A video from the 47th Kennedy Center Honors captured a notably chilly moment between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, sparking discussions across the nation, the New York Post reported.During the Kennedy Center Honors, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden apparently ignored Vice President Harris despite her applause, raising eyebrows amidst recent political tensions.
The event, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, saw the assembly of high-profile political figures and cultural icons. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were key attendees.
A Tense Entrance Captured on Video
As the Bidens made their entrance, they were greeted with applause by Harris, which they seemingly disregarded. The moment, caught on camera, quickly circulated on social media, gathering over 780,000 views.
The video, widely shared on platform X, highlighted the lack of interaction between Biden and Harris, igniting a flurry of online speculation and commentary regarding their relationship. The Bidens did not publicly acknowledge Harris and Emhoff upon arriving, despite their proximity.
Public Reaction to the Incident
Social media users and commentators quickly took to platform X to express their thoughts.
A notable post from the account End Wokeness read, “Jill and Joe Biden are refusing to even look at Kamala Harris tonight,” which intensified discussions about the dynamics within the Democratic Party.
Commentary varied, with some users speculating about the political implications following the recent presidential election where President Trump secured a landslide victory.
A user suggested, “Can you blame them[?] Best case scenario she convinced him she would win, worst case they ousted him so she could run. Either way, they probably feel robbed.”
Cultural Celebrations Amidst Political Drama
The Kennedy Center Honors itself was a night to celebrate achievements in the arts. The event was hosted by Queen Latifah and honored cultural figures such as members of the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
Despite the festive purpose of the event, the awkward interaction, or lack thereof, between Biden and Harris became a focal point of discussion. Another user remarked on the situation’s discomfort, saying, “I love how awkward it is for them.”
Broader Implications of the Incident
This incident at the Kennedy Center Honors comes at a time when the Democratic Party is under intense scrutiny following a significant electoral defeat. The visible division could hint at deeper issues within the party, which might affect their strategy and unity moving forward.
While the video does not conclusively reveal the motivations behind the Bidens' actions, it raises questions about the internal coherence of the party’s leading figures at a crucial time.
As discussions continue, the Democratic Party faces the challenge of addressing these perceptions publicly to maintain a united front as they navigate a complex political landscape.
The comments from Andrew Witty came after the shocking execution of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in an apparent act of terrorism targeting the health care industry.
United CEO video leaks
Some have embraced the suspected killer as a martyr against corporate greed, as the shooting fuels violent fury over denied insurance claims and the steep cost of treatment.
But UnitedHealthGroup, the parent company of UnitedHealthCare, has no plans to change its business model in response to public outrage. In a message to employees that was leaked to journalist Ken Klippenstein, CEO Andrew Witty said the company will continue to "guard against" what he called "unnecessary" and unsafe care.
“Our role is a critical role, and we make sure that care is safe, appropriate, and is delivered when people need it,” Witty said.
"We guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care or for unnecessary care to be delivered in a way which makes the whole system too complex and ultimately unsustainable,” he added.
The CEO also warned against interacting with the media as he blasted "aggressive, inappropriate and disrespectful” coverage of Thompson's murder.
“I’d like to give you a little bit of advice around the media,” Witty continued. “My strong advice and request to everybody is just don’t engage with the media. If you’re approached, I would recommend not responding and, if necessary, simply refer them to our own media organization.”
Killer's motive
The man charged with assassinating Thompson, Luigi Mangione, was arrested Monday after he was recognized at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania.
While much remains unclear about the suspected killer, police recovered a handwritten manifesto in which Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League Graduate from a prominent Baltimore family, expressed anger with the healthcare system.
"I do apologize for any strife of traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming," he wrote in the alleged note.
Thompson was brazenly gunned down in broad daylight outside of a hotel in midtown Manhattan on December 4. Shell casings were found with the words "deny," "defend," and "depose," sparking early speculation that the shooter was motivated by revenge against health insurance companies.
The Supreme Court rejected a series of appeals from conservatives Monday on hot-button issues like DEI and gun control.
More than a year after the court ended affirmative action in colleges, the justices declined to take up a case on the use of race in admissions in Boston's high schools. The court also turned away a Second Amendment challenge to Hawaii's draconian gun laws and a controversy on transgender policy in schools, the Washington Examiner reported.
Affirmative action by proxy
Two of the court's most reliable conservatives, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, disagreed with the court's decision to reject the appeal of Boston parents who challenged anti-white and anti-Asian admissions policies at three prestigious high schools.
The criteria indirectly factored in race by using ZIP codes, leading to a drop in white and Asian students accepted. Since the policies are no longer in effect, Justice Neil Gorsuch argued the court should not review the case, but he did not call it completely moot.
Dissenting, Alito and Thomas expressed concern about a lower court's analysis that relied on "disparate impact" theories that the Supreme Court previously rejected when striking down affirmative action in 2023.
“I would reject root and branch this dangerously distorted view of disparate impact. The Court, however, fails to do so today, so I must respectfully dissent,” Alito wrote.
Although the Supreme Court formally ended affirmative action, liberal schools and universities have sought workarounds. Chris Kieser, a senior attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, told the Washington Examiner that the Boston case shows the continued danger of racial discrimination in admissions.
"Boston Public Schools’ use of a ZIP Code quota as a naked proxy for race violates the Constitution’s promise of equal protection," he said.
“Regardless of today’s disappointment, the government’s use of skin color or ethnicity to choose who can attend public schools is a critical constitutional question that must be settled,” Kieser added.
Gun, transgender controversies
In a separate matter, the court declined to take up a challenge from a man who was charged under Hawaii's strict gun control laws, which require "special need" to get a license.
The case led to a bizarre and extraordinary rebuke of the Supreme Court by Hawaii's top court, which invoked the "spirit of Aloha" while rejecting the Supreme Court's precedent in the landmark case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The ruling led to a nationwide rollback of strict gun laws and spurred liberals to find ways to circumvent the court's decision.
Thomas and Alito criticized the Hawaii court's ruling as contradictory to Bruen, but they rejectedthe case Hawaii v. Wilson on technical grounds. However, they said they are open to hearing an "appropriate case" to vindicate the right to bear arms in the future.
The Supreme Court also declined to get involved in a dispute in a Wisconsin school district that allows students to "transition" without parental consent. A lower court found the parents lacked standing to bring the case, but Thomas, Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh said they would have heard the case.
While progressives argue the Supreme Court is a rubber stamp for the right, that's clearly not true. That does not mean the court has not granted some significant victories for conservatives, however.
In one of the first major cases of the new term, the Supreme Court seemed open to allowing states to restrict transgender surgeries on minors.
In a post on X, Lara Trump thanked the president-elect for entrusting her to lead the RNC during a historic election year.
"The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting," she wrote.
Lara Trump stepping down
Trump appointed his daughter-in-law to co-chair the RNC in March after a series of electoral disappointments under the leadership of Ronna McDaniel.
This year, the RNC successfully built an "army" of lawyers to ensure a smooth election and capitalized on early voting to boost turnout, Lara noted in her post announcing her resignation.
"Serving as the @GOP co-chair throughout the course of the most consequential election in American history has truly been the honor of my life," Lara Trump wrote on X.
Her resignation comes as the Wall Street Journal reports that President-elect Trump is pushing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint her to the Senate seat currently held by Republican Marco Rubio, who Trump picked to be his Secretary of State.
“It is something I would seriously consider,” Lara Trump, 42, told The Associated Press.
“If I’m being completely transparent, I don’t know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something that’s real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.”
Senate seat up for grabs
If chosen for the Senate role, Lara would hold the position until 2026, when she would be in prime position to win a full term in a former swing state where her father-in-law won by double-digits last month.
DeSantis has emphasized that multiple qualified candidates are in the running for Rubio's seat, but allies of the governor acknowledged to the Wall Street Journal that appointing Lara would help repair his relationship with President-elect Trump, who clashed with the governor during a bruising primary last year.
While Lara Trump's last name is certainly a plus, she can take credit for being part of what has been widely called the greatest political comeback in U.S. history - as Donald Trump prepares to return to Washington with a popular mandate and Republican majorities in the House and Senate.
In her hopes of moving up to the Senate, Lara Trump has received support from Elon Musk - a close ally of the president-elect who has become a fixture at Mar-A-Lago - and Musk's mother Maye.
“The Senate is an old man’s club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets,” Maye posted on X.
There are leftists whose consideration and respect for the law of the nation and the states is negligible.
They are the Black Lives Matter types who did billions of dollars in damages to dozens of American cities when George Floyd died. They've also the type that inflict "swatting" situations on police departments and mostly Republicans when they are unhappy with election results.
In swatting situations, some offender calls in to police and describes a threat, a bomb, or a hostage situation and then gives the address of an innocent person.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., has been targeted multiple times. So have those nominated for federal posts by President-elect Donald Trump.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.
Previously, the situations mostly been defused with sharp police response and quick discovery that there's no real threat.
But not this time.
A swatting incident that targeted Greene has cost the life of an innocent women who died in a car crash also involving a Rome, Ga., police officer responding to the swatting.
It happened because police got a "bomb threat" against the member of Congress.
Greene explained, "I'm heartsick right now. I was just informed that an innocent woman died today in an auto accident involving a member of the Rome Police bomb squad who was responding to the threat at my home. My prayers are with Tammie Pickelsimer, her family, the officer who was injured, and the entire Rome Police Department.
"These violent political threats have fatal consequences. It's an undue strain on our law enforcement who must treat them seriously. The officer was responding to protect my life. And now, a woman has lost her life because of this despicable act.
"The perpetrator of this crime has committed murder in our small community of Rome, Georgia. The police shouldn't have to respond to these threats and there should not be deaths caused at their hands. I'm so thankful for everything the Rome Police Department does to protect our city and for putting their lives on the line to do it. I'm sick to my stomach, but I'm also angry. This should have never happened and I pray it never happens again."
The Gateway Pundit explained, "Several prominent figures within Republican circles and President-elect Donald Trump's transition team have faced similar attacks, including bomb threats and 'swatting' incidents."
Trump campaign official Karoline Leavitt said, "Several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them. These attacks ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting.' In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action."
Among the targets have been Rep. Elise Stefanik, nominated for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; Howard Lutnick, selected as Secretary of Commerce; and former Rep. Lee Zeldin, nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
Liz Peek believes President Joe Biden will absolve his corrupt cronies with "preemptive pardons" before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in the hopes of staving off investigations, the Fox News contributor said in her opinion piece. Meanwhile, Peek thinks Trump's "retribution will be his success" as Democrats face backlash.
Biden has been issuing "blanket pardons" for many in his administration and family members. He is working under the assumption that Trump will be looking to use the Justice Department against his political adversaries "because that’s what they have done," Peek noted.
Trump has already said that he's not out for his pound of flesh. "I’m really looking to make our country successful," Trump told Kristen Welker on Meet the Press.
"But here is the truth: Trump supporters – or at least this Trump supporter – don’t want vengeance. We want accountability," Peek wrote.
Losing Strategy
Peek believes that the strategy Biden is employing will be the Democrats' undoing. "Top Democrats have reportedly encouraged the president to grant preemptive blanket pardons to a slew of Trump’s adversaries, including Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and former NIH Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, supposedly to protect them from his wrath," Peek wrote.
"They suggest that the nominations of Kash Patel to head the FBI and Pam Bondi for attorney general endanger the former president’s political foes, and that Trump World is bent on vengeance. Democrat leaders want Biden to protect them with a wave of his pardon wand," she continued.
"Issuing preemptive pardons is an offensive idea, but also so outlandish that it must be a smokescreen," Peek said. She believes that "Biden hopes to bury pardons of his family members among many others, hoping...they will not notice Jim or Hallie Biden on the list."
Besides his son Hunter Biden, whom the president already pardoned, other family members "cited by the House Oversight Committee as pocketing money from Hunter’s activities" may also receive the same treatment. "The more immunities granted, the fewer investigations and the safer Joe Biden himself will be," Peek continued.
However, Democrats are under the misguided belief that "Trump and his appointees will use the Department of Justice to punish some of the perpetrators of the years-long attacks on him, because that’s what they have done." Instead, it's voters who will be looking to hold these people accountable.
Tide is Turning
Peek believes the worst people in the Biden orbit have escaped consequences primarily due to media malpractice. "In the past, Americans counted on an ambitious press to hold government officials to account for such misdeeds; today, they cannot," Peek wrote.
"Few in the legacy media pursued credible reports of Biden family corruption, even though the infamous laptop (authenticated and held by the FBI for more than a year before the 2020 election) provided plenty of damaging information," she continued. The laptop also tracked how Joe Biden benefitted from his son's shady dealings.
"When the president pardoned his son, he was actually pardoning himself," Peek added. Even the Justice Department has skewed in favor of Democrats as "more than 1,100 Trump supporters who protested the 2020 election on January 6 have been rounded up, and over 600 sentenced to prison" while "there have been few prosecutions for the riots that took place after the murder of George Floyd," Peek noted.
The tide is turning, however. "It is infuriating that the Left has been winning so many rounds; on November 5 they began what we hope will be a long losing streak. Trump is right: his retribution will be his success. I cannot wait," Peek concluded.
Peek is correct that the entirety of Joe Biden's strategy centers on keeping him, his family, and his cronies out of the law enforcement spotlight. Unfortunately, that will do nothing to stop the political and electoral reckoning against the left that has already begun.
Former first lady Melania Trump explained in her memoir Melania that she was heartbroken after an institution she banked with for a long time suddenly refused to do business with her family, Florida's Voice News reported. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis shared that this practice is about to be examined.
So-called "debanking," where a bank refuses services to customers on ideological grounds, is becoming a common practice. These institutions are squeezing out clients based on religion, gun ownership, and other views.
The Trump family was famously subject to this, as Melania Trump noted. "I was shocked and dismayed to learn that my longtime bank decided to terminate my account and deny my son the opportunity to open a new one," the former and soon-to-be first lady said.
Now that President-elect Donald Trump is returning to the White House next year, many anticipate renewed scrutiny. Indeed, Patronis vowed to "open up the hood" on these banks.
Brazen Discrimination
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, Patronis signaled a possible investigation into this brazen discrimination. "I cannot wait to open up the hood on how these federal agencies worked with lending institutions to de-bank Americans," Patronis wrote.
"The unelected bureaucrats who targeted gun owners, Christians, and Trump supporters are going to have a day of reckoning," he added. The problem for the Trump family began shortly after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
The Hill reported weeks after the event that several financial institutions cut ties with Donald Trump and his businesses. Florida's Banks United, where Donald Trump held anywhere between $5.1 million and $25.2 million in money market accounts, declined his business.
"We no longer have any depository relationship with him," the institution flatly reported without giving a reason. Professional Bank, another Sunshine State institution, followed suit.
In New York, Signature Bank and Deutsche Bank decided to no longer do business with Donald Trump. The former went so far as to also call on him to resign his then-presidency while the latter was looking to dump $300 million in his loans.
Beyond Trump
This kind of treatment is not just a problem for the Trup family. It has been cropping up across the financial services industry, including Bank of America, which has garnered a reputation for such actions.
In April, 15 state financial officers from 13 states sent a letter to CEO Brian Moynihan about the company's selective cancellation of accounts based on ideology, Fox News reported. Some of those targeted included Indigenous Advance Ministries, a Christian anti-trafficking organization, and Timothy Two Project International, which trains Christian pastors.
"Americans should never have to worry that their personal financial decisions will be weaponized against them. This practice has become all too common, and banks must urgently course correct to uphold their fiduciary duty and safeguard the constitutional freedoms of Americans," Kentucky State Auditor Allison Ball, one of the signors, said in a statement.
The letter claimed that "systemic drivers of religious and political bias may be at work within the company as a whole." Bank of America has pushed back on that claim, but it is just one of several institutions that seem to be quietly doing the same thing.
It's unconscionable for these banks to deny services based on religion or political viewpoint. It seems Patronis and others are about to shed some light on these shady practices, and it's about time.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been banned from leaving the country after he was charged with treason for declaring martial law last week.
Yoon made the bizarre decision to declare martial law on Tuesday night, saying that he was doing it to combat “unscrupulous pro-Pyongyang anti-state forces.”
He also blamed the majority leftist-led National Assembly for making it impossible for him to govern by blocking his policy objectives, saying that they were aiding “North Korean communist forces.”
National Assembly members had to climb over gates and walls as well as fight through armed soldiers to get to their chamber to vote against the martial law, which the constitution of South Korea allows them to do.
Failed impeachment
It seems like some soldiers did not try as hard as they could to prevent the lawmakers from convening, which may be due to the irregularity of the situation.
The assembly voted unanimously against martial law and opened a treason investigation against Yoon. They tried to impeach him but were blocked by factions in the People's Power Party (PPP), to which Yoon belongs.
The travel ban was imposed on Yoon because he was considered a flight risk. The assembly is also considering banning the first lady, Kim Keon-hee, from leaving the country as well.
Some other members of his administration are also banned from traveling due to their involvement in the decision to declare martial law.
The ban could prevent Yoon from engaging in diplomacy, as presidents often need to do.
"I am deeply sorry"
Yoon is technically still in charge of the military, but the legislature has vowed to ignore any subsequent declarations of martial law from Yoon.
Yoon promised that “there will never be a second martial law” and said that the PPP will decide his fate as president.
“This declaration of martial law was born out of desperation as the president, the ultimate head of state. But it has caused anxiety and discomfort to the people in the process,” Yoon said. “I am deeply sorry for this, and I sincerely apologize to the people who must have been greatly surprised.”
Leftist groups have been calling for Yoon's resignation during daily protests, but there have been conservative rallies in his support.
It's good to see democracy working and squelching this kind of power grab.
Lara Trump has resigned from her position as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), hinting at a potential Senate run in Florida, Fox News reports.
Lara Trump announced her resignation as RNC co-chair, a position she has held since March 2024. She attributed her departure to the fulfillment of the Republican Party's main objectives during her tenure—retaking control of the Senate and maintaining a narrow majority in the House. This announcement comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House.
Since residing in Florida for over three years, Lara Trump has expressed a keen interest in continuing her political career in the state. With current Florida Senator Marco Rubio expected to be appointed as the next Secretary of State, speculation about her stepping into his Senate seat has intensified.
Lara Trump's Political Aspirations Grow in Sunshine State
During her announcement, Lara Trump said, "With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up. What I intended to do has been done." These remarks underscore her satisfaction with her achievements at the RNC and her readiness for new challenges.
She further elaborated on her potential Senate run, expressing her desire to "serve the people of Florida" and her willingness to consider the Senate seat, should the opportunity arise. Her political involvement in Florida, coupled with her family's significant influence, positions her as a strong candidate.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, responsible for appointing Rubio's replacement, has yet to comment on the speculation surrounding Lara Trump's potential candidacy.
Support and Endorsements for Lara Trump's Senate Bid
Notable endorsements have already emerged supporting Lara Trump's potential Senate run. Maye Musk, in a statement, criticized the Senate for being an "old man's club" and praised the need for "a smart, young, outspoken woman" like Lara Trump to bring fresh perspectives to the chamber.
Elon Musk supported his mother's view by describing Lara Trump as "genuinely great," indicating the broader support she might garner from influential figures.
Senator Lindsey Graham also expressed enthusiastic support, stating, "I would be like over-the-top excited" about her candidacy. He emphasized that the Republican Party "could not do better … than Lara Trump."
Lara Trump's Role in the Republican Party's Recent Success
Lara Trump's leadership at the RNC was marked by significant electoral successes. Under her co-chairmanship, the Republican Party not only regained control of the Senate but also managed to hold onto a slim majority in the House. This has been part of a broader strategy to consolidate Republican power federally.
Michael Whatley, continuing as the RNC chairman, acknowledged Lara Trump's contributions to these victories. He noted her pivotal role in navigating the party through complex political landscapes leading up to the elections.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his upcoming term, the reshuffling within the Republican ranks, including Lara Trump's resignation and potential Senate run, marks a significant realignment in U.S. politics.
Future Political Landscape and Lara Trump's Impact
As discussions about the future of the Republican Party and its leadership continue, Lara Trump's move from RNC co-chair to potentially the U.S. Senate represents a significant transition. Her political career appears to be far from over, with her next steps possibly influencing not just state politics in Florida but also the national political arena.
In her conversation with Howard Kurtz, Lara Trump reflected on her family's deep involvement in politics, stating, "Certainly, we’ve all had the opportunity over the past nine years to fully involve ourselves in politics, to understand the American people, what they want." Her Florida residency and political ambitions underscore her commitment to representing her constituents at a higher level.
Michael Hart, 58, became the first person to ever be charged with a climate change-related crime when he pled guilty in September to "smuggling greenhouse gases" across the Mexican border.
The Biden regime gloated over Hart's unprecedented arrest in its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report.
Biden gloats over climate arrest
The San Diego man allegedly used tarp to conceal refrigerants, known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs), as he crossed the Mexican border.
The gases were outlawed by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020, which was signed into law by President Trump in a spending package at the end of his first term.
"To achieve the AIM Act’s goal of an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2036, EPA is acting in a number of ways, including by implementing an initiative to disrupt the illegal smuggling of HFCs through United States borders and ports," the agency said.
The Biden-appointed federal prosecutor who brought the case, Tara McGrath, gloated that it "will not be the last."
"We are using every means possible to protect our planet from the harm caused by toxic pollutants, including bringing criminal charges,” she said.
Weaponizing justice
According to the EPA, there were 121 climate arrests in 2024, a Biden record, and $1.7 billion in criminal penalties brought against environmental offenders.
The report emphasized its role to protect "underserved communities," an allusion to the concept of "climate justice."
"In FY 2024, the criminal enforcement program opened 200 new cases, with 61% in overburdened and underserved communities, and charged 121 defendants. In terms of overall relief, the program secured total fines and restitution exceeding $26 million; $750,000 in court ordered environmental projects; 19.3 years of incarceration; and forfeiture of $322,706 in illegal proceeds," the EPA's report said.
Of course, the Biden administration hardly showed the same level of concern about the importation of fentanyl, to say nothing of the violent illegal aliens who crossed the border and went on to kill American citizens like Laken Riley.
By the way, how much damage did Biden cause to the environment with his open border policy? How many millions of immigrants left trash in their wake while crossing the border?
While the Biden regime may have been given legal authority to pursue this case, the regime's failure to stop years of chaos at the border speaks volumes about the regime's priorities - and proves that this case has nothing to do with the "rule of law."
Mark this down as another egregious example of the Biden regime's weaponization of government.
