This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
PALM BEACH, Florida – Legendary comedian Steve Martin is clowning about recent political controversies, as he delivered the opening monologue Sunday during a 50th anniversary special for "Saturday Night Live."
"I'm Steve Martin, Saturday Night Live's newest diversity hire," the comic began.
"Now I can't believe I even made it here in time. It was only a few days ago that [SNL boss] Lorne [Michaels] told me I was doing the monologue," Martin continued. "I was actually vacationing on a friend's boat down in the Gulf of Steve Martin."
The comic also mocked SNL's age while also calling the monologue "traditionally the weakest part of the show."
"A fun fact," Martin said. "A person born during the first season of Saturday Night Live could today be easily dead of natural causes."
Regarding the show's signature host monologue, Martin clowned it's "like a rent-controlled tenant: It's not going anywhere, even though it stinks."
Martin was joined by fellow comedian Martin Short, who was introduced as "the only Canadian who wasn't in Schitt's Creek."
Short's time on stage was literally cut short as the Canadian actor was asked if he had his passport handy before ICE was called. He was then rushed off stage by two people sporting ICE uniforms.
Martin said about his colleague, "Marty and I have worked together for so long that we can actually finish each others … careers."
Meanwhile, John Mulaney, a popular host and a former longtime writer on the show also joined Martin on stage.
"I believe that the heart and soul of this show is the celebrity hosts, many of whom are in this room tonight," he said.
"As I look around, I see some of the most difficult people I have ever met in my entire life. Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted Saturday Night Live, and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder."
Mulaney never specified to whom he was referring, but he likely was "alluding to the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, who hosted the show in 1978, and actor Robert Blake, who hosted the show in 1982 and was found liable for murdering his second wife in civil court in 2005," according to NBC5 in Chicago.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Americans are happier with their government than they have been for a really, really, long time but that fact is being suppressed by the "liberal media" because members of that industry hope "to slow the support for President Donald Trump and his second-term agenda."
That's the verdict from Washington Examiner's columnist Paul Bedard, who explained that Americans now "have the best outlook for the nation they have ever had, a remarkable turnaround so far kept secret by much of the media and Washington," which is hoping to undermine Trump.
He reported the results are from Rasmussen Reports pollster Mark Mitchell who explained to the Washington Secrets column that for the last week, "likely voters who believe the country is headed in the right direction have been about even with those who believe it is headed in the wrong direction."
Then last week "right direction" came in a point higher than "wrong." And Trump's approval soared to 54%.
"Trump approval hit 54%, net plus-10, and on Thursday, right direction tied the out all-time high. But here's what's crazy. Right direction exceeded wrong track by 1 point, which has never happened in our polling, ever," Mitchell explained.
That, he said, is "pretty much as good as it gets."
The report noted that just as Joe Biden was preparing to exit the White House, the wrong direction was at 61%, and to right direction 30%.
"And in its poll released Monday, likely voters picked Trump as the 'best' president of all recent presidents. He was judged 'best' by 34%, followed by former President Barack Obama at 32%," the report said. "But he was also judged the 'worst' by the highest share," revealing the deep extent of division in the country after four years of Biden.
Instead of reporting on the results, however, "the liberal media have instead spun out negative stories about his Department of Government Efficiency and international strongarm efforts that have, so far, worked to cut waste and led to de-escalation in world hot spots."
Mitchell described the atmosphere among the deep state in Washington.
"It turns out people like where Trump and Elon Musk are going, and now people in D.C. are panicking, searching for terms like defense lawyer, extradition, and immunity."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A federal judge who ruled against President Donald Trump's announced freeze on federal spending has been found by a legal organization to be an executive of an organization that has taken millions of those federal dollars, meaning the judge, in his ruling, chose to stop a program that could reduce funding for an organization for which he's been a board member or executive for years.
The problem is for John McConnell, the Rhode Island judge who stopped Trump's temporary spending freeze, a move announced so that expenditures and handouts could be evaluated as part of Trump's agenda to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse in the federal government.
Trump set up the executive Department of Government Efficiency and tasked Elon Musk with that chore to fulfill his campaign promise, which voters endorsed, to cut federal spending and eliminate those problems, even identifying individuals who may be taking advantage of the system.
The report is from America First Legal, which posted an extended series of statements on social media explaining its findings.
The report explains over the 18 Years McConnell has been on the board of Crossroads Rhode Island, that group has taken some $128 million in government funding.
"When Judge McConnell ruled against the Trump administration and required federal taxpayers to continue funding the state of Rhode Island, it seems that he also required continued funding for his pet 'non-profit,' Crossroads Rhode Island," the report said.
That organization has been getting funding from the state, through which federal dollars for various projects flow.
The report said McConnell previously was the chairman of the board of that group, and currently is listed as chair emeritus.
"In fact, Judge McConnell has appeared as a director on Crossroads' IRS Form 990 every year since he took the federal bench in 2013," the report said.
The AFL report explained, "It is common practice for the federal government to disburse money to the states, which then hand it out to NGOs like Crossroads Rhode Island. Here, Judge McConnell ordered taxpayer dollars to continue flowing to the states, including Rhode Island… USA Spending shows that in the past 15 years, 155 federal grants to Rhode Island state and local governments list Crossroads Rhode Island as a sub-awardee. In FY2023 alone, the organization's audit shows that more than $10 million in federal funding flowed through Rhode Island."
The social media thread also points out, "Federal law, 28 U.S.C. § 455, requires judges to disqualify themselves 'in any proceeding in which [their] impartiality might reasonably be questioned. The law further requires judges to disqualify themselves when they are a fiduciary or have any other interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding.'"
Directors of nonprofits have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of the organization, under Rhode Island law, and, "Given the heightened public scrutiny of this case and the profound constitutional implications inherent in binding the actions of the president of the United States, the appearance of a conflict of interest is highly problematic, to say the least," the report said.
AFL said McConnell "must recuse himself immediately."
And a report at Clash Daily said, "The problem with judge-shopping to push your case through, there's always the chance that the judges you are counting on to push your agenda have their own skin in the game. That's the case with a judge who has offered very dubious rulings on whether Trump can suspend his USAID money. We've got a thread from America First Legal making the case online that Judge McConnell, the Rhode Island judge who put an end to Trump's spending freezes, ought never to have heard that case in the first place."
The report explained if Trump is successful freezing spending, that funding for McConnell's group also gets cut.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Maybe there are vampires after all.
And they're collecting Social Security.
That stunning conclusion comes from Elon Musk, chief of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, and is a result of DOGE's initial review of the nation's Social Security, its payouts, and more specifically, those getting the benefits.
Musk posted on social media the comment, "According to the Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age bucket with the death field set to FALSE!"
He continued, "Maybe Twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security."
The chart, for example, lists one person each in the age range 360-369 and 240-249.
That would make those beneficiaries older than the Civil War, older than the Revolutionary War, older than the Constitution, older than … the United States, which is coming up on its 250th next year.
Musk noted that, "This might be the biggest fraud in history."
Some 20 million are beyond the age 100, including about 2,700 who, purportedly, already have celebrated their 200th birthdays.
Social media commenters suggested the impossible age scenarios have come about because illegal aliens have been using the numbers of deceased Americans.
And a comment at the Gateway Pundit explained Musk unearthed a "jaw-dropping irregularity from the U.S. Social Security database."
"The numbers are truly mind-boggling: over 25 million Americans registered aged 100 and older, with some purportedly older than the U.S. Constitution itself."
That report pointed, out, "As of 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that approximately 101,000 Americans are aged 100 and older, representing about 0.03% of the total U.S. population. This group, known as centenarians, is projected to more than quadruple over the next three decades, reaching around 422,000 by 2054, according to the Pew Research Center."
The report noted there are 136 Americans considered "supercentenarians," who are 110 or more.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Despite the purported end-of-an-era for vaccine mandates, the COVID-19 shot requirement is still enforced at the Veterans Health Administration.
On May 9, 2023, former president Joe Biden issued Executive Order 14099 – "Moving Beyond COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Workers." His order revoked a previous executive order dated Sept. 9, 2021, which once required COVID-19 injections for federal employees.
However, months before Biden's 2021 federal worker mandate, the Department of Veterans Affairs had already instituted its own COVID-19 vaccine requirement for frontline healthcare workers. On July 26, 2021, VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced that all Veterans Health Administration employees providing direct patient care – such as physicians, nurses, and dentists – would be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This was formalized in VHA Directive 1193 on Aug. 13, 2021, and made the VA the first federal agency to mandate COVID-19 vaccination. This mandate for healthcare workers operated independently from Biden's later federal employee order.
Following the federal mandate, on Oct. 4, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued VA Notice 22-01 "to inform employees of the recent requirement to certify COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof of vaccination or request an exception within the established timeframes or face disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the Department."
Despite Biden's 2023 rescission of the requirement, VA Notice 24-11 reveals the COVID-19 shot requirement "remains in effect" for the Veterans Health Administration or VHA.
The notice references VHA Directive 1193.01, which took effect on Jan. 27, 2022, and continues to require COVID-19 vaccination for all VHA healthcare personnel. This directive is not a holdover from Biden's federal worker mandate, but rather a continuation of the VA's independent healthcare worker requirement that began in July 2021.
The VA's lack of initiative to rescind the requirement appears to fly in the face of today's presidential agenda. On more than one occasion in recent years, President Donald Trump has signaled opposition to vaccine mandates. Most recently, Trump signed an executive order to block federal money for schools with COVID-19 shot mandates. Newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is in agreement.
WorldNetDaily spoke to combat vet and federal whistleblower Sonny Fleeman, who emphasized that his views are solely his own and do not reflect the official policies or positions of the VA, the government or any organization with which he has been affiliated.
If a person works in a VA medical center or any VHA facility, Fleeman explained, he or she is still required to be "vaccinated" against COVID-19 unless the individual has provided an approved exemption.
"This policy remains in effect nationally at all VA healthcare facilities unless it is officially rescinded or replaced," Fleeman disclosed. It is his hope that VA Secretary Doug Collins will take appropriate action and revoke the "COMMIE mandate" to get the shot.
"As long as vaccine mandates remain in place in healthcare," Fleeman argued, "they normalize medical coercion and create the false appearance that the shots must be safe." He adds, "The public looks at healthcare workers being forced to comply and thinks, 'If the people who know medicine best are still required to take it, it must be fine.'" And to this, he says, "That illusion blinds people to the growing evidence of harm and makes it nearly impossible for the injured to be believed."
"But what the public doesn't see is that last time I checked, around 40,000 VA employees – many of them medical professionals – requested exemptions from the COVID-19 shot," Fleeman told WND. "These are the very people on the frontlines, seeing the reality up close."
"Their objections are being buried under the weight of the mandate," he asserted. "Worse, these mandates don't just hide the harm – they keep the system in place so the government can roll them out on the entire public again, whenever they choose. Healthcare is the beachhead, [and] if we don't defeat mandates there, we leave the door open for mandates to sweep through our country again."
Fleeman explained further, "The fact that the VA's healthcare-specific mandate was crafted months before Biden's broader federal worker mandate – and has survived long after other agencies abandoned such requirements – exposes a deeper problem." It reveals, he said, that the VA, particularly within its healthcare system, has become "institutionalized with a dangerous and irrational vaccine advocacy bias." And this bias has "embedded a culture of medical mandates that operates independently of shifting national policy or mounting evidence of harm."
The VA's stubborn insistence on keeping the mandate, even as other federal agencies have stepped back, suggests that the VA is not merely enforcing policy – it is zealously protecting "the pseudo vaccine" itself, elevating its defense of the shot above the well-being of both veterans and healthcare workers, Fleeman suggested. "This raises urgent questions about whether the VA is safeguarding health, or serving as an ideological stronghold for pharmaceutical interests and government control."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
For decades the AP stylebook, promoted widely to the world's news industry, had been advertised as a standard go-to source for spelling, punctuation, and appropriate references to a wide range of issues.
Then, a few years ago, it turned left, insisting that "they" was grammatically correct for a single person, that "a person's sex and gender are usually assigned at birth by parents or attendants" and that can be "inaccurate."
It warns against writing things that could "cause feelings of gender dysphoria" to resurface.
On the topic of the Second Amendment, it insists on calling semiautomatic rifles "assault weapons," even though that term already was used for "fully automatic weapons used by the military."
It insults those who don't accept the propaganda about global warming line for line as being "doubters."
The New York Post once reported that its "progressive bias is out of control."
The report explained, "While it may have started out as an objective source, as with so much of the media it serves, the Stylebook has long since discarded fairness for a liberal bias that betrays the goal of its authors and tilts the playing field against conservatives."
And now we're learning that dispute is at least a part of President Donald Trump's battle with the legacy wire service.
The AP's refusal to go along with Trump's by-the-book name change of the Gulf of America, from the former Gulf of Mexico, prompted the White House to limit AP access to some Oval Office and Air Force One events.
The wire service immediately complained of First Amendment violations but while the First Amendment protects what it writes, and still does, there's nothing in the First Amendment specifically giving the AP access to those presidential locations.
Taylor Budowich, deputy White House chief of staff, said, "This isn't just about the Gulf of America. This is about AP weaponizing language through their stylebook to push a partisan worldview in contrast with the traditional and deeply held beliefs of many Americans and many people around the world."
According to a report at RedState, the White House moves have "a lot to do with how they've (AP) conveniently adjusted their stylebook over the years to accommodate leftist dogma."
"By spotlighting AP, Trump is amplifying Republican and conservative criticisms that the AP Stylebook, a first reference for most U.S. news organizations, shapes political dialogue by favoring liberal words and phrases concerning gender, immigration, race, and law enforcement."
The report noted AP may resort to courts to force "a change back to the status quo at least as far as press access goes."
But the report explained, "In the meantime, Trump and his team are shining a mega-spotlight on a big problem with the media outlet over the fact that they really aren't neutral observers and recounters of current (and past) events and haven't been for quite some time."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Universities across America in recent years have figured a lot of ways to infringe on student rights: They've cornered them in restrictive "free speech" zones, they've put them on suspension for ordinary conversations, they've insisted on dictating what they say and even believe.
Now there's a fight going on because a university demands the right to control what a student author says in his byline.
For an article in a student newspaper at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire..
"There was nothing controversial in the article," reported the legal team at Liberty Counsel, one of the biggest teams in the nation pursuing rights for students.
The problem was that the student, identified only as John for purposes of the report, declined to state his personal pronouns in his byline.
That concept is a new tool used by those who promote the LGBT alternative lifestyle choices. People must identify as he-him, she-her, they-them or even xi-xir, or even others. And the identification is not necessarily linked to the actual sex of the person.
Liberty Counsel, now working with John, pointed out, "Universities used to be a place where free speech and science were protected. But that was before leftists and LGBTQ mafia took over much of the higher education system. These days, when universities aren't focused on inventing irrational new genders, they are busy censoring anyone who refuses to abide by their 'woke' agenda."
"John* is a talented writer, who penned an excellent article for the PSU newspaper. There was nothing controversial in the article — except for the fact that John refused to list 'preferred pronouns' in his article's byline," the legal team explained. "John is a Christian, and he believes what the Bible says — that God created just two sexes, man and woman, just as much as he believes basic biology, which also states there are only two sexes. John's name, his appearance, and his entire biological reality reflect the fact that God made John male."
The report noted, "For some confused minds, there are 70 'genders' besides male and female. This bankrupt ideology is dying on the vine." If fact, President Donald Trump has announced the government recognizes male and female, only.
When John declined to join the "LGBTQ's gender confusion game," the school censored him.
"It is shocking to me that any institution of higher learning, which presumably teaches biology, continues to promote the unscientific idea that there are multiple genders," Liberty Counsel reported.
In fact, following the science, being male or female is embedded in the human body down to the DNA level and does not change.
But the organization also said it was shocking that the school would retaliate and censor a student.
The report accused the school of violating the First Amendment with its ideological agenda.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Is it a harmless celebrity book-reading for young children, or is there a darker side tied to child sex trafficking?
Actress Jennifer Garner is coming under fire online after posting a video clip of herself reading the book "Secret Pizza Party" to young children at a Save the Children-sponsored event in Yakima, Washington.
One commenter on X said of the actress noted for "Alias" and "Catch Me If You Can": "Hollywood actress elitist Jennifer Garner has left many of her fans disturbed after uploading a video of herself reading a book titled Secret Pizza Party to children at a Save the Children event, which is currently under investigation for child sex trafficking. The book Secret Pizza Party instructs children to keep secrets."
One passage from the book about a thieving raccoon states: "I know what you're thinking. Why would we keep such a delicious, delicious party a secret? Okay, sure. It's so folks don't show up to bonk you with brooms, but that's not the only reason. When you make something secret, you make it special."
In October, Save the Children had five of its regional offices in Guatelemala raided by police as part of an investigation into alleged child abuse.
BBC News reported: "Save the Children said it was 'aware of the activity' at their offices, and denied the prosecutors' allegations.
"The prosecutor in charge of the case, Rafael Curruchiche, and the country's attorney general, Consuelo Porras, have previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for attacks on democracy. …
"In a statement to the BBC, Save the Children said it was collaborating with authorities but that it has 'never facilitated any transfer of children or adolescents out of Guatemala.'"
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also came under fire for reading the book to children in 2016.
"The book was neither fun nor cute," mom Jen Bee wrote on Amazon, reported the New York Daily News. "Yeah, that's not what I want to teach my child. It sounds like something a pedophile would say to their victim."
Other commenters reacting to Jennifer Garner's reading to children stated:
"A book teaching kids to keep secrets at an event tied to an investigation? Hollywood always tells on itself … people just need to pay attention."
"This raises serious concerns. Organizations tied to such allegations must be fully investigated, no exceptions. Children's safety comes first – no elite status should shield anyone from accountability.
"Hollywood needs to be leveled never to be rebuilt. Disgusting demons."
"She is a good person, they probably said here is the book you will read. I'm betting she knew nothing about what they were under investigation for. It's a shame because she does a lot of good for people. Hate to see her name get smeared."
"Jennifer Garner reading a book about 'keeping secrets' at a Save the Children event tied to a child trafficking investigation is beyond disturbing. The fact that she's still pushing this while the organization is under scrutiny is all you need to know about Hollywood's priorities."
"Either that or she is a dim bulb in the chandelier of intellect."
"She has trans children who have trans friends- that's all you need to know about how fit she is to be in a position of influence over children."
Wut? Taxpayer funded Save the Children? https://t.co/n9NMCFjmSd
— KK Berd (@keny_berd) February 16, 2025
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
For years, American workers have been told they just need to "learn to code," "work harder," or "accept the realities of globalization." Meanwhile, their jobs have been quietly shipped overseas or handed to an army of imported workers on visas about which most Americans have never even heard.
This is not just a case of bad trade deals or automation replacing human workers. It is something much bigger, more coordinated, and, frankly, more infuriating. This is the Immigration Industrial Complex, a system where corporate America, immigration law firms, and lobbying groups work together to ensure a never-ending supply of cheap labor, all while American workers are pushed aside.
If you are wondering why wages have been stagnant for decades, why manufacturing has collapsed, or why tech companies keep firing Americans while bringing in thousands of foreign workers, you are not alone. The answer lies in a massive web of policies, visas, and outsourcing contracts that prioritize profits over people.
Let's break it down.
Step One: Ship jobs overseas and call It 'Efficiency'
Since 2001, nearly four million American jobs have vanished thanks to our ever-growing trade deficit with China. At the same time, India has become the go-to destination for outsourcing white-collar jobs in tech, finance, and customer service.
Here are the facts:
It is a well-oiled machine. First, big corporations move jobs to low-wage countries where labor laws are almost non-existent. Then, they pass the savings to shareholders while leaving former American employees with a "we appreciate your contributions" severance email.
But wait, it gets worse.
Step Two: Import workers to undercut American wages
For the jobs that cannot be outsourced, companies have found a workaround: import the workers instead. This is where the Immigration Industrial Complex swings into full gear.
Through visa programs like H-1B, L-1, OPT, and the lesser-known PERM process, companies can legally skip over qualified American workers and bring in foreign replacements who will work for less.
In 2022, out of the thirty million immigrant workers in the U.S., over twenty-two million were here legally. That means nearly three-quarters of foreign workers are brought in "by the book," not by sneaking across the border, but through an immigration system that actively prioritizes them over Americans.
And if you thought this flood of foreign workers was slowing down, think again. Between seventy-five and eighty percent of America's annual population growth comes from immigrants and their U.S.-born children.
"In other words, even if illegal immigration ended tomorrow, corporate America would still have an endless pipeline of foreign labor to keep wages down and job opportunities scarce.
Step Three: The legal loophole nobody talks about
Let's talk about PERM, the employment-based green card process that has turned into a legalized job-theft operation.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
It has been more than three months since Kamala Harris was crushed by President Donald Trump in the presidential election, but the time off the campaign trail has not harmed the flavor of the former vice president's infamous word salads.
Video emerged Sunday afternoon of the Democrat addressing the cast and crew of the Louis Armstrong Broadway musical "A Wonderful World," where Harris reminded everyone how "nature abhors a vacuum."
"When we think about these moments where we see things that are being taken but also let's see it as you know, nature abhors a vacuum."
"So where there's a vacancy, then let's fill it. Right?"
"And let's know that reality is that the promise of our nation has always been all about the expansion of rights, not the restriction of rights. We're seeing a U-turn right now.
"For those rights to be maintained, which means we have to be vigilant and it's just the nature of it.
"But we have to we have to be clear-eyed. And it doesn't mean we don't see the beauty in everything. Right? These things all coexist."
"But I believe we fight for something, not against something, and that's our optimism. Right?"
Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Poltics who posted the video, quipped: "I'm pretty inspired, but I'm still trying to figure out what she's saying."
Juanita Broaddrick, who accused former President Bill Clinton of sexually assaulting her, said: "It's inconceivable that she could walk and chew gum at the same time. There are no words to elaborate about this imbecile."
Others remarked:
"I read the transcript and my husband knew right away who it was. She has such a way with words!"
"Kamala talking about voids is ironic considering her speech left a void in everyone's understanding."
"I've earned a PhD and have taught at university since the 1990s, and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say…What in the name of Holy God is @KamalaHarris trying to say?"
"She acts like she is saying something extremely relevant and profound and then waiting for the rally of agreement and awareness. She is really mixing a screwed up word salad leaving people thinking WTH is she talking about."
"I call it saying everything and nothing at the same time."
"It is a pure word salad that resonates with no one. Democrats keep pushing these DEI disasters, and they're toast – they won't win anything for a generation."
"She just keeps flying off that wagon. I think the wagon has a faulty ejection seat."
"America almost had this woman as our president. Holy cr*p."
"Nothing can fill that vacuum."