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Six states hold high-stakes primary elections and more top headlines
1. Six states hold high-stakes primary elections
2. 'Very big discussions' with Iran underway, Trump says
3. Mom called police before deadly mosque shooting
IN HARM'S WAY — Police reveal possible cause of fast-moving California fire, evacuations ordered. Continue reading …
COURTROOM CLASH — Tyler Robinson's defense team fights to seal evidence in Charlie Kirk's assassination. Continue reading …
REIGN OF TERROR — Police reveal first teen suspect, timeline tied to sprawling shooting spree. Continue reading …
KEY FIGURE — OJ Simpson trial detective tied to infamous glove discovery dies at age 74. Continue reading …
SHAMELESS SPLASH — Tourist takes forbidden plunge at iconic landmark as visitors watch, stunned. Continue reading …
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MIND IN THE GUTTER — More lewd posts surface from Dem candidate touting unusual behavior in bathrooms. Continue reading …
FISCAL FIGHT — Dem-run state tax burden fuels Americans fleeing to Republican-led states. Continue reading …
DIRTY LAUNDRY — Dems demand release of hidden 2024 autopsy: ‘We got our butts kicked.' Continue reading …
CLEARING THE DECK — Senate GOP confirms 49 Trump nominees in one swoop after changing filibuster rules. Continue reading …
MEMORY LANE — Donald Trump's age is not receiving the same 'scrutiny' as Biden's did, Atlantic writer complains. Continue reading …
SHRINKING NEWSROOM — NPR offers buyouts to staffers weeks after raking in $113M in donations. Continue reading …
NO-SHOW DEMS — Democrats won't go anywhere they're not 'pre-adored,' Bill Maher says. Continue reading …
SIGN-OFF SALUTE — Late-night comedian echoes Letterman's 'good luck motherf------' in Colbert tribute. Continue reading …
HUGH HEWITT — Morning Glory: The war against Iran is the right war at the right time. Continue reading …
LIZ PEEK — President Trump’s China trip sent an important message liberal media missed. Continue reading …
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SLICE OF VICTORY — America's best-tasting pizza chain is an old-school favorite, survey finds. Continue reading …
SPARE CHANGE — Harry and Meghan Markle face renewed criticism over ‘half-in, half-out’ royal role. Continue reading …
AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on Knicks knowledge and sitcom similarities. Take the quiz here …
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY — Five cities that nail the retirement sweet spot. Continue reading …
HONORING HEROES — A grateful community pays tribute to fallen soldiers ahead of Memorial Day weekend. See video ...
BILL BELICHICK — I couldn’t believe CBS interview editing. See video …
BRIT HUME — Iran hasn't come close to making an offer the US can accept. See video …
Tune in for the latest on the case against the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the legal battle ahead. Check it out ...
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Murdaugh defense fights over death penalty, venue change and evidence – what could change in second trial
The South Carolina Supreme Court just wiped the slate clean for Alex Murdaugh, but the second round of his double-murder trial is already poised to be a different beast.
Just days after his convictions were unanimously overturned in the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, prosecutors and defense attorneys are previewing major disputes over the death penalty, jury selection, financial-crimes evidence and floating an alternative suspect theory.
Here’s what could change the second time around:
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson confirmed that his office is considering seeking the death penalty against Murdaugh if he is found guilty again — despite not pursuing it during the first trial.
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian blasted the possibility Monday, accusing Wilson of making a politically motivated move tied to his gubernatorial ambitions.
ALEX MURDAUGH: TIMELINE OF THE ONCE POWERFUL SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYER'S SPECTACULAR DOWNFALL
"Here’s the question: What does he know today he didn’t know five years ago?" Harpootlian said during a defense news conference Monday. "Why is he saying he’s going to seek the death penalty? Is there some new piece of evidence?"
WATCH: AG calls out Murdaugh attorney’s ‘bald-faced allegations’ after civil rights suit
Wilson pushed back hard on that criticism, calling Harpootlian’s allegations political theater and insisting the reconsideration is based on legal realities that have changed since 2022.
"In 2022, when we were first faced with these decisions, the death penalty was not a practical consideration for us because there hadn’t been a death penalty execution in 13 years," Wilson told Fox News’ "America Reports" Monday. "We didn’t have the ability to carry it out. That has changed since then."
Wilson said that prosecutors are "considering everything" because the retrial resets the case to "ground zero."
Harpootlian has already confirmed that the defense plans to seek a venue change, arguing it may be impossible to find an impartial jury in the same county where the first nationally televised trial unfolded.
"This has got an extraordinary notoriety unlike most other cases I’ve ever tried," Harpootlian said.
The defense also wants attorney-conducted voir dire, meaning lawyers themselves would directly question potential jurors, along with possible sequestration and deep dives into prospective jurors’ social media histories.
MURDAUGH LAWYER ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ COURT CLERK’S MISCONDUCT COULD PAVE WAY FOR NEW TRIAL
"We now have the ability to get people’s social media, their Instagrams, all of that," Harpootlian told Fox News Digital. "And we’ll scour that before they ever get a chance to appear."
WATCH: Becky Hill walks into Colleton County Courthouse
Wilson told Fox News that they are "looking at the venue," and may consider other options.
"We have the current intention of trying to go back to the same venue, but we're gonna evaluate all of our options and consider every decision," he said. "We may change our minds. We may go the direction we've already decided to go. This thing is very fresh and very raw, and we want to get it right."
ALEX MURDAUGH, ACCOMPLICE ORDERED TO PAY MILLIONS IN MONEY SCHEME AFTER HOUSEKEEPER'S DEATH
The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled prosecutors can still use some of Murdaugh’s financial-crimes evidence because it is relevant to motive, but criticized how extensively it was presented during the original six-week trial.
Harpootlian argues the prosecution spent nearly two weeks turning Murdaugh into a "character assassination" case before jurors even fully considered the murder evidence.
"So, by the time we got to the real evidence, [the jury] wasn’t interested in hearing it because he was such a horrible, evil man and a liar," Harpootlian said.
ALEX MURDAUGH'S DOUBLE MURDER CONVICTION UNANIMOUSLY OVERTURNED BY SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court similarly criticized prosecutors for spending roughly 12.5 hours presenting inflammatory details that could have been covered far more briefly.
That means the retrial could feature a significantly narrower presentation of Murdaugh’s thefts and financial misconduct.
Harpootlian also accused state investigators of suffering from tunnel vision immediately after arriving on the Murdaugh family property off Moselle Road in Colleton County, South Carolina, on June 7, 2021.
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"They decided that night he was the guy and everything they did after that excluded any other thought," Harpootlian told Fox News Digital Friday. "And that's why they have no evidence connecting him with the murder scene."
When asked about new evidence regarding an unknown male DNA profile found under Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails, Griffin criticized the handling of the lead.
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"We pointed out during the last trial that they did find unknown male DNA who is not related to any Murdaugh or any of Maggie's family under her fingernail," Griffin said. "That was not really followed up on. We don't have possession of that DNA, so we can't do anything with it. We can, perhaps with a new case, go and seek an order from the court to compel them to send it off to CODIS. If we were in charge and we had the facilities, the forensic lab they had, and we had search warrant abilities, we would have done things a lot different and more timely. A lot of the opportunity is lost."
NEW TEXT MESSAGES FUEL ALEX MURDAUGH'S PUSH FOR NEW TRIAL
Murdaugh’s dramatic testimony during the first trial became one of its defining moments. Whether he takes the stand again remains an open question.
"That’ll be a game day decision," Harpootlian said.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, are treating the retrial as an entirely fresh case.
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"Right now, we want to treat this as if this trial has not occurred," Wilson told Fox News’ Sandra Smith and John Roberts.
The retrial only exists because the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca "Becky" Hill improperly influenced jurors during the original trial.
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The justices wrote that Hill "placed her fingers on the scales of justice," denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial.
Now Murdaugh’s attorneys are escalating the fight by suing Hill in federal court, accusing her of violating his constitutional rights and seeking damages tied to the original trial.
The lawsuit alleges Hill improperly pressured jurors against believing Murdaugh’s testimony because she wanted a guilty verdict that would help sell books about the trial.
Defense attorneys said Monday they intend to use civil discovery tools, including subpoenas and depositions, to further investigate Hill’s conduct and determine whether anyone else may have been involved.
"We’re going to find out exactly what happened," Harpootlian said Monday. "Was she a lone wolf?"
'Longevity gene' may protect the brain from Alzheimer's by boosting DNA repair, study finds
A new study suggests that a specific "longevity gene" may help protect the brain from the effects of aging, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The APOE gene (short for apolipoprotein E) helps the body transport and metabolize fats and cholesterol, especially in the brain.
While the APOE4 variant is known to be associated with a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the APOE2 variant of the APOE gene appears to carry a lower risk.
ALZHEIMER’S PILL COULD REDUCE BRAIN DECLINE IN SOME HIGH-RISK PATIENTS, TRIAL SUGGESTS
Using human brain cells derived from stem cells, researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging explored the reasons for that protective effect. They found that the APOE2 gene improves neurons’ ability to repair DNA damage and to resist "cellular senescence," a process that leads to cells becoming old and worn out.
In contrast, brain cells with the APOE4 variant were more fragile and more likely to show signs of aging and dysfunction, the researchers found.
These findings were also supported by follow-up studies in mice.
"We found that APOE2, a gene linked to exceptional longevity (enriched in centenarians), helps human neurons better repair DNA damage and resist becoming senescent, or aged and dysfunctional," senior author Lisa M. Ellerby, PhD, professor at the Buck Institute, told Fox News Digital.
POPULAR DIET TIED TO LOWER DEMENTIA RISK FOR SOME GROUPS, STUDY REVEALS
"APOE has a well-known role in cholesterol transport, but the new mechanism we have discovered may explain in part why APOE2 carriers tend to live longer and have lower Alzheimer’s risk."
The researchers said they were "very surprised" that the protective mechanism of APOE2 in neurons was DNA signaling and repair.
"APOE2 is so well-known for cholesterol transport that uncovering this major pathway, and seeing it hold up across multiple human neuron models and aged mice, was striking for us," Ellerby said.
The study also found that adding the APOE2 protein to APOE4 neurons reduced their DNA damage after the stress of radiation exposure.
ALZHEIMER’S PREVENTION BREAKTHROUGH FOUND IN DECADES-OLD SEIZURE DRUG
These findings suggest that future treatments could aim to simulate the protective effects of APOE2 or boost DNA repair systems in the brain, especially for people who carry the higher-risk APOE4 gene.
The findings were published in the journal Aging Cell.
NEW STUDY HINTS AT A HIDDEN ALZHEIMER’S RISK FACTOR AFFECTING OLDER AMERICANS
Christopher Weber, PhD, senior director of global scientific initiatives at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, said this is an "exciting and significant study."
"It shifts attention beyond APOE's well-known role in cholesterol transport toward a new function — shaping how brain cells maintain their integrity as they age — and opens up some new directions for therapy development, particularly for people who carry the higher-risk APOE4 variant," Weber, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
The Alzheimer’s Association currently has 13 active projects in four countries investigating APOE2’s role in protecting against Alzheimer's disease, he noted.
Caghan Kizil, PhD, an associate professor of neurological sciences at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, recently received a $500,000 grant from the American Brain Foundation to fund research related to the APOE4 gene.
"This study goes beyond the long-known observation that APOE2 is linked to longevity and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and aims to explain why this protection may happen," Kizil, who also did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital.
Kizil agreed that the findings may help explain why some brains stay healthy longer than others, and how natural protective mechanisms may support longer-lasting brain health.
"What I find especially interesting is the idea that Alzheimer’s may partly reflect the brain losing its ability to stay resilient with age," he said. "Growing evidence in the field suggests that APOE-related risk is not only about amyloid buildup, but also about how aging, inflammation, blood vessel health and the brain’s repair systems work together over time."
Future research could explore what makes some brains naturally more resilient, and whether those protective mechanisms could be harnessed to help people who carry higher-risk genes like APOE4, according to Weber.
"In other words, the long-term goal is to help vulnerable brains age more like resilient brains," he added. "We believe the future of Alzheimer’s research lies in preventing at-risk individuals from becoming diseased in the first place."
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There were some limitations to the new study, the researchers noted – primarily that it was not conducted in living patients.
"Our laboratory study in human iPSC-derived neurons and mice describes a biological mechanism and not a clinical treatment," Ellerby told Fox News Digital. "The precise molecular mechanism by which APOE2 stabilizes the nucleus and supports repair still needs to be fully worked out."
The researcher cautioned that people shouldn't make changes to their lifestyle behaviors based on this study alone, and that they would not recommend undergoing genetic testing for APOE purely for longevity.
"The results are complex and difficult," Ellerby noted. "The broader message is that supporting your brain's DNA repair and slowing cellular senescence are good for you."
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Some healthy ways to accomplish this include exercising, getting optimal sleep, optimizing cardiovascular health and avoiding "genotoxic" exposures like smoking.
"These are all super beneficial to your health, regardless of your APOE variant," the researcher added.
Super Bowl champion Craig Morton’s cause of death revealed after his passing at 83
Super Bowl champion quarterback Craig Morton died last week at the age of 83, and on Monday, his cause of death was revealed.
Morton died on May 9 from "acute respiratory failure due to severe sepsis due to urinary tract infection," a Marin County, California, Vital Statistics Office spokesperson told the California Post.
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Kym Galloway, the wife of the former quarterback, told The Denver Post that Morton was tired of being in pain and dealing with his back.
"And he just said, ‘I give (up). I’m ready to go. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’ve had an amazing life. And I’m just tired,'" Galloway added. "And then … he said, ‘I’ve never said I give (up), in my life.'"
Morton was critical in helping the Broncos reach their first-ever playoff appearance, ultimately getting them to Super Bowl XII during the 1977 campaign.
After going 12-2 during the season and getting wins in the playoffs over the Pittsburgh Steelers and then-Oakland Raiders, Morton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year. Morton also won Sporting News Player of the Year, the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and the NFL UPI MVP in 1977.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of #BroncosROF quarterback Craig Morton, who died on Saturday at the age of 83," the Broncos posted on social media.
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Morton led the Broncos to two different division titles and three playoff berths during his six seasons with the franchise. He finished his career in Denver with 11,895 passing yards, which marked the most in franchise history at the time.
Morton also led the Broncos with pass attempts (1,594) and completions (907). But Morton’s time with the Broncos was the latter half of his NFL career.
He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965, the fifth overall pick out of Cal. Morton spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Cowboys, where he threw for 10,279 yards with 80 touchdowns and 73 interceptions. He went 32-14-1 in his time with Dallas.
Then, during the 1974 season, Morton was moved to the New York Giants, a division rival of the Cowboys. He went 1-6 in his first seven starts that year and wouldn’t find much success in New York across three seasons.
For his career, Morton threw for 27,908 yards with 183 touchdowns. He owned an 81-62-1 record across 207 games.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
After losing Senate seat, Cassidy answers whether he regrets voting to impeach Trump
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., defended his decision to vote to convict President Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial five years ago, even after losing his Senate seat to a Trump-backed opponent this week.
Cassidy said he considers it a "privilege" to have been able to vote to uphold the Constitution. Cassidy lost the state's Republican primary to Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., whom Trump abruptly endorsed and encouraged to run against Cassidy in January.
"I voted to uphold the Constitution. It may have cost me my seat, but who cares?" Cassidy told reporters at the Capitol on Monday. "I had the privilege of voting to uphold the Constitution, isn’t that a great thing?"
"You’re looking at a man who loves his country, who feels very, very good about how I serve my country and my Constitution and my fellow Americans," Cassidy said. "Wouldn’t all of us want to say, I voted to support the Constitution on something momentous? That’s the way I feel about it. I’m very pleased about it."
TRUMP SCORES MAJOR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VICTORY AS CASSIDY OUSTED IN LOUISIANA
Trump himself pulled no punches on the morning of the Saturday election, calling Cassidy a "sleazebag," "a terrible guy" and a "disloyal disaster."
Letlow came in first with 45% of the vote, followed by Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming with 28%. Cassidy came in third with just over 24% of the vote.
Letlow and Fleming will now proceed to a runoff election next month.
CASSIDY PRIMARY DEFEAT IS A 'LOSS FOR THE COUNTRY,' ROMNEY SAYS
After Cassidy's defeat, Trump returned to social media to revel in the senator's ouster, saying that "it’s nice to see that his political career is OVER!"
Cassidy, in a speech to supporters after conceding, said, "When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you want it to."
"But you don't pout, you don't whine. You don't claim the election was stolen…. You don't manufacture some excuse," Cassidy said in an apparent jab at Trump. "You thank the voters for the privilege of representing the state or the country for as long as you've had that privilege. And that's what I'm doing right now."
Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Trans track athlete AB Hernandez's mom shares critical post of school officials over podium placements
The mother of California transgender track athlete AB Hernandez shared a post on social media slamming school officials for allowing biological female athletes to share a podium at state competitions.
Hernandez, of Jurupa Valley High School, took first place in the long jump, high jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section finals in Division 3 over the weekend. During the podium ceremonies, it was announced that each event had two co-champions based on a rule the high school sports governing body implemented last year.
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The trans athlete was absent from the first ceremony but later shared the top podium spot with Oak Park High School's Gwynneth Mureika. Hernandez was at the third ceremony, but co-champion Malia Strange, of Shadow Hills, was absent.
Hernandez’s mother shared a post from Rainbow Families Action, criticizing CIF officials.
"All these big tough ex-athletes at CIF, and the most courage they could muster was to hand this to coaches at AB’s meet today," the post read. "Not one of them was brave enough to look her or her mother in the eye and say ‘This whole project of violating Ed Code is aimed at you. A child.’"
The post also called out the California Department of Education and state superintendent Tony Thurmond, adding "what are you going to do? Government sanctioned bullying of a kid?"
Rainbow Families Action shared a note from CIF officials reminding parents that the CIF would allow biological females to share the podium with a trans athlete if the competition fell that way.
The pilot program was put in place after Hernandez advanced to the state final, which prompted President Donald Trump to speak out against California and Gov. Gavin Newsom in a Truth Social post in the days leading up to the final.
Hernandez, now a Southern Section champion again, along with all the other winners will move onto the CIF preliminaries next Saturday to face the rest of the state's top female jumpers, with a chance to get back to the state finals. The two-day state finals begin on May 29 in Clovis, California.
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The CIF enacted a pilot program for the state finals last May that awarded any female athlete that finished behind a trans athlete one higher spot, which resulted in girls sharing podium spots with Hernandez for the championship. The program also ensured any female athlete who finished one spot out of qualifying for the state finals in events that included a trans competitor, to compete for the title as well.
Trump's Department of Justice then filed a Title IX lawsuit against the state's education agencies in July of last year, after Hernandez won two state titles and finished in second place in another.
Hernandez then competed for Jurupa Valley's girls' volleyball team in the fall, as several teams forfeited to Jurupa Valley and two other players on the same team filed a Title IX lawsuit against the Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) for putting the trans athlete on the girls' team and locker room.
"The CIF values all our student-athletes, and we will continue to uphold our mission in providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete, while complying with California law and Education code," its note read.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
America's best-tasting pizza chain is an old-school favorite, survey finds
Pizza Hut remains America's favorite pizza chain, according to a new YouGov survey of more than 44,000 diners across the country, edging out Domino's in a closely watched ranking of national pizza brands.
The survey, conducted between March 2025 and February 2026 as part of the organization's annual restaurant rankings report, found Pizza Hut earned 19.1% of votes for best-tasting fast-food pizza, compared with Domino's at 17.1%.
Papa Johns (11.4%), Little Caesars (5.3%) and Marco's Pizza (4.7%) rounded out the top five.
UNEXPECTED STATE DOMINATES AMERICA'S PIZZA SCENE AND IT'S NOT NEW YORK
"Pizza Hut's lead over Domino's in our best-tasting pizza rankings suggests the brand continues to benefit from strong long-term affinity among consumers, particularly older Americans who maintain a very positive impression of the chain," Kenton Barello, Chicago-based senior vice president of YouGov, told Fox News Digital.
"There is likely also a nostalgia factor at play, as Pizza Hut has been a familiar part of the American dining landscape for decades."
Fox News Digital reached out to Pizza Hut and the American Pizza Community for comment.
The results underscore how legacy pizza chains continue to resonate with consumers, even as restaurant habits evolve and diners increasingly seek value, convenience and familiarity amid higher food costs and economic uncertainty.
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Pizza chains also face mounting competition from frozen pizza brands and independent pizzerias, making brand loyalty increasingly important.
Frozen pizza sales reached about $7 billion in 2024 as consumers cut back on takeout spending, Tasting Table recently reported.
The results also show that while national chains continue to dominate brand recognition, many Americans still believe the best pizza may come from somewhere closer to home.
More than one in five respondents said local or regional pizza brands beat the national chains altogether.
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"One of the more interesting findings is that the single largest share of Americans selected an 'other local or regional brand' over the national chains we tested, highlighting the enduring strength of independent pizzerias," Barello said.
YouGov's findings analyzed responses from more than 44,000 U.S. consumers about restaurant quality, value and dining preferences. The broader report examined consumer attitudes toward fast food, casual dining and specialty restaurant brands.
For the pizza category specifically, respondents were asked which chains they believed served the best pizza among major national brands.
"The broader takeaway for the pizza industry is that while marketing visibility matters, familiarity, emotional connection and consistency continue to play a major role in shaping consumer preference in a highly competitive category," Barello said.
Pizza Hut was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1958 and started franchising a year later. Now headquartered in Plano, Texas, Pizza Hut has nearly 20,000 locations in more than 100 countries, according to its website.
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Domino's opened its first restaurant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, two years after Pizza Hut.
Originally called DomiNick's Pizza, it was renamed Domino's in 1965 and opened its first franchise location in 1967.
Domino's now has more than 22,300 locations worldwide, according to its website.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face renewed criticism over ‘half-in, half-out’ royal role: experts
Eight years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot in a fairy-tale Windsor wedding, they are still doing things their way.
Since their bombshell royal exit in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have rewritten the rulebook with Hollywood deals, tell-all interviews and headline-grabbing moves, reportedly drawing growing concern from palace aides and senior royals.
"There is a huge difference between what the monarchy has to offer and what Harry and Meghan are currently doing," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital.
"This was underlined by King Charles’ highly successful state visit to the United States and Princess Catherine's two-day visit to Italy, her first official trip in over three years," Fitzwilliams said.
"However, in attempting to have something similar to the ‘half-in, half-out’ position within the royal family, which Queen Elizabeth rejected, the Sussexes have shown that their brand still gets huge amounts of publicity."
"What Queen Elizabeth II viewed as totally and utterly unacceptable has been adopted by the Sussexes as their modus operandi, blurring the line between being private citizens and wannabe celebrities while leveraging their royal connections," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich claimed to Fox News Digital. "Each trip they make is styled to be rather like a faux royal tour as they seem to monetize almost every moment."
WATCH: PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE CAUSED QUEEN STRESS IN FINAL YEARS: AUTHOR
The battle lines were drawn in January 2020 at the late queen's now-infamous "Sandringham Summit," where the Sussexes were handed a royal reality check.
The reigning monarch made it clear there would be no "half-in, half-out" arrangement — meaning the couple could not cash in on private ventures while still carrying out duties as senior working royals.
The late queen later doubled down publicly, declaring it was "not possible" for the couple to continue "a life of public service" outside the confines of the monarchy. But Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, publicly said: "We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."
In March 2020, the couple stepped back as senior royals, citing the unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. Since settling in the wealthy coastal city of Montecito, the pair have aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry’s 2023 memoir, "Spare," which detailed deeply personal revelations about the House of Windsor, further strained his relationship with his family.
In the years since, the couple have made high-profile visits to Nigeria, Colombia and Australia to highlight their charitable causes. The quasi-diplomatic trips included heavily photographed appearances and meetings with officials.
While supporters saw the trips as an extension of their humanitarian work, critics — especially in royal circles — have blasted the "faux royal tours" as an attempt to replicate official royal engagements without the backing of the crown.
During an unannounced visit to Ukraine in April, Harry was asked about the label "not a working royal." In response, he said, "No, I will always be part of the royal family ... I am here working and doing the things I was born to do."
"It was nonetheless impertinent of them to go on a visit to Australia in April, which was, in all but name, a royal tour as it is one of the king’s realms," Fitzwilliams said. "Their mix of charitable events, including military-related appearances, also included commercial ventures, from Meghan’s wellness weekend to Harry’s speech on mental health."
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British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital she believes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are "absolutely blurring the lines between private business and monarchy business."
"Successful working members of the royal family work as a team, supporting the king in his many state and national duties," she explained.
"They do not compete. Both Harry and Meghan realize that, despite leaving royal life years ago, their global relevance is determined by their royal status. They have appeared internationally in what many claim to be self-serving lookalike royal tours involving charity work in a bid to monetize their royal status. However, they are no longer working royals."
Chard added, "The optics no doubt confuse people, blurring the distinction between the Sussexes and the official monarchy, especially as Harry considers himself a working royal."
Chard went on to say that six years after their royal exit, Harry and Meghan may be "running out of options" as independent royals.
"They announce new projects and supposed success with enormous fanfare," Chard said. "Yet everything fizzles out. Jumping from one idea to another, from one flavor of the month to the next, there seems to be no clarity, consistency or essential golden thread to Harry and Meghan’s work, although Meghan, known as the 24-carat master rebrander, is continuously rebranding herself."
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But not everyone agrees. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Harry and Meghan have never hidden their intentions to leverage their global fame to amplify the causes they care about. In his view, the couple have been unapologetically executing that strategy from day one.
"I personally have always supported Harry and Meghan and called out the double standards," he said. "Harry and Meghan wish to exercise their right to create a harmonious image of the royal family in America. I personally would prefer to see a much wider use of Harry and Meghan’s talents because when they do, they enhance the perceived values of the royal family."
But as Harry and Meghan continue to do things their own way, the chances of peace talks with the other royals are becoming bleaker.
"They are pushing the envelope and making it much more difficult for reconciliation to happen," Sally Bedell Smith, author of the "Royals Extra" Substack, previously told People magazine.
"King Charles has given many signals he would like to reconcile with Harry," Fordwich said. "However, Prince William is intensely protective of his family’s institution and long-term credibility."
"But both are no doubt beyond frustrated regarding the Sussexes’ thwarting of the agreement made with Queen Elizabeth at the ‘Sandringham Summit’ not to be, as she so aptly put it, ‘half-in and half-out.’"
"It doesn’t bode well at all for any future relationship with the family," Fordwich said, adding that trust remains low despite efforts for a purported "Operation Thaw" to ease tensions.
Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace for comment. A source close to Harry told People, "This idea that he’s going against the wishes of the queen by being half-in, half-out is nonsense. None of this is being done in the name of the institution."
To some, Meghan appears to have her eyes set on being an influencer. People magazine reported that her fashion choices in Australia were linked to an AI-powered shopping platform, OneOff, which allows followers to purchase the looks — primarily by Australian designers — that she wore during the trip. The outlet noted that through the partnership, she earns a commission. Her page drew more than 1 million views within the first three days, and several items sold out.
She also appeared at a women’s retreat, where $3,199 VIP packages included a group photo with her. Guests received products from her As Ever line.
As Harry and Meghan look ahead, they appear focused on expanding their post-royal empire. Meghan has continued expanding her lifestyle brand, while Harry focuses on the Invictus Games and raising awareness about mental health.
They also appear to be betting big on Hollywood. Fox News Digital confirmed they are developing a feature film for Netflix, an adaptation of "No Way Out," a book about British soldiers trapped during a brutal siege in Afghanistan.
The project is said to be deeply personal for Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan during his time in the British Army. Oscar-nominated screenwriter Matt Charman has reportedly been tapped to write the script.
"Harry and Meghan’s wedding anniversary should represent strength, resilience and unity," Chard said. "You could say they are resilient, as they will keep going."
Poland seeks answers after Pentagon scraps planned US armored brigade rotation
EXCLUSIVE: WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s deputy defense minister said Warsaw will press U.S. officials in the coming days over the Pentagon’s decision to halt a planned armored brigade rotation of U.S. Army soldiers — a recent move that rattled one of Washington’s closest NATO allies despite assurances that U.S. troop levels in Poland would remain unchanged.
At the same time, Polish officials stressed that Warsaw still views itself as a "model ally" within NATO and expects military cooperation with the United States to continue expanding.
"We will ask questions and I guess that we will get answers," Polish Deputy defense Minister Paweł Zalewski told Fox News Digital in an exclusive on-camera interview ahead of meetings in Washington with Pentagon officials and members of Congress.
PENTAGON SCALES BACK TROOPS FROM NATO EASTERN FLANK, DENIES AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL FROM EUROPE
The comments come days after the Pentagon halted a planned rotation of approximately 4,000 U.S. Army troops to Poland, sparking concern in Warsaw and criticism from U.S. lawmakers. The move affected the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, which had been scheduled to deploy to Poland and other eastern flank positions as part of a routine nine-month NATO force rotation.
Around 10,000 U.S. troops are typically stationed in Poland, most serving on rotational deployments lasting several months at a time. Because the U.S. military presence in Poland relies heavily on those recurring rotations, the halted brigade deployment raised concerns in Warsaw.
It's not yet clear whether halting the brigade will lead to a permanent reduction in U.S. forces in Poland.
Zalewski referenced recent assurances from President Donald Trump to Poland’s president-elect.
"We remember that President Trump, directly talking with President Nawrodski, president of Poland, declared that the U.S. will maintain its armed forces in our country and the number of armed forces," Zalewski told Fox News Digital.
"We’ll be staying in Poland," Trump had said in September 2025. "We’re very much aligned with Poland. We’ll put more there if they want."
The Pentagon said the decision came after consultations with the U.S.' European Command (EUCOM), which leads U.S. military operations on the continent.
"The decision to withdraw troops follows a comprehensive, multilayered process that incorporates perspectives from key leaders in EUCOM and across the chain of command," acting press secretary Joel Valdez told Fox News Digital. "This was not an unexpected, last-minute decision, and it would be false to report it as such."
The Pentagon declined to detail the reasons for the halted rotation. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment.
The move triggered bipartisan criticism on Capitol Hill because Poland has been viewed as a key frontline state against Russia. War Secretary Pete Hegseth previously praised Poland as a "model ally."
"The level of partnership — just to underscore here — is unmatched in Europe," Hegseth said during a February 2025 visit to Warsaw, Poland.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., called the canceled brigade rotation "a slap in the face to Poland" during a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing Friday, while HASC Chairman Mike Rogers said lawmakers had not been properly consulted.
NATO ALLY POLAND WARNS RUSSIA, BELARUS PUSHING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TOWARD ALLIANCE — AND THE US
Poland has become one of NATO’s most important military and logistics hubs since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, hosting rotational U.S. forces and serving as a staging ground for military assistance flowing eastward.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to reduce U.S. support for NATO allies he says spend too little on defense, while pushing European governments to assume greater responsibility for continental security. But Poland spends the highest portion of its GDP on defense of any NATO country at 4.8%.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland Marcin Bosacki on Friday acknowledged frustration in Poland about how the situation was communicated, while stressing that Poland has received assurances the U.S. does not plan to reduce its military presence in the country.
"It should have been communicated better," Bosacki said in a meeting with reporters in Warsaw, Poland. "We're still awaiting some answers."
"But we take U.S. reassurance that U.S. doesn't plan to reduce neither of the number nor the capabilities of the U.S. troops in Poland," he added.
Bosacki said Poland expects troop rotations to continue and the total number of U.S. troops in the country to remain around 10,000, and emphasized Warsaw’s desire to deepen the military partnership further.
The halted Poland rotation comes amid a broader Trump administration effort to reduce the U.S. military footprint in Europe and push NATO allies to assume greater responsibility for conventional defense.
The Pentagon has announced plans to withdraw roughly 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, while earlier in 2026 the Army ended a rotational 101st Airborne Division deployment in Romania and other eastern flank positions as force levels in Europe moved closer to pre-Ukraine war levels.
Despite concerns over the halted troop rotation, Zalewski said the primary purpose of the delegation’s Washington meetings would be discussions about the future structure of NATO and defense cooperation between the United States and Europe.
The talks are expected to focus in part on the Trump administration’s so-called "NATO 3.0" approach, a Pentagon-backed vision that would push European allies to assume greater responsibility for conventional defense in Europe while the United States shifts more military attention toward China and the Indo-Pacific. The strategy emphasizes greater European military spending, force readiness and defense industrial capacity while reducing long-term American dependence on large troop deployments across the continent.
PENTAGON OFFICIAL FLAGS RETURN OF 'COLD WAR MENTALITY,' AS TRUMP ADMIN RESHAPES NATO ALLIANCE
Zalewski described Poland as a "model ally" because of its heavy defense spending, military modernization and close security partnership with Washington.
At the same time, he warned that Poland and other eastern NATO members remain under constant pressure from Russia through cyberattacks, sabotage and disinformation campaigns — threats that officials in Poland increasingly view as part of a broader hybrid war against the alliance.
Polish officials have in recent years blamed Russian-linked actors for cyberattacks targeting government institutions and critical infrastructure, while authorities also have investigated suspected Russian sabotage plots tied to arson attempts and surveillance operations inside Poland. Warsaw has additionally accused Moscow of orchestrating online disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public trust, weakening support for Ukraine and driving divisions between NATO allies.
"Poland and the Eastern NATO flank states are (in) a certain kind of hybrid war," Zalewski said. "We are constantly under attack by Russian cyber forces. There are a lot of acts of sabotage in Poland."
He said Poland also has experienced incursions into its airspace by Russian drones and "huge disinformation coming from Moscow" aimed at undermining trust in authorities and dividing NATO allies.
Zalewski argued those hybrid threats have become especially dangerous since Russia’s 2014 seizure of Crimea because they are designed to weaken NATO internally without triggering a direct military confrontation.
He also expressed skepticism about efforts to improve relations between Washington and Moscow, arguing that Russia continues to view the United States and NATO as its principal adversaries. Zalewski warned that Moscow’s long-term objective is to fracture Western alliances and drive wedges between the United States and frontline NATO states such as Poland.
"Yes, there are some ideas in the United States that it is possible to find a way between Russia and the United States," Zalewski said. "But it's only just a game played by Moscow."
"As a matter of fact, since the beginning of the 20th century, for this Russian elite governing the country after the Russian Revolution, the United States has been the biggest enemy," he added. "And as a matter of fact, the most visible emotion that they have to America — is just hate."
Blue-state tax burden fuels Americans fleeing to Republican-led southern states
Americans are increasingly leaving high-tax blue states for lower-cost Republican-led states, reshaping the country’s economy and political map, according to the latest Census Bureau data.
As states compete for residents, workers and businesses, red states that are increasingly embracing lower taxes and leaner government are attracting investment and population growth. Democratic-led states continue defending higher-tax models to fund public services, aid programs and infrastructure — even if it prompts businesses and high-earners to flee.
It comes as affordability takes center stage in the 2026 midterms and, despite Democrats' blame of President Donald Trump, the migration trend suggests that Americans still prefer historically Republican economic policies.
THE RED-STATE WINNERS IN THE CLIMB TO BECOME AMERICA’S NEXT ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE
The divergence in fiscal approaches between red and blue states is dramatically reshaping migration patterns, state economies and political power as Americans increasingly move to lower-cost states, most of which are Republican-led.
Population shifts, should they continue, could carry hefty political consequences in future elections as faster-growing states gain influence over who is in power in their state houses and Washington, D.C.
The states with the highest taxes are seeing the most outmigration, while population trends from the Census Bureau show Southern and Sun Belt states have gained the most residents in recent years.
Americans are seeking lower housing costs, lighter tax burdens and more affordable lifestyles — and several coastal states have struggled to meet these desires and have seen domestic outmigration spike in recent years.
The movements mirror a growing divide in how Republican-led and Democratic-led states raise and spend taxpayer money.
New York led the nation in state and local tax collections per resident at $12,506 in fiscal year 2023, according to the latest comprehensive Census Bureau data. Other Democratic-led states, including Connecticut, New Jersey and California, also ranked among the country’s highest-taxing states.
Connecticut collected $9,387.66 per resident, while New Jersey collected $9,177.96. Many of the highest-tax states rely heavily on progressive income tax systems to fund mass transit, public schools and other social services.
AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER
Meanwhile, states like Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama ranked among the lowest in tax collections per resident, reflecting a different governing philosophy centered on lower taxes and reduced costs for residents and businesses.
The strategy is paying off as red states see influxes of residents and businesses moving there for more favorable fiscal policies. Most notably, several Republican-led states have embraced tax-cutting strategies aimed at attracting workers, retirees and corporate investment.
Tennessee imposes no state income tax, while Arizona recently adopted a flat income tax rate.
Mississippi and South Carolina have enacted multi-year tax reduction plans and are pursuing the eventual elimination of their state income taxes altogether.
TAX FIGHT PUTS CALIFORNIA ON COLLISION COURSE AS BILLIONAIRES LEAVE FOR RED STATES
Supporters of the lower-tax approach argue it has helped fuel migration into the South and Sun Belt, particularly as remote work gives Americans greater flexibility over where they live and provides businesses with lower operating costs.
Critics, however, argue lower-tax states may struggle to sustain infrastructure investments and public services over the long term, particularly as populations grow.
As Americans continue voting with their feet, the widening fiscal divide between red and blue states is becoming one of the country’s defining economic and political fault lines.