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Court Orders Alex Jones to Sell Infowars Assets to Pay $1B Debt

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A Texas judge has ruled that Alex Jones must use his Infowars media empire to pay over $1 billion in debts owed to families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims. The decision, issued Wednesday by Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin, places Jones’ assets under the control of a court-appointed receiver, who will oversee the sale of Infowars and other holdings tied to Free Speech Systems LLC.

Jones’ company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2022 after courts ordered him to pay nearly $1.5 billion to families who sued him for defamation. The lawsuits stemmed from Jones’ repeated claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre—which left 20 children and six adults dead—was a staged hoax. Jones later withdrew those statements and issued an apology, but the families argued the damage had already been done.

The court’s ruling could force Infowars’ studios to shut down as assets are liquidated. Reports suggest satirical outlet The Onion is once again pursuing a bid to buy the brand and turn it into a parody site. “We’re working on it,” Onion CEO Ben Collins said in a social media post Wednesday.

Jones reacted defiantly to the ruling, vowing to keep broadcasting. “People want to hear this show. I will continue on with the network. They can harass me forever. … And they won’t get me off the air,” he told listeners Thursday.

Attorneys for the Sandy Hook families welcomed the decision, saying it moves them closer to accountability after years of legal battles. “Today’s order brings us a critically important step closer to achieving the goal that the Connecticut families have spent years fighting for: holding Alex Jones accountable for years of harm,” one lawyer stated.

Long Island THC Gummies Scandal: Suspect Freed Without Bail

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A Guatemalan national accused of supplying THC-laced gummies that sickened 12 Long Island middle school students has been released without bail, despite facing multiple felony drug charges. Suffolk County prosecutors said 22-year-old Wilmer Castillo Garcia distributed the marijuana-infused gummies traced to an Instagram account he allegedly operated.

The incident occurred in March at William Floyd Middle School, where a dozen students were hospitalized after ingesting the candies. Castillo Garcia has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, as well as third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance for allegedly selling cocaine and marijuana to an undercover officer in separate transactions. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Despite the seriousness of the accusations, New York’s bail reform laws prevented prosecutors from requesting bail. District Attorney Raymond Tierney blasted the policy, arguing that it leaves communities vulnerable. “This is yet another example of how New York’s bail laws are broken. We cannot even ask for reasonable security on a foreign national who allegedly provided THC gummies that sickened middle-schoolers to ensure he faces justice,” Tierney said.

Defense attorney Matthew Tuohy argued Castillo Garcia was not a flight risk, noting that he appeared in court voluntarily and hired his own lawyer. Tuohy said his client had a “very tough upbringing” but now has family in the U.S. supporting him. He insisted there was no intent to harm the children and called the situation “unfortunate.”

Castillo Garcia, who faces up to nine years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges, is due back in court on September 2. The case has reignited debate over New York’s controversial bail laws, which critics argue allow dangerous offenders to walk free while awaiting trial.

Texas GOP Targets Dems Over Quorum Walkout

Texas Flag
Texas flag (Pete Alexopoulos/Unsplash)

Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) has refiled legislation to vacate the seats of lawmakers who skip work without authorization, after House Democrats once again absconded to block a quorum during a special session. Gov. Greg Abbott called the second special session Friday, but only 97 members were present—three short of the quorum needed to conduct business.

The bill, filed by Cain on Friday, would amend state law so that any member who misses seven consecutive legislative days without an approved absence forfeits their office. The measure would take effect immediately with a two-thirds vote or, failing that, 91 days after the session ends if signed by the governor. “Texans deserve lawmakers who show up,” Cain has said of the proposal. “If you abandon your job, you don’t deserve the title.”

More than 50 House Democrats walked out of the first special session to block passage of a Republican congressional redistricting bill. Their absence prevented votes on GOP priorities including property tax relief. Cain, who still reported to Austin even as his wife was hospitalized after a heart attack, contrasted his presence with Democrats’ refusal to attend. He asked for prayers for his wife’s recovery in a video message after Friday’s adjournment.

Frustration among conservatives is mounting. Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Waxahachie) accused Democrats of “winning” by blocking every Republican priority and traveling the country to rally national opposition to Texas’ redistricting plans. He criticized GOP leadership—including Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows—for failing to punish Democrats, noting that no seats were vacated, no arrests were made, and no committee assignments were stripped.

Harrison said Republican voters deserve stronger leadership, pointing out that Texas supported President Donald Trump by a 14-point margin in 2024. “You demanded results and action,” he told voters, but instead Republicans delivered “weak, fecklessness.”

Other conservatives are calling for a harder line when the House reconvenes Monday. Rep. Andy Hopper (R-Decatur) urged removing absconding Democrats from committee chairmanships, stripping seniority, and even pursuing redistricting efforts to remove them from office. “House Conservatives must stand firmly together to demand that harsh penalties are enacted to ensure that Dems never even consider abandoning their post in the future,” Hopper said.

Bill Maher Calls Out Democrats for Dodging His Show

AOC
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

On Friday’s broadcast of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher criticized prominent Democrats for refusing to appear on his program, saying party leaders are “too afraid of too many things.” Maher revealed that both Bill and Hillary Clinton, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris, have repeatedly declined invitations to join him, even during Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.

In his closing monologue, Maher contrasted Democrats’ avoidance with Republicans’ willingness to engage. “People ask me all the time, why haven’t you ever had Hillary or Bill Clinton on? Why didn’t you have Kamala on during the last campaign? You think we don’t ask? We ask these people every week. They say no. It took eight years and a petition to get Obama on,” Maher said. He added that while he voted for all of them, they are still “afraid to come on the show of a guy who voted for them.”

Maher noted that Republicans often accept his invitations despite knowing they will face tough questions. “The Republicans, they show up, and when they do, they take their beating like a man,” he remarked. The host praised California Governor Gavin Newsom for appearing, saying at least he has not shied away from facing difficult conversations.

Maher also expressed frustration with progressive figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), New York Assemblyman and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (D), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who have all declined to come on his show. “I would love to have AOC on the show and Mamdani and Elizabeth Warren, but I can’t subpoena the guests,” he quipped.

Maher’s comments reflect a broader critique that Democratic leaders increasingly avoid unscripted interviews and challenging media appearances, while Republicans often use such opportunities to present their positions directly to audiences. His remarks highlight ongoing concerns about transparency, accountability, and the willingness of political figures to defend their views outside controlled settings.

Gun Violence Falls Under Trump After Biden’s Last Year

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Gun violence in the United States has declined during President Donald Trump’s first year back in office compared to President Joe Biden’s final year, according to new data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA). The numbers, released Thursday in a post on X, reveal decreases in overall gun deaths, gun injuries, and even incidents categorized as “mass shootings” under GVA’s broad definition.

The GVA is frequently cited by gun control advocates who use its data to argue for stricter firearm restrictions. However, the group defines mass shootings more broadly than traditional standards, counting incidents with as few as four people injured—regardless of fatalities—and including gang violence, domestic disputes, and drive-by shootings. Even under these looser parameters, the organization’s own data shows declines under Trump compared to Biden.

The figures show that 2025, Trump’s first year as the 47th president, has seen fewer gun-related fatalities and injuries than 2024, Biden’s last year in office. This decline comes despite Trump’s strong pro-Second Amendment stance, which emphasizes protecting gun rights rather than imposing new restrictions. By contrast, Biden championed an aggressive gun control agenda during his presidency, including attempts to restrict popular firearms and push for bans on high-capacity magazines.

Critics of Biden argued that his policies focused on restricting law-abiding gun owners while doing little to stop criminals. Under Trump, federal policy has shifted toward enforcing existing laws and emphasizing crime control rather than imposing new firearm bans. The latest GVA statistics appear to show that gun violence has trended downward despite the loosening of Biden-era regulatory pressure.

The findings undermine one of the central arguments of gun control activists—that tighter restrictions automatically translate into greater public safety. Instead, the early results of Trump’s presidency suggest that violent crime can fall even while protecting the rights of lawful gun owners.

European Leaders Praise Trump’s Push for Ukraine Peace Talks

Trump
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President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday drew praise from several European leaders who said his efforts have opened the door to peace in Ukraine. While the summit did not produce a ceasefire or formal agreement, Trump announced progress toward a potential comprehensive peace deal after three and a half years of war.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Trump’s leadership should be recognized. “President Trump’s efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended,” Starmer told The Times of London. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni added that the talks offered “a glimmer of hope” for meaningful discussions on peace. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Trump’s diplomacy marked a turning point, stating, “Today, the world is a safer place than it was yesterday.”

Despite the optimism, some leaders remain cautious. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Putin continues to stall negotiations. She noted that while Trump is pressing for a deal, Moscow left Anchorage without making concrete commitments. “The US holds the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously,” Kallas said, pledging that Europe would continue working with both Ukraine and Washington.

In a joint statement, Starmer, Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa called for a trilateral summit involving Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Putin. They stressed that Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to pursue NATO membership must not be limited as part of any deal. “Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees,” the leaders declared.

Trump said following the Anchorage talks that “a lot of points were agreed on” but admitted “one or two pretty significant items” remain unresolved. He emphasized that any final settlement depends on Ukraine’s approval. Zelensky, who has been meeting with European allies, is expected to meet with Trump on Monday.

Suspected Illegal Alien Killed Fleeing ICE Agents in California

ICE reporting bill
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (Photo by Bryan Cox/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)

A suspected illegal alien was struck and killed after running onto a freeway in Monrovia, California, while attempting to evade federal immigration agents on Thursday. City officials confirmed the man fled from a Home Depot parking lot where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting an enforcement operation, before darting onto the 210 Freeway and being hit by a passing vehicle.

Monrovia City Manager Dylan Fiek stated that the man likely ran to avoid detection by ICE agents. According to a city press release, Monrovia police were alerted to ICE’s presence at the Home Depot on Mountain Avenue that morning. Shortly after agents began their operation, one individual fled the area on foot, crossed Evergreen Avenue, and ran directly into traffic on the freeway. At 9:52 a.m., emergency crews responded to reports of a vehicle collision with a pedestrian. The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Authorities have not released his identity.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the man was hit by an SUV traveling approximately 50–60 mph. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

This incident comes as immigration enforcement has increased across California, with Home Depot locations emerging as common sites for operations due to the presence of day laborers seeking unauthorized employment. In early August, 16 illegal aliens were arrested in Los Angeles during “Operation Trojan Horse,” when Border Patrol agents disguised in a rental truck surprised workers gathered outside another Home Depot.

Federal officials argue that such sites often include individuals with criminal histories. Gregory K. Bovino, commander overseeing federal immigration enforcement in California, noted earlier this month that arrests have included day laborers with records of theft, drug possession, DUI convictions, and prior deportations.

Not everyone has welcomed the enforcement efforts. On Thursday, members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation protested outside the Monrovia Home Depot, chanting against ICE and holding signs that read “ICE Out of Our Communities.” Homeland Security has indicated that nationwide enforcement actions will continue in the coming months.

Bill Maher Admits Liberals Lost Control on Crime and Homelessness

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On Friday’s broadcast of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher acknowledged that Washington, D.C. suffers from high crime and homelessness, while also conceding that liberals have failed to address the problem. Maher argued that although he disagrees with President Trump’s approach, the former president is not wrong to insist that city streets belong to law-abiding citizens, not to criminals or homeless encampments.

Maher pointed out that while D.C.’s crime is severe, several counties in other states report even higher murder rates, including Shelby County, Tennessee, and Jefferson County, Alabama. He questioned why federal authorities are not deployed in those areas as well. Still, Maher admitted that Trump is capitalizing on issues Democrats have failed to fix. “This is another instance of Trump having an idea that’s not completely wrong…he takes advantage of when liberals f*ck up,” Maher said.

The host criticized the way checkpoints have been placed in some of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., while more dangerous parts of the city remain neglected. He argued that residents should not have to live in fear or surrender public spaces to encampments.

Maher further warned that progressive policies have enabled homelessness to become a “lifestyle,” with leaders unwilling to enforce basic standards. He insisted that citizens should not be forced to watch their streets taken over by tent cities and open-air drug use. “You can’t just take over the streets of the city,” Maher said, stressing that homelessness needs real solutions, not excuses.

While critical of President Trump’s hardline tactics, Maher’s comments reveal growing frustration among liberals over their own party’s inability to manage urban decline. His remarks echo the concerns of millions of Americans who believe Democrat-led cities have abandoned the principle that public spaces belong to taxpayers, not lawbreakers.

Newsom Blames Trump While Dodging California Homeless Crisis

California Governor Gavin Newsom (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,File)

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) attempted to link the state’s ongoing homelessness and quality-of-life crisis to President Trump during an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles’ The Issue Is. In remarks released Friday, Newsom described the state’s efforts to handle street encampments as a “roller coaster on progress,” but then shifted the discussion toward “authoritarian tendencies” he claimed were tied to Trump.

Host Elex Michaelson, who has interviewed Newsom multiple times, reminded viewers of the governor’s past appearances, from cleaning trash under an overpass to traveling abroad. When asked about his favorite segment on the show, Newsom pointed to homelessness, calling it the most important issue but immediately pivoted to national politics. “It explains, in many ways, why we’re here talking about Donald Trump and his authoritarian tendencies,” Newsom said.

California has faced intense criticism for its handling of homelessness, with encampments expanding across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities despite billions of dollars spent on housing and services. Residents have complained of rising crime, unsanitary conditions, and declining public safety in neighborhoods overrun with tents.

Rather than outlining new solutions, Newsom used the interview to attack President Trump and shift focus away from the state’s failures. His comments echo a broader Democratic strategy of tying local problems to national politics while sidestepping accountability for policy shortcomings.

Despite repeated promises to reduce homelessness, California remains home to nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population. Recent reports show tent cities and open-air drug use remain a defining feature of urban life in the state. Newsom’s remarks suggest he views political attacks on Trump as a way to deflect from growing frustration over his leadership in California.

NYC Crime Stats Manipulation Exposed

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New York City Councilman Robert Holden (D), who is backing Republican Curtis Sliwa for mayor, accused city officials of manipulating crime statistics to make conditions look better than they are. In a Friday interview on Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade Show, Holden said he believes the city is “playing with the numbers” and reclassifying crimes to downplay the surge in violence and disorder since the pandemic.

Holden’s remarks came after Kilmeade pressed him about the contradiction between official reports claiming crime is down and the reality residents face daily. Holden emphasized that New Yorkers see through the statistics: “We see what’s going on, and we see that we need to make a change.” He added that despite city leaders’ assurances, quality of life has sharply declined in recent years.

The councilman pointed out that crime data appeared to shift suddenly at the end of last year. He said numbers that had been consistently high for seven to eight years were abruptly revised, fueling his suspicion that the city is reclassifying incidents to make trends appear more favorable. This echoes concerns in other major cities, including Washington, D.C., where lawsuits have been filed demanding access to accurate crime records.

Holden, a Democrat representing Queens, has long criticized progressive policies that he says have worsened public safety. By endorsing Sliwa, he broke ranks with his party, arguing that New York needs a leader in the mold of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who aggressively tackled crime during the 1990s. Holden praised Giuliani as “the greatest mayor of the city of New York” and suggested Sliwa’s approach would bring similar results.

Skepticism over official crime reporting has grown as residents across the five boroughs continue to report increased theft, drug activity, and random violence on the streets and subways. Despite city leaders’ claims of progress, surveys show that public confidence in safety remains low. Holden’s comments highlight a growing divide between the lived experiences of New Yorkers and the statistics touted by city hall.

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