Category: Blaze Media
‘We are not doing this any more’: Rubio to strip billions in foreign aid from ‘NGO industrial complex’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. is moving away from funneling foreign aid funds through non-governmental organizations after criticism of fraud and incompetence.
Rubio explained that the U.S. government has used NGOs to try to accomplish foreign policy goals but that many have become far too costly and inefficient. The first benefactor of the new policy is the government of Kenya, which will receive foreign aid funds directly instead.
‘That is the model that we are breaking. We are not doing this any more. We are not going to spend billions of dollars funding the NGO industrial complex while close and important partners like Kenya either have no role to play …’
“The United States has spent billions of dollars over the years in helping with health strategies all across the world,” explained Rubio in a speech last month.
“What we learned over time, especially after coming here, is that oftentimes — and I am oversimplifying it, but this is an accurate description — what would happen is we would go to a country and say, ‘We’re going to help you with your health care needs.’ Then we would drive over to Northern Virginia somewhere, find an NGO, one of these organizations, give them all the money, tell them: ‘Go to this country and do their health care program for them,'” he added.
“That NGO would then take some percentage of that money for their overhead and administrative costs, and by the time it got down to it … only a percentage of the overall money ever actually reached the patients and the people on the ground that we were trying to help because of these costs,” Rubio said.
“This makes no sense,” he said.
The compact reached with Kenya includes the Kenyan government’s agreement to increase spending on health care by $850 million over the next five years.
“So why are we hiring American and international NGOs to go into other countries and run health care systems that are parallel and sometimes in conflict with the health care systems of the host country?” Rubio continued.
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“If we’re trying to help countries, help the country. Don’t help the NGO to go in and find a new line of business,” he added. “So that is the model that we are breaking. We are not doing this any more. We are not going to spend billions of dollars funding the NGO industrial complex while close and important partners like Kenya either have no role to play or have very little influence over how health care money is being spent.”
He concluded, “Bottom line is if you want to help a country, work with that country.”
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Elon Musk’s xAI inks new deal with War Department
Hot on the heels of a highly publicized dinner with Donald and Melania Trump, Elon Musk will continue his work with the federal government through a new agreement that will affect the daily workflows of Department of War employees.
Last July, Musk’s xAI entered a $200 million contract with the Pentagon to adopt advanced AI capabilities for sectors like national defense. Now, both the DOW and xAI are shedding light on some of the details surrounding their partnership in other areas.
‘xAI will make available a family of government-optimized foundation models.’
In late December, the DOW announced its internal AI platform would be expanded to include xAI for “frontier-grade” capabilities.
“This initiative will soon embed xAI’s frontier AI systems, based on the Grok family of models, directly into GenAI.mil. Targeted for initial deployment in early 2026,” a press release stated.
This will enable the “secure handling” of “Controlled Unclassified Information” in the daily workflows of government employees, who will also gain access to “global insights” on X, which will allegedly provide a “decisive information advantage.”
However, there is no indication what those insights include.
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Photo by Didem Mente/Anadolu via Getty Images
The xAI company announced in its own statement that it would be providing access to its AI models, “agentic tools, research platform, and API,” unlocking real-time insights.
The systems can be embedded into the daily work of the DOW’s some 3 million military and civilian employees, “from the Pentagon to the tactical edge.”
“xAI will make available a family of government-optimized foundation models to support classified operational workloads,” the press release added.
The DOW has also entered into contracts with other advanced technology companies like EdgeRunner AI and Palmer Luckey’s Anduril.
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Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The expanded partnership between the DOW and Musk came just days after xAI announced a new artificial voice generation application.
The Grok Voice Agent API operates essentially as a search engine optimizer that acts as a voice for a chatbot. The company released a series of sample voices, which “speak dozens of languages, call tools, and search realtime data.”
The product is currently being rolled out in Teslas to relay vehicle status, search directions, and control navigation.
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Florida man wearing bra, fake breasts, G-string gets busted — but what cops found moments later raised more alarms: Police
A Florida man wearing a lace bra, a G-string thong, and fake breasts was caught trespassing at a construction site, according to police. However, authorities said the bizarre situation escalated when a deputy discovered something alarming under his prosthetic silicone breasts.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd began his Monday morning briefing by stating: “Now occasionally I bring you stuff that you just can’t believe, that you’ll never get over, that may even scar you for life.”
‘Can you imagine? He’s mad at us for trying to find out why he’s wearing lace bras with guns and G-strings or G-somethings.’
According to the affidavit provided to Blaze News by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy encountered 39-year-old Matthew Zaccarino of Altamonte Springs at a construction zone around 1:19 a.m. Dec. 14.
The affidavit states Zaccarino’s vehicle was parked on private property with signs posted that read: “No Trespassing.”
A deputy made contact with Zaccarino, “who was standing next to the vehicle’s open passenger-side door and putting on female clothing (bra and panties),” the affidavit said.
Judd added, “We see this dude wearing a red lace bra, with prosthetic silicone breasts. Then we noticed he’s wearing a G-string — showing off the boys. You know what I mean?”
Judd said the deputy believed the situation was “highly unusual.”
Zaccarino told the deputy he was on his way to a “costume party,” according to Judd.
However, when the deputy pressed him about the costume party, Zaccarino couldn’t answer the question, Judd said.
The affidavit states that Zaccarino was “unable to provide a location, direction, or identify individuals who would be present” at the supposed party.
The affidavit also states the deputy issued several lawful commands for the suspect to stop moving, but he “refused to comply, removed his bra and silicone breast prosthesis, and began reaching inside the vehicle.”
At that time, the officer handcuffed the suspect.
Sheriff Judd stressed that these kinds of strange encounters can be extremely dangerous for officers.
According to the affidavit, the deputy was looking down at the bra and breast prosthesis and noticed a “loaded H&K 9mm firearm under the items” on the passenger-side floorboard near where Zaccarino was standing.
“Such loitering and prowling occurred under circumstances that warranted justifiable and reasonable alarm for the safety of people or property in the vicinity,” the deputy wrote in the affidavit.
Zaccarino then clammed up and refused to talk to law enforcement, according to Judd.
“Can you imagine? He’s mad at us for trying to find out why he’s wearing lace bras with guns and G-strings or G-somethings,” Judd stated.
“Oooh, it was ugly. It was so ugly,” Judd remarked.
Zaccarino was arrested and charged with armed trespass, resisting without violence, and loitering and prowling.
According to Polk County Sheriff’s Office jail records, Zaccarino was released on a $6,250 bond.
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Lindsey Graham dons ‘Make Iran Great Again’ hat amid raging protests against Khamenei regime
Protests have rocked Iran since late December, and some American leaders, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), have voiced support for the cause.
On an appearance on Fox News on Sunday night, Graham donned a black baseball cap that read: “Make Iran Great Again.”
‘I pray and hope that 2026 will be the year that we make Iran great again.’
As he put on the hat, Graham said, “I pray and hope that 2026 will be the year that we make Iran great again.”
Last Friday, President Trump warned Iranian leaders that there will be hell to pay if any protesters are killed: “If Iran [shoots] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
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Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Protests have reportedly broken out in more than 220 locations in 26 of the 31 provinces in Iran. According to the Associated Press, more than 20 people have been killed, and nearly 1,000 people have been arrested.
The protests began springing up in December 2025, supposedly in response to mounting economic pressures, including the collapse of the Iranian currency, a new policy that raised the price of gas, and inflation rates as high as 40%.
On Saturday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly warned that “rioters must be put in their place,” but the protests have shown little sign of slowing down in the first week of 2026.
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Judge Cuts Off Ousted Venezuelan Dictator Maduro As He Tries To Defend Himself In Court
‘I am the president of Venezuela’
Democrats Are Just As Godless As You’d Imagine, Study Shows
‘no more important voting bloc in the country’
‘Reckless and seditious’: Hegseth issues brutal demotion of Democrat senator over ‘illegal orders’ video
The Department of War is ramping up its efforts to punish Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over his involvement in what President Donald Trump and his administration have described as a “seditious” video.
At Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s direction, the department is set to cut Kelly’s military retirement pay for an alleged “pattern of reckless misconduct,” namely the video of Democrat lawmakers calling for servicemen to disobey “illegal orders” from the president. The DOW also issued a letter of censure to Kelly, which “outlines the totality of Captain (for now) Kelly’s reckless misconduct.”
‘Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability.’
“Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline,” Hegseth said in a post on X. “As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice.”
“And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.”
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Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Hegseth justified the response by arguing that Kelly’s prominence as a senator does not give him special privileges, citing specific articles Kelly may have violated.
“Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action,” Hegseth said. “These actions are based on Captain Kelly’s public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders.”
“This conduct was seditious in nature and violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which Captain Kelly remains subject as a retired officer receiving pay.”
Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Kelly fired back at Hegseth, calling him unqualified and accusing him of targeting lawmakers for simply opposing the administration.
“Over twenty-five years in the U.S. Navy, thirty-nine combat missions, and four missions to space, I risked my life for this country and to defend our Constitution – including the First Amendment rights of every American to speak out,” Kelly said in a post on X. “I never expected that the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense would attack me for doing exactly that.”
“Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way,” Kelly added. “It’s outrageous and it is wrong. There is nothing more un-American than that.”
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Knife-wielding person advances toward homeowner who complained about car vandalism, cops say. But homeowner is wielding gun.
Investigators in Arizona said a homeowner and his family member confronted an individual after 1 a.m. Friday after discovering knife damage on two of their vehicles, InMaricopa.com reported.
With that, the person reportedly advanced toward the homeowner while holding a knife, the outlet said.
‘I love it! That’s justice!!! He definitely found out!’
Unfortunately for the person reportedly holding the knife, the homeowner was holding a gun — and used it.
When Maricopa Police officers arrived at the scene on West Thornberry Lane in Homestead, they found an individual shot in the leg, the outlet said.
That person was taken to a hospital and was awaiting surgery as of Friday morning, police told InMaricopa.com.
Image source: Maricopa (Ariz.) Police
Turns out that officers later found other cars in the area with similar knife damage, police added to the outlet.
The homeowner who pulled trigger is not being charged with a crime, as it appears he was acting in self-defense, the outlet noted.
However, the wounded person is facing charges, InMaricopa.com said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
Commenters reacting to the outlet’s story on Facebook appeared solidly behind the homeowner’s actions.
- “F’d around and found out,” one commenter said.
- “Lucky it was only his leg shot. Just saying. Good for the homeowner!” another user noted.
- “I mean, torturing my horse would get death — so why wouldn’t touching my vastly improved horse replacement that, at one time, took years of my life to pay for and develop into a usable vehicle?” another commenter quipped.
- “I love it! That’s justice!!! He definitely found out!” another user declared.
- “Sounds like the criminal deserved it — but will probably still sue homeowner for his injuries,” another commenter predicted.
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Catholic priest accused of changing the outcome of the last NFL game of the season
With everything on the line, a Catholic priest’s blessing may have changed the outcome of the NFL playoffs on Sunday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium for “Sunday Night Football” with the season on the line. The game would decide who topped the AFC North and the final playoff spot.
‘The Catholic community in Pittsburgh is very strong.’
A perfect, dramatic ending was set up for the last game of the season, after the Steelers went ahead 26-24 with a late touchdown. After blocking their opponent’s extra point, the Ravens converted a pivotal fourth-down play to get into position for a 44-yard game-winning field goal.
However, kicker Tyler Loop pushed the ball right, and the Ravens lost in dramatic fashion.
Just after the game, NBC commentators Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth decided to sprinkle some Catholic lore on the ending and revealed that a priest may have been involved in the missed field goal.
At 6:15 p.m. local time, Tirico revealed, a priest was seen “spreading holy water” in the Steelers’ defending end zone, where the kick was missed.
“The Catholic community in Pittsburgh is very strong … and down at that end zone, Tyler Loop misses the … field goal … and allows the Steelers to win,” Tirico explained.
“So it’s not Tyler Loop’s fault,” Collinsworth laughed.
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The priest in question has since been named by local outlets as Father Maximilian Maxwell. Maxwell currently serves as the prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. According to WJCL, the Steelers have held their training camp at the college since 1966.
At the same time, Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia, was quick to claim Fr. Maxwell as one of its own and proudly boasted on the school’s Facebook page.
“Check out former Benedictine Military School theology teacher Fr. Maximilian Maxwell blessing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football field with holy water before the game Sunday night!” the school wrote.
Following the dramatic ending, Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was asked about the potential blessed outcome.
“I’m not gonna ask questions,” Heyward said, per WJCL. “The good Lord made a good decision tonight. I’m thankful, and we keep moving on.”
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Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On the other side of the ball, Ravens players still kept their faith, particularly Loop, who said he will be leaning on his religion to get him through the tough moment.
“I had written down a little prayer before the game. … Faith is a big part of my life and right now I’m reading the book of Romans, and in Romans 8 it says God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”
Loop continued, “Ultimately, I’m here to love on the guys around me. I’m here to try and have their back … reminding myself that ‘hey, God’s got my back even when stuff sucks.'”
Ravens running back Derrick Henry told reporters that he advised Loop to keep his faith and trust in God’s plan.
“I just told him the story after this is gonna be great for him because God put him in this position to use him as an example,” Henry revealed.
The Steelers will host the Houston Texans in Pittsburgh on January 12.
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Vandal in custody after brazen attack on JD Vance’s Ohio home
U.S. Secret Service personnel captured a 26-year-old man who allegedly attacked the Cincinnati home of Vice President JD Vance early Monday morning.
Hamilton County Justice Center records indicate that the suspect, William DeFoor, has been charged with criminal trespass, criminal damaging or endangering, obstructing official business, and felony vandalism.
Vance expressed gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and the Cincinnati police and noted, “As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows.”
‘We try to protect our kids as much as possible.’
The vice president indicated that he and his family were not home at the time of the “attack” as they had already returned to the national capital. While the Vance family was in Cincinnati last week, they reportedly left on Sunday afternoon.
Two law enforcement officials who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity indicated that the Secret Service heard a commotion at the house around midnight and found that an individual had not only vandalized a Secret Service vehicle parked in the driveway but had smashed a window and was attempting to steal into the house.
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Photo by Oliver Contreras-Pool/Getty Images
According to an arrest report obtained by WLWT-TV, the suspect — who has since been taken into custody by the Cincinnati Police Department — was spotted both by a USSS agent as well as on security footage damaging four windows along with the vehicle.
USSS spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that the suspect was detained shortly after midnight.
Court documents indicate that DeFoor pleaded guilty in April 2025 to two counts of vandalism after he inflicted over $2,000 worth of damage to a Ohio interior design company, reported WXIX-TV. DeFoor was sentenced to two years of treatment at a mental health facility and ordered to pay $5,550 in restitution.
There has been an outpouring of support for the vice president in the wake of the incident. While many have signaled relief the Vance family is OK, others have questioned how a miscreant could get so close to their home in the first place.
In the wake of the incident, Vance emphasized that “we try to protect our kids as much as possible from the realities of this life of public service,” and he intimated that the news media shouldn’t circulate images of his home with holes in the window.
This is hardly the first time that a maladjusted individual has descended on one of Vance’s residences.
In April, a mob of liberals rallied outside the vice president’s Washington, D.C., residence, vilifying him and calling him a “fascist” as well as “America’s Himmler,” referring to the architect of Nazi Germany’s so-called “final solution,” Heinrich Himmler.
One month earlier, another mob of liberals assembled outside Vance’s Cincinnati home to protest actions taken by the Trump administration.
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