Disney yanks Kimmel’s show following backlash over Charlie Kirk assassination remarks
Disney is pulling ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “indefinitely,” the company confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely,” a Disney spokesperson said.
Nexstar Media Group, which owns hundreds of television stations, announced earlier it would preempt Kimmel’s show on its ABC affiliates starting Wednesday night “for the foreseeable future” and would replace it with other programming over his comments about alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson.
FCC CHAIR LEVELS THREAT AGAINST ABC, DISNEY AFTER KIMMEL SUGGESTED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN WAS ‘MAGA’
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views or values of the local communities in which we are located,” Nexstar’s broadcasting chief, Andrew Alford, said in a press release.
“Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
On Monday, Kimmel accused conservatives of reaching “new lows” in trying to pin a left-wing ideology on 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, even though prosecutors reaffirmed those ties in Tuesday’s indictment.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
ABC REPORTER CALLS ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN’S TEXT MESSAGES TO TRANSGENDER PARTNER ‘VERY TOUCHING’
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr had issued a threat against Disney if it didn’t address the controversy.
Appearing on Wednesday’s “The Benny Show,” Carr called Kimmel’s comments “some of the sickest conduct” and suggested there were potential “avenues” the FCC could pursue.
“In some quarters, there’s a very concerted effort to try to lie to the American people about the nature … of one of the most significant newsworthy public interest acts that we’ve seen in a long time in what appears to be an action by Jimmy Kimmel to play into that narrative that this was somehow a MAGA or a Republican-motivated person,” Carr told host Benny Johnson.
“And I’ve been very clear from the moment that I have become chairman of the FCC, I want to reinvigorate the public interest. And what people don’t understand is that the broadcasters, and you’ve gotten this right, are entirely different than people that use other forms of communication. They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest.
“Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” Carr added.
COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK
Kimmel’s comments came one day after both FBI officials and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said that Robinson held a “leftist ideology” and was increasingly radicalized in recent years. It was also revealed that he had a romantic relationship with a transgender partner who was biologically male and transitioning to female.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
On Tuesday, Kimmel took aim at Vice President JD Vance for “pointing his little mascara-stained finger directly at the left” as guest host of “The Charlie Kirk Show.” Vance said on the show that most “lunatics” in American politics belong to the far left.
“And by ‘statistical fact,’ he means complete bull—,” Kimmel reacted.
Trump to designate antifa as a ‘major terrorist organization’
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he will designate antifa, a left-wing activist group, as a “major terrorist organization.”
Trump described the group as “A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER,” in a Truth Social announcement.
The president added he will be “strongly recommending” that those funding antifa be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices.
The announcement comes just days after Trumo said he would “100%” consider the designation.
VP JD Vance has a message for skeptics of Charlie Kirk murder motive
Vice President JD Vance issued scathing words to those questioning the motive of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s accused killer on “Jesse Watters Primetime” Wednesday.
After citing several sources involved in the investigation, the vice president blamed Kirk’s killing on “left-wing political radicalization.”
“My friend is dead because of left-wing political radicalization,” Vance argued. “And if you want to cut that sh– out, then be honest about it, and look yourself in the mirror.”
JD VANCE DECLARES THERE IS ‘NO UNITY’ WITH PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION
According to court documents, the mother of Tyler Robinson, Kirk’s suspected assassin, said Robinson had “become more political,” leaning left and supporting “pro-gay and trans rights.”
On Tuesday, Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray read aloud Robinson’s alleged explanation in text messages to his transgender roommate for assassinating Kirk.
“I had enough of [Kirk’s] hatred,” Robinson wrote Sept. 10. “Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and six other felonies by Utah prosecutors, who intend to seek the death penalty.
CHARLIE KIRK’S STRONG STANCE ON DEATH PENALTY RESURFACES AFTER UTAH ASSASSINATION
As the nation debates Robinson’s alleged motive for killing Kirk, Vance told Fox News host Jesse Watters the conservative activist’s death is not a “both sides problem.”
“You look at every ounce of evidence that we have, and it is clear,” Vance said. “This is a person who grew up in a pretty normal family, actually had a pretty good home life, who was radicalized by the far left, by the social networks of the far left, by the ideas of the far left, and got so far down the path of radicalization that he killed my friend.”
The Republican vice president also addressed whether the firings of those celebrating Kirk’s assassination is constitutional as employees lose their jobs and college students face expulsion for praising Kirk’s death.
JD VANCE PENS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE KIRK AFTER ASSASSINATION: ‘YOU RAN A GOOD RACE, MY FRIEND’
“The First Amendment protects a lot of very ugly speech,” Vance explained. “But if you celebrate Charlie Kirk’s death, you should not be protected from being fired for being a disgusting person.”
When Watters asked Vance how he views the celebrations, Vance listed a couple of questions he would ask the “disgusting” people in question.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION
“I would ask if you were the kind of person who feels joy at the death of a grieving mother and grieving children, what bad decisions have led you to where you are today?” Vance responded. “And why don’t you get back on the right path?”
On Monday, the vice president hosted an episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show” in honor of his late friend, saying he would not be in office without Kirk.
VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE ESCORTS CHARLIE KIRK’S CASKET BEFORE FLIGHT ON AIR FORCE TWO FROM UTAH TO ARIZONA
“Obviously, the president makes the final determination, but it takes a team effort, and Charlie was part of that team,” Vance said.
Vance also served as a pallbearer for Kirk when he carried his casket onto Air Force Two in Utah. The plane transported Kirk’s remains to Arizona Sept. 12.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Turning Point USA will hold a memorial for its founder in Arizona Sunday at State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
4 Republicans vote with Dems to block resolution censuring Omar for Kirk comments
The House of Representatives voted along bipartisan lines on Wednesday to table a resolution to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., over comments about Charlie Kirk.
Four House Republicans voted with Democrats to table the legislation, effectively blocking it from receiving its own House-wide vote. A vote to table is a procedural mechanism allowing House members to vote against consideration of a bill without having to vote on the bill itself.
The measure was blocked in a narrow 214 to 213 vote. The four Republicans who voted to table the measure are Reps. Mike Flood, R-Neb., Tom McClintock, R-Calif., Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., and Cory Mills, R-Fla.
ABC REPORTER CALLS CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN’S TEXT MESSAGES WITH TRANSGENDER PARTNER ‘VERY TOUCHING’
McClintock told Fox News Digital that while he condemned Omar’s response to Kirk’s death, he voted against moving forward with the censure based on First Amendment grounds.
“Ilhan Omar’s comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk are vile and contemptible. They deserve the harshest criticism of every man and woman of good will. But this disgusting and hateful speech is still speech and is protected by our First Amendment,” he said.
“Censure is formal punishment by the House and we have already gone too far down this road. Omar’s comments were not made in the House and even if they were, they broke no House rules. A free society depends on tolerating ALL speech — even hateful speech — confident that the best way to sort good from evil is to put the two side by side and trust the people to know the difference.”
Hurd responded similarly, “Ilhan Omar’s comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as well as her comments about those who supported Charlie, are ghoulish and evil. I condemn them completely.”
“But I voted against today’s censure because it tried to strip another Member of Congress from committees and to silence her for exercising the First Amendment right to free speech. The right response to reprehensible speech like this isn’t silencing: it’s more speech. That’s what Charlie Kirk believed and practiced, and I agree,” he told Fox News Digital.
Mills had been facing his own retaliatory censure led by House progressives, but that effort was dropped when Omar’s censure failed.
He cited First Amendment grounds on X when explaining his vote as well, however. “The 7 Articles and 27 Amendments of our Constitution are not followed only when it serves your purpose…We may not like or agree with what someone says, but that does not mean we should deny their protected 1A Right,” Mills posted.
Flood told Fox News Digital that the proper recourse would be referring Omar to the House Ethics Committee before a censure.
“Ilhan Omar’s statements and social media posts are reprehensible and should be referred to the Ethics Committee. The appropriate time to consider a censure motion would be after ethics reviews her conduct,” Flood said.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., moved to force a vote on the resolution Tuesday by introducing it as “privileged,” a mechanism that requires House leaders to deal with a measure within two legislative days.
It’s part of the continued fallout from Omar’s remarks made days after Kirk’s assassination, which conservatives have accused of disparaging the conservative activist’s legacy.
SCRUTINY INTENSIFIES OVER SECURITY LAPSES SURROUNDING THE CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING
She specifically faced backlash over an interview with progressive news outlet Zeteo, where she criticized Kirk’s past commentary and Republicans’ reaction to the shooting. She later accused Republicans of taking her words out of context, and she called Kirk’s death “mortifying.”
She previously told Zeteo days after Kirk’s assassination that he had “downplayed slavery and what Black people have gone through in this country by saying Juneteenth shouldn’t exist.”
“There are a lot of people who are out there talking about him just wanting to have a civil debate,” the “Squad” member said. “There is nothing more effed up, you know, like, than to completely pretend that, you know, his words and actions have not been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so.”
She later posted on X amid the backlash, “While I disagreed with Charlie Kirk vehemently about his rhetoric, my heart breaks for his wife and children. I don’t wish violence on anyone. My faith teaches me the power of peace, empathy, and compassion. Right-wing accounts trying to spin a false story when I condemned his murder multiple times is fitting for their agenda to villainize the left to hide from the fact that Donald Trump gins up hate on a daily basis.”
Kirk was shot and killed during a college campus speaking event in Utah.
Mace introduced her resolution on the House floor Tuesday by reading it on the House floor.
“Charlie Kirk was a lifelong advocate for freedom of speech, civil political discourse and the political engagement of youth,” Mace read aloud. “One day after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Representative Ilhan Omar gave an interview on Zeteo’s town hall with Mehdi Hassan, in which she smeared Charlie Kirk and implied he was to blame for his own murder.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Mace also accused Omar of reposting a video that said, “Don’t be fooled, these people don’t give a single s— about Charlie Kirk. They’re just using his death to further their Christo-fascist agenda.”
Other progressives leaped to Omar’s defense, including Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., who posted on X, “Babe, those are not direct quotes from Ilhan Omar. According to the APA, if you use a direct quotation, it must sustain your claim. The quotes you used are not Ilhan’s words, they are not in context and do not prove your point. Read before you tweet.”
It’s one of several measures targeting Omar over her comments.
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., who is running for Senate, introduced his own measure to strip Omar of her committee assignments on Monday.
California city slammed for honoring Charlie Kirk with lowered flag tribute
West Hollywood issued a statement Sunday after the California city faced backlash for lowering flags to half-staff in response to a presidential proclamation to pay tribute to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
After Kirk was assassinated during a campus event at Utah Valley University last week, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation ordering the U.S. flags on the White House and all public buildings and grounds to be lowered to half-staff to honor the conservative activist.
The California city was criticized after following this order, as well as lowering the Transgender Flag and Pride Progress Flag at Matthew Shepard Square. A sign was erected in the square in protest of the decision.
NFL GREAT’S NJ HOMETOWN REFUSED TO LOWER FLAGS IN HONOR OF CHARLIE KIRK, ITS NEIGHBORS ROSE TO THE OCCASION
“Shame on West Hollywood for lowering our flags in honoring a racist, transphobic, homophobic, Nazi-loving monster,” the sign read.
The City of West Hollywood defended its decision in a statement released to the WeHo Times, a local news outlet, saying that lowering these flags was in response to the presidential proclamation and not an endorsement of Kirk’s views.
“The City’s action should not be interpreted as an expression of alignment with, or endorsement of, Mr. Kirk’s political views or actions. Rather, the action was undertaken in accordance with the City’s Policy for Recognitions and Memorials, which acknowledges that the City follows the direction of the President in determining when flags in the City are flown at half-staff,” the statement read.
FEMA EMPLOYEE PLACED ON LEAVE FOR SAYING FLAGS SHOULDN’T BE AT HALF-STAFF FOR ‘RACIST HOMOPHOBE’ CHARLIE KIRK
It continued, “The discussion that has emerged within the community about when and whether the City should follow established policy is important. The City values this dialogue, and we recognize the importance of ensuring that community values are reflected in the City’s actions. In the coming weeks, the West Hollywood City Council will discuss this matter and will consider updates to the City’s policy regarding the lowering of flags to ensure that it appropriately reflects the values of the West Hollywood community.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the City of West Hollywood for comment.
At the same time, a New Jersey city faced criticism from its citizens, including New York Jets great Nick Mangold, over its decision to not lower its flags despite the presidential proclamation.
CUBS HONOR ‘LIFELONG’ FAN CHARLIE KIRK WITH ‘MOMENT OF REFLECTION’ AFTER UTAH ASSASSINATION
The City of Madison defended its decision in a statement explaining that its policy is to follow “the State of New Jersey’s daily flag status” which kept the flags at “full staff.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The Borough of Madison condemns all forms of political violence and rejects hate in every form. We remain committed to bringing people together around our shared values and ideals,” the statement continued.
Princess of Wales stuns at Trump dinner with tribute to president’s mother
Kate Middleton stunned in a glittering tiara moment at Windsor Castle.
The Princess of Wales turned heads as she arrived alongside husband Prince William.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump kicked off their state visit to the U.K. Wednesday, when the Prince and Princess of Wales greeted them. The senior royals put on a united front this evening for a state banquet at Windsor Castle to welcome the couple.
KATE MIDDLETON TO PLAY ‘PIVOTAL ROLE’ AT PRESIDENT TRUMP’S HISTORIC STATE VISIT: EXPERT
For the evening, Kate wore her favorite showpiece, the Lover’s Knot Tiara. It was commissioned for Queen Mary in 1913 from Britain’s House of Garrard, Vogue.com reported. It features diamonds and 19 hanging drop-shaped pearls, all set in silver and gold.
“Her tiara is Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot, a tried and true piece of jewelry for Kate,” royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital. “It has connections to Princess Diana but has really become quintessential for Catherine’s profile as well. It completes the image of an elegant senior royal that Kate is projecting.”
The tiara was handed down to Queen Elizabeth, who eventually handed it down to her daughter-in-law, Princess Diana. It quickly became a known favorite for the late Princess of Wales. It has become Kate’s formal headwear of choice.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of “My Mother and I,” told Fox News Digital the royals love to showcase their jewels during state banquets.
“They drip in jewels,” said Seward. “They absolutely drip with jewels. It’s the one time they could really show off their jewelry.”
Kate also sported a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley featuring a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat.
The true centerpiece of the state visit was the banquet in St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. The Waterloo Table — about half the length of a football field — can seat up to 160 guests. The Associated Press reported it takes five full days to set the table, which holds more than 4,000 pieces, including 200-year-old silver.
Men are expected to wear white ties and tailcoats, while women don designer gowns and jewels.
Chef Darren McGrady, a royal chef for 15 years who cooked for five U.S. presidents, told Fox News Digital that the menu gives a heartfelt nod to Queen Elizabeth II. One of the desserts that will be savored included a bombe glacée cardinal, a vanilla ice cream featuring Kentish raspberry sorbet and lightly poached Victoria plums.
“Bombes were served at maybe 70% of all state banquets,” he said. “It’s an ice cream where we use an old Victorian copper mold. The queen loved to have ice cream at state banquets, so we often served it. She also loved a bombe glacée royal, which is mint ice cream with chocolate. The queen loved chocolate.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
The king’s mother isn’t the only matriarch being honored during the state dinner. The royal menu also showed that, after dinner, guests would be served a Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grande Champagne from the president’s mother’s birth year.
In addition, a 1945 vintage port, closest to the year of the president’s birth year, will be served. It’s noted that ports are not made every year. Guests will also enjoy American red wine and English sparkling wine.
The king gave a speech in which he spoke of the special relationship between the U.S. and the U.K.
“The bond between our two nations is indeed a remarkable one,” said the monarch. “Forged in the fire of conflict, it has been fortified through our shared endeavors and burnished by the deep affection between our people. Tested time and again, it has borne the weight of our common purpose and raised our ambition for a better world.
“So, in renewing our bond tonight, we do so with unshakable trust in our friendship and in our shared commitment to independence and liberty,” the 76-year-old shared. “Therefore, as we celebrate this unparalleled partnership, allow me to propose a toast to President Trump and the first lady and to the health, prosperity and happiness of the people of the United States of America.”
In 2019, The New York Times reported one of Trump’s earliest memories, which he often shares, was seeing his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, enthralled by Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
Before the feast, Trump said his second state visit was “one of the highest honors of my life.”
“It’s a singular privilege to be the first American president welcomed here and, if you think about it, it’s a lot of presidents and this was the second state visit, and that’s the first, and maybe that’s going to be the last time,” said Trump.
“But this is truly one of the highest honors of my life, such respect for you and such respect for your country.”
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital, “President Trump’s state banquet speech was eloquent, politically correct and immensely on point. His declaring it to be ‘one of the highest honors of my life’ was well received, no doubt by the royals.
“The genuinely warm rapport between President Trump and the royals was most evident. It was no accident he was greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales when he arrived at Windsor, as well as being seated next to Princess Catherine.”
Fordwich told Fox News Digital the menus were written in French, a tradition dating back to the 11th century.
“This practice symbolizes sophistication,” she shared.
Dishes such as organic Norfolk chicken ballotine and quail egg salad highlight locally grown ingredients from the royal family’s estate. A cocktail created for the occasion — the Transatlantic Whisky Sour — blends Johnnie Walker Black with citrus marmalade and is topped with a toasted marshmallow on a star-shaped biscuit.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
No U.S. president, or any other world leader, has ever had the honor of a second U.K. state visit, The Associated Press reported. The festivities involved 120 horses and 1,300 troops — including the largest guard of honor in living memory.
Charlie Kirk fans want Starbucks to recognize his ‘iconic’ drink order
A group of Charlie Kirk supporters is petitioning Starbucks to honor the slain conservative activist by adding his signature tea order to menus nationwide.
The campaign, called “Get Charlie Kirk’s Starbucks Order On Every Starbucks Menu,” was launched on Change.org on Sept. 14.
In the petition description, the organizer wrote that Kirk’s murder has left “millions of people around the world … heartbroken, agonized and completely devastated.”
CHARLIE KIRK DELIVERED MESSAGE ABOUT LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS TO RESTAURANT LEADERS HOURS BEFORE SHOOTING DEATH
“To honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy … I and those who join me in signing this petition ask Starbucks to put Charlie Kirk’s order on their menus with the name ‘Kirk Special’ or ‘The Charlie Kirk’ or some other iteration containing his name,” the organizer added.
As of the early evening of Sept. 17, the petition had accrued a modest number of signatures and a handful of comments from supporters.
“I’m signing in honor of Charlie Kirk,” one comment read. “May his legacy of courage, conviction and love for this country continue to inspire others.”
Another person wrote, “I think this is important, to remember Charlie’s legacy.”
FROZEN YOGURT JOINT ‘RECEIVING HATE’ AND DEATH THREATS FOLLOWING CHARLIE KIRK TRIBUTE
The person added, “He always ordered the drink and kept it with him while debating, so it’s like an iconic thing. It’s important to not forget him and to remember something about him [that] he always ordered.”
The petition came after Kirk’s favorite Starbucks order — a mint majesty tea with two honeys — circulated following his killing. Two Starbucks cups were photographed near him moments before he was fatally shot on Sept. 10.
A resurfaced video posted by Turning Point USA shows Kirk explaining his order.
“My question is, what is your Starbucks order? You’ve been carrying a Starbucks cup around all day,” a student asked him.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“That’s a great question,” Kirk responded. “I literally drink this for one reason, because I lose my voice very easily. It is literally just mint majesty tea with two honeys.“
“And I drink like nine of them a day,” he said. “Otherwise, I lose my voice … so now you know the Starbucks order.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Starbucks for more information. The company did not return a request for comment.
MORE FROM FOX NEWS LIFESTYLE
Fox News Digital also reached out to Change.org.
The petition came as a Starbucks worker in Yucaipa, California, was called out on TikTok for refusing to write Charlie Kirk’s name for an order.
The TikTok user said that her husband ordered a mint majesty tea under Kirk’s name and was told that he had to “pick a different name” because they don’t “honor politics here.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Starbucks told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that there was no policy against writing Kirk’s name on a cup and that the company was “working to understand what took place in this store.”
Christian minister speaks on clash with ‘not welcome here’ Muslim mayor
Christian minister Edward “Ted” Barham says he will not respond with hate after Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud told him he was “not welcome” during a heated city council exchange over a controversial honorary street sign naming that went viral.
In a new interview with Fox News Digital, Barham said the moment has only strengthened his resolve to speak out about freedom of speech and freedom of faith.
“I did not respond to the mayor with hate. I said, God bless you,” Barham said, adding that he takes seriously Jesus’ command to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you.” He said the incident was not isolated, pointing to earlier clashes with city officials over his public ministry.
Barham objected at the Sept. 9 council meeting to street signs honoring controversial Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani.
DEARBORN’S MUSLIM MAYOR TELLS CHRISTIAN HE’S ‘NOT WELCOME’ IN DEBATE ON HONORING PRO-TERROR ARAB LEADER
He read from a 2022 Siblani speech that declared, “We are the Arabs who are going to lift Palestinians all the way to victory whether we are in Michigan and whether we are in Jenin. Believe me, everyone should fight within his means. They will fight with stones, others will fight with guns, others fight with planes, drones, and rockets.” Barham told council members, “It sounds like he could be inciting violence in Michigan.”
Siblani has a long record of controversial remarks. In 2003 he told the Washington Post, “Mr. Bush believes Hezbollah, Hamas and other Palestinian factions are terrorists, but we believe they are freedom fighters.”
In 2006 he told the Chicago Tribune that “if the FBI wants to come after those who support the resistance done by Hezbollah, then they better bring a fleet of buses. I, for one, would be willing to go to jail.” At a Dearborn rally in September 2024, he praised Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a “hero” as the crowd cheered.
WHITMER SILENT ON MUSLIM MAYOR TELLING RESIDENT HE’S ‘NOT WELCOME’ FOR SLAM ON TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER
Barham told Fox News Digital his own background gives him perspective. He was born in Africa, lived in Pakistan, Lebanon, and Israel, and ministered for years in England. He has produced Arabic-language Christian programming and holds graduate qualifications in biblical languages and theology from the University of Toronto, Oxford University, and other schools. “I do really enjoy living in this city,” Barham said of Dearborn, sharing that many of his friends are either Muslim or formerly Muslim.
“I think it is a wonderful thing that there are so many Muslim people in Western countries,” he said. “I would encourage American Christians to make the message of Christ and His love and His forgiveness and of loving His enemies very attractive to their Muslim friends and neighbors.”
Barham also pointed out a recent initiative in Dearborn where his group tested a Christian call to prayer in Arabic in public spaces to run alongside those broadcast by mosques, specifically quoting John 3:16.
He said the idea sprang from seeing how often the Islamic call to prayer is heard in neighborhoods and wanting Christian voices to have the same public presence. “One really inspiring thing about that for us is that we’re doing something here in Dearborn that our brothers and sisters and so many Muslim countries around the world are not allowed to do. And I do hand it to the city council and the mayor for allowing us to do that Christian call to prayer.”
At the same time, Barham said Muslim American leaders should use their influence to press for equal freedoms abroad. “My prayer is not just that we get more freedom here in Dearborn. My prayer is that people here in America, Muslim people, Muslim background people here in America will fight for the rights of oppressed Christian minorities in so many Muslim countries.”
He said he was shocked to hear Hammoud promise to “launch a parade” when he leaves town. “I mean, as you saw, the mayor treated me terribly last week, but I have actually, believe it or not, had some good personal interactions with him, not myself so much, but my family,” Barham added.
While Barham credited Hammoud with funding new playgrounds and recalled his son’s warm encounter with the mayor at a preschool visit, he argued there is a pattern of city leadership dismissing Christian speech. He pointed to a 2022 fight over a Christian film event where organizers were accused of “preying on children” simply for offering hot dogs and popcorn at a screening of the popular TV show “The Chosen” about the life of Jesus Christ.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Barham says he will keep speaking anyway. “I want to stand up for a totally different message which is the message of love,” he said. “Disagreement is not hate. Faith can be expressed without fear.”
Barham’s ongoing Christian ministry in the Dearborn community can be followed on X at @DearbornDiscuss.
The Office of Mayor Abdullah Hammoud did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Alec Baldwin’s reaction sparks chatter after Hilaria’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ debut
Hilaria Baldwin is living out her dream.
During Tuesday’s premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” the mom of seven gave a stellar performance with partner Gleb Savchenko as her husband, Alec Baldwin, and other members of her family in the audience cheering her on.
“It’s such a dream to have my family here,” she told Fox News Digital after the show’s premiere.
Ahead of her debut dance to Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” Hilaria took her rehearsals with Savchenko from Los Angeles to New York, where she lives with Alec and their seven children.
HILARIA BALDWIN SCORES ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS’ AFTER BUMPY JOURNEY TO REALITY TV FAME
“With one week to go, I’m taking Gleb to New York, where I live. I’m so excited to share this experience with my family,” she said in the “DWTS” package before her live performance.
“She’s a hard worker,” Alec told the “DWTS” camera while sitting in on Hilaria’s rehearsal. “This was her life until she got injured, so she’s just going to give it everything she has. I’m proud of her, very proud of her.”
IRELAND BALDWIN CALLS HILARIA ‘BAT S— CRAZY’ BUT CREDITS HER WITH SAVING DAD ALEC’S LIFE
During their live cha-cha performance, Hilaria and Gleb shared an intimate moment in which they came face to face. Alec was seen clapping, but fans instantly noticed the expression on his face.
“I’m crying the camera panning over to alec baldwin he does not want to be there,” one person wrote on X.
“Alec Baldwin watching Hilaria and Gleb’s steamy Cha-Cha like 😐 That poker face deserves its own mirrorball trophy 😂,” another added.
Other viewers pointed out how the Baldwins always support each other.
“Alec Baldwin popping up on DWTS 👀 Hilaria hyping him up as always. Gotta respect the support system,” one X user noted.
“Hilaria Baldwin’s gratitude for Alec and the kids’ support on *DWTS* is heartwarming. Family backing makes the spotlight a little less intimidating! 💃❤️,” another wrote.
WATCH: ‘DWTS’ CONTESTANT HILARIA BALDWIN SAYS IT’S A ‘DREAM’ TO HAVE HUSBAND ALEC BALDWIN IN THE CROWD
APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST
Hilaria told People magazine that Alec has been “supportive” throughout her “Dancing with the Stars” journey thus far.
“He’s been wanting me to do this show for a very long time, and he has been very supportive and he’s very happy for this,” she said. “I’ve supported him through a lot, and I think he’s excited to do this.”
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Speaking with Fox News Digital, the yoga instructor admitted that she never thought she’d get to this point in her career.
“I mean, it’s not just the experience and how warm and welcoming this environment is and everybody here in ‘Dancing with the Stars’ family, but this was something … I loved to dance, and I didn’t do it on the same level as him, but I loved it a lot,” Hilaria said after the show’s premiere. “And then I broke my hip and all of a sudden I was in a wheelchair and I thought I would never dance again. I just closed that chapter. I closed that door.”
“So to be here dancing with [Gleb], specifically him, he’s so about technique and mentality and all of the stuff that my nerdy dancer self loves, it’s just a dream come true. He’s nicer to me than I am to myself. I feel like we’re very similar. It’s so interesting, the science of how they pair people together, and I think that we’re very similar in some very surprising ways.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
“Training at the beginning was like blisters on the feet, so I’ve gotten through that phase. You show up every day, and you work, and you focus, and you just do your best because the time is very short,” she continued.
“We’re accomplishing a lot in a very short period of time,” she added. “All of the couples are. And so that has been, that’s fun for me, it’s play time. I think the hardest thing is my mind. To stay focused, you know, I’m somebody who sometimes I’m a little, I get unfocused, and so really staying present and being grateful for each moment is something that I’m trying to do rather than being hard on myself”.