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'More corrupt than Minnesota': Trump mocks Newsom after launching California fraud investigation

1 week 6 days ago


President Donald Trump is once again taking aim at Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom's "corrupt" leadership.

Trump announced that his administration would be launching an investigation into California fraud, which he estimates is worse than the fraud in Minnesota. This investigation in California comes after weeks of reporting that highlighted the billions of dollars in potentially fraudulent funding for Somali businesses and day cares in Minnesota, which Trump's administration has also fought against.

'He's got a good line of crap.'

"California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible???" Trump said in a Truth Social post Tuesday. "The Fraud Investigation of California has begun. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

This is not the only line of attack Trump has launched against the Democratic governor.

RELATED: 'Let others worry': Scandal-plagued Tim Walz announces he will not seek third term

Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Trump later mocked Newsom and his fellow Democrats during an address to congressional Republicans, calling their cognitive abilities into question.

"Do you think Walz could pass a cognitive test?" Trump asked, referring to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D). "Do you think Kamala could? I don't think Gavin could. He's got a good line of crap, but other than that, he couldn't pass."

"He didn't want to have water coming down from the Pacific Northwest," Trump said of Newsom's leadership during the devastating Palisades fires.

"They cut it off, and then they have 25,000 houses burn down. They don't know why."

RELATED: Trump mocks Tim Walz for dropping re-election campaign after fraud allegations — then accuses other Democrats

Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Newsom blamed Trump's immigration policy for the slow rebuilding of the Palisades after thousands of homes burned down in January 2025. Although this happened under Newsom's leadership, the governor argues that Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have prevented development projects from progressing.

"Donald Trump's reckless, inhumane immigration raids have destroyed communities and have had massive negative impacts on efforts to rebuild from the LA fires," Newsom said in an X post on Monday. "His actions have been disastrous across the board."

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Rebeka Zeljko

'I wouldn't ask for no f**king charity!': Mickey Rourke blasts 'embarrassing' GoFundMe plea

1 week 6 days ago


Actor Mickey Rourke says asking for handouts is not his style.

Earlier this week, a GoFundMe page was created by sources close to Rourke who claimed he needed help paying back rent on his Los Angeles home in order to avoid eviction.

''I'd rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger.'

The fundraiser page was organized by Liya-Joelle Jones for the benefit of Kimberly Hines, the page says. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Jones is Hines' assistant, and Hines has been Rourke's manager for nearly a decade.

Under the gun

"Fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability. What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing, and the chance to regain his footing," the fundraiser wrote.

Stating that Rourke's "full permission" was given, the page said he needed $60,000 to avoid losing his home. Now, with donations at over $100,000, the campaign has been paused after Rourke posted a video to his Instagram page denouncing the fund.

"I wouldn't ask for no f**king charity. I'd rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger," Rourke began, with his dog on his lap.

RELATED: 'Frankenstein' director's AI warning: It's here to 'debase' our humanity

"I don't understand it," the actor continued. "I wouldn't know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years. My life is very simple. I don't go to outside sources like that. And yeah, it is embarrassing," he added.

Rourke explained that he would never approve a charitable cause for his benefit, and urged fans and supporters to stop giving money and seek refunds.

Anger management

Since the video was posted late Monday, Hines has spoken out about the campaign despite both her and Jones reportedly posting the page "with Mickey's permission."

In a phone call with the Hollywood Reporter, Hines said that in 48 hours, her management team had paid for Rourke to move into a hotel, have his clothing packed, and put his belongings in a storage unit.

"All of this is being paid for by his management team, which is me," Hines said. "We said, 'Mickey, there's some people that want to help you out.' He's like, 'OK, great.' I don't think he understood, and now it's taken on this media frenzy, and he flipped out," she went on.

RELATED: Actor Mickey Rourke promises to punch President Trump with 'left hook from hell' once he leaves office

Photo by Panayotis Tzamaros/NurPhoto via Getty Images

After confirming the fundraiser was legitimate, Hines further explained that the locks were being changed on Rourke's home as she spoke, and she was setting him up with an apartment in Koreatown.

Return to sender

Hines blamed the state of Rourke's home on the property owner, who allegedly raised the rent from $5,200 to $7,000 in mid-2024. The house was allegedly littered with black mold, had no running water, and was heavily damaged.

Hines added that Rourke told her he had been receiving calls from all over the world asking to give him money, and she told him to let them help. However, before stating that Rourke "has to say" that he did not know who started the fund, she was happy to return the money to donors if he would not accept it.

"This money has been to help Mickey. If Mickey doesn't want the money, the money will go back. It's putting me in a very bad position where now I'm financing his move and the hotel and the movers and his storage. Mickey was cool with getting help the other day. And now Mickey’s like, 'I'm not taking charity.'"

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Andrew Chapados

'Ding-dong ditch' prank ends with homeowner firing multiple rounds at car — and juvenile passenger getting shot, cops say

1 week 6 days ago


Yet another "ding-dong ditch" prank has gone wrong — this time over the weekend in North Carolina.

The Iredell County Sheriff's Office said deputies were conducting a traffic stop on Taylorsville Highway when they heard multiple gunshots coming from a nearby neighborhood around 11:20 p.m. Saturday.

'So what are these kids going to be charged with??'

Within two minutes, deputies were in the area of Absher Farm Loop to locate the origin of the gunfire, officials said.

While responding, Iredell County Emergency Communications received a 911 call reporting a person with a gunshot wound on Castle Pines Drive, located within the same neighborhood, officials said.

Arriving deputies located an unoccupied vehicle stopped in the road with its passenger doors open, broken glass on the ground, and apparent bullet holes in the vehicle, officials said.

Deputies found a group of juveniles in a nearby field, one of whom was on the ground with a gunshot wound to the leg, officials said.

Iredell County EMS responded to the scene and took the wounded juvenile to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital for emergency medical treatment, officials said.

Deputies learned the juveniles were traveling through the neighborhood when an unknown person fired a gun at their vehicle, officials said, adding that one round entered the vehicle and struck the victim in the leg.

During the investigation, an individual approached deputies and identified himself as the shooter, officials said.

RELATED: Male, 30, shoots 14 rounds at teens playing 'ding-dong-ditch' prank — and wounds 1, police say

Image source: Iredell County (N.C.) Sheriff's Office

Craig Steven Mason told investigators loud noises coming from a neighboring residence awakened him, after which he retrieved a handgun, went outside to investigate, saw a vehicle driving through the neighborhood with no headlights on, and fired multiple rounds toward the vehicle as it passed. Officials said the vehicle was struck four times, with one round striking the juvenile passenger.

Detectives also determined the juveniles were in the neighborhood engaging in a prank commonly referred to as “ding-dong ditch,” involving ringing doorbells and knocking on doors before running away, officials said.

Detectives determined the juvenile victims had not approached Mason’s residence, only nearby homes, officials added.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Mason on the following charges, officials said: felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, and felony discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle causing serious bodily injury.

Mason was arrested Monday and issued no bond, officials said, adding that bond will be determined upon his appearance before a District Court Judge.

The wounded juvenile remained hospitalized as of Monday and was receiving medical treatment, officials said, adding that as the investigation continues, additional charges may be forthcoming.

Legal experts told the Charlotte Observer that ding-dong ditch participants also can face charges ranging from criminal trespass to disorderly conduct.

The Facebook post from the sheriff's office has attracted hundreds of comments, and many are critical of the homeowner:

  • "A gun comes with responsibility," one commenter stated. "Can’t have one without the other."
  • "Maybe the kids were in the wrong, but at least they weren’t doing drugs or drinking. Just having some fun," another user wrote. "Apparently this gentleman did not bother to study gun regulations and rules. Unfortunately for him he is in serious trouble. If you plan to own a firearm please understand the rules and regulations pertaining to self defense. These guys could have been leaving a friends house and just had not cut their lights on and had nothing to do with knocking on the door. Be smart and safe out there."
  • "I hate ding-dong-ditch, but that man had no business firing at the car like that," another commenter declared. "Totally irresponsible."
  • "Yeah, this was not an act of defense," another user said. "This was an act from annoyance."

Others directed their criticisms elsewhere:

  • "Parents, explain to your kids that the days of jerking people around with their pranks are over," another commenter said. "People are armed and might not be clear on what the rules of engagement are. Take the time to explain the dangers when you might not know who’s going to respond and how they might respond. Simple fix."
  • "I guess they ding donged and found the F out," another user wrote.
  • "I think the teenagers got exactly what they deserved," another commenter stated. "Maybe next time they'll think before doing something stupid."
  • "So what are these kids going to be charged with??" another user asked.

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Dave Urbanski