In a sacrificial show of support to the emerging Trump-Walz administration, Matt Gaetz pulled his name from consideration for becoming President Trump’s Attorney General. Gaetz pointed to the growing distraction that his nomination is becoming for Trump’s transition team as the reason for bowing out. Just yesterday, President Trump was asked by a CNN reporter if he was reconsidering his choice of Gaetz for the top spot at the Department of Justice, to which he replied with a firm, “No”. CNN: “Mr. President, are you reconsidering the nomination of Matt Gaetz?” TRUMP: “No.” AMERICA: Now don’t ask again. pic.twitter.com/QZRjQDdQaE — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 20, 2024 It seemed as though President Trump and Gaetz were willing to weather the mudslinging coming from the media, and even the usual and expected attacks from democrats, who are terrified of a world in which Matt Gaetz sits as head of the United States Department of Justice. Gaetz had just met with Republican Senators, and by all appearances came away from those meetings energized and positive about the nomination process, according to a CNN report: Gaetz’s withdrawal comes after meetings with Republican senators this week, as Trump’s transition team sought to gauge whether he would win enough GOP support to be confirmed and Democrats were pushing to release a House Ethics Committee report into the former congressman. “I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote on X. The problem, at the end of the day, was neither the media’s constant mudslinging nor the dirty political tricks of the democrats. As usual, the real roadblock that stopped President Trump’s cabinet choice was set up by those in his own party — 5 Republicans who adamantly refused to support President Trump’s choice for Attorney General in his upcoming administration. As Evita Duffy-Alfonso (host of the Bongino Report) pointed out, this wasn’t about the question of ethics, but hinged on the status-quo of political rivalries. This is a reminder that the greatest obstacle facing the incoming admin will not be the Democrats. GOP senators derailed Matt Gaetz’s confirmation. They do not care about “ethics.” These are some of the most unethical people on the planet. These senators put petty personal gripes… — Evita Duffy-Alfonso (@evitaduffy_1) November 21, 2024 This is a reminder that the greatest obstacle facing the incoming admin will not be the Democrats. GOP senators derailed Matt Gaetz’s confirmation. They do not care about “ethics.” These are some of the most unethical people on the planet. These senators put petty personal gripes over the agenda and should face electoral consequences from the voters they betrayed. MSNBC Executive Producer Kyle Griffin posted the list of five Republican Senators who were staunchly refusing to back Gaetz, even after the meetings with both Gaetz and JD Vance. Breaking on @MSNBC: At least five Senate Republicans were a ‘no’ on Matt Gaetz — McConnell, Murkowski, Collins, Mullin, Sen.-elect Curtis — and had communicated to other senators they were unlikely to be swayed. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 21, 2024 And there it is — the media campaign against him failed, the democrats unsuccessfully came after him with every nasty dredged up accusations they could find (all previously investigated and found to be either lacking evidence or un-prosecutable). But Republicans playing their one-upmanship political games was all it took to squash President Trump’s first choice as Attorney General, and the most popular choice among Trump’s supporters, as well. But — is it possible that President Trump is engaged in a badass game of 4D chess? Yesterday, US News & World Report prophetically named the five Republican holdouts, but also included a little more insight into what might be going on behind the scenes with the Gaetz nomination. Trump seems to be aware that some of his selections will have a hard time getting confirmed – specifically Gaetz – and has indicated he’d like to bypass the Senate’s checks and balances, instead pursuing recess appointments, which allow a president to independently appoint people when the Senate is out of session. However, recess appointees are not given a salary until they are confirmed by the Senate and their positions only last until the end of the Senate’s following session, which means Trump’s recess appointees would only be able to serve through 2026. David Richards, head of the political science department at the University of Lynchburg, says it’s possible Gaetz will take the brunt of the senatorial pushback and the others will be smooth sailing. “My assumption is that many will seek to block Gaetz, which Trump will offer up as an easy way for senators to say they pushed back. The rest will face less scrutiny because of the Gaetz distraction, and Trump will nominate someone else for attorney general,” he says. Is that the game here?  Was Matt Gaetz a willing participant in President Trump’s 4D chess game? And does the game end with every other cabinet choice and nomination flying through with no serious Republican pushback… And Matt Gaetz in some other pre-determined role? Something for @GOP Senators thinking about voting against @mattgaetz for AG to consider. Once @marcorubio becomes Secretary of State, then @RonDeSantis appoints @FmrRepMattGaetz the new Senator from #Florida and you’ll wish #Gaetz was the Attorney General. — David Shestokas (@shestokas) November 21, 2024 Constitutional lawyer David Shestokas apparently thinks that’s exactly what is happening. And check out this exchange between JD Vance and Gaetz earlier today, after Gaetz dropped the news that he would be bowing out of the running for Attorney General. Thank you, Mr. VP-Elect! I look forward to continuing the fight to save our country. Just maybe from a different post https://t.co/v9w9xFYNEE — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 “Just maybe from a different post” sounds like he may be alluding to something similar to what Shestokas and others are pondering — myself included. Did Matt Gaetz just help pave the way for easier confirmation processes for the rest of President Trump’s cabinet picks, as well as line himself up for a jump from the House of Representatives over to the Senate Chamber? Crazier things have happened, and in 2024 we should expect nothing less than 4D chess coming from President Trump and his transition team.

Amid relentless accusations and personal attacks from his political rivals on the other side of the aisle, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) announced this week that he will be withdrawing from consideration for the attorney general position in President Donald Trump’s second term. That leaves Trump with the task of finding a replacement, but The Hill reported that a few candidates have already risen to the top of his list: To find a replacement, sources close to Trump think someone who is loyal to the president-elect, much like Gaetz, could be named — but perhaps without so much baggage. “It’s absolutely going to be a Trump loyalist,” said a person with knowledge of discussions, adding that a Trump ally like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) could get the nod. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who just won reelection in 2022, has also been floated as an option, as has Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi is the chair of the Center for Litigation at the America First Policy Institute, a ring-wing think tank working with the Trump transition on the administration’s agenda. She is also a partner at Ballard Partners, which is the lobbying firm where Trump’s incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles worked. Fellow Republicans would likely be supportive of a pick like Lee, who is well respected among his colleagues. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance… — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 News of Gaetz’s withdrawal fueled considerable social media discussion: TRUTH from President Trump on Matt Gaetz: pic.twitter.com/hMLI1rQuOz — Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) November 21, 2024 I’m extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process. He made his decision to withdraw entirely out of respect for President Trump’s administration. Matt is a patriot and I look forward to seeing what he does next. https://t.co/EfcFXXKRM2 — JD Vance (@JDVance) November 21, 2024 BREAKING! Matt Gaetz officially withdraws his name for AG.. The news broke while we were live! But there is always more to the story. Here is what we know and what is being reported! #lfatv #MattGaetz pic.twitter.com/92rLM1ad9c — Live From America TV (@LFATVUS) November 21, 2024 NBC News also reported on Trump’s effort to nominate another candidate: Trump did not immediately name another attorney general pick. His spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said he “remains committed to choosing a leader for the Department of Justice who will strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system.” Two Trump transition sources with direct knowledge of Gaetz’s decision told NBC News that Gaetz notified Trump about his decision Thursday morning. It was Gaetz’s decision to opt to withdraw. One of the sources acknowledged that Gaetz’s confirmation was always going to be an uphill battle and said Trump is expected to meet “very soon” with a new round of attorney general contenders, with no particular person at the top of the list. It’s unclear what that means for Todd Blanche, whom Trump had tapped to be Gaetz’s deputy. A third source close to Trump told NBC News that the transition team “welcomed” Gaetz’s withdrawal, adding that “the [House Ethics] report started to leak out and there was no way for Matt to make it.” Here’s some additional coverage of the fallout surrounding Gaetz’s decision: BREAKING: Former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdraws his name from Attorney General consideration. pic.twitter.com/QFMq5r1w5B — Fox News (@FoxNews) November 21, 2024

Popular weight-loss drug Ozempic is shrinking the human heart and other muscles, according to a disturbing new University of Alberta study. According to researchers, people should be cautious about taking trendy new weight-loss drugs due [...] The post Study: Popular Weight-Loss Drug Ozempic Shrinks Heart Muscles in Recipients appeared first on The People's Voice.

Roughly 167,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products have been recalled over concerns of possible E. coli contamination, the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The chilling Islamic terrorist attack has left the community in shock and sparked widespread outrage at this sign of a growing threat to public safety by Muslim migrants in Ireland. The outrage should be directed at the Irish government which has taken in so many unvetted Muslim invaders. 

We love a good duet. Hearing two different voices come together to create beautiful music warms our hearts. If the artists perform a romantic song, sometimes they’re so good we actually start to believe they’re really in love. And then, of course, there are the real-life couples who sing together and give us all the feels. Chris Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, sang a beautiful duet during the CMAs on November 20th, and their love shone through. As they sang What Am I Gonna Do, the pair looked at one another with the passion only two people in love can. Friends, we are here for it. Chris Stapleton And Morgane’s Duet Was A True Love Song Chris and Morgane married in 2007 and share five children. That kind of love is special, and as musicians, they express it in the most endearing way. The lyrics of What Am I Gonna Do share the fear a person feels when they lose the love of their life. It’s a cautionary tale, and the way Chris and Morgane sing it, you can tell neither plans to go anywhere. Their lives would genuinely be broken without each other. Fans love it. One wrote, “The way they just stare in each other’s eyes while they’re singing together just about brings a tear to my damn eye.” This person agreed, “Should be illegal Chris for a person to sling words that smack me on the inside of my head! You are the absolute best country artist of all time! I know without all the rest of the artists from the past you wouldn’t be who you are but man you are the man. I thank God to be living in a time when my heart could experience such a voice. God Bless Chris .” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Chris Stapleton & Wife Morgane’s Romantic CMA Duet Has Fans Swooning appeared first on InspireMore.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world where bad news about the environment routinely outweighs good news, scientists have discovered an incredible exception: the world’s largest coral. Nestled in the pristine seas of the Solomon Islands, this huge marine monster is 34 meters broad and stands over five meters tall, dwarfing even the giant blue whale. It’s even visible from space. “Just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet Earth, we find a massive coral made of nearly one billion little polyps, pulsing with life and color,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of the Pristine Seas team that discovered the surprising find. The mega coral, a species called Pavona clavus, is considered to be around 300 years old—a living time capsule that provides invaluable insights into past ocean conditions. Despite its majesty, scientists warn that it is not indestructible, with global warming and human activity posing immediate risks. A discovery like no other The coral was discovered during an expedition by the National Geographic Pristine Seas team, which works to advance ocean conservation. While exploring the southwest Pacific Ocean, they came across what looked to be a giant rock beneath the water. A closer look revealed that it was far more astonishing. Even the local community was ignorant of its existence, which surprised the research team given its proximity to the ocean’s surface. This oversight demonstrates how much remains unexplored and unknown in the great blue depths of the ocean. “This is a significant scientific discovery, like finding the world’s tallest tree,” Sala remarked. “But there is cause for alarm. Despite its remote location, this coral is not safe from global warming and other human threats.” Solomon Islands: a coral wonderland The Solomon Islands are renowned for their biodiversity, with the world’s second-largest number of coral species. The region’s seas are teeming with marine life, which includes over 490 different types of hard and soft coral. This particular coral is not an exception. Its dome-like shape provides a safe haven for reef fish, crabs, and shrimp, helping to preserve the marine ecosystem. “Large adult coral colonies like this contribute significantly to the recovery of coral reef ecosystems due to their high reproductive potential,” noted Eric Brown, coral scientist for the Pristine Seas expedition. Despite warmer seas damaging surrounding shallow reefs, this coral has survived as a “beacon of hope,” growing in somewhat deeper waters with more stable circumstances. What makes this coral so special? The coral’s age and size are impressive, but its true worth is in the knowledge it contains. “It now stores information on how to survive throughout the centuries,” said Manu San Félix, an underwater cinematographer and expedition member who discovered the coral. “The genetic code of these simple polyps is an enormous encyclopedia that has written how to survive multiple climatic conditions, and until now, it does so in the face of ocean warming.” This coral has endured centuries of change, from the entrance of European explorers to today’s environmental difficulties. Its resiliency teaches important lessons about conserving marine ecosystems in a warming world. Protecting the giants of the ocean Currently, just 8.4 percent of the world’s oceans are protected in any way. Scientists say that findings like this highlight the importance of increasing marine conservation efforts. The Pristine Seas team hopes that by studying this coral and others like it, they can uncover secrets that will help reefs around the world adapt to changing climates. Their research, which uses cutting-edge technology, has the potential to inform worldwide initiatives for protecting marine biodiversity. Conservation, however, involves more than just science. It necessitates international collaboration, local participation, and public awareness. Discoveries like the giant coral highlight the ocean’s beauty, resilience, and vulnerability. As the climate crisis worsens, this coral serves as both a beacon of hope and a sobering reminder of what is at stake. “It is a natural monument that has seen the arrival of the first Europeans to these waters,” San Félix said with pride. If we can protect these ancient giants, we will preserve not only marine biodiversity but also a piece of our shared legacy. With the right action, this coral—and many others—can live for generations to come.The post The giant beneath the waves: world’s largest coral found in the Pacific first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones that emerge from our local communities often have the greatest impact. We are pleased to present the penultimate round of The Optimist Daily’s Local Changemakers series! This is our way of expressing gratitude to our Optimist Daily community. We hope you enjoy learning about these solutions-oriented individuals and organizations as much as we did.   Cultivating connection: GRuB plants seeds for a healthier community In a small corner of Olympia, Washington, a nonprofit organization is proving that good food and good company can lead to great change. GRuB (Garden-Raised Bounty) is more than just a farm—it’s a place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together. Since its founding in 1993, GRuB has been turning soil into solutions, using agriculture as a tool to nurture people, empower communities, and plant seeds of equity and resilience, quietly revolutionizing the way communities approach food security, education, and connection. More Than a Garden At GRuB, the mission is straightforward yet profound: “Growing healthy food, people, and community.” Through innovative programs and deep community engagement, GRuB has become a light of hope in Olympia and beyond. Greg, a community member who nominated the organization for the local change maker series, captured its impact perfectly: “GRuB provides a wide variety of community outreach programs, ranging from building raised-bed gardens for people’s homes to training military veterans to become beekeepers and farmers. Its deep roots in our community are far-reaching.” Participants of GRuB’s garden programs; courtesy of GRuB   Growing connections across generations One of GRuB’s standout initiatives is the Growing Home Collective, which Greg describes as a program that “uplifts the leadership and voices of Black people, many of whom are still experiencing the impacts of the legacy of American oppression and slavery.” By creating sacred spaces for rest, relaxation, and resilience, the initiative fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment, amplifying voices that have historically been marginalized. Another transformative effort is GRuB’s Veteran Programs, which provide veterans with opportunities to heal, connect, and contribute through agriculture. “GRuB creates a non-confrontational environment where veterans work shoulder to shoulder, immersed in the healing nature of the outdoors, agriculture, and dirt work,” Greg says. This hands-on approach helps veterans rediscover purpose and community, allowing them to continue serving in ways that nourish both themselves and those around them. Sowing the seeds of education GRuB’s work with youth and education is equally impactful. The organization has a long history of empowering young people through hands-on learning and leadership development. By teaching skills like gardening, teamwork, and community engagement, GRuB is shaping a generation of changemakers who understand the importance of food systems and environmental stewardship. But GRuB’s reach doesn’t stop there. “Its powerful youth and community development programs have directly benefited folks in Thurston County for years,” Greg notes. “Now, it provides coaching and training, or what it calls ‘pollination,’ to support communities that wish to develop their own GRuB-like programs.” This approach extends GRuB’s mission far beyond Olympia, inspiring similar initiatives in other areas. A team rooted in purpose Behind GRuB’s success is a dedicated team that believes wholeheartedly in the organization’s mission. Together with countless volunteers, they bring GRuB’s vision to life, cultivating not just food but also hope and opportunity. At its core, GRuB’s work is about creating an equitable world where everyone is nourished—by food, by relationships, and by opportunities to learn and grow. Whether it’s building gardens for families, offering veterans a place to heal, or creating spaces for underrepresented voices to thrive, GRuB proves that a garden can be so much more than just a patch of soil. It’s where they are cultivating a movement—one garden, one community, one life at a time. For more information on GRuB’s work and how you may get involved, visit their website here.   SparkNJ: empowering local changemakers through trust and equity Sometimes, the most transformative solutions come from reimagining the way we give. That’s exactly what SparkNJ is doing in northern New Jersey, where their trust-based philanthropic model is reshaping how support reaches Black-led organizations. By offering unrestricted funding and amplifying the work of local changemakers, SparkNJ is building bridges across communities and sparking real change. Ruth, who nominated SparkNJ as a local changemaker, says it best: “SparkNJ is making a real difference in our local area by highlighting the work that small, local, Black-led organizations are doing for our entire community, Black and white. SparkNJ is promoting racial equity by supporting these organizations and also by making what they do visible to all.” A trust-based approach At the heart of SparkNJ’s work is its innovative trust-based funding model. Instead of asking grassroots organizations to jump through bureaucratic hoops, SparkNJ relies on the community to nominate Black-led nonprofits doing impactful work. By cutting out red tape, they provide leaders with the flexibility and resources to focus on creating change. Trust-based funding allows SparkNJ to support organizations that are closest to the challenges and solutions. This approach ensures that funding goes where it’s needed most while honoring the expertise of local leaders. Promoting racial equity SparkNJ’s mission is rooted in a commitment to racial equity. In the interest of promoting racial equity, they strive to build a diverse community that provides trust-based funding to Black-led nonprofit organizations. By uplifting these organizations, SparkNJ addresses systemic inequities and helps ensure all communities have the resources they need to thrive. The organization doesn’t just fund change—it highlights it. By making the work of Black-led groups visible to a broader audience, SparkNJ fosters understanding and unity across racial and cultural lines. Empowering local changemakers SparkNJ’s impact extends far beyond financial support. Their work strengthens the capacity of organizations that tackle everything from education and housing to community building and justice reform. As Ruth notes, “SparkNJ is making what these organizations do visible to all.” This visibility amplifies their influence and inspires broader support for their initiatives. SparkNJ’s vision is bold yet simple: They envision a world where funding and support are equitably available to all nonprofits, sparking change so that all communities in NJ have the resources they need to thrive. A positive ripple effect When SparkNJ empowers Black-led organizations, the benefits reverberate throughout the entire community. By trusting local leaders and providing unrestricted funding, they enable these groups to innovate, expand, and deepen their impact. The result is a ripple effect of positive change that uplifts everyone in northern New Jersey. As SparkNJ continues its work, it serves as a powerful reminder that equity, trust, and community collaboration can spark incredible transformation. Their efforts aren’t just about funding—they’re about fostering hope, visibility, and a brighter future for all. To learn more about SparkNJ’s impact and how you can support them, visit their website here.  The post Changemakers of the week: GRuB and SparkNJ first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.