John Byrne

AlterNet's Code of Standards for Artificial Intelligence

AlterNet is committed to accurate, independent and original journalism. Reporters aim to be precise with all headlines and statements. This includes identifying information such as names and positions as well as factual statements and quotations.

AlterNet is also committed to human-written journalism, and use of AI is generally contrary to our values. In recent months, however, we have begun to face increasing competition from publishers who appear to be using AI to get stories to print faster than us, which harms our ability to compete and threatens our business. To remain innovative and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving media environment, we have no choice but to experiment with use of AI in certain, carefully controlled circumstances. This document governs that experimentation. This policy will be revisited in six months, or sooner if circumstances warrant.

The following outlines AlterNet’s policies for use of AI.

Human Oversight

Use of AI tools will involve AlterNet journalists and editors at every step of the way. Any content produced with the assistance of AI is vetted by human journalists or editors for accuracy, fairness and completeness. Generative AI can help with the process of reporting but must be managed and accountable to journalists. Regardless of whether portions of a story were written with the use of AI, the journalist whose name appears on the story must own those words the same as if they were originally drafted by that journalist. Headlines, opening paragraphs, and key paragraphs that are central to the AlterNet voice must be written by humans without the use of AI. AI will typically be used only to generate background paragraphs or summaries of information that has previously been made public elsewhere.

Disclosure

AlterNet discloses its use of AI as part of this policy. Articles that involve substantial use of AI will include a disclosure stating that AI was involved in the creation of the content along with a human editor.

Fact-Checking

Any use of AI in the creating of AlterNet content will be rigorously fact-checked before publication.

Prohibited Uses

AlterNet prohibits the use of AI to:

  • Generate entire news articles for publication without human authorship and oversight
  • Generate made-up attributions or non-existent sources
  • Generate images or video purporting to depict real events or people without clear labeling
  • Mimic the voice or style of real individuals without their consent

Training

AlterNet journalists and editors will be trained on this policy if they are asked to use AI in their work.

Feedback and Concerns

AlterNet welcomes feedback from readers about its use of AI. Any concerns about the accuracy, ethics, or impact of AI-assisted content can be reported to roxanne@alternet.org.

Test Page Primis

President Joe Biden's first — and last — 2024 debate with Donald Trump will be remembered as the beginning of the end of his reelection campaign. Biden, on Sunday, July 21, officially dropped out of the race and enthusiastically endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Since Biden's announcement, Harris has picked up plenty of endorsements from fellow Democrats — including one from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who appeared to be auditioning for running mate during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

President Joe Biden's first — and last — 2024 debate with Donald Trump will be remembered as the beginning of the end of his reelection campaign. Biden, on Sunday, July 21, officially dropped out of the race and enthusiastically endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Since Biden's announcement, Harris has picked up plenty of endorsements from fellow Democrats — including one from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who appeared to be auditioning for running mate during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

President Joe Biden's first — and last — 2024 debate with Donald Trump will be remembered as the beginning of the end of his reelection campaign. Biden, on Sunday, July 21, officially dropped out of the race and enthusiastically endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Since Biden's announcement, Harris has picked up plenty of endorsements from fellow Democrats — including one from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who appeared to be auditioning for running mate during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

President Joe Biden's first — and last — 2024 debate with Donald Trump will be remembered as the beginning of the end of his reelection campaign. Biden, on Sunday, July 21, officially dropped out of the race and enthusiastically endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Since Biden's announcement, Harris has picked up plenty of endorsements from fellow Democrats — including one from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who appeared to be auditioning for running mate during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

Tommy Tuberville gets harsh fact check from Alabama reporter on 'crime-ridden' New York


Tommy Tuberville mocked for statement

'Coward' Tommy Tuberville 'who’s never served' slammed by ex-Marine general: reportImage via lev radin/Shutterstock.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) attacked the city of New York for supposedly being crime-ridden on Tuesday, only to receive a brutal fact check from a reporter in his home state. In a post on his Twitter account, Tuberville mocked President Joe Biden for traveling to New York this week to appear on Seth Meyers' show on NBC.

Biden in New York

How Biden is bringing aggressive legal muscle to the ‘reproductive freedom’ battle: attorneyPresident Joe Biden in November 2022 (Creative Commons)

"Hope Joe Biden enjoyed going out for ice cream in NYC while the rest of the city is afraid of crime and migrants," wrote the Alabama senior senator.

New York is safer than many Southern States

Paul Krugman reveals NYC's biggest problem — and it's not crimeNew York City's Times Square in 2010 (Creative Commons)

However, AL.com's Kyle Whitmire was quick to inform Tuberville that their home state was far more dangerous in terms of the likelihood of being murdered than New York City.

"NYC’s homicide rate is 4.8 per 100k," he wrote. "Alabama’s homicide rate is 15.9 per 100k — more than three times that of NYC."

Alabama has one of the country's highest homicide rates

TubervilleUS Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama)

In fact, according to federal government statistics, the states with the three highest homicide death rates are Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, which are all dominated by Republicans.

New Yorkers attack Tuberville comment

grayscale photo of city buildingsPhoto by Jakayla Toney on Unsplash

Many New Yorkers were quick to pile on Tuberville's attempt to trash their city and mocked him for apparently not knowing the massive crime problem in his home state.

'The fallacy and the danger': Top Dem blames Marine leader's health condition on Tuberville's holdsImage via screengrab/X.

"Things I spend my days afraid of in New York: random right-wing football coaches from Alabama getting massive political power and using it to take reproductive freedoms away," wrote New Yorker Laura Bassett. "Things I do not spend my days afraid of: crime and migrants."

Tuberville should focus on Trump, commenters say

Another user, meanwhile, said Tuberville should be focused on the 91 felonies allegedly committed by the man who will once again likely be his party's standard bearer.

"A major criminal, Trump, is about to go to jail and New Yorkers are excited!" they wrote.

State of Emergency: Mississippi Water Crisis to See Some Relief

This summer, an unprecedented flash drought has gripped parts of the South, with its effects also observed in the upper Midwest. As a result, large sections of the Mississippi River have experienced alarmingly low water levels, with some areas nearing historic lows for the second consecutive year.

This situation is critical. Low water impedes the usual volume of barge traffic. About 60 percent of U.S. grain exports are transported via barges down the Mississippi. Low water levels elevate transportation costs, either by necessitating lighter, fewer barges or transferring cargo to trucks.

Saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico is bleeding into parts of Louisiana due to low river levels. The phenomenon is a consequence of the dredged section of the river south of Natchez, Mississippi, being below sea level. Saltwater intrusion poses threats to drinking water supplies, agriculture, and other infrastructure. Louisiana's Governor, John Bel Edwards, is considering an emergency declaration to marshal additional resources to address this challenge.

The summer saw the drought intensifying across the Mississippi Valley, stretching from Minnesota and Wisconsin down to Louisiana and Mississippi. This drought also extended to crucial tributaries such as the Missouri, Arkansas, and Red Rivers. In a particularly stark manifestation of the drought's impact, Louisiana experienced its warmest summer ever recorded. The previous three months leading up to last Saturday set records for the driest June 24 - September 23 interval in both Lake Charles and New Orleans.

While there's some respite with rain forecasted for parts of the lower Mississippi Valley, expected rainfall will likely be under an inch, insufficient to make a significant impact on river levels.

However, there's optimism on the horizon. NOAA's recent seasonal outlook predicts that much of the ongoing drought in the Mississippi Valley will either improve or completely subside by year's end.

This anticipated improvement is partly attributed to a strengthening El Niño, which usually augments the southern or subtropical jet stream, ushering in wetter conditions during the South's fall and winter. Another variable to watch is the remainder of the hurricane season. A slow-moving tropical storm could bring much-needed rain, but with the caveat that excessive rainfall might trigger flash floods.

With Open AI.

Staff Bio: Maya Boddie

Maya Boddie is a writer and editor at AlterNet. With a B.A. in Strategic Communications from Hampton University, she has previously held communications roles in the nonprofit sector, and began her journalism career with Blavity in 2018. Raised in both Virginia and Georgia, Maya proudly claims the South as home, but can be found exploring the best coffee shops in DC.

Is Hunter Biden Toast?


Hunter Biden Has Pled Guilty

Image via TODAY/Screengrab
Hunter Biden's lawyers request meeting with attorney after whistleblower alleges mishandling of his case

Earlier this month, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to three federal charges, after a long investigation and legal battle. The Justice Department announced the pleading Tuesday in a court filing that President Joe Biden's son would plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of tax evasion and enter a diversion agreement on one felony count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm, according to multiple sources. The Justice Department has been investigating the younger Biden on possible firearms and tax evasion charges, and House Republicans have been probing his overseas business dealings.

Hunter has fought invasions into his privacy

With maximal transparency, Joe Biden goes on offenseImage via Shutterstock.

The 52-year-old attorney, investor, father of five, and Navy veteran who happens to be the son of the President of the United States, recently called for state and federal investigations into how his personal, private information from his now-infamous laptop was disseminated, according to CBS News. Biden also threatened a defamation lawsuit against former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

The “flurry of letters to the Delaware attorney general, the Department of Justice, the I.R.S. and attorneys for Fox News and Carlson,” CBS reports, “represent an aggressive new strategy for the president’s son, who is facing long-running federal criminal investigations, as well as new probes promised by congressional Republicans, according to a source familiar with Biden’s approach.” “This marks a new approach by Hunter Biden and his team,” the source told CBS News. “He is not going to sit quietly by as questionable characters continue to violate his rights and media organizations peddling in lies try to defame him.”

Trump Calls Charges a 'Traffic Ticket'

These headlines epitomize Trump's presidency in free fallPresident Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attends a White House Listening Session on Youth Vaping and Electronic Cigarette Epidemic Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, in the Cabinet Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

Former President Donald Trump complained the Hunter Biden plea deal was but a "mere 'traffic ticket'" on Tuesday. Hunter Biden, the youngest son of President Joe Biden, was charged Tuesday for not paying income tax and for illegal possession of a firearm, The Washington Post reported. Biden reportedly made a plea deal with the feds, and though the deal needs to go before a federal judge, it's expected that he'll avoid prison. The Hunter Biden plea deal would instead see a sentence of probation for the misdemeanor tax charges, and a diversion program, anonymous sources told the Post. Assuming Biden completes the diversion program, the gun charge—a felony—would be taken off his record, the sources told the paper.

Trump responded to the report on his social media platform Truth Social, alleging corruption in the Joe Biden administration. "Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket.' Our system is BROKEN!" Trump wrote.

Trump called for a new election because of Hunter

Hunter Biden reveals that Trump's DOJ is investigating him — just as the president wantedHunter Biden

Last August, President Donald Trump on Monday called for a redo of the 2020 election in an angry rant on his app Truth Social. Trump stated that he should be declared the winner of the contest that he lost in a landslide to President Joe Biden, saying, "So now it comes out, conclusively, that the FBI BURIED THE HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY BEFORE THE ELECTION knowing that, if they didn’t, 'Trump would have easily won the 2020 Presidential Election.' This is massive FRAUD & ELECTION INTERFERENCE at a level never seen before in our Country. REMEDY: Declare the rightful winner or, and this would be the minimal solution, declare the 2020 Election irreparably compromised and have a new Election, immediately!"

Trump's outrage stemmed from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's revelation to podcaster Joe Rogan that month that the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned Zuckerberg that articles relating to Hunter Biden's laptop were pieces of Russian propaganda. Facebook then suppressed posts about the president's son and his computer.

Hunter threatened Marjorie Taylor Greene

These legal experts allege that Marjorie Taylor Greene may have admitted to violating federal lawRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia in Tampa, Florida in July 2022 (Gage Skidmore)

In April, Hunter Biden's legal team fired shots Monday at two of his chief Republican antagonists. Biden attorney Abbe Lowell sent letters asking the Treasury Department's inspector general to investigate how former Donald Trump loyalists obtained reports of Biden's alleged "suspicious activity" and seeking a congressional ethics review of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's public attacks against President Joe Biden's family, reported Politico's Playbook.

"We write to request the Office of Congressional Ethics initiate a review of and take appropriate action as a result of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA 14th C.D.) suspected violations of House Ethics rules and standards of official conduct," Lowell wrote. "Representative Greene’s unethical conduct arises from her continuous verbal attacks, defamatory statements, publication of personal photos and data, and promotion of conspiracy theories about and against Robert Hunter Biden. None of these could possibly be deemed to be part of any legitimate legislative activity, as is clear from both the content of her statements and actions, and the forums she uses to spew her often unhinged rhetoric."

Hunter Biden is toast


Hunter Biden Has Pled Guilty

Image via TODAY/Screengrab
Hunter Biden's lawyers request meeting with attorney after whistleblower alleges mishandling of his case

Today, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to three federal charges, after a long investigation and legal battle.The Justice Department announced the pleading Tuesday in a court filing that President Joe Biden's son would plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of tax evasion and enter a diversion agreement on one felony count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm, according to multiple sources. The Department of Justice has been investigating the younger Biden on possible firearms and tax evasion charges, and House Republicans have been probing his overseas business dealings.

Hunter has also fought invasions into his privacy

With maximal transparency, Joe Biden goes on offenseImage via Shutterstock.

The 52-year-old attorney, investor, father of five, and Navy veteran who happens to be the son of the President of the United States, recently called for state and federal investigations into how his personal, private information from his now-infamous laptop was disseminated, according to CBS News. Biden also threatened a defamation lawsuit against former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

The “flurry of letters to the Delaware attorney general, the Department of Justice, the I.R.S. and attorneys for Fox News and Carlson,” CBS reports, “represent an aggressive new strategy for the president’s son, who is facing long-running federal criminal investigations, as well as new probes promised by congressional Republicans, according to a source familiar with Biden’s approach.” “This marks a new approach by Hunter Biden and his team,” the source told CBS News. “He is not going to sit quietly by as questionable characters continue to violate his rights and media organizations peddling in lies try to defame him.”

Trump Calls Charges a 'Traffic Ticket'

These headlines epitomize Trump's presidency in free fallPresident Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attends a White House Listening Session on Youth Vaping and Electronic Cigarette Epidemic Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, in the Cabinet Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

Former President Donald Trump complained the Hunter Biden plea deal was but a "mere 'traffic ticket'" on Tuesday. Hunter Biden, the youngest son of President Joe Biden, was charged Tuesday for not paying income tax and for illegal possession of a firearm, The Washington Post reported. Biden reportedly made a plea deal with the feds, and though the deal needs to go before a federal judge, it's expected that he'll avoid prison. The Hunter Biden plea deal would instead see a sentence of probation for the misdemeanor tax charges, and a diversion program, anonymous sources told the Post. Assuming Biden completes the diversion program, the gun charge—a felony—would be taken off his record, the sources told the paper.

Trump responded to the report on his social media platform Truth Social, alleging corruption in the Joe Biden administration. "Wow! The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket.' Our system is BROKEN!" Trump wrote.

Trump called for a new election because of Hunter

Hunter Biden reveals that Trump's DOJ is investigating him — just as the president wantedHunter Biden

Last August, President Donald Trump on Monday called for a redo of the 2020 election in an angry rant on his app Truth Social. Trump stated that he should be declared the winner of the contest that he lost in a landslide to President Joe Biden, saying, "So now it comes out, conclusively, that the FBI BURIED THE HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY BEFORE THE ELECTION knowing that, if they didn’t, 'Trump would have easily won the 2020 Presidential Election.' This is massive FRAUD & ELECTION INTERFERENCE at a level never seen before in our Country. REMEDY: Declare the rightful winner or, and this would be the minimal solution, declare the 2020 Election irreparably compromised and have a new Election, immediately!"

Trump's outrage stemmed from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's revelation to podcaster Joe Rogan that month that the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned Zuckerberg that articles relating to Hunter Biden's laptop were pieces of Russian propaganda. Facebook then suppressed posts about the president's son and his computer.

Hunter threatened Marjorie Taylor Greene

These legal experts allege that Marjorie Taylor Greene may have admitted to violating federal lawRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia in Tampa, Florida in July 2022 (Gage Skidmore)

In April, Hunter Biden's legal team fired shots Monday at two of his chief Republican antagonists. Biden attorney Abbe Lowell sent letters asking the Treasury Department's inspector general to investigate how former Donald Trump loyalists obtained reports of Biden's alleged "suspicious activity" and seeking a congressional ethics review of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's public attacks against President Joe Biden's family, reported Politico's Playbook.

"We write to request the Office of Congressional Ethics initiate a review of and take appropriate action as a result of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA 14th C.D.) suspected violations of House Ethics rules and standards of official conduct," Lowell wrote. "Representative Greene’s unethical conduct arises from her continuous verbal attacks, defamatory statements, publication of personal photos and data, and promotion of conspiracy theories about and against Robert Hunter Biden. None of these could possibly be deemed to be part of any legitimate legislative activity, as is clear from both the content of her statements and actions, and the forums she uses to spew her often unhinged rhetoric."

Here's Donald Trump's 62,500-Square-Foot Mansion. Is It Secure?


Trump and his wife greet enthusiastic guests at Mar-a-Lago

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by guests as they arrive to the New Year’s Eve celebration Tuesday evening, Dec. 31, 2019, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by guests as they arrive to the New Year’s Eve celebration Tuesday evening, Dec. 31, 2019, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

Since his departure from the presidency, former president Donald Trump hasn't returned to his Trump Tower apartment in New York. Instead, he's moved to Florida, where he lives at his private club, Mar-a-Lago. Here, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by enthusiastic guests as they arrive to the New Year’s Eve celebration Tuesday evening, Dec. 31, 2019, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Click or scroll to take a peek inside Mar-a-Lago, including its potential security risks.

Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach

Photo by Jud McCranie. (Wikimedia)

Photo by Jud McCranie. (Wikimedia)

Donald Trump's private club, Mar-a-Lago, is a 126-room, 62,500-square foot mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, built for businesswoman and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post between 1924 and 1927. Post was the former owner of General Foods Corporation. Mar-a-Lago means "sea to lake" in Spanish, referring to the fact the resort extends the entire width of Palm Beach, from the intracoastal to the ocean. Trump designated Mar-a-Lago his primary residence in 2019. Some say he switched his residency to Florida to avoid taxes.

History of Trump's purchase

Official White House photo

Official White House photo

Trump officially bought the property in 1985. His initial offer for $15 million was rebuffed, and so he bought land between Mar-a-Lago and the ocean for $2 million and threatened to develop it, thereby obscuring the property's view. Ultimately he was able to acquire the entire estate for $10 million. The property has 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces and three bomb shelters. Trump did extensive renovations after acquiring the building, including adding a 20,000-square foot ballroom. Click or scroll to see more about Mar-a-Lago, including details of its history.

Interior of Mar-a-Lago in 1967

Library of Congress.

Library of Congress.

Prior to Trump's purchase of the property, the estate was owned by the U.S. government. Mar-a-Lago was willed to the federal government by Marjorie Merriweather Post after her death in 1973. The property was intended as a winter White House and to be used to greet foreign dignitaries. Neither then-President Richard Nixon or former President Jimmy Carter were interested. After discovering the immense requirements for the property's maintenance, the government gave it back to the Post foundation in 1981.

Is Mar-a-Lago secure?

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Critics have questioned whether Mar-a-Lago is secure. Court filings from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida revealed that another person was arrested for sneaking into Mar-a-Lago where former President Donald Trump lives. Twenty five-year-old Joshua Warnock was observed entering the area on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at approximately 12 p.m. and "walking up the pool deck staircase adjacent to the family suite." Warnock was “insisting he needed to speak with FPOTUS Trump." He was escorted off of the grounds by police after refusing to leave.

Intruder tried to access Mar-a-Lago twice to speak with Trump

President Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Nov. 22, 2019. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

President Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Nov. 22, 2019. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

Warnock, the 25-year-old intruder, then returned to Mar-a-Lago at approximately 6 p.m. where he said he “climbed up a big step” to try to connect with former president Trump a second time. Warnock’s lawyer said she had “concerns about his mental health." The case comes after Donald Trump was found to have top secret and classified documents at the luxurious resort that were accessible to members, but the club has also been infiltrated by several people, including a woman who was armed with digital spying equipment.

Classified documents found on property

President Donald J. Trump displays his signature after signing an Executive Order. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

President Donald J. Trump displays his signature after signing an Executive Order. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Mar-a-Lago was also the location where classified documents were found after an FBI raid in August 2022. Former President Donald Trump allegedly took the documents from the White House at the end of his tenure. The former president claims that he had the right to take the documents and that he declassified them while still in office -- a suggestion that has been dismissed by former White House officials. According to the New York Times, over 300 documents were taken by Trump from the White House to Mar-a-Lago.

Trump infuriated

Former President Donald Trump speaking at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore)

Former President Donald Trump speaking at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore)

Trump sought a "special master" to review the documents obtained, but an appeals court eventually shut down the special master review. Trump was incensed, responding: "WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE FBI & 'JUSTICE' DEPARTMENT? THEY SEEM TO BE TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL! THERE IS, RIGHT NOW, A 'WEAPONIZATION' OF JUSTICE THE LIKES OF WHICH OUR COUNTRY HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THE TWITTER AND FACEBOOK SCANDAL HAS ALREADY PROVEN TO BE, WITH THE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF SPYING ON MY CAMPAIGN,THEIR MOST SINISTER ACT IN HISTORY. EVEN THE RINOS & THE WEAK ARE OPENLY ADMITTING THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS RIGGED, BUT IN A DARKER WAY THAN EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE. SO MANY LIVES DESTROYED!"

Trump kept highly secret documents at resort

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping /ScreengrabPresident Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping /Screengrab

Donald Trump reportedly stashed some of the most highly sensitive classified information at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The former president kept at least one document describing Iran's missile program and documents detailing highly sensitive intelligence operations aimed at China, according to sources who spoke to the Washington Post. “The exceptional sensitivity of these documents, and the reckless exposure of invaluable sources and methods of U.S. intelligence capabilities concerning these foreign adversaries, will certainly influence the Justice Department’s determination of whether to charge Mr. Trump or others with willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act,” said David Laufman, a former senior Justice Department official, who worked on cases involving mishandled classified materials.

Photo by Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence of Indiana speaking to supporters at an immigration policy speech at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Photo by Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence of Indiana speaking to supporters at an immigration policy speech at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Former President Donald Trump's attempt to distance himself from classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago property got harder in February 2023 after ABC News reported that Trump's legal team submitted a folder categorized with classified material to the Department of Justice last month. The unnamed sources did not specify the type of classification or the folder's contents. However, the classified materials were found on a property at a separate location than the storage unit where initial classified material was found. Investigators also found more limited classified documents in the possession of Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence.

Trump and Melania leave the White House

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk across the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, before boarding Marine One to begin their trip to Florida. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Previously, former President Donald J. Trump resided in the White House. Trump and his wife, Melania, left the White House on Jan 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated. Trump did not attend Biden's inauguration ceremony. Donald Trump switched his residency from New York to Florida in 2019. Specifically, he filed documents in September 2019 to declare himself a resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, and changed his primary residence to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. Trump had previously been a resident of New York for many years and owned several properties in the state, including his Trump Tower residence in Manhattan. The move to Florida was seen by some as an attempt to avoid New York's higher taxes and to appeal to his voter base in Florida, which is a crucial swing state in presidential elections.

Trump used Mar-a-Lago during his presidency

Official White House photo.

Official White House photo.

Trump routinely stayed at Mar-a-Lago during his presidency, when it functioned as a "Winter White House" and served as a place he could host traveling foreign dignitaries. The property was the site of his April 6-9 meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. It was also where he made the decision to strike a Syrian airfield. Trump also visited Mar-a-Lago at least eight times in 2018; it was also the site of his meeting with the late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. During his presidency, Trump spent numerous weekends at Mar-a-Lago, often referring to it as the "Winter White House." However, after leaving office, he has made the estate his permanent residence and has continued to use it as a base for his political activities. Despite being a private club, Mar-a-Lago has attracted controversy over the years due to concerns over its security, potential conflicts of interest, and the high membership fees required for access.

Weight loss drug has this potential fatal side effect

Medical experts are warning that fat-loss shots like Wegovy (also sold as Ozempic) may cause a potentially deadly side effect that was overlooked in trials.

Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, is a newly approved drug that can be administered weekly as a subcutaneous injection to help people lose weight. The drug is designed to mimic the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates appetite and metabolism.

The hormone slows the movement of food through the intestines to make a person feel full for longer. Researchers in China have found that GLP-1 drugs may cause a person's small intestine to become enlarged, putting them at high risk of a potentially deadly obstruction in their digestive system. The report was highlighted by the U.K. Daily Mail.

The enlargement of the intestine occurred at around 20 months of taking GLP-1 drugs, which is beyond the time limit of clinical trials for drugs like Wegovy, which only went up to 16 months.

The researchers also reviewed previous research on humans, suggesting users of these types of drugs are up to four times more likely to suffer intestinal obstruction. If left untreated, intestinal obstruction can cause serious, life-threatening complications, including tissue death and peritonitis. In the U.S., roughly 30,000 people are killed by intestinal obstruction each year.

Another study also highlighted a risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.

Researchers, however, also found Wegovy to be extremely effective in causing weight loss, with patients losing an average of 15% of their body weight over a year. Wegovy is prescribed to treat diabetes.

The makers of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, responded to the study by stating that they are committed to patient safety and are working closely with regulatory agencies to monitor the safety of the drug. They also noted that the drug is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or in those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have at least one weight-related condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

More about the Chinese study and potential risks are available here.

Is Putin losing the war in Ukraine?

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been escalating since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Now that it's been a year since Putin's invasion -- which occurred February 24, 2022 — it's worth asking if Putin's decision to go to war was worth it.

While it is difficult to determine the outcome of the conflict, there are indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be losing the war in Ukraine. Despite Russia's military might, the conflict has taken a heavy toll on the Russian economy, and the international community has imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.

Additionally, Ukraine has received significant military and financial support from the United States and other Western countries. This has allowed Ukraine to build up its military capabilities and better defend itself against Russian aggression. The Ukrainian military has also gained valuable combat experience from the ongoing conflict, which has led to improvements in its overall effectiveness.

Further, Russia's military buildup near the border with Ukraine has led to increased tensions between Russia and its neighbors, including NATO members such as Poland and Romania. This has prompted NATO to take steps to bolster its defenses in Eastern Europe, including the deployment of additional troops and military equipment.

While Putin may still be able to achieve some of his goals in Ukraine, such as maintaining influence over the separatist-held areas in the east, it is unlikely that Russia will be able to achieve a complete military victory. The costs of the conflict, both in terms of resources and international isolation, are too high for Russia to sustain in the long term.

That said, Russia has a larger population and appears to care less about human losses and may be able to continue the conflict until Western powers lose interest. Ukraine is heavily dependent on donated weapons from U.S.-aligned powers. There are already indications in the United States, particularly in the U.S. House, that Republicans are less interested in funding the war.

The conflict in Ukraine is not solely a military one. Any resolution will require a political solution, which will involve negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the separatist groups in eastern Ukraine. These negotiations may be complicated by Russia's annexation of Crimea and its continued support for the separatist groups, but they are essential for achieving a lasting peace in the region.

In conclusion, while it is difficult to predict the outcome of the conflict, there are indications that Putin may be losing the war in Ukraine. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on the Russian economy, and Ukraine has received significant military and financial support from the United States and other Western countries. While Putin may still be able to achieve some of his goals in Ukraine, a complete military victory is unlikely, and a political solution to the conflict will be necessary for achieving a lasting peace in the region.

With OpenAI.

From Your Site Articles

AOC's latest scandal is all about a dress

Congressional investigators have found that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may have violated House ethics rules and federal law by accepting gifts associated with the Met Gala in September 2021. Ocasio-Cortez wore a white gown with the words "Tax the Rich" written on it to the event; investigators probed the costs associated with the dress rental, jewelry, shoes, bag, hair, makeup, transportation, and hotel.

Her campaign did eventually pay for all the costs from her personal accounts, as required by law. But the payment was made only after the House Ethics Committee began an inquiry into the issue in March 2022, an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics found.

The report found that "several thousands of dollars’ worth of services may have remained unpaid" had it not been for the ethics office's review.

Condé Nast staffers "helped arrange for the congresswoman to have her hair done by a stylist, which led to a $478 bill, and a makeup bill for $345," the New York Times reported. "The custom dress, shoes, handbag and jewelry were provided as rentals from the designer, Aurora James, and initially led to a bill for about $2,300, but that was revised later to about $990."

Ethics rules prevent members of Congress from accepting gifts such as "a gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other item having monetary value." They are permitted to attend charity events, but only if invited by the organization hosting the event.

"Ms. Ocasio-Cortez and her partner, Riley Roberts, were originally invited to the $35,000-per-ticket event as guests of Vogue, and not by the Metropolitan Museum of Art itself, the review found," noted the Times. "But because Vogue and its longtime editorial director, Anna Wintour, are deeply involved in organizing the event, the investigators found the invitation permissible."

The House Ethics Committee has decided to extend its review of the matter. Ocasio-Cortez's counsel, David Mitrani, responded that the Office for Congressional Ethics had not found an ethics violation, only delays in paying vendors for the costs.

With OpenAI.

Will Trump cut Social Security?

As new campaign claims fly between former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), it's time to look at the record. Onetime President Donald Trump is accusing Ron DeSantis of threatening to cut Social Security benefits.

During his presidency, Donald Trump repeatedly pledged not to cut Social Security, a federal program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to millions of Americans. In his 2020 reelection campaign, he promised to "protect Social Security and Medicare."

However, there were concerns among some policymakers and analysts that his proposed budget cuts and other policy proposals, such as reducing the payroll tax that funds Social Security, could undermine the program's long-term financial stability.

Nevertheless, Trump did not propose or enact any major cuts to Social Security during his time in office.

DeSantis, meanwhile, has a more clouded history on the issue.

Prior to becoming governor, DeSantis served as a Florida congressman. As congressman, DeSantis voted for budget resolutions that could have made 70 the new threshold for seniors to retire. A CNN review of DeSantis' 2012 congressional campaign also turned up support for privatizing Social Security as well.

However, the Florida governor recently told Fox News he had no plans to "mess with Social Security."

“We’re not going to mess with Social Security as Republicans,” DeSantis told Fox News. “I think that that’s pretty clear.”

Trump, however, recently called DeSantis “the man who wants to cut Social Security and Medicare” and a “wheelchair over the cliff kind of guy, just like his hero, failed politician Paul Ryan.”

You can read more about the debate here.

With OpenAI.

Trump beaten by DeSantis in new poll - here's where

A new poll conducted by Differentiator Data of 500 likely voters in next year's Republican Presidential Primary in Virginia shows that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is leading a crowded field of candidates, including former President Donald Trump. DeSantis drew 37 percent support, 3 points ahead of Trump's 34 percent.

The poll also revealed that DeSantis leads Trump in most parts of Virginia in a multi-candidate race and in all parts of the state in a head-to-head race.

In the head-to-head race (with just DeSantis and Trump on the hypothetical ballot), DeSantis leads Trump by a whopping 17 percent.

The results indicate that Trump has a firm base of support in the GOP primary but is unlikely to grow his vote share as the field shrinks. In contrast, DeSantis stands to benefit greatly as the field narrows. The poll also showed that DeSantis grows his support with every demographic group in a head-to-head matchup with Trump, while Trump's support is largely unchanged.

Additionally, DeSantis is viewed favorably by 81 percent of GOP primary voters in Virginia and holds a 71 percent net favorability rating, putting him close to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's popularity with Virginia Republican Primary voters.

The new poll offers a counterpoint to a previous poll in Virginia released by Roanoke College that showed DeSantis down 11 points to Trump in a crowded and mostly hypothetical field of potential candidates for the 2024 Republican nomination.

Other polls around the country are mixed — recently, in New Hampshire, Trump bested DeSantis in a multi-candidate poll by 11 percent.

With OpenAI.

Here's Where Donald Trump Lives NOW. Is It Secure?


Trump and his wife greet enthusiastic guests at Mar-a-Lago

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by guests as they arrive to the New Year’s Eve celebration Tuesday evening, Dec. 31, 2019, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by guests as they arrive to the New Year’s Eve celebration Tuesday evening, Dec. 31, 2019, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

Since his departure from the presidency, former president Donald Trump hasn't returned to his Trump Tower apartment in New York. Instead, he's moved to Florida, where he lives at his private club, Mar-a-Lago. Here, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by enthusiastic guests as they arrive to the New Year’s Eve celebration Tuesday evening, Dec. 31, 2019, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Click or scroll to take a peek inside Mar-a-Lago, including its potential security risks.

Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach

Photo by Jud McCranie. (Wikimedia)

Photo by Jud McCranie. (Wikimedia)

Donald Trump's private club, Mar-a-Lago, is a 126-room, 62,500-square foot mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, built for businesswoman and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post between 1924 and 1927. Post was the former owner of General Foods Corporation. Mar-a-Lago means "sea to lake" in Spanish, referring to the fact the resort extends the entire width of Palm Beach, from the intracoastal to the ocean. Trump designated Mar-a-Lago his primary residence in 2019. Some say he switched his residency to Florida to avoid taxes.

History of Trump's purchase

Official White House photo

Official White House photo

Trump officially bought the property in 1985. His initial offer for $15 million was rebuffed, and so he bought land between Mar-a-Lago and the ocean for $2 million and threatened to develop it, thereby obscuring the property's view. Ultimately he was able to acquire the entire estate for $10 million. The property has 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces and three bomb shelters. Trump did extensive renovations after acquiring the building, including adding a 20,000-square foot ballroom. Click or scroll to see more about Mar-a-Lago, including details of its history.

Interior of Mar-a-Lago in 1967

Library of Congress.

Library of Congress.

Prior to Trump's purchase of the property, the estate was owned by the U.S. government. Mar-a-Lago was willed to the federal government by Marjorie Merriweather Post after her death in 1973. The property was intended as a winter White House and to be used to greet foreign dignitaries. Neither then-President Richard Nixon or former President Jimmy Carter were interested. After discovering the immense requirements for the property's maintenance, the government gave it back to the Post foundation in 1981.

Is Mar-a-Lago secure?

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Critics have questioned whether Mar-a-Lago is secure. Court filings from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida revealed that another person was arrested for sneaking into Mar-a-Lago where former President Donald Trump lives. Twenty five-year-old Joshua Warnock was observed entering the area on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at approximately 12 p.m. and "walking up the pool deck staircase adjacent to the family suite." Warnock was “insisting he needed to speak with FPOTUS Trump." He was escorted off of the grounds by police after refusing to leave.

Intruder tried to access Mar-a-Lago twice to speak with Trump

President Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Nov. 22, 2019. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

President Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Nov. 22, 2019. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

Warnock, the 25-year-old intruder, then returned to Mar-a-Lago at approximately 6 p.m. where he said he “climbed up a big step” to try to connect with former president Trump a second time. Warnock’s lawyer said she had “concerns about his mental health." The case comes after Donald Trump was found to have top secret and classified documents at the luxurious resort that were accessible to members, but the club has also been infiltrated by several people, including a woman who was armed with digital spying equipment.

Classified documents found on property

President Donald J. Trump displays his signature after signing an Executive Order. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

President Donald J. Trump displays his signature after signing an Executive Order. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Mar-a-Lago was also the location where classified documents were found after an FBI raid in August 2022. Former President Donald Trump allegedly took the documents from the White House at the end of his tenure. The former president claims that he had the right to take the documents and that he declassified them while still in office -- a suggestion that has been dismissed by former White House officials. According to the New York Times, over 300 documents were taken by Trump from the White House to Mar-a-Lago.

Trump infuriated

Former President Donald Trump speaking at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore)

Former President Donald Trump speaking at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore)

Trump sought a "special master" to review the documents obtained, but an appeals court eventually shut down the special master review. Trump was incensed, responding: "WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE FBI & 'JUSTICE' DEPARTMENT? THEY SEEM TO BE TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL! THERE IS, RIGHT NOW, A 'WEAPONIZATION' OF JUSTICE THE LIKES OF WHICH OUR COUNTRY HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THE TWITTER AND FACEBOOK SCANDAL HAS ALREADY PROVEN TO BE, WITH THE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF SPYING ON MY CAMPAIGN,THEIR MOST SINISTER ACT IN HISTORY. EVEN THE RINOS & THE WEAK ARE OPENLY ADMITTING THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS RIGGED, BUT IN A DARKER WAY THAN EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE. SO MANY LIVES DESTROYED!"

Trump kept highly secret documents at resort

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping /ScreengrabPresident Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping /Screengrab

Donald Trump reportedly stashed some of the most highly sensitive classified information at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The former president kept at least one document describing Iran's missile program and documents detailing highly sensitive intelligence operations aimed at China, according to sources who spoke to the Washington Post. “The exceptional sensitivity of these documents, and the reckless exposure of invaluable sources and methods of U.S. intelligence capabilities concerning these foreign adversaries, will certainly influence the Justice Department’s determination of whether to charge Mr. Trump or others with willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act,” said David Laufman, a former senior Justice Department official, who worked on cases involving mishandled classified materials.

Photo by Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence of Indiana speaking to supporters at an immigration policy speech at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Photo by Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence of Indiana speaking to supporters at an immigration policy speech at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Former President Donald Trump's attempt to distance himself from classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago property got harder in February 2023 after ABC News reported that Trump's legal team submitted a folder categorized with classified material to the Department of Justice last month. The unnamed sources did not specify the type of classification or the folder's contents. However, the classified materials were found on a property at a separate location than the storage unit where initial classified material was found. Investigators also found more limited classified documents in the possession of Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence.

Trump and Melania leave the White House

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk across the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, before boarding Marine One to begin their trip to Florida. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Previously, former President Donald J. Trump resided in the White House. Trump and his wife, Melania, left the White House on Jan 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated. Trump did not attend Biden's inauguration ceremony. Donald Trump switched his residency from New York to Florida in 2019. Specifically, he filed documents in September 2019 to declare himself a resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, and changed his primary residence to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. Trump had previously been a resident of New York for many years and owned several properties in the state, including his Trump Tower residence in Manhattan. The move to Florida was seen by some as an attempt to avoid New York's higher taxes and to appeal to his voter base in Florida, which is a crucial swing state in presidential elections.

Trump used Mar-a-Lago during his presidency

Official White House photo.

Official White House photo.

Trump routinely stayed at Mar-a-Lago during his presidency, when it functioned as a "Winter White House" and served as a place he could host traveling foreign dignitaries. The property was the site of his April 6-9 meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. It was also where he made the decision to strike a Syrian airfield. Trump also visited Mar-a-Lago at least eight times in 2018; it was also the site of his meeting with the late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. During his presidency, Trump spent numerous weekends at Mar-a-Lago, often referring to it as the "Winter White House." However, after leaving office, he has made the estate his permanent residence and has continued to use it as a base for his political activities. Despite being a private club, Mar-a-Lago has attracted controversy over the years due to concerns over its security, potential conflicts of interest, and the high membership fees required for access.

What Donald Trump KNEW About the Chinese Spy Balloon


What did President Trump know?

Former President Donald Trump speaking at a MAGA rally, hosted by Turning Point Action, at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona on July 24, 2021, Gage Skidmore

Former President Donald Trump speaking at a MAGA rally, hosted by Turning Point Action, at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona on July 24, 2021, Gage Skidmore

What did former President Donald Trump know about the Chinese spy balloons that are reported to have spied on the mainland United States and U.S. military overseas? CNN reported Monday evening that new documents from the U.S. intelligence agencies detail previous China spy balloons under Donald Trump's presidency, which he has denied hearing about on his Truth Social social media account. Trump made repeated denials that he had been told about the floating craft.

Trump's Pentagon didn't inform him

Chase Doak (Wikipedia)

Chase Doak (Wikipedia)

According to statements over the weekend, Trump's Pentagon never informed the president or other White House officials about the spy balloons. An April 2022 report from the U.S. Air Force entitled “People’s Republic of China High-Altitude Balloon” details that the Pentagon found a China spy balloon “circumnavigated the globe” in 2019, which was while Donald Trump was president. According to the report, the balloon floated around 65,000 feet, and “drifted past Hawaii and across Florida before continuing its journey."

Spy balloon recovered by U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy released photos on Tuesday showing the recovery of pieces of the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by a F-22 fighter jet, at the direction of President Joe Biden. The photos were allegedly taken Sunday after the jet shot down the 200-foot balloon. According to reports, similar balloons entered U.S. airspace earlier in Biden's presidency and during the presidency of former president Donald J. Trump.

Trump was not informed

President Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attends a White House Listening Session on Youth Vaping and Electronic Cigarette Epidemic Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, in the Cabinet Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

President Donald J. Trump joined by senior White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attends a White House Listening Session on Youth Vaping and Electronic Cigarette Epidemic Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, in the Cabinet Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

For days, former President Donald Trump and his allied Republicans have railed against President Joe Biden for not shooting down a Chinese spy balloon as it made its way across the United States. According to the Pentagon, the balloon first came into the U.S. space in Alaska at the end of January, but Biden wasn't told about it until several days later. At that point, it was nearing Montana when Biden told the military to shoot it down when safe to do so.

At least three incidents have been discovered

U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy

Military officials also announced Sunday that there were at least three incidents of spy balloons flying over the United States under Donald Trump's administration, which his aides have denied. The Pentagon came out with a clarification, saying that it wasn't caught at the time and only after the fact. There was no further elaboration. Trump then claimed: "The Chinese would never have floated the Blimp ('Balloon') over the United States if I were President!!!"

Trump questions if balloon was manned

Former President Donald Trump speaking at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore)

Former President Donald Trump speaking at the 2022 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore)

It's unclear if the Pentagon or the White House will be willing to provide evidence or further information on the previous incidents. But Trump later decided to backtrack on his idea that he would have shot the balloon down immediately. "Who sends a Billion Dollar blimp, with the most sophisticated equipment in the World, and large enough to hold ten cars or 3 large buses, into a complex pattern over the United States, without it quite possibly being manned, such as the 'manned spacecraft?'" Trump asked.

Trump says he could have made a deal

Former President Donald Trump speaking in Tampa, Florida in July 2022 (Wikimedia Commons)

Former President Donald Trump speaking in Tampa, Florida in July 2022 (Wikimedia Commons)

The Pentagon announced last week that the balloon "ha[d] the ability to maneuver” and that it likely wasn't as sophisticated as something like a satellite would be. Trump then came up with the idea of the negotiations: "China should have been called to ask. If 'no,' shoot it down, if 'yes,' negotiate the greatest deal EVER!" He didn't elaborate on what that "deal" would be. The comments also come after Trump said he would have shot the balloon down.

Bipartisan vote in Congress to denounce China

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in December 2021 (Wikimedia Commons)

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in December 2021 (Wikimedia Commons)

On Thursday, Congressional lawmakers unanimously denounced China's use of a spy balloon that traversed the country last week. The vote drew united support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The resolution which passed Congress was "condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over United States territory as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty." The balloon was shot down by a U.S. F-22 fighter jet.

Romney has different opinion than Trump

Romney makes up new 'precedent' to say he'll vote on a Trump Supreme Court nomineeImage via Screengrab.

Meanwhile, as President Joe Biden has been taking hits from some Republicans and Democrats over his handling of a Chinese spy balloon that entered American airspace last week, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said that he believed the president had taken the right course. In an interview with CNN's Manu Raju, Romney said that Biden had made the right call to wait to shoot down the balloon until it was over the ocean.

Romney praises Biden handling of balloon

History News Network

History News Network

"I believe that the administration, the president, our military and intelligence agencies, acted skillfully and with care," Romney said. "Was everything done 100 percent correctly? I can't imagine that would be the case of almost anything we do. But I came away more confident." The Biden administration waited for days to shoot down the Chinese spy balloon, including while it passed over the heartland, saying that falling debris could damage people or property.

Soldiers pack debris from fallen spycraft

image.cnbcfm.com

U.S. Navy soldiers collected debris from the shot down balloon on Sunday, in photos that the Pentagon released on Tuesday. China called the balloon a weather device and condemned the United States' decision to shoot it down. Since then, U.S. officials have briefed allied governments, saying that the balloons have been spotted over five continents and repeatedly violated the airspace of sovereign nations.

From Your Site Articles

First lady Jill Biden tests positive again for COVID-19 in rebound case


First Lady Jill Biden 

Dr. Jill Biden (The White House.)

The right wing launches a new sexist attack against First Lady Jill Biden

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 in a "rebound case" and is experiencing mild symptoms, her office announced Wednesday, Aug. 24. She first announced that she was COVID-19 positive last week and her office said she was being treated with Paxlovid. "After testing negative for COVID-19 on Monday during her regular testing cadence, the First Lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening," Dr. Biden's Communications Director Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement last week.

Jill Biden has developed cold-like symptoms

Army general suspended and under investigation after mocking Jill Biden

Image via Wikimedia Commons (James Pan)

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 in a "rebound case" and is experiencing mild symptoms, her office announced Wednesday, Aug. 24. She first announced that she was COVID-19 positive last week and her office said she was being treated with Paxlovid. "After testing negative for COVID-19 on Monday during her regular testing cadence, the First Lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening," Dr. Biden's Communications Director Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement last week.

Jill Biden is double-vaxxed

Dr. Jill Biden (Shutterstock).

"She tested negative again on a rapid antigen test, but a PC test came back positive. The First Lady is double-vaccinated, twice boosted, and only experiencing mild symptoms. She has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid and, following CDC guidance, will isolate from others for at least five days. Close contacts of the First Lady have been notified. She is currently staying at a private residence in South Carolina and will return home after she receives two consecutive negative COVID tests."

Joe Biden tests negative

Joe Biden had the perfect response to Republicans' alleged concerns about the deficit

Joe Biden in August 2020. (The White House)

President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID on July 21, and was also prescribed Paxlovid. He has repeatedly tested negative in recent weeks. The White House added: “The President tested negative for COVID this morning on an antigen test. Consistent with CDC guidance because he is a close contact of the First Lady, he will mask for 10 days when indoors and in close proximity to others. We will also increase the President's testing cadence and report those results.”

Joe Biden tested negative again this morning

Cambridge history professor lays out some reasons why it’s way too soon to give up on Biden’s presidency

President Joe Biden in November 2021. (Wikimedia Commons)

President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID on July 21, and was also prescribed Paxlovid. He has repeatedly tested negative in recent weeks. The White House added: “The President tested negative for COVID this morning on an antigen test. Consistent with CDC guidance because he is a close contact of the First Lady, he will mask for 10 days when indoors and in close proximity to others. We will also increase the President's testing cadence and report those results.”

Jill Biden recently rebuked by Hispanics

Jill Biden (Screengrab).

Recently, a culturally insensitive comment by US First Lady Jill Biden which spread like wildfire across social media prompted a White House apology and outrage from a group which insisted Hispanics "are not tacos." During a speech in Texas, Biden hailed Texas' diversity as being "as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio." Her remark may have been aimed at celebrating a popular dish in Texas but it drew ire from the local community.

Biden rebuked in Texas

Chandler West. (The White House)

Recently, a culturally insensitive comment by US First Lady Jill Biden which spread like wildfire across social media prompted a White House apology and outrage from a group which insisted Hispanics "are not tacos." During a speech in Texas, Biden hailed Texas' diversity as being "as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio." Her remark may have been aimed at celebrating a popular dish in Texas but it drew ire from the local community.

Biden then apologized

Dr. Jill Biden. (The White House)

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden apologized then through the press secretary of the White House. "The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community," Biden press secretary Michael LaRosa remarked on Twitter. The apology came after a sharp reply from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "We are not tacos," the disappointed National Association of Hispanic Journalists group said in their statement.

'We are not tacos,' Hispanic group says

Dr. Jill Biden. (The White House)

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden apologized then through the press secretary of the White House. "The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community," Biden press secretary Michael LaRosa remarked on Twitter. The apology came after a sharp reply from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "We are not tacos," the disappointed National Association of Hispanic Journalists group said in their statement.

Biden attacked over 'tacos' remark

Dr. Jill Biden (The White House)

The apology came after a sharp reply from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "We are not tacos," the disappointed National Association of Hispanic Journalists group said in their statement. "Using breakfast tacos to try to demonstrate the uniqueness of Latinos in San Antonio demonstrates a lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the diversity of the Latinos in the region." The first lady's Texas trip backfired, since it was aimed at building support for Biden among Democratic voters.

Texas trip backfired

Dr. Jill Biden (Department of Defense).

The apology came after a sharp reply from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "We are not tacos," the disappointed National Association of Hispanic Journalists group said in their statement. "Using breakfast tacos to try to demonstrate the uniqueness of Latinos in San Antonio demonstrates a lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the diversity of the Latinos in the region." The first lady's Texas trip backfired, since it was aimed at building support for Biden among Democratic voters.

After waving 'White Privilege' card, woman gets out of traffic stop

Two Alaska cops are under fire after allegedly letting a woman go following a traffic stop after she brandished a "White Privilege" card in lieu of her driver's license.

The woman, Mimi Israelah, was pulled over for weaving in a lane at 3:43 am on July 7.

According to the Associated Press, Israelah revealed the incident on her own Facebook page in a now-deleted post. She said she couldn't find her driver's license and waved a "White Privilege" card.

“When I saw my White Privilege card, I gave to him if it’s ok,” she wrote. “He laughed and called his partner. It’s their first time to see a White Privileged (sic) card,” she said.

The top of the card reads: “White Privilege Card Trumps Everything.”

The police officers are said to have violated department policy, but there's apparently little the department can do.

"It’s not clear what policy was violated or what, if any, disciplinary actions the officers faced, because the department is treating it as a confidential personnel matter," AP reported, "according to Anchorage Police Department Director of Community Relations Sunny Guerin."

Israelah had reportedly recently arrived in Anchorage for a rally being held by former President Donald Trump when she was pulled over.

"Officers observed no signs of impairment," Guerin told AP. "No citations were issued." The Anchorage PD community relations director said that officers were able to look up and find that Israelah had a valid license with their computer.

A video of the encounter allegedly taken by Israelah was reposted on Twitter. The officers are seen standing outside her car window.

“You like my White Privilege card?” she asks. An officer says, “That’s hilarious.”

Anchorage PD's Deputy chief said he believed it was inappropriate.

All the President's women: Female Trump aides turn key January 6th witnesses


Cassidy Hutchinson

Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson (@AadhilaDenzin/Twitter).
Ex-FBI official: Messages sent to Cassidy Hutchinson were an 'attempt to intimidate a witness'

Cassidy Hutchinson, a top former White House aide, was said to be an ardent loyalist of Donald Trump. Her bombshell testimony revealed Trump's actions on the day of the Jan. 6 riot — including the President's attempt to take his vehicle to the Capitol.

Olivia Troye

'The White House is clearly in total meltdown': Ex-Pence aide slams the ‘bald-faced lie’ that she was fired

Olivia Troye. (Screengrab)

Olivia Troye in a new ad by Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform. Troye, a onetime counterterrorism advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, resigned over the administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been a vocal critic of Trump.

Sarah Matthews

@SarahAMatthews1 on Twitter

Sarah Matthews and Air Force One. The former Trump White House aide testified before the House Select Committee Investigating the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Alyssa Farrah

Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farrah, at right. (Photo: Screen capture)

Alyssa Farah, former White House Director of Strategic Communications under Republican President Donald Trump, has said that she won't be supporting Trump again, even if he decides to run again for president in 2024. In this photo, Farah speaks to reporters in front of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC on October 8, 2020.

Rep. Liz Cheney

Liz Cheney 116th Congress official portrait

US House Office of Photography. (Wikimedia Commons)

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) is the Republican leader on the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. She is an ardent critic of former President Donald Trump, who has helped her opponent in the Wyoming Republican primary.

Barbara Comstock

www.rawstory.com

Former Virginia Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock has been an outspoken critic of President Trump. He has called her a RINO — or "Republican in name only."

Wandrea Moss

Wandrea "Shaye" Moss. (Screen capture)

Wandrea "Shaye" Moss is a former Georgia election worker who testified to the House Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol.

Ivanka Trump

Journalists explain why Ivanka Trump has become increasingly important to the Jan. 6 committee

Ivanka Trump on June 28, 2018. (Wikimedia Commons)

President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump testified that she believed former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr when he said there was no evidence that would demonstrate President Trump won the 2020 election.

From Your Site Articles

Just four drinks a week changes your brain: new study

Just four drinks a week may be changing your brain — and not in a way you might like.

According to new research, just four drinks a week increases brain iron levels in multiple areas of the brain. The researchers defined four drinks a week as “moderate drinking.”

Increased brain iron levels in multiple basal ganglia regions is

“associated with poorer scores on tests of executive function, fluid intelligence, and reaction speed,” researchers reported in PLoS Medicine.

The research was conducted by Anya Topiwala, PhD, of the University of Oxford in England, and other co-authors. 21,000 people in a U.K. “Biobank cohort” were the subjects of the study.

“This is the first study, to our knowledge, demonstrating higher brain iron in moderate drinkers,” Topiwala told MedPage Today. “The findings offer a potential pathway through which alcohol can cause cognitive decline.

“Establishing the pathway is important as it may offer clues as to ways we can intervene to reduce the harm,” she said. “For iron, we actually have medicines — iron chelators — that could reduce levels.”

A physician associated with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia cautioned to MedPage that the “findings, though, are largely limited to the basal ganglia, collections of brain cells that are involved in motor control, executive functions, and emotions.”

Another new study from Carnegie Mellon University recently found that drinking alone during adolescence and early adulthood strongly affects one’s risk for alcohol use disorder later in life, particularly for women.

"Most young people who drink do it with others in social settings, but a substantial minority of young people are drinking alone. Solitary drinking is a unique and robust risk factor for future alcohol use disorder," said Kasey Creswell, associate professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon, the study’s lead author. "Even after we account for well-known risk factors, like binge drinking, frequency of alcohol use, socioeconomic status and gender, we see a strong signal that drinking alone as a young person predicts alcohol problems in adulthood."

Excessive alcohol use contributes to three million deaths globally each year, according to Carnegie Mellon.

Bannon lawyers hit with four objections in 'truly remarkable' closing statements: report

Former Trump White House political strategist Steve Bannon's lawyers on Friday repeatedly drew the ire of both the judge and prosecutors during their closing arguments.

Bannon, who led Trump's successful 2016 presidential election campaign, was among dozens called to testify about the storming of Congress by Trump supporters.

Bannon was indicted on two charges of contempt of Congress after refusing to testify to a House of Representatives committee probing the violence.

Politico reporter Kyle Cheney describes the Bannon legal team's closing arguments as "truly remarkable" on the grounds that they were hit with four sustained objections while making them, which is an unusually high number to have for a closing argument.

"Even lodging a single objection is exceedingly rare during closing arguments," Cheney notes.

Among other things, Bannon's attorneys argued that Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) didn't put a valid signature on the subpoena that was sent to Bannon last year by pointing out that the signature on the subpoena appeared sloppier than the one that has appeared on other documents that the Democratic Chairman of the House Select Committee has signed in the past.

Given that this was new evidence being introduced into the closing arguments, Judge Carl Nichols sustained prosecutors' objections.

Other sustained objections came when Bannon lawyer Evan Corcoran "repeatedly insinuated that the prosecution was political," although Cheney notes that Corcoran nonetheless succeeded in planting "those ideas in the jury's head."

IN OTHER NEWS: 'Disloyal sleaze bag!' Trump flips out on McConnell in late-night rant after Jan. 6 hearing

As a reward for his efforts, Cheney writes, Bannon "patted his attorney on the back."

Bannon's lawyers sought to delay the start of the trial so that it would not take place at the same time as the committee's public hearings, but the judge refused last week.

Thousands of Trump supporters, many associated with ultra-nationalist and white supremacist groups, stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021 in an effort to block the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's election victory.

They had been egged on by Trump in a fiery speech during which he repeated his false claims of election fraud.

RELATED: Steve Bannon requests judge ask jurors if they saw damning footage of him at Jan. 6 Committee hearing

According to the committee probing the riot, Bannon spoke to Trump the previous day.

Investigators believe Bannon and other Trump advisors could have information on links between the White House and the rioters.

After refusing to testify for months, Bannon finally agreed to cooperate with the investigation, a move prosecutors said was a "last-ditch attempt to avoid accountability" by stalling his trial for contempt.

Judge Carl Nichols ruled it should go ahead anyway, saying "I see no reason for extending this case any longer."

If convicted of contempt, Bannon, 68, faces a minimum sentence of 30 days and a maximum of one year in prison on each count.

NOW WATCH: Missing Secret Service Messages now under criminal probe

Watch: Outtakes of Trump on January 7th — he can't say the election's over

Former President Donald Trump struggled to declare the election over and condemn those who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in a video released and obtained by the Jan. 6 committee.

On January 7, 2021, then-President Donald Trump released a video where he finally agreed to the transfer of power to Joe Biden. But just two days after the video's release, Trump wanted a do-over, according to an unnamed source who spoke to Rolling Stone.

A source said that Trump wanted to make a new video and double down on his false claims that the 2020 election was rigged. The source said that Trump planned to directly attack Biden in the new video and tell his supporters that he'd continue fighting for them.

"Trump’s push to deliver a second speech countering the one he gave on Jan. 7 came amid an internal struggle over his post-Jan. 6 messaging," Rolling Stone's report stated.

roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms

Sources have told CNN that "one of the only reasons Trump actually made that video was aides warned him about the fact that his own cabinet might be preparing to use the 25th Amendment to remove him from office."

IN OTHER NEWS: 'I’m not an idiot!' Republican blows up on Biden appointee at House hearing

The public could get a chance to hear outtakes from Trump's unreleased video during Thursday's January 6 hearing. The committee also plans to focus heavily on Trump’s inaction in the 187 minutes between his speech at the "Stop the Steal" rally, and his afternoon message telling the rioters to “go home.”

Two witnesses are expected to deliver live testimony at Thursday's session: former deputy White House press secretary Sarah Matthews and Matthew Pottinger, who served on the National Security Council.

Matthews and Pottinger both resigned on January 6 as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.

Committee members said the hearing would also feature excerpts from a videotaped deposition by White House counsel Pat Cipollone.

Rare twin giraffes born in Kenya

Rare twin giraffes were born in Nairobi's national park, Kenya's wildlife minister said Tuesday on Twitter.

"This is an extremely rare occurrence," minister Najib Balala said in a post that included a photograph of the mother with her two young offspring. "We welcome the newborns with love."

The twin giraffes are of the Maasai species.

Giraffes are endangered and have been listed on vulnerable species lists. According to Phys.org, who wrote about the births, only about 117,000 remain in the wild, though others have put the population as low as 68,000.

According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the long-necked species has seen a 30 percent decline in population over the past 30 years.

"Nairobi National Park lies just [four miles] from the heart of the Kenyan capital, and is a tourist magnet for its wildlife including lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos which graze against a backdrop of distant skyscrapers," Phys.org reports.

"At 15 months," the site adds, "giraffes have one of the longest gestation periods for mammals. They give birth standing up, which means their calves drop just under [six feet] to the ground."

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, giraffes are threatened by loss of habitat, which is frequently converted into farms and ranches.

"Giraffes used to range continuously through much of the African savanna, but they now live in a handful of communities scattered in clumps across the continent," NRDC reports. "In some countries, like Mali, the giraffe has disappeared completely. In Niger, where many giraffes have been struck by cars, the population is so small and isolated that conservation officials have taken the drastic step of transporting some of the animals to a safer space."

You can view the photograph of the twin giraffes below or at this link.

'Thrown like King Kong': Black bear sightings rise in New England

Black bears are making more appearances across the state of New Hampshire, according to local news reports and attestations from residents.

Some five thousand black bears are thought to live in New Hampshire — and thus, encounters with bears are inevitable, notes local broadcaster WMUR.

New Hampshire Fish and Game suggests “securing garbage, keeping grills clean, and making sure not to leave pet food outdoors.” They also say that bird feeders should be removed from Apr. 1 to Dec. 1st of each year, and suggest that hikers carry bear spray, make loud noises if they encounter a bear, and not run away during an encounter.

They also suggest making oneself look as large as possible.

News that bear sightings have risen in New Hampshire come on the heels of a report that a 417-pound bear killed a Montana camper in 2021, even after she initially scared off the animal.

"Wildlife officials said the bear that killed her had developed a 'predatory instinct,'" according to the Washington Post. "Although they couldn’t determine exactly how such an instinct evolved, food and toiletries inside and near Lokan’s tent, as well as the lingering smell of cooked food from July Fourth picnic celebrations, likely played a role."

Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, residents related their encounters to WMUR.

“It was surreal because we’ve never been that close to a black before," Tim Kearney said. "There have been a couple of times where the bird feeder looks like it’s been thrown by King Kong.”

According to the report, there hasn’t been a fatal bear attack in the state since 1785. But that doesn't mean homeowners and hikers shouldn't be careful.

Watch: Great white shark feasts on seal 'buffet' off Nantucket

A great white shark was captured over the weekend feasting on a "seal buffet" off the coast of Nantucket, a popular vacation island off the Massachusetts coast.

The island is popular with the state's moneyed class.

Great white sharks have become more common off the Massachusetts coast in recent years as climate change sends seals into increasingly northern, warmer waters. Sharks feed on seals.

"During one reported sighting, which was filmed Sunday and shared on Twitter by the Nantucket Current, a large group of seals is seen swimming for their lives and scrambling for the shores of Great Point beach as a great white shark thrashes around in the water nearby," the Boston Globe reported.

"A great white shark having an absolute BUFFET at Great Point, #Nantucket on Sunday 🦈 😳," posted Nantucket Current on Twitter over the weekend. "(Warning for the mortal wound to one seal that makes it back to the beach)."

In recent years, humans have also been subject to shark attacks in Northeastern waters, resulting in at least one death off the coast of Maine.

Watch the video below or at this link.

BRAND NEW STORIES

Test Page Primis

State of Emergency: Mississippi Water Crisis to See Some Relief

Staff Bio: Maya Boddie

Is Hunter Biden Toast?

@2025 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. - "Poynter" fonts provided by fontsempire.com.