It’s hopeless but not impossible. The Daily Beast stated what many think is obvious‚ which most media outlets hesitate to say. Nikki Haley remains in the race in the hope that Donald Trump will be convicted of a crime and that she can waltz in as the default candidate. Most people think that’s what’s in […] The post Clown News: Haley’s Hoping Trump Will End Up in Prison appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

The Texas Governor says he is “prepared” for a conflict with federal authorities: “This is a fight for the future of America” BuildBackBetter Biden is threatening military action against Texas. This is insane. The military should be on the border to stop illegal immigration of unvetted people. They are coming through open borders controlled by […] The post Insane! Biden Threatens Gov. Abbott with Military Action appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

During the E. Jean Carroll prosecutor’s closing statement‚ Judge Kaplan threatened to throw Donald Trump’s lawyer‚ Alina Habba‚ in jail. Donald Trump walked out during the closing. Habba wants to steal another $10 million from Donald Trump based on her bizarre allegations. Attorney Habba tried to say something‚ and apparently‚ that gets you a prison […] The post Leftist Judge Threatened to Imprison Trump’s Attorney appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Reuters reports that [BBB‚ Build Back Better] Biden paused approvals for pending and future applications to export liquefied natural gas from new projects‚ a move cheered by climate activists that could delay decisions on new plants until after the Nov. 5 election. According to Reuters‚ the Department of Energy (DOE) will conduct a review during […] The post Biden’s Working on Killing LNG Exportation appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Chaotic scenes livened up proceedings in a New York federal court Friday in which former President Donald Trump faced a defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. During the trial‚ the judge in the case‚ U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan‚ threatened to put one of the former president’s attorneys in “lockup.” Later‚ Trump reportedly stormed out of the courtroom ahead of closing arguments‚ before later returning. Just ahead of opening arguments in the case‚ Kaplan got into a dispute with Trump attorney Alina Habba over a slide that the Trump legal team wished to show to jurors. Carroll’s legal team objected to the slide‚ saying the contents were not entered into evidence‚ according to The Messenger. Habba argued with Kaplan until he appeared to lose his patience. “You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup‚” Kaplan told the attorney. “Sit down.” Habba sat down immediately after‚ according to the New York Post. Later in the trial‚ Trump “stormed out” of the courtroom minutes into closing arguments by Carroll’s legal team‚ according to the Post. Trump’s presence is not required in the courtroom for civil proceedings‚ unlike in a criminal case. Kaplan made a note of the disturbance: “The record will reflect that Mr. Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom.” “Defense counsel are to remain seated‚” the judge added. Trump returned to the courtroom about an hour later in time to watch closing arguments from his own legal team‚ according to NBC News. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Trump has already been found liable for defamation in the case. Friday’s proceedings are to determine what amount of damages Carroll is owed. The 80-year-old writer has asked for $10 million‚ but during closing arguments‚ Carroll’s attorney increased the requested penalty to $24 million. The attorney said Trump deserved to pay Carroll “at least” that much‚ according to the Post. Habba delivered closing arguments for Trump’s team‚ arguing that the case against the former president is misdirected. The case is over online trolls‚ and Trump should not be held liable for others’ behavior. “Ladies and gentlemen‚ this isn’t about President Trump and E. Jean Carroll‚ this is about some people in their mother’s basements who will always be mean on social media‚ you can’t stop that‚” Habba said‚ according to the Post. The day before the trial‚ CNN legal expert Nick Ackerman predicted that Kaplan would have Trump “taken out” if the former president “steps one iota out of line.” “I think the judge has already got the marshals lined up‚” former prosecutor Ackerman said. “If [Trump] steps one iota out of line‚ he’s going to be taken out by the marshals.”

Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro dropped a rap music video on Friday morning‚ a joint effort with Canadian wrestler-turned-rapper Tom MacDonald. Yes‚ you read that right — but it bears repeating: Ben Shapiro released a rap video with Tom MacDonald. The song‚ called “Facts‚” goes after the establishment and mainstream media “sacred cows‚” which get taken down by Shapiro and MacDonald in a “quotable verbal crossfire‚” according to a press release from MacDonald.  “As a longtime devotee of rap‚ becoming a rapper was the natural next step in my career trajectory‚” Shapiro said. “So‚ when Tom asked if I wanted to collaborate on a song‚ I leapt at the chance. This was the moment I spent 20 years of classical violin training preparing for. For those who don’t appreciate my artistic stylings‚ all I can say is that they didn’t appreciate Bach properly in his own time‚ either.”  DOWNLOAD ‘FACTS’ ON iTUNES Shortly after its release‚ the Shapiro/MacDonald song was charting at #5 overall‚ above hits from top artists such as Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa. .@TomMacDonald has now brought the magic of my flow to the world. And the iTunes store now properly has us charting above Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa. pic.twitter.com/GLCEamHanf — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 26‚ 2024 “Facts” also reached #2 on the iTunes rap chart ahead of Nikki Minaj and Doja Cat. “Hey‚ @NICKIMINAJ‚ it’s great to join you atop the iTunes rap charts‚” Shapiro posted. “Sorry‚ correction‚ you’re a few slots lower.” Hey‚ @NICKIMINAJ‚ it's great to join you atop the iTunes rap charts. Sorry‚ correction‚ you're a few slots lower. pic.twitter.com/6XXou5Znge — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 26‚ 2024 “I like to do things nobody else can do‚” MacDonald said after releasing “Facts.” “Not everybody can get Ben Shapiro on a track. For someone who had never recorded a rap song before‚ he got in the studio and nailed it. We’ve both criticized the status quo of hip-hop‚ so it made sense. There is a good intention at the heart of ‘Facts.’ There is light.” MacDonald teased the unlikely pairing in a video posted to X on Wednesday‚ captioning the brief video‚ “Who’s ready for something absolutely INSANE?! Friday 9 AM! Let’s go!” Who’s ready for something absolutely INSANE?! Friday 9 AM! Lets go! pic.twitter.com/5zES9s7LQe — Tom MacDonald (@IAMTOMMACDONALD) January 24‚ 2024 While a number accused MacDonald of “selling out” in the comments‚ some joked about how Shapiro’s notoriously fast style of speaking would actually work in his favor in the rap genre. “Can you imagine Ben Shapiro pulling a Rap God? He could probably spit 200 bars in 12 seconds‚” one joked. Lots of people seem to be REALLY mad that I’m dropping a song with Ben Shapiro on Friday. To those who I’ve upset‚ I’d just like to say… There isn’t a metric small enough to measure how little I care ❤️ To the folks who are excited…2 sleeps till Friday!! — Tom MacDonald (@IAMTOMMACDONALD) January 25‚ 2024 MacDonald followed the initial announcement with a nod to the haters‚ saying‚ “Lots of people seem to be REALLY mad that I’m dropping a song with Ben Shapiro on Friday. To those who I’ve upset‚ I’d just like to say … There isn’t a metric small enough to measure how little I care. To the folks who are excited … 2 sleeps till Friday!!” Lots of people seem to be REALLY mad that I’m dropping a song with Ben Shapiro on Friday. To those who I’ve upset‚ I’d just like to say… There isn’t a metric small enough to measure how little I care ❤️ To the folks who are excited…2 sleeps till Friday!! — Tom MacDonald (@IAMTOMMACDONALD) January 25‚ 2024 For good measure‚ MacDonald added a promotional graphic. “Tomorrow at 9 AM! Who’s ready for a crazy music video?!” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Tomorrow at 9 AM! Who’s ready for a crazy music video?! 👀 pic.twitter.com/eWpap4Zs5b — Tom MacDonald (@IAMTOMMACDONALD) January 25‚ 2024 The collaborative effort came as a shock to many who had just watched Shapiro’s recent interview with podcaster Lex Fridman‚ during which he argued that rap was not really music — but that he could potentially be convinced otherwise. WATCH: .@lexfridman asks @benshapiro and @TheOmniLiberal if rap music is bad Ben: Absolutely. pic.twitter.com/n22FbYiT8I — Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 23‚ 2024 Shapiro’s argument was that music — at least‚ classically speaking — has three key components: rhythm‚ melody‚ and harmony. And by his assessment‚ rap typically only had maybe one of the three.

Actor Austin Butler recently discussed a time he had to make a difficult decision between working with Tom Cruise or Quentin Tarantino. The 32-year-old celebrity revealed what happened during an appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast‚ People reported. Butler‚ who’s best known for his Oscar-nominated performance in the biopic “Elvis‚” clarified the rumors that he’d been up for a part in the blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick.” “I ended up having to choose between going to the screen test for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ or saying yes to Quentin Tarantino‚” he said‚ explaining how he was set to appear in “Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood” at the time. “I’d already met with [Tarantino]‚ so I did that‚” Butler said of how he decided which of the two potentially life-changing options to pick. Butler played Charles “Tex” Watson‚ a member of Charles Manson’s cult‚ in Tarantino’s movie.  “Maverick” went on to rake in over $1.4 billion in gross revenue worldwide‚ making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2022 and the highest-grossing of Cruise’s career. This fact doesn’t mean Butler has any regrets‚ however. He said he wouldn’t have starred opposite Cruise as Rooster anyway. That part wound up going to Miles Teller.  “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Elvis” casting director Denise Chamian told Variety in July 2022 that everything worked out the way it was supposed to. “The thing that he got the closest to was ‘Top Gun‚’” Chamian told the outlet. “When I cast that‚ we were looking for the role that Miles Teller played. I felt so passionate about Austin. Ultimately‚ his audition was shown to Tom and all the filmmakers. They agreed he had something and they were happy to know him‚ but they thought he was too young.” “At that point‚ I saw that this actor has something very special that other people don’t always have‚” she continued. “It’s almost the way he looks into the camera. He knows the camera and lets the camera see him‚ and that is really what is so captivating.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP That audition made her think of Butler for the part of Elvis‚ which eventually led to him being nominated for an Academy Award for the role. 

Minnesota moved one step closer this week to legalizing assisted suicide for terminally ill people. A Minnesota bill that would allow terminally ill people to ingest deadly drugs to end their lives passed the House Health Finance and Policy Committee on Thursday in a 10-5 vote‚ meaning it advances to the Public Safety Committee. The bill‚ called the “End of Life Options Act‚” or HF1930‚ would allow an adult 18 or older who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live to self-administer drugs to kill themselves. A person who wants these drugs must have the mental capacity to give their informed consent — people with dementia would not qualify — and they must be able to self-administer the drugs. At least two healthcare providers‚ including one physician‚ must evaluate the person and agree they meet the criteria. Ten states and Washington‚ D.C. already allow some form of assisted suicide. Oregon was the first state to legalize it in 1994. In New York‚ an assisted suicide bill is stalled but slowly gaining momentum among lawmakers. The Minnesota bill’s author‚ state Representative Mike Freiberg‚ a Democrat‚ has been pushing the bill for nearly a decade and said he is hopeful it will pass this year. Freiberg said the bill has around 25 cosponsors and that the “pro-choice majority” in both of Minnesota’s legislative chambers “certainly helps its chances‚” adding that the bill is about “bodily autonomy” at a press conference before the committee vote. The bill does not have a residency requirement‚ meaning Minnesota could become a destination for people seeking assisted suicide. “We don’t put residency requirements in place for medical procedures‚ and that’s what this is‚ a medical procedure‚” Freiberg said. Several terminally ill people spoke in support of the bill at the press conference. “If there are no more treatment options then I deserve more death options‚” said Nancy Uden‚ who has terminal cancer and says she is “not afraid of death‚ but I am afraid of how I will die.” A man with terminal cancer who described himself as a “lifelong Republican” said that 13 months ago he was given 12 months to live and he is now expected to live into 2025‚ but “I want to decide when I’ve had enough.” The bill is opposed by at least 66 organizations that advocate for ethical health care‚ some of which testified later at the committee hearing‚ where hundreds of people packed into the room for nearly five hours. At the hearing‚ debate among lawmakers grew heated at times‚ with the committee’s chairwoman‚ a Democrat‚ at one point telling Republican Representative Anne Neu Brindley to “calm down.” A number of terminally ill people vehemently opposed the bill at the hearing. Jean Swenson‚ a woman who became paralyzed from the neck down in a 1980 car crash‚ spoke against the bill. “I fell into a deep depression‚ and I just wanted to die‚” she told the committee‚ “but I’m so grateful that assisted suicide was not available and that those around me listened to me … and then gave me what I really needed — good medical care‚ counseling‚ access to disability services‚ and lots of prayer and loving support.” “When a person is facing overwhelming problems‚ we need to eliminate the problems‚ not the person‚” she said. “Intentionally ending a human life is wrong. It doesn’t matter what name we call it‚” testified Chris Massoglia of Americans United for Life. “Suicide is not healthcare. And it’s completely unnecessary due to the advances in palliative and end-of-life care.” Some critics warned that while only terminally ill people would currently qualify‚ other places such as Canada have expanded their assisted suicide laws to include disabled people. Others worried that money could play a role in whether someone chooses to end their life. “Economic disparities make it less likely that patients can afford life-saving treatment and more likely that doctors will ‘write off’ patients as terminal and thus eligible for assisted suicide‚” testified Anita Cameron‚ director of minority outreach for Not Dead Yet‚ a disability rights organization. John Kelly‚ a paralyzed quadriplegic and Not Dead Yet’s New England regional director argued in prepared testimony provided to The Daily Wire that assisted suicide is often about control rather than pain and that terminal diagnoses are often wrong. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life’s communications director Paul Stark said the bill does not provide safeguards to prevent coercion after the deadly drugs are prescribed‚ and no one is required to witness the death. He also noted that the bill does not require a psychiatric evaluation. “Whenever we offer death as a solution to problems‚ we lose our incentive to solve the root causes of those problems‚ and we send the message that some lives aren’t worth living‚” Stark told The Daily Wire. The Minnesota legislature reconvenes on February 12.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and state of New York have entered into an agreement for reforms after an investigation revealed a nearly decade-long hostile work environment overseen by former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo resigned as governor of New York in August 2021 after a number of sexual harassment allegations were made against him. At the time‚ Democrats in the state legislature were building momentum to impeach the three-term governor‚ and President Joe Biden had joined calls for Cuomo to step down. The DOJ investigated the allegations against Cuomo and released its findings on Friday along with the outline of an agreement the Biden administration struck with the state of New York. Governor Kathy Hochul‚ who took over the state after Cuomo’s abrupt departure‚ agreed to implement a slate of reforms in the wake of the scandal‚ such as expanding a newly constituted HR department for the governor’s office and overhauling the process for filing complaints against senior officials. The DOJ investigation found that Cuomo “subjected at least thirteen female employees of New York State … to a sexually hostile work environment” consisting of “unwelcome‚ non-consensual sexual contact; ogling; unwelcome sexual comments; gender-based nicknames; comments on their physical appearances; and/or preferential treatment based on their physical appearances‚” according to the agreement published by the DOJ on Friday. Federal investigators found that members of the governor’s office routinely protected the governor from complaints of sexual harassment‚ despite having knowledge of the events. In some cases‚ the victims were retaliated against‚ according to federal investigators. “Indeed‚ the Executive Chamber’s response was designed only to protect Cuomo from further accusations‚ rather than to protect employees from sexual harassment‚” the agreement says. The DOJ uncovered “a pattern or practice of discrimination against female employees based on sex‚ in violation of Title VII‚ by subjecting them to and tolerating a sexually hostile work environment created by Cuomo between about 2013 and 2021‚” according to the agreement. Investigators also found a “pattern or practice of retaliation‚ in violation of Title VII‚ against some of those current and former employees after they complained that Cuomo harassed them.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ Civil Rights Division said in a statement: “The conduct in the Executive Chamber under the former governor‚ the state’s most powerful elected official‚ was especially egregious because of the stark power differential involved and the victims’ lack of avenues to report and redress harassment. With this settlement agreement‚ the Executive Chamber under Governor Hochul is undertaking additional actions that will address system failures of the past while helping prevent the recurrence of systemic sexual harassment and retaliation in the future.”