Only four years younger than New York City's newly elected mayor, Fishback, 30, has just entered his fourth decade of life. Much like Mamdani, he has not been particularly successful in his career so far.

The investment firm Greenlight Capital, where he worked for three years, intended to fire him for "insufficient productivity." To get ahead of the move, he resigned and sued his employers in various legal claims. The company responded by accusing him of lying, and the countersuit it filed forced him to withdraw.

Earlier still, Fishback dropped out of international economics studies at Georgetown University at the height of his studies, without completing a degree. At the same time, he established his own investment fund as well as a training workshop for debate participants. In this field, the young Republican does appear to have some talent, as he knows how to deliver an argument effectively. The problem is that when it comes to Israel, these are precisely the wrong messages.

Florida's next gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 2026. The current governor, Ron DeSantis, has transformed the state from struggling to prosperous, and from a swing state into a solid Republican stronghold. In practical terms, the candidate who wins the Republican primary is almost certain to become the next governor. One of DeSantis' most prominent policy positions has been, and remains, unwavering support for Israel.

Enter Fishback, who until recently was virtually unknown, declaring himself a candidate in the Republican primaries and the "heir to DeSantis as Florida's Republican governor."

To win, however, Fishback needs attention. That is because he is facing a rival whom Trump has already anointed for the job, Congressman Byron Donalds. Donalds is a veteran and well known politician. Fishback, by contrast, emerged out of nowhere, Mamdani style. His method, therefore, mirrors that of his counterpart in the Big Apple: adopting a populist and extreme line, with a focus on the cost of living, the number one issue in US public opinion.

The first victim he identified along the way was, unsurprisingly, Israel. Last Friday, Fishback posted a pledge to "pull all Florida investments out of Israel's bonds on my first day in office. Over the past two years, Florida sent $385 million to the Israeli government through bond purchases on the open market. That money should have been invested in our communities," he wrote, in language designed to inflame voters unfamiliar with the details.

These claims are, of course, fake news. Florida's investment was made on professional financial grounds. In any case, a state law prohibits boycotts of Israel, meaning such a move would not pass. Even so, Fishback's post on X alone garnered 36,000 likes and two million views. By comparison, almost every other post he publishes struggles to reach even 1,000 likes. This was not his only anti Israel outburst. Fishback has also praised, among others, supporters of neo Nazi figure Nick Fuentes.

At present, Fishback enjoys virtually no support in internal Republican polling. However, there are still many months to go before the election. Moreover, primaries tend to be more surprising and more extreme than general elections. Either way, what should concern Israel is the audacity to float such a hostile proposal in one of the most pro Israel states in the US. This is further evidence of the strengthening negative trends within the party that has served as an anchor of support for Israel for decades, and of the speed with which this trend is spreading.

Netanyahu is the architect of the alliance between Israel and the Republican Party. In his conversation with the president, he must address the need to stop a phenomenon that, at the end of the road, endangers US support for Israel.

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Yet amid the heated debate, one prominent voice has been conspicuously absent. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, long regarded as a leading figure and de facto spokesperson for the Somali American community, has remained silent. Her silence is striking, particularly given that she rarely misses an opportunity to criticize Israel and is usually outspoken on Somali-related issues.

One possible explanation lies in the delicate internal dynamics of the Somali community in the US, which forms the backbone of Omar's electoral base, as well as in her own controversial family history, tied to one of the darkest chapters in Somalia's past.

Omar's father, Col. Nur Omar Mohamed, was allegedly directly involved in the genocide against members of the Isaaq clan in northern Somalia. That same clan later went on, in the aftermath of the civil war, to establish the Republic of Somaliland. The genocide was carried out under the rule of Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, who led an authoritarian military regime and routinely executed his opponents.

The campaign of mass killings began after Somalia's defeat in the Ogaden War against Ethiopia, a loss that triggered a massive influx of refugees into northern Somalia. The sudden arrival of large numbers of refugees led to mounting friction with the local population, most of them Arab members of the Isaaq clan, who lived semi-nomadic lives in the region. The tensions eventually erupted into an Isaaq uprising against the Mogadishu regime, prompting Barre to order a brutal military crackdown.

The president's son-in-law, Gen. Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan, drafted a document approved by Barre that proposed a "final solution" to what he described as the Isaaq problem. The plan was swiftly implemented, launching a systematic campaign of executions by gunfire, starvation and aerial bombardment. More than 200,000 civilians were killed, and human rights organizations continue to uncover new mass graves in the sands of Somaliland.

Col. Nur Omar Mohamed was one of the commanders in the field during the genocide. His close ties to the president and to the ruling clan enabled him to evade accountability. At the time, the Somaliland Chronicle published an article stating: "At the heart of this brutal military regime stood Col. Nur Omar Mohamed, Ilhan Omar's father. His rank, authority, membership in the ruling Darod clan, and more than 10 years of advancement through the Somali military hierarchy to the rank of colonel placed him directly within the chain of command during, and at the height of, the Isaaq genocide. Based on his position, loyalty to the regime and role in the army, it is almost certain that he had extensive knowledge of, and involvement in, the planning, conception, management and execution of the genocide."

Many survivors of the genocide, along with members of other ethnic groups who suffered under Barre's bloody rule, now live in the US and form part of Omar's electorate. The prospect of reopening the deep wounds of the massacres of the late 1980s and early 1990s may be reason enough for the congresswoman to forgo another confrontation with Israel and opt, at least this time, for silence.

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According to the Missouri Lottery, the winner matched all the numbers in the September 6 drawing for a $1.787 billion Powerball jackpot. Two winning tickets were sold, entitling each holder to half the prize.  The lottery did not disclose the man's name.

Describing himself as a homebody, the winner said he plans to take time off and spend it with his wife. "I'm just going to do what's good for me for a year," he said as he arrived at Missouri Lottery headquarters in Jefferson City to claim the prize. "A perfect day is sitting at home and doing what I do, relaxing." Referring to his wife, he joked that "she's going to drag me out of town now."

Each winning ticket holder was given the choice between an annuity of $893.5 million paid over time or a one-time cash payment of $410.3 million, both before taxes. The Missouri winner opted for the lump sum, the lottery said.

He admitted the scale of the win was hard to grasp. "I'm a millionaire, a multimillionaire, and I did laundry last night," he said in disbelief, according to the Missouri Lottery. He also described several sleepless nights after realizing his ticket was a winner, adding, "This is the best problem I've ever had."

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"Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly," Trump wrote in his holiday message.

"We no longer have Open Borders, Men in Women's Sports, Transgender for Everyone, or Weak Law Enforcement," the president declared, adding that under his leadership, the situation had dramatically improved.

"What we do have is a Record Stock Market and 401K's, Lowest Crime numbers in decades, No Inflation, and yesterday, a 4.3 GDP, two points better than expected. Tariffs have given us Trillions of Dollars in Growth and Prosperity, and the strongest National Security we have ever had. We are respected again, perhaps like never before. God Bless America!" Trump concluded.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated publicly that "The State Department is taking decisive action against five individuals who have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose." He asserted that "these radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states—in each case targeting American speakers and American companies."

Their admission into America therefore creates "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences," he contended, declaring that "Based on these determinations, the Department has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on agents of the global censorship-industrial complex who, as a result, will be generally barred from entering the United States.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the European Commission "strongly" condemned Washington's decision to ban five people from entering the country – including former commissioner Breton – over allegations they suppressed free expression.

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and a shared core value with the United States across the democratic world," the European Commission's statment read. "The EU is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values and international commitments. Our digital rules ensure a safe, fair, and level playing field for all companies, applied fairly and without discrimination."

The Commission warned it is prepared to take countermeasures: "We have requested clarifications from the US authorities and remain engaged. If needed, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures."

For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose. The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.

Today, @StateDept will take steps to…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 23, 2025

The Digital Services Act mandates that major technology corporations, including Google and Meta, intensify policing of illegal content or confront substantial fines.

Breton, whose commissioner tenure spanned 2019 to 2024, posted on X: "Is McCarthy's witch hunt back? As a reminder: 90% of the European Parliament — our democratically elected body — and all 27 Member States unanimously voted the DSA." He also wrote: "To our American friends: "Censorship isn't where you think it is."

Josephine Ballon, who co-directs the non-profit organization HateAid and sits on Germany's Advisory Council of the Digital Services, was among anti-disinformation workers receiving sanctions. Her co-director Anna-Lena von Hodenberg also faced restrictions. The organization called the US move an "act of repression," Barrons reported.

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The labor organization representing America's career diplomats verified this constitutes the first such widespread recall targeting career diplomats serving as ambassadors or mission chiefs. "Those affected report being notified abruptly, typically by phone, with no explanation provided," American Foreign Service Association spokeswoman Nikki Gamer informed The New York Times. "That method is highly irregular."

"The lack of transparency and process breaks sharply with longstanding norms," Gamer declared. After consulting institutional archives, the union determined it "can say definitively that such a mass recall has never happened since the founding of the Foreign Service as we know it," Gamer added.

"This is a standard process in any administration," the State Department declared when questioned about the recalls. "An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president's right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda."

An unofficial roster circulated within diplomatic networks on Monday, The New York Times reported. The document indicated that ambassadors from every global zone faced recall, with approximately a dozen stationed in sub-Saharan Africa receiving exit orders. Multiple diplomats confirmed the list's general reliability.

Trump hasn't selected candidates for several vacant sub-Saharan African ambassadorships. Globally, scores of US embassies operate without confirmed ambassadors. In these cases, deputy mission chiefs – usually career diplomats – function as acting mission leaders.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio supervised what he termed a "reorganization" of the department this year. The department declared approximately 1,300 layoffs in July, affecting 264 foreign service officers. Numerous terminated diplomats held Washington assignments between overseas postings and worked in offices targeted for elimination.

Ambassador candidates receive presidential nominations followed by Senate confirmation, The New York Times noted. Two categories of ambassadors exist: career diplomats and political appointees. Political appointees typically include presidential donors or associates who traditionally submit resignations during administration changes. This practice occurred following Trump's January swearing-in, with resignations immediately accepted. Career diplomats, by contrast, usually continue serving well into successor administrations under established precedent. The Trump administration disclosed no justification for the recalls and made no public declaration.

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Even before speakers took the stage, the conference reflected a deeper struggle over the soul of the American right, a battle waged in recent months between competing streams within the MAGA camp. On one side stands the conservative-establishment stream, emphasizing clear ideological boundaries and opposition to antisemitism and conspiracy theories, while on the other side, a more populist and isolationist wing views such criticism as an attempt at silencing and enforcing uniformity – even from figures who clearly slide into openly antisemitic and anti-Israel territory.

The rift spilled outside the conference hall, including into central power centers in Washington, as the Heritage Foundation publicly rushed to defend Tucker Carlson amid criticism he received following interviews he conducted with antisemitic figures and faced substantial criticism from inside and outside. This transformed the confrontation not just into a personal dispute between commentators, but into a principled clash over the identity of the conservative movement, the boundaries of its legitimacy, and the direction it is heading in the Trump era and beyond.

Video: Vice President J.D. Vance's speech as Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro clash. Credit: Turning Point

On opening night, the depth of the rift was exposed when conservative commentator Ben Shapiro took the stage and launched a frontal attack on central figures in the populist right, led by Tucker Carlson, the hard-right figure who has expressed harsh positions against Israel, frequently crossed the line into antisemitic conspiracy theories, and in October even hosted a declared antisemite and Holocaust denier, Nick Fuentes.

Shapiro warned that "the conservative movement is in serious danger," not only from the left, but from "charlatans who claim they speak in the name of principles, but actually traffic in conspiracies and dishonesty." He repeatedly invoked the late Kirk, arguing that "there's a reason Charlie Kirk loathed Nick Fuentes… he knew that building up his persona is an act of moral folly, and that's exactly what Tucker Carlson did."

Shapiro added that "whoever gives a platform to a Holocaust denier and Nazi lover must take responsibility," and made clear that for him this is a moral red line. The remarks were met with applause, but also with jeers from parts of the audience.

Carlson, who has been using his powerful platform to echo the messages of America's enemies and antisemitic and anti-Israel voices, took the stage shortly after Shapiro's speech.

He responded with direct and clear barbs. Without mentioning Shapiro's name, he mocked calls for "de-platforming" at a conference bearing Charlie Kirk's name, saying that "hearing calls for silencing and condemnation at such an event is ridiculous." He said, "The entire so-called internal war on the right is completely fake." Later, he also addressed claims about antisemitism, declaring: "Antisemitism is immoral. In my religion, hating people because of how they were born is a sin. Period."

However, Carlson emphasized that, in his view, there is an attempt to use moral accusations to silence debate, and argued that the way to deal with extremist speakers is public debate, not a boycott, a statement made in direct response to the harsh criticism Shapiro voiced earlier. Later in the conference, populist right ideologue Steve Bannon spoke harshly against Shapiro, calling him "a cancer metastasizing" in the American right.

Into the charged atmosphere entered Vice President J.D. Vance's speech, who was perceived at the conference not just as a representative of the administration, but as a key figure in the next generation of American right leadership. Vance emerged from those same populist and ideological circles that fueled the rise of the MAGA camp and has maintained close ties over the years with the Turning Point USA movement and with the late Charlie Kirk. At the conference, and especially against the backdrop of Kirk's death, Vance was presented to many as someone expected to play a central role in leading the movement in the coming years, and even as a candidate to lead the Republican Party in the post-Donald Trump era.

Vance also directly addressed the internal rift on the right around Israel, antisemitism, and the confrontations between figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, and tried to present a conciliatory line. "I didn't bring a list of conservatives to denounce and deplatform," he said, adding that "We have far more important work to do than canceling each other."

Vance declared that in the Trump era "we don't need to apologize anymore for being white," as part of an attack on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion policies), and emphasized that America must judge citizens by "who they are and what they contribute." He repeated the isolationist line that the United States must focus on its internal affairs and avoid unnecessary foreign involvement.

Vance went further when he declared that "Christianity is the founding faith of America," and argued that for decades "the left has been waging war against Christianity in the public sphere." He said, "In a society that expelled God, a vacuum was created, and that vacuum was filled with destructive ideologies." He indirectly connected progressive culture to political violence, saying that "this is exactly why we must fight them."

Also appearing at the event was none other than pop star Nicki Minaj, who took the stage for an interview with Kirk's widow, Erika. Minaj made headlines recently after calling on President Trump to intervene in the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

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The president additionally designated the Venezuelan "regime" as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and charged government officials with exploiting oil revenues for personal enrichment and funding drug terrorism. This action further amplifies the pressure Trump has applied against Venezuela as Washington attempts to compel Maduro's departure and warns of potential military intervention if he refuses.

Should Trump intend to classify the Maduro government as a foreign terrorist organization – a designation legally implemented by the State Department rather than the White House – Venezuela would become the first country ever to receive such status. Venezuela's government is already "blocked," a measure Trump enacted during his first term that prohibits any US person or entity from conducting business with it, according to the report.

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The Norfolk District Attorney's Office identified the victim as Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old fusion scientist who passed away at a hospital on Tuesday after being shot Monday night in Brookline, Massachusetts, according to the outlet. Per the prosecutor's office, investigators had not taken any suspects into custody as of Tuesday afternoon, and the inquiry is ongoing, AP stated. Despite social media being rife with speculation on Iran potentially being involved in the murder as revenge against Israel's assassination of key scientists from its nuclear program in the 12-day war, there is no credible information on this. Likewise, there is no indication that he was Jewish or that he held pro-Israel views, despite some commentators saying that.

The homicide probe in Brookline comes as police in Providence, Rhode Island, located approximately 50 miles away, continue their search for a gunman responsible for killing two students and injuring nine others at Brown University on Saturday, AP noted. The FBI confirmed on Tuesday that it was aware of no connection between the crimes, according to the report.

Loureiro joined the university in 2016 and was appointed last year to direct the Plasma Science and Fusion Center, a leading facility focused on clean energy advancements, AP reported. The lab employed more than 250 people across seven buildings at the time he took charge, according to the report.

MIT noted that the professor, who was married, was raised in Viseu, central Portugal, and completed his studies in Lisbon before earning a doctorate in London, AP stated. The outlet added that he served as a researcher at a nuclear fusion institute in Lisbon prior to his tenure at the US institution.

Speaking to a campus publication, Dennis Whyte, an engineering professor and former leader of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center, honored his successor, AP reported. "He shone a bright light as a mentor, friend, teacher, colleague and leader, and was universally admired for his articulate, compassionate manner," Whyte said.

AP reported that MIT President Sally Kornbluth described Loureiro's death in a statement as a "shocking loss."

A 22-year-old Boston University student who resides near Loureiro's apartment told The Boston Globe that she heard three loud noises on Monday evening, fearing they were weapon discharges. "I had never heard anything so loud, so I assumed they were gunshots," Liv Schachner said, according to the newspaper. "It's difficult to grasp. It just seems like it keeps happening."

According to The Boston Globe, some of Loureiro's students visited the three-story brick building on Tuesday afternoon to pay their respects, AP noted.

John J. Arrigo, the US ambassador to Portugal, shared an online tribute honoring Loureiro for his leadership and contributions to science, AP reported.

Reflecting on the institute's role upon his appointment to lead the plasma science lab last year, the physicist emphasized its global impact, according to AP. "It's not hyperbole to say MIT is where you go to find solutions to humanity's biggest problems," Loureiro stated. "Fusion energy will change the course of human history."

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The president opened with a reference to the antisemitic attack that occurred during Hanukkah in Sydney, saying it was "an antisemitic attack, exactly what it is," and added that "all nations must stand together against the forces of radical Islamic terror." According to him, the US "joins in mourning the dead and prays for the speedy recovery of the wounded."

Trump then moved to sharp criticism of the American political system, warning of a profound shift in the balance of power. "The Jewish and Israeli lobby used to be the strongest in Washington. That's no longer the case. Today you have to be very careful," he said. According to him, "You have a Congress, especially the House of Representatives, that is becoming antisemitic," and added that there are members of Congress "who don't like Israel. They hate Israel." Trump noted that such a phenomenon would have been "unthinkable 15 years ago."

The president linked the growing antisemitism to the denial of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. "There are people who deny it even happened – just like they deny the Holocaust. This didn't happen many years ago; this happened now," he said. According to him, he himself was exposed to footage from the attack, and said, "I saw the tapes. I wish I hadn't seen them." Trump emphasized that his administration will not allow the spread of such phenomena, but called on Jews in the US to be vigilant.

During the event, Dr. Miriam Adelson, publisher of Israel Hayom, was invited to the stage. Trump noted that Adelson contributed to his campaign, "indirectly and directly, $250 million," and described her as "an amazing woman, with a wonderful husband, a man who loved Israel." Adelson, in turn, recalled that she came to the Knesset in October specifically "with a scooter... just to hear you, I wanted to hear you live." She later noted that she recently spoke with attorney Alan Dershowitz, who raised with her the legal thing about "four more years," referring to the possibility of a third term for President Trump.

The president then quipped about Adelson, suggesting she offered to give him "another $250 million" if he ran for a third term.

Later in his speech, Trump sent a clear threat to Hamas. "If Hamas plays games, they will be in big trouble," he said, emphasizing that his administration acted decisively to return all the hostages, both living and fallen, and responded to the call of the families of fallen hostages. According to him, this was an effort that even he thought was impossible, but was completed.

Toward the end, the president addressed the Jewish audience directly and said, "You are protected. You are a special people." He concluded with a symbolic message for the holiday. "The Hanukkah story reminds us that light will always triumph over darkness."

Earlier, during a Hanukkah reception at the White House, US President Donald Trump hosted the Neutra and Alexander families, the parents of late Captain Omer Neutra, killed while held hostage by Hamas, and Staff Sergeant Edan Alexander, who was released from Hamas captivity and re-enlisted in the IDF.

According to Ronen Neutra, Omer's father, "President Trump spoke about the release of the hostages with emphasis on the fallen and called us to the stage, where we emphasized that there is still a fallen hostage, Ran Gvili, who must be returned."

Full disclosure: The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom. Dr. Miriam Adelson is the publisher of Israel Hayom.

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