New Zealands air force carried out a nearly 20-hour medical evacuation to rescue three Americans from Antarctica, calling it a high-risk mission conducted in freezing temperatures and total darkness.The U.S. National Science Foundation requested the evacuation after three staff members at McMurdo Station were unable to receive adequate medical treatment on-site.One of the individuals required urgent care, while the other two also needed medical attention and were transported as a precaution, according to New Zealands air force.Air Commodore Andy Scott, head of New Zealands air component, said mid-winter flights to Antarctica are among the most difficult missions due to shifting weather, extreme cold and ice landings in total darkness.HIKER SUFFERS HYPOTHERMIA DURING TREK ON NEW ENGLAND'S HIGHEST PEAK AMID EAST COAST HEAT WAVE"The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state," Scott said. "The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and suitable for landing."Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on Night Vision Goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge," he added. "This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly."A medical team, including a physician, accompanied the crew to provide in-flight care during the return to Christchurch.NORAD INTERCEPTS PLANE IN TRUMPS BEDMINSTER NO-FLY ZONE: 'NO EXCUSES'The aircraft was pre-positioned from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday, with a crew on standby for a weather window.The crew made the decision on Tuesday to fly to Antarctica, working through the night to complete the mission.After landing on the ice runway, the aircrafts engines remained running to prevent freezing during refueling, the air force said.NTSB LAUNCHES 3-DAY INVESTIGATIVE HEARING ON DEADLY DC PLANE CRASHThe round-trip mission lasted 19.5 hours, with the aircraft touching down in Christchurch on Wednesday morning.Temperatures at McMurdo Station dropped to -11F during the operation, adding to the already dangerous conditions.Melissa Sweeney, the U.S. Charg dAffaires to New Zealand, praised the operation as "flawless.""We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didnt hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class," she said.Reuters contributed to this report.

The NewsGuild of New York is urging The New York Times to demonstrate "greater transparency and accountability" after staffers were forced to plead with management for an explanation regarding the sudden reassignment of four prominent critics.The ordeal began last month when chief theater critic Jesse Green, chief pop music critic Jon Pareles, TV critic Margaret Lyons and music critic Zach Woolfe were reassigned to other departments. That prompted unionized culture staffers to pen a memo to Times executive editor Joe Kahn, assistant managing editor Sam Sifton and culture editor Sia Michel saying they were "shocked and deeply concerned" over the decision and demanded a meeting to understand its implications.Times leadership responded by meeting with some of the staffers last week, but the Guild wants Kahn and other Times leaders to be clearer going forward.NY TIMES' ERRONEOUS COVER PHOTO OF GAZAN CHILD JOINS SERIES OF MEDIA BLUNDERS FRAMING STORIES AGAINST ISRAEL"As a unionized newsroom, our Times Guild members have a right to speak up for the work they produce. This is just one of the essential protections our contract provides to Guild members. We sincerely hope Times management demonstrates greater transparency and accountability to our members on the culture desk going forward, as well as at the bargaining table when we return for contract talks later this year. We are closely monitoring as this situation unfolds," NewsGuild of New York President Susan DeCarava told Fox News Digital.The meeting was first described as "tense" by Semafor, and a Times insider agreed with that description."Kahn repeatedly emphasized that the critics were not removed due to performance issues, but said the paper wanted to bring fresh perspectives to the critics roles," Semafor reported.The New York Times declined comment when reached by Fox News Digital.NEW YORK TIMES ADMITS USING MISLEADING COVER PHOTO OF EMACIATED GAZA CHILDLast month, Michel announced the changes in an email to Times staffers."We are in the midst of an extraordinary moment in American culture. New generations of artists and audiences are bypassing traditional institutions, smartphones have Balkanized fandoms even as they have made culture more widely accessible than ever, and arts institutions are facing challenges and looking for new opportunities," Michel wrote in a memo obtained by Fox News Digital."Our readers are hungry for trusted guides to help them make sense of this complicated landscape, not only through traditional reviews but also with essays, new story forms, videos and experimentation with other platforms," the culture editor added. "Our mission is to be those guides. As we do so, I am making some changes in assignments in the department."NY TIMES REPORTER WALKS BACK POST ABOUT RANDOMNESS OF ISRAELI STRIKES ON IRANMichel called the four reassigned critics the "best in class," and said the Times would be "sharing news of their new roles soon.""I know that these are big changes. While it has long been the practice in the newsroom to shift the roles of reporters, editors and bureau chiefs to bring different ideas and experience to important beats and coverage areas, we've done this far less with our roster of critics. But it is important to bring different perspectives to core disciplines as wehelp our coverage expand beyond the traditional review," Michel wrote.

Tracy Walker, a free agent safety, might remain available on the open market considering he will be out most of the 2025 season.Walker was suspended 12 games by the NFL, according to multiple reports.The reason for the suspension has not yet been publicly revealed.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMWalker wont be able to play until Week 13 even if he signs with an NFL team.He did not appear in a regular-season game in 2024.VIKINGS STAR WIDE RECEIVER JORDAN ADDISON RECEIVES THREE-GAME SUSPENSION FOR PERSONAL CONDUCT VIOLATIONWalker was on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad at one point, though they eventually released him.Walker, 30, was a third-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2018 out of Louisiana-Lafayette.He spent six seasons in the Motor City, tallying 398 combined tackles (16 for loss), four sacks, 23 passes defended and three interceptions in 79 games.Walkers last full season came in 2023 with Detroit, when he played all 17 games and started in six. He totaled 59 tackles, three quarterback hits, two passes defended and one forced fumble over that span.The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

ESPN will acquire the NFL Network and other media assets, including the popular RedZone channel, from the NFL.In exchange, the league will receive a 10% equity stake in the sports network as part of a landmark agreement, the two sides announced Tuesday.The shift in control sparked some fear among football fans about whether the deal would lead to changes.But one thing that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon is the RedZone host. Scott Hanson, who has anchored RedZone since 2009, took to social media to ease concerns about his role for the 2025 season.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMHanson confirmed he would resume his normal hosting duties for the upcoming season. He also expressed optimism about the deal between ESPN and the NFL."Its official. (& for those wondering: yes, I will still be hosting RedZone.) Fired up for a great season! Optimistic about this new partnership!" Hanson wrote on X.2025 NFL PRESEASON BUZZ: JAGUARS DT ARIK ARMSTEAD SIDELINED BY BACK INJURYHanson's popularity with viewers has grown over the years, and he's received praise for his memorable catchphrases. His contract with NFL Media reportedly expired at the end of last season. Hanson confirmed he negotiated a new deal, allowing him to return for the 2025 season.Under the agreement, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce RedZone channel programming from its studios in Southern California. ESPN will handle cable and satellite distrubution, while the league will retain the rights to distribute it on digital platforms."By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans," ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. "Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN's digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service."NFL Network is expected to be added to ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service. The service is scheduled to launch this fall and will offer access to ESPN's portfolio of professional and college sports.Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Following a shooting that wounded five soldiers at Fort Stewart on Wednesday, a former public safety director at the Georgia military installation outlined the posts emergency response and weapons safety protocols, as officials praised fellow troops who tackled the suspect, likely preventing further casualties.Army Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, of Jacksonville, Florida, allegedly shot five fellow service members with a personal handgun in Fort Stewart's 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. They are all expected to recover, officials said.Ret. Army Col. Mike Bumgarner, who previously oversaw all emergency services and policing at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, told Fox News Digital that military police would have arrived with multiple units within three to five minutes of receiving the 911 call.Also, likely aiding in the suspect's speedy apprehension, according to Bumgarner, were the FBI-style protocols soldiers are trained to follow, including quick evacuation, barricading if escape is not possible, and taking swift action to curb imminent danger.SHOOTING AT GEORGIA'S FORT STEWART INJURES 5 SOLDIERS; SUSPECT IN CUSTODYAs authorities combed through witness statements and evidence to determine what led to Wednesday's tragedy, Bumgarner, who also served as a battalion commander for the military police at Fort Stewart, said that if there had been warning signs that the suspect was in distress, protocols would have prompted leadership to remove weapons from his possession.Soldiers living in the barracks cannot store weapons in their rooms, but those living in on-post family housing or off-post are allowed to keep personal firearms, provided they are registered with the fort's provost marshal, he said.And if leadership is concerned about a service member's stability, Bumgarner said the normal protocol is to ask the soldier to turn in their weapons for safekeeping. If the soldier declines, a commander will typically step in and order that the weapons be confiscated.WHO IS QUORNELIUS RADFORD? THE ARMY SERGEANT ACCUSED OF SHOOTING 5 SOLDIERS AT FORT STEWART IN GEORGIADuring a news conference after the shooting, Army officials said Radford did not have any prior disciplinary or behavioral issues. However, Liberty County, Georgia court records show Radford was arrested on May 18 and charged with driving under the influence and failure to obey traffic control devices.Officials said the charges were unknown to Radford's chain of command."Something went wrong somewhere," Bumgarner said. "Chaplains are very active in the United States Army, in every unit, down to very local level, so the chain of command is very attentive to any type of issues."If the chaplain or the first sergeant notices something, they will try to get the individual to go in [for help] themselves. What happened with this soldier? Apparently, something fell through the cracks somewhere along the way. We'll find out."TEXAS SOLDIER WITH TOP SECURITY CLEARANCE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO PASS SENSITIVE TANK DATA TO RUSSIA: DOJBumgarner said the Army's Criminal Investigation Division (CID), which is leading the investigation with possible support from the FBI, is likely already looking into which weapons were registered with the provost marshal and collecting interviews from anyone who may be involved.Commanders will also search for any links to terrorism, fanaticism or a larger issue involving more than one individual, according to Bumgarner. Other investigators will focus on the crime itself preserving the crime scene, collecting evidence, and talking to associates who may have noticed something unusual."This is exceptionally rare, and I guarantee the community, the whole Army, is shocked by this," he said. "It's just not something we see. The Army is very tight-knit."As for long-term weapon misuse prevention, Bumgarner said there is no quick fix."If you were around the military installation after 9/11, we did 100% vehicle checks, and I can recall sitting on the interstate backed up four miles," he said. "Once you do it, it becomes a thorough search. Every compartment or container that [can] contain a handgun, you will be searching. You can sustain it for a period of time when a known threat is high, but [that would be] very hard and demanding on all the security, military police, as well as those that have to transit on and off post."So the issue comes to the weapon. How do we stop it? There is no quick, simple answer," Bumgarner added. "Second Amendment rights are respected in the military as well. That's how they keep weapons in quarters. How do you preclude that? The military is a microcosm of our society."

The top federal prosecutor in the nations capital called for more accountability over rehabilitation for youth crimes as her office focuses on enhancing enforcement and increasing staffing.Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News co-host who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Saturday as the U.S. attorney for D.C., told "The Ingraham Angle" on Wednesday that she wants to help enact President Donald Trumps vision of making the federal district "safe" and "beautiful.""Youth violence is on the rise not just in D.C., but across the country. And if you think that these kids need to be coddled and they need to be hugged they need to have consequences, they need to understand that enough is enough, that we're going to put them in jail or some kind of youth rehabilitation detention facility and not allow the D.C. Council one of whom I just recently indicted to take cover for these kids," Pirro said."It's time to end it. That's what the president wants, that's what we're going to do."WATCH: TRUMP HINTS HE WILL FEDERALIZE DC SOON, BRING IN NATIONAL GUARD AFTER BIG BALLS ATTACKThe former judges comments come afterTrump threatened to federalize Washington, D.C., after a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee was allegedly assaulted during an attempted carjacking."Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in part.TheMetropolitan Police Department (MPD) reported a 7% decrease in overall crime and a 26% reduction in violent crime in Washington, D.C., as of Wednesday, compared to the same period in 2024.D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith announced the creation of the Juvenile Investigative Response Unit in April to address youth crime in D.C. and provided other steps to support the community.US CRIME DROPPED WIDELY IN 2024, FBI SAYS WITH SOME NOTABLE CAVEATS"This unit is designed to respond to youth-involved crime more effectively and stop crime before it happens," Bowser said.Pirro told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that despite a decrease in overall and violent crime, violence is more lethal than ever."When we say it's down, down from what, OK? We've got carjackings that are up 111%," she said.The U.S. attorney explained that the juvenile suspects allegedly involved in the beating of ex-DOGE employee Edward Coristine, nicknamed "Big Balls," likely wouldnt face charges in her office due to D.C.s juvenile justice system."They go to family court, where the effort is rehabilitation. The D.C. Council and the president is right they've got to stop their coddling. Number one, we've got to lower the age of responsibility to 14. I'm tired of having these kids commit crimes and they're crews, not gangs, in D.C.," Pirro said.Two 15-year-oldswere arrested and face charges of unarmed carjacking in connection with the Coristine attack, according to MPD.Pirro added that she is working on getting her office fully staffed and running to help make the nations capital more "safe" and "beautiful."

Immigration agents on Tuesday arrested some of the "worst of the worst" illegal immigrant criminals across the country, as the Trump administration continues to target criminal illegal immigrants for deportation.At least five men arrested had convictions for various offenses.WORST OF THE WORST SNARED: ICE NABS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC CRIMES"Every one of these men left a victim behind scarred, addicted, terrified and worse," said Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "The Biden administration turned a blind eye. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, were taking these lowlifes off the streets. DHS will continue to swiftly arrest, detain, and remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens Americans deserve to feel safe in their own country."Tuesday's arrests include Cristian Brayan Aleman-Leiva, from El Salvador, who has convictions in Virginia for possession of a firearm, concealed weapon and petit larceny.'WORST OF THE WORST ARRESTED IN NATIONWIDE CRIMINAL ILLEGAL-ALIEN CRACKDOWN: DHSJose Javier Romero-Hernandez, a Mexican citizen, was convicted of first-degree burglary, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, domestic assault with a dangerous weapon, threatening an act of violence, and malicious injury or destruction of property in Oklahoma.In Texas, Juan Ignacio Amaya-Hernandez, also from Mexico, was convicted of indecency with a child, authorities said.Elin Edicson Ochoa-Hernandez, from Honduras, has a conviction in Texas for alien smuggling. Manuel De Jesus Lopez-Marroquin, from Guatemala, was convicted in New Jersey of distribution of heroin, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and hindering.The Trump administration has ramped up operations targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records, particularly in cities like Los Angeles, where local officials have demanded the raids stop."In L.A., we have been going after the worst of the worst," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said during a June appearance on "Hannity." "They're murders. They're people who've been perpetuating assault, trafficking human beings and drugs and been devastating these communities for years.""Those are the people we're going after," she added.

Stephen A. Smith responded to a recent opinion piece by the Wall Street Journal that called for a government investigation into the WNBA for the controversial handling of physical plays against superstar Caitlin Clark.The Wall Street Journal piece titled "The WNBA and Caitlin Clarks Civil Rights" drew mixed reactions this week after it argued that Clark has been subject to a hostile workplace due to how referees have called physical plays against her dating back her rookie season in 2024. The piece called for a federal probe into "potential civil rights violations."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMSmith suggested support for a potential investigation."I'm not here saying the case will be won by the government if it gets to the points. I'm saying they have a case, they have an argument," Smith said of the idea during an episode of his show on Tuesday.Smith also suggested President Donald Trump could use such an investigation to solidify support among his followers."Do we doubt that at his discretion, at his disposal, if he finds this to be an issue that is politically expedient to him, that Trump won't use this to feed his base?" Smith said. "If [Clark] is seen to be physically getting abused on the basketball court in a way that is such a clear and flagrant discrepancy compared to what happens to others, that that man is not going to say something?"You don't think Catilin Clark could become an issue of national, potentially international, and definitely federal proportions?"Smith cited recent agreements by Columbia University and Harvard University with Trump's administration to settle alleged civil rights violations against Jewish students and employees as a comparison for a potential probe into the WNBA's treatment of Clark."If the Trump administration can settle with Columbia for a $221 million settlement over what's taken place on a campus, you think you can definitively rule out what kind of noise could be made if the WNBA continues to allow this treatment of Caitlin Clark?" Smith said.Clark's teammate, Fever star Sophie Cunningham, has been one of the most vocal critics of the WNBA players and referees in the physical treatment of Clark and how it is handled.WHO IS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM? CAITLIN CLARK'S NEW BODYGUARD TEAMMATECunningam revealed how her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, planned to play Clark during the phenom's rookie season in 2024. Cunningham played her first five seasons in Phoenix before leaving to join the Fever this past offseason."You have seen players in our league try to, like, toughen up Caitlin Even when I wasn't on her team, I know the talks that Phoenix had in the locker room, like, No, we're going to show her what the W really is,' and I get it to a certain extent, and every rookie coming into the league, that's how you're going to treat 'em, but there's just more for her," Cunningham said on her podcast last week."And now being on her team and seeing it, I'm like, What are people doing? Actually, it's just too much. It's too much. I'm over it, and if I think it's too much, it's probably too much."Cunningham was on the other side of the situation when she started a fight to defend Clark during a game against the Connecticut Sun earlier this season. Cunningham said that after the game, Clark exclaimed "finally!" in the locker room."In the locker room, she goes, I think she's like, Finally!" Cunningham said. "But I think it kind of had our team together as a whole. Everyone was like, We do have to protect eachother."The scuffle went down in Connecticut on June 17, when Cunningham committed a hard foul on Sun guard Jacy Sheldon. Sheldonpoked Clark in the eye earlier in the game, and then fellow Sun player Marina Mabrey shoved Clark to the ground.Cunningham previously called out referees just days after the June 17 fight while speaking to reporters, for not protecting Clark, when she had to first address the fight publicly."During that, it was just part of the game. I think the refs had a lot to do with that. It was a build-up for a couple years now of them just not protecting the star player of the WNBA," Cunningham said. "At the end of the day, I'm going to protect my teammates. That's what I do."Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Following reports that former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke's nonprofit Powered by People was helping fund Texas state Democrats' exodus out of the state to halt Republican redistricting efforts, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Wednesday announced he would be launching an investigation into the matter.Texas House Democrats fled the state this week in an attempt to stop Republican efforts to redraw the state's congressional maps. As a result, Texas House Republicans authorized civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers for depriving the House chamber of its ability to conduct official business. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott subsequently called on the Texas Department of Public Safety to help arrest them. The civil arrest warrants, however, are only enforceable within state lines, and it is unclear how they will be executed. Meanwhile, amid the partisan battle, a report from The Texas Tribune on Tuesday claimed that O'Rourke's nonprofit founded in 2019 called Powered by People was among one of the main groups funding air transport, lodging, logistical support, and helping with the $500-per-day fines for the absent state lawmakers, citing anonymous sources involved with the fundraising efforts.WATCH: TRUMP SAYS FBI 'MAY HAVE TO' HELP TEXAS ROUND UP AWOL DEM LAWMAKERSThe report followed a warning issued by Abbott, indicating the fleeing state lawmakers could potentially be in felonious territory if they solicit, accept or agree to accept funds "to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote.""Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable," Paxton said in a press release announcing the probe Wednesday. "Texas cannot be bought."In Paxton's announcement, he charged Powered by People with being one of the "top groups" providing financial assistance to Texas House Democrats who have left the state in order to obstruct Republicans' redistricting efforts, which they claim is essential to ensure racial gerrymandering is not taking place.According to Paxton, the financial assistance could amount to a violation of Texas bribery laws and potentially other laws governing campaign finance, "coercion of a public servant, and abuse of office."In response to the investigation, O'Rourke described Republicans in Texas as "thugs" attempting to "steal our country," and accused Paxton of bribery himself. In 2023, the Texas state Senate acquitted Paxton of 16 articles of impeachment accusing Paxton of corruption and bribery."The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats," O'Rourke said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "I encourage everyone to text FIGHT to 20377. Lets stop these thugs before they steal our country."GEORGE SOROS, BETO O'ROURKE BEHIND FUNDING FOR DEMS FLEEING TEXAS OVER GOP CONGRESSIONAL MAPPaxton is demanding documents and communications from Powered by People regarding the "potentially unlawful activity," noting he is not afraid to take "aggressive legal action" against the Democrats who have obstructed legislative proceedings in Texas.The Texas Tribune's report said that O'Rourke has been "working the phones" to encourage Texas lawmakers to leave the state to block the GOP's legislative efforts, citing an individual familiar with the discussions.Powered by People is also actively soliciting donations on its website to support the Democratic effort, promising potential donors that "100% of your donation will go to supporting Texas Democrats in their fight against Trump's power grab."Meanwhile, the outlet reported that, in 2021, O'Rourke's group Powered by People reportedly helped raise $600,000 to help fund Texas House Democrats stay in the nation's capital as they tried a similar tactic at the time to obstruct Republican reforms of Texas state election laws.During a CNN interview Wednesday, O'Rourke was asked point-blank why he was helping Democrats flee Texas."We could see a similar scenario this time around. Is it worth it?" CNN anchor Pamela Brown asked in reference to O'Rourke's 2021 efforts to obstruct Texas legislative proceedings."Absolutely," ORourke responded. "If we fail, the consolidation of authoritarian power in America will be nearly unstoppable."But Brown challenged ORourke on whether the funds might be "better spent" aiding vulnerable Texans instead."We've seen it in the pastthey flee, but then inevitably they have to come back, right? You can't just stay out in perpetuity, and the governor can continue to call these special sessions," Brown said. "Do you think the money could be better spent helping those folks you mentioned?""I actually believe that they can stay out long enough to stop this steal in Texas," O'Rourke responded.

A song called "Blue Genes" by former American Idol contestant Ash Ruder is going viral, thanks to the buzzand confusionsurrounding American Eagles latest ad starring Sydney Sweeney.Ash Ruder told KREX News 5 in aninterview published Tuesday that her song, "Blue Genes," was written in 2022.Though unrelated, Ruder's emotional ballad about generational trauma and family hardship has struck a chord online amid the buzz around American Eagles pun-heavy campaign with Sweeneyleading to confusion over whether the two are connected.She said that she did not expect her song to blow up as it has followingAmerican Eagle's ad with actress Sydney Sweeney, depicting the"Euphoria" star wearing blue jeans for the clothing companysfall clothing campaign.MICHAEL RAPAPORT BLASTS SYDNEY SWEENEY CRITICS FOR BULLYING ACTRESS OVER CONTROVERSIAL AMERICAN EAGLE ADThe ad, titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," shows Sweeney who, in one version of the ad, says, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue."Ruder, whoappeared on "American Idol" in 2021 and performed a story she wrote about her father, told KREX News 5 she never could have imagined her song would gain the relevance that it has."Well, it was really just a little idea that turned into something that I never would have expected to happen and blow up as it did. "But I think, so far, we are nearing almost 5 million views, maybe more at this point," Ruder said."I wrote this song, Blue Genes, on December 8, in 2022," she added. "It really started out as just a song about my family and the hardships my family has gone through and about breaking generational curses, and thats been a really cool thing in my life that I am really proud of."LET LIBERALS LOSE THEIR MINDS OVER SYDNEY SWEENEY WHILE I GO JEANS SHOPPING"It has been really cool to see, and it really has nothing to do with the Sydney Sweeney ad, other than it's the same play on words," Ruder said.Aportion of Ruders song goes, "I got blue genes, passed down from mama and her mama, too. Can't just get new genes, can't just change out of the pair I was born into. The rips in the seams, show we go through the pain, and the holes in the knees mean we know how to pray. Used to want to grow out of them, but now Im just proud of these blue genes."Criticism of American Eagle's ad, highlighted by Salon, say it promotes "whiteness, thinness and attractiveness."But American Eagle has stood by the ad, saying in a recent statement, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always was about the jeans. Her Jeans. Her Story. We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way."Fox News Digital reached out toRuder and American Eagle for comment.