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Trump Further Extends TikTok Ban Deadline

TikTok (Solen Feyissa/Unsplash)

President Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday to extend the ban deadline for TikTok until December. The order comes as negotiations surrounding the social media platform continue.

According to the order, the deadline is extended until December 16, 2025. “In light of this direction, even after the expiration of the above-specified period, the Department of Justice shall not take any action to enforce the Act or impose any penalties against any entity for any conduct that occurred during the above-specified period or any period prior to the issuance of this order, including the period of time from January 19, 2025, until the date of this order,” the order says.

President Trump has extended the ban deadline for the app in several other instances.

Earlier this week, Trump suggested a deal for TikTok was in the works.

“The big Trade Meeting in Europe between The United States of America, and China, has gone VERY WELL! It will be concluding shortly. A deal was also reached on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi on Friday. The relationship remains a very strong one!!! President DJT”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the Trump administration has a “framework” for a deal. “We have a framework for a TikTok deal. The two leaders, President Trump and Party Chair Xi, will speak on Friday to complete the deal, but we do have a framework for a deal with TikTok,” Bessent said.

Mt. St. Helens Fears: Strong Winds Stir Ash, Remind Residents of Past Danger

(Missy Fant/Unsplash)

Residents across Washington and northern Oregon were reminded Tuesday of the destructive power of Mt. St. Helens as strong winds stirred decades-old ash from the historic 1980 eruption. While the volcano itself remains dormant, the sight of drifting ash sent many scrambling to social media.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) emphasized, “There is no change in Volcano Alert Level or Aviation Color Code at this time. Mount St. Helens remains at normal, background levels of activity.” Winds of 30-50 mph drew the ash around the crater, and a prolonged dry spell—less than 25% of average rainfall in the past month—contributed to the airborne plumes.

“This phenomenon is not the result of recent volcanic activity and occasionally occurs during times of high winds and dry snow-free conditions in the Mount St. Helens area,” the USGS clarified. However, they cautioned that “resuspended volcanic ash should be considered hazardous and could be damaging to aircraft and health.”

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and respect for natural hazards. With the easterly winds expected to calm, the ash will likely settle, but the memory of May 18, 1980, when the eruption killed 57 people and devastated the region, remains vivid.

Pence Takes Job at University

Mike Pence
Mike Pence (AP/Alex Brandon)

Former Vice President Mike Pence is joining George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government as a distinguished professor of practice.

The university said that Pence’s involvement in the school is a “significant addition to the institution’s academic community.” His position will “contribute to undergraduate courses beginning in spring 2026 and in public-facing seminars that explore the intersection of politics, leadership, and national governance,” while his “insights into legislative negotiation, executive decision-making, and crisis management—shaped during a time of global pandemic, domestic unrest, and international uncertainty—will offer students an uncommon vantage point into recent history and contemporary challenges.”

“It’s a privilege to join the Schar School as Professor of Practice,” Pence said in a statement. “Throughout my years of public service, I have seen firsthand the importance of principled leadership and fidelity to the Constitution in shaping the future of our nation. I look forward to sharing these lessons with the next generation of American leaders and learning from the remarkable students and faculty of George Mason University.”

Pence explained that higher education “plays a vital role in preparing Americans not only for career success, but also for lives of service and integrity. Now more than ever we should be investing our time and resources into civil discourse on campus, and I’m honored to contribute to that mission,” adding that he looks forward to “helping students apply enduring American principles to the pressing policy and leadership challenges of our time, ensuring that the values which have guided our nation for generations continue to strengthen the character and promise of our Republic.”

Earlier this year, Pence received the John F. Kennedy “Profile in Courage Award” on Sunday evening for fulfilling his “duty” on January 6, 2021.

FBI Missed Warning Signs Ahead of Colorado Shooting

FBI
FBI (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

The FBI missed warning signs once again in a tragedy that could have been prevented. Sixteen-year-old Desmond Holly, accused of shooting two classmates at Evergreen High School before taking his own life, had a disturbing online trail of neo-Nazi content and praise for past mass shootings — and the FBI knew about it.

The agency admitted that it was tipped off about Holly’s activity in July but said investigators “continued to work this assessment investigation to identify the name and location of the user up and until September 10, 2025.” By that time, Holly’s identity was still officially “unknown,” and the agency claimed there was “no probable cause for arrest or additional law enforcement action.”

The Anti-Defamation League revealed Holly had commented on mass shooting posts, collected tactical gear “with extremist symbols,” and posted content “emulating former shooters such as Rupnow and the 1999 Columbine High School shooters.” TikTok later confirmed that his accounts were banned for white supremacist symbolism.

As Sen. Chris Coons admitted, “Young people can readily access extremist content and visual depictions of graphic violence… potentially desensitizing them to such content and increasing the risk of ideologically-motivated violence.”

This case highlights a familiar failure by federal authorities: they often track dangerous individuals but fail to act before tragedy strikes.

Heidi Fleiss Slams ‘Crybaby’ Charlie Sheen, Defends Her Sex Business as ‘Consensual’

(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

The long-running saga of Heidi Fleiss resurfaced in Netflix’s “aka, Charlie Sheen,” where the former Hollywood madam defended her role in facilitating consensual sex, insisting it was far from the predatory crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Fleiss, 59, argued that her work belonged in an entirely different category. “It’s not Jeffrey Epstein like, pedophile thing. I wasn’t Ghislaine Maxwell driving around junior high schools – there’s none of that,” she said in the documentary.

Actor Charlie Sheen recalled first meeting Fleiss at a Hollywood hotspot, describing her as someone who “wasn’t trying to prove anything or impress anyone.” Sheen admitted to spending more than $50,000 on her services over three years but ultimately testified against her after prosecutors pressured him. “They threatened me,” he said, explaining that authorities warned him about potential pandering charges.

Fleiss, who served 20 months in prison after a tax-evasion conviction, still harbors resentment toward Sheen. She labeled the actor a “crybaby rich boy” and argued he could have stood firm, saying, “Robert Mitchum, he was arrested for marijuana. They said, ‘Tell us your dealer.’ And he said, ‘Charge me the crime.’ Charlie should have said, ‘Charge me with the crime.’”

Despite her criminal record, Sheen admitted Fleiss had business savvy. “She was really cool, she was really smart, she was pretty business savvy. She had a decent sense of humor, she was never sloppy,” he said.

Fleiss closed by, reflecting on the notoriety she has garnered since her conviction. “People remember the criminals, that’s what they know.”

Hollywood Celebrates Robert Redford’s Life and Legacy

(Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Hollywood mourns a true American original as tributes pour in for legendary actor and director Robert Redford, whose legacy includes decades of powerful storytelling, founding the Sundance Film Festival, and leaving an enduring mark on American cinema.

Redford, who starred in classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Out of Africa, passed away Tuesday at 89 at his home in Utah. “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” his representative confirmed.

Barbra Streisand, who starred opposite him in The Way We Were, called him “charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting — and one of the finest actors ever.” Scarlett Johansson credited him for shaping her career, recalling how “Bob created an environment on set that was calm and precious; a place where actors could make discoveries.”

Redford’s influence went beyond film. Ethan Hawke praised him as a “relentless advocate for authentic storytelling and a fiercely passionate environmentalist.” Actress Jane Fonda said his life embodied “an America we have to keep fighting for.”

The Robert Redford will endure in every actor, director, and filmmaker he inspired. As Ralph Fiennes put it, “The filmmaking world is smaller without him.”

Florida College Creating Charlie Kirk Statue

Charlie Kirk Shot
(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The New College of Florida announced that it will commission a statue of Charlie Kirk.

“Today, we announced that we will commission a statue of Charlie Kirk to honor his legacy and incredible work after his tragic assassination last week,” the college said. “The statue, privately funded by community leaders, will stand on campus as a commitment by New College to defend and fight for free speech and civil discourse in American life. The location for the statue will be announced in the coming months.”

Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the statue’s development.

“When New College of Florida was a de facto Marxist compound this would have never happened,” he wrote on social media. “Glad to see the positive changes that have been made over the years. Good job!”

In a subsequent post, DeSantis noted that any individual vandalizing the statue will be held accountable. “The inmates no longer run the asylum,” he said. “Vandalizing a statue will be a great way for a student to be expelled.”

Similarly, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) circulated a letter calling for a statue of Kirk to be placed in the U.S. Capitol.

The letter, addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson and signed by more than a dozen GOP lawmakers joining Luna, says, “To honor this legacy, we call upon you to direct that a statue of Charlie Kirk be placed in the United States Capitol. This is not a symbolic gesture, but a permanent testament to his life’s work, his courage and his sacrifice. It will stand as a reminder that political disagreement must never be answered with violence, and that the fight for truth must carry on.”

Scuba Gear-Clad Thief Strikes at Disney Springs Restaurant, Sparks Safety Concerns

Walt Disney World Resort (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

A bizarre scuba gear robbery at Disney Springs has raised new concerns about safety at one of America’s most famous tourist destinations. Deputies in Florida say a man dressed in full scuba gear robbed the Paddlefish restaurant just after midnight on Monday, taking between $10,000 and $20,000.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, two employees were depositing cash into a safe when the suspect allegedly told them to “get down” and “close their eyes.” Although the perpetrator did not appear to have a weapon or “imply” that he had one, one woman told deputies she “was in fear of her life.”

The suspect was caught on camera wearing black gear, goggles, and blue rubber gloves before some reports claim he jumped into the water surrounding the restaurant’s replica steamboat.

Disney Springs markets itself as a family-friendly shopping and dining destination with “360 degree waterfront views,” but this unusual heist highlights vulnerabilities at high-traffic entertainment venues. Tourists and employees deserve better security, particularly when large sums of cash are involved.

As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a wake-up call that even in “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” crime can strike.

Experts Say Discord Users Unlikely to Face Charges in Kirk Assassination Without Proof of Involvement

Discord website on computer screen via American Faith Media

Legal experts say members of a Discord chat where Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin posted a confession are unlikely to face criminal charges unless prosecutors can prove they actively participated in or aided the crime. The FBI is reviewing the chatroom’s users as part of its investigation into the murder of the conservative activist.

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the case, reportedly posted to Discord after the assassination, writing, “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all… It was me at UVU yesterday… I’m sorry for all of this.” The FBI confirmed the message came from Robinson and has been collecting data on other users in the same chatroom. However, experts say the mere act of seeing or not reporting a confession does not meet the legal threshold for criminal complicity.

According to Eugene Volokh, a law professor at UCLA and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, users who saw Robinson’s message after the attack are not criminally liable unless they were involved in planning or supporting the act. “You can’t be punished just for not alerting authorities after reading a post,” Volokh said. Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy echoed that assessment, noting that criminal charges require clear evidence of agreement or support for the crime in advance.

Discord, the platform used for the post, confirmed Robinson’s account and said there is no evidence the assassination was planned or organized on their platform. Investigators believe some planning may have taken place via other private, phone-based applications.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that “scores” of Discord users are being investigated, but added that agents are working through proper legal channels, including search warrants, to access the data.

Jeffries Dismisses Charlie Kirk Vigil with Four Words: ‘I Had a Meeting’

Hakeem Jeffries
(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) offered a brief and dismissive response when asked why he skipped the congressional vigil honoring Charlie Kirk. His four-word explanation—“I had a meeting”—sparked criticism from conservatives and raised questions about Democratic leadership’s public stance on political violence directed at right-leaning figures.

The vigil took place in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall, drawing lawmakers from both chambers to honor the conservative activist who was recently assassinated. While many Republicans attended the event, most Democrat leaders—including Jeffries—were absent. When pressed further by reporters, Jeffries responded, “I don’t know,” regarding the absence of other Democratic members. He suggested that individual members may have had scheduling conflicts but did not elaborate.

Jeffries’ comments quickly drew backlash. Critics argue that such a vague excuse from the House’s top Democrat reflects a broader reluctance to acknowledge political violence when the victim is a prominent conservative. Some called his response disrespectful, given the gravity of the event and the national conversation surrounding Kirk’s murder.

The lack of visible solidarity from lawmakers who routinely attend vigils and memorials for figures on the political left highlights what many view as a failure to apply equal moral weight to all lives lost to political violence.

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