The substance and silliness of Sports Team
The track was already written when Sports Team came face to face with the issue on tour in America at the tail end of last year. Setting off for their first show, they were robbed at gunpoint in the Bay area of California; soon, they found themselves embroiled in the middle of a political battleground. 'You had the Left-wing press coming at you with the anti-gun angle which obviously we did the press for, and then suddenly you get the Right coming at you,' explains Rice. 'We got asked if we wanted to do primetime Fox News the next day, so I was like, 'Yeah alright!' They were sending this Fox-mobile down 10 hours from LA, and then as soon as we shared some information about stopping gun violence in the US they just turned the car around and didn't want to come anymore.'
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The Independent
17 hours ago
- The Independent
Fox News rushes to Trump's defense after Elon Musk says he's ‘in the Epstein Files': What about Bill Clinton?!
Fox News suddenly found itself in a pickle on Thursday when a high-stakes feud erupted between the two leading lights of the MAGA universe – President Donald Trump and the world's richest man, Elon Musk. While the breakup always seemed inevitable due to the egos involved, as well as Trump's history of shedding one-time loyalists and stabbing them in the back on the way out, the hosts at the conservative cable giant have appeared to be in mourning over their two heroes duking it out. Since the spat exploded, the network's top MAGA personalities have been careful not to fully take a side, especially considering the media power Musk wields due to his control of the social media platform X. They've also expressed hope that the president and his former 'first buddy' will eventually work it out, essentially saying the two are 'just blowing off steam' like a couple of college bros. At the same time, though, there was one Rubicon that Musk crossed that was a bridge too far for many of Fox's opinion hosts – the loaded accusation that Trump was in the so-called 'Epstein Files' and this was 'the real reason' why the administration has yet to release them in full. During his off-the-rails tweetstorm on Thursday that escalated the war of words to nuclear levels, the Tesla CEO brought up the president's previous relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Considering right-wing media's long-standing obsession with Epstein's supposed client list, which they've speculated would include a number of high-profile Democrats and celebrities who engaged in sex crimes with Epstein, the Musk allegation seemed primed to sow division within MAGA world. This has especially been the case since many of the president's supporters are still bitter over Attorney General Pam Bondi's botched release of the FBI's documents on Epstein and the FBI's leaders – who were Epstein conspiracists themselves when they were MAGA media figures – now saying Epstein actually committed suicide and wasn't murdered in jail. Sean Hannity, the Trump confidant who also serves as the 'White House shadow chief of staff,' was crestfallen that the back-and-forth between Trump and the one-time DOGE chief had grown so 'personal,' specifically with Musk's Epstein claims. Hannity, meanwhile, decided the best way to address the accusation was to pivot to another famous friend of Epstein's. 'Wasn't it Donald Trump who booted Epstein out… because he was one of the first people to realize just how horrible Epstein really was?' Hannity wondered, referencing the falling out between the president and the deceased sexual predator. 'I guess if Donald Trump felt that Epstein had something on him, he probably wouldn't have kicked him out of his club.' After insisting that Trump was fully in the clear when it came to his past ties with Epstein, Hannity then fully pivoted to former President Bill Clinton, who also associated with Epstein in the past. 'Now, Democrats and the media – I'm just thinking out loud here – I truly wonder, is Bill Clinton in those files also? If I was a betting man, I know where I'd put my money,' the Fox News star openly speculated. Hannity's primetime colleague Jesse Watters, meanwhile, took a slightly different tack when it came to the billionaire's shot at Trump. 'Elon's calling the president a pedophile. Wow! I don't think Musk has seen the Epstein Files and if Trump was in them, Biden probably would have released them,' Watters declared on Thursday night. 'And everyone knows that Trump kicked Epstein out of his clubs and cooperated with the victims' attorneys,' he continued. 'But the silver lining is that now Democrats are demanding the release of the Epstein Files.' Watters went on to say that it's up in the air if Musk and Trump will 'patch it up,' acknowledging that if someone 'said I was on the Epstein list, it might take me a little while' to get over it. At the same time, he insisted that 'guys get over stuff' easily and that 'both men are patriots and hopefully they will do the right thing.' Elsewhere on the network, afternoon host Will Cain was a bit more critical of the SpaceX founder, taking issue with his abrupt about-face and wondering why Musk was such a supporter of Trump if he believes he had nefarious dealings with Epstein in the past. 'Elon Musk is — he seems to be unstable right now on X. He is talking about impeachment. He is talking about the Epstein files, if I were to believe that would be true, why would Joe Biden not have used them in trying to get elected over Donald Trump?' Cain asserted. 'I hate it when people say this, but it's not a good look for Elon Musk.'Later on in his program, Cain said he wanted to ask Musk about his suggestion that Trump is 'in the Epstein Files,' wondering if the billionaire would have remained silent on it if the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' had met his satisfaction. 'What is this truth-teller today exposing about the guy yesterday, if everything is true that Elon is saying?' Cain added. Meanwhile, on the president's favorite morning show on Friday, the hosts made sure to let Trump know where their loyalties lay, at least when it came to Musk's Epstein claims. 'The Epstein file thing was way over the top and just crazy to say that Trump was in the Epstein files,' co-host Brian Kilmeade exclaimed. 'I mean, sometimes when people get drunk. They do crazy things. But this is a total escalation by Elon Musk.' Still, as was the case with much of Fox News programming over the past 24 hours, the curvy couch crew was trying not to explicitly take a side in the spat, seemingly waiting to see how it developed throughout the day and weekend. Instead, they mostly expressed hope that the two would eventually smooth things over for the good of the Republican Party, adopting the role many of Trump's allies have taken in trying to broker a Trump-Musk peace. 'Maybe I am a little too optimistic, but they're both alpha males,' Lawrence Jones insisted. 'They fight. It's dirty. I got a friend like this. I love him to death. But when we fight – I don't know what gets over us. We don't do it publicly, but we love each other.' This was similar to how Watters explained the situation the previous evening, likening the feud to a pair of fraternity bros who got into a brawl because of a love triangle. 'Guys sometimes will punch you in the face, and the next night you're having beer; sleep with your girlfriend, and you patch things up,' Watters bizarrely proclaimed at one point. Kilmeade, meanwhile, went on to praise Trump for his 'measured' response to Musk, all while claiming that the spending bill at the center of this blowup 'might actually get better because of Musk.' For now, though, the network's MAGA hosts continue to be a bit despondent over the entire affair, urging the two to 'knock it off' for the good of the country and that the whole situation makes them sad. And though many express optimism that Musk and Trump will make up, Laura Ingraham is worried that they may have already gone past a point of no return. 'I talked to an insider today who said it is irreparable,' she sighed on Thursday night.
The Independent
20 hours ago
- The Independent
Ex-Fox News star Ed Henry hit with restraining order by Jennifer Eckhart ahead of high-profile sexual assault trial
Jennifer Eckhart, a podcaster and former Fox Business producer who is suing Ed Henry for allegedly sexually assaulting her, filed an injunction for protection against stalking in a Florida court that was granted Wednesday against the former Fox News anchor just weeks before the civil case goes to trial. According to the injunction order, Henry is required to stay at least 500 feet away from Eckhart and her family. Additionally, he has to relinquish any and all firearms and other weapons. A detective for the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office attempted to serve Henry Thursday at the Boca Raton headquarters for Newsmax, the right-wing network where Henry currently works, but was told that he was currently at Newsmax's offices in New York City. Eckhart has since requested that the injunction be served at Henry's current location. 'The predator who once thought he owned me is about to face the woman who can't be broken—this time, in front of a jury,' Eckhart said in a statement to The Independent. 'Today, I was granted an Order of Protection—not just for myself, but for my family and loved ones being targeted through legal harassment. Survivors should never have to shield their families from the very system meant to protect them. Soon, he—and the institution that protected him—will be forced to reckon with the truth they tried to bury.' The restraining order, which was spurred by Henry's legal team issuing a subpoena to Eckhart's family to appear as witnesses for the defense in the New York-based trial, also included a bombshell claim by Eckhart that the FBI visited her last year to discuss potential allegations surrounding Henry. A lawyer for Henry did not respond to questions about the injunction that was granted this week. 'On May 13, 2024, Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation visited my residence as part of an active investigation into sex trafficking allegations against Respondent,' Eckhart wrote in an exhibit attached to the petition for injunction. According to documents and emails shared with The Independent, two special agents for the bureau's office in West Palm Beach, Florida, were in communication with Eckhart last year about Henry. 'We appreciate your time today and thank you for your patience,' FBI Special Agent Marisa Morris wrote Eckhart on May 13, 2024. 'A criminal case is different than a civil matter in that we will not be able to update you as often as a civil attorney would, and I realize that can be extremely frustrating.' Morris, who was responding to a message from Eckhart acknowledging the meeting earlier that day, added that 'we take these types of cases very seriously and will update you as much as possible through the process.' The agent concluded the email by telling Eckhart that 'we will review everything and follow up as appropriate.' In follow-up emails that Eckhart sent Morris and fellow Special Agent Gennady Julien, she summarized much of what had been detailed in her lawsuit, which accuses Henry of raping her and subjecting her to sex trafficking while both were employees at Fox. Henry has vehemently denied the allegations against him, claiming that he only engaged in consensual sex with Eckhart. Besides sharing publicly available exhibits that have been filed in her civil case, she also provided the names of other women who have filed sworn affidavits testifying that they've also been subjected to harassment and sexual assault by Henry. Morris would also acknowledge receipt of a June 25, 2024, email in which Eckhart shared a Mediaite article detailing a human resources complaint filed by a female staffer against Henry during his time at Real America's Voice, a fringe conservative news network. The unnamed staffer alleged to RAV that 'through a series of escalating comments, Henry established a 'grooming' relationship with her,' according to Mediaite. 'This article was just published today and brought to my attention about Ed Henry grooming another victim at his former workplace here in Palm Beach County,' Eckhart wrote, prompting Morris to respond: 'Received, thank you!' The Independent attempted to contact Agents Julien and Morris directly. A response from the Miami division's public affairs officer requesting that all questions regarding any communications with Eckhart be directed to him or the agents' supervisor. 'The FBI has strict procedures governing our employees' interaction with members of the news media,' the public affairs officer added. 'We are aware of your inquiry and interest in the FBI, but as a matter of policy, the FBI does not confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation except in rare circumstances where the public's assistance is requested,' Special Agent Willie Creech responded in a separate email to a series of questions related to Henry, echoing the bureau's standard response to media requests. The injunction against Henry, which was granted by a judge on Wednesday, was initially filed by Eckhart in response to a subpoena sent to her elderly mother, who also lives in South Florida. The subpoena, which demands Eckhart's mother to appear and testify on June 25 at the Manhattan courthouse where the civil trial is taking place, incorrectly cites Fox News as the defendant in the case – an error Eckhart cites in her petition for the injunction. 'The subpoena my mother received was issued under the misleading header 'Fox News,' despite the fact that this particular litigation is solely between myself and the Respondent, Ed Henry, in his individual and professional capacities,' the petition states. 'This created unnecessary fear and confusion, especially considering the traumatic context, and further demonstrates the coercive and intimidating nature of the Respondent's tactics.' While Fox News was initially a defendant in Eckhart's lawsuit, as she claimed the network downplayed the severity of the risk Henry posed to female employees and retaliated against her by firing her in June 2020 after she complained about a hostile work environment, Fox News was dismissed from the case in March. 'The caption for the case is Eckhart v. Fox News Network, LLC et al., 20-cv-5593,' Henry's attorney Eden Quainton told The Independent. 'Jennifer should have understood this because she has recently made filings herself with this caption. I encourage you to look up the case on PACER.' Quainton did not respond to additional questions regarding the granting of the injunction or the claims made by Eckhart about the FBI's visit. In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams said there was 'no direct evidence that Fox News was aware of Henry's alleged harassment of Eckhart before it occurred.' Additionally, Abrams agreed with Fox's legal team that 'no reasonable jury' would find the network liable for preventing 'Henry from harming Eckhart.' 'We are pleased with the court's decision to dismiss FOX News from this case, which speaks for itself. Upon learning of Jennifer Eckhart's allegations in 2020, FOX News promptly conducted an investigation by an outside independent law firm and terminated Ed Henry within six days,' a Fox News spokesperson said in a statement. 'Discovery in this matter confirmed that FOX News was not aware of their relationship or of Ms. Eckhart's allegations until after she left the company. The only people who know what happened between Mr. Henry and Ms. Eckhart are the two of them.' Eckhart also reiterates many of the accusations she had raised in her lawsuit against Henry – such as claims that he sex trafficked and 'violently raped' her – to assert that Henry has a 'documented history of harassment, stalking and repeated threats to physically punish' her as part of an 'ongoing campaign of retaliation.' Additionally, she cites a pretrial motion filed by her lawyers on May 12, which sought to deny Henry's efforts to subpoena her mother and personal acquaintances, claiming it is 'purportedly because they will testify that Ms. Eckhart did not tell them that Mr. Henry raped her prior to her termination from FNN.' Eckhart's legal team argued that this was tantamount to 'harassment and intimidation' on Henry's part due to the 'risk of unfair prejudice.' '[T]he Respondent subpoenaed my elderly mother, who has zero involvement in my ongoing federal rape lawsuit, as a means of harassment and emotional manipulation,' the petition states. 'He has also made legal threats to subpoena my ex-boyfriends and best friends – individuals with no bearing on the case – as part of an apparent campaign to punish and isolate me.' Eckhart also argues in the petition for injunction that she lives in a 'constant state of anxiety and fear' for her personal and physical safety, adding that she's been 'diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the Respondent's past acts of rape and sex trafficking.' She adds that Henry's 'recent efforts to destabilize' her are 'inflicting deep psychological harm' and have impacted her ability to prepare for the trial. Other than lawful communication between her and Henry's legal counsels, the Florida court granted Eckhart's request that prohibits Henry from contacting her and her family, and keeps him at least 500 feet away from her except for during the upcoming legal proceedings in New York. According to the granted injunction, Henry and Eckhart will be scheduled to appear and testify before Judge Laura Burkhart on June 12 to discuss whether the court will make the injunction permanent. In her lawsuit against Henry, Eckhart alleges that the former Fox News anchor 'groomed, psychologically manipulated and coerced' her into a sexual relationship while referring to her as his personal 'sex slave.' Eventually, after she 'would not comply voluntarily' with his sexual demands, she claims he violently raped her in 2017. In a motion filed last fall in the case, her attorney Michael Willemin laid out a series of new allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct against Henry, including accusations that he sexually assaulted a second woman during his time at Fox News. Following those revelations, current and former colleagues of Henry's told The Independent that they didn't understand how he was able to continue to find employment in the media industry. 'Ed Henry being in Florida has him out of sight, out of mind most of the time,' one Newsmax employee said at the time. 'However, after that most recent court filing, some people are wondering: how the hell does this guy have a job?' Meanwhile, a year after exiting Fox Business, Eckhart launched the interview podcast series Reinvented, which focuses on conversations with 'people who have overcome serious obstacles on their path to success.' She's sat down with multiple celebrities over the years, including a newsmaking interview with Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who revealed he discusses his childhood trauma with his young kids.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
High school athlete details 'traumatic' incident with trans rival that left her feeling 'violated'
A female high-school swimmer has opened up on the 'traumatic' moment she found out she had been sharing a locker room with a transgender opponent after being kept in the dark by a rival school. Glencoe High School junior Lilian Hammond claims she unknowingly competed against and changed alongside a biological male on another swimming team during her sophomore year, having initially assumed they were also female. 'It wasn't until the last meet that I realized, "Oh, that is a trans person," and by that point it was too late,' Hammond said in an interview with Fox News. 'The shock that came was the mistrust and the lying, I felt very betrayed, I felt betrayed by the adults and the coaches on the other team that let it happen without my consent and my knowledge. 'My team didn't know, my coach didn't know… I felt very violated knowing that a man could have seen me changing.' Despite already dealing with trans students at her own high school using the girls' restrooms, Hammond was left traumatized by her experience on the swim team. 'At the time it was overwhelming and felt traumatic since I was kept in the dark,' she added. Hammond is far from alone in experiencing the issue of trans athletes in women's sports first hand, with more and more female athletes continuing to speak out. Riley Gaines, a leading voice in the fight against biological males competing in women's sports, has previously discussed the feeling of being 'violated' by sharing a locker room with a trans athlete herself. Last year, San Jose State University dominated headlines when their women's volleyball team reached a championship final thanks to the help of trans player Blaire Fleming. Oregon athlete Alexa Anderson, who recently went viral after refusing to stand on the same podium as a trans opponent, also spoke with Fox News about the 'scary' backlash she has received over the gesture. 'When me and Reese stepped down there was definitely some confusion, there was definitely some anger and just a lot of people who didn't understand why were were doing this, and it was scary. Everyone was looking at us," Anderson said. 'There was a lot of people on and off the field. I heard shouts of them telling us to get out of the way.' Hammond, meanwhile, admits her ordeal will influence how she votes in future political elections, given Donald Trump and the Republican party have openly taken a stand against trans athletes in women's sports over the past year. 'Just this last election, looking at the different beliefs between the two candidates, you had one candidate who openly believes biological men should be allowed in women's restrooms and women's sports, and was not doing anything, and then you had another candidate who said, "This will be one of the first things I change," and that's what Donald Trump did,' she said. 'In the future, that's something I'm going to look for.'
