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Deshaun Watson throws interception five snaps into 2026 season as Browns get off to rough start
It did not take long for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to commit his first turnover of the 2026 season.
The Browns received the ball first against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon. With the sun shining down in Florida, Watson was moving the ball up the field with relative ease. He completed a 14-yard pass and a 9-yard pass on his first two throws.
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Cleveland was all the way up to the Jaguars’ 33-yard line on its first four plays of the game. Then, disaster struck.
Watson dropped back to pass and didn’t appear to see Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun dropping back into coverage. Oluokun intercepted Watson and brought the ball back to the Jaguars’ 41-yard line.
It’s definitely not the start Watson would have hoped for amid a tumultuous few weeks.
Browns fans booed Watson during the preseason and sparked terse remarks from the quarterback.
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"It's a disrespectful thing," Watson said of the fan reaction in August. "So, yeah, I mean, I'm going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that.
"Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt. So what does that have to do with anything about performance when a person gets hurt, especially for your own city? And they cheer."
Watson admitted he lost his cool in the moment and apologized for his remarks.
The comments still cast a dark cloud over the Browns going into the 2026 season. Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan said on ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown" that the Browns should have benched Watson.
"No way would I have started him," he said. "No way. In fact, I would have cut him. I mean, that press conference right there. There's no more important thing than that fan base. No way in hell. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing."
Shedeur Sanders is waiting in the wings to take over if things go really awry for Watson.
After the Cleveland turnover, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence found a diving Parker Washington for a 30-yard touchdown to go up early in the first quarter.
Arrest rips apart media narrative on death of Black woman found hanging from Mississippi tree
Mississippi authorities have arrested a 51-year-old local man on a murder charge following an official homicide ruling in the death of Tasia Fortune, a 29-year-old Black mother of four who was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home last month.
The arrest follows weeks of intense media attention and widespread online discussion regarding the circumstances surrounding Fortune’s death in a state with a historic legacy of racialized violence. But law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect taken into custody is Jarques Ratliff, a Black Jackson resident who had a prior personal connection with Fortune.
Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney announced during a Saturday news conference that Ratliff was taken into custody without incident while walking along Capitol Street in Jackson, shortly after officers executed search warrants at related properties. Chief Brackney emphasized that while the arrest marks a significant breakthrough, the investigation remains active and additional arrest warrants are expected to be served as detectives follow further leads.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., last week warned of "racial terror" and "widespread modern-day lynchings" in the U.S. as she joined dozens of Democrats demanding that the Department of Justice investigate hanging deaths of Black Americans.
Fortune’s body was discovered Aug. 3 in the backyard of a vacant property in the 500 block of Road of Remembrance in Jackson. Although investigators logged hundreds of hours interviewing nearly 15 individuals and reviewing physical evidence over the past month, formal arrest warrants could not be executed until the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office officially classified Fortune’s death as a homicide late Thursday. Once that classification was handed down, members of the Jackson Police Department's robbery-homicide unit moved swiftly to secure and execute two search warrants alongside the arrest warrant for Ratliff.
Addressing public interest in the case, Chief Brackney acknowledged the heightened scrutiny but stressed that law enforcement remains strictly guided by verifiable physical evidence rather than external speculation. She noted that authorities understood public concern given Mississippi's history, but stated the department is bound to ensure all public statements are backed by forensic facts.
"We understand that this case has received media attention from across the globe and across the community. We understand the questions and the desire for answers given Mississippi's history," Brackney said. "We understand this case is being viewed through a broader lens – a global lens – and we do not dismiss those concerns. We are taking them seriously. At the same time, we do have a responsibility to make sure that what we say publicly is supported by our evidence and the facts."
Brackney also directly clarified that law enforcement had never officially designated any persons of interest prior to Ratliff’s arrest, refuting social media reports that a 65-year-old man had previously been identified as a suspect.
COPS DROP MURDER PROBE AFTER CORONER RULES MAN’S BLOODY STABBING DEATH WAS FREAK ACCIDENT
Fortune's mother, Christy Spivey, said police promptly notified her family of the homicide ruling and Ratliff's arrest on Friday. Spivey expressed gratitude for the police work and reiterated her firm belief that her daughter did not die by suicide, adding that Fortune would never take her own life.
According to family members and an online obituary published in Kentucky, Fortune grew up in Kentucky, skipped her junior year of high school, and was a star cross-country runner guided by strong religious faith before relocating to Jackson a decade ago. Spivey noted that her daughter had experienced homelessness in recent years but was actively working to launch a cleaning business and stabilize her life prior to her death.
Ratliff is being held at the Hinds County Detention Center on a charge of murder. According to Mississippi State Defender André de Gruy, Ratliff is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Jackson Municipal Court no later than Monday morning, where formal charges will be read and bond conditions set. Police have not publicly detailed the specific physical evidence linking Ratliff to the scene, nor have they expanded on the exact nature of his personal association with Fortune as investigators prepare for further potential arrests.
Trump tells Zelenskyy to stop doing 'one thing' during attacks on Russia
President Donald Trump has a blunt message for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Kyiv continues targeting Russia: Stop hitting its diesel refineries.
Trump made the remarks Sunday while attending the Irish Open at his golf club in Doonbeg, Ireland, after a reporter asked whether he had spoken with Zelenskyy following a recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," Trump told reporters.
Trump said Ukraine could continue pursuing other targets inside Russia but urged Zelenskyy to steer clear of the country’s diesel infrastructure.
"Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel because he's causing a shortage of diesel," Trump said. "This isn't done by the Middle East. This is done by what's happening with Russia and Ukraine."
The president said he had already spoken directly with Zelenskyy about the issue.
"So we spoke to Mr. Zelensky about it. There are plenty of other targets," Trump said. "Don't hit diesel fuel because that's hurting the world. We don't want him to hit diesel fuel. He's hitting diesel refineries."
WATCH: FIGHTS BREAK OUT AT RUSSIAN GAS STATIONS AS PUTIN ADMITS FUEL SHORTAGES
Trump’s remarks come as Ukraine has targeted Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure with long-range strikes, part of Kyiv’s effort to hamper an industry that provides revenue and fuel for Moscow’s war effort. Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.
The strikes have put pressure on Russia’s fuel supplies, prompting rationing in parts of the country and a Russian ban on diesel exports in July. The disruption has also added pressure to global diesel supplies, which have faced additional strain amid reduced oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Diesel prices in the U.S. climbed above an average of $6 per gallon on Friday, reaching a record high.
Russia has intensified its aerial attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, including strikes involving ballistic missiles and drones, while Ukraine has continued targeting sites inside Russia.
Russian and Ukrainian officials reported another round of large-scale drone attacks overnight into Sunday, with casualties reported on both sides.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump team unloads on liberal journalist over Natalie Harp posts: ‘Sick, deluded freak’
The Trump administration blasted liberal journalist Aaron Rupar on Saturday after he highlighted White House executive assistant Natalie Harp accompanying President Donald Trump on his trip to Ireland, extending weeks of scrutiny surrounding the 35-year-old aide that began after Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff invoked her name during a campaign speech.
The White House-run Rapid Response 47 account responded directly after Rupar posted a photo of Harp during the president's trip and captioned it, "Look who made the trip to Ireland!" with his recurring #TravelWithNatalie hashtag.
"President Trump does, in fact, travel with staff. Aaron, on the other hand, is a sick, deluded freak (in his 40s) who sits behind a keyboard and posts creepy things like this," the account shared.
CNN, MS NOW HAVE MENTIONED TRUMP AIDE NATALIE HARP HUNDREDS OF TIMES SINCE OSSOFF'S VIRAL JAB
Rupar has repeatedly highlighted Harp's appearances alongside Trump in recent weeks and used #TravelWithNatalie, including posts about her traveling with the president and one referring to what he called Trump's "gigantic diaper bag." His focus followed Osoff's remark last month that propelled the White House staffer into extensive cable-news coverage.
"The taxpayer-funded White House incitement account is now attacking me for [checks notes] being in my 40s", shared on X in response to the Rapid Response 47 post.
NewsBusters Executive Editor Tim Graham told Fox News Digital on Sunday that Rupar’s continued use of the travel reference was deliberately playing off the controversy generated by Ossoff’s original remark.
"Rupar knows he is trolling for the Trump haters. The whole 'travels with Natalie' line is toying with the original Ossoff affair smear," Graham said.
OBAMA STRATEGIST TURNS ON RISING DEM STAR OVER VIRAL TRUMP ATTACK: 'GRATUITOUS AND UNNECESSARY'
The attention surrounding Harp began after Sen. Ossoff, D-Ga., invoked her by first name while criticizing Trump during a campaign speech. Conservatives interpreted Ossoff's remarks as insinuating an inappropriate relationship between Trump and Harp, an interpretation Ossoff later rejected.
Ossoff made the reference while accusing Trump of being more interested in personal pursuits than carrying out presidential duties.
"He doesn’t want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the emir of Qatar," Ossoff said.
HOUSE DEM'S 'LAKE NATALIE' JAB AT TRUMP AIDE SETS SOCIAL MEDIA ABLAZE: 'STAY CLASSY'
Fox News Digital reached out to Rupar, the White House and Ossoff for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Ossoff later faced questions from MS Now host Jen Psaki about why he specifically named Harp. He denied suggesting an affair and instead said his reference was about the advisors surrounding Trump.
"Well, I've heard this particular aide referred to as his security blanket, and I think we could say that about any number of the senior aides in the White House," Ossoff said.
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The White House responded forcefully to Ossoff’s initial remarks, defending Harp as one of Trump’s top aides.
"Natalie Harp is one of the most loyal and hardest working aides on President Trump's team. Jon Ossoff is a cringeworthy, feminine theatre kid cosplaying as Barack Obama. Nobody gives a s--- what this lightweight loser says," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
In August, Fox News Digital reported that CNN and MS NOW had mentioned Harp hundreds of times in the days following Ossoff's remarks, after CNN alone had mentioned her at least 132 times by Aug. 19.
Graham previously told Fox News Digital that the coverage surrounding Harp was failing to address what he considered the "fundamental question" about why her routine presence alongside the president had become a major media story.
Popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs linked to potentially deadly brain disorder
Researchers are warning about a rare but potentially life-threatening brain condition that may be linked to popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications.
A new study, published in Clinical Nutrition, identified 15 reported cases of Wernicke encephalopathy, a neurological disorder caused by severe vitamin B1 deficiency, in people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Most of the reported cases involved semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, or tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound.
DOCTORS REVEAL HIDDEN DANGER FOR SOME OZEMPIC, WEGOVY USERS WITH BRAIN DISORDERS
Researchers found 15 cases through the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), published medical literature and their own medical center.
Most patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms or nutritional issues, including weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite or malnutrition, the study noted.
Reports of the disorder appeared more often among people taking GLP-1 medications than among those taking other drugs, the researchers found. They emphasized, however, that the study cannot prove the medications caused the condition.
Vitamin B1 plays an important role in brain function, the researchers said. Severe deficiencies can cause confusion, trouble walking, balance problems and vision changes. If left untreated, the condition can lead to permanent neurological damage or death.
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Karthik Achari, a Chicago-based clinician and founder of PepMD who was not involved in the study, said the findings should be viewed in perspective.
"Researchers went through adverse event reports and the medical literature and found a small number of cases, 15, of Wernicke encephalopathy in people taking GLP-1 drugs," Achari told Fox News Digital. "That's out of millions of people on these medications. So this is rare."
"But it's real, it's serious, and the mechanism makes sense," he added.
GLP-1 medications can reduce appetite while also causing nausea and vomiting, making it easier for some people to become deficient in vitamin B1, Achari said.
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"The drug shrinks your appetite. It doesn't shrink your body's requirements," he said. "You can now eat very little without feeling it, which is the point of the medication, but your need for protein, vitamins, and fluids didn't go anywhere."
People with persistent nausea and vomiting, those losing weight very quickly while eating little, people with a history of bariatric surgery and those who use alcohol heavily may face a higher risk, Achari said.
Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based nutritionist and author of "The Sleepdemic Solution," said proper nutrition and hydration should be considered part of treatment while taking GLP-1 medications.
"GLP-1 medications can dramatically reduce appetite, but that also means people may unintentionally under-eat the very things their bodies need most, especially protein, fiber and fluids," she told Fox News Digital.
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Palinski-Wade said ongoing vomiting or diarrhea can increase the risk of dehydration and kidney problems. She urged patients to seek medical guidance if those symptoms continue for roughly 24 hours.
"Don't assume every side effect is just part of being on a GLP-1," Palinski-Wade said. "Severe or persistent symptoms deserve attention."
The researchers acknowledged that the study relied largely on reports submitted to the FDA and cannot prove GLP-1 medications caused the condition. They called for additional research, and experts said patients should not stop taking prescribed GLP-1 medications based on these findings alone.
Fox News Digital reached out to Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and the researchers for comment.
Cruise passengers erupt over 'rude' luggage habit that sharply divides travelers
Cruise passengers are debating a heated topic among vacation travelers who take to the ocean.
Does bringing luggage into crowded ship elevators cross a major etiquette line, especially on hectic disembarkation mornings?
Those carrying their own bags often depend on elevators to move between decks as thousands of passengers prepare to leave the ship. Now, social media posts are fueling a broader argument over whether squeezing suitcases into packed elevators is practical or just plain rude.
OUTRAGED CRUISE PASSENGERS SOUND OFF ABOUT ‘IMMENSE DISAPPOINTMENT’ AFTER ABRUPT CANCELLATION
Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert based in Texas, said passengers can bring luggage into elevators, though they should be considerate of the limited space.
"When it comes to traveling, space is a priority," Gottsman told Fox News Digital. "You always have to think about the people that are going to be around you."
Gottsman said passengers can leave larger suitcases outside their cabin the night before for crew members to collect.
"When possible, it's always best to keep your suitcases to a minimum when getting on a crowded cruise ship elevator," she said.
MAJOR AIRLINE ROASTS PASSENGERS WHO JUMP UP RIGHT AFTER LANDING, IGNITING FIERCE BACKLASH
Passengers who prefer to carry their own luggage can do so, she added, but should be prepared to manage it themselves.
Cruise lines also have their own procedures for handling bags.
Carnival Cruise Line states on its website that checked baggage service during embarkation ends two hours before a ship's scheduled sailing time.
"Guests arriving after this time will be responsible for taking their bags on board," the cruise line states.
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Planning ahead is especially important on busy embarkation and disembarkation days, Gottsman said.
"We know when we're getting off a cruise ship, it's going to be busy," she said. "Everyone is getting off the same cruise ship. So you have to plan in advance."
She advised passengers to let others exit before boarding and wait for another elevator if one is already packed.
"Don't just charge on with your luggage," Gottsman said.
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Passengers with mobility issues should also be given priority, while those with extra luggage should be prepared to wait, she added.
The issue recently surfaced on Reddit after a first-time cruiser said the traveler and partner were scoffed at by another passenger while taking an elevator from Deck 14 to Deck 5 with their rolling suitcases.
Many cruisers defended the couple — arguing that elevators are often the most practical option for passengers carrying luggage across multiple decks.
"I always hand-roll my luggage off. I always use the elevator," one Reddit user wrote. "I'm not hauling my bags up and down stairs."
Another commenter asked, "How else would you get your luggage down that many decks?"
Said another person, "People find any reason to complain [about] a ship elevator. My mom was on a scooter [due to] her bad back/knees, and people were so rude to her at the elevators."
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Yet another person chimed in, "The rudeness always seems higher on disembarkation day. You didn’t do anything wrong. I would only use the stairs if it was a flight or two just to save time, otherwise I would definitely use it."
Other cruisers said bringing luggage into an elevator is fine as long as passengers remain considerate of those around them.
"You can absolutely use the elevators, just be cognizant of others and make space when you can," one commenter wrote.
Some disagreed, arguing that using the ship's luggage service can make departure easier for everyone.
"The whole point of the luggage delivery is to make it easier for everyone," one person wrote.
Cruise industry experts projected a worldwide increase in the number of people taking to the ocean this year — breaking last year’s record, The Associated Press reported several months ago.
In an April report released by the Cruise Lines International Association, an estimated 38.3 million people were projected to travel on ships this year — a number that's 4% higher than last year’s 37.2 million record-breaking number of passengers.
Election chaos in this red state just got even stranger for Republicans after Supreme Court ruling
Republicans suffered a fresh blow in Missouri after the Supreme Court blocked a congressional map that could have helped the GOP gain another House seat in November.
The ruling, handed down last week, means Missouri will use its 2022 congressional map instead of the new boundaries backed by President Donald Trump and Missouri Republicans.
Missouri held its August primary under the new map, meaning candidates won their party nominations based on one set of district boundaries. But those boundaries will change before the November election, when Missouri is expected to return to its 2022 map.
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Typically, states redraw their congressional and state legislative districts once every decade after the Census to account for population changes and ensure that each district has roughly the same number of residents.
The new map would have shifted parts of Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City district into more Republican-leaning areas, making the seat more competitive.
Republicans hoped the changes would help them win seven of Missouri’s eight House seats in the November midterm elections. The GOP currently holds six of the state’s eight seats, while Democrats hold two.
Missouri must now use the 2022 map, which keeps Cleaver’s district more favorable to Democrats.
The Supreme Court’s decision came after more than a year of legal battles over which congressional map Missouri should use.
Missouri held its August primary under the new map, but the state will use its 2022 district boundaries for the November general election. That means some voters could be assigned to a different congressional district in November than the one in which they voted during the primary.
The change could affect more than 1 million voters, or nearly one-fourth of Missouri’s electorate, according to an Associated Press estimate.
The conflicting court orders have added to the confusion, with the November election just weeks away. Candidates and election officials must now adjust to the 2022 boundaries.
The Supreme Court did not explain its reasoning in the brief order.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis speaks out on Caitlin Clark's impact on growth of World Cup
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis addressed the impact of Caitlin Clark and other new young players playing in the World Cup for the first time on the tournament's growth and visibility.
Zagklis, speaking at a press conference before the World Cup Final against France, called Clark one of the biggest stars of her generation and predicted that the popularity of the women's basketball players could surpass the men's at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"I think what these players, Caitlin, one of them, have done in increasing the popularity of the women's game is incredible. We should feel very proud about them. And I can tell you, me and my team have been supportive of what USA Basketball and each and every national member federation coming into the World Cup had planned for their promotion. And we tried to amplify that experience. They themselves, the players said this is a unique moment for them," Zagklis said.
"So while I may not be able to quantify the answer and give you exact numbers, but our team perhaps can do that after the tournament, I can tell you that the popularity of our women's game, of Caitlin as one of the biggest stars, not the biggest star of this generation has done. We see this with Iyana Martin from Spain, MVP of the under-19 in 2023. And she signed a big sponsorship agreement herself just with a FIBA partner two days before the tournament.
"So players around the world are picking up these opportunities. And I'm extremely proud of them. And I can tell you, I do believe that in the Los Angeles Olympics, our female players may be at the same or even higher level of popularity than many of our former male players. And this is not a criticism to anybody. It's just a result of the collective growth of the game. And we're proud for both the male and female players that we have to admit have made our sport as global as it is today."
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Clark has become one the biggest storylines of this year's tournament, and has done so without even starting a game.
Clark has come off the bench in each of Team USA's five wins, alongside fellow young stars Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, as coach Kara Lawson has opted to play the veteran starters in all five of the U.S. wins.
Still, Clark has been among the tournament's top performers.
The 24-year-old guard has clocked just over 20 minutes per game, placing her among the team's most utilized players. In those minutes, she has proven to be an elite facilitator, currently ranking third in the entire World Cup with 5.8 assists per game.
Her playmaking was most obvious in the team's opening victory over China, where she immediately accelerated the American offense to the tune of 14 points and a record-setting 11 assists without committing a single turnover.
Viral video shows bystanders warning elderly man who has no clue he's being followed by a huge black bear
An elderly man had what has been labeled a "close call" with a black bear, although he wasn’t initially aware of the fact that a bear was following him as he shuffled down the sidewalk. Not until it was pointed out to him.
The video of the man, the bear, and the bystanders pointing out that he's being followed was posted on Instagram by Quail guy. It has more than 35 million views and when you see how close the bear is to the man you understand why.
The man, reportedly in British Columbia, is shuffling along on a sidewalk holding a bag minding his own business. He walks by a black bear seemingly not even noticing that it's just feet from him.
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Bystanders across the street try to warn him that the rather large bear is behind him and appears to be following him. After he realizes what they're saying, the man turns and looks at the bear, then picks up the pace as he continues walking.
And by picking up the pace, I mean he goes from almost standing still to actually standing still before taking off, probably as fast as he can shuffle his feet.
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The concerned group of bystanders did what they set out to do. They warned the man. They were loud enough to get the bear to turn around, and they didn’t step foot off of the sidewalk from across the street.
Another potential disaster avoided. The old man presumably made it the rest of the way home without unknowingly wandering into another close call with nature or anything else.
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Just as important was someone documenting it all on video. You hope for the best in that type of situation, but if it does go sideways, you have some game film to study and learn from.
Obama privately sounds alarm on ‘dangerous’ AI, urges Democrats to put issue at center of agenda
Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats during a private fundraiser in New York City on Thursday to place artificial intelligence near the center of their political agenda ahead of the midterms and 2028 presidential race while warning that the technology could become dangerous without greater oversight as voters increasingly raise concerns about jobs, privacy and data centers.
Obama, speaking alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., warned party donors and lawmakers that policymakers risk losing control of an industry developing largely in private hands, The New York Times reported.
"This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think can be dangerous," Obama said. "If we do get on top of it, I do think it’s beneficial. I genuinely think it’s going to accelerate, for example, drug development in ways that can help us cure diseases. I do think that this can help us figure out pathways for a clean energy future."
RNC member and Humans First Chairwoman Amy Kremer told Fox News Digital on Sunday that she agreed policymakers need to recognize both AI’s benefits and risks, but pushed back on turning greater authority over to the federal government or technology companies.
FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SEE AI REGULATION AS URGENT, RANK SAFEGUARDS AHEAD OF INNOVATION
"You don't have to agree on politics to recognize reality: AI is moving incredibly fast, and policymakers need to understand both the opportunities and the very real risks that come with it," Kremer told Fox News Digital. "Where I likely disagree with President Obama is on what government should do about it. The answer isn't handing Washington bureaucrats more control, and it certainly isn't allowing Big Tech to write the rules that govern itself."
"We need guardrails that protect Americans while allowing American innovation to lead the world. That means protecting children, workers and our national security, while making sure China doesn't win the AI race," she continued.
Obama's warning comes as Fox News Digital polling found substantial voter resistance to the infrastructure powering the AI boom.
A July Fox News poll found 70% of registered voters opposed construction of AI data centers in their communities, compared with 30% who supported them.
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The debate has also divided Republicans as data centers become a more prominent midterm issue. Several Republican candidates have called for limits or pauses on new projects despite President Donald Trump's support for expanding data-center development.
At the closed-door fundraiser, Obama directly urged Jeffries to prepare Democrats to make AI policy a public issue if the party takes control of the House.
"Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation," Obama said.
Obama also urged prospective 2028 presidential candidates to develop a "very clear plan" for AI and make the technology one of their "central agendas," according to the partial transcript provided by his office to The New York Times. He identified potential job displacement and effects on children among the issues candidates should address.
Public anxiety extends beyond data centers. An April Fox News poll found 63% of voters believed AI hurts privacy, while 56% said it hurts U.S. job creation. Just 21% said the technology helps job creation.
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Trump has emphasized rapid AI development and maintaining the United States' competitive position against China. His administration unveiled its first national AI policy framework in March, calling for a consistent national standard while addressing issues including free speech, child safety and energy costs.
"The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor," Trump said.
Concerns about AI accelerated again Saturday when Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for slowing the development race, warning that advances could outpace humans' ability to understand and control the systems. Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman subsequently expressed support for Amodei's call.
Jeffries backed Obama’s call for action and sought to draw a contrast with Republicans.
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"President Obama is correct that decisive action must be taken on artificial intelligence," Jeffries said, adding that "Republicans have abdicated their responsibility to govern on behalf of the American people. We will not repeat their error."
House Democrats are already developing an AI policy framework that is expected to be released this fall after review by Jeffries, according to The New York Times.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Palantir for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.