis on what Ukraine should do and how far they should go into Russia.

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Trump notes Biden’s mix-up between him and Harris: ‘Great job, Joe!

Former President Trump noted President Biden’s flub during a Thursday press conference in which he called his predecessor a former vice president.

Biden made his remarks during his first solo news conference in many months following a busy day of NATO Summit events.

“Crooked Joe begins his ‘Big Boy’ Press Conference with, ‘I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.’ Great job, Joe!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

While taking questions from reporters, Biden was asked about Vice President Kamala Harris’ ability to defeat Trump if she were at the top of the ticket.

“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president. So I think she was not qualified to be president,” Biden said, appearing to mix up Harris with his political opponent. “So let’s start there. Number one, the fact is that, the consideration is that I think I’m the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once and I will beat him again.”

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Biden says Harris is ‘qualified to be president’

During his press conference, President Biden answered when asked if Vice President Kamala Harris was qualified to be president, he said, “That’s why I picked her.”

President Biden then went on to list a number of reasons why he picked Harris including the way she handled women’s rights and ability to work under pressure.

“First of all, the way she’s handled the issue of freedom of women’s bodies to have control over their bodies. Secondly, her ability to handle almost any issue on the board. This was a hell of a prosecutor. She was a first rate person, and in the Senate, she was really good,” Biden said.

He continued stating again that she was qualified to be president and it’s why he picked her as his second in command.

“I wouldn’t have picked her unless I thought she was qualified to be president. From the very beginning. I made no bones about that. She is qualified to be president. That’s why I picked her,” Biden said.

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Biden brushes off concerns, says there are no signs he’s slowing down

President Biden on Thursday brushed off concerns about him dropping out of the presidential race, saying there were no signs of him slowing down.

The comments came in response to a reporter who had asked Biden how he could assure the American people that he wouldn’t have more “bad nights” as the president himself characterized his debate performance.

Biden said the best way to assure them is the way he assures himself.

“I getting the job done? Am I getting the job done? Can you name me somebody who’s got more major pieces of legislation passed in three and a half years? I created 2000 jobs just last week. So if I slow down, I can’t get the job done,” Biden said. “That’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet. None.”

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Biden holds up list of reporters he was told to call on during press conference

President Biden held what his communications staff called a “Big Boy” press conference, and while speaking, he showed a list of reporters he was told to call on.

Biden’s press conference took place at a NATO summit in Washington, D.C.

When he opened it up for questions, the president said, “With that, I’ll take your questions. I’ve been given a list of people to call on here.”

It is not clear whether he was supposed to hold up the list of reporters he was told to call on, but the move raised more questions about whether this was indeed a “Big Boy” press conference.”

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Biden accidentally refers to Kamala Harris as ‘Vice President Trump’

President Biden on Thursday mistakenly referred to Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” when addressing a reporter during a press conference at the NATO summit.

The gaffe came after an AP reporter had asked Biden whether he had any concerns about Vice President Harris’ ability to beat Donald Trump if she were the top of the ticket.”

“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president,” Biden said, not appearing to catch his mistake. “So, I think she not qualified to be president [if I thought] she’s not qualified to be president.”

The flub came just a few hours after Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin.


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UAW president reportedly expresses ‘deep concerns’ with Biden’s candidacy

The United Auto Workers President met with the union’s executive board late Thursday to discuss his deep concerns surrounding President Biden’s ability to beat former President Trump in November, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Reuters reported that UAW President Shawn Fain called together top officials of the nearly 400,000-member union to discuss its concerns with the candidacy and the union’s options, according to sources who spoke to the wire on anonymity.

Fain and the UAW endorsed Biden in January, and they are important allies of the president and could play a critical role with helping Biden win key states like Michigan, where the union is based.

Despite the pull the union has, some UAW members, in June, were still unwilling to support Biden in November and are planning to vote for Trump.

The UAW went on strike for several weeks in September, demanding increased wages and a shorter work week. Biden joined them, making him the first president to join a picket line.

Fox News’ Hanna Panreck and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Pelosi working behind the scenes putting pressure on Biden to drop out of race: report

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly working behind the scenes to pressure President Biden to drop out of the presidential race amid a growing number of calls from within his own party to withdraw.

Democratic lawmakers who spoke with The Hill said Pelosi has been speaking with large swaths of the party to raise concerns about Biden’s ability to beat Trump in November.

One lawmaker relayed Pelosi’s message that the stakes being high and “we can’t afford to do anything but have our best possible opportunity to win.”

Pelosi grew testy with a reporter Wednesday who had asked whether she still supported the president as he faces mounting pressure to drop out of the race.

ABC News reporter Rachel Scott caught up with Pelosi as she was walking in the halls of Congress and asked her if she had talked with Biden about her comments that morning calling on Biden “to decide” if he was going to stay in the race.

“I’m not having any discussions with you, or anyone else, about what I talk to the president about, with all due respect,” Pelosi told Scott in a video shared on X. “I’m not going to be making any comments today, in the hallway, about the fate of our nation, OK?”

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Longtime Biden advisor blames family, inner circle for ‘perfect storm of an echo chamber’

A longtime advisor of President Biden’s blames the president’s inner circle and family for creating a “perfect storm of an echo chamber,” which is biting them all “in the ass,” according to a post on X by CNN’s Jake Tapper.

The CNN host shared a screenshot from one of Biden’s longtime advisors on social media Thursday.

“I just think there is an unfortunate inevitability to all this. I am sad because I have known him a long time and he is a good man,” the post read. “I am angry at his inner circle who have not served him well and at times committed malpractice in their service. And I am frustrated at the family for not expanding the circle so there would be a truth teller or two in their midst.

“They created a perfect storm of an echo chamber and it is biting them all in the ass,” the post concluded.

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Hawaii Rep. joins growing list of Dems calling for Biden to drop out: ‘Difficult Decisions’

Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, on Thursday joined a growing list of his fellow Democrats who are calling for President Biden to drop out of the presidential race.

In a statement, Case said, “Difficult times and realities require difficult decisions.

“This is one of those times, realities and decisions. My guidepost is what is the best way forward for our country,” Case said. “I do not believe President Biden should continue his candidacy for re-election as President.”

Case said his call for Biden to drop out “has nothing to do with his character and record” but rather the president’s “ability to continue in the most difficult job in the world for another four-year term.”

As to who Biden’s replacement should be, “there are various paths to that decision,” Case said, adding: “But no more difficult and uncertain than the current path, nor any reason to stay on this path, which I do not believe is the best path forward for our country.”

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Blumenthal says some concerns ‘deepened’ after meeting with Biden camp advisers

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said some of his concerns were “deepened” on Thursday, and he needs to see more from President Biden and his campaign to address the concerns about his candidacy in the November election against former President Trump. 

“I need to see more analytics and data that show a path to victory,” he told reporters after the special meeting with top Biden campaign advisers on Thursday. 

According to Blumenthal, “Some of my concerns are allayed. Some others have been deepened,” after the discussion at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) with senior Biden advisers Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti, and campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon. 

This is an excerpt of a story by Fox News Digital’s Julia Johnson. Click here to read the full story.

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Biden mistakenly refers to Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin

President Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin during a NATO summit in Washington, D.C. Thursday.

“And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” Biden said, before starting to leave the podium.

Biden then seemed to realize his mistake, and corrected himself. “He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelenskyy. I’m so focused on beating Putin. We got to worry about it. Anyway, Mr. President.”

Zelenskyy appeared on stage, shook Biden’s hand and said, “I’m better.”

“You are a hell of a lot better,” Biden said.

The flub comes ahead of Biden’s high-stakes press conference that will be heavily scrutinized as the president fends off a growing number of calls from within his own party to drop out of the presidential race, following his disastrous debate performance last month that re-ignited concerns over his mental fitness and age.

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Washington Dem suggests Biden drop out of presidential race and resign

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., on Thursday issued a statement to local outlet KGW 8, strongly suggesting that President Biden should bow out of the 2024 race.

Gluesenkamp Perez said that she, like her constituents, “doubt the President’s judgement about his health, his fitness to do the job, and whether he is the one making important decisions about our country, rather than unelected advisors.”

“Americans deserve to feel their president is fit enough to do the job. The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “The President should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first.”

Perez, who represents a district that voted red in 2020, said last week that Biden’s debate performance against former President Trump was “painful” to watch and admitted that she believes, “Biden is going to lose to Trump.”

Click here
to read more on Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash.

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White House ‘cheap fake’ narrative crumbles after Clooney exposes Biden’s condition at fundraiser

The narrative aggressively pushed by the Biden campaign and White House in recent weeks about President Biden, which included trying to quash concerns about his mental fitness by calling videos of him struggling “cheap fakes,” took a significant hit on Wednesday after a top Hollywood actor and former Obama aide spoke out.

On Wednesday, actor George Clooney called on Biden to leave the 2024 race, citing what he witnessed at a Hollywood fundraiser in late June where the president was criticized for seemingly needing to be led off the stage by former President Obama.

“It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” Clooney, a longtime friend of Obama, wrote. 

This is an excerpt of a story by Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller and Cameron Cawthorne. Click here to read the full report.

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Arizona Dem calls on Biden to drop out of the race: ‘Pass the torch’

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., on Thursday called on President Biden
to “pass the torch to a new generation of leaders” saying the stakes in the presidential election “could not be higher.”

In a statement posted on X, Stanton said he was proud of his decision to back Biden in 2020. As president, Stanton said Biden “has been one of our country’s most effective modern chief executives.”

“The Democratic Party must have a nominee who can effectively make the case against Trump, and have the confidence of the American people to handle the rigors of the hardest job on the planet for the next four years,” Stanton said. “For the sake of American democracy, and to continue to make progress on our shared priorities, I believe it is time for the president to stop aside as our nominee.”

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James Comer says he expects White House aides to honor subpoenas

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., on Thursday said he expects the three White House aides subpoenaed for depositions to honor them.

The GOP-led House Oversight Committee on Wednesday subpoenaed first lady Jill Biden’s top aide, Anthony Bernal, deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini and senior adviser Ashley Williams to sit for depositions concerning President Biden’s mental state.

Speaking to Fox News’ Martha MacCallum on Thursday, Comer said that all private individuals subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee under his stewardship have honored them.

“They may have come in kicking and screaming, but they’ve honored them. And we expect these three to as well,” Comer said of Bernal, Tomasini, and Williams.

“We’ll see who’s telling the truth, whether it’s the Axios reporter or whether it’s the White House press secretary, Comer added, referring to an Axios report which stated that these three individuals created “a protective bubble around” Biden and that he is “staffed so closely that he’s lost all independence.”

“But I think most Americans saw up close and personal during the debate that Joe Biden isn’t physically fit to be president and possibly not even mentally fit to be president,” Comer said.

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Wisconsin radio station admits it edited Biden interview before airing at campaign’s request

A Wisconsin progressive radio network said it made two edits to an interview last week with President Biden at his campaign’s request, in a decision the station admitted violated “journalistic interview standards.”

Civic Media released a statement Thursday admitting that after an interview of Biden by host Earl Ingram recorded on July 3, the Biden campaign “called and asked for two edits to the recording before it aired.” The interview aired the following day with two brief portions excised, including one where Biden made an incorrect remark about the “Central Park Five” case.

“On Monday, July 8th, it was reported to Civic Media management that immediately after the phone interview was recorded, the Biden campaign called and asked for two edits to the recording before it aired,” the network said. “Civic Media management immediately undertook an investigation and determined that the production team at the time viewed the edits as non-substantive and broadcast and published the interview with two short segments removed.”

This is an excerpt of a story by Fox News Digital’s David Rutz. Click here to read the full report.

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Another House Dem calls for Biden to step down: ‘Time to pass the torch’

Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Il., on Thursday joined a growing list of Democratic lawmakers publicly calling for President Biden to drop out of the presidential race after his debate performance late last month reignited doubts about his ability to serve as commander-in-chief.

In a statement, Schneider praised Biden for his accomplishments while in office but said the time had come for the president to “heroically pass the torch to a new generation of leadership to guide us to the future he has enabled and empowered us to pursue.”

Schneider invoked George Washington who, despite encouragement from his supporters, declined to run for a third term “for the good of the nation and the people.”

“He knew when it was time to pass the torch,” Schneider said. “In passing the torch now, President Biden has a chance to live up to this standard and seal his place in history as one of the greatest leaders our nation, and history, has ever known. He can lead the transition of power to a new generation that can build a stronger party and a stronger nation. I fear if he fails to make the right choice, our democracy will hang in the balance.”

Schneider is the 11th Democratic House lawmaker who has publicly called for Biden to step down.

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Flashback: The last time Biden had a solo ‘big boy press conference’ was eight months ago

President Biden is gearing up for a crucial press conference Thursday evening, the first solo press event since the APEC Summit in California eight months ago.

On Nov. 15, Biden met with China’s President Xi Jinping and reportedly left the meeting optimistic that he had reduced tensions between U.S. and Chinese forces in the Asia-Pacific, a feat he was aiming to button up prior to announcing his re-election bid. The president’s press conference for the summit lasted about 20 minutes, and he answered roughly five questions before leaving.

However, throughout Biden’s 41 months as president, he has gone a total of 30 months without a solo news conference, 16 months without a TV news interview, and 10 months without either, according to a Fox News count.

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Jon Stewart suggests Biden is using mafia-like tactics to silence ‘productive’ conversations

Comedian Jon Stewart criticized the Democratic Party, President Biden and the White House for what he compared to Trump’s mafia-style refusal to answer concerns about the president’s debate performance. 

Stewart was joined by former Obama aides and Pod Save America co-hosts Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor on “The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart” on Thursday, where he said the Biden administration’s approach to concern was like Omertà, a Sicilian code of silence used by the mafia, which places importance on staying quiet in the face of questioning.

“In a lot of ways using Omertà, as Tommy put it, to stifle what could be an incredibly productive, at least, conversation, even if Joe Biden came out and said, ‘Look, I understand where I am at in my lifespan and cycle and what I do. Here’s how this government works,'” Stewart said, in a clip flagged by Mediaite. “Rather than coming out, and becoming Trumpian and saying, ‘You think someone else could hold NATO together, they could never, only God can tell me to get out of the race.’”

This is an excerpt of a story by Fox News Digital’s Kendall Tietz. Click here to read the full report.

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Billionaire Ray Dalio thinks Democrats have 3 options in keeping or replacing Biden as nominee

The billionaire founder of the world’s largest hedge fund outlined how he sees the Democratic Party having three ways to move forward with either keeping or replacing President Biden as the party’s presidential nominee.

Ray Dalio, founder and co-chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates, wrote in Time magazine that he respects, likes and empathizes with the president. However, he explained that party leadership “suffered a terrible loss of confidence in its honesty and judgment” because it “hid President Biden’s weak and rapidly declining condition” and “told the American people that we shouldn’t worry about it.”

Biden has repeatedly insisted that he is “all in” on remaining the party’s presidential nominee amid the controversy, and Democratic leaders have left the door open to him continuing as the nominee even as a growing number of rank-and-file elected officials call for him to step aside.

This is an excerpt of a story by FOX Business’ Eric Revell. Click here to read the full report.

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Obama silent over reports he’s working ‘behind the scenes’ to force Biden out of the 2024 race

Former President Obama is keeping tight-lipped following reports he’s working “behind the scenes” to force President Biden out of the 2024 presidential race. 

Multiple media outlets reported Thursday morning on Obama’s alleged efforts,
including Politico, which stated the former president was given a “heads-up” by actor George Clooney concerning his damaging New York Times guest essay calling on Biden to drop out.

“While Obama did not encourage or advise Clooney to say what he said, he also didn’t object to it,” the report said.

MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough went a step further, stating on “Morning Joe,” a favorite program of Biden’s, that “what’s going on behind the scenes is the Biden campaign and many Democratic officials do believe that Barack Obama is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate this.”

A source close to Obama declined to comment on the reports, but pointed Fox News Digital to the former president’s statements in support of Biden, both at the Los Angeles fundraiser that became the subject of Clooney’s op-ed, and his disappointing showing in the first presidential debate last month.

Obama has since remained quiet publicly as a number of his close allies and former staffers ramp up their calls for the president to step aside, including former adviser David Axelrod and the “Obama bros,” a group of three close advisers often referred to by that name during his tenure in the White House.

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Trump roasts Biden with clip from Clooney movie after actor calls for president to drop out of race

Former President Trump took shots at actor George Clooney on his Truth Social platform over the last several hours, including a video with President Biden’s face superimposed onto a scene from one of Clooney’s movies.

“So although I wish I were here with better news, the fact is you and I are sitting here today because this will be your last week of employment,” Clooney’s character in “Up in the Air” says in the clip posted by Trump. Footage of Biden looking into the camera during a recent interview with ABC’s George Stephanopolous was featured in the clip. 

“This is not an assessment of your productivity,” Clooney continues. “Try not to take this personal.”

“Well, I just had a bad night,” Biden responds.

The video mocking Biden came shortly after Trump blasted Clooney on Truth Social following the actor’s call for Biden to drop out of the race weeks after a Hollywood fundraiser he attended with Biden.

“So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act,” Trump wrote in the post. “He’s turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are. What does Clooney know about anything?”

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller

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Biden campaign ‘quietly’ testing Kamala Harris in internal polls: Report

President Biden’s campaign is “quietly” testing Vice President Kamala Harris’ performance against former President Trump in internal polling, the New York Times reported Thursday.

The Biden campaign’s analytics team reportedly commissioned the survey this week as Biden is fending off a steady stream of defections from Democratic lawmakers and donors. The three sources insisted on anonymity before speaking with the Times, and they did not specify the plans behind the poll, the outlet reported.

The report is the first indication that Biden’s campaign may be considering a change of course. Biden himself has insisted that he is staying in the race, and top Democratic leaders have backed him in public statements, though rumors of discontent continue to leak out from party sources.

A Thursday poll from ABC News and the Washington Post found that Biden and Trump are essentially tied, even as 67% of voters say they believe Biden should drop out of the race. That poll also tested Harris in a contest with Trump and found that she overperformed Biden, holding a slight lead of 49%-46%.

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Stephen Colbert taunts Biden with Dr. Seuss rhyme: ‘Is he mentally fit? Can he serve a whole term?

Late night host Stephen Colbert used a Dr. Seuss-style rhyme to poke fun at President Biden amid concerns about his cognitive health and ability to serve as president. 

Colbert, long one of Biden’s most dependable allies in the media, has sharpened his mockery of the president following his debate performance. 

“Is he mentally fit?” Colbert said, reading out of a mock book titled, “Oh The Places For Joe!” 

Colbert proceeded to read passages from the book, a parody of the Dr. Seuss book published in 1990 called, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” 

“Can he serve a whole term?” Colbert said. “Can he beat RFK with his brain full of worm? Just ask him, just ask him, the man loves to talk, as long as you ask him before eight o’clock.”

“Join Joe Biden as he explores a wonderful world outside of the Oval Office!” the parody book’s description reads. 

“Here’s the thing,” Colbert said. “Maybe Biden can’t win. Or maybe he’s the only one who can win. I don’t know what the right answer is and I’m not alone.” 

Just months ago, Colbert participated in a lavish record-setting fundraiser that brought in $26 million for the Biden campaign.

Colbert took the stage in New York City with Democratic presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton to moderate their conversation in March. 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Jeffrey Clark

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White House official hopes Biden embarrasses himself at NATO summit so he can be forced out: Report

A White House official told The Atlantic that President Biden making a public gaffe at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. might be fatal to his campaign. 

“This is a terrible thing to say,” an anonymous White House official told The Atlantic in a story published Wednesday. “But that might be the only thing that could force him out at this point, while there’s still time to rewrite the ending.”

Biden’s performance at the NATO summit this week has come under increased scrutiny amid concerns about the president’s cognitive health and ability to serve. 

“This week is pivotal for President Biden, not only because of the intense interest in what he will be saying at his press events but also because this summit provides a clear example of restored American global leadership in support of our nation’s defense,” Joel Rubin, a former State Department official during the Obama administration, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. 

Atlantic columnist Mark Leibovich said that Biden was a danger to the country. 

“Never underestimate the destructive power of a stubborn old narcissist with something to prove,” Leibovich wrote. 

“President Joe Biden, 81, is acting like one of history’s most negligent and pigheaded leaders at a crucial moment, and right now, we are all pedestrians,” he added. 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Jeffrey Clark

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Rep. Hillary Scholten becomes 11th Dem lawmaker to call on Biden to step aside: ‘Pass the torch’

Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich, called on President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race on Thursday, making her the 11th elected Democratic lawmaker to do so.

Scholten released a statement on social media Thursday, saying Biden “has served his country well,” but “must pass the torch to a new candidate.” Scholten joins a steady rhythm of Democrats who have defected from Biden’s campaign in the days since his disastrous debate performance against former President Trump.

“It is essential that we have the strongest possible candidate at the top of the ticket–not just to win, but to govern,” Scholten said. “We must have a standard bearer who will fight morning, noon and night for our civil and voting rights and unite the free world against the rising tide of authoritarianism. Joe Biden has been that leader for so long; but this is not about the past. It’s about the future. It’s time to pass the torch.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee was quick to respond to Scholten’s statement, arguing she had skirted the question of whether Biden currently fit to serve as president.

“Everyone can see Scholten’s statement for what it truly is, a transparent election-year ploy to try to cling to her seat. President Biden is sitting in the Oval Office because Hillary Scholten and Democrats hid the truth from voters and lied about the president’s condition. Hillary Scholten must answer the question: Is Joe Biden fit to serve as President?” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement.

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Illinois governor caught on hot mic expressing fear over Biden’s race: ‘I don’t like where we are’

A hot mic apparently caught Governor J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., worrying about the state of the presidential race this week.

As reported by CBS News Chicago, Pritzker was overheard
at a recent crime fighting event telling someone that he was not pleased with the way President Biden’s campaign was going in the weeks following his debate performance against former President Trump.

“You gotta do what we have to do. I don’t like where we are,” Pritzker could be heard saying in a private conversation at the Illinois event.

The hot mic also caught the governor adding, “We’re just going to keep fighting. I don’t know what to say.”

The local news outlet reached out to the governor’s office to get some context for Pritzker’s quote, reporting that Pritzker’s deputy chief of communications Jordan Abudayyeh said it “sounds like [Pritzker] was talking about the state of the presidential race.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the governor’s office to confirm if Priztker was talking about the Democrat Party’s current situation with Biden at the top of the presidential ticket, though did not immediately receive a response.

If he was, the governor’s quote represents a wave of uncertainty in the party regarding Biden’s ability to beat Trump in November that has been growing since Biden’s disastrous debate. 

Multiple Democratic lawmakers, liberal pundits, and more recently, major Hollywood Biden donors, have demanded that Biden abandon his re-election bid, pointing to his performance last month as evidence he can’t win in November.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Gabriel Hays

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Trump calls George Clooney a ‘rat’ for turning on President Biden

Former President Trump lashed out at actor George Clooney on Wednesday night, calling the Democratic Party ally a “rat” for calling on the president to cease reelection efforts.

Clooney published an op-ed in The New York Times earlier in the day, expressing his belief that President Biden “saved our democracy” by beating Trump in 2020 but acknowledging that Democrats “are not going to win in November with this president.”

Trump responded
to the op-ed later that night via Truth Social, his proprietary social media platform, saying, “So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act. He’s turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are.”

“What does Clooney know about anything? He uses the Democrat ‘talking point’ that Biden, the WORST President in the history of the United States, has ‘saved our Democracy,'” Trump stated.

Clooney did take an apologetic tone in his op-ed — outright stating “I love Joe Biden” and that he believes in his “character” and “morals” — but claimed to have witnessed his decline firsthand at a fundraiser last month.

“It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” Clooney wrote. 


This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Timothy H. J. Nerozzi

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Obama was aware of Clooney’s brutal NY Times essay ahead of time, didn’t object: Report

Former President Obama knew of George Clooney’s New York Times guest essay calling for President Biden to drop out of the race but didn’t object to it, according to a new report.

Clooney, a major Democratic donor who hosted a lavish fundraiser for Biden just weeks ago, published a devastating essay in the New York Times on Wednesday, demanding Biden step aside because of growing concerns over his mental acuity that were heightened after his disastrous presidential debate. 

Politico reports that Clooney reached out to Obama beforehand to make him aware of the story to come, but Obama didn’t try to stop him.

“While Obama did not encourage or advise Clooney to say what he said, he also didn’t object to it, we’re told from people familiar with their exchange. The lack of pushback is an eye-popping revelation given that the former president was one of the first big voices defending Biden following his abysmal debate performance (while many of his former aides have been some of the incumbent’s biggest critics),” the outlet reported.

Fox News Digital’s Kristine Parks contributed to this update.

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Kamala Harris is best ‘alternative’ to Biden, but America is ‘sexist and racist’: Jen Psaki

MSNBC host and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki floated Vice President Kamala Harris as the best “alternative” for Democrats if President Biden withdraws from the 2024 election.

Psaki appeared as a guest on “Pod Save America” this week to discuss the controversy facing her former boss Biden after his disastrous debate performance. Several Democratic lawmakers, megadonors and pundits have urged Biden to step aside amid his declining poll numbers against former President Trump. 

“There is a question out there that, again, I think campaigns are talking about, about the alternative and the alternative is very clearly in my view—there’s a lot of really amazing Democrats on the bench, but because of the timeline and everything, I think it is clearly Kamala Harris,” she said in a clip highlighted by Mediaite.

Asked by host Jon Lovett why the party has not already consolidated around Harris, Psaki said some Democrats are not “comfortable” with her.

“I don’t why there hasn’t been kind of an overwhelming ‘Kamala would be a great president and she would be a fierce, amazing campaigner,’ right? But that’s not typically the message. I’m observing what people are saying. It’s typically ‘don’t take it away from Kamala Harris if it’s open, that would be unfair,’” she said.

Psaki argued that Harris is a “fierce communicator” who could help the party on the abortion issue. But she suggested Harris may struggle to win some votes because “we live in a sexist and racist country.” 

“It’s almost like public opinion hasn’t caught up with what she is doing out there and also we live in a country that is sexist and racist so there is that,” she said. “Not everybody at all, but there is a level of it that does impact elections.”

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Ohio Democrat says he is moving ‘closer and closer’ to calling on Biden to withdraw from 2024 race

Fearful that a second Trump presidency would “upend our lives,” Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio., said he is moving closer to calling on President Biden to step aside from the 2024 election. 

“I’m getting closer and closer to—appreciating that as much as I respect Joe Biden and what he’s done—that, what Clooney said yesterday was really powerful and that he saved democracy in 2020. He’s got to do it again in 2024,” said Landsman, referencing Hollywood actor George Clooney’s New York Times op-ed that called on Biden to withdraw.

“I had hoped, and still do to some extent, that he can go out and make the case that Donald Trump is unfit to be president, that he is going to undermine, if not destroy our democracy. But that’s becoming more and more less likely.” 

Landsman said Biden did not help his case by attacking Democratic critics of his debate performance and poor polling against former President Trump. He also said he would like to see either Vice President Kamala Harris take over as the Democratic nominee or an open convention in August. 

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer suggests Biden could take cognitive test: ‘Don’t think it would hurt’

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said it wouldn’t “hurt” for President Biden to take a cognitive test to assuage concerns about his ability to serve as president in an interview Wednesday. 

Whitmer, who serves as a co-chair for the Biden campaign, has been suggested as a possible replacement for Biden, if he chooses to withdraw, by some pundits and political commentators.  

“I don‘t think it would hurt,” Whitmer said when asked about Biden and former President Trump taking a cognitive ability test. 

“Certainly, the first presidential debate was not a great success for President Biden,” the governor said, “but he is the happy warrior.” 

“He shows up every day and fights for the American public,” Whitmer said. “He cares about other people more than he cares about himself. And that‘s precisely why I think this moment where we have Donald Trump, who‘s been convicted of 34 felonies, who cares only about Donald Trump, we can‘t lose sight of how high these stakes are.” 

But Whitmer left open the possibility that Biden might choose to withdraw from the race, despite his repeated statements that he’s not dropping out.

“We have a field,” Whitmer said. “And unless one person, Joe Biden, makes an alternative decision, this is the field, and we‘ve got to go.”

Fox News Digital’s Jeffrey Clark contributed to this update.

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CNN’s Jake Tapper stunned by Biden campaign’s knock at George Clooney: ‘What does that mean?’

CNN’s Jake Tapper questioned the Biden campaign’s claim that the president has better stamina than actor George Clooney after a critical op-ed. 

President Biden received extra scrutiny on Wednesday after Clooney’s New York Times guest essay said that Biden has significantly declined and should step down.

“It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” Clooney wrote about a recent Hollywood fundraiser for the president.

CNN White House correspondent Kayla Tausche reported that, according to a Biden campaign official, it was Clooney who apparently lacked stamina.

“Biden aides point to an aggressive travel schedule in the coming weeks. He’s set to go to Michigan on Friday, Nevada next week, as well as an aggressive fundraising schedule with events planned in Texas and Colorado and two in California as proof that he is not going anywhere,” Tausche said.

She added, “And in response to those comments from George Cooney, Jake, a campaign official who attended that Los Angeles fundraiser tells me that George Clooney left three hours before the president. So clearly the gloves are off.”

After a pause, Tapper asked, “What does that mean, George Clooney left three hours earlier? What‘s the point?”

Tausche responded, “The point of that is to suggest that Biden’s stamina is better than Clooney‘s and Clooney didn‘t have eyes on the entire event. That‘s the response to the Clooney op-ed.”

“Okay,” Tapper responded with raised eyebrows and what sounded like a chuckle.

Fox News Digital’s Lindsay Kornick contributed to this update.

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‘Obama bro’ confirms claims in Clooney’s damaging op-ed on Biden’s mental fitness

A former adviser to President Obama broke his silence concerning President Biden’s mental fitness on Wednesday, just hours after a damaging op-ed by actor George Clooney was published in The New York Times calling on the president to quit the 2024 race.

“It was not surprising to any of us who were at the fundraiser. I was there. Clooney was exactly right, and every single person I talked to at the fundraiser thought the same thing, except for the people working for Joe Biden, or at least they didn’t say that,” Jon Favreau, a member of the group often referred to as the “Obama bros” during his tenure in the White House, said during an appearance on CNN.

Favreau was citing the same fundraiser as Clooney in his guest essay where the actor claimed the Biden that showed up there was “not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”

Clooney wrote that Democratic Party leaders needed to stop trying to convince Americans they “didn’t see what we just saw,” and accused them of ignoring “warning signs” concerning Biden.

Favreau agreed, telling CNN, “I remember my wife, Emily, turned to me after the fundraiser and said, ‘What are we going to do?’ And I said, ‘Well, there is a debate in a week. Either he’ll do well in the debate, and we’ll think he was just tired because he flew all the way back from Europe, and that’ll be that, or he’ll be like this at the debate and then the whole country will be talking about it. So, here we are.”

Fox News Digital’s Brandon Gillespie contributed to this update.

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Democrats reportedly privately admit Trump isn’t an ‘existential threat to democracy’

Liberals on social media seethed in reaction to Democratic lawmakers reportedly admitting behind the scenes that former President Trump isn’t a “threat to democracy” as their party loudly claims. 

New York Times columnist Ezra Klein appeared on The Bulwark Podcast Tuesday and revealed what “top Democrats” have told him off the record as they panic over whether they should support or abandon President Biden on their ticket. 

“People are weighing this set of things. Like, ‘It would be quite unpleasant for me personally to come out against the president as an elected official in the Democratic Party,’ and weighing what will happen if Donald Trump wins, and saying, in a revealed preference way, ‘I can live with Donald Trump winning,’” Klein said. “And I’ve heard people say that to me off the record, to be fair-“

“Really?” podcast host Tim Miller reacted. 

“I’ve had top Democrats say to me, basically, say something like, ‘I don’t know why all these Democrats who think Donald Trump is an existential threat to democracy are acting the way they are. But the reason I’m acting the way I am is because I don’t think that,'” Klein continued. 

“Who the f— is this?” an angered Miller exclaimed. “Out your sources, Ezra!” 

“I find it maddening, but I do find it consistent,” Klein responded. 

Klein later told Miller, “I think you have to at some point say, whatever these Democrats are saying in public, they’re more resigned and more willing to just be the resistance to a Trump presidency than a lot of their public-facing rhetoric would suggest.”

“You have a calm voice, but you’re skyrocketing my f—ing blood pressure right now,” Miller said. “Ezra, I’m just, like, so f—ing mad.”

Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this update.

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Marie Harf unloads on Biden team: ‘We are going to lose’ if they don’t start taking this seriously

Fox News contributor Marie Harf sounded off on how the Biden campaign has responded to Democrats who have raised concerns about President Biden’s electoral viability in the wake of last month’s debate.

Appearing on “America’s Newsroom,”  Harf noted that several public opinion polls show Biden losing support versus former President Trump. She criticized the Biden campaign for “attacking Democratic lawmakers” who’ve spoken up and said Biden should withdraw from the race.

“I think that there’s a lot of frustration, that they are trying to turn the page and say, ‘we’re not having this conversation about the debate anymore,'” she said.

“But the problem, Bill, is that voters are having that conversation. It’s not just pundits, it’s not just members of Congress. And I am incredibly concerned that the Biden team doesn’t have a plan to turn this campaign around, that we are going to lose in November, and that they are dismissing concerns that voters have across this country about whether President Biden can win and can govern for another four years. They’re not taking this as seriously as they should.” 


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Fetterman doubles down on support for Biden: ‘He’s been a great president’

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., doubled down on his support for President Biden after his highly criticized debate performance last month. 

Fetterman told Fox News host Jesse Watters Wednesday on “Jesse Watters Primetime” he realizes Biden isn’t as sharp as he was a few years ago, but it doesn’t change his support for the commander-in-chief.

“I really don’t think I’ve seen anything that makes me want to change that,” he said. “I’m not following him blindly, but I do fundamentally believe he’s been a great president and I do believe ultimately he can prevail.”

Biden has refuted calls from his own party to step down from the 2024 race, saying in a letter to House Democrats Monday that he’s the best candidate who can beat former President Trump in November. 

Nine House Democrats and one Democratic senator have called on Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race since his disastrous performance at the CNN Presidential Debate in Atlanta, according to a tally from The Associated Press.

Fetterman admitted to Watters he only saw parts of the Biden-Trump debate, but there was no question that the president had a “bad night.”

He said he’s spent a year with Biden at different events across Pennsylvania, and to him, he was “normal” and “engaged.”

“He was actually very popular, and people were eager to have a selfie and those kinds of thing[s]. So, I really want to remind everybody that Joe Biden has done a really good job as president, and I fundamentally am going to remain loyal to that,” Fetterman added. 

Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan contributed to this update.

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Chuck Todd reveals ‘senior’ cabinet secretary told him in 2022 Biden ‘can’t run again like this’

NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd claimed on Wednesday a senior cabinet secretary told him in 2022 that Biden couldn’t run again.

The former “Meet the Press” host discussed dwindling confidence in Biden’s campaign on his podcast “The Chuck Toddcast” with Politico columnist Jonathan Martin. While floating potential exit paths for Biden to step down, both criticized Democratic Party members for refusing to publicly voice their concerns.

“The politicians of the Democratic Party in the last few days have shown that a lot of them don’t have the courage of their convictions. They simply aren’t going to stand up and say in public what they’ve been telling folks like us in private for years. This is not a new story,” Martin said.

Todd recounted, “I had a cabinet secretary two years ago, two years ago, out of the blue asked me, ‘Do you really think he’s gonna? He can’t run again like this.’ And I said, ‘Well, you have more action with him than I do.’ And they said, ‘I don’t have a lot of interaction with him.’ This is a pretty senior cabinet secretary. This was two years ago.” 

He added, “It’s the classic open secret, the nonversation. It’s the story everybody knows, and that everybody was afraid to talk about.”

Fox News Digital’s Lindsay Kornick contributed to this update.

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A majority of Biden supporters want president to drop out, though 2024 race is in dead heat: poll

A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows a majority of President Biden’s own supporters say he should drop out, even though he’s virtually tied with former President Trump.

Americans are split 46-47% between Biden and Trump if the election were held today, according to the poll. The results did not meaningfully shift from a pre-debate poll, which showed a 44-46% divide between the two candidates. 

However, Biden does appear to have suffered politically from his poor performance at the CNN Presidential Debate in Atlanta. Sixty-seven percent overall said he should withdraw from the race. A larger number, 85%, said he is too old for a second term, a record high for the survey.

Biden insists he is in the race to win and will not withdraw. But 62% of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents said Biden should step aside. That includes 54% who identified as Biden supporters. 

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James Carville declares that Biden still running is an ‘idiotic choice’ for the country

Democratic Party strategist James Carville doubled down on stating President Biden should be replaced as the party’s presidential nominee, saying that keeping him in the race is an “idiotic choice.”

The former Bill Clinton adviser made the statement on CNN Tuesday night, telling anchor Anderson Cooper that Democrats are losing to Republicans following Biden’s poor debate performance nearly two weeks ago, and that they need to adjust ahead of November.

“I think we got to have a change, I just genuinely do,” Carville declared. 

Earlier this week, the pundit told NewsNation that it’s “inevitable” that Biden will step down from his campaign as the calls for him to do so from the media and people in his own party have only increased in the time since his debate performance. 

“He’s going to come to the conclusion that this is just not a good idea and he’s going to resist it and he’s going to listen to his family,” he said.

Carville became more forceful with his opinion on Biden’s situation Tuesday, slamming Biden’s team for how they’ve handled things following the president’s debate. 

“I watch some of these press conferences and it reminds of a book they made me read in college called ‘Ship of Fools,’ a bunch of desperate people sailing into disaster.”

He then told Cooper it would be a huge mistake if he stayed in the race, as the president and his team have been saying they intend to do. 

Fox News Digital’s Gabriel Hays contributed to this update.

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Battleground Dem feels heat after Biden’s debate as party turmoil continues

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is being slammed for his political similarity to President Biden as the president’s poor June debate performance continues to pose concerns to Democrats in down-ballot races and on Capitol Hill.

“Joe Biden’s politics now are not much different from mine,” Brown says in the ad from Republican candidate Bernie Moreno’s campaign. His quote comes from a 2021 interview. 

The ad notes the vulnerable Democrat’s proclivity to vote in line with Biden, with a narrator saying, “Extreme liberal Sherrod Brown voted with Biden 99% of the time.” 

The campaign cited an analysis of Senate votes during the 117th Congress in 2021 and 2022, which showed Brown siding with Biden 98.5% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight. 

In 2023, during the first half of the 118th Congress, Brown voted with the president 97.9% of the time, per a separate FiveThirtyEight aggregation. 

“Sherrod Brown votes with Biden 99% of the time for his disastrous agenda that has destroyed our economy, created a wide open southern border, waged war on American energy, and sold out Ohio workers,” said Moreno spokesperson Reagan McCarthy in a statement. “Brown can try to run from his record of voting in lockstep with his longtime friend Joe Biden, but Ohioans know that he has rubber-stamped this administration’s agenda every step of the way.”

The ad is part of a seven-figure statewide ad buy that will run on digital and streaming as well as through the mail. 

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Liberal celebs rally behind George Clooney’s call for Biden to step aside

Liberal celebrities in Hollywood are showing solidarity with their fellow A-lister George Clooney following his scathing essay calling for President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race.

“I think it’s a valid point,” Michael Douglas reacted to Clooney’s essay on Wednesday’s installment of “The View.” 

“I’m deeply, deeply concerned. I mean, especially- it’s difficult because the Democrats have a big bench. They’ve got a lot of heavy hitters,” Douglas said before suggesting Biden was ill-advised ahead of last month’s presidential debate. 

Filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner said, “My friend George Clooney has clearly expressed what many of us have been saying.”

“We love and respect Joe Biden. We acknowledge all he has done for our country. But Democracy is facing an existential threat,” the “All in the Family” star wrote on X. “We need someone younger to fight back. Joe Biden must step aside.”

Actress Mia Farrow similarly warned it’s “time to pass the torch Or we will lose the Senate, the House and our Democracy.”

“Ill vote for Joe if he declines to step down. Of course. But he is losing,” Farrow said. “We cannot EVER give our country to Trump.” 

“Clooney describes Biden as not being the person he once knew, but as he was during the debate. They were together 3 weeks ago. So it wasn’t just that one night,” Farrow continued. “I care deeply about our democracy I hope he names another talented Democrat who will carry forward Joe Biden’s great accomplishments – and win.”

Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this update.

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Nancy Pelosi’s non-endorsement of Biden fuels Democratic Party’s disarray

On Wednesday, former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested in an interview that Biden should reconsider his vow to remain in the race, adding fuel to the fire of the party’s disarray.

“It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run,” she said. “We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short.”

“I want him to do whatever he decides to do, and that’s the way it is. Whatever he decides, we go with,” she added. 

Pelosi said in the interview that she and other Democrats are waiting to see how the week goes for Biden, suggesting that she told fellow Democrats to not speak publicly about their thoughts on Biden until the week concludes.

“Let’s just hold off,” she said. “Whatever you’re thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don’t have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week.”

Pelosi later said she believes Biden can win in November during a tense exchange with a reporter. 

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this update.

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Biden’s ‘big boy’ NATO news conference carries high stakes as first presser since disastrous debate

President Biden is slated to face the media late Thursday afternoon in his first solo press conference since his disastrous debate last month, and it’s anticipated that he’ll be grilled as the nation weighs his mental acuity amid heightening health concerns. 

Biden is expected to hold the news conference on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. after hosting NATO leaders in Washington, D.C., this week. The media has dubbed the press conference a “big boy press conference,” with the president fielding questions from the media solo. It marks Biden’s first solo press conference of the year and the first time he will speak to the media at a presser since his debate against former President Trump on June 27, Fox News found.

Biden is facing heightened concerns over his health in the wake of his poor debate performance, which opened floodgates of concern in the Democratic Party that the president’s 81 years of age and alleged slipping mental acuity will cost the party as the Biden campaign squares up against Trump.

At least nine elected Democrats have called on Biden to drop out since the debate, and at least 23 Democrats, including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Adam Schiff and Jamie Raskin, have expressed concern over Biden’s performance and re-election effort.

Biden has vowed to remain in the race despite rising concerns and calls for him to drop out and let another candidate take on Trump. 

“There’s been a lot of speculation: What’s Joe going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out? What’s he going to do?” Biden said Friday in a speech in Madison, Wisconsin. “Well, here’s my answer: I am running and going to win again.”

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this update.

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Biden aides and Democratic officials admit ‘this is going to get worse’ in bombshell report

Democrats are reportedly furious over Biden’s advisers shielding the president despite being aware of his physical decline, according to a new report.

CNN spoke with more than two dozen anonymous donors, Biden allies and current and former Democratic officials about the president’s mental ability, particularly after George Clooney called out his demeanor at last month’s star-studded fundraiser in L.A.

“He was less cogent than usual,” one fundraiser attendee commented to CNN, adding that Biden left “virtually all of the talking to former President Barack Obama.”

Concerns over Biden extended to cabinet meetings and sources say the last full cabinet meeting was in October. The meetings are said to have become “increasingly stage-managed” with “lists of talking points, names of questioners and drawings of where he should walk presented to him by aides.” Officials are also told to submit their questions prior to the meetings.

PRESSURE ON BIDEN BUILDS AS GEORGE CLOONEY SAYS HE’S UNFIT AND POLITICIANS PRIVATELY AGREE

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL HOPES BIDEN EMBARRASSES HIMSELF AT NATO SUMMIT SO HE CAN BE FORCED OUT: REPORT

“The entire display is kind of an act,” one source told CNN. “They would come and say, ‘Hey, the president is going to call on you about 25 minutes in, and ask this question. What are the bullet points you’ll respond with?’”

Another source described the meetings as infrequent, “not free-wheeling and pretty well-orchestrated.” The report added that meetings were not structured in a “pre-scripted” way during the Obama administration.

Privately, Democratic sources and officials close to Biden’s advisers remarked that the president’s team is aware of his weakness and purposefully limits meetings and events. 

“There’s this general sense of just, unbelievable holding your breath every time he does an event, every time he’s with people,” one source said, according to CNN. They added that others have acknowledged, “This is going to get worse.”

Despite this, the source also said advisers have been strict about public criticism.

“Everyone who expresses any level of suspicion or contrary views? They call everyone and they beat the s*** out of them and say: ‘Stay on message,’” the source said.

As more Democrats, donors and media pundits call for Biden to step down, some sources expect an “erosion” of support “across the board” in the near future.

“Expect a drip, drip, drip,” a former Biden White House official said.

In a comment to Fox News Digital, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates defended Biden’s record both in public events and private cabinet meetings.

“The President frequently meets with a wide variety of diverse administration staff, ranging from policy experts to team members who engage with all manner of communities. Officials who meet with him frequently have spoken to his sharpness and command,” Bates said.

He added, “Since the debate, President Biden has been taking his message directly to the voters across battleground states as well as continuing his job as leader of the country.”

Regarding cabinet meetings, Bates quoted a White House official saying, “Since there is a lot of interagency effort and work on overlapping subjects, Cabinet Affairs coordinates in advance with speakers so that they know what each Cabinet Member may speak about in order to avoid duplicate briefings and redundancy. That information helps the Cabinet Affairs team keep meetings efficient and make sure the right breadth of topics are discussed. This is normal under different administrations.”

He also cited Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack who said, “This is standard practice for any administration. There should not be surprises in cabinet meetings, be it under President Obama or President Biden. If a cabinet member has a question, you should let people know you’re going to ask it.”

So far, over a dozen Democratic House members have publicly called on Biden to drop out of the presidential race.

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Top Democrat on the House Intel Committee responds to Biden’s press conference

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Jim Himes, called on President Biden to suspend his 2024 re-election campaign, just moments after the president finished his highly anticipated press conference. 

Biden participated in a press conference with reporters at the end of the NATO summit in Washington D.C. on Thursday night. 

BIDEN’S HIGH-STAKES SOLO PRESS CONFERENCE SLAMMED FROM THE RIGHT AS ‘ANOTHER DISASTER’

Biden, during the press conference, was peppered with questions from reporters who pressed him on whether he would step aside amid mounting pressure from members within his own party following his disastrous debate performance last month.

Biden said he is “determined” to stay in the race and maintained that he is fit to serve as president now and for the next four years. 

But Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., sounded the alarm moments after the press conference concluded. 

“Joe Biden’s record of public service is unrivaled,” Himes posted on X. “His accomplishments are immense. His legacy as a great president is secure.” 

“He must not risk that legacy, those accomplishments and American democracy to soldier on in the face of the horrors promised by Donald Trump,” Himes posted on X.  

BIDEN CAMP ADDRESSES RUMORS ADVISERS ARE HATCHING PLAN TO PUSH PRESIDENT ASIDE

In a statement, Himes continued that it has been “the honor” of his career to work with Biden on “achievements that secured his remarkable legacy in American history.” 

“It is because of those traits, and in consideration of that legacy, that I hope President Biden will step away from the presidential campaign,” Himes said. 

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A short time later, Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., also called on Biden to drop out of the race.

“The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course,” Peters said in a statement. “My conscience requires me to speak up and put loyalty to the country and to democracy ahead of my great affection for, and loyalty to, the President and those around him.”

Peters is the 16th Democrat in the House of Representatives to call on the president to step aside. 

Biden, though, currently has the support of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. 

Biden repeats the same word during press conference while trailing off

President Biden held a high-stakes press conference Thursday evening where he doubled down on his earlier pledge to remain in the presidential race while making a few gaffes, including trailing off on his thoughts and using the word “anyway” at least nine times. 

“I just got to just pace myself a lot more, pace myself. And the next debate, I’m not going to be traveling in 15 time zones a week before. Anyway, that’s what it was about,” Biden said after reporters asked him about reports he needs to go to bed earlier in the day.

“That’s what it was about. And, by the way, even with that, I love my staff. But they add things. They add things all the time. … I’m catching hell from my wife for that. Anyway,” he continued.

Biden said “anyway” at least nine times throughout the roughly 58-minute press conference, according to a transcript of the press event, sparking some on social media to joke about an “anyway drinking game.”

DEMS RUSH TO DEFEND BIDEN AMID HIGH STAKES PRESS CONFERENCE: ‘VERY STRONG PERFORMANCE’

Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime” aired a compilation of Biden’s repeated use of “anyway,” including six of the instances out of the nine found in the press conference’s transcript. 

Biden’s press conference comes as concerns mount he is not mentally fit to serve another four years in the Oval Office, including 17 elected Democrats calling on the president to bow out of the race as he prepares to square off against former President Trump in November. 

TOP DEMOCRAT ON HOUSE INTEL COMMITTEE CALLS ON BIDEN TO SUSPEND CAMPAIGN AFTER NATO PRESS CONFERENCE

“Joe Biden’s record of public service is unrivaled,” Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on X after the press conference. “His accomplishments are immense. His legacy as a great president is secure.

BIDEN’S HIGH-STAKES SOLO PRESS CONFERENCE SLAMMED FROM THE RIGHT AS ‘ANOTHER DISASTER’

“He must not risk that legacy, those accomplishments and American democracy to soldier on in the face of the horrors promised by Donald Trump.” 

Conservatives slammed Biden on social media throughout the public event for his handful of gaffes, including holding up a list of reporters he planned to call on and appearing to confuse Vice President Kamala Harris with former President Trump, in addition to repeatedly saying “anyway.”

“This NATO press conference with Biden is another disaster. It is inexplicable the people advising this man continue to think that somehow he’s not going to humiliate himself and this country. Why do they continue to allow this to happen?” Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce posted to X during the press conference. 

Allies of the president, however, considered the press event a success, remarking on social media that Biden’s delivery while answering reporters’ questions was “strong.”

BIDEN STAGES HOUR-LONG PRESS CONFERENCE, TAKES MULTIPLE QUESTIONS IN BID TO ALLAY FEARS OVER MENTAL DECLINE

“This is a very strong performance. Quite frankly. ⁦@POTUS⁩ is putting on a master class in how foreign policy and domestic policy intersect, explaining how crucial American global leadership is to our people here at home. Well done, Mr. President,” Democratic strategist Joel Rubin posted on X. 

“Tonight Joe Biden offered a lengthy, detailed dive on the major national security issues he’s juggling combined with a comfortable but forceful defense of his view of where this race stands. 50 minutes of Qs. He needed to show up big tonight and he did,” former White House communications director Kate Bedingfield posted to X. 

The president again addressed concerns about his mental acuity during the presser, defiantly defending his record in office. 

PRESIDENT BIDEN: EUROPEAN ALLIES TELL ME I’VE ‘GOT TO WIN’ IN NOVEMBER

“Am I getting the job done? Can you name me somebody who’s got more major pieces of legislation passed in 3½ years, created 2,000 jobs just last week. So, if I slow down, I can’t get the job done. That’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet … none,” he said. 

Biden also addressed whether Harris could serve as president, elaborating that he would not have chosen her as his running mate in 2020 if he thought otherwise. 

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“First of all, the way she’s handled the issue of freedom of women’s bodies to have control over their bodies. Secondly, her ability to handle almost any issue on the board. This was a hell of a prosecutor. She was a first-rate person, and in the Senate, she was really good. I wouldn’t have picked her unless I thought she was qualified to be president. From the very beginning. I made no bones about that. She is qualified to be president. That’s why I picked her,” he said. 

Biden addressed the media as he hosted NATO world leaders for the 75th anniversary of the defensive military alliance this week. 

Nicolas Cage’s son arrested for alleged assault with deadly weapon on his mother

Nicolas Cage’s son, Weston Cage, was arrested on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon after turning himself in on a warrant issued earlier this year.

Fox News Digital confirmed from a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson that Weston walked into the 77th precinct during the early hours of Wednesday, July 10. He has since been released on bond. 

The 33-year-old was booked at 7:57 a.m. and was released a few hours later at 9:50 a.m. on a $150,000 bond.

Fox News Digital confirmed “Weston’s warrant stems from a police report that was completed for battery during an incident on April 28th.”

NICOLAS CAGE NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD HAVE THREE CHILDREN WITH THREE DIFFERENT WOMEN

On April 28, Weston and his mother, Christina Fulton, got into an argument at Christina’s Los Angeles home, People magazine reported. The argument allegedly became physical. 

The outlet reported that law enforcement officials said, “Cage punched two victims multiple times.” The alleged incident led to injuries. The case was presented to the Los Angeles district attorney’s office May 10, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon were filed against Weston.

Weston and Nicolas Cage’s representatives did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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Nicolas shares his oldest son, Weston, 33, with his ex Christina Fulton, his middle son Kal-El, 18, with his third wife, Alice Kim, and his 22-month-old daughter, August, with his fifth wife, Riko Shibata.

Weston has been arrested before and has been open about his substance abuse problems. According to People magazine, Weston was arrested for a DUI hit-and-run in Los Angeles in 2017.

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In 2015, Nicolas’ son told the outlet about his sobriety journey,  saying, “It got to the point where people thought I was digging my grave.”

Weston, a father of four, told the outlet that having his children helped him during his sobriety journey.

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“Having the combination of Danielle and Lucian and my father in my life, just that trinity right there, basically is going to keep me here,” Weston said at the time.

Travis Kelce shares astronomical price tag for star-studded Super Bowl suite

Earlier this year, Super Bowl suite tickets became a topic of conversation when Donna Kelce and Lisa McCaffrey, the mothers of NFL stars Travis Kelce and Christian McCaffrey, revealed they would not be getting a suite at Allegiant Stadium because of the astronomical prices. 

Turns out they did get to watch the big game from a suite, and in Netflix’s new sports docuseries, “Receiver,” the Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed just how pricey those seats were. 

In the final episode of the series, which followed several NFL receivers throughout the 2023 season, a conversation between Kelce and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle revealed just how expensive the luxury seats would be for the 2024 Super Bowl. 

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“Are you guys doing a suite or,” Kelce asked. 

“No, I can’t,” Kittle responded before Kelce added with a smirk, “Because they’re f—ing $3 million.” 

Kittle seemingly agreed, adding he told his family and friends, “You guys are gonna be fine.” 

DONNA KELCE SAYS ‘PRICEY’ SUPER BOWL SUITES MEANS SHE WILL LIKELY BE ROOTING FOR CHIEFS FROM THE STANDS

In the lead-up to the Super Bowl, Donna Kelce said in a February interview with “Today” she had a “feeling” she would be in the stands watching her son play in what would eventually be his third Super Bowl victory. 

“Well, you can understand that the boxes in Vegas are multimillion dollars, so I have a feeling I’m not in a box,” she said with a laugh. “I have a feeling I’m in the stands.

“As far as I know, I’m in the stands with everybody else because it is a pricey Super Bowl.” 

Lisa McCaffrey echoed that sentiment during an appearance on Olivia Culpo’s podcast. 

“We looked into a suite, and none of us can afford it,” she said. “Not even Christian, money bags over there — nor money bags Olivia.” 

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Both would eventually get to watch the Chiefs and Niners face off in a suite. For Kelce, his supporting cast included a star-studded lineup of popstar girlfriend Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Miles Teller, Lana Del Rey and Cara Delevingne. 

Kelce’s brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, and their family were also in the suite, joined by Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany Mahomes. 

‘Mickey Mouse Club’ star makes allegation about what got some girls cut from the show

Success and scandal have been synonymous with the talent produced inside the Mickey Mouse Club back in the ’90s. Just look at former members Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.

But Keri Russell, who managed to evade some of the unfortunate child-star narratives that others succumbed to, is shedding light on a scandalous story of her own: why she was potentially kicked off the show.

Stopping by Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, “Dinner’s on Me,” Russell suggested that maturing was likely what got certain cast members, including herself, removed from the show. Ferguson prompted Russell’s startling admission, asking whether there was an age cut-off for being on the show.

KERI RUSSELL CLAIMS SHE WAS MICKEY MOUSE CLUB’S ‘LEAST TALENTED,’ JOKES ‘NOT EVERYONE GOT OUT ALIVE’

“Yeah, it’s usually girls who look like they were sexually active, which probably I was one of the first,” she admitted. “They’re like, “She’s out! She is out! That one is gone!” she joked.

“Meanwhile, the boys stayed ’till they were like 19,” Russell lamented. “I was like, ‘Um, by the way, I had sex with that person. I know that they’ve had sex.'”

“Pregnant musketeers aren’t on the roster,” she stated. “So I left at probably 17-ish.”

Russell also explained how she landed the role on “The All New Mickey Mouse Club,” having attended a Denver casting call with some friends.

“I think back then Disney was looking for kids that were kind of, like, normal,” she told Ferguson. In a candid interview with W Magazine last year, Russell claimed she was “the least talented” of the cast.

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“I was there at a time when there were a lot of famous kids there,” she told the outlet. “And I say this completely truthfully: I was literally the least talented one there. I’m not kidding. When I look at those kids, I’m like, why in the world did they pick me? Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling and Britney Spears. It was wild.” 

Speaking of how her career trajectory deviated from other big names, Russell told Ferguson, “I think what’s really the creepiest part of kid acting is usually it’s one or two kids with all adults. And so that really accelerates the adultification of everything. And for the ‘Mickey Mouse Club,’ there were 19 of us. The adults were invisible to me. You know what I mean?”

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All of the kids appearing on the show did have to have a parent with them, according to Russell. “I was 15 to 17. So I think that is what was unique about being a kid actor at such a young age. So I wasn’t completely alone with all the adults. And I think that was helpful.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Disney and representatives for Russell for comment.

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Former NBA player says LeBron’s ‘abuse of power’ got son drafted

Bronny James was the 55th pick of the NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, his father’s team, a couple weeks ago.

Scouts were not kind to Bronny during the pre-draft process, with at least one saying he was “not an NBA prospect” after he scored less than five points per game in his lone season at USC. Bronny’s cardiac arrest last the summer didn’t help.

On one hand, history will be made the first time they share the floor together. LeBron and Bronny will become the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time.

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There’s been a lot of conversation about nepotism, and an ex-NBA vet called it an “abuse of power” by the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, especially considering Bronny got a guaranteed four-year deal worth nearly $8 million.

“For those that don’t know… Late second round picks don’t get guarantees (especially before summer league ),” Steven Hunter wrote on social media, via OutKick.

“Typically late second round picks don’t get 4 year guaranteed roster spot deals either. This wasn’t earned, I’m sorry… And it’s an egregious abuse of power from LBJ [LeBron James] & Rich Paul. It’s a slap in the face to all of the kids out there who work their a–es off to get to the league. It’s sneaky hollywood s— like this that turns a lot of people off about Lebron. …

TEAM USA’S ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS BEGINS WITH EXHIBITION WIN OVER CANADA

“This is just another example of what they be talking about right when you try to like’em. This is why most people prefer [Michael Jordan] or Kobe [Bryant] over him because you know at least MJ or Kobe gone be straight shooters… Trust me MJ could’ve gotten one of his sons in the league if he chose to abuse his power like that…

“Not taking anything away from Bronny nor am I upset at Bronny… Just know that this is a manipulation of our league and the integrity of what it truly takes to get there.”

Bronny was invited to at least 10 pre-draft workouts but only attended two with the Lakers and the Suns. Paul said that was “by design.”

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James scored four points on 2-for-9 shooting in his NBA Summer League debut.

‘Rust’ jury will hear Alec Baldwin urge his wife to visit just after shooting

Jurors will learn that Alec Baldwin urged his wife and kids to visit him in Santa Fe for a “good time,” hours after he accidentally shot Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza on a movie set, according to a ruling Thursday.

Baldwin, 66, hadn’t yet learned that Hutchins was dead but knew that she and Souza had been taken to a hospital when he called his wife, Hilaria, from a New Mexico sheriff’s office Oct. 21, 2021.

“He’s speaking to his wife, and he has her on FaceTime so we can actually hear her. We can hear her responses. And then he’s speaking to another person,” prosecutor Kari Morrissey told the judge during a hearing outside the earshot of jurors

“And he is explaining that he wants that person to try to convince his wife to still come to New Mexico because they can’t get their money back for the plane tickets, and they’d like to go ahead and have a good time.”

FATAL TIMELINE IN ALEC BALDWIN ‘RUST’ SHOOTING THAT LED TO ACTORS INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Hilaria and their kids had previously planned to visit Baldwin one day after the tragic accident.

But rather than call off their trip after the shooting, Baldwin urged them to visit.

Morrissey argued the statement should be allowed after defense attorney Alex Spiro elicited testimony about Baldwin’s state of mind from Santa Fe Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Lefleur.

Spiro had asked whether Baldwin appeared upset after the accidental shooting, which the deputy confirmed.

ALEC BALDWIN’S ‘RUST’ ARMORER REQUESTS PRISON RELEASE DAYS BEFORE ACTOR’S INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL

PHOTO GALLERY: ALEC BALDWIN ‘RUST’ SHOOTING TRIAL DAY 2

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled prosecutors could introduce his conversations with Hilaria, which were captured on video hours after the accident as Baldwin sat alone in a police interview room.

Later that evening, Baldwin told Det. Alexandria Hancock, “You live a very, very difficult but ultimately very narrow life.” 

Sommer said that statement can also be disclosed to jurors.

ALEC BALDWIN’S CLAIM HE DIDN’T PULL TRIGGER ON ‘RUST’ SET QUESTIONED BY SHERIFF: ‘GUNS DON’T JUST GO OFF’

The third day of Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial in the First Judicial District Court kicked off with cross-examination of the state’s fourth witness, forensic technician Marissa Poppell. 

During the brutal hours-long questioning by Spiro, Poppell admitted she didn’t conduct an exhaustive search for live ammunition at a warehouse for the film’s prop supplier after having stated the opposite on direct examination.

The defense has argued investigators zeroed in on Baldwin rather than focus on who supplied the live rounds to the set, which remains a mystery. 

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Spiro showed jurors photos of stacked boxes and tubs in Seth Kenney’s PDQ Arm and Prop’s warehouse, where Poppell and other officers unsuccessfully searched for live rounds that matched the one that killed Hutchins.

Poppell admitted they didn’t go through every box but instead shook some of them and listened for a rattle.

“At the search being conducted to find the source of the lethal round, law enforcement is doing the very same thing that you’re complaining about the armorer doing on the set, right?” Spiro asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

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The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was convicted of the same charge Baldwin is facing for loading a live round into the revolver that killed Hutchins, previously told investigators she checked to confirm a bullet was a dummy “most of the time.”