Matzav

Sparks flew at Wednesday night’s New York City mayoral debate as Andrew Cuomo took aim at Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, claiming the socialist candidate wouldn’t stand a chance against President Donald Trump.

“He thinks he’s a kid and he’s going to knock him on his tuchus,” Cuomo said, warning that Mamdani’s inexperience would spell disaster for the city when dealing with the president.

The independent candidate and former governor argued that facing Trump requires both strength and savvy. “It is a balance, but you’re going to have to be adversarial when you need to. But you want to cooperate to get good things done in this city, and you need federal help,” Cuomo explained, casting himself as the only contender capable of managing that tightrope.

When asked about Trump’s aggressive governing style, Cuomo insisted the only way to handle him was head-on. Calling the president “hyper-aggressive,” he said New York’s next mayor must be tough enough to push back while knowing when to strike a deal.

Mamdani didn’t let Cuomo’s remarks slide, firing back with biting criticism. “We heard from Donald Trump’s puppet himself, Andrew Cuomo,” Mamdani shot back, accusing his opponent of being too cozy with the president.

“You can turn on TV any day of the week, and you will hear Donald Trump share that his pick for mayor is Andrew Cuomo, and he wants Andrew Cuomo to be the mayor, not because it will be good for New Yorkers, but because it will be good for him,” Mamdani fumed, framing Cuomo as a stooge for Trump’s interests rather than the city’s.

The Queens assemblyman said he would work with Trump where possible — especially on affordability — but vowed to resist him “on immigration crackdowns and other hot-button issues.”

While the two front-runners traded jabs, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa took a different tone, criticizing both opponents for turning their campaigns into contests of toughness against Trump. “My adversaries have decided to bump chests with President Trump to prove who’s more macho,” he quipped.

Sliwa argued that fighting Trump is a losing strategy for the city. “You can’t beat Trump. He holds most of the cards. He has already cut federal funding for Medicaid, for the SNAP program and is threatening cut funds for NYCHA. So if you all of a sudden going to get adversarial, you’re going to lose. And who gets hurt? The people of New York City with Trump, it’s always the ‘art of the deal.’”

The showdown, held at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, marked the final debate before the November 4 general election. Early voting begins this weekend and will run through Sunday, November 2, setting the stage for what could be one of the most unpredictable races in recent New York City history.

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President Donald Trump has unleashed a powerful new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s top two oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, following what he described as Vladimir Putin’s failure to negotiate in “an honest and forthright manner” over Ukraine.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures on Wednesday, saying the administration had reached the end of its patience after months of stalled diplomacy. “Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine,” Bessent said in a statement, adding that the department stands ready “to take further action if necessary” to back Trump’s efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

The announcement came just a day after the White House canceled a planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, a meeting that had been billed as a potential breakthrough but was scrapped due to what U.S. officials called a total lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations.

Bessent, speaking to Fox Business shortly before the sanctions were unveiled, described the move as “one of the largest sanctions that we have done against the Russian Federation.” He explained that while the president had initially pursued diplomacy, his patience had worn thin after seeing no signs of compromise from Moscow.

“President Putin has not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner, as we’d hoped,” Bessent said, revealing that Trump had reached the decision to escalate pressure after their last phone conversation six days earlier.

According to Bessent, Trump’s frustration had been growing since his in-person meeting with Putin in Alaska this past August. “President Trump walked away when he realized that things were not moving forward,” the Treasury chief said. “There have been behind-the-scenes talks, but I believe that the president is disappointed at where we are in these talks.”

The European Union quickly followed Washington’s lead, announcing fresh penalties of its own. The EU’s latest package includes a ban on importing Russian liquefied natural gas by 2027, the blacklisting of oil tankers aiding Moscow’s exports, and travel restrictions on Russian diplomats.

Trump, who returned to the White House in January, had previously held back from new economic measures against Russia, insisting he wanted to give diplomacy a chance. But after three and a half years of bloodshed and no ceasefire in sight, the president shifted gears dramatically.

Only last week, Trump had publicly expressed optimism after speaking with Putin, claiming the two had agreed to meet in Budapest within two weeks to discuss peace. At the same time, he pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider territorial concessions while rejecting Kyiv’s requests for long-range Tomahawk missiles.

By Tuesday, Trump reversed course again, saying he didn’t want to attend a “wasted meeting” — effectively calling off the planned summit and signaling that his approach toward Moscow had hardened.

The financial markets reacted immediately to the news of the sanctions. Oil prices jumped in after-hours trading, with both WTI and Brent crude rising more than 1% as traders braced for potential disruptions to Russian energy exports.

{Matzav.com}

Zohran Mamdani, the outspoken anti-Semitic Muslim socialist leading the New York City mayoral race, came under intense fire tonight as his rivals, Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, ripped into him during their final debate. Both opponents mocked his “fantasy” proposals and took aim at his lack of experience, with one quipping that his résumé “could fit on a cocktail napkin.”

The debate quickly devolved into a slugfest, with Cuomo and Sliwa taking turns going after Mamdani’s record and his sweeping promises. Heated exchanges broke out over issues ranging from anti-Semitism and Mamdani’s anti-Israel statements to the question of mayoral authority over the city’s public schools.

President Trump’s name also surfaced repeatedly throughout the night. Mamdani used the opportunity to lash out at Cuomo, branding him the president’s “puppet,” while Cuomo dismissed the claim and accused Mamdani of peddling empty rhetoric and unworkable socialist dreams.

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Construction crews began tearing into the East Wing of the White House this week as work officially kicked off on President Donald Trump’s long-anticipated $250 million ballroom project — a massive addition that will nearly double the size of the historic residence.

The new 90,000-square-foot space is expected to host up to 999 guests and, according to Trump, won’t cost the public “a dime.” He said the entire project is being paid for by “many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly.”

Initially, Trump and his staff had insisted that the existing structure would remain untouched during construction. “It’ll be near it but not touching it,” the president said earlier this year, while his press secretary Karoline Leavitt added, “Nothing will be torn down.” Those statements didn’t hold up — by Monday, bulldozers were dismantling the East Wing’s façade to make room for the enormous expansion.

The White House later clarified that portions of the East Wing — traditionally home to the first lady’s offices and social staff — are being “modernized” as part of the broader renovation. The East Wing, which faces the Treasury Department across East Executive Avenue, serves as the public entrance for most events and tours.

Trump has long complained that the existing East Room is far too small for major state functions, seating only about 200 guests. “We need a real entertaining space,” he told guests at a recent donor dinner. He has also bristled at past presidents hosting elegant events in temporary outdoor tents on the South Lawn, calling the practice “unbefitting the White House.”

According to renderings released by the administration, the ballroom will reflect the lavish style of Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Palm Beach estate. It will feature bulletproof windows, ornate chandeliers, and gilded details reminiscent of European palaces. The president noted that the original design for 650 guests was expanded to fit 999 — “big enough to hold an inauguration if needed,” he said with a grin.

To fund the project, Trump claims no taxpayer money is being used. Donors from across the country have contributed, and the White House held an East Room dinner last week to thank contributors. Among the sources of funding is $22 million from YouTube, part of a settlement from a 2021 lawsuit Trump filed against the company. Officials have yet to disclose exactly how much Trump himself is investing.

While the president is moving full speed ahead, the National Capital Planning Commission — the federal body responsible for approving major building projects in Washington — has not formally signed off. Trump appointed top aide Will Scharf to lead the commission, and Scharf has argued that demolition doesn’t require review, only new construction.

Trump envisions the existing East Room serving as a reception hall once the ballroom opens, where guests will “mingle, sip cocktails, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres before being called into the ballroom for dinner.” A wall of windows will be removed to connect the two spaces.

The White House expects the ballroom to be finished before Trump’s second term ends in January 2029, an ambitious target for such a sweeping project.

The new addition joins a long list of presidential modifications to the mansion. Trump has already redecorated the Oval Office with portraits and gold accents, turned the Rose Garden into a stone patio, and installed new flagpoles on both lawns. He also renovated the Lincoln Bedroom’s bathroom and replaced flooring in the South Lawn hallway with marble.

Trump’s aides argue that his expansion follows in a centuries-old tradition of presidents reshaping the White House. Jefferson added the colonnades, Monroe the South Portico, and Theodore Roosevelt the West Wing. Franklin D. Roosevelt built the East Wing, while Harry Truman oversaw a complete gut renovation when the structure was deemed unsafe in 1948.

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After a push from President Donald Trump earlier this year, Coca-Cola has officially begun selling its iconic cola made with real cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup in select parts of the United States.

A company representative confirmed to CNN that the rollout has started in “select” American cities and retailers, marking the fulfillment of an agreement Trump announced over the summer when he said the beverage giant had “agreed” to use cane sugar in its U.S. cola production.

Coca-Cola’s cane sugar formula is hardly new overseas. Many versions sold abroad—such as in Mexico—already use the ingredient, and several other drinks under the company’s umbrella, including Simply lemonade, Gold Peak iced tea, and Costa canned coffee, are already sweetened with cane sugar domestically.

The shift also aligns with the stance of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has repeatedly condemned high-fructose corn syrup as a harmful additive. The ingredient, long a staple in American sodas due to its lower cost, has faced growing criticism over health concerns and its link to obesity.

While some consumers may welcome the nostalgic taste of sugar-based Coke, nutrition experts have long cautioned that both sweeteners carry health risks. As one previous CNN report noted, soda “isn’t healthy, whether it is made with cane sugar or corn syrup.”

The new rollout comes as Coca-Cola leans into a diversified product lineup emphasizing “better-for-you” drinks, including flavored waters, teas, and low- or zero-sugar options. The company recently relaunched its BodyArmor line and continues to see strong sales from its Smartwater brand.

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar remains one of its biggest success stories. The company said the product’s global volume surged 14% last quarter, driving stock prices up more than 3% in early Tuesday trading.

{Matzav.com}

Just hours before the final mayoral debate, a coalition of over 650 Reform and Conservative “rabbis” from across the United States issued a public letter voicing grave concern about the implications of a Zohran Mamdani victory for New York’s Jewish population.

The letter, distributed by the Jewish Majority, included 121 “rabbis” from New York State, more than half of them based in New York City.

“We are writing in our personal capacities to declare that we cannot remain silent in the face of rising anti-Zionism and its political normalization throughout our nation,” the “rabbis “declared in the statement.

The signatories took aim at Mamdani’s record and rhetoric, charging that his refusal to denounce violent anti-Israel slogans and his repeated delegitimization of the Jewish state have emboldened antisemitism in the public sphere. “When public figures like New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani refuse to condemn violent slogans, deny Israel’s legitimacy, and accuse the Jewish state of genocide, they, in the words of New York Board of Rabbis president Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, ‘Delegitimize the Jewish community and encourage and exacerbate hostility toward Judaism and Jews.’”

Among those who signed the document were Rabbi Joshua Davidson of Temple Emanu-El, Rabbi David Gelfand of Temple Israel, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Kehilath Jeshurun, Rabbi David Ingber of Romemu and 92NY, and Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, who also serves as president of the New York Board of Rabbis.

The letter also highlighted the words of Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue, who warned that the progressive Democrat represents a clear and present danger. The rabbi had recently stated that Mamdani is a “danger to the security of the New York Jewish community.”

In his sermon, Rabbi Cosgrove underscored that Israel and Jewish self-determination are inseparable from Jewish identity. “Zionism, Israel, Jewish self-determination—these are not political preferences or partisan talking points. They are constituent building blocks and inseparable strands of my Jewish identity,” he said. “To accept me as a Jew but to ask me to check my concern for the people and state of Israel at the door is a nonsensical proposition and an offensive one, no different than asking me to reject God, Torah, mitzvot, or any other pillar of my faith.”

The signatories made clear that Jewish pride and safety are not up for debate. “We will not accept a culture that treats Jewish self-determination as a negotiable ideal or Jewish inclusion as something to be ‘granted.’ The safety and dignity of Jews in every city depend on rejecting that false choice,” the letter stated.

Calling for unity, the rabbis urged voters of all backgrounds to take a stand in the upcoming election. “We call on all Americans who value peace and equality to participate fully in the democratic process in order to stand up for candidates who reject antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric, and who affirm Israel’s right to exist in peace and security,” they wrote.

Their message concluded with a plea for solidarity: “Now is the time for everyone to unite across political and moral divides, and to reject the language that seeks to delegitimize our Jewish identity and our community.”

{Matzav.com}

Three months after Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered the Chief Rabbinate to open its rabbinical exams to women, the rabbinate has petitioned the court for a new hearing on the matter, while signaling partial compliance by allowing women to take certain tests, Times of Israel reports.

In a legal document filed Sunday, the rabbinate wrote, “The chief rabbis’ position is that there are relevant differences between men and women regarding the possibility of receiving rabbinical ordination or qualifications, as well as in matters of Torah study.” Still, it acknowledged that “there is no obstacle for women to study certain subjects, including, first and foremost, laws relating to everyday life.” The statement added, “In accordance with this position, the chief rabbis believe that there is also no obstacle for women to be tested by the Chief Rabbinate in some of the aforementioned exams on these laws.”

The rabbinate cited halachic areas such as Shabbos and taharas hamishpachah as examples of topics open to female examinees. It also requested that the court delay implementing the earlier decision until another hearing can be held and new guidelines are established.

That request immediately drew criticism from women’s rights petitioners, who opposed any postponement of the ruling. Such hearings are rarely granted, making the rabbinate’s petition an uphill legal effort.

The Chief Rabbinate’s exams are the gateway to official rabbinic recognition in Israel. Applicants must pass at least six rigorous tests covering the main areas of halacha, including kashrus, Shabbos, and taharas hamishpachah. Those who complete the full series earn the Yoreh Yoreh certification, which can carry economic and professional benefits, including eligibility for certain public-sector jobs and salary enhancements equivalent to an academic degree.

The legal battle over women’s eligibility to take these exams began in 2019, when five female Torah scholars and three advocacy organizations—focused on advancing women’s and religious rights—petitioned the High Court. They argued that the rabbinate’s exams, being publicly funded, must be open to all qualified candidates regardless of gender. Previous attempts to create equivalent state-sanctioned alternatives through the Religious Affairs or Labor ministries had failed.

In July, the High Court ruled in favor of the petitioners, declaring that women must be allowed to register for the rabbinate’s tests. Despite that decision, the rabbinate has not yet opened registration for the next round of exams scheduled for next month and has now asked permission to conduct those tests under the old regulations.

“This is a request that raises shameful arguments regarding the status of women and their ability to study and engage in Torah,” said Rabbi Seth Farber, head of the ITIM religious rights organization, one of the main petitioners. “These claims shame the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and risk setting us back by years, and undermining the revolution in women’s Torah study.”

Among the original petitioners are Farber’s wife, Michelle Cohen Farber; Avital Engelberg, head of Yeshivat Maharat’s Israeli branch; Shlomit Flint, a Talmud teacher at Midreshet Be’er; Rabbanit Sarah Segal-Katz; and two advocacy groups, the Rackman Center for the Advancement of Women’s Status and the Kolech Religious Women Forum.

Segal-Katz told Ynet that the rabbinate’s new request ignores the spirit of the court’s ruling. “The Chief Rabbinate’s request for an additional hearing pushes us backward,” she said. “Even the attempt to present the distinction based on whether women are exempt from some [Torah] commandments does not justify preventing them from learning the subjects or being tested on them.”

The High Court has yet to decide whether to reopen the case, but the rabbinate’s stance has reignited a debate over women’s access to advanced Torah scholarship—and over how far the state’s religious authorities are willing to go in recognizing it.

{Matzav.com}

In a freewheeling Rose Garden speech, President Donald Trump compared his record to that of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, while boasting about his “Walk of Fame” addition outside the White House.

“Hey, they didn’t put out eight wars, nine coming,” he said. “We put out eight wars, and the ninth is coming, believe it or not.”

Trump, gesturing proudly toward the lineup of presidential portraits stretching from Washington to himself, admitted that even he would have to yield first place to the nation’s founding father. Still, the self-congratulation didn’t stop there.

The president then told the audience about a TV commentator who had once ranked him third behind Washington and Lincoln.

“I got extremely angry at this man,” Trump, 79, admitted.

He didn’t clarify who the commentator was, though Trump made a similar claim earlier this year in a Fox interview with Bret Baier, where he said someone told him that even a Washington-Lincoln ticket couldn’t defeat him.

Looking out over the audience, Trump called to Sen. John Thune, joking about his place in presidential history.

“It’s gonna be, it’s gonna be tough to beat—Mr. Senator—it’s gonna be—John—it’s gonna be tough to beat Washington and Lincoln, but we’re gonna give it a try.“

Trump then returned to one of his favorite boasts — claiming credit for having “ended eight wars,” a point he raised to bolster his self-comparison with America’s most revered leaders.

Despite his claims, historians continue to rate Trump near the bottom of presidential rankings. In C-SPAN’s 2021 survey, he placed fourth from last, while Lincoln and Washington took the top two spots. And in 2024, members of the American Political Science Association ranked Trump dead last.

His assertion of “ending eight wars” has also been widely debunked. Analysts note that many of the conflicts he cites, like those in the Congo or between Israel and Hamas, have continued, while others he names — including Serbia and Kosovo or Egypt and Ethiopia — weren’t wars to begin with.

The Rose Garden event had been billed as a celebration of the East Wing’s demolition to make way for Trump’s new $200 million White House ballroom. But the ceremony quickly turned into a mix of grandstanding and score-settling.

At one point, Trump took aim at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, mocking him for being criticized by “AOC plus 3,” his mocking label for the progressive members of “The Squad.” He then veered into a familiar anecdote about asking Sudan’s president to “take Rep. Ilhan Omar back.”

{Matzav.com}

Los Angeles was transformed this week into a vibrant center of Torah activity, as tens of thousands joined together in tefillah, chizuk, and unity on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah. The multi-day event included tefillos in private homes, shiurim delivered by leading roshei yeshiva, a grand community dinner, and a massive public rally attended by multitudes in the city’s Saban Stadium last night.

The mission of Gedolei Yisroel to strengthen Keren Olam HaTorah began Tuesday morning with tefillos in the homes of generous hosts who had the merit of welcoming the visiting gedolim. Prominent philanthropists and members of the Los Angeles community joined in the uplifting tefillos, setting the tone for a day devoted entirely to the honor of Torah.

Throughout the day, shiurim and divrei chizuk were delivered in the city’s yeshivos and kollelim by the roshei yeshiva. Among those who addressed the gatherings were Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rosh Yeshivas Ponovezh, and Rav Yosef Chevroni, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, whose words inspired deep reflection and renewed commitment to Torah study and support.

At midday, a major fundraising dinner was hosted at the home of Reb Yitzchok Unger. Dozens of leading members of the community took part in the elegant and spiritually charged event. Throughout the evening, divrei chizuk and heartfelt expressions of gratitude were shared by the visiting rabbonim, who praised the donors for their devotion to sustaining Torah learning. Deeply moved by the call to action, participants pledged substantial contributions to Keren Olam HaTorah, driven by a shared sense of mission and partnership with the lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel.

The highlight of the day came that evening, when the grand rally was held at Los Angeles’ Saban Stadium. The massive arena was filled to capacity as thousands gathered to hear words of inspiration from Gedolei Yisroel in a scene of awe and unity rarely witnessed in the city.

Presiding over the gathering was Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, joined by other gedolim including Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Yeruchem Olshin, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, and Rav Yosef Chevroni.

The event left an indelible impression on the city’s Jewish community. As the uplifting evening drew to a close, countless attendees came forward to contribute generously toward the continued growth of Keren Olam HaTorah and the strengthening of Torah study across Eretz Yisroel.

PHOTOS:

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FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that his agency is nearing a major breakthrough in uncovering the leadership and funding channels behind Antifa, telling Just the News that investigators are “on the verge” of exposing the network’s “command structure” and its financial backers.

According to a report from The Huckabee Post, Patel said the FBI “is following the money” and noted that “There are indications that support for anti-American radical groups is coming from America’s enemies overseas.” He added that the Bureau has been tracing funds and communications tied to violent anarchist movements operating inside the United States.

Patel said that the ongoing probe into Antifa’s operations involves identifying who is directing and financing its activities, both domestically and abroad. He explained that investigators have found evidence suggesting that foreign adversaries, as well as American nonprofits with IRS exemptions, are funneling resources toward anti-American extremism. “We’re looking at so many different leads on criminal activity by those who are in positions of power,” Patel told Just the News.

He further indicated that the agency’s broader corruption investigations could result in new indictments soon. Patel urged critics to be patient with the process, pointing out that “Trump’s people have had just seven months to investigate corruption that’s been embedded for 20 years or more.”

Praising President Donald Trump’s efforts to classify Antifa as a domestic terror group, Patel said the Bureau’s teams are “mapping out the money,” making use of “social media and the influencers” who participated in an Antifa-focused roundtable event at the White House.

During his discussion with Just the News, Patel emphasized that tracking Antifa’s financial network has become such a high priority that “we’ve created an entire new program and division dedicated to rooting out the money that is funding these operations, whether it’s U.S. based or internationally.”

A White House fact sheet issued in September reiterated the administration’s position on the movement. Trump’s executive order, it said, “notes that Antifa is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that calls for the overthrow of the United States government and law enforcement officials.” The document further stated, “The Order directs the Federal government to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle all illegal operations conducted by Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa. It also calls for investigating, disrupting, and dismantling the funding sources behind such operations.”

At a recent Antifa roundtable, investigative researcher Seamus Bruner, Director of Research at the Government Accountability Institute (GAI), revealed that prominent left-wing funders have been financing the unrest. “We found a network of NGOs, it’s not just the Soros network, the Open Society Network. It’s other funding networks, the Arabella Funding Network, the Tides Funding Network, Neville Roy Singham and his network, foreign cash,” Bruner said. “And, it’s also big left-wing funders — some of them are not citizens of this country.”

Bruner, who spoke alongside journalists Nick Sortor and Jack Posobiec and President Donald Trump, said his team, led by GAI President Peter Schweizer, had “followed” the trail of money and traced it to what they described as the “Protest Industrial Complex,” or “Riot Inc.” The network, he explained, encompasses multiple branches — from public relations and marketing to a “well-funded legal division” — coordinating and financing left-wing street actions.

“We have identified dozens of radical organizations, not just the decentralized Antifa organizations, but dozens of radical organizations that have received more than one hundred million dollars from the Riot Inc. investors,” Bruner stated. “These would be the lawyer groups, these would be the groups that advocate for calling good, honest Americans fascists.”

With the FBI now tightening its focus on these funding streams, Patel suggested that significant developments could be announced soon — marking what may become one of the most consequential counter-extremism operations in decades.

President Donald Trump made clear on Wednesday that Ukraine will not be receiving Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, saying the sophisticated weaponry is too difficult to operate without extensive American training.

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said the missiles require a long and complex training process that Ukraine is not equipped to handle. “The problem with the Tomahawk is – a lot of people don’t know – It’ll take a minimum of six months, usually a year, to learn how to use,” he told reporters.

He emphasized that the weapons’ advanced systems leave little room for external assistance. “The only way a Tomahawk is going to be shot is if we shot it,” Trump said pointedly. “And we’re not going to do that.”

The president went on to describe the missile as “highly complex,” saying that mastering its use involves a “tremendous learning curve.” He dismissed the idea of training foreign militaries to operate such systems, indicating that the United States intends to keep that knowledge in-house.

“It takes a year of intense training to learn how to use it, and we know how to use it, and we’re not going to be teaching other people,” Trump stated.

His remarks underline a broader shift in U.S. policy toward tightening control over advanced military technology and ensuring it remains under direct American command.

{Matzav.com}

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Alive! Out Now!

Watch as Shloime Daskal’s unmatched energy and talent meets Yehuda Langer’s skill and expertise to make this dance truly come ALIVE.

Hits and classics fuse with the energy that only a camp can provide to bring you a medley unlike any other.

Joined by the incredible Yedidim Choir, this dynamic dance set is truly unforgettable. 

Recorded live at Camp Degel Hatorah in Durham, CT.

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by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”

It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) 

Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.

Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!

Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!

YES! YOU CAN MAKE

The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. 

All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.

Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year

The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. 

Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. 

Official Shtar from Shas Yiden

Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.

All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.

The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!

Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –

The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon. 

Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).

One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”

In the words of Gedolei Torah:

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:

“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).

“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.

“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”

Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:

“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”

Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:

 “Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”

Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:

“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”

Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:

“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory. 

ShasYiden.com

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s office firmly dismissed reports on Wednesday suggesting that Turkish forces might be deployed in the Gaza Strip as part of postwar arrangements. “There will be no Turkish involvement,” the Prime Minister’s Office declared, following rumors of friction with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad over the issue.

Rashad had met with Netanyahu in Yerushalayim on Tuesday to discuss “advancing [US President Donald] Trump’s plan, Israel–Egypt relations and strengthening the peace between the countries, as well as other regional issues,” according to the official Israeli summary of their meeting.

A report on Sky News Arabia later claimed that a dispute erupted between the two over the prospect of Turkey’s participation in the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational body envisioned as part of Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan. The ISF would oversee Gaza during the transition period after Israel’s withdrawal and the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities.

The Palestinian source cited by the outlet also said that Netanyahu “completely rejected” any plan to send Palestinian Authority security units — even those trained under Egyptian and Jordanian supervision — to administer Gaza. “Netanyahu insists that the second-phase conditions be implemented first, namely the disarmament of Hamas and its relinquishment of control over Gaza, before any discussion of local administration or security forces operating in Gaza,” the source said.

In response to the Sky News report, Netanyahu’s office told The Times of Israel: “There is no disagreement.” Still, officials reiterated unequivocally: “There will be no Turkish involvement.”

Earlier that same day, Netanyahu seemed to allude to his position during a joint press conference with visiting US Vice President JD Vance. When asked whether Turkey could have a role in Gaza’s future security, Netanyahu quipped, “We will decide together about that. So I have very strong opinions about that. Want to guess what they are?”

Vice President Vance had spoken a day earlier about possible roles for regional partners in the aftermath of the truce, suggesting that Turkey could play “a constructive role” as the process advanced. However, he emphasized that Washington would not dictate terms to Jerusalem. “We’re not going to force anything on our Israeli friends when it comes to foreign troops on their soil,” Vance said in response to a Times of Israel question.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously said his country was willing to assist “in the field,” and a senior Turkish official told Reuters that Ankara could contribute to a joint task force — alongside Israel, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt — to locate and recover the remains of hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza.

However, diplomatic relations between Israel and the NATO-member state have soured dramatically since the start of the Gaza war. Erdogan has repeatedly accused Israel of “genocide” and compared Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, a series of statements that plunged ties to their lowest point in years.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s controversial humanitarian arm, the IHH organization, has been active in Gaza despite being banned in Israel for links to terror groups and its involvement in the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla. The group — also outlawed in Germany and the Netherlands — released video this week showing its workers distributing water from trucks emblazoned with Turkish flags and the organization’s logo.

Earlier, on October 18, IHH posted additional footage of bulldozers clearing debris in Gaza, again featuring Turkish flags and IHH insignia — underscoring Ankara’s quiet but continuing footprint in the territory even as official discussions about its military role remain firmly off the table.

{Matzav.com}

We are excited to announce the official opening of registration for the Agudas Yisroel of America Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah 5786/2026, set to take place be’ezras Hashem in Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh during President’s Week, from Sunday, כ”ו שבט תשפ”ו / February 15, 2026, through Thursday, ל’ שבט תשפ”ו / February 19, 2026.

Participants can still take advantage of currently favorable airfare rates, making this the perfect time to confirm your spot and begin preparing for an unforgettable experience. Based on past experience, airfares are not likely to get much cheaper.

We encourage participants to register for the Yarchei Kallah as soon as possible. Please note that the early bird registration special of $774, instead of $899, expires on November 15. To register, CLICK HERE.

Building on the extraordinary success of previous years, be’ezras Hashem, this upcoming Agudah Yarchei Kallah promises to be the most impactful and uplifting one yet. Attendees will once again have the unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in intensive limud haTorah, hear inspiring shiurim and divrei chizuk from gedolei Torah of Eretz Yisroel, and experience the spiritual elevation of learning in Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh.

Details regarding the sugya d’kallah and preparatory shiurim are being finalized and will be shared soon.

We look forward to an unforgettable week of Torah, inspiration, and hisorerus together in Yerushalayim.

{Matzav.com}

Twenty-six Democrats in the House and Senate and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who votes with the Democrats, penned a letter to Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, and Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, demanding answers about Israel’s detention of Mohammed Ibrahim, 16, a Palestinian-American accused of throwing rocks at cars.

The members of Congress wrote on Tuesday about their “grave concern” about Ibrahim’s detention since mid-February.

“Mohammed is a U.S. citizen from Florida who was reportedly blindfolded, handcuffed and arrested on Feb. 16, 2025 when Israeli forces reportedly entered his family home in al-Mazra’a ash-Sharqiya at 3 a.m.,” they wrote. “He was detained when he was 15-years-old and turned 16 in prison. He has been accused of throwing rocks at Israeli settlers, but no evidence has been publicly provided to support this allegation.”

The members of Congress stated that “Palestinians are subject to military law in the West Bank and are tried in military courts, where there have been well-documented concerns about Palestinians not receiving fair due process.” (Some officials and countries refer to Judea and Samaria as the “West Bank.”)

“Mohammed is also the first cousin of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, the 20-year-old U.S. citizen who was reportedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers in July 2025,” the members of Congress said. “To date, no one has been arrested concerning his killing. “

The members, including Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), requested a response by Nov. 3.

On Monday, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), who has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and accused the Jewish state of “callous disregard for human life,” brought renewed attention to Ibrahim.

“His health is deteriorating,” she stated. “The circumstances are desperate.” She called Ibrahim a “child” and said that Washington “must use every avenue available” to secure this release.

A U.S. State Department official told JNS that Huckabee has devoted significant time to the issues of Palestinian American safety in Judea and Samaria and to the welfare of Palestinian Christians.

The official, who declined to be named, would not say if Huckabee has been involved in Ibrahim’s case. (JNS sought comment from Huckabee’s office.)

Van Hollen and Merkley, who are also critical of Israel, met with Ibrahim’s father last month during a congressional visit to the Middle East.

The 16-year-old’s family held high-profile meetings last month on Capitol Hill. Some expected Ibrahim, who is held at Ofer Prison, to be among the Palestinian security prisoners whom Israel released last week in exchange for Israeli hostages in Gaza. He was not on that list.

‘Charge the kid or put him on the next flight back’

Critics accused Pressley, a member of the progressive “Squad” in the U.S. House of Representatives, of selective outrage.

“You said nothing about Americans abducted by Hamas, but now care so much about a little terrorist in prison for trying to murder civilians by throwing rocks at their vehicles while they were driving,” stated Jason Bedrick, research fellow at the Heritage Foundation. “You are loathsome.”

Aaron Baker, a Republican running against Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) next year, stated that “Republicans and Democrats agree: Americans—Floridians abroad deserve equal rights to a fair trial.”

“Charge the kid or put him on the next flight back to U.S. soil,” he stated. “There is no reason to hold a U.S. citizen for eight months without charging him.”

In response to Pressley, Inna Vernikov, a Republican councilwoman in New York City, stated that “if he did not throw rocks at the vehicles of innocent civilians—those can kill—including women and children. I promise he would not be in an Israeli prison.”

“Too bad Mohammed is brainwashed by a society that glorifies the murder of Jews as martyrdom,” she added.

Ibrahim’s family lives in the Arab village of Silwad but splits its time between there and Palm Bay, Fla. He was reportedly on vacation at the time of his arrest and denies the charges.

U.S. embassy officials say they have conducted welfare checks on Ibrahim but have faced unspecified restrictions. Ibrahim’s family says he has lost significant weight and suffers from a skin infection. The State Department hasn’t confirmed those claims.

{Matzav.com}

In a razor-thin vote that exposed deep divisions within the coalition, the Knesset on Wednesday approved a bill in its preliminary reading to extend Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The legislation, introduced by Noam Party Chairman MK Avi Maoz, passed 25 to 24, with a single-vote margin determining the outcome.

The Likud Party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was largely absent from the chamber during the vote, and most of its members either abstained or stayed away. MK Yuli Edelstein broke ranks and voted in favor despite clear instructions from Netanyahu to oppose the measure. The Likud leadership later confirmed that disciplinary action will be taken against Edelstein for defying party directives.

Supporting votes also came from United Torah Judaism members Yitzchak Goldknopf, Yisrael Eichler, and Yaakov Tesler, while lawmakers from Shas and the Blue and White Party chose not to participate in the session. Their absence further underscored the uneasy balance within the coalition over the contentious issue of sovereignty in the territories.

Maoz, in his remarks before the vote, framed the bill as a moral and national imperative. “Settlement in the Land of Israel is our connection to ourselves as a people,” he declared. “We call for the immediate application of Israeli sovereignty and law over Judea and Samaria. Since the government has hesitated, it is our duty as Knesset members to act – I call on all of you to vote for my bill.”

Soon after, the Knesset also passed a separate motion by Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman, which seeks to apply Israeli sovereignty over Maale Adumim. That proposal was approved by a far more comfortable 32-9 vote, suggesting broader support for annexation of the Jerusalem-area city even among skeptics of wider territorial application.

Explaining his decision to support the Maoz bill, Edelstein wrote, “I just voted in the Knesset plenum in favor of applying sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. Especially at this time, Israeli sovereignty over all parts of our homeland is the order of the day. As someone who has fought for the Land of Israel throughout my years in this building, with a clear belief in the justice of our path, I call on all Zionist factions to vote in favor.”

The heated session also featured sharp criticism from Arab lawmakers. MK Ahmad Tibi (Ta’al) scoffed at the idea of annexation, reminding supporters of global opposition to such moves. “Even your admired leader, Trump, suddenly opposes annexation,” Tibi said. “There is no Riviera, no bonanza – there is a reality in which more than 150 countries recognize Palestine.”

The bill must now pass additional readings before becoming law, but the preliminary vote already marks a symbolic victory for right-wing lawmakers pushing for full Israeli jurisdiction over Judea and Samaria — and a new challenge for Netanyahu as he tries to keep his coalition intact.

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Over Chol HaMoed, what should have been a peaceful Yom Tov afternoon turned into a scene of chaos and fear for residents living in one of the communities “within the mile.”

A group of individuals, reportedly renting a room in a home owned by staunch “New Square Mile fanatics,” were seen joyriding recklessly through the local streets—speeding, swerving, and zigzagging across the full width of the road. Several residents said they feared for their lives while standing in their own driveways and front lawns, watching in horror as the car lost control, barreled across a front yard, and smashed into two parked vehicles.

Instead of stopping, the group fled, only to crash again nearby and abandon the car. Police later found them next to a house owned by members of the New Square community. “Thank God no one was seriously hurt,” one resident said. “But it could easily have ended in tragedy.”

The terror didn’t end there. Just yesterday, Tuesday, October 21, a woman in the community texted in panic after witnessing a violent altercation next door. “I just watched our neighbors in a huge fight with tires slashed,” she wrote. “I was planning to sit outside with the kids, but I’m scared.”

According to her account, a woman chased a man down the street, pulled out a knife, and slashed his tires as he begged her to calm down. The witness fled inside with her toddler daughter. Residents are struggling to comprehend how such incidents are happening in the heart of Monsey — and worse, that they appear to be caused and even condoned by New Square’s leadership.

This is not an isolated occurrence. The house in question reportedly has around 20 people living there, with frequent turnover and dangerous behavior spilling into the street — as is the case with many homes purchased by representatives of New Square. One neighbor reported, “One of them drove across my yard and into the woods.” Others described a property crowded with abandoned cars and a massive pitbull-husky mix that regularly chases passersby. “People run to our door for safety,” said another.

When a family member who witnessed the chaos reached out to a well-known contact within New Square’s leadership, the response was chilling: “They should do whatever they need to do. We will do ours, and they should do theirs.”

We are now pleading for help — from community leaders and from the public at large. Chassidei Skver must be held accountable, and this disgusting, despicable practice must end immediately, accompanied by a full-throated apology.

To the people of New Square, is this what Hashem wants from you? To illegally overcrowd homes in otherwise peaceful neighborhoods with individuals who stab, threaten, and endanger others? To place lives at risk through callousness, selfishness, irresponsibility, and the thirst for control?

Are you waiting for someone from our community to, chas v’shalom, become the victim of a serious crime before realizing this is wrong? Are you so blind that you cannot see where this leads — or so indifferent that you simply don’t care?

To the decent residents and supporters of New Square who are sickened by what’s happening: please, speak out. Tell your leaders to stop this practice and repair the damage before it’s too late.

And to rational, fair-minded people everywhere — please help apply pressure. Pause all funding to New Square’s institutions until this cruelty ends. No one should have to fear for their life while standing in their own front yard with their children — and certainly not when that danger is being fueled intentionally by people who claim to stand for holiness, honor, and respectability.

A Resident of The Mile

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{Matzav.com}

A dramatic confrontation erupted on live radio Wednesday when Republican mayoral contender Curtis Sliwa stormed out of 77 WABC, declaring his departure from the station he helped define.

“You will never see me at the studios of WABC again,” Sliwa fumed during a heated exchange with host Sid Rosenberg, accusing colleagues of betraying him and favoring independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. He erupted on-air after learning that some within the station, including its owner, were urging him to bow out of the mayoral race to give Cuomo a better shot against Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.

“Let me just say Sid, I am directing my comments to everybody at WABC,” Sliwa said in a charged tone. “They have said I’m selfish. Selfish? Are you out of your mind? … But that’s why you will never see me at the studios of WABC again, never, no matter how this election turns out.”

The clash came after billionaire John Catsimatidis — the station’s owner and longtime Republican donor — publicly suggested Sliwa withdraw from the race. “Regardless of all the news going around, I’ve always said great things about Curtis Sliwa, about how well he knows the city. But in a places like New York City where 70% of New York City are Democrats, the real Democrat is Andrew Cuomo, not Zohran Mamdani and Democrats should vote for Cuomo,” Catsimatidis told The Post. He added, “I’ve never asked that he leave the race but recommended that a lot of other people have said he should.”

Just days before the on-air blowup, Catsimatidis released a statement calling on Sliwa to step aside “for the good of New York City,” echoing the same message on his own airwaves. Yet on Wednesday, the Gristedes supermarket mogul suggested he didn’t believe the rift was permanent. “I’ve supported Curtis for the last 30 years, his organizations and him,” Catsimatidis said. “Me and Curtis have a handshake deal and he has a 30-year contract. When he calms down, I believe Curtis has always been reasonable.”

Despite the mounting pressure, Republican leaders across New York City — including Catsimatidis’ daughter, Manhattan GOP chair Andrea Catsimatidis — reaffirmed their support for Sliwa. His show, on hiatus during his uphill campaign for City Hall, returned with fireworks Wednesday as Sliwa and Rosenberg locked horns in a live shouting match.

“I know there are people there at WABC who are personally attacking me, saying I’m running a lazy campaign…. I feel personally, personally offended by what my friends and colleagues, many of whom I trained at WABC, many of whom wouldn’t have a job at WABC without me, have done,” Sliwa vented on Sid & Friends In The Morning. He mocked the station’s call letters, saying they now stand for “Always Broadcast Cuomo.”

Rosenberg countered sharply, telling Sliwa he was targeting the wrong opponent. “This obsession with Cuomo has to stop,” Rosenberg said. “You can beat Cuomo and still lose the election.”

As the argument intensified, Sliwa claimed he and his wife, Nancy, have faced threats severe enough to require armed security — which he blamed on those publicly pressuring him to quit. “If anything happens to me or anything happens to my wife, because of this frenzy that I hear constantly coming from some of your colleagues there at WABC, it’s on you guys and you gals,” he warned. “My life is on the line here.”

Recent polling has shown Mamdani comfortably in the lead, followed by Cuomo, with Sliwa trailing far behind. Analysts say Sliwa’s exit could give Cuomo a realistic chance to overtake the Democratic frontrunner. Rosenberg bluntly told his longtime colleague, “You’re gonna lose and you’re gonna lose badly, embarrassingly.” As the exchange grew heated, he added, “You’re talking about WABC and Cuomo. That’s not gonna win you this … race.”

By the end of the morning, Sliwa had effectively severed ties with the station that launched his broadcasting career decades ago — leaving both the mayoral race and his radio legacy engulfed in controversy.

{Matzav.com}