Scientists say a species of bacteria rewrites the history of when an infectious and potentially deadly disease first arrived in the Americas. And it was long before the arrival of European explorers.Researchers from the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France, with help from a U.S. university, recently announced in a news release that a second species of bacteria is also responsible for the disease known as leprosy, or Hansen's disease, in the Americas.In years past, many believed that the bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae caused leprosy and that it was only spread in America by early European explorers and settlers.However, the revelation of a second bacterium puts that theory of blaming the settlers on its head, as an existing strain was already on the continents calling the New World home.FIRST KNOWN CASE OF RARE MPOX STRAIN CONFIRMED IN UNITED STATESThe bacterium Mycobacterium lepromatosis existed and infected humans for 1,000 years prior to Europeans arriving, researchers say.Dr. Maria Lopopolo, the first author of the study and researcher at the Laboratory of Microbial Paleogenomics at the Institut Pasteur, said it changes everything about leprosy in the Americas."This discovery transforms our understanding of the history of leprosy in America. It shows that a form of the disease was already endemic among Indigenous populations well before the Europeans arrived," she said in the release.POTENTIALLY DEADLY ZOONOTIC VIRUS FOUND IN THE US, SPARKING CONCERNS OF SPREAD TO HUMANSThe study led by scientists from the Laboratory of Microbial Paleogenomics at the Institut Pasteur, alongside the French National Center for Scientific Research, and the University of Colorado in the U.S. began after Mycobacterium lepromatosis was found in a Mexican patient in 2008, and red squirrels in the British Isles in 2016.Using advanced genetic techniques to reconstruct the genomes ofMycobacteriumlepromatosis from ancient individuals from Argentina and Canada, scientists found that the two strains from the different regions were genetically close in theMycobacterium genome family tree, meaning that the bacteria spread rapidly throughout the continent.The release stated that the results confirmed that Mycobacterium lepromatosis had already spread throughout North and South America.Researchers worked in collaboration with indigenous communities, various international institutions and archaeologists, according to the release, and were able to study over 800 DNA samples from ancient human remains and recent medical cases showing signs of leprosy.Nicols Rascovan, the lead author of the study at the Institut Pasteur, said that the research proves that human history can be changed."We are just beginning to uncover the diversity and global movements of this recently identified pathogen," he said. "This study allows us to hypothesize that there might be unknown animal reservoirs."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) says leprosy can affect the nerves, skin and eyes of patients, and is treated with antibiotics. Up to 225 people in the U.S., and 250,000 around the world, contract Hansen's disease, according to the CDC.

Reporters who covered the Biden White House are in disbelief that former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierreditched the Democratic Party to pen a new book in a "desperate" attempt to revive her career.The longtime spokesperson for former President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that she switched her affiliation to independent. Jean-Pierre also revealed an upcoming book, "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,"that quickly raised eyebrows among the journalists who dealt with her in the briefing room.One White House reporter sarcastically called the project "amazing," and suggested Jean-Pierres book wont carry much weight. "Did she find the manuscript somewhere in that fat binder she toted around? If I were a historian writing about the Biden White House, I wouldnt ignore what Karine has to say, but its not an account in which much weight will be invested just like her briefings," the White House reporter told Fox News Digital.CREDIBILITY CRISIS: KARINE JEAN-PIERRE'S DEFENSE OF BIDEN'S MENTAL FITNESS OVER THE YEARSA second White House reporter said they wouldnt have even realized Jean-Pierre was in the news if Fox News Digital didnt ask about it."She left the Democratic Party? I honestly didnt see that story and probably wouldnt have even noticed. I turned off my KJP Google Alert on Inauguration Day," the reporter reacted, before joking, "Has anyone circled back with Jen Psaki?"Psaki, who preceded Jean-Pierre as Bidens press secretary, famously responded to tough questions by declaring she would "circle back" with an answer, but those answers rarely came.A third White House reporter was "shocked" that Jean-Pierre had left the Democratic Party."I have to pick my jaw up from the floor. It is unbelievable that she, of all people, would choose this path," the reporter told Fox News Digital."Just take a look at her entire career and identity," they said. "You cant change who you are just because you check a different box on a registration form. Its also disappointing to see that she would turn her back on her party just because its hit a really rough patch... it speaks to character."KARINE JEAN-PIERRE'S MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF 2024The third White House reporter said it was widely assumed that Jean-Pierre would follow in Psakis footsteps for the second time and take a gig at MSNBC or another news organization."But these two press secretaries could not be more different, and in a way, when you are in that role you are auditioning for your next job, whatever that is gonna be. I think it was painfully apparent that she would not handle a job like that, so no, I did not think she was going to get her own show or something like that," the reporter told Fox News Digital."I didnt really know what she was going to do because she did such a bad job as press secretary and thats both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes," the reporter continued. "Many reporters felt like KJP didnt meet the mark."The third anonymous reporter said Jean-Pierres shortcomings became even more apparent when Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt took control of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room."If you talk to people who covered both administrations back-to-back, Karoline Leavitt is such whiplash because she understands how to build a relationship with reporters across the spectrum, and she is a star on camera," the third White House reporter said.KARINE JEAN-PIERRE SWITCHES AFFILIATION TO INDEPENDENT, RELEASING NEW BOOK ABOUT 'BROKEN' BIDEN WHITE HOUSECNNs Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson recently went on a wide-ranging media tour to promote their book, "Original Sin: President Bidens Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,"which detailsBidens mental acuity concerns while in office and accuses the Biden White House of lying to reporters and voters.Jean-Pierre routinely dismissed questions about Biden's fitness as White House press secretary as early as 2022.The third White House reporter doesnt anticipate a similar press tour for Jean-Pierre, who will presumably look to avoid questions about whether she played a key role in the "cover-up.""I think shell probably go to friendly media and that will be a big difference because, and I dont think the buzz will be there," they said. "There is a historical record literally on camera of her, you know, saying all the things she said that turned out to be not true."On Wednesday, the announcement from publisher Legacy Lit, a division of the Hachette Book Group, insisted Jean-Pierres book will take readers "through the three weeks that led to Bidens abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision.""She presents clear arguments and provocative evidence as an insider about the importance of dismantling the torrent of disinformation and misinformation that has been rampant in recent elections and provides passionate insight for moving forward," the announcement said.Jean-Pierre also shared the news in a video posted to Instagram, where she explained that the new book was her answer to a way forward for Americans who feel distraught about the current Trump administration.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREA fourth anonymous reporter who covered the Biden White House said Jean-Pierre appears "desperate" to salvage her career."I wish Karine had broken from the party line during the last administration. Maybe then her press briefings would have actually been useful every once in a while," the fourth reporter told Fox News Digital.Reagan Reese, White House correspondent for the Daily Caller, mocked the notion that the longtime Democratic Party operative is truly an independent."Now that she's independent, I can't wait to hear what Republicans KJP will be voting for in upcoming elections," Reese told Fox News Digital.Legacy Lit and Jean-Pierre did not immediately respond to requests for comment."Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines" hits retailers in October.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News Digital's Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

Scientists say a species of bacteria rewrites the history of when an infectious and potentially deadly disease first arrived in the Americas. And it was long before the arrival of European explorers.Researchers from the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France, with help from a U.S. university, recently announced in a news release that a second species of bacteria is also responsible for the disease known as leprosy, or Hansen's disease, in the Americas.In years past, many believed that the bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae caused leprosy and that it was only spread in America by early European explorers and settlers.However, the revelation of a second bacterium puts that theory of blaming the settlers on its head, as an existing strain was already on the continents calling the New World home.FIRST KNOWN CASE OF RARE MPOX STRAIN CONFIRMED IN UNITED STATESThe bacterium Mycobacterium lepromatosis existed and infected humans for 1,000 years prior to Europeans arriving, researchers say.Dr. Maria Lopopolo, the first author of the study and researcher at the Laboratory of Microbial Paleogenomics at the Institut Pasteur, said it changes everything about leprosy in the Americas."This discovery transforms our understanding of the history of leprosy in America. It shows that a form of the disease was already endemic among Indigenous populations well before the Europeans arrived," she said in the release.POTENTIALLY DEADLY ZOONOTIC VIRUS FOUND IN THE US, SPARKING CONCERNS OF SPREAD TO HUMANSThe study led by scientists from the Laboratory of Microbial Paleogenomics at the Institut Pasteur, alongside the French National Center for Scientific Research, and the University of Colorado in the U.S. began after Mycobacterium lepromatosis was found in a Mexican patient in 2008, and red squirrels in the British Isles in 2016.Using advanced genetic techniques to reconstruct the genomes ofMycobacteriumlepromatosis from ancient individuals from Argentina and Canada, scientists found that the two strains from the different regions were genetically close in theMycobacterium genome family tree, meaning that the bacteria spread rapidly throughout the continent.The release stated that the results confirmed that Mycobacterium lepromatosis had already spread throughout North and South America.Researchers worked in collaboration with indigenous communities, various international institutions and archaeologists, according to the release, and were able to study over 800 DNA samples from ancient human remains and recent medical cases showing signs of leprosy.Nicols Rascovan, the lead author of the study at the Institut Pasteur, said that the research proves that human history can be changed."We are just beginning to uncover the diversity and global movements of this recently identified pathogen," he said. "This study allows us to hypothesize that there might be unknown animal reservoirs."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) says leprosy can affect the nerves, skin and eyes of patients, and is treated with antibiotics. Up to 225 people in the U.S., and 250,000 around the world, contract Hansen's disease, according to the CDC.

Reporters who covered the Biden White House are in disbelief that former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierreditched the Democratic Party to pen a new book in a "desperate" attempt to revive her career.The longtime spokesperson for former President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that she switched her affiliation to independent. Jean-Pierre also revealed an upcoming book, "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,"that quickly raised eyebrows among the journalists who dealt with her in the briefing room.One White House reporter sarcastically called the project "amazing," and suggested Jean-Pierres book wont carry much weight. "Did she find the manuscript somewhere in that fat binder she toted around? If I were a historian writing about the Biden White House, I wouldnt ignore what Karine has to say, but its not an account in which much weight will be invested just like her briefings," the White House reporter told Fox News Digital.CREDIBILITY CRISIS: KARINE JEAN-PIERRE'S DEFENSE OF BIDEN'S MENTAL FITNESS OVER THE YEARSA second White House reporter said they wouldnt have even realized Jean-Pierre was in the news if Fox News Digital didnt ask about it."She left the Democratic Party? I honestly didnt see that story and probably wouldnt have even noticed. I turned off my KJP Google Alert on Inauguration Day," the reporter reacted, before joking, "Has anyone circled back with Jen Psaki?"Psaki, who preceded Jean-Pierre as Bidens press secretary, famously responded to tough questions by declaring she would "circle back" with an answer, but those answers rarely came.A third White House reporter was "shocked" that Jean-Pierre had left the Democratic Party."I have to pick my jaw up from the floor. It is unbelievable that she, of all people, would choose this path," the reporter told Fox News Digital."Just take a look at her entire career and identity," they said. "You cant change who you are just because you check a different box on a registration form. Its also disappointing to see that she would turn her back on her party just because its hit a really rough patch... it speaks to character."KARINE JEAN-PIERRE'S MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF 2024The third White House reporter said it was widely assumed that Jean-Pierre would follow in Psakis footsteps for the second time and take a gig at MSNBC or another news organization."But these two press secretaries could not be more different, and in a way, when you are in that role you are auditioning for your next job, whatever that is gonna be. I think it was painfully apparent that she would not handle a job like that, so no, I did not think she was going to get her own show or something like that," the reporter told Fox News Digital."I didnt really know what she was going to do because she did such a bad job as press secretary and thats both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes," the reporter continued. "Many reporters felt like KJP didnt meet the mark."The third anonymous reporter said Jean-Pierres shortcomings became even more apparent when Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt took control of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room."If you talk to people who covered both administrations back-to-back, Karoline Leavitt is such whiplash because she understands how to build a relationship with reporters across the spectrum, and she is a star on camera," the third White House reporter said.KARINE JEAN-PIERRE SWITCHES AFFILIATION TO INDEPENDENT, RELEASING NEW BOOK ABOUT 'BROKEN' BIDEN WHITE HOUSECNNs Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson recently went on a wide-ranging media tour to promote their book, "Original Sin: President Bidens Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,"which detailsBidens mental acuity concerns while in office and accuses the Biden White House of lying to reporters and voters.Jean-Pierre routinely dismissed questions about Biden's fitness as White House press secretary as early as 2022.The third White House reporter doesnt anticipate a similar press tour for Jean-Pierre, who will presumably look to avoid questions about whether she played a key role in the "cover-up.""I think shell probably go to friendly media and that will be a big difference because, and I dont think the buzz will be there," they said. "There is a historical record literally on camera of her, you know, saying all the things she said that turned out to be not true."On Wednesday, the announcement from publisher Legacy Lit, a division of the Hachette Book Group, insisted Jean-Pierres book will take readers "through the three weeks that led to Bidens abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision.""She presents clear arguments and provocative evidence as an insider about the importance of dismantling the torrent of disinformation and misinformation that has been rampant in recent elections and provides passionate insight for moving forward," the announcement said.Jean-Pierre also shared the news in a video posted to Instagram, where she explained that the new book was her answer to a way forward for Americans who feel distraught about the current Trump administration.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREA fourth anonymous reporter who covered the Biden White House said Jean-Pierre appears "desperate" to salvage her career."I wish Karine had broken from the party line during the last administration. Maybe then her press briefings would have actually been useful every once in a while," the fourth reporter told Fox News Digital.Reagan Reese, White House correspondent for the Daily Caller, mocked the notion that the longtime Democratic Party operative is truly an independent."Now that she's independent, I can't wait to hear what Republicans KJP will be voting for in upcoming elections," Reese told Fox News Digital.Legacy Lit and Jean-Pierre did not immediately respond to requests for comment."Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines" hits retailers in October.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News Digital's Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

Controversial Dallas Wings player DiJonai Carrington sent a message to fans who think she plays "dirty," in a social media post on Wednesday."Yall fAnS swear im such a dirty player. Im SO over this narrative bc if u really know bball, u know I jus play hard asf & never give up on a play. & yup, we challenged the last couple flagrants & got em rescinded bc Im ALWAYS tryna make a play on the ball nun more, nun less," she wrote with a heart emoji.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMCarrington's post came one day after the Wings matchup against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday. Carrington was assessed a flagrant-1 foul in the fourth quarter after a hit on Seattle's Skylar Diggins. Diggins sprinted toward the basket on a fast break. Carrington chased her down and leaped to block the shot from behind and made contact with Diggins head, sending the Storm player crashing to the ground.Carrington was then seen sitting on the bench with her eyes closed.Carrington's latest social media post also came nearly a week after an incident during a game against the Chicago Sky last Thursday, when Carrington screamed in the face of a referee, who then pulled a security guard in between them, seemingly for protection from the WNBA player.Carrington responded to the incident in a post on X on Friday, suggesting the summoning of security was a "microaggression.""Security when Im literally having a civil conversation is insane. Mind you, he called the "sEcUrItY" over there"Carrington has outspokenly defended herself from apparent criticism that she claims to have received in the past.She and Sky player Angel Reese vented about criticism directed at them by the league's newer fans during an episode of Reese's podcast, "Unapologetically Angel," in early March."They be real loose at the mouth," Carrington said of her critics. "I know they think it's trolls, but it's not just trolls. It be people that we see in real life."Carrington also said she isn't as bothered when people say she pays too much attention to her appearance, but she did say she "hates" when people question why she has blonde hair."I hate when people talk about that, like, 'Why do you have blonde hair?" Carrington said. "I got black eyebrows. I got black arm hair, black leg hair and I don't care. I'm still a natural blonde."USC'S JUJU WATKINS OPENS UP ON CAITLIN CLARK'S WHITE PRIVILEGE COMMENTS AND EMBRACING CONTROVERSIAL NEW FANSCarrington became one of the most criticized players in the WNBA last season amid conflicts with Caitlin Clark.As a member of the Connecticut Sun last season, Carrington gave Clark a black eye after poking her during a game in the first round of the playoffs in September. Carrington laughed with teammate Marina Mabrey after the incident.Carrington has said she did not intentionally poke Clark in the eye and that she was not laughing about the incident. However, she appeared to make light of the controversy over Clark's black eye in an Instagram Live video in October.In the video, Carrington and her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith, who plays for the Indiana Fever with Clark, were in their kitchen when Smith poked Carrington in the eye."Ow, you poked me in the eye," Carrington said. Smith apologized, and the two laughed. "Did you do it on purpose?" Carrington asked.Carrington was already not in the good graces of Fever fans, as she provoked them with a post in late August, which read, "the Indiana fever have the nastiest fans in the W. ew."Carrington has also prompted criticism for her political expressions.During the "Unrivaled" league season in January, Carrington wore a shirt that said, "The F--- Donald Trump Tour" while walking into Wayfair Arena in Miami. Then, during a press conference after another game that month, Carrington declared it was time for WNBA players to "take action" in response to President Donald Trump's policies."We see that some of the policies are already going into action, and, of course, that means that as the WNBA and being at the forefront of a lot of these movements, it's time for us to also take action," Carrington said."It definitely needs to happen as women, women's rights being taken away. Like, now, LGBTQ rights being taken away now. They haven't happened yet, but definitely in the works."Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Former President Joe Biden doubled down on his use of an autopen on Wednesday, insisting that he was in control of the White House during his term in office.President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into Biden's administration, alleging that top officials used autopen signatures to cover up the former president's cognitive decline."I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didnt is ridiculous and false," Biden said in a statement."This is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations," he added.EXCLUSIVE: COMER HAILS DOJ'S BIDEN PROBE AS HOUSE INVESTIGATION HEATS UPTrump called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to open investigations into top Biden officials on Wednesday, arguing they may have conspired to deceive the public about his mental state and exercised presidential authority through the autopen use.TRUMP SAYS BIDEN DIDN'T FAVOR HIS ADMIN'S LAX BORDER SECURITY POLICY, SUGGESTS AUTOPEN PLAYED A ROLETrump wrote in a Wednesday memo that the U.S. president has a tremendous amount of power and responsibility through his signature. Not only can the signature turn words into laws of the land, but it also appoints individuals to some of the highest positions in government, creates or eliminates national policies and allows prisoners to go free."In recent months, it has become increasingly apparent that former President Biden's aides abused the power of Presidential signatures through the use of an autopen to conceal Biden's cognitive decline and assert Article II authority," Trump wrote. "This conspiracy marks one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in American history. The American public was purposefully shielded from discovering who wielded the executive power, all while Biden's signature was deployed across thousands of documents to effect radical policy shifts.""Given clear indications that President Biden lacked the capacity to exercise his Presidential authority, if his advisors secretly used the mechanical signature pen to conceal this incapacity, while taking radical executive actions all in his name, that would constitute an unconstitutional wielding of the power of the Presidency, a circumstance that would have implications for the legality and validity of numerous executive actions undertaken in Biden's name," he added.House Republicans, led by Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, launched an investigation earlier last month aimed at determining whether Biden, who was in declining health during the final months of his presidency, was mentally fit to authorize the use of the autopen. Comer said last week he was "open" to dragging Biden before the House to answer questions about the matter if necessary.Fox News' Greg Wehner contributed to this report

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas,claimed on Tuesday that conservatives would enslave people like her if they could, claiming their opposition is just another incarnation of old hatreds.Crockett argued that current Republican attacks are an outgrowth of the mentalities behind slavery and segregation."It is easier, in my opinion, to do whats right every single day that I go in and serve and do right for everyone. Because at the end of the day, I know that there was a time and a place, and if they could, they would throw me back in chains," she claimed on the "Outlaws" podcast. "Somehow, those that came before us managed to break loose of the physical chains, even though we still have a bunch of systemic chains that we are still kind of wrangling with."Such battles, she said, make her reflect on the country's past.JASMINE CROCKETT MOCKS TRUMP, SAYS HE'S THREATENED BY HER 'EFFECTIVE' MESSAGEREP. JASMINE CROCKETT SUGGESTS THE UNITED STATES NEEDS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BECAUSE 'WE DONE PICKING COTTON'"I think about the fact that they also had this justification as if we were different, as if we didnt all bleed the same and we werent the same," she added. "And so, as the attacks seem new, they really are tired and old, and weve been through them before. And I can recognize the hate no matter if were talking about in the 50s or if were talking about in 2025."Crockett claimed that as Republicans are poised to face a backlash, the "superpowers" of people like her will be revealed."And so with me, I know that weve persevered past them. We have still been able to accomplish so much despite them," she said. "And I truly believe that as we walk into this next season this losing season for the haters I think that we will again be able to transgress and show that, like, we are great, we are normal. We are actually if anything we got superpowers, as far as Im concerned."At another point, podcast host TS Madison described feeling "so afraid as a Black trans woman" in modern America, asking the congresswoman, "What is going on?""I like to say, They hate you because they cant be you. So every little hate that they spew your way, my way, it is because they know that they see how beautiful we are inside and out, and we walk in that greatness every single day," Crockett said. "And there is nothing that they can do that will diminish us or make us feel less than, even though thats what they want us to believe we are. So let me just say thank you for living your truth, because that really takes courage."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURECrockett went on to argue that whether one is Black or identifies as transgender, there are those who "get all riled up about anybody that is not old, White, male and rich."

Elon Musk, who is vociferously decrying the Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act that cleared the House of Representatives last month, agreed with Rep. Thomas Massie, who declared in a post on X that the measure "is a debt bomb ticking" and that it marks a major "missed opportunity" for conservatives."The Big Beautiful Bill is a debt bomb ticking. Its also the biggest missed opportunity conservatives have ever had to put our country back on a track of fiscal sanity. If we defeat this bill, a better one can be offered that wont bankrupt our country," Massie declared in a post on X."Absolutely," Musk wrote when retweeting Massie's comments.MASSIE CALLS ON ELON MUSK TO FUND PRIMARY CHALLENGES AGAINST REPUBLICANS WHO BACKED TRUMP TAX BILLMassie, who was one of the two House Republicans who voted against the measure, made the comments when retweeting a post in which Musk had urged people to call their lawmakers about the proposal. "Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL," Musk declared in the post.In another tweet on Wednesday, Musk asserted, "No one who actually reads the bill should be able to stomach it."MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE SOUNDS ALARM OVER AI PROVISION IN ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT: I WOULD HAVE VOTED NO IF I HAD KNOWNAmerica's national debt is more than $36 trillion.Musk is sounding the alarm about the country's debt problem and profligate spending."America is in the fast lane to debt slavery," he warned in a post on X.ELON MUSK WARNS EXCESSIVE SPENDING WILL PLUNGE US INTO DEBT SLAVERYMassie, a serious fiscal hawk, draws attention to the nation's fiscal fecklessness by wearing a small debt clock.

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against the University of Pennsylvania alleging the Ivy League school "permitted, tolerated and/or facilitated multiple antisemitic incidents on its campus that have created a hostile educational environment for Jewish students" in the wake of Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.Mitchell Goldberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, wrote in his ruling thatthe lawsuit-- which was filed by Jewish students attending the school contains a 111-page amended complaint that "sets out a wide variety of general allegations, complaints, historical and current events, and alleged antisemitic incidents that allegedly took place not just on Penns campus, but elsewhere in the United States and the world.""The amended complaint also includes sweeping allegations of ideological, philosophical, religious, and political concerns and grievances, that havenothing to do with a federal lawsuit," he declared this week. "After review of Plaintiffs amended complaint, I find that it fails to sufficiently allege the facts necessary to plausibly state viable claims under Title VI, the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, and for breach of contract.""While Plaintiffs spend an inordinate amount of space expounding on long-past injustices and incidents, some dating as far back as 1993, and complaining that Penn did not take the actions or respond to their reports, letters, or emails in the manner which Plaintiffs wanted, Plaintiffs have failed to plead any facts showing either intentional discrimination or deliberate indifference on the part of Penn,"Goldbergcontinued.5 CONTROVERSIES EMBROILING HARVARD UNIVERSITY AS TRUMP SEEKS TO CUT FUNDING"Indeed, I could find no allegations that Penn or its administration has itself taken any actions or positions which -- even when read in the most favorable light -- could be interpreted as antisemitic with the intention of causing harm to the Plaintiffs," he also said. "At worst, Plaintiffs accuse Penn of tolerating and permitting the expression of viewpoints which differ from their own."Penn students Jordan David and Noah Rubin and alumnus Eyal Yakoby filed the lawsuit on Dec. 5 with the nonprofit Students Against Antisemitism, according to the Jewish News Syndicate."Although it is difficult to parse through the 312 paragraphs of allegations contained in the Amended Complaint, I find Plaintiffs have alleged various incidents where they were personally subjected to derogatory language, verbally harassed, and/or targeted because they were Jewish,"Goldbergsaid in his ruling."Because of these incidents, the numerous protests, and the Palestine Writes Festival, Plaintiffs assert they have been forced to miss classes and other campus activities and experiences, have felt threatened and/or unsafe in their residences, classrooms, and other places on campus, have felt as though they needed to refrain from wearing certain articles of clothing or jewelry or refrain from speaking out on matters of importance to them, and/or have otherwise felt as though they had to hide or obscure their Jewish identities," he added. "As a result, Plaintiffs aver they have lost educational and extracurricular opportunities and lost the value of the tuition and fees paid to Penn."60 UNIVERSITIES UNDER INVESTIGATION BY TRUMP ADMIN FOR 'ANTISEMITIC DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT'However,Goldbergalso said that Penn has submitted "documentary evidence showing it has long had policies in place opposing antisemitism in all its forms on its campus," which also "allegedly establish that since October 7, Penn has developed action plans to address and combat antisemitism and the expression of religious and racial hatred on its campus, and has increased its security measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its Jewish students.""Deliberate indifference is a very high bar and Plaintiffs dissatisfaction with Penns responses is not enough to establish there was an official decision by Penn to not remedy a Title VI violation and that this deliberate indifference effectively caused racial discrimination,"Goldbergruled."I will, however, provide Plaintiffs one last opportunity to amend its complaint, but only as to the Title VI and breach of contract claims," he also said.

Elon Musks diatribe against President Donald Trump's "one big, beautiful bill" continued Wednesday as Senate Republicans embarked on their own course to tweak and reshape the gargantuan legislative package.The former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) rehashed a similar talking point from his takedown of a previous House GOP government funding bill in December, which, after his input, was gutted and reworked.The nations debt sits at over $36 trillion, according to FOX Business' National Debt Tracker.GOP SENATORS EXPRESS 'CONCERNS,' 'SKEPTICISM' OVER TRUMP'S SPENDING BILL AFTER MUSK RANT"Call your Senator, Call your Congressman," Musk said among a flurry of posts on X. "Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL."Though Musks continued tirade against the bill sent House Republicans into a tizzy, on the other side of the Capitol, senators were busy hashing out the finer points of the legislation.This time around, Musk, who just ended his four-month tenure as a special government employee rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, may not have the same level of impact, given that senators want their chance to shape the bill."I mean, if Elon was going to give me advice on how to get to the moon, I'd listen," said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. "You know, if he was going to give me advice on how to raise several billion dollars from other billionaires, I'd listen.""But he doesn't govern, you know, and so, to be honest, Elon, he's not that big a factor," he continued. "I know he's a glamorous sort of celebrity, but he's not a big factor."ELON MUSK WARPATH AGAINST TRUMP'S BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL RATTLES HOUSE GOPCramers comments came after Senate Republicans heard from the chairs of the Senate Banking, Armed Services and Commerce committees on how they would approach their respective portions of the megabill in a closed-door meeting.After that meeting, members of the Senate Finance Committee, which will handle the tax portion of the package, met with Trump later to shore up support for the tax package.Sen. Roger Marshall, R.-Kan., said that the presidents main message during the meeting was to "pass the damn bill" with as few changes as possible. When asked if Trump seemed concerned about Musks impact on the bills fate, the lawmaker said "absolutely not." "It was almost laugh more of a laughing conversation for 30 seconds," he said. "It was very much in jest and laughing, and I think he said something positive about Elon, appreciating what he did for the country."ELON MUSK POSTS KILL BILL MEME IN LATEST PUSH TO NIX TRUMPS BIG BEAUTIFUL BILLCongressional Republicans intend to use the budget reconciliation process to skirt the Senate filibuster, meaning they do not need Senate Democrats to pass the package. However, they do need at least 51 Senate Republicans to get on board.The Senates shot at tinkering with the reconciliation package comes after months of deliberations and negotiations in the House that culminated in a package that Trump has thrown his full support behind.Some lawmakers want higher spending cuts to the tune of $2 trillion, others want a full rollback to pre-pandemic spending. Then there are pockets of resistance solidifying around cuts to Medicaid and green energy tax credit provisions baked into the Houses offering.Among the green energy provisions on the chopping block are electric vehicle tax credits. Speculation has swirled that their proposed demise could be the driving force, in part, behind Musks anger toward the bill."Any senator with a brain sees Elons comments for what they are, a CEO worried about losing business," a Senate Republican source told Fox News Digital. "The only reason hes causing a fuss is because were getting rid of pork that benefits his electric car company."Musk had been pushing for deeper spending cuts until his new demand that the bill be nuked. Currently, the House GOPs offering sets a goal of $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade that, coupled with expected growth, would help offset the roughly $4 trillion price tag of making the presidents first-term tax cuts permanent.Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, engaged with some of Musks posts on Tuesday and appeared to agree with the tech billionaires position that the bill had to go further to cut spending."I think most of what he's saying is he would like it to do more and be more aggressive to try to address the debt and deficit problem," Lee said.However, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found in its latest report that the bill would only cut $1.3 trillion, reduce revenues by roughly $3.7 trillion and add in the neighborhood of $2.4 trillion to the deficit.Some lawmakers who had found common ground with Musks earlier anger with the "big, beautiful bill" still found a common ally on the second day of his rant.Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., reiterated to Fox News Digital that he shared Musks "skepticism" of the bill. He would not say whether he agreed that congressional Republicans should start from scratch, but noted that his main objection to the bill was a plan to increase the nations debt limit by $5 trillion."My main goal is to say, take the debt ceiling and make it a separate vote, and then vote on a separate bill, and then there's still a need for less spending," he said. "But I would be very open to supporting the bill if we had more spending cuts and the debt ceiling was a separate vote."