Vice President JD Vance sharply called out WNBA players in the league finals over skipping the national anthem during an interview Wednesday, calling them "disgraceful."

Players from both the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have left the court during the national anthem before the first two games of the WNBA Finals, despite a rule in the league’s own rulebook specifically calling for players to stand and line up during the performance.

"I think it's disgraceful," Vance told host Raymond Arroyo on "Arroyo Grande." "I think that you should not express some criticism of a public policy of a given politician by disrespecting the country writ large. I mean, those women who play for the WNBA, think of the public safety, think of the incredible wealth and privilege, the amazing jobs that they have. They have a lot to be grateful to the United States for, and I think that if they had a bit more of a spirit of gratitude, they'd be happier people, and they wouldn't offend so many people as well."

Vance also appeared to cite Saint Augustine’s idea of Ordo Amoris, a concept from Catholic thought that Vance cited in 2025 to defend administration deportation policies.

NBA STAYS SILENT ON WNBA FINALS TEAMS SKIPPING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BEFORE GAMES 1 AND 2

"I've gotten some trouble talking about this, but I'll just talk about it again," Vance said. "One of the ways I understand the Catholic understanding is that we have various orders of duty, and you know, our closest and most immediate duty, of course, is to our family and to the people in our immediate circle. But we, of course, owe duties to the entire world. We owe duties to the stranger. But I also think a good and coherent understanding of the Christian self is that you are part of a national community."

He added, "Whether you were born in the United States or whether you came here by choice, this is your country. And I think that we're all meant to love it. We're all meant to try to make it the best version of itself. But fundamentally, I think, without love of country, I think that you're going to be a disordered human being."

Fox News Digital spoke to veteran GOP strategist Mary Marslender, who argued, like Vance, that the basketball players lack perspective on how great it is to live in the United States.

OUTKICK READERS BLAST WNBA PLAYERS FOR HIDING DURING FINALS NATIONAL ANTHEM

"The WNBA players are treating a country that has given them extraordinary privileges as if it were an oppressor, while ignoring that American women enjoy rights and opportunities that remain rare or nonexistent for most women elsewhere," she said. "They seem to forget that a league like the WNBA exists and its players can publicly dissent without fear of state reprisal solely because of these rights and opportunities. If these activists hate this country that much, they are free to leave it. The rest of us are done with this disrespect."

Fox News Digital reached out to the WNBA, as well as the Women's National Basketball Players Association, and did not receive an immediate reply.

OutKick's Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.

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Natasha Lyonne sparked debate over her political views after appearing to express a preference for President Donald Trump over Vice President JD Vance.

The "Russian Doll" actress reacted to a video showing a protester interrupting Vance and calling for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lyonne criticized Vance and said she preferred Trump to the vice president.

"Sketchy mofo - prefer trump - this s--- is even scarier - don’t really know how we arrived at this aesthetic as baseline normal, but c’est la dominoes, etc. Octavia Butler was a soothsayer. Grimey times," Lyonne wrote in response to the video.

NATASHA LYONNE JOKES HER PLANE REMOVAL WAS A ‘PERFORMANCE ART PIECE’ AFTER BIZARRE INCIDENT

The 47-year-old actress' remark that she would "prefer Trump" prompted questions about her political views, with some social media users interpreting the comment as support for Trump and others suggesting she was simply expressing a preference for him over Vance.

Lyonne fueled further speculation Tuesday when she reposted a message from Trump thanking Elon Musk for pledging to donate SpaceX stock to millions of American children through Trump Accounts. She added four emojis — a rocket, a saluting face, a sun and a smiling face with sunglasses — without offering a written explanation.

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"Natasha Lyonne going full MAGA is depressing as hell," one user wrote.

Another commenter mocked the backlash, posting: "Natasha Lyonne drops four emojis on a Trump post and the left is already planning her cancellation. Tolerance at its finest."

One person said, "Everyone prefers Trump - we all voted for him." Meanwhile, another added, "Why is this controversial? Do you say people supporting Dems is controversial?"

DEBRA MESSING SAYS COST OF LIVING, SUBWAY VIOLENCE PUSHED HER TO BACK TRUMP-ENDORSED REPUBLICAN

The posts drew conflicting interpretations from social media users, with some questioning Lyonne's apparent preference for Trump and others cautioning against assuming her political views solely from her posts.

One user wrote, "'Prefer Trump'? Why? ..."

Others questioned why the post was being interpreted as support for the president.

"How … are y'all reading this like she actually likes trump."

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Another commenter defended Lyonne, writing, "Can people on this app be normal for like five minutes … this is crazy, I feel like I’m going insane. Is everyone okay?"

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One user asked, "So is Natasha Lyonne MAGA now or am I misreading her posts?"

Lyonne replied with two words: "Not maga."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Lyonne and the White House for comment.

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Compassionevole. Non è certo il termine che chiunque, nemmeno i suoi più stretti collaboratori, userebbe per descrivere Vladimir Putin. Ma preso dall’euforia per la liberazione del prigioniero americano Stephen Hubbard, in giorni di distensione nei rapporti tra Washington e Mosca, è proprio questo l’aggettivo che l’inviato speciale americano Steve Witkoff ha usato per descrivere il capo del Cremlino. “Parla tanto del fatto che il mio presidente, il presidente Trump, sia compassionevole. Anche lei è compassionevole, glielo riconosco, la lodo per questo e la ringrazio ancora”, gli ha detto direttamente nel corso della sua trasferta a San Pietroburgo.

Parole che, come prevedibile, sono costate una valanga di accuse all’inviato speciale anche da parte dei membri del Partito Repubblicano, come ad esempio il senatore John Corbyn che ha voluto ricordargli che “Putin è un assassino spietato“. Oppure come il deputato conservatore Don Bacon che ha definito le parole di Witkoff un “altro imbarazzo“. Il senatore del Gop, Thom Tillis, lo ha invece invitato a “guardare sul dizionario cosa significa compassionevole. Dovrebbe tornare in Ucraina e chiedere alla famiglie dei bambini rapiti e uccisi da Putin se pensano che sia compassionevole”.

Witkoff, però, può contare sul sostegno della Casa Bianca. Prima ha parlato il vicepresidente JD Vance che si è detto “d’accordo con il fatto che Steve abbia rivolto parole gentili a una persona che ha appena liberato un ostaggio americano. A prescindere dal fatto che si condivida o meno il sentimento di fondo, Steve è un diplomatico. Il suo lavoro consiste nell’andare laggiù e portare a termine un compito. Dovremmo tutti festeggiare questo risultato, anziché lamentarci di ciò che Steve ha detto per riuscire a ottenerlo”.

Dopo di lui, è stato il presidente Trump in persona a confermare la piena fiducia nell’operato del proprio inviato: “Suppongo che si potrebbe dire per quel motivo in particolare, allo scopo di permettere a un uomo che pensava di finire in prigione a vita di uscire”.

L'articolo Bufera sull’inviato Usa Witkoff: dopo la liberazione di Hubbard ha definito Putin “compassionevole”. Trump e Vance lo difendono proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

In Cincinnati, the vice president said it was "not really my concern" whether the controversial 60-second spot was appropriate, and said he was focused on supporting Republican candidates in their midterm races.

The vice president called Steve Witkoff "a diplomat" and said he was in Russia to get a job done.

Iran, recognizing surefire defeat in a kinetic war, is leaning in on an information warfare campaign to undermine the United States and Israel from within, according to Yuval David, a strategic U.S.-Israel geopolitical communications advisor.

"You cannot beat Israel or the United States in a physical kinetic war," David told Fox News Digital from Budapest, where he joined Israeli President Isaac Herzog for high-level diplomatic talks Wednesday, adding the warning of an "information warfare system."

"And that’s what’s going on with social media, with our devices and the people who are on TikTok and Instagram and Facebook and X and YouTube and all of the different social media platforms where the Islamic Republic of Iran is able to affect people’s minds."

IRAN TARGETS US WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE CAMPAIGN TO MANIPULATE AMERICANS, EMBARRASS TRUMP: EXPERTS

"One of the things that it does is it tries to create a rot from within the societies and, sadly, it’s very much succeeding in doing so," he added, stating that Iran's campaign has enjoyed "guidance from Russia and China."

David’s warning comes as Israel prepares for an election next week that analysts say could change its leadership but is unlikely to produce a fundamental shift in the country’s Iran policy.

NETANYAHU PRAISES TRUMP'S 'WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR,' DEFENDS IRONCLAD ALLIANCE AHEAD OF HISTORIC ISRAEL VOTE

A Reuters analysis published Wednesday found that Iran will likely remain Israel’s chief adversary, with military force continuing to serve as the country’s preferred tool against its enemies. The report said Israel’s security doctrine is centered on confronting Iran, maintaining buffer zones beyond its borders and keeping military pressure on to deter threats.

A victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, backed by conservative coalition partners, could deepen Israel’s confrontation with Tehran, not bring about appeasement. Even an opposition-led government would likely share the same broad strategic outlook, David said.

TRUMP IS DISMANTLING IRAN’S WAR MACHINE, BUT AMERICA STILL NEEDS AN ENDGAME

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is a massive concern for the world," David said. "Tehran does not fear another diplomatic statement. It fears an America and an Israel with the intelligence, military capabilities and political will to act together."

David said the U.S.-Israel alliance should not be judged by whether American leaders support the same Israeli candidate.

TRUMP SAYS NETANYAHU NEEDS TO BE RE-ELECTED, OR ELSE US WILL HAVE TO 'FINISH THE JOB’ AGAINST IRAN ALONE

"Presidents come and go, prime ministers come and go. America’s and Israel’s enemies do not take election years off," he said. "America doesn’t need to choose Israel’s prime minister, nor will it, nor can it, nor is it even trying to. America just needs a strong Israeli partner, whoever the Israelis elect."

Reuters has cited regional analysts who said Netanyahu’s re-election could allow him to pursue a more aggressive campaign against Iran, while Arab states remain wary of his policies but want Tehran’s influence contained.

David said Iran’s hostility toward the United States and Israel extends beyond the current conflict.

IRAN’S PROXY WAR HAS CROSSED OCEANS AND IS NOW KNOCKING ON AMERICA’S DOOR

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has been waging this ideological war against America and also against Israel and also against democracies around the world since 1979," he said. "The regime never stopped a war.

"Americans thought we have had a war, and then we didn't have a war. Then we had one. Then we didn't. Well, the Islamic Republic of Iran never ended that war. They've seen this as an ongoing war since 1979."

FROM INTELLIGENCE SHARING TO MISSILE DEFENSE, HOW ISRAEL'S PARTNERSHIP PROTECTS AMERICAN SECURITY

He also framed U.S. support for Israel as a matter of serving American national security interests.

"America does not support Israel because Israel is helpless. America partners with Israel because Israel is capable," David said. "Supporting Israel’s security isn’t charity. It’s American strategic self-interest."

President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu, contrasted with Vice President JD Vance’s decision to stay out of the race, reflects differing political approaches rather than a split over Iran or the U.S.-Israel alliance, according to David.

VP JD VANCE ADDRESSES US-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP, WHETHER IRAN IS TRYING TO 'PLAY' THE UNITED STATES

"President Trump is endorsing Prime Minister Netanyahu – Vice President Vance is emphasizing American priorities, but supporting Israel’s security doesn’t require endorsing a particular Israeli politician," he concluded.

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"Trump is speaking to Israeli voters because that’s what Trump is able to do – Vance is speaking to American voters," David said. "Far too many Americans don’t realize both Trump and Vance know that Tehran is listening."

In his book The Nerd Reich, journalist Gil Durán examines how Silicon Valley’s wealthiest investors are extending their influence over American politics, democratic institutions and national sovereignty. His warnings come amid unprecedented political spending by technology billionaires and growing concern over private control of strategic infrastructure.

Elon Musk has contributed more than $276 million since July to Republican political causes ahead of the United States midterm elections on 3 November. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said decisions over Ukraine’s access to SpaceX satellite communications rest with the company rather than the White House. Both developments demonstrate how private technological and financial resources can influence decisions traditionally associated with government.

For journalist Gil Durán, author of The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy, published by Avid Reader Press in August 2026, the issue extends beyond campaign donations. In a recent interview, he argued that a group of Silicon Valley investors is using its financial influence and control of technology to challenge the authority of elected governments.

“We’re at a decisive stage of that race,” Durán said when asked about the contest between technology and democracy described by venture capitalist Peter Thiel. His argument is that wealth alone no longer satisfies some of the industry’s most influential figures; they also want a direct role in determining how societies are governed.

The ideological origins of billionaire power

Durán places Thiel at the centre of this movement. In a 2009 essay, The Education of a Libertarian, the PayPal co-founder wrote that he no longer believed freedom and democracy were compatible. He argued that technological innovation could allow individuals to escape the constraints of conventional politics.

Thiel subsequently clarified that he was not advocating disenfranchisement. His stated position was that majority rule often frustrated individual liberty. Durán, however, interprets the essay and Thiel’s subsequent political investments as evidence of a sustained interest in diminishing democratic constraints on private power.

The book also examines The Sovereign Individual, a 1997 work by James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg that anticipated how digital currencies and technological change might weaken the power of nation states. Durán sees its influence in later arguments for privately organised alternatives to traditional government.

One example is The Network State, developed by entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan. It proposes that online communities could acquire territory and eventually obtain diplomatic recognition. Advocates describe a voluntary model of political organisation; Durán regards the prospect of corporate-financed jurisdictions as a challenge to public accountability.

From venture capital to the White House

The relationship between Thiel and Vice-President JD Vance illustrates how venture capital can translate into political influence. Thiel supported Vance’s early investment career and contributed $15 million to a super PAC backing his successful 2022 Senate bid. Durán attributes much of Vance’s political ascent to that support, although voters, party endorsements and Vance’s own campaigning also shaped the result.

Musk’s latest contributions offer a more immediate example. His donations since July include $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund and more than $76 million to America PAC. Such spending is lawful under the rules governing independent political committees, which cannot coordinate their expenditure with candidates.

Durán contends that similar pressures affect Democrats, arguing that wealthy donors can exercise influence across party lines. His criticism therefore concerns the political system’s dependence on private funding as much as any particular administration.

Technology as an instrument of strategic power

The consequences extend beyond elections. Ukraine’s dependence on satellite communications has exposed how a privately owned service can become essential to military operations. Restrictions affecting Starlink-related services have prompted competing accounts from US officials and SpaceX over responsibility for the decision. Rubio’s latest remarks point towards commercial control, while earlier reporting attributed the decision to Washington.

Artificial intelligence raises comparable questions of ownership and oversight. Durán argues that investors promoting transformative AI may also seek regulatory conditions that protect their substantial financial commitments. His prediction of a possible investment bubble remains a judgement, not an established outcome.

In Europe, the debate has immediate regulatory consequences. The EU’s Digital Services Act requires major online platforms to assess risks to elections and civic debate, while enforcement of important provisions of the AI Act began in August 2026. These measures address the influence of companies whose platforms and systems operate across borders.

Durán’s interpretation of Silicon Valley as a coherent anti-democratic movement remains contested. The entrepreneurs he discusses have differing interests, and their political influence does not itself establish a common plan to dismantle democratic government.

Their influence is nevertheless measurable in campaign finances, government contracts and control over infrastructure essential to national security. None of these forms of power requires holding elected office.

A due settimane dal voto, per i repubblicani si profila un appuntamento elettorale di metà mandato a rischio, anche negli Stati che il Gop pensava certi. A gettare un’ombra cupa sul capo della Casa Bianca sono i sondaggi che lo riguardano: Donald Trump scivola ancora, ai nuovi minimi storici. Le prospettive dei repubblicani per mantenere il risicato controllo del Congresso si assottigliano con il tycoon che vede il suo gradimento attestarsi al 33%, in base a una rilevazione di Washington Post-Abc News-Ipsos. La disapprovazione nei suoi confronti sale al 66%, con il 52% fortemente contrario verso la sua azione politica. La perdita netta di consenso sfiora il 4% rispetto a un sondaggio di luglio e l’8% su uno fatto a ottobre del 2025, con il paradosso che ora, per la prima volta in oltre un decennio, i democratici sono considerati più affidabili del Grand Old Party sui dossier economici. Neanche il tesoretto di quasi un miliardo di dollari, almeno per ora, è riuscito a dare slancio ai repubblicani, a fronte di un elettorato alle prese con la frustrazione per la congiuntura economica, tra inflazione e costo della vita e carburanti alle stelle, e l’impopolarità della guerra in Iran. Dal Labor Day di inizio settembre al 14 ottobre, i gruppi repubblicani hanno investito oltre 740 milioni nelle elezioni per il Congresso, secondo un’analisi di Cnbc sui dati di AdImpact. Una cifra enorme che include almeno 220 milioni spesi da gruppi legati a Trump e con Elon Musk, il patron di SpaceX e Tesla, che ha donato altri 276 milioni di dollari a gruppi repubblicani, contribuendo a far raggiungere al Senate Leadership Fund, il super Pac dei repubblicani, un risultato record in un singolo trimestre.

Eppure, la massiccia campagna di spesa ha a malapena modificato lo scenario politico. Secondo le medie dei sondaggi di FiftyPlusOne, i dem sono in vantaggio in nove delle sfide più combattute per il Senato: Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Carolina del Nord, Ohio e Texas. Al punto che i repubblicani hanno spostato sempre più fondi dall’attacco alla difesa, investendo risorse in stati un tempo considerati sicuri, come Texas, Kansas e Nebraska, e ritirandosi dalle competizioni in Carolina del Nord e per la Camera. Oltre a fare leva su tematiche come la presenza di atleti transgender negli sport femminili, la sicurezza delle frontiere e il socialismo come elementi chiave per convincere gli elettori che i democratici sono troppo estremisti.

L’appuntamento delle elezioni di midterm scalda anche la campagna elettorale per le prossime presidenziali. Sul fronte repubblicano, il vicepresidente Usa JD Vance segnala l’importanza del voto del 3 novembre, anche ai fini delle scelte personali. “C’è, ovviamente, la possibilità che non mi candidi” alle presidenziali del 2028, afferma il vicepresidente a Cbs News, ribadendo che la riserva sarà sciolta dopo le elezioni in quella che, per la prima volta, è stata presentata come una decisione “familiare”, capace di tenere nella giusta considerazione le esigenze dei quattro figli piccoli e il punto di vista di sua moglie sulla politica.

Uno scenario che spiega la prudenza di Vance sul nodo del 2028. Dall’altra parte, sul fronte dem, la deputata Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, stella dei dem progressisti, è corsa in soccorso di Abdul El-Sayed, il candidato dem progressista al Senato Usa in Michigan, impegnato in una sfida serrata contro l’ex deputato repubblicano Mike Rogers. Ha alimentato nuove speculazioni sul suo futuro politico e sulle sue ambizioni presidenziali dopo l’inedito contributo da 1 milione di dollari dato alla campagna di El-Sayed. “Non voglio svegliarmi il 4 novembre rimpiangendo di non aver fatto abbastanza per contrastare le campagne diffamatorie contro Abdul. Sto dando tutto ciò che posso in questa battaglia”, ha detto Ocasio-Cortez. La sua mossa, per gli osservati, potrebbe segnalare la sua volontà di vedere un maggior numero di progressisti dei Democratic Socialists of America (Dsa), contribuendo al cambio della direzione del dibattito politico a Washington. In vista del grande salto del 2028.

L'articolo Elezioni di midterm: Trump scivola ancora nei sondaggi e i repubblicani spendono milioni per conquistare Stati un tempo “sicuri” proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

The Department of Justice is allowing business groups to exclude Americans in posts that advertise jobs to H-1B workers and other non-immigrant foreign workers.

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WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled an incentive program that gives fraud whistleblowers a one percent commission on funds recovered from fraudsters.

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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said fraudsters in Minnesota bribed mothers roughly $1,500 per child to falsely claim their children were autistic, saddling the children with diagnoses they did not have.

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Alyssa Farah Griffin told her co-hosts Tuesday on ABC’s “The View” that the next Republican nominee for president will not be MAGA. Farah Griffin said, “The other thing with JD Vance is he’s historically unpopular for a vice president who

The post Alyssa Farah Griffin: ‘The Next Republican’ Presidential Nominee Won’t Be MAGA appeared first on Breitbart.