Paxton's Victory Is Undeniable | Katie Pavlich Tonight Full Show

Ajouté : 2026-05-31

[00:00:03]Hello and welcome to Katie Palish.

[00:00:05]Tonight we have breaking news from Texas. Trump backed Ken Paxton overwhelmingly defeated incumbent John Cornin in the Senate primary runoff, proving yet again that Donald Trump, who just recently made the endorsement, is overwhelmingly the leader of the Republican party with a base that is still paying attention to and pulling the lever for his electoral choices.

[00:00:26]Senator John Cornin said this in his concession speech just moments ago.

[00:00:31]>> After a public service career lasting more than four decades and 18 consecutive campaign wins, tonight we come we've come up short. I've always supported the Republican ticket and I intend to do so again in this general election.

[00:00:50]It's worth noting that Ken Paxton actually said he would drop out of this runoff election if Republicans were able to pass the Save America Act, but since that never passed, he stayed in and won the nomination. Our next guest is also a Trump endorsed candidate from New York.

[00:01:05]His name is Anthony Constantino, and he's running for a US House seat against an opponent backed by the GOP establishment. Constantino has worn many hats before jumping into the House race.

[00:01:15]He's the CEO of Sticker Mule, a boxer and a rapper, recently releasing this new Trump anthem.

[00:01:24]>> Trump Trump. Everywhere I go, they love Donald Trump. Trump everywhere I go, they love Donald Trump.

[00:01:39]>> I don't think Secret Service loves the uh parachute there. But Anthony Constantino, Republican congressional candidate from New York, joins us now.

[00:01:45]Great to see you. So, we just talked about it. Trump backed Ken Paxton, just gave out that endorsement getting, you know, longtime incumbent John Cornin, senator out of the US Texas Senate race.

[00:01:57]What's your reaction as someone who's also Trump backed? And do you think this helps your chances?

[00:02:02]>> Well, I have to say first of all, I'm more of a patriotic singer than anything. I got inspired after Charlie Kirk was shot. I I'm a writer more than anything, and I got inspired to try to make music. I made a 10 song album. We had country music on there, too. We had gospel music. We had every type of genre. I want to touch all people.

[00:02:18]President Trump has reached out to people all across this country. He's built an incredible coalition. And the country is tired of Trump haters. I'm running against a trumphating Republican. My opponent's named Robert Small. He's a Trump hating Republican.

[00:02:29]And the country's tired of it. I like people in politics that sacrifice to make the world a better place. That's why I became a big fan of Donald Trump.

[00:02:37]It was clear he was sacrificing. He risked his reputation as a businessman.

[00:02:41]He risked his financial well-being. He ended up risking his life and I decided to back him big time because he was sacrificing and I'm sacrificing too.

[00:02:48]Risking my company. I get boycott like crazy over my support for the president, but I'm proud to stand by. I want to make the country a better place for all citizens.

[00:02:55]>> So, what is it like to to get the endorsement from President Trump?

[00:02:59]>> I mean, who do you call?

[00:03:01]>> How long do you wait? Who do you have to talk to?

[00:03:05]>> Well, when when you get the endorsement, you don't have to call anybody. Every everybody calls you. I mean, first the president calls you.

[00:03:11]>> First the president calls you and you know he's all he's fun to talk to, but then everybody else calls you. I got to speak with house leadership. I went to DC, met with house leadership. He said, "You're going to become sort of an overnight star." And you know, he was right. But uh I'm just excited. I like having the president's support for one reason most of all is that I get to go into Congress, a friend to the president, which means I get to get things done. We want a coalition of people in Congress that are friends with Donald Trump that support the president's agenda and it can help him have a successful second term, help him finish his term effectively, and that's what I'm looking forward to doing.

[00:03:42]>> So, you just said you want to get things done in Congress. That's a very ambitious goal. That's that's a good thing. I think the American people send people to Congress to get things done, not to, you know, waste their time when they go to the ballot box to elect their representatives. But in terms of policy differences, you said your opponent's a Trump hater. You support President Trump, but what distinguishes you from your opponent in terms of what voters can count on in terms of polit policy decisions and votes if you get to Washington?

[00:04:11]>> Sure.

[00:04:11]>> Aside from being a Trump hater is a big difference. I've spoke out multiple times against something called transgenderism. I advise everyone to stay away from it. Even people thinking about doing it. My opponent My opponent voted to use taxpayer money to fund transgenderism twice. He voted on two bills to support transgenderism. It's terrible. It's indicative of who he is.

[00:04:28]He plays footsie with the Democrats on a regular basis, as many do in the Republican party in New York State.

[00:04:34]That's why the Democrats have been destroying our state because the Republicans are too nice to them. I want to win. I want to become a big voice for the Republican party in New York State.

[00:04:42]Help us fight, turn the state red, and stop the Democrats from destroying our state. My opponent plays footsie with the Democrats. He's a Trump hater. He supports transgenderism. And he has a he likes the Green New Deal. He has a taxpayer funded solar farm on his property. People can't believe it.

[00:04:56]>> Oh, that's convenient. Um, so in terms you obviously have this primary to get through. You're backed by the president, but you're you're mentioning Democrats who of course are the dominant political party in New York State. Um, yesterday of course was Memorial Day where millions of Americans honor and remember our service members who died and sacrificed protecting our country. Yet the national Democrats decided to use the day as a way to attack President Trump and the war in Iran with a deleted post. Um, at the same time, many prominent Democrats spent the day writing tributes to people like George Floyd. Um, what is your reaction to the way that they decided to make yesterday political rather than just to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our our country?

[00:05:38]>> I'm an objective person. I had to be in order to build a business. And I'm on the side of the president because the Democrats have become objectively evil.

[00:05:44]My father sacrificed. He served at the Bikini Island atomic bomb test. He ended up contracting cancer. He died when I was only seven. So, in a way, he sacrificed for his country because of what he did. But he died. He built an incredible company. But my dad died more proud of his service than he did of building a company. And that was instilled in me in a young age. The way the Democrats behave across the board is is just terrible. Everything they support has just been terrible over the last 8 to 12 years since President Trump's been around working to make America great again. And so, we just can't tolerate the Democrat party anymore. We need to be tough. We need to fight them, especially in New York State. And it's tragic that my opponent is plays footy with them on a regular basis.

[00:06:22]>> All right. Well, New York congressional candidate Anthony Constantino, thank you for joining us tonight and we will be watching.

[00:06:27]>> Thank you.

[00:06:28]>> Thank you. All right. New tonight, we're also learning that former US Attorney General Pam Bondi was reportedly diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after leaving her post at the Justice Department. According to Axio, Bondie received treatment and is recovering, but and has now been appointed by President Trump to serve on an advisory panel focused on AI policy. We of course wish her a speedy and full recovery.

[00:06:53]And now to the latest with Iran. As tensions remain high amid peace talks, US bases in the region are under new and growing threats allegedly at the direction of Supreme Leader Mosh Taba Kami. The threats follow defensive strikes carried out by the US against Iranian missile launchers and boats attempting to place mines along the straight of Hormuz. Still, work on a deal continues. Here's what Secretary Rubio said today about President Trump's position.

[00:07:19]>> The president's expressed his desire to make it he's either going to make a good deal or no deal. So, um >> on that everyone should be assured.

[00:07:27]We still don't know what's in the deal and it's changing, but two conditions have remained constant. As President Trump and his administration have reiterated, no nukes and no dollars.

[00:07:37]Both are essential to any resolution, especially if the regime is to stay in power. Deciding to infuse fresh cash or relax sanctions on the regime would allow Iran to rebuild, rearm, resume its support for terror armies, an attempt to once again restart its nuclear program.

[00:07:55]The result of Operation Epic Fury must remain and the sacrifices of our troops must be honored. As for the Arab countries in the region, President Trump's demands that they join the Abraham Accords as part of negotiations is smart and very reasonable. It would force countries like Saudi Arabia to sign on to a lasting peace agreement, one that protects US interests and brings stability to the Middle East with commerce and trade instead of conflict.

[00:08:20]What's more, America's military has been defending Saudi Arabia against Iranian attacks for years. It's time for them and other countries to stand up to the threat, end it, and move into the peace and prosperity delivered by the Abraham Accords. It's really not that hard to get on board. The UAE and Bahrain have already done it. It's long past time for other Arab countries to put their tribalism, blood lust, and dreams of conquering Israel to rest forever. After all, it isn't the Israelis trying to murder Saudi citizens. is the terrorist regime in Iran. Joining him now, Jonathan Gileiam, a former Navy Seal and a former FBI special agent, along with Garrett Xner, a former Marine Corps special operations officer and fellow at the Hudson Institute. Great to see you, gentlemen. Thanks so much for being here. So, Garrett, of course, Iran over the years has benefited significantly from previous administrations willing to send them cash indirectly or by unfreezing Iranian assets that allow, you know, money to be fungeable. What is your perspective of where we are with a potential deal? I I think the the no dust no deal starting point is a great foundation. I think everything beyond that is kind of on the margins. Really the main point here is what President Trump has driven home is that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and that we're not going to pay them to go ahead and fund their proxies around the rest of the world. Uh the way that the Obama uh admin tried to and the way that Biden admin uh tried to as well. So I think Trump is going down the right path here.

[00:09:42]I feel a lot more confident today than I did on Sunday when this was originally announced. Um, but I think we gota we got to wait and see on the details.

[00:09:50]>> Yeah, I think it continued to change behind closed doors and the president was going to go to Camp David tomorrow.

[00:09:55]They decided to stay in town because of they site weather changes. There may be more to that. We'll see. Um, Jonathan, you know, it's interesting always that the United States, Israel, others cease and yet Iran continues to fire. Uh we've had to launch some defensive strikes in southern Iran. What do you make of the continuing talks as they violate the ceasefire?

[00:10:17]>> Well, you know, I I know that the president has more information than we'll ever have and uh and I appreciate that and I appreciate his cander and his movements are slow so slow and methodical and tactical. I appreciate all that and I'm not questioning that.

[00:10:31]But what I do question at times is who is advising the president sometimes because I feel like they're missing the the part of this entire Iranian conflict that is the foundation of Iran and the way that they work the way they work with proxies, the way they work with terrorism, the way they work with negotiations which never really uh despite what they may promise or they may agree to never is really fulfilled.

[00:11:01]They will do things like build nuclear plants underground in order to enrich uranium. And so I think it's something that has to be taken into account because we have to understand the religious part of this, the caliphate which Iran uh is bent on and how that will continuously push them to do things that are completely unethical but also asymmetric in ways that we just and most people who are into politics and advising don't look outside the box in the way that they do. So, it's difficult to forward think them. And uh some of these things that we're bringing to the table sound great and may actually bring some great immediate things, >> but on the other hand, uh if you do not convince them through force at times, uh they just will not play ball.

[00:11:54]>> Yeah, they certainly speak a different language that is difficult for people in the West to really understand and force is one of those that they at least understand and they've understood a little bit of it. that Garrett, we've seen this for 40 plus years with the regime. They came in as an Islamic conquering government. They've stayed.

[00:12:10]This is what they continue to do with their ideology. Uh they have done things behind the scenes like put out statements uh that don't reflect conversations that our officials in the United States are putting out in terms of the language here. regardless of what deal is reached if we keep the two things the president has said no nuclear program um and and no terror proxies could talk about the the followup on this the making sure that there is accountability on the back end of a deal that they hold up to something that they may agree with >> so I I think you're right to say that there's different factions that have clearly revealed themselves in the Iranian regime right now there is definitely some more jihadist uh hardliners if you want to call them that they're in that jihadist mindset and I think that's actually why we're we saw some of the mine laying going on this weekend and some of the SAM fire on our aircraft. Um there's also others that are trying to make a deal that feel like they could come into power going forward. I don't want to say that that's a a reasonable regime. Even the the the softest Iranian uh from from that regime right now is still a jihadist in my mind. So I don't really want them in power any longer than they have to be um to get this thing done. But I think President Trump is trying to to weigh different things. He's trying to keep Americans safe and he's trying to get us out of foreign conflicts and I understand that. I appreciate his hard work on this. I think the end state is no nukes for Iran, no more terrorist regimes and a reduction in the missile capacity for Iran and from there we can move forward into a better place.

[00:13:39]>> Do you as a follow-up to that believe that this can be done through diplomacy or do we need another round of strikes?

[00:13:45]Let's not forget there was nine months between the first strikes during Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury. There was some time there. Um but do you think there needs to be another military strike against the regime? I >> I I would be shocked if there's not more strikes by the end of this week. Either a deal's coming out or they're going to get punched in the face again is the way that I think this administration has worked. Come to the table, make an honest deal, or we're going to bloody nose one more time. And and I I appreciate that. It's the right way to negotiate with this regime.

[00:14:12]>> All right, Gary. Can I add one thing to that?

[00:14:14]>> Yeah, go ahead real quickly. Go ahead.

[00:14:15]>> I I think if the president laid out a few of the targets and said if you carried a terrorist attack, if you violate this, um this is what we're going to hit. And it may not just be tactical. It may be actually to injure your ability to finance any wars such as your oil fields, your your bridges, uh anything it takes to maneuver around that country and make money, we will destroy it. And if he lays out those targets and then sticks to those things, there's a potential because that's what Iran understands. That's what they do understand. They play with negotiations, but they understand force. That's why we're here.

[00:14:51]>> No doubt that uh some of those target lists have been made clear behind closed doors to the regime. So, we shall see uh if by the end of the week there is a deal or not. Garrett Exer and Jonathan Gilliam, great to see you both. Thank you so much.

[00:15:03]>> Got it. Thank you.

[00:15:06]>> All right. And now to Cuba where the White House is turning up the heat on the communist regime. The daughter of dictator Fidel Castro is here with her anti-communist message in support of a free and democratic Cuba. PLUS >> huh they're not.

[00:15:26]>> Also coming up, video of RFK Jr.

[00:15:28]catching two live snakes with his bare hands. Maybe I have too. Don't go anywhere.

[00:15:45]Welcome back to Katie Palvage tonight.

[00:15:47]Well, far-left Twitch streamer Hassan [ __ ] who has called for murder of capitalists, is reportedly facing a subpoena from the Treasury Department over his trip to Cuba in March and whether he violated US sanctions during a supposed humanitarian aid trip organized by Code Pink. [ __ ] had this to say about the reports. Not great.

[00:16:06]Could have been avoided. It comes as the Trump White House turns up the heat on Cuba's communist regime, especially after the indictment of Ru Castro under Trump's Don Row doctrine. Is the new Cuba on the horizon. Let's bring in Alina Fernandez, the daughter of Fidel Castro, a niece of Raul Castro. She's also an anti-communist activist. Great to see you, Alina. Thank you so much for being here. So you had a front row seat to the early days of the regime run by your father Fidel Castro and of course your uncle Raul Castro before you fled Cuba. Can you explain what made you change or realize rather that the regime was punishing people for speaking out and how did you become such a bold anti-communist voice?

[00:16:46]>> Yes, front row seat as you say until I was almost 40 years old that it caused me to be able to escape from there. I mean, it's it's too much of a long story. First, when you're a child, you have the feeling that you're uncomfortable, that something is wrong, and and you you start to grow from there, >> from that that feeling, that emotion, that what's going around is not right.

[00:17:15]>> And do you still have family in Cuba today that you speak to? Do you know what's happening there at this moment with the regime?

[00:17:23]My family since I became what they call a traitor of a worm if you think differently made had me become the enemy and that's one of the tragedies of the Cubans that if you don't think alike you are treated like the enemy >> by your own government. Yeah. And since the communist takeover of Cuba you know President Trump has talked about ending the regime there. There have been a number of American presidents who've tried a mix of sanctions, military operations, normalization towards the regime. None of this has has worked to bring freedom to the people.

[00:18:00]They tried to help them, >> right? What do you think will what do you think will achieve real change? And what do you think needs to happen?

[00:18:06]>> Um, I'm convinced that a dictatorship, a regime like this get gets established with a little help from the outside and it's the same when it's going to implode. It needs a little push.

[00:18:18]um the circumstance is so delicate but what you think at this point h because you you were speaking about negotiating with the regime before in the the before segment and it's very difficult they are very wellestablished they've been there for years they've been playing around this is the number 14 American president dealing with Cuba and nothing is changing in there what is the sense of defending social state of things is amazing. Lives are so miserable. That that's a good example.

[00:18:53]The picture you have there.

[00:18:55]>> They don't have electricity. They don't have food. They don't have anything.

[00:18:59]Childrens are not going to school. There is nothing to put on the table. Why are you still defending? You see, there are people that are still defending this situation 90 miles away from the richest country in the world. Mhm.

[00:19:15]Do based on what President Trump has said about Cuba and his different approach to these kinds of regimes around the world, especially when it comes to Venezuela and the capture and arrest of Nicholas Maduro. Do you hear anything from him that gives you hope about the future of Cuba?

[00:19:32]>> I do. I do trust Marco Rubio of knowledge about the subject, specific, very specific knowledge about the subject. Um I it's the first time that Cubans have hope that something is going to change.

[00:19:47]We all wish it was going to be through negotiations, but to this point it doesn't seem that's possible. That's why many points of pressure have been implied and that's that's what I assume is their strategy.

[00:20:01]So, in terms of what we're seeing here in the United States, we've seen Democratic socialist politicians who've been elected to public office introduce anti- capitalist policies, including New York City Mayor Zora Mandani. Listen to this from earlier today.

[00:20:16]>> When necessary, we will take aggressive legal action to remove negligent owners and property managers.

[00:20:25]And for buildings that have suffered chronic neglect, we will work to transfer ownership to responsible stewards.

[00:20:33]>> When I hear him say we'll work to transfer ownership, my skin crawls. What is what is your response?

[00:20:40]>> Yeah, that's called expropriation. And we had that in Cuba at the beginning of the revolution, too. And I hope there are other ways to to deal with negligent management and ownership.

[00:20:52]That's why we live in a democracy and in a state of rights.

[00:20:56]>> Would do you have a warning for people who think that sounds really nice and that, you know, the government should come in and punish those they see as private property holders aren't doing what they think they should.

[00:21:06]>> Well, that's that's little steps get to bigger steps and and it's dangerous, but we tend not to learn about other people's history.

[00:21:17]Do you think that uh there'll be change given the recent indictment of Raul Castro uh in Cuba by the Department of Justice? Do you think that we'll be able to get him back to the United States for for trial?

[00:21:30]>> Everything is speculation at this point is an indictment on a on a person that is going to be soon 95 years old. So, is that doable? Is not. But at least it shows a an a step through uh not impunity for people that have act like this, >> right? People who kill Americans, right?

[00:21:51]Not only just hurt their own people, but kill Americans as well, no matter how many years have gone by. One final question for you. For years, we've heard rumors that Justin Trudeau, the former prime minister of Canada, could be your halfb brotherther. What do you think of that?

[00:22:04]I the only thing I can say is that his mother used to visit the country very often.

[00:22:10]>> Well, that may be a tell then. I guess that's a half answer.

[00:22:14]>> Yeah.

[00:22:15]>> Do you plan to call him and maybe find out?

[00:22:18]>> No. No. I I I I won't do it. If he wants, he's going to be welcome, but I won't. I won't. I think he keeps that to himself, and you have to respect that.

[00:22:29]>> Yes. All right. Well, Alina Fernandez, wonderful to talk to you and we of course will be watching what happens next in Cuba. Thank you for joining us tonight. Great to see you.

[00:22:36]>> Thank you because I'm really grateful to anyone that speaks about Cuba at this point and in this moment. Thank you.

[00:22:42]>> Absolutely. Thank you. See you soon.

[00:22:46]Well, here at home, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear a lawsuit filed by the state of Florida after three people were killed by an illegal alien. The suit against California and Washington alleges that both states issued a commercial driver's license to an illegal alien who slammed into a minivan on a Florida highway while driving a semitr. The suspect scored just a two out of 12 on his English proficiency exam and yet was still approved for a license. The suspect was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and three counts of manslaughter. The investigation is still ongoing. The US Supreme Court did not explain the refusal to hear the case, but justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alo dissented and argued that disputes between states fall directly under the Supreme Court's jurisdiction. This decision keeps California and Washington's licensing practices in place and dangerous drivers like this man on the road.

[00:23:43]Now to a sad story about a couple who got scammed by someone posing as Tom Celich. Coming up, a warning about online elder abuse that everyone should hear. Plus, Pope Leo is turning heads in the tech world by calling to disarm artificial intelligence. We'll tell you why after the break.

[00:24:08]Welcome back to Katie Pavlet tonight.

[00:24:10]Well, the rise of artificial intelligence has many around the world alarmed. That includes Pope Leo, who just issued the first major text of a PA of his papacy, warning about the dangers of AI, calling for stronger regulation of the technology. And the Pope isn't the only one trying to address those concerns. Startup company Pelgo is actually using AI to help find new careers for people who are losing their jobs to the technology. Joining me now is Cheang, CEO and co-founder of Pelgo.

[00:24:40]Great to see you, sir. So, first just tell us about the work you're doing with this company.

[00:24:45]>> So, I think uh we're kind of alone on an island and using AI to help folks find jobs instead of actively trying to destroy their jobs. So, uh sometimes it's a lonely uh um kind of industry that we're in, but uh but that's what we're up to. Using AI to help folks um who are displaced find new jobs and find new career paths.

[00:25:02]>> So, what exactly does that mean? Using AI to help people find new jobs. break it down for us because I think when people think AI, they're not sure exactly what that is. It can span different categories, but what specifically what kind of technology are you using to help people get employment?

[00:25:19]>> Sure. So, when you're typically laid off or or displaced by IO or or any other reason when you lose your job, typically you're provided with severance, insurance benefits, and last but not least, something called outplacement service. traditionally outplacement um they help you with your resume, they help you with your LinkedIn, they help you with someone to talk to uh in a time of need. Um but that service was traditionally only sequestered towards executives or folks at high quality or or very high income jobs. And so for us um we said why don't we use AI to provide those services uh so that everyone whether you worked on the front lines in a fulfillment center all the way to a white collar corporate job can have access to those similar services because we do feel like more and more folks will be displaced by AI.

[00:26:05]>> So there's a new report out from the World Economic Forum which you know take that as you will but it shows that while 92 million jobs could be lost from the technology 170 million will be gained from it. So what do you make of those numbers? And obviously we're in a place of transition here like any kind of new technology or like the industrial revolution for example. Um but specifically how do you think AI can be used not just to find people new jobs but to find new new ways of working once they've lost their job the AI replaced?

[00:26:36]>> Katie I love the fact that you just mentioned the industrial revolution. So this isn't the first time humanity has has kind of come across a brand new technology. You know, even the term lite was was kind of coined by folks who actually rioted in in London because of the industrial revolution, because of all these machines potentially taking folks jobs. And so, um, you know, those numbers, I can't opine specifically on those numbers, but directionally, I do feel like it's correct. When you think about it, when you actually use some of the latest technologies, they are just getting so good at actually replicating some of the things that we as humans have learned to do over the last 30, 40, 50, 60 years. But I don't think that's all uh I don't think all is lost. When you also think about human ingenuity, kind of how we've been able to bounce back as a as a species and as a country, I do feel like there's going to be additional jobs that will be created.

[00:27:26]Think about the advent of the internet.

[00:27:28]30 years ago when you looked at the '9s, there's zero anyone, if we were on the show in the '90s, there's no way someone could have said social media content manager.

[00:27:38]>> What is the internet?

[00:27:40]>> Exactly.

[00:27:40]>> Yeah. Exactly. And so here we are where it's a ubiquitous job. Everyone knows what it is. And so I do think there's going to be that creation, but >> there's there's been a lot of talk in Washington about regulation. Um we don't want a soulless society either. The Pope is also weighing in on and his take is that we need more regulation to protect against what he calls war and economic disaster. Um but is is that >> over the top or is he right about needing some kind of regulation?

[00:28:07]>> I I think there's no regulation at all.

[00:28:09]If we just completely let this go free-for-all, um I think we're in for a world of hurt. Um, the reason why I say that is because when you look at any technology before AI, it's hard to pinpoint when literally trillions of dollars have been invested into a single technology in the compact timeline that we're seeing today.

[00:28:28]>> Um, and what is the result of that? I don't think anyone has been able to take a breath and say, "Okay, time out. How how am I going to be affected by that?

[00:28:35]How are you going to be affected by that? And what are the regulations and what are the common sense policies that we need in order to do that? um in order to transition well. And so that's what we're trying to do is we're doing a small part trying to have folks transition to AI jobs, but just a small part.

[00:28:51]>> Well, we like featuring companies and people like you who are are trying to make a difference and make people feel a little bit at ease for what's happening because there's a lot happening at a very fast pace. So Jay Huang, thank you for joining us and I hope to have you back. It's great to see you.

[00:29:04]>> Thanks.

[00:29:05]>> Moving now on to another problem looming over Americans, which is fraud. It's seemingly everywhere. Just two months ago, the White House announced the anti-fraud task force. And since then, billions of fraudulent funds have been exposed. Just how much fraud has been uncovered by the administration? Well, take a listen.

[00:29:21]>> We've referred over $22 billion in fraudulent small business loans back to the Treasury for collection. We deferred more than $1.3 billion in fraudulent Medicaid reimbursements uh that were coming from various states, particularly California. We put a six-month hold on enrollments for new hospice and home healthcare providers. We recovered taxpayer funds from the 135 billion dollars stolen after the floodgates were open in the immediate aftermath of COVID. We have found $6.3 billion in suspected fraudulent government contracts which were mostly awarded during the last administration and that has stopped. And finally, we've blocked $60 million in student aid fraud that should have gone to young people trying to get an education.

[00:30:03]>> So many things. Our next guest was at today's round table combating fraud led by Vice President JD Vance. Montana Attorney General Austin Kudson joins us now. Great to see you, sir. Thanks so much for being here. Um the I like that the vice president use the term theft and stolen to talk about fraud because that's what it is. It's a theft of American taxpayer money, but most importantly their labor. Your state has exposed $37 million in Obamacare fraud.

[00:30:27]So tell us about what what's happening in Montana.

[00:30:30]>> Well, I mean Montana, we've got a a lot of Indian reservations. We we've got a we've got a large tribal community.

[00:30:34]We've got seven reservations. And what and what uh our our state auditor, James Brown, found was that there was a lot of fraudulent Medicaid billing going on. It they they were billing for mental health services out of state largely to California uh for mental health services to to some of these tribal members and it was all fraudulent.

[00:30:53]>> It was it was it was 100% made up. It was garbage. Uh and he he successfully clawed a lot of that back. So, >> so when it comes to the way, you know, there's some states that are not being cooperative. Minnesota, California are two of them. Other states like yours are being cooperative. What is the partnership between your office, the attorney general's office look like in partnership, not just with this fraud task force, but of course with the Department of Justice who can prosecute these folks for falsely filing these claims? What does that relationship look like?

[00:31:19]>> The relationship is so night and day better than what it was under Joe Biden.

[00:31:23]I mean, I think that's the big takeaway and that's what I told the vice president today. I mean, uh, four years of Joe Biden was my my first four years in office. We had zero communication, >> zero coordination, zero cooperation, >> and now under the Trump administration, we're working together. They're communicating. We're we're working on these investigations together, analysis, uh, and prosecution. So, this this sends a message that that this administration takes this seriously.

[00:31:49]>> It seems like fraud and the stolen labor from Americans would be a bipartisan issue. And yet there were not there are many attorney generals who are Democrats missing from the round table today. What is your perspective on that?

[00:32:02]>> I think it's absolutely stark. I mean I I I think that sends the message, right?

[00:32:06]I mean a couple of them sent some staff.

[00:32:09]I think two I think two blue states >> sent some staff today, but none of my Democrat colleagues showed up.

[00:32:15]>> Well, they say they say that they're proworker and yet their wages are being stolen.

[00:32:20]>> Well, they're apparently not pro- taxpayer. Uh that's that's who's paying their salaries. That's who pays my salary. Yeah. Um there's been some suggestions about whether blue state leaders, some of them are complicit in this type of fraud, uh which is why they don't want to root it out. Do you have any thoughts on that?

[00:32:35]>> I have a lot of thoughts on this. I mean, I don't think it's difficult to look at a state like Minnesota, state like California, and you have to ask yourself, what are these leaders, what are these what are these AGs, what are these governors doing? Uh and looks to me like this is a p a power grab.

[00:32:49]They're they're trying to be complicit in in possibly buying votes. M uh this is serious stuff and I think again I think it speaks volumes that none of my Democrat colleagues showed up for this round table.

[00:33:01]>> Yeah. Not to mention the moneyaundering through all of the NOS's that we've seen over the years. Mr. Attorney General, great to see you. Hope I can get out to Montana sometime soon. Love that state.

[00:33:10]I will. Thank you so much. Great to see you.

[00:33:12]>> All right. Now to a sad story. Uh an elderly couple was scammed by someone posing as Tom Celich on Facebook and now both of them are dead. After the break, a friend of the couple shares a warning and warning signs about what to look for to keep your loved ones safe. Don't go anywhere.

[00:33:37]Now, to something that every American should be concerned about. Elderly people are increasingly being targeted and prayed upon by scammers and fraudsters. Lives are being completely destroyed as a result of this. The Federal Trade Commission reported that scams reported by adults 60 years and older reached 2.4 billion in 2024. But since most fraud goes unreported, the real number could be as high as 81 billion. Financial fraud is not just about the money, there is an emotional toll, too. And tragically, for one family, they paid the ultimate price.

[00:34:09]Karen and Donald Whitaker were an elderly couple living in California.

[00:34:13]Karen was contacted by a scammer who pretended to be Blueblood's actor Tom Celich. And over time, she gave the impostor about $30,000.

[00:34:22]Once her family discovered the fraud, they cut Karen off from accessing financial accounts, but it was too late.

[00:34:28]Karen and Donald Whitaker were found dead in their home after a murder suicide, bringing the horrors of financial ruin and elderly fraud to light. Joining me now is friend of the Whitaker, Joy Medici. Joy, first of all, so sorry to hear about the loss of your friends. Um, thank you so much for joining us tonight. So, you had known the Whiters for a long time through the East Valley Republican Women's Patriots Club. Um, tell us about who they were and what kind of people they were.

[00:34:54]>> Well, they were really the best. They uh Karen was the girl that w wore red, white, and blue everywhere she went. Uh, she was a Zumba dancer, so she was always in our uh in our building dancing around because we had, of course, TV on all the time. Uh, and she was just so pleasant and so happy. And they had retired. They were he, her husband was a dentist and they' retired from Orange County and moved out to the desert. Both golfers having the time of their life.

[00:35:24]>> Jim.

[00:35:26]>> Jim. And his name is Jim is at least that's the name we we called him. I think that was probably his middle name.

[00:35:32]But he on the other hand was the perfect gentleman. He was willing to work as a volunteer. He put our floor in. He painted our building. He uh he came over to my house not too long ago and hung pictures for me as I had lost my husband several years ago. So, they were just like family to us. I mean, it's just so tragic.

[00:35:52]>> Yeah. So, how did you find out about Karen being scammed? I mean, I we hear about these phone calls and these people doing this on the internet. But, you know, you alerted the sheriff's department about what was going on that led to her family cutting her off from credit cards because it was clearly taking a huge toll on their personal financial life. But how did you know that this was happening?

[00:36:12]Well, I knew because she told me um she was on Facebook and put something about a friend of hers from high school had passed away and under that she listed things that she remembered about this person and within two days this scammer or scammers how you know who knows uh they were getting in touch with her and they and they said it was Tom Celich and he had dated her when they were in when she was in high school and so Karen fell for it. she just believed him. Uh, and of course immediately I knew it was a scam. And I knew that because we've had other people in our club come to me and tell me that, you know, somebody is contacting me and they wanted me to give money. So, right away they asked her for money. Uh, it was to go to an event that Tom Celich was going to come out to the beautiful desert and go to an event and and have an event rather. And Karen was invited, but she needed to pay $80. And she'd be the first one on the list. And so she immediately did. She bought a gift card and sent the money to them. I I guess what you do is you just give the person the number. This has all been through I think Telegram and text messaging.

[00:37:24]>> Wow.

[00:37:24]>> And uh so they got that money from her and then they knew they had kind of a sure thing. So they went forward with it and got more money from her. And I tried to talk to her. She wouldn't listen. uh other people tried to talk to her. This is before her family even knew.

[00:37:39]>> So um I finally called the sheriff and the sheriff called her in and they had a long talk with her almost two hours.

[00:37:45]They showed her all kinds of proof that this is a scam. And by the time they were through she got up and she said, "I know what you're showing me. I believe you. But the one I'm talking to is really Tom Celich and it's not a scam."

[00:37:59]>> Wow.

[00:38:00]>> Yeah. So, so how what is your message to other people, older adults who who are getting targeted in scams like these and clearly falling into this this trap of not believing what the authorities are telling them.

[00:38:13]>> Common sense. I mean, why would Tom Celich need her money, >> right?

[00:38:17]>> Why would any movie star or TV star or whatever um why would they need your money?

[00:38:25]>> Yeah. And you know, I know this happens a lot to uh to lonely people, but Karen wasn't really lonely. So, I don't know really what happened to her that she believed it so much, but we got adult protective services to go to the home and that's when her husband found out and he was so embarrassed and the kids came and they, you know, cut up her credit cards, >> uh, took her money away and she still found ways to get money. And in the last couple of days, uh, this person asked her to please, uh, ask her friends for money because she wasn't she didn't have much of her own.

[00:39:01]>> Joy, in terms of the investigation, there's the obviously the investigation uh, into the fraudsters, but in terms of the murder suicide here, which is horrific. Do you have an update on that portion of the story?

[00:39:14]>> Uh, they're still investigating. That was the last thing that we heard. That was about um, well, it was right, it was probably Friday afternoon. Uh, and so I have no more information on it. I haven't talked to the sheriff's department. They haven't come out with more of a statement, >> but um they did say that it was murder suicide.

[00:39:32]>> H just awful. Like you said, her husband was quite embarrassed and clearly she thought this was a real thing. Just absolutely terrible. Joy Medi, thank you so much for coming on and sorry uh so sorry about the loss of your friends and thank you for coming on to help to warn others about this kind of >> scam. Tell the story.

[00:39:48]>> Absolutely. Thanks for coming on. Bye.

[00:39:50]>> Uhhuh. Bye-bye.

[00:39:51]>> More Katy Palish tonight after this.

[00:39:58]>> Well, you might have been watching the NBA finals or the NASCAR races over this weekend, but across the pond, a very different group of athletes competed for a prize better than any trophy. Cheese.

[00:40:11]The master of ceremonies rolls down a wheel of cheese, and whoever crosses the finish line wins. Take a look.

[00:40:30]a YouTuber from Germany uh came in first for the men's competition for the third year in a row. Jesse Weber is here. Uh what type of cheese would uh be worth it to you to roll down a hill? I think you have to take extra insurance out for that. Looked like some injuries were occurring.

[00:40:45]>> What a what a question. I haven't been asked that one in a while. Uh, monster.

[00:40:48]Monster never gets any time of day.

[00:40:50]Isn't it Are you I think you're feta. I feel like you'd run down Parmesan though.

[00:40:54]>> Oh, excuse me. Excuse me. Very healthy, by the way. Parmesan is very healthy.

[00:41:00]>> Speaking of healthy, um, RFK Jr.

[00:41:02]catching two snakes in Dr. Oz's backyard. Look.

[00:41:05]>> I know.

[00:41:16]So, what are they?

[00:41:19]>> We know Jesse Weber does that for his party trick.

[00:41:21]>> Of course. I love Cheryl in the background. Bobby, stop. Bobby, it's enough. It's enough.

[00:41:25]>> Exactly. Hey, some of us have skills.

[00:41:27]All right. Have a great show, Jesse.

[00:41:28]Good to see you.

[00:41:29]>> Thank you. Good seeing you.