Author: Rana McCallister

President Trump publicly congratulated Team USA’s 120 athletes from the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Italy, marking a visible show of support for American competitors on the world stage. President Trump on Thursday congratulated 120 athletes who competed for Team USA in the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. The message was straightforward and in line with his usual approach: spotlighting American achievement and celebrating winners. For a Republican perspective, this kind of public recognition matters because it underscores national pride and the importance of backing our competitors. The athletes span winter sports that demand grit, discipline,…

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people from its platforms in the second phase of a landmark trial. The New Mexico ruling against Meta, parent company of Instagram and Facebook, imposed a $567 million payment aimed at addressing harms to young people tied to the platforms, and it came as part of the trial’s second phase. The decision marks a significant moment in litigation that many observers are calling landmark, given the scale and the focus on youth impacts. Legal teams and public interest groups will likely watch closely as…

The White House pushed back Thursday against “leakers” who claimed the U.S. is running short on munitions, insisting it can sustain pressure on Iran as talks proceed over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The administration’s public pushback reads like damage control. Officials privately briefed partners and publicly pushed back against reports that U.S. stockpiles are strained, arguing readiness remains intact while diplomatic channels work to keep shipping lanes open. Republicans, however, see a different picture and aren’t willing to accept reassurances without evidence. The focus has shifted to accountability: lawmakers want clear numbers on inventories, delivery timelines, and the contingency…

Senate panel voted to hold former White House Covid czar Anthony Fauci in contempt after he refused to answer questions about his pandemic-era conduct, setting up a partisan fight over accountability, oversight, and public trust. A Senate committee voted to hold former White House Covid czar Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress on Thursday following his refusal to answer for his Covid lies and conduct throughout the lockdown period. The motion reflects growing impatience among Republican senators who argue that decades of authority and steady media cover created a culture where accountability was sidelined. That vote is about more than…

Brittany Boltinhouse was stripped of her Miss North Carolina USA 2026 crown just over a month after winning, after old social media posts surfaced and sparked public backlash. Brittany Boltinhouse’s removal from the Miss North Carolina USA 2026 title came quickly, and the timing has prompted intense discussion online and in pageant circles. The dethronement followed the resurfacing of old social media posts that drew public backlash, and organizers moved to revoke the title soon after the controversy gained attention. Supporters and critics both weighed in as the situation unfolded. The pageant world has long grappled with how to handle…

Abdul El-Sayed narrowly captured the Michigan Democratic Senate nomination, edging out Haley Stevens 48.5% to 47.5%, and now faces GOP nominee Mike Rogers while igniting serious tensions inside his own party. El-Sayed’s win in one of the cycle’s tightest contests changes the map in Michigan and hands Democrats a candidate who energizes the left while alarming moderates. The margin was razor-thin, and the result immediately exposed factional fault lines that could shape the midterms. Expect both national parties to treat this race as a test of broader narratives about electability and ideology. Beyond the raw numbers, El-Sayed’s candidacy brings a…

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility Wednesday for a missile strike on a Saudi-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea. The attack landed squarely in a vital shipping lane and renewed questions about regional stability and the security of maritime trade routes. The incident is another example of how proxy actors can disrupt global commerce and raise the risk for ships, crews, and energy markets. For Americans concerned about economic stability and national security, the sight of missiles near major shipping lanes is a clear reminder that deterrence matters. The Red Sea has long been a strategic choke point, and attacks…

The Democratic Senate primary between Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed remained razor tight as returns trickled in, creating uncertainty about a nominee and drawing national attention to late ballots, absentee counts, and the political stakes for Michigan and beyond. The race between Rep. Haley Stevens and the progressive favorite Abdul El-Sayed unfolded as a high-energy contest with competing bases and contrasting styles. Stevens leaned on her congressional record and moderate appeal while El-Sayed brought grassroots enthusiasm and progressive policy commitments. Both campaigns poured resources into digital outreach and get-out-the-vote efforts as election night stretched on without a clear winner.…

Tom Selleck’s long career in entertainment and his public stance on politics highlight a wider conversation about celebrity responsibility, audience expectations, and the boundaries performers set between their work and their personal beliefs. Tom Selleck has been a steady presence on screen for decades, known for clear delivery and a composed public face. He built a career around roles that resonate with broad audiences, and he has chosen a particular approach to how he handles politics in public life. That approach reflects a trade-off between personal expression and professional reach. TOM SELLECK: “I stay out of the current political world.…

Sen. Bernie Moreno publicly demanded Rep. Max Miller resign and seek professional help, accusing his former son-in-law of a pattern of abuse toward Moreno’s daughter Emily; Miller denies the allegations, mounted a public defense, and the dispute has legal, personal, and political consequences for Ohio Republicans as election deadlines approach. Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno ended months of public silence to call on Rep. Max Miller to step down and get professional help, saying his conduct endangered Moreno’s family. Moreno tied the request to a pattern of behavior he says has harmed his daughter Emily and frightened his granddaughter. The…