Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to the incident that unfolded in Las Vegas on Wednesday when a Cybertruck exploded in front of a Trump hotel by saying that the company was investigating the matter. “The whole Tesla senior team is investigating this matter right now,” Musk said in a post on X. “Will post more information as soon as we learn anything,” Musk added. “We’ve never seen anything like this.” In response to the possibility that the explosion could have come from a car bomb, Musk said: “Cybertruck is the worst possible choice for a car bomb, as its stainless steel armor will contain the blast better than any other commercial vehicle.” BREAKING: Surveillance footage of the Cybertruck exploding in front of the Trump Tower in Las Vegas appears to show explosives detonating within the vehicle. EVs do not simply explode. pic.twitter.com/zXnTKVM4b6 — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) January 1, 2025 Cybertruck blew up in front of Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Those are our luggage by the door and that’s where we were when it happened. pic.twitter.com/KaVZXfGLNK — ayackle (@kaaaassuu) January 1, 2025 Law enforcement officials are investigating the explosion as a possible act of terrorism after the driver pulled up outside the Trump Las Vegas hotel in Nevada on Wednesday morning and the vehicle exploded just moments later. “The driver pulled into the valet area of the hotel and the vehicle exploded,” ABC News reported, citing a law enforcement official. “The driver is apparently dead and, so far, the only casualty from the incident. Seven bystanders had minor injuries.” Investigators were working to determine whether something happened inside or outside the vehicle that triggered the explosion. There were large fireworks inside the vehicle that exploded and they were working to determine if they were part of a bomb that was intentionally detonated or whether it was an accident. The fact that the vehicle involved was a Cybertruck immediately raised suspicions because of Musk’s close ties to President-elect Donald Trump. Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said in a statement: “Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas.” “The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority,” he added. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism.”

South Bend, Indiana, Mayor-turned-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took a virtual wave of backlash on X after he compared the accomplishments of President Joe Biden’s administration to the Hoover Dam. “I’m confident that a century from now, future Americans will look back on the work we’ve done—much as we look at the Hoover Dam—and see how the Biden-Harris Administration’s ‘Big Deal’ for infrastructure made big things possible,” Buttigieg captioned a video he posted on Tuesday. I'm confident that a century from now, future Americans will look back on the work we’ve done—much as we look at the Hoover Dam—and see how the Biden-Harris Administration's "Big Deal" for infrastructure made big things possible. pic.twitter.com/SQEjzm8Mi6 — Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) December 31, 2024 “President Biden arrived in office with a sober recognition of the scale of the problems our country was facing,” Buttigieg narrated the brief video himself, claiming that it was the Biden administration — with him in charge of transportation — that had corrected the bottlenecks in the supply chain as COVID restrictions began to lift. Buttigieg went on to repeat the debunked claim that Biden’s administration had “created” millions of jobs – despite the fact that many of the jobs represented people returning to work after COVID rather than new jobs created and that nearly every jobs report in the last year had to be revised downward after the fact. “Sir, are you high?” The Federalist’s Mollie Hemingway posted in response. sir, are you high — Mollie (@MZHemingway) January 1, 2025 “If you clowns had been in charge of building the Hoover Dam, it would have cost 400 billion dollars and we wouldn’t have started building it yet,” John Hawkins posted. If you clowns had been in charge of building the Hoover Dam, it would have cost 400 billion dollars and we wouldn't have started building it yet. — John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) January 1, 2025 “The entire theme of this administration has been boasting of being the most incredible, history-making, innovative and celebrated administration of all time, despite no one being able to name a single thing they’ve done. It is obnoxious, but they keep strutting around …” Chad Felix Greene added. The entire theme of this administration has been boasting of being the most incredible, history-making, innovative and celebrated administration of all time, despite no one being able to name a single thing they've done. It is obnoxious, but they keep strutting around… https://t.co/3E9qCyrOE9 — Chad Felix Greene ?? (@chadfelixg) January 1, 2025 “Maybe focus on trying build one single EV charging station, Peter,” Steven L. Miller suggested. Maybe focus on trying build one single EV charging station, Peter. https://t.co/dZAAYlvnFo — Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 1, 2025 “Those 7 federal charging stations will live on forever!” Phil Kerpen cracked. Those 7 federal charging stations will live on forever! https://t.co/qViApWyt3m — Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) December 31, 2024 “When literally all of us are dead and therefore none of you will be around to disprove my claim here, I pinky swear that these four disastrous years will ackshually be looked upon fondly,” Jerry Dunleavy responded. ‘when literally all of us are dead and therefore none of you will be around to disprove my claim here, I pinky swear that these four disastrous years will ackshually be looked upon fondly’ https://t.co/H8C6ZlUJaP — Jerry Dunleavy IV ?? (@JerryDunleavy) January 1, 2025 “I’m confident that a century from now, you will be a footnote explaining a complicated joke about bureaucracy,” Jason Nelson concluded. I’m confident that a century from now, you will be a footnote explaining a complicated joke about bureaucracy. — Jason Nelson (@RealJasonNelson) December 31, 2024

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who the FBI said was killed after committing a New Year’s Eve terror attack in New Orleans has donated to Democrat politicians over the years, Federal Election Commission data shows. On May 7, 2020, Jabbar gave $15 through ActBlue, listing his job as “consultant” for “EY” (likely Ernst & Young) and his address as Fresno, Texas. The contribution says it was to the Action PAC (now called the Grassroots Law PAC), which that cycle spent $100,000 supporting Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and another $100,000 supporting Jaime Harrison, who is now chair of the Democratic National Committee and at the time was a Senate candidate in South Carolina.  In 2014, Jabbar gave $5 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, listing his job as soldier for the U.S. Army and his address as Fayetteville, North Carolina. Jabbar was reportedly born in the United States and was an American citizen, but had an ISIS flag when he rammed his truck into a crowd, killing at least 10 and injuring at least 35. The FBI said “He was driving a Ford pickup truck, which appears to have been rented and we are working to confirm how the subject came into possession of the vehicle.” “An ISIS flag was located in the vehicle and the FBI is working to determine the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations,” the FBI’s statement read. “Weapons and a potential IED were located in the subject’s vehicle,” it added. “Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter. The FBI’s Special Agent Bomb Technicians are working with our law enforcement partners to determine if any of these devices are viable and they will work to render those devices safe.” Two men who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in separate incidents both also donated to Democrats through ActBlue.

The new year is a time for new things, but it can also be a time to rediscover hits from the past. For parents who want their kids reading great fiction with good values, here are three classic book series to revisit. The Adventures of Tintin Georges Remi (Hergé) Egmont Ages: 7+ I can’t recall what first inspired me to pull the first thin, colorful volume of Tintin off the shelf at my childhood library. But I do remember the hours I spent poring through “The Blue Lotus” and “Red Rackham’s Treasure.” Aerial battles, long-forgotten tombs, thugs with cigars. It was everything a kid could want. This masterful series by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi (who wrote under the pen name Hergé) feature the travels of the resourceful young reporter Tintin. With a collection of quirky sidekicks, most notably his faithful dog Snowy and the creatively cantankerous Captain Haddock, Tintin busts drug rings in China, tracks down counterfeiters in Scotland, hunts for lost treasure in the Caribbean, and even takes a journey to the moon. Parents should exercise some caution. Non-graphic violence drives the plot, some stories contain scary elements, and Captain Haddock’s alcoholism is treated as a punchline. Tintin shows the utmost respect to all he meets, but a few of the books contain insensitive or stereotypical portrayals of minority characters. Herge’s artwork bursts with energy, the characters are vibrant and familiar, and the plots whisk Tintin to every corner of the globe. In addition to being brave and ingenious, Tintin demonstrates a near- superhuman virtue. From gangsters to poachers to pirates, he doesn’t give the bad guys an inch. Then again, Tintin is not meant to be a real person. He’s the epitome of the plucky, unassuming hero, the freedom fighter we all aspire to be. The books can be purchased as a new set, or used individually. “The Secret of the Unicorn” and “Red Rackham’s Treasure” are an excellent starting place, and also inform the plot of the acclaimed 2011 animated film. Redwall Brian Jacques Firebird Books Ages: 8+ This classic tale by Brian Jacques follows the peaceful woodland creatures of Redwall Abbey and the surrounding Mossflower Woods as they face off against the murderous horde of vengeful rat general Cluny the Scourge. The besieged abbey finds an unlikely hero in young mouse novice Matthias, who must recover the sword and shield of the abbey’s legendary founder: Martin the Warrior. There are plenty of battles, tragically lost and cleverly won. The feasts are described in mouth-watering (exhaustive) detail. Some species of animals (moles, hares, etc.) speak in phonetic dialects that some young readers will love. The story is bursting with songs, riddles, and a sense of Old World nostalgia that keeps readers coming back for more. And speaking of ‘more’, there’s plenty. The 22 books in the series are both prequels and sequels to the original story, some featuring familiar characters, but most occurring in distant times and places in Jacques’ sprawling world. As a kid, I remember being a particular fan of “Lord Brocktree” and “The Bellmaker.” All feature similar themes: unlikely heroes, long-odds battles, eye-popping feasts, gallant quests. Some critics suggest that the formula of the stories is repetitive. That may be so. But to that I say this: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Parents will find much to admire in these stories. They contain no inappropriate content or language. The violence featured is intense, sometimes resulting in the deaths of beloved characters, but non-graphic. Most importantly, there is no “Game of Thrones”-style moral ambiguity at work here. Take the example of an allied character’s advice to a triumphant Matthias: “No doubt your sword is indeed a beautiful thing. It is a tribute to whoever forged it in bygone ages. There are very few such swords as this one left in the world, but remember, it is only a sword, Matthias! It contains no secret spell, nor holds within its blade any magical power. This sword is made for only one purpose, to kill. It will only be as good or as evil as the one who wields it.” The creatures of Redwall understand that family is worth fighting for. When the baddies come a-knocking, no good creature in the forest sits on their heels. Or paws. Or whatever. Redwall is a stirring, swashbuckling adventure, in which heroism, ancient riddles, and really great soup are treated like the serious subjects that they are. Freddy the Pig Walter R. Brooks Abrams Books Ages: 9-14 To my regret, I did not grow up with Freddy the Pig. But fortunately, my wife was not thusly deprived. Through her family, I learned about this particular barnyard hero, the brainchild of Walter R. Brooks. Freddy is a small but clever pig who lives on Mr. Bean’s farm in upstate New York. He shares his home with a colorful cast of dogs, ducks, chickens, cows, and many others. Freddy is an avid reader and is always acquiring new skills. Over the course of the 26 Freddy books, written between 1927 and 1958, Freddy’s adventures take him through a dizzying array of skills and occupations. He is a detective, a newspaper editor, a poet, a magician, a balloonist, and many others. The easiest way to describe these books is as charming nonsense. The prose is matter-of-fact, the dialogue crisp and clear, but the plots are absolutely bonkers. For example: In “Freddy Goes to Florida,” Freddy helps the farm animals migrate south for the winter. They meet the president on the way. In “Freddy the Pilot,” Freddy learns to fly in order to foil the designs of evil mastermind Watson P. Condiment. In “Freddy and the Men from Mars,” there are … Martians. Aliens. They return in several of the other books. As wacky as the plots are, Freddy’s world has a uniquely warm and earnest quality. The stories are funny, but never cynical. The characters are honest, but never biting. In “Freddy and the Bean Home News,” there’s a scene that I think about too often for an adult man. In the story, the animals hold a meeting to discuss whether to start a local newspaper. They end the meeting by singing the national anthem. “Up in the house, Mr. and Mrs. Bean heard the singing. Mr. Bean smiled, but he shook his head doubtfully. ‘Ought to be in bed,’ he said, ‘instead of sitting up singing half the night.’ ‘Now you leave them alone, Mr. B.,’ Mrs. Bean replied. ‘It isn’t eight yet. And my land, you ought to be proud of ’em! No country can fail to win its wars when even the animals are patriotic!’ And she stood up and sang the last of the national anthem with them. And pretty soon Mr. Bean stood up and sang too.” Now that is literature. My kid self missed out on Freddy the Pig, but I’m making up for lost time. The post Three Classic Children’s Books Series to Revisit in 2025 appeared first on The Daily Signal.

One of the reasons Republicans have never mustered the gumption to defund public broadcasting is because it upsets the entire leftist media, and its budget is so relatively tiny for the political pain. On Saturday, The New York Times took seriously Elon Musk’s determination to cut the taxpayer-funded tilt. The headline was “NPR and PBS Stations Brace for Funding Battle Under Trump.” Reporters Benjamin Mullin and Kate Conger pitched it as “Elon vs. Elmo,” as John Sexton put it: Elon Musk is gunning for public media. In his new role advising President-elect Donald J. Trump, Mr. Musk has floated sweeping cuts to the federal government, including the elimination of entire departments and the firing of agency leaders. One of the most concrete proposals on his list is eliminating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual funding that the government funnels to PBS and NPR stations, home to cultural touchstones like Elmo, Big Bird and Fresh Air. For decades, NPR and PBS have overcome similar threats. But this year, “the attention and intensity” of the calls to defund public media seem greater, said Michael Isip, the president and chief executive of KQED, which operates NPR and PBS stations in the San Francisco Bay Area. NPR and PBS stations are bracing for the fight. After the election, leaders of NPR’s biggest member stations circulated a report that warned “it would be unwise to assume that events will play out as they have in the past,” with regard to their federal funding. PBS received an update on the situation from political consultants at a board meeting in early December. And station directors in some states are already making their case to legislators. This is another reason why NPR and PBS keeps their half-billion dollars a year. While the Media Research Centers of the world don’t have unlimited money for lobbying, they use millions to keep their government millions. It’s a lopsided fight. Let's remind everyone that Big Bird and Elmo became the property of HBO back in 2015, so they're no longer endangered by PBS defunding. PBS runs second-hand reruns of the HBO shows. Although Warner Brothers Discovery just announced in December they're ending this partnership, airing their last new episodes of Sesame Street this month.  Conservatives object to “public” media because the government shouldn’t fund state-affiliated media, and so it inevitably tends to engage in egregious liberal/Democrat bias. The Times spends most of its time with NPR and PBS sources, and delays the obvious topic of leftist bias until paragraph 23. It’s alleged, of course: Mr. [Jim] Banks introduced his bill weeks after a senior editor at NPR, Uri Berliner, published an essay claiming that the network had a liberal bias… Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said in an interview that it was wrong to require conservatives to fund an outlet dismissive of their perspectives. Mr. Gonzalez contributed to Project 2025, a policy playbook to overhaul the federal government, writing that the government should defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. “This will be one of those things that will make America better,” Mr. Gonzalez said. “Not to coerce them into paying something for a media outlet that mocks their views.” The Times can't waste a paragraph in underlining Berliner's exhibits of bias. They were too busy repeating claims that "public" stations are needed for emergency broadcasting, like private stations can't possibly accomplish that. Expecting local NPR and PBS stations to fulfill their obligations to inform and educate Americans across the country without public funding is unreasonable, Mr. Nuzum, the former NPR executive, said. “It’s the equivalent of bringing a public radio tote bag to a gunfight,” he said. Isn't it a little weird that opponents of "public" broadcasting are "gunning" for it, or bringing a "gunfight"?

Long-running Atlanta radio station 104.7 The Fish, which is one of the largest Christian radio stations in the country, will go off the air on February 1st, 2025, according to WSB-TV. The station, which has been running in its current format for almost a quarter century, is one of the largest contemporary Christian radio stations in the country. The station is shutting down because the station's current owners, Salem Communications, sold the station as part of a package deal with two other stations to the Educational Media Foundation, which also runs a series of Christian radio stations. In a statement provided by Salem to the media, interim CEO David Santrella said, "Upon the closing of these three transactions, we will have transformed and significantly improved Salem’s balance sheet and capital structure. With the exception of its revolving line of credit, Salem will have no outstanding debt. Salem will also benefit from working with an important new strategic investor that is expected to bring significant new opportunities to the company as well as offer incredible expertise in the area of digital media."Salem executives also expressed hope that EMF would continue some form of Christian programming, saying that EMF had been a "delightful" partner during the sale. However, a number of on-air personalities at The Fish have already taken to social media to announce that they will not be retained when the new station opens in February. The hosts of the popular Kevin and Taylor Show confirmed that their show was ending but praised EMF, saying, "We've heard nothing but good things about the company who is taking over," and likewise expressing hope that Christian programming would continue on 104.7 in the new year.

POLICY SHIFT: Reporter's Spin on Fewer Border Crossings Proves Biden Could've Addressed Issue YEARS Ago

FBI Announces It Has Found IEDs Planted in the French Quarter

Asparagus Fortune Teller Says Vegetable Told Her Donald Trump Will Have 'Health Scare' in the New Year