This past week‚ there was a stark contrast between CNN and Fox morning shows in their coverage of hate crimes allegedly inspired by the Israel-Hamas war as CNN used the stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Austin to push for a ceasefire while Fox highlighted a Palestinian illegal alien who beat a Jewish homeowner in New York. CNN This Morning covered the Austin story on both Wednesday and Thursday as correspondent Dianne Gallagher highlighted lame assertions by the victim‚ Zacharia Doar‚ that Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden were to blame because they have supported Israel's military actions in Gaza. On Wednesday‚ co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly began by recalling the left-wing Muslim activist group CAIR trying to publicize the issue: POPPY HARLOW: This morning‚ the nation's largest Muslim civil rights group wants prosecutors to bring hate crime charges in the attack of a Palestinian American man that happened over the weekend. PHIL MATTINGLY: Twenty-three-year-old Zacharia Doar is recovering from surgery after being stabbed following a pro-Palestinian protest in Austin‚ Texas‚ on Sunday. The Council on American Islamic Relations is calling for hate crimes charges to be brought against Bert James Baker. After recalling that the assailant allegedly targeted Doar because he had a pro-Palestinian flag displayed on his vehicle‚ Gallagher then got to the victim's father recalling that his son essentially blamed the attack on U.S. politicians who support Israel: DIANNE GALLAGHER: Doar's father yesterday saying he was devastated when he got the call. He had been at the rally with his son and blames the governor‚ the city council‚ and President Biden. NIZAR DOAR‚ FATHER OF STABBING VICTIM: He said‚ "Mr. President‚ Mr. Joe Biden‚ I blame you. I blame you for what happened to me. If you would have called for a ceasefire three months ago‚ this never would have happened." On Thursday's show‚ Gallagher filed a second report and updated viewers on his injuries. She repeated the victim's claims that U.S. politicians were to blame for the attack and used a soundbite of him: DIANNE GALLAGHER: Doar believes U.S. politicians‚ including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden should call for a ceasefire. ZACHARIA DOAR‚ STABBING VICTIM: If those two people would have stepped up and said something to stand for us -- said something to defend us‚ this would have never happened. But because they haven't said nothing for us‚ this is the cause. I'm not the first -- I'm not the second -- I'm not even the third. How many more have to go on for them to realize that this is wrong? He soon added: "I just really wish that people would realize that when we go out there and we protest‚ it's not to cause a problem. It's to end a problem. And that's the problem in Gaza. Something like this is not going to stop me from standing up for my people." CNN viewers did not hear about self-described "asylum seeker" who identifies as Palestinian and allegedly crossed the border illegally from Mexico and beat a Jewish man outside his Long Island home even though there was video of the incident. Shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday‚ Fox anchor Bill Hemmer showed video as he informed viewers: Even a quiet New York suburb falls victim to the border crisis. Authorities in Long Island say that a Palestinian migrant arrived from Mexico‚ stole a pro-Israeli flag from a front porch‚ and then beat up the homeowner who tried to stop him. The flag declared‚ "In this home‚ we stand with Israel." The homeowner is okay‚ a bit bruised‚ and authorities say the suspect claimed to be seeking asylum. On Thursday morning‚ both Fox &; Friends First and Fox &; Friends covered the story. Fox host Carly Shimkus showed video as she recounted on the earlier show. Transcripts follow: CNN This Morning February 7‚ 2024 7:37 a.m. Eastern POPPY HARLOW: Welcome back. This morning‚ the nation's largest Muslim civil rights group wants prosecutors to bring hate crime charges in the attack of a Palestinian American man that happened over the weekend. PHIL MATTINGLY: Twenty-three-year-old Zacharia Doar is recovering from surgery after being stabbed following a pro-Palestinian protest in Austin‚ Texas‚ on Sunday. The Council on American Islamic Relations is calling for hate crimes charges to be brought against Bert James Baker. He's been arrested and charged with second degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. CNN correspondent Dianne Gallagher joins us now with more of the details. Dianne‚ what happens next? And what's the family saying here? DIANNE GALLAGHER: So‚ Phil‚ what happens next is it's under investigation. Also police calling it a bias-motivated incident that will go to their hate crimes review committee. Now‚ only the Travis County district attorney can actually bring hate crime charges if they determine they are warranted. That office told CNN yesterday that it awaits receiving the investigation. A 36-year-old Bert James Baker was arrested on Sunday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the stabbing of 23-year-old Zacharia Doar. According to the Council on American Islamic Relations‚ on Sunday Doar and three other Muslim American friends were leaving that ceasefire rally in Austin when a man on a bicycle ripped a flag bearing the Palestinian -- "free Palestine" on it off of their car. That is when CAIR says that the man came around‚ began shouting the N word‚ and pulled one of the men in the vehicle out. The other three got out‚ tried fighting him off‚ and that‚ they say‚ is when Doar was stabbed. Doar's father yesterday saying he was devastated when he got the call. He had been at the rally with his son and blames the governor‚ the city council‚ and President Biden. NIZAR DOAR‚ FATHER OF STABBING VICTIM: He said‚ "Mr. President‚ Mr. Joe Biden‚ I blame you. I blame you for what happened to me. If you would have called for a ceasefire three months ago‚ this never would have happened." (editing jump) The first thing came to my mind is I'm going to lose my son. (editing jump) I was thinking how I'm going to tell him that I failed to protect my son. GALLAGHER: Now‚ Zacharia Doar has a five-month-old son at home himself. Phil. Poppy‚ his father says that he had surgery‚ that he was in agony after that stabbing. CAIR tells me that he had a broken rib. He was stabbed in the side and is recovering and again wants to see charges and hate crime charges against the suspect‚ they say. (...) CNN This Morning February 8‚ 2024 7:59 a.m. PHIL MATTINGLY: The 23-year-old Palestinian American stabbed after a pro-Palestinian rally is speaking out this morning. He provides an update to his condition on CNN and describes how his injuries are affecting him in caring for his five-month-old son. This comes as the Austin Police Department says that the stabbing incident was a hate crime. Joining us now is CNN's Dianne Gallagher. Dianne‚ Zacharia‚ Doar has spoken to you -- has spoken to CNN. What are you hearing? DIANNE GALLAGHER: So he has about a six-to eight week recovery from his injuries ahead of him. It is still up to the Travis County district attorney to decide whether they are going to elevate the charged offense to hate crime and prosecute it that way. But there is no doubt in Zacharia Doar's mind that he is one of a growing number of victims of these anti-Semitic‚ Islamophobic‚ and anti-Arab attacks across this country. The stabbing of a 23-year-old Palestinian American meets the definition of a hate crime according to the Austin Police Department. Zacharia Doar agrees this crime against him was motivated by hate. ZACHARIA DOAR‚ STABBING VICTIM: I was the only one there that had a Palestine flag‚ and you could see it hanging out the window. He came specifically to my door and dragged me from the vehicle. GALLAGHER: The stabbing happened Sunday following a pro-Palestinian rally in Austin when Doar says the suspect‚ Bert James Baker‚ approached his car. DOAR: I looked around. I didn't see anything‚ and then my door was opened by a crazy guy‚ and he dragged me from my truck. GALLAGHER: Doar was stabbed in the left side of his back and has a broken rib. He now worries about caring for his five-month-old son. DOAR: That's one of my greatest joys‚ coming home to my son‚ and that was taken away from me. I haven't been able to pick up my son‚ be there for my son‚ do anything for him for the past couple of days. GALLAGHER: Doar believes U.S. politicians‚ including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden should call for a ceasefire. DOAR: If those two people would have stepped up and said something to stand for us -- said something to defend us‚ this would have never happened. But because they haven't said nothing for us‚ this is the cause. I'm not the first -- I'm not the second -- I'm not even the third. How many more have to go on for them to realize that this is wrong? GALLAGHER: He says this attack will not stop him from advocating for the people of Gaza. DOAR: I just really wish that people would realize that when we go out there and we protest‚ it's not to cause a problem. It's to end a problem. And that's the problem in Gaza. Something like this is not going to stop me from standing up for my people. GALLAGHER: Now‚ we reached out to a public defender for Bert James Baker. He declined to comment. Phil‚ Poppy? (...) Fox's America's Newsroom February 7‚ 2024 9:11 a.m. BILL HEMMER: Even a quiet New York suburb falls victim to the border crisis. Authorities in Long Island say that a Palestinian migrant arrived from Mexico‚ stole a pro-Israeli flag from a front porch‚ and then beat up the homeowner who tried to stop him. The flag declared‚ "In this home‚ we stand with Israel." The homeowner is okay‚ a bit bruised‚ and authorities say the suspect claimed to be seeking asylum. (...) Fox &; Friends First February 8‚ 2024 5:03 a.m. Eastern CARLY SHIMKUS: Take a look at this. A Palestinian migrant who entered the country illegally through our southern border is now facing hate crime charges for this vicious anti-Semitic attack on a Long Island homeowner. Take a look at this video. Police say it shows the migrant punching‚ head butting‚ and beating that homeowner after ripping down and stealing an Israeli flag that was hanging outside the house. You can see the flag right there at their feet as they fight on the front lawn. The migrant also told detectives he hates Jews and made threats to‚ quote‚ "kill the Jews" after being arrested. He's now facing felony hate crime charges as well as assault‚ robbery and criminal mischief. Bail is set for $50‚000. (...) February 8‚ 2024 Fox &; Friends 7:11 a.m. SHIMKUS: A Palestinian migrant who entered the county illegally through our southern border is now facing hate crime charges. He was caught on camera ripping down and stealing an Israeli flag that was hanging outside a home on Long Island‚ New York. When the homeowner went to get the flag back‚ he was punched‚ head butted and beaten. The migrant is now facing felony hate crime charges. Bail set at $50‚000.

When Joe Scarborough's time at MSNBC comes to an end‚ perhaps he could get a gig at a smaller Vegas lounge doing impressions. The notion arises given Scarborough's penchant for imitating the accents of people he seeks to denigrate. Thus‚ as we have noted‚ he has put on a heavy southern accent to mock James Comer‚ who does have a southern accent‚ and has done the same re Mike Johnson‚ who doesn't. In doing so‚ Scarborough propagates the "dumb Southerner" sterotype. Not only false‚ but odd‚ coming from a born-and-raised southerner like Scarborough. Today‚ Scarborough not only made up a voice for a president of a "big country" who asked about being delinquent on his NATO payment. He adopted what you might call a goober accent to mock people who would believe Trump's remarks on Saturday about that l eader calling him "sir‚" asked if Trump would defend his country if attacked by Russia. Trump said he told him that if his country were delinquent in its payments to NATO‚ he wouldn't defend it‚ and to the contrary would tell "them‚" i.e. Putin‚ to do "whatever the hell they want." It might seem strange coming from Trump‚ who's been sued repeatedly for not paying people on time. As president‚ Trump did demand our European allies pay more of their share into NATO‚ and they did. But the point here is Scarborough mocking Trump backers as idiots who will buy any "lie" Trump tells about what leaders said to him.  You'll hear Scarborough wonder "how stupid would you have to be" to believe that‚ and then put on his goober accent to imitate the supposedly gullible MAGA man in the audience. The vain Scarborough was so proud of his supposed voice-impression skills that when Mika called for the clip of Trump's statement to be played‚ Scarborough pushed back‚ saying: "You want to play it? Because I thought my imitation sounded great. Just why would you want to play it?" In the world of liberal identity politics‚ it's fine to mock the accents of Trump supporters. But can you imagine the outrage if a conservative mocked the accent of someone from one of Biden's key demographic groups? But he breaks out the hillbilly routine on a regular basis.  Here's the transcript. MSNBC Morning Joe 2/12/24 6:19 am ET MIKA BRZEZINSKI: As war rages in both Europe and the Middle East‚ Donald Trump is encouraging Russia to attack our NATO allies. During a campaign speech in South Carolina on Saturday‚ Trump recounted a conversation he allegedly had with a fellow world leader while he was president. JOE SCARBOROUGH: By the way‚ by the way‚ it was one of those crazy‚ "and someone stood up and said‚ sir‚ sir‚" and he said they were from a big country. Sir‚ sir‚ if they don't pick -- if we don't pay‚ what will you do‚ sir? Nobody's saying that! MIKA: Anyhoo. SCARBOROUGH: What a jackass. How stupid would you have to be in that audience to go‚ [puts on goober voice] oh‚ well‚ did they really say that? That's amazing. I can't believe a big country president would say that. MIKA: Anyhow. SCARBOROUGH: But it's just stupid! Like‚ he is now so desperate to support Vladimir Putin and undercut America's allies in Europe‚ he's making up a "sir" story. It's not even‚ it's not even a good lie for Donald Trump. Like‚ you can tell he's losing it! Like‚ he's losing his touch. This is when Elvis couldn't even get -- he's so fat‚ he couldn't even get the scarves from around his neck to throw to the audience. He just kind of sat there‚ and looked down‚ and sang. Remember‚ remember‚ Heilemann‚ when they had to hold the microphone for fat Elvis when he was playing piano? JOHN HEILEMANN: 100%‚ yes. SCARBOROUGH: He lost all his moves. This is Donald Trump. It's‚ it's a story that a third grader would go‚ why's he lying to me?   And you know‚ the people in the audience‚ they can't be that dumb to say‚ [puts on goober voice] oh‚ big‚ big country person said‚ sir? What if we don't [pay]? Like‚ this guy‚ this guy will do any thing to justify defending and supporting Vladimir Putin‚ and getting us all ready for -- this is the dangerous part. When he's president again‚ he's getting us ready for him to be an autocrat. HEILEMANN: Sure. SCARBOROUGH: A dictator‚ and a guy who's gonna tell Vladimir Putin‚ sweep‚ sweep in. MIKA: Play it. SCARBOROUGH: You want to play it? Because I thought my imitation sounded great. Just why would you want to play it? HEILEMANN: I like Joe's imitation better. Why would we play the sound? Just stick with Joe's. It's the best version. MIKA: Play it. SCARBOROUGH: Okay‚ baby‚ let's do this. DONALD TRUMP: One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said‚ well‚ sir‚ if we don't pay‚ and we are attacked by Russia‚ will you protect us? I said‚ you didn't pay? You're delinquent? He said‚ yes. Let's say that happened. No‚ I would not protect you. In fact‚ I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills! SCARBOROUGH: Again -- MIKA: It's like his‚ "You're fired." SCARBOROUGH: Again‚ well‚ it's just stupid because it's‚ it's a lie. Nobody said that. What president? Like what President? Did President Merkel say that‚ Donald? Did President Theresa May say that? Did President Macron? Who said that? I mean‚ John Heilemann‚ I'm serious. It's so stupid. The level of stupidity‚ like‚ to actually believe that story and cheer for it‚ really‚ it makes my teeth hurt. So mind-bogglingly bad.

The Biden administration and leftist billionaire George Soros are tied at the hip‚ working in cahoots to undermine Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.  The U.S. Department of State entrusted Soros-funded Ökotárs Foundation and media watchdog Mérték Media Monitor to hand over $320‚000 in taxpayer dollars to 15 media outlets critical of the pro-freedom Hungarian government‚ according to NGO and government documents. European Parliament elections take place from June 6 to June 9. Similarly‚ Hungary will hold local elections on June 9. Hungary-based political analyst András László and Rod Dreher spread the news in Jan. 27 posts on X.  László wrote that “left-wing NGOs announce which Hungarian media outlets will receive direct financing from the US Embassy. More than a DOZEN‚ a total of 15 media will receive US taxpayer money.” Echoing László‚ Dreher reacted to the news: “US taxpayers are funding anti government media in Hungary‚ a NATO ally.” The Biden administration contracted Ökotárs and Mérték to identify and evaluate which Hungarian media outlets would receive the taxpayer-funded grants‚ a State Department document revealed. MRC Business verified the contract through information published by grants.gov‚ the online database of federal grants‚ as well as documents provided by Ökotárs and Mérték.  The disturbing bottom line is this: Foreigners are deciding what foreign entities will get American tax dollars. Under President Joe Biden‚ we have farmed out our foreign policy to foreigners.  A translation provided by the Ökotárs Foundation backs László’s assertions of U.S. Embassy involvement:  Following the approval of the supporting Embassy of the United States of America in Budapest‚ a decision was made regarding the applications received in the first call for applications operated by the Mért Media Analysis Workshop and the Ökotárs Foundation. A total of 32 applications were received by the deadline of November 15‚ 2023‚ of which 6 did not pass the formal inspection. Out of the 26 valid applications‚ the following 15 will now receive support‚ totaling HUF 115‚608‚880.  The release then listed the media outlets that would receive funding before making it clear that this was only the “first round” of applications and encouraged media outlets to apply for the next round on Feb. 29.  If this were not enough‚ a translation provided by the Mérték Media website openly admits where the funding comes from: “The Mérték Media Analysis Workshop and the Ökotárs Foundation (hereafter: Mérték and Ökotárs) are announcing a tender using the resources of the United States Embassy in Budapest to support Hungarian national and local independent media.” In 2023‚ a U.S. government grant was posted titled “U.S. Ambassador's Independent Media Support (AIMS) Fund.” This grant proposed to “provide support to Hungarian independent media outlets and civil society organizations actively advancing media freedom in Hungary.” Additionally‚ it searched for an “implementing partner [who] will manage funds that will be disbursed to sub-recipients.” Disturbingly‚ this grant had a ceiling of $500‚000.  Soros has funded Both Ökotárs and Mérték. Between 2017 and 2022‚ Soros gave $306‚147 to the Ökotárs Foundation and $88‚113 to Mérték Media Monitor. According to descriptions provided by the Open Society Foundation‚ all three donations to Mérték Media Monitor aligned with the current goals of the State Department.  MRC Vice President Dan Schneider ripped the State Department for this contentious partnership: “It is wrong for U.S. government employees to farm out how our tax dollars are spent.  It is outrageous that a lazy diplomat in our embassy relied on the Soros crew to figure out how to spend our taxpayer dollars.”  At least five of the media outlets that were awarded grant funding were funded by Soros. Soros has funded Nyugat Media for years‚ giving them $259‚142 in five donations from 2017-2020. “Let’s make democracy together‚” a $25‚000 donation claimed in its description. ” A second donation referred to Nyugat Media as “the largest‚ independent media site in the Hungarian countryside.” Soros gave $129‚962 to the Tilos Cultural Foundation from 2016 to 2022‚ four grants in total. Two of the grants reference support for “independent community media in Hungary” and “alternative values.”  Soros has also given $197‚478 to grant-recipient Atlatszo.hu Kozhasznu Nonprofit Kft. Two out of the four Soros grants were earmarked for “independent media‚” while another donation aided collaboration with a different State Department beneficiary Magyar Hang. Soros gave $15‚000 to grant-recipient Debreciner in 2019‚ again for “independent” media.  The leftist billionaire also gave $15‚000 to the media outlet Szabad Pecs in 2020. The description given beside the donation on the Open Society Foundation website aligns closely with the purported goals of the State Department initiative: “To strengthen the sustainability of Szabad Pecs‚ one of the last remaining‚ independent‚ local news portal in Hungary and thereby to strengthen independent journalism and access to information in the Hungarian countryside.” This atrocious initiative is unfortunately characteristic of the Biden administration’s behavior in Hungary. The U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Dave Pressman attends and even hosts LGBT events at which he attacks Orban and members of his political party Fidesz. The ambassador and the embassy he oversees have an antagonistic relationship with the U.S. ally they are supposed to work with.  Turns out that the State Department pours money into the coffers of anti-Orban media‚ while the American ambassador complains about “state media churning out propaganda.”

Professional kvetchmeister Taylor Lorenz of the Washington Post is once again whining about any hint of the social-media giants moving away from censorship or aggressively recommending "mainstream" media reports with a leftist agenda. In this case‚ Taylor and her Post colleague Naomi Nix are over the news that Meta (which everyone still calls Facebook) has decided to stop proactively recommending political content on Instagram or their Twitter-knockoff called Threads. Most people would greet the news that Meta is not shoving its biases down people's throats via recommendations to be a good thing. But not Taylor Lorenz as you can see in Saturday's whine encased in an article‚ "Meta turns its back on politics again‚ angering some news creators." Which "creators" are worried about "a crucial election year"? The Left‚ which cannot be identified. Meta announced on Friday it would stop proactively recommending political content on Instagram or its upstart text-based app Threads‚ alarming news and politics-focused creators and journalists gearing up for a crucial election year. While users will still be allowed to follow accounts that post about political and social issues‚ accounts posting such content will not be recommended and content posted by nonpolitical accounts that is political in nature or includes social commentary also won’t be recommended‚ Meta said. Oh‚ the horror! The absolute horror of people on Meta platforms being able to choose for themselves what political news to read! It makes it so much harder to "fortify" yet another election. Keith Edwards‚ a Democratic political strategist and content creator‚ said he’s met with the White House twice recently and urged officials there to join Threads‚ but now he regrets the effort he put into the platform. “The whole value-add for social media‚ for political people‚ is that you can reach normal people who might not otherwise hear a message that they need to hear‚ like‚ abortion is on the ballot in Florida‚ or voting is happening today‚” he said. “There’s TV ads‚ but who watches TV anymore? Most people are on their phones‚ and Meta apps are where most people hang out.” Sniff! All that work for naught! A missed opportunity to hype the Democrat narrative where people might not want to see it. The change outraged some news and political creators‚ many of whom turned to Instagram’s Threads app after having their X accounts affected by Elon Musk‚ who removed their blue verified check marks and banned some progressive activists and journalists from the site. It also seems to have outraged a certain tear-shedding proponent of social media censorship at the Washington Post. The changes are likely to have less impact on conservative creators‚ said Emily Amick‚ who is followed by 133‚000 accounts on Instagram. Many large right-wing content creators are expert at evading restrictions by not posting overtly about politics‚ she said. “There’s a lot of money behind right wing influencers‚ it’s a really robust ecosystem that’s made to succeed on today’s internet‚ and these changes will only help them further‚” she said. She said she’s already seen her view count on posts drop when she speaks about politically charged topics such as abortion and guns. When you see the term "right-wing" in a story about social media that is a good tell that the person using it is as hostile to any relaxation of censorship as Taylor Lorenz who is notorious for melting down over any hint of what she considers to be an intolerable breath of freedom.

Over the weekend‚ the Israeli Defense Forces proved that they could get October 7 hostages back from Hamas without the need to give them anything except warheads on foreheads. But during Monday’s Today show‚ NBC didn’t seem too impressed by the daring raid that rescued two hostages from the city of Rafah. Instead‚ they used it as an opportunity to hype anonymous sources who claimed that‚ in private‚ President Biden calls Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu an “a-hole.” Leading into her report‚ correspondent Molly Hunter seemed apprehensive about the raid and appeared to suggest it put over one million people at risk. “Israeli troops entered a building in Rafah to rescue those two hostages‚” she reported. “Now‚ Rafah is that southernmost city in Gaza where Israel has told 1.4 million Palestinians to go for their safety.” Hunter breathlessly parroted talking points from “Gazan Health officials” (without mentioning that she was quoting Hamas) about how airstrikes launched as part of the raid had supposedly killed “dozens of Palestinians.” She used that as the impetus to whine about what a possible IDF operation to eradicate Hamas in Rafah would bring: During the overnight rescue‚ Gazan Health officials say dozens of Palestinians were killed in a heavy wave of Israeli air strikes in Rafah. And this comes as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to threaten an incursion into Rafah. That is a move that international organizations and the U.S. have strongly warned against.     Today show co-anchor Savanah Guthrie followed up by huffing that the successful raid could hurt efforts to capitulate to Hamas in a ceasefire deal. “If a deal is imminent and pretty much there‚ does any of what happened overnight impact negotiations?” she huffed. Hunter didn’t have any new information on how the raid could impact the negotiations‚ but did note that “President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu overnight.” She then hyped the claims that Biden thought Netanyahu was an “a-hole”: And we also have new reporting that Biden has been pretty critical of Netanyahu privately. Biden has said that Netanyahu wants the war to drag on so that he can remain in power‚ and according to three people in at least three instances‚ Biden has even called the Israeli prime minister a‚ quote‚ “a-hole.” “But Savannah‚ the U.S. has not changed their policy or changed their military funding towards Israel‚” she griped. At no point did Guthrie or Hunter admit that Israeli forces found an underground Hamas data center hardwired directly into the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters directly above it. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: NBC’s Today February 12‚ 2024 7:10:37 a.m. Eastern SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: But we're going to turn to breaking news overnight‚ now. Israeli forces carrying out a daring mission in Gaza rescuing two hostages who have been held by Hamas for more than four months. NBC’s Molly Hunter is in Jerusalem for us‚ this morning. Molly‚ good morning. What is the latest? MOLLY HUNTER: Savannah‚ good morning. We are learning new details about that daring rescue. Now‚ the Israeli military says at 1:49 a.m. overnight‚ Israeli troops entered a building in Rafah to rescue those two hostages. Now‚ Rafah is that southernmost city in Gaza where Israel has told 1.4 million Palestinians to go for their safety. Now‚ the hostages‚ both older men taken by helicopter already. They are at a hospital in Tel Aviv. They have been reunited with their families. And I think we actually have those first pictures. During the overnight rescue‚ Gazan health officials say dozens of Palestinians were killed in a heavy wave of Israeli air strikes in Rafah. And this comes as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to threaten an incursion into Rafah. That is a move that international organizations and the U.S. have strongly warned against. Now‚ also this morning‚ Savannah‚ deal talks appear to be closing in. One senior administration official telling NBC News that a new deal is‚ quote‚ “pretty much there‚ but gaps remain.” Savannah. GUTHRIE: If a deal is imminent and pretty much there‚ does any of what happened overnight impact negotiations? HUTNER: Absolutely. And I think what we're trying to figure out‚ of course‚ in the next couple days how big‚ how significant those gaps may be. We do know that President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu overnight. And we also have new reporting that Biden has been pretty critical of Netanyahu privately. Biden has said that Netanyahu wants the war to drag on so that he can remain in power‚ and according to three people in at least three instances‚ Biden has even called the Israeli prime minister a‚ quote‚ “a-hole.” But Savannah‚ the U.S. has not changed their policy or changed their military funding towards Israel. Savannah. GUTHRIE: Molly Hunter in Jerusalem‚ thank you very much.

The Biden campaign unveiled its new TikTok account Sunday — just days after Republican and Democratic lawmakers jointly called on the Biden administration to blacklist TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance and two weeks after FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress the app enables the communist regime to "control data collection on millions of users." Critics have blasted President Joe Biden over the decision to risk additional exposure to America's pre-eminent adversary in an admittedly self-interested bid to connect with potential voters. After all‚ Biden figured TikTok to be enough of a threat in recent years to ratify legislation banning millions of federal employees from using the compromised software. "Hey by the way‚ we just joined TikTok‚" the Biden campaign noted Sunday on X. — (@) The post linked to the newly created account on TikTok‚ which presently hosts a Super Bowl-themed interview video of the geriatric president captioned‚ "lol hey guys." Although now apparently a laughing matter‚ Biden ratified a spending bill in December 2022 banning the use of TikTok by millions of federal employees. The social media platform made it an easy decision‚ having confirmed ahead of the bill's signing that it spied on Western journalists. Months earlier‚ BuzzFeed News obtained 14 statements from TikTok employees and leaked audio from internal company meetings revealing that China-based employees of ByteDance repeatedly accessed private data about American users. A member of TikTok's Trust and Safety department reportedly also admitted in a September 2021 meeting‚ "Everything is seen in China." The FBI and the Federal Communications Commissioned have since indicated ByteDance could share users' browser history‚ locations‚ and biometric identifiers with the communist regime‚ reported the Associated Press. A compromised TikTok would amount to an additional weapon in the arsenal of an adversary that has sent spy craft over the mainland U.S.; operated illegal police stations on American soil; threatened diplomats; dispatched agents to execute espionage and political destabilization missions; and attempted to hunt down dissenters stateside. The company has struggled to address security and privacy concerns with its "Project Texas" operation‚ which allegedly keeps American user data on U.S.-based Oracle servers. However‚ the Wall Street Journal reported two weeks before Biden's TikTok adoption that the social media platform continues to share data with its Chinese masters through unofficial channels. FBI Director Wray told the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party last month that "[TikTok's] parent company is effectively beholden to the Chinese government and that is what in turn creates a series of national security concerns in the [Chinese] government's ability to leverage that access or that authority." TikTok gives Beijing the ability "to control data collection on millions of users‚ which could be used for all sorts of intelligence operations or influence operations‚" added Biden's FBI director. — (@) "I think it is a threat that is very significant‚" Wray stressed ahead of the Biden campaign's TikTok adoption. Congressional lawmakers from both major parties noted in a Feb. 8 letter to Biden Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo that "TikTok's software engineering personnel ultimately report to ByteDance leadership in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Moreover‚ any ByteDance data that is viewed‚ stored‚ or that passes through China is subject to the laws of China‚ a one-party authoritarian state hostile to American democracy." "TikTok‚ which is legally specified as a subsidiary of ByteDance‚ updated its EU privacy policy in November 2022 to confirm that its staff in China have access to user data outside China to perform 'important functions‚'" continued the letter. "From a security standpoint‚ this means that TikTok provides the CCP with the ability to weaponize the platform by suppressing‚ magnifying‚ and otherwise constructing narratives to target specific audiences abroad." The Biden campaign told NBC News that its new TikTok account is "part of an effort to meet voters where they are." Pew Research data revealed that as of late 2023‚ 32% of U.S. adults ages 18-29 regularly get news from TikTok. This demographic is presently the most favorable to the deeply unpopular president‚ who continues to trail former President Donald Trump in the polls. The latest Economist/YouGov polling data indicate that Biden's job approval is 48% among the 18-29 age group — four points higher than his approval rating among the 30-44 age group and 10 points higher than among those ages 45 and older. TikTok may be welcome stomping grounds for the Democratic president for reasons other than demographics. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) asked FBI Director Wray during a congressional hearing last month‚ "If the CCP were to want to change TIkTok feeds to bias one candidate or another in the upcoming presidential election‚ would they be able to do so?" Wray answered‚ "My understanding is that under Chinese law that would be something that they would be permitted to do." Following the Biden campaign's TikTok announcement Sunday‚ Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote‚ "Biden campaign bragging about using a Chinese spy app even though Biden signed a law banning it on all federal devices." Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) wrote‚ "Panic is when the Biden campaign joins TikTok after the White House banned the app from devices a year ago." South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) tweeted‚ "Hey @joebiden‚ you've done a lot of dumb things over the last 3 years. Handing your data over to China may be the dumbest." Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) said he was not "surprised President Biden has just joined #TikTok — a company that steals our private information &; hands it over to the Communist Party of #China. Biden plays for #TeamCCP‚ not #TeamUSA." "Nothing like giving the CCP all the data from a Presidential campaign‚" wrote Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.). "Open invitation for election influence!" Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A man suspected of murder reportedly wrote a manifesto that featured plans to kill a former classmate. The document was discovered at the man's home by the authorities‚ according to Fox News Digital.The police obtained a search warrant to search 27-year-old David Shroitman's apartment in Somerville‚ New Jersey. Shroitman has been accused of stabbing 27-year-old Maryrose Fealey 37 times on January 30 outside her home.Last week‚ Shroitman was charged with first-degree murder‚ third-degree possession of a weapon‚ third-degree hindering apprehension in connection with Fealey's death‚ and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence.While no motive has been identified in the case‚ the authorities confirmed that Shroitman and Fealey knew each other from high school. The two graduated from Somerville High School in 2014. Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Gerard Tyrrell said in court that there was no evidence that the two were involved romantically‚ according to Push.Fealey ominously posted to Facebook eight days before her death‚ writing‚ "Yesterday is gone‚ todays the day‚ tomorrow is the mystery."The authorities responded to a 911 call from one of Fealey's relatives who said the victim's front passenger door was left open and her belongings were strewn across the front yard. The relative discovered the victim with multiple stab wounds. Surveillance footage in the area captured what appeared to be a man in a gray sweatshirt standing at an intersection near Fealey's home around the same time the police received the 911 call‚ per Fox News Digital.Shroitman was soon identified as a potential suspect "by word of mouth‚" according to an affidavit. He declined to speak with detectives on February 2 in Bridgewater. Investigators took a deeper interest in Shroitman after they received a call from a business owner about a suspicious person. "Officers encounter(ed) Shroitman‚ who was wearing clear‚ latex gloves‚ cleaning his vehicle‚" according to an affidavit. "Officers could smell the odor of bleach coming from a puddle located by the driver side door of the Camry."Assistant Deputy Public Defender Emma Pallarino‚ who is reportedly representing Shroitman‚ said the suspect does not have a criminal history. She went on to say that he has family in New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers Business School with honors.However‚ Pallarino also mentioned Shroitman has "significant mental health issues" and has frequent migraines.Shroitman has been held without bail. He is expected to appear in court on March 26. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Migrants have crossed the northern border from Canada into New York‚ Vermont‚ and New Hampshire in record numbers over the past year. They have reportedly taken advantage of low staff and lack of fencing in the region‚ according to the New York Post.U.S. Customs and Border Protection data revealed that more than 12‚200 migrants were caught illegally crossing the Canadian border last year‚ representing a sharp spike in attempted crossings from the year before‚ when just over 3‚500 were arrested.Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia took to X‚ writing: "Since October 1‚ 2023‚ Swanton Sector Border Patrol Agents have apprehended more than 3‚100 subjects from 55 countries (more than Fiscal Years 2022‚ 21‚ 20 &; 19 combined). Photo: An early morning apprehension of 4 adult males from Bangladesh on February 1‚ near Mooers‚ New York." — (@) The Post reported that around 70% of the crossings took place along the Swanton Sector‚ which covers New York‚ Vermont‚ and New Hampshire. Additionally‚ migrants who can afford to pay for a flight from Mexico City or Cancun to Toronto or Montreal are doing so‚ realizing that they would be less likely to be stopped in trying to cross into the U.S.Migrants can easily find wooded areas on their way to the northern states. However‚ the New York Times reported that one concern is that those venturing across the border risk freezing to death on their way to freedom. Janet McFetridge‚ the mayor of the small village of Champlain‚ New York‚ said she keeps knit hats and gloves in her vehicle to hand out to migrants who have made it into the U.S.‚ according to the New York Times."The weather is so severe you just can’t survive‚" McFetridge said. “Border Patrol is working extremely hard to save people’s lives because that’s what it’s come down to.”However‚ some people residing along the border are apprehensive about the number of people coming across. Dale Tetreault‚ 57‚ who is a third-generation dairy farmer‚ said that three Guatemalan migrants crossed into the U.S. and took shelter in one of his milk houses. One of Tetreault's workers‚ who is Latin American‚ spoke with the migrants in Spanish‚ and they said they had just crossed into the U.S. from Canada and were looking for work."I understand where they're coming from and how horrible it has to be to make that kind of venture to get here‚ to try to find a place where you can find a good life‚” Mr. Tetreault said.“But on the other side‚ it’s like‚ I’m not going to accidentally house the wrong people‚ either‚ you know what I mean? It’s damned if you do‚ damned if you don’t.”Officials in New Hampshire are reportedly trying to come up with a plan to put a stop to the border crossings with a bill that would allow landowners to put up "no trespassing" signs on open spaces. Doing so would permit law enforcement to arrest undocumented migrants for criminal trespassing. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

An Uber Eats commercial about being forgetful triggered a response from an allergy research group and others over a segment of the ad that featured a man eating peanut butter‚ forgetting that he is allergic to peanuts.Food delivery company Uber Eats shelled out approximately $14 million for a one-minute spot during Super Bowl LVIII. The monumental price tag makes it more shocking that the company was willing to make an edit after several groups complained.In the star-studded ad‚ actress Jennifer Aniston appeared to get an Uber Eats delivery from her assistant‚ who said she forgot about all the items she could get from the delivery service. Aniston responded by explaining that "in order to remember something‚ you’ve got to forget something else. Make a little room."The spot then showed different celebrities forgetting seemingly memorable parts of their lives‚ like Victoria Beckham forgetting the name of her group‚ the Spice Girls. Aniston forgot who her "Friends" costar David Schwimmer was‚ and singer Jelly Roll didn't recall getting face tattoos. What was that group I was in called again #DavidBeckham‚ was it the Saffron Squad? Or maybe it was the Nutmeg Maidens\u2026 Kisses @UberEats Xx\n\n#ad — (@) Other segments featured a man forgetting to wear pants to work and an allegedly controversial man eating peanut butter.The man is seen with a spoonful of peanut butter and an allergic reaction on his face‚ saying‚ "There’s peanuts in peanut butter?" followed by the realization‚ "Oh‚ it’s the primary ingredient."This was enough to spark outrage from allergy research groups and organizations‚ which immediately condemned the ad publicly."We're incredibly disappointed by Uber Eats' use of life-threatening food allergies as humor in its Super Bowl ad. The suffering of 33M+ Americans with this condition is no joke. Life-threatening food allergy is a disease‚ not a diet. Enough is enough‚" said Food Allergy Research &; Education. We're incredibly disappointed by @UberEats' use of life-threatening food allergies as humor in its Super Bowl ad. The suffering of 33M+ Americans with this condition is no joke. Life-threatening food allergy is a disease‚ not a diet. Enough is enough. — (@) The Elijah-Alavi Foundation‚ which promotes "equity" through food allergy education‚ wrote that the "ad mocking food allergies cuts deep." "This is a serious health crisis‚ not a punchline. We demand respect and urgent change‚" they added.As well‚ the outlet Allergic Living called on the "entertainment industry to stop the allergy 'jokes.'"The pressure got to Uber Eats‚ which agreed to edit the commercial over the backlash. “FARE would like to thank Uber for listening to our community and making the changes to their Super Bowl ad. After talking with them today‚ I believe we have a new ally in helping us navigate our journey with our disease‚" said Dr. Sung Poblete‚ CEO of the allergy researchers' organization."I hope this sends a message to Hollywood that food allergies will no longer be the butt of jokes‚" Poblete added.The original version still exists online and is unlisted on Uber Eats' YouTube channel. The edited version that made the Super Bowl replaced the peanut butter lover with a man who forgets how to sit in a chair.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Biden's Twitter Account Proves 'Adults Are in Charge' by Posting Pure Uncut Super Bowl Cringe