Jaxson Dart spoke to reporters about his well-chronicled introduction of President Donald Trump at a rally last week and after he was done, it was Abdul Carter's turn to make his way to the microphone. As the two New York Giants teammates passed each other, they embraced.

The Giants want the world to know there is no beef inside their locker room in general, or between the two players in particular despite the fact the starting quarterback supports Trump and the blossoming defensive lineman has an obvious distaste for the president.

But there's a catch amid all this understanding: While these two guys may not dislike each other, they do not agree. Even now.

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"Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things," Carter told reporters. "Jaxson is one of our leaders. He's the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself and what he does, but he represents all of us, and that goes for anybody who wears a Giants uniform.

"But if he chooses to align himself with a man like President Trump, it's my responsibility based on what I believe or what I stand on, to not only show my teammates that I'm against that, but to show the world."

Carter, most folks know by now, was the only Giants player to openly criticize Dart's appearance with the president. And he doubled down on Friday, even though he previously deleted the posts on social media that gave voice to the criticism.

Dart, meanwhile, seemed to struggle through a prepared statement as he explained his decision to meet with and introduce Trump — not that he had to, but just for the record. His voice close to cracking at times, Dart explained how his family background made meeting with the President feel like the right thing to do.

"This was a unique opportunity, you know, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States," Dart said. "My thinking was pretty simple in the fact of, you know, I've always loved this country. I have extended family members who have fought wars. I have two uncles who have retired from the Air Force Academy and served themselves. And I even have a great grandfather who served as Secretary of Treasury at some point.

"So the President position has always been a position that I've well respected, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of political party and, you know, my intentions were just that."

Even as Dart and Carter continue to disagree on politics, each of them made the point that doesn't mean they're openly hating each other.

"...That doesn't mean that we have to spread hate," Carter said. "It doesn't mean that me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef. I sit next to Jaxson every day. Every team meeting and we close, we talk. As long as we make sure we got the same goal as a team and our goals align, which they do, and I feel like that's all that matters. So I just want to move past this and yeah, that's it."

Again. No apologies from either side even as the two players discussed the matter.

"No," Carter said. "I don't want him to say he's sorry. Stand on what you believe in. But it can't be a problem when I stand on what I believe in. That's all that matters to me. As long as we have that understanding, it's all good."

TRUMP BACKS GIANTS QB JAXSON DART AFTER RALLY APPEARANCE BACKLASH, SAYS 'HE'S ALSO LOVED MORE'

Said Dart: "Yeah, I mean, we just talked. You know, me and Abdul came here at the same time. We shared a lot of very similar experiences. We've experienced adversity through a season and had to have each other's backs and that's exactly what we continued to do today.

"You know, me and him are one of the closer guys on the team with each other. So, you know, we've had a lot of conversations. And he's my brother, I know that I'm a brother to him, and, at the end of the day, we want to be the best people and players for each other."

Dart added that he understands politics are "a sensitive matter" and that being the team's starting quarterback carries responsibility.

After their initial embrace, Dart stood off to the side to listen to Carter speak. And when Carter was done, the two players left together.

That left coach John Harbaugh and backup quarterback and team leader Jameis Winston to fill in some holes. Harbaugh did not criticize either Dart or Carter and said this week's team meeting on the matter was mostly about players airing their opinions because it is ultimately their team.

Winston then tried to put the issue to bed.

"I'm proud of Jaxson and Abdul for having this conversation and getting in front of y'all and speaking what they would love," Winston said. "I'm proud of our team for understanding that we don't have to pick a side in this."

And then Winston blamed the media for the controversy.

"Being proud of my teammates being separated by the mass media and hearing the opinions of people that don't have nothing to do with this building, but just looking at a reason to point fingers at a blonde hair, blue-eyed, White boy, and a Black Muslim," is how Winston described his feelings. "That is what's happening to the world, right? And they poke and pry at these young men."

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A federal judge on Friday ordered that President Donald Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, said the iconic venue cannot be renamed without an act of Congress, ruling that the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees overstepped its "statutory bounds by unilaterally renaming" the building.

As part of his ruling, the Trump administration will be required to take down all physical signage bearing Trump’s name and eliminate any references to a "Trump-Kennedy Center" from official materials.

TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER'S BOARD VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE $257M RENOVATIONS AND TWO-YEAR CLOSURE

"The Kennedy Center’s organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board’s unilateral say-so," Cooper wrote. "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."

Roma Daravi, the Trump Kennedy Center vice president of public relations, said the board plans to appeal the decision. 

"We will review the decision carefully though the reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration – a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges," Daravi said. "With $257 million secured by President Trump and approved by Congress, the resources are in place and we remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy." 

The ruling was part of a lawsuit filed by U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

BOARD VOTES KENNEDY CENTER TO BE RENAMED 'TRUMP-KENNEDY CENTER,' LEAVITT SAYS

Cooper previously denied a request for a preliminary injunction filed by a preservation group to block the planned two-year closure of the Kennedy Center for a rehabilitation project. 

Trump secured $257 million from Congress as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to address disrepair and deferred maintenance of the Kennedy Center, which critics say has been neglected and mismanaged before Trump intervened. 

The funds appropriated by Congress are spent on maintenance, repairs, security, and capital projects related to the building and site. 

Beatty, who serves as an ex officio member of the board, praised Friday's ruling.

"Today’s ruling rightly affirms that this administration’s efforts to rename and close the Center have no basis in law," Beatty said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "The Kennedy Center is an institution that belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump. He has desecrated this sacred memorial for his own vanity. I am proud to have fought for the rule of law and to protect this sacred institution."

Trump's name was added to the venue last December following a unanimous decision by the board. In February 2025, Trump was elected chairman of the Kennedy Center board after removing 18 trustees appointed by former President Joe Biden.

Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
- Portnoy scorches Platner operative with punishing takedown after odd request
- Democrat who called for ‘Zionists’ to be imprisoned toppled after backlash
- Israeli ambassador compares France's far-left leader's rhetoric to Hitler

TOP STORY: A federal lawsuit alleges that Jewish UCLA students were brutally beaten with sticks, pepper-sprayed, and trampled by an anti-Israel campus mob. The filing alleges university officials stood by as "Jew-free zones" were established, blocking students from classes. This searing legal challenge accuses the administration of enabling a violent, discriminatory environment, demanding accountability for a total failure to protect Jewish students.

VIDEO: Former CENTCOM Cmdr. Gen. Joseph Votel discusses President Donald Trump’s push to expand the Abraham Accords and diplomatic efforts to secure a peace deal with Iran on ‘The Story.’  WATCH HERE:

DAVE WON'T PLAY: Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy scorched a political operative who pitched a collaboration with Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. After a strategist suggested teaming up to bash Red Sox ownership, Portnoy—who is Jewish—blasted the "Nazi" candidate for his Totenkopf tattoo. Mocking the tone-deaf request, Portnoy shut down the pitch, refusing to "play footsy" or "glamorize" the controversial politician.

DEFEATING HATE: Texas Democrat Maureen Galindo was crushed in a primary runoff after her "vile" proposal to imprison "American Zionists" sparked national outrage. Even top Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and AOC disowned the candidate, labeling her rhetoric "disqualifying." Voters ultimately rejected the extremist liability in favor of moderate Johnny Garcia, proving that some lines—even in a redrawn district—cannot be crossed.

HISTORY REPEATS: Israeli Ambassador Joshua Zarka has sounded the alarm, comparing French far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s divisive rhetoric to that of Adolf Hitler. As antisemitic incidents in France triple, Zarka warns that Mélenchon exploits Jew-hatred for votes, mirroring historical tactics of targeting a singular enemy. With Jews hiding their identities to survive daily life, the "antisemitic hydra" is officially back. 

GUEST EDITORIAL: Moshe Davis, former executive director of the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, argues that Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s anti-Israel crusade is devastating New York. By rescinding antisemitism protections and severing Israeli business ties, Mamdani prioritizes grievance politics over governance. Davis warns these radical moves threaten 27,000 jobs, weaken cyber defenses, and shrink pensions, repeating history's mistake of scapegoating Jews.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The way [LFI leader] Jean-Luc Mélenchon speaks in front of a crowd reminds me of Hitler. The way he uses the idea of uniting against one enemy by speaking of Israel is similar to the way Hitler used to speak about the Jews." - Israeli Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka.

- Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.

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Mike Vrabel stepped away from the New England Patriots during the third day of the NFL Draft and had previously said he'd be getting "counseling" following the soap opera revelations of his relationship with reporter Dianna Russini. Well, speaking with reporters for the first time since the draft, the coach offered an update on the process of getting things back in order.

"Really good," Vrabel said. "I appreciate that my family is great. I love [wife] Jen [Vrabel], I love the boys, I love my personal friends..."

This is nice.

It obviously doesn't mean the scandal that plagued Vrabel throughout April is over. No telling what another photo drop of Vrabel and Russini together, of which there have been a few, might do. And his update on Wednesday is also only his opinion and we don't know how his family members feel.

DRAKE MAYE VOICES SUPPORT FOR PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL AS OFF-FIELD CONTROVERSY CONTINUES TO SWIRL

But this seems positive.

Vrabel seemed at ease explaining how he's dealt with the distraction of his personal life perhaps interfering with his professional assignment of guiding an NFL team.

"Again, we all have to deal with things outside of here," Vrabel said. "My focus, and obviously the excitement that I have for coaching, is what is most important right now. This is a great opportunity.

"The spring, we don't have to worry about opponents. Our schedule is pretty much the same. The players just have a routine, and each and every day in the spring is similar. But it's just about teaching. It's about teaching these guys the scheme.

"This is the time in the spring where they can focus on not only conditioning, but all the details that are going to help them. That's really all I know and that's really all I want to be able to do."

This may signal Vrabel is turning the corner on the scandal.

NFL INSISTS VRABEL-RUSSINI SCANDAL NOT CONSIDERED IN SCHEDULING PATRIOTS FOR 2026 KICKOFF GAME

There were no pointed questions about his "counseling" sessions. Or his marriage and whether or how it has survived.

Vrabel instead was asked about a possible addition to the New England wide receiver room — everyone knows the Patriots want to add Eagles receiver A.J. Brown in a trade — even if no one's name was specified.

And the coach volunteered the names of the players not present for this voluntary portion of the team's offseason program.

PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL RESPONDS AFTER PHOTOS WITH NEW YORK TIMES NFL REPORTER LEAK

So this felt like football business as usual.

That, obviously, is quite a turn from the last time Vrabel talked to reporters and explained his situation amid the scandal caused by his relationship with Russini and the photos of the two that were published by the New York Post and then widely amplified elsewhere.

Those photos, in case you need specifics, included Vrabel and Russini — both married to other people — sharing time together at a Sedona, Arizona, resort. They lounged by the pool together, shared a hot tub and there were photos of them on the roof of a bungalow embracing and holding hands.

Russini eventually resigned her post at The Athletic and shut down her social media accounts as a result.

Vrabel obviously kept his job but had meetings with ownership and his players about the matter. He also missed the final day of the NFL Draft to be with his family while also promising to take more time to make himself a better person.

"As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them," Vrabel said in a statement released to ESPN on April 23.

"In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them."

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A freak accident involving a restaurant umbrella in a small South Carolina lake town led to a woman's death over the weekend, according to local authorities.

Dana Weinger, 56, was enjoying a night out at Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator at Lake Marion in Summerton, South Carolina, with her husband and other family members Saturday night when a gust of wind dislodged an umbrella, turning it into a projectile. 

The umbrella struck Weinger in the neck, severing her carotid artery, Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley told WIS 10.

Local EMS workers responded to the scene, where Weinger was found unresponsive. She died at the scene.

TEEN LIFEGUARD IMPALED BY BEACH UMBRELLA RETURNS TO WORK AFTER FREAK ACCIDENT: ‘I’M PRETTY GOOD’

Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell described the accident in an interview with KTVB.

"This is not an everyday occurrence," Blackwell reportedly said. "This is just one of those tragic things that happen."

"It was a strong, strong wind, like a microburst that came through and knocked not just the umbrella, it knocked all of the furniture and other debris came onto where they were sitting," she continued.

Blackwell described Weinger's husband as "emotional."

RETIRED MOM AMONG 3 KILLED IN ‘PREMEDITATED’ NORTH CAROLINA WATERFRONT RESTAURANT MASSACRE

"It was very emotional for him, and I spoke with the owners of the restaurant, and they say all the family members were gathered there as well," Blackwell said. "They were there eating, dining, they had a large crowd."

The Driftwood Grill offered condolences and expressed gratitude to first responders on its Facebook page.

"Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic incident during last night’s sudden severe weather event at Lake Marion," the restaurant said Sunday morning.

"This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved," the post continued. Out of respect for the family and those impacted, we ask for continued prayers, compassion, and privacy during this incredibly difficult time."

"We are grateful for the emergency personnel and community members who responded and assisted during the situation," the post finished. "Please continue to keep everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers."

The restaurant is also coordinating with local officials to offer grief counselors to staff and members of the community, according to a later Facebook post.

Will Ospreay was able to live out his "dream match" on Sunday night at All Elite Wrestling (AEW)’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view in New York.

Ospreay squared off against Samoa Joe in the first round of the Owen Hart Men’s Tournament. The winner of the tournament will earn an AEW World Championship shot at All In – AEW’s premiere event of the year – at Wembley Stadium in England.

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He started the match with an OsCutter, catching Joe off guard. The two battled their way through the match but it was Ospreay who hit Joe with multiple Hidden Blades to get the win. The "Aerial Assassin" was asked about his ability to carry AEW on his shoulders and become the face of the company should he win the Owen and take the title later this year.

"It’s because I have that confidence and that belief I can carry those three letters," he said at the post-show scrum. "The middle letter, ‘E,’ that’s the standard, mate – elite. When everybody talks about elite pro wrestling, there is no one better on this planet. I believe that with my heart. I believe that with my soul.

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"I know what I’m capable of. I know what I can do. This place, the motto, and it gets said over and over again, ‘this is where the best wrestle.’ No, mate. This is where the ‘Billy Goat’ wrestles. And I’m ready more than ever to take that top spot and to take AEW to new heights."

Ospreay said he has dreamed about performing at Wembley Stadium as a pro wrestler while his schoolmates were dreaming of becoming soccer players.

He had battled back through a neck injury and worked out with the Death Riders to turn into the weapon he once was. The entire situation miffed Joe, which culminated in a match at Double or Nothing.

Ospreay will either face Mark Davis or Jack Perry in the semifinals. On the other side of the men’s bracket, Swerve Strickland defeated Bandido at Double or Nothing. He will either face Claudio Castagnoli or Brody King in the semis.

The finals of the Owen Cup will be held at Forbidden Door on June 28.

Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, took time away from the Las Vegas Raiders to turn his tassel, and perhaps, show off his arm by flinging his cap in a graduation ceremony this weekend.

But it wasn’t at Indiana’s commencement ceremony – he went back to Cal.

Mendoza, who missed a White House visit with his Hoosiers teammates earlier this month to focus on his time with his new NFL squad, was a part of Cal’s MBA commencement ceremony on Saturday after previously missing their undergraduate ceremony this past Wednesday.

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Once again, Mendoza didn’t want to leave his Raiders teammates, but Jenny Chatman, dean of the Haas School of Business at Cal, made an exception for the man who completed his degree at Cal.

During the ceremony, Chatman paused to share the surprise that Mendoza would be able to walk the stage for his undergraduate degree.

TOM BRADY CRACKS JOKES ABOUT 'CRANKY' BILL BELICHICK, JETS, ELI MANNING IN MOTIVATIONAL COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

"We have one Haas undergraduate student who couldn’t make it to commencement on Wednesday. So, I hope you don’t mind I invited this person to our MBA commencement," Chatman told the crowd. "He actually had a really good excuse for missing commencement. He used his Haas skills and coursework to negotiate an excellent job and an excellent comp package.

"But he wasn’t able to change his start date when he needed to report to his new job, so can you please help me in welcoming Las Vegas Raider, Heisman Trophy winner, Haas graduate and Cal Bear forever, Fernando Mendoza."

The surprise led to a great number of cheers for Mendoza who, as always, had a bright smile on his face as he walked across the stage and accepted his degree in business administration and management.

Mendoza finished that degree while enrolled in a master’s program at Indiana in 2025.

During that time tackling two workloads with two different schools, Mendoza was also leading the Hoosiers to a historic undefeated season under head coach Curt Cignetti, ultimately leading to a national championship victory in his home Miami against his hometown Miami Hurricanes.

It was during the undefeated season that Mendoza cemented himself as the top quarterback option in this year’s draft, and the Raiders, a team desperate for a quarterback of the future, confirmed all predictions that he would go first overall this past month.

Now, his focus is on how he can impact his new franchise, whether he’s starting or not. Veteran Kirk Cousins is also on the quarterbacks depth chart in "Sin City," and new head coach Klint Kubiak has mentioned the ideal scenario where Cousins starts Week 1, with Mendoza developing and learning behind him before taking over under center.

It’s because of that focus Mendoza said he wouldn’t be joining his Hoosier teammates in the nation’s capital for a White House ceremony celebrating their national championship.

President Donald Trump revealed that Mendoza did call him and they had a conversation.

"He called me and explained why he couldn’t be here," Trump told the group at the White House during the ceremony.

"If he was not here for any other reason. If he did not like Trump, I would not have mentioned him for any other reason. I like him, he's actually a big fan of what we're doing... Fernando couldn't be here today because he's now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. I hope he does good."

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