❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta conducted an interview with an AI replica of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, sparking outrage online.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jim Acosta, the parents of Joaquin Oliver, and various critics, including journalists and social media users.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The interview aired on Acosta’s Substack show on August 4, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Animating a dead child to speak words he never said serves no journalistic purpose. All it does is chase clicks by exploiting a kid who can no longer express himself. Grim.” – Reason reporter Billy Binion

🎯IMPACT: The interview was widely condemned as exploitative, manipulative, and a troubling example of technology misuse in journalism.

Jim Acosta, former CNN White House correspondent, faces intense criticism after conducting an interview with an AI replica of Parkland school shooting victim Joaquin Oliver. The AI version of Oliver, who was killed in 2018 at the age of 17, was created by his parents to deliver partisan messages on gun violence. The interview aired on Acosta’s Substack.

During the interview, Acosta asked the AI replica, “Joaquin, I would like to know what your solution would be for gun violence.” The AI responded with a scripted answer advocating for stronger gun control laws, mental health support, and community engagement. Acosta replied, “I think that’s a great idea, Joaquin.”

The stunt quickly sparked backlash online. Critics, including journalists and commentators, condemned the move as exploitative. Mark Hemingway referred to it as “exploitive tragedy-mongering,” while Sean Davis labeled it “absolute insanity.” Reason reporter Billy Binion called it “unsavory” and accused Acosta of chasing clicks by animating a deceased child to speak words he never said.

Robby Soave, co-host of The Hill’s Rising, described the interview as “insane and evil,” while Chuck Ross from the Washington Free Beacon called it “truly some of the weirdest [behavior] I’ve ever seen.” Many questioned the ethical implications of using AI to recreate deceased individuals for such purposes.

CNN previously fired Acosta for his journalistic decisions. This latest controversy has reignited debates over the role of AI in media and the ethical boundaries of journalism.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Democrat legislators who failed to return to the Capitol as directed, accusing them of abandoning their duties.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas House Democrats, and Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The order was issued on Sunday, with the House reconvening on Monday, August 4, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief.”

🎯IMPACT: Abbott’s order aims to bring the Democrats back to the Capitol, with potential arrests and fines for those who continue to evade their legislative responsibilities.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to “locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans.” The order follows the failure of Democrat legislators to return to the Capitol on Sunday, as required, in order to vote on electoral redistricting plans.

“Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans,” Abbott stated. “By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief. There are consequences for dereliction of duty.”

The governor’s directive came after Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows issued a “Call of the Texas House” order, compelling members to return. Abbott emphasized that the order would remain in effect until all missing Democrat members are accounted for and returned to the Capitol.

A Texas House rule, implemented after a similar Democrat disappearing act in 2021, allows for fines of $500 per day for members who abandon their duties. These fines must be paid from personal funds, not campaign accounts. Abbott warned that Democrats soliciting funds to evade these penalties could face bribery charges.

On Sunday, Abbott further declared, “This truancy ends now. The derelict Democrat House members must return to Texas and be in attendance when the House reconvenes at 3:00 PM on Monday, August 4, 2025.”

The Democrats fled to Illinois, with Democrat Caucus Chair Gene Wu accusing the governor of using “an intentionally racist map” to suppress minority voices. Abbott dismissed these claims, stating that Democrats’ actions could lead to felony charges and the forfeiture of their offices.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to announce plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor on the moon.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sean Duffy, interim NASA administrator, and NASA officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement expected this week, with plans impacting NASA’s lunar exploration programs.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The proposal sets a firmer timeline as the agency braces for steep budget cuts.” – Politico report.

🎯IMPACT: The move could significantly shape NASA’s lunar strategy amid financial challenges.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to unveil an accelerated plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon. This marks his first significant initiative as interim NASA administrator, according to Politico.

The idea of a lunar nuclear reactor has been explored by NASA for years, but Duffy’s proposal reportedly aims to establish a more definitive timeline. The plan comes as the agency faces the prospect of substantial budget cuts.

Documents obtained by Politico suggest that the proposal could play a pivotal role in NASA’s strategy for lunar exploration and energy sustainability.

While additional details on the timeline and implementation remain to be seen, this announcement is expected to generate significant attention within both the scientific and political communities.

This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Bill Maher criticized the Democratic Party’s leadership for failing to distance itself from far-left ideologies and figures, citing an “identity crisis” within the party.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Bill Maher, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), and author James Kirchick.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Remarks were made during the latest episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, including its “Overtime” segment.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Are you on the side of Western civilization and Western values or are you on the side of the terrorists?” – Bill Maher

🎯IMPACT: The comments highlighted a growing divide within the Democratic Party, as well as concerns about extremism and leadership’s unwillingness to address it.

Bill Maher issued a warning to the Democratic Party during the latest episode of Real Time, urging its leadership to break away from far-left ideologies and figures like New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Maher described the party as grappling with an “identity crisis” and questioned its alignment with Western values versus extremist ideologies.

“The world is a complicated place and it’s not just about oppressor and oppressed,” Maher said. He criticized certain Democrats for viewing history through a narrow lens, adding, “Until they do, I don’t think the Democratic Party is going to go forward until they make a decision: whose side are you on here? Are you on the side of Western civilization and Western values or are you on the side of the terrorists?”

Maher singled out Mamdani as emblematic of the extremism infiltrating the party. “Some of the things he says, you know he quotes Marxists, ‘each according to their need.’ I mean, that’s straight-up communism,” Maher said. His remarks came after a heated exchange with Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), who dismissed the criticisms as attempts to create a “boogeyman.” Maher fired back, “No, these are quotes. I’m not creating anything, I’m quoting [Mamdani].”

Author James Kirchick, also a guest on the program, expanded on Maher’s concerns, stating that Mamdani represented everything the far-right once accused Barack Obama of being. “Everything that the crazy far-right alleged about Obama, wasn’t born in America, Islamist, socialist, antisemite, hates America, it’s all true about this guy [Mamdani],” Kirchick said. He further criticized Mamdani’s support for the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which Kirchick argued explicitly calls for violence against Jews.

Mamdani has since stated he would stop using the phrase and “discourage” others from doing so, but tensions persist. A July poll by American Pulse revealed that 30 percent of New York City voters support Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the slogan and his backing of the anti-Israel boycott movement, underscoring divisions within the Democratic Party.

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