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Jimmy Kimmel joins Obama-produced HBO show to mock Trump
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel made a cameo appearance on Larry David’s Obama-produced HBO program on July 3 to attack President Donald Trump.
Longtime Trump critic Rob Reiner, who was killed late last year, made a posthumous appearance as George Washington, who announced he will not seek a third term in office and proposed Congress pursue a constitutional amendment prohibiting presidential power on "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America." The new HBO satire series, which touts Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as executive producers, lampooned Trump without saying his name.
David’s character, dressed in colonial attire, asked, "Well, what if there’s some a------ in office, some narcissistic p---- who doesn’t follow the Constitution?"
Reiner’s Washington stressed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power before David’s character interjects, warning that the president could attack the free press to silence criticism. Then another man in the crowd, played by fellow longtime Trump antagonist Kimmel, came into focus.
"Come on, that could never happen," Kimmel’s character shouted.
David’s character snarked, "That’s what you think."
"Are you suggesting that the president would taketh the time to challenge anyone who dare make fun of him, as if he were a big baby? I don’t see it," Kimmel’s character said.
Kimmel, who earlier this year joked that first lady Melania Trump had the glow of an "expectant widow," has ramped up his liberal political commentary in recent years.
JIMMY KIMMEL REMAINS DEFIANT, INSISTS 'EXPECTANT WIDOW' JAB AGAINST TRUMPS WAS ABOUT AGE DIFFERENCE
The "widow" joke went viral just days later when an armed assailant stormed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April. Kimmel, who insisted it was a joke about Trump’s age and not an assassination jab, mocks Trump on a nightly basis.
Trump has repeatedly urged ABC to fire Kimmel, to no avail.
"When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!!" Trump wrote in April.
ROB REINER'S FINAL ROLE DRAWS FIERCE CRITICISM 6 MONTHS AFTER LEGENDARY DIRECTOR'S TRAGIC DEATH
Last year, Kimmel was briefly suspended by Disney after controversial remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk sparked outrage, and ABC said the show would be preempted indefinitely. He returned to the air days later and insisted he never intended to make light of Kirk’s death.
Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
West Virginia man pleads guilty to making violent threats against Trump, ICE
A man admitted to issuing threats regarding President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to an announcement issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
An indictment earlier this year had alleged that the individual, Cody Lee Smith, threatened to rape and kill President Trump, and threatened to murder Trump supporters and ICE agents.
He is facing "up to 5 years for the presidential threat charge and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the threats against ICE," the Thursday news release announced.
WEST VIRGINIA MAN ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO KILL TRUMP SUPPORTERS, ICE AGENTS IN ONLINE VIDEOS: REPORT
The indictment detailed the graphic threats the man allegedly made, including one in which he apparently referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The document states that Smith sent a direct message to Donald Trump Jr. on Instagram that declared, "I’m going to rape your worthless father while Benjamin netanyacuck sits in the oval CUCK throne and watches with his jugular cut while the life leaves his pathetic eyes and then after I’m done your getting raped."
SECRET SERVICE MISSED 'MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES' TO PREVENT TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: WATCHDOG
The indictment reports that Smith asserted in an Instagram post, "Donald j Trump likes little boys and little girls and is an Israeli asset he deserves to be raped and murdered @REALDONALDTRUMP @donaldjtrumpjr I will kill you b[----] a[--] dad."
It also alleges that the man posted, "If I see a single trump supporter I don’t care the relation[,] I don’t care their age[,] I don’t care if they are mentally handicap[,] I’m murdering them in front of their entire family[,] same goes to the first war supporter or service member who’s willing to bootlick."
He called the ICE tip line and "threatened to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the tip line operator, and the operator’s family," the indictment alleged.
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The document also alleged that Smith had declared in a post, "Donald Trump just announced the godd[---] hunger games[.] IMPEACH THIS MOTHERF[-----] WITH A .308." — the indictment noted that the post featured a Leathermouth song titled, "I Am Going to Kill the President of the United States of America."
'Mayhem' erupts in wealthy coastal enclave as hundreds arrested in massive takeover during July Fourth weekend
July Fourth chaos erupted over the weekend on the West Coast. More than 400 teens and young people were arrested during a massive teen takeover event in Newport Beach, California.
Police say the mob descended upon the Balboa Peninsula neighborhood on July 4, with videos shared on social media depicting the madness with crowds appearing to set off fireworks in the middle of roadways, block busy streets and cause damage to local businesses.
From Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, police made 402 arrests, with the local fire department responding to 102 emergencies, including 10 fires; it is unclear if the fires and emergencies were related to the illegal takeover event.
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In a post to social media, the City of Newport Beach said in part:
"Social media posts drew a large influx of juveniles and young adults to the Newport Pier area within a matter of minutes. As the crowd quickly grew into the thousands, dangerous and unlawful behavior escalated, blocking roadways, preventing emergency access and putting families, visitors and first responders at risk."
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More videos shared online appear to show possible looting and damage at a Pavilions grocery store in the area. Smashed produce and trash were seen strewn around the parking lot over the weekend.
FBI SAYS NEW MISSION CENTER HAS IDENTIFIED 'NEFARIOUS' PROTEST FUNDING AND SUBJECTS
The president of the Newport Beach Police Association, Joe DeJulio, posted a statement to social media that said, "a large group of agitators invaded Newport Beach spurred by an alleged 'TikTok Takeover.' These persons came to our city with the intent on causing harm, injury, and destruction, bringing harassment, disturbances, and mayhem."
A spokesperson for TikTok confirmed to Fox News Digital any content posted on the platform that promotes theft, property damage, criminal activity, or dangerous behaviors that could cause serious harm, violates the app's Community Guidelines.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Albertson's, the company that owns the Pavilions grocery store, for comment.
America owes black women 'everything,' Rep. Jasmine Crockett rants over July 4 weekend
Controversial and outspoken outgoing Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, is facing online backlash after comments she made over the Independence Day weekend revealing what she thinks the United States owes Black women.
"When it comes to answering the question of what America owes black women, the answer is everything," the Texas congresswoman said during an interview at the Essence Festival of Black Culture, which was held in New Orleans over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
"When we think about the sacrifices that black women have made, from the moment we were stolen from our homelands and transported into this country, to the fact that black women continue to stand as the backbone — specifically of the Democratic Party — we know that black women are always the ones doing the labor, but we are also the ones that are the first targets of any harm," Crockett continued.
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The Essence Festival of Black Culture, which is linked to Essence Magazine, says it brings together iconic black voices to celebrate culture, community and commerce.
Rapper Cardi B performed at the Big Easy event over the weekend, and Michelle Obama gave a speech.
CRITICS ROAST JASMINE CROCKETT AFTER SHE CALLS HERSELF 'ONE OF THE 535 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE' IN US
Crockett said at the event, which coincided with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence: "So, this Fourth of July, I say celebrate a black woman that you know, because whether it's an invention that she made, or whether it's the very democracy that still hangs by a thread right now, there is black woman to thank for her contributions."
The clip quickly made the rounds on social media, eliciting some incredulous responses.
"I thought the point of Independence Day was to celebrate America as a country not individuals no matter what race they are," said one social media user.
WATCH: HEARING TURMOIL AS JASMINE CROCKETT UNLOADS ON MLK'S NIECE IN WILD RACIALLY-CHARGED RANT
"Democracy is not hanging by a thread. That’s insane," said another.
A third claimed: "Your skin color doesn't make you special."
"Thank God in 6 months she'll be gone," one remarked, referring to her impending departure from her position in Congress.
Crockett opted instead of running for reelection bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. She lost the primary against James Talarico, who marketed himself as a more moderate candidate to take on Republicans in the Lone Star State.
The two-term congresswoman's decision not to run for reelection in her district came after its geographical boundaries were redrawn to be more red-leaning.
Crockett's office did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Newsom-backed commission transfers popular coastline to indigenous tribes
A popular stretch of California’s Mendocino County coastline is being handed over to an Indigenous peoples group after a Gov. Gavin Newsom-backed state commission approved the transfer of 136 acres of beach and coastal bluffs.
The property, which includes Blues Beach just south of Westport, will be transferred from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to Kai Poma, a nonprofit founded by representatives of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.
Caltrans gave final regulatory approval to the deal on June 26.
"For the first time in California’s history, land managed by Caltrans and owned by the state was transferred to Kai Poma, a nonprofit established by three local Native American tribes with ancestral ties to the region," Caltrans District 1 announced in a statement last week. "Once transferred, Kai Poma will own and maintain the 136-acre site and protect sensitive natural resources and Native American cultural resources."
The state acquired the windswept shoreline and rocky bluffs in the 1960s as part of plans tied to Highway 1 expansion and the creation of a scenic overlook for motorists, according to the California Coastal Commission.
In recent years, the beach has drawn large summer and holiday crowds, with public access largely unregulated. State planning documents say visitors have camped and partied on the beach, driven through sensitive areas, damaged cultural resources and left trash behind.
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Tribal leaders have described the land as culturally and spiritually significant. The coastal waters are used for traditional gathering, including seaweed and abalone, and the shore has hosted youth cultural camps.
Kai Poma is expected to conduct cultural, archaeological and environmental surveys before developing a long-term resource management plan for the land. The nonprofit has also worked with the Coastal Commission on a public access plan that will keep the property open to visitors from sunrise to sunset.
The transfer required years of work and a change in state law. Until 2021, Caltrans did not have authority to transfer state-owned property to tribal governments. That changed when Newsom signed legislation sponsored by state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, allowing such conveyances.
"With 136 acres now officially transferred into tribal stewardship, one of the most spectacular stretches of the Mendocino Coast will be forever protected," McGuire said in a statement. "This agreement, the first of its kind in California, gives these three dynamic Native American tribes the rightful opportunity to reclaim sacred lands and cultural traditions on this special piece of earth. And it’s about damn time."
The law bars commercial activity on the property and requires continued public access.
Supporters say the transfer will protect one of the region’s most scenic stretches of coast while returning sacred land to the descendants of the people who historically stewarded it.
"This is beyond huge," Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Chair J. Carlos Rivera told the Los Angeles Times. "It’s enormous from our tribal perspective that we are basically obtaining the land that our people once lived on before colonization."
With the commission’s approval complete, Caltrans staff are expected to record the deed transferring the property from the state to Kai Poma.
Fox News Digital reached out Newsom, the coastal commission, Round Valley Indian Tribes and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians for comment.
Spencer Pratt lights social media on fire with viral takedown of ‘vile, commie mayor’ Mamdani
Spencer Pratt sparked widespread online reaction over Independence Day weekend after posting a sharp rebuke of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for using the July 4 holiday to criticize America's history.
Pratt, a former reality TV star who drew attention with his surprise Los Angeles mayoral run, continued his political commentary by targeting Mamdani, who marked the nation's 250th Independence Day by delivering an immigration-themed address from George Washington's desk. Flanked by eight recently naturalized U.S. citizens, Mamdani criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Elon Musk and what he described as the "arena of supremacy" in the United States.
"As we mark 250 years, what do we see?" Mamdani asked. "We see a city of contradictions within a nation of contradictions. We see the wealthiest country in the history of the world — one where children go to sleep hungry while the world’s first trillionaire hungers for more. We see monopolies that dominate every industry and oligarchs who buy elections. We see masked agents terrorizing our streets, eating food cooked by our undocumented neighbors before spiriting them away in unmarked vans. We see a nation whose immense wealth has been built by those with calloused, dirt-streaked hands — those who toil on factory floors and chisel into stone — and we see a nation that has allowed so much of that wealth to be held instead in the soft hands of a precious few."
In a viral response video, Pratt bashed Mamdani, saying, "Notice how the communists always attack your history."
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Wearing a T-shirt reading "the anti-socialists social club" and sitting behind a foldout table beside an RV at the site where his home burned down in the Los Angeles Palisades fire last year, Pratt remarked, "We all had to sit and watch that vile, commie mayor sit on the wrong side of our founding father’s desk to try to lecture us about our own history."
"The communists must attack your history," he continued. "Why? Because history is what anchors you, it’s what makes us attached to something."
He referred to communism as "an evil, anti-human religion," seeking to "destroy what makes us human."
"The communist destroys your history so he can take your home and rebuild it in his image. That’s why it is your patriotic duty to celebrate today unashamed. It’s ok to love America, not only is it ok to love America, it’s necessary to love America. We are the only bulwark against tyranny on this earth," said Pratt.
Amid the burned ruins of his Los Angeles home, Pratt urged Americans to "think of your country like a home. What makes your home special? … It’s the memories you have there."
TRUMP HAILS AMERICA AS 'MOST EXCEPTIONAL NATION EVER TO EXIST' IN MOUNT RUSHMORE SPEECH
"Erasing history is how you demoralize people, how you unmoor them and detach them from their society so you can take it from them and rewrite it in your image," he said.
Pratt granted that America’s history is not perfect, saying, "our history is messy, our history is violent" but "bad times are part of what makes us stronger, a part of what makes us who we are."
Turning his fire back to Mamdani, Pratt said, "he has no place to rewrite our history and lecture us about what our country stands for."
"As a country, we are batting 1,000. Not only is it a miracle that this radical experiment in self-governance even survived past 1776, but we are the champions of the world, be proud of that, be proud of your history," he said.
During his address, Mamdani, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Uganda, said that every American has "the power to determine what America means."
"The powerful have always known their answer. America, in their view, is an arena of supremacy where only a select few are allowed freedom," Mamdani said. "Where not all are created equal. America, if you ask them, becomes less the more people it welcomes. America, they will tell you, belongs only to those with the right accent or the right shade of skin. The rest of us, they insist, should be grateful for merely being allowed to visit. How small they are, how weak, how unoriginal. At every moment in our past, those who led through exclusion and isolation have tried to win power and enrich themselves by turning us against one another."
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He also remarked, "We are told that America is exceptional because we are richer, stronger, more powerful than everyone else. The truth, my friends, is that America is exceptional because here nothing is fixed into place."
"The frontier may be closed, we may have walked on the moon, but the work of fulfilling the values first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence — that work endures, my friends, and it belongs to us all. It belongs too to our newest Americans, those standing here with me today."
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office for comment and had not received a response by publication.
Explosive House report reveals secret operation inside China at center of South Korea's fight with US company
The House Judiciary Committee released a scathing report detailing how the left-leaning South Korean government, which some lawmakers say is "aligned with China," has systematically discriminated against American-owned companies.
The report heavily mentions the case of Coupang, a Seattle-based U.S. company dubbed the "Amazon of Korea," though it has no relation to Amazon. Coupang has faced strict scrutiny from the Korean government after a data breach. Coupang recently was fined roughly $410 million by South Korea, the largest privacy fine in South Korea's history.
The Judiciary Committee outlined the timeline of how Coupang came under heavy fire by the South Korean government, from a secret laptop recovery mission to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service calling for Coupang Korea interim CEO Harold Rogers to be charged with perjury. He has yet to be formally charged or indicted and did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Last June, a Chinese national who was a former senior engineer at Coupang began accessing data and consumer information outside of Korea for several months. Coupang's security team confirmed the breach in November, and the Judiciary report detailed that the former employee admitted to stealing an authentication key to gain access to the data.
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Once confirmed last November, Coupang reported the breach to the Korea Internet & Security Agency and said roughly 3,000 accounts had been accessed, according to the report.
In December, the committee said that Coupang was instructed to retrieve the stolen data, which was stored on a laptop and at the bottom of a murky river in China. The report alleged that Coupang was told by South Korea's National Intelligence Service to retrieve the laptop, leading to a covert mission in Chinese territory to recover the data.
Fox News Digital obtained a video of the laptop ultimately being retrieved. The footage showed a man in scuba gear in a muddy river holding up a Coupang bag which contained the device and consumer data. Fox News Digital has not independently authenticated the footage.
Following the recovery, CEO Park Dae-jun resigned from the top job at Coupang Inc., and Harold Rogers was then appointed interim CEO of Coupang Corp., the South Korean subsidiary of the parent company, Coupang Inc.
In late December, Rogers and Coupang executives appeared before the South Korean assembly, where he testified under oath that South Korea's National Intelligence Service instructed the company to retrieve the stolen data.
The Judiciary Committee report backs Rogers' claim, but South Korean officials quickly berated him at the December hearing, and the South Korean government denied that instruction was given to enter Chinese territory and obtain the laptop.
The committee report details documentation of a meeting that took place between Coupang and South Korea's National Intelligence Service where "officials ‘told [Coupang] that they were part of the joint government investigation,’ and that Coupang was ‘legally required’ to ‘work with them.’"
After the denial, South Korean officials called for Rogers to face perjury charges, due to his testimony under oath, and the company would later be fined a historic $410 million in June.
SOUTH KOREA'S PROPOSED PLATFORM LAW COULD COST US STATES $525B OVER THE NEXT DECADE, MODEL ESTIMATES
"We regret the circumstances that led to the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation, and we remain committed to finding a constructive resolution so Coupang can once again serve as a bridge to strengthen the U.S.-Korea alliance, accelerating trade and investment that benefits both countries," a spokesperson for Coupang Inc. told Fox News Digital.
The Judiciary Committee alleged that the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) "has been particularly aggressive in using competition policy to attack American companies," and that "South Korea has used digital laws and regulations as a way to target American companies and limit their ability to operate successfully in South Korea."
Despite Coupang and the Judiciary Committee's pushback, a South Korean embassy spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the country "is fully committed to ensuring a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for all companies regardless of their nationality."
"The Government of the Republic of Korea regrets that the interim staff report published by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee published appears to be largely based on the unilateral assertions of Coupang and respectfully disagrees with several characterizations in the report," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
The spokesperson went on to explain that the South Korean Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) imposed the penalties in accordance with their law and that the sanctions remain well below the statutory maximum – despite being the largest issued in Korea.
The spokesperson added that Coupang was given due process throughout the investigation and retains the right to challenge the decision in court, which the company has said it will do while reaffirming South Korea's commitment to its strategic partnership with the United States, saying their government will continue engaging with the U.S. Congress to strengthen bilateral economic ties.
Coupang stock plummeted as the events unfolded, and has tanked more than 45% since the company announced the breach and the South Korean government began retaliating.
The Judiciary report said that the "decrease has negatively affected U.S. investors, including public pension funds, mutual funds, and everyday Americans just trying to save for retirement."
South Korea's government recently took a sharp turn to the left after Yoon Suk-yeol, a conservative from the People Power Party, was impeached in December 2024, largely because of his decision to implement martial law over "anti-state forces" that he said were led by the nation's Democratic Party.
President Lee Jae-myung, a Democrat, narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election but won the presidency in 2025. The Democratic Party in South Korea already holds a substantial majority in the National Assembly, and the country is now operating at a full Democratic majority.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, sounded the alarm on South Korea’s distancing from the U.S. during an interview with Fox News Digital in April. Issa sits on the House Judiciary Committee as the most senior member after Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.
"South Korea is still an important strategic partner, but their last election led to a left-wing government closely aligned with China that, among other things, has begun attacking American companies," Issa said.
He explained that Coupang is "owned by and founded by a Korean-American and they have been systematically attacked quite frankly, probably because they're an American company and effectively a unicorn in South Korea," Issa added. "We're seeing that South Korea has adopted the European digital rules which are very much designed to localize rather than accept the great companies that have spread very well around the world because they've earned it."
Issa joined a group of more than 50 GOP members of Congress in a letter to the South Korean Ambassador to the United States, Kyung-wha Kang, over what they deemed to be "discriminatory" business practices that are targeting American companies.
A Competere Foundation model in June estimated a $525 billion loss in economic activity in U.S. states over the next decade, including a $123 billion loss for California, a $48.7 billion loss for Texas, a $33.9 billion loss for New York and a $27.4 billion loss for Washington, should South Korea continue to implement policies that would be harmful to U.S. businesses operating in the country.
Proposed pending legislation in South Korea's assembly, would broaden the power of the KFTC, the same agency members of Congress are currently criticizing for unfairly treating American businesses.
Shanker Singham, international trade and competition economist and CEO of the Competere Foundation, said, "Korea is already an increasingly unfriendly place for U.S. companies to do business," adding the "looming regulations will make that environment even worse."
Dutton Ranch season one finale wows fans with a shootout cliffhanger that feels like vintage Yellowstone
"Dutton Ranch" wrapped up season one with an absolute bang.
The "Yellowstone" spin-off focused on Beth and Rip has been a monster hit since the moment it premiered on Paramount+.
It's another entertainment masterclass for Taylor Sheridan. It's gritty, dark, violent, full of surprises and it's simply a lot of fun.
Now, season one is in the books.
There was a ton of hype going into the season one finale, and it lived up to expectations, in my humble opinion. I won't get into all the spoilers, but there was an awesome shootout scene that felt like old school "Yellowstone."
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There was also a death and kidnapping that left fans desperate for answers. Nothing beats an epic cliffhanger to wrap up the season.
'DUTTON RANCH' STAR NATALIE ALYN LIND STIRS UP SPECULATION ABOUT SHOW'S FUTURE WITH SIMPLE COMMENTS
Reactions also quickly poured in on Reddit from fans. Check out some of the reactions below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com:
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Overall, season one of "Dutton Ranch" was excellent. Unlike "Marshals," the series about Rip and Beth actually feels like "Yellowstone." It carries the same vibe and energy as Sheridan's legendary neo-Western, and season one's cliffhanger guarantees season two will be electric. Do you have any thoughts on the season one finale? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
Fake Booking.com travel credit scam targets travelers
Summer travel already costs enough. So, an email promising a $500 Booking.com travel credit can feel like a lucky break.
That is exactly why this message we received deserves a closer look. It uses a familiar travel brand, a big reward and a deadline to push you toward a blue "Redeem Now" button. The email also uses my real name in three places, which makes the message feel more personal and convincing.
However, the details in this email raise several red flags. The sender address does not even appear to relate to Booking.com. The subject line feels vague. The reward sounds broad. The deadline adds pressure.
Scammers know people are booking flights, hotels and last-minute trips right now. A fake travel credit can catch someone at the perfect moment.
BOOKING A SUMMER TRIP? HERE'S WHAT YOU'RE GIVING SCAMMERS
Before you click anything, let's break down what makes this email look suspicious.
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The subject line says "(1) Pending." That wording is a red flag. It sounds urgent, but it does not clearly explain what is pending.
Scammers often use vague subject lines because they spark curiosity. You may open the message just to find out what needs your attention.
Also, the number "(1)" makes the email feel like an account alert. It hints that one item needs action. That can push you to click faster.
A real travel reward email should explain the offer clearly. It should not rely on mystery to get your attention.
The biggest giveaway is the sender address. The display name uses a Booking. com-style label. However, the actual email address does not appear to relate to Booking.com at all. That is a major warning sign.
Scammers can copy a logo, brand colors and a button. Still, the sender address often exposes the fake. Always open the full sender details before clicking. Look past the display name. If the real address uses a strange domain, random letters or an unrelated company name, stop. That one detail can save you from a stolen password or a fake payment page.
One detail makes this scam feel more personal: the email uses my real name in three places. That can make a fake message feel more legitimate.
Scammers use names, account-style details and fake customer IDs to lower your guard. They want you to think, "Well, they know who I am, so this must be real."
But a real name does not prove an email is legitimate. Your name may already appear in old breaches, data broker lists, leaked marketing databases or public records. That personal touch should make you more cautious, not less.
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Another strange detail appears near the top of the message. The email itself shows "March 2026," but it was actually sent to us on June 23, 2026.
That mismatch matters because real travel reward emails usually have consistent dates, campaign timing and account details. A March label on a June email can suggest a reused template, a sloppy scam setup or a copied brand-style message.
Scammers often move fast and recycle old layouts. So, when the date inside an email does not match when it arrived, treat that as another reason to pause before clicking.
The message says you are eligible for a CA$500 Booking.com travel credit. That amount feels big enough to matter. It also feels believable enough to make you curious.
That combination is dangerous. Scammers do not always use wild dollar amounts. They often choose a number that feels exciting but still possible.
The email also says the credit can be applied toward hotels, flights or a Booking.com reservation in Canada. That broad wording makes the offer sound useful to almost anyone planning travel.
However, real travel rewards should be easy to confirm inside your official account. You should not need to click an email button to find out if a credit exists.
The message mentions a Spring Genius Loyalty Event. That sounds official because Booking.com has used the Genius name for its loyalty program. Scammers use familiar program names because they make fake emails feel more believable.
Still, the email does not give enough proof. It does not explain real terms. It does not tell you to verify inside your account. It mainly pushes you toward the "Redeem Now" button.
That is another red flag. Real rewards usually appear in your official account, app or wallet area. A surprise email should never be your only proof.
The message says your activity placed you among a select number of loyal members. That line tries to make the reward feel personal. It suggests you earned something special because of your booking history.
However, the wording stays broad. It could apply to almost anyone. Scammers often use flattery to lower your guard. When a message makes you feel chosen, you may spend less time checking the details. That is exactly what the scammer wants.
The message says you must respond before June 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.. That exact deadline adds pressure. It makes the credit feel like it could disappear at midnight.
Then the email says the allocation will be released if you take no action. In other words, it wants you to move quickly before you inspect the sender, links or account details.
Urgency is one of the most common scam tactics. When an email mixes a reward with a deadline, slow down. A real company will let you verify rewards by logging in safely through the official app or website.
The blue "Redeem Now" button is the part to avoid. A scam link can take you to a fake Booking.com sign-in page. From there, scammers may try to steal your email address, password, payment details or verification codes.
Some fake pages look convincing. They may use the same colors, fonts and logo style as the real site. However, the link behind the button tells the real story. Since you cannot fully trust a button in a suspicious email, do not click it. Open Booking.com through the official app instead. You can also type the website into your browser.
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This email landed in our junk folder, and that is worth noting. Spam filters can flag suspicious sender patterns, bulk messages, strange links or known scam behavior. They are not perfect, but they can give you a useful warning.
So, when a reward email appears in junk, treat it with extra caution. Do not click first and investigate later. The safer move is to delete the message and check your account directly.
CyberGuy reached out to Booking.com about the suspicious email. Booking.com responded with general safety guidance for travelers and said it uses dedicated teams and machine learning tools to monitor, detect and block suspicious activity around the clock.
Booking.com responded to CyberGuy after we reached out about the suspicious email. The company did not specifically verify this email, but said cybercrime and online fraud are not new or unique to Booking.com or the travel industry.
"At Booking.com, the security and data protection of our partners and travelers is a top priority. We have dedicated teams and employ machine learning tooling to monitor, detect and block suspicious activity around the clock and continuously work to enhance the robust security measures we have in place," Booking.com said.
Booking.com also advises travelers to keep communication and payment on its platform, watch for unusual host requests or last-minute listing changes and report suspicious messages through its official customer service channels.
A fake travel credit can look convincing at first, but a few quick checks can help you avoid a stolen login, fake payment page or follow-up scam.
Do not trust the display name alone. A scam email can say Booking.com, while the real sender address has nothing to do with the company. Open the sender details and look closely. Strange domains, random letters or unrelated addresses are clear warning signs.
Do not assume an email is safe because it knows your name. Scammers can get names from data breaches, people-search sites and marketing lists. If a message uses your name while pushing a deadline, reward or login link, treat it as suspicious.
Do not click "Redeem Now" from the email. Instead, open the Booking.com app or type the website into your browser. Then check your account for rewards, wallet credits or official messages. If the credit is real, it should appear there. Booking.com also advises travelers not to move communication or payment outside its platform because scammers often use that tactic to avoid platform protections.
Words like Pending, Confirm, Final notice and Limited time can push you to act fast. Slow down when an email adds a deadline. Scammers use urgency because it keeps you from checking the facts.
Never enter your password, payment details or verification codes from an email link. Also, use a password manager. It can help you avoid fake sign-in pages because it usually will not autofill your saved password on the wrong site.
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) or passkeys for your Booking.com account, email account and payment accounts. That extra step can help block a scammer who steals your password. Never share a one-time code with anyone who contacts you by email, text or phone.
Use strong antivirus software on your devices to help detect malicious links, fake websites and suspicious downloads. That extra layer can help stop a scam before it steals your information or infects your device. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
Scammers can use your exposed personal information to make phishing emails feel more believable. A data removal service can help reduce how much of your personal data appears on people-search sites and data broker lists. That can make it harder for scammers to target you with personalized travel scams. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
Report the message as phishing or junk in your email app. You can also forward suspicious Booking.com-related emails to Booking.com's customer service or report them through your account. This helps the platform track scams that impersonate its brand. Booking.com says travelers should report suspicious listings or communications through its official customer service channels so they can be investigated quickly.
Since this email already appeared in the junk folder, your spam filter likely spotted something suspicious. Mark it as junk and delete it. If you already clicked, change your Booking.com password through the official site. Then check your card activity. Also, watch for follow-up scam messages that mention travel credits, refunds or account problems.
This fake Booking.com email works because it shows up when travel is already on your mind. A $500 credit sounds helpful when hotels and flights feel expensive. But the warning signs are clear. The vague subject line creates curiosity. The sender address does not appear connected to Booking.com. The use of a real name makes the scam feel more personal. The deadline adds pressure. The "Redeem Now" button pushes you toward a risky click. That is important because travel scams often work fast. One fake login page can hand scammers your account, payment details or personal information. The safest move is to ignore the email and check your account directly. If the credit is real, it should appear inside your Booking.com account. If it is fake, you just avoided a costly summer scam.
With scammers using trusted travel brands to push fake credits, should companies like Booking.com do more to protect customers before they fall for the click? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Brown Jackson’s latest spotlight moment fuels accusations she’s forgetting her day job: 'Not celebrities'
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson appeared on the cover of the most recent issue of Essence magazine, spurring critics to argue that she is seeking publicity in ways that are inappropriate for a member of the Supreme Court.
"Supreme Court Justices are not celebrities and should not be treated like celebrities," Andrew Fleischman, a Georgia trial and appeal lawyer, wrote of the cover.
The magazine’s cover features a picture of Jackson wearing a purple coat and smiling directly at the reader. Underneath Jackson’s photo is a caption that reads "the people’s champion."
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Essence magazine describes itself as the "premiere lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazine for African-American women."
"As America celebrates its 250th birthday, ESSENCE is honored to unveil the first magazine cover of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic career," Essence tweeted on the 4th of July, accompanied by a photo of the cover.
"As the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, there is no better moment to celebrate her extraordinary legacy. Ketanji Brown Jackson represents the American Dream and serves as a powerful voice for those simply seeking the God-given birthrights promised to every American," the tweet continued.
Jackson’s public appearances outside the court have drawn periodic criticism from some conservatives and legal observers, who argue that events such as the Grammy Awards, Broadway appearances and a Vogue photoshoot risk blurring the line between judicial service and celebrity.
"Ketanji Brown Jackson isn't supposed to be ‘the people's champion,’" Billy Binion, a reporter for a libertarian magazine, wrote on X. "She's not a politician. She's supposed to interpret the law, not make it. This kind of thing is why so many people misunderstand how our government works at a basic level."
"Supreme Court justices shouldn’t be celebrities," Laura Powell, a civil liberties attorney, wrote of the cover. "They don’t have to run for office and don’t need political slogans like ‘The People’s Champion.’ They should simply do their job of interpreting the law according to constitutional principles."
Jackson is not the only justice whose outside activities have drawn scrutiny. Other members of the court have reported book income, teaching payments, travel reimbursements and gifts in annual financial disclosures.
Sitting Supreme Court Justices have previously appeared on magazine covers, including the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2015 and Sonia Sotomayor in 2009.
Michelle Zier, an adjunct professor at Concordia University Chicago, pointed out that Alexander Hamilton explicitly warned that the judges would need to avoid the temptation to be seen as champions of the people.
"But it is easy to see that it would require an uncommon portion of fortitude in the judges to do their duty as faithful guardians of the Constitution, where legislative invasions of it had been instigated by the major voice of the community," Hamilton wrote in Federalist 78.
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Even some on the left took issue with Jackson’s magazine cover.
"Obviously, nowhere near the worst or weirdest thing is sitting justice has done but yeah we really need that SCOTUS code of ethics," Sam Weinberg, who runs a progressive advocacy group, wrote of the cover.
Responding to criticism over her attendance at the Grammy Awards, Jackson argued that part of her job is "public outreach and education."
"When the justices are on recess — which is what we are doing right now — we really have an opportunity to go out into the community in various different ways," she told "The View" in February.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Supreme Court and Essence magazine on Monday.