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NYC mayor touts ‘socialist’ wins in first 100 days alongside Bernie Sanders
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked his first 100 days in office Sunday alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist, touting what he described as sweeping achievements driven by government intervention.
Mamdani cited key wins, including securing $1.2 billion for universal child care, advancing plans for five publicly owned grocery stores, pursuing legal action against landlords, and boosting investment in services such as sanitation and infrastructure.
In a reference to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her critique that socialists "eventually run out of other people’s money," Mamdani defended his administration’s approach.
"I have thought often of the Margaret Thatcher's quote, the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money," he said. "If anything, my friends, it seems that you eventually need a socialist to clean up the mess,"
AOC, MAMDANI URGE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PARENTS TO SIGN KIDS UP FOR FREE PRE-K
Sanders also praised the mayor’s agenda, calling it an inspiration for strengthening communities.
"This is the first time I was ever introduced by someone who talked proudly about democratic socialism," Sanders said. "And it feels great."
Mamdani highlighted additional policy priorities during his first three months in office.
To address rising food costs, he proposed opening five publicly owned, affordable grocery stores — one in each borough — by the end of his first term, a proposal critics say represents a departure from free-market principles. Critics say the plan departs from free-market principles. He added that the first location is expected to open next year.
MAMDANI CLARIFIES NYC WON’T CHECK IMMIGRATION STATUS FOR UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE ENROLLEES
The mayor also pointed to universal child care as a major early win, though critics say the program relies on heavy taxation and could disrupt existing private daycare providers. Mamdani noted the initiative was fulfilled by his eighth day in office through a $1.2 billion partnership with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The administration has intensified enforcement in the housing sector, with Mamdani saying it issued more than 195,000 violations against landlords and secured more than $34 million in settlements, judgments , and repairs for tenants.
With murders at record lows, officials said the city has removed more than 1,000 guns from the streets and established its first Office of Community Safety to address gun violence and mental health.
In addition, city workers also have filled more than 102,000 potholes in 100 days and are on track to repave more than 1,000 lane miles of streets by the end of the fiscal year.
Heidi Klum unrecognizable in dramatic Coachella disguise as 'Techno Hexen'
Heidi Klum loves a theme.
The supermodel looked barely recognizable as she frolicked around the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival over the weekend in Indio, Calif.
Klum, 52, smiled widely as she raised arms while walking the grounds at the Empire Polo Field wearing a jet black wig with mirrored sunglasses over her eyes.
"Coachella day 2 'Techno Hexen,'" the "Germany's Next Topmodel" host wrote with a social media clip shared Saturday.
SABRINA CARPENTER COMMANDS COACHELLA WITH SEE-THROUGH BODYSUIT AND A-LIST SURPRISES
Klum sported a sheer white gown with layers of fabric cascading down her chest and tucked into the back of a lacy pair of bottoms.
She slung a black leather bag across her shoulder and trekked through the dusty venue wearing fishnets with black-and-white leather cowboy boots.
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The mother-of-four made an equally impressive fashion statement the night before to kick off the festival.
JUSTIN BIEBER'S $10M COACHELLA COMEBACK DRAWS BACKLASH AFTER HE PLAYS YOUTUBE VIDEOS DURING HIS SET
Dressed in a white cut-out bodysuit with oversized jeans and a white beanie to match, Klum danced to a Disclosure song on social media before catching the DJ's closing set on the Outdoor stage.
The Victoria's Secret angel was in good company throughout the star-studded weekend.
Katy Perry and boyfriend Justin Trudeau are quite literally heating things up in the desert.
KATY PERRY SHARES PDA-FILLED COACHELLA PHOTOS WITH BOYFRIEND JUSTIN TRUDEAU DURING WEEKEND FESTIVAL
In a series of photos posted on the pop star's Instagram, Perry and Trudeau put their budding romance on full display at Coachella.
In one snapshot, the duo walked hand-in-hand throughout the fairgrounds, and in another, Perry cozied up to Trudeau as the pair enjoyed a snack break.
They later caught Justin Bieber's return after a years-long hiatus.
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The 32-year-old singer — who was reportedly paid $10 million for his return — took the stage for a headlining performance, only to be met with a wave of criticism from online trolls.
For the first half of the set, Bieber focused on his latest tracks from "Swag" and "Swag ll" before diving into a YouTube-heavy track list.
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"Tonight is such a special night," Bieber told the crowd while sitting on a stool behind a table that held his laptop. "I feel like we gotta take you guys on a bit of a journey. Do you guys remember this song?"
Bieber played hit songs like "Baby," "Never Say Never" and "Beauty and the Beat" on YouTube, while singing along to the music videos playing in the background.
At one point, Katy Perry poked fun at the moments in between YouTube searches. "Thank God he has Premium," the Grammy nominee, 41, said in a video posted to her Instagram. "I don’t want to see no ads."
Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
Trump voices frustration with NATO, says Iranian navy ‘destroyed’ as US preps for blockade
President Donald Trump addressed several pressing international conflicts after stepping off Air Force One in Maryland on Sunday, declaring that Iranian naval forces had been destroyed ahead of a planned energy blockade and expressing sharp disapproval of NATO for its perceived lack of support.
"Their military is destroyed," Trump said. "Their whole Navy is underwater. You know that 158 ships are gone. Their navy is gone. Most of their mine droppers are gone."
"At 10 tomorrow, we have a blockade going into effect," Trump added. "Other nations are working so that Iran will not be able to sell oil."
Trump further underscored the United States’ energy independence, asserting that international vessels are bypassing traditional routes in favor of purchasing American oil.
TRUMP, RUBIO FACE NATO CHIEF AS U.S. MOVES TO "REEXAMINE" ALLIANCE AFTER IRAN CLASH
"There are many boats heading toward our country to fill up with oil and then go and take it," he said.
The president then expressed sharp disapproval of NATO countries, indicating that America's financial commitment to support the alliance, particularly against Russia, is going to be under "very serious examination."
"But I'm very disappointed in NATO," he said. "They weren't there for us. We pay trillions of dollars for NATO, and they weren't there for us."
While NATO countries are now stepping up to assist the U.S., Trump described the effort as too late.
"Now they want to come up, but there's no real threat anymore," he said.
"When you think of it, we're guarding against Russia," he added. "And I've long thought it was a little ridiculous, but we spent trillions of dollars doing it. And I think that's going to be under very serious examination."
TRUMP PRESSES NATO PARTNERS ON SUPPORT AS HEGSETH BLASTS HESITATION
Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO, accusing the alliance of providing limited assistance during the Iran offensive, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," and refusing to offer naval support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he said to the alliance in a Truth Social post on March 31.
Trump's recent remarks also followed a meeting last week with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, where the president again criticized the alliance for what he described as a failure to adequately support the American people.
"It's quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks when it's the American people who have been funding their defense," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said, referring to the meeting.
Among the European countries accused of withholding support amid escalating tensions, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reportedly shut down Spanish airspace to aircraft participating in strikes against Iran, including U.S. bombers, and denied Washington access to military bases located within the country.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron blocked Israeli aircraft from traversing French airspace to transport U.S.-made munitions intended for the conflict with Iran.
Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told Trump during a phone call that a "more European NATO" is beginning to take shape, signaling a potential shift in the alliance’s strategic direction.
Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Bucks part ways with Doc Rivers after NBA playoff miss: report
Doc Rivers is out as the Milwaukee Bucks’ head coach, ESPN reported Sunday, citing sources.
Rivers left his broadcasting job to return to the NBA sidelines as the Bucks’ coach shortly after Adrian Griffin was fired 43 games into the 2023-24 season. Now Rivers exits Milwaukee after a 126-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, capping a 32-50 season that ended in a missed NBA playoff berth.
Rivers coached the Bucks to first-round playoff exits in each of the past two seasons.
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The Bucks will now launch their third head coaching search in the past three years. Rivers’ departure comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks will now launch their third head coaching search in the past three years. Rivers’ departure comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The NBA trade deadline passed in February without a deal involving Antetokounmpo. The two-time league MVP saw limited action in the 2025-26 season, appearing in a career-low 36 games.
Antetokounmpo dealt with a knee hyperextension and bone bruise during the season. He was later sidelined for a stretch of games, fueling speculation the Bucks shut him down despite his being healthy, prompting an NBA investigation into the handling of the star forward.
Antetokounmpo’s frustration boiled over as he insisted he was healthy enough to play despite being sidelined for a 10th straight game when Milwaukee faced the Boston Celtics on April 3.
"I’ve never seen a case of a player saying, my caliber of player, that’s like — I’m saying it publicly — I want to f---ing play. You know what I’m saying?" he said, via The Athletic. "I don’t think I’ve seen this. So, if there needs to be an investigation, great. There should be. I don’t know. There should be. Until we figure something out."
He then said he was "available to play."
Rivers addressed Antetokounmpo’s comments after the team’s 133-101 loss.
"The tough part about all this is that I’m in the middle, and I have nothing to do with it," Rivers said. "Coaches don’t decide any of this. The problem with our league is the coaches are the ones sitting out front.
"And we have to sit here and answer this stuff. I think there are two sides to this — I will tell you that — but I don’t want to get too involved in it."
Rivers added that he didn’t like that the feud had gone "public."
Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points and 9.8 rebounds this season. He was named NBA Finals MVP when he helped the Bucks secure the franchise’s first championship since 1971.
Rivers coached the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 1983. After retiring as a player, Rivers moved into broadcasting, calling NBA games. In 1999, he was named head coach of the Orlando Magic, a role he held until 2003.
Before returning to the coaching ranks, Rivers was part of ESPN’s lead NBA broadcasting team.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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Trump accuses Pope Leo of being 'terrible' on foreign policy over pontiff's anti-war comments
President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Pope Leo XIV of being "terrible" on foreign policy as the pontiff continues to criticize the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and call for peace.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said Leo is "weak on crime" and "terrible" for foreign policy over his anti-war comments in recent weeks following the start of the war in the Middle East.
"He talks about 'fear' of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart," Trump wrote. "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!"
"I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," he continued. "I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country. And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History."
The president went on to say that the pope "should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise."
"He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," he wrote. "If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican."
"Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested. Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!" he added.
Starving toddler ate diapers and drywall before dying in filthy room while parents lived clean, police say
An Indiana couple was arrested after their malnourished toddler died in deplorable living conditions, with investigators alleging the child had eaten pieces of diapers and drywall before his death and that the parents waited roughly 14 hours after last seeing him alive to call 911, according to police and court records.
Trevor Reichard-Hayes, 39, and Katherine Carter, 31, are facing murder and neglect charges in connection with the death of 2-year-old Erik Reichard, the Tell City Police Department said in a press release.
Officers found the child dead at around 1:20 p.m. on March 31 after Reichard-Hayes called 911 to report that his wife found their son not breathing. The couple reportedly told police that the last time they saw their son alive was around 11 p.m. the day before.
Responding officers and medics who arrived a short time later performed CPR on the 2-year-old, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
TWO ARRESTED IN NC AFTER POLICE FIND 13-YEAR-OLD KEPT IN DOG KENNEL, 5 OTHER KIDS IN 'FILTHY' HOME
"I could tell based on my training and experience that the child had been deceased for several hours. The child was blue and pale," a detective wrote in the probable cause affidavit against his parents, according to PEOPLE.
The boy was "extremely skinny" and covered with dozens of sores or bug bites, the detective added. Erik also weighed just 15 pounds, about half of what a child his age should be weigh.
Carter told police that Erik had been eating his diapers, and the detective "suspected the child had been eating his diapers due to hunger," the affidavit reads.
Investigators found that the home, which also housed two other children, was in horrible condition. The other children were removed from the home, including one who was hospitalized for severe malnutrition and dehydration.
The detective said he observed "poor living conditions that included feces on the floor in the two children’s rooms as well as an abundance of drywall and paint chips, dirt, and pieces of diapers [lying] everywhere as well as insects/bugs in the home."
In one bedroom, officers found a small child's bed, pieces of diaper and drywall debris all over the floor and a training toilet full of feces and urine "that appeared ... hadn’t been cleaned in days or perhaps weeks," according to the affidavit.
But despite the children's bedrooms being in deplorable condition, the parents were living in a clean and well-kept bedroom.
The affidavit said the pair's bedroom had "nice bedding, the bed was made, there was no extreme clutter, and it was clean, unlike the remainder of the home."
An autopsy showed that the boy's colon contained "foreign material with a gel-like substance and small white pieces. These findings were consistent with the gel found in the diapers worn by [Erik] as well as the material of the diaper itself. Some of the white material removed from the colon was also consistent with the drywall, paint chips, or spackling," according to PEOPLE.
Erik's cause of death was determined to be severe malnourishment and severe dehydration as a result of neglect, according to the affidavit.
Eric Swalwell exits California governor race apologizing for past judgment while denying claims
Rep. Eric Swalwell said he is suspending his campaign for California governor, citing personal issues and ongoing allegations in a statement posted on X.
"I am suspending my campaign for Governor," Swalwell wrote. "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.
"I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s," he added.
The decision comes as pressure mounted over sexual assault allegations published in a bombshell report from the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday, with lawmakers from both parties calling on him to drop out of the race and resign from Congress.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLANS MOTION TO OUST SWALWELL FROM CONGRESS AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS
Figures calling on Swalwell to step aside included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Pelosi urged that consideration of the accusations against Swalwell take place outside the context of his campaign.
"The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard. This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that this is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign," Pelosi said in a statement given to NBC.
MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS DOG SWALWELL AS DEM RIVALS SEIZE OPENING IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S RACE
A number of other Democrats soon joined the former speaker’s calls, with a handful rescinding previous endorsements of the campaign.
"I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting, and I take it seriously," Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said in a post to X.
"What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed," he added.
Rep. Ted Lieu, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, also said he would pull his endorsement.
"In light of the recent allegations against Representative Eric Swalwell, I am withdrawing my endorsement of his campaign for Governor," Lieu said in his own post.
In its Friday report, the San Francisco Chronicle detailed graphic accounts from a woman accusing Swalwell of pursuing intoxicated women, pressuring employees into intimate situations and asking for explicit images from female contacts.
Rumblings of misconduct from Swalwell first emerged earlier this month when Cheyenne Hunt, a former Capitol Hill staffer and a political media personality, began circulating testimony from women who said they had been sexually assaulted by the congressman.
"The Democratic candidate currently leading in the California governor’s race has a known history of being predatory towards women," Hunt claimed in a post to social media.
Despite initially remaining moot on the allegations, Swalwell’s office broke its silence on the matter in comments made to the New York Post earlier this week.
"This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race," Micah Beasley, a spokesperson for Swalwell, said.
With Swalwell exiting the race, the battle to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom becomes even more uncertain and turbulent ahead of the June 2 primary. Early voting will begin on May 4.
Public opinion surveys indicated that Swalwell was the top polling Democrat in the race, ahead of former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer, who’s flooded the airwaves with ads since declaring his candidacy in November. Both Porter and Steyer on Friday had called on Swalwell to suspend his gubernatorial campaign and resign from Congress.
The crowded field of Democrats also includes former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
There are two major Republicans in the race: conservative commentator and former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Senate Democrat avoids answering whether Swalwell should resign from Congress
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., did not answer on Sunday whether he believes Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., should resign from Congress after recent allegations of sexual misconduct.
"I do want to ask about allegations against one of your fellow Democrats, Eric Swalwell, allegations of rape and sexual misconduct," CNN's Dana Bash said on "State of the Union." "He denies these allegations as false, says they never happened. You were a leader in your party. Do you think he should resign from Congress or face expulsion?"
"You know, Dana, I have seen the reports," Warner said. "I think I‘ve met Mr. Swalwell once or twice. I want to hear his side of the story, but obviously, if any of these allegations are true, he should no longer be a candidate for governor. But again, I don‘t know any of the facts. And I‘m a little old-fashioned. I feel like I ought to hear the facts before I start weighing in."
SWALWELL ATTORNEY DENIES MISCONDUCT, SAYS CONGRESSMAN TOOK ACCOUNTABILITY FOR 'LAPSES IN JUDGMENT'
Warner did not elaborate on whether he believed that Swalwell should resign from his congressional seat if allegations were proven true. Bash did not follow up with Warner after his response.
Fox News Digital reached out to Warner's office for comment.
Swalwell was accused by a former staffer of sexual assault while she was intoxicated. The San Francisco Chronicle first broke the story of the anonymous ex-staffer, and three additional women have since spoken to CNN with allegations of misconduct.
Swalwell is a candidate for governor of California but has since faced calls to drop out, including from within his own party. He has pledged to fight the allegations against him.
"A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations, and I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly. These allegations of sexual assault are flat-out false," Swalwell said in a video posted Friday.
"They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have."
Some Democratic candidates have begun calling on Swalwell to also resign from Congress, including Virginia Rep. Eugene Vindman, New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal and California Reps. Ro Khanna and Jared Huffman.
Fellow gubernatorial candidates Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Tony Thurmond have also called on Swalwell to resign.
‘Gate of Tears’ at risk: Iran threatens major new global chokepoint if US moves on Hormuz
Iran could retaliate against a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by directing its Houthi allies to disrupt another critical global shipping route, a senior Middle East analyst warned Sunday.
The Bab al-Mandeb — a narrow chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden — carries roughly 12% of global oil shipments and serves as a vital trade corridor between Asia and Europe, making it a strategic target for escalation that could further strain global energy markets.
"If the U.S. proceeds with its plan to blockade the strait, Iran’s escalation strategy could dictate that it ensures Gulf countries can’t export, either," Mona Yacoubian, director and senior adviser at the Middle East Program, told Fox News Digital.
TRUMP VOWS US WILL STRIKE IRAN’S POWER PLANTS, BRIDGES IF STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS NOT REOPENED
"This could translate to further attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure or even deploying the Houthis to blockade the Bab al-Mandeb," Yacoubian added.
Yacoubian’s remarks came after Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser on international affairs to Iran's Supreme Leader, signaled Tehran’s view of the Bab al-Mandeb in light of potential U.S. action to block the Strait of Hormuz.
"Today, the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz," he said in a post on X.
WHY THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MATTERS AS TRUMP ISSUES FRESH ULTIMATUM TO IRAN
"If the White House dares to repeat its foolish mistakes, it will soon realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single move."
U.S. Central Command released a statement Sunday saying the naval blockade would begin Monday and be "enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman."
President Donald Trump also said the U.S. Navy would block "any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz" in a post on Truth Social.
In March, the U.S. warned ships at the Red Sea chokepoint of Houthi attacks
"The Houthis continue to pose a threat to U.S. assets, including commercial vessels, in this region," a maritime advisory said of the Iran-backed armed group that controls much of northern Yemen.
TRUMP GIVES IRAN 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ OR FACE STRIKES ON POWER PLANTS
"Potential hostile actions include one-way unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks; unmanned surface vehicle (USV) attacks; unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) attacks; ballistic and cruise missile attacks; small arms fire from small boats; explosive boat attacks; and illegal boardings, detentions, and/or seizures," it said.
"U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in these areas are strongly advised to turn off their AIS transponders," the advisory stated.
Yacoubian also determined in a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report that Iran was threatening to expand the conflict further to the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb compounding global market disruptions.
"It could leverage the Houthis, its Yemeni proxy, to once again wage attacks on the strategic waterway, depriving Saudi Arabia of its key workaround for oil shipments given the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz," she added.
The Houthis joined Iran’s war against the U.S. and Israel on March 28 when the organization launched two ballistic missiles at southern Israel. Both were intercepted.
Bruce Springsteen's former drummer pushes back on the Boss's political attacks on Trump: 'Gotta have respect'
Bruce Springsteen's former drummer Vini Lopez is speaking out against the Boss for slamming President Donald Trump while on his Land of Hope and Dreams Tour.
Since kicking off the tour in Minneapolis on March 31, Springsteen, 76, has repeatedly unleashed blistering attacks on Trump during his shows, blasting the administration as "corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and treasonous" and mocking the 79-year-old as a "president who can't handle the truth" among other insults.
During a recent interview with the California Post, Lopez, 77, who was Springsteen's original E Street Band drummer, pushed back against the singer for criticizing Trump while on tour.
"You gotta have respect for the president," Lopez said.
"Trump is the president of the United States — everyone should have respect for him," he continued.
"He is the president of the United States. And if I was standing there talking to him, I would have mucho respect for the man," Lopez added, noting that he "wouldn’t talk to him about anything that’s going on" in politics.
In 1969, Lopez, Springsteen and fellow musicians Vinnie Roslin and Danny Federici founded the band Child, which would later become known as Steel Mill. The band performed together until 1971 after which Springsteen formed the E Street Band with Lopez included in the original lineup.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN DOUBLES DOWN ON ANTI-TRUMP, ANTI-ICE STANCE, SAYS 'BLOWBACK IS JUST PART OF IT'
Lopez played with on Springsteen's first two studio albums "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." and "The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle" before leaving the band in 1974.
While speaking of the reason for his departure from the E Street Band, Lopez told that California Post that he was "too jazzy for what [Springsteen] wanted to do."
However, Lopez reunited with Springsteen for performances several times since his exit. In April 2014, Lopez was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band and played with the group and Springsteen at the induction ceremony.
In September 2016, he performed with Springsteen and the E Street Band in Philadelphia during a guest appearance on their River Tour.
Lopez is currently performing with his group the Wonderful Winos and told the California Post that their shows were unlike those of Springsteen, who previously declared the Land of Hopes and Dreams tour would be "political and very topical about what’s going on in the country."
"My band, whatever we think, we don’t go there in our music," he said.
SPRINGSTEEN SAYS DEMS TOO FAR-LEFT FOR AMERICA, BUT TRUMP STILL BELONGS IN 'TRASH HEAP OF HISTORY'
Lopez said he doesn’t consider himself strongly ideological, though he acknowledged voting Republican in races ranging from local City Council to Congress.
Along with his music career, Lopez also worked as a golf caddy for many years. He said that he once met Trump at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., before he became president.
Lopez said that he was aware of Trump's conservative politics and shook his hand.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN BLASTS RICH MEN IN AMERICA AS CRITICS CALL OUT HIS BILLIONS
"He was very nice to me," Lopez recalled.
"He was very inquisitive and introduced me to Melania," he added, referring to Trump's wife, First Lady Melania Trump.
As he was heading out that day, Lopez recalled Trump pulled him aside and asked for a "big favor."
SPRINGSTEEN TELLS ICE TO 'GET THE F--- OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS,' SLAMS 'GESTAPO' TACTICS AT CONCERT
Lopez recalled that Trump then told him "‘Tell Bruce I’m his biggest fan.'"
Meanwhile, Trump recently called on his supporters to boycott Springsteen's "overpriced" new tour.
"Bad, and very boring singer, Bruce Springsteen, who looks like a dried up prune who has suffered greatly from the work of a really bad plastic surgeon, has long had a horrible and incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, sometimes referred to as TDS," the president wrote in a Truth Social post earlier this month.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN SLAMMED AS 'TRAITOR' AFTER RIPPING AMERICA DURING MINNEAPOLIS CONCERT RANT
He continued, "The guy is a total loser who spews hate against a President who won a Landslide Election, including the popular vote, all Seven Swing States, and 86% of the Counties across America."
Trump further claimed that under former President Joe Biden and Democrats, "our Country was DEAD, and now we have the ‘hottest’ Country, by far, anywhere in the World. MAGA SHOULD BOYCOTT HIS OVERPRICED CONCERTS, WHICH SUCK. SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. AMERICA IS BACK!!!"
While speaking with California Post, Lopez that he is "not against what Bruce is saying" and supports the 20-time Grammy Award winner's right to speak out.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN DROPS ANTI-ICE SONG AFTER MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTINGS
However, Lopez shared his view that politics shouldn’t divide Americans.
"Maybe when I was 20, I was a little more extreme, but I’m 77 now, so the extremities are gone," he said. "It’s so divided, the political part. It’s a tough one on me."
Lopez told the outlet that he remains optimistic about Trump’s policies.
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"I would love to see something good come out," he said.
Lopez also made it clear that there had been no personal falling out with Springsteen, saying that they are on "perfect" terms and occasionally keep in touch.
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"If he wants me to do something, he’ll call me," Lopez said.
"Sometimes it’s just because he hasn’t seen me for a while. And he’ll call me and say. ‘Hey, come around here,’" he continued. "And most of the time it’s terrible when I call him because it’s when one of our crew died and he doesn’t know that. That’s happening more and more."
While Lopez told the outlet that he doesn't plan on attending any of Springsteen and the E Street Band's concerts during their Land of Hope and Dreams tour, he said he went to one of their shows in Philadelphia a few years ago. However, he noted that he didn't interact with Springsteen.
"I don’t even think he knew I was there," the drummer said. "I was sitting over in the corner."