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Dems' leftward lurch gets legs as El-Sayed's Michigan Senate victory sparks party debate
DETROIT, MI - Abdul El-Sayed's victory over moderate Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan's high-stakes Democratic Senate primary is a massive boost for the party's left-wing in its ideological battle with the center-left establishment.
The win called Wednesday morning gives instant ammunition to Republicans aiming to flip a crucial battleground Senate seat the Democrats must hold as part of their midterm push to win back control of the chamber.
Republican nominee former Rep. Mike Rogers, in a Fox News Digital interview ahead of the primary, argued that El-Sayed is "way too extreme for Michigan. I mean, Abdul, he has his own special sauce of crazy."
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El-Sayed is a far-left figure backed by progressive champions and socialists like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other members of the Squad. He beat Stevens, an establishment Democrat, by 1% when the race was called by AP with 99% of the vote counted on Wednesday morning.
A former Wayne County Health Department director, El-Sayed, if elected in November, would make history as the nation's first Muslim senator. He is an epidemiologist who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018. He has made support for "Medicare-for-all" a major component of his campaign.
He has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and is a vocal critic of Israel amid its war with Hamas — even characterizing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians. El-Sayed, who served as a top surrogate on Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, has also vowed not to accept PAC donations.
El-Sayed's primary election victory has some wondering if the party of the late Rep. John Dingell, who was famously known as the "Dean of the House" during his historic tenure in Congress, and his wife Rep. Debbie Dingell, the current dean of the Michigan congressional delegation, has broadly shifted to the left, or if this is a one-off election dynamic.
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"It’s not all that clear that the party has shifted that far to the left," Matt Bennett, one of the leaders at the Third Way, a leading center-left Democratic organization, told Fox News Digital.
Pointing to the increasing visceral opposition to President Donald Trump by Democrats across the country, Bennett said the primary results in Michigan may be "a unique situation where candidates matter."
"And in this moment Democratic voters everywhere are very very angry at Trump and they’re flipping over the tables and taking it out on the establishment and Haley, for better or worse, has run as the establishment."
Matt Grossmann, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and political science professor at Michigan State University, pointed to what he called a "recruitment failure."
"Stevens was no one’s first choice," Grossman said of Stevens, as he referred to unsuccessful efforts to recruit term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to launch a campaign in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
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Noting growing opposition among Democrats nationwide to Israel's ongoing military operations against Hamas in Gaza, and the massive amounts of outside money spent in the historically expensive Senate primary by groups aligned with pro-Israel interests to help Stevens and target El-Sayed, Grossman added "this was a terrible year to be running the most pro-Israel candidate available."
More than $80 million was spent on the primary, making it the most expensive Democratic Senate nomination contest in history. Much of the money came from outside groups supporting Stevens or opposing El-Sayed. The largest spender was United Democracy Project, a political action committee aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which is best known by its acronym AIPAC.
El-Sayed said his victory is easy to understand.
Speaking with Fox News Digital on Sunday, he said "our job is to listen to folks, as it has been since we kicked off this campaign... to understand the challenges people have in their lives."
"I think the people are telling us that they want money out of politics. Money in your pocket, Medicare-for-all," he emphasized. "You know, endorsements don't vote. People vote. And I think right now people are voting with their feet."
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Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), a leading group on the left, referred to El-Sayed narrow margin over Stevens and told Fox News Digital that "any win against $60 million dollars of outside spending by AIPAC and corporate interests is a giant win and sets us on a path of proving our case in November to shake up the system."
The progressive-versus-establishment battle also played out in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, a Republican-controlled swing seat that is among roughly two dozen races expected to help determine control of the House.
William Lawrence, a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement climate advocacy group, edged out two more moderate Democrats. Lawrence was backed by Sanders and El-Sayed, as well as several prominent progressive groups. He will face Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in the general election.
The party’s internal battle was also on display in Michigan’s heavily Democratic 13th Congressional District, where the Associated Press had not projected a winner early Wednesday.
Rep. Shri Thanedar, who is supported by top House Democratic leaders, was being challenged by state Rep. Donovan McKinney. McKinney was backed by Sanders, El-Sayed and "Squad" members Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Summer Lee of Pennsylvania.
Bennett noted that Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan crushed a more progressive rival in the 2024 Senate primary before winning the general election by a razor-thin margin over Rogers in a state that President Donald Trump narrowly carried.
And Bennett and Grossman pointed out that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who won the Democratic gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, and Attorney General Dana Nessel, who was renominated, are far from left-wingers.
"The party hasn’t shifted far to the left but this particular primary did," Bennett argued, as he referred to El-Sayed's victory over Stevens.
McConnell's absence puts Trump agenda at risk as Kentucky succession questions grow
A deadline that could have determined Sen. Mitch McConnell’s future in the Senate has come and gone as the timeline for the Kentucky Republican’s return remains in the air.
Speculation swirled over Aug. 3 and its ramifications for McConnell’s winnowing tenure in the Senate, given that he’s been absent from the public eye since early June and is slated to retire at the end of this year.
Armchair election quarterbacks suggested that Monday was the day for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, to have called a special election to replace McConnell.
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But the longtime Republican has not vacated his seat, and Beshear contended that the obscure deadline had no real legal teeth.
"I know there are a lot of folks wondering about the significance of August 3 regarding a potential Senate vacancy," Beshear said on X. "I want everyone to know that this date has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year."
Still, Kentucky’s Senate succession law has undergone major changes in recent years. Should the Bluegrass State suddenly have a vacant seat in the upper chamber, Beshear wouldn’t be allowed to appoint a replacement as is the case in other states — this was most recently put to the test when Sen. Lindsey Graham suddenly died in South Carolina.
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That means if McConnell’s seat were to become vacant, Beshear would be required to call a special election to fill his remaining time in the Senate.
When asked for comment on the matter, McConnell’s office directed Fox News Digital to the last statement from the senator released on July 27 that detailed under doctors' orders that he was not "medically cleared" to return to the Senate quite yet.
"I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders," McConnell said.
Despite the acknowledgment that Monday meant little legally when it came to replacing McConnell, Beshear noted that his absence is hindering current and future agenda items for the Trump administration.
"Worth a reminder: Right now, there’s one less vote for the SAVE Act, Trump’s war with Iran, or the potential replacement of a SCOTUS justice," he said.
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And the Senate is chugging along without the longest serving Republican leader in history. However, his missing dozens of votes hasn’t necessarily stopped legislation so far.
But during the dizzying sprint to wrap up work ahead of a scheduled break during August, his vote could count more than ever.
There are three Republicans who are on the fence about Blanche, too.
Notably, President Donald Trump’s nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is hanging by a thread, in part, because McConnell is not there. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced her intention to vote against him, leaving Republicans with only one vote to spare before his path to leading the Department of Justice closes.
"I don't know what those individuals are going to do, and I just, Mitch is still out," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told Fox News Digital. "But I think he’ll be confirmed. And we've got a lot of work to do this week."
Angels vs Orioles preview with player prop picks and under 8 runs analysis
It is a getaway day for most teams as we have every team in baseball playing, and most will end their series today. This has been a week of a lot of travel for many baseball players with the trade deadline finishing on Monday. Interestingly enough, that isn't the last chance for players to be moved.
Virtually all teams put their players on the market, and if someone claims or tries to trade for them from here, they just take the player off the market. Odd concept, but that's what happens. You can expect the two teams in this one to explore who wants what remains of the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles over the next couple of months.
The Angels did something right! At least that is what the majority of the analysts are saying about their trade deadline deals. They received some key pieces and didn't sacrifice a ton of their own young talent in the process. They picked up the second-best prospect from the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal sending over Jose Soriano. Moises Ballesteros came over to them from the Cubs for a reliever. They were able to keep Zach Neto and, if it is important to you, Mike Trout.
Another person they kept on the squad was today's starter Reid Detmers. There were a lot of rumors about people wanting to get Detmers from the Angels, but he ultimately stayed with the club, and they can trade him another year if they want. This season hasn't been amazing based on some numbers - he has a 3-7 record, with a 4.03 ERA, and a 1.10 WHIP. The WHIP is a good indicator of his performance, and he also ranks ninth in strikeouts. I also think they are likely to unleash him a bit more now that the deadline has passed. He was limited to fewer than 90 pitches in each of the past four starts. Detmers has been good against the Orioles, holding them to just seven hits in 40 at-bats.
The Orioles seem to have pressed the reset button. They aren't in the same situation as the Angels because they are roughly a .500 team, but that won't cut it in the American League East. It is also highly unlikely they can make a push for a wild card spot with their pitching staff.
The team still has a ton of talent on the roster, but they did trade away Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox. It is more surprising to me that they traded him to a divisional opponent than it was that they traded him.
In my opinion, they still needed to make more moves to help this pitching staff. Their second-best starter, Trevor Rogers takes today's start. In my opinion, Rogers is closer to a third starter at his best than he is the second in a playoff-caliber team. For the year, he is 6-7 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He had a solid July aside from a rough outing against the Tigers in his last start. Over the last two months, he has allowed 15 earned runs in 60 innings, which is probably peak performance from him. The Angels are hitting just 8-for-22 against Rogers, but Travis d'Arnaud is 7-for-15 against him.
A prop on d'Arnaud is probably worth a look considering six of those seven hits have been for extra bases. His line is 2+ total bases at +179 for the day, so I'll lock that in as a player prop for sure, and the primary bet that I'll place on this game.
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Additionally, I think the Angels win this game. I think this is a bit of a fade of Rogers, and a little bit of a lean to Detmers getting more work in this game. The under 8 runs seems like a good look as well, considering neither of these teams is scoring a ton of runs, and both starters should put up innings with zeroes. I'll split another unit on the under and on the Angels.
For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
DSA-backed candidate topples millionaire Dem incumbent
Donavan McKinney, a congressional candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, won his Democratic primary on Wednesday morning, unseating incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich.
From primary candidates in New York like socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier and her victory over incumbent Rep. Adriano Espillat, D-N.Y., the veteran chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, to Melat Kiros, another socialist in Colorado, unseating 30-year incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., DSA-backed candidates have expanded their influence over the party.
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They’ve even enjoyed victories over other progressives — like Thanedar.
Thanedar, while still a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has broken with the DSA on a few critical areas.
Most notably, Thanedar broke off his own membership with the DSA in October 2023 over his support for Israel.
"I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms. Sunday’s hate-filled and antisemitic rally in New York City, promoted by the NYC-DSA, makes it impossible for me to continue my affiliation. I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself," Thanedar wrote in a statement after the Oct. 7 terror attacks that left 1,200 Israelis dead.
Right before the Fourth of July, Rep. Thanedar also said he agreed with U.S. exceptionalism when asked whether he was proud to be an American.
"This is a great country. You know, we are a country of immigrants. Immigrants have contributed so much to our country, and you know this is the greatest country on earth. I am so proud to call myself an American citizen, although there are some concerns with the new administration," Thanedar said.
McKinney, for his own part, has listed affordability, environmental and climate justice, and getting money out of politics as among his top priorities.
During his campaign, he targeted Thanedar’s personal wealth, arguing the businessman wasn’t representative of his district’s lived experience. Thanedar bought a small chemical analysis lab in 1991 for $75,000, grew it into a multimillion-dollar business with multiple acquisitions, later founding and then selling Avomeen Analytical Services, a chemical testing company.
"We deserve a Democratic Party that leads the fight against the billionaires that are robbing us blind. That stands up to corporate PACs. Our country and our children can afford nothing less," McKinney said in a campaign video.
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"People like our congressman, Shri Thanedar, are the problem. A multimillionaire who spent millions to buy a seat in Congress, who has more in common with Donald Trump and Elon Musk than people like us."
Having captured the Democratic nomination, McKinney will go on to the general election on Nov. 3.
Denise Richards says Sami 'stands up' to dad Charlie Sheen and that he needs it
Denise Richards agrees with Bunnie Xo's take that her oldest daughter, Sami Sheen, is Charlie Sheen's "karma."
During a recent appearance on Bunnie's "Dumb Blonde" podcast, Richards detailed her relationship with her ex-husband and how she has influenced her daughters to have their own conversations with Charlie now that they are getting older.
"I feel like, and we can cut this out if you want me to, but I feel like she's kind of Charlie's karma in a way," Jelly Roll's estranged wife said to Richards: "You don't have to cut it out," Richards replied with a laugh.
"I feel like she gives him a run for his money," Bunnie said before Richards added, "Oh, she does. She, out of all the kids, I feel stands up to him the most. And you know, and he does need it. We all do."
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Richards continued, "I wish I had her confidence when I was her age. However, I do wish sometimes she filtered herself a little bit. When she's saying stuff, sometimes. But, I'd rather her be the way she is. She's not afraid to be who she is and that's something that I really admire in her."
Richards and Sheen were married from 2002 until their divorce in 2006. They share two daughters, Sami Sheen, born in 2004, and Lola Sheen, born in 2005.
"And she and Lola could not be more opposite," Richards added. Sami, 22, is a successful model on OnlyFans and promotes her content online, while Lola, 21, is outspoken about Jesus and her faith on social media.
Denise acknowledged her daughter's differences on the podcast and shared that she's very different compared to her sister. "My dad reminded me. My sister and I are very opposite too. They don't even look alike. My girls," she said.
"Looks like I was with the milkman or something," Richards added with a laugh.
Speaking on Lola and Sami's childhood and what it was like growing up with famous parents, Richards shared that she had to hide a lot of things from her daughters and wants them to find out the truth from Charlie on their own.
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"I do think that there should come a time where they should really talk to their dad because so much happened when they were growing up," she began. "And ask him questions because there would be times where he wouldn't show up on Christmas and I would have to lie and make up stuff and I protected him."
Richards continued, "I wasn't gonna tell them the truth. How do you tell this to little girls? What's really going on? And some people would judge me. They're already so fragile... Even though I try to keep as much from them as possible, they're aware, they pick up on energy."
It was important for Richards that, despite what happened between her and the "Two and a Half Men" star, her daughters had their own relationship with their dad.
"During our divorce, which was so public, I wanted the girls to have their relationship with him without, you know, any negativity around it. I wanted them to know their dad as dad, not as Charlie Sheen, because there was many years where I didn't know if he was gonna be here," Richards said, referring to Charlie's very public alcohol and crack-cocaine addiction.
"And I didn't want the kids to only know about their father from what they were gonna read about him," she continued. "And so every, any time he was in a good space where they could spend time with him, I encouraged it. I never spoke badly about him in front of the kids."
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Twenty years after their divorce, Richards said she and Charlie are in a better place after their highly publicized split and years of ups and downs.
"Charlie's very... we have a great relationship. He lives close to us actually, and his boys live with him right now. I can give him s--- and joke around with him," Richards began. "He respects me and I respect him too. And I want only the best for him and want him to do well."
"And he knows if he needs anything, I'm here. And, and I think it's important for us always to maintain a relationship that we have for our daughters," she concluded.
Republicans get the Democrat they wanted as socialist Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary
After a grueling, messy campaign, a far-left progressive has taken on the Democratic establishment and won.
Abdul El-Sayed felled Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., to secure the Democratic nomination for Senate in what became one of the ugliest Democratic primary races in the country. El-Sayed will now face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who was uncontested in the GOP primary, in November.
Big money, the Democratic old guard and attacks on El-Sayed’s Democratic Socialist leanings dominated the primary, and leave the last man standing on the Left bruised and battered heading into the showdown with Rogers.
The face-off to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who backed Stevens, is a must-win contest for Democrats and one of roughly a dozen general election Senate races expected to determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majority.
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Before primary Election Day, El-Sayed was already looking ahead to his battle with Rogers, and hoping to curry favor with Stevens’ voters in the process.
"I think we all understand the risk of Donald Trump. We all understand the risk of Mike Rogers," El-Sayed told Fox News Digital. "This is a guy who is not going to stand up and take on the war machine. He's not going to stand up and take on Big Pharma. He's not going to stand up and take on big tech."
"He is going to do the bidding of large corporations," he continued. "I think everybody understands what the stakes are. So I'm looking forward to welcoming everybody who might have voted differently in the primary."
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and a former Wayne County health director who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018, would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected. He has made support for "Medicare for All" a major component of his campaign.
He has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and has been a vocal critic of Israel during its war against Hamas, characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians.
More than $80 million was spent on the primary, making it the most expensive Democratic Senate nomination contest in history. Much of the money came from outside groups supporting Stevens or opposing El-Sayed. The largest spender was United Democracy Project, a political action committee aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which is best known by its acronym AIPAC.
"We all knew that they were going to spend their money. We didn't know they were going to spend $70 million of their money. We didn't know that they were going to outspend us $11 to $1. And yet we're still standing," El-Sayed highlighted in his speech.
El-Sayed urged party unity and took aim at former Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate nominee.
Stevens also targeted Rogers during her primary night speech.
"Whoever wins is going to go and take on Mike Rogers. Republicans are going to do everything they can to throw all the dirt, all the mud, the kitchen sink at us because they want to keep the U.S. Senate red, so Mike Rogers can keep rubber-stamping Donald Trump's ridiculous agenda," she argued.
Of the two candidates, Republicans wanted El-Sayed, and old-guard Democrats feared his victory the most. The GOP is leaning into the bloody primary, too, hoping that the battle damage will have staying power in the weeks ahead until November.
"Not only is Rogers a battle-tested candidate who has coalesced the support of Michigan’s entire GOP ecosystem, but he will also be the beneficiary of Democrats’ dysfunction come November," a Republican operative told Fox News Digital. "Abdul El-Sayed has emerged from this cycle’s Democratic primary more damaged than ever and susceptible to more onslaughts of criticism from within their own party."
His surge in the polls sent Democrats scrambling to back Stevens, forcing Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Peters off the sidelines.
Peters told Fox News Digital that Stevens was a proven winner who had previously flipped a red district to blue, and that ultimately, the main goal was recapturing control of the Senate.
"But it doesn't happen if we lose Michigan," Peters said.
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Stevens acknowledged the former in an interview with Fox News Digital, where she said, "Rogers has made it very clear that, you know, this gets easier if I am not the nominee."
That’s because Republicans are leaning into El-Sayed being the more "extreme" of the two over his staunch opposition to U.S. aid for Israel, nixing corporate money in elections and pushing Medicare for all, which have all been underscored by his prior comments to defund police and recent "ogre on a pike" gaffe.
Still, his policy positions are hallmarks of the progressive movement that have earned him endorsements from the likes of Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
And his victory marks another loss for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who backed Stevens in her failed bid to claim the Democratic nomination.
"Abdul El-Sayed’s victory marks another devastating loss for Chuck Schumer in his civil war with Bernie Sanders as Democrats position Mike Rogers to defeat socialism’s newest standard-bearer in November," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Bernadette Breslin told Fox News Digital.
Rogers was game for either, but did toss a jab in at El-Sayed in an interview with Fox News Digital.
"We feel confident we're going to beat either one of those candidates that come out of that race," Rogers said. "They’ve both have gone off to the left."
"They are very radical, and they are way too extreme for Michigan," he continued. "I mean, Abdul, he has his own special sauce of crazy."
Pro wrestling legend Dory Funk Jr dead at 85
Dory Funk Jr., a pro wrestling legend who competed across the globe and helped train countless stars, has died, WWE announced on Tuesday. He was 85.
Funk began his pro wrestling pursuits in 1963 after he finished his college football career at West Texas A&M University. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
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"Saddened to announce the passing of Dory Funk, Jr.," WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque wrote in a post on X. "From the Double Cross Ranch to the @WWE Hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry. Whether it was at WrestleMania 2, WCW, ECW, or the dozens of NWA-affiliated promotions, his travels across North America and Asia were a part of the early blueprint that helped build this business into a global phenomena.
"A hard-nosed and fierce competitor, his rugged in-ring style was only eclipsed by the decades he spent training athletes to perform in the squared circle he loved so much. My thoughts and those of the entire @WWE Universe are with his loved ones during this difficult time."
Funk started in his father Dory Funk Sr.’s promotion, Western States Sports, in 1963 and got real-world experience wrestling with the likes of Harley Race and others. It was in 1969 when he became the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) world champion and held the title for more than four years. He would be seen in the NWA until 1987.
"The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to note the passing of Hall of Fame former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.," the NWA said in a post on X.
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"The National Wrestling Alliance sends its most heartfelt wishes to the family, friends and fans of Dory Funk Jr., a true legend whose contributions to professional wrestling are still felt and celebrated to this day."
Funk appeared in WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation) in 1986, teaming with his brother Terry to start. He had matches there against Junkyard Dog, Tito Santana and Pedro Morales but only remained there for one year.
He wrestled at All Japan Pro Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling and several other promotions before calling it a career in 2017.
WWE inducted Funk into its Hall of Fame as part of its 2009 class. He went in as a tag team with his brother, Terry. The Von Erichs, Bill Watts, Howard Finkel, Koko B. Ware, Ricky Steamboat and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin were also a part of the class.
Funk’s wrestling legacy lives on through the people he trained at his school called The Funking Conservatory. Kurt Angle, Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Mickie James, Lita and others were among his students.
Fetterman gives Dems a stinging reality check as Mao-praising communists seize the spotlight
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman railed against the growing influence of socialists and communists in the Democratic Party on Tuesday, warning that figures such as socialist streamer Hasan Piker are pulling the party toward a more radical future.
"I would never try to elevate … a communist just because [Piker] has followers on some, on Twitch, whatever that is. But overall, if you identify with a communist who praises Mao and Cuba and for these places, that should be foreign to any Democrat. Without a doubt, that's having an impact," Fetterman told Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the Israel on Campus Coalition conference Tuesday.
Piker has emerged as an influential voice on the Democratic left, backing socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and campaigning alongside Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as left-wing candidates court his millions of online followers. Piker has openly praised Mao Zedong and carried water for Cuba’s communist regime, blaming America for the island’s suffering.
Speaking with Fox News Digital after addressing the Israel on Campus Coalition's National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Fetterman said the direction of his party has become "troubling" and pointed to Tuesday’s primaries as the latest test of whether Democrats will continue embracing candidates aligned with the party’s progressive flank.
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Democratic establishment candidates notched several victories in Tuesday night’s primaries, including Rep. Wesley Bell’s defeat of DSA-backed former Rep. Cori Bush’s comeback bid in Missouri. The high-stakes Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, however, remained too close to call early Wednesday, with Abdul El-Sayed, who has drawn support from prominent socialists, facing the more moderate Rep. Haley Stevens.
"I see the midterms right now that the more radical, the more anti-Israel, and the people have turned Israel as to the ultimate litmus … When you have Gov. Newsom describing Israel as an apartheid state. He knows better, that that's not true," said Fetterman.
The Pennsylvania Democrat continued that it should be "pretty obvious" that the party should not "pander to the fringe."
"Those are core values. … Like I said, you just can't pander to those kinds of people," he added.
President Donald Trump issued his own warning earlier this summer, arguing that the Democratic Party had moved far beyond socialism.
"These are not social Democrats," Trump said in June following socialists notching primary wins in New York. "These are hardcore, godless communists. They're godless communists. All communists are godless. They don't believe in God. This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence. In my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country."
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When asked by a reporter late Tuesday night what it would mean if more socialists prevailed in primary races, Trump said the Democratic Party is a "mess."
"I think they should form another party, the communist of America party. I think they should have a new party, the communists of America, and it will do well, it'll get about 10% of the vote," Trump said.
Fetterman spoke at the Israel on Campus Coalition’s flagship event, which brought more than 800 pro-Israel students to Washington for advocacy training, networking and discussions on supporting Israel, combating antisemitism and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship on college campuses.
Fetterman said the shift in the Democratic Party is evident in how even pro-Israel Democrats now feel pressure to qualify their support for the Jewish state.
"The left is using the term of Zionist as like a slur or use Zio or Zio, or describing that as someone that in the negative terms," Fetterman said. "In other words, being proud, pro-Israel, that's become a slur, and people have to defend that."
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Fetterman also pointed to Iran as another defining fault line within the Democratic Party, defending the Trump administration’s strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities and highlighting his break with most Senate Democrats over presidential war powers.
"I think I was the only Democrat to support the Trump administration to bomb the Iranian nuclear facilities," said Fetterman. "If you don't want them to acquire a nuclear bomb, it's pretty reasonable to bomb their nuclear facilities, they want to build one. And overall, the Iranian war, I've remained the only Democrat to vote against the War Power[s] Act."
"I would say that for almost half a century, every American president had been trying to address the problem with Iran. The problem is Iran. That's the problem," he added.
Madison Beer pets Justin Herbert's face at training camp, Buc-ee's goes after illegal beaver & Ric Flair
The sun is shining, August is in full swing and I got back to my OutKick roots on Tuesday with the trans basketball report, but my true roots at this company lie with Screencaps.
It's time to crank out a fresh edition of Wednesday Screencaps where we dive into the possibility of Justin Herbert being too in love with pop singer Madison Beer that he loses focus on his NFL career. Did you guys see these two at training camp this week?
Do you want your QB to be a stone-cold killer the minute training camp starts or do you want his girlfriend petting his face while he's facing down a 17-game schedule where the Chargers will face teams that finished with a .522 record in 2025?
Now, keep in mind that these two got engaged seven days ago and that who fiancé thing is still fresh, so maybe the petting will subside. But, those of us who've observed this world long enough know that there are guys like Tom Brady who are willing to give up marriages for the game and then there are guys like Mahomes, who seems to enjoy being grounded and spending time at home around his wife.
She might be nuts, but it seems like Mahomes is pretty content to pump out kids and win titles.
Let's go to the comments to see how the Internet is reacting to the petting:
• "I have the same look when staring at a beautiful beer in the early afternoon sun, too"
• "Bo Nix’s (playoff winner) wife isn’t at training camp. They just had a baby. Herbert (never won a playoff game) is sitting there getting groomed on the field like he is at girl at a high school sleepover."
• "A very large man is going to lay him out and pet him this exact same way."
• "Life is not high school musical, Justin."
Guys, it's football season. Is it an overreaction to think Beer could derail this guy's career? Not at all. It's something to watch.
CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK: IS IT STILL SAFE TO EAT AT RESTAURANTS? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW
No diarrhea yet. Millennial Chris B. in Bowling Green says I have to give it between two days and two weeks for the spora to possibly hit.
Disclaimer:
BABY BOOMERS HATE 10 THINGS ABOUT TODAY'S GROCERY STORES
Should I be fine?
What are we doing? Stop. Have some damn respect.
– Brad S. writes: Granted, I went to college in the late 1900s, so designer stuff wasn't a thing - for the guys, at least. A couple of cinder blocks and a few boards built a bookshelf/TV/stereo stand. If one was lucky enough to 'find' a cable spool, then boom! You got a fancy coffee table.
I think if a freshman guy decked his new digs into 80s retro, he'd be the talk of the dorm!
Kinsey: I think Brad meant to say he went to college in the late 1980s.
...how doesn't Omaha, Nebraska make these lists? I'm not a real estate expert on that city, but, from my experiences, it wouldn't be a bad place to buy a house and build a career, then raise a family. God help you if your Gen Z is planning on buying in the Cleveland proper. The last time I was in downtown Cleveland, it was rather pathetic.
There's even a story out this week where the new WNBA team named itself the Sirens and locals immediately started wondering if it was in reference to the constant crime. Seriously.
This is the best thing that ever happened to this beer store in Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. This is marketing gold. Do you know how much booze this place is going to sell as Americans rally behind the little guy? I cannot get on Facebook without a member of my family screaming about how Buc-ee's is screwing the little guy.
Business advice: Try your hardest to get Buc-ee's to sue you over beaver art.
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ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
And that is it this morning. Here we are on the eve of Kenny Pickett starting in the Hall of Fame game. Let the energy run through your veins. Tie up loose ends before the football season really kicks into high gear tomorrow night.
Let's get after it.
Grocer-turned-lawmaker says Mamdani’s government-run stores 'might not even last a year’
A former grocer is joining the chorus of criticism against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan for government-run grocery stores, arguing it would harm hundreds of small businesses forced to compete with them.
"That supermarket will just bleed red the entire time it's open, from the first time you turn the key until it closes," Rep. Mike Rulli, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital. "And I would bet the farm there's no way these grocery stores last more than five years — they might not even last a year."
Rulli grew up with his family's Ohio-based grocery store chain, Rulli Brothers, which is now run by his brothers.
EXPERTS SCORCH MAMDANI'S GROCERY PLAN AS AN 'ILLUSION' THAT WILL HAVE TAXPAYERS FOOTING THE BILL
Rulli said his family's small but thriving two-location business has given him an appreciation for the challenges facing small business owners in New York City, whom he argued would be harmed by competition from Mamdani's city-run stores.
"You will put hundreds of these small businesses out of business. And a lot of these businesses are owned by immigrants," Rulli said. "So I mean, I don't think the mayor could possibly have asked for a worse situation."
NY GOVERNOR HOPEFUL VOWS SHOWDOWN WITH MAMDANI OVER SOCIALIST AGENDA: ‘I WILL STOP HIM’
Mamdani, the Democratic socialist mayor of New York City, unveiled a plan for government-funded grocery stores while on the campaign trail. The city has since committed $70 million to constructing one store in each of the five boroughs, with an aim to open all five by 2030.
Mamdani discussed the agreement during a recent news conference, saying, "Once a month, our five city-run grocery stores will set prices for this core set of goods at 30% below typical retail prices."
MAMDANI’S CITY GROCERY PLAN COULD LEAVE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR EVERY BANANA
While the plan has been cheered by progressives, it has been panned by business groups such as the Multicultural Business Coalition, which the New York Post reported was threatening to sue Mamdani.
Rulli, noting that grocery stores already operate on thin profit margins, said Mamdani's government shops will likely be "operating at a loss the entire time."
"When you think about the grocery industry, [it] runs on about 27% gross. That's before you pay your bills. Once you pay your bills, you're about one-and-a-quarter, one-and-half-percent net," he said.
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That, he argued, would make it a drain on taxpayers as long as they remained open.
"This is the biggest mistake the mayor has made," Rulli said.