Fitness and health expert Jillian Michaels ripped The New York Times on Tuesday for publishing what she called a "blatant hit piece" about her support of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.In an X post, Michaels called out the outlet for publishing a video essay accusing her and other pro-MAHA influencers of leading millions of Americans down a conspiracy theory-lined rabbit hole that has left them distrusting the health care system. Michaels noted how the outlet had portrayed her more fairly in a profile last month."I JUST gave the @nytimes credit for an honest, balanced portrayal of my positions. Two weeks later? A blatant hit piece," she declared.FDA BANS RED FOOD DYE DUE TO POTENTIAL CANCER RISKPublished on Tuesday, the Times opinion video grouped Michaels with other pro-MAHA influencers and accused them of duping Americans into rejecting traditional medicine.After the video featured a clip of Michaels saying, "I dont even take an Advil," for ominous effect, Times journalist Alexander Stockton said these pro-MAHA figures are "radicalizing" the public."But get this: theres a tight-knit group of wellness influencers who have been radicalizing their followers into believing the health care system is intentionally making people sick," Stockton said.As the video flashed more clips of Michaels and other health influencers content, Stockton accused them of manipulating Americans already skeptical of the health industry."But these influencers frequently exploit the distrust, often using wellness content as a Trojan horse for conspiracy theories," he said.The essay featured another clip of Michaels saying, "I don't think I'll take an mRNA vaccine ever."YOUTUBE STAR DOCTOR MIKE HAS WARNING FOR RFK JR.'S MAHA MOVEMENTMichaels, a MAHA fan who backs alternative medicines and believes toxic ingredients should be banned by the food industry, defended her views in her Tuesday post, saying theres merit to her questions about health and food especially when she runs them by her doctor."For 30 years Ive said the same thing: every medication and vaccine carries risks and rewards the smart approach is weighing the cost-benefit with your doctor, not blind acceptance or blind rejection," she wrote.As the health guru mentioned, the Times published a profile on Michaels views of the health care industry on Aug. 25 that she called "fair.""But she also thinks that its wrong to medicalize gender transitions for children (adults are fine) and, unlike most authorities on the subject, is concerned vaccines havent been studied vigorously enough (though she does not consider herself broadly anti-vax)," the article stated. "She also has faith that both Kennedy and Trump are, for the most part, well-intentioned."When the piece dropped, Michaels wrote, "The @nytimes gave me a fair shake. Can't ask for anything more than that. Thank you to the journalist, Molly Langmuir, who was honest, straightforward, and dedicated to the truth regardless of where it led."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREMichaels said Tuesday that the outlet should have just consulted its August profile to get a clear picture of her views."If they were confused, they couldve read the piece they themselves just ran on me."She then questioned why the Times was attacking her in such a way."So why the sudden smear campaign? Desperate to cover what? Why would anyone be so intent on trashing those of us asking why America cant take its chronic disease crisis seriously and put more focus on prevention?"A New York Times spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "This video journalism from New York Times Opinion is a thorough look at the MAHA movement featuring dozens of clips of government officials, media figures and wellness influencers, including Ms. Michaels, using their own words for any viewer to plainly see. Independent journalism like this is built from reporting and fact-checking for audiences to better understand the world around them."

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley launched a Wisconsin gubernatorial bid, taking a jab at President Donald Trump in a campaign video.He asserted in the video that "Donald Trump's chaos and cruelty means that the Wisconsin that we cherish will perish, unless we unite and fight back."Crowley's campaign site describes him as a "proud Democrat" and claims that "Republicans arent just attacking the programs we all rely on theyre trying to make us give up on the values that unite Wisconsin: community, fairness, and looking out for one another."2 MARQUETTE MEN'S LACROSSE PLAYERS KILLED IN CAR CRASH, OFFICIALS SAYIn a statement to Fox News Digital, Republican National Committee national press secretary Kiersten Pels said, "Under David Crowley, Milwaukee has faced one of the highest homicide rates in the country, severe police staffing shortages, and a failing school district plagued by a financial crisis. Its no wonder that Milwaukee County residents are fleeing. Now Crowley wants to take that same record statewide."Wisconsinites deserve better than the failed policies Crowley has inflicted on Milwaukee," she added.Fox News Digital reached out to Crowley's campaign to request a comment from the candidate but did not receive a response by the time of publication.SWING STATE DEM GOV BOWS OUT OF 2026 RACE, INSISTS HE'D WIN IF HE RAN: NO QUESTIONCurrent Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, announced earlier this year that he will not seek a third term.The state's lieutenant governor, Sara Rodriguez, is also running to succeed Evers.FORMER NAVY SEAL AND POLITICAL OUTSIDER ANNOUNCES GOP CAMPAIGN FOR WISCONSIN GOVERNORCLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPOn the other side of the political aisle, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and former Navy SEAL Bill Berrien are also vying for the job.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, has been tapped for a seat on the new Republican-led panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, where she immediately blasted the initiative as partisan and accused former President Donald Trump of escaping accountability.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., announced the Democratic firebrand's appointment on Monday, along with other Democratic members, after the subcommittee was formally created earlier this month.Crockett herself criticized Republicans for starting the initiative during a press conference with its new Democratic members, even suggesting President Donald Trump should have been "convicted" over the 2021 riot.HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RELEASES THOUSANDS OF EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS"On that day, there was an attempt to tear apart our democracy brick by brick. In fact, they laid the foundation, unfortunately, for what we are experiencing right now," Crockett said. "Because if those in power had done what they should have done, which was to go through with an impeachment conviction, none of us would be enduring what we are enduring now."Trump was impeached by the House after the riot but acquitted by the Senate, which did not reach the two-thirds threshold to convict him of high crimes and misdemeanors.The president has denied responsibility in the protest despite Democrats accusing him of fomenting the violence. He's also since pardoned rioters convicted for their parts in the event.Crockett accused Republicans of using the panel to create "distractions and division.""We are not going to allow them to whitewash this," she said. "We will expose the lies, and we will continue to hold accountable those that tried to overthrow the will of the people, including the president. This is not about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about defending the Constitution."She added: "We all swore an oath to uphold the American people deserve honesty, accountability, and leaders who will protect democracy, not tear it down. I am committed to making sure that the American people know the truth about January 6th, and remember all those responsible for the defilement of the Capitol."The subcommittee will be chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., who last Congress investigated the now-defunct House select committee on Jan. 6."While my previous investigation did an incredible job last Congress, there is still much work to be done. Our goal is to answer the remaining questions, uncover all the facts, and implement reforms so this level of security failure never happens again. Its time to finish the job," Loudermilk said when the panel was formed.FAR-LEFT FIREBRAND SAYS SHE 'NEVER HAD A CONCERN' ABOUT BIDEN'S MENTAL STATE AS HOUSE PROBE HEATS UPIt is customary for party leaders to select members of their caucus to sit on committees, though final approval rests with the majority.In addition to Crockett, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was named ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, joined by Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, was given an honorary role.Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for a response to Crockett's remarks.

EXCLUSIVE: As President Donald Trump directs a rare U.S. defense posture toward Latin America with a military strike in the Caribbean against alleged drug-smuggling gang members and a bounty on the head of a Central American strongman leader the nations only Cuban-born lawmaker called Tuesday for new attention to Havana as well.Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., who fled dictator Fidel Castros revolution in 1960 as a young boy, called on the Department of Homeland Security to act upon or at the least investigate a list of dozens of people his office and/or human rights organizations had identified as tied to the current regime of Miguel Diaz-Canel or the deceased Castro brothers.Gimenez, who also represents the congressional district closest to Cuba in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties warned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of the "presence of agents of the murderous Castro regime and the Communist Party of Cuba currently residing in the United States."A spokesperson for DHS indicated Tuesday that the department was looking into the matter.TRUMPS STRIKE ON CARTEL VESSEL OFF VENEZUELA SENDS WARNING TO MADURO: NO SANCTUARYThe letter adds to a drumbeat of pressure on the administration to broaden its crackdown beyond Venezuela to Cuba a regime Gimenez and others argue is on its "last breath."Earlier this year, the Cuban-born lawmaker told Fox Business that the U.S. should "freeze the regimes economic oxygen" and predicted, "The Castro regime is on the edge, and President Trump should kick them over the edge."The letter listed people Gimenez said are in the U.S. under humanitarian programs, whom pro-democracy groups link to Diaz-Canels communist regime and accuse of "perpetrating countless human rights abuses."More broadly, the Trump administration has taken swift action against Latin American threats, including an airtstrike on a skiff that was carrying suspected gang-member-terrorists reportedly trafficking drugs.The feds considered the strike in self-defense of the homeland, but critics in Congress expressed concerns over its alignment with the War Powers Act.The move marked one of the most muscular U.S. military actions in the hemisphere in years and followed the administrations decision to place a $50 million bounty on Maduros head.Trump previously named Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, which gives the government broader leeway in tactics used to combat such threats.Three warships were deployed to the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela in another example of the Trump administration's growing concern over regional threats in America's hemisphere.Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine touched down in Puerto Rico on Monday to bolster military operations there.Met by Puerto Rico Republican Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon and First Gentleman Jose Yovin Vargas, they thanked the administration for recognizing the island protectorate's "strategic importance to our national security" as Hegseth also indicated to troops in the region their deployment wasn't for training purposes.RUBIO PROMISES MORE STRIKES ON VENEZUELAN CARTELS: WERE NOT GOING TO SIT BACK ANYMORETogether, the steps suggest a renewed focus on countering the regions cartels, dictatorships, and migration pressures after years of U.S. attention centered on the Middle East and Asia. That backdrop has emboldened Cuban-American lawmakers and activists to call for parallel action against Havana.Of the names in Gimenez' letter, several are labeled as tied to or members of Brigadas de Accion Rapida or Rapid Response Brigade. That group is made up of designated citizens who essentially patrol for dissidents.The letter followed a similar missive in March that first brought to light the potential that numerous Cuban agents are living under the radar in the U.S."It is crucial that the Department of Homeland Security enforce existing U.S. laws to identify, deport, and repatriate these individuals who pose a threat to our national security," Gimenez wrote in the letter.In his original letter, Gimenez warned many of the individuals "gamed" the immigration system and therefore are a "direct insult" to legitimate Cuban exiles who fled to Florida and beyond seeking the personal freedoms their families once enjoyed on the island.Gimenez spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital earlier this year when he joined a congressional delegation to Guantanamo Bays U.S. military installation.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHe said he was overcome with emotion upon returning to his homeland for the first time in 64 years, noting it was bittersweet in that he could not actually visit Cuba-proper.The Miami lawmaker asked Noem to provide a report by September 26 detailing whether DHS has investigated the listed names, pursued deportation or removal proceedings, and, if not, why no action was taken.Fox News Digital's Caitlin McFall and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo met with at least 80 business leaders in Manhattan on Tuesday as pressure to consolidate support against New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is escalating with less than two months until Election Day.Cuomo's high-profile business meeting came as The New York Times/Siena College poll conducted from Sept. 2 to 6 and released Tuesday morning revealed Mamdani is leading the pack of mayoral hopefuls at 46% and far outpacing Cuomo, at just 24%. However, the survey suggested an extremely tight race in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup between Mamdani and Cuomo, with Mamdani picking up 48% of the vote compared to Cuomo's 44%.The former governor spoke to business leaders at The Pool event space in The Seagram Building in Midtown Manhattan for about 25 minutes on Tuesday morning about his pathway to victory in New York City's heated mayoral race.As men and women of all ages dressed in expensive business attire exited the event space, one man who works in finance told Fox News that an "energetic" Cuomo assured the crowd that he believed incumbent Mayor Eric Adams could drop out of the race as early as this week.MAMDANI RIVALS DEFIANT AGAINST DROPPING OUT DESPITE FACING LONG ODDS IN NYC MAYOR BATTLE"New York City is not for sale. The backroom scheming from Donald Trump and the billionaire class is backfiring, as New Yorkers see Zohran Mamdani is the only candidate who will fight to make the most expensive city in the country more affordable," Mamdani campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec, said in a statement responding to the latest poll.TRUMP SAYS CUOMO'S GOT A 'GOOD SHOT' OF BEATING MAMDANI IN NYC MAYOR ELECTIONThe poll follows last week's report by The New York Times indicating President Donald Trump's advisors are floating roles in the administration for Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa if they drop out of the race."I don't think you can win unless you have one on one," Trump told reporters before a White House dinner on Thursday, while also denying that he's personally encouraged any candidate to drop out.Both Sliwa and Adams have affirmed their commitment to staying in the race through November.Cuomo dismissed the poll when questioned by reporters on Tuesday, arguing that he doesn't take "any of them all that seriously." He said that even if Adams and Sliwa stay in the race, "people aren't going to waste their vote" and it will eventually become a two-person race between him and Mamdani.While the latest polling indicates otherwise, as Cuomo shores up just 24% of the vote when Adams and Sliwa stay in the race, one person who attended Tuesday's meeting with business leaders told Fox News that Cuomo said he could win even if Adams stays in the race. Cuomo defended that claim while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.Cuomo said it wasn't just business people who attended Tuesday morning's meeting, but "people from all walks of life" who are "worried about the possibility of Mamdani winning.""Theres no comparison. Its like being in a ring with Muhammad Ali versus an amateur," the businessman told Fox News Digital, defending that Cuomo "knows what he's doing" and is "going to get these people off the streets" and "put them in mental institutions."CUOMO, ADAMS TRADE SHOTS OVER WHO SHOULD DROP OUT IN RACE AGAINST MAMDANI FOR NYC MAYORMarc Altheim, the owner of the yoga studio, Know Yoga Know Bliss, in Manhasset, N.Y., spoke to Fox News as he departed the meeting with Cuomo on Tuesday morning. He said he was previously the founding partner at a real estate development firm, Atlantic Development Group, in New York City."I'm here because Andrew is obviously the better candidate to be running this city. I'm very concerned that New York City's gonna be decimated if the other guy takes office. And I think that it's very, very important that people understand what Andrew is about. He's about creating a better, safer New York City. He's for the police. He wants to build housing. He doesn't believe things should be free," Altheim said.Altheim added that Mamdani has "no clue what he's doing.""He never managed anything. So for me, I want a mayor who's competent. I don't want someone who's just paying lip service and giving things for free," he said, while adding that it's time for Adams to leave the race.Cuomo's push to consolidate support against Mamdani also comes as another independent candidate, Jim Walden, dropped out of the race last week and urged the other candidates to unite against Mamdani.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPSen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who rallied against "oligarchy" with Mamdani in Brooklyn on Saturday responded on X to The New York Times, which first reported the details of Cuomo's meeting with business leaders on Tuesday."The oligarchs are panicking. They will spend as much as it takes to try to defeat Zohran Mamdani. Theyve got the money. Weve got the people. Together, lets elect Zohran and stop billionaires from buying elections," Sanders said on X.Fox News' Kirill Clark contributed to this report.

A witness at a congressional hearing regarding unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) dropped an explosive allegation: In 1982, the Russians allegedly panicked over an unidentified flying object (UFO).George Knapp, an investigative journalist, testified Tuesday before a House Oversight subcommittee hearing that, back in the 1990s, he obtained Soviet documents allegedly indicating a UFO almost triggered World War III. According to Knapp, he obtained documents showing that an incident involving UFOs in 1982 almost caused Russia to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles, also known as ICBMs."There was an incident in October of 1982 over an ICBM base where UFOs popped up, was observed over this base, where the missiles are pointed at us, the United States," Knapp told the House Oversight Committee "Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets.""These UFOs perform incredible maneuvers," Knapp said. "They split apart, they fuse back together, they'd appear and disappear. And right at the end of this four-hour period, the launch control codes for the ICBMs lit up. Something entered the correct codes. The missiles were fired up and ready to launch, and they could not shut it down."UFO MANIA GRIPS SMALL TOWN AFTER MYSTERIOUS GLOWING OBJECT SIGHTING GOES VIRALKnapp said Russian officers began "panicking," but the UFOs soon disappeared, and the launch control systems went back to normal.The personnel at the time could not figure out what caused the issue, he said. Knapp said the personnel did not blame EMPs (electromagnetic pulses), or power surges, or offer "the bologna excuses that the United States has given for similar events involving our nuclear missiles." Rather, he said, they believed it was a message from wherever the UFOs had come from."That's a chilling thing. I mean, that was. We were a couple of seconds away from World War III starting, and the UFOs were responsible for it," Knapp said.OVER 60 UFO SIGHTINGS REPORTED WHIZZING ACROSS STATE IN FIRST HALF OF 2025, NATIONAL TRACKING GROUP SAYSIn addition to Knapp, several active-duty and former U.S. military personnel shared their experiences with UAPs.U.S. Air Force veteran Jeffrey Nuccetelli described what is now known as the Vandenberg Red Square, a famous incident in which a UAP was seen over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in 2003, then called Vandenberg Air Force Base before the founding of the U.S. Space Force. Nuccetelli recalled hearing the chaos unfold over the radio. His friend screamed, "Its coming right at us! Its coming right for us!" Just moments later, he said he heard them say the object "shot off and was done."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPAdditionally, Chief Alexandro Wiggins, an active-duty U.S. Navy officer who testified in his personal capacity, recalled what's known as the "Tic Tac" incident. He testified that the UAP showed no "conventional propulsion signatures" when leaving the scene.While it is unclear where these objects came from, some lawmakers on the House Oversight Committees task force are curious as to why they have been hidden from the American people. Several demanded more transparency on issues of UAPs.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that left-wing policies such as cashless bail have sparked violent crime trends in cities nationwide, including Democrat-run cities located in Republican-run states."There is crime in all states, but the crime in these cities is all in cities that are run by Democrats. If you look at the list of the top 20 high-crime cities in the United States, every single one with the exception of one in Louisiana is run by a Democrat. And these Democrats have supported the same policies that I spoke about at the beginning of this briefing, like cashless bail," Leavitt said.The press secretary was responding to a question on whether the administration would also work with Republican governors to address cities rocked by crime, instead of focusing on Democrat-run jurisdictions in blue states. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened crime crackdowns in Chicago and Baltimore, which are located in Democratic states, while crime-riddled cities such as Memphis, which is located in Republican Tennessee, have not received the same level of attention for its crime trends.Leavitt argued that current violent crime trends are due to left-wing justice policies that affect cities no matter if they are in a Republican or Democrat state, pointing to Jackson, Mississippi, and Birmingham, Alabama, as examples. DEM GOVERNORS SUDDENLY CRACK DOWN ON CRIME AS TRUMPS NATIONAL GUARD THREATS LOOM"If you look at a red state, Mississippi, but a Democrat-run city in that state Jackson. In 2019, Jackson, Mississippi, eliminated cash bail for virtually all misdemeanor cases. And while Jackson is not formally a sanctuary city, the state of Mississippi formally banned sanctuary cities, and this city has acted as a de facto sanctuary city for criminals and illegal aliens since 2017," she said.WHITE HOUSE SLAMS PRITZKER, BLUE CITIES AS CRIME FIGHT ESCALATES: 'DECLINE IS A CHOICE'"Same thing: Birmingham, Alabama. A Democrat-run city in a red state in 2017, the Birmingham City Council unanimously passed a resolution, quote, committing to establish sanctuary policies. So, if you actually look at the facts from these Democrat-run cities, these are cities that are run by Democrats and by blue, by members of the Democrat Party. These are blue cities. And they have all supported these disastrous policies which allow repeated career criminals back onto the streets to further commit acts of violence."CHICAGO RESTAURANT OWNER SLAMS CITY LEADERSHIP OVER CRIME: 'WE WANT LAW AND ORDER'Trump's presidential campaign included repeated vows to bring crime down across the U.S. following the nation's bloody trends that began in 2020 amid the defund the police protests and riots that summer. On Aug. 11, he federalized Washington, D.C., under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, part of his campaign vow, which allows the president to assume emergency control of the capital's police force for 30 days.After homicides have dropped and more than 2,000 arrests, Trump has celebrated the D.C. crime crackdown as an example for other cities and has since repeatedly floated sending the National Guard into cities such as Chicago. Local leaders, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, have shunned such talk as unnecessary and a form of "authoritarianism.""The president wants to work with anyone across this country who wants to end these horrible policies and to bring law and order to our streets. And I think that is proven by his tremendous cooperation with the mayor of Washington, D.C., and our nation's capital. And just look at the results of that," Leavitt continued.

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is pushing against a pair of ads from a group linked to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., that suggests she has enriched herself with stocks over her nearly three decades in Washington.The Majority Forward PAC, a political action committee that is affiliated with the Schumer-linked Senate Majority PAC, launched a $700,000 ad campaign against Collins, who is eyeing a bid for a sixth term in the Senate, but has yet to officially launch her campaign.The pair of ads, one a 30-second spot titled "Greed," the other a 15-second spot titled "This Life," target Collins for her opposition to a congressional stock trading ban by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. However, her office argued that through images of private jets and Collins in glamorous attire, the ads suggested that she has personally enriched herself through trades while working as a lawmaker.SUSAN COLLINS HECKLED AT MAINE RIBBON-CUTTING TO DELIGHT OF LEFTIST CHALLENGER AS PIVOTAL SENATE RACE HEATS UPThe ads accuse Collins of "the worst kind of greed; using insider information to trade stocks.""Shes opposing a bipartisan bill that would ban members of Congress from trading stocks," the narrator said. "Our representatives should be serving the people of Maine, not lining their own pockets."While Collins does not directly own any stocks, according to disclosure filings, her husband Tom Daffron does. However, a trade has not been made since last year, and her office argued that Daffrons holdings are made by a third-party advisor.TRADING BLOWS: TRUMP AND HAWLEY MAKE UP, BUT GOP ANGER CONTINUES OVER STOCK TRADE BAN"Senator Collins has never bought, sold, or owned any shares of stock during her entire Senate tenure," her office told Fox News Digital. "Tom Daffrons investment decisions are made exclusively by a third-party advisor without his consultation. No individual stocks have been bought or sold from his account in almost three years."Majority Forward spokesperson Lauren French fired back in a statement to Fox News Digital that the ads go after Collins "for her refusal to support a stock trading ban for members of Congress and their families bipartisan legislation that 95 percent of Mainers support.""Nowhere in the ad does it say Senator Collins regularly buys, sells, or owns stocks (though her husband does) but if she is still confused, we'll be happy to continue airing it throughout Maine so both she and her constituents can understand how her opposition to ending stock trading is enabling her colleagues to benefit from their positions of power," French said.'MAINE'S MAMDANI': MAINE GOP CHIEF ISSUES WARNING ABOUT NEW CHALLENGER LOOKING TO OUST SUSAN COLLINSSenate Democrats are hoping that their prized candidate, Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, jumps into the race to take on Collins. However, Mills, who is term-limited, has not made an official announcement on her plans and the Democratic primary has fast become crowded.Collins told the Bangor Daily News that she did not support Hawleys bill last month, and instead argued that there should be more enforcement of already existing rules that bar members from insider trading.The White House similarly panned the bill, which would has included a carve out for both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, and all Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Accountability Committee, except for Hawley, voted against the bill. Collins is not a member of that committee.However, Trump has since warmed to the idea of a congressional stock trading ban, and lauded the push by Rep. Anna Paulina, R-Fla., as a "MASSIVE WIN" on Truth Social.

QR codes that were once seen as a convenient shortcut for checking menus or paying bills have increasingly been turned into weapons. Fake delivery texts, counterfeit payment links and malicious codes pasted over legitimate ones have all become part of the modern fraud playbook.The latest warning from federal authorities shows just how far these tactics have gone. Criminals are now mailing out packages that people never ordered. Inside these boxes is a QR code that, when scanned, can lead to stolen personal details, drained bank accounts or malware running silently in the background of a phone.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM newsletter.QR CODE SCAMS RISE AS 73% OF AMERICANS SCAN WITHOUT CHECKINGThe scheme is a twist on what is known as a brushing scam. Traditionally, brushing scams involved online sellers sending products to strangers and then using the recipient's details to post fake reviews. It was more of a nuisance than a serious crime.Now the practice has shifted from harmless free items to deliberate fraud. Instead of receiving a product, many victims find only a printed QR code. Once scanned, the code redirects them to fraudulent websites that ask for sensitive personal information, such as banking information, credit card numbers or login credentials. Some codes go a step further and install malicious software designed to track activity and steal data directly from the device."The FBI warns the public about a scam variation in which criminals send unsolicited packages containing a QR code that prompts the recipient to provide personal and financial information or unwittingly download malicious software that steals data from their phone,"the agency said in a public notice."To encourage the victim to scan the QR code, the criminals often ship the packages without sender information to entice the victim to scan the QR code."WHATSAPP BANS 6.8M SCAM ACCOUNTS, LAUNCHES SAFETY TOOLQR codes have become common in everyday life. They are used in restaurants, stores, airports, on polls and payment systems and most people scan them without a second thought. Unlike suspicious links that can be spotted, a QR code reveals nothing until it is scanned.That makes it a perfect disguise for a scam. The setup is simple: a package arrives with no sender information and no explanation. The mystery sparks curiosity, and many people scan the code to figure out who sent it. That moment of curiosity is what the scammers rely on.The consequences can be serious. Fake websites may harvest names, addresses and financial details. Malware may silently monitor accounts, log keystrokes or even target cryptocurrency wallets. Victims often do not notice until they see unauthorized charges or suspicious withdrawals. By then, their information may already be in the hands of criminals.DONT FALL FOR THIS BANK PHISHING SCAM TRICKScammers rely on curiosity and convenience to trick people into scanning malicious QR codes. A few simple habits can help you avoid becoming a target. Here are seven ways to stay safe from QR code scams.Avoid scanning QR codes from mystery deliveries, random flyers or stickers on public signs. A QR code is just a disguised link, and until you know where it leads, it shouldn't be trusted. To stay safe even if you accidentally scan a risky code, keep strong antivirus software on your phone. Mobile security apps can block fraudulent sites, warn you before downloads and protect against malicious QR code attacks.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices atCyberguy.com.Only scan QR codes from businesses and organizations you already trust. Examples include your bank's mobile app, an airline boarding pass or a known retailer's checkout page. If you wouldn't click a random link in a text message, don't scan a random QR code either.Most phones let you press and hold a QR code link to preview where it goes. If the URL looks suspicious, with misspellings, random numbers or shortened links, don't open it. Taking a second to check can save you from a phishing trap.The less personal data available about you online, the harder it is for scammers to target you with convincing fraud attempts. Consider using data removal services that scrub your information from people-search sites and marketing databases. This reduces the chances that your address or phone number ends up in the wrong hands and is connected to a scam package.While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web:Cyberguy.com.Even if your login details are stolen, 2FAmakes it harder for criminals to access your accounts. By requiring a secondary code sent to your phone or generated through an authenticator app, 2FA helps prevent unauthorized logins to your banking, email and trading accounts.Software updates often contain fixes for security vulnerabilities that scammers try to exploit. Running the latest version of your phone's operating system, as well as updating apps regularly, gives you stronger protection against malware that can be delivered through a malicious QR code.If an unexpected package arrives at your door with a QR code inside, do not simply throw it away. Report it to local authorities and consider filing a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Reporting not only helps protect you, but it also gives law enforcement more information to track how these scams are spreading.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThis scam might not be everywhere yet, but it shows just how quickly criminals adapt to new technology. QR codes were meant to make life easier, and most of the time they do, but that same convenience can turn into a weakness when people let curiosity override caution. The lesson here is that a mystery package with a QR code is not some fun puzzle to figure out. It is a red flag. The safest move is to step back, resist the urge to scan and if something feels off, report it instead of interacting with it.Have you ever scanned a QR code without thinking twice about where it might lead? Let us know by writing to us atCyberguy.com.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM newsletter.Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

A Gallup poll published Tuesday found Americans' view of capitalism has fallen to its lowest level since the company began tracking the public's views on various economic systems in 2010.According to the poll, 54% of Americans held a positive view of capitalism in 2025, down from 60% in 2021. By contrast, favorability toward socialism has remained steady at 39%.Despite capitalism's decline in support, it is still viewed more positively than socialism, with about 57% of Americans expressing a negative view of the latter.FAITH IN AMERICAN DREAM DWINDLES AMID SOUR ECONOMIC SENTIMENTS, POLL FINDSFavorable views among both Democrats and independents toward capitalism have dropped eight points since 2021. For the first time, fewer than half of Democrats (42%) viewed capitalism positively, while only a slim majority of independents (51%) did.Republicans views of capitalism have remained relatively unchanged, with three-quarters maintaining a positive opinion of the system.Since 2010, Democrats favorability toward socialism has climbed from 50% to about two-thirds in 2025, while Republicans and independents views have generally remained steady.FOX NEWS POLL: ECONOMIC PESSIMISM ABATES SLIGHTLY AS VOTERS REFLECT ON THE ECONOMYAs noted by Gallup, "Democrats are the only partisan group of the three that views socialism more positively than capitalism 66% to 42%, respectively. Independents are modestly more pro-capitalism than pro-socialism (51% vs. 38%), while Republicans are overwhelmingly so (74% vs. 14%)."With support for capitalism declining, Americans view of big business has also soured. Just 37% currently have a favorable view, while 62% hold an unfavorable one.Perceptions of big business have sharply declined in recent years, including a 9-point drop this year and a 6-point drop in 2021. Americans positive view peaked at 58% in 2012 and has declined every year since, except in 2019 when it gained two points before resuming its slide.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREWhile Gallup noted that Americans overall continue to be skeptical about socialism, more Democrats have held a positive view of socialism than capitalism since 2016. The pollsters connected this increase in Democrats' rising favorability of socialism to an uptick among Democratic officials who espouse the economic system."Democrats more positive views of socialism occur at a time when many high-profile Democratic officials most notably, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani have identified themselves as Democratic socialists and advocated policies calling for a significantly expanded government role in economic matters," Gallup reported.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP