Through the magic of sports, we have the <a href="https://www.al.com/news/2026/06/the-real-star-of-alabamas-world-cup-match-freddy-from-germany-and-his-1-am-buc-ees-dinner.html">following actual headline in Alabama media</a>:
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The real star of Alabama’s World Cup match? Freddy from Germany and his 1 a.m. Buc-ee’s dinner
</blockquote>
My most requested topic this week is not this classic NBA Finals. Instead, it’s this sudden genre of “Awestruck Europeans traveling through the USA heartland.”
Apparently, due to the World Cup, an event that arguably means less to Americans than the aforementioned Finals or even your standard NFL playoff game, we’ve been invaded by gawking Euros. These visitors see our land through a different lens, excitedly consuming flyover state bounties we often take for granted. This is like if a thousand Alexis de Tocquevilles applied their observations to Bass Pro Shops.
Is this now viral commentary authentic? Flattering? Condescending? Is “Freddy from Germany” even real? Maybe not, but in a way, yes.
With now-famous German fan FreddyLA7, who’s notable enough to receive <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZbIPP7vCHs/">tourism assistance from NFL great JJ Watt</a>, there’s some mystery here:
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He apparently started his X account back in the days when it was known as Twitter in 2021. His X account states he’s based in Germany (according to X, “The country or region that an account is based can be impacted by recent travel or temporary relocation. This data may not be accurate and can change periodically.”). He’s got a verified account, but all that means is that he pays for it. He’s had four username changes since September 2024.
</blockquote>
Some cynics, <a href="https://x.com/sportsrapport/status/2064712970744053765?s=42">including those who regularly visit this podcast</a>, view the emergent onslaught of Freddys as plausibly part of some astroturfed campaign to raise pro-Murica sentiment during these festivities. The softer cynical theory is just that these Euros have found an easy template for positive Internet engagement. Maybe AleksanderGunner89 doesn’t really like Costco that much. Perhaps what he really likes is all the likes he gets from liking Costco.
And why are we Americans so generously handing out that Internet engagement? Aren’t we infamously incurious about the broader world’s judgment? My take is, contrived or not, the America-loving visitors are tapping into an understandable want.
I think these football tourists landed on a market inefficiency that I first noticed back in March, when the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-30/japanese-x-is-now-america-s-favorite-corner-of-the-internet">Twitter/X translation feature revealed an entire Japanese subculture of USA fetishization</a>. Those Japanese X users were into the cowboy hats and BBQ, and Americans aware of this phenomenon were mostly tickled by it. Growing up, I associated the export of our brand with gleaming Manhattan skyscrapers. To many around the world, their America was the version Billy Crystal and his New York friends sought in &#8220;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Slickers">City Slickers</a>.&#8221;
The prevalent Japanese view of USA culture reminded me of that old 2004 election meme of describing the divide in our nation as between the <a href="https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/jesusland">United States of Canada vs. Jesusland</a>. These Japanese America lovers betrayed little interest in the United States of Canada. It seems they preferred Jesusland, or perhaps more currently, Trumpland, a profound source of embarrassment to an American traveler type who craves an image of worldly sophistication. The Japanese Americana moment turned this sore subject on its head. Japan, a high-status travel destination for our coastal elites, contained people who saw high status in what many here regard as low culture. They saw something to be proud of in archetypes that my friends and neighbors view as intrinsically embarrassing.
Now the visiting Euros are putting an additional spin on this. The Japanese were in love with an image, whereas the charmed Europeans are more like <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryPorn/comments/17rbb5z/boris_yeltsin_visits_a_grocery_store_in_houston/">Boris Yeltsin at the Houston grocery store</a>. Yes, France might have given the world “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O--ZUZ7JINM&amp;t=2s">democracy, existentialism, and the ménage à trois</a>.” But America invented the <a href="https://x.com/CCPISASSH0E/status/2065169049349194101/video/1?s=46">free refill</a>.
You arrive here and of course aren’t easily finding your way to a cattle drive. The real America isn’t necessarily the one spotlighted in the TV series “Yellowstone.” Instead, it’s a vast expanse of commercialized abundance. It’s the biggest Bass Pro Shops. It’s the Wisconsin Dells water parks. While our elites fetishize the “walkable” European city, World Cup Europeans are gobsmacked by the scale and splendor of the drivable USA safari.
For whatever we lack, we also have a lot of space and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rDTRuCOs9g&amp;t=1s">stuff</a>. It’s easy to see the flaw in a culture that revolves around consumption, but it’s also easy to take stuff, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/02/climate/europe-air-conditioning-heat-wave-intl-latam">like air conditioning</a>, for granted. We have poverty, of course. We have gun crime, infamously. We also have a middle class with access to wonders unimaginable to many around the planet. “Freedom” is a well-worn American cliché, but clichés exist for a reason.
There’s so much negativity out there in high culture about our nation, from our own elites and elites abroad. We’re at a current low point in Gallup’s “<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/692150/american-pride-slips-new-low.aspx">Are You Proud to be an American?</a>” question, with much of the decline driven by liberals during this Trump era. That makes some sense, but let’s take a 30,000-foot view of that historic bottom:
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A record-low 58% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely” (41%) or “very” (17%) proud to be an American, down nine percentage points from last year and five points below the prior low from 2020.
</blockquote>
This means that a solid majority of Americans are still “extremely” or “very” proud to be an American. Where in the national news can they find feel-good stories that channel this sentiment? If you’re looking for smaller anecdotes, it’s not especially novel to see Murica-love voiced by a flag-waving Texan. It’s more fun to witness such positivity from the vantage of a <a href="https://x.com/RobertMSterling/status/2065178273441591515/video/1?s=46">cosplaying World Cup Brit</a>.
In conclusion, yes, there might be an aspect of contrivance to the current praise of our country from this influx of visitors. There&#8217;s also a real, mostly unmet yearning for that kind of admiration. Perhaps <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Ng6DQ_7Q0">Buc-ee’s isn’t really the best we have to offer</a>. But our country offers a whole lot to a great many, and there’s something glorious about the size and color of the American mundane.
***
This is republished with permission from the author. The original essay appears <a href="https://www.houseofstrauss.com/p/why-europeans-are-falling-in-love">here</a>.
Ethan Strauss is the creator of the Substack House of Strauss. He is a former NBA PR gopher, basketblogger, and NBA beat writer.

Buc-ee’s is a popular chain of stores and gas stations headquartered in Texas

Europeans Came To See The World Cup And Find America At Buc-ee’s

Buc-ee's

DW Opinion

Sports

World Cup

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
***
Welcome to the Bright Side, a weekly roundup of all the good news and ideas you might have missed from the past week.
We’ve reached peak peony, y’all!
Serving prime basic babe energy, summer’s lush pink peonies are flooding gardens and farmers markets across the U.S. My little shiplap-n-shabby chic heart can barely handle those delicate ruffled petals and sweet, citrusy fragrance. I’ll be living for $2-per-stem at Trader Joe’s until the last blooming minute.
But if I lived near the University of Michigan, I would be Instagramming the heck outta the 10,000 blush blooms at the <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2026/06/look-at-university-of-michigans-peonies-hitting-peak-bloom.html?outputType=amp">W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden</a> right now. The most expansive collection of peonies in the nation provides the most romantic floral backdrop for a vibey English garden picnic, a watercolor painting session, or a casual stroll through the grassy grounds.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZxwUukiJxiE?si=z2OercmN-VoVHW52" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Hello, did you know you can eat peony petals? Because I didn’t! Named after the French stage actress, ridiculously fluffy <a href="https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/35491-product.html">Sarah Bernhardt</a> blooms infuse <a href="https://www.alaskapeonycooperative.com/blog/2021/05/11/enjoy-peonies-year-round-from-your-kitchen/">jellies, jams, cookies</a>, and <a href="https://youtu.be/_A_81HrdUYs?t=217">tea</a>. Maybe TJ’s should stock a few peonies in the snack aisle.
An adorable baby elephant doing baby elephant stuff
Adding to my eternal fascination with elephants and their gentle giant energy, an <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j29lzrx78o">endangered Thai Asian elephant</a> was just born at the Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, England. And at 3.3 feet tall and 243 pounds, he’s cute as a (really big) button. 
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A baby Asian elephant made his debut at a UK zoo on Wednesday at just two days old. 
On the eve of the FIFA World Cup, the baby boy was given a ball to play with and could be seen attempting a few dribbles and investigating with his trunk. <a href="https://t.co/ExczEmk16y">pic.twitter.com/ExczEmk16y</a>
— The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://x.com/AP/status/2065088623372877933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2026</a></blockquote>
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He has the fuzzy-haired, wrinkly forehead of an old man, but this little guy represents a hopeful future for his species. His older sister Nang Phaya was also raised by their attentive mother Donna (sounding like a <a href="https://www.parents.com/what-is-a-90s-butter-mom-11943963">&#8217;90s butter mom</a>). The baby of the family is in good hands.
He has yet to be named, but just hours after being born, he was already <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZc67GcM9xz/?hl=en">trotting around</a> and testing out his legs. Elephants technically walk on their <a href="https://herd.org.za/blog/fascinating-elephant-feet-facts/">tippy toes</a>, but considering how well this lil fella already dribbles a ball, I’m thinking he could be named after famous Thai footballer <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46029689/40-yard-97thminute-winner-chanathip-songkrasin-brilliance-undeniable">Chanathip Songkrasin</a>. Often compared to Lionel Messi, the soccer icon also goes by “<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjUPArrvsvX/">Messi Jay</a>.” Thank you for coming to my baby elephant-naming TedTalk. 
Analog pride with an epic celebration of pencils
If you’re into trad Punxsutawney Phil, you’re gonna love Minneapolis couple John and Amy Higgins’ annual <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/06/thousands-celebrate-5th-giant-pencil-sharpening-on-lake-of-the-isles">pencil-sharpening festival</a> every June. Never has “No. 2” had a more wholesome association. 
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🔥🚨LATEST: Thousands of people attended the 5th annual pencil sharpening at the home of Minneapolis couple Amy and John Higgins. This event is revolved around the sharpening of a giant pencil sculpture in their front yard. <a href="https://t.co/j0Afw7io1m">pic.twitter.com/j0Afw7io1m</a>
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) <a href="https://x.com/dom_lucre/status/2064051309318205894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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After the top of their 180-year-old oak tree was destroyed by a storm, the cultural philanthropists commissioned an artist to sculpt the remaining trunk into a 20-foot-tall writing instrument. Now, thousands of people “pencil in” the party every year, which takes place at the couple’s home and features local marching bands, merch, costumed character performers, free ice cream, and a ceremonial “sharpening” of the giant sculpture. 
“When you sharpen it, you smell that graphite. When you erase, you can smell the rubber,” said <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iAxo6KeLolM?t=24&amp;feature=share">John Higgins</a> at the event. “What the pencil can do when you sharpen it, is so much more. It’s a promise to do something.” 
Being in nature actually makes us feel better
<a href="https://sempervirens.org/news/introduction-to-forest-bathing/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=15286828546&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADnymdpwyf3WbzkD4uaQCDmIEwpXk&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwuanRBhBSEiwAY5y6V6v2x4PtKDppZi6GZhbyFzDlSBc8kCyNOVLm_qrdR8SmQJ6K-4kHERoCnHIQAvD_BwE">Forest bathing</a>, or the intentional practice of immersing yourself in nature, might sound like your crunchy neighbor’s favorite thing to do when they’re not DIY-ing soap from beef tallow. But a new study by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412026002357?via%3Dihub">Environment International</a> suggests that spending time in nature really does increase satisfaction in life. Thanks, grass!
It’s obvious to anyone who enjoys a hike in the woods or camping on the beach, but nature has long been known as a salve for the spirits, offering all of us the chance to ditch our screens for a boost in mood and a sense of well-being. But a recent survey of over 50,000 people of all ages and nationalities showed increased self-compassion and, in turn, greater optimism about life. All from connecting with nature. 
“No one says, ‘That tree’s ugly because it fell and the other ones are standing up,’” notes content creator <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/06/05/surprising-science-backed-reason-being-nature-makes-you-feel-good/">Tori Murphy</a>, who enjoys the refreshing landscape of Juneau, Alaska, where she lives. “Just because it isn’t perfect, doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful.” Same goes for us humans.
If you’re having trouble shaking off your “city thoughts” as you become one with the great outdoors, put your phone on silent, take a few deep breaths, and activate your senses. Smell campfire smoke wafting through the air? Hear cicadas or birds in the trees? Feel the warmth of the sun, or a cool breeze on your skin? You’re doing it right.  
Art imitating life via the nearest empty driveway
Growing up, we used our backyard hose for more nefarious purposes like spraying whoever was standing inside the screen door to the patio. But one family puts their resources to much better use, creating some pretty fantastic water silhouettes in their driveway.
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<section><a title="@mamamamamamidwest" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mamamamamamidwest?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@mamamamamamidwest</a> Our family was absolutely floored by the millions of you who watched us make water sillouettes in our driveway last summer. It was a little summer fun that brought so much happiness and so many new friends. We are kicking off the summer by bringing back our water art and this time it’s all about movies. Can you guess the movies we are portraying? What do you want to see next? We have a hose and a driveway and we can keep the fun coming!!! <a title="summerfun" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/summerfun?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#summerfun</a> <a title="water" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/water?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#water</a> <a title="movies" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/movies?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#movies</a> <a title="kidsoftiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kidsoftiktok?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#kidsoftiktok</a> <a title="series" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/series?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#series</a> <a title="♬ Summer Days - Mirage chart" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Summer-Days-7392157554179377168?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ Summer Days &#8211; Mirage chart</a></section>
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I don’t know what level of crafting genius is required to be the Midwest mom who comes up with this type of activity, but I aspire toward inventing iconic images even half as recognizable as <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mamamamamamidwest/video/7521856434414308639?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7612721609313699341">Air Jordan</a>, “Mary Poppins,” “E.T.,” and “The Little Mermaid.” My silhouette would probably end up looking like a sidewalk crime scene. Wait — maybe I’m just being hard on myself. I’m sure I could do a pretty mean “starfish.”
***
Okay, it’s not the most popular sport in the U.S., but I love watching a World Cup game at a bar with enthusiastic fans! Bonus points for an ice cold beer. Help me feel better by sharing your guiltiest pleasures and joys in the comments. You can <a href="mailto:lbair@dailywire.com">email</a> me too. There’s so much to celebrate and it’s more fun to do it together! — Lauren

Spring weather – May 28

The Bright Side: A Soccer-Playing Baby Elephant And Other Stories You Need Right Now

baby elephant

bright side

Nature

pencil sharpening

peonies

Upstream

Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday in Mexico City, capitalizing on an early defensive mistake and a second-half red card.
Mexico’s Julián Quiñones scored the tournament&#8217;s first goal in the eighth minute after South Africa’s midfielder Sphephelo S’miso “Yaya” Sithole lost possession just outside the penalty area, allowing Mexico to take an early 1-0 lead. The mistake directly led to the first goal of the 2026 World Cup.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
MEXICO SCORES THE FIRST GOAL OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP 🇲🇽
It&#8217;s Julián Quiñones in the scoresheet! <a href="https://t.co/SnoP04ltFP">pic.twitter.com/SnoP04ltFP</a>
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) <a href="https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2065151323280990213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2026</a></blockquote>
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South Africa prevented Mexico from adding to its advantage for the remainder of the first half, but the match swung further in Mexico&#8217;s favor shortly after halftime.
Sithole was shown a red card five minutes into the second half, the ejection reducing South Africa to 10 men for the remainder of the match. The turnover that led to Mexico&#8217;s opening goal and the early red card made Sithole a central figure in South Africa&#8217;s defeat.
Mexico eventually doubled its lead in the 67th minute when Raúl Jiménez scored on a header to give Mexico a 2-0 lead. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
South Africa is shown a red card and is down to 10 men! 🟥 <a href="https://t.co/HnPqExqTRq">pic.twitter.com/HnPqExqTRq</a>
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) <a href="https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2065167041250591001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The victory gives Mexico an early advantage in Group A, while South Africa will now look to rebound against Czechia next week. 
Sithole, who finished the opening game with three fouls and was ejected in the second half, will be suspended for South Africa&#8217;s next match on Thursday.

Mexico v South Africa: Group A – FIFA World Cup 2026

South African Sithole Has Nightmare Start To World Cup

Mexico

South Africa

A foreign reporter with a history of praising Palestinian terrorism is roaming the United States for the World Cup, prompting one legal group to push the Trump administration to revoke his visa and deport him.
Ibrahim Khadra, a British national and beIN Sports broadcaster, has posted on social media in recent days indicating that he&#8217;s in the United States. In one post from June 7, Khadra wrote that he was awaiting the arrival of the Algerian soccer team at the airport in Kansas City, indicating that he&#8217;s in the country to cover the World Cup.
In a June 8 letter, the Lawfare Project asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to revoke Khadra&#8217;s visa for his &#8220;glorifying the terrorist activities of Hamas and Hezbollah, both designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations.&#8221;
&#8220;Your Department has exercised exactly this authority in comparable cases. The same authority should be applied here to a foreign national who has celebrated the slaughter of civilians and presents, based upon his prior documented conduct, a concrete risk of converting a World Cup credential into a platform for terrorist glorification on American soil,&#8221; the letter read.
&#8220;We urge the Department to act before that platform is furnished,&#8221; it added.
Khadra&#8217;s past statements of terrorist support include an X <a href="https://archive.md/pcrhI#selection-427.0-480.0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> he made the day of Hamas&#8217; attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, saying &#8220;scored goals that pierced the enemy&#8217;s net, crossed its borders and soldiers, and caught it by surprise from where it least expected.&#8221;
&#8220;O God, protect our people in proud Gaza and throughout #Palestine. God is Greatest, and praise be to God,&#8221; he wrote.
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On the first anniversary of the October 7 massacre, Khadra wrote that &#8220;the hypocritical leaders in Europe and the United States repeated the same lies, expressing sympathy for the victims of a single day of resistance, while conveniently ignoring 365 days of far greater brutality and terror, during which countless more lives were lost and affected,&#8221; adding &#8220;They lack the true values of humanity we hold #shame #FreePalestine.&#8221;
Khadra <a href="https://archive.md/PRn6a#selection-619.0-637.2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> a picture of late Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin in May 2021 with the caption &#8220;Good news foretold by the Sheikh of the Mujahideen, Ahmed Yassin, may God have mercy on him, more than 20 years ago.&#8221;
&#8220;I ask God to hasten the end of oppression and occupation from the land of pride and dignity, Palestine,&#8221; he wrote.
He also <a href="https://archive.md/0cXKl#selection-659.0-665.83" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared</a> his &#8220;condolences&#8221; after the assassination of senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh in a July 2024 X post.
The organization also wrote to Homeland Security officials asking them to initiate removal proceedings against Khadra, making him amenable to deportation from the United States.
&#8220;This referral follows a recognized and recently exercised enforcement sequence: the Department of State revokes a nonimmigrant visa on terrorism-related grounds, the visa holder&#8217;s lawful basis for presence is extinguished, and ICE may detain and place the individual in removal proceedings,&#8221; the Lawfare Project wrote.
&#8220;Mr. Khadra&#8217;s documented pattern of glorifying Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists, while exploiting U.S.-hosted international sporting events, poses a direct risk to public safety and to U.S. counterterrorism policy,&#8221; the group added.
Gerard Filitti, Senior Counsel with The Lawfare Project who signed the referrals, told The Daily Wire that the case exposes &#8220;a systemic flaw with our immigration screening process that the Trump administration has very appropriately put additional emphasis on screening visa applicants from a lot of countries, but when it comes to traditionally allied nations or friendly nations like the UK or the European Union, perhaps that&#8217;s a back door that&#8217;s being exploited.&#8221;
A State Department spokesperson said they couldn&#8217;t comment on &#8220;specific cases due to visa record confidentiality,&#8221; but said the country &#8220;is well prepared to welcome legitimate travelers from around the globe for the largest and greatest FIFA World Cup in history.&#8221;
&#8220;At the same time, the Administration will not waver in upholding U.S. law and the highest standards of national security and public safety in the conduct of our visa process,&#8221; the spokesperson said.
In one recent action, federal authorities blocked the entrance of a Somali World Cup referee because he associated with “suspected members of terror organizations.&#8221;
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denied Omar Artan&#8217;s entry after he landed at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday after discovering “derogatory information,” including his “association with suspected members of terror organizations,&#8221; a senior administration official recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-somali-referee-denied-entry-into-usa-for-associating-with-terror-organizations?author=Mary+Margaret+Olohan&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=EXCLUSIVE%3A+Somali+World+Cup+Ref+Denied+Entry+Into+USA+For+Terror+Ties">told</a> The Daily Wire.
The spokesperson added that the department adjudicates &#8220;each visa application on a case-by-case basis after rigorous review and thorough vetting to determine whether the individual is eligible under U.S. law.&#8221;
&#8220;Vetting is a continuous process, and applicants are vetted before, during, and after consular adjudication. After issuance of a visa, if the Department becomes aware of new, potentially adverse information, a consular officer reviews that information to determine whether the applicant remains eligible for a visa,&#8221; the spokesperson said.
Khadra didn&#8217;t respond to multiple requests for comment.

Untitled design – 2026-06-11T105259.224

Trump Admin Urged To Deport World Cup Reporter Who Glorified Terrorists

Hamas

Hezbollah

terorrism

Visas

The first time I showed up to the field, I had a water bottle and a tiny ball. I was wearing a tiny drawstring bag on my back, tiny cleats, and tiny shin guards. My hair was pulled up in a ponytail my mom did for me 15 minutes earlier. We were running late — as our family always was.
I was the eldest of three girls and the first in my family — but definitely not the last — to lace up and try grasshopper soccer. It was the thing to do in a small, rural farm town in Pennsylvania. My teammates and I would scramble up the rolling hills to reach the top of the park where our field waited. That field watched us grow into bigger children, but never fully grown. We&#8217;d always still be kids at heart, running amok on those green grasses.
Those were the best days.
My love for the game only deepened as I became a teenager and then a young woman. I played through high school, club soccer, academies, and camps. It was grueling and it was everything. It was where I formed my lifelong friendships. Where I learned to respect adults, teammates, and competitors. It was where I learned some of life&#8217;s most valuable lessons.
The field saw us laugh, cry, gallop, embrace, puke, scream, and smile. It raised us. It molded us. Soccer is what made me the woman I am today — and that sentiment rings true for millions of men and women across the United States and around the globe.
Which is why it fills me with something close to pure joy that the Mecca of soccer has found me again. The World Cup is here. Today, the games begin on our home turf. And I cannot help but feel immensely proud.
The greatest sporting event in the world has come to the greatest country in the world.
Nobody is appreciating it better right now than a young German man on X who goes by <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2065101101288833334/video/1">Freddy</a>. He&#8217;s a Ronaldo aficionado, which already makes him controversial in his home country — being that Ronaldo hails from Portugal and has played for many of Germany’s rival teams — and he&#8217;s spending six weeks traveling through the U.S. and our 51st state, Canada, in honor of the World Cup.
Freddy and his crew began their American pilgrimage in Atlanta, and his enthusiasm for this nation — and for the daily joys we&#8217;ve long taken for granted — has been exactly what the moment called for. He says Atlanta &#8220;feels like you&#8217;re in a forest the whole time.&#8221; He tracked down the filming locations of the television series Stranger Things. He made a stop at what he called the &#8220;motherland&#8221; — Taco Bell. He visited Walmart for the first time and treated it like a cathedral. He gave Waffle House a 10 out of 10. He drove through the mountains of Georgia, marveling that the houses were &#8220;insane&#8221; and that the views from Brasstown Bald reminded him of a rainforest. He stumbled into a German village that made him feel right at home. He wound through the Smokies listening to Ella <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064843218361991363">Langley</a> on repeat. In Alabama, a hotel receptionist offered to drive his group to their destination just to spare them the rain, and Freddy posted that he loved Americans. At Auburn, a bald eagle <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064514871685710295/video/1">soared</a> over their heads as the stadium erupted — and Freddy <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064530727807463920">wrote</a>: &#8220;This is the most &#8216;the European mind cannot comprehend this&#8217; moment of my life. One of my friends said, &#8216;Punch me five times tomorrow and I&#8217;ll still think this isn&#8217;t real.'&#8221;
Welcome, friend. We love that you love it.
But the <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064587316077744334">moment</a> that may have broken his brain entirely? Buc-ee&#8217;s. He simply could not process that it was a gas station.
Today they&#8217;re making their way to New Orleans. Sunday, Freddy lands in Houston to cheer on Germany. The world has loved watching his journey: seeing a foreigner discover, with genuine and unperformed delight, that America is awesome. He&#8217;s happy, so we&#8217;re happy.
It&#8217;s been a good week to be an American. Especially a Republican one.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/red-white-and-bruised-gop-senator-makes-spectacular-catch-in-congressional-baseball-game?row=0&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;rowType=Web+Search+Overlay">congressional baseball game</a> Wednesday night was won by the GOP for the sixth consecutive time, with Senator Eric Schmitt taking MVP honors after a third-inning <a href="https://x.com/ThomasMHern/status/2064859668292235271/video/1">dive</a> that robbed extra bases and left him with a bloody nose. That&#8217;s grit. That&#8217;s American. The country is locked in on basketball, choosing sides between New York and Texas — I&#8217;m selfishly pulling for the latter, if only to spite Mamdani. The Queens-born president <a href="https://x.com/brenonade/status/2064170711447421434/video/1">ate</a> a New York slice, New York-style, at a New York Knicks game. Monday, our military executed a remarkable rescue mission after a U.S. helicopter was <a href="https://x.com/NewYork_Insight/status/2064336193052131349/video/1">shot</a> down by Iranians, a display of American capability and resolve that our enemies will soon regret. A bipartisan <a href="https://x.com/ufc/status/2065047672688398483/video/1">brawl</a> — a genuine, celebratory bro-down — is reportedly set for the White House lawn to mark the president&#8217;s 80th birthday. Teddy Roosevelt would <a href="https://ussporthistory.com/2016/11/21/sparring-in-the-white-house-theodore-roosevelt-race-and-boxing/">approve</a>.
And in less than a month, America turns 250 years old, and the world is here to watch us celebrate.
Two and a half centuries. This experiment, this audacious bet on human freedom and self-governance, is still running. That is something to boast about.
The Left will bemoan our joy and America’s success. They always do. They&#8217;ll call it manufactured. They&#8217;ll find the darkness in the fireworks. Let them. The rest of us can see clearly: illegal immigration is curtailed. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-karmelo-anthony-verdict-just-broke-the-lefts-favorite-narrative?row=0&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;rowType=Web+Search+Overlay">DEI</a> isn&#8217;t running our government anymore. Younger Americans are walking into <a href="https://www.barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance/">churches</a>. We are literally converting electricity into <a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/05/21/burgum-touts-ai-data-centers-calls-iran-war-gift-to-the-world-in-speech-to-oil-industry/">intelligence</a> and launching privately built rockets into space. Iran doesn&#8217;t have a nuclear weapon and our enemies are weaker. The middle class keeps getting <a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-american-middle-class-keeps-getting-richer-7f57dcff">richer</a>. The federal government is leaner. Individual liberty is not a punchline. The pursuit of happiness is still legal.
And best of all, we have the World Cup.
We have soccer — a sport played by over a <a href="https://www.forsoccer.com/insight/soccer-participation-in-the-united-states/">quarter</a> of American kids, in farm towns and cities and suburbs, on fields that raise us and mold us and watch us become who we are. A sport that means freedom and innocence and dreams for so many of us. A sport that, against all odds, can pull the entire world together in a moment when we seem very far apart.
The games are about to begin. The sun is out. The birds are chirping. Our guests are glad to be here.
What a time to be alive.
I can’t wait for kickoff.

American Bald Eagle with Flag

The World Cup Comes To The U.S. And Now Everyone Wants To Be American

America 250

Patriotism

Soccer

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/upstream">Upstream</a>, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
***
As the U.S. celebrates its big 2-5-0, we’ve never been hungrier for patriotic pride. And with the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, international soccer fans serve American spirit by shining a hilarious and heartwarming light on our country’s everyday awesomeness.
The odds might not favor Team USA, but we’re already winning with Waffle House.
“It’s like a GTA lobby,” German fútbol fan <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2063406538652360934?s=20">Freddy</a> wrote, relating an Atlanta metro platform to the “Grand Theft Auto” video game. “One person next to us [is] taking off his shirt and declaring war on Donald Trump while another person is moonwalking across the platform.”
Freddy later witnessed <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064514871685710295">a bald eagle</a> soar through Auburn University’s packed 88,043-seat Jordan-Hare stadium as Argentina shut out Iceland 3-0 on the Road to 26.
Welcome to America, buddy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
There’s an eagle flying around the stadium <a href="https://t.co/luC6ENq7oM">pic.twitter.com/luC6ENq7oM</a>
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064514871685710295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
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“This is the most &#8216;The European mind can’t comprehend this&#8217; moment of my life,” <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064530727807463920">Freddy</a> shared. “One of my friends said, ‘Punch me five times tomorrow and I’ll still think this isn’t real.’”
Freddy, who chose Cristiano Ronaldo as his profile pic, has been delighting X followers with his travels through the South. (He’s also open to recommendations.) But he’s not the only one praising American treats like <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064174706073198903">watching the NBA Finals</a> at Chili’s with a cosmo marg and a &#8220;quesadilla explosion&#8221; salad. (I definitely thought he was joking about the “explosion” part, but it’s real. How did that concept ever make it out of the initial marketing briefing? Who cares, it’s got cheese on it.) 
Those Joni Mitchell <a href="https://genius.com/Joni-mitchell-big-yellow-taxi-lyrics">lyrics</a> go something like “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone … paved paradise put up a parking lot.” Luckily, the U.S.A. is still jam-packed with unique experiences, sprawling landscapes, and parking lots. (Where else would we put our Chevy Silverados?) We might take it for granted, but we live in a place where you have the right to customize every element of the all-star special at Waffle House. It’s refreshing to see American culture through someone else’s eyes. Especially if those people are loving every minute of it.
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Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1am. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff. 10/10, we will be coming back.😋 <a href="https://t.co/QHgftpqfoX">pic.twitter.com/QHgftpqfoX</a>
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2063853754449850487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Gleefully bewildered by massive <a href="https://x.com/WarrenLNaida/status/2064558298511417624">12-lane highways</a>, military <a href="https://x.com/fiago7/status/2064293544584503681">flyovers</a> for sporting events, food <a href="https://x.com/WarrenLNaida/status/2064549213980025225">delivery robots</a>, and an order from <a href="https://x.com/WarrenLNaida/status/2064075450767323646">Taco Bell</a>, pumped-up tourists take over small-town USA, fully in awe of the pristine bathrooms and gas pumps at <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064596372041412720?s=20">Buc-ee’s</a>. 
Catching the attention of celebrities and <a href="https://x.com/SecDuffy/status/2064770890080870556">politicians</a>, Freddy has been making the most of his visit so far. “The best discovery of our road trip has been a musician called Ella Langley,” <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064843218361991363?s=20">he posted</a>. “We’ve become big fans. She’s basically the soundtrack of our trip.” 
We’re loving watching Freddy and his crew listen to “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUsrYVxrDwI">Choosin’ Texas</a>” and “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3G_7XgK2B4&amp;list=RDA3G_7XgK2B4&amp;start_radio=1">I Can’t Love You Anymore</a>” on repeat as they chow down on <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064910196644679948?s=20">Chipotle</a> somewhere along Fairhope, Alabama’s idyllic Spanish moss-draped coastline. “I could live here,” <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064903455156641997?s=20">Freddy</a> wrote.
“WE’RE KEEPING FREDDY,” <a href="https://x.com/alexjmingolla/status/2064905875022873079?s=20">someone</a> replied with an American flag emoji. 
Yes, these are the things most Americans do without thinking. But FYI, your daily routine is the stuff of champions.
Elsewhere on X, Swedish football fan Elsa offers us all a new appreciation for “<a href="https://x.com/elsathora/status/2065058970608509326?s=20">beautiful</a>” fire trucks, <a href="https://x.com/elsathora/status/2064899554399678790">lowrider</a> car culture, and the finer fare of greasy spoon diners. “Why did no one tell me ranch sauce is like crack? EUROPE WE NEED RANCH ASAP,” <a href="https://x.com/elsathora/status/2064145024892215673?s=20">she posted</a>. And after enjoying <a href="https://x.com/elsathora/status/2064700519176941810?s=20">the fastest WiFi</a> of her life on a domestic flight at the start of her month-long visit, she was one of us. 
“What are we doing wrong in Europe? The USA has completely radicalized me within 48 hours.”
Vulnerable to the comments section, Elsa and Freddy have caught flack from internet provocateurs (and obvious haters of soccer and America), who claim these sorts of fun-loving travelogues are somehow <a href="https://x.com/elsathora/status/2064904553850712236">pandering trolls</a> meant to drum up hate-clicks. How could their pure joy for these signature American experiences possibly be genuine? Aren’t we all just joyless, jaded cynics also eating Chipotle in our bedrooms with the blinds closed? (Mom, I said extra guacamole!)
International flights, plus a month-long road trip across America and World Cup tickets that can cost upwards of <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/soccer/world-cup-game-cost-ticket-hotel-fifa-rcna347377">$2,000</a> depending on the city (with hotels sometimes surging above the price of a cheap stadium seat), pose a sting to the wallet. And with each host American city unlikely to recover the estimated <a href="https://www.smith.edu/news-events/news/2026-world-cup-high-costs-host-cities">$100 million</a> needed to host the tournament, fans like Freddy are more essential than ever.
Other self-described World Cup fans have expressed alleged concern about traveling to the U.S. Claiming to have felt much safer touring around previous host countries like South Africa and Brazil, German national Steve Schwarzbach is skipping this year. 
“You see the ICE people going around and just pulling people from the streets just because they look foreign and you don’t get the feeling that anybody would protect me, you know?” he told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/21/travel/world-cup-travelers-united-states">CNN</a>. “I look more Asian than German. I wouldn’t feel safe.”
While Steve watches the festivities remotely (eye roll), we’re over here with Freddy and Elsa (and Tanzanian Canadian tourist, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/21/travel/world-cup-travelers-united-states">Arjun Modhwadia</a>, who excitedly shelled out $2,000 for the quarter final game in Kansas City) living our best lives tasting Twinkies, Combos, and <a href="https://x.com/elsathora/status/2064506331306828079">Coney Island</a> hot dogs again for the first time. 
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I feel like I’m in a movie <a href="https://t.co/uIEj9N50r7">pic.twitter.com/uIEj9N50r7</a>
— Elsa (@elsathora) <a href="https://x.com/elsathora/status/2064159877681881251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Can we keep these people, and deport the haters? This is purely an attitude assessment. Debbie Downer locals telling these happy-go-lucky visitors that our food is overly seasoned and salty, while trying to throw a wet towel on small-town America? You’re uninvited to this moment. Life’s too short — and this country is far too great — to spend another second listening to anyone complain about it.
As for Freddy, he finally got eyes on his avatar’s namesake, <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/1801926340318232988">Ronaldo</a> (and he’s learning the difference between the Gulf and “the sea,” thanks to Florida <a href="https://x.com/rondesantis/status/2064880494307574226?s=46">Governor Ron Desantis</a>’ geography lesson). Even though our favorite European soccer fan has weeks to go on his great American experience, I think we’ve already come to a consensus. Like <a href="https://x.com/Grantmitt/status/2064520727621964263">this dude</a> posted on X, “I’ve seen enough, let’s get this guy citizenship.” God bless America.

Foreign Soccer Fans Are Discovering Something Many Americans Forgot

freddy

Tourism

In less than a week, visitors from around the world will descend on Atlanta for the FIFA World Cup 2026, but many residents worry that the city&#8217;s transit system, known as MARTA, isn&#8217;t ready after three attacks in the past two weeks, including one killing.
&#8220;I&#8217;m nervous that it won&#8217;t be ready by next week for the world coming here,&#8221; one passenger told The Daily Wire.
At MARTA&#8217;s North Avenue Station, riders described a system they believe has become increasingly unsafe, citing violent crime, fare evasion, and a lack of visible security. The Daily Wire interviewed several passengers at the station, many of whom said they no longer feel safe while riding.
&#8220;When I say it&#8217;s not safe, there is no security,&#8221; one passenger said, pointing to multiple people walking through fare gates without paying. MARTA officials say fare evasion costs the transit system <a href="https://www.gpb.org/news/2025/06/25/how-can-you-be-confident-riders-officials-question-atlanta-transit-readiness-ahead">$7 million</a> per year. 
<div style="max-width: 728px; margin: 0 auto;">  <iframe style="aspect-ratio: 9/16; max-width: 220px; display: flex; justify-content: center; width: 100%; margin: 20px auto 5px; border: 0;" src="https://player.mux.com/eudbjNrI01h3RFP01XidH5I019ENoMSU1cG?metadata-video-content-type=embed_video&amp;metadata-video-id=9fb20955-a416-41eb-b613-b07fcd8655e7&amp;metadata-video-stream-type=on-demand&amp;metadata-video-title='Absolutely%20not'%3A%20Riders%20deliver%20a%20damning%20verdict%20on%20a%20Dem-&amp;poster=https%3A%2F%2Fdailywireplus-v2.imgix.net%2Fimages%2Fembedded-videos%2Fb412ab3f-14f8-441d-9cdc-a33d26554ca0.png&amp;autoplay=false&amp;accent-color=%23DB3D3B&amp;primary-color=%23ffffff&amp;secondary-color=%23000000" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
&nbsp;
Other riders said they have witnessed fights on trains. One passenger described an incident in which another rider struck a young girl without provocation. &#8220;There was a little Hispanic girl that got hit on the train,&#8221; the passenger said. &#8220;She was crying. It was really sad to see.&#8221;
Passengers also said weapons are not an uncommon sight. &#8220;Somebody dropped something. It was a gun,&#8221; one rider said. Another passenger recalled watching someone pull out a knife inside a crowded train car. &#8220;I&#8217;ve heard everything from death to rape to murder,&#8221; another rider said.
Several passengers said the trains get worse at night. 
&#8220;Absolutely not,&#8221; one rider said when asked if they felt safe riding MARTA at night.
&#8220;Nighttime is when I like to call them the nightcrawlers — the people you wouldn&#8217;t see in the daytime. The train is their home,&#8221; said another person. 
The riders&#8217; fears are reflected in the numbers and data. 
MARTA openly subsidizes fares for homeless riders while paying riders say they are left to deal with the consequences, such as drug use, outbursts, and mental disorders that can accompany those taking shelter on the train.
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1113457" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-10-at-11.44.00-AM.png" alt="" width="1110" height="848" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-10-at-11.44.00-AM.png 1110w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-10-at-11.44.00-AM-300x229.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-10-at-11.44.00-AM-754x576.png 754w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-10-at-11.44.00-AM-768x587.png 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></div>
Violent incidents on MARTA&#8217;s rail lines occur at nearly four times the national average for public transit systems, according to federal officials. 
Those concerns have drawn the attention of Washington. The Trump administration launched a federal investigation into MARTA following a series of violent attacks on the transit system.
&#8220;Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month,&#8221; U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said.
&#8220;No one should be forced to fear for their safety simply because they choose to ride public transit,&#8221; Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp <a href="https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/soccer/world-cup/kemp-offers-help-to-marta-all-they-gotta-do-is-call-and-ask-us/85-1b493562-a5b2-4c9e-8859-809741d9f59b?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook_11Alive">told</a> Atlanta Democratic Mayor Andre Dickens. “All they gotta do is call and ask us.” 
And while riders raise questions, Dickens projects confidence in the city’s transit system for the World Cup. “MARTA is going to step up big,” he <a href="https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/soccer/world-cup/atlanta-mayor-andre-dickens-city-officials-world-cup-pep-rally/85-87e12a83-601e-43cc-9030-3e77d59d94aa?utm_source=chatgpt.com">said</a>. 
While MARTA operates independently of City Hall, Dickens is not entirely removed from the transit system&#8217;s leadership. The mayor appoints three members to MARTA&#8217;s board of directors, giving him significant influence over the authority&#8217;s direction and oversight. As Atlanta prepares to welcome visitors from around the globe, that relationship is likely to intensify scrutiny of the mayor&#8217;s handling of transit safety.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Venues – Atlanta Stadium

‘It’s Not Safe’: MARTA Riders Sound Alarm As Atlanta Prepares For World Cup

Atlanta

Crime

Georgia

Transportation

With the World Cup returning to the United States for the first time since 1994, Europeans are flooding into the nation to watch their country compete while visiting numerous notable cities. 
One European in particular is documenting his first time in the States and is already enamored with one section of the nation — the SEC.
A user on X named Freddy (<a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7">@FreddyLA7</a>) is going viral for documenting his six-week World Cup trip to the United States, which begins in the heart of the South.
“The World Cup trip starts tomorrow,” Freddy wrote in his initial travel post on <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2062293623765422552">X</a>. “Tomorrow we’ll fly to Dublin, and after a 24-hour layover we’ll arrive in Atlanta on Friday.”
Little did the European know how much he would fall in love with what many deem “SEC Country” as he drove through numerous states and cities home to diehards of the Southeastern Conference.
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Just passing through a town called Gainesville and this place looks beautiful. The houses are insane wow. <a href="https://t.co/x5SpGr6NAg">pic.twitter.com/x5SpGr6NAg</a>
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2063795368307863990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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While visiting Georgia, Freddy was able to experience a staple among college towns in the SEC — Waffle House.
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Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1am. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff. 10/10, we will be coming back.😋 <a href="https://t.co/QHgftpqfoX">pic.twitter.com/QHgftpqfoX</a>
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2063853754449850487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The European’s discovery and perfect rating of the 24/7 breakfast spot blew up on X, expanding his following to over 200,000 as people tuned in to see how he would react to other commodities of the southern college towns. 
Next up, Buc-ee&#8217;s:
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DUDE LMAO THIS IS A GAS STATION😭😭😭 <a href="https://t.co/YYFmWJiCQa">pic.twitter.com/YYFmWJiCQa</a>
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064587316077744334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
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His most recent travels took him to Auburn, AL, where the Tigers hosted Argentina’s national team’s final “friendly” match against Iceland on June 9, 2026, in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The European’s reaction prompted a viral meme that SEC fans commonly use to discuss the magnitude of college football games.
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This is the most “The European mind can’t comprehend this” moment of my life. One of my friends said, “Punch me five times tomorrow and I’ll still think this isn’t real.” <a href="https://t.co/FWYOY8iyDF">pic.twitter.com/FWYOY8iyDF</a>
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064530727807463920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Freddy couldn’t believe his eyes when Auburn performed its historical eagle flyover before every game that takes place in the stadium.
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There’s an eagle flying around the stadium <a href="https://t.co/luC6ENq7oM">pic.twitter.com/luC6ENq7oM</a>
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) <a href="https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2064514871685710295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Europeans visiting the United States for the first time for the 2026 World Cup will certainly share Freddy’s reaction to the SEC, as there is nothing comparable overseas. His final stop in the South will be Montgomery, AL, where he is sure to see more of the same fundamental landmarks of the prestigious conference.

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All American Patriotism

WASHINGTON— The United States denied entry to a Somali World Cup referee because he associated with &#8220;suspected members of terror organizations,&#8221; The Daily Wire can first report.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Monday that Omar Artan had been denied entry after he arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday.  Artan was set to officiate matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
A senior administration official told The Daily Wire on Tuesday evening that he was seeking admission to the United States, but, upon further inspection, Customs and Border Patrol discovered  &#8220;derogatory information,&#8221; including his &#8220;association with suspected members of terror organizations.&#8221;
That information made him ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
&#8220;The traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA,&#8221; the senior administration official told The Daily Wire. &#8220;President Trump&#8217;s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country &#8211; full stop.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_1112871" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-somali-referee-denied-entry-into-usa-for-associating-with-terror-organizations/colombia-v-france-third-place-fifa-u-20-world-cup-chile-2025" rel="attachment wp-att-1112871"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1112871" class="wp-image-1112871 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2241875573.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2241875573.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2241875573-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2241875573-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/GettyImages-2241875573-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Referee Omar Artan holds the match ball during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 third place match between Colombia and France at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos on October 18, 2025 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Buda Mendes &#8211; FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)</div>
On Monday, FIFA released a statement on Artan&#8217;s behalf and confirmed that Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” the Somali <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-somali-referee-7ec4113dc4c0baec3e952ad00c741038">referee said in the statement.</a> “I would like to thank FIFA and (the African federation) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future. I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
CBP explained earlier on Monday that Artan was &#8220;determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry&#8221; during routine processing, to which all those entering the United States, including coaches, staff, and athletes, are subject.
“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” CBP noted. “CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”

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Customs and Border Protection (CPB)

Terrorism

The head of New York’s casino union is living like a high roller while his lieutenants allegedly raked in luxury goods.
New York Hotel Gaming and Trades Council President Rich Maroko made $923,053 in 2024, according to publicly available financial disclosures reviewed by the <a href="https://richierichmaroko.com/meet-richie-rich-maroko/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Center For Union Facts. </a>That near-million-dollar salary includes $313,386 in base salary, $380,108 things like retirement benefits, and $229,559 from other organizations.
Under Maroko’s leadership, union higher ups have been accused of rampant corruption. A group of New York City hotel owners last month retained a private investigator to probe a whistleblower’s claim that the union was shot through with “corruption, misconduct and malfeasance.”
“The whistleblower alleges union officials received free gifts of liquor, gourmet food and electronics including an Xbox and PlayStation from hotel-industry executives,” Crain’s New York Business <a href="https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/commercial/cny-hotel-owners-investigate-whistblower-claims-20260521/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. “The letter further alleges that union officials defrauded UNITE HERE Local 6, a Midtown-based chapter of the union, out of nearly $3 million by paying below-market rent for Eighth Avenue office space it owned.”
The New York Hotel Gaming and Trades Council is the latest union to come under fire for profligate spending and alleged corruption. In 2024, the International Longshoremen’s Association was slammed for a strike that shut down ports up and down the East Coast. Association president Harold Daggett emerged as a villain in that saga, thanks to his million-dollar salary, luxury yacht, contributions to Democrats, and alleged mafia ties, as The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dock-workers-sound-off-as-they-hit-picket-lines-in-massive-strike?author=Mairead+Elordi&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Dock+Workers+Sound+Off+As+They+Hit+Picket+Lines+In+Massive+Strike" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> at the time.
The Center For Union Facts is calling attention to Maroko’s pay raise as unions across the country use the World Cup to hike labor costs. That includes hotel workers in <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/seattle-hotel-workers-authorize-strike-ahead-of-the-fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seattle</a> and <a href="https://peoplesworld.org/article/union-uses-world-cup-as-leverage-vs-ice-and-for-strike-votes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philadelphia</a>, as well as stadium workers in <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/06/08/nx-s1-5849249/sofi-stadium-workers-could-go-on-strike-ahead-of-first-world-cup-match-in-los-angeles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles.</a>
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-world-cup-is-supposed-to-boost-the-economy-the-reality-looks-different" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MI X DW: BIGGEST EVENT ON EARTH COMES WITH A $150 GUT PUNCH</a>
“Hotel workers may believe they’re receiving a World Cup windfall,” said Charlyce Bozzello, the group’s communications director. “But from where we sit, Maroko is the one hitting the jackpot,”
“Union members deserve transparency about the lucrative compensation package they’re being asked to fund.”
The union recently enjoyed some positive press following its announcement of a massive new pay package for members. But even with that jump, members still fall far behind the brass. Workers made $38.87 per hour on average in 2024, about 570% less than Maroko.

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gambling

New York City

Unions

Zohran Mamdani has found a new way to play Santa Claus with other people&#8217;s money.
Last week, New York City&#8217;s socialist mayor proudly announced a deal that will allow 1,000 New York City residents to purchase World Cup tickets for just $50 each, complete with free transportation to the games. The announcement was framed as a victory for affordability and access, proof that government can step in and help ordinary people enjoy one of the world&#8217;s biggest sporting events.
But there&#8217;s one problem: the games aren&#8217;t being played in New York City. They&#8217;re being played in New Jersey.
While Mamdani enjoys the headlines and takes credit for making the World Cup more &#8220;affordable,&#8221; New Jersey residents will be dealing with the traffic, security costs, transit disruptions, and logistical burdens that come with hosting one of the largest sporting events on the planet. New Jersey taxpayers are helping shoulder those costs, yet New York politicians are the ones claiming the political victories.
The arrangement is a perfect illustration of a broader problem in progressive politics. Time and again, politicians create highly visible benefits for a select group of people while pushing the costs onto someone else. The formula is simple: generate a headline, distribute a perk, celebrate the winners, and avoid talking about who ultimately pays for it.
Mamdani&#8217;s supporters will argue that he is simply making good on his promise to make New York more affordable. But affordable for whom? The World Cup has become a luxury event, with many tickets costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. A giveaway of 1,000 discounted tickets doesn&#8217;t solve that problem. It simply creates a handful of lucky winners while leaving the overwhelming majority of families priced out of the event.
That&#8217;s the dirty little secret behind many modern political &#8220;solutions.&#8221; They&#8217;re often designed to create the appearance of action rather than address the underlying issue. If housing is unaffordable, create a subsidy. If college costs are too high, forgive selected loans. If World Cup tickets are out of reach, give away a limited number of discounted seats. The politician gets a favorable news cycle while the larger problem remains unsolved.
What makes this case especially frustrating is that New Jersey is doing much of the heavy lifting. The state&#8217;s infrastructure, public safety resources, and transportation systems will all be put under enormous strain during the tournament. Yet when an opportunity arises to provide a meaningful benefit to residents, New York City negotiates a special arrangement for its own constituents and then celebrates it as an achievement.
If the games are being played in New Jersey, why aren&#8217;t New Jersey families receiving the same opportunity?
The answer is obvious. This was never primarily about soccer. It was about politics. Mamdani understands that voters remember benefits far more than they remember costs. The benefits are visible, immediate, and easy to market. The costs are spread out, buried in budgets, and often paid by people who aren&#8217;t standing behind the politician at a press conference.
The World Cup should be an event that brings the region together. Instead, it has become a case study in how politicians increasingly operate: concentrate benefits, disperse costs, and claim credit for both. Mamdani may view this ticket giveaway as a political win, but for many taxpayers watching from across the Hudson, it looks like a familiar story — one group gets the perks while another gets the bill.
That&#8217;s not affordability. It&#8217;s political theater.
***
Rosemary Becchi is a tax attorney, taxpayer advocate, and founder of Jersey 1st.

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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the Trump administration is drafting plans to stop processing foreign travelers at airports located in sanctuary cities, but the possible change has some former officials questioning the political implications.
Mullin revealed on “Hannity” Tuesday night that officials are “currently drawing up plans” to pull Customs officers from international airports in jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts amid escalating anti-ICE protests outside a facility in Newark, New Jersey.
He then doubled down Thursday, telling Fox News host Brian Kilmeade that while his department won&#8217;t &#8220;halt&#8221; international flights, it will pull Customs officers away from processing those passengers as they attempt to enter the United States.
&#8220;When we have situations like what&#8217;s happening in New Jersey right now, when we have to prioritize where we put federal employees because local law enforcement won&#8217;t help protect their streets &#8230; and keep them from barricading and causing harm to our employees, then we have to decide where we&#8217;re going to prioritize our federal employees,&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;What we&#8217;re saying is we just won&#8217;t be able to process them because we don&#8217;t have officers there,&#8221; he added.
The idea immediately sparked concerns from former Homeland Security officials, who questioned the political fallout and consequences of such a move ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States is set to co-host.
Former Homeland Security advisor Charles Marino said that while there&#8217;s a need for &#8220;consequences for sanctuary cities, there&#8217;s no way this would be allowed to happen with the World Cup coming up.&#8221;
&#8220;The political pressure on the admin from FIFA, the international community, stadiums, local governments, and businesses would be immense. It also undercuts President Trump, who routinely takes credit for bringing the World Cup to the U.S. To do this now is all risk and no reward,&#8221; he said.
Trump&#8217;s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also appeared skeptical of the proposal.
“We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics,&#8221; Duffy said during a Congressional hearing last week.
Another former Homeland Security official, who was granted anonymity to speak more freely on the issue, said the Trump administration is trying to play &#8220;hardball,&#8221; adding that it&#8217;s &#8220;the federal government&#8217;s right&#8221; to carry out such a plan. The official, however, warned that &#8220;it is only going to piss off the unaffiliated voters and at the end of the day will not change sanctuary jurisdictions.&#8221;
&#8220;Democrats will still vote for sanctuary,&#8221; the former official said.
Former ICE New York field office deputy director Scott Mechkowski said that Trump&#8217;s base will likely support that move, but that Mullin will need to focus his messaging to present it to the general public as a last-ditch effort to force cooperation from sanctuary cities.
Mechkowski said Mullin has to &#8220;frame&#8221; the initiative as &#8220;an extreme measure.&#8221; He pointed to the Trump administration&#8217;s attempts to &#8220;withhold&#8221; federal funds from sanctuary cities, an effort that has been repeatedly blocked by court orders.
It would also have &#8220;devastating effects,&#8221; spelling financial trouble for sanctuary cities, which he expects would cave easily to meet the Trump administration&#8217;s demands as a result.
&#8220;I think they need to realize that [Mullin] means business,&#8221; Mechkowski said.
Mullin first mentioned the proposal in April, presenting it as a tactic to force sanctuary cities to play ball with federal immigration agents.
“I believe sanctuary cities is not lawful,” Mullin told Fox News’ Bret Baier at the time. “I don’t think they’re able to do that, and so we’re gonna take a hard look at this.”
“If they’re sanctuary cities, should they really be processing Customs into their city?” Mullin asked. “If they’re a sanctuary city and they’re receiving international flights, and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport they’re not gonna enforce immigration policy, maybe we need to have a really hard look at that because we need to focus on cities that want to work with us.”

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