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MN governor race to replace Walz sees major shakeup as GOP contender ends campaign: 'Don't see a path'

FIRST ON FOX: Minnesota Republican lawmaker Kristin Robbins, chair of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, announced on Friday she is ending her gubernatorial campaign to replace embattled Gov. Tim Walz.

"It was not a tough decision to get into the race 10 months ago," Robbins exclusively told Fox News Digital. "We could not allow Tim Walz to have a third term in Minnesota. He's destroyed our state, and we had to stop him, and so, I think I made a great case for that, and because of all my work on the fraud committee he got out nine months ahead of schedule, which is great."

Robbins continued, "Once Senator Klobuchar became sort of the anointed candidate to replace him, I just think the establishment kind of circled the wagons and, you know, it became a challenging endeavor, and I'm a realist, and I am a numbers person, and when I look at the math, I don't see a path for me to win."

Weeks after Walz dropped his re-election bid in January amid a massive fraud scandal that unfolded during his watch, Sen. Amy Klobuchar jumped into the race, bringing her deep political backing and name recognition with her as the presumptive nominee for the Democrats.

MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS UNLOAD ON WALZ'S 'LEGACY' AFTER HE TOUTS FRAUD RECORD IN FINAL ADDRESS: 'RIDICULOUS'

Robbins told Fox News Digital she determined it was better to "bow out" and find a "new way to contribute" due to love of her state and the realization that there are "many ways to serve."

In terms of what’s next, Robbins says she hasn’t had the time to give that much thought but said she is focused on closing out the current legislative session and said "there's a lot of big things going on in the front committee."

"I know where the bodies are buried," Robbins said about the fraud situation, pointing out that there is much more work to be done to get answers on how the billions of dollars in fraud was allowed to go unchecked for so long.

MN LAWMAKER TAKES ACTION TO GET ANSWERS ON OMAR'S ALLEGED FRAUD TIES AFTER SHE SKIPS KEY HEARING: 'GHOSTED US'

With Robbins exiting the race, the Republicans vying to win the gubernatorial primary include Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, healthcare executive Kendall Qualls, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and several other lesser known candidates.

Robbins told Fox News Digital she will "not be endorsing anyone."

"That will be up to the voters to decide, and I wish all the other candidates well," Robbins said.

Ultimately, Robbins says her "overwhelming thought" is "gratitude" when she looks back on her campaign.

"I am so grateful for the last ten months of going all over the state meeting Minnesotans from every walk of life and to have had the privilege to run for governor and meet all these amazing people and hear their stories, be inspired by what they want for Minnesota," Robbins said. "I am just so grateful and so privileged."

Robbins says that going forward, the "answers" are not going to come from the capitol in St. Paul, but rather "from the communities and from the people" and she "looks forward to plugging into that."

North Korea's extreme battlefield doctrine revealed by Kim Jong Un during speech

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has publicly praised soldiers who killed themselves rather than be captured while fighting Ukrainian forces in Kursk region, offering the clearest confirmation yet of what officials and intelligence agencies have long described as one of Pyongyang’s most extreme battlefield policies.

In remarks published Monday by North Korean state media KCNA and first reported by Reuters, Kim honored troops who "unhesitatingly chose the path of self-destruction and suicide" rather than surrender, as he addressed Russian officials and bereaved families during a memorial ceremony for North Korean soldiers killed in combat.

"It is not only the heroes who unhesitatingly chose the path of self-destruction and suicide to defend great honor, but also those who fell while charging at the forefront of assault battles," Kim said.

The comments mark the first time Kim has directly acknowledged the lengths North Korean troops fighting for Russia have gone to in attempts to avoid capture by Ukrainian forces.

BATTERED IN UKRAINE, RUSSIA RACES TO REARM — BUT QUESTIONS LINGER OVER ITS MILITARY STRENGTH

North Korea deployed an estimated 14,000 troops to Russia’s western Kursk region to support Moscow’s war effort, according to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western officials cited by Reuters. Those same officials say the forces suffered staggering losses, with more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers believed killed in some of the war’s most intense fighting.

For months, intelligence reports, battlefield evidence and defector testimony have pointed to a grim directive: North Korean troops were expected to detonate grenades or otherwise take their own lives rather than risk capture.

That policy appears to have extended even to the few who survived. According to The Guardian, two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces and now held as prisoners of war in Kyiv both reportedly attempted to blow themselves up but were unable to do so because of severe injuries. One of the captured soldiers has reportedly expressed guilt over failing to carry out those orders.

NORTH KOREA VOWS 'TOUGHEST' US POLICY IN VAGUE ANNOUNCEMENT

Kim’s latest speech appears to transform those reports from battlefield allegations into publicly praised state doctrine.

"Those who writhed in frustration at failing to fulfill their duty as soldiers rather than suffering the agony of their bodies being torn apart by bullets and shells — these too can be called the party’s loyal warriors and patriots," Kim added.

The statement underscores the ideological intensity imposed on North Korean forces, whose loyalty to the regime appears to extend beyond combat to self-destruction.

The revelation also highlights the deepening military relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow.

According to South Korean intelligence assessments, North Korea has provided not only troops but also munitions to Russia, while receiving economic aid and military technology in return.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Amazon explores 'The Apprentice' reboot with Trump Jr set for promotion: report

With President Donald Trump "hired" by the American people for a second term, Amazon — which now owns production rights to NBC’s "The Apprentice" — is looking for a new host to potentially reboot the once No. 1-rated television program, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Trump leveraged decades of media coverage as a New York mogul amid the ups and downs of the 1980s and 1990s into a smash-hit program that premiered in 2004, following several wannabe business executives through a several-week "job interview" to work for the Trump Organization.

Fifteen seasons and a presidency-compelled hiatus later, Amazon is reportedly considering Trump Organization Executive Vice President Donald Trump Jr. for the role, as the eldest son has served as a frequent stand-in "boardroom adviser" for Trump executives Carolyn Kepcher and George Ross.

Trump addressed rumors of a reboot on Thursday, telling Fox News' Peter Doocy that his son is a "good guy" and would "probably be good" in the role.

JIMMY KIMMEL JOKES TRUMP SHOULD LET HIM HOST WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER TO 'THINK OF THE RATINGS'

"He’s got a little charisma going. You need a little charisma for that sucker. So, we’ll see what happens," Trump said.

Several people familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal that Amazon executives have internally discussed casting Trump Jr. as a host for an "Apprentice" reboot if they do indeed launch the project.

The Journal reported Amazon has not yet approached Trump Sr., Trump Jr. or any Trump family members, but that, instead of NBC, it would air the show on Amazon Prime.

A source close to Trump Jr. told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the Journal report was indeed the first time the 48-year-old father of five had heard his name was in the pot.

Fox News Digital also reached out to the Trump Organization for comment, as well as Amazon and Amazon’s production company.

An Amazon spokesperson told the Journal that the Jeff Bezos-led company previously acquired MGM, which itself bought a majority stake in reality-show impresario Mark Burnett’s company several years earlier.

TRUMP’S KENNEDY CENTER HONORS OVERHAUL DELIVERS STAR-STUDDED LINEUP, NEW MEDALLION AND HISTORIC HOSTING ROLE

Burnett has launched several reality shows, including "The Apprentice" and CBS-aired contests "The Amazing Race" and "Survivor," with the latter now in its 50th season. The credits for "The Apprentice" list Trump Sr. as executive producer.

A reboot would be Amazon's second foray into Trumpworld in recent months, as it recently debuted a $40 million biopic of first lady Melania Trump that drew praise from supporters and mockery from critics like ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel.

"Melania" was directed by Brett Ratner of "Rush Hour" fame, as Trump reportedly pressed Paramount Pictures to revive the Jackie Chan-Chris Tucker series and put Ratner back at the helm, according to CNBC, which further reported the original New Line Cinema films are now subject to a distribution pact between Paramount and New Line parent Warner Bros.

Trump Sr. regularly touted his "Apprentice" success throughout his political tenure, once telling the National Prayer Breakfast that attendees should "pray" for former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after the "Terminator" took over the show and oversaw what the president called a ratings collapse.

KIMMEL FIRES BACK AT TRUMP’S DEMAND TO TAKE HIM OFF THE AIR, SAYS 'I'LL GO WHEN YOU GO'

Schwarzenegger, the most recent Republican to serve as governor in Sacramento, occasionally spars with Trump, as he is seen as less bombastic and more politically moderate than the president.

"Hey Donald, I have a great idea," Schwarzenegger shot back at Trump in an X video at the time.

"Why don't we switch jobs — you take over TV — since you're such an expert in ratings, and I take over your job so that people can finally sleep comfortable again — hmm?" the Austria native, who voted for then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2016, quipped.

Fox News Digital reached out to NBCUniversal for additional comment on the potential resurrection of their onetime series. Neither Amazon nor the Trump Organization responded by publication time.

Fox News Digital's Janelle Ash contributed to this report.

Danica Patrick impresses the MAHA crowd by taking up tennis as her newest fitness workout, bat dogs & MEAT!

I write quite a bit about annoying celebrities who turn into self-help gurus in their 30s because they have nothing else to do in life. One thing leads to another and they're praying to imaginary butterflies, eating dandelion leaves out of their yards and posting inspirational quotes on Instagram.

Danica Patrick has some of those tendencies, BUT, at least she mixes in sports, working out in the gym and then some weird Burning Man Festival content here and there. She actually lives the MAHA lifestyle. One day she's doing deadlifts in the gym, the next minute she's smashing forehands on the tennis court.

This woman is 44-years-old and has hamstrings that just refuse to snap. She has thighs that can crush watermelons. She has forearms that have been through NASCAR wars. Her shoulders are shredded.

She goes bikini skiing. She sucks down wine straight from the bottle. She golfs. She even goes skydiving for fun. You know why the LIBS hate Danica? Because she's physically fit to do all these activities. While the fat purple hairs are busy screaming on Bluesky, Danica is out smashing forehands looking chiseled.

That's why we love Danica at OutKick. She got busy living.

📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got.

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It was an absolute battle until the end. Classic rec league nail-biter. Could my boys close out a road win? After jumping out to a 7-1 lead, it looked like we were going to coast last night. The boys put up five in the first and had runners at second and third in the second inning looking to blow it wide open when their center fielder made a nice catch on a ball to prevent what could've easily been a run-rule night.

Instead, we had a rough 4th inning. The ball started finding holes on defense. The opponent started running the bags and it was a battle for survival. In the 5th, with a 9-8 lead. I told Screencaps Jr. I needed an inning out of him. He got the first two outs, but then, he got into a jam. He had runners at second and third with two outs. Tough spot. Pressure packed. You could feel the tension in the air.

He proceeds to get the next hitter on a called third strike. Inning over. We manufacture two insurance runs in the top of the 6th, Screencaps Jr. throws a 1-2-3 bottom half of the inning and we sneak out with an opening night win.

You're damn right I'm exhausted: mentally, physically, emotionally. I have kids complaining of wrist injuries. I have a kid that magically has a heel injury. I have two kids who miss practice and games for soccer. My Indian kid is back in India, I think. Those of you who've been through these battle for survival wars know what I'm going through right now. You know what it's like to create lineups with so much uncertainty. Will I have nine players on a nightly basis? Who knows.

What matters is that we're 1-0 and that's one fewer game we have to play in June when I want to be on the patio suckin' down Kona beers and listening to Yacht Rock by the pool. Saturday morning, we get back at it.

– J Shep reacts to Thursday Screencaps: "Choke out the other team. Not physically. In a figurative way." Made me laugh as it reminded me of a story from when I coached my then third-fourth grader's Y soccer team. Was always preaching that the kids attack the ball, even as a defender. Don't wait, be aggressive! During a game, one of the boys was just standing there watching a boy from the other team dribbling. I yell from the sideline, "Don't watch, attack him." Our boy runs up, shoves the other player, and gets the ball. Whistle blows, foul called, I have to bring our player to the sideline and explain that I meant he should be aggressive like we practiced. Learned a valuable lesson that day — kids who listen, well, they really listen. And take what you say literally. Always made sure to say "attack the ball" after that!

All I said is that Bud Light chose its path and it was a complete and utter disaster. That turns into this DISGUSTING message from Adam, but I kinda like it. It shows the anger that's inside these people. It shows how distorted they want this world to look if they got their way. It proves everything I've ever written about Adam and people just like him.

– Meanwhile, Rick in San Diego writes: Joe, that was the best article I’ve read in a long time. You are a Master at what you do. Cheers.🍻

– Shashi R. writes: Your article boils down to "Sex sells and that's what I want".   Absolutely nothing wrong with feeling that way but very silly to make it seem like a political issue.

Kinsey: But it is a political issue. Remember the party that had a trans dude with giant fake implants on the White House lawn? That was celebrated by the lefties as liberation, or something stupid like that.

– Megan F. emails: I’m sitting in Chilis having lunch and looking at the news. Your article on Bud Light’s marketing is cracking me up - it is really making my day "Seriously guys, email me. I will help" Priceless. ThanksMegan (I’m 75. Used to watch Mays and McCovey and the Alou brothers at Candlestick for $3 third base line ticket)

– Al writes: I enjoyed reading your column about Miller Lite Ads, in contrast to Bud Light. I continue to be shocked that the marketing manager at Bud Light, who called Bud Light’s customers "fratty and out of touch," actually thought that was a winning strategy. 

– Jack B. has experience in this industry: I enjoyed reading your post about Miller Brewing marketing vs Bud Light. As a former executive in the beverage alcohol industry with a rich experience in marketing, a very wise person once told me "give the consumer what they want" and you will be successful. AB grossly errored in their approach by building a campaign around a Tranny or whatever that was.

Everyone from the CEO on down that signed off on that campaign should have been relieved of their positions. That was not conceived and executed by the Marketing VP that was identified in the news alone. A big company does not put something like that out there on their biggest brand without the approval from their bosses.

They got what they deserved on the market share loss and never have really recovered from it. The amazing part of this story is that other companies followed suit and also failed. They lose sight of the task they are charged with and that is to sell their brand to consumers, not engage in whatever the flavor of the month social cause is happening at the time. All morons.

– Harvey D. emails: I apologize if my previous comment caused any offense; I certainly didn't mean to upset you. I don't need anymore ppl with defense contacts being ticked at me! The reference I used is something that has stuck with me for over 40 plus years, dating back to when I was doing gopher work for a general contractor all over the Miami Valley. This was long before Fairfield Commons and gentrification. (Yes, I can say I remember when all this was farmland!) At the time, the old tradesmen used that term because they said the area was full of people who had moved out of Huber Heights! 

– Ken G. is on the road and reports: Traveling through Italy can’t stop me from reading Screencaps everyday. I figured I share some meat from Bologne (including some fish meat)

That is it this Friday morning. There are so many new readers. So many emails to go through. So little time. Between Thursday Night Mowing League –– yes, I held a Facebook Live press conference last night after baseball –– and life, these are busy times.

But, that's life, and we must soldier on. One foot in front of the other. I know this, when I turn off my work computer later tonight after building Saturday Screencaps because we have a 9 a.m. baseball game tomorrow morning, I am going to crash.

Let's get May off to a great start. Go crush another day of work, life or retirement. Have a great day.

Dem tied to cartel operative says 'White nationalists' joining immigration enforcement to 'hunt down people'

A controversial Democratic congressional candidate running in a South Texas border district is under fire again as critics accuse him of smearing Border Patrol agents as racists, an allegation his campaign dismissed as "desperate attacks."

Bobby Pulido, a former Latin music star running to unseat Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz, is taking heat for a recent interview in which he asserted, "It’s always down to race."

During the interview, which was on a podcast called "Mind of Geniuz," Pulido accused the Trump administration and Republicans' immigration enforcement agenda of being motivated by the "theory of White replacement."

"When President Trump ran, he ran on getting rid of the bad guys. They lied to us," Pulido said.

"It’s race. It’s always down to race. And I hate to say this, because I hate to inflame it, but I’m going to call it out because that is what it is. Look, when they have this theory of White replacement, they’re saying, ‘Oh, no, no, if it weren’t for this and this and crime,’ they’ll throw in all these other things to dance around the true issue," he said. "Which is there’s too many Brown and Black people, which they’re saying they’re just going to stay the same and be poor."

CRITICS ROAST JASMINE CROCKETT AFTER SHE CALLS HERSELF 'ONE OF THE 535 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE' IN US

Pulido noted during the interview, "I do not want to demonize law enforcement." However, he expressed that when it comes to immigration enforcement, "a lot of the people that are joining, not all of them, okay, there’s a lot of White nationalists that want to join because they want to go hunt down people, right, they’re yahoos."

"It’s a shame," he went on, "because then you start branding all ICE agents."

A spokesperson for De La Cruz’s campaign decried Pulido’s comments as insulting Border Patrol agents.

Notably, just over 50% of Border Patrol personnel are Hispanic. The Rio Grande Valley Sector of the southern border, along which De La Cruz’s district sits, is home to roughly 3,100 Border Patrol agents and personnel, according to Texas Monthly.  

The spokesperson said that "Monica is proud to be raising her kids in South Texas," emphasizing that "the Border Patrol agents our opponent insults are the same people she spends Friday nights with at a carne asada, sees at her kids' schools, and prays with at church on Sunday."

"That's why she has their back in Congress, and that's why she's fighting every day to lower costs for families, protect Social Security and Medicare for our abuelitos, and keep our communities safe," said the spokesperson.  

SUPREME COURT RULES ON KEY VOTING RIGHTS ACT RULE AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WAGE REDISTRICTING WAR

In response, a Pulido campaign spokesperson dismissed the accusations, telling Fox News Digital in an emailed statement, "These desperate attacks prove one thing, the GOP establishment is in full panic mode because Mentirosa [Spanish for 'liar'] Monica De La Cruz is running a dumpster fire of a campaign and they know they're going to lose."

"Bobby Pulido has family and friends who serve in Border Patrol and he has been a lifelong supporter of our law enforcement — South Texas knows that and they're going to make it loud and clear in November," the spokesperson added.

Since launching his congressional campaign, he has faced scrutiny for an array of matters, including a resurfaced music video depicting him engaging in lewd acts as well as his long-time prior association with a bandmate convicted as a child sex offender. He has firmly denied knowing the bandmate’s conviction and said he immediately cut off ties when he found out.

He has also faced criticism for sharing the stage with Julión Álvarez, a cartel operative sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department, according to the Daily Wire. A spokesperson for Pulido’s campaign told the outlet that despite the singer-turned-politician calling him "amigo" in a Facebook post, "Bobby and Álvarez are not friends." The spokesperson said, "This is just another case of Republicans not understanding our culture – ‘amigo’ is a common expression."

Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement that "there's a clear pattern" with Pulido.

"He sides with criminals over law enforcement and families, every time," said Kraft, adding, "He smears Border Patrol agents after spending decades bringing a convicted child predator, who raped an eight-year-old girl, to local parks and festivals. South Texans know he has no business being anywhere near Congress, and they will reject him in November."

DNC CHAIR GRILLED BY LIBERAL PODCAST HOST FOR NOT RELEASING 2024 POLITICAL AUTOPSY REPORT

Meanwhile, Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, told Fox News Digital that "Bobby Pulido insults the Border Patrol agents protecting our community, but he had no problem spending decades knowingly bringing a convicted child sex predator into our neighborhoods or palling around with a sanctioned cartel operative."

"The agents who patrol this border, most of them Hispanic, know exactly whose side Bobby Pulido is on. It isn't ours," said Perez.

Fox News Digital also reached out to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic National Committee for comment.

Missing Republican state Senate candidate found dead in truck days after disappearance

The body of a Republican Oklahoma state Senate candidate reported missing earlier this week has been discovered inside a truck parked in a rural area. 

Barry Christian, a 54-year-old Senate candidate from Sayre, mysteriously vanished Tuesday and was found dead two days later, his campaign said in a statement obtained by KOCO. 

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed to the outlet that Christian’s gray Ram truck was discovered near Highway 30 with a body inside.

FBI SAYS TRUCKER FOUND DEAD AFTER SUSPECTED HIJACKING; KEY DETAILS REMAIN UNCLEAR

Due to the truck’s location by a ravine near the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area, the recovery of the vehicle and body was reportedly delayed, initially stalling identification of the remains. 

Officials are still working to determine Christian’s cause of death. The OSBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

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Christian was reported missing on Tuesday after he failed to attend a scheduled meeting and was last seen driving the same truck found by officials, according to the Harmon County Sheriff’s Office.

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Christian’s campaign site described the District 38 candidate as the "conservative choice" for Senate, vowing to "proudly stand with President Trump" and "fight for the traditional conservative values that make America great" if elected into office. 

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In a statement to the outlet, Christian’s daughter, Brooklyn, expressed her devastation after receiving the news of her father’s death.

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"Please pray for our family and friends. Our world is upside down right now. We are still not sure of everything that happened, so please act with grace and treat my dad's legacy with dignity," Brooklyn reportedly said. 

"We are extremely grateful to everyone who assisted in the search efforts, and all of the media outlets that shared his information. I know there will be lots of people devastated by his passing."

Florida high school teacher accused of having sex twice with student on campus

Florida teacher Heather M. Mashburn-Smith is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student on school grounds twice, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) announced Wednesday.

Detectives in CCSO's Major Crimes Unit were alerted to potential illegal sexual activity between Mashburn-Smith, a teacher at Port Charlotte High School in Port Charlotte, Florida, and a student, the office said.

The alert reportedly came through a mobile app called ParentSquare, the school's principal, James Vernon, told sheriffs, according to Gulf Coast News.

Sheriffs discovered probable cause to arrest Mashburn-Smith, alleging she had sexual intercourse with the student twice over the course of the last month, according to a CCSO statement.

FORMER SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AND BOYFRIEND FACE 38 CHILD SEX CHARGES AS BOND NEARS 9 MILLION

The student reportedly told investigators that the pair began communicating on the social media messaging platform Snapchat, according to an affidavit obtained by Gulf Coast News.

The student reportedly told Mashburn-Smith she was pretty in the messages, at which point she summoned him to her classroom to ask him about the messages, the outlet reported. She then began flirting with him and the pair had sex in her classroom twice over the course of four or five weeks, Gulf Coast News reported.

Mashburn-Smith confessed to the crimes and was charged with Unlawful Activity with Certain Minors, the sheriff's office said. The charge, typically a second-degree felony under Florida state law, is enhanced to a first-degree felony because of Mashburn-Smith's position as a teacher.

COLORADO SCHOOL STAFFER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING 13-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, NOW ON THE RUN

"The actions of this individual are a direct violation of the duty every educator owes to students and families. We will not tolerate anything that compromises student safety," Charlotte County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Vianello said in a statement.

"This individual has been placed on administrative leave as we work closely with law enforcement and pursue full accountability. Our focus remains on protecting our students and responding decisively," Vianello concluded.

A first-degree charge of Unlawful Activity with Certain Minors can carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison according to Florida penal codes.

"What this woman has done is not just unlawful, it is damaging to the students and staff around her. Teachers are meant to be people that students can trust and seek out for mentorship, guidance, and encouragement. This individual took advantage of that vulnerability and preyed on one of the people she was entrusted to protect," CCSO Sheriff Bill Prummell said in a statement.

"We take that very seriously in Charlotte County, and I applaud my Major Crimes detectives for their quick and appropriate actions to intervene, investigate, and make an arrest," Prummell concluded.

Fox News Digital contacted CCSO and Charlotte County Public Schools for additional comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Kimmel showcases wife's video of late-night host being woken up to news of Trump calling for his firing

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel showed a video of his wife waking him up to the news that President Donald Trump called for the late-night host's firing again on Thursday.

"I’m glad I’m here. It’s not something I take for granted anymore. Please relax. This morning, I woke up to my wife shooting video with her phone. What’s going on? She was shooting me to let me know the president gave me another shout-out today," Kimmel said.

Kimmel's wife, Molly McNearney, can be heard on the video saying, "Donald Trump wants you fired again."

The late-night host groggily said from his bed that he had never been fired and asked, "How can I be fired again?"

JIMMY KIMMEL SAYS HE'D 'LOVE' TO HAVE TRUMP ON HIS SHOW

McNearney said, "He posted again. He is calling for you to be fired because you’re unfunny, and you’re low-rated."

Kimmel's "expectant widow" joke from last week about first lady Melania Trump went viral on social media in the wake of Saturday's attack at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) Dinner, prompting the president and first lady to call for ABC to act. 

Trump doubled down on Thursday in a Truth Social post.

"When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT," Trump wrote.

WHITE HOUSE SLAMS 'NO-TALENT LOSER' JIMMY KIMMEL AFTER OFFERING TRUMP HIS EMMY TO PULL ICE FROM MINNESOTA

Kimmel read Trump's post during his show on Thursday and the audience booed.

"Thank you for booing. I appreciate it. If incompetently presiding over, not just one of, but the lowest rating in history is the reason I should be fired, then we should both be out of a job," he said.

The liberal late-night host also went on to say that the president's ire was to "distract us from the Trump-Epstein files."

After Kimmel's "expectant widow joke" went viral following the WHCA shooting, Kimmel insisted it was a joke about Trump's age.

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"It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80, and she's younger than I am. It was not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination — and they know that," he continued. "I've been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence in particular, but I understand that the first lady had a stressful experience over the weekend, and probably every weekend is pretty stressful in that house."

Kimmel said the joke referred to the couple’s age difference and denied that it was a call to assassination.

"And also, I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject. I do it, and I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it," Kimmel later told the first lady. "Donald Trump is allowed to say whatever he wants to say, as are you, as am I, as are all of us. Because under the First Amendment, we have as Americans a right to free speech. But with that said, I am sorry that you and the president and everyone in that room on Saturday went through that. I really am. Just because no one got killed, that doesn't mean it wasn't traumatic and scary. We should come together and be the best."

When reached for comment on Kimmel's latest remarks, the White House referred Fox News Digital to President Trump’s Truth Social post. 

Jennie Garth admits ‘scary’ financial spiral after ‘90210’ fame

Jennie Garth recalled facing a "scary" financial transition after her "Beverly Hills, 90210" fame.

The 54-year-old actress starred as Kelly Taylor on the hit Fox drama for its entire run from 1990 to 2000. "Beverly Hills, 90210" became a cultural phenomenon and one of the defining teen shows of the decade, drawing millions of viewers at its peak.

By the later seasons, Garth was reportedly earning around $50,000 per episode. During a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Garth remembered how it was daunting to adjust from making a lucrative salary during her early 20s to a period without steady income after the show concluded.

"The security of being on a series is incredible, but inevitably, that series will come to an end," she said during a recent interview with Fox News Digital. Garth, who recently released her new memoir "I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose & Embracing Reinvention," admitted that she had regrets over lacking financial knowledge during her youth.

Her book, which is a mix of a memoir and inspirational guide, was released on April 14.

"I luckily had great people helping me to plan and manage my money along the way," Garth said. "I never knew much about it though. I sort of trusted them blindly, which I don't recommend."

"I wish I had gone to business school," she added. "I wish had learned more."

"There's always time. Who knows?"

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Garth said that her lack of financial confidence took on new urgency years later when she found herself fully responsible for her finances and future after her divorce from her ex-husband Peter Facinelli.

The "What I Like About You" alum and the "Twilight" actor wed in 2001 but finalized their divorce in 2013. The former couple share daughters Luca Bella, 28, Lola Ray, 23, and Fiona Eve, 19.

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"I realized after my divorce — I think it was after my divorce from the girl's father that I'm on my own, and it was this kind of really scary kind of concept at first," she said. "But when you think about it, we're born alone, really, we come into this world solo with the help of our parents, then we naturally leave our parents and go on about our lives, and then we die alone."

"When you have sort of an awareness of that and an acceptance of that...it makes you trust yourself more," Garth continued. "You know you can rely on yourself. You know that you're all you've got, really, at the end of the day. So you really start to have this newfound sort of respect for yourself and that you can figure anything out."

"And especially when you go through troubling times, or you suffer loss, or grief, or career upsets, loss of a job, like all of that, you realize, 'Look what I survived,'" she added. "You can look back on those things now and think, I handled all that. I'm still here. My kids are still breathing. Like, I'm doing great. There's nothing I can't handle. So everything gets a little less scary."

While Garth faced financial challenges tied to inexperience and life changes, other stars from the 1980s and 1990s experienced far more severe financial setbacks, including bankruptcy, tax debt and the loss of entire fortunes.

Danny Bonaduce rose to fame at the age of 11 when he played David Partridge in the hit sitcom "The Partridge Family" throughout its run from 1970 to 1974. However, Bonaduce previously revealed that he only made $400 an episode while starring on the show and faced difficulty finding work after it ended.

Bonaduce's financial troubles were exacerbated by his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. During a 2013 episode of Oprah Winfrey’s "Where Are They Now?," Bonaduce recalled becoming homeless in his teenage years.

"I lived right behind this dumpster, but I lived in my car," he said.

He explained that he would frequently sign autographs and pose with fans who were unaware that he was homeless at the time.

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"When I was done, or I knew they wouldn’t see me, I would sneak back to my car," he said. "It was totally embarrassing to be famous and homeless."

Bonaduce also experienced a series of legal issues. In 1990, he was arrested for attempting to buy drugs while in Florida to speak at an anti-drug event. The next year, he was arrested again for robbing and assaulting a prostitute.

The actor began turning his life around in the late 1990s when he transitioned into radio hosting, which gave him steady work and structure after years of instability. By the early 2000s, he had stabilized both his career and personal life, leading to long-term financial and professional recovery.

In 2005, he starred in the reality show "Breaking Bonaduce" and in 2007, he was the host and judge of the VH1 series "I Know My Kid’s a Star."

After decades in radio, he retired in December 2023 from his long-running morning show on Seattle’s KZOK-FM, which he had hosted since 2011.

Erin Moran was best known for playing Joanie Cunningham on the hit show "Happy Days" from 1974 to 194, starting when she was 13. Moran went on to star in the short-lived spinoff "Joanie Loves Chachi" from 1982 to 1983 before returning for the final season of "Happy Days."

In a 1988 interview with the Toronto Star via The New York Times, Moran said that she left Los Angeles behind and moved to the California mountains after suffering from depression and struggling to find acting work following the end of "Happy Days."

She lost her California home to foreclosure in 2010 and eventually moved with her husband Steve Fleischmann, a Walmart employee, to Indiana, where they lived in a trailer with his mother. In 2012, she joined her "Happy Days" co-stars in a lawsuit against CBS over unpaid merchandising revenue, but each actor only received about $65,000 each in the eventual settlement.

Moran reportedly spent the settlement money quickly and experienced severe financial hardship in the years leading up to her death in April 2017 at the age of 56 due to complications of stage 4 throat cancer.

During a 2017 interview with The Sun, Moran's brother Tony Moran reflected on her struggles after "Happy Days"

"Erin was a tortured soul who never recovered after Happy Days. Hollywood chewed her up and spat her out."

Gary Coleman became a household name at age 10 when he played Arnold Jackson on the NBC sitcom "Diff’rent Strokes," which aired from 1978 to 1986. At the height of his success, he was reportedly one of the highest-paid child actors on television, earning tens of thousands of dollars per episode. However, Coleman later said much of his fortune was mismanaged by Edmonia Sue Coleman and Willie Coleman, along with his former business manager Anita DeThomas.

In 1989, he sued his parents and DeThomas for misappropriating his trust fund. He won a $1.28 million judgment in 1993, but much of the money was spent on legal fees and medical issues. Coleman suffered from congenital, progressive kidney disease throughout his life and underwent two failed transplants.

Coleman filed for bankruptcy in 1999, citing ongoing financial strain despite his earlier success. Reflecting on who was responsible for his financial struggles, he said, "I can spread that blame all the way around, from me to accountants, to my adoptive parents, to agents to lawyers and back to me again," according to E! Online.

In the years that followed, Coleman took on a variety of jobs to support himself, including working as a security guard and appearing in small television roles and commercials.

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Coleman attempted to resurrect his career, but legal disputes dogged him repeatedly. He moved to Utah in 2005. 

In September 2008, a dust up with a fan at a Utah bowling alley led Coleman to plead no contest to disorderly conduct. The lawsuit was settled out of court.

In early 2010, officers were called to assist or intervene with Coleman more than 20 times. Some of the disputes involved his wife Shannon Price, whom he met on the set of the 2006 comedy "Church Ball" and married in 2007.

Coleman died at the age of 42 in May 2010 after suffering a head injury from a fall at his home in Utah.

Willie Aames is best known for playing Tommy Bradford in the hit TV series "Eight Is Enough" from 1977 to 1981 and Buddy Lembeck in the sitcom "Charles in Charge" from 1984 to 1990.

Aames' financial struggles began in the 1990s as he struggled to find work as an actor and began struggling with substance abuse issues. The actor previously said that his financial situation had deteriorated significantly by the early 2000s due to poor financial decisions, lack of steady income and ongoing issues with addiction.

In 2008, he filed for bankruptcy and faced foreclosure on his home in Kansas, prompting him to sell personal possessions and memorabilia from his TV career. During an appearance on "Entertainment Tonight," he revealed that he became "virtually homeless" in 2009.

"I stayed with friends when I could, slept in parking garages or slept in the park," he said. "It was shameful. I remember laying underneath the bushes thinking, 'Is this how it turns out? Is this how my life really turns out?'"

In 2010, Aames took on a job as a cruise director for Regent Seven Seas Cruises before later working for Oceania Cruises and Viking Cruises.

Aames returned to acting in small roles in 2016 and also became involved in counseling and motivational speaking, speaking publicly about his recovery and financial turnaround.

MC Hammer became one of the biggest names in hip-hop in 1990, following the release of his massively successful album "Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em." At the height of his career, he was earning tens of millions of dollars through music sales, touring and endorsements. However, Hammer also spent lavishly during this time. He employed a large entourage, maintained multiple properties and led an expansive lifestyle that required significant ongoing income.

Hammer’s finances began to collapse after his popularity declined in the mid-1990s. In 1996, he filed for bankruptcy with $13 million in debt. Hammer's bankruptcy filing outlined substantial liabilities, including loans, back taxes and the costs associated with supporting a large staff.

In 2013, the IRS ordered Hammer to pay $800,000 in unpaid taxes for the years 1996 and 1997. Although the rapper tried to appeal the case, a federal judge ruled against Hammer in 2015.

Following his bankruptcy filing, Hammer worked to rebuild his financial footing by shifting into new areas, including technology, investing and consulting. He remained active in media and business circles, often speaking about entrepreneurship and financial discipline.

Nicolas Cage was one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors in the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning tens of millions of dollars from major films and amassing a substantial fortune. At his peak, Cage's fortune was estimated at $150 million.

However, his finances began to unravel in the late 2000s, largely due to heavy spending on real estate, rare collectibles and other high-cost purchases. The Academy Award winner famously bought castles in England and Germany, an island in the Bahamas and a mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, that is said to be haunted.

Some of his more unique purchases included a 67-million-year-old dinosaur skull which he bought at a Beverly Hills auction after outbidding Leonardo DiCaprio and genuine shrunken pygmy heads. Cage also owned an exotic animal collection that included an octopus and a crocodile.

By 2009, Cage was facing serious financial strain, including a dispute with the IRS over $6 million in unpaid taxes. He filed a $20 million lawsuit against his former business manager, Samuel Levin, alleging negligence and mismanagement, while also acknowledging his own role in the situation. During a 2023 appearance on CBS' "60 Minutes," he emphasized that his past financial struggles were due in part to his investment strategy, explaining that he had concentrated too much of his wealth in property at the wrong time.

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"I over-invested in real estate," he said. "It wasn't because I spent $80 on an octopus. The real estate market crashed, and I couldn't get out in time."

In the years that followed, Cage worked steadily to recover financially, taking on numerous film roles to repay his IRS debts.

"I paid them all back," he said on "60 Minutes." "It was about $6 million. I never filed for bankruptcy."

Cage acknowledged that it was a "dark" period of time but staying busy with his acting career helped him.

"Work was always my guardian angel," he said. "It may not have been blue chip, but it was still work."

By the 2020s, Cage had largely stabilized his finances, continuing to act regularly while maintaining a more measured approach to spending.

Sinbad, the comedian and actor known for roles in films including "Houseguest" and the sitcom "The Sinbad Show," enjoyed steady success in the 1990s but later faced significant financial problems tied largely to unpaid taxes.

According to court filings, he accumulated millions of dollars in tax debt to the IRS dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2009, Sinbad filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, reporting liabilities that included millions owed in back taxes. The case was dismissed after Sinbad failed to meet the court’s repayment plan requirements, allowing his tax debts to continue accumulating.

In 2013, he filed for bankruptcy again, listing $10.9 million in total debts of which approximately $8.3 million was owed to the IRS.

During a 2013 appearance on HuffPost Live, Sinbad said that he had expected he would be offered a role that would enable him to cover his spending.

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"I spent money, and I kept thinking, 'I get one more movie, and I'll wipe these bills out,' but that movie never came," he said. "I said, 'Man, I'm going to hang in there, I'm going to pay these bills.' So you owe a million dollars. I can pay that. OK, fines, fees, now you owe two and a half million. 'But I didn't do nothin'!' Now you owe four million."

In the years that followed, Sinbad continued to work in entertainment, taking on stand-up performances and occasional acting roles. However, his financial recovery has been complicated by ongoing obligations and serious health issues after he suffered a stroke in 2020.

Burt Reynolds was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the 1970s and 1980s, earning millions from box office hits including "Smokey and the Bandits" and "Deliverance. Reynolds became one of the industry’s highest-paid actors and his net worth was estimated at over $60 million at the height of his career, according to People magazine.

However, Reynolds began experiencing financial struggles in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to a combination of high spending, costly real estate holdings and a series of unsuccessful business ventures including his Southern-style, casual restaurant chain Po’ Folks.

His financial troubles were exacerbated by his high-profile 1993 divorce from actress Loni Anderson, which involved a costly settlement, as well as declining acting opportunities compared to his peak years.

In 1996, Reynolds filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing debts of more than $10 million.

"I lost more money than is possible because I just haven’t watched it," he admitted during an interview with Vanity Fair in 2015. "I’ve still done well in terms of owning property and things like that. But I haven’t been somebody who’s been smart about his money."

However, Reynolds continued working steadily in film and television, including a critically acclaimed role in 1997's "Boogie Nights," which helped revive his career. While he was able to regain some financial stability through consistent work, he never returned to the level of wealth he had once enjoyed before his death from a heart attack at the age of 82 in 2018.

Janice Dickinson rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s as one of the most recognizable supermodels of her era. At the height of her career, she earned substantial income from modeling, endorsements and media appearances. However, she began to experience financial issues in the mid to late 2000s due in part to inconsistent income, high expenses and mounting tax debt.

By 2013, Dickinson’s financial problems had become severe, and she filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Court filings showed she owed more than $1 million in back taxes, primarily to the IRS and the state of California, along with additional debts to other creditors.

"I had some trouble, so yes, it is true," the former "America's Next Top Model" judge told Radar Online at the time. "I am upset and taking every step to pay everyone back, and I feel terrible about it."

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In 2014, a bankruptcy judge approved a repayment plan, which allowed her to pay back a reduced portion of the debt over time rather than the full amount.

Following the bankruptcy, Dickinson continued working in television and the media, including reality shows and public appearances.

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During a 2024 interview with the Telegraph, Dickinson reflected on her bankruptcy filing and past financial struggles.

"I lost track of what I was spending, and it started to add up," she said. "I went overboard, and I couldn't afford to cover my checks — my American Express bills, mostly."

The supermodel also shut down rumors that medical bills for plastic surgery procedures contributed to her financial woes.

"I've never paid for any plastic surgery," she said. "Doctors approach me to offer me surgery, for the privilege of working on me."

‘Santa Claus’ cuffed in undercover sting targeting child sex predators, sheriff says

A Polk County, Florida man who often plays Santa Claus is behind bars after deputies say he tried to meet up and have sex with an underage girl.

Thomas Allen Hicks, 68, was one of 19 suspects arrested on charges of attempting to allegedly travel to have sex with minors, the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) said.

Arresting documents reveal that Hicks, who performs as Santa, allegedly accessed a prostitution website and was hoping to have sex with a 13-year-old girl. The "girl" was being offered up by her father.

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An undercover deputy was behind the fake ad, though, police said. As Hicks began messaging the deputy, the sheriff’s office said, he told the deputy he would pay $200 to have sex with the girl. 

Later in their conversation, Hicks allegedly revealed his location to "meet up," where he was caught and cuffed.

"I talked to the real Santa Claus today, and he’s pissed," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference, FOX 13 reported. "He said it’s people like that who give me a bad reputation and I spend all this time going all around the world giving presents to all the good boys and girls. Sheriff, I’m glad you got him locked up.

"You can’t fix these people. They’ve got a hitch in their giddy up. Their elevator don’t go all the way to the top. It stops at P – pedophile floor. It stops at P – predator floor. It stops at C – Child predator floor. These are dangerous people."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Hicks's attorney for comment.

Prior to his arrest, Hicks worked for Tri-County Human Services, a behavioral health clinic. He has since been fired. 

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In a statement sent to FOX 13, the company said: "Tri-County supports the Polk County Sheriff’s office in their investigation and activities to maintain the safety of the community.  Mr. Hicks did not have access to clients or their electronic health record and was not able to gather any data related to child information at any time during his employment."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Tri-County.

As for the rest of the suspects, the PCSO said the multi-day joint operation brought about 85 felony charges and eight misdemeanors total. 

"It never ceases to amaze us how many suspects travel to have sex with who they believe are children, especially here in Polk County where we proactively investigate and arrest those who prey on children. Speaking of believing, we even arrested Santa Claus during this undercover operation."

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