Trump, Epstein ‘Best Friends Forever’ Statue Hastily Removed From DC’s National Mall

A garish statue of President Trump and late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was mysteriously erected on the National Mall on Tuesday — and removed by Wednesday morning.

The bronze sculpture stood about 12 feet tall and appeared to show both men in a merry dance with Trump’s left hand gripping Epstein’s right.

One of the plaques under the figures read: “We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend’ Jeffrey Epstein” and attributed the stunt to an anonymous group called “The Secret Handshake.”

“We’re a very small group of citizens who are using art, irony, and humor to express social commentary and spark political conversation in public spaces,” the group told USA Today.

US Park Police hauled the installation away before daybreak Wednesday, telling WUSA 9 that it wasn’t in compliance with a permit that initially allowed it to remain through Sunday evening — though the department did not specify the issue. (Read more from “Trump, Epstein ‘Best Friends Forever’ Statue Hastily Removed From DC’s National Mall” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

FBI Claims It Found ‘Secret’ Files in Trump Nemesis’ Office

The FBI said it recovered classified documents and files marked “secret” from the office of Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, John Bolton.

Agents carried out a sweep of the Washington D.C. office of Bolton, now a vocal Trump critic and nemesis of the president, the same day it carried out an early morning raid at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, on Aug. 22.

An inventory of items seized during the office search, obtained by Politico, shows Bolton had classified files discussing weapons of mass destruction, “secret” travel memos, and “confidential” files related to a U.S. mission to the United Nations and government strategic communications.

The FBI did not specify the volume of material recovered from Bolton’s office but said it included folders marked “confidential” that contained pages labeled “secret.” Court filings indicated that no sensitive materials were removed from Bolton’s home.

In its search warrant application, the FBI said it was gathering evidence related to allegations of conspiracy to gather, transmit, or lose defense information, and the unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents. (Read more from “FBI Claims It Found ‘Secret’ Files in Trump Nemesis’ Office” HERE)

Study Reveals Americans Are Spending Shocking Amounts on McDonald’s — Especially Through Delivery Apps

Americans are paying more than ever for fast food — especially if they’re ordering McDonald’s through delivery apps. A new nationwide study by financial technology company Self found that the cost of a typical McDonald’s order has ballooned over the past two years, with third-party apps driving prices significantly higher.

By comparing prices in the 100 largest U.S. cities across DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, the researchers aimed to capture just how much more people are shelling out for the convenience of delivery.

The order used in the study was the same in every city:

A Big Mac Combo Meal

A Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe Large Meal

A 6-Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal

A Hamburger Happy Meal

In 2025, the average cost of that order at a McDonald’s location was $36.95 — a 23.7% increase since 2023. But when the same meal was ordered through delivery apps, the average price jumped to $62.36, representing a 7.8% increase from two years ago and nearly doubling the in-store cost.

Delivery fees, service fees, local taxes, and tips were all factored into the totals, offering a real-world look at what customers are actually paying. The study even found city-by-city price differences of up to $33.88.

Among the three major platforms analyzed:

DoorDash was the priciest, averaging $63.21 — a 71.1% markup over restaurant pricing.

Uber Eats followed closely at $62.60, with a 69.4% increase.

Grubhub was the “cheapest” at $61.26, but still represented a 65.8% markup.

Though delivery prices are rising, one silver lining is that the average markup over in-store pricing has actually dropped compared to 2023. That year, the average delivery markup was a whopping 93.8%. In 2025, it has decreased to 68.6%, thanks in part to more competitive pricing and fluctuating fees.

The most cost-effective way to enjoy your McDonald’s favorites remains the old-fashioned one: picking it up in person. The study emphasized that delivery should be considered a luxury — especially when ordering multiple meals.

James Comey Reportedly Facing Indictment ‘For Lying to Congress’

Former FBI Director James Comey is reportedly on the verge of being indicted for allegedly lying to Congress — a dramatic turn in one of the most tangled political sagas of the last decade.

Multiple reports suggest that the Justice Department is preparing charges against Comey, likely to be filed in the Eastern District of Virginia. The charges are believed to stem from Comey’s 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, during which he denied authorizing a leak of memos detailing his private interactions with Trump.

Once seen by some as a steady hand during the chaos of the 2016 election, he quickly became a villain in both Republican and Democratic circles — first for announcing the reopening of the Clinton email probe just days before the election, and then for his role in launching the Trump-Russia investigation.

That investigation, known internally as Crossfire Hurricane, led to the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel.

The memo leak that triggered Mueller’s appointment is at the center of the current legal trouble. Comey admitted in 2017 that he shared seven memos documenting his interactions with Trump with a friend — Columbia Law professor Daniel Richman — who passed details to The New York Times. The leak prompted a political firestorm and, ultimately, the Russia collusion probe.

In his 2020 Senate testimony, Comey claimed he had “no idea” Richman would leak the memos. That claim, now under renewed scrutiny, may form the basis of the expected indictment.

Handling the case is Lindsey Halligan, a 36-year-old former White House staffer and newly appointed acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Her elevation earlier this month raised eyebrows, particularly given her close ties to Trump and her previous work defending him in legal proceedings.

Critics argue Halligan’s role in the case underscores what they see as a politicized weaponization of the Justice Department, with Trump using prosecutorial power to go after his old enemies. Supporters of the move see it differently — as long-overdue accountability for a man they view as the architect of a politically motivated investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Halligan is also reportedly overseeing another politically sensitive case: the investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is being probed over a 2023 home purchase in Virginia — again, someone who has famously clashed with Trump.

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Trump Reveals ‘Presidential Walk of Fame’ — With Brutal Biden Snub on White House Colonnade

President Trump unveiled the new “Presidential Walk of Fame” at the White House Wednesday, featuring photos of the 45 men who have led the United States — with a harsh rebuke of former President Joe Biden, who is represented by an image of an autopen.

“The Presidential Walk of Fame has arrived on the West Wing Colonnade. Wait for it…” tweeted Trump special assistant Margo Martin, with a panned video of the gold-framed portraits, beginning with George Washington nearest the White House residence before reaching pictures of Trump and the autopen.

Trump, 79, personally inspected the latest Executive Mansion renovation in a photo tweeted by the official White House account.

The Colonnade abuts the Rose Garden and connects the presidential living quarters and event spaces of the White House to workspaces, including the Oval Office in the West Wing.

Trump’s plan to portray Biden, 82, as an autopen was known for weeks, and the iconic passageway’s white wall was recently resurfaced in preparation.

Trump has highlighted his predecessor’s use of the electronic signing device to question whether Democratic aides improperly used Biden’s signature during his alleged cognitive decline. (Read more from “Trump Reveals ‘Presidential Walk of Fame’ — With Brutal Biden Snub on White House Colonnade” HERE)

The Rapture Didn’t Happen as Predicted in ‘Prophet’s’ Viral Video — and Now True Believers Are Depressed

The Rapture didn’t happen Tuesday as predicted by a “prophet” in a viral video that prompted some followers to quit their jobs, sell their possessions and ditch exams — and now true believers say they’re deeply depressed.

Followers took to social media Wednesday to mourn the fact that Jesus didn’t return to Earth and float them up to heaven as promised by Joshua Mhlakela of South Africa, who was featured in a Youtube video that took TikTok by storm.

“I didn’t do my exams because I [thought] it doesn’t matter,” one crushed believer wrote on Tiktok with a crying emoji — one day after realizing the end wasn’t really nigh. “Now look at me.”

@danielsixten Some are claiming the rapture would happen in 2025, like Joshua Mhlakela on September 23. But God’s Word is clear: “No one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). When someone sets dates in the Lord’s name, Scripture calls it false prophecy (Ezekiel 13:6). But God’s mercy is still open: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). Don’t be led astray. Live ready. Our hope isn’t in a date—it’s in Jesus. ✝️🔥 #ChristianNews #rapture #raptureapology #joshuamhlakela #jesusiscoming ♬ original sound – Daniel Six Ten

A somber video posted by an apparent religious leader, titled “My Apologies,” also raked in a slew of regretful comments under the hashtag #rapturenow.

“I’m here with all humility to apologize to everyone who have [seen] me promote brother Joshua’s 23rd and 24th date of September rapture,” the man can be seen declaring in TikTok footage posted Wednesday.

@lkystrm Happy rapture day or whatever September 23 2025 is lol #rapture #raptureready #raptured #lol ♬ original sound – jen💫

(Read more from “The Rapture Didn’t Happen as Predicted in ‘Prophet’s’ Viral Video — and Now True Believers Are Depressed” HERE)

Tylenol Post Goes Viral: ‘We Actually Don’t Recommend Using Any of Our Products While Pregnant’

Past posts from an X account associated with the Tylenol brand are going viral, especially one that states, “We don’t recommend using any of our products while pregnant.”

Curious social media users apparently dug up the old posts from the Tylenol account — which has not posted since 2021 — on X. In one post from March 7, 2017, the account posted, “We actually don’t recommend using any of our products while pregnant. Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns today.”

Another post circulating comes from June 2019. The brand appears to be congratulating a woman on her pregnancy. In the post, the brand indicates that they have not actually tested the drug for use during pregnancy.

The post reads, “Congrats on your upcoming addition! SO exciting! It’d be great to touch base real quick since we haven’t tested Tylenol to be used during pregnancy (and see what coupons we have for baby!) Call us when you can at ​1-877-895-3665, M-F from 9a-5:30pm ET w/ your Twitter handle ❤️”

(Read more from “Tylenol Post Goes Viral: ‘We Actually Don’t Recommend Using Any of Our Products While Pregnant’” HERE)

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Trump Says NATO Should Shoot Down Russian Jets That Violate Airspace, Escalating Tensions With Moscow

President Donald Trump dramatically escalated his rhetoric on Tuesday, calling on NATO countries to shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace. The remarks, made during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, are likely to reverberate across Europe and further strain already tense relations between NATO and Moscow.

Asked directly by a reporter whether NATO allies should respond with military force to airspace violations by Russian jets, Trump did not hesitate:

“Yes, I do,” he replied.

The statement, though brief, represents a significant escalation in Trump’s posture toward Russia — one that, if acted upon, could lead to direct military conflict between NATO and the Kremlin. Shooting down a Russian military aircraft, even in defense of NATO airspace, could trigger retaliatory measures and plunge Europe into a broader war.

Trump’s stance on NATO has been inconsistent over the years. As president, he frequently criticized NATO members for not spending enough on defense and questioned the alliance’s relevance. His Tuesday comments, however, seemed to embrace NATO’s core doctrine of collective defense — albeit in a manner that raises the stakes exponentially.

Military analysts warn that even a single such incident — a NATO member downing a Russian aircraft — could spark retaliatory strikes, diplomatic fallout, or even invoke Article 5, NATO’s mutual defense clause, which could lead to full-scale conflict between Russia and the West.

Zelenskyy, seated beside Trump, did not publicly respond to the call for shooting down Russian jets, but has repeatedly urged Western nations to take a firmer stance against Russian aggression. Ukraine has long called for tougher NATO action, particularly following repeated Russian airspace violations near NATO borders in Eastern Europe.

The former president’s comments came just hours after he blasted the United Nations in a separate speech, accusing the international body of undermining U.S. interests and enabling illegal immigration.

“Not only is the U.N. not solving the problems it should. It, too often, is actually creating new problems for us to solve,” Trump said. “The best example is the No. 1 political issue of our time: the crisis of uncontrolled migration. It is uncontrolled. Your countries are being ruined.”

He further accused the U.N. of actively supporting illegal immigration into the United States by providing “food, shelter, transportation and debit cards” to migrants.

“The U.N. is supporting people that are illegally coming into the United States, and we have to get them out,” he added.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

U.S. Blocks Iranian Diplomats From Shopping at Costco, Imposes Luxury Goods Ban During UN Visit

The Trump administration has moved to restrict Iranian diplomats visiting the United States from accessing wholesale retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club, as part of a broader effort to limit what officials describe as luxury privileges for the Iranian regime during their visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

In a statement released Monday, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the new restrictions are aimed at preventing Iranian officials from engaging in what he called a “shopping spree” while Iranian citizens continue to suffer under economic hardship.

“We will not allow the Iranian regime to allow its clerical elites to have a shopping spree in New York while the Iranian people endure poverty, crumbling infrastructure, and dire shortages of water and electricity,” Pigott said.

According to a notice scheduled for publication in the Federal Register, Iranian diplomats — including those stationed at the Iranian Mission in New York — will now require U.S. government approval to obtain memberships and make purchases at any wholesale club store. These stores, known for selling goods in bulk at reduced prices, are widely used by diplomats and foreign delegations to procure goods often unavailable or heavily sanctioned in their home countries.

The policy also includes restrictions on luxury goods. Iranian officials will need specific permission to purchase any item valued over $1,000, including electronics, watches, jewelry, leather and silk apparel, perfumes, alcohol, and vehicles priced above $60,000.

In addition to commercial restrictions, the U.S. has re-imposed strict limitations on the movement of Iranian diplomats, confining them to the immediate vicinity necessary to travel between the United Nations headquarters and their accommodations. This echoes similar restrictions from previous years but arrives at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to lead the Iranian delegation to the UN, amid rising uncertainty over the future of the 2015 nuclear agreement and the anticipated re-imposition of UN sanctions that were previously lifted under the accord.

The U.S. also denied entry to Palestinian Authority officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, blocking them from attending a scheduled two-state solution conference on Monday.

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Trump Says Ukraine Can Win Back All Lost Territory With NATO Support

Former U.S. President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that Ukraine, with backing from the European Union and NATO, can reclaim all of the territory it has lost to Russia since the start of the war, signaling a shift from his earlier position that both sides would need to make territorial concessions to achieve peace.

Speaking after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, asserting that Ukraine’s pre-2022 borders remain a viable goal.

“With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders from where this war started are very much an option,” Trump wrote.

He went on to criticize Russia’s military performance in the war, calling it ineffective and directionless.

“Russia has been fighting aimlessly in a war that a real military power would have won in less than a week,” he wrote, adding that “Putin and Russia are in BIG economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.”

Trump also reiterated that the United States would continue supplying weapons to NATO, “for NATO to do what they want with them” — suggesting a hands-off approach to how allies choose to support Kyiv militarily.

Trump has floated the idea of a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin — potentially with himself as a participant — as part of a broader peace initiative. The proposal, while not formally endorsed by either side, remains a central element of Trump’s approach to ending the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Moscow has downplayed the idea of such a summit, saying that no meeting is planned and that any future talks would require a clear and well-structured agenda. Kyiv, for its part, has pointed to Russia’s ongoing military offensives and refusal to scale back its ambitions as evidence that Moscow is not serious about negotiations.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr