Multiple Senate Republicans signaled they would not support confirming the nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as President Trump’s attorney general. “I don’t think it is a serious nomination for the attorney general. We need to have a serious attorney general and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious. This one was not on my bingo card,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said. Murkowski: I don't think it is a serious nomination for the attorney general. We need to have a serious attorney general and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious. This one was not on my bingo card. pic.twitter.com/CAzLQFGHKb — Acyn (@Acyn) November 14, 2024 “He will never get confirmed,” a Republican senator, who spoke anonymously, told Fox News Digital. “Ain’t gonna happen,” one Senate Republican source told the outlet. Matt Gaetz faces GOP Senate opposition after Trump selection for attorney general https://t.co/oIyPGSo4Pf — Fox News (@FoxNews) November 13, 2024 Fox News reports: Gaetz’s office referred Fox News Digital to his response on X, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!” and did not comment on the GOP criticism about his potential confirmation. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters, “I think we have to consider any nominee by the president seriously, but we also have a constitutional responsibility.” He was prompted about whether the House Ethics investigation currently being conducted into Gaetz would factor in to his confirmation, to which the senator replied: “That might come up.” The allegations being probed by the committee include sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts. Responding to the announcement of Gaetz’s selection for attorney general, Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., who chairs the Ethics Committee, said that “once a member is no longer a member of Congress, then ethics has no jurisdiction. So if Matt Gaetz were to be appointed as the Attorney General, the ethics investigation [which] is currently ongoing would cease at that point.” It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General! pic.twitter.com/dg0iQ0bA6Y — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 13, 2024 Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) hinted at pushback due to the ethics investigation into Gaetz. “He’s under investigation by the House Committee on Ethics,” Collins said, according to Fox News. “Obviously, the president has the right to nominate whomever he wishes, but this is why the background checks that are done by the FBI and the advice and consent process in the Senate, and public hearings are also important,” she added. “We ought to have a full court press against this WEAPONIZED government that has been turned against our people. And if that means ABOLISHING every one of the three letter agencies, from the FBI to the ATF, I’m ready to get going!” Gaetz said Wednesday. We ought to have a full court press against this WEAPONIZED government that has been turned against our people. And if that means ABOLISHING every one of the three letter agencies, from the FBI to the ATF, I’m ready to get going! pic.twitter.com/Wsp8zVuBEU — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) November 13, 2024 Per NBC News: Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who sits on the Judiciary Committee that oversees the nomination, said the Senate will “have to consider any nominee by the president seriously, but we also have a constitutional responsibility.” “I don’t know the man, other than sort of this public persona,” Cornyn told reporters. When asked about Gaetz being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual misconduct, Cornyn deadpanned: “Well, that might come up.” “I don’t know whether there’s any basis to it or not,” he added. “So yeah, I’m sure we’ll be asking a lot of questions.” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who also serves on the Judiciary Committee, said the Senate will give Gaetz an “honest look” and that the investigations involving the congressman will be “part of the process” of considering him for the job.

The second volume of US bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd's Dirt On My Diamonds series is out now

If you're a sneakerhead, you're going to love these

The Final Word of the Day

Trump's entry into politics nearly a decade ago, marked by his rallying cry of “fake news,” ignited the decline of mainstream media’s credibility. His relentless attacks struck a chord with those fed up with media bias. With support from his base, Trump started building the mainstream media’s coffin. Today, Gen Z, Barron Trump’s generation, is driving in the final nails. They don’t want to listen to Joy Reid (who does?) or Jake Tapper (again, who does?); they want Joe Rogan. Gen Z speaks for most of America. The polarization deepens as many left-leaning women refuse to date right-leaning men. Meanwhile, more men are aligning with conservative values, rediscovering religion, and questioning the modern feminist agenda. Trump’s interview with Rogan has racked up 48 million views on YouTube alone. Meanwhile, Theo Von has drawn 14 million views for his own interview with Trump. The impact of these and other podcasts is clear and convincing. These alternative media giants have amplified political messages in a way that mainstream outlets simply can’t match. Gen Z values podcasts for their convenience, easy access, and variety. Gen X values the personalities and independence of the hosts. The medium's personal touch forged a cross-generational coalition that was decisive in Trump’s sweeping victory.Barron Trump undoubtedly played a pivotal role in helping his father secure re-election. He opened his father's eyes to the massive influence of voices like Rogan and Von. As a Gen Zer, Barron belongs to a generation often criticized, sometimes fairly, sometimes not. While they might not always be grounded in reality, they are tuned into podcasts — earning them the nickname the "podcast generation." This group is deeply embedded in audio culture, leading the shift from traditional media to various digital platforms, with nearly seven hours of media consumption each day. Yes, each day. And Gen Xer stars like Joe Rogan have capitalized on this shift, drawing in young audiences with unscripted, long-form conversations on everything from politics and culture to aliens and sports. His genuine approach builds trust and shapes opinions, holding real power over how young listeners absorb information and view the world. It highlights the influence of podcasts in shaping modern thinking, where a single compelling voice can steer conversations, impact millions, and even sway election outcomes. Due to podcasters’ revolutionary impact on politics, the belief has spread that a related but much different corner of the new media world — the so-called “manosphere” — was key to Trump's re-election. The manosphere is an online ecosystem shaped by figures like Andrew Tate and the "Fresh and Fit Podcast," which focuses on dating, relationships, and gender dynamics, often from a controversial angle. Thanks to largely left-leaning media, both Tate and the "Fresh and Fit Podcast" hosts have become synonymous with the often-misapplied term "misogyny." This term is slippery, as the left has weaponized it to label anyone who dares to challenge modern feminist narratives — narratives that often assert men are literally trash and celebrate female promiscuity. To paraphrase Ben Shapiro, many of the voices in the manosphere space are like “terrible doctors.” They are adept at diagnosing the disease but terrible at prescribing the cure. Yet, their appeal persists. The same factors that fuel Rogan and Von’s success — mainstream media’s implosion and a thirst for authenticity — are propelling the rise of the manosphere. You might not agree with what Tate says, but he undeniably knows how to sell a message. Is he genuine? Again, he’s certainly skilled at selling the image of authenticity. The new mainstream SYFY/Getty The appeal of the manosphere space is amplified by what’s known as the diploma divide, where men and women increasingly pursue separate paths shaped by diverging priorities and growing disillusionments. More women are choosing careers over families and focusing on climbing the corporate ladder instead of dating. Trump’s election win has prompted some young American women to discuss boycotting men altogether. This notion echoes South Korea’s 4B movement, which champions rejecting dating (biyeonae), sexual relationships (bisekseu), marriage (bihon), and childbirth (bichulsan). Interest in this movement spiked after the election, with platforms like TikTok and X flooded by hashtags and conversations embracing the concept. Here in the U.S., the list of boycotted behaviors is, at least judging by some TikToks, rapidly expanding, to include churchgoing and “trad” lifestyle signifiers increasingly favored by younger men.Slapping the manosphere label — a term often used to imply an online cesspool of bigotry and misogyny — onto figures like Rogan and Von is not only misleading but downright wrong. These men are known more for irreverent humor, eclectic interviews, and thought-provoking conversations than chauvinism. The assumption that their audiences consist solely of men is profoundly disconnected from reality. Joe Rogan’s podcast, in fact, boasts one of the largest followings among female listeners in the United States. Von also has a significant female audience. Similarly, and no coincidence, over four in 10 female voters chose Trump, with a majority of white women casting their ballots for him. This statistic alone shatters the caricature of the "bad orange man" as universally reviled by women. One might even say it’s surprising more women didn’t vote for Trump, given the superficiality of Kamala Harris’ campaign — full of empty platitudes and performative joy. The polarization deepens as many left-leaning women refuse to date right-leaning men. Meanwhile, more men are aligning with conservative values, rediscovering religion, and questioning the modern feminist agenda. On the other side, women are increasingly stepping away from religious affiliations. This realignment is creating a cultural chasm, marked by friction and factionalism that extends far beyond political affiliations and reaches into the most personal aspects of life — marriage, family, and community. The manosphere didn’t necessarily help get Trump elected. The Gen Z and Gen X podcast bros leading alternative media did. Now, debates over reproductive rights, gender roles, and shifting expectations for men and women at work and home are only set to intensify — unless the broad MAGA coalition of younger men and women step up to lead their fellow Americans away from a deeply destructive war of the sexes.