Scathing report claims nation's oldest labor union 'betrayed' MAGA members through 'shocking' spending

FIRST ON FOX: One of the nation’s most prominent railroad unions is facing new scrutiny after a watchdog report alleged its leadership is quietly working against the political views of its members who support President Donald Trump's agenda.

The report, released by the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), claims the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), one of the nation’s oldest labor unions, is run by leaders who are endorsing and promoting Democratic policies and candidates despite a membership base that data suggests largely supports the president.

The report, which alleges the union "betrayed" its MAGA members, points to the union’s endorsement of the Harris-Walz ticket in the 2024 election cycle, as well as its ties to prominent Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is running for Senate again.

While BLET has touted Republicans in recent years, including earlier this year when it applauded Vice President JD Vance and the bipartisan reintroduction of the Railway Safety Act (RSA), the report highlights repeated criticism of Trump-era policies, including transportation regulations, immigration enforcement and the conservative-backed Project 2025 agenda, alongside praise for the policies of the Biden administration.

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A review of the union's social media account by AAF shows numerous examples of the union opposing various moves by the first Trump administration during his presidential campaign against incumbent Joe Biden, which the report describes as evidence of "woke leadership."

"In the lead-up to the 2024 election, BLET issued 14 tweets that criticized the actions of the first Trump administration while praising the Biden administration's railroad policies," the report says. "The messaging was clearly intended to skew union members toward the Democratic presidential ticket. In these tweets, they attacked nearly every major Trump-era rail policy decision while framing the Biden administration's actions positively."

The union’s public support of Democrats had a financial angle as well, as the report states that the organization spent more than $26 million on political activity in recent years, with the vast majority supporting Democratic candidates and causes to a degree that AAF referred to as "shocking."

According to the report, 99% of the union’s party committee donations went to Democrats.

"For example, in the 2016 cycle, BLET donated $15,000 to the DNC when they were the nexus for GOTV for the Hillary Clinton campaign but never donated a dollar to the RNC," the report says. "In 2024, long after it had become clear that industrial union membership was strongly behind President Trump, the BLET leadership still hadn’t gotten the message, making 24 different donations to Democrat party committees for a total of $53,400 and a mere two donations to Republican committees for a spare $2000."

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According to the report, the divide reflects a broader shift in American politics, with blue-collar workers increasingly backing Trump while union leadership remains entrenched in traditional left-leaning positions.

The report goes beyond the union’s spending on politics and delves into what it calls "waste and abuse" in the form of millions of dollars of member dues being shelled out for travel, hotels and "swag."

"While it’s bad enough that BLET spent over $5,000,000 on hotels and conferences, even more concerning is the fact that the union spent over $2,000,000 on casinos and resorts alone," the report says. "The union appears more concerned with staying at entertaining destination resorts than they do being thrifty with their members’ dues."

Recent polling shows that labor unions like BLET consist of a large number of workers who support Trump, including Teamsters polling that shows a 60/40 breakdown in favor of Trump and exit polling from the 2024 election that shows working-class voters without a college degree went 56% for Trump and 42% for Harris. 

The report also points to leadership compensation as part of the disconnect, noting multiple top officials earning over $200,000 annually, with the union president and vice president each making more than $300,000.

"The men pulling America’s freight voted for President Trump because they believe in secure borders and putting American workers first," AAF President Tom Jones said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"But their union bosses are busy living large on member dues and carrying water for the Left. They’ve turned a blue-collar brotherhood into a woke political machine that’s doing everything it can against the Trump-Vance agenda, and likewise, against everyday railroad workers. Every BLET member should be asking where their hard-earned dollars are really going." 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a BLET spokesperson said: "We do not comment on false press releases by dark money groups who have no accountability to the truth."

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Arnold Schwarzenegger passes bodybuilding torch to lookalike son Joseph Baena

Like father, like son — and a bodybuilding legacy in the making.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was spotted stepping back into coach mode as he trained his son, Joseph Baena, ahead of his first bodybuilding competition — signaling the next generation may be ready to carry the torch.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia winner, 78, was seen working closely with Baena, 28, inside the iconic Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, California, where the bodybuilding legend once built his empire.

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But this time, Schwarzenegger wasn’t the one posing under pressure — he was fine-tuning every detail from the sidelines.

In the video obtained by Fox News Digital, the "Terminator" star carefully adjusted Baena’s positioning, ensuring each muscle hit just right.

After a session of pumping iron, Baena went shirtless to show off his increasingly sculpted physique, flexing his biceps as his father corrected his angles and form — even helping him lock in one of Schwarzenegger’s signature poses.

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Schwarzenegger, dressed casually in a black T-shirt, shorts and knee-high socks, watched closely as he coached his son.

Onlookers quickly gathered as the pair moved through each pose with precision, drawing a crowd inside the gym famously dubbed "the mecca of bodybuilding."

The "Dancing with the Stars" alum has recently showed off his fit physique and fitness routines in behind-the-scenes training videos on his social media.

WATCH: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TRAINS LOOKALIKE SON JOSEPH BAENA AT GYM AS BODYBUILDING BUZZ GROWS

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Baena has been carving out his own path — from acting roles, including the 2024 action thriller "Gunner," to landing a Men’s Health cover — while navigating inevitable comparisons to his father.

"It's been a huge growth year of me finding out who I am and really being secure… confident… no matter what the challenges are, what the comparisons are," Baena previously told Fox News Digital.

Still, he’s acknowledged the pressure that comes with the name.

"The message that I wanted to get across was, there’s a lot of people out there with very accomplished parents… and it’s scary. It’s scary to get compared to these giants, and to have the feeling like you need to live up to these expectations."

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American worker shot, killed in Bahamas as police launch criminal investigation: report

A criminal investigation is underway in the death of an American worker who was allegedly shot and killed in the Bahamas.

The Tallahassee Democrat reported that the victim, identified as 31-year-old Cody Castillo, of Crawfordville, Florida, was killed March 21 in Nassau following a dispute outside Da Plantation Bar & Grill in Nassau. The outlet said the shooting involved an off-duty senior officer of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said a criminal investigation has been opened.

"My understanding is that the police responded to the scene, acquired CCTV footage, as they always do, and commenced an investigation," Munroe said. "If there's evidence that criminal charges should be levied, they will do it. If, at the conclusion, they determine that they are uncomfortable in levying criminal charges, it goes to a coroner's inquest."

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A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed the death of an American, saying that they are "closely tracing local authorities' investigation into the cause of death."

"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment." 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Nassau said that they "are closely following the case of the shooting death of a U.S. citizen by an off-duty police officer last weekend."

"We note with [the] deepest concern media reports that the officer followed the unarmed victim to his vehicle before fatally shooting him," they said. "We urge the Government of The Bahamas to ensure the victim receives justice in this case without delay."

Authorities have not released further official details about the identities of those involved or the circumstances of the shooting. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for additional information.

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A GoFundMe identified Castillo as a lineman for Pike Electric who had been in the Bahamas for work. Fox News Digital has reached out to Pike Corporation for comment.

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The fundraiser states that Castillo and his wife, Mikayla, were married about a year ago and were expecting their first child, a boy due in August.

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"Cody was working to support his family with PIKE Electric in the Bahamas. Then, in a moment that changed everything, Cody's life was taken by senseless violence while he was working abroad," they said.

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Major airline tightens window for passengers to seek compensation after baggage delays

Delta Air Lines is making a key change to its baggage guarantee program, shortening the window that travelers have to file a claim if their checked bags are delayed.

The airline confirmed that passengers will now have just two hours after their flight arrives at the gate to request compensation.

Previously, travelers had up to three days to submit a claim.

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Delta told Fox News Digital in a statement that customers whose checked bags do not arrive within 20 minutes of landing on domestic flights are still eligible for compensation.

"SkyMiles Members whose checked bags do not arrive at the carousel within 20 minutes of any domestic flight are eligible to receive 2,500 miles when they file a claim with Delta," the airline said.

"To streamline the process, Delta asks customers to submit those claims utilizing the quick and easy process on delta.com/bag-guarantee no later than two hours after their flight arrives at the gate."

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The baggage guarantee applies only to domestic flights.

It offers 2,500 SkyMiles to eligible travelers whose luggage is delayed, Delta said.

The change significantly shortens the timeframe for filing claims — meaning passengers must act quickly after arriving at their destination.

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Delta’s program is considered one of the more generous in the airline industry, as not all carriers offer compensation for delayed baggage.

Alaska Airlines offers a similar 20-minute baggage guarantee, though the process works differently.

If checked bags are not delivered within 20 minutes of arrival, customers can receive either a $25 discount code for a future flight or 2,500 bonus points, the airline says.

Unlike Delta, Alaska requires passengers to speak with an agent at the airport to file a claim — plus, requests must be made within two hours of arrival, according to the airline.

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The updated policy for Delta underscores the importance of checking baggage claims promptly and submitting requests quickly if luggage is delayed.

The change has also sparked discussion among travelers on social media.

Users said the shorter deadline could make it harder for travelers to take advantage of the policy.

"So to summarize, they are late, so now we have to speed up our time to submit?" one commenter wrote.

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Other users questioned whether the move was designed to reduce payouts.

"Pathetic attempt to not pay out claims at the same rate anymore," one person wrote.

Other people had no issues.

They said they routinely file claims while waiting at baggage claim and have not had any problems with the process.

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Rubio testifies in trial of ex-Florida congressman allegedly hired by Maduro government to lobby for Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is testifying Tuesday in the trial of former Miami congressman and roommate David Rivera, who is accused of trying to lobby members of Congress and the White House on behalf of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. 

Rubio, testifying in a packed federal courtroom in Miami with heightened security, said he and Rivera became "very close" when both overlapped for six years as members of the Florida Legislature in the early 2000s. Rivera, a Republican, was arrested in December 2022 on charges of money laundering and representing a foreign government without registering. 

In July 2017, Rubio said he got a call from Rivera saying he needed to see him urgently to discuss Venezuela. The next morning, Rivera traveled to Washington and, at a meeting at his home, said he was working with Raul Gorrin, a media magnate in Venezuela who was Rivera’s main conduit to the Maduro government, on a plan to persuade Maduro to step aside. 

"I was skeptical," said Rubio during his testimony, according to The Associated Press, adding that the Maduro government was full of "double dealers" who were constantly pitching plans to betray Maduro. 

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"But if there was a 1% chance it was real, and I had a role to play alerting the White House, I was open to doing that," he added. 

Within days, borrowing talking points provided by Rivera, Rubio wrote and delivered a speech on the Senate floor signaling the U.S. would not retaliate against Venezuelan government insiders who worked to push Maduro from power, the AP reported. 

"He provided me with insight into some of the key phrases that regime insiders would’ve wanted to hear to know this was serious," Rubio testified. "No vengeance, no retribution." 

In the indictment against Rivera, there’s no indication that Rubio acted improperly as a senator at the time. 

The allegations come in connection to a $50 million consulting contract Rivera signed with Venezuela’s socialist government. 

The indictment alleges Rivera, at the start of the Trump administration, was part of a conspiracy to lobby on behalf of Venezuela to lower tensions with the U.S., resolve a legal dispute with a U.S. oil company and end U.S. sanctions against the South American nation — all without registering as a foreign agent. 

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As part of his work, Rivera and his co-defendant are accused of trying to arrange meetings for then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez — now Venezuela’s acting president — in Dallas, New York, Washington and Caracas, Venezuela, with White House officials, members of Congress and the chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil. 

To cloak their activities, prosecutors said, the co-defendants and others set up a chat group called MIA — for Miami — in which they used Spanish-language code words like "Little Cuban" for Rubio, "The Lady in Red" for Rodríguez and "melons" for millions of dollars. 

"This case is about two things: greed and betrayal," prosecutor Roger Cruz said in his opening statement Monday. "The evidence will show that for $50 million these two defendants made a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro," as well as for Rodríguez. 

Rivera, 60, counters that his one-man firm, Interamerican Consulting, was hired by an American subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company — not the company itself — and therefore did not need to register as a foreign agent. 

His three-month contract, his attorney says, was focused exclusively on luring Exxon back to Venezuela — commercial work that is generally exempt from the Foreign Agents Registration Act. 

Separate and wholly distinct from that consulting work were his efforts with the Venezuelan opposition to pave the way for Maduro’s exit, Rivera's defense said. 

Fox News' Gillian Turner, Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson opts for GLP-1 shots instead of new jeans: 'Mama is on a budget'

Kendra Wilkinson is preparing for her GLP-1 journey

"I’m a little bit overweight at the moment, so I’m gonna start taking my weight loss shots," Wilkinson told Us Weekly. "I’m starting that journey next week."

"There’s nothing worse than being in a gym every single day, working out and not seeing any progress," she added. "I hit 40. I’m happy. I’m at peace, but I noticed that my jeans are a little tighter lately, so I don’t want to go out and shop anymore. Mama is on a budget, so I have to fit back in my jeans. So I actually signed up for a shot company that will be delivering my shot next week. So I’ll start my journey next week."

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Wilkinson admitted that she doesn't intend to "go all in" with the shots, but rather, "lose a few pounds safely."

"I just want to slightly, like, ease my way into it," she said. "I just want to be balanced out. I don’t really want to be skinny, but I just want to be balanced and fit in my jeans again."

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Last year, Wilkinson addressed body-shamers who had been poking fun at her physical appearance. 

"Yes, I’ve gained weight. Yes, im aging. Yes, I’m not that girl i was before (playboy girl)," she wrote on Instagram, adding a laughing face emoji. "But for once in a long time I feel good and mentally healthy. Kids are my everything. Feeling pretty balanced. Working out and cooking a lot more. Golf, work. No housekeeper or nanny."

Wilkinson explained that she's "finally" at peace in her life and would appreciate it if fans online would stop criticizing her appearance. 

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"For those of you hating on my new weight, 40 yr old face please know that I’m happy, healthy and at peace in life finally. Leave me alone and respect that I’m where I actually want to be finally all together," she wrote. 

"Almost 40 is feeling amazing and yes to the people criticizing my alcohol intake… I hear you and that will be monitored better. Drinking too much is definitely drinking too much but you know what’s coming up in JUNE…. Shots."

These days, the mother of two is focusing on her real estate career. 

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"The only thing I can say I regret in my life is not starting my real estate career while I was living at the Playboy Mansion," the "Girls Next Door" alum told Fox News Digital on the red carpet at the Operation Smile 25th Los Angeles Smile Fiesta last year. 

"What was I thinking?" she added. "Like, I mean, I was surrounded by everyone, every celebrity, every billionaire, and what was I thinking? But I'm now in real estate, so I'm good."

Wilkinson launched her career in real estate after passing the California real estate exam in June 2020. A month later, Wilkinson was hired as a real estate agent at The Agency, the luxury real estate company founded by Mauricio Umansky.

Wilkinson later left The Agency to join the high-end real estate firm Douglas Elliman. In November 2021, Wilkinson debuted her reality series, "Kendra Sells Hollywood," which followed the former model as she navigated the ups and downs of her new career in Los Angeles' ultracompetitive luxury real estate market. "Kendra Sells Hollywood" ran for two seasons on Discovery+ and Max. 

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Scottie Scheffler withdraws from PGA event just 2 weeks before Masters to welcome second child: reports

Scottie Scheffler has proven he's human over the last couple of weeks, which led to initial concern when he withdrew from this week's Houston Open.

The PGA Tour announced Wednesday that Matt Kuchar would replace Scheffler, whose withdraw came rather abruptly, considering this weekend is one of the final tuneups ahead of the Masters.

However, there is good reason for the move, as Scheffler and his wife, Meredith, are reportedly set to welcome their second child.

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Perhaps the stress of welcoming another child had been weighing on Scheffler. He finished T-22 at The Players earlier this month after finishing T-24 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He began the 2026 season with a victory at The American Express and followed up with typical results of T-3 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T-4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He then finished T-12 at the Genesis Invitational.

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For context, before this recent slump, Scheffler finished inside the top 10 in each of his previous 19 tournaments, and the last time he finished outside the top 20 in back-to-back events was in July and August 2023.

Scheffler has had success in Houston, finishing T2 in three of the last four Children's Opens.

Scheffler won the Masters for the first time in 2022, officially putting himself on the map. Two years later, he took the green jacket back from Jon Rahm, proving himself as the game's best after being named the PGA Tour Player of the Year in each of the two years prior.

Scheffler's last chance for a Masters warm-up will be next week at the Valero Texas Open, but it remains to be seen what happens next weekend, and afterward. The couple became parents in May 2024, just weeks after Scheffler's second win at Augusta.

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy had to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms but returned for The Players the following week.

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