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Fake party invite scam: Can you trust a friend's reply?
An invitation from a friend lands in your inbox. Something feels off, so you do the responsible thing. You email your friend to make sure the invitation is legitimate. A reply comes back confirming everything. You would probably feel comfortable clicking at that point, right?
That's what makes a recent email from John in Westlake, Ohio, so unsettling. He received a suspicious Evite and decided to investigate. However, the response he received raised even more questions. John has since confirmed with his friend that the emails were part of a scam. His experience reveals a potential weakness in how we verify suspicious emails, especially when someone else's inbox may be compromised.
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John received what appeared to be a fraudulent Evite from a friend. After reading our previous warnings about fake Evite emails, he decided to email his friend directly rather than click the invitation. What happened next made him even more suspicious.
Here's what John wrote:
"I received what I thought was a fraudulent eVite from a friend. Thanks to your previous posts, I strongly suspected that this was a phishing attempt. So, I independently emailed my friend and asked if the eVite was legitimate. I got the response below."
Hi John
This is from me, and I sent it, Sorry for the confusion,
Thank you
"It appears that the scammers either set up an auto-response on the Gmail account or manually responded to my email. The punctuation was wrong, so I didn't consider the response legitimate."
John thought the reply sounded unlike his friend and wondered whether someone had gained access to the account. He later contacted his friend again and confirmed that the emails were a scam. John also shared the actual Evite-branded invitation, which advertised a "Dinner Gathering & Celebration" and included a "View Invitation" button. Its polished design resembled a legitimate event invitation, showing how easily someone could mistake a fraudulent message for the real thing.
WHY VERIFIED SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS CAN STILL LEAD YOU INTO A SCAM
Most people know they should be cautious about unexpected links. In fact, we've repeatedly encouraged readers to verify suspicious messages before taking action. That remains excellent advice. However, there's an additional concern when the email account you're contacting may already be under someone else's control.
The Federal Trade Commission warned in May 2026 about fraudulent invitations that imitate popular services such as Evite and Paperless Post. These messages may appear to come from someone you recognize. When you try to view the invitation, a fake website can ask for your email password or a verification code.
If criminals obtain access to that account, they may send more fraudulent invitations to the account owner's contacts. The messages can appear to originate from a legitimate email address, making them especially convincing. Now consider what happens when someone replies to one of those invitations asking whether it's real. If a criminal still controls the sender's inbox, that person could potentially intercept the question and send a reassuring answer. A recipient might then believe the invitation is safe because a familiar email address confirmed it.
John wondered whether someone had configured an automatic response inside his friend's Gmail account. Technically, that's possible. Gmail allows users to create email templates and filters that automatically respond to certain messages. Someone with unauthorized access could potentially misuse that feature or simply respond manually while impersonating the account owner.
Although John confirmed the emails were fraudulent, we still don't know how the reassuring reply was generated. There's no technical evidence yet showing whether someone accessed his friend's account, configured an automatic response or used another method to impersonate him. What John's experience does demonstrate is that a reassuring email reply can accompany a confirmed scam.
We reached out to Evite about John's experience and asked whether the company was aware of this type of scam. In a statement provided to CyberGuy, Evite said:
"We're not currently seeing a rise in phishing scams, however, staying aware is always important, which is why we're constantly monitoring and providing tools to help users spot the fakes at evite.com/blog/etiquette/how-to-spot-phishing-email-scam/ . The best way to tell the difference is that a scam is generic, but a real gathering today is highly specific. Real hosts are over-communicating, sharing everything from parking instructions and dress codes to very specific themes like 'Strawberry' or 'Western.' That level of detail is what makes a modern invite harder to fake and gives guests the confidence to say 'yes' without second-guessing.
Evite advice? Check the details. If it just says 'You're invited' with a link, be cautious. A real Evite host today is telling you where to park and what to wear."
Evite's advice is worth keeping in mind, although scammers can also create convincing invitations with specific event details. That's why it's important to take additional precautions before clicking an unexpected invitation.
A few changes to how you verify unexpected invitations can help prevent a suspicious email from becoming a much bigger problem.
If an invitation seems unusual, contact the sender using a phone number you already have. You can also reach out through another established communication channel, provided you have reason to trust that account. Avoid using phone numbers included in the suspicious invitation. A criminal could provide a fake contact number designed to make the story sound legitimate.
Be cautious if an invitation asks you to enter your email password or share a security code before revealing event details. A phishing website may use those requests to steal account access. If you expect an invitation from a particular service, open its official app or visit its website directly. Check whether the invitation appears in your account rather than following an unfamiliar link.
Pay attention if a familiar contact suddenly uses an unusual writing style or gives an answer that doesn't fit the conversation. Unexpected requests to click another link should make you even more cautious. However, don't rely entirely on spelling mistakes or punctuation. Criminals can write convincing messages, while legitimate emails may contain errors. The safest approach is to confirm the situation through another trusted method.
Fake invitations can sometimes lead to malicious downloads rather than stolen passwords. In certain attacks, criminals disguise remote access software as something you need to install to view an invitation. Strong antivirus software can help identify dangerous downloads and block known malicious websites on supported devices. Keep your operating system and security software updated so you receive the latest available protections. If you accidentally downloaded an invitation file, avoid opening it. Run a security scan using trusted software. If you entered login credentials on a suspicious website, change them through the legitimate service immediately. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
If you suspect someone has accessed your Gmail account, review its settings for changes you didn't make. An attacker may use forwarding or automated email rules to interfere with incoming messages.
On a computer, follow these steps:
If you discover unfamiliar settings, investigate them and remove unauthorized changes. You should also secure your Google account and review recent sign-in activity.
A strong, unique password helps protect your email. You should also enable two-factor authentication or use a passkey where supported. Passkeys provide stronger protection against phishing because they are tied to legitimate websites or apps. Visit your Google Account security settings at myaccount.google.com/security to review recent activity and connected devices. If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password using a trusted device and sign out unfamiliar sessions. A password manager can help you avoid reusing passwords across accounts. That way, one exposed password is less likely to compromise another service.
Scammers often use personal information found online to make fraudulent messages sound more convincing. Data brokers collect and sell details such as your email address, phone number and information about your family. A personal data removal service can help reduce that exposure by requesting that participating data brokers remove your information. Although no service can erase everything or prevent a friend's email account from being hacked, limiting what's available online may make it harder for criminals to personalize 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
When you encounter a fraudulent invitation, use your email provider's phishing-reporting tools. In Gmail, open the suspicious message, select the three-dot menu and choose Report phishing . You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the message appears to come from a friend, contact that person using another trusted channel. They may need to secure their account and alert other people who received similar invitations.
If your friend confirms that someone accessed their account, avoid interacting with the invitation. Save the suspicious message as evidence and report it to your email provider. You may also want to check whether you received any follow-up messages containing unfamiliar links.
Encourage your friend to begin account recovery through their email provider's official website. They should review their account activity and remove unauthorized access. If the scammer sent invitations to other contacts, your friend should warn those people through a communication method they still control. For Gmail users, Google provides instructions for securing a hacked account. Acting quickly may help prevent additional messages from reaching trusted contacts.
John's email made me reconsider a piece of advice I often give. I've always encouraged people to contact someone they know when a suspicious message arrives. I still believe that's smart advice, but how you reach that person is important. If their email account has been compromised, you could end up communicating with the scammer instead. Personally, I'd rather pick up the phone and call a number I already trust. I'm glad John trusted his instincts and followed up with his friend. He received a reply saying the invitation was legitimate, yet he kept questioning it. That extra effort helped him confirm the scam. We can't assume every strangely worded email comes from a hacker, but we also shouldn't ignore something that feels wrong. Scammers count on us trusting familiar names and email addresses. John's experience shows why a little extra verification can be worth the effort.
Have you ever questioned a suspicious email, only to receive a reassuring reply that still didn't sound like the person you knew? Did you later discover their account had been hacked? I'd like to hear what happened so write to us at Cyberguy.com
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Paige Spiranac unloads her Halloween content on America, Jenn Sterger as Wednesday Addams & Capturing Bigfoot
I'm back from vacation and in need of a vacation from the vacation. I spent a good part of the day yesterday in the car and missed a lot of college football action trying to make it back in time for our little guy to go trick or treating.
That was a success and, after I unpacked, I was able to catch the unranked Tar Heels and a single and focused Bill Belichick nearly upset No. 1 Miami. Bill and company almost pulled it off.
Everyone knows it only really counts if you pull it off. Which brings me to another of the games I caught the end of, unranked USC defeating No. 2-ranked Ohio State. Obviously, the Buckeyes were once again highly overrated.
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You hate to see Ohio State lose a game on the road that they should win. Sadly, you're going to hear all kinds of excuses about Julian Sayin being injured. Bottom line, they couldn't get the job done. The beard dye is fading in Columbus.
Now to more important matters than the sad state of Ohio State football. Paige Spiranac putting her love of Halloween on display for all of America.
If you're going to do such a thing, you have to go all out.
It's safe to say that the top golf influencer on the planet, and some are even saying the best influencer to have ever done it, went all out.
PAIGE SPIRANAC GIVES PEOPLE WHAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY NEEDED: HER YOGURT BOWL RECIPE
Are we still declaring winners of Halloween and other holidays?
I don't know. I'm never on top of those sorts of things. Although I do strongly believe in recognizing greatness.
Paige's effort here is unmatched. The numbers speak for themselves. She showed up and kept the pressure on everyone else trying to compete.
If that's not how you win Halloween, I don't know the rules anymore.
I watched the "Capturing Bigfoot" documentary when it came out on Bigfoot Day, which is October 20, for those who didn't know.
The documentary is about the famous 1967 Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot footage. The footage that supposedly shows Bigfoot out for a stroll in California.
There were a few things about the Patterson-Gimlin film that I didn’t know before I sat down and watched it. On the top of that list is that people still believed, at least before this documentary, that footage was real.
That blew me away. I thought it was agreed upon long ago that it was fake. Apparently not. There were some out there who believed it was real video evidence of Bigfoot.
The documentary (spoiler alert) shows another piece of footage that was believed to be a test run a year before Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin filmed the footage we have all seen.
I debated whether I would write a standalone article about the documentary and I decided that it belonged in "America's Best Daily Column." I said in a prior edition of Sunday Screencaps that I would watch it after all, and I did purchase it and waste my time watching it.
Back to the doc. Another piece of information I learned about the Patterson-Gimlin film was how much money it generated when it first came out. I had no idea that it was shown in venues around the country.
I didn’t get into Bigfoot because of the Patterson-Gimlin film.
As I've mentioned before, it was the fine work and incredible confidence in the existence of Bigfoot (despite an overwhelming lack of evidence) by the folks on the show "Finding Bigfoot" that got me hooked.
So, if you're interested in learning more about the Patterson-Gimlin film, the documentary will fill you in. They spoke to many people involved in and around the famous footage.
If you're hoping this documentary finally debunks the Patterson-Gimlin film, I'd point you at the original footage. That does a decent job of debunking it all by itself.
Oh, and one more thing I learned from this doc. The Bigfoot in the Patterson-Gimlin is female and has boobs.
- Scott in Ridgeland SC writes:
SeanJo – hope you had a great weekend off. Been away from home quite a bit so first grill chance I’ve had in a while and all is good, beautiful sunset, flood tide coming in (no redfish running unfortunately), bottle of pinot noir ready to go and hoping the Gamecocks come back and win (they did)! Maybe a little dark liquor later and yes that ribeye was way bigger than I thought it was going to be. All is right with the world.
SeanJo
Nice meat, Scott. We had a great week off. I'm glad you got a chance to fire up the grill and that it happened during a win. Keep sending in your meat.
-------------------------
That is all I have on this first day of November. Yesterday was the Super Bowl for Instagram models, and they took Paige Spiranac's lead by dumping out their best Halloween content.
My Panthers have already lost this week. You know what's nice about losing on Thursday night? You can focus on your fantasy football team losing on Sunday.
That said, the Panthers are still on top of the NFC South and have the rest of the division right where they want them. There's a lot of football left to be played and, at 3-4, they're still in it.
Yes, I am ignoring the in-season coaching changes and what that says about the current state of the franchise. I'm choosing to remain positive. Again, there's a lot of football left.
The inbox is open. I want to see your meat. Send it in. I'll take anything and everything else as well at sean.joseph@outkick.com. Go follow me on Twitter and over on Instagram and feel free to slide into the DMs.
Ancient Roman treasure unearthed at military base, two coins aren't what they seem
Archaeologists in Sweden recently made an unusual discovery. They found 45 ancient Roman silver coins, including two believed to be counterfeits.
The discovery was announced by the Swedish Armed Forces earlier this fall.
The coins were unearthed during archaeological excavations ahead of an expansion of Sweden's Gotland Regiment military base, according to officials.
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"During one of the excavations, an unusual find was made — a silver treasure with Roman coins from the second century A.D.," the Swedish Armed Forces said in a translated statement.
The discovery came as archaeologists were wrapping up an excavation of a farmhouse foundation dating to the Migration Period, which spanned roughly the fifth and sixth centuries A.D.
The archaeologists were making "one final sweep with the metal detector" before the discovery, according to officials.
"Then an insistent beeping indicated that something was in the ground near one of the foundation stones," the statement said.
"They carefully dug a small silver coin out of the soil — and more finds would follow."
RARE COIN BEARING FACE OF KING WITH INFAMOUS NICKNAME UNEARTHED AFTER 1,000 YEARS
When archaeologists brushed off the coin, they discovered a stamped portrait of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled from 138 to 161 A.D.
"The metal detector's persistent beeping indicated that more objects were hidden near the same foundation stone," officials said.
"Before the workday was over, archaeologists had counted 45 coins and a gold finger ring. All the coins are Roman, minted during the second century for five emperors and four empresses."
The coins were identified by Lennart Lind, a Swedish expert on Roman coins.
ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER SPRAWLING ROMAN ESTATE BURIED FOR CENTURIES BENEATH FARMLAND
The coins feature five Roman emperors — Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius and Commodus — as well as four empresses: Vibia Sabina, Faustina I, Faustina II and Lucilla, according to officials.
Experts believe the coins arrived on Gotland during the fourth century and were used in trade for generations before being buried alongside the gold ring around 450 A.D.
Two of the coins, however, were ancient counterfeits that may have originated in what is now Ukraine, according to archaeologists.
Elsewhere on the military grounds, archaeologists found nine graves believed to be around 2,000 years old, including one containing nearly 10 pounds of burned human bones, according to the release.
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The remains belonged to at least two individuals, including an adult man, officials said.
Archaeologists also discovered bronze fittings believed to have been attached to a sword suspension and a shield.
The coins may have been buried as part of a sacrifice, said Per Widerström, an archaeologist at Gotland Museum.
Widerström told Fox News Digital the silver coins were largely what archaeologists would expect to uncover at such a site, but the gold ring was unusual.
Widerström also said newly received radiocarbon dating results indicated activity at the settlement from the fourth through sixth centuries, consistent with archaeologists' expectations.
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"Perhaps it was abandoned around 540 when there was a low in human history in this part of the world because of natural disasters from 536 A.D. and on for 10 years," Widerström said. "Maybe that is the reason behind them leaving the farm."
The bigger surprise, he said, was the number of buildings identified at the site — six in total, apparently belonging to two neighboring farms.
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"It looks like it was slowly abandoned, and some of the people might even have come back to this place to get more things back to a new settlement," he said.
The Roman coin hoard is the latest in a series of ancient discoveries in Sweden.
Earlier this year, Swedish archaeologists discovered two rare Bronze Age neck rings believed to be more than 2,500 years old buried inside an ancient grave monument.
Last winter, Swedish officials announced the discovery of an exceptionally well-preserved, 5,000-year-old dog skeleton buried alongside a bone dagger near Stockholm.
Why people really stopped having kids: New study uncovers the surprising reasons families are shrinking
High housing costs and unequal chore loads may not fully explain the drop in birth rates around the world, according to a new report from the Institute for Family Studies and the Wheatley Institute.
The survey of nearly 10,000 respondents across more than a dozen countries points to culture, finding that peer pressure, anxiety about the future and the rise of "pet parenting" strongly influence whether couples choose to start or grow a family.
"Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn have six kids each. Their hipster neighbors have 1.6 kids each," Lyman Stone, senior fellow and director of the Pronatalism Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies, told Fox News Digital. "They live in the same economy. They have very different outcomes. Why? Different culture."
AGE OF FIRST-TIME MOTHERS HITS RECORD HIGH IN BLUE STATES AS BIRTH RATES KEEP FALLING
The report also tested whether sharing chores affects fertility intentions, finding no statistically significant relationship between family planning and either the division of household responsibilities or perceptions of fairness.
"There's been a lot of research on, you know, 'If men did more laundry, would birth rates go up? If men helped out more at home, would birth rates go up?' And the answer is basically no," Stone said.
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"The last 30 years have seen a revolution in involved fatherhood. Dads are doing more at home than ever before and fertility rates keep plummeting," he added to Fox News Digital.
One of the strongest associations researchers identified was between fertility intentions and having a supportive circle of friends. Believing that one's friends would celebrate a new baby was linked to a 10% increase in desired family size and a 20% higher likelihood of intending to have another child.
TRADITIONAL TWO-PARENT FAMILIES VANISH FROM BIG AMERICAN CITIES AS 'MARRIAGE DESERTS' EXPAND
"All around the world, we just found that friends are really important," Stone said. "Where peer culture ratifies and encourages family life, family life is more successful."
The association extended beyond friends to admired public figures. Respondents who admired a celebrity with more children than they had were 14% more likely to intend to have another child.
DRIVEN BY PROGRESSIVE DOOMISM, LIBERALS ARE HAVING FEWER BABIES THAN CONSERVATIVE FAMILIES
Researchers also identified a connection between attitudes toward pets and decisions about having children. Respondents who expressed a preference for being a "pet parent" rather than having children reported a 30% lower desired family size and showed a 50% drop in intentions to have more children.
"The animal is not the problem. The problem is the attitude," Stone said. "That says that, you know, changing a litter box is truly as meaningful as changing a diaper. And I just have to tell you, it isn't."
AMERICA’S BABY BUST MAY BE LINKED TO THE IPHONE, STUDY SAYS
Researchers found that risk aversion, anxiety about the future and general pessimism were also associated with smaller desired families. Respondents who were more comfortable taking risks and optimistic about their futures tended to desire and have more children.
"Some decline in fertility may just be because there's bad vibes," Stone said to Fox News Digital. "There's just the internet constantly telling you that everything is bad, everything's getting worse and there’s a million things to be worried about and you shouldn't take any risks."
"I hate to tell you, but yeah, having children has a possibility of hurting you, both physically, financially and emotionally, in the long run, you know, a child who grows up to reject you is a very painful thing. So yes, there is risk with having kids. But there is also great reward," he added.
Encouragement from parents was another significant factor associated with fertility intentions. According to the study, "Parental encouragement to have children is associated with an 11% increase in desired number of children and a 30% increase in the likelihood of intending to have another one." Encouraging childless, cohabiting adult children to marry was also associated with a 14% higher likelihood of intending to have a child.
FAMILY BREAKDOWN IN PENNSYLVANIA PROMPTS FAITH-BASED EFFORT TO BRING MARRIAGE BACK
But Stone cautioned that guilt-tripping adult children into having kids may be ineffective. Instead, he suggested parents share the joy they experienced raising children and offer practical support.
"If you're a parent and you want grandbabies from your adult children, you probably won't get very far telling them that they owe you grandbabies," Stone said. "But you may get somewhere telling them stories of how much you enjoyed raising them and how much fun you think you're going to have helping them raise their children."
Religion was another factor linked to larger families. Respondents with the highest levels of religious devotion had 9% more children and were 12% more likely to intend to have another child.
But researchers found no statistically significant relationship between hearing clergy speak about family and family size. Instead, the findings suggest religious communities may be associated with fertility intentions through friendships and networks of practical support, including help with meals and celebrating the arrival of a new baby.
"Where religion really does matter is it shapes the friendships people have. Religious people were overwhelmingly more likely to have friends who would be supportive of them having kids," Stone said.
"So, it seems that what's going on is religious communities are religious communities. They are places where people form friendships that create bonds of mutual support that exist almost secondary to the doctrines and theology of the organization. And first and foremost are about mutual investment in one another," he added.
For Stone, the findings suggest that efforts to encourage family formation do not depend solely on government policies or financial incentives. Friends, relatives and neighbors can also play a role by creating communities where raising children is supported and encouraged.
"You matter to the people around you and you have influence on them," Stone said. "You don't have to wait for the government to pass a law to make a difference for family formation. Regular people can influence this just by being good friends, good neighbors, good parents, good leaders and good members of the community, and telling young families: 'We're here for you, we support you, we think this is a good and admirable thing to do.'"
Trump's DOJ makeover hasn't changed where the political cash is flowing — and the gap is growing
The Trump administration has sought to eliminate what it alleges is partisan bias within the Justice Department, but the vast majority of political donations from individuals identifying themselves as DOJ employees are still going to Democratic-aligned committees, according to a Fox News Digital analysis of federal campaign finance records.
Between January 2025 and August of this year, just over 75% of campaign contributions from individuals identifying themselves as Department of Justice employees went to Democratic committees, the analysis of federal campaign finance records found.
Fox News Digital analyzed roughly $300,000 in political contributions recorded by the Federal Election Commission between January 2025 and August 2026 from donors who listed their employer as "Department of Justice," "DOJ" or a variation of those names. Contributions were categorized by the political affiliation of the recipient candidate or committee, while independent-expenditure committees were classified according to the candidates or parties they supported. When exporting data from the Federal Election Commission's dashboard, an option to include donations from "unique individuals only" was selected to filter out duplicative records.
As the Trump administration has progressed, the partisan slant of DOJ donations has become more pronounced. Through 2025, about 70% of donations from those identifying themselves as DOJ staff went to Democratic committees, a figure that rose to just under 90% in 2026, according to Fox News Digital's findings.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche and his predecessor, Pam Bondi, both claimed that the Trump administration inherited a deeply corrupt DOJ, pointing to allegations that the agency was inundated with political bias under President Joe Biden's tenure.
"There are a lot of people in the FBI and also in the Department of Justice who despise Donald Trump, despise us," Bondi said in early 2025. "Right now, we’re going to root them out; we will find them, and they will no longer be employed."
Critics have pushed back against claims of political weaponization during the Biden administration, arguing that high-profile investigations into President Donald Trump and other conservatives originated from legitimate legal concerns.
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Both of Trump’s attorneys general under his second administration have made strides to recruit a greater number of ideologically aligned lawyers while attempting to push those out who may not be willing to advance the administration’s interests.
In early February 2026, DOJ chief of staff Chad Mizelle publicly encouraged lawyers who "support President Trump" to contact him about becoming federal prosecutors. Stephen Miller amplified the appeal on social media with the caption "patriots needed," and sitting U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones reposted the appeal alongside the phrase "we are hiring!" Mizelle later defended the approach as ensuring that executive-branch lawyers were in line with the elected president’s agenda.
LEGAL WAR ON TRUMP’S AGENDA GAINS FIREPOWER AS FEDERAL LAWYERS DEFECT TO DEMOCRATS
The administration's personnel overhaul has coincided with a substantial exodus of attorneys from federal service.
Over 10,000 attorneys have left federal service since Trump took office for a second term.
Fox News Digital reported in July that well over 100 federal attorneys had left the Trump administration for roles in Democratic-run state attorneys general offices. Many of these lawyers took decades of experience with them, prompting concerns that the Trump administration could be depriving itself of the ability to handle highly technical legal matters.
Some of these seasoned former federal lawyers have since joined legal action against the Trump administration.
While a significant number of government lawyers have left federal service under Trump, and some prominent conservatives have joined the administration, campaign finance records show that Democratic committees continue to receive the overwhelming majority of political contributions from donors identifying themselves as Justice Department employees.
Among the most common recipients of donations from those identifying themselves as DOJ employees were Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, and Emily’s List, a pro-abortion group associated with the Democratic Party. Some conservative committees, such as those in Trump’s network of PACs, were also common targets for Justice Department donors.
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Much of the DOJ's work concerns investigations and prosecutions unrelated to partisan politics, and the campaign finance records do not establish whether employees' political preferences have influenced the department's day-to-day operations.
Progressive critics, to the contrary, have alleged that the Trump administration is using the Justice Department to target its political enemies.
"Those who were fired from the Department were fired for a reason. Those who resigned or took the fork in the road option likely aligned more with the priorities of President Biden and would naturally leave, which is common during transitions," a DOJ spokeswoman previously told Fox News Digital. "The Administration gave career employees the fork in the road option to intentionally reduce the size of the government and eliminate unnecessary layers of staff who don’t effectively contribute to the mission of aggressively tackling crime."
The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Monday.
‘Baywatch’ beauty Erika Eleniak on pace for $1 million OnlyFans payday decades after iconic TV role
"Baywatch" bombshell Erika Eleniak is riding a whole new wave — and cashing in.
The actress, who famously patrolled the beaches of Southern California in the hit '90s series, has raked in nearly $300,000 in just three months on OnlyFans — putting her on pace to make roughly $1 million during her first year on the subscription platform, TMZ reported.
Eleniak played lifeguard Shauni McClain on "Baywatch" from 1989 to 1992, becoming one of the show's original stars.
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"When I first thought about joining OnlyFans, I honestly believed I was going to hate it," Eleniak told Fox News Digital. "But I have to tell you, I absolutely love it. It has given me this incredible opportunity to reconnect with so many wonderful people who have followed my career since the 1980s, from 'E.T.' to 'Baywatch,' my Playboy days, 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' and everything in between."
"I never imagined that joining OnlyFans would have such an emotional impact on me," she admitted. "For the first time in my life, I genuinely feel loved, appreciated and empowered in a way I never have before. It's an extraordinary feeling, and I honestly can't believe how much happiness it's brought into my life."
"I'm embracing this new chapter with open arms, and I feel more confident, more connected and more excited about the future than I have in years," Eleniak added.
According to TMZ, Eleniak is making "far more" than the $10,000 per week she was reportedly earning shortly after launching her profile in August. The outlet previously reported that Eleniak had more than 1,100 subscribers.
"What has touched me the most is realizing just how many people have stayed with me throughout all these years," Eleniak told Fox News Digital. "Some have been there since the very beginning, and now we're reconnecting in such a personal and meaningful way. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to every single one of them. They're the reason I've had the career I've had, and they've given me so much love and support throughout my life."
OnlyFans allows creators, including celebrities, athletes and sex workers, to charge subscribers directly for content. The platform has attracted hundreds of millions of users and generated billions of dollars in annual transactions, according to company financial figures.
Eleniak said she initially joined OnlyFans because she thought it would be a fun way to connect with fans. She previously told Fox News Digital that she sometimes felt insecure while filming "Baywatch" in a swimsuit, but said she now feels more comfortable in her own skin.
"Well, that didn't change," she said. "When you're working in a costume that's basically a bathing suit, and you're running and doing action and all kinds of things, it's not the most comfortable uniform on the planet. So I don't think that would change for me today. But I am 57 years old. I am comfortable in my body and in my skin. I love where I'm at right now. So I suppose that's changed."
Eleniak describes her content as "personal, playful and unfiltered." She also isn't afraid to dip her toes into some unusual requests.
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"There are a lot of people who like feet," she said with a smile. "Usually, when you get a request for something with feet, it can be a little funny. It can be a little odd, but to each their own. But I really was surprised feet was very popular."
Eleniak said she has faced little backlash since joining OnlyFans.
"I've been pleasantly surprised," she explained. "I've had a really warm welcome, and a lot of cheering on from people just saying, 'Go get it, have fun.' And there's always going to be naysayers. Whether it's OnlyFans or some other job I've done, there's always somebody who wants to say something mean. You know, trolls. I just ignore it, honestly."
"I think the stigma around joining OnlyFans has changed," she said. "It's continuing to evolve. It's sort of like a modern-day fan club where you get to be directly with your fans. The content is right there. And especially as women in the entertainment industry, you want to have control over your own image. It's so important. It made total sense for me to join. And I think it's timely for people who want to take control of their own created image and content online."
Eleniak said she's comfortable embracing her sexy side while maintaining control over the content she shares.
"To me, sexy means being confident in your skin, being confident in who you are, as opposed to just the aesthetics of what you look like," she said. "I think sexiness comes from inside and feeling good in your skin. Back in 'Baywatch,' I was so young, and you're just figuring things out in your 20s. But now that I'm in my 50s, I feel like I've got it figured out. I feel sexy and confident in ways that make me feel empowered. I'm having fun and calling the shots."
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"I'm flirty, but I keep it classy and spicy," she said with a laugh.
As Eleniak continues to find success on OnlyFans, she's hoping to make a splash on "Baywatch" once again — decades after hanging up her iconic red swimsuit.
She is set to reprise the role in a guest appearance on Fox's upcoming "Baywatch" reboot, which is scheduled to premiere Jan. 6, 2027.
"I am very excited to be a part of the reboot," she said. "I think it's going to be amazing. I'm definitely hoping they will get picked up for another season and bring me back for a more regular role. I would love that. Looking back, the show was just magic. It was an escape for everybody, no matter where you lived in the world. It's still magic."
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For Eleniak, a "Baywatch" comeback would be more than a nostalgic return to the beach — it would mark another opportunity to embrace life on her own terms.
"I’m back, and this time, I’m doing it for me," she said.
Angel Reese after Atlanta Dream's disappointing WNBA Finals Game 7 loss: 'We'll be back'
SAN FRANCISCO – Angel Reese is already looking toward another championship run after the Atlanta Dream fell one win short of a title Saturday night.
"It is tough in the moment, but we’ll be back," Reese said after the Dream’s 68-63 loss to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center.
Reese finished with eight points on 3-for-7 shooting, 12 rebounds and four turnovers. She scored one point and did not attempt a field goal in the fourth quarter as Golden State secured its first championship.
Gabby Williams scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half and was named Finals MVP. Reese finished a fourth consecutive game with more turnovers than made baskets.
But afterward, Reese said she remained proud of her season and grateful for the teammates who helped Atlanta get within one victory of a championship.
"I’m really proud of the year that I had," Reese said. "I mean, I’ve done a lot of great things this year, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without this group."
"I’m a young player and I’m very vocal, but I think they really helped me a lot mature in different ways that I haven’t really been challenged," Reese said. "And they really challenged me to be better every single day."
Reese described a locker room where players supported one another’s accomplishments.
"There’s no egos in the locker room and nobody’s selfish," she said. "Like, everybody just wants to see each other succeed."
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That, Reese argued, was a reason to believe Atlanta could eventually finish the job.
"When you have a team like that, I’ve been a part of some teams and I know what it takes to win a championship," she said. "And that’s the winning mindset."
Reese won a national championship at LSU in 2023 and was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. Famously, she taunted Iowa star Caitlin Clark as the clock wound down on her team's victory.
Reese combined for 51 points and 28 rebounds in Atlanta’s victories in Games 2 and 3, helping the team build a 2-1 series lead.
Before Game 4, she spoke about getting into Golden State’s head.
"They’re playing into my mental game where I can take their confidence and just try to do whatever to mess them up," Reese said.
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Atlanta lost three of the next four games. Over that stretch, Reese averaged 9.5 points while shooting 12 for 45 (26.7%) and committing 19 turnovers. She continued to rebound, averaging 12.5 per game, but her scoring dropped sharply from the two victories that put Atlanta ahead.
The Dream forced Game 7 behind Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard’s combined 44 points in Thursday’s 80-69 win. In the deciding game, Atlanta led by nine midway through the third quarter before Williams took over.
Reese’s last field goal came with 2:12 remaining in the third. Her only point in the fourth came at the foul line with 18.6 seconds left.
Following the loss, she spoke about how much she had wanted to win for her teammates and Atlanta’s supporters.
"I love these girls. I love the coaches," Reese said. "I think it also sucks because our fan base back home poured into us so much this year, and we really wanted to do it for them, but we’re forever grateful."
She also expressed enthusiasm about another offseason working with Dream coach Karl Smesko.
"When individually you get better in the offseason, you get better collectively," Reese said, and then added that she was "looking forward to another year under Karl and his development and his system."
"Just because we didn’t win today doesn’t mean that we won’t be champions in the future," she said.
JONATHAN TURLEY: Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US election, raising questions about foreign leaders voting
"So, the Pope doesn’t take sides. Prevost has another opinion, but we won’t do that now."
That funny quip from Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, referred to the historic game in Rome when the Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams play each other.
However, a story this week raised a different question of when the Pope, as opposed to Prevost, can "take sides."
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This month, American-born Pope Leo XIV became the first pope ever to vote in a U.S. election.
A longtime Chicago native, the Pope mailed an absentee ballot to Will County, and the clerk’s office confirmed to Fox News Digital that "Robert Prevost is on the list of individuals who requested a Vote by Mail ballot."
There is no question that the pope can vote in the Holy See. Indeed, he is the ultimate and final vote in the Vatican, but can he actually vote in Illinois races — including the governor’s race involving incumbent Democrat J.B. Pritzker? The answer appears to be yes, but it raises some novel questions.
Now, as a threshold matter, I want to shed some bias. I was raised Catholic in Chicago. No, that is not the bias. There is that lingering conflict with the pope coming out as a White Sox fan. Many of us on the North Side hoped for a conversion to restore our faith in papal infallibility. However, he has remained entrenched in his South Side allegiance.
This column rises above that historic rivalry and does not suggest that White Sox fans can be challenged at the polls. Besides, I previously explained that the pope is a Cubs fan without knowing it.
Rather, what surprised me was that the head of a foreign state could vote in U.S. elections. The Vatican is a distinct nation with a diplomatic corps, a court system, a local government, and even a military in the form of the legendary Swiss Guards.
The Holy See Press Office declared, "Pope Leo XIV has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever he was eligible to do so. The Holy See Press Office confirms that, in keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago."
The Holy See maintains that Pope Leo retains his status as a U.S. citizen while serving as the head of a foreign nation. There is support for this position.
The State Department has maintained that dual citizens do not have to choose between their countries, though it does not expect them to serve as the head of another country.
Notably, the State Department requires dual citizens to use a U.S. passport to enter the country. Does that mean that, when traveling as head of state, Pope Leo has to use a U.S. passport? Unlikely, but intriguing.
It strikes me as odd that a person can lead another country and still vote in U.S. elections. With all of those worried about Russian interference in elections, imagine if Putin could actually vote in U.S. elections. Obviously, Pope Leo is greatly loved and represents someone whose values are aligned with this country. Yet, he is also the head of state of a foreign nation.
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Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), military personnel and citizens abroad are allowed to vote in U.S. elections. It is no longer considered an absentee vote requiring an excuse but simply a mail-in ballot.
The question is whether this right should be suspended when you assume a position in a foreign nation, let alone the head of such a nation. Dual citizenship has long been debated over the difficult questions raised by nations with opposing values and interests. However, being the head of a foreign government with potentially opposing interests and actions to the United States creates a curious status.
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It turns out that when Gov. Pritzker met with the pope last year, he was actually meeting with a constituent and voter.
I am most surprised that the Vatican does not have a policy against such voting, though this is admittedly unprecedented. I would think that the head of the Catholic faith and the head of a foreign government would have a single national citizenship running to the Holy See. All popes are selected from the global faithful by the College of Cardinals and thus have national citizenship with other countries.
In assuming their positions, the cardinals "pledge and swear, as individuals and as a group, to observe faithfully and scrupulously the prescriptions contained in the Apostolic Constitution."
They also reaffirm that they are not subject to countervailing allegiances or pressures from outside the College: "And never to lend support or favour to any interference, opposition or any other form of intervention, whereby secular authorities of whatever order and degree or any group of people or individuals might wish to intervene in the election of the Roman Pontiff."
However, it is fascinating that, once elected, popes do not shed that status upon assuming the head of the Holy See.
It is an uncomfortable question since it also raises whether the head of a foreign government should have dual citizenship. Most people were legitimately thrilled, including myself, by the first American pope and can view this as an unlikely "one-off." However, it could just as easily happen with another nation and a dual citizen.
At the risk of my own excommunication, it seems a worthy question for discussion, even though I doubt any politicians would relish such a debate.
For his part, Pope Leo stated before the Villanova-Notre Dame game that the pope will not take sides in the U.S. elections, but Robert Prevost will.
Wyoming mom reported missing after not picking up kids; sister, police search for answers
A Wyoming mother of two has been reported missing for days after she failed to pick up her children from an after-school program, prompting her sister to raise the alarm.
Kandice Gunter, 30, was last seen Thursday morning in Natrona County, according to the Casper Police Department. Her sister, Kayla Gunter, told Cowboy State Daily she reported her missing after Kandice did not collect her children, ages 9 and 6, from the Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday.
"That's why I started freaking out," Kayla told the paper. "It's totally out of character for her not to show up to get her kids."
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Police said Gunter was last known to be traveling in a gray 2016 GMC Canyon pickup with a Wyoming temporary registration. Her cellphone was last located around 12:30 p.m. MT on Friday along Highway 387, near the Natrona County line.
The sisters last spoke by phone at 10:41 a.m. local time Wednesday. Kayla said the conversation gave no indication anything was wrong, and Gunter stopped answering calls afterward. The family was also told her phone pinged near Gillette around noon Wednesday, according to the report.
Gunter had reportedly moved from Nevada to Casper about a month earlier to be closer to her children. She had been staying with their father and helping care for them.
"I looked so hard but there’s so much wide open spaces with one set of sad eyes hope you’re okay!! 14 years you’ve been in my life and can’t end it like this Kandice Gunter," Facebook user TK Kentopp posted early Saturday morning.
In the days before she disappeared, Gunter posted on Facebook: "Success for me, happens in silence." She had also written in June about "focusing on a better me. Again," alongside a heart-mending emoji.
Kayla said the move appeared to be going well and her sister had not indicated she planned to leave or cut off contact. The sisters typically spoke by phone at least three times a day.
Gunter was last seen in person on the morning of Oct. 29 in Natrona County and was reported missing to police later that evening, the Casper Police Department said. She was last known to be traveling in a gray 2016 GMC Canyon pickup with Wyoming temporary registration. Her cellphone was last located along Highway 387, near the Natrona County line, around 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
Gunter is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds, with black hair and blue eyes. She has a butterfly tattoo on her neck.
Anyone who has seen Gunter or the pickup, or has information about her whereabouts, is asked to call the Casper Police Department at 307-235-8278. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Central Wyoming at 307-577-8477 or at crimestopperscasper.org.
Trace Adkins praises pro fishing for embracing faith and patriotism: 'They're not afraid'
NASHVILLE — Country music star Trace Adkins has spent decades entertaining audiences around the world. But on Saturday morning in Tennessee, the roles were reversed, as the longtime outdoorsman found himself a little starstruck by some of the biggest names in professional bass fishing.
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Adkins performed the national anthem before the championship round of World Bass Enterprises' inaugural The Champions tournament on Old Hickory Lake, where 15 of the world's top professional bass anglers were competing for a record $1.25 million first-place prize.
And while the country star was impressed by the talent on the water, he told OutKick OutDoors that he particularly appreciated the sport's willingness to embrace faith and patriotism.
"I'm just thrilled to be here today. Some of the finest anglers on the planet," Adkins said in an exclusive interview. "And, you know, growing up fishing, it's like these guys are rock stars, you know? And to get to shake hands with some of them.
"I like that they're not afraid of God or patriotism. They're going to pray and have the national anthem before they fish."
For Adkins, who grew up in Louisiana and has long been an avid outdoorsman, fishing is much more than a passing hobby.
In fact, he's been celebrating the sport for years.
His 2011 hit "Just Fishin'" tells the story of a father taking his young daughter fishing, capturing the idea that time spent together outdoors is about much more than what's on the end of the line.
That same year, Adkins opened the lake on his Middle Tennessee property to a group from Big Brothers Big Sisters, giving children and their mentors an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing and other outdoor activities.
And in a 2017 interview with Fox News, the singer joked that he'd found a way to make his fishing trips considerably more productive.
"I don't go on fishing trips anymore," he said at the time. "I stocked my own hole full of fish so I don't fish, I just catch."
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But even with his own stocked fishing hole, Adkins still appreciates the professionals who have helped turn bass fishing into a major spectator sport.
"Oh yeah, I grew up, there was Roland Martin and Bill Dance on television," Adkins said. "You know, they were the only two. When you look at it now, I mean, what it's become, it's just exciting."
And the scale of this weekend's event illustrated just how far the sport has come.
The Champions brought together top competitors from the Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour for a three-day competition featuring a $3.25 million total purse — the largest in professional bass fishing history.
The tournament concluded Saturday with Matt Robertson claiming the $1.25 million grand prize, capping off a historic weekend for professional bass fishing.
The event also featured a team competition between the two circuits, with Bassmaster's Team Stars winning The Champions Cup on Friday before the remaining 15 anglers advanced to Saturday's individual championship.
For Adkins, who has enjoyed fishing since childhood, being part of that moment meant getting to celebrate both the sport and the traditions he values.
OutKick OutDoors is on the ground at Old Hickory Lake, bringing readers exclusive interviews, tournament updates and behind-the-scenes coverage of the richest competition in professional bass fishing.
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