Free Republic

Pizza Hut is featuring a book about "drag kids" as one of the books promoted by its "Book It!" reading incentive program aimed at children in pre-kindergarten through 6th grade. The "Book It!" website features a book titled "Big Wig," and states that the reading is geared toward children in pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade. "Big Wig" is a picture book that "celebrates drag kids," according to a description on the Simon & Schuster website. "In the spirit of Julián Is a Mermaid, this irrepressible picture book celebrates drag kids, individuality, and self-confidence from the perspective of a fabulous wig!," the...

White House Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that, should former President Donald Trump win the presidential election in 2024, he would not work in the White House again. "No" was the answer Fauci gave to CNN host Jim Acosta, adding, "If you look at the history of what the response was during the administration, I think, you know, at best, you can say it wasn't optimal. History will speak for itself about that." Fauci has continued his work into the Biden administration, saying in January 2021 that it was "liberating" to work with President Joe Biden.

The White House announced on Thursday that Karine Jean-Pierre, a veteran anti-Israel activist who is married to CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, will replace outgoing press secretary Jen Psaki, raising potential ethical quandaries. The announcement drew celebratory headlines in the mainstream press: Jean-Pierre is the first black woman and openly gay person to serve in the role. But her relationship with the CNN reporter raises ethical questions about her new role. The White House did not respond to a request for comment about whether Jean-Pierre would recuse herself in dealing with CNN. Malveaux's colleagues include Valerie Jarrett's daughter, CNN justice correspondent...

However, the anti-monopoly activist group Open Markets Initiative, where Democratic FTC Chair Lina Khan used to work, has urged the agency to block the deal, saying that it 'poses immediate and direct threats to American democracy and free speech.' The group argued that Musk's ownership of the Starlink satellite internet service already gives him control over a key communication platform, and that his purchase of Twitter would be a dangerous concentration of power Representative Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday issued a letter raising concerns about the FTC antitrust probe and suggesting he planned...

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki will leave office on May 13, she will be succeeded by Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House said in its statement Thursday. "Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people," US President Joe Biden said, according to White House press office. "I want to say thank you to Jen for raising the bar, communicating directly and truthfully to the American people, and keeping her sense of humor...