As America celebrates its independence, Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, joined Fox Nation's Abby Hornacek to highlight the profound meaning of the 4thof July: honoring those who secure our freedoms. This Independence Day, Tunnel to Towers is delivering 25 mortgage-free homes to deserving heroes.The foundation's cornerstone initiative involves building custom "smart homes" for catastrophically injured service members, and first responders,a mission inspired by the needs of quadruple amputee Sergeant Brendan Marrocco. Siller noted the program's growth from a handful to potentially 100-150 smart homes next year, providing independence to those who've made immense sacrifices.Beyond injured veterans, T2T also provides mortgage-free homes to fallen firstresponders andGold Star families whose loved ones died in the line of duty. Siller shared moving accounts of recipients, many feeling undeserving despite their profound sacrifices. He underscored America's moral obligation: "If you're willing to risk your life... we're gonna take care of your family."Siller urged viewers to join this crucial mission of gratitude. "Make that promise," he implored, asking all to visitT2T.organd donate just $11 a month to ensure these heroes and their families are cared for.

Hollywood immediately reacted after the jury in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering trial reached a verdict on all counts Wednesday.Rosie ODonnell shared on Instagram, "Guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercionwowthey just think women stay because what? moneyfamethey love the abuse. What a f---ing joke. This decision got me angry."Rapper 50 Cent made his own post about Diddy, seemingly mocking him.DIDDY JURY REACHES VERDICT ON ALL COUNTS IN SEX TRAFFICKING, RACKETEERING TRIAL"Diddy beat the Feds," he wrote, "that boy a bad man ! beat the Rico."Cassie's attorney spoke out after Diddy's trial reached a verdict.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023. Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice," Douglas H. Wigdor said in a statement."We must repeat with no reservation that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors."On Wednesday, the jury found Diddy not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He was found guilty on both counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERA federal RICO violation can result in a 20-year sentence. The transportation to engage in prostitution charge could carry a sentence of up to 10 years, while sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion may carry a 20-year sentence."Weve been saying all along in this case that its been overcharged by the government, that they were taking these very nuanced relationships, and trying to make them criminal," Harvey Weinstein's former lawyer, Donna Rotunno, told Fox News. "I think Marc [Agnifilo] did a really good job in his closing arguments, highlighting that to the jury. Overall, this is a huge loss to the government, the money that they spent on this prosecution, the amount of press, notoriety, this is a definite win for Mr. Combs."This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.

Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani's New York City primary win indicated a generational departure from the establishment Democratic Party that coalesced behind former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's unsuccessful bid.However, the rank-and-file Democrats who catapulted the party into disarray, losing the White House and Congress in 2024, are already laying post-Trump policy groundwork.Neera Tanden, who served in the White House during the Clinton, Obama and Biden administrations and testified to Congress last week about her use of the autopen during former President Joe Biden's presidency, along with Biden's former national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, are on the advisory board for "Project 2029."Andrei Cherny, a former Democratic speechwriter, state party leader and co-founder of a liberal policy journal, is organizing Democratic leaders to create a ready-to-implement agenda for the next Democratic presidential nominee, inspired by the conservative "Project 2025," which was created by the Heritage Foundation ahead of President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential win.MAMDANI'S PRIMARY WIN EXPOSES DEMOCRAT DIVIDE AS TOP LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTSThe Democrats' marquee legislative framework for their future nominee will be rolled out over the next two years in quarterly installments through Cherny's publication, "Democracy: A Journal of Ideas." The Democrats plan to turn it into a book, just like Project 2025. The details of "Project 2029" were first reported by The New York Times and have since been confirmed by Fox News Digital.DEM SOCIALIST'S NYC PRIMARY UPSET SIGNALS 'GENERATIONAL' SHIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STRATEGISTS SAYAs The Times revealed the Democratic Party's political stage-setting for years to come, an intraparty reckoning is unfolding in real time following Mamdani's primary win last Tuesday. The institutional policy agenda has emerged during critical conjecture between the past and the future of the Democratic Party.Mamdani's primary win ignited a progressive buzz reminiscent of "Squad" leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 2018 Democratic primary upset, an excitement that has been on full display during 83-year-old Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' "Fighting Oligarchy" tour this year.Both progressive leaders and self-described Democratic socialists endorsed Mamdani ahead of last Tuesday's primary in New York City. Leading up to Election Day, Ocasio-Cortez's fellow "Squad" members, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, also came out in support of the Mamdani movement.His win shattered expectations and forced Cuomo, who resigned from his governorship in 2021 amid multiple scandals, to concede soon after the polls closed. While Cuomo remains in the race as an independent alongside incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, whose tenure has been plagued by his own scandals, Mamdani's win signaled a departure from the Democratic Party establishment.Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has faced its own reckoning this year after 25-year-old progressive David Hogg announced his multimillion-dollar plan to primary older incumbent Democrats he claimed were "asleep at the wheel."Hogg, who campaigned for Mamdani in New York City, ultimately left his vice chair position at the DNC this year as questions remain about the trajectory of a party struggling to find its footing with Trump dominating American politics.Central to the Democrats' division between its past and future is support for Israel.Moderate New York Democrats have not outright endorsed Mamdani following his primary win last Tuesday. Party leaders, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, confirmed they spoke with Mamdani but have continued to hold their endorsements.Aside from his socialist promises and anti-capitalist comments, much of establishment Democrats' discontent with Mamdani is rooted in accusations that he is antisemitic.Rep. Laura Gillen, D-N.Y., said last week that Mamdani is "too extreme to lead New York City." She said he has demonstrated a "deeply disturbing pattern of unacceptable antisemitic comments, which stoke hate at a time when antisemitism is rising."Another New York Democrat, Rep. Tom Suozzi said last week he still has "serious concerns" about Mamdani.The crux of accusations that Mamdani is antisemitic stems from his refusal to condemn the rallying cry, "globalize the intifada."Mamdani has refused to condemn the term, which has been adopted by pro-Palestinian protesters resisting the war in Gaza and, according to the American Jewish Committee, "calls for people from around the globe to participate in rising up against Israel."Mamdani, who would become New York City's first Muslim mayor if elected in November, has said he doesn't support policing language. In multiple interviews since he initially sparked controversy on the campaign trail, he has refused to condemn the language.He has also drawn criticism from Jewish New Yorkers, pro-Israel groups and Democrats for defending the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which calls for consumers, companies and governments to cut ties with Israel in an effort to influence the countrys policies toward Palestinians.Mamdani refused to acknowledge, when asked repeatedly on the debate stage, that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state. Instead, he said that Israel has the right to exist as "a state with equal rights."On Oct. 13, 2023, six days after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, Mamdaniasked his supportersto join him at a rally outside Schumers house "to speak out against the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians as we sit on the brink of a genocide."However, despite the criticism, Mamdani has repeatedly condemned antisemitism."Antisemitism is such a real issue in this city, and it has been hard to see it weaponized by candidates who do not seem to have any real interest in tackling it, but rather in using it as a pretext to make political points," hesaid on the campaign trail ahead of Election Day.Mamdani did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.Fox News' Leonard Balducci and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk put a pause on bashing President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," and issued some praise for the president after an announcement that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with Gaza.Musk has been highly critical of Trumps massive tax and domestic policy package that the Senate passed Tuesday hours after Trump said hed have to "take a look" at deporting Musk, who is a U.S. citizen but was born in South Africa.However, despite the public attacks following Musks departure from heading up the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in May, Musk still offered a stamp of approval for Trumps handling of global conflict."Credit where credit is due. @realDonaldTrump has successfully resolved several serious conflicts around the world," Musk said in an early Wednesday morning post on X.TRUMP SAYS DOGE MONSTER MAY HAVE TO EAT ELON AS MUSK VOWS PRIMARY ADS FOR LAWMAKERS WHO CROSS HIM ON BBBMusk also shared a screenshot of Trumps post on Truth Social announcing Tuesday that members of his team had a "long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza," and that Israel had agreed to terms for a 60-day ceasefire.Tensions between Musk and Trump first boiled over in May due to differences related to Trumps massive tax and spending package amid reports the measure would increase the federal deficit. However, Musk historically has waffled between attacking Trump and then following up with attempts to smooth things over with the president.Just after Musks DOGE departure, they traded barbs over the "big, beautiful bill," prompting Musk to say that Trump wouldnt have won the 2024 election without his backing. In turn, Trump accused Musk of going "CRAZY" over cuts to the electric vehicle credits, and said that Musk had been "wearing thin."Days later, Musk shared a Truth Social post from Trump regarding the immigration raid protests in Los Angeles, and re-posted one of Vice President JD Vances posts on X about the riots."This moment calls for decisive leadership," Vance said, sharing a screenshot of a post from Trump about how his administration would address the riots. "The president will not tolerate rioting and violence."REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS STAND FIRM AGAINST MUSK'S 'KILL THE BILL' ASSAULT ON TRUMP'S AGENDATensions between Musk and Trump appeared to dissolve for much of June, but resurfaced as the "big, beautiful bill" edged closer to passage.Musk has threatened in recent days to back challengers to Republicans who voted for Trump's tax and spending bill, and went so far as to call for a new political party."It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS, that we live in a one-party country the PORKY PIG PARTY!! Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people," Musk posted on X Monday.Meanwhile, Trump has continued to dismiss Musks criticism of the measure, claiming Musk isnt pleased with it because it eliminates an electric vehicle tax credit that benefits companies like Tesla.'HE'S NOT A BIG FACTOR': TRUMP'S SENATE ALLIES DISMISS ELON MUSK'S CALLS TO 'KILL THE BILL'"Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate," Trump said in a post on Truth Social early Tuesday. "It is ridiculous, and was always a major part of my campaign. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one. Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLater that morning, Trump told reporters that he would "take a look" at deporting Musk, and that he might have DOGE evaluate the government subsidies Tesla receives."We might have to put DOGE on Elon," Trump told reporters at the White House Tuesday. "You know what DOGE is? The monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldnt that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies.""So tempting to escalate this," Musk said in response to a video of Trumps comment on X Tuesday. "So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now."

A top Senate ally of President Donald Trump is facing a primary challenge from the right.Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is running for the Senate in 2026, mounting a Republican primary challenge against longtime GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham."Lindsey Graham has lost his way, and South Carolinians deserve a true conservative fighter to represent them in the United States Senate 100% guaranteed,"Bauer, a wealthy developer and longtime Trump backer, charged in a statement early Wednesday, as he declared his candidacy.Graham in February kicked off his campaign for a fifth six-year term representing the red state of South Carolina in the Senate.ON U.S. STRIKE ON IRAN, GRAHAM SAYS TRUMP SHOWED THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWNThe senator was endorsed by Trump in March and this week he announced that veteran Republican consultant Chris LaCivita, who served as co-chair of the president's 2024 campaign to win back the White House, was coming on board as his re-election campaign's senior advisor.Bauer who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2010 (in an election won by now-former governor, former ambassador to the U.N. and 2024 GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley) and Congress in 2012 after serving eight years as the Palmetto State's lieutenant governor touted his Trump and MAGA credentials.FIRST ON FOX: FORMER TRUMP AMBASSADOR LAUNCHES SENATE BID"One of the first leaders in the country to endorse Trump in early 2016, Andr has been on the front lines of the America First movement, and has stood firmly with Trump on every issue," his campaign touted in their email release. "Andr is a proven conservative fighter who will unapologetically stand with President Trump and put South Carolina first."Bauer stood alongside Trump at the South Carolina Statehouse in January 2023, as the former president announced his leadership team in the key early-voting primary state.Trump, at the time, called Bauer "a friend of mine, somebody that could I think run for almost any office and win."Graham, along with Republican Gov. Howie McMaster of South Carolina, also stood alongside Trump at that event.Eight years earlier, Graham was highly critical of Trump as he was part of a large field of rivals who ran against the real estate mogul and reality TV star for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.But Graham became a close friend and top ally to Trump during the president's first term.The senator has survived primary challenges from the right in his past re-election campaigns, and has been attacked for his more moderate stances on the issues of illegal immigration and climate change, as well as his advocacy for a muscular U.S. national security and foreign policy.Ahead of last month's U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, Graham urged Trump to "go all-in" to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.Bauer, in his campaign launch, attacked the senator as "Globalist Lindsey Graham" and charged that he "has spent three decades sending your tax dollars overseas and funding regime change wars all over the world instead of helping South Carolinians. Lindsey voted over and over again for big spending and that has grown the national debt by trillions."Bauer also argued that "Graham has repeatedly called for amnesty for illegal immigrants."Graham, on Tuesday, hours ahead of Bauer's launch, spotlighted his efforts to help Trump's so-called "big beautiful" landmark spending and tax cut bill pass the Senate by a razor-thin one-vote margin."I just had a great phone call with President @realDonaldTrump about his excitement regarding the Senates passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill," Graham wrote in a social media post.And he highlighted that he's "incredibly proud to have led the fight to move President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill through the Senate Budget Committee and onto full passage by the United States Senate."Graham re-election campaign spokeswoman Abby Zilch also took aim at Bauer."Andre Bauer has spent his career chasing titles to feed his ego, running for five different offices and even trying to leverage Senator Graham and the White House for an ambassadorship. When that failed, he launched his sixth campaign proving once again, this is all about Making Andre Great Again," Zilch claimed in a statement.Republicans dominate statewide elections in South Carolina and the winner of next year's GOP Senate primary will be considered the clear frontrunner in the 2026 general election.

Bryan Kohberger has pleaded guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.On Wednesday at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Judge Steven Hippler approved a plea agreement that spares Kohberger, 30, from the death penalty. In exchange, he will serve four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.As part of the agreement, Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.A formal sentencing date has not yet been set.IDAHO MURDERS TIMELINE: BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEA CAPS YEARSLONG QUEST FOR JUSTICEThe case has drawn national attention since the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, when four students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves were found stabbed to death in an off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho.Kohberger, a former Ph.D. criminology student at nearby Washington State University, was arrested in Dec. 2022 after a cross-country investigation.According to court documents, DNA from a knife sheath left at the crime scene matched Kohbergers, and cellphone data placed him near the victims house multiple times before the killings. Surveillance footage also captured a white Hyundai Elantra in the area.BRYAN KOHBERGER EXPECTED TO OFFICIALLY PLEAD GUILTY: WHATS NEXTKohberger was indicted by a grand jury in May 2023 and had initially pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors later announced their intent to seek the death penalty, citing the heinous nature of the crimes.However, on Wednesday, Kohberger agreed to a plea.

After recording his 12th professional win over the weekend, Jake Paul may now have no choice but to attempt to silence his critics.Paul defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of the boxing legend who held five different world titles in four different weight classes, on Saturday in Anaheim, and moved to 12-1.With the victory, Paul is now officially ranked for the first time, coming in at No. 14 in the WBA cruiserweight rankings.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThis now makes him eligible for a title bout against Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, who is 48-1. Ramirez defended his title in the co-main event on Saturday, beating Yuniel Dorticos (ranked No. 7) before Paul and Chavez Jr. took the ring.Paul's career has often been mocked due to his opponents - fighters who are either out of their primes. like Mike Tyson, Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, or unpopular pros like Ryan Bourland and Andre August. However, he has been adamant that he wants to become a world champion.In fact, he made the prediction to Fox News Digital that he would win a title before the summer of 2028.Paul was recently challenged by Piers Morgan about his opponents, namely super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, but Paul again claimed that Alvarez "ducked" him.JAKE PAUL FACES UNUSUAL CALL OUT FROM FORMER BOXING CHAMPION"Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, champions in their sport. Gold Gloves champions, Ryan Bourland, Andre August, undefeated fighters. The list goes on," Paul said to Morgan before his fight against Chavez Jr. "Former world champion on Saturday, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I don't know what you guys want to see. I tried to fight Canelo, he ducked out of it I'm trying to fight the best people. That's why Chavez is here on Saturday. I want Canelo, I want Anthony Joshua. I want all of these people. It's been five years in this sport."I've fought multiple boxers with professional records, including Mike Tyson himself."Paul said back in February that he and Alvarez were in "deep negotiations" for a fight that would have occurred during Cinco de Mayo weekend. However, Alvarez wound up signing a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season to fight in Saudi Arabia."Its disappointing to see how the situation unfolded. MVP operates with integrity, transparency and respect for the sport, its athletes and the fans. Unfortunately, not everyone in the boxing world shares those values," Paul's Most Valuable Promotions said at the time.Both Paul's and Ramirez's next opponents are TBD, but perhaps the fact that both co-main evented the same card could be a form of foreshadowing.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Paramount Global and CBS' settlement with President Donald Trump was widely criticized by members of the press on Wednesday after the company agreed to settle the president's election interference lawsuit.Appearing on CNN to discuss the news, media reporter Brian Stelter said it was a "disturbing development" for the news media to simply pay off Trump to make him "go away.""It does create a worrisome, slippery slope," he said."This is insane, and boycotts [may be] called for," CNN commentator and former congressman Adam Kinzinger wrote.Paramount Global and CBS agreed on Tuesday to pay Trump a sum that could reach north of $30 million to settle the lawsuit against the network. Trump will receive $16 million upfront. This will cover legal fees, costs of the case, and contributions to his future presidential library or charitable causes, to be determined at Trumps discretion.There is anticipation that there will be another allocation in the mid-eight figures set aside for advertisements, public service announcements, or other similar transmissions, in support of conservative causes by the network in the future, Fox News Digital has learned. With these considerations, CBS would pay well in excess of the $15 million ABC paid Trump to settle a defamation lawsuit last year. Current Paramount management disputes the additional allocation.FAIR ELECTION FUND URGES FCC TO HOLD CBS ACCOUNTABLE FOR 'UNLAWFUL CONDUCT RELATED TO 60 MINUTES INTERVIEW"Presidential extortion as a tool of power and corruption," David Frum, a writer for The Atlantic, posted on X.Sources close to the situation told Fox News Digital that CBS has agreed to update its editorial standards to install a mandatory new rule. Going forward, the network will promptly release full, unedited transcripts of future presidential candidates interviews. People involved in the settlement talks have referred to this as the "Trump Rule."Marlow Stern, a professor at the Columbia Journalism School, said the president effectively blackmailed Paramount and accused him of an "unprecedented level of corruption.""The deal is the clearest sign yet of Trump's ability to intimidate major American institutions," David Enrich, an editor at The New York Times, wrote."Capitulation is for cowards. All it does is embolden the bully," Tara Setmayer, a former adviser for the left-wing Lincoln Project, wrote.Trump was seeking $20 billion in his lawsuit against CBS over its handling of a "60 Minutes" interview last year with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing the network of election interference leading up to the 2024 contest. CBS is not acknowledging any journalistic wrongdoing with the settlement.CBS BLASTS TRUMPS LAWSUIT AS MERITLESS DESPITE RECENT $15 MILLION SETTLEMENT OFFERThe Bulwark's Sam Stein also called out Paramount."When [your] big victory is that you didn't have to apologize as part of the $16m settlement you're paying for doing absolutely nothing wrongand, in fact, operating by standard editorial proceduresthen maybe you lost," Stein posted.Ex-NBC News reporter Joshua Johnson said many of the CBS programs he respected were dishonored by Paramount's "cowardice, greed and stupidity.""Its stunning how quickly corporate media is burning itself to death. Just disgusting," Johnson wrote before continuing in a follow-up post. "And what did @CBSMornings lead with today? Weather! Thats like finding out youve been disowned one night, and when you sit down to breakfast the next day all you say is, 'How about that rain, huh?'"Johnson added, "This is existential. MAKE NOISE ABOUT THIS.""Pod Save America" co-host Dan Pfeiffer reacted to the settlement as well, writing, "Media companies must now pay tribute to the President for the privilege of continuing to exercise their First Amendment rights. Great stuff."The Freedom of the Press Foundation slammed the settlement on X as well, calling the decision by Paramount "spineless.""Tragic. Heartbreaking. What a major disappointment. Wow," journalist Maria Shriver wrote.TRUMP, CBS PARENT COMPANY SET FOR MEDIATION IN $20 BILLION 60 MINUTES LAWSUITEx-CNN journalist Jim Acosta said it was "horrible news."Liberal journalist John Harwood, another former CNN figure who now writes for the far-left site Zeteo, called it "repulsive."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE"The Left Hook" substack writer Wajahat Ali called for people to cancel their Paramount+ descriptions.Ex-CNN reporter Chris Cillizza said the case was "completely baseless," and that CBS' move to settle was "utterly appalling."

This week, the University of Pennsylvania succumbed to reality and the Trump administration in an agreement that saw the school ban men from womens sports and strip trans swimmer Lia Thomas of his records.It is justice for victims of Penns previous policy, including Thomas, himself.Penns capitulation to the Trump administration is the latest nail in the coffin of the transgender movement, because the central premise of that movement is that there is no difference between a woman and a man pretending to be a woman.UPENN AGREES TO FOLLOW TRUMP'S MANDATE ON PROTECTING WOMEN'S SPORTS, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAYSIf, as Penn now admits, men posing as women have distinct advantages in sports, then the entire edifice of transgenderism comes crashing down, and in this case it has fallen onto the head and shoulders of Lia Thomas.Thomas began his college swimming career in 2017 on Penns men's team and was a middling performer. Just prior to COVID, he began transitioning and, by the 2021 season, had met the NCAAs hormone requirements to compete on the womens team.We all saw what happened next. Thomas not only beat, but humiliated the women he competed against. Some, such as swimmer Riley Gaines, were brave enough to call out the rank unfairness only to be branded as transphobic bigots.Of course, Gaines and others of her ilk were victims of the policies of Penn and the NCAA. Today they have emerged victorious, and while nothing can give them back their college careers, they have protected those of girls and women following in their paths.Thomas, on the other hand, has gone from hero of the trans movement to a disgraced former athlete whose records are being scrubbed and the poster child for the lie that those at Penn, whose job it was to protect and educate him, perpetuated.At a sane university, in a sane world, Thomas would have been told, when he tried to join the womens team, that he is a man and to pretend otherwise is pure make-believe. But our academic elites decided long ago that gender is a subjective, inscrutable mystery.Even Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has been so twisted by progressive jibber-jabber that she cannot define what a woman is. Its laughable, but in the case of Thomas, it has also caused a lot of harm.The general attitude of Americans towards transgenderism is that they dont really care how adults choose to live, but if it is unfair to women, such as men in their sports, shelters, or prisons, we cant allow that.This balance has increasingly served to protect women, as Penns decision this week has, but it doesnt do anything to protect the teenagers and young adults whose fantasies are being indulged by left-wing ideologues.In retrospect, and for many of us at the time, it is completely obvious that encouraging Thomas to beat the hell out of women in the pool and then celebrate it as a civil rights victory was not about helping Thomas, but the progressive cause.Thomas cannot be completely exonerated for his role in stealing the athletic glory of women. After all, he was technically an adult by the time of his transition. But adults, educators who should have known better, celebrated Thomas delusions when they should have been helping him accept reality.Gaines told Fox News Channel Tuesday that Penns admission of wrongdoing was vindication and that she felt like "pigs are flying."CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONBut in a way, it is the opposite because the Ivy League institution is finally accepting that, in fact, pigs cannot fly and men cannot become women.After Tuesdays decision by Penn to acknowledge the reality of biological sex and gender, it can no longer be considered responsible to encourage children or adults to pretend they are a gender they are not.To indulge gender fantasies is not a neutral position, it is rather the promulgation of a dangerous and harmful lie, and sadly, Lia Thomas will not be its last victim.The tide on transgenderism isnt changing anymore, it has changed. The concept has been rejected, and we must, at every level, make it clear that biological sex is reality.Penns decision this week, and the ones that will likely follow from other schools, will protect women athletes. That is a huge win, but we must also protect the other victims of transgenderism, those, who, like Lia Thomas, are taught to live a lie. For them, reality eventually always comes knocking.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS

They were bitter Republican rivals a year and a half ago, but President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were all smiles this week, as the two appeared side-by-side for the opening of a new migrant detention center in the Everglades."The relationship between the governor and the president is fantastic," DeSantis communications director Bryan Griffin told Fox News Digital.Griffin spoke with Fox News Digital the day after Trump and DeSantis, along with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, toured what's being called "Alligator Alacatraz," a detention center quickly constructed on a remote airstrip that's surrounded by alligator-infested swamps.DeSantis, the two-term conservative governor who unsuccessfully ran against Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, used emergency powers to seize the land and speed construction of the facility, with encouragement from Trump and his administration.TRUMP TOUTS ONLY WAY OUT OF ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IS DEPORTATION"Ron worked beautifully with Kristi (Noem) and all of the people at Homeland Security and got it done in how many days, Ron?" Trump said as he turned to the governor while answering reporters' questions."Eight days, a new facility was up and running," DeSantis responded.FOX NEWS TAKES YOU INSIDE ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZFollowing his 2022 gubernatorial re-election landslide, DeSantis moved toward running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and formally launched his White House bid in the spring of 2023.But even before he announced his candidacy, DeSantis was repeatedly attacked by Trump and his political allies.The long-term targeting of the governor proved successful. DeSantis was considered Trump's top threat among the field of Republican White House hopefuls. But the governor saw his support deteriorate, and he ended his presidential bid in January of last year, after a disappointing second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, far behind Trump.DeSantis immediately endorsed Trump, helped raise money for the then-former president's general election campaign, and gave a well-received speech last summer at the Republican National Convention in Milwuakee, Wisconsin.Asked about his relationship with DeSantis, Trump told reporters, "I would say its a 10. I think its a 10," before adding "maybe 9.9 because, you know, might be a couple of little wounds."DESANTIS TAKES VICTORY LAP ON FLORIDA'S 'MOMENTOUS IMMIGRATION LEGISLATIONDeSantis has been extremely aggressive in assisting Trump in his sweeping immigration crackdown.The governor signed stiff immigration measures into law earlier this year, after a compromise with the Republican leaders of the Florida legislature was brokered, which brought to an end a weekslong standoff over dueling bills."This is going to be a force multiplier," DeSantis told Fox News late last week. "Were happy to work with the federal government to satisfy President Trumps mandate."And the governor, during his Fox News interview, suggested that the president visit the facility."An invitation from me: We can land Air Force One right there no problem," DeSantis said. "I think the president would be impressed with what the guys are doing out here."Trump, at the event, highlighted that "Ron and I have had a really great relationship for a long period of time. We had a little off period for a couple of days, but it didnt last long."The president added that he and the governor have a "lot of respect for each other."DeSantis returned the praise, noting that "you can call him [Trump] anytime and he wants to be helpful for governors."But some top figures in Trump's political orbit, including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, may still hold unflattering opinions of the governor.Wiles was once a top DeSantis political advisor before a very bitter falling out.And in a sign of political friction, Trump-ally Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida also attended Tuesday's event.Donalds earlier this year launched a bid to succeed the term-limited DeSantis in Florida's 2026 gubernatorial election, and he landed Trump's endorsement even before he announced his candidacy.DeSantis' wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, has been mulling a run for governor of her own, and her husband earlier this year said she would be a worthy successor.Asked by reporters if Casey DeSantis should run for governor, the president would only say "we get along great."Ron DeSantis quickly interjected, noting that "I endorsed him immediately, in January 2024. I raised one of his PACs millions and millions of dollars."