The latest episode of Travis and Jason Kelces "New Heights" podcast featured legendary actor Brad Pitt, who not only stars in the new "F1" movie but is also a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan.Well, that Chiefs fandom was on full display at the moment he had to tell the guys about as it involved another die-hard football fan, Bradley Cooper, who reps Jasons Philadelphia Eagles.During his time on the podcast, he started to tell a story about how he was presenting the Outstanding Performer of the Year award to Cooper for his film Maestro at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMPitt couldnt help but take a dig at Cooper at the moment about his Eagles fandom in February 2024. "Im friends with Bradley Cooper. Hes your prime Eagles fan," Pitt began his anecdote. "Im not saying that I have the power to affect a game in any way. I dont adhere to that kind of hubris, but I did say last year after the Eagles went out [of the playoffs], Chiefs were on their way to another [Super Bowl] victory, and he was getting the award for Maestro still probably one of the best movies of this decade. I was giving him this award. He's been nominated like 18 times for OscarsIt was at the Santa Barbara Film Award, and I closed with, Listen, hes been nominated [for the] 1900th time. If he doesnt get it, its OK, hes used to it. Hes a Philadelphia Eagles fan."TRAVIS KELCE ADMITS RETURNING TO CHIEFS, NFL FOR 2025 SEASON 'WASN'T A VERY TOUGH DECISION'Coopers reaction after Pitt said that went viral, as video caught him saying off-screen, "Man, thats f---ed up."But after beating the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX this year, Cooper has bragging rights over Pitt now."We didnt talk for two months. He gracefully let me hurt in my psyche," Pitt said when the Kelce brothers asked what happened following the 40-22 victory in New Orleans, where Cooper presented the NFC-champion Eagles coming out of the tunnel before the game.Pitt, who was born in Oklahoma but grew up in Springfield, Missouri, discussed his Chiefs fandom a bit with the Kelce brothers, saying this last decade has been amazing for obvious reasons with his favorite team."You feel this sense of pride instead of lifes always out against us," Pitt said. "So, its kind of extraordinary the way we live through our teams, you guys and what it means to us."He also made sure to tell Travis to wear oven mitts until the season starts, to keep his hands warm for what he and the rest of Chiefs Kingdom hope is another run to the Super Bowl, this time for some redemption.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin once again refused to end his war in Ukraine until Russia achieves its "goals" despite another direct call between the Kremlin chief and President Donald Trump."VladimirPutin, for his part, noted that we continue to seek a political and negotiated solution to theconflict," Russian diplomat Yuri Ushakov said in a readout following the call."Our president also said that Russia will achieve thegoalsit has set: that is theelimination of thewell-known root causes that led to thecurrent state of affairs, to thecurrent acute confrontation, and Russia will notbackdownfromthesegoals,"headded.PUTIN'S ATTEMPT TO 'PLAY TRUMP' ON UKRAINE WILL FAIL, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SAYSIn an attempt to justify his invasion, Putin has repeatedly claimed that Ukraine posed a threat as it looked to become a NATO member, and has made clear he wants to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and topple the government in Kyiv.The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's questions regarding how Trump reacted to Putins clear acknowledgment that he intends to continue his war effort.The call comes two days after the U.S. said it was halting some previously pledged military arms slated for Ukraine, and which were already in Poland, over concerns relating to U.S. stockpiles.PENTAGON'S WEAPONS PAUSE TO UKRAINE COULD ENCOURAGE AND ESCALATE PUTINS WAR AMBITIONS: SECURITY EXPERTSWhile speaking with Fox News Digital this week, experts warned the move could embolden Putin and his war ambitions.The readout of the call released by the Kremlin did not detail whether this move by the Trump administration was discussed.The pair also reportedly discussed the conflict in the Middle East, particularly as it relates to Iran and recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Tehrans nuclear program."TheRussian side emphasized theimportance of resolving all disputes, disagreements and conflict situations exclusively by political and diplomatic means," the readout added.

Congress has officially passed President Donald Trumps "one big, beautiful bill" on Thursday afternoon after back-to-back sleepless sessions for both the House and Senate.The massive agenda bill now goes to Trumps desk to be signed into law just in time for Republicans self-imposed Fourth of July deadline.The bill which advances Trumps policies on tax, the border, defense, energy and the national debt narrowly passed the House of Representatives in a mostly party-line vote. All but two Republicans, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., voted for the bill, which passed 218 214.Its a commanding victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and for the president himself, both of whom spent hours overnight trying to persuade GOP critics of the bill.148 DEMOCRATS BACK NONCITIZEN VOTING IN DC AS GOP RAISES ALARM ABOUT FOREIGN AGENTS"The President is very engaged. He was very helpful in the process. He helped answer questions and articulate his vision and what this bill will mean for the country, and his agenda, and how urgent it isfor us to get it done," Johnson told reporters the morning ahead of the vote.The House initially passed its version of the legislation by just one vote in late May.Senate Republicans took the bill up late last month and passed it after their own marathon voting session, also by just one vote though the legislation underwent key changes in the upper chamber.House lawmakers were slated to return to Washington on Wednesday morning to begin debating the bill, which included a procedural hurdle known as a "rule vote."But even before the rule vote could begin, it was clear the legislation had been hemorrhaging support from both moderates and conservatives in the House GOP.Moderate Republicans were among those concerned about the Senate bill shifting even more of the Medicaid cost-burden onto states that expanded their health benefit populations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), while conservatives were irate that those cuts did not go far enough to mitigate what they saw as excessive spending in other parts of the bill.But the vote that was initially slated to occur Wednesday morning eventually passed after 3 a.m. on Thursday, after which both Republicans and Democrats hurriedly began to debate.Among Democrats delay tactics included a lengthy speech by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who attacked Republicans for their overnight schedule."If Republicans were so proud of this one big, ugly bill, why did debate begin at 3:28 a.m. in the morning?Republicans are once again, which has been the case, Mr. Speaker, through every step of this journey, trying to jam this bill through the House of Representatives under cover of darkness," Jeffries said.But even before debate, the legislations fate appeared in limbo for much of Wednesday as closed-door negotiations paralyzed the House floor.Five Republicans had initially voted against proceeding with debate on the bill, while eight GOP lawmakers had not voted at all.TAX CUTS, WORK REQUIREMENTS AND ASYLUM FEES: HERE'S WHAT'S INSIDE THE SENATE'S VERSION OF TRUMP'S BILLThe bills future was uncertain on Wednesday evening, but rather than accepting defeat, House GOP leaders kept the vote open for hours as they negotiated with holdouts behind closed doors.One House Republican told Fox News Digital that Trump was directly involved in trying to persuade holdouts.The president, meanwhile, aired his frustrations on Truth Social, "FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!"In the end, they returned to the House floor where nearly all Republicans save for moderate Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. voted to begin debating the bill.Johnson told reporters when asked about Fitzpatrick's defection, "I talked with him at length. Brian is a very good and trusted friend, and he just has convictions about certain provisions of the bill, he's entitled to that."Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told reporters that critics were made to understand the bill is their only option on the table."They recognized this is the vote that's before us and it's not going to change. There are other things we can do down the road, and we want to do. But we've got to get this bill done first," Scalise said.The bill would permanently extend the income tax brackets lowered by Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), while temporarily adding new tax deductions to eliminate duties on tipped and overtime wages up to certain caps. It also includes a new tax deduction for people aged 65 and over.The legislation also rolls back green energy tax credits implemented under former President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which Trump and his allies have attacked as "the Green New Scam."The bill would also surge money toward the national defense, and to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the name of Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants in the U.S.The bill would also raise the debt limit by $5 trillion in order to avoid a potentially economically devastating credit default sometime this summer, if the U.S. runs out of cash to pay its obligations.New and expanded work requirements would be implemented for Medicaid and federal food assistance, respectively.Democrats have blasted the bill as a tax giveaway to the wealthy while cutting federal benefits for working-class Americans.But Republicans have said their tax provisions are targeted toward the working and middle classes citing measures eliminating taxes on tipped and overtime wages while arguing they were reforming federal welfare programs to work better for those who truly need them.Conservative groups also praised the bill, with Club For Growth CEO David McIntosh telling Fox News Digital, "By preventing the biggest tax hike in history, passing full expensing, and beginning to make key cuts to bloated programs and giveaways we are setting up our country to prosper in a new Golden Age."Top Republicans also praised the bill and Johnson's role in its passage."We delivered historic tax relief for working families, unprecedented border security investments, unleashed American energy dominance, and massive cuts to wasteful federal spending," Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital. "After years of failed policies, we stepped up to put Americans first and fulfilled our promises. On July 4th, 2025, we will return power to where it belongswith the American people."House GOP Policy Committee Chairman Kevin Hern, R-Okla., said the bill "took an incredible amount of work to get this bill across the finish line, starting several years ago with field hearings, stakeholder meetings, and a lot of research into niche tax policy."

Veteran female cyclists are speaking out against USA Cycling after they claim the organization failed to disclose the participation of a transgender athlete in a recent race."It was hidden from us," competitor Debbie Milne told "Fox & Friends" Thursday.Milne, who placed seventh in the Lyons Masters National Championships in Wisconsin, explained she and fellow cyclists typically review the list of registered athletes ahead of a race to assess the competition. But she said neither she nor Julie Peterson, who placed in second, saw the name of a transgender competitor, Kate "KJ" Phillips, on the entry list."Catherine Phillips, KJs name, was not on that list. And I checked it up all the way to the point of closure when we couldn't register online anymore," said Milne.TRANS ATHLETE WINS USA CYCLING WOMEN'S EVENT AS FEMALE OPPONENTS PROTEST AND SPEAK OUTWOMEN'S SWIMMERS SPEAK OUT AFTER UNKNOWINGLY FACING TRANS COMPETITOR, FILING COMPLAINT: 'I FEEL BETRAYED'Phillips went on to win first place in the race. Peterson declined to stand on her second-place podium during the awards ceremony in protest.Milne called Petersons decision "difficult" but supported the choice, saying she wouldve done the same in her position."She's [Peterson] a class athlete. We respect our sport," Milne said, explaining both athletes felt disrespected by the lack of transparency from race organizers after decades devoted to the sport."We respect podiums. It's really tough to do something that significant. It's disrespect," she said. "She [Peterson] felt that there had not been transparency."MAINE ROCKED BY TRANS ATHLETE DOMINANCE AT GIRLS' TRACK MEET AMID ONGOING LEGAL CONFLICT WITH TRUMPAccording to Milne, neither she nor Peterson believe the omission of Phillips name was accidental, referring to the incident as "deception." She said Peterson later got confirmation Phillips had been registered since mid-June, long before the online list closed. The cyclist added that, had she known, she might have reconsidered spending hundreds of dollars and traveling over 400 miles to compete.Milne decried a lack of fairness in USA Cyclings transgender athlete guidelines.USA Cycling currently permits transgender women to race in female divisions, but under certain conditions. Athletes need to submit a signed declaration affirming they identify as a female, and they need to meet criteria laid out in the groups Elite Athlete Fairness Evaluation Process.TRANSGENDER SWIMMER WINS 5 WOMEN'S GOLD MEDALS AT CHAMPIONSHIP MEET IN TEXASWriting in part on their website: "The Policy recognizes the need to ensure that everyone, irrespective of gender identity, can participate in cycling in a safe, harassment-free environment," adding they look to ensure no participant has an "unfair and disproportionate advantage."Milne pointed out that unlike USA Cycling, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), considered the world governing body for cycling, has a policy that restricts transgender women from competing in female-designated events.

Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8th through July 11th. But you dont have to wait to start saving! Grab early deals now on kitchen appliances, smart home devices, clothes and shoes for less than $50.If you want to shop for the bestsellers from Prime Day 2024, check out these products or find the best deals to shop on Amazon with our handy guide.If you're not a Prime member, sign up or start a free trial to access exclusive Amazon Prime Day savings. Prime membership costs $139 annually or $14.99 per month and if you're a student, don't forget to take advantage of special pricing discounts on a Prime membership.Tech and gadgetsKitchen and home goodsClothing and ShoesOriginal price: $49.99The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K features a built-in microphone and a dedicated Alexa button, allowing you to use voice commands to search for movies, launch apps and control playback. You can also pause, rewind and fast-forward, and interact with compatible smart home devices.Original price: $32.21The INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh USB-C, can provide multiple charges for most smartphones and tablets and offers three times the charging speed as 1a phone chargers. This charger features both USB-A and USB-C (input and output) ports. Additionally, you can charge up to three devices simultaneously.MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS HAVE FUN ON INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH THESE FOURTH OF JULY ESSENTIALSOriginal price: $34.99This portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof, and it has vibrant, high-definition sound that covers every corner of the room.Enjoy up to 20 hours of playtime and stable wireless connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3. This speaker is a great choice for outdoor activities such as the pool or beach.Original price: $16.99Kasa's KL110 LED Wi-Fi smart bulb is dimmable, energy-efficient and connects directly to your home's Wi-Fi network. You can control your smart bulb from anywhere using the Kasa Smart app, available on your smartphone with Wi-Fi. This bulb allows for scheduling and scene creation to personalize your lighting experience.Original price: $49.99Bedsure's all-season comforter duvet insert is made with a 100% polyester fill and shell to provide softness and coziness. The comforter features corner and side tabs that make it easy to secure inside a duvet cover.Original price: $69.99The Ninja BC151BK Blast portable blender is a cordless, USB-C-rechargeable personal blender. It's designed for the on-the-go blending of smoothies, protein shakes and frozen drinks. You can blend up to 18 oz. at a time, and the easy-open sip lid lets you blend and drink from the same container.Original price: $45The Yeti Rambler 42 oz. straw mug is a large, insulated beverage container designed for extended hydration. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold longer and the straw lid has a molded-in-stopper that holds the straw in place.Original price: $47.99Brightech Ambience Pro solar-powered outdoor string lights feature durable, shatterproof LED Edison-style bulbs. The heavy-duty, weather-resistant cord charges automatically through a solar panel during the day. The string lights are perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere on patios, pergolas or in gardens.Original price: $50.99Pack this Coleman Utopia Breeze Lightweight Beach Chair on your next beach trip. This lightweight chair has a low-profile design and gives you room to stretch your legs in the sand. A mesh cup holder and a seatback pocket add convenience, while the chair folds compactly into a carry bag for easy transport.Original price: $35.99Relax in cloud-like comfort with the BRONAX pillow slippers. The slippers feature an ultra-soft, thick sole for superior cushioning and all-day relief. These are perfect for wearing by the pool or in the shower.SAVE UP TO 44% ON GORDON RAMSAY'S FAVORITE HEXCLAD COOKWARE DURING ITS FOURTH OF JULY BUNDLE SALEOriginal price: $53.98CQR men's tactical pants are durable cargo pants designed for outdoor activities, work and tactical use. They are made of water-resistant fabric and are lightweight, with multiple utility pockets for ample storage.Original price: $19.99TheSOJOS small retro oval polarized sunglasses are a trendy, yet functional pair of shades inspired by 90s fashion. The glasses come with polarized lenses and a small oval lens shape that gives them a distinct vintage feel. These shades also protect your eyes from 99% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.For more deals, visitwww.foxnews.com/dealsOriginal price: $30The Adidas Adilette shower slip-on is a classic, comfortable slide sandal featuring a quick-drying Cloudfoam footbed for soft cushioning. It's perfect for post-swim use, locker rooms or everyday casual wear.

Star Trek star George Takei compared President Donald Trump's deportation of illegal immigrants to the U.S. imprisoning Japanese Americans during World War II.During a podcast interview on Thursday with CNN host Audie Cornish, the actor, who played popular sci-fi character Sulu, compared his experiences of being a marginalized Japanese American in World War II to illegal immigrants being detained by the Trump administration."But politicians lie, and people believe that lie because there's hysteria rampant at that time," the anti-Trump actor said, mentioning the chaos during Americas war with Japan. "And in our time today, right now, people got swept up by a lie and elected him. And now people have regrets. People must speak out."TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' CLEARS FINAL HURDLE BEFORE HOUSE-WIDE VOTEAs The Associated Press recounted in a 2024 article, "On Feb. 19, 1942, following the attack by Imperial Japan on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry to WWII, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry who were considered potentially dangerous."The report added, "Japanese Americans were forced into hastily built barracks, with no insulation or privacy, and surrounded by barbed wire. They shared bathrooms and mess halls, and families of up to eight were squeezed into 20-by-25 foot rooms. Armed U.S. soldiers in guard towers ensured nobody tried to flee. Approximately two-thirds of the detainees were American citizens."Having been born to two Japanese parents, the actor lived this and has shared his experiences with the public.TRUMP TO BEGIN ENFORCING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ORDER AS EARLY AS THIS MONTH, DOJ SAYSDuring his interview with Cornish, he said, "Even great presidents can get swept up in the hysteria of the times because, to Roosevelt, the West Coast of the United States was just like Pearl Harbor. It was open. Unprotected and vulnerable. And here were these people that looked exactly like the people that bombed Pearl Harbor. And so, he panicked out of ignorance."Takei continued, noting that "teachers and librarians are the pillars of democracy" and are the ones who can protect society from getting caught up in a political frenzy."They can teach them this truth that people, even great presidents, can be stampeded by hysteria. And that's what we're going through right now," he said, suggesting people are getting caught up in Trumps hysteria.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURECornish fleshed out this comparison, stating, "You have a president who is now saying he's carrying out mass deportations because it's popular, or saying that he has popular support for going after undocumented migrants. And it made me think, as I was reading your book, about the fact that a majority of Americans at the time, in the '40s, supported the removal of Japanese Americans."She asked, "And so how does your experience of that inform your thinking of the way the president is saying now that there's somehow, there are at times popular support for these kinds of actions?"He replied, "The important thing and my father taught me this when I was a teenager, I had many, many after-dinner conversations Americans need to speak out But politicians lie, and people believe that lie because there's hysteria rampant at that time. And in our time today, right now, people got swept up by a lie and elected [Trump]. And now people have regrets. People must speak out."

President Donald Trump is set to deliver a patriotic speech in Iowa to kick off not only the 4th of July weekend, but also a year of celebrations focused on the U.S.' 250 years of independence.America250, a bipartisan commission of private citizens and lawmakers planning celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, announced in June that Trump was slated to travel to the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3 for a patriotic event."This special event serves as the magnificent start of a dynamic, year-long commemoration across our beautiful country, unveiling a vision for a renewed commitment to America's future," Monica Crowley, the principal media representative for America250, said in a press release previewing the event in June.Trump confirmed on Tuesday he would head to Des Moines on Thursday evening for a "very special event."TRUMP ANNOUNCES HE WILL KICK OFF INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND WITH 'VERY SPECIAL' PATRIOTIC EVENT"I am thrilled to announce that I will be traveling to one of my favorite places in the World, beautiful Iowa, on Thursday, July 3rd, to kick off the very beginning of our exciting Celebration of Americas 250th Anniversary!" Trump posted to Truth Social Tuesday afternoon."Iowa voted for me THREE TIMES, because they love my Policies for our Wonderful Farmers and Small Businesses, and they LOVE AMERICA! This will be a very special event, honoring our Great Country, and our Brave Heroes who fought to keep us FREE," he continued, and included a link for people to RSVP. "Ill also tell you some of the GREAT things Ive already done on Trade, especially as it relates to Farmers. You are going to be very happy with what I say Should be a BIG Crowd!"TRUMP TO HOST MILITARY PARADE TO CELEBRATE ARMY'S 250TH BIRTHDAY, HONOR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANSThe celebration comes after Trump held a military parade honoring the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary on June 14, which included tanks chugging down the streets of Washington, D.C., military flyovers and a grand fireworks display over the National Mall. The parade was held on Flag Day, which also marked Trump's 79th birthday."Every other country celebrates their victories," Trump said during the parade last month. "It's about time America did too that's what we're doing tonight."TRUMP WHITE HOUSE RELEASES VIDEO SERIES LEADING UP TO AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY: 'ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE'"As we celebrate tonight, we also think of the hundreds of thousands of Army soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation and selflessly laid down their lives in every war, from the revolution to the war on terror, to the Gold Star families with us today," he said.Other patriotic events are already on America250's schedule as a year of celebration kicks off on July 3, including an ongoing Department of Transportations Great American Road Trip initiative, which encourages Americans to explore the nations highways and byways, as well as a 4th of July celebration at President George Washington's Mount Vernon, and historical battle reenactments."This momentous gathering in the heartland signals the beginning of an extraordinary year ahead one where America250 will unite our nation through events in every state and territory, culminating in the most monumental celebration our Country has ever known," America250 said of Trump's visit on Thursday.

International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev is demanding thatAlgerian boxer Imane Khelifs Olympic gold medal be stripped in an effort to achieve "transparency and openness."Khelif won a gold medal in womens boxing at the2024 Paris Olympics under heavy scrutiny from the IBA, which was derecognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2023 amid concerns about the organization's governance, financial reliance on Russian state energy firm Gazprom and the integrity of the bouts.Khelif was previously disqualified from the IBA for failing a gender eligibility test. Kremlev claimed at the time that unpublished DNA test results showed Khelif had XY chromosomes.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWSThe IOC defended the results of the Paris Games, stating that Khelif and another boxer that faced gender eligibility concerns were the victims of a "sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA." Khelif has also publicly denied being transgender.In February, World Boxing was provisionally recognized by the IOC as the sport's governing body a move that gave way to the organization later announcinga new gender eligibility policy that requires athletes to undergo mandatory sex testing.The policy change comes as the United States prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. However, for Kremlev, the possibility of Khelif missing international competition is not enough. In an interview withThe Sun, he called for the boxers gold medal to be revoked.NEW OLYMPICS CHIEF CALLS FOR 'PROTECTING' WOMEN'S CATEGORY AMID GLOBAL TRANS ATHLETE WAVE"I truly believe that a medal should be truly deserved. We must protect athletes and give them the best conditions," he said. "I am here for truth, transparency and openness. And now the truth has been revealed."There should be no unfair fights in boxing and the international federations should take care of their athletes."Khelif did not compete in an international boxing tournament in the Netherlands last month after failing to register in time before the applications closed.Kremlevs comments follow a bold statement from new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who said last month that there has been "overwhelming support" to protect womens sports categories."We understand that there'll be differences depending on the sport but it was very clear from the members that we have to protect the female category, first and foremost to ensure fairness," Coventry said."But we need to do that with a scientific approach and the inclusion of the international federations who have already done a lot of work in this area."Fox News Digitals Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Predictions of President Donald Trump bringing economic doom to the U.S. fell flat once again with the release of the latest jobs report Thursday.The Labor Department reported that employers added 147,000 jobs in June, a figure above the estimate of economists polled by LSEG, who projected 110,000 jobs would be added. The strong and growing economy comes after months of Democrats painting a gloomy picture of America's economic future under Trump."The Trump recession is on its way," Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., declared in March."Donald Trump is ruining the economy on purpose," complained Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, in April.LOEFFLER: TRUMPS ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL COULD CEMENT ECONOMIC LEGACY FOR DECADES"We'll be paying more for everything groceries, food, cars, homes, toys, electronics, everything that you buy," he predicted at the time.Merkley and Schatz did not respond when asked by Fox News Digital whether they stand by their comments.TRUMP WAGERS US ECONOMY IN HIGH-STAKES TARIFF GAMBLE AT 100-DAY MARKRep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., accused Trump of being "irresponsible about the economy" in March, referring to his tariff plan that has since led to trade deals with countries across the globe.Echoing that sentiment was Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., blasting the tariff plan as "ham-handed."Jayapal and Markey also did not respond when asked about the current performance of the U.S. economy.TRUMP, SOUTH KOREA'S NEW PRESIDENT AGREE TO MAKE A DEAL ON TARIFFS THAT WOULD SATISFY BOTH COUNTRIESMeanwhile, the Trump administration wasted no time in gloating over June's jobs report on Thursday. "For the FOURTH month in a row, jobs numbers have beat market expectations with nearly 150,000 good jobs created in June. American-born workers have accounted for ALL of the job gains since President Trump took office and wages continue to rise," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement."The economy is booming again and it will only get better when the One, Big, Beautiful Bill is passed and implemented," she added.

Migrant shelters in the United States are closing their doors in large numbers as the border crisis has waned significantly.In January, two shelters shuttered in Pima County, Arizona, according to the Arizona Daily Star. In San Diego, the Jewish Family Service closed its shelter in February, specifically citing policy changes like the CBP One app going away as part of the reason for its closure.In Texas, the San Antonio-based Migrant Resource Center that opened in 2022 closed in February due to the plunge in people crossing into the United States, according to Texas Public Radio.CBP ENDS USE OF TEMPORARY MIGRANT PROCESSING SITES AS APPREHENSIONS PLUMMETOn the East Coast, New York City closed 63 migrant shelters this year, according to PIX11, and Massachusetts is down to four shelters from over 120 in 2024, according to NBC 10 Boston. The outlet reported that 24 of the Massachusetts shelters closed their doors this week."President Trump ended Joe Bidens illegal alien invasion and ushered in the most secure border ever. Migrant shelters are shuttering because illegal aliens are no longer being released into our great country thats the Trump Effect," White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston said in a statement to Fox News Digital.The White House is also touting that processing facilities along the border have closed, as the United States Customs and Border Protection told Fox News Digital in May that all of its "soft-sided" facilities in Texas, California and Arizona have shut down."Due to the unprecedented drop in apprehensions of illegal aliens as a result of the Presidents recent executive actions, CBP is not operating any temporary, soft-sided processing facilities where illegal aliens have been held in specific locations along the southwest border. CBP no longer has a need for them as illegal aliens are being quickly removed," a CBP spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time.TEXAS BORDER SHERIFF SAYS ILLEGAL CROSSINGS HAVE SEEN DRAMATIC DECLINE AS CA MIGRANT CENTER SHUTS DOWN"The U.S. Border Patrol has full capability to manage the detention of apprehended aliens in USBPs permanent facilities. Manpower and other resources dedicated to temporary processing facilities will be redirected toward other priorities and will speed CBPs progress in gaining operational control over the southwest border," the spokesperson added.CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGEIn Mexico, there has also been a reported drop in people seeking to come to the U.S. illegally. The latest border numbers revealed that numbers remain significantly lower than they were compared with the Biden administration, as there were only 6,070 southern border apprehensions in June by Border Patrol, and there were zero releases in May or June. On June 28, there were only 137 encounters at the southern border, according to CBP data.The comments from the White House come as the House is in its closing hours of deciding on the Trump-backed reconciliation bill, which includes major funding for the presidents border and immigration agenda totaling out to roughly $170 billion, according to Reuters.'TRUMP EFFECT' TOUTED AS SOUTHERN BORDER NUMBERS STAY LOW, INCLUDING NEW RECORDBillions will go toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement as the agency ramps up its deportation efforts, including a goal of hiring at least 10,000 more agents, according to the White House. In addition, the bill seeks to more than double the detention capacity for those in deportation proceedings and fund further border wall construction, according to Reuters.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Once the One, Big, Beautiful Bill is passed, this historic border security progress will be made permanent and the largest mass deportation campaign in American history will be carried out," Huston added.Unsurprisingly, not everybody is on board with the immigration measures outlined."A deportation machine will be unleashed on steroids," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies said during his lengthy House floor speech on Thursday.