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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

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3 hours ago
Lawfare
TECH

Newsom Demands Investigation Into Musk’s X Platform Over AI Deepfake Complaints.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has urged the state’s attorney general to investigate Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, over allegations that its artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Grok, has been used to create sexualized deepfake images, including of minors.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Newsom, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), Elon Musk, and X’s AI chatbot, Grok.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Newsom made his comments on Wednesday via social media, addressing issues tied to X and its AI tool, Grok, which has faced scrutiny globally.

💬KEY QUOTE: “xAI’s decision to create and host a breeding ground for predators to spread nonconsensual sexually explicit AI deepfakes, including images that digitally undress children, is vile,” said Newsom.

🎯IMPACT: The allegations have prompted investigations and international scrutiny, with Indonesia and Malaysia temporarily blocking the platform over similar concerns, and the United Kingdom threatening a ban as well.

IN FULL

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is demanding his state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) investigate Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, and xAI, over concerns that its artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Grok, is being used to create non-consensual, sexualized deepfake images, some involving minors. Newsom alleged the X platform is a “breeding ground for predators” in a message posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

“xAI’s decision to create and host a breeding ground for predators to spread nonconsensual sexually explicit AI deepfakes, including images that digitally undress children, is vile,” Newsom wrote, adding: “I am calling on the Attorney General to immediately investigate the company and hold xAI accountable.”

The statement follows reports that X’s AI chatbot, Grok, has been under scrutiny for editing images of people to put them in bikinis, often male politicians but sometimes women and girls below the age of majority. As a result, Indonesia and Malaysia have temporarily blocked access to the platform, with the United Kingdom threatening a ban as well.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) echoed Newsom’s concerns, stating, “The avalanche of reports detailing the non-consensual, sexually explicit material that xAI has produced and posted online in recent weeks is shocking. As the top law enforcement official of California tasked with protecting our residents, I am deeply concerned with this development in AI and will use all the tools at my disposal to keep California’s residents safe.”

Elon Musk responded to the claims, denying that Grok generates illegal or explicit images by saying he was “not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok. Literally zero. Obviously, Grok does not spontaneously generate images, it does so only according to user requests.”

“When asked to generate images, it will refuse to produce anything illegal, as the operating principle for Grok is to obey the laws of any given country or state. There may be times when adversarial hacking of Grok prompts does something unexpected. If that happens, we fix the bug immediately,” he insisted.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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10 minutes ago
News

ICE Agent Suffered Internal Bleeding After Being Struck by SUV During MN Shooting.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross was injured during an incident where he fatally shot anti-ICE activist Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE agent Jonathan Ross, Renee Good, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred last week in Minneapolis; Ross was hospitalized and later released.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The officer was hit by the vehicle. She hit him. He went to the hospital. A doctor did treat him. He has been released,” – Kristi Noem.

🎯IMPACT: Ross is recovering from his injuries, and the incident has raised questions about law enforcement safety and procedures.

IN FULL

Jonathan Ross, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who shot anti-ICE activist Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when she drove her SUV at him last week, suffered internal bleeding in his torso following the incident, according to two U.S. officials briefed on his condition. The officials said the severity of the bleeding remains unclear.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Ross was injured. Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged Ross’s hospitalization during a press briefing on January 7, saying he was treated and released the same day.

“The officer was hit by the vehicle. She hit him. He went to the hospital. A doctor did treat him. He has been released,” Noem told reporters at the time. She described Ross as an experienced law enforcement officer who acted to protect himself and others.

The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Federal officials have said Good used her vehicle as a weapon and accelerated toward officers, prompting Ross to fire. Good, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene. Good had previously trained with anti-ICE activists.

Ross is a 10-year ICE veteran and had previously been injured by a vehicle in June, when he was dragged by a car while trying to detain a migrant pedophile. That incident required hospital treatment and 33 stitches.

U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino said Ross “has had several threats against his life” following the Minneapolis shooting, and is currently recovering in a secure location.

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By Popular Demand.
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41 minutes ago
Immigration
News

Trump Freezes Visas for 75 Countries, Including Russia, Iran, Somalia.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has frozen visa processing for 75 countries, including Russia and Iran, as part of a broader effort to reassess immigration procedures and address national security concerns.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, the State Department, and various countries.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The indefinite visa freeze is set to take effect on January 21, 2026, with escalating tensions surrounding Iran and ongoing protests in the region.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.” – State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott.

🎯IMPACT: The freeze aims to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who could become public charges, while signaling a strong stance against Iran’s crackdown on protesters.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has ordered a temporary halt to visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia, Iran, and Somalia, as his administration moves to overhaul immigration screening procedures. An internal State Department memo directs U.S. consulates to deny visa applications while the government reassesses its vetting standards. The freeze is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.

Countries impacted by the suspension include Afghanistan, Iraq, Brazil, and Somalia. Somalia has drawn particular attention from the administration following reports of widespread fraud tied to members of the Somali community in Minnesota. The visa pause is the latest step in a broader immigration crackdown that has already seen the revocation of more than 100,000 visas in 2025, the highest total on record, as officials expand background checks and enforcement measures.

The State Department memo also instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to depend on public assistance after arriving in the United States. Officers are directed to consider factors such as the applicant’s health, age, and English language ability. “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott.

The administration has simultaneously tightened other visa policies, including denying entry to foreign nationals suspected of traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth in order to secure citizenship for their children. Officials say the measures are intended to curb abuse of the immigration system and protect taxpayer resources.

The visa freeze comes amid escalating tensions with Iran. President Trump has warned Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that “strong action” will follow if the regime proceeds with executions of detained protesters. Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has indicated that trials and executions could be fast-tracked.

As tensions rise, the United States has ordered evacuations from several military installations in the region, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses approximately 10,000 U.S. troops. The administration has also signaled it is considering further steps, including potential strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
NatSec
World

Danish Foreign Minister Cites ‘Fundamental’ Differences on Greenland’s Future After White House Talks.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. and Danish officials met at the White House to discuss Greenland’s future amid President Donald J. Trump’s interest in acquiring the territory.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, at the White House in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree.” – Lars Loekke Rasmussen

🎯IMPACT: The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions over Greenland, though signaled some possible progress on a potential new security agreement for the critical Arctic island.

IN FULL

The U.S. and Denmark remain at odds over the future of Greenland, but discussions will continue, according to Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen. Following a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Rasmussen described the talks as “frank but also constructive,” focusing on security in Greenland, but stated “fundamental” differences remain.

“We still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree,” Denmark’s Foreign Minister admitted.

The meeting included Denmark’s Rasmussen, Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials. The Danish delegation proposed a high-level working group to address concerns while respecting Denmark’s sovereignty. “We agree that it makes sense to try to sit down on a high level,” Rasmussen said, though he acknowledged that a resolution may not be achievable.

Meanwhile, President Donald J. Trump reiterated the United States’s interest in acquiring Greenland for national security purposes, stating after the White House meeting, “We need Greenland for national security, so we’re going to see what happens.” He also noted that NATO could play a pivotal role, arguing in a post on Truth Social earlier on Wednesday, “NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES.”

Greenlandic officials, however, rejected the notion of U.S. ownership. Vivian Motzfeldt emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with the U.S., but said, “That doesn’t mean that we want to be owned by the United States.” Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also affirmed Greenland’s alignment with Denmark, stating, “If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark.”

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2 hours ago
William Upton
Lawfare

E. Jean Carroll Asks Supreme Court to Reject Trump’s Defamation Appeal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Attorneys for writer and fabulist E. Jean Carroll are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an appeal filed by President Donald J. Trump that seeks to overturn a $5 million verdict in a civil case, where Trump was found liable for battery and defamation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: E. Jean Carroll, her legal team, President Trump, and the Supreme Court.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Carroll’s Brief in Opposition was filed with the high court on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Petitioner now seeks to litigate these evidentiary issues yet again. But his petition suffers from a fatal defect: It does not challenge the Second Circuit’s alternative holding that petitioner failed to show that any error affected his substantial rights.” — Carroll’s Brief in Opposition

🎯IMPACT: Trump is currently requesting the Supreme Court review and overturn the $5 million defamation verdict, citing “indefensible evidentiary rulings” made by the district court.

IN FULL

Attorneys for writer and fabulist E. Jean Carroll are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an appeal filed by President Donald J. Trump that seeks to overturn a $5 million verdict in a civil case, where Trump was found liable for battery and defamation. In a Brief in Opposition filed by Carroll‘s legal team on Wednesday, her attorneys contend that President Trump‘s request for review suffers from procedural flaws and lacks legal merit.

“Petitioner now seeks to litigate these evidentiary issues yet again. But his petition suffers from a fatal defect: It does not challenge the Second Circuit’s alternative holding that petitioner failed to show that any error affected his substantial rights,” Carroll’s filing states, continuing: “Thus, this Court would have no basis for disturbing the judgment below even if it were to answer all three questions presented in petitioner’s favor.”

“The problems don’t end there. Each of the questions presented suffers from additional serious vehicle problems. And none implicates a genuine circuit split,” the Brief in Opposition contends, adding: “As for the merits, the Second Circuit correctly held that the district court acted within its discretion in admitting the challenged evidence. Certiorari should be denied.”

In November last year, Trump’s attorneys filed a request for the Supreme Court to review and overturn the defamation verdict, arguing that the district court engaged in error by issuing a “‘series of indefensible evidentiary rulings,’ improperly admitting highly inflammatory propensity evidence against President Trump.”

The 2023 lawsuit saw a $5 million jury verdict that held him liable for sexually abusing and defaming the writer, but not liable for rape. Carroll, who claims to have been attacked by multiple men over several decades, accused President Trump of raping her nearly 30 years ago in a prestigious department store, in changing rooms that are usually locked and attended by staff. No eyewitness testimony, relevant surveillance footage, or forensic evidence was produced.

The President was ordered to pay Carroll $83 million in a second civil trial, a decision that Trump is also appealing. He has consistently denied the allegations.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
War
World

U.S. Advances Gaza Peace Plan, Threatens Hamas Over Hostage Remains.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The United States announced the next phase of its Gaza peace plan, focusing on disarming Hamas, rebuilding, and establishing governance.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, the White House, Hamas, and the Israeli government.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced January 14, 2026, as part of the ongoing U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” wrote Witkoff, referring to Hamas’ obligation to return the final hostages’ remains.

🎯IMPACT: The plan’s success hinges on demilitarizing Gaza, establishing a technocratic government, and maintaining the fragile ceasefire.

IN FULL

The United States announced the next phase of its Gaza peace plan on Wednesday, which includes disarming Hamas, rebuilding the region, and establishing a new governance structure. This marks a continuation of President Donald J. Trump’s “20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.”

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff shared details in a post on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that the plan will transition from the initial ceasefire agreement reached last year to focus on demilitarization, reconstruction, and the establishment of a new technocratic government. However, no specifics were given about the proposed transitional Palestinian administration.

“Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel,” Witkoff wrote, adding: “Importantly, Phase One delivered historic humanitarian aid, maintained the ceasefire, returned all living hostages and the remains of twenty-seven of the twenty-eight deceased hostages.”

Witkoff emphasized that Hamas must fulfill its obligations by returning the remains of the final hostage, identified as Ran Gvili, who was killed during the October 7 attack. “Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” Witkoff warned in his statement.

Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire began in October, 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others have been returned to Israel. The return of remains remains a critical component of the ceasefire terms, despite accusations of violations by both Hamas and Israel.

Image by WAFA / APAImages.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
War
World

U.S., UK Evacuate Qatar Base Amid Iranian Threats, Possible Strikes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The United States and the United Kingdom have begun an evacuation of military personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar ahead of possible U.S. military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian officials, U.S. President Donald Trump, protester Erfan Soltani, and American and British military personnel.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 14, 2026, in Qatar and Iran.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Help is on its way,” President Donald Trump assured Iranian protesters, promising “very strong action.”

🎯IMPACT: The situation has escalated tensions in the region, with Iran warning of retaliation against U.S. military sites and international diplomatic efforts stalling.

IN FULL

The United States and the United Kingdom have begun an evacuation of military personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar ahead of possible U.S. military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over reports that the regime has killed over 2,500 of its citizens in a brutal crackdown against anti-government protests. Additional reports suggest that the Iranian regime has arrested an estimated 20,000 demonstrators, with 26-year-old protestor Erfan Soltani reportedly set to be the first to be executed in connection with the unrest.

Regarding the Qatar airbase evacuation, a British Ministry of Defence spokesman stated, “The UK always puts precautionary measures in place to ensure the security and safety of our personnel, including, where necessary, withdrawing personnel.” Meanwhile, the Iranian regime claims that “calm has prevailed,” stating that its forces have quelled the unrest that spread to numerous cities over the last two weeks.

Despite its public insistence that forces loyal to Supreme Leader Khamenei have reasserted control inside Iran, the regime appears to continue to fear a possible U.S. attack. On Wednesday, an Iranian state television broadcast aired footage of the 2024 assassination attempt against U.S. President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, with the message, “This time, the bullet won’t miss.”

The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that President Trump, during a speech before the Detroit Economic Club, delivered a powerful message to the people of Iran, encouraging them to continue their mass demonstrations against the Islamic Republic and Khamenei. “Help is on its way,” Trump stated, suggesting imminent U.S. military action.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Immigration
NatSec

U.S. Blocks Over 10K Narco-Terrorists, Terror Watchlist Expands by 85K.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. intelligence officials blocked over 10,000 people tied to narco-terrorism from entering the country in 2025 and added 85,000 more to the terror watchlist.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

📍WHEN & WHERE: In 2025, across U.S. borders, leveraging intelligence resources to prevent entry and add individuals to watchlists.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump gave the order to secure the homeland, and ODNI’s National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) delivered.” – Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard

🎯IMPACT: Thousands of narco-terrorists and gang members were denied entry, and tools for combating cartel-related terrorism were successfully implemented.

IN FULL

The Trump administration was successful in preventing more than 10,000 foreign nationals with ties to narco-terrorism from gaining entry to the United States last year, according to U.S. intelligence officials. Additionally, over 85,000 individuals with similar drug trafficking and terrorist connections were added to the government’s terror watchlist.

Intelligence collected by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and shared with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and state and local law enforcement facilitated operations that prevented these individuals from entering the United States. “President Trump gave the order to secure the homeland, and ODNI’s National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) delivered,” said Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard.

Gabbard highlighted that intelligence sharing led to “thousands of successful actions against cartels and gangs,” emphasizing the role of the NCTC in apprehending and removing criminals from U.S. soil. Notably, President Donald J. Trump’s designation of cartels as terrorist organizations allowed counterterrorism officials to utilize the full scope of intelligence tools, resulting in visa revocations, arrests, deportations, and investigations.

It has also been revealed that NCTC added over 85,000 new identities to the terrorist database, a resource shared with law enforcement nationwide. “Had we had a capability like this pre-9/11, the hijackers wouldn’t have been able to come into our country in the first place,” the Trump administration contends.

During the first year of President Trump’s second term, fewer than five “traditional terrorists” attempted to enter the U.S., primarily through commercial airlines, and were denied access. The administration has also confirmed ongoing investigations into Antifa’s foreign ties, noting its inclusion as a terrorist organization.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Immigration
News

U.S. Experiences Net Negative Immigration for First Time in Decades Under Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: For the first time in at least half a century, more immigrants left the United States than entered in 2025, according to a Brookings Institution report.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Economists at the Brookings Institution, U.S. immigration enforcement agencies, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report focuses on migration patterns in 2025, with projections into 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We estimate that net migration was between –10,000 and –295,000 in 2025, the first time in at least half a century it has been negative.” – Brookings Institution

🎯IMPACT: The report anticipates a continued decline in net immigration in 2026.

IN FULL

New data suggests the United States experienced net out-migration in 2025, with more migrants leaving the country than entering it for the first time in at least half a century. According to a report released by the neoliberal Brookings Institution, the United States saw a significant decrease in immigrant entries in 2025, relative to 2024, with increased immigration enforcement during the first year of President Donald J. Trump’s second term in office resulting in both rising deportations and voluntary departures of foreign nationals in the country unlawfully.

“We estimate that net migration was between –10,000 and –295,000 in 2025, the first time in at least half a century it has been negative,” the report stated. It further projected, “In our assessment, net migration is likely to be very low or negative in 2026 as well.”

The Brookings Institution, which has consistently promoted open-border policies and a reliance on cheap foreign labor, contends that “reduced migration will dampen growth in the labor force, consumer spending, and gross domestic product (GDP).” However, late last year, President Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pointed to data that shows increased deportations have resulted in falling rent costs. Data from November 2025 shows that apartment rents fell 1.1 percent compared to the previous year, and 5.2 percent compared to November 2022.

Additionally, a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) investigation found that mass immigration has a specific detrimental impact on lower-income Americans who earn too much to qualify for public housing assistance. “One key cause of elevated worst-case needs is immigration. Between 2021 and 2024, the foreign-born population of the United States increased by more than six million—the largest such increase over such a short period in American history,” the HUD investigation stated, adding: “This immigration-driven increase in households has contributed to a significant increase in housing demand, thus driving up housing prices. In fact, in some markets, immigration has accounted for nearly all of the increase in housing demand in recent years.”

The Brookings report attributed much of the decline in immigration to a slowdown in new arrivals through humanitarian parole, refugee programs, and illegal entries across the Southwest border. “Though deportations and other exits receive more media attention, a slowdown in new arrivals… has a bigger effect on reducing migration flows in 2025,” Brookings researchers stated.

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5 hours ago
Health

RFK Jr. Jokes That Trump Has the ‘Most Unhinged Eating Habits.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commented on President Donald J. Trump’s eating habits during a podcast interview, humorously remarking, “I don’t know how he’s alive, but he is…”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump, and Katie Miller, host of the podcast and wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 13, 2026, during a podcast hosted by Katie Miller.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The President… I don’t know how he’s alive, but he is… He’s just pumping himself full of poison all day long.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

🎯IMPACT: Kennedy’s remarks sparked discussion about Trump’s diet and health while noting his high energy levels and unique constitution.

IN FULL

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaking with podcast host Katie Miller late Tuesday, was quick to name President Donald J. Trump as the administration official with the “most unhinged eating habits.” Without hesitation, Kennedy responded that it was the President himself, referencing Trump’s well-documented preference for fast food. Kennedy remarked, “The President… I don’t know how he’s alive, but he is… He’s just pumping himself full of poison all day long.”


Speaking with Miller—the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller—Kennedy elaborated, explaining that Trump’s diet often includes McDonald’s and Diet Coke, but noted that Trump argues he eats “really good food” when at Mar-a-Lago or the White House. The HHS Secretary, a close ally of the President, added that Trump prefers fast food when traveling because he trusts its consistency and doesn’t want to risk getting sick.

“If you travel with him, you get this idea that he’s just pumping himself full of poison all day long and you don’t know how he’s walking around, much less being the most energetic person any of us have ever met,” Kennedy said. Despite his comments on the President’s eating habits, Kennedy praised Trump’s health and energy levels.

Kennedy also revealed that Dr. Mehmet Oz, now leading the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), had reviewed Trump’s medical records. According to Kennedy, Oz stated that Trump has “the highest testosterone levels that he’s ever seen for an individual over 70 years old.” Trump, now 79, reportedly takes pride in this assessment, with Kennedy adding, “I know the President will be happy that I repeat that.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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6 hours ago
TECH
World

Starlink Gives Iranians Free Internet to Beat Regime Blackout.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Internet service has dropped its fees in Iran, allowing demonstrators to bypass regime-imposed communication blackouts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, Iranian activists, and organizations like Net Freedom Pioneers and Holistic Resilience.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The fee drop began Tuesday, following the Islamic Republic’s move to shut down the Internet on January 8.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That showed a few hundred bodies on the ground, that came out because of Starlink,” said Mehdi Yahyanejad of Net Freedom Pioneers, referring to video evidence smuggled out of Iran.

🎯IMPACT: Starlink’s availability has increased the flow of information out of Iran, despite government efforts to block its use.

IN FULL

Internet and communications access for Iranian demonstrators has been partially restored through the use of Elon Musk‘s SpaceX and its Starlink satellite Internet system. Musk dropped fees for the satellite Internet service for those in Iran after the Islamic Republic and its Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, cut Internet access to prevent the world from witnessing its violent crackdown on anti-regime protestors in recent days.

Activists—protesting Iran’s failing economy, the collapse of its currency, and the regime’s brutal response—state that Starlink access has been free to anyone in the country with the necessary equipment to access the service since Tuesday of this week. However, there have also been reports of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) troops and other regime agents going door-to-door in some areas in an effort to seize Starlink equipment.

Mehdi Yahyanejad, of the nonprofit Net Freedom Pioneers, highlighted the importance of the service, citing video evidence of rows of bodies at a forensic medical center near Tehran. “That showed a few hundred bodies on the ground, that came out because of Starlink,” Yahyanejad said. Net Freedom Pioneers has played a pivotal role in smuggling Starlink equipment into Iran.

The death toll from the protests, which began on December 28, has risen to over 2,500 people, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Starlink’s presence in Iran is technically illegal under the country’s telecommunication regulations, and activists face the risk of being accused of espionage, which can carry the death penalty. Many users disguise the equipment as solar panels to avoid detection.

Ahmad Ahmadian, executive director of Holistic Resilience, noted that Iranian authorities have employed extreme measures to jam Starlink’s signals and track down users. However, SpaceX has responded with a firmware update to counteract these efforts. “There has always been a cat-and-mouse game,” Ahmadian explained, adding that the government’s jamming attempts have been limited to certain urban areas.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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