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US kills 3 alleged drug traffickers in another Eastern Pacific strike
The U.S. military carried out its third strike in days against suspected narco-terrorist targets in the Eastern Pacific, killing three men aboard an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in a lethal operation, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
The lethal kinetic strike targeted a vessel operated by what SOUTHCOM called Designated Terrorist Organizations, though it did not immediately provide additional details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved.
"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operation," SOUTHCOM said in a statement on X.
"Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action," the command said.
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No U.S. military forces were harmed during the operation, it added.
The latest strike comes after SOUTHCOM said the U.S. military conducted similar strikes in the Eastern Pacific earlier this week.
Two individuals believed to be involved in narcotics trafficking were killed in a strike on Monday, while four alleged narco-terrorists were killed in another strike on Tuesday, the command previously said.
The U.S. military has carried out dozens of strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations.
SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Republicans rip 4 blue states for keeping taxes on tips, overtime after Trump reprieve
Four Democrat-led states that rejected President Donald Trump's policy of no taxes on tips and overtime pay are getting called out by Republicans for going against efforts to increase affordability.
The governors of the three largest Democrat-run states, California, New York and Illinois, are continuing to tax tips and overtime against Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Colorado will require taxpayers to report how much is deducted federally so it can be added back for state taxes in future years.
"Gov. Hochul and Albany Democrats believe your money is their money: They are picking the pockets of waitresses, bartenders, and first responders who work overtime just to make ends meet in a state that already has the highest tax burden in the country," Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital.
"No wonder working people and jobs continue to flee New York in record numbers, and we’re consistently among the worst in outmigration every year."
AVERAGE TAX REFUND TOPS $3,700 MIDWAY THROUGH FILING SEASON, TREASURY SAYS
With "affordability" a key political issue, Republicans countered with a Tax Day narrative against the governors of those four blue states that are facing midterm gubernatorial campaigns, including Hochul, who is running for re-election and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who terms out this year.
"California Democrats talk a lot about making life more affordable, but when given the chance to let hardworking Californians keep more of what they earn, Gov. Newsom and the state legislature refused to update the state’s tax code," Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital.
"No tax on tips or overtime would provide real relief to service workers, first responders, and families across our state, and it’s disappointing to see Sacramento turn its back on them."
Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi says that while Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is running for re-election in the nation's third-largest blue state, he is really positioning himself for a 2028 presidential campaign on the agenda of obstructing Trump.
"Last year, President Trump delivered the largest tax cut in American history, putting millions of dollars back in the pockets of Americans; this commonsense legislation is good for Illinois, but wannabe president, JB Pritzker would rather slam the door shut on opportunity and relief, knowing full well that he supported and empowered Joe Biden's economic disaster," Salvi told Fox News Digital.
"The sad truth is that if President Trump is for it, JB Pritzker will always be against it."
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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who is termed out and among names potentially running in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, was called out by Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., for action to tax overtime pay in future years.
"As a former cop in Colorado, I know firsthand how important overtime pay is to first responders, blue-collar workers, and hardworking families across America — that’s why I was proud to stand with Republicans to deliver no tax on overtime at the federal level," Evans told Fox News Digital.
"But while we fought to give Coloradans relief, Gov. Polis and state Democrats held a special session to re-tax overtime pay, ensuring families never see the benefits they earned. The contrast couldn’t be clearer."
Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Hochul, Newsom, Pritzker and Polis for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
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While the governor's seats in those four blue states are likely safe due to deep Democratic voter registration advantages, down-ballot races do have a narrative to carry under the Trump banner and the no tax on tips or overtime policy.
The Senate Finance Committee charted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act "wins" in all 50 states, including those four blocked by Democratic leaders where there still remains a permanent 20% deduction for many small business owners and a $1,500 increase in the standard deduction for millions of families.
Justice Thomas warns progressivism is a threat to America in rare public remarks
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas issued a blistering critique of modern-day progressivism in a rare public speech on Wednesday, describing the modern political philosophy as a threat to America's founding principles.
Speaking to a packed auditorium of students and faculty at the University of Texas at Austin to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas, the Supreme Court's longest-serving justice, urged the nation to revisit the philosophical foundations of U.S. governance.
He said Wednesday that values embraced by the nation's founders have "fallen out of favor" in recent decades and urged younger generations to stand up for their principles.
"I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country, and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think," he told the audience.
"Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government," Thomas said Wednesday evening, drawing a direct line between contemporary political movements and what he described as a departure from the Constitution’s original meaning.
"It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from the government," Thomas said. "It requires of the people a subservience and weakness incompatible with a Constitution premised on the transcendent origin of our rights."
The conservative justice also lamented what he said was the growing prevalence of "cynicism, rejection, hostility and animus" in the U.S., and perpetuated "by Americans," and particularly, so-called "pragmatists" or self-described intellectuals.
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"They recast themselves as institutionalists, pragmatists or thoughtful moderates, all as a way of justifying their failures to themselves, their consciences, and their country," he said.
Thomas's remarks were part of a broader lecture series marking the Declaration’s 250th anniversary.
And though the tone of his remarks was somber, Thomas closed them with a soaring call to action, urging law students in the audience, and viewers watching the televised address at home, to have courage and stand up for their principles and ideals.
"In my view, we must find in ourselves that same level of courage that the signers of the Declaration have so that we can do for our future what they did for theirs," he said.
The durability of American democracy, Thomas added, depends on it.
"I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think," he said.
"If you think it's losing confidence, then you get up and you participate. You don't sit on the sidelines."
Frat house turns into crime scene after member allegedly sexually assaults woman, police say
A University of Arkansas student is facing multiple charges after allegedly strangling and raping a woman at a fraternity house along the edge of campus.
Crew Kvern, 19, was arrested on charges of rape, aggravated assault and third-degree battery in Washington County on April 12, according to jail records obtained by Fox News Digital.
An affidavit revealed that on March 17, Kvern and the unidentified victim allegedly met for the first time near Kvern’s workplace on Dickson Street, 5 News reported.
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The pair then reportedly moved to the University of Arkansas’ Kappa Sigma fraternity house, where Kvern lived at the time, authorities said.
Upon arriving at the home, authorities reportedly allege Kvern demanded sex from the victim.
When the victim refused to consent, Kvern allegedly slapped and punched her before raping her, according to the outlet.
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The victim reportedly told authorities that during the incident, Kvern allegedly put his hands around her neck repeatedly and made it difficult for her to breathe.
The unidentified woman also alleged that she was afraid to deny Kvern’s advances after he punched a door and told her "it would be easy for him to throw her to the floor and break her rib cage," the outlet reported.
Upon being interviewed by the school’s police department on March 20, Kvern reportedly told authorities the interaction was "totally consensual."
An affidavit revealed six people who were interviewed as part of the investigation corroborated the victim’s statements, according to 5 News.
A crime log also reportedly indicated additional accusations included terroristic threatening and false imprisonment.
The incident is only the latest in a string of reported rapes allegedly committed at campus residences during the ongoing academic year, according to 5 News.
Kvern was reportedly released on a $100,000 bond one day after his arrest. He is expected to appear in court on May 6.
The University of Arkansas, Kappa Sigma’s national chapter and Kvern’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Former Disney teen star exposes chilling warning signs of predatory behavior in Hollywood
Former boy band members Ricky Garcia and Lance Bass are shedding light on the dark side of the entertainment industry, warning that young artists are often targeted by predators who exploit fame, money and power.
Garcia, 28, who starred on the Disney show "Best Friends Whenever," was a member of the boy band Forever in Your Mind. Bass, 46, rose to global stardom alongside Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick as members of *NSYNC, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
Both singers appeared in the new Investigation Discovery docuseries "Boy Band Confidential," which explores the highs and lows of boy band fame.
"Boy Band Confidential" premiered April 13 and 14 on Investigation Discovery.
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During an interview with Fox News Digital at the docuseries' premiere, Garcia, who previously won a multi-million dollar sexual abuse lawsuit against his former manager, issued a warning about predatory behavior in show business.
"I think it's the number one focus that people in the industry should be aware of," he said. "It seems like it's all glitz and glamor to people, but the reality is there's people that are abusing others."
"They use power, money, fame — all of it," Garcia continued. "Like cars and houses and money."
"I think that is very enticing and people use that against somebody that's very vulnerable, very fresh in the industry so I would be on the lookout for that," he added.
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Garcia went on to say that artists examine their purpose for aspiring to careers in the entertainment industry.
"Like, 'Do you love the music or are you just trying to be famous?'" he said.
Reflecting on his own experience, Garcia identified early red flags for young artists and their families.
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"I think the warning signs particularly is being isolated or being treated special," he said. "I'm just speaking for myself too, that was my experience. I was very isolated and I was picked off and...I was treated very specially."
WATCH HERE: FORMER BOY BAND MEMBER RICKY GARCIA EXPOSES HOW PREDATORS TARGET YOUNG STARS IN THE INDUSTRY
"If somebody is just treating you super nice and doing the dinners and doing all the fancy things for you, I would say that's not a great sign," Garcia continued. "It feels good in the moment, but you have to think about, 'OK, why is this person treating you this way? I don't really know them, so there must be a hidden motive.'"
"It's hard, because you wanna trust people, you wanna love people, but there's always a hidden agenda, especially for agents and managers and there has to be a very clear boundary, I think, with family and parents and even guardians," he said. "You need to know who is your safe person to talk to. There has to be really big communication."
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While speaking with Fox News Digital, Bass also shared his advice for how people can protect themselves against potential predators.
"There's going to be predators everywhere no matter what business you're in — they are everywhere," he said. "So we have to be our own advocate for all of that — our family, our friends, our inner circle — we all have to be on the lookout for each other."
WATCH HERE: RICKY GARCIA SAYS NEW DOCUSERIES ‘BOY BAND CONFIDENTIAL’ REVEALS A DEEPER SIDE OF FAME
"Just rely on your family and your circle but just know that you're always — someone's always coming after you," Bass added. "No matter what it is — someone's coming after you."
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Bass, who shares twins Alexander and Violet with his husband Michael Turchin, also offered guidance for parents whose children want to pursue careers in the entertainment industry.
WATCH HERE: FORMER *NSYNC MEMBER LANCE BASS WARNS ‘PREDATORS ARE EVERYWHERE’ ACROSS THE INDUSTRIES
"Parents know that you're not the star," he said. "Listen to your kid, make sure that they are getting enough rest and also find an entertainment lawyer, not just a lawyer, an entertainment lawyer to protect yourself."
In 2019, Garcia filed a lawsuit against his former manager, Joby Harte, alleging he was groomed and sexually abused over several years beginning when he was 12-years-old. In court documents obtained by People magazine and the Hollywood Reporter at the time, Garcia stated that Harte sexually assaulted and raped him "dozens of times" while he was a teenager. Garcia also said that Harte groomed him to be a "sexual plaything that could be passed around his friends in the business."
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The case went to trial, and in March 2024, a Los Angeles jury found Harte liable for childhood sexual abuse, gender violence and intentional infliction of emotional misery. Garcia was awarded $5.5 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
While speaking with Fox News Digital, Garcia reflected on coming forward about the abuse he suffered and how he feels years after sharing his story.
"I think I'm stronger than ever, honestly," he said. "It wasn't even just me, it was people around me, my family, my friends, my wife, who were able to give me strength to be vocal about it. To put a perspective in place to where like, 'Hey, this is not just about you.' It's hard to share, but those are some of the most freeing things that you can do is opening up about just all the hard things — bad, good, ugly, all of it."
"And you gotta think about you're saving somebody's life," Garcia continued. "You're preventing somebody from going through what you've been through. So if you can save one person from going though that suffering, then I think you've won."
"Boy Band Confidential" also explores the legacy of disgraced manager Lou Pearlman, the talent manager behind some of the biggest boy bands including the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC.
Pearlman created and managed *NSYNC in the 1990s, maintaining control over the band's contracts, finances and career direction.
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In 1999, *NSYNC sued Pearlman for fraud, misrepresentation and financial exploitation, alleging they were underpaid while he took a disproportionate share of their earnings. The case was settled out of court, with Pearlman receiving a payment to release *NSYNC from their contract, and they later signed with Jive Records.
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In the early 2000s, Pearlman was accused of running a massive Ponzi scheme and he was charged with conspiracy, money laundering and making false claims in bankruptcy in 2007. Pearlman was later convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison, where he died in 2016 of cardiac arrest at the age of 62.
While speaking with Fox News Digital, Bass recalled how he and his fellow bandmates persevered in their efforts to break free from Pearlman's control.
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"I think all good usually rises to the top and, you know, you just had to wait for that moment," he said. "We had a lot of things thrown at us, a lot of wrenches in our career, but it only made us stronger, braver, and I don't think I'd be here today if I didn't go through that adversity."
The "Dancing with the Stars" alum also shared his thoughts on revisiting his experience with Pearlman during the height of *NSYNC's fame while participating in "Boy Band Confidential."
"Looking back at things, especially shows like this and I see old footage of myself — I hardly recognize myself," he said. "I mean, that was many years ago, but I do see in my eyes a lot of the struggle that I was going through, being put in a business like this and with the market that we had, it was a little joke on me."
Bass continued, "I see sadness, but also see a lot of happiness too of what I got to go through. I was so lucky to be able to be put in that position and come out of it like this. So I don't regret any of it."
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During his interview with Fox News Digital, Garcia reflected on what he hopes viewers of "Boy Band Confidential" take away from the docuseries.
"I think what I'm excited for the viewers to see is just a little more in-depth, maybe they're seeing some of their favorite artists get vulnerable, and I think we can all appreciate when somebody is willing to just break down the barriers and just open up about things that were really hard to share and even good things like the good memories," he said.
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"There's a vulnerability that I think a lot of the fans and the viewers, even including myself — I'm a fan and also an artist, and it's a beautiful thing," Garcia continued. "I'm just very excited to see the fans. I'm excited to see their reactions."
Bass, who told Fox News Digital that his former bandmate Fatone persuaded him to take part in the docuseries, said he hoped audiences would recognize that there were both negative and positive aspects to the boy band era.
"It's a great cautionary tale for anyone going into the music industry, especially at our age," he said. "And I hope this is gonna be more of a celebration of what we all went through."
"It's fun club that we all kind of joined, and it'll be nice to kind of see how everyone saw it as they grew up," Bass added.
Altman attack suspect referenced Luigi Mangione as copycat fears grow
A Texas man accused of firebombing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home referenced alleged killer Luigi Mangione in online messages months before the attack, as authorities warn of a potential copycat trend.
Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, suggested "Luigi’ing some tech CEOs" in an online exchange with producers of "The Last Invention" podcast, according to The Wall Street Journal, which reviewed screenshots of messages with the podcast producers. Mangione is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024.
Moreno-Gama recorded the interview in January, describing his shift from a self-described online enthusiast to an activist consumed by fears about artificial intelligence, the outlet reported.
He later downplayed the Mangione remarks and rejected violence.
"I understand the frustration with a person who might advocate for that, but it’s not practical," Moreno-Gama said, according to the outlet. "It’s not worth it," he added.
Moreno-Gama is accused of traveling from Texas to San Francisco in a planned attempt to kill Altman. Early Friday morning, he allegedly hurled a Molotov cocktail at Altman’s home, setting an exterior gate on fire before fleeing. No injuries were reported, and officials have not said whether Altman was home at the time.
Less than an hour later, investigators said Moreno-Gama arrived at OpenAI’s headquarters about three miles away, where he allegedly threatened to burn the building down and kill anyone inside. Surveillance video captured him throwing a chair at the glass doors, police said.
Authorities arrested him outside the building, where he was allegedly carrying a jug of kerosene, a lighter and writings expressing hostility toward artificial intelligence.
Sources familiar with the investigation previously told Fox News Digital the suspect had what they described as a manifesto, a multi-part document that included a list of AI executives and investors along with their names and addresses.
Moreno-Gama appeared in a San Francisco courtroom but did not enter a plea on multiple charges, including attempted murder. A judge granted a delay in his arraignment, and he is due back in court on May 5.
The reference comes amid growing fears of copycat incidents tied to Mangione.
In a separate case, a California man is accused of deliberately setting an April 7 fire that destroyed a 1.2 million-square-foot Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario.
Prosecutors said the suspect, Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, of Highland, invoked Mangione while filming the fire and complaining about wages. Abdulkarim has pleaded not guilty.
Brandi Glanville ends up in urgent care after trying viral TikTok trend
Brandi Glanville may think twice next time a TikTok trend comes around.
The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star admitted she wound up in urgent care after attempting a viral move to alleviate cold symptoms.
Glanville, 53, only sought medical attention for another reason: removing a clove of garlic from her ear.
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The reality star explained that her Easter was cut short due to a particularly pungent vegetable while chatting on her podcast, "Brandi Glanville Unfiltered with James Maas."
After Maas asked about a health update, Glanville revealed she's "great," but was in need of a new pillow for neck problems and had a particularly rough spring holiday.
"It was Easter and I got a piece of garlic stuck in my ear," Glanville confessed. "I had a little cold. Jake came over and he kept sneezing in my face."
Her 18-year-old son said he wasn't sick anymore, but mother knew best as she scolded him to "cover your mouth when you sneeze."
"And then I got his cold. And then on Easter, I didn't do anything because of my garlic in my ear," she said.
"Every time I tried to get it out, it really went down further, and I had to go to urgent care the next day and get it taken out."
She added, "I was just trying to clear my sinuses. It's online. Don't listen to people online or TikTok or Instagram or Twitter or Facebook."
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While the method wasn't effective for Brandi, her son Mason told her he "put it in his nostril and it helped him."
"I tried my nostril and it was burning too much, so I moved it to my ear. It was, like, burning my skin because I just lasered it."
Glanville previously shared that she believed she picked up a parasite after visiting Morocco in 2023. She suffered from facial paralysis and initially was diagnosed with stress-induced angioedema.
After the initial diagnosis, she suspected she contracted a parasite in Morocco and said she could feel it moving within her face.
Glanville previously told Fox News Digital that while no one had figured out what was truly wrong with her disfigured face, doctors had suggested "that it could be a parasite, but they're not sure."
Following a stressful move in October 2023, she was hospitalized after collapsing at home.
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"My whole face swelled up; my throat closed, and my son called 911," Glanville said. "I was in the hospital for a few days, and they said it was stress-induced angioedema, and I just didn't believe it."
Angioedema "is a reaction similar to hives that affects deeper layers of the skin. It can appear with hives or alone," according to the Mayo Clinic. Her symptoms remained, and in fact became worse. Glanville wasn't convinced angioedema was the problem, and put her health at the forefront of her mind in pursuit of an answer.
In February, the reality star discovered that her 20-year-old ruptured breast implants were to blame for her medical issues.
Prior to the revelation, Glanville admitted she spent more than $70,000 in an attempt to find an answer to the medical mystery that consumed her everyday experience and disfigured her face.
Didn’t file your taxes on time? Here’s what a tax expert says you should do next
If you missed the April 15 tax deadline, the clock is already ticking on penalties and interest — but there are still steps you can take to reduce the damage.
Experts say taxpayers should file immediately, even if they can’t pay their full bill, and pay as much as they can to avoid the steepest penalties. Those who still owe can apply for a payment plan to manage the remaining balance.
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The IRS says most applicants receive immediate approval or denial when applying for a payment plan online.
"You can still file your return and at least eliminate the failure-to-file penalty, which can reach up to 25% of any tax owed, with interest compounding," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Services.
The IRS can impose multiple penalties, including failure-to-file, failure-to-pay and underpayment penalties, which are assessed separately and can accrue interest daily, Steber said.
He added that consulting a tax professional early can help taxpayers navigate their options and potentially reduce the total cost.
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"In many cases, the total cost — including taxes, penalties, interest and professional fees — ends up being higher than if you had sought help earlier," Steber said.
"The worst thing you can do is ignore the deadline," he added. "Many people think they’ll deal with it later, but that can lead to mounting penalties and unnecessary financial risk."
Filing as soon as possible and exploring IRS payment options can help taxpayers regain control of their situation and minimize added costs.
Steber said taxpayers should view filing as part of a long-term financial strategy, not just a once-a-year obligation.
"Your tax return is one of your largest financial transactions each year," he said. "Giving it proper attention can pay dividends over time."
Republicans bet higher tax refunds will boost midterm chances as blue states resist relief
Republicans are betting tax cuts they championed will be a difference-maker in November’s midterm elections amid a rise in refunds this filing season.
But Republicans still face a key challenge — convincing voters to credit them for the tax relief when they head to the ballot box.
"You can talk about it, but you’ve got to feel it and that's what's going to happen," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital in an interview on Wednesday, referring to the slate of new tax breaks signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025.
"We believe by the time of the midterms, people are not only going to be talking about it, they are going to feel it," Emmer insisted.
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As they look to defend their slim House majority, the GOP is ramping up its messaging to promote the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as the Working Families Tax Cuts. Republicans spent Tax Day on Wednesday touting larger refunds this year while highlighting Democratic lawmakers’ opposition to the tax bill that passed with solely GOP votes.
The average refund this year is over $3,400, amounting to an 11% increase compared to last tax season, according to data released by the Internal Revenue Service on Wednesday.
Republicans have pointed to those returns as early proof their tax policy is reaching voters’ wallets.
A vast swath of Americans is also benefiting from new tax cuts that Trump first floated on the 2024 campaign trail.
More than 53 million tax filers claimed new deductions for tips, overtime pay, automobile loans or being over the age of 65, according to the Treasury Department. Some are also receiving a larger child tax credit and relief for state and local taxes.
"When you're seeing it in your tax return, when you're seeing it in your paycheck, when you're actually able to feel that, I think that's going to make a difference to put us in a good spot for 2026," Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., said Wednesday.
Democrats, however, argue those benefits may not be enough to overcome Americans' broader economic concerns.
The party is voicing increasing confidence it will retake House control and put the Senate in play this November, citing voter discontent about cost-of-living issues and Trump’s declining approval ratings. Republicans must also overcome the trend of the party in power shedding seats during a midterm year.
"A lot of people want to count us out in November," Emmer said during a GOP messaging event highlighting the new tax benefits on Wednesday. "We're going to be just fine, because we’ve got a great map in the House. We’ve got great candidates across the country."
AVERAGE TAX REFUND TOPS $3,700 MIDWAY THROUGH FILING SEASON, TREASURY SAYS
Democrats have largely opposed the tax cuts, arguing they disproportionately benefit corporations and the wealthy.
But Republicans say working Americans and small businesses will see a smaller tax bill this year as a result of their policies.
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman told Fox News Digital that the overtime deduction has been a "morale booster" for law enforcement putting in extra hours.
More than 25 million Americans have claimed the new tax break with an average deduction of more than $3,100, according to the IRS.
Republicans are also highlighting a slate of business tax breaks, which beneficiaries argue could boost job growth and provide economic benefits to their community.
"It gave me the certainty and the confidence to go out and make capital investments," Courtney Silver, who owns a machine shop in North Carolina and invested more than $1 million in equipment following the passage of the tax bill, told Fox News Digital.
"For everything we invested in, we need to create those new positions on our team," Silver added.
The United States could have shed nearly 6 million jobs if Republicans had failed to extend the 2017 tax cuts through the party’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.
Still, seven in 10 Americans say their taxes are too high, the highest dissatisfaction in more than two decades, according to a recent Fox News poll.
Some Democratic-led states have notably refused to conform to the new federal tax breaks enacted by Republicans, citing concern about their impact on state revenue. GOP lawmakers have argued it’s an attempt by Democrats to prevent voters from feeling the tax relief passed by Republicans.
"I've got a governor that refuses and a Democrat-controlled legislature that refuses to do tax compliance, so I'm not getting the benefit, nor is any other Minnesotan," Emmer said, referring to the average increase in returns. "That’s a game changer and my state’s not getting that."
Trump is heading to Nevada and Arizona beginning Thursday to highlight his "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime" policies as he goes to bat for Republicans to help them keep their bicameral congressional majority in this year's midterm elections.
Mamdani's wife 'truly sorry' for controversial anti-Israel social media posts
Rama Duwaji, wife to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, apologized for old social media posts that included racial slurs and celebrations of Palestinian terrorists in an interview published Wednesday.
Duwaji, a Texas-born Syrian-American, expressed her regret for language she used in old social media messages during an interview with online publication Hyperallergic, her first public interview since her husband became mayor in January.
"When a tabloid recently published old tweets I wrote as a teenager, I felt a lot of shame being confronted with language I used that is so harmful to others; being 15 doesn’t excuse it," she told the outlet.
In March, the Washington Free Beacon published an expose revealing a number of Duwaji's old posts on X, formerly Twitter, and the blogging website Tumblr.
The posts included celebrations of U.S.-designated terrorist groups and individuals who had committed acts of terror. In March 2015, when Duwaji was 17, an X account the Washington Free Beacon connected to Duwaji reposted a photo of Shadia Abu Ghazaleh with a caption that extolled her as a resistance fighter.
Ghazaleh was a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S. and globally-designated terrorist group. Revered as a martyr in Palestine, many pro-Palestinians laud her for participating in a bombing of an Israeli bus. Ghazaleh died in 1968 when a bomb she had planned to use on a building in Tel Aviv exploded in her home.
Another Duwaji post the Free Beacon unearthed showed her allegedly using a racial slur.
And another post appeared to show her using a derogatory word for gay people.
According to the Beacon's investigation, she allegedly reposted another user saying that the Israeli city Tel Aviv "shouldn't even exist in the first place."
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"I’ve read and seen a lot of what others have had to say in response, and I understand the hurt I caused and am truly sorry," Duwaji told Hyperallergic. "My focus isn’t on being a public figure, but continuing my work with care and responsibility, and allowing my art to speak for itself."
The X account associated with Duwaji was deleted shortly after the Beacon published their investigation. Her Wednesday apology appears to be her first public acknowledgment of the posts.
An artist by trade, Duwaji has been an outspoken critic of Israel during her husband's political career. In February, just one month after Mamdani's inauguration, Duwaji came under fire for contributing an illustration to an essay about a Gaza refugee camp written by an author who celebrated the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
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Susan Abulhawa, the author of the essay attached to Duwaji's illustration, called Hamas' October 7 terrorist attack at a music festival in Israel that killed more than 1,200 people "a spectacular moment that shocked the world." She has also referred to Israelis as "rootless, soulless ghouls" and "Jewish supremacist demons" in social media posts that are still active.
Mamdani condemned the comments and claimed Duwaji contributed the illustration through a third party service.
"I think that that rhetoric is patently unacceptable. I think it's reprehensible," he said in March. "And as is common for freelance illustrators, the First Lady was commissioned to illustrate an excerpt of a book by a third party. She has never engaged with or met with the author, nor had she seen the tweets that you're referring to."
Fox News Digital contacted a representative of Mayor Mamdani for comment but did not immediately receive a response.