Iranian-American doctor sends fiery message to Hollywood actress as Iran prepares to execute female protester

Dr. Sheila Nazarian said Wednesday on "America's Newsroom" that actress Elizabeth Banks and other public figures are ignoring what she described as ongoing human rights abuses against women in Iran, including executions tied to recent protests.

"This Elizabeth Banks sitting comfy in a little cushy couch on a podcast with her hair slicked back talking about how could anyone vote for Donald Trump," Nazarian said. "You claim to be a feminist. You claim to be a humanitarian. Where are you when the women need you? You’re a fake. You’re a hypocrite."

Nazarian’s remarks came after Banks said she does not "understand" the 53% of White women who voted for President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris.

"I don’t understand the 53% of White ladies that didn’t vote for Kamala. What were you thinking?" Banks said in a "Bustle" podcast episode.

EXILED IRANIAN WARNS REGIME WAS 'AGGRESSIVELY PATIENT THREAT WAITING TO POUNCE' ON AMERICA

Nazarian, a California-based plastic surgeon who fled Iran as a child, made the remarks during an interview with host Bill Hemmer, who cited reports from human rights groups that Iranian courts had sentenced four more people to death following January protests, including a woman.

The segment focused on both the treatment of women under Iran’s regime and broader reactions in the West. Nazarian framed the issue as a humanitarian crisis, criticizing what she characterized as selective outrage from prominent voices.

"This woman, Beta, is about to be gang-raped and publicly executed, and so are three more women," Nazarian said. "They have been doing this to many young people every single day, one or two public executions."

Nazarian described practices she attributed to the Iranian regime regarding female prisoners facing execution.

"In Iran, this regime, these Islamists, they believe that if a woman is killed and she’s a virgin, she goes to heaven," she said. "So what they do is they will gang-rape her before they execute her."

IRANIAN JOURNALIST URGES TRUMP TO 'FINISH THE JOB,' SAYS IRANIANS FEAR 'WOUNDED REGIME'

"They are killing young people every single day," Nazarian said.

Nazarian also pointed to her family’s experience fleeing Iran, describing the risks they faced under the regime.

"My family escaped Iran on the back of a pickup truck while the Iranian border police was shooting at us," she said. "They had two daughters. They could see this is no future for a girl in Iran."

"Imagine there are millions of people in Iran who knew freedom 47 years ago, and they lost it," Nazarian said.

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Hemmer asked about reports that much of Iran had been offline, while some elites retained internet access. Nazarian said her information from inside the country reflects fear of the regime.

"The only things that I’m hearing from Iran is that they don’t want the bombs to stop," she said. "They are more afraid of this regime than they are of the targeted attacks."

Nazarian reiterated that the situation extends beyond geopolitics and should be viewed through the lens of human rights.

"Iran isn't just a military war or peace in the Middle East or oil stabilization," she said. "This is a humanitarian issue."

source https://www.foxnews.com/media/iranian-american-doctor-sends-fiery-message-hollywood-actress-iran-prepares-execute-female-protester

Two icebreakers headed to Alaska as US combats Russian, Chinese influence in Arctic

FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced two Arctic Security Cutters will be homeported in Alaska by the end of 2028 and will serve to strengthen American maritime in the Arctic region.

The USCG, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, could potentially award up to 11 Arctic Security Cutter contracts in 2026 using roughly $3.5 billion in funding provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

"Homeporting these two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska is a decisive step forward in securing America’s Arctic frontier," Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News Digital in a statement.

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"I want to thank President Trump for his bold leadership and vision in directing this critical investment, as well as Senator Sullivan and the entire Alaskan Congressional delegation for championing the funding that made these icebreakers possible," he said.

"These vessels will deliver the enduring operational presence our nation needs to protect sovereignty, deter foreign adversaries, and safeguard vital resources for the American people," Mullin added. 

Arctic Security Cutters create opportunities for operations in frozen regions where ship transport is normally challenging or impossible to navigate. The vessel is structured with a rounded and sloped bow, allowing the ship to ride up on top of the surface of the ice and smash through using the weight of the ship. 

Where most ships would get stuck, icebreakers use reinforced hulls, high-powered engines and special propellers to plow through dense ice fields, creating a passageway after the ice separates. 

CHAD WOLF: TRUMP IS SERIOUS ABOUT THE CHINA THREAT AND IS REBUILDING OUR ARSENAL

Coast Guard Arctic District has a total of 16 cutters homeported in Alaska, according to the USCG

The move also comes as Russia and China have both increased interest in the Arctic and icebreaker production.

Russia has roughly 40 icebreakers in the polar region, according to multiple reports, and has been developing the Northern Sea Route (NSR) using the vessels in an effort to establish a potentially dominant trade route as ice melts and paths are cleared. 

The China Research Center reported that the NSR would be a 40% faster trading route than the Suez Canal traditionally used for trade between China and Europe. 

The Arctic is known to have high levels of oil, gas, minerals, hydrocarbons and rare elements, sparking moves from prominent countries to have more presence in the region.

WHY TRUMP ZEROED IN ON GREENLAND AND WHY IT MATTERS IN 3 MAPS

Reports indicate that China and Russia are collaborating on patrols, research and shipping in the Arctic, as China is reliant on the Russians for access to Arctic routes.

Last October, President Donald Trump signed a $6.1 billion agreement with President Alexander Stubb of Finland to acquire four icebreakers for the U.S. 

"We need these ships very badly because we have a lot of territory, more than anybody. And so, I’m very honored to have this deal. And thank you very much. It’s going to be great," Trump said.

TRUMP’S $12B RARE EARTH PLAN TARGETS CHINA AS EXPERTS WARN US IS ‘ONE CRISIS AWAY’

U.S. defense officials have identified the Arctic as a top national security priority, noting the importance of early-warning systems and missile detection networks.

"Homeporting Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska underscores the United States’ leadership as a maritime power in the Arctic," USCG Commandant Adm. Kevin E. Lunday told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

"By strategically positioning these state-of-the-art icebreakers in Alaska, the Coast Guard will maximize our ability to defend our northern border and approaches, while reinforcing America’s maritime dominance in a crucial region of strategic importance," Lunday explained.

The USCG said that a revitalized icebreaker fleet will also counter malign influence in the Arctic as well as allow for faster response to crises and contingencies in the region.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/two-icebreakers-headed-alaska-us-combats-russian-chinese-influence-arctic

PGA tour winner says golfers who beat up course look 'very spoiled' after Sergio Garcia's Masters meltdown

Six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa said he doesn’t like golfers beating up the course in frustration, saying it makes those who play the sport look "very spoiled."

Homa, 35, was asked about the code of conduct at the Masters and what he thinks dictates a violation following Sergio Garcia's receipt of a code of conduct warning at the Masters for beating up a tee box. Homa did not directly mentioning Garcia’s name but took issue with Garcia’s meltdown.

"I don't like when people break clubs. I don't like when people beat up the golf course because we deal with it, and I think the breaking clubs makes us look very, very spoiled," Homa said during a press conference Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I try my absolute best not to do it. And when it does happen, as far as slamming a tee box, I’m very upset with myself because we’re very lucky to play this game where we do, and I think it is a bad look."

Garcia apologized for his outburst in a post to social media on Tuesday.

For Homa, in addition to controlling his physical outbursts, he tries to watch his language when on the golf course as well.

SERGIO GARCIA APOLOGIZES FOR HIS MASTERS MELTDOWN, SAYS HE REGRETS HIS ACTIONS

"I say a lot of bad words. I very much try to do it not when a kid can hear," Homa said. "So I do think there's some, hey, don't say it in front of the wrong person, like be a bit aware of your surroundings. Not saying I've never done it."

The PGA Tour and major championships have adopted a new code of conduct policy that penalizes players for actions considered detrimental to the game’s image. Actions like club throwing, profanity or mistreating equipment or officials will result in penalties.

Homa said he likes the conversation being had around a code of conduct policy.

"It's never a bad thing to have that conversation being had. That's good," Homa said. "Between that and pace-of-play stuff, there's things we can address, and we can wait until we kind of figure it out until we implement it, but at least the conversation is going that way."

"We want to inspire the next generation to be better than us, so we need to be held to a higher standard."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

source https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pga-tour-winner-says-golfers-beat-course-look-spoiled-sergio-garcias-masters-meltdown

Progressive frontrunner in crucial Senate race faces backlash over comments praising Hamas raid

Graham Platner's past controversial comments are once again garnering negative attention for the surging progressive candidate in a crucial Senate race in Maine that could determine the chamber's majority.

Platner, a U.S. Marine and Army veteran who served four combat tours of duty in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, praised the military tactics used by Hamas in comments he made on Reddit about a graphic video posted online of a 2014 Hamas raid in which terrorists killed at least five Israeli soldiers.

The archived posts from Platner's now-deleted Reddit profile under the username "P-Hustle" were reported this week by the Jewish Insider.

Commenting on the deadly raid by Hamas, Platner wrote, "Looks like an all around well executed and successful small unit raid to me." His comments appeared on the Reddit forum r/CombatFootage, a discussion board for video and photographs of past and current military actions.

WHAT SUSAN COLLINS TOLD FOX NEWS AS SHE LAUNCHED HER RE-ELECTION BID

The Jewish Insider highlighted in their report that Platner, responding to another Reddit user who criticized the Hamas "execution" of the Israeli soldiers, said "Pragmatically I have little problem with killing an enemy combatant who you attempt to capture but for whatever reason cannot. From a strictly professional standpoint, this was a damn fine looking and successful raid against a superior opponent, I dig it."

Fox News reached out to Platner's campaign for comment, but didn't receive a response at the time this story published.

Platner, an oyster farmer who is backed by progressive champions Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, is the clear polling and fundraising frontrunner as he faces off in a June primary against two-term Gov. Janet Mills, who enjoys the support of Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

The winner of the Democratic primary will take on moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November's midterm elections. Democrats view Collins as vulnerable as she seeks a sixth six-year term in the Senate in the left-leaning Northern New England state, and the race is considered a must win for Democrats as they try to claw back the chamber's majority from the GOP.

Platner, 41, has campaigned in front of large and energetic crowds across Maine since launching his outsider campaign, thanks to support from a Democratic base angry with President Donald Trump's second-term agenda and mad at their party's leaders in the nation's capital. Platner is being advised by Morris Katz, who was a top consultant last year on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's historic campaign.

CRUCIAL SENATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TURNS UGLY

The conflict between Israel and Hamas dates back four decades, with the fighting persisting to the present day.

Hamas killed roughly 1,200 people in a sneak attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023. Israel's ensuing military campaign in Gaza over the past two and a half years has resulted in more than 72,000 people being killed, according to health officials in the Palestinian territory.

Platner has joined other progressive Democrats in labeling the Israeli attacks on Palestinians living in Gaza a genocide, and in criticizing ongoing U.S. military support for Israel.

"History is going to remember what our leaders did not do, the power they did not use to save the lives of innocent people. They’re going to be remembered for it, and as we move forward, we’re going to have to get people in positions of power who do not believe that the mass slaughter of children is an acceptable behavior of an ally," he said at a recent candidate forum.

Past Platner comments on Reddit regarding rape have also stirred controversy. Among them is one from 2013, which Platner later deleted, that people concerned about rape should not "get so f---ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to."

Platner apologized for his controversial Reddit posts after they made headlines last fall soon after he launched his Senate campaign.

"For those of you who have read these things and been offended, have read these things and seen someone that you don’t recognize, I am deeply sorry," he said in a video that went viral.

Platner also grabbed plenty of negative attention for a tattoo on his chest that resembled a Nazi symbol. The candidate said last fall that he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007 while drinking with fellow Marines stationed in Croatia. He said that he covered up the tattoo with a new design after learning it resembled a Nazi symbol.

PLATNER CONFRONTED ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL TATTOO 

Pointing to the multiple controversies, Platner campaign manager Ben Chin said that month that "Mainers know that Graham should not be defined by the worst thing he said on the internet over a decade ago."

But National Republican Senatorial Committee Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell on Thursday told Fox News Digital in a statement, "When someone shows you who they are believe them: Graham Platner has a Nazi tattoo and cheers on Hamas as they murder Israeli soldiers."

Platner, in an interview last week, attributed some of his prior views to the "culture" he experienced during his military service.

"I came out of a hyper-masculine, hyper-violent place," Platner told host Major Garrett on CBS News' "The Takeout" podcast. "We have a crude sense of humor in the infantry… we certainly have a, I would say, narrow view of a lot of topics. And that colored my opinions and my beliefs."

"Once I left and came out and interacted in the civilian world with lots of different people with very different experiences than my own," Platner explained. "Many of those beliefs and thoughts and even just language changed significantly over time."

IS THE REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY AT RISK IN MIDTERM ELECTIONS?

The remarks drew criticism from Republican officials with military backgrounds, who pushed back on the suggestion that such views are reflective of American military culture.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska a retired Air Force general, responded to the comments on social media by rejecting the characterization outright.

"I served nearly 30 years and never saw a Nazi tattoo on one of our servicemen or women," Bacon said.

 Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana, a former Navy SEAL, also criticized Platner’s explanation in a post on X.

"I must have missed the day in basic training where they taught us to get Nazi tattoos and say women deserve to be raped," Sheehy said.

Fox News' CJ Womack contributed to this report.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/progressive-frontrunner-crucial-senate-race-faces-backlash-comments-praising-hamas-raid

WATCH: Ex-NATO chief draws red line as Trump fumes alliance abandoned US during Iran war

Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg signaled clear limits on the alliance’s role in the Iran conflict, saying it should not be pulled into supporting U.S. military operations even as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on European allies — exposing a growing divide over what NATO is meant to do.

"NATO is a defensive alliance," Stoltenberg, now Norway’s finance minister, told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday. "The strikes or the war against Iran were never an attempt to make that into a NATO operation."

Stoltenberg framed the disagreement not over whether Iran poses a threat, but over how to confront it, with European governments favoring sanctions and diplomatic pressure over direct military involvement.

"We all agree the Iranian nuclear program is dangerous," he said. "The question is how we achieve that goal."

NO RETREAT AT HORMUZ — IRAN MUST NOT CONTROL THE WORLD’S ENERGY LIFELINE

The divide reflects a deeper mismatch between Washington and its allies: Trump has treated the conflict as a test of NATO support — urging countries that benefit from the Strait of Hormuz to help secure it militarily — while European governments have largely rejected that approach, arguing the war falls outside the alliance’s mandate.

Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies for refusing to back U.S. operations tied to the conflict, at times questioning the alliance’s value and warning it had failed a key test as tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz.

"NATO wasn’t there for us, and they won’t be there for us in the future," Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social. 

The president has alternated between pressuring allies to step up and downplaying their importance, at one point calling NATO’s response a "very foolish mistake" while also insisting the United States "doesn’t need any help."

Major European powers have resisted Trump’s push to provide military support. 

"The feeling is, this is not Europe’s war," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Reuters in an interview published March 17. 

NATO CHIEF SIGNALS ALLIES MAY ACT ON HORMUZ, WARNS OF ‘UNHEALTHY CODEPENDENCE’ ON US

Spain blocked U.S. aircraft involved in the Iran conflict from using its airspace and denied access to key bases at Rota and Morón, forcing American forces to reroute missions. France has provided limited logistical support but restricted certain overflight requests tied to military operations, reviewing them on a case-by-case basis.

Stoltenberg pushed back on the idea that Europe has broadly abandoned the United States, arguing most allies have still provided logistical support behind the scenes.

"The majority of European allies have made sure that their bases and infrastructure were available for the United States," he said. "There are some exceptions, but most have contributed."

Countries like the United Kingdom and Romania have allowed U.S. forces to use bases for refueling, surveillance and defensive operations even as they declined direct combat roles.

The tension underscores a broader split inside the alliance: Trump has framed the Iran conflict as a test of NATO support, while NATO leadership has drawn a clear distinction between formal obligations and political expectations, maintaining the war falls outside the alliance’s core mission.

Asked whether he would pull the U.S. out of NATO, Trump said the move was "beyond reconsideration" in an interview with The Telegraph on April 1. 

The Iran conflict began in late February after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets triggered retaliation from Tehran, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s energy supply. The U.S. has since launched airstrikes and imposed a naval blockade aimed at increasing pressure to reopen the strait.

The economic fallout from the conflict is also shaping how European countries view the war and their role in it.

European natural gas prices surged — jumping around 50% early in the conflict and, at times, nearly doubling as LNG supply disruptions intensified.

For Norway, however, the impact is more mixed. As one of Europe’s largest oil and gas exporters, the country stands to benefit from higher prices even as broader economic instability creates risks at home.

"There are two effects," Stoltenberg said. "When prices are going up, our oil and gas revenues will increase. But at the same time … when inflation increases and economic growth slows, it will affect our economy."

The White House could not immediately be reached for comment.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/watch-ex-nato-chief-draws-red-line-trump-fumes-alliance-abandoned-us-during-iran-war

House Dems launch impeachment push against Hegseth

House Democrats filed formal articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing the Trump Cabinet member of abusing his office and committing war crimes.

Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., introduced six articles of impeachment against Hegseth along with 12 other House Democrats.

"Pete Hegseth broke his oath to the Constitution, put U.S. troops at grave risk through the unauthorized disclosure of classified information, engaged in abuse of office and conduct beneath the dignity of his office, and carried out unlawful military actions despite his obligation to refuse — including strikes on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran," Ansari said in a statement announcing formal filing of the resolution.

She further claimed Hegseth’s "conduct meets the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors and warrants immediate removal by Congress."

HEGSETH REVEALS COVERT VISIT TO TROOPS FIGHTING IN OPERATION EPIC FURY

Axios first reported the impeachment push after obtaining a copy of the resolution.

The first article of impeachment accuses Hegseth of an "unauthorized war against Iran and reckless endangerment of United States service members." It focuses on strikes the U.S. launched without seeking a formal mandate from Congress and accuses Hegseth of recklessly endangering U.S. service members by signing off on ground operations that involved extreme and unnecessary risks.

The second article accuses Hegseth of "Violations of the Law of Armed Conflict and targeting of civilians," alleging the secretary of authorizing or failing to prevent operations that resulted in significant civilian casualties. It cited the bombing of a girls' school in Minab, Iran, and reports of "double tap" strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean.

LONGTIME TRUMP CRITIC REVEALS WHY SHE THINKS HIS IRAN ACTIONS ARE WRONG, WARNS IT'S A 'MUCH BIGGER WAR'

The third article accuses Hegseth of "Negligence and Reckless handling of sensitive military information," focusing on an incident in which Hegseth and other top officials used a Signal chat to discuss active strikes in Yemen — and inadvertently included a prominent magazine editor in the chat.

The remaining three articles accuse Hegseth of obstructing congressional oversight, abuse of power and the politicization of the armed forces, and a broader charge of bringing "disrepute" upon the U.S. and its armed forces.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement that the impeachment push "is just another charade" by Democrats.

"This is just another Democrat trying to make headlines as the Department of War decisively and overwhelmingly achieved the Presidents’ objectives in Iran," Wilson said. "Secretary Hegseth will continue to protect the homeland and project peace through strength. This is just another charade in an attempt to distract the American people from the major successes we have had here at the Department of War." 

The other Democrats who signed onto the resolution include Reps. Sarah McBride, D-Del., Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., Al Green, D-Texas, Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, Nikema Williams, D-Ga., Dina Titus, D-Nev., Dave Min, D-Calif., Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., Mike Quigley, D-Ill., and Brittany Pettersen, D-Col.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-dems-launch-impeachment-push-hegseth

David Axelrod trying to tamp down speculation after meeting the pope

David Axelrod, a senior advisor to former president Barack Obama, put out a statement on X quelling rumors that a Thursday meeting between himself and Pope Leo XIV was a precursor to a potential Leo-Obama summit.

"To be clear, I was gratified and honored that Pope Leo XIV granted my request for an audience and thrilled to spend a some time with him last week," Axelrod wrote.

"It was scheduled months ago and unrelated to any prospective meeting with President Obama," his Tuesday post concluded.

Despite the statement, Obama has been open about his desire to meet with Pope Leo. Obama-Biden White House alum Christopher Hale posted on X that there are "early talks" about a potential one-on-one.

POPE WARNS ESCALATING IRAN CONFLICT COULD TIP MIDDLE EAST INTO ‘IRREPARABLE ABYSS’

Axelrod, now a CNN analyst, was responding to a video from his own network in which conservative commentator Hal Lambert accused Pope Leo's recent criticisms of President Donald Trump and the war in Iran of being politically motivated.

"David Axelrod goes and visits Pope Leo last week. They're talking about Obama going to visit. Pope Leo is from Chicago. All of a sudden, now Pope Leo is out attacking Trump and the policies of the United States and Israel," Lambert said during a CNN panel show.

"Axelrod is the chief strategist for Obama. The pope was saying he's not political. Why is he meeting with the chief strategist for both Obama's campaign and in the White House?" Lambert asked.

POPE LEO PICKS NEW VATICAN AMBASSADOR TO US AS TRUMP TENSIONS MOUNT OVER POLICIES

In addition to being a senior advisor to Obama in the White House, Axelrod was also the chief strategist for both Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns and was widely seen as the brains behind his successful runs.

The veteran politico met with Pope Leo on April 9. The pope's criticism's of Trump's military actions predate the meeting. He's been critical of both military actions in Venezuela and in Iran, telling a Palm Sunday Mass in March that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war."

But one day after his meeting with Axelrod, Pope Leo wrote what appeared to be a direct rebuke to the administration.

POPE LEO CALLS OUT 'DELUSION OF OMNIPOTENCE' FUELING IRAN WAR IN VIGIL FOR PEACE AT ST. PETER'S BASILICA

"God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs," Pope Leo wrote in an April 10 post on X.

"Military action will not create space for freedom or times of Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples," he concluded.

The post, which has been followed with at least 10 direct or indirect references to war and peace in the five days since, came days after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke of the rescue mission to save a downed airman in Iran.

POPE LEO XIV INVOKES POPE FRANCIS' FINAL WORDS IN EASTER PLEA AGAINST GROWING 'INDIFFERENCE' TO WAR

"Shot down on a Friday — Good Friday — hidden in a cave — a crevice — all of Saturday and rescued on Sunday," Hegseth said. "Flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday, a pilot reborn. All home and accounted for. A nation rejoicing. God is good," Hegseth said in an April 6 press conference.

Trump responded to comments from Pope Leo, calling him "weak on crime and "terrible for foreign policy," in a post on Truth Social.

"Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church," Trump also wrote.

FROM IRAN TO THE FAKE JESUS IMAGE, TRUMP IS FACING A GROWING BACKLASH FOR HIS INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC

The heightened rhetoric has contributed to an atmosphere that many are increasingly viewing as political.

"It’s not about when it was scheduled. It’s about why? David Axelrod is a powerful Democrat political strategist. That’s his job for the past 30 years. Millions of people would like a private audience with the pope, but he is meeting with a powerful strategist for the opposition party to President Trump," Lambert told Fox News Digital.

"This is all about the midterms and trying to turn Catholics against President Trump and Republicans," Lambert concluded.

BISHOP BARRON SAYS TRUMP ‘OWES THE POPE AN APOLOGY’

Besides incurring the pope's ire, Trump has also irked Christians across the board after posting an AI-generated image of himself on Truth Social that many viewed as depicting himself as Jesus Christ.

Trump deleted the photo and denied the charge, claiming he thought the photo was depicting him as a doctor.

"I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with Red Cross… which we support, and only the fake news could come up with that one," Trump told reporters.

"As a Chicagoan, I've been eager to meet Pope Leo from the moment he stepped out on the balcony," Axelrod told Fox News Digital.

"My admiration for him as a great moral leader has only grown since. The audience, which I requested, was scheduled months ago. No one sent me and the only mission I was on was to visit with him and pay my respects," he concluded.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Vatican and an Obama representative for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/david-axelrod-obama-speculation-meeting-pope