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Republicans sharply criticized former President Joe Biden over rising prices at the gas pump, but a spike in energy prices amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran threatens to scramble the party’s affordability messaging.The Iran conflict has led to a surge in gas prices for Americans, leading to an average 50 cents a gallon increase since Operation Epic Fury began on Feb. 28.The average price of gas reached $3.63 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA. Diesel prices have also risen to $4.89 per gallon. The increases have been mostly fueled by volatility in oil prices, which closed above $100 per barrel Thursday for the first time since 2022 as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively shuttered from the conflict.The president characterized the gas price hike amid the Iran conflict as “a very small price to pay” in a Truth Social post Sunday.THE WAR HITS HOME: WHY FINANCIAL PAIN AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY THREATEN TRUMP’S DRIVE TO TOPPLE IRAN’S REGIMEThat statement represented a sharp break with Trump’s typical messaging touting low gas prices prior to Operation Epic Fury.”Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor — it was quite honestly a disaster — is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states. And in some places, $1.99 a gallon,” President Donald Trump said during his Feb. 27 State of the Union address. “And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline.”The surge in gas and diesel prices threatens to undermine the economic message of President Trump and congressional Republicans, who have touted low gas prices as a major win in the lead-up to November’s midterm elections. Cost of living issues are expected to be a key concern among voters as both parties claim to be laser-focused on making everyday life more affordable.Trump directed the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to release 172 million gallons of crude oil Wednesday in an effort to lower oil prices.”I filled it up once, and I’ll fill it up again, but right now, we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down,” Trump told Cincinnati news station WKRC.During the 2024 presidential contest, Trump frequently campaigned on ending Biden’s “war on American energy” and pledged to reverse a surge in gas prices that occurred under his predecessor’s tenure.Gas prices averaged $3.45 per gallon across all fuel grades during Biden’s four-year term, surging to a record high of more than $5 per gallon in June 2022 after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.”Starting on Day 1, we will drive down prices and make America affordable again,” Trump said during a speech at the Republican National Committee convention in July 2024. “People can’t live like this.”Democrats have seized on rising prices at the pump amid the conflict in Iran.”I wish the administration thought about this before they started this unnecessary war,” Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, said Monday when asked about the gas price hike.”Donald Trump’s war has sent gas prices skyrocketing through the roof,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on social media Monday. “What contempt. What cluelessness.”TANKERS TO RESUME NORMAL MOVEMENT IN MIDDLE EAST IN ‘A FEW WEEKS’ AT WORST, ENERGY SEC SAYS, ENDING OIL SURGERepublicans have voiced confidence that the rise in gas prices would be temporary. GOP lawmakers have frequently cited their efforts to roll back Biden-era energy regulations and boost domestic production as evidence that their policies are working to lower energy prices.”It’s going to be probably volatile for a period of time. I think what’s going to be key is ensuring we can get safe access to the Strait of Hormuz,” Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Monday, adding that he was confident the disruption would be short-lived.Daines, who abruptly suspended his re-election campaign last week, highlighted that average gas prices were under $3 per gallon prior to Trump’s State of the Union speech. “That’s an important win for the American people,” the retiring Montana lawmaker said. “Something you’re reminded of usually weekly when you’re gassing up your vehicle.”Some Republicans and Trump administration officials are also arguing that a defeated Iran will ultimately spur lower gas prices, even if there is pain in the short run.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the recent increase in oil and gas prices as “temporary” during a briefing Tuesday.”Once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved, Americans will see oil and gas prices drop rapidly, potentially even lower than they were prior to the start of the operation,” Leavitt said.”At the end of the day, we’re going to destroy this regime, and their ability to disrupt oil is going to be less, and we’re going to have more production, not less,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters Monday. “Once you take the largest state sponsor of terrorism off the planet, who depends on oil for their revenue, that’s a more stable world.”However, some Republicans are warning that high oil and gas prices could be catastrophic for the party’s midterm prospects.”I think if you add in high gas prices, high oil prices, and if we are still bombing Iran with kinetic action … I think you’re going to see a disastrous election,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo on Tuesday.Nearly seven in 10 Americans — including 44% of Republicans — expect gas prices to keep increasing in the coming months, according to a Reuters-Ipsos poll released Monday.Trump has threatened Iran with unprecedented force if the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz is further restricted.”Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.

Brady Boyd became the senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs in 2007 after serving six years as associate senior pastor and elder at the Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. Elders at the church forced Boyd out last year after it became clear that he had misled his congregation about what he knew about Gateway Church founder Robert Morris’ sexual abuse of a child.Apparently betting on Coloradans to forgive and/or forget, Boyd is launching services nearby.BackgroundCindy Clemishire came forward in 2024 accusing Morris of molesting her when she was a child.’I am qualified for ministry.’Morris initially downplayed his interactions with Clemishire as “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” that was limited to “kissing and petting.” Clemishire contradicted Morris, suggesting that the pastor starting abusing her when she was 12 years old and continued doing so for roughly five years.Days after Clemishire’s public accusation went viral, the church’s elders announced that they had accepted Morris’ resignation.In October, several months after his indictment on child sexual battery charges, Morris pleaded guilty to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.Boyd could not escape the fallout from Morris’ sex abuse scandal.Boyd — who took over as senior pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs in 2007 after its former pastor, Ted Haggard, resigned over allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a male prostitute and abused methamphetamine — claimed until 2024 that he was unaware that Clemishire was 12 when Morris started molesting her, the Board of Elders of New Life Church said in a June 22, 2025, statement.RELATED: WATCH: Talarico self-owns when he warns fascism will ‘be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross’ Brady Boyd with former President George W. Bush in 2008. Craig F. Walker/Denver Post/Getty Images”We believe that to be inaccurate,” continued the statement. “Brady also made statements in his public address to the congregation on June 8 that the Board of Elders knows to be inaccurate.”On June 8, Boyd told members of his church that he had no previous knowledge of the allegations against Morris and portrayed himself as a victim of Morris’ deception. Court documents suggest, however, that he had some idea of the claims against his associate by late August 2007.While acknowledging that “Brady had nothing at all to do with Robert Morris’ past abuse,” the elders claimed Boyd did mislead his flock.”We believe that trust is the currency of leadership,” wrote the Board of Elders. “When Brady recently told our congregation, inaccurately, that he was unaware of certain details regarding Morris’ past abuse, trust was broken, and we, the Board of Elders, asked Brady to resign.”Boyd did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.New lifeWithin weeks of his resignation, Boyd launched a donation-collecting faith-themed organization called Psalm 68 Ministries, which he said in a July 22, 2025, post would “be operating under the authority of the elders of Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, TX.” Months later, he began a weekly sermon podcast.Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.Late last month, Boyd and his wife, Pam, announced in-person services in the same commercial area of northern Colorado Springs.”We believe we are still called to pastor in Colorado Springs. We received this mandate 18 years ago, and the calling has only grown stronger,” said the announcement. “After careful prayer and discussions with trusted counselors and friends, we feel led to start a Wednesday night church service in Colorado Springs that will focus on some simple, but powerful ideas. We’ll pray together, study the Scriptures together, share the Lord’s Table, and enjoy fellowship with each other.”Boyd provided a reminder on March 11, writing, “In one week, we will gather and we cannot wait to see all of you at 6:30 at the Phil Long Music Hall.”When asked whether the new services constitute church services, Boyd told ChurchLeaders, “We are going to worship, study the scriptures, receive communion, and pray. This is not a church plant.”Responding to skepticism about whether he should continue in ministry, Boyd said, “Everyone in my trusted circle of pastors and advisers agrees wholeheartedly that I am qualified for ministry.”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac has taken the brunt of the negativity social media has to offer as she’s grown her following to more than a million on multiple platforms.Spiranac wrote on X on Thursday there was at least one social media user who was a shining light for her even through all the criticism she receives.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM”There is this guy who comments ‘great cans’ on everything I post,” she wrote. “In a world full of hate and despair I know he will always be there for me to lift my spirits”He’s never missed a post for years.”Spiranac has sparingly returned to social media and explained last month she had been in a “funk.”COLLIN MORIKAWA SUSTAINS INJURY ON PRACTICE SWING, WITHDRAWS FROM THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 1 HOLE”… And its not like a one or two day thing,” Spiranac wrote on her Instagram Stories in February, via the New York Post. “This has been going on for a little bit. I feel like I’ve just been so in my head about everything and I’m just trying to work through it. I think that’s why I haven’t been posting as much because I am just overthinking everything and I just feel like my anxiety has taken control.”I’m trying to push myself outside of that and post more and get back to what I was doing before. I feel like I haven’t been active because I’ve just been in my own head, in this kind of funky rut and we’re working through it.”Spiranac lamented how her audience and others haven’t seen her correctly and said she believed she was “actually really misunderstood.”While she admitted that her “rut” has caused her to stay away from golf for a bit, she said she hoped to create more of a fun-focused golf series in the near future.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Richard Grenell is stepping down as president of the Trump Kennedy Center, marking the end of a combative and closely watched chapter in President Donald Trump’s effort to reclaim one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions from entrenched left-wing rot.
President Trump announced Friday that Grenell will transition out of the role, while Matt Floca, the center’s vice president of facilities operations, is set to take over as chief operating officer and executive director.
Reuters reported the change is expected to be formalized at a board meeting Monday at the White House.
Trump wrote on Truth Social:
I am pleased to announce that Matt Floca, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, will be named the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, of THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER where, as Vice President of Operations, Matt has helped us achieve tremendous progress in bringing the Center to the highest level of Excellence!
A Complete Reconstruction of THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will begin after the July 4th Celebration, with a scheduled Grand Re-Opening in approximately two years.
Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done. THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will be, at its completion, the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!

Grenell was brought in after Trump moved aggressively to shake up the Kennedy Center’s leadership, install allies on the board, and put the institution on a new ideological path. Trump had named Grenell to lead daily operations in February 2025, saying the longtime loyalist shared his vision for a “Golden Age” of American arts and culture and making clear that the era of taxpayer-subsidized woke programming was over.
The Gateway Pundit previously reported that Trump’s message at the time was unmistakable: no more drag shows and no more anti-American propaganda masquerading as art.
And Grenell wasted no time exposing what he said was a financial mess. As Gateway Pundit reported last year, Grenell revealed that the Kennedy Center had “zero cash on hand” and “zero in reserves,” while deferred maintenance had become a full-blown crisis.
He said staff had been relying on debt reserves just to keep the institution functioning, painting a picture of a once-prestigious cultural center hollowed out by years of mismanagement.
Months later, Gateway Pundit also highlighted Grenell’s claim that a budget review uncovered $26 million in what he described as “phantom revenue” or “fake revenue,” which he said would be referred to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Now Grenell is stepping aside after more than a year on the front lines of that battle.
The post Ric Grenell Steps Down as President of Trump’s Kennedy Center appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Cotton And Stefanik Bill Targets CCP Ties In U.S. Military Trucking

Submitted by American Truckers United,

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) have introduced the “Trucking Security and CCP Disclosure Act of 2026.” This legislation requires any carrier handling Department of War equipment to certify that neither it nor its subcontractors are owned, controlled by, or maintain significant ties to entities on the Department of Defense’s list of Chinese military companies (section 1260H of the 2021 NDAA).

American Truckers United applauds Senator Cotton for finally taking concrete action on an issue we have been aggressively raising throughout his home state of Arkansas and nationwide for the past two years. Our January Zero Hedge piece — “Watch: Migrant Chinese Trucker Caught With Trailer Load Of ‘Pu ing Gas’ For Teens” — laid bare how Beijing-linked networks exploit weak CDL enforcement. Social media footage in that report showed Chinese nationals crossing the southern border illegally, rapidly obtaining California commercial licenses, and operating heavy trucks across the country with minimal English proficiency, unverifiable backgrounds, and no meaningful oversight.

🚨NON-DOMICILE CDL DRIVER CAUGHT HAULING HIDDEN HAZMAT LOAD THRU ARKANSAS – AND ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FAIL TO CHECK HIS IMMIGRATION STATUS
A non-domiciled CDL driver, licensed in California—unable to speak English and appearing to speak Mandarin… pic.twitter.com/dS0Schd3a9
— American Truckers 🚛🦅 (@atutruckers) January 6, 2026
Cotton’s bill directly addresses the unacceptable risk of Communist China gaining visibility into U.S. military supply chains through these drivers. We welcome his focus on protecting sensitive defense cargo from foreign adversary exploitation.

However, the legislation remains narrowly scoped. The danger extends far beyond Chinese nationals or military freight alone. American Truckers United has confirmed that thousands of illegal aliens now hold legitimate Real IDs and non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses. In some cases, licenses have been issued with “NO NAME GIVEN” listed as the identifier — a glaring red flag ignored by state DMVs.

If New York wants to hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants with “No Name Given,” that’s on them. The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws.
OHP performed an enforcement action along I-40 and apprehended 125 illegal immigrants.
This is keeping Oklahomans safe. pic.twitter.com/kNspThTk4E
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) September 29, 2025
Most alarmingly, in November 2025 ICE arrested Uzbek national Akhror Bozorov — wanted in Uzbekistan since 2022 for distributing terrorist propaganda and recruiting for jihad — while he was actively driving an 18-wheeler in Kansas. Bozorov entered illegally in February 2023, was released into U.S. communities under the prior administration, received work authorization in January 2024, and obtained a Pennsylvania CDL under Gov. Josh Shapiro.

🚨 BREAKING: ICE arrests illegal-immigrant trucker from Uzbekistan over alleged terror ties pic.twitter.com/QTJqiNv2bc
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 17, 2025
These cases demonstrate a systemic failure: unvetted individuals with no lawful status are legally operating 80,000-pound vehicles on America’s highways. The threat is no longer hypothetical; it is active and escalating.

We need protection for our food supplies, our medicine supplies, our energy supplies. All of it is important and all of it should be safeguarded from unvetted foreign adversaries. This current level of risk in our logistics is completely unacceptable and requires immediate action — especially during an active kinetic engagement with the country of Iran, when homeland vulnerabilities are most exploited by state and non-state actors alike.

American Truckers United calls on Senator Cotton to expand his leadership and endorse The Dalilah Law (S.3917) — the measure President Trump explicitly highlighted in his State of the Union address. The Dalilah Law demands the immediate revocation of every non- domiciled CDL issued to illegal aliens, coupled with mandatory immigration-status verification at issuance, renewal, and roadside enforcement.

PASS THE DALILAH LAW.
Dalilah Coleman was only 5 when she suffered life changing injuries caused by an illegal alien driving an 18-wheeler.
What happened to Dalilah is a tragedy that could have been PREVENTED if California did not grant commercial driver’s licenses to illegal… pic.twitter.com/6LRwx1T2nS
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) February 25, 2026
Limiting safeguards to Chinese-linked carriers or military loads leaves the vast majority of the supply chain exposed — including the trucks hauling groceries to supermarkets, pharmaceuticals to hospitals, and fuel to power plants. Partial fixes will not su ice. Every improperly issued, unvetted, unqualified non-domiciled CDL must be revoked without delay.

America’s interstates are critical infrastructure. Allowing this enforcement vacuum to persist hands adversaries — whether state actors or terrorist networks — free access to our roads, ports, and logistics backbone at the very moment national security demands the highest vigilance.

The time for incremental steps has passed. Meaningful reform starts with total revocation and real vetting. Senator Cotton has shown he can lead on this issue — now is the moment to go all the way.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 03/15/2026 – 09:20

We can’t get enough of this college campus comedy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all countries except the United States and its allies.
Iran’s foreign minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all countries, except the United States, Israel, and their allies.
The declaration comes after President Donald Trump urged nations around the globe to send warships to the region to ensure that the critical shipping lane remains open and safe.
As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump made it crystal clear:
“Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.
We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are.
Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated.
In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!”
In an exclusive interview with MS NOW on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed the waterway remains open to “neutral” countries but will be restricted to vessels belonging to what Tehran calls “enemy nations,” specifically the United States and Israel.

Abbas Araghchi: “Well, as a matter of fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open. It is only closed to the tankers and ships belonging to our enemies—those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass. Of course, many of them prefer not to because of their security concerns. This has nothing to do with us.
At the same time, there are many tankers and ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. I can say that the strait is not closed, but it is closed only to American-Israeli ships and tankers, not to others.”

WATCH:

Iran’s announcement effectively amounts to a direct challenge to the United States and the international order governing maritime transit.
By claiming it can decide which countries are allowed to use one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, Tehran is attempting to weaponize global energy flows.
Trump and U.S. officials have made clear that such a move will not be tolerated.
If Iran follows through on its threat, the Strait of Hormuz, already the epicenter of global tensions, could quickly become the flashpoint for a much wider confrontation.
The post Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open to All Nations — Except U.S. and Allies — After Trump Urges World to Send Warships to Secure Vital Oil Route appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

An airman flies a KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 18, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert Harnden)
The Department of War on Saturday released the identities of the six American service members killed in the Thursday crash of a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in Iraq.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged the aerial refueling tanker, crewed by six, went down over western Iraq in a statement released Friday. CENTCOM later stated the incident involved a second aircraft which landed safely, rather than hostile fire or friendly fire.

The Pentagon has identified the six airmen killed in an aircraft crash in western Iraq:
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, AL
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, WA
Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, KY
Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, IN
Capt. Curtis… pic.twitter.com/GG6JrDAWaM
— Julia (@Jules31415) March 15, 2026

Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky. served as part of the 6th Air Refueling Wing out of MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, a War Department statement released Saturday night reads. Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio served as part of the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio National Guard.
“Heartbreaking to learn that Auburn alumnus and Birmingham resident Major Alex Klinner was among those killed in the KC-135 crash this week,” Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville stated.

Heartbreaking to learn that Auburn alumnus and Birmingham resident Major Alex Klinner was among those killed in the KC-135 crash this week.
Our state deeply grieves the loss of a father, husband, and a true patriot. I hope every Alabamian will join me in prayer for the Klinner…
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) March 14, 2026

Six other American service members were previously killed in an Iranian attack on a tactical operations center in Kuwait; a seventh died of wounds sustained March 1 in a Iranian attack on an American base in Saudi Arabia since President Donald Trump announced the start of Operation Epic Fury. Another American service member died from a medical incident.
The six service members killed in the Feb. 28 attack in Kuwait were identified by the Department of War as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa; Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif.
Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Ky., died of wounds sustained during the March 1 attack at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, on March 8, according to a press release from the Department of War. Maj. Sorffly Davius, 46, from Cambria Heights in Queens, NY, died March 7 due to a medical incident at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, according to a War Department release.
The KC-135 first entered service in the United States Air Force in 1956, according to an Air Force fact sheet. It is capable of refueling aircraft both by use of a “boom” which plugs into the receiving aircraft as well as a “probe and drogue” system in which the aircraft being fueled maneuvers a probe into a drogue locking mechanism trailing the fueling aircraft to initiate the transfer.
Of the 414 KC-135s in its inventory, 167 are on active duty, the Air Force’s website states. The veteran aircraft are being replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tanker, which is based on the Boeing 767 airliner.
Normally, a KC-135 carries a crew of three: a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator. The aircraft are not equipped with ejection seats, and the Air Force removed them from aircraft in 2008, citing the rarity of mishaps and accidents involving the type.
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Tracey Tully & Jonah Markowitz, NYT