Tesla Billionaire once reportedly claimed he and Combs ‘text a lot’
By Josh Marcus
Elon Musk is facing criticism for wondering aloud which high-profile figures were aware of the wide-ranging abuse allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, even as Musk counted the mogul as an investor and friend.
Musk took to X in response to the latest round of allegations against Combs, in which a team of lawyers pledged to bring more than 100 sexual assault suits and pull back the alleged “wall of silence” of famous people who enabled the musician.
“How many people in music & entertainment knew about this?” Musk asked his followers on 1 October.
Many were quick to point out Musk’s own ties to Combs, who was arrested by federal agents on racketeering and sex trafficking charges and denies wrongdoing.
“hmmm maybe you could have asked him when he invested in your twitter deal,” Mac wrote on X in response to the tweet.
“How many times did you meet Diddy,” asked Condé Nast legal affairs editor Luke Zaleski.
“there’s literally a photo of you with ghislaine maxwel,” added music critic Anthony Fantano, referencing the key ally of the late Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell and Musk were photographed together in 2014, years after Epstein reached a plea deal with Florida prosecutors on accusations of sexually abusing dozens of girls.
A fund tied to Combs is an investor in X, according to a list of funders unveiled in federal court in August.
Musk also once boasted that he and Combs are good friends, according to the new book Character Limit, by New York Times reporters Kate Conger and Ryan Mac.
The claim reportedly came during a meeting where when an executive of Revolt TV, a media company Combs founded, expressed concerns about the growing racism on X.
"’I don’t know if you know this, but Puff is an investor in Twitter,’ [Musk] said, using a nickname for Combs," according to the book. "’You know, he’s a good friend of mine. We text a lot.’"
The Independent has contacted Musk for comment.
Federal prosecutors allege Combs is the architect and leader of a “criminal enterprise” engaged in alleged arson, kidnapping, forced labor, bribery, obstruction of justice and sex trafficking.
Police say they recovered assault rifles with defaced serial numbers, narcotics, and “more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant” from Combs’s residences, allegedly used in exploitative situations the mogul dubbed “Freak Offs”.
Separately, scores of women accuse the mogul of sexual misconduct.
News outlets obtained leaked video of Diddy brutally beating his then-girlfriend, the singer Cassie, in a hotel hallway. He later apologized.
After self-proclaimed “Childless Cat Lady” Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris, readers asked us about alleged backlash to her announcement. Here’s what we found.
By Megan Loe
Pop superstar Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president shortly after the presidential debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @Kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,” Swift wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
She signed the post, “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady,” referencing 2021 comments made by Trump’s running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
This isn’t the first time Swift has ventured into politics; she previously endorsed President Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election.
After Swift’s endorsement of Harris, people began circulating claims online alleging backlash to her announcement.
Some social media posts claim Swift canceled dates on her record-breaking Eras Tour due to low ticket sales after the endorsement. One viral Facebook post and a Threads post include a meme with side-by-side photos of Harris and Swift paired with this text: “Taylor Swift Cancels Eras Tour Dates After Endorsement Backlash: ‘Only 2,300 Tickets Sold.’”
Other posts claimed Swift lost brand endorsement deals worth $125 million after announcing support for Harris and that Trump responded to the endorsement by posting “I hate Taylor Swift” on social media.
Multiple VERIFY readers asked us to look into whether Trump posted that message, as well as the claims about Swift canceling concert dates and losing brand deals. Here’s what we found.
QUESTION #1
Did Taylor Swift cancel Eras Tour dates due to low ticket sales following her endorsement of Harris?
No, Swift did not cancel her Eras Tour dates due to low ticket sales following her endorsement of Harris.
Swift has not canceled any of her remaining Eras Tour dates. The rumor stems from a satirical article published by esspots.com on Sept. 14, 2024.
None of Swift’s social media accounts or Ticketmaster’s website include any announcements about the pop star canceling any remaining tour dates.
Her official website still lists nine upcoming concerts in the U.S. starting on Oct. 18 followed by nine more shows in Canada. The record-breaking tour is set to end in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Dec. 8, 2024.
As has been the case for Swift’s entire Eras Tour, all of the tickets to her shows quickly sold out and fans who didn’t manage to snag them can only purchase them through resellers.
The false claims about Swift canceling her Eras Tour dates stem from a satirical article published by esspots.com, which says it is a subsidiary of spacexmania.com “specializing in satire and parody news.” Spacexmania.com also publishes many satirical articles.
SpaceX Fan Club included a link to the esspots.com article in the comment section of its viral post sharing the false claim about Swift. That article is clearly labeled as “satire” and includes a disclaimer at the end that says, “NOTE: This is SATIRE, Not True.”
The meme in SpaceX Fan Club’s Facebook post is also clearly labeled as satire in the upper left corner and includes text in small print that says, “Nothing on this page is real. If you believe anything we post then you’re a potato crop.”
SpaceX Fan Club’s page introduction includes this disclaimer: “We post SATIRE, nothing on this page is real.”
QUESTION #2
Did Taylor Swift lose $125 million in brand deals after endorsing Harris?
THE ANSWER
This is false.
No, Swift did not lose $125 million in brand deals after endorsing Harris.
WHAT WE FOUND
There’s no evidence Swift lost $125 million in brand deals after endorsing Harris. This rumor also stems from a satirical article published by esspots.com on Sept. 14, 2024.
SpaceX Fan Club also shared this viral claim on its Facebook page on Sept. 12. The post’s comments section includes a link to another satirical article published by esspots.com.
This article is also clearly labeled as satire and includes the same disclaimer as the previous satirical article about Swift canceling her Eras Tour dates.
SpaceX Fan Club also included the same “rated satire” label and text in small print on the meme attached to the post.
QUESTION #3
Did Donald Trump post “I hate Taylor Swift” on social media after Swift endorsed Harris?
THE ANSWER
This is true.
Yes, Trump did post “I hate Taylor Swift” on social media after Swift endorsed Harris.
WHAT WE FOUND
VERIFY searched Donald Trump’s official Truth Social account and found that the former president did post the message circulating on social media after Swift endorsed Harris.
“I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” Trump wrote in a post on Sept. 15. He did not share the same message on his official X account or Facebook page.
Multiple reputable news outlets published stories on Trump’s message about Trump’s Truth Social post directed at Swift.
In response to Swift’s endorsement of Harris, Trump also told “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday, Sept. 11, that Swift is “a very liberal person” who “seems to always endorse a Democrat and she’ll probably pay a price in the marketplace.”
The former president previously shared AI-generated images of Swift to falsely suggest she endorsed him. Swift said in her Instagram post supporting Harris that these AI images were one of the reasons she decided to publicly endorse the vice president.
“Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth,” Swift wrote.
BREAKING: "Taylor Swift breaks down in tears, apologizing and asking for forgiveness from her boyfriend Travis Kelce as she admits to having done immoral things with Diddy in the past to gain fame, leaving fans disappointed."
Full story https://sport.besttopixs.com/posts/b...nted-ju-hau123
In a surprising turn of events, Taylor Swift’s manager has confirmed that ticket sales for the pop superstar's upcoming tour have taken a significant hit following backlash over a recent political endorsement. The unexpected drop in demand has sparked widespread debate, raising questions about the intersection of celebrity influence, politics, and fan loyalty.
### The Endorsement That Sparked Controversy
The controversy began when Swift, who has increasingly become more politically outspoken in recent years, publicly endorsed a candidate in a heated election race. While many of her fans have supported her for taking a stand on important issues, this particular endorsement seems to have crossed a line for a portion of her fan base. Almost immediately, social media lit up with both support and condemnation, with many calling for a boycott of her upcoming tour.
Swift’s manager, in a statement to the press, admitted that the backlash has been felt in a tangible way: “We’ve seen a noticeable decline in ticket sales since the endorsement. We’re not getting the numbers we expected, and it’s clear that the backlash has had an impact.”
### Divided Fans
Swift’s fans have long been known for their loyalty, but this situation has revealed a deep divide within her fanbase. Some fans continue to support her, praising her for using her platform to speak out on political issues she cares about. “Taylor has always stood for equality, justice, and doing what’s right,” one fan tweeted. “If you can’t support her for speaking her truth, then maybe you never really supported her at all.”
Others, however, feel that Swift’s political involvement has gone too far. “I just want to enjoy her music without being bombarded with politics,” one disgruntled fan commented on Instagram. “She should stick to what she’s good at and leave the politics out of it.”
For some, it’s not about disagreeing with Swift’s political views, but rather a sense of betrayal that she’s using her platform in this way. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Taylor, but this endorsement has made me rethink everything,” said one long-time follower. “I’m not sure I can support someone who is pushing an agenda that I don’t agree with.”The drop in ticket sales is a stark reminder that even mega-stars like Taylor Swift are not immune to the financial consequences of taking a public stand on polarizing issues. With Swift's tours historically selling out in record time, the sudden slowdown in demand has shocked many within the industry.
Swift’s manager noted that they are considering strategies to rebound from the decline, but acknowledged that this may be a challenging road ahead: “We’re exploring ways to re-engage with fans, but we also understand that Taylor’s convictions are important to her, and she won’t back down from her beliefs just to sell more tickets.”
While ticket sales may recover over time, the immediate financial impact is undeniable. Concert tours are a massive part of a musician’s revenue stream, and a dip in demand can have a ripple effect on everything from merchandise sales to sponsorships. Swift’s team will need to navigate these turbulent waters carefully if they hope to recapture the excitement and energy that has always surrounded her tours.Taylor Swift is far from the first celebrity to face backlash for their political opinions, and this situation is part of a larger trend of artists and entertainers becoming more politically vocal. From actors to athletes, celebrities have increasingly used their platforms to endorse candidates, advocate for social justice causes, or raise awareness about global issues.
However, the backlash Swift is facing highlights the risks that come with blending entertainment and politics. Fans often feel a personal connection to their favorite celebrities, and when those celebrities endorse a political stance that contradicts their fans’ beliefs, it can lead to disillusionment and division. For some, it feels like a betrayal of the artist-fan relationship, where the music or performance was once a unifying experience, now marred by politics.Despite the current challenges, Swift has never been one to shy away from controversy or criticism. Throughout her career, she has reinvented herself numerous times, overcoming public scrutiny and evolving both as an artist and as a person. Her political outspokenness is just one more chapter in her ever-changing narrative.
While ticket sales may be suffering in the short term, it’s possible that Swift’s commitment to her beliefs could strengthen her fan base in the long run. Her most loyal fans have stood by her through numerous controversies, and it’s likely that many will continue to support her, seeing her political activism as a reflection of her growth as both an artist and a person.
As the dust settles from the backlash, Swift will likely continue to navigate her role as both an entertainer and an activist. Whether or not ticket sales bounce back, one thing is clear: Taylor Swift remains a powerful voice in both the music world and the larger cultural conversation.
For now, the drop in ticket sales serves as a reminder that the line between celebrity and activism is often fraught with complications, and even the biggest stars must weigh the potential consequences of their political endorsements.
In a stunning turn of events, Ellen DeGeneres, the iconic talk show host, has been thrust into the center of a scandal involving footage that allegedly shows her attending one of Diddy’s notorious “Freak-Off” parties. Known for her squeaky-clean image and daytime TV charm, Ellen’s association with these wild, secretive gatherings has left fans in shock and disbelief. The leaked footage, if real, could change how the public views one of television’s most beloved personalities.The controversy has ignited a media firestorm, with rumors swirling and social media buzzing about Ellen’s involvement in the hip-hop mogul’s infamous parties. Ellen, who has remained largely out of the spotlight since the end of her talk show, is now grappling with a PR crisis that threatens to tarnish her legacy.
For years, rumors have circulated about the extravagant and exclusive “Freak-Off” parties thrown by music industry legend Sean “Diddy” Combs. These parties, attended by celebrities and industry insiders, were known for their opulence, secrecy, and alleged boundary-pushing activities. While the details of what happened at these events remained shrouded in mystery, they were often the subject of speculation within Hollywood circles.
The leaked footage that allegedly shows Ellen DeGeneres at one of these parties has taken the controversy to a whole new level. Diddy’s parties, typically rumored to be filled with unfiltered debauchery and outrageous behavior, seemed like the last place anyone would expect to see someone like Ellen, who built her brand around kindness, humor, and family-friendly entertainment.The footage that has reportedly surfaced depicts a gathering at one of Diddy’s “Freak-Off” parties, where attendees are seen engaging in what appears to be wild, unconventional activities. While the clip is grainy and lacks clear audio, viewers have been quick to speculate that one of the figures in the background bears a striking resemblance to Ellen DeGeneres.
In the footage, the individual, who fans believe is Ellen, is seen mingling with other high-profile guests. Although there is no confirmation that Ellen participated in any inappropriate activities, the fact that she was allegedly present at such a notorious event has caused widespread speculation. The sheer contrast between her public persona and the nature of these parties has left many stunned.
According to sources close to Ellen, she is reportedly “freaking out” about the footage and the media frenzy surrounding it. Despite her retirement from daytime TV, Ellen remains one of the most recognizable names in entertainment, and this latest scandal threatens to undo years of careful reputation management.
Insiders have claimed that Ellen is in full damage-control mode, working with her PR team to address the situation. While she has not yet made a public statement regarding the footage, those familiar with the situation say that Ellen is “devastated” by the leaked video and its potential impact on her legacy.Ellen, who has faced controversies in the past—most notably the accusations of workplace toxicity on her show—has worked hard to rebuild her public image. This latest scandal, however, is different. It taps into the very core of Ellen’s identity as a wholesome, relatable figure and challenges the authenticity of her carefully curated persona.
As with most celebrity scandals, public reaction to the leaked footage has been divided. Many of Ellen’s loyal fans are standing by her, refusing to believe that she would willingly attend or participate in such an event. They argue that the footage is inconclusive and that Ellen’s past charitable work and her dedication to spreading kindness should be considered when assessing the situation.
On the other hand, critics of Ellen have been quick to seize upon the footage as further proof that her public persona is not as genuine as it seems. They point to the workplace controversy that surrounded her talk show as evidence that Ellen may have a darker side that the public is only now starting to see.
Social media has exploded with reactions, memes, and hot takes on the situation, with #EllenFreakOff trending on Twitter. Some users have even created conspiracy theories, suggesting that this footage could be part of a larger narrative about Hollywood’s hidden underworld, where celebrities participate in secretive, controversial events far from the public eye.
As the person behind the infamous “Freak-Off” parties, Diddy has so far remained silent on the issue. The hip-hop mogul, known for his influence and larger-than-life persona, has faced his fair share of scandals throughout his career, but this latest controversy puts him back in the spotlight in a major way.
Diddy’s parties have long been the subject of whispers within the entertainment industry, but rarely has there been such concrete evidence of who attended or what really went on. While Diddy may choose to remain quiet about the Ellen situation, his response—or lack thereof—will be closely watched by fans and media outlets alike.
If Diddy does choose to address the issue, it could either validate or debunk the rumors surrounding Ellen’s attendance. For now, however, the mystery only deepens as fans wait to see how the story will unfold.
As the scandal continues to dominate headlines, all eyes are on Ellen and how she will respond. Will she issue a public statement denying the allegations? Or will she remain silent, hoping that the story blows over in time?
Ellen’s reputation has always been a key part of her brand, and this latest controversy could have lasting implications for her career and legacy. While her talk show has ended, Ellen remains a cultural icon with millions of followers and fans worldwide. How she handles this crisis could determine whether she emerges from it unscathed or if it becomes a permanent stain on her public image.
Legal experts suggest that Ellen’s team may be preparing to take action against the individuals responsible for leaking the footage. Depending on the authenticity and legality of the video, Ellen could potentially sue for defamation or invasion of privacy, especially if it is proven that the footage was manipulated or leaked without her consent.
The Ellen DeGeneres-Diddy “Freak-Off” scandal is just the latest example of how celebrity culture can be both glamorous and treacherous. For decades, stars have carefully curated their public images, only to have them threatened by leaked footage, rumors, or scandals. In this age of social media and instant access to information, no celebrity is immune from the scrutiny of the public eye.
This situation also highlights the stark contrast between public personas and private lives. While Ellen has always promoted a message of kindness and authenticity, this footage—whether real or not—challenges the idea that celebrities are always who they appear to be. For fans, it’s a reminder that the world of Hollywood is full of surprises, and that even the most beloved figures can have secrets.
CNN’s team on the ground in Beirut say they have heard constant blasts and explosions over the past two to three hours and they appear to be ongoing.
It’s unclear exactly how many blasts there have been, but a member of the team described the explosions in Beirut’s southern suburbs as one of the most intense sustained periods of strikes they had seen.
At least two of the blasts triggered what appeared to be secondary explosions, according to the team. One of the blasts hit the road to the airport, about 2.5 km from the facility.
A Sept. 25 Immigration and Customs Enforcement letter said there are 13,099 noncitizens convicted of homicide who are not in immigration detention.
But that data goes back four decades, and does not specify that the 13,099 entered the U.S. under the Biden-Harris administration.
Many of the people Immigration and Customs Enforcement alluded to are not in immigration detention because they’re in law enforcement custody serving prison sentences. The Supreme Court, not the Biden-Harris administration, ruled that people cannot be held in immigration detention indefinitely after serving their sentences.
By Marta Campabadal Graus ,Maria Ramirez Uribe
Throughout the presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump has said, without evidence, that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been letting in "millions of people from jails, from prisons."
He has repeated the term "migrant crime," even though violent crime is down in the U.S., and studies show that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than U.S. citizens.
Now, aiming to prove his point, Trump is citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement statistics.
"These are certified numbers," Trump said at a Sept. 29 rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, later adding, "Kamala let in the 13,099 convicted murderers and opposes all efforts to find them and to remove them."
There are new official numbers about the number of immigrants convicted of crimes who are in the U.S. They come from a Sept. 25 letter Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deputy Director Patrick Lechleitner wrote to Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas. There are 13,099 immigrants convicted of homicide who are on the agency’s nondetained docket, meaning they’re not in immigration detention, according to the letter.
But "the data in this letter is being misinterpreted," a Department of Homeland Security statement said.
Most of the 13,099 people likely didn’t enter the U.S. in the last three and a half years; the full data goes back 40 years. Many of them are not in immigration detention because they’re in law enforcement custody serving sentences. And a Supreme Court ruling, not the Biden-Harris administration, said that people cannot be indefinitely in immigration detention. So, people from countries that do not accept deportation flights must be released.
Asked for evidence behind Trump’s claim, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said everyone who crosses the U.S. border illegally is a "criminal."
How many noncitizens convicted of crimes are not in immigration detention?
In his letter to Gonzales, Lechleitner detailed the number of immigrants with criminal convictions who are on the agency’s nondetained docket, meaning they’re not in immigration detention.
The docket includes people who illegally cross the border and are released to await immigration court proceedings. Because detention space is limited, not everyone who crosses the border illegally can be detained. People on the nondetained docket are still under the agency’s supervision, however. Immigration officials can track them through a smartphone app, GPS tracking or ankle monitors.
As of July 21, the docket showed 425,431 noncitizens convicted of crimes, 13,099 of whom had a homicide conviction. Other criminal convictions included traffic offenses, assault and robbery.
Lechleitner’s letter doesn’t clarify whether people were criminally convicted inside or outside the U.S. But U.S. immigration authorities usually prioritize people who cross the border illegally and have criminal convictions in their countries of origin for detention.
Not everyone on the nondetained docket entered the U.S. illegally. Legal permanent residents who commit crimes can also end up on the docket.
The data goes back 40 years, most did not enter under the Biden-Harris administration
The data in Lechleitner’s letter does not represent only people who entered the U.S. under the Biden-Harris administration.
"The data goes back decades; it includes individuals who entered the country over the past 40 years or more, the vast majority of whose custody determination was made long before this Administration," the Homeland Security statement said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not provide the year people who were convicted of crimes entered the U.S. So, it’s unclear how many of the 13,099 people convicted of homicide entered under the Biden-Harris administration.
But if the 13,099 noncitizens had all entered in the past three years, "migrants would have accounted for about one-third of all homicide convictions from 2021 through 2023, Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank wrote. "That’s obviously not true."
Overall, the number of people on the nondetained docket has more than doubled under Biden’s administration. In fiscal year 2020, there were 3.3 million people on the docket. As of May 2024, there were 7 million people.
The slice of nondetained people convicted of criminal convictions has not escalated as quickly. In August 2016, 368,574 noncitizens convicted of crimes were on the agency’s nondetained docket, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General reported. As of June 2021, there were 405,786 people. There are now about 425,000.
Why are noncitizens convicted of crimes not in immigration detention?
There are several reasons why people convicted of crimes are not in immigration detention.
People are serving time in prison: Many people convicted of crimes are in federal, state or local law enforcement custody, serving time in prison, the Homeland Security statement said. Because they are not in an immigration detention center, they are on the nondetained docket. But that doesn’t mean they’re roaming the country.
After people are released from law enforcement custody, they generally go into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. A 2021 Biden administration memo instructs immigration authorities to prioritize detention for people who threaten public safety. The Department of Homeland Security told PolitiFact it had deported 180,000 noncitizens with criminal convictions since January 2021.
However, there are local and state jurisdictions with "sanctuary" policies, meaning state and local officials limit their cooperation with immigration authorities.
People cannot be indefinitely in immigration detention: Immigration law requires people convicted of aggravated felonies, such as homicide, be detained. However, the Supreme Court in 2001 ruled that people cannot be detained indefinitely.
This ruling had ramifications for people who come from countries that do not accept U.S. deportations, such as Cuba, China or Vietnam, Nowrasteh wrote.
Whereas people from another country may be detained by immigration officials and deported after serving time in the U.S. following a conviction, people from one of these countries who have completed their sentences must be released into the U.S. "because there is no repatriation agreement with their countries of origin or they routinely violate those agreements," Nowrasteh wrote.
Trump said in a Pennsylvania campaign rally that Harris "let in the 13,099 convicted murderers, and opposes all efforts to find them and to remove them."
There is no evidence that all 13,099 people entered under the Biden-Harris administration.
Many people are not in immigration detention because they’re in law enforcement custody serving sentences.
Once they’ve served their sentence, immigration law generally requires the detention of people convicted of aggravated felonies, such as homicide. But a Supreme Court ruling, not the Biden-Harris administration, said people cannot be held indefinitely in immigration detention. So, people from countries that do not accept deportation flights must be released.
Fact Check: Federal Disaster Assistance For Helene Victims Exceeds $750; Immediate Payment Covers Essential Needs
By: Ed Payne
Does federal disaster assistance to Helene victims amount to no more than $750 per family? No, that's not true: The White House stated that the $750 in Serious Needs Assistance is an immediate direct payment to eligible households for essential items like food, baby formula, water, medications and other emergency supplies. A FEMA spokesperson told Lead Stories, "that's not the only assistance you're going to get from FEMA." The total amount of assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal programs varies based on the extent of the damage, the victims' needs and the specific assistance programs available.
The claim appeared in a post and video published on X, formerly Twitter, on October 2, 2024, with the on-screen title "VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS VISITS AUGUSTA." The video's caption said:
Kamala is on the ground in Georgia two days after President Trump's visit to offer those who've lost everything $750. Don't spend it all at once.
If you were Ukrainian or a migrant you'd qualify for more assistance, but you're just an American citizen, so don't expect much.
In the 12-second clip in the social media post, Vice President Kamala Harris said:
And the federal relief and assistance that we have been providing has included FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency], providing $750 For folks who need immediate needs being met.
The post provided no additional evidence to support its assertion that victims of Helene will only receive $750 in federal disaster assistance.
During the same news conference in Augusta, Georgia, on October 2, 2024, Harris went on to say:
FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance and also hotel costs.
Today, I'm also announcing that the president has approved the [Georgia] governor's request for
100-percent federal reimbursement of local costs.
White House
A few days earlier, during a White House briefing on September 30, 2024, Homeland Security Adviser Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall also outlined the short-term assistance and other available support. She said:
In states that have requested and have received major disaster declarations, FEMA is expediting the delivery of its Serious Needs Assistance, which is an immediate $750 direct payment to eligible households to allow them to pay for essential items like food, baby formula, water, medications, and other emergency supplies.
This is not the full extent of FEMA's assistance to individuals, but it's the first element of it that becomes immediately available with a major disaster declaration, and it gets people cash when they're absolutely desperate for it.
In addition, survivors who register for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program will be eligible to receive assistance to help repair their homes, cars, and other personal property in conjunction with their own insurance policies.
Serious Needs Assistance
The $750 in immediate support comes from FEMA's Serious Needs Assistance program (archived here). Storm victims can apply for it by creating an account at DisasterAssistance.g ov or by using the FEMA app found in the App Store or Google Play.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
In an October 3, 2024, phone call, a FEMA spokesperson told Lead Stories that Serious Needs Assistance is one of many benefits provided by the agency. He continued:
But then there are other programs that you could qualify for as well, like if you need to go to a hotel, we will pay for that, or if you need repairs to your house, and if you're eligible, we will pay for that too.
But the 750, that's not the only assistance you're going to get from FEMA.
The FEMA spokesperson said victims of the storm could qualify for as much as tens of thousands of dollars in financial help:
We don't want people to think that that's the only assistance -- 750 and that's it. That's one of many programs that we have, but the ask is for people to come to us, register for assistance, and then we will find out which programs they are eligible for, depending on their situation.
In addition to individual assistance, FEMA has public assistance programs that support the community as a whole. A graphic included in a FEMA post on X on October 2, 2024, spelled out the available government support:
A Nevada Republican who has previously been described as the "Lady Trump" has been convicted of fraud after stealing donations intended for a fallen police officer's memorial to spend on rent and plastic surgery.
By Theo Burman
Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore was convicted on federal fraud charges on Thursday after a Nevada court found her guilty on six counts of wire fraud and one additional count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Federal prosecutors accused Fiore of soliciting donations to her PAC for the construction of a statue to commemorate Alyn Beck, a Las Vegas police officer killed in the line of duty in 2014, while she served as a councilwoman between 2019 and 2020.
Instead, Fiore used the donations for personal gain, spending it on rent, plastic surgery, and one of her daughter's weddings, according to The Nevada Independent.
Prosecutor Alexander Gottfried said in his closing argument: "She never cared about Officer Beck's memory or his sacrifice. She took those donors' money. She took it from people who were trying to do a good thing."
The trial reportedly ended after testimony from over a dozen witnesses, including Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo. The governor testified that Fiore had asked him to contribute to the donations while he was Clark County sheriff, prompting him to send a $5,000 check to Fiore's PAC.
According to an FBI agent who testified, shortly after that donation, the exact same amount of money was transferred to Fiore's daughter's account, which was later used to cover Fiore's rent.
Fiore's lawyer said after the verdict that they will be exploring any possible appeal options, but are now focused on sentencing. The maximum sentence for each individual charge is 20 years in prison.
Newsweek contacted Fiore's team for additional comment on the situation via email.
Fiore rose to prominence after being styling as "Lady Trump" in Nevada local politics, making an unsuccessful bid to be the state's governor in 2021 on a staunch pro-Trump platform, which included pledges on dismantling vaccine mandates, critical-race theory and voter fraud.
"I've spent my whole life fighting the establishment," Fiore said in a political ad for her campaign. "We need outsiders, fighters, not the same old boring, moderate, compromised blue-blazer politicians."
Fiore received widespread press coverage for publicly supporting rancher Cliven Bundy during an armed standoff between Bundy supporters and federal agents in Nevada in 2014.
Most of the immigrants who recently settled in Springfield, Ohio, are allowed to temporarily live and work in the country legally.
Both humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status are considered lawful statuses under immigration law, immigration experts said.
Neither program allows people to stay permanently.
By Maria Ramirez Uribe
CBS News moderators muted vice presidential candidates’ microphones only once during the Oct. 1 vice presidential debate: during a discussion about immigration. Specifically, when they were on the topic of immigration in Springfield, Ohio — the small midwestern city thrown into the national spotlight after former President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, spread baseless claims about immigrants eating pets.
The point in question: Are Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, in the U.S. illegally?
Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., criticized Vance for spreading misinformation about Springfield’s Haitian immigrants. Moderators gave Vance a minute to respond.
"In Springfield, Ohio, and in communities all across this country, you've got schools that are overwhelmed, you've got hospitals that are overwhelmed, you have got housing that is totally unaffordable because we brought in millions of illegal immigrants to compete with Americans for scarce homes," Vance said.
Walz spoke again before moderator and CBS News’ "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan stepped in.
"And just to clarify for our viewers, Springfield, Ohio, does have a large number of Haitian migrants who have legal status: Temporary Protected Status," Brennan said.
"Margaret, The rules were that you guys weren't going to fact-check, and since you're fact-checking me, I think it's important to say what's actually going on," Vance said. "So, there's an application called the CBP One app where you can go on as an illegal migrant, apply for asylum or apply for parole and be granted legal status at the wave of a Kamala Harris open border wand. That is not a person coming in, applying for a green card and waiting for 10 years."
We rated Vance’s statement about the phone app, which is a scheduling tool, not an application for asylum or parole, Mostly False.
For this claim, we’ll focus on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, whom city officials say account for most of the immigrants who have settled there in the past four years: Are they in the U.S. legally?
We can’t confirm the status of every immigrant who has recently moved to the city. But local and state officials said most are there legally, because they’re in the U.S. under temporary legal protections, humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status.
Immigration law experts told PolitiFact that Haitians in these temporary programs are in the U.S. legally.
Vance’s spokesperson did not respond to our request for comment. But Vance has previously said about Haitian migrants: "If Kamala Harris waves a wand, illegally, and says these people are now here legally, I'm still going to call them illegal aliens."
Two immigration programs give Haitians temporary permission to be in the U.S.
President Joe Biden has created and expanded ways for Haitians, and other immigrants, to temporarily live and work in the U.S. legally.
Humanitarian parole for applicants outside the U.S.: In January 2023, Biden expanded a humanitarian parole program for Venezuelans to include Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans. Under the program, every month, up to 30,000 eligible people can receive humanitarian parole, allowing them to legally enter the U.S. and live and work here for up to two years. To qualify for the program, people need to apply from outside the U.S. and have a U.S. sponsor, such as a family member.
As of August, nearly 214,000 Haitians had entered the U.S. under this humanitarian parole.
Temporary Protected Status: In June 2024, the Biden administration expanded and redesignated Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants. People who have Temporary Protected Status are protected from deportation. This protection is granted by the Homeland Security secretary to people from certain countries undergoing war, environmental disasters and epidemics. The program also allows eligible immigrants to legally live and work in the U.S. for six- to 18-month periods. Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries must be in the U.S. at the time of their home country’s designation to apply.
Before the June redesignation, about 200,000 Haitians benefited from the temporary protection. The June action allowed any Haitian who met eligibility requirements and had been living in the U.S. by June 3, 2024, to apply. DHS estimated 309,000 additional Haitians would be eligible.
People can apply for Temporary Protected Status whether they entered the U.S. legally or illegally.
Humanitarian parole at U.S. ports of entry: In January 2023, Biden expanded the use of CBP One, the scheduling phone application launched by the Trump administration, to allow people in Mexico to schedule appointments at official U.S. ports of entry. There, immigration officials can give people humanitarian parole for up to two years, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. as they apply for asylum. From January 2023 to May 2024, 119,000 Haitians scheduled appointments using the app; we don’t know how many were granted this parole.
These programs give Haitians a lawful status in the U.S.
The Immigration and Nationality Act describes people on Temporary Protected Status as "being in, and maintaining, lawful status as a nonimmigrant." The term "nonimmigrant" refers to people who are in the U.S. temporarily.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says on its website that people with humanitarian parole or Temporary Protected Status have "lawful immigration status." Immigration law gives the executive branch the authority to grant people these protections, Jean Reisz, co-director of the University of Southern California Immigration Clinic said.
We asked the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency within the department, about the immigration status of people with Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole. We did not hear back.
But immigration law experts said that, once immigrants have Temporary Protected Status protections, they are in the U.S. legally — regardless of how they entered the U.S. before receiving it.
However, Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole do not provide people a pathway to citizenship. So, people with humanitarian parole or Temporary Protected Status must use another avenue — such as asylum, marriage or employment — to gain legal permanent residence.
That leaves people who have these protections in a "precarious non-permanent status" that can expire or be ended by the president, Reisz said. In November 2017, for example, Trump tried to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. Legal challenges halted the termination. Trump is again promising to revoke Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status, if elected.
If protections expire or are terminated, people revert to the status they had before these protections, Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of University of California Los Angeles’ Center for Immigration Law and Policy said. And people who don’t have a legal basis to stay in the U.S. would have to leave the country or be subject to deportation, Reisz said.
But that deportation wouldn’t be immediate, said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a Cornell University immigration law professor.
"They would all have a right to a removal hearing before an immigration judge to determine whether they have some right to remain here, such as asylum," Yale-Loehr said. That could take years because of immigration court backlogs.
Vance said immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are "illegal immigrants."
City officials say most of the immigrants who recently arrived in Springfield are Haitians. We don’t know the immigration status for all of them, but officials have said that many are in the country under humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status. These protections allow them to temporarily live and work in the country legally. Both humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status are considered lawful statuses under immigration law, immigration experts said.
Neither program lets people stay permanently in the U.S. But while the temporary protection is in place, they are not here illegally, immigration experts said.
Migrants use U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CBP One app to enter biographic information and schedule appointments for processing with immigration officials.
The app grants migrants neither entry to the U.S. nor free flights.
By Jeff Cercone ,Maria Ramirez Uribe
X owner Elon Musk shared with his 200 million followers a video of a man who said it took him five minutes and a fake photo to use U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CBP One app to be granted asylum in the U.S.
"Takes less than 5 minutes and zero documentation to get approved as an illegal immigrant and be flown to the United States with air tickets paid for by the American taxpayer," Musk wrote in an Oct. 2 X post that users viewed nearly 20 million times as of Oct. 4.
Musk reshared a video that originated on TikTok and was later shared by multiple verified X accounts. Combined, the posts have more than 42 million views.
The claim mischaracterizes how the CBP One app works. Signing up through the app doesn’t grant approval to enter the U.S. Some migrants use the app to make appointments for processing with immigration officials at official ports of entry along the southwest border; other migrants use it for prescreening when applying for humanitarian parole. The app does not provide free flights to migrants.
Under immigration law, people who have been persecuted or fear persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, can apply for asylum. To apply, people must be physically in the U.S. whether they entered legally or not. Receiving asylum takes years.
What is the CBP One app?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the CBP One app in October 2020 so that travelers could use mobile phones to access the agency’s functions. For example, tourists could view entry and departure forms and cargo carriers could schedule appointments for inspecting perishable items, the Congressional Research Service reported.
The Biden administration expanded the app’s use in 2023 so people in Mexico who lacked a visa to enter the U.S., could use the app to make appointments with immigration officials for processing at official ports of entry. As of August 2024, 813,000 people had scheduled appointments using the app.
The app is used only for scheduling and prescreening; it’s not an asylum or parole application and doesn’t grant migrants U.S. entry. There are 1,450 appointments available daily. The person in the TikTok video appears to have created a profile on the app but not secured an appointment. Appointments are scheduled 21 days in advance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
At the appointments, migrants go through processing, including background checks and fingerprint analysis, Customs and Border Protection told PolitiFact. After that, immigration officials have the option to grant humanitarian parole — an official permission to temporarily live and work in the U.S. legally.
Just as the CBP app itself is not an asylum application, the appointments also are not an asylum application, and border officials don’t decide which people are granted asylum. That decision is left to immigration judges or asylum officers, and often takes years.
The app requires that users submit a "selfie" photo that is used to verify their identities. If a person submits a photo of someone else — as the man in the TikTok video did — that would be considered fraud, Customs and Border Protection said.
The app’s terms and conditions page warns users that providing intentional false information through the app could result in a fine or imprisonment, citing 18 U.S.C. Section 1001 in the U.S. Code.
Using the app is the only way most people can access asylum protections. In June 2024, the Biden administration created a policy making most people ineligible for asylum if they illegally crossed the U.S. border between official ports of entry.
CBP app doesn’t provide free flights
Musk’s post said people using the CBP One app will "be flown to the United States with air tickets paid for by the American taxpayer." We have previously checked a claim that immigrants were able to use the app to get free flights to the US and rated it False.
Besides asylum seekers, the CBP One app is also used by people who have applied through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for a humanitarian parole program for people from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua to complete a prescreening process before arriving at a U.S. airport.
That program gives 30,000 people a month humanitarian parole, allowing them to legally enter the U.S. and live and work here for up to two years. To qualify, people must apply from outside the U.S. and have a U.S. sponsor, such as a family member.
Neither the parole application nor screening happens on the CBP One app. Program participants use the app to access information about their cases, get travel authorization and complete a travel prescreening to verify their identities.
People entering the U.S. as part of the parole program must buy their own plane tickets; the government does not cover the cost.
Musk said the CBP One app lets someone with "zero documentation get approved as an illegal immigrant and be flown to the United States with air tickets paid for by the American taxpayer."
The CBP One app is used only for scheduling appointments and prescreening. It’s not an asylum or parole application and doesn’t grant entry to migrants. It also does not provide them with free flights.
It is incomprehensible why people believe the constant lies from the Biden-Harris administration, which are completely contradicted to the truth. Today, October 3, the government website from the White House, Washington DC shamelessly published that the economy is growing the most compared to previous Presidents. This is a hoax.
The truth is, the American people are struggling with an inflationary economy, rising prices, double tax increases, difficult jobs, many businesses going bankrupt, some banks and commercial premises closing in many cities. Millions of people have to work overtime, have more jobs but still cannot overcome the crisis because the family budget has to spend before the cost increases unprecedentedly 4 years ago With an incompetent and dishonest leadership, can the people believe that in the future they will be ability to manage better? If another term is given, where will this country go when the continuous, continuous madness and lies are like the biggest jokes, unprecedented in the history of the United States.
Almighty God, please bless the leaders of nearly 346 million people who do not know how to lie
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Link from the US Government Page https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ 7xSLRcgMzpr9oVe2/?mibextid=UC7FNe
Donald Trump falsely accuses President Biden of redirecting disaster funds, a budget maneuver Trump himself approved in 2019.
Analysis by Glenn Kessler
“The Harris-Biden administration says they don’t have any money [for hurricane relief]. … They spent it all on illegal migrants. … They stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them.”
— Former president Donald Trump, remarks at a campaign rally in Saginaw, Mich., Oct. 3
Trump has been trying to weaponize the Hurricane Helene relief efforts, accusing the Biden administration of failing to provide adequate assistance. As part of his critique, he claims there is no money available for hurricane relief because it was spent already to handle the surge of migrants at the southern border.
“They stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank,” Trump charged, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, adding in the additional falsehood that Vice President Kamala Harris wants illegal immigrants to vote for her. As we have explained many times before, this would be against the law and there is no evidence to support this claim.
Trump’s claims have been echoed by his supporters, such as billionaire Elon Musk. But Trump is completely wrong.
Even though Trump was once president, he still appears to have little clue about the appropriations process. What’s even richer is that when he was president, he did exactly what he claims Biden did — take money from FEMA’s disaster fund to fund migrant programs at the southern border.
The Facts
FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security. On Wednesday, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters: “We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season.”
He emphasized there was plenty of money to deal with the current disaster. “We are meeting the moment,” he said, adding: “We have the immediate needs right now. On a continuing resolution, we have funds, but that is not a stable source of supply, if you will.”
Congress, as part of a short-term spending bill, recently provided $20 billion to the FEMA disaster relief fund. But Mayorkas noted: “That doesn’t speak about the future and the fact, as I mentioned earlier, that these extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, and we have to be funded for the sake of the American people. This is not a political issue.”
In other words, Trump falsely claimed that there is no money left for Hurricane Helene survivors. That’s the opposite of what Mayorkas said.
“FEMA has what it needs for immediate response and recovery efforts,” FEMA spokeswoman Jaclyn Rothenberg said on X. “As [FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell] said, she has the full authority to spend against the President’s budget, but we’re not out of hurricane season yet so we need to keep a close eye on it. We may need to go back into immediate needs funding and we will be watching it closely.”
So how does Trump link this to migrants? A Trump campaign spokesman pointed to FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, which gives grants to local governments and nonprofits to take care of undocumented immigrants. Congress boosted the budget from $360 million in fiscal year 2023 to $650 million in fiscal year 2024. The program’s 2023 annual report says it provides shelter, such as hotel/motel services, food and transportation, including plane tickets up to $700 a person.
As we said, Congress appropriated this money, just as it did the disaster fund. There’s no evidence that any money from the disaster fund was used to help migrants.
“These claims are completely false,” DHS said in a statement Thursday night. “As Secretary Mayorkas said, FEMA has the necessary resources to meet the immediate needs associated with Hurricane Helene and other disasters. The Shelter and Services Program (SSP) is a completely separate, appropriated grant program that was authorized and funded by Congress and is not associated in any way with FEMA’s disaster-related authorities or funding streams.”
Trump has a habit of assuming other politicians act in the same way as he would. So we wondered why he would accuse Biden of raiding the FEMA disaster fund to handle undocumented migrants.
It turns out that’s because he did this. In 2019, the Trump administration, in the middle of hurricane season, told Congress that it was taking $271 million from DHS programs, including $155 million from the disaster fund, to pay for immigration detention space and temporary hearing locations for asylum seekers who had been forced to wait in Mexico. “The U.S. is facing a security and humanitarian crisis on the Southern border,” the administration said in its notice that it was redirecting the funds.
The monthly reports issued by the FEMA disaster fund show $38 million was plucked and given to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in August that year — just before the prime storm period of September and October.
The Trump campaign did not respond to questions about Trump’s actions in 2019.
The Pinocchio Test
Trump falsely claims FEMA has run out of disaster money — and then falsely says that’s because money instead was spent on migrants. There is no evidence the Biden administration spent FEMA disaster money on migrants. Rather, that’s what Trump did.
The storm left widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast after making landfall in late September 2024.
By Nur Ibrahim
Claim:
A photograph authentically shows a crying girl holding a puppy on a boat in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Rating: FAKE
In early October 2024, as the U.S. Southeast worked to recover from Hurricane Helene, a viral photograph claimed to show a crying girl and her puppy on a boat being rescued from the storm's devastation. Many posts on X used it to criticize U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' handling of aid to affected regions.
Numerous posts with the image claimed more money was going to help Ukraine or toward "illegal aliens" than to the hurricane victims.
However, the above photograph is not real. Based on numerous suspicious details in the photograph, the fact that there is no authentic media source for it and that it has been described as AI-generated by a verification tool, we rate this image as a fake.
Using Google's reverse-image search tool, we found no real source for the picture. The image started to gain popularity on Oct. 3, 2024, and it spread on X and a number of blogs. One of the earliest posts with it appeared on a pro-Donald Trump site called Patriots Win.
The image itself is also highly suspicious. The skin on the girl's face and arms is extremely smooth with exaggerated lines above her eyebrows, and in some versions of the post, a section of the boat appears to be missing on the right. Additionally, the man in the orange life jacket in the background appears to have a missing limb.
A similar image of the same girl on X, taken from a different angle, shows her with a different dog in her arms and a different life jacket.
None of the posts featuring the image appeared to have any links to other sources or evidence of where they obtained such an image.
True Media's AI detector tool found "substantial evidence" of digital manipulation on the image and determined it was created by generative AI. According to the tool: "The image shows signs typical of AI-generated visuals, like unusual facial expressions and proportions, as well as smooth and perfect textures that might not occur naturally. The overall appearance and style suggest it could be generated or manipulated."
As of Oct. 3, 2024, the hurricane's death toll had surpassed 200, making it one of the deadliest storms to hit the U.S. in the 21st century. The storm devastated numerous regions and cut off towns from the surrounding areas. As we previously reported, U.S. President Joe Biden said he plans to ask Congress to pass legislation that would set aside more funds for Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
Fox News senior strategic analyst Jack Keane joined 'Fox & Friends' to discuss Israel's latest effort to dismantle Hezbollah in Lebanon and Biden's 'outrageous' response to reporters pressing him on Israel's handling of the Iranian attack
Israel's ground troops and Air Force continue decimating Hezbollah's terrorists and resources. Meanwhile, Israel's reportedly been talking about hits on Iran's oil facilities, which sent oil prices surging. Bethlehem - the birthplace of the biblical King David and Jesus. Now, a new film indicates the next Hamas war against Israel may come from that once holy town. A temporary deal has been reached that stops the 3-day strike for U.S. dockworkers from the East and Gulf coast ports. Analysts had been concerned that a prolonged strike could lead to shortages - and hurt the overall economy. The Hurricane Helene death toll continues to rise, now with more than 200 people reportedly killed by the storm.
Israel unleashed a new wave of airstrikes across Lebanon on an underground bunker in Beirut, targeting senior leaders of Hezbollah. Israeli officials say they aim to "destroy Hezbollah’s capabilities", NBC’s chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel reports for TODAY.
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