Trump’s latest tax push could put Dems in a tricky position by forcing them to pick sides

White House aides are quietly floating a proposal within the House GOP that would raise the tax rate for people making more than $1 million to 40%, two sources familiar with discussions told Fox News Digital, to offset the cost of eliminating tips on overtime pay, tipped wages, and retirees’ Social Security.

The sources stressed the discussions were only preliminary, and the plan is one of many being talked about as congressional Republicans work on advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda via the budget reconciliation process.

Trump and his White House have not yet taken a position on the matter, but the idea is being looked at by his aides and staff on Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile House GOP leaders including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have publicly opposed the idea of any tax hikes.

TRUMP OPEN TO SENDING VIOLENT AMERICAN CRIMINALS TO EL SALVADOR PRISONS

“I’m not a big fan of doing that. I mean, we’re the Republican Party and we’re for tax reduction for everyone,” Johnson said on “Sunday Morning Futures.”

One GOP lawmaker asked about the proposal and granted anonymity to speak candidly said they would be open to supporting it but preferred a higher starting point than $1 million.

They said the reaction was “mixed” among other House Republicans. But not all House GOP lawmakers are privy to the discussions, and it’s not immediately clear how wide the proposal has been circulated.

Nevertheless, it signals that Republicans are deeply divided on how to go about enacting Trump’s tax agenda.

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Extending Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and enacting his newer tax proposals is a cornerstone of Republicans’ plans for the budget reconciliation process.

By lowering the Senate’s threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51, it allows the party in power to skirt opposition to pass a sweeping piece of legislation advancing its own priorities – provided the measures deal with tax, spending, or the national debt.

Extending Trump’s tax cuts is expected to cost trillions of dollars alone. But even if Republicans use a budgetary calculation to hide its cost, known as current policy baseline, they will still have to find a path forward for new policies eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay, and retirees’ Social Security checks.

Hiking taxes on the ultra-wealthy could also serve to put Democrats in a tricky political situation in forcing them to choose between supporting Trump’s policies and opposing an idea they’ve pushed for years.

The top income tax rate is currently about 37% on $609,351 in earnings for a single person or $731,201 for married couples. 

But raising the rate for millionaires could be one way to pay for Trump’s new tax policies.

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., one of the deficit hawks leading the charge to ensure new spending is paired with deep cuts elsewhere, said “That’s one possibility.”

“What I’d like to do is I’d actually like to find spending reductions elsewhere in the budget, but if we can’t get enough spending reductions, we’re going to have to pay for our tax cuts,” Harris told “Mornings with Maria” last week.

“Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the highest tax bracket was 39.6%, it was less than $1 million. Ideally, what we could do, again, if we can’t find spending reductions, we say ‘Okay, let’s restore that higher bracket, let’s set it at maybe $2 million income and above,’ to help pay for the rest of the president’s agenda.”

But Johnson’s No. 2, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., again poured cold water on the idea Tuesday.

“I don’t support that initiative,” Scalise told “Mornings with Maria,” though he added, “everything’s on the table.”

“That’s why you hear all kind of ideas being bounced around. And if we take no action, then you’d have over 90% of Americans see a tax increase,” Scalise warned.

Bloomberg News was first to report House Republicans’ 40% tax hike proposal.

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When reached for comment, the White House pointed Fox News Digital to comments by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier on Tuesday when she said Trump had not made up his mind on another proposal to raise the corporate tax rate.

“I’ve seen this idea proposed. I’ve heard this idea discussed. But I don’t believe the president has made a determination on whether he supports it or not,” Leavitt said.

Fox News Digital also reached out to Johnson’s office for comment.

China lashes out, says ‘peasants in the United States’ will suffer from trade war

A Chinese official lashed out against the Trump administration on Tuesday, reportedly stating that the “peasants in the United States” will suffer from the trade war. 

Xia Baolong, the director of China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office under the State Council, criticized tariff policies levied by the Trump administration as “extremely shameless.” 

Appearing to address past remarks by Vice President JD Vance, Xia said “Let those peasants in the United States wail in front of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization,” according to Reuters. 

Vance told Fox News last week that the “globalist economy” in the U.S. is based on the principle of “incurring a huge amount of debt to buy things that other countries make for us.” 

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“To make it a little bit more crystal clear, we borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” Vance said in an interview, defending Trump’s plan to revitalize U.S. manufacturing. “That is not a recipe for economic prosperity. It’s not a recipe for low prices, and it’s not a recipe for good jobs in the United States of America.” 

Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong made the criticism in a pre-recorded address played before the 10th National Security Education Day, according to the South China Morning Post. 

Xia said the U.S. is “the biggest sinister manipulator undermining human rights, freedom, the rule of law, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong,” according to an excerpt reported by the outlet.

“The U.S. isn’t after our tariffs but our very survival,” Xia said, according to another excerpt reported by the New York Post. “The US has repeatedly contained and suppressed Hong Kong … and this will eventually backfire on itself.”

He also described the U.S. as a “bully,” vowing that the Chinese government would stand by Hong Kong. 

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“The Chinese people do not cause trouble, nor are they afraid of trouble. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China,” he added, according to the New York Post.

The U.S. Department of State has said Beijing and Hong Kong officials use national security laws to intimate and harass pro-democracy activists. Beijing has installed sympathetic officials on the once-autonomous island after massive protests in 2019. 

It’s not the first time Vance’s remark has drawn the ire of Beijing. Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said, “To hear words that lack knowledge and respect like those uttered by this Vice President is both surprising and kind of lamentable.” 

“China has made its position perfectly clear on its trade relations with the U.S.,” he reportedly said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, is touring Southeast Asia this week, and reportedly pitched Beijing as the source of “stability and certainty” in Hanoi, Vietnam on Tuesday.

“As beneficiaries of economic globalization, both China and Vietnam should strengthen strategic resolve, jointly oppose unilateral bullying acts, uphold the global free trade system, and keep global industrial and supply chains stable,” Xi said, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Trump reacted to the meeting between Xi and Vietnam’s Communist Party leader, To Lam, telling reporters at the White House on Monday that the two were trying to figure out “How do we screw the United States of America?’”

Gene Hackman’s wife’s internet searches shed light on couple’s heartbreaking final days

Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, inquired about COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms multiple times before she died, according to a report obtained by Fox News Digital.

Detectives with the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department also released footage from inside the Hackman home on the day their bodies were discovered in February.

Through a search of Betsy’s computer, investigators discovered an email Betsy sent to her massage therapist on Feb. 11 where she admitted Gene (G) took a “covid test” after experiencing “flu/cold-like symptoms.”

Prior to her email, Betsy had researched “COVID” at least four times before pursuing medical attention at the Cloudberry Health center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, documents showed.

GENE HACKMAN’S HOME FOUND TO BE INFESTED WITH RODENTS AFTER WIFE DIED OF HANTAVIRUS

With the release of the records as ordered by the First Judicial District Court, Santa Fe County, sheriffs extended their appreciation to first responders, and offered sincere condolences to the Hackman family in their time of loss.

“Our statutory and fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers requires us to find compassionate and workable solutions that respect both public transparency requirements and a grieving family’s dignity,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said.

Internet search history 

Beginning Feb. 8 through 9, “multiple searches related to flu and COVID symptoms” were discovered in Betsy’s Google search history, detectives reported.

On Feb. 10, Betsy searched “flu and nosebleeds” at 11:52 a.m., followed one minute later with another search for “COVID nosebleeds.” At 1:15 p.m., she searched, “Can COVID cause dizziness?”

In an email correspondence with Katia Van Horn sent on Feb. 11 at 10:24 a.m., Betsy wrote, “So, G woke up today with flu/cold-like symptoms, did a COVID test, negative. But out of an abundance of caution, I should cancel my appt tomorrow and rebook, say, in a couple weeks, last week of Feb if something is available..”

GENE HACKMAN DEATH: BODYCAM FOOTAGE REVEALS WIFE FEARED BEING FOLLOWED

Van Horn told investigators that she had not seen Gene “for over a year,” but mentioned that he had previously “undergone surgery performed by a doctor in New York.”

• Feb. 8-9, 2025 – Multiple searches related to flu and COVID symptoms
• Feb. 10, 2025 at 11:52 a.m. – “Flu and nosebleeds”
• Feb. 10, 2025 at 11:53 a.m. – “COVID nosebleeds”
• Feb. 10, 2025 at 1:15 p.m. – “Can COVID cause dizziness?”
• Feb. 12, 2025 at 8:59 a.m. – “How long do the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy last”
• Feb. 12, 2025 at 9:26 a.m. – “Cloudberry Health Santa Fe, New Mexico”

Additionally, Van Horn saw Betsy on Feb. 5, and remembered the late pianist discussing a recent car accident where she had “hit a median with her vehicle” and needed to visit a Toyota repair shop.

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Betsy’s final two search queries were on Feb. 12, including “How long do the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy last” at 8:59 a.m., and “Cloudberry Health Santa Fe, New Mexico” at 9:26 a.m.

“This data suggests that Betsy was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death,” the report stated.

Dog guarding Betsy’s body

The Hackmans, and one of their dogs, were found dead in their home on Feb. 26. The couple had been married for more than 30 years.

In newly released video footage from the day authorities discovered Gene and Betsy’s bodies, body camera footage revealed one of the Hackmans dogs protecting Betsy’s body.

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Bear and Nikita, the late couple’s dogs, helped authorities find Gene and Betsy’s bodies when officials arrived at their home in New Mexico. 

Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya explained the department immediately located Betsy in a bathroom after entering the front door of the New Mexico home. However, officials searched for nearly 30 minutes with no sign of Hackman.

WATCH: AUTHORITIES SEARCH GENE HACKMAN, WIFE BETSY ARAKAWA HACKMAN’S HOME

Detectives initially described the couple’s deaths as “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital.

While paramedics and officers from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department searched the home, one of the couple’s dogs kept running up to them. Authorities originally thought the dog wanted to play but later realized the pup was trying to help. One of Hackman and Betsy’s dogs died, but two remained alive at the home and were able to roam through an open back door.

The deceased dog, Zinna, likely died from dehydration and starvation, according to the report, which specified the dog’s stomach was empty.

Zinna’s body was discovered in a crate that was in a closet about “10 to 15” feet away from where Betsy’s body was found on the floor of the bathroom.

Betsy, a classical pianist, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to New Mexico officials. Gene died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor.

Gene likely survived alone in the home for about a week, until he died around Feb. 18, which was the last time activity was recorded on his pacemaker. Authorities assumed this was his last day alive, as the Oscar winner’s body was not discovered for nine more days.

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Biden returns to podium to slam Trump admin: ‘Who in the hell do they think they are?’

Former President Joe Biden took shots at the Trump administration’s Social Security policies in his first major speech since leaving the White House on Tuesday evening.

“Seriously, people are now genuinely concerned for the first time in history, for the first and only time in history, that Social Security benefits may be delayed or interrupted,” Biden said from the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference in Chicago on Tuesday evening.

“In the 90 years since Franklin Roosevelt created the Social Security system, people have always gotten their Social Security checks. They’ve gotten them during wartime, during recessions, during the pandemic. No matter what, they got them. But now, for the first time ever, that might change. It would be a calamity for millions of families, millions of people,” he added. 

The ACRD conference was billed as the 46th president’s first public speech since leaving the White House. Biden, however, has delivered other public remarks since Jan. 20, Fox Digital found, including speaking before the National High School Model United Nations in March, which received little media attention, as well as joining an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers event this month. 

ACRD is an advocacy organization that works to equip “disability professionals with the tools, technology, and training to lead the industry forward,” according to its website. 

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Biden’s keynote address, which ran less than an hour, overwhelmingly focused on his accomplishments with Social Security when he was president, taking aim at how the Trump administration is allegedly keeping the elderly up at night with worry over their Social Security benefits, as well as cracking a few jokes about his decades in politics.

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“Why are these guys taking aim at Social Security now?” Biden asked, referring to the Trump administration. Well, they’re following that old line from tech startups. The quote is, ‘Move fast, break things.’ They’re certainly breaking things. They’re shooting first and aiming later.”

“The result is a lot of needless pain and sleepless nights,” Biden said.

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The Trump administration has cut about 7,000 Social Security Administration staffers since taking office as part of its mission to cut government fat and bureaucracy and realign agencies with “America First” policies. Democrats have slammed President Donald Trump over the cuts, claiming he will cut Social Security benefits to seniors. 

The White House has repeatedly rejected claims that the Trump administration will cut such benefits, vowing to “always protect” Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. 

Biden continued that the Trump administration is allegedly looking to “wreck” Social Security to “rob it.” 

“My friend, [Maryland] Gov. [Martin] O’Malley, knows what they’re really up to. He says, and I love his quote, ‘They want to wreck it so they could rob it.’ They want to wreck it so they could rob it. Why do they want to rob it? In order to deliver huge tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations and keep it going. They want to make permanent the 2017 tax cuts, which overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations. That’s going to cost $5 trillion. Where are they going to get $5 trillion to pay for when they continue to run the deficit up?”

“What they always do … by running up the national debt, No. 1, then by taking the money from someplace else. What are the two big pots of money out there in raw numbers? Social Security and Medicaid. … Republicans, these guys are willing to hurt the middle class and the working class in order to deliver significant, greater wealth to their already very wealthy [friends]. Who in the hell do they think they are?” he said. 

Former Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and former Democrat Social Security Administrator and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley joined the event. O’Malley presented Biden with ACRD’s “beacon of hope award” for his accomplishments as president, including his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and fighting for the “dignity of every person.” 

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Biden added that the nation is “divided” under Trump and can’t continue on the same path. 

“We can’t go on like this as a divided nation, as divided as we are. I said, I’ve been doing this a long time, it’s never been this divided. Granted, it’s roughly 30%, but it’s a 30% that has no heart,” he continued. 

The Trump administration’s official Social Security X account hit back after the speech that “Biden is lying to Americans” before providing a detailed list of “facts,” including that Trump has repeatedly pledged to protect benefits and that no field office has been closed since Jan. 20.

“SSA is taking commonsense steps to transform how we serve the public – last month, we spent $16.5 million to modernize telephone services nationwide. We’re developing cutting-edge, AI-powered tools to streamline simple tasks,” the thread continued. “SSA Inspector General report released while Joe Biden was President found $72 billion in improper payments from fiscal years 2015 through 2022.”

The event comes as political books investigating the 2024 campaign cycle hit the shelves, including “Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History” and “FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House.” 

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Excerpts from Chris Whipple’s “Uncharted” reported that White House staffers allegedly kept Biden from socializing with others, including close allies and friends, out of fear the 46th president “might say the wrong thing or might feed the mental acuity narrative.” He also appeared “absolutely exhausted” ahead of his ill-fated debate against Trump in June, according to the book, which opened the floodgates to public concern over Biden’s mental acuity as he tripped over his words and lost his train of thought during the debate.

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Biden has been spending his days in both Delaware and the nation’s capital since his Oval Office exit, with the 46th president working on his own book while also meeting with various Democratic Party leaders, NBC News reported in March.

President Trump shares proudest accomplishment of his historic first 100 days

Nearing the close of his first 100 days in office, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s accomplishments with tariffs and the border during an exclusive interview with Fox Noticias on Tuesday. 

When Fox News’ Rachel Campos-Duffy asked Trump what he was most proud of since his return to office, the president first pointed to his administration’s success addressing the border crisis. 

“I think the thing that people now realize is the border is 100%. It’s like literally 100%. It’s perfect now, and I don’t know if you can tell. Perfect. But it’s going to get better. And by the way, we want people to come in, but they have to come in legally and everybody agrees to that,” Trump said. 

TRUMP OPEN TO SENDING VIOLENT AMERICAN CRIMINALS TO EL SALVADOR PRISONS

Securing the border was one of Trump’s primary campaign promises. Since his inauguration, illegal border crossings have been steadily decreasing.  

A new report by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that there were fewer apprehensions at the southern border in the entire month of March than there were in the first two days of the month in 2024 under the Biden administration.

According to the report, this is the second consecutive month in which U.S. Border Patrol averaged its lowest daily nationwide apprehensions in history.

During the Fox Noticias interview, President Trump also shared his pride over the administration’s economic successes, including tariff policies. 

“We’re making tremendous amounts of money taking in billions and billions, hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs from other countries that for many, many decades just ripped off the United States. And it’s time that we not allow that to happen,” he told Campos-Duffy. 

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Earlier this month, Trump unveiled a tariff plan on what the administration dubbed “Liberation Day.” Since April 2, the administration has issued a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for countries willing to negotiate a trade deal while increasing the tariffs imposed on China. 

Trump told Campos-Duffy there are many accomplishments he is “happy” about, also pointing to Congress’ work on the “Big, Beautiful Bill” which would include tax cuts and slashing regulations.  

Blue Origin flight crew blasted by celebrities ‘disgusted’ over mission

After the first all-female crew, including Katy Perry, journalist Lauren Sanchez, television host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe and civil rights activist and research scientist Amanda Nguyen, made the historic trip to space on the Blue Origin rocket on Monday, celebrities flocked to social media to share their frustrations over the disregard of spending and resources used for the mission.

KATY PERRY BREAKS DOWN AFTER BLUE ORIGIN LANDING, KISSES THE GROUND POST ‘INCREDIBLE’ TRIP TO SPACE

Olivia Wilde

The 41-year-old actress shared a meme of Perry exiting the spacecraft with a caption that read, “Getting off a commercial flight in 2025.”

Olivia Wilde commented, “Billion dollars bought some good memes I guess.”

Amy Schumer

The comedian took to Instagram to poke fun at the mission, while jokingly revealing that she had been chosen to be part of the crew last-minute. 

“So I’m going to space, and I’m so excited,” she said in a video. “Lauren Sanchez, Katy Perry and Amanda Nguyen have been my guiding lights through this whole journey, which I just got called to be part of this space team this morning. And I’m loving it. I’ve always wanted to go to space, and also I just have to say, How high were the people who came up with the name for space? Were they like, ‘What should we call it? It’s got so much, like, space.’”

Emily Ratajkowski

The model voiced her opinion about the flight to space on TikTok. 

“That’s end time s—,” Emily Ratajkowski said in a video. “Like, this is beyond parody.”

She continued, “You say that you care about Mother Earth, and it’s about Mother Earth, and you go up in a spaceship that is built and paid for by a company that is single-handedly destroying the planet. … Look at the state of the world and think about how many resources went into putting these women into space. For what?”

She added, “I’m disgusted.”

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Olivia Munn

Earlier this month, Olivia Munn ripped the all-female crew as “gluttonous.”

“I know this probably isn’t the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now,” the actress said during an appearance on “Today with Jenna and Friends.” “What are you guys gonna do up in space? What are you doing up there?”

“Also, you know, I just think about – I know this is probably obnoxious, but like, it’s so much money to go to space, you know? And there’s a lot of people who can’t even afford eggs,” she continued.

“What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous,” she continued. “Space exploration was to further our knowledge and to help mankind. What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?”

Kesha

The singer seemingly poked fun at Perry, whom she has been at odds with for years. 

On Monday, the “Tik Tok” singer shared a selfie on X while smiling and drinking from a Wendy’s cup.

Earlier that same day, the fast-food company responded to a post that read, “Katy Perry has returned from space.” Wendy’s wrote, “Can we send her back?”

In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against controversial music producer, Dr. Luke, accusing him of sexual assault and battery and long-term emotional and psychological abuse. She allegedly sent a text to Lady Gaga, claiming that Dr. Luke also assaulted Perry. Perry denied this allegation and has continued to collaborate with Dr. Luke on various projects. 

The case was settled in 2023. 

Amid the negativity, certain crew members were quick to defend their mission. 

“Anybody that’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here,” King said during a press conference on Monday, per People magazine. “We can all speak to the response we’re getting from young women from young girls about what this represents.”

Sánchez said she gets “really fired up,” when hearing the backlash. 

“I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees that don’t just work here but they put their heart and soul into this vehicle,” she said. “They love their work and they love the mission and it’s a big deal for them.” 

“So when we hear comments like that, I just say, ‘Trust me. Come with me. I’ll show you what this is about, and it’s, it’s really eye-opening,'” she added. 

Celebrities supporting the crew included King’s longtime friend, Oprah Winfrey, Perry’s husband, Orlando Bloom, and Kris Jenner and Khloé Kardashian. 

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Emails shed light on Bill Belichick’s concerns over relationship with 24-year-old

Bill Belichick is apparently well aware that if things don’t go smoothly in Chapel Hill, he can face some tough social media jargon.

The 72-year-old joined UNC to become its head football coach after being away from the sidelines in 2024 for the first time in nearly five decades.

But as Belichick’s career has progressed, so has social media, and he’s clearly no stranger to how people can operate online.

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According to a recent report by The Athletic, citing emails obtained through an open records request, Belichick emailed school officials showing his concern about potentially being called a “predator” online. Belichick is currently dating 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, who is also included in emails with the university.

“Is there anyone monitoring the UNC Football page for slanderous commentary and subsequently deleting it / blocking users that are harassing BB in the comments?” Hudson reportedly asked on Feb. 13.

Belichick reportedly followed up the next day, “I cannot believe that UNC would support my being called a ‘predator.'”

Robbi Pickeral Evans, UNC senior associate athletic director for external affairs and strategic communications, replied that the social media team hides or erases comments about personal life.

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“UNC would NEVER support,” Evans reportedly said in her reply.

Hudson also reportedly expressed concerns about fans calling out “nepotism,” given that Belichick’s son, Steve, is the team’s defensive coordinator.

The two were linked romantically last year and have recently “discussed marriage,” according to Page Six. Belichick, 72, and Hudson, 24, met on a flight headed to Boston in 2021 and apparently hit it off.

The two were first publicly linked last year, three years after meeting on the flight. They apparently got more serious after his breakup with Linda Holliday in 2022.

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At the NFL Honors, Belichick wore all eight of his Super Bowl rings, including the pair he won with the New York Giants as their defensive coordinator. Hudson wore a national championship ring she won for cheerleading in 2021.

‘Home Alone 2’ director on President Trump’s cameo: ‘I can’t cut it’

“Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” director Chris Columbus now considers President Donald Trump’s famous cameo in the film a “curse” and “albatross” around his neck.

The 1992 film featured a brief cameo by the then-real estate mogul as himself giving directions to the movie’s main character, Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, at New York’s Plaza Hotel, which he owned at the time.

Though the appearance is considered an iconic moment in the film, Columbus told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he now wishes it was gone.

“Years later, it’s become this curse,” Columbus said. “It’s become this thing that I wish it was not there.”

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Columbus told Business Insider in 2020 that Trump “bull[ied] his way” into the film by saying, “The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie.”

In 2023, however, Trump claimed in a social media post that the filmmaker begged for his cameo, which Columbus now disputes. 

“What’s going through this guy’s mind? He said I was lying. I’m not lying. He said I begged him to be in the movie, but there’s no world I would ever beg a non-actor to be in a movie,” Columbus SF Chronicle. “But we were desperate to get the Plaza Hotel.”

He continued, “But it’s [the cameo] there. It’s become an albatross for me. I just wish it was gone.”

Columbus said he was surprised at how popular the cameo was, particularly during one of the film’s early screenings.

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“We screened the film in Chicago, and when that moment came onscreen the audience went crazy,” Columbus said. “They cheered and they cheered and they thought it was hilarious. I think I know a lot about comedy, but I don’t, obviously, because I never thought that was going to be considered hilarious.”

Columbus jokingly added that he can’t cut the cameo now out of fear of being deported, despite being an American citizen.

“I can’t cut it,” Columbus said. “If I cut it, I’ll probably be sent out of the country. I’ll be considered sort of not fit to live in the United States, so I’ll have to go back to Italy or something.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.