Bari's Epic Troll on Clooney: "Bonjour!"

Just how *chef's kiss* perfect was Bari Weiss' riposte to George Clooney? Even the Hollywood Reporter felt forced to salute.

First, though, let's start with Clooney, who went out of his way to take a swipe at the new editor-in-chief at CBS News. In an interview with Variety published yesterday, Clooney was asked about the risks of studio consolidation in Hollywood, a very real issue that Clooney decided to ignore. Instead, Clooney accused Weiss of attempting to dismantle CBS News, free speech, hot dogs, and apple pie while wrapping himself in the flag:

In a new cover story with Variety tied to the release of his new movie, “Jay Kelly,” Clooney faults top law firms like Paul, Weiss, universities like Columbia, and news networks such as CBS and ABC for folding and settling when Trump and his lieutenants sued them. ...

Clooney is horrified by how David Ellison, Skydance’s founder and Paramount’s chairman, has moved to reshape its coverage by installing conservative commentator Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News.

“Bari Weiss is dismantling CBS News as we speak,” Clooney says. “Am I worried about film studios? Sure. It’s my business, but my primary loyalty is to my country. I’m much more worried about how we inform ourselves and how we’re going to discern reality without a functioning press.”

Allow me a small correction. Clooney wrapped himself in a flag, not the. But which one? Variety doesn't mention it in its profile, but Clooney and his wife Amal just accepted citizenship in France, in large part to keep the media that Clooney supposedly champions from intruding on his life:

George Clooney and his wife Amal have been granted French citizenship, along with their two children, according to an official decree in France’s government gazette, the Journal Officiel, published over the weekend.

In an interview with French radio earlier this month, Clooney praised French privacy laws that protect his family from paparazzi.

“Here, they don’t take photos of kids. There aren’t any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That’s number one for us,” he told RTL Radio. ... 

The Clooneys own a property in southern France, in a former wine estate called the Domaine du Canadel, near the village of Brignoles, which they purchased in 2021. The pair also owns an estate in Italy’s Lake Como region, purchased in 2002, and bought a historic manor in England.

Clooney told RTL that although the family travels frequently, their home in France “is where we’re happiest.”

Actually, that's a defensible position for celebrities to relocate to France. I agree that American paparazzi and celebrity-focused media get far too invasive in their coverage, although like the royalty biz, celebrities go out of their way to court that attention, too. But the Clooneys didn't just relocate – they took citizenship in an attempt to limit media coverage while Clooney wraps himself in the First Amendment to claim purity on free speech and expertise in the news industry. 

Aaaaaaand that brings us to Bari Weiss' public slapback at Clooney for his unprompted personal attack. She made sure to speak Clooney's new national language to get his attention:

CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss ribbed newly minted French citizen George Clooney after the star accused her of wrecking the network, inviting him to the newsroom and hinting he might be in need of a journalism refresher.

“Bonjour, Mr. Clooney! Big fan of your work. It sounds like you’d like to learn more about ours,” Weiss said in an email statement that CBS parent company Paramount Skydance shared with The Post on Tuesday.

“This is an open invitation to visit the CBS Broadcast Center, where I’m spending the holidays working to relaunch the Evening News with my colleagues. Tune in January 5.”

Even the Hollywood Reporter recognized Bari's trolling grandmastery:

CBS News boss Bari Weiss is sending a message to George Clooney after the actor criticized her management of the news network.

The editor in chief issued an open invitation for Clooney to visit her newsroom and playfully mocked his move to France.

“Bonjour, Mr. Clooney!,” wrote Weiss in a statement shared with The New York Post.

Sacre bleu! Zat ees, how do we zay ... brutale?

Will Clooney répondez s'il vous plait to Weiss' invitation to learn a few things? After all, that's a fairly generous offer, under the circumstances. Unlike Clooney, Weiss has actually worked in the media industry rather than reading a script or two about it. Not only has Weiss worked at media companies like the New York Times, she built a formidable media outlet from scratch at The Free Press. Weiss succeeded on such a massive scale that Paramount acquired it for nine figures in order to get Weiss' editorial expertise at the top of CBS News. 

Clooney might learn a few things. Probably not, but ... maybe.

If Clooney doesn't want to take up Weiss' invitation, I'd be happy to take it up. Have yours call mine, Bari – let's do lunch, or something. Of course, I know she's busy trying to transform CBS News from a Journ-O-List narrative amplification service into a media organization that does actual reporting. That will be hard work, and so I'd bet that a tête-à-tête between managing editors would probably fall pretty far down Weiss' priority list, more's the pity. 

Still, though, I understand the pressure. Maybe Weiss will invite Christopher Rufo first, and maybe she should. I can wait my turn. 

https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2025/12/31/bari-trolls-clooney-bonjour-n3810379

Fire Lies 1: A Flashback to the Spark That Destroyed Pacific Palisades and Trust in Leadership

Minutes after midnight one year ago, federal prosecutors allege, a man-child preacher's kid, with anger issues and a fixation for setting his Bible on fire, took the long barbecue-type lighter he had in his car and set the blaze that later would incinerate more than half of the Pacific Palisades. Six days later, a Santa Ana wind — the Devil's Winds — would spark the fire back into existence to kill twelve people and destroy 6,800 homes. More than half the homes in Pacific Palisades would be burned along with billions in possessions, lost art, real estate, and mementos belonging to the people who called that wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood home.

While the visible flames were put out, firefighters knew the fire danger was far from over, according to texts revealed last October, which I covered in "Bombshell Texts Reveal L.A. Fire Brass Knew Fire That Burned Down Palisades Wasn’t Out." Indeed, this week, PJ Media's Stephen Green (Vodkapundit) wrote about another tranche of texts showing that there was no interest in putting out the underground fires because of environmental concerns. Of course, PJ Media readers know this all too well, as I wrote about in "Stunner: California Saved a Shrub Instead of Protecting Humans in the L.A. Fire."

This past year, however, Palisades homeowners would learn only too well that the safety of people was a lower priority than plants and edicts from environmental czars.

The Lachman Fire, as it was called, was started shortly after the stroke of midnight last New Year's Eve, according to the federal indictment charging a former L.A. resident with setting it:

The first indication of the Lachman Fire was captured at 12:12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2025, from a camera approximately 4.7 miles away. Footage taken from that same camera 35 seconds earlier did not show a fire. A closer camera, approximately two-tenths of a mile away from the Hidden Buddha clearing, first captured the glow of the fire at 12:12:21 a.m.

Red-handed: Mayor Karen Bass and LAFD Caught Red Handed in COVER UP of Palisades Fire Response

Shortly after the fire call came in, California State Parks employees texted the LAFD to find out if the local firefighters would be using bulldozers and other heavy equipment to fight the fire. 

“Heck no that area is full of endangered plants,” Capt. Richard Diede replied at 9:52 a.m, five hours after LAFD declared the fire contained.

“I would be a real idiot to ever put a dozer in that area,” he wrote. “I’m so trained.”

...LAFD decided early on not to use bulldozers, but has not explained why. LAFD announced it had contained the fire at 4:46 a.m. Jan. 1, less than 20 minutes after the first state parks official arrived at the command post.

The texts are part of discovery and depositions in the case brought against the state by hundreds of Palisades home owners. 

Pacific Palisades residents no doubt loved the trails and canyons to hike in, but did they know that their lives and homes would be surrendered to plants? Had California officials, answering to the left's environmental priorities, fully informed them that if a fire occurred, plants would take priority? 

Federal prosecutors say that seconds after setting the fire, Jonathan Rinderknecht tried to call 911, but bad cell service prevented the call from going through. His GPS was working, however, because that's how the feds pinpointed the then-28-year-old walking on the Skull Rock Hiking Trail after dropping off a fare. Video footage verified that he was there. 

The indictment shows his car on the road.

While driving away from the scene, Rinderknecht saw fire crews going in the opposite direction. He turned around and offered to help them fight the fire, according to an interview he gave to federal investigators. 

Rinderknecher, who grew up in France with his Baptist missionary parents, often excitedly discussed with his constant companion, ChatGPT, about burning his Bible and how excited that made him feel. According to the indictment against him, in the days and, indeed, minutes leading to the fire, he listened to a French tune "'Un Zder, Un The,” by the French hip hop artist Josman and watched the video of the song, which features the singer setting a fire. 

Federal arson investigators believe Rinderknecht started the fire using a piece of paper or dried brush and not a cigarette or other smoking materials.

For Our VIPs: As 'President,' Gavin Newsom Would Let Your House Burn Down Too

Investigators believe the former Palisades resident fixated on the wealth of that neighborhoods' home owners, as shown in a photo he spoke into existence on ChatGPT using this prompt included in the indictment:

On July 11, 2024, RINDERKNECHT provided the following prompt to ChatGPT: “A dystopian painting divided into distinct parts that blend together seamlessly. On the far left, there is a burning forest. Next to it, a crowd of people is running away from the fire, leading to the middle. In the middle, hundreds of thousands of people in poverty are trying to get past a gigantic gate with a big dollar sign on it. On the other side of the gate and the entire wall is a conglomerate of the richest people. They are chilling, watching the world burn down, and watching the people struggle. They are laughing, enjoying themselves, and dancing. The scene is detailed and impactful, highlighting the stark contrast and the direct connection between the different parts of the world.

Here's the photo ChatGPT conjured for the suspect:

On the state's pecking order, the people of the Palisades and their homes were at the mercy of a crazy, wealth-obsessed arsonist and the whims of state environmental policy.

In my next installation of looking back at the 2025 LA Fire Lies, the mayor leaves town and the local government takes leave of its senses. 

https://pjmedia.com/victoria-taft/2025/12/31/fire-lies-a-flashback-to-the-spark-that-destroyed-a-california-community-n4947731

Trump Administration Announces Huge Action Against Somali Fraudsters

The Somali migrants who are involved in the widespread fraud of government welfare programs could have their citizenship stripped as a result.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that the Trump administration is looking into denaturalization for those who participated in the schemes. During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Leavitt said the Departments of Homeland Security and State are “looking at” making the move.

“We know that there are liberal activist judges across the country who will try to block and tackle this administration from pursuing justice at every turn,” Leavitt said. “But that's not going to stop the President and his entire cabinet by acting on behalf of law-abiding, tax-paying citizens in the state of Minnesota and in states across the country who have been ripped off by people who abused our immigration system, came to our country, do not love our country or respect our values, and now have been ripping off and stealing money from law-abiding Americans.” 

This administration is not going to tolerate it. Again, this is a whole of government effort. We've surged resources. As you pointed out, the Department of Justice has already charged and prosecuted nearly 100 people. In fact, the buildings and some of the sites that Nick Shirley exposed in that video are under current investigation by the Department of Justice. One of those sites, the Midway Building, resulted in 13 defendants already being charged earlier this year under the leadership of our attorney general and President Trump.  

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaugllin told The Hill that “if an individual procures citizenship on a fraudulent basis, that is grounds for denaturalization.”

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the Hill on Wednesday that “under U.S. law, if an individual procures citizenship on a fraudulent basis, that is grounds for denaturalization.”

More than 240,000 people of Somali descent lived in the U.S. as of 2024, including more than 100,000 in Minnesota, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. 

Somalis in Minnesota have been at the center of a fraud scheme.

Of the 98 people charged by the Department of Justice in its sweeping fraud probe dating to 2022, 85 are of Somali descent. The convicted ringleader of the Feeding our Future fraud scheme, Aimee Bock, is white.

Denaturalization can only happen if a federal court determines that someone either lied on their citizenship application, hid important information, or wasn’t actually eligible to become a citizen in the first place. The White House will audit immigration cases involving the Somalis suspected of participating in the schemes. 

However, under current federal law, the government cannot denaturalize a citizen solely for crimes committed after they were naturalized.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/jeff-charles/2025/12/31/trump-administration-mulls-revoking-citizenship-of-somali-americans-involved-in-fraud-scheme-n2668717

No Theft of Russian Sovereign Assets: Belgium & Orbán Stop the EU’s Legal Madness

Guest post by Drieu Godefridi

While Brussels was preparing yet another moralistic coup against reality, Belgium pulled the emergency brake.

Against the will of Berlin, against the ideological intoxication of the European Commission, and against the growing temptation to trample international law in the name of “virtue,” the European Union has abandoned the outright seizure of Russian sovereign assets. Instead, it has opted for a €90 billion “joint loan” for Ukraine—a loan in name only, a gift in substance.

This is not a technical adjustment.
It is a political defeat for Germany, a strategic victory for Belgium, and a rare moment of lucidity in a Union drifting toward legal nihilism.

The German Plan Collapses

For months, Berlin pushed a dangerous idea: confiscate Russian sovereign assets frozen in Europe and rebrand the theft as “reparations.” The logic was crude, emotional, and legally suicidal. No court ruling. No peace treaty. No settlement. Just brute force dressed up as righteousness.

Germany wanted to force this plan through—on the back of others.

Why? Because Belgium holds the bomb.

The bulk of Russian assets are immobilized at Euroclear in Brussels. Which means that if Russia—or any future claimant—wins in court, Belgium alone would face catastrophic financial liability.

Belgium’s Moment of Truth

Prime Minister Bart De Wever asked a simple, devastating question:

If you want us to confiscate these assets, will you guarantee Belgium against all legal and financial consequences—without limit?

Silence.

The so-called “partners” demanded unlimited risk from Belgium, while refusing any unlimited guarantee in return.

That was the end of the fantasy.

No sovereign state—especially a small one—can accept infinite liability to satisfy Berlin’s moral exhibitionism. At that moment, the German plan collapsed.

Italy and Hungary Break the Spell

Italy quietly but decisively contributed to burying the confiscation scheme. Hungary, meanwhile, helped design the alternative: a joint EU loan.

Let’s be clear: this “loan” is not a loan. It is a transfer, disguised for political convenience. €90 billion that will never realistically be repaid.

But legally, it matters.
No theft. No precedent. No demolition of property rights.

De Wever vs. Merz: David Beats Goliath

Bart De Wever enters European history as the leader who stood firm under EU pressure and refused to open a legal Pandora’s box whose consequences would have echoed far beyond Ukraine.

Friedrich Merz, by contrast, leaves empty-handed. Like Jacques Chirac once scolding Central Europe, Merz attempted to bully a smaller nation into submission. He failed.

A country of 12 million people put Germany in its place.

And it did so not by grandstanding, but by defending international law, financial prudence, and strategic restraint.

Why This Matters Globally

Had the EU crossed this line, the consequences would have been global:

• No sovereign assets would ever again be safe in Europe
• Central banks worldwide would flee EU jurisdictions
• The euro’s credibility as a reserve currency would collapse
• The West would legitimize asset seizure by pure political will

Belgium understood this. Berlin did not—or did not care.

A Rare Victory for Law Over Ideology

For once, caution prevailed.
For once, a small country said no.
For once, Brussels blinked.

And for that, Bart De Wever deserves credit.

Drieu Godefridi is a PhD from the Sorbonne and a leading voice on European lost sovereignty.

Follow Drieu on X.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/no-theft-russian-sovereign-assets-belgium-orban-stop/