Latest news with #LarryKudlow
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Frightening moment 73-year-old Louisiana senator freezes during TV interview about sanctuary cities
The frightening moment a Louisiana republican senator suddenly froze during a TV interview has been caught on air. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, 73, left viewers stunned during a live Fox Business interview when he abruptly froze mid-sentence and sat silently on screen for a full seven seconds. Kennedy was speaking to host Larry Kudlow on Tuesday about the Trump administration's stance on sanctuary cities when the concerning moment occurred. The senator began to trail off while referencing how Jesus loves immigrants. 'Jesus loves them, but everybody else thinks ….' Kennedy said, before mumbling a few barely-audible words. 'Everybody else thinks…' he repeated before looking off into the distance and going completely silent. The senator remained frozen on camera with his lips slightly parted and eyes staring forward as he stood motionless. Kudlow appeared caught off guard but quickly cut in and blamed the bizarre moment on an apparent tech issue. Kennedy was speaking to host Larry Kudlow on Tuesday about the Trump administration's stance on sanctuary cities when the concerning moment occurred (pictured speaking at a hearing in DC earlier this month) 'I guess we had some more technical problems. That was the same mic we lost with Senator Rand Paul,' Kudlow said. The senator's office has not yet responded to request for comment. The incident comes not long after another Republican senator experienced a similar frightening freeze on air. Former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, suffered two similar on-camera 'freezing' episodes last year both of which raised serious health concerns. In August 2023, McConnell froze for 30 seconds when asked if he will run for re-election in Kentucky as he made another troubling appearance just weeks after suddenly stopping in the middle of a press conference. The then-81-year-old Senate Minority leader didn't respond when a reporter pressed him on his future in a scene eerily similar to that Capitol Hill event last month where colleagues had to intervene. McConnell appeared to register the question about whether he would run for re-election in 2026 during the event before he abruptly went silent and stared straight ahead. An aide had to step in and repeat the question at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Government Forum in Covington. He was then led away, sparking more concerns about his health and further questions over his position in the GOP leadership. McConnell's office later said the senator was 'lightheaded', and insisted he was 'fine', but he would consult a doctor as a precaution. This comes after the recent sudden deaths of three democratic lawmakers. Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner, 70, has passed away in March of this year. Also in March, longtime Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva passed away after a battle with cancer. And in May, Congressman Gerry Connolly died at the age of 75. The Virginia Democrat 'passed away peacefully at his home,' according to a statement from his family.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Senator, 73, Freezes During Fox Business Interview
Another GOP member of Congress has had what appears to be a health scare, with septuagenarian Senator John Kennedy freezing during a Fox Business interview on Tuesday. During an interview with host Larry Kudlow, 77, about the Trump administration's crackdown on sanctuary cities, Kennedy started to make a point about how Jesus loves immigrants before trailing off into a seven-second silence. 'Jesus loves them, but everybody else thinks,' Kennedy said before murmuring a couple more words and then freezing on camera. Kennedy appeared to be unable to form words, and he remained on screen for five more seconds in silence before Kudlow cut in and chalked up the awkward gap to a technical issue. 'I guess we had some more technical problems. That was the same mic we lost with Senator Rand Paul,' Kudlow said. Kennedy had not spoken any words after freezing up. A spokesperson for Kennedy did not respond to an immediate request for comment. Kennedy's official account on X posted twice after the interview aired, once to criticize Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and once to congratulate a New Orleans Saints football player on his retirement. The sight of a gray-haired senator freezing during an interview is a familiar one for the GOP caucus. In 2023, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suffered two similar 'freezing episodes' just weeks apart from each other. While observing neurologists initially suspected that McConnell may have suffered a transient ischemic attack — a type of stroke — the Capitol physician wrote in a statement that the Kentuckian's episodes showed 'no evidence' of a stroke or seizure disorder. Ironically, Kennedy was one of the Senate Republicans who immediately dismissed suggestions that McConnell step down as majority leader, saying that would take place only 'when donkeys fly.' McConnell announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election in 2026. Kennedy, who is known in the Senate for his distinctive Southern drawl and acerbic commentary during hearings, has not commented on whether he will pursue re-election in 2028. He passed on running for governor of Louisiana in 2023. Health problems have emerged as a major point of tension for both parties over the past year, from scrutiny of Joe Biden's cognition during his presidency to President Trump's recent diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency. Kennedy does not even crack the list of the 10 oldest senators (the oldest, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, is 91).
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana Senator John Kennedy had a frightening freeze-up on Tuesday afternoon.
Another GOP member of Congress has had what appears to be a health scare, with septuagenarian Senator John Kennedy freezing during a Fox Business interview on Tuesday. During an interview with host Larry Kudlow, 77, about the Trump administration's crackdown on sanctuary cities, Kennedy started to make a point about how Jesus loves immigrants before trailing off into a seven-second silence. 'Jesus loves them, but everybody else thinks,' Kennedy said before murmuring a couple more words and then freezing on camera.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana Senator John Kennedy had a frightening freeze-up on Tuesday afternoon.
Another GOP member of Congress has had what appears to be a health scare, with septuagenarian Senator John Kennedy freezing during a Fox Business interview on Tuesday. During an interview with host Larry Kudlow, 77, about the Trump administration's crackdown on sanctuary cities, Kennedy started to make a point about how Jesus loves immigrants before trailing off into a seven-second silence. 'Jesus loves them, but everybody else thinks,' Kennedy said before murmuring a couple more words and then freezing on camera.
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Cornell University hit with federal civil rights complaint over alleged discriminatory DEI practices
A conservative think tank filed a federal civil rights complaint against Cornell University, accusing the Ivy League institution of using diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in its hiring practices and scholarships. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) filed the complaint in late June with the U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (FOX Business host Larry Kudlow currently serves as the vice chair of the board for AFPI.) The complaint alleges that internal documents, public policies and archived webpages show a "university-wide culture that places an illegal identity-based ideology above equal opportunity and merit, leading to a coercive and hostile environment." Among the allegations in the 10-page complaint is that Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff, who served as provost during the time the alleged practices were implemented, oversaw a "hiring scheme" that "excluded the vast majority of qualified candidates based solely on race and sex." The AFPI document highlights a December 2020 email from a department chair to faculty members and administrators about a plan to make "our hoped-for diversity hire." Kotlikoff did not directly respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Lindsey Knewstub, Cornell's deputy director for media relations, referred Fox News Digital to a statement posted on the university's website. "The university strongly disputes the allegations in the America First Policy Institute complaint that references a number of outdated websites or programs that have not been in use for many years," the statement read in part. "Over the past year, the university has further enhanced its compliance with civil rights laws by engaging outside law firms to audit policy and practices to reflect changes in law or regulations, taking swift corrective action where necessary." It noted that "misunderstandings of policies" can occur as Cornell makes thousands of hiring decisions across hundreds of departments each year. "If discrimination or bias is observed at any stage in any hiring process, it should be reported and will be corrected," the statement continued. "The university does not tolerate unlawful discrimination in hiring or any other aspect of any university program or practice, and the university has taken and will continue to take prompt, effective, and appropriate action to respond to any and all allegations of any violation of law or the university's equal opportunity and antidiscrimination policy." AFPI also alleged in its complaint that the Ithaca-based college restricted scholarships based on race or ethnicity. It highlighted several identity-based scholarships that specifically referenced Latinos, underrepresented minorities, Native Americans and African Americans. Cornell said it administers its financial aid and scholarship programs in compliance with applicable laws. "This is about civil rights," said Jessica Hart Steinmann, AFPI's executive general counsel. "Cornell's practices violate federal law and fundamental principles of equality. It's time for the government to act." President Donald Trump has targeted DEI practices since taking office in January. He signed an executive order directing the termination of DEI mandates, policies, programs and activities in the federal government. The Education Department, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, also issued a memo in April directing state education officials to eliminate DEI programs and practices or risk losing federal funding. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the DOJ's civil rights division, told The Wall Street Journal that her office "will investigate all serious allegations of identity-based admissions, hiring, and student benefits." "Discrimination by American colleges and universities must come to an end," she said. "Cornell is no exception to this rule."
