Fear and confusion in Nigerian village hit in US strike, as locals say no history of ISIS in area  —  Africa National security Terrorism Donald Trump  —  A day after part of a missile fired by the United States hit their village, landing just meters from its only medical facility …

A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving  —  It's uncertain whether the proposal will reach the statewide ballot in November, but some billionaires like Peter Thiel and Larry Page may be unwilling to take the risk.  —  Billionaires including Peter Thiel …

Trump tells The Post he's not ready to embrace Somaliland independence — unlike pal Netanyahu  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump told The Post that he won't quickly follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recognizing the independence of Somaliland — saying he has to “study” …

Karoline Leavitt is expecting a baby girl in May 2026, says motherhood is ‘closest thing to Heaven on Earth’  —  EXCLUSIVE: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expecting a baby girl, Fox News Digital has learned.  —  Leavitt and her husband Nick are expecting their second bundle of joy to be born in May 2026.

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building  —  The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician's sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue after the White House announced …

LA Mayor Karen Bass calls it ‘sad’ that Hispanics are joining Border Patrol - suggests they're desperate for money  —  Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass expressed disappointment and concern Friday with Hispanics joining Border Patrol - arguing they're only doing it for the paycheck.

Trump calls for release of any Epstein files naming Democrats: “Embarrass them”  —  As prosecutors contend with a massive trove of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump suggested Friday the Justice Department is spending too much time on the issue …

So long, American exceptionalism  —  For the first time, investors are talking about ‘US risk’  —  Make no mistake, global markets really did change in 2025.  American exceptionalism may never be the same again.  —  You have to poke around to see this clearly.

Embattled top Hegseth aide wins promotion … Buria updated his LinkedIn profile on Friday to note the change to chief of staff from “senior adviser.”  —  The retired Marine has clashed repeatedly with other Pentagon Trump appointees.  He recently tried unsuccessfully to oust fellow Hegseth …

A Tariff Mash for Kentucky Whiskey  —  Jim Beam halts a main production line, while U.S. spirits exports sag.  —  Click for Sound  —  Jim Beam has decided to “pause distillation at our main distillery on the James B. Beam campus for 2026,” the company said last weekend, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Trump on Nigeria strikes: ISIS ‘got a very bad Christmas present’  —  President Trump boasted Friday morning that ISIS “got a very bad Christmas present” after the US military carried out strikes targeting suspected terrorists in northwestern Nigeria Thursday night.  —  “I said yesterday, 'Hit them on Christmas Day.

Trump Invited White South Africans to America.  One Ended Up in Detention.  —  An Afrikaner flew to the United States expecting protection.  Instead, he has spent months locked up in Georgia alongside hundreds of other immigrants.  —  Benjamin Schoonwinkel took President Trump at his word.

The great unchurching of America  —  The U.S. is undergoing its fastest religious shift in modern history, marked by a rapid increase in the religiously unaffiliated and numerous church closures nationwide. … - It's a tectonic transformation that has profound implications for race …

Trump Hires Beauty Salon Owner to Decide Who to Ban From U.S.  —  EYEBROW RAISING  —  The official has a ‘fun and cheeky’ mini-chain offering blowouts in Texas.  —  Donald Trump has installed an attorney and part-time beauty salon owner to decide which foreigners are allowed to enter the U.S.

The Buzz Out There About The UnPopulist and LibCon  —  We are proud of our accomplishments and grateful for the love and encouragement from across the political spectrum—but we need your support … What pundits are saying about The UnPopulist:  —  Radley Balko, investigative journalist and author of The Watch newsletter:

The judiciary's Christmas gift to Trump  —  With two adverse rulings, this year the courts gave Trump a stocking of humility  —  And so this is the Christmas season.  I hope you have fun.  —  Donald Trump is on the back nine.  The festivities have begun.  —  He made calls to Santa and service men all right.

Exclusive: Zelensky “ready” to call referendum on Trump plan with ceasefire … - Zelensky also revealed he's willing to bring that plan up for a referendum if Russia agrees to a ceasefire of at least 60 days. … Zelensky is still hoping to improve those terms and said he'll need …