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George Stephanopoulos, ABC ‘let off easy’ by Trump in $16 million defamation settlement, New York Post says

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President-elect Donald Trump did not press ABC host George Stephanopoulos as hard as he should have for defamatory claims that the reporter made, the New York Post editorial board wrote on Sunday, saying the DIsney-owned network was “let off easy” in the embarrassing case.

“Make no mistake: President-elect Donald Trump let ABC off easy; it only has to pay $15 million toward his future presidential library, plus $1 million for his lawyers’ fees, to get out of a defamation lawsuit it was sure to lose — and so avoid legal discovery that surely would have finished off whatever reputation its new division still has,” the New York Post editorial board wrote on Sunday.

According to the settlement, ABC News will pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to a “Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff, as Presidents of the United States of America have established in the past.” Additionally, the network will pay $1 million in Trump’s attorney fees.  

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS AND ABC APOLOGIZE TO TRUMP, ARE FORCED TO PAY $15 MILLION TO SETTLE DEFAMATION SUIT

George Stephanopoulos and Donald Trump split image

The New York Post editorial board wrote that President-elect Donald Trump did not press ABC host George Stephanopoulos as hard as he could have in a recent defamation case.  (Getty Images)

Stephanopoulos, a sharp critic of Trump who was a Bill Clinton aide before entering journalism, repeatedly claimed on March 10 that Trump had been “found liable for rape” in a case involving E. Jean Carroll, who filed a civil suit against Trump. 

“The judge, Lewis Kaplan, later nattered on about Carroll how hadn’t actually failed to prove rape as defined by dictionary.com, but only as New York law defines it — a clear parting bid to make the decision as useful as possible for anti-Trump electioneering,” the New York Post wrote in a piece headlined, “Trump let ABC off easy in settling for just $16 million over George Stephanopoulos’ blatant defamation.”

“But that left Stephanopoulos (or whoever writes his scripts) zero factual basis for his multiple, overheated claims about Trump being ‘liable for rape,’” The New York Post continued. 

LIBERALS UNLOAD ON ABC’S SETTLEMENT WITH TRUMP, DEFEND GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: ‘KNEE BENT, RING KISSED’

Donald Trump Time Magazine Person of the Year

The New York Post wrote that Trump critics will argue that the settlement between Trump and Stephanopoulos is a negative sign ahead of Trump’s return to office. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The Post wrote that Trump critics will argue that the settlement between Trump and Stephanopoulos will be an “ominous sign” for the incoming administration and media landscape. 

“That’s nonsense: Corporations like ABC and its parent company, Disney, don’t make such payouts unless they think they’re avoiding far worse if the case actually moves ahead,” The New York Post wrote. 

Reached for comment on Saturday, an ABC News spokesperson said, “We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”

Fox News’ Gabriel Hays contributed to this report. 

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10 practical gifts for under $50

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Sometimes, useful gifts make the best presents because they are useful in everyday life. They show the people you love that you notice their day-to-day lives and think about something they genuinely need rather than just a flashy item that might not have real value to them. 

Dealing with busy mornings may mean a mom often has to take her coffee cold. This list has a gift solution to make that better. Everyone can relate to struggling to remember passwords. There is a gift solution to help you keep track of these.

Practical, useful gifts don’t have to be boring. You can still find stylish, high-quality versions of practical items, like a nice set of kitchen knives or a well-designed water bottle. Invest in someone you love this Christmas and buy them a useful gift. Here are 10 practical and useful gifts to get you started and they cost $50 and under: 

Buy them this elegant cord wrapper.

Buy them this elegant cord wrapper. (Leatherology)

This cord wrap set from Leatherology has two wraps: one for your smaller cords and chargers and the XL wrap for your bulkier cables. These wraps are a great way to keep earbuds, phone chargers, and laptop chargers contained and tangle-free while on the go. Secured with magnets, these cord keepers can also attach to interior pockets to keep cables easily accessible.

This hot plate is perfect for warming mugs of coffee.

This hot plate is perfect for warming mugs of coffee. (Amazon)

This mug warmer from Amazon is perfect for the busy mom. The warming plate has three adjustable heat settings and an ambient LED display for the perfect coffee experience. This Mr. Coffee mug warmer, on sale for $16.97 at Walmart, has an extended cord length that can be used almost anywhere. 

14 INTERACTIVE TOYS PERFECT FOR YOUNG KIDS

Original price: $64

Wearing layered necklaces is easier with this clasp.

Wearing layered necklaces is easier with this clasp. (Set & Stones)

Layered necklaces are very in style at the moment. If you noticed your loved one struggling with all those clasps, give them this useful Layered Necklace Clasp from Set and Stones. You can buy the clasp in 14k gold fill or sterling silver. The necklaces attach to each side of the tube clasp to create one multi-strand necklace that keeps necklaces tangle-free, making them easier to put on and take off. Buy this magnetic clasp for $15.99 on Amazon to keep the necklaces untangled. 

Keep your bags organized with this gadget.

Keep your bags organized with this gadget. (Amazon)

This patented handbag organizer features a handy LED light that eliminates the frustration of searching through your handbag in the dark. The organizer features 12 compartments to keep your essentials within reach. When it’s time to switch your handbag, lift the lightweight organizer out with the built-in handles and place it in a new bag. This purse organizer, $14.98 at Walmart, features an inner zippered pouch that keeps valuables secure. 

This is the perfect gift for someone living independently for the first time.

This is the perfect gift for someone living independently for the first time. (Walmart)

A home tool kit is the perfect practical gift for someone living independently for the first time. This Hyper Tough 89-Piece Around the House Tool Set from Walmart is packed with various everyday tools. It is excellent for multiple general household projects and the tools come in a durable 12-pocket bag. You can buy this 149 piece tool kit for $37.99 at Amazon. It has everything you need for most small repairs and DIY projects around the house.
 

GET YOUR HOME HOLIDAY-READY WITH THE HELP OF THESE 11 CLEANING ESSENTIALS

Original price: $29.99 

This handwarmer heats up in two minutes.

This handwarmer heats up in two minutes. (Amazon)

Anyone on your list will appreciate this handy rechargeable hand warmer, available at Amazon. The portable device heats up in less than two minutes to provide a nice heat boost to your hands when they get cold. It is small, lightweight and features an LED light. You can also buy it at Walmart for $34.24.

Help them keep their car clean with this gel.

Help them keep their car clean with this gel. (Walmart)

Car cleaning gel is another useful gift that most people on your list will appreciate. It can remove dust and dirt from small and narrow places that are difficult to clean with brushes or vacuum tools. Use it on car vents, dashboards, cup holders, and windowsills. You can also buy this gel on Amazon for $9.99.

Say goodbye to stinky shoes with this sterilizer.

Say goodbye to stinky shoes with this sterilizer. (Walmart)

If you know someone who has stinky shoes, gift them a UV shoe sanitizer. Sanitizers are more effective than sprays and powders, which can leave a toxic residue. This one from Walmart can kill bacteria and microorganisms and dry shoes. It is available on Amazon for $49.99.

Help your loved one keep track of passwords with this book.

Help your loved one keep track of passwords with this book. (Barnes & Noble)

Help someone on your list keep track of passwords with this handy book from Barnes and Noble. With a removable cover band, this portable hardcover notebook records the necessary complex passwords and user login names. It is a practical way to keep track of website addresses, usernames, and passwords in one discreet and convenient location. The Clever Fox Password Book, on sale for $13.99 on Amazon, allows you to store all your passwords and other computer information in one place to find it easily. 

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/category/deals

Make lunch a meal they will look forward to.

Make lunch a meal they will look forward to. (Amazon)

If someone on your list is looking to save more in the New Year, they’ll find this electric lunch box on Amazon very useful. This box uses an 80W power supply to warm meals quickly. You can use it at your desk or in the car to eat yummy, budget-friendly leftovers. This 60W version, on sale for $26.99 at Walmart, comes with an insulated bag to keep your food warmer longer. 

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Majority of small businesses expect revenue growth in Trump’s first year: data

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Small businesses are optimistic about revenue boosts in 2025, when President-elect Donald Trump will kick off his second administration, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report obtained by Fox News Digital shows. 

The latest Small Business Index report by MetLife and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released Monday morning found that seven in 10 small businesses, at 72%, reported they anticipate their revenues to increase next year. Last year, only 65% of businesses reported they anticipated revenue to increase, the data show. 

“The growing optimism among small business owners since the beginning of the year is a positive sign as we move into 2025 and potentially points to increasing opportunities in the new year,” Bradd Chignoli, executive vice president and head of Regional Business & Workforce Engagement at MetLife, said in a press release provided to Fox Digital. “As more and more employers look to increase investment and staff size, it is important to take advantage of the resources available to them, such as voluntary benefits, which can help strengthen their company’s culture and help attract and retain new talent.” 

The Small Business Index is a collaboration between MetLife and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that measures small business owners’ and leaders’ expectations. The survey released Monday was conducted between Oct. 7 – 21, before the election’s results, and included responses from 750 small business owners and operators. 

TRUMP VOWS TO CUT BUSINESS TAX RATE TO 15%, CREATE GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMISSION LED BY ELON MUSK

Trump speaks campaign event

Then-former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 in Mint Hill, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

The majority of business owners, at 70%, reported that holiday shopping is vital to their overall profit, which is slightly down from 2022’s Q4 report that found 79% of business owners reported the same.

The report found that inflation woes are small business owners’ top concern – as it has been for the last two years, according to the report. This year, however, an increase of business owners reported that both the U.S. economy and their local economies are healthier than they were this time last year. 

TRUMP PICKS BILLY LONG TO HEAD IRS, KELLY LOEFFLER TO LEAD SBA AND FRANK BISIGNANO TO LEAD SSA

Thirty-two percent of business owners reported the U.S. economy is in better shape than 2023, up from 25% last year, and 38% reported their local economies are healthier than last year, when 30% reported the same. 

The survey also found that the majority of small business owners, at 51%, reported that red tape – including licensing, certification, and permit requirements – makes it harder for them to grow their operations. While 47% of respondents reported that they spend too much time and energy on complying with regulatory requirements. 

shoppers in holiday scene in stock photo

Thirty-eight percent of business owners say their local economies are healthier than last year. (iStock)

​​”Too many regulations cause big headaches for small businesses, even if they feel confident in their ability to comply or have the means to outsource compliance tasks,” said Tom Sullivan, Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This quarter’s survey shows these requirements are complex, time-consuming, and often prevent small business owners from focusing on running and growing their businesses.”

SMALL BUSINESSES GET TEMPORARY REPRIEVE FROM ‘BIG BROTHER,’ BUT NEED MORE CERTAINTY

About 39% of respondents reported that in the last six months alone, they have increased their time and resources on complying with regulations alone, which is up from 33% reporting the same in the last quarter. Compliance with ​​taxes, bookkeeping, payroll and licensing ate up a “​​great deal or fair amount” of time for business owners, according to the report. 

The overall index score for this quarter sits at 69.1, a slight dip from last quarter’s score of 71.2, which was attributed to business owners’ reporting an increase in time and resources on regulation compliance. 

TRUMP WILL USE TARIFFS ‘CORRECTLY,’ SMALL BUSINESS OWNER SAYS

Small businesses have been on edge in recent years as inflation spiraled and choked spenders’ pocketbooks. Amid the highly-anticipated election cycle this year, Trump campaigned, in part, on lowering costs for Americans at check-out lines. Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris at the ballot box last month, securing 312 electoral votes to Harris’ 226.

Trump pumping fist at Coachella rally

Then-former President Donald Trump gestures while walking onstage for a campaign rally on Oct. 12, 2024 in Coachella, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

“I am promising low taxes, low regulations, low energy costs, low interest rates, secure borders, low, low crime and surging incomes for citizens of every race, religion, color and creed,” Trump said from the campaign trail in September. “My plan will rapidly defeat inflation, quickly bring down prices and reignite explosive economic growth.” 

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“I took care of our economy like I would take care of my own company in every decision. I asked, will I create jobs here, or will I be sending jobs overseas? Will it make America richer and stronger, or will it make our country weaker and poorer?” Trump asked. “I always put America first every single time. And when our country was hit by the China virus, we saved the economy. We rescued tens of millions of jobs.” 

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Satanic Temple’s nativity display in New Hampshire destroyed, Dem rep calls for new display

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A satanic “nativity” display involving an occult statue erected on Concord city property near the New Hampshire State Capitol was destroyed shortly after several vandalism incidents last week. Now, Democratic state Rep. Ellen Read is saying that the temple “probably should” get to erect a new display in its place.

“I think they probably should, because I think the vandalism and the hatefulness shouldn’t go without a response. But it’s up to them,” Read said, the Catholic News Agency reported.

Read told the outlet she came up with the idea to suggest that The Satanic Temple (TST) put up the Christmas display, which was a statue of Baphomet – despite significant pushback from local officials – arguing that a Catholic groups’ nativity scene of Jesus should not be the only decoration there. She also said she is a member of TST but has not participated in any of its meetings or events. 

‘SATANIC TEMPLE’ MEMBERS WANT TO VOLUNTEER IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS, BUT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SAYS IT WON’T HAPPEN

Baphomet satanic statue in Massachusetts

The Baphomet statue is seen in the conversion room at The Satanic Temple where a “Hell House” is being held in Salem, Massachusetts, on Oct. 8, 2019. (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

According to its website, TST’s mission “Is To Encourage Benevolence And Empathy, Reject Tyrannical Authority, Advocate Practical Common Sense, Oppose Injustice, And Undertake Noble Pursuits.”

“We have publicly confronted hate groups, fought for the abolition of corporal punishment in public schools, applied for equal representation when religious installations are placed on public property, provided religious exemption and legal protection against laws that unscientifically restrict people’s reproductive autonomy, exposed harmful pseudo-scientific practitioners in mental health care, organized clubs alongside other religious after-school clubs in schools besieged by proselytizing organizations, and engaged in other advocacy in accordance with our tenets,” the website states. 

Avoiding a legal dispute over the First Amendment, the Concord City Council approved the organization’s permit to show the display, despite the mayor saying earlier this week he wished the city had not approved it. 

NEW YORK SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLOWS STUDENT TO FORM BIBLE CLUB AFTER PREVIOUSLY DENYING PERMISSION

a Satanic Temple in New Hampshire

A display by The Satanic Temple in Concord, New Hampshire. (The Satanic Temple)

“I opposed the permit because I believe the request was made not in the interest of promoting religious equity but in order to drive an anti-religious political agenda, and because I do not respond well to legal extortion, the threat of litigation,” Concord Mayor Byron Champlin said during the council’s meeting last Monday. “Some on social media have celebrated the Satanic Temple’s display as a victory for religious pluralism and a reflection of our growing diversity as a community. I disagree with this. This is about an out-of-state organization cynically promoting its national agenda at the expense of the Concord community.”

Meanwhile, the city put out a statement saying that due to the First Amendment and the potential for a lawsuit, the city was forced to choose between banning all holiday displays or allowing TST’s statue.

“After reviewing its legal options, the City ultimately decided to continue the policy of allowing unattended displays at City Plaza during this holiday season and to allow the statue,” the city said in a statement. “It is anticipated that the City Council will review next year whether permits for unattended holiday displays should be allowed at City Plaza.”

LAWSUIT AGAINST NY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER PARENTS SAY CHILDREN WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST

destroyed Satanic Temple display in Concord, NH

A holiday display by The Satanic Temple lies in ruins on the grounds in Concord, New Hampshire. (The Satanic Temple)

Read rebuked the mayor in an interview with the Catholic news outlet this week, saying, “I think it’s the narrow-mindedness of the mayor, who can’t seem to wrap his head around that this represents a large percentage of the community and its beliefs.”

In a video posted to Facebook, two TST representatives unveiled the statue Monday. One spokesperson recalled the group’s core tenets, before chanting, “Hail Satan!” and showcasing the statue. 

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Concord Deputy Police Chief John Thomas told a local news outlet that the investigation into who vandalized TST’s property is ongoing. 

TST has erected several holiday displays near city or state properties, often alongside traditional Christian exhibits, in recent years. In 2022, the Illinois chapter of TST installed a holiday display in the state Capitol rotunda, which featured a crocheted serpent atop a book and a pile of apples. In December 2023, the Iowa TST chapter set up a Baphomet statue at the state Capitol, which was also vandalized shortly after its placement. 

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Mitt Romney names who he thinks will be the GOP’s 2028 presidential nominee

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Outgoing Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said that he thinks Vice President-elect JD Vance will become the GOP’s 2028 presidential nominee, describing Vance as “smart” and “well-spoken.”

President-elect Donald Trump tapped Vance to serve as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election, and the two trounced the Democratic ticket, consisting of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Romney, who made the comments on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said the GOP “has become the party of the working-class, middle-class voter,” adding that Trump should be given credit.

TRUMP FOE MITT ROMNEY RESISTS ENDORSING HARRIS

Sen. Mitt Romney

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, arrives for a Senate Republican meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 8, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The senator suggested that movements to defund the police and allow biological males in female sports led to some middle class flight from the Democratic Party, which he said is “in trouble.”

“I don’t know how they recover,” he said. “They’ve lost their base,” he said, noting that union workers have departed the Democratic Party and voted for the GOP. “And the Democratic Party is seen not as rich people, but as college professors and woke scolds,” he said.

While interviewing Romney, CNN’s Jake Tapper said “Trump has made it clear that he wants to go after his political opponents,” and asked Romney whether he is worried that he or his family could be targeted “for retribution.”

MITT ROMNEY DEFENDS TRUMP’S BORDER SECURITY POLICY, SLAMS BIDEN IN HEATED EXCHANGE WITH MSNBC HOST

Sen. Mitt Romney and President Donald Trump

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a listening session on youth vaping of electronic cigarettes on Nov. 22, 2019, in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Romney indicated that he is not worried and that he thinks Trump will likely seek to “focus on the future.”

Romney served as a senator since 2019, but opted not to seek another term.

He was previously the GOP’s 2012 presidential nominee, but lost that election to incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama. 

Romney also previously served as governor of Massachusetts.

ROMNEY ANNOUNCES HE WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2024, BASHES TRUMP AND BIDEN

Sen. Mitt Romney

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, answers questions in his office after announcing he will not seek re-election on Sept. 13, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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When Tapper asked Romney how he would like to be remembered in history, the senator said he does not “think history will remember Mitt Romney.” 

“What I want is my family to remember me,” he noted. 

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Luxury real estate brothers lured women with promise of lavish lifestyle: feds

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Two luxury real estate agents and their brother are accused of drugging and then sexually assaulting and raping dozens of women, according to a federal indictment filed last week and obtained by Fox News Digital. 

Tal, 38, and Oren Alexander, 37, two prominent jet-setting brokers in New York and Miami, and their brother Alon Alexander, Oren’s identical twin, were arrested in Miami Beach on Wednesday, Dec. 11. 

Prosecutors allege that the Alexander brothers “worked together, and with others known and unknown to repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault, and rape dozens of victims” in New York, Miami and elsewhere, the indictment says. 

“This conduct, as alleged, was heinous,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said at a Manhattan news conference announcing the charges. 

FORMER DEMOCRATIC REP. ANTHONY WEINER, CONVICTED OF ILLICIT CONTACT WITH MINOR, FILES TO RUN FOR NYC COUNCIL

The Alexander brothers “arranged for these sexual assaults well in advance, using the promise of luxury experiences, travel, and accommodations to lure and entice women to locations where they were then forcibly raped or sexually assaulted, sometimes by multiple men,” including themselves, according to the indictment. 

At times, the brothers “physically restrained and held down their victims during the rapes and sexual assaults and ignored screams and explicit requests to stop,” the indictment continues.

According to the charges in the indictment, the three brothers had conspired in the sex trafficking scheme since at least 2010, but prosecutors filed a letter on Wednesday alleging that their sexual violence against women actually spans more than 20 years, dating as far back as when the men were in high school in Miami.

In the letter, prosecutors asked the court to deny the brothers bail, while also revealing additional details about their alleged crimes. 

FORMER NEW YORK STATE GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO’S SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACCUSER DROPS FEDERAL LAWSUIT

Real Estate Brokers Tal Alexander and Oren Alexander at their home on Miami Beach

Real estate brokers Tal Alexander and Oren Alexander at their home on Miami Beach on Feb. 1, 2019.  (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

As adults, the Alexander brothers’ serial sexual violence only escalated, prosecutors added. After they graduated from college, all three brothers moved to New York City, although they continued to also maintain homes in Miami and split their time between the two cities.

“The evidence in this case also establishes that the defendants planned and paid for trips involving the interstate and international transportation of women on multiple other occasions,” prosecutors wrote in the letter. 

Alon Alexander and Oren Alexander appear in a Miami courtroom.

Oren Alexander, 37, center, and his twin brother, Alon, center-right, speak to their attorney Joel Denaro during their bond hearing after being charged with multiple state and federal crimes, including sex trafficking and rape, at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Miami. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP, Pool.)

One victim, called Victim-1 in the letter by prosecutors, reported being raped by Tal Alexander and “another man” in 2011 at the Alexander brothers’ vacation house in the Hamptons. Victim-1 had never met Tal Alexander before, and after arriving at the house “was given a glass of wine and drank about half of it before she began to feel unwell in a way inconsistent with drinking that amount,” according to the letter. 

Victim-1’s memory then became hazy, but she has several distinct memories of the night. Specifically, Victim-1 remembers being held down by Tal while another man entered the room, according to the letter, and recalls being in a second location with Tal and the other man and that a camcorder was set up. 

DIDDY DENIED BAIL IN SEX TRAFFICKING, RACKETEERING CASE

Oren and Alon Alexander attends Jeff Gordon's Last Lap

Oren and Alon Alexander attend Jeff Gordon’s Last Lap on Nov. 22, 2015 at The Villa, Casa Casuarina in Miami Beach, Florida.  (Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for J Group)

Another woman, Victim-2, reported being raped by Oren Alexander in 2016 after she “began feeling strange and struggled to walk” after Oren handed her a cocktail. Alon Alexander then allegedly took the woman to a bedroom to lay down, and she later woke to find Oren in the room. Oren pulled down her bathing suit and raped her while she was “physically impaired and could not move,” and “struggled to speak,” the letter continued. 

Prosecutors said that “just weeks after the Alexander brothers sex trafficked and raped Victim-2,” the brothers, along with a number of other individuals, arranged to transport women to Tulum, Mexico. The brothers engaged in a group WhatsApp chat titled “Lions in Tulum,” referring to the Mexican resort town, in which they and other men attending the trip discussed “imports” of women and splitting the cost of lodging and flights for the women and providing drugs “that would make them more likely to engage in sex.”

Oren Alexander and his twin brother, Alon, attend a bond hearing

Oren Alexander and his twin brother, Alon, attend a bond hearing after being charged with multiple state and federal crimes, including sex trafficking and rape, at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Miami. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP, Pool)

One of the drugs mentioned, “G,” which prosecutors believe is in reference to “GHB,” is defined as a “date rape” drug. 

“Are all girls getting shipped out on Sunday?” Oren Alexander said in one message, adding that he was “just trying to make sure I get max returns.” He said the price they were paying was “more than most of us ever spent on girls.”

‘DIDDY’ MAKES 3RD BAIL ATTEMPT AFTER PROSECUTORS ALLEGE HE BLACKMAILED VICTIMS FROM BEHIND BARS

Oren and Tal Alexander co-founded the real estate firm Official, which offers luxury listings in places like New York City, the Hamptons, Miami and Los Angeles, in 2022 after rising through the ranks at Douglas Elliman, one of the largest real estate brokerages in the country, prosecutors wrote.

At Douglas Elliman, they secured significant brokered deals, including a nearly $240 million sale of a penthouse in 2019, which at the time was the most expensive residential sale in United States history. Alon Alexander, 37, did not work in real estate, but he socialized with them.

All three brothers live in “high-value” properties in Miami Beach and New York, prosecutors said. Tal Alexander rents an apartment inside a skyscraper on Manhattan’s “Billionaire’s Row,” while Alon and Oren Alexander live in properties in Miami Beach with “direct water access” and “private docks,” according to court filings. 

Tal and Oren took steps to conceal their crimes and protect their reputations in the real estate industry, prosecutors said. 

“The Government is aware, for instance, of at least one occasion in which Tal and Oren filed a police report alleging harassment against a woman who has described being forcibly digitally penetrated by Tal while Oren was in the room. Tal also threatened that victim with a defamation lawsuit if she did not stop telling people that he and Oren had sexually assaulted her,” according to the filing by prosecutors.

SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS SEEKS BAIL, CITING NEW EVIDENCE

Tal Alexander attends the Charity Gala

Tal Alexander attends the Charity Gala for Ukraine people and culture at Scuola Grande Di San Rocco on April 21, 2022, in Venice, Italy.   (Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)

All three brothers were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and a separate count of sex trafficking of one woman by force, fraud or coercion. In addition, Tal Alexander was charged with the sex trafficking of a second victim.

“Mr. Alexander will enter a not guilty plea and addressing these charges in the appropriate forum – a courtroom,” Isabelle Kirschner, representing Alon Alexander in connection with the indictment, told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

Attorneys Susan Necheles, representing Oren Alexander, and Joel Denaro, representing Oren and Alon Alexander in Florida, told Fox News Digital in a statement that a judge had granted them release from custody.

“A Florida judge today ordered Oren and Alon Alexander released from state jail. After two hearings, the state judge found that conditions can be put in place to ensure the safety of the community and Oren and Alon’s attendance in court, and ordered the two men be released on bail,” the attorneys said on Friday. “We are grateful and ready to begin to fight this case in court.”

Deanna Paul, an attorney for older brother Tal Alexander, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

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Williams said the investigation was ongoing and urged anyone with claims of sexual violence by any of the Alexander brothers to come forward.

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White House staying quiet mysterious drones terrorizing Americans and more top headlines

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Good morning and welcome to Fox News’ morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here’s what you need to know to start your day …

TOP 3

1. White House staying quiet mysterious drones.

2. Trump warmly welcomed at Army-Navy game.

3. Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes gets crushed.

MAJOR HEADLINES

‘CLASSIFIED’ VAULT – Biden admin’s statements reveal the truth about drones, former CIA agent alleges. Continue reading …

‘WILL NOT BE DEFEATED’ – VP Harris tells DNC staffers after devastating layoffs, ‘our spirit will not be defeated.’ Continue reading …

FRIGHTFUL FAINT – Trump adviser collapses on stage while giving speech at Young Republican gala. Continue reading …

RADICAL SHIFT – Professors accused of playing a role in accused Ivy League killer’s mental snap. Continue reading …

BYE, GEORGE – ABC News host quits X, goes silent on his $15M mistake regarding Trump. Continue reading …

POLITICS

‘FIERCE DEFENDER’ – Who is Alina Habba? The fiery attorney Trump tapped as counselor to the president. Continue reading …

SETTING THEIR SIGHTS – Trump’s cost cutters drop hints about what’s first on the chopping block. Continue reading …

OFFERING SUPPORT – Tech leaders look for face time with Trump before his administration takes over. Continue reading …

‘BERN’ IT DOWN – Bernie Sanders weighs in on Hunter pardon, throwing Biden under the bus. Continue reading …

Click here for more cartoons…
 

MEDIA

‘FULL OF HOLES’ – CNN accused of misleading court on net worth for high-profile defamation case. Continue reading …

‘COMPLETELY FALSE’ – Whistleblower’s lawyers believe unsealed court docs prove DOJ never had case. Continue reading …

UNLIKELY ALLIANCE – GOP lawmaker throws AOC a bone with powerful committee endorsement. Continue reading …

NO COMMENT –  ABC News host doesn’t mention settlement with Trump’s defamation lawsuit on his show. Continue reading …

OPINION

DAVID MARCUS – Drone debacle perfect end to Biden’s ‘you don’t need to know’ presidency. Continue reading …

GREGG JARRETT – Prosecute sanctuary officials who defy Trump’s deportation orders. Continue reading …

 

IN OTHER NEWS

TIS THE SEASON – ‘Santa Claus’ sarcophagus believed to be discovered. Continue reading …

ROCKY WATERS – Sylvester Stallone angers Palm Beach neighbors. Continue reading …

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2 Massachusetts men arrested for flying drone ‘dangerously close’ to Boston airport

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Two Massachusetts men who flew a drone “dangerously close” to Logan International Airport in Boston are facing charges, police say. 

Robert Duffy, 42, of Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater were taken into custody late Saturday night on Long Island, which is located on the approach to the airport, according to the Boston Police Department. 

“The incident began earlier that evening, at 4:30 PM, when a Boston Police Officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance detected an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operating dangerously close to Logan International Airport,” police said in a statement. “Leveraging advanced UAS monitoring technology, the Officer identified the drone’s location, altitude, flight history, and the operators’ position on Long Island.” 

“Members of the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit were dispatched to Long Island and located three individuals inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus. Upon attempting to make contact, the suspects fled on foot,” police added. “Two of the three individuals were apprehended and identified as Duffy and Folcik. During the investigation, a drone was discovered inside a backpack carried by Duffy.” 

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Boston Logan airport planes

Planes are seen operating at Boston’s Logan airport in October 2020. (Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Investigators believe the third individual fled the island – which is part of the Boston Harbor Islands – on a “small vessel.”  

Duffy and Folcik are now facing charges of trespassing, although the Boston Police Department noted that more charges and fines could follow.

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Long Island in Boston's Harbor Islands

There are numerous buildings on the abandoned Long Island near Boston, Mass. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Police also said that because of the “serious risks posed by the drone’s proximity to Logan’s airspace,” the Department of Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control were contacted to help with the response. 

Ships near Long Island in Boston

Long Island, located on the approach to Boston’s Logan airport, is shown here in the background on Jan. 5, 2024. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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“The Boston Police Department reminds recreational drone operators of the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration safety guidelines. Operators are prohibited from flying drones over people or vehicles and must be aware of airspace restrictions,” Boston Police added. “Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk.” 

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Harris tells DNC staffers after devastating layoffs, ‘our spirit will not be defeated’

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Vice President Kamala Harris tried to encourage Democratic staffers facing layoffs from the DNC on Sunday, telling them that their “spirit will not be defeated.”

Harris made the comments during the DNC’s holiday celebration in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. She spoke alongside President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the event, which played host to staffers who were let go from the DNC without severance packages after the election.

“This holiday season, like any time of the year, let us really be conscious of all the blessings we have. Let us celebrate the blessings we have; let us celebrate and advance the blessings we have yet to create,” Harris said. “And let us always remember our country is worth fighting for, and our spirit will not be defeated.”

“And hear me when I say this, that spirit that fuels the countless hours and days and months of work that you have put into this, that spirit. It can never be defeated. Our spirit is not defeated. We are not defeated. Let’s be clear about that. We are strong. We are clear about why we are in this. And because you’re here right now. I say again, thank you. Because not only are you clear about all of that, you’re willing to put in the hard work and that work must continue,” she said.

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kamala harris

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a concession speech after the 2024 presidential election, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

Biden took the stage after Harris and defended the pair’s legacy as they prepare to leave office. He argued that the country is in a “resoundingly” better position today than when he and Harris entered the White House.

“The one thing I’ve always believed about public service, and especially about the presidency, is the importance of asking yourself, have we left the country in better shape than we found it? Today, I can say with every fiber of my being, of all my heart, the answer to that question is a resounding yes,” he said.

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He went on to encourage staffers to “stay engaged” in the years ahead.

“You’re not going anywhere, kid,” Biden said of Harris. “Because we’re not gonna let you.”

Joe Biden

President Joe Biden defended his administration’s legacy during a speech at the DNC holiday party. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Some DNC staffers had expressed frustration at the post-election layoffs, which are relatively common in Washington, D.C. The DNC union objected to the lack of severance packages and other benefits when the layoffs were announced in late November.

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“We find it very cruel that DNC management is trying to claim that layoffs are just part of the job,” a DNC union member told Mother Jones. “And we feel strongly that losing an election has not absolved the organization of its responsibility to treat its workers with basic dignity.”

The Democratic National Committee's (DNC) executive committee meets for the first time since the presidential election, on Dec. 13, 2024, in Washington D.C. 

The Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) executive committee meets for the first time since the presidential election, on Dec. 13, 2024, in Washington D.C.  (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison does not plan to seek re-election to his post, leaving a pool of would-be leaders to vie for the top position.

The next chair will be chosen by the roughly 450 voting members of the national party committee when they meet at the beginning of February at National Harbor in Maryland for the DNC’s winter meeting.

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The list of candidates seeking to replace Harrison includes Martin O’Malley, the former two-term Maryland governor, Ben Wikler, who has led the Democratic Party in Wisconsin for five years, and Minnesota Democrats chair Ken Martin.

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Tom Brady reveals initial reaction to Bill Belichick taking North Carolina job

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Tom Brady revealed his initial reaction when he found out Bill Belichick decided to become the next head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Brady talked about his former coach’s decision while calling the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Fox Sunday evening.

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Tom Brady and Bill Belichick celebrate

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, #12, celebrate the win over the Kansas City Chiefs during overtime in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20, 2019. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

“Kind of blew me away when I heard the news,” Brady told Fox play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt. “I didn’t think that was an opportunity he was looking at. But they’re getting, obviously, a tremendous coach. 

“Being in that locker room with him when I did for many years, those guys are gonna play very hard. He’s gonna coach them well. It’s a great benefit for all those players who are going to that program because they’re getting the best coach the NFL has ever seen – now he’s at a college level.”

Burkhardt asked Brady about how he thought Belichick’s recruiting was going to go.

BILL BELICHICK’S FORMER PLAYERS SPEAK OUT AFTER COACH’S SHOCKING DECISION TO TAKE NORTH CAROLINA JOB

Bill Belichick talks

New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick speaks to the crowd at Dean Smith Center during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game between La Salle and North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

The former New England Patriots star quarterback admitted that his former coach was not exactly the warmest person in the world.

“He’s not the warmest and fuzziest of all time. It’s not like there’s tons of … I remember one year after we won the Super Bowl in our first year, we got in a limo on Bourbon Street after we beat the Rams in 2001, we got in a limo after the game, the next morning at the MVP press conference he goes, ‘You know what, Tom? You had a pretty good season.’ That was a about as warm and fuzzy as it got with coach Belichick,” Brady said.

Belichick is set to replace Mack Brown as head coach. The Tar Heels are 6-6 this year and play UConn in the Fenway Bowl. Freddie Kitchens will coach the team for the game.

Bill Belichick waves

New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick walks on the court of Dean Smith Center during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game between La Salle and North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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North Carolina has gone to six consecutive bowl games. They have had one 10-win season since 1998.

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