In an exclusive interview with The Gateway Pundit, Trump’s head of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Kari Lake, discussed her overhaul of the government’s global news agency and the criticism she faces from leftwing media that seeks to protect its global media complex. 

The Gateway Pundit has reported extensively on Lake’s leadership of the USAGM, where, amid attacks from the press and judges stonewalling her, she has exposed the massive corruption and waste of taxpayer funds, rooted out taxpayer-funded globalist mouthpieces, purged the agency of unscrupulous employees, and is still fighting to reduce the agency’s workforce by 85% in accordance with Trump’s orders to shrink bureaucracy. “You don’t need as many people to do the job with the advancement of technology,” Lake noted.

“I’m really proud of the work that we’re doing. We’re covering the statutorily required languages, we’re broadcasting into Iran right now, and of course, there’s so much happening in Iran, and I’m really proud of the work that we’re putting out. Before I got here, and for many years, this agency was putting out, sometimes, anti-American news, and that’s not what the American taxpayer is expecting. When they’re footing the bill for this news to go out across the globe, we want to make sure that we’re not putting something that’s anti-American out.”

Lake shared more on her success to date in ending the globalist propaganda amid “malicious lawsuits” against her for shrinking the agency down to the statutory minimum. Lake maintains that, despite attempts by far-left judges to stop her, “we will be shrinking down the size of this agency, and eventually we will be making sure that people are moved off the payroll.”  She further revealed that she ultimately wants to “zero out” the agency and have the Department of State take over broadcasting the United States’s message and foreign policy to the world.

“My ultimate goal is to take this agency, and this was part of the President’s budget, reduce the agency down to zero, and move the assets over to the State Department,” she told The Gateway Pundit.

As a result of her agenda, Lake is currently facing relentless and coordinated smears from the leftwing media over her efforts to “rightsize” the agency, which she described as “the most corrupt agency in Washington, DC.”

The Gateway Pundit reported on one of these attacks in a story by the Atlantic, which accused Lake of causing “profound damage to America’s foreign broadcasters, and to America’s ability to communicate with the world.” The piece by leftist hacks Anne Applebaum and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez selectively quoted Lake and misrepresented her statements to push a narrative about mismanagement and massive waste of taxpayer funds at the agency.

MORE:

EXCLUSIVE: Far-Left Atlantic CAUGHT Writing Bogus Hit Piece on USAGM Head Kari Lake, Selectively Editing Lake’s Answers to Their Questions – Lake Responds!

The Atlantic further accused Lake of blocking Persian news services' access to transmission services that would allow the people of Iran to receive news during protests against the Iranian Regime.

Other reports, including the Washington Post's "Kari Lake is Making Trump’s Job Harder in Iran" and Bloomberg's "Iranian Internet Goes Dark as US Agencies Clash Over VPN Funding," go more in-depth on this allegation, claiming that the Open Technology Fund (OTF), a nonprofit virtual private network service funded by USAGM, is being throttled by Lake amid pressure from RINO Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

The dispute arose over Lake's plan to fund OTF services by advancing $10 million to OTF from their 2026 budget, rather than having the Department of State transfer $10 million to USAGM for disbursement to the VPN service. Lake says this would be the slowest method to give Iranians access to the internet and information, as the US considers kinetic warfare in Iran.

Lake previously said in a letter to Senator Lindsey Graham that the traditional method of routing money from the State Department through USAGM “would take months.” But Graham and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) have pushed back on Lake's plan, arguing that it's “not viable,” according to the February 14 Bloomberg story. Lake further said in a statement to Bloomberg, “We are working hand-in-glove with the State Department to deliver on President Trump’s priorities."

“Support is on the way to ensure a steady flow of information — as fast as possible — through VPNs and a variety of other mechanisms,” she added. “We will continue working tirelessly to deliver in this historic moment despite the Iranian regime’s suppression.”

The February 13 story from the Washington Post describes Lake as "an unwitting ally" of Iran and "the hapless acting head of U.S. Agency for Global Media," who "has worked tirelessly to cripple the U.S.-backed 'freedom radios' — including Voice of America and Radio Farda — that broadcast into Iran to counter regime propaganda." It goes on to suggest that Kari Lake is being uncooperative with the State Department's attempt to fund OTF, that she is sabotaging the President's agenda with regard to Iran, and that Trump should fire her.

It would appear that Lindsey Graham, who is mentioned in both stories as the leader of opposition to Lake's plan, planted these stories.

Lake explained the dispute, telling The Gateway Pundit that "We jumped in and said, we can get you money right away, and we were willing to try to get them that money within three days," but "some lawmakers wanted some circuitous route where it went from the State Department to USAGM and then back over to OTF, which was going to take longer," she said. "We were working the whole time with the State Department," she added.

Though she did not speculate on the reason behind the pushback on her plan to send the money "from point A to point B," she did appear to drop a hint, stating, "The deep state loves this agency, and they hate the fact that I'm in here working to modernize it." Lake also highlighted the lack of transparency from OTF, noting that the USAGM previously handled VPN access in-house through the Office of Internet Freedom before funneling money through OTF for the same service. "The problem with these grantees is a lot of times there's no transparency. It's opaque. We don't know where the money's going," she said, likening OTF to the globalist USAID slush fund and noting that OTF even once sued the agency for attempting to conduct oversight of a $19 million grant.

Where is all of this money going, and why are some in our government fighting so hard to keep the shady operation intact?

Lake further discussed her attempts to root out the waste, fraud, and abuse within the agency, as she faces smears from the media for actually saving the agency hundreds of millions of dollars, she says, as well as her efforts to stop the agency and its grantees from pushing globalist propaganda and meddling in other countries' political landscapes.

Watch the full interview below:

The post EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Kari Lake is Breaking Through Regime Censorship, Delivering President Trump’s Message with USAGM (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Punch, the viral baby monkey, has a new family – and millions are elated by that.

Many journalists around the world have written articles trying to understand why so many people were touched by the saga of baby monkey Punch.

The sweet baby monkey, who found comfort in an orangutan toy after his mother abandoned him and he was constantly rejected by other macaques, trended strongly on social media.

FRIENDSHIP FOUND: A baby macaque named Punch, who was abandoned by his parents, has melted hearts around the world after video captures him hugging an older monkey following a tough time fitting in with the rest of the group. pic.twitter.com/kTtY9keLul

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 22, 2026

The story of Punch-kun, known as Punch, the baby monkey, who was rejected by his mother.

Punch, is a seven-month-old baby macaque monkey who inhabits the Ichikawa Zoo in Japan.
Born in July 2025, Punch had to swallow a harsh reality when his birth mother refused and abandoned… pic.twitter.com/DNS2LV5B7F

— M-Û-R-Č-H (@TheEXECUTlONER_) February 19, 2026

This is not Ai , his name is punch and he’s in Japan. His mama rejected him so he gets picked on and they gave him a stuffed monkey for comfort

I wish I could have punch! pic.twitter.com/gFxQQ47qz7

— LIZZIE (@farmingandJesus) February 20, 2026

Videos of Punch clutching his plush toy have millions of views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and the hashtag #KeepGoingPunch has been used by thousands to express their solidarity with Punch.

The Ichikawa City Zoo has reported an increase in visitors, and the IKEA comfort toy sold out.

But yesterday, a wave of joy spread around the world as videos showed that Punch was finally welcomed into a family of monkeys inside his zoo.

Baby Punch, an orphan monkey that was abandoned by his mother, has finally been accepted by the other monkeys.

Punch was initially rejected the other monkeys, so he hung tightly to his plushie and was alone.

However, the little guy has started playing with the other young… pic.twitter.com/IaiE2LHpsJ

— Sunthar (@Sunthar_16) February 18, 2026

Daily Mail reported:

“Punch, a six-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, became an internet sensation after videos showed the lonely little primate finding comfort and companionship in his stuffed toy.

[…] The baby’s bumpy ride is finally over, as social media videos on Friday showed the adult troop member wrapping him in a tight embrace.”

The baby monkey ‘melted hearts worldwide’ when videos of him clinging to zookeepers and to his stuffed orangutan toy were shared.

“Because infant monkeys instinctively cling to their mothers from birth and he was rejected from his mother, staff offered Punch blankets and soft toys to ease his anxiety.  He quickly chose the plush orangutan and has barely let go since.

Viral videos showed Punch hugging the toy as he sleeps, wrapping his arms around it and burying his face into the fabric.”

Little Punch has made his first true friend—that sweet macaque is no longer alone.

Abandoned by his mother, and rejected by his fellow monkeys, Punch became a loner, always carrying a stuffed animal with him.

Now he’s made friends with another monkey, who’s started caring for… https://t.co/zuqNQnVrim pic.twitter.com/95NfJ6m24C

— lone wolf (@MApodogan) February 17, 2026

Read more:

St. Louis Calls Off Search for Band of Monkeys Allegedly Accompanied by a Goat After AI Images Flood Social Media

The post Baby Monkey Rejected by Mother Takes the Internet by Storm, and Causes People Around the World To Rejoice as ‘Punch’ is Adopted by a Family of Monkeys in Japan Zoo appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Rep. Brian Mast was on “Sunday Morning Futures” with host Maria Bartiromo to discuss President Donald Trump and the possibility of military strikes on Iran.

Mast also discussed the armed man who was able to get into Mar-A-Lago. The man was shot and killed by law enforcement.

The President was in Washington DC the time of the incident.

“President Trump is weighing a limited military strike on Iran,” Bartiromo said.

“The President is setting a deadline for a deal to be made within the next week or so, and as the US amasses its largest military buildup in the Middle East since the Iraq war in 2003,” Bartiromo commented.

“What are you expecting in terms of the US potentially striking Iran?” Bartiromo asked.

“I expect number one that diplomacy continues. You have Kirschner, you have Witkoff meeting in Geneva, trying to offer, here’s the offramp. You have to end nuclear enrichment, you have to ban ballistic missile programs,” Mast said.

“Stop having the Ayatollah kill your people. Stop threatening the United States of America,” Mast continued.

Rep Mast explained that he didn’t think that Iran would go for the diplomacy path, and that the US would have to use a Military strike instead.

“I don’t think they will take that offramp. I think we end up using the capabilities of our two carrier battle groups that are in the region when that timeline hits to say, the threat to America comes to an end,” Mast said.

“It’s destruction or diplomacy. It’s one or the other, and I think they choose destruction,” Mast continued.

“So, just to be clear, the President has given a deadline of the first week in March. You are expecting a strike from the United States on Iran?” Bartiromo asked.

“I expect that Iran does not take the diplomatic offramp and that it comes to a strike for the President to protect the homeland of the United States of America, which absolutely this is against an imminent threat against the American people,” Mast continued.

“Let me get your reaction to what has taken place overnight. We had a shooter show up at Mar-A-Lago armed with a shotgun and a gas can,” Bartiromo said.

Mast praised the Sheriff’s Department in Palm Beach for their commitment to protect President Trump. He also blasted Democrats for not funding the Department of Homeland Security.

“We have the best possible Sheriff’s Departments anywhere across the country, so thank you to my Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputies,” Mast said.

“Protecting our President. They do their job better than anybody can do it, and shame on Democrats. If you don’t know, Secret Service is not funded because Democrats are not funding the Department of Homeland Security,” Mast said.

“Do you believe this was in fact a third assassination attempt on our President?” Bartiromo asked.

“Absolutely. If somebody is coming to the President’s home with a firearm, with a gas can, with something incendiary, or something explosive, or anything else, you have to believe they have an intent to conduct an attack against the President of the United States of America,” Mast continued.

Watch:

Today on @SundayFutures with @MariaBartiromo, Florida Congressman Brian Mast @BrianMastFL reacted to the breaking news of an armed man shot outside Mar-A-Lago earlier this morning. Congressman Mast also spoke about President Trump considering military strikes on Iran. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/Q5lGJ9gw2A

— SundayMorningFutures (@SundayFutures) February 22, 2026

The post Rep. Brian Mast Weighs in on President Trump Considering Military Strikes on Iran – “It’s Destruction or Diplomacy. It’s One or the Other and I Think They Choose Destruction” (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The fake news media attacked FBI Director Kash Patel for celebrating with the men’s hockey players after Team USA defeated Canada 2-1.

For the first time in more than 4 decades, Team USA won the men’s ICE hockey gold medal against Canada in overtime on Sunday.

Led the team all the way to this #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/YjiktdpxhH

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 22, 2026

Kash Patel traveled to Milan to visit with the Milan Joint Operations Center and meet with international partners to support the Winter Olympics.

“The JOC is focused on protecting the US athletes, 250,000 US citizens who traveled to Milan for the games, as well as the private sector companies we share information with every day,” Kash Patel said on Saturday.

“Nearly 100 US Government personnel have been surged to support the Olympics since the start of 2026 – with lessons we’ll take into the FIFA World Cup later this summer,” Kash Patel said.

Great visit with the Milan Joint Operations Center, a 24/7 interagency operation with international partners to support the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games. The JOC is focused on protecting the US athletes, 250,000 US citizens who traveled to Milan for the games, as well as… pic.twitter.com/RKUuq28NGk

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 21, 2026

On Sunday, Kash Patel celebrated with Team USA.

“Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world. These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created,” Kash Patel said.

“ congrats boys,” he said.

Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world. These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.… pic.twitter.com/hBG987pxM2

— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) February 22, 2026

Kash Patel was in the locker room with Team USA after they won the gold.

WATCH:

The Fake News media attacked Kash Patel for traveling to Milan.

“The FBI Director Celebrates Olympic Hockey Victor on Day of Mar-a-Lago Shooting,” the New York Times said.

“Here is @FBIDirectorKash Patel – whose office said he was flying on government jet to Olympics strictly for business – not to see hockey. I’m told taxpayers will pay >100k for this,” MSNOW said.

“FBI Party Director Kash Patel just got busted on camera goofing off with Olympic athletes after telling the media he went to Italy for “meetings!”” Occupy Democrats said in a social media post.

The post Fake News Media Attacks Kash Patel For Celebrating with Team USA Hockey Champs After Olympic Gold Medal Win (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin was on “Sunday Morning Futures” with host Maria Bartiromo to discuss deregulation at the EPA.

Zeldin also discussed the armed man at Mar-A-Lago that was shot and killed by law enforcement early Sunday morning.

“What is your reaction to a shooter showing up at Mar-A-Lago holding a shotgun and a gas can?” Bartiromo asked.

“It’s infuriating. When does it end?” Zeldin commented.

“The people who lose their lives like my good friend Charlie Kirk. The people with the close calls like President Trump has now on multiple occasions. The people who have experienced physical violence. I mean, we settle our scores at the ballot box,” Zeldin said.

“For people to try to bring a shotgun and a fuel can to the President’s home at Mar-A-Lago to cause who knows what kind of damage. I look forward to learning more. It is infuriating,” Zeldin continued.

“Do you expect this rhetoric to stop anytime soon?” Bartiromo asked.

“To be brutally honest, I fear that the rhetoric is only going to continue to get worse on the left. I mean, they are desperate and in the search for power to ramp up an activist base, they are running out of words,” Zeldin explained.

“Let me turn to your portfolio, and what you have been able to do in terms of rolling back regulations. This is one of President Trump’s key tenets of his agenda, deregulation,” Bartiromo said.

“Tell us about that and its impact?” Bartiromo asked.

Zeldin explained that deregulation under President Trump has saved the United States over 1 trillion dollars from costly environmental regulations brought on by the previous Obama and Biden administrations.

“President Trump on day one signed an executive order telling me to do all the research, the vetting, provide a recommendation in the first 30 days of his administration,” Zeldin said.

“And pressed forward at Trump speed, announcing with President Trump in the Roosevelt room what is the largest act of deregulation in American history. 1.3 trillion dollars of savings,” Zeldin said.

Watch:

Today on @SundayFutures with @MariaBartiromo, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin @LeeMZeldin reacted to the breaking news of an armed man shot outside Mar-A-Lago earlier this morning. EPA Administrator Zeldin also spoke about deregulation under the Trump Administration. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/zUhnpKuAm7

— SundayMorningFutures (@SundayFutures) February 22, 2026

The post Lee Zeldin on Deregulation at the EPA – “The Largest Act of Deregulation in American History, 1.3 trillion Dollars of Savings” (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.