Adam Nichols

CNN hit back at a conservative guest Wednesday as it met his accusations that left-wing rhetoric was sparking violent incidents with a brutal supercut of President Donald Trump's most incendiary attacks.

During a heated debate on CNN NewsNight, guest Ben Ferguson specifically referenced the assassination of Charlie Kirk and attacks on ICE facilities. Ferguson criticized Democratic leaders like Gavin Newsom for describing ICE agents as "authoritarian" and potentially inciting further violence.

But host Abby Phillip challenged Ferguson's stance by playing multiple video clips of President Donald Trump using similarly inflammatory language.

"She's a Marxist, she's a fascist," Trump was heard saying in one of the clips, targeting his opponent in last year's election, Kamala Harris. Phillip pressed Ferguson on the inconsistency, asking, "Are you so committed to this idea that we should just ban certain words from the lexicon? 'Authoritarian,' 'fascist,' 'Nazi,' 'communist' — should we just ban them because they're all leading to violence, or is it just that it's not OK when your political opponents use them?"

Ferguson maintained his position, arguing that Newsom's rhetoric about ICE agents directly correlates with violence. "It was eight hours earlier! Eight hours," he emphasized, suggesting a causal relationship between Newsom's comments and subsequent attacks.

Phillip concluded by challenging Ferguson to apply his standard consistently: "To a degree, I take your point about demonization... but I'm asking you about your insistence that certain words that are being used by your political opponents should be off limits."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer needs to take heed of Donald Trump's favorite poem, he was warned Thursday.

"The Snake," which tells of a half-frozen reptile that is helped by a "tender-hearted woman" before it betrays her with a vicious bite — has been frequently recited by the U.S. president, who appears to consider it a truth about human interactions, wrote Guardian opinion writer Aditya Chakrabortty.

And, as Trump rambled over his grievances for 55 minutes at the United Nations Tuesday, the danger was clearly messaged to Starmer, she wrote.

"Watching his extraordinary speech this week at the UN, I thought again of The Snake," she wrote.

"It is the perfect depiction of the dynamic between Trump and the British establishment – a relationship where Trump is the vicious serpent.

"Last week, he was Keir Starmer’s most honored guest, enjoying a banquet at Windsor Castle and wooed by King Charles as 'the closest of kin.' One return flight later, Trump tore into his host – 'I hope the prime minister’s listening' – and lumped the UK among those Old World s---holes 'going to hell.'"

Starmer, backed up by Trump, has frequently bragged about their close relationship — and friendship, even inviting Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK last week.

A recently announced US-UK tech deal, touted as "record-breaking" by Downing Street, represents another manifestation of this serpentine dynamic, she wrote. Cecilia Rikap, an AI expert at University College London, described the emerging data centers as "American military bases on British soil."

Britain's previous Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg gave a similar warning, saying that the UK risks becoming a "vassal state" and underscoring the poem's underlying message, Chakrabortty wrote. The massive technology investments are not merely financial transactions, but strategic infiltrations.

"If Labour [Party] members and other voters knew what had actually been signed in their names they would be angered, rather than heartened," she wrote.

"Far closer to the truth is to imagine a snake in skin of stars and stripes, wrapping itself ever tighter around your land, your data, your water supply and your electricity pylons – all the while claiming it’s for your own good."

Chakrabortty concluded with another reference to The Snake.

"These rhymes are the very essence of Trumpism: never let outsiders get too close, or you’ll be repaid in venom," she wrote.

"No hugs, just extraction. It’s how he sees business, politics and, naturally, immigration."

Stephen Miller's wife revealed Donald Trump's deputy chief of staff's bizarre wake-up routine in a cringeworthy interview on Fox.

Katie Miller, a former Elon Musk employee, appeared on Jesse Watters Primetime Tuesday in an interview that took an unexpected turn after discussing the murder of conservative Charlie Kirk.

As the conversation about Kirk and his widow Erika concluded, Watters made a provocative comment, telling Miller, "Just so the audience is aware, you are married to Stephen Miller, so you are the envy of all women."

Miller responded by referring to her husband as a "sexual matador."

She then described how Miller, known for his hardline immigration policies, confrontational TV interviews and fiery right-wing speeches, wakes her in the morning.

"He's an incredibly inspiring man who gets me going in the morning with his speeches, being like, 'Let's start the day, I'm going to defeat the left and we are going to win,'" Miller said.

Watters suggested the couple could be the subject of a reality show. This comes after Miller's high-profile career moves, including a brief stint working for Elon Musk after leaving the Trump administration in May.

Miller quickly transitioned from her role with Musk, which she had previously called "the role of a lifetime," to launching her own podcast. In the month since its debut, she has interviewed notable figures including Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Mike Tyson, and Jillian Michaels.

However, the podcast's reception has been lukewarm. It has garnered fewer than 6,000 YouTube subscribers and holds a low 1.8-star rating on Spotify, suggesting challenges in building a significant audience.

Ariel Abergel, a 25-year-old former Fox News producer handpicked by Donald Trump to organize the military rally that rolled tanks and troops through the streets of Washington, D.C. this summer has been fired.

The Trump ally had also been the executive director of lead America250, tasked to plan a massive celebration for the nation's 250th birthday.

A Wall Street Journal report suggested his firing followed a controversial Instagram post Abergel made about Charlie Kirk.

But the bipartisan Semiquincentennial Commission told the newspaper that it removed Abergel after he “initiated a security breach of a commission social-media account, attempted to procure the resignations of multiple commissioners by misrepresenting himself as acting on behalf of congressional leadership, and engaged in multiple other serious and repeated breaches of authority and trust."

Abergel claims he was fired after sharing a memorial post reading "America is in mourning. God bless Charlie Kirk," which featured a photo of the slain 31-year-old MAGA commentator. He insisted he had first requested the organization make an official statement about Kirk before taking action independently.

His rapid career trajectory included a brief White House stint during Trump's first term and a producer role on Fox & Friends Weekend. Abergel, who graduated college in 2021, quickly rose to oversee America250's operations and was responsible for organizing Trump's military parade last June.

The parade was a controversial event designed to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. The parade, which coincided with Trump's 79th birthday, featured military vehicles and personnel, drawing criticism for its perceived political spectacle and significant taxpayer expense.

Trump was reportedly furious that the event, which did not draw the huge crowds he'd hoped for, failed to project the intimidating image he'd hoped for. It was widely mocked as a failed show of strength.

Some commission members expressed concerns that Abergel was transforming the national celebration, set for July 4 next year, into a Trump-centric event. New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman criticized him, stating it was "unfortunate that what was meant to unite the country and honor its history has been twisted into yet another scheme for his own personal gain."

Abergel rejected the commission's explanation for his firing, calling it "malicious lies" designed to "distract from the truth." He was initially suspended for the social media post before being asked to resign and ultimately terminated.

Despite the controversy, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly praised Abergel's work, particularly the Army250 parade, which she said "boldly honored the bravery and strength of our military men and women."

John Oliver delivered a passionate monologue on Last Week Tonight Sunday, directly challenging Disney CEO Bob Iger to stand up to political pressure surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.

"At some point, you're going to have to draw a line," Oliver urged, recommending Iger use four key words if pushed to bend to President Donald Trump's pressure.

It's "the only phrase that can genuinely make a weak bully go away, and that is ‘F--- you! Make me!’” he said.

Oliver encouraged viewers to cancel Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, criticizing the "laughably weak" reasoning behind pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air last week. He argued that Kimmel's monologue about Charlie Kirk's assassination — given as a reason for the late-night star to be suspended — had been mischaracterized.

"Kimmel didn't denigrate Charlie Kirk or make light of his killing," Oliver said. "The worst thing you could say is that he appears to have been wrong about the shooter's ideology. But he was also pointing out that many on the right seemed desperate to weaponize Kirk's death."

Oliver highlighted the broader implications of Kimmel's suspension, suggesting it represented a dangerous precedent. "This Kimmel situation does feel like a turning point," he stated. "If the government can force a network to pull a late-night show off the air and do so in plain view, it can do a f--k of a lot worse."

He was particularly critical of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, joking that "Basically Brendan Carr said jump, and Nexstar took his d--- out of their mouth for just long enough to say 'How high, exactly?'" Oliver suggested Carr's podcast comments essentially instructed networks what to do without direct communication.

The comedian drew a vivid metaphor to describe the pressure tactics, comparing it to "someone throwing a brick through your window that said, 'SHUT UP OR ELSE.'"

"Whatever happens to us or our parent company, it should be clear to everyone that the First Amendment is absolutely critical in this country," he said.

Republican pollster Christine Matthews believes she has discovered a potential game-changing demographic for the 2026 midterms: women who wear weighted vests.

Matthews, president of Bellwether Research, told Politico that a new faction of swing voters has emerged after observing large numbers of women sporting the latest wellness trend in suburban areas.

"The people who swing elections, it always sort of comes down—in particular in midterms—to suburban women," she told Politico. "This, to me, is just a particularly interesting cohort that is a subset of that group that could swing these elections because they're so engaged."

Her national poll of 1,000 women revealed that approximately 1 in 6 women reported using a weighted vest while walking, with this subgroup backing Donald Trump over Kamala Harris by three points in the 2024 presidential election. On a generic congressional ballot, the weighted vest-wearing group split evenly between Republicans and Democrats at 47 percent.

The poll characterizes these women as "under age 45, have kids at home, and live in urban/suburban neighborhoods, well-educated, higher-income and highly engaged with politics." Matthews describes them as having a "modern diet" of information from podcasts, social media, and new media outlets.

"But it doesn't cause them to go down weird fringe rabbit holes," Matthews emphasized. "It encourages them to adopt something like a weighted vest, but not, like, oppose vaccines."

However, potential challenges exist. Trump's "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, led by vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could potentially alienate these health-conscious swing voters, she said. The poll deck notes that these women "aren't vaccine skeptics or seed oil opponents" but are "likely to be listening to a podcast while walking with a weighted vest."

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania's helicopter, Marine One, was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday as they prepared to leave the United Kingdom.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided details about the incident, stating, "Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted airport." The airport is just outside London and was where Air Force One was waiting to take the pair back to the White House.

Leavitt said that "the president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter."

The unplanned landing added an ironic twist to Trump's subsequent remarks to reporters traveling with him on Air Force One. "Fly safely," he said. "You know why I say that? Because I'm on the flight. I want to get home, otherwise I wouldn't care."

After the emergency landing, the presidential couple successfully boarded Air Force One to complete their return trip from the United Kingdom.

President Donald Trump has vented fury to aides that Israel's leader — and a key U.S. ally — is "f---ing me" following Israel's strike on Hamas negotiators in Qatar.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has been seething for weeks over Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the Gaza conflict. "It's slightly baffling and counterintuitive," Shalom Lipner, who served seven consecutive Israeli prime ministers, told the Journal.

"Netanyahu's moves have prolonged the Gaza war, created trouble for Trump with other U.S. allies in the region, and made the expansion of the Abraham Accords excruciatingly difficult."

The tension peaked after Israel's operation in Doha last week, which threatened fragile negotiations. Despite his reported anger, Trump has refrained from using U.S. leverage over arms or aid, continuing to publicly support Netanyahu.

In a heated call following the September 9 strike, Trump reportedly rebuked Netanyahu for targeting Hamas representatives in Doha without advance notice. The air-launched missiles killed several lower-level figures but missed top negotiators, drawing fury from mediators.

Netanyahu argues that eliminating Hamas leadership abroad removes obstacles to a deal. However, questions have arisen about Trump's lack of public criticism, given his reputation for dominance.

"I'm mystified and so are many other Israelis," Itamar Rabinovich, a Clinton-era Israeli ambassador to the U.S., told the Journal."The only thing that's really working for [Netanyahu] is Trump's support."

After the Doha strike, Trump reportedly called Netanyahu twice—first to vent, then to inquire about the operation's success.

"[Trump] likes winners," former ambassador Michael Oren told the Journal. When informed that the strike didn't deliver a significant blow, Trump's frustration reportedly intensified.

Trump has previously expressed frustration with Netanyahu. After the 2020 presidential election when Netanyahu congratulated victor Joe Biden, Trump told a journalist "F--- him."

A move by a Donald Trump official is being seen as "revenge" against Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who recently threatened to punch him "in the f------ face."

Bessent faces scrutiny over home-loan filings similar to the discrepancies being used by the Donald Trump administration to challenge Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the Daily Beast reported Wednesday.

Weeks after reportedly threatening to punch top housing finance official Bill Pulte, Bessent now finds himself confronting mortgage-related allegations after allegedly agreeing to occupy two different houses as his "principal residence" simultaneously.

The conflicting agreements, first reported by Bloomberg, mirror the contradictory pledges the president, with Pulte's assistance, has been using to attempt to remove Cook from her central bank board position. And social media users were quick to celebrate that Pulte — who Politico has called one of Trump's "most vociferous social media attack dogs — has appeared to move his attention to his nemesis.

“PULTE gets his revenge,” wrote political commentator Sam Stein on X.

The violent threat unfolded at the Executive Branch, an exclusive MAGA club co-owned by Donald Trump Jr, during a dinner with numerous Trump administration officials. According to Politico, tensions escalated when Bessent confronted Pulte over allegations of negative discussions with Trump.

"Why the f--- are you talking to the president about me? F--- you," Bessent was quoted as saying. "I'm gonna punch you in your f------g face."

Bessent has downplayed the confrontation, describing such disputes as part of policymaking. "Treasury secretaries dating back to Alexander Hamilton have a history of dueling," he joked on MSNBC's Squawk Box.

The situation draws parallels to the ongoing controversy surrounding Cook. The Trump administration alleges Cook claimed two different properties in Michigan and Georgia as her "primary" residence. Ironically, the Bloomberg report reveals Bessent's own conflicting agreements obligated him to occupy homes in New York and Massachusetts as his primary residence simultaneously in 2007.

Cook recently scored a legal victory when an appeals court allowed her to continue working at the Fed while Trump's termination attempt proceeds through the court system. White House spokesman Kush Desai remains defiant, stating, "The President lawfully removed Lisa Cook for cause. The Administration will appeal this decision and looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue."

Both the White House and Pulte's office have declined to comment on Bessent's mortgage filings, the Beast reported.

Meanwhile, Bessent's lawyer, Alex Spiro, avoided direct comparison with Cook's situation, and Bessent himself continues to suggest Cook's potential guilt

"We haven't heard her say 'I didn't do it.' She just keeps saying the president can't remove her," Bessent told Fox News Mornings with Maria earlier this month.

President Donald Trump flew his own bed linen from the U.S. for his stay in a royal English castle — and courtiers in the ultra-luxurious accommodation think they know why.

Courtiers at Windsor Castle — a home to Great Britain's King Charles — are reportedly joking that Trump wants to avoid leaving stains on the royal bedding from tanning chemicals.

The courtier's theory was shared with the Daily Mail in a report Tuesday as Trump started his first full day of the United Kingdom visit.

Trump and First Lady Melania are also set to occupy separate suites at Windsor Castle, according to palace insiders.

"The King is apparently very fussy about his bed linen – the finest Egyptian cotton, according to a source – but it seems this doesn't cut it for Mr Trump," reported the Daily Mail's "Ephraim Hardcastle" column.

"The president's aides, inspecting his suite in Windsor Castle before his arrival, provided housekeepers with bedding. A courtier muses that it may just be the President not wanting to stain the royal pillows with whatever tanning chemicals he uses to keep his orange hue.

"Below-stairs wags, noting that Melania has a separate suite, joke that if she'd asked for a water bed she could effortlessly drift apart from Donald."

The sleeping arrangements align with royal precedent. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip famously maintained separate sleeping quarters.

Trump's team went to extraordinary lengths to prepare for their royal accommodation, with the "Ephraim" column noting that his staff meticulously examined the Windsor suite — and decided that the linen be replaced with that brought from the U.S.

Meanwhile, protests dogged the first fill day of the visit, with "Everyone Hates Elon" projecting a photo of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle before the president's arrival.

A heated debate on Piers Morgan's show descended into chaos when Cornel West, a longshot candidate in last November's presidential election, dramatically walked out after a confrontation with conservative podcaster Andrew Wilson about the killing of Charlie Kirk.

The exchange quickly escalated when West defended his position, declaring, "This brother right here says, 'Well, all leftists want to see me dead.' Well, I'm a leftist, I don't want to see you dead. I'm a Christian!"

Wilson launched aggressive accusations, shouting, "You called Trump's administration a neo-fascist movement, you lunatic!" This prompted West to plead, "Let me make the case! Will you allow me to speak, brother? Come on, man."

When Wilson claimed, "It's the rhetoric from people like you that got that man killed, sir," West became visibly frustrated. He turned to Morgan, demanding, "Why you have a brother on who's not gonna allow nobody to speak, man? We're just wasting time."

West passionately spoke about his relationship with Kirk, stating, "Charlie was made in the image of a loving and mighty God! I believe that. I have said my prayers for sister Erika and the kids."

The situation further deteriorated when Wilson lit a cigarette, prompting West to exclaim, "This is ridiculous! He's smoking his cigarette with his arrogant self. Come on, man."

Attempting to maintain the debate, Morgan asked, "Surely you're not gonna walk out in a debate about dialogue?"

But West was resolute. He pointed out that fellow conservative podcaster Jack Posobiec was "willing to at least listen," unlike Wilson. Repeatedly declaring "I'm gone!", West removed his microphone and exited the set.

Morgan concluded by calling West's departure "farcical," saying, "It seems to me completely insane" to abandon a discussion about free speech and listening to different opinions.

The incident highlighted the deep political divisions and communication challenges in contemporary political discourse.

A "secret sister" of Charlie Kirk has emerged — with an extremely different worldview to her conservative brother who was shot and killed last week.

Mary Kirk is a 29-year-old Chicago art curator whose progressive views stand in sharp opposition to her brother's conservative activism, the Daily Mail reported.

Mary's social media reveals a passionate support for Senator Bernie Sanders. In a 2016 Facebook post, she wrote, "#Tbt to when I met Bernie a year ago and had no idea who he was and now he is the light of my life," accompanied by a photo of herself with the senator.

But the Mail reported Mary wasn't always politically opposed to her brother. In 2011, she was a member of the Wheeling Young Republicans, an organization Charlie had previously led. However, by 2015, her political ideology had dramatically shifted.

Her social media activities highlight her commitment to causes her brother actively worked against. "Whitney Plantation is an inspiring example of what slavery education should look like in the US," she wrote on LinkedIn, urging followers to support the museum, the Mail reported. That stands in direct contrast to Charlie Kirk's criticisms of what he called "Black-centered education."

Mary has also advocated for museum funding and cultural institutions that were targeted during the Trump administration. She shared calls to action from the American Alliance of Museums, encouraging followers to protect funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Despite their political differences, close friends reportedly suggest that the Kirk family maintained a harmonious relationship, the Mail reported. Their parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, are described as non-political, with Robert being an architect and Kathryn a mental health counselor.

Charlie Kirk's recent death during his "American Comeback Tour" has sparked intense political rhetoric. While some right-wing figures have called for conflict, others have emphasized Kirk's willingness to engage in dialogue across political lines.

Mary Kirk has largely avoided the public spotlight, maintaining her progressive activism quietly while her brother became a prominent conservative figure, according to the Mail's report.

A pair of prominent psychologists have reignited concerns about President Donald Trump's health, suggesting his recent displays of symptoms indicate more than typical age-related decline. On their podcast "Shrinking Trump," John Gartner and Harry Segal argued that the 79-year-old president is exhibiting signs of "early dementia."

Gartner, a former Johns Hopkins University Medical School professor, highlighted recent — and frequently displayed — behavior, including falling asleep at high-profile events.

"You're at the finals of the U.S. Open, a riveting performance... you're the center of attention," he noted. "So how does Trump react? Oh, he's asleep again, just like he slept through most of the days of his criminal trial."

The psychologists pointed to multiple concerning physical symptoms. "Congestive heart failure is what typically causes swelling, you know, largely swollen ankles," said Segal, a Cornell University psychology professor. "I think he's not, I mean, he's not doing well."

Gartner was particularly critical of the White House's explanations for Trump's health issues. Regarding bruising on Trump's hands, he asserted, "They're obviously hiding the more serious problem. He's probably getting some kind of IV fluids."

The most alarming observation came during a 9/11 memorial event, where Trump appeared to have facial drooping. Segal emphasized, "When you see someone with half their face drooping like that, that's not just someone being tired, that's not a normal face. It's significant, and that's why I'm showing it, not just to make fun of him or to joke."

The White House pushed back with a statement from Rep. Ronny Jackson, Trump's former physician, who claimed, "President Donald J. Trump is the healthiest president this nation has ever seen. He is mentally and physically sharper than ever before."

Despite the official denial, public speculation has intensified. Google searches for "Is Trump dead?" skyrocketed after the president's four-day absence from public view, with "Trump is dead" briefly trending on social media platforms.

The nation — and the world — is waiting with bated breath as it expects President Donald Trump to use Charlie Kirk's death to launch imminent crackdowns, a CNN analyst wrote Monday.

"Everyone is watching how Trump and his administration respond to see whether the president will build on his blame for the so-called radical left by moving against specific organizations or political figures," wrote the network's Stephen Collinson.

"This is an administration that never worried about crossing constitutional barriers with its questionable national emergencies that have unlocked vast powers. And Trump has turned the Justice Department into an engine for his own political grievances.

"Anger among conservatives over Kirk’s killing could be channeled into more intensity for Trump’s existing policy goals, like his crackdown on crime in Democratic cities, his push for mid-cycle redistricting to try to stave off GOP losses in the midterm elections, and a federal funding confrontation with Democrats that could shut down the government at the end of the month."

The assassination of Kirk last Wednesday has plunged the United States into a moment of profound political tension, exposing the deep fractures in America's increasingly volatile social landscape, he wrote.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) over the weekend described it as "an attack on a political movement," noting that "Charlie Kirk is one of the top three people in the country that allowed President Trump to win in 2024 by his efforts."

President Trump's response has been characteristically divisive. "The problem is on the left. It's not on the right," he declared, further inflaming tensions.

This approach stands in stark contrast to calls for unity from other political figures, even including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who urged Americans to "remember that you can disagree with someone vehemently on policy and not hate them as a person," Collinson wrote.

The potential for escalation is palpable, the analyst wrote. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned on Fox News Sunday, "It feels like a grief has settled on not just the country, but the entire world. Something has changed." Meanwhile, Trump administration officials like Stephen Miller have claimed there's a "vast, organized ecosystem of indoctrination" by the left.

The investigation continues, with authorities in Utah probing the motives of the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has claimed that investigators are examining whether the suspect's personal relationships with a transgender person might have played a role in the killing, though many reports claimed he came from a Republican family and had been radicalized by right-wing ideology.

Social media has come under intense scrutiny in the aftermath. Cox criticized platforms for "hijacking our free will with these dopamine hits," comparing the effect to fentanyl addiction. Elon Musk escalated rhetoric by declaring, "The left is the party of murder" during a far-right rally.

The tragedy has exposed the fragile state of American political discourse, Collinson wrote. As Cox poignantly concluded, "Every one of us has to look in the mirror and decide: Are we going to try to make it better or are we going to make it worse?"

The niece of Donald Trump smashed his argument that his signature was forged on a lewd message sent to celebrate pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday.

Tthe House Oversight Committee released the complete 238-page volume of a birthday book compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell Monday, reigniting a scandal that has had Trump's camp reeling for weeks.

The document contains a birthday note reportedly written by Trump, positioned near an illustration of a nude woman. The signature appears in a provocative manner, resembling pubic hair. Trump has vehemently denied involvement and has initiated a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for first publishing the story.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to dismiss the allegations Monday, stating emphatically that President Trump neither drew the picture nor signed it. However, her denial was quickly challenged by Trump's own niece.

Mary L. Trump, a psychologist and author known for her critical stance toward her uncle, weighed in on social media. "That's definitely his signature," she wrote on X. "Just saying."

The assessment of the daughter of Donald's older brother Fred Trump Jr. carries particular weight given her professional background and intimate family knowledge. She previously authored a scathing book about Trump titled "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man."