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California Democrat Josh Harder declares victory in House race

California Democrat Josh Harder declares victory in House race

California Democrat Rep. Josh Harder has declared victory over his Republican opponent, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, who has conceded the race.  “While the results are not what we hoped for, I remain incredibly proud of the journey we’ve shared,” Lincoln said in a statement.  Though Republicans will control the House, Fox News projects, Harder’s win shifts the balance of power to 219 seats for Republicans and 209 for Democrats.  REPUBLICAN KEN CALVERT WINS RE-ELECTION TO US HOUSE IN CALIFORNIA’S 41ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Eight other races have not yet been decided. The results of three others in California remain outstanding, in addition to one in Oregon, one in Ohio, one in Maine, one in Alaska and one in Iowa.  Republicans will also control the Senate and White House, delivering President-elect Donald Trump a trifecta. 

Trump attorney Alina Habba not considering press secretary role

Trump attorney Alina Habba not considering press secretary role

President-elect Donald Trump’s senior adviser and attorney Alina Habba says she is not considering the role of press secretary, despite “support and speculation.” Habba addressed the rumors on the social media platform X early Thursday morning, adding that “this administration is going to be epic!” “Although I love screaming from a podium I will be better served in other capacities,” she said.  Names under consideration include Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt, former Trump administration official Monica Crowley, former ESPN host Sage Steele, CNN contributor Scott Jennings and RNC spokeswoman Elizabeth Pipko, according to Axios.  The press secretary role is one of the most visible at the White House, typically holding daily press briefings with the White House press corps to speak on behalf of the president. His new administration plans to challenge longstanding traditions that favor mainstream outlets like major broadcast and cable news networks, national newspapers and wire services, like The Associated Press, in the James Brady Press Briefing Room, according to Axios.  TRUMP APPOINTS TULSI GABBARD AS DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: ‘FEARLESS SPIRIT’ Trump’s new administration is considering giving MAGA-friendly outlets access to the press briefings, Axios reports, which have traditionally featured cable news, print and wire service reporters. MATT GAETZ RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS OVER TRUMP NOD TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL, JOHNSON SAYS Trump continues making his cabinet picks ahead of his inauguration as the 47th president of the U.S. in January. Some congressional Republicans told Fox News Digital Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who resigned from Congress on Wednesday as Trump tapped him to be his attorney general, may face a tough confirmation path because he was previously under Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into sex trafficking allegations. Last year, Gaetz’s office said the DOJ ended their investigation and determined he would not be charged with any crimes.  A House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz was also expected to be released soon, but Gaetz’s resignation means it may not become public. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Tulsi Gabbard, who served as a Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii from 2013 to 2021 before becoming an independent in 2022 and joining the GOP last month, has been selected by Trump to serve as director of national intelligence in his new Cabinet.  Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind, Julia Johnson, Kelly Phares and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report. 

Elon Musk dubs himself the ”George Soros’ of the middle’

Elon Musk dubs himself the ”George Soros’ of the middle’

Business tycoon Elon Musk, who staunchly supported President-elect Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election, has described himself as the “‘George Soros’ of the middle.” Soros, a wealthy liberal political donor, is known for supporting left-wing politicians and causes. A video circulating online shows Musk raising his hand after a speaker asked where there is a “George Soros of the right.”  Cheers and applause erupted, and the speaker, who is not visible on camera, went on to mention Musk, saying, “we’re so, so grateful.” ELIZABETH WARREN GETS SARCASTIC AFTER TRUMP TAPS MUSK, RAMASWAMY FOR DOGE: ‘YEAH, THIS SEEMS REALLY EFFICIENT’ But in a post on his social media platform X, Musk noted, “More accurate would be that I’m ‘George Soros’ of the middle. I don’t want the pendulum to swing too far right, but right now it’s just too far left.” Musk has previously claimed that Soros “hates humanity.” “Soros arbitraged politics. He figured out that spending small amounts of money in many obscure, but influential, races is far more effective than money spent on major contests,” Musk tweeted last year. “The mistake people make is thinking that he did it for the good of humanity. He hates humanity.”   ‘FIRST BUDDY’: ELON EARNS FAMILY STATUS IN TRUMP WORLD AS MUSK EXPANDS POLITICAL FOOTPRINT  “The Soros organization appears to want nothing less than the destruction of western civilization,” Musk also posted last year. Trump tapped Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy – an author and entrepreneur who dropped his presidential bid and backed Trump in January – to lead an effort to identify government waste. In a statement, Trump noted that the effort, known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, “will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government, and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” In a post on X, Musk blamed inflation on massive government spending. “The excess government spending is what causes inflation! ALL government spending is taxation. This is a very important concept to appreciate. It is either direct taxation, like income tax, or indirect via inflation due to increasing the money supply,” the business magnate noted. ELON MUSK GIVES $75M TO PRO-TRUMP SUPER PAC, HITS ROAD IN PENNSYLVANIA Trump praised Musk and thanked him for his support. “Elon Musk is a great guy, loaded with personality and ‘brainpower.’ He is definitely a high IQ person, which is the reason that his really strong Endorsement meant so much to me, and to MAGA,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “He’s at a beautiful Mar-a-Lago concert right now, and the crowd absolutely loves him,” Trump continued in his post on Wednesday night. “Thank you Elon for the great job you did in helping us WIN the ‘most consequential election in 129 years,’ especially your hard work in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It will never be forgotten. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Melania Trump launches ‘On the Move’ digital photo series highlighting her ‘fast-moving life’

Melania Trump launches ‘On the Move’ digital photo series highlighting her ‘fast-moving life’

Former and incoming first lady Melania Trump rolled out a digital photography series to highlight her life on the campaign trail and at home.  Trump rolled out her “On The Move” limited-edition digital photo series, which includes 16 digital images showcasing Trump in various settings, including her office, the campaign trail and at her home.  The photographs were captured by Belgian photographer Regine Mahaux and offer a glimpse into the first lady’s “fast-moving life.”  MELANIA TRUMP QUESTIONS ‘WHETHER JILL’S CONCERN WAS GENUINE’ FOLLOWING TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT “I am pleased to share my journey — through photographs — with fans and collectors,” Trump told Fox News Digital.  “On the Move” costs $195 and is being sold on the former first lady’s website. It also will be minted on the Solana blockchain, which is an “eco-friendly proof-of-state blockchain protocol.”  MELANIA TRUMP REVEALS HOW SHE STAYS CALM, COOL, FOCUSED AND HEALTHY: ‘GUIDING PRINCIPLE’ Trump has used Solana blockchain in the past — most recently for her “1776 Collection,” which was a range of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) digital collectibles comprised of images across the U.S. She also released a line of limited-edition handcrafted Christmas ornaments in 2022, along with corresponding animated NFTs to celebrate the season.  A portion of the proceeds will go toward Fostering the Future, a Be Best initiative that helps to secure educational opportunities and scholarships for children in the foster care community. MELANIA TRUMP TO RELEASE ‘COLLECTOR’S EDITION’ OF MEMOIR FEATURING IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHED BY FORMER FIRST LADY Her Fostering the Future is aimed at granting computer science scholarships to children aging out of the foster care system and giving them the academic foundation needed to secure technology-based jobs. Trump told Fox News Digital in an interview last year that if she had the privilege to serve as first lady again — which she will, beginning on Jan. 20, 2025 — she would continue to prioritize initiatives focused on the well-being and development of children to ensure they have the “support and resources they need to reach their full potential.”  “My focus would continue to be creating a safe and nurturing space for children to learn, grow and thrive,” she said.   Last month, the former first lady rolled out her first-ever memoir, “Melania,” and a special collector’s edition containing exclusive images she photographed at the White House. That special edition features 256 pages in full color, with each copy signed by Trump.  “Writing my memoir has been an amazing journey filled with emotional highs and lows,” she told Fox News Digital. “Each story shaped me into who I am today.”  She said that “although daunting at times, the process has been incredibly rewarding, reminding me of my strength, and the beauty of sharing my truth.” 

Pennsylvania Senate race triggers recount, with McCormick projected to win and Casey yet to concede

Pennsylvania Senate race triggers recount, with McCormick projected to win and Casey yet to concede

Pennsylvania officials announced Wednesday that the tight margin in the Senate race between Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania and Republican Sen.-elect Dave McCormick has triggered an automatic recount under Pennsylvania law. Fox News projected McCormick as the winner on Nov. 7, and McCormick has since attended new-senator orientation in Washington. Despite Casey not conceding, Republicans are projected to have the Senate majority, with 53 seats to Democrats’ 47. With 99% reporting as of Thursday morning, McCormick had 3,383,676 votes, or 48.91%, compared to Casey’s 3,357,191, or 48.52%, a difference of 26,485 votes, or 0.39 percentage points.  Once counties finish counting their ballots, they must begin the recount no later than Wednesday, Nov. 20, and the recount must be completed by noon on Nov. 26. CASEY CAMPAIGN, REFUSING TO CONCEDE, ACCUSES MCCORMICK OF TRYING TO ‘DISENFRANCHISE’ VOTERS WITH LAWSUITS Of the four previous automatic recounts since the passage of Act 97 of 2004, the initial results of the election were affirmed. Results of the recount will not be published until Nov. 27, and it is expected to cost taxpayers more than $1 million, election officials said.  McCormick spokesperson Elizabeth Gregory said that the deficit is too high for Casey to overcome. “Senator-elect McCormick’s lead is insurmountable, which the AP made clear in calling the race,” Gregory said in a statement.  “A recount will be a waste of time and taxpayer money but it is Senator Casey’s prerogative. Senator-elect McCormick knows what it’s like to lose an election and is sure Senator Casey will eventually reach the right conclusion.” McCormick declared victory in Pittsburgh on Friday, thanking Casey and his family for their decades of service to the commonwealth.  BOB CASEY REFUSES TO CONCEDE PA SENATE RACE AS SCHUMER WELCOMES REPUBLICAN MCCORMICK AMONG NEW SENATORS Casey, a three-term incumbent, has accused McCormick of trying to “disenfranchise” voters with lawsuits. In a video Tuesday, Casey said that the democratic process “will play out” once all the votes are counted. “My priority has always been standing up for the people of Pennsylvania. Across our commonwealth, close to 7 million people cast their votes in a free and fair election. Our county election officials will finish counting those votes, just like they do in every election,” Casey said.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., initially declined to invite McCormick to the new-senator orientation this week, citing thousands of votes still yet to be counted.  Amid pressure from GOP senators, Schumer on Tuesday agreed to invite McCormick, as well as Democratic Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego, whose Arizona race against Republican Kari Lake was not called until Monday night.  Fox News’ Danielle Wallace and Deirdre Heavey, as well as The Associated Press, contributed to this report.