A meeting between President Donald Trump's Cabinet Thursday turned tense, according to the New York Times. However, when asked about it by a journalist, the president denied the report and called him a "troublemaker."

The meeting was scheduled late on Wednesday and convened in the Cabinet Room of the White House the following day. Five sources supposedly close to the matter claimed a squabble erupted between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk.

The Tesla billionaire was angry at Rubio for firing "nobody" as Musk continues to cut government waste. He claimed Rubio was "good on TV" which insinuated that he was all show and no action while Musk is slashing government personnel.

Trump reportedly came to Rubio's defense, stating that he's done a "great job" and that he has many competing responsibilities. This situation was recounted in the Times, which made it seem like a monumental shift had taken place.

Trump Stops It

The media was all ready to run with this salacious story about in-fighting at the White House. A reporter from NBC News asked Trump about what the Times claimed about the Cabinet meeting.

The Hill reported that the press was at the Oval Office on Thursday for a meeting about the possibility of the 2026 World Cup being held in the U.S. As soon as the reporter asked the question, Trump shut it down.

“No clash, I was there, you’re just a troublemaker. And you’re not supposed to be asking that question because we’re talking about the World Cup," Trump told the reporter.

"Elon gets along great with Marco, and they’re both doing a fantastic job. There is no clash," Trump insisted. The clip was widely shared to social media, including a post from commentator Benny Johnson on X, formerly Twitter, Friday.

Destroying the Narrative

The leftist media has created a bogeyman out of Musk and his work with DOGE. While the American people see his single-minded mission of cutting waste as a good thing, the left has demonized the SpaceX mogul.

Perhaps that's why the narrative about a row at the Cabinet meeting was just too good to pass up. Even if there's some truth to the fact that there was a disagreement, it's clear that Trump is in control of all that's happening.

As the Times reported, Trump promised that his administration would use a "scalpel" instead of a "hatchet" with its cuts, demonstrating that Musk's powers are limited. Trump also praised Musk and Rubio to the press before signaling that personnel issues are up to the Cabinet members.

"They both get along fantastically well. Marco has done unbelievably as secretary of State. And Elon is a unique guy, he’s done a fantastic job," Trump said. "I want the Cabinet members, go first, keep all the people you want. Everybody that you need," Trump added.

There isn't an administration that hasn't seen its share of internal conflict. It's unclear who present would have leaked the exchange between Musk and Rubio or whether it even happened, but the spinning of the narrative is all par for the course from mainstream news outlets.

The Department of Government Efficiency canceled the lease for the site of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois, the UK Daily Mail reported. This news comes as divorce rumors swirl about former President Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama.

Tesla billionaire Elon Musk has been heading up DOGE's efforts to streamline the government. One of those undertakings deemed wasteful was Barack Obama's planned legacy project, which cost $1.4 million annually in rent since 2016.

The site northwest of Chicago was home to many artifacts from the Obama administration, including dresses worn by the former first lady, a jewel-encrusted sword and scabbard gifted from Saudi Arabia, and a baseball signed by the 2010 San Francisco Giants who won the World Series that year. It also included his infamous silver BlackBerry device Barack Obama used while president.

The National Archives and Records Administration was in charge of the building and contents at Hoffman Estates where the center is being built. The collection will now be stored permanently in College Park, Maryland, and will be on loan to the Obama Presidential Center periodically when it opens next year.

Marital Woes

Although the building was slated to be closed before DOGE set to eliminate it, this news comes at a tumultuous time for the Obamas. Rumors have been swirling about an impending divorce for the former first couple, and recent events only underscore that concern.

Michelle Obama was noticeably absent during the state funeral for the late President Jimmy Carter earlier this year. Then, on Wednesday, Barack Obama attended a Los Angeles Clippers game without his wife.

Although he was well-received by the crowd, it didn't go unnoticed that he was not with Michelle Obama again for another highly public event. Political commentator Dom Lucre posted on X, formerly Twitter, how this fueled speculation about the demise of their marriage.

"Former President Obama just ignited more divorce rumors after he was spotted at a Los Angeles Clippers basketball game without his wife Michelle Obama. This comes after a report that Obama has been staying with his ‘best friend’ Martin Nesbitt in preparation for their new $18M mansion in Hawaii," he wrote Thursday.

On the Rocks

Whether or not the Obamas' marriage is on the rocks, the former president's legacy project seems to have been doomed from the start. According to Fox News, cost overages and a race-based lawsuit have caused significant delays as it limps toward opening in 2026.

The 19.3-acre site was slated to cost $350 million to build out for the project. Though no firm public figures exist, an analysis of the 2021 annual report shows it has ballooned to be $830 million. Moreover, the project suffers from the same flaw that sunk Barack Obama's legacy: racial strife.

The former president envisioned the project as a grand stage for diversity, equity, and inclusion that was a focus of his. Instead, it has resulted in a huge price tag, including a $40.75 million lawsuit from a minority-owned contractor over changes to concrete work.

The lawsuit claims engineering company Thornton Tomasetti did so to racially discriminate against the contractor. Thornton Tomasetti insists it was necessary after subpar work and that it "bent over backwards to assist what everyone knows was a questionably qualified subcontractor team in areas where a more qualified subcontractor would not have required it."

It's sad to watch the Obamas possibly break up their marriage while the former president's legacy suffers under the weight of his terrible philosophies. However, it's true that we all reap what we sow, whether peasant or president.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Social media is delivering a verdict of "treason," not just from one commenter, but many, after the revelation by Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence, that the Joe Biden administration allowed some 4,000 people from Asia to use an ISIS-linked network to illegally enter the U.S.

Of that crowd, about 100 were arrested, but only eight eventually were deported or jailed, she confirmed.

On a visit to the nation's southern border, which was left wide open during the Biden regime but now is closed down under the Trump administration, she confirmed that the 4,000 from central Asia came to the U.S. during Biden's tenure using an "ISIS-affiliated network."

That would include "hundreds of known terrorists and [people] associated with known terrorists," she said.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

DOGE, President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, has uncovered the fact that taxpayers have been paying for thousands of unnecessary computer software licenses.

And the work to cancel and end them already is under way.

A report from Fox News noted the 11,020 Adobe Acrobat licenses in the Department of Housing and Urban Development – with zero users.

There also were 35,855 ServiceNow licenses on three products, and only 84 were being used. And 1,776 Cognos licenses, with only 325 being used.

Of the 800 WestLaw Classic licenses, 216 were used, and there were only 400 users for 10,000 Java licenses.

DOGE chief Elon Musk explained, "There are vast numbers of unused software licenses in every part of the government. Your tax dollars are being wasted."

The announcement follows similar investigation results from the General Services Administration, Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, and Social Security Administration.

"Agencies often have more software licenses than employees, and the licenses are often idle (i.e. paid for, but not installed on any computer)," DOGE said on social media. "For example, at GSA, with 13,000 employees, there are 37,000 WinZip licenses," "19,000 training software subscriptions (and multiple parallel training software platforms)," "7,500 project management software seats for a division with 5,500 employees," "3 different ticketing systems running in parallel."

The statement confirmed, "Fixes are actively in work."

GSA spokesman Stephen Ehikian replied, "Hope we didn't make you wait too long… within 3 hours of @DOGE post, @USGSA is taking immediate action to reduce $5.5M of IT spend & working to identify additional reductions across all categories—ensuring strong stewardship of your tax dollars."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Disney is reaching into its archives to pull out and reuse a thematic element in a children's production that it hasn't used in nearly 30 years, since "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

And a report at The Blaze warns that "it will delight Christian parents and drive liberals crazy."

The element is prayer, and it appears in Pixar's animated series called "Win or Lose."

The report explains that's the stories of "eight different characters as they each prepare for their big championship softball game — the insecure kids, their helicopter parents, even a lovesick umpire."

In the premiere episode one character, Laurie, is battling self-doubt and "bows her head and folds her hands in prayer to ask God for strength."

"Dear heavenly Father, please give me strength. … I just want to catch a ball or get a hit. I promise I'll be good, and I, uh, won't do that thing again," she promises God.

The Christian Post documented, "The scene marks the first time a Disney character is portrayed offering an explicitly Christian prayer since 1996's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and its song 'God Help the Outcasts,' which includes the lyrics, 'God help the outcasts / Hungry from birth / Show them the mercy / They don't find on earth / God help my people / We look to You still / God help the outcasts / Or nobody will.'"

Another report explained Disney's 2007 "Bridge to Terabithia" featured characters who are Christian, attending church and discussing faith.

The report said LGBT ideologues at PinkNews complained, "The introduction of an explicitly Christian character is fairly innocuous on its own standing, but the context surrounding the show — and Disney at large — has left some LGBTQ+ TV lovers a little uneasy."

The report noted Laurie doesn't appear to be "anti-trans," but it does indicate Disney moving "toward a more traditional, conservative worldview."

Disney, of course, has been the target of much criticism in recent years for having gone wildly "woke" and pro-LGBT in its productions, especially for children, productions that largely have failed to be significant successes.

The report said LGBTQ Nation "ranted," "Her introduction comes as Donald Trump and the Republican party continue to terrorize the trans community and use Christianity as justification, all the while claiming that Christians are being persecuted by diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts."

The Blaze noted it had reported weeks ago that Disney had embedded a transgender character in a children's production, but then eliminated "a few lines of dialogue that referenced gender identity."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Multiple Democrats are pledging allegiance to the U.S. Department of Education after President Donald Trump, as part of his agenda to eliminate waste, fraud and corruption in the federal government, has called for it to be shut down.

In fact, public schools in American are run mostly by local boards following state regulations, but a commentary at Twitchy explained the huge significance of a federal bureaucracy to dictate to schools.

"Local school districts receive only a small fraction of their funding from the federal government—an amount so negligible it would barely be missed if it disappeared. Instead, this money could be redistributed to the states, allowing them to allocate it to schools based on specific needs, such as areas with extreme poverty or a high percentage of students with learning differences. The real reason Democrats champion the Department of Education, however, is that it serves as a tool to promote their Leftist 'woke' agenda," it said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took to social media to insist that Democrats would "fight" Trump's plans, because, "Almost 90% of students in the U.S. attend public school. And every single district will suffer."

But social media suggested that Schumer was far wrong.

Author Michael Shellenberger said, "Closing the Department of Education will hurt kids, say Democrats. The evidence suggests the opposite. The Dept. of Ed. promoted pseudoscientific alternatives to the science of reading & direct instruction of math. The result? A catastrophic decline in student performance."

And at RedState was a response to Schumer: "Total nonsense backed by zero empirical evidence. The Department of Education has produced 'worse' outcomes for students over the years. It's pushed nonsense alternative learning methods that have led to falling test scores and higher rates of illiteracy."

Another pointed out how scores have declined while funding has skyrocketed:

Others openly disputed Schumer's claims, including one who pointed out that the states and local boards "managed to educate children for 200 years before the dept. was established."

Sen. Joni Ernst was outed in a sexting scandal Tuesday that revealed a relationship she was having with a high-ranking military official, the Daily Beast reported. The 54-year-old Iowa Republican was one of several women on Capitol Hill who were exchanging sleazy messages with retired Maj. Gen. Christopher Finerty.

A January 2023 report from the Air Force's inspector general alleged that the Finerty had multiple "sexual, inappropriate, or unprofessional relationships" against military policy. Finerty was demoted over the scandal and retired from the service in November.

The women's names were redacted when the report was released to the press. However, two sources close to the matter confirmed that Ernst was one of the women involved in the scandal after being implicated in a similar relationship in 2019 with a Navy legislative affairs official.

Compromising Position

According to ProPublica, Finerty's colleagues slammed his exploits as "highly inappropriate" because of Ernst's position in Congress, which could give the Air Force an unfair advantage. Ernst, a combat veteran, is on the Senate's Armed Services Committee.

Part of her duties include drafting the Pentagon's annual budget, including allocating spending to the Air Force. "I honestly felt sick to my stomach because it just felt so sleazy," a colleague said.

The Republican lawmaker, who has been in the Senate since 2015, was not married at the time of the affair, nor was Finerty. Moreover, there's nothing in the Senate rules that precludes lawmakers from carrying on with lobbyists.

Although Finerty isn't a lobbyist, his position presents ethical concerns that certain relationships could create undue influence. "From an ethics standpoint, it’s severely problematic," said a former military legislative affairs official.

In fact, those who worked for Finerty believed that their relationship "absolutely gave the Air Force undue influence." It didn't help that their romance was the worst-kept secret, as at least six colleagues reportedly knew about and were concerned regarding their relationship.

Damaged Reputation

Finerty was rightly demoted for his conduct, but Ernst will also suffer because of their relationship if the reports are accurate. Her spokesperson refused to speak on the matter but stressed that the Iowa Republican was not compromised in her job.

"The fake news media is clearly too busy gossiping to report the real news that Senator Ernst is focused on cutting waste at the Pentagon. Her votes and work in the Senate are guided by the voices of Iowans who elected her and her constitutional duty alone," the spokesperson said.

"Any insinuation otherwise by tabloid ‘journalism’ is a slanderous lie — full stop," the person added. Finerty's attorney also wouldn't say whether he was involved with Ernst and denied wrongdoing.

"The IG report found no evidence suggesting anything remotely approaching either conflict of interest or undue influence involving General Finerty and anyone on Capitol Hill. Further, the IG report found no law, rule, policy, or guidance prohibited any of General Finerty’s relationships. Any suggestion to the contrary would be defamatory," his attorney said.

This scandal is harmful to all parties involved and could easily have been avoided if all parties acted with the dignity of their offices. If the reports are true, it's a terrible look for them all and will surely have a ripple effect in Congress and the military.

Democratic U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner, known for his long-standing service to Texas, passed away at his home at 70, leaving a significant impact on the community he served.

Turner died due to health complications linked to past bone cancer treatment, marking a swift end to his congressional tenure after succeeding Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Sylvester Turner, who spent decades in public service, had only been in Congress for two months when his death was announced on a Wednesday at 5:45 a.m. He passed at his residence, surrounded by family. Born and raised in Houston's Acres Homes, Turner rose from humble beginnings to a respected lawmaker and city official.

Turner's Enduring Legacy Begins In Texas

Before his time in Congress, Turner served two terms as Houston's mayor. His leadership during Hurricane Harvey catapulted his reputation as a dedicated public servant. He spent 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives, where he was instrumental in pushing initiatives for his constituents' benefit.

A graduate of the University of Houston and Harvard Law School, Turner not only practiced law but also founded his firm, exemplifying his dedication to justice and equitable service. Elected to Congress in November, he filled the seat of Sheila Jackson Lee, reflecting the trust the community placed in his leadership.

Unexpected Turn Of Events At Congress

A testament to his dedication, Turner recently attended former President Donald Trump's address to Congress in Washington, D.C. However, that evening, circumstances took a concerning turn when he needed hospitalization. Despite being released, his health continued to decline.

His family expressed profound sorrow over his passing, remembering him not just as a public figure but as a cherished father, grandfather, and sibling. Their gratitude extended to those who offered prayers during their time of grief, underscoring his personal and professional life’s impact on many.

Tributes And Condolences Flooding In

Prominent political figures and colleagues expressed their condolences following Turner's death. Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Caucus Chair, expressed shock, acknowledging Turner's dedication to public service and decades of commitment to serving Houston's community.

According to Mayor John Whitmire, Turner was not only a valued political figure but also a close friend. He shared a heartfelt connection with Turner, whose charisma and commitment to the city stood out. "Sylvester never forgot where he came from," Whitmire stated, indicating that Turner's legacy was deeply rooted in his origins.

Turner Remembered By Politicians High And Low

The Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, also reflected on Turner's legacy, emphasizing that he left behind a trail of service across the state. His influence extended beyond personal accomplishments, impacting Texas' political climate positively.

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu highlighted Turner's attributes, emphasizing that his wisdom and strategic vision would inspire future generations. Turner's approach to governance was marked by integrity and a passion for justice, paving the way for a better, more equitable state.

Recalling Turner's Extraordinary Lawmaking Background

Turner's achievements in lawmaking and governance drew admiration from all around. His career was defined by his ability to lead with empathy and vigor, essential traits that endeared him to his constituents and colleagues alike. His ability to engage with citizens on a personal level added a profound dimension to his public service.

His political acumen was evident throughout his tenure in public office. Recognized for lighting up crowds with his dynamic personality, Turner inspired confidence and unity across different sectors of society. His efforts in the Texas legislature impacted several lives, showcasing a style of leadership centered around community well-being.

A Respected Figure In Houston And Beyond

Turner’s passing not only marks the end of an era in Houston politics but also signifies a substantial void in Texas's political sphere. His contributions will significantly influence the political landscape, serving as a benchmark for future officeholders committed to serving with authenticity and dedication.

The community continues to mourn the loss of a giant in public service, someone who skillfully juggled roles as a leader, advocate, and friend. As the nation reflects on Turner's contributions and ambitions for Texas, his legacy will live on, offering inspiration for leaders who pursue justice and service.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

'Parents, now is the time that you share the receipts of the betrayal that has happened in our public schools'

The Department of Education, which will be reduced in a major way if President Donald Trump's government efficiency campaign proceeds as he has planned, has in the interim opened a portal for people to report discrimination in K-12 schools.

In an announcement, the agency said it's EndDEI.Ed.Gov website is for parents, students, teachers and community members "to submit reports of discrimination based on race or sex in publicly funded K-12 schools."

"The secure portal allows parents to provide an email address, the name of the student's school or school district, and details of the concerning practices," the agency said. The information will then be evaluated for "investigation."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Activist groups must cover 'potential costs and damages from a wrongly issued injunction'

For a long time federal law has allowed the government to ask courts to order plaintiffs who are suing the government to post bonds that would cover "potential costs and damages from a wrongly issued injunction."

Seldom has that provision in the law been utilized.

But it will be now, under orders from President Donald Trump, who explained in a new order Thursday, "In recent weeks, activist organizations fueled by hundreds of millions of dollars in donations and sometimes even government grants have obtained sweeping injunctions far beyond the scope of relief contemplated by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, functionally inserting themselves into the executive policy making process and therefore undermining the democratic process."

Those cases include challenges to Trump's decisions to fire executive branch employees, to cut off inappropriate funding and to eliminate fraudulent activities in the federal spending.

"This anti-democratic takeover is orchestrated by forum-shopping organizations that repeatedly bring meritless suits, used for fundraising and political grandstanding, without any repercussions when they fail. Taxpayers are forced not only to cover the costs of their antics when funding and hiring decisions are enjoined, but must needlessly wait for government policies they voted for. Moreover, this situation results in the Department of Justice, the nation's chief law enforcement agency, dedicating substantial resources to fighting frivolous suits instead of defending public safety," Trump said.

He said a key to fighting such abuse is "Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) (Rule 65(c))."

That mandates "that a party seeking a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order (injunction) provide security in an amount that the court considers proper to cover potential costs and damages to the enjoined or restrained party if the injunction is wrongly issued," Trump explained.

He said enforcement of that provisions "is critical to ensuring that taxpayers do not foot the bill for costs or damages caused by wrongly issued preliminary relief by activist judges and to achieving the effective administration of justice."

He then ordered that it now is the "policy" of the U.S. to demand that parties seeking injunctions "cover the costs and damages incurred if the government is ultimately found to have been wrongfully enjoined or restrained."

His instructions are that the heads of executive branch agencies are "directed to ensure that their respective agencies properly request under Rule 65(c) that federal district courts require plaintiffs to post security equal to the federal government's potential costs and damages from a wrongly issued injunction."

The instruction covers "all lawsuits filed against the federal government seeking an injunction where agencies can show expected monetary damages or costs from the requested preliminary relief, unless extraordinary circumstances justify an exception."

He pointed out that the rule actually "mandates the court to require, in all applicable cases, that a movant for an injunction post security in an amount that the court considers proper to cover potential costs and damages to the enjoined or restrained party."

In some cases the requirements could prove incredible. For example, in one case recently litigated, plaintiffs demanded that the government hand out $2 billion in cash to various organizations. Should a case such as that ultimately fail, the plaintiffs could be liable for the $2 billion in damages.

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