Hollie Silverman is the Deputy Weekend Editor at Newsweek based out of South Carolina Her focus is reporting on breaking news and trending topics Hollie has reported extensively on both local and national crime trends as well as health She won an Emmy for her coverage the George Floyd Riots during her time at CNN Hollie joins Newsweek after working as an Assistant News Director Assignment Manager and Digital Editor at local and national television news stations throughout the US over the last 15 years She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase College You can get in touch with Hollie by emailing h.silverman@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Newsweek emailed the Trump administration requesting further comment Sunday outside of business hours Crockett, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk has used her platform to call out the pair notably for cuts to the federal budget by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) The first term congresswoman has also called out the Trump administration for its policies including the president's move to eliminate diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across companies and educational institutions In his interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker on Sunday, Trump spoke about the state of the Democratic Party and said, "I can't name one Democrat, I mean, I look at the Democrats And they said she's the future of the party." Crockett wrote on X: "For you to be in charge of the WHOLE country you sure do have my name in your mouth a lot you're reminding the world that you're terrified of smart bold Black women telling the truth and holding you accountable a spokesperson for Crockett said on Monday that they did not have any additional comment Crockett assumed her seat representing Texas' 30th Congressional District in January 2023 and has also been a target for Republicans where she has fired back multiple times Mace asked Crockett if she wanted "to take it outside." Mace had objected to Crockett referring to her as "child" during her speech, responding, "If you want to take it outside, we can do that." In February, when asked what she would want to say to Musk, she responded with "F*** off." The now viral video posted to X by "Call to Activism" showed the encounter followed by laughs Later that month, she encouraged a Tesla Takedown movement and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down." When called out by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi saying she was planning to attend one of the Tesla Takedown demonstrations Last month, MAGA comedian Terrence K. Williams mocked her online by sharing a video titled: "Who wore it best and glasses that look like the pair Crockett wears The congresswoman also received backlash after calling Texas Governor Greg Abbott "Governor Hot Wheels" during a press conference in March She later said she was referring to his deportation methods rather than his disability He was paralyzed in 1984 when a tree fell on him while running Khary Penebaker, a former Democratic National Committee (DNC) member, said on X: "Trump can't stop crowing about @RepJasmine because fearless Black women torch his paper-thin ego Don—it spotlights your terror of truth & your party's allergy to accountability Conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren responded to a video of Trump's interview on X and simply wrote: "LOL." All who in different ways have been speaking with moral clarity about this moment." Crockett and Trump may continue to clash publicly in the coming months Both have leaned into public spats and are known for strong criticism of their political opponents ET: This article has been updated with comment from Crockett's team Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that is factual and fair We value your input and encourage you to rate this article Newsletters in your inbox See all “Like, behind closed doors, they will talk about how these things are crazy,” she continued. “You can find plenty of Republicans that will tell you that these tariffs are a problem. They will tell you that, and they know that it’s a problem.” Crockett’s comments come amid mounting signs of discord within GOP ranks over the economic uncertainty unleashed by President Donald Trump’s tariffs against more than 90 countries Though Crockett contends the discord runs deep behind closed doors she suggested that the majority of GOP representatives are choosing not to voice any qualms for fear of retribution “It seems like they do whatever [Donald Trump] wants them to do at all times, right?” she said, adding that the difficult position this has placed them in “is why they don’t want to go out and listen to their constituents at their town halls.” The congresswoman further said the clearest sign of this has been at congressional hearings on GOP-tabled bills during which Republican officials have appeared reluctant to discuss prospective amendments to any items under discussion We just have to vote down these common-sense amendments and get through this because this is what we’ve been told to do.” Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here. Will Neal is a freelance investigative journalist covering the South Caucasus from Tbilisi, Georgia. He previously spent three years at the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, working on international collaborative investigations that included Suisse Secrets and the European Press Prize-winning Russian Asset Tracker. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. The Texas representative said that many of her Republican colleagues saw the ongoing chaos as a result of the president’s tariffs as ‘a problem’ I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rep. Jasmine Crockett says that behind closed doors, many Republicans are questioning the decisions of the Trump administration and openly saying how “things are crazy.” The Texas Democrat said that members of the GOP would publicly do “whatever [Trump] wants them to do at all times,” but that many saw the ongoing chaos caused by the president’s tariffs as “a problem.” Crockett made the remarks during an interview with CNN on Friday night, saying that the massive cuts in the president’s recent budget proposal were “absolutely insane.” “Unfortunately, I don't feel like we're living at a time in which these representatives, whether they're senators or House members, are listening to their constituents,” she said. “If you listen to your constituents, then you will hear pain, and that pain is spread across the political spectrum. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican or independent, the cuts that you talked about, they are going to impact everyone.” Asked about Trump’s pressure over Republicans in Congress, Crockett replied: “It seems like they do whatever he wants them to do at all times, right? “Like, behind closed doors, they will talk about how these things are crazy. You can find plenty of Republicans that will tell you that these tariffs are a problem. They will tell you that, and they know that it's a problem. This is why they don't want to go out and listen to their constituents by having town halls. The St. Louis-native said a recent set of congressional hearings in which specific Republican representatives had been unwilling to defend or even speak out at all on amendments to GOP-tabled bills. “They literally were silent,” she told CNN. “It was almost like they were told, ‘Don’t say anything, because we can’t win. We just have to vote down these common-sense amendments and get through this, because this is what we’ve been told to do.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"Screenshot 2025-05-03 at 4.14.28 PM.png","description":"Rep Jasmine Crockett","caption":"Rep. Jasmine Crockett says that behind closed doors, many Republicans are questioning the decisions of the Trump administration Rep. Jasmine Crockett says that behind closed doors, many Republicans are questioning the decisions of the Trump administration props: {"enabled":true,"viewLimit":1,"excludeLabels":["Sponsored"],"timeframe":2592000000,"displayOverlay":false,"promoCode":"registration_meter","isLoggedIn":false,"requiresUserInput":false,"displayGate":true,"views":1} skipWhenExists: false }); Enjoy this free article CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: '#vue-1746507306613-745' props: {"className":"content-meter__toggler","beforeExpanded":"Enjoy this free article.","beforeCollapsed":"Create a free account","targets":[".content-meter"],"toggleClass":"content-meter--open","iconModifiers":["xl"],"iconName":"chevron-up","initiallyExpanded":true,"expandedIconName":"chevron-down"} skipWhenExists: false });Create a free Diverse: Issues In Higher Education account to continue reading Texas Congresswoman Jasmine CrockettIn a powerful address that wove together civil rights history with present-day challenges Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) delivered an impassioned commencement speech at Tougaloo College's graduation ceremony on Sunday urging graduates to embrace their purpose in continuing the fight for progress Standing on the historic grounds of the private Mississippi HBCU—once a sanctuary and launch pad for the Civil Rights Movement—the Congresswoman reflected on the paradoxical nature of the moment: that in 2025 her very presence as a speaker remained controversial still only one of the few places that an institution can invite me to speak.. to think about the fact that people have to be fearful of having a sitting member of Congress come and address their graduates tells us that we still got a lot of work to do," she told the graduates Drawing parallels between past and present struggles she reminded the audience that Tougaloo was one of a few places in Mississippi where Dr could speak during the Civil Rights Movement she noted the irony of similar limitations placed on Black voices in positions of power "The president of the United States having a temper tantrum that strips funding because I'm Black and I'm proud should not be something that we are dealing with in 2025," she stated who acknowledged working multiple jobs during her own college years spoke candidly about personal struggles and the fatigue that comes with fighting systemic barriers Invoking the refrain from the gospel song "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired," she encouraged graduates to persevere despite exhaustion I've come too far from where I started from," she recited asking graduates to reflect on their own journeys through college—the multiple jobs the stepping away and stepping back in—all while excelling despite the challenges Her message anchored in both acknowledgment of weariness and the necessity of continued struggle themes particularly relevant at an institution with Tougaloo's civil rights legacy The college was home to the "Tougaloo Nine," students who organized sit-ins at segregated libraries and alumni like Anne Moody and Memphis Norman who participated in the historic Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in in 1963 "Sitting in these very classrooms is just as much of a protest as Anne and Memphis pulling up to Woolworths in 1963," she said emphasizing how education remains an act of resistance The Congresswoman warned graduates about attempts to erase this history not just from textbooks but through policies targeting diversity initiatives and institutions serving Black communities She shared personal experiences of being labeled "ghetto" and "unqualified" despite her impressive credentials—modern versions of racial epithets—connecting these attacks to historical patterns of undermining Black achievement and institutions she issued a direct challenge to the graduates "If you are waiting on somebody to come and save you "You are the person that you've been waiting on." Reminding them that every significant social justice movement has been led by young people she noted that she is now older than Medgar Evers and Malcolm X were when they were assassinated "This country is relying on each and every one of you to walk into your purpose and to walk in greatness with your head held high." The Congresswoman's speech resonated deeply with the graduates and assembled families at Tougaloo an institution that has persisted in its educational mission despite historical and ongoing challenges "She was dynamic and passionate," said Rose Lucas whose niece was among the more than 120 undergraduates to receive their diploma "At a time when so many of our politicians are afraid to speak out against the injustices in Washington I am encouraged by the Congresswoman's passion and commitment."  As Crockett concluded with a call to action she left the new alumni with a poignant message about belonging.  "There are people that are going to tell you that there is not a table in which there is a seat for you but I am here to remind you of Montgomery and those folding chairs." Attached are the results from the May 3, 2025 Municipal Election in Crockett County For more local news, click here Crockett did not mince words about the Trump administration and its loyal followers especially some of her white women colleagues Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) had some words for President Donald Trump herself after hearing he called her a “low I.Q person” during an interview with NBC News.  Trump sat down with NBC’s Kristen Welker for an interview during which he answered various questions following his first 100 days in office he mentioned the Texas lawmaker by name when claiming the Democratic Party is in “total disarray.” After hearing her speak the President said she is “definitely a low I.Q Crockett caught wind of Trump’s comments and decided to clap back on X saying that while he claims she is “new,” her name is constantly coming out of his mouth “For you to be in charge of the WHOLE country you sure do have my name in your mouth a lot,” Crockett wrote.  you’re reminding the world that you’re terrified of smart For you to be in charge of the WHOLE country, you sure do have my name in your mouth a lot.Every time you say my name, you’re reminding the world that you’re terrified of smart, bold Black women telling the truth and holding you accountable. So keep talking… https://t.co/c9C9bWAPpA According to Fox News, she continued to press back against the President’s claim while appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” saying she would “absolutely” take a head-to-head I.Q. test against Trump Mace threatened a fight outside the House walls after referring to Crockett as a “child,” saying Marjorie Taylor Greene have also gotten into verbal spats on numerous occasions resulting in her referring to MTG as “dumb and a lowlife” during her sit-down with Kimmel.  Jasmine Crockett while on Jimmy Kimmel last night:“Marjorie Taylor Greene is dumb and a lowlife.”Rep. Crockett says it like it is! pic.twitter.com/5wwFOZjrpU After being criticized for allegedly referring to Texas’ Gov as “Governor Hot Wheels,” Crockett’s GOP state colleague Randy Weber said he was looking “forward to introducing my resolution to censure you for your words and actions” after telling her that “words have meanings & actions have consequences.” However, voters on social media seemingly agree with Crockett’s claim of Trump’s fear of Black women. Former Democratic National Convention member Khary Penebaker (@kharyp) supported the idea, stating Black women continue to bruise his ego. “Trump can’t stop crowing about @RepJasmine because fearless Black women torch his paper-thin ego,” he wrote in response Don—it spotlights your terror of truth & your party’s allergy to accountability RELATED CONTENT: Trump’s Alleged AI-Powered Tariffs, A Masterclass In Foolishness And Misguided Policy (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=b9508bae-07bd-46ea-a7a2-5c4267ac7d86&cid=2b3b1cf8-11b9-409d-a906-ab6746c50467'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "b9508bae-07bd-46ea-a7a2-5c4267ac7d86" }).render("1febd67a070e4752a320d5ebf4102141"); }); alumni and faculty members were greeted by hundreds of their loved ones Sunday in front of the chapel on Tougaloo’s campus Tougaloo is a historically Black college and university located in Tougaloo right outside of Jackson ‘Your moment is now:’ Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett speaks to Tougaloo College’s 2025 grads Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas was chosen as this year’s keynote speaker and received an honorary doctorate from Congressman Bennie Thompson Crockett says the civil rights legacy left by former Tougaloo students such as Thompson and those who held a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in Jackson “How many times did you sit back and think about the fact that you walked the same hallowed grounds where the Tougaloo Nine organized,” she said “For years you sat in the same seats as Anne Moody and Memphis Norman as you were bestowed with knowledge Crockett made parallels between the struggles faced by Tougaloo students during the Civil Rights Movement and today’s political climate.  sitting in these very classrooms is just as much of a protest as Anne and Memphis pulling up to Woolworth's in 1963,” she said.  Crockett says that she was invited to speak at the college through Congressman Thompson but suggested that the invitation received some backlash “To think about the fact that people have to be fearful of having a sitting member of Congress to come and address their graduates tells us that we still got a lot of work to do,” she said Crockett suggested that the welcome she received at Tougaloo mirrored that of earlier figures The ceremony was held in front of the campus’s Rev which had been a popular meeting place for several Civil Rights leaders “The reality is that this harkens back to a man named Martin,” Crockett said They decided that he wanted to go out and educate and invigorate during the Civil Rights Movement and it was here at Tougaloo that he could come and speak it was the only institution in Mississippi that he could come and speak.” Crockett urged graduates to become changemakers as soon as they can “This country is relying on each and every one of you to walk into your purpose and to walk in greatness with your head held high There are going to be people that tell you that you don't belong I am here to tell you over and over and over that you absolutely belong.” teachers and scientists then filed across the stage to receive their degrees including some high schoolers who simultaneously earned associates degrees Jaylen Johnson is an upcoming high school graduate from Jackson who received his associates in arts in business no matter what you're doing and where you do it if you carry your values and carry yourself to a higher standard then you will continue to go forward instead of going backward,” he said.  Bachelor of arts in psychology graduate Corianna Lyons is from McComb I'm really going to miss this place and all of my friends.” Lyons says she was encouraged by Crockett’s message to graduates “Congresswoman Crockett was absolutely amazing,” she said but tomorrow is also going to be challenging it’s always a stigma against us that we have to fight against every day.” Although Crockett had a stark message regarding the current political climate many parents of graduates remained confident in their children’s ability to succeed became the first college graduate in her family Sunday An earlier graduation ceremony on Tougaloo’s campus also featured the Rev Willnett CrockettTitle:Assistant Coach / Recruiting CoordinatorEmail:wcrocket@usc.eduBioLos Angeles native Willnett Crockett enters her second season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at USC bringing 13 years of coaching experience to her role with the Women of Troy "Coach Will is a winner,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said of Crockett "She won two national titles right here in LA as a top high school player She was an All-American and Gatorade State Player of the Year in California and then went on to win two national titles in college She has literally walked in the shoes that our players aspire to and she will be a terrific mentor and leader for them She has also built a tremendous reputation as a college coach she had a hand in all aspects of a winning program and helped develop pros I am most excited to add Coach Will for the quality of human being she is we are thrilled she has come home to LA to help USC Women’s Basketball achieve our goals.” A product of Narbonne High School in Los Angeles Crockett played collegiate basketball at UConn before being drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks and continuing in a pro career that saw her play in the WNBA and internationally where she spent 13 years as an assistant coach Crockett helped head coach Tonya Cardoza become the winningest coach in program history with 251 victories the Owls made three trips to the NCAA Tournament and four WNIT appearances including two WNIT quarterfinal runs and a semifinal run in 2015 Temple’s 2016-17 season was one of its best and finished second in the American Athletic Conference Reaching the 20-win plateau for the third-straight year Temple notched the program's best-ever RPI of 18 at the end of regular-season play The Owls were ranked nationally for five weeks of the season and beat two nationally-ranked teams (#16/17 DePaul Crockett was instrumental in mentoring and developing post players at Temple She also had significant roles in the Owls' recruiting equipment coordinator and individual skill development while also serving as the liaison to strength & conditioning Crockett returned to her home state of California to serve as director of women’s basketball operations at CSUN for the 2022-23 season Crockett is a 2006 graduate of the University of Connecticut where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology She helped UConn win two NCAA Championships along with two BIG EAST regular season titles and two BIG EAST Tournament title She was also a part of UConn's record-breaking Division I 70-game winning streak from 2001-03  Crockett was selected in the second round of the 2006 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks (22nd pick overall) She also played for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and competed professionally overseas in Africa “[Democrats] have a new person named Crockett,” Trump said during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press “I watched her speak the other day and she’s definitely a low IQ person.” a rising Democratic star representing Texas while discussing the state of the Democratic Party which he described as being in “total disarray.” ‘She’s the future of the party,’” he told moderator Kristen Welker “I don’t imagine the Democrats are going to have a person like that running their party,” he added The Texas lawmaker, for her part, has called the president “Putin’s ho” and slammed him as “simpleminded and under-qualified.” Trump questioned the Democratic Party’s future implying that it was lacking strong figures who could mount a viable challenge to him “I don’t know what they’re going to do,” he said “And I really believe in a two party system Trump on Sunday momentarily set aside his flirtations with a third term to give Vice President JD Vance a lukewarm nod as his possible successor Although he said it’s “far too early” to decide who would take over after him “I do have a vice president and JD’s doing a fantastic job.” He also threw another name in the ring—Secretary of State and newly appointed National Security Adviser Marco Rubio “We have a lot of good people in this party,” he said Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Log in to comment on videos and join in on the fun Watch the live stream of Fox News and full episodes Reduce eye strain and focus on the content that matters Jasmine Crockett Claps Back At 'Terrified' Trump Calling Her 'Low IQ 'By BINMay 5 Crockett took to social media to address comments Trump made about her during an interview with NBC News’ "Meet the Press." Kristen Welker of NBC News questioned Trump earlier on Sunday about the state of the Democratic Party to which he said it was in “total disarray.” The president went on to call out the Texas lawmaker by name And they said she's the future of the party,” he said saying the president was “terrified of smart "For you to be in charge of the WHOLE country Crockett has been a vocal critic of Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk over their efforts to cut federal spending and eliminate diversity a former Democratic National Committee (DNC) member backed Crockett following Trump’s “low IQ” comment The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live Jasmine Crockett is getting rocked on social media after taking a shot at President Donald Trump Crockett - a Democrat from Texas - is becoming one of the most recognizable names in politics for one simple reason: She's made her entire personality saying stupid things and attacking Trump her elevation is great news for Republicans *RELATED: Trump Takes Flamethrower To Nasty Democrat With Blunt Comments: WATCH* SIGN UP for The Daily OutKick. New Look, Same Attitude. Crockett is getting torched on X after firing off a truly stupid tweet about President Trump you’re reminding the world that you’re terrified of smart So keep talking…," Crockett tweeted Sunday in response to Trump mocking the idea "she's the future of the" Democrats It didn't take the internet long at all to respond The funniest part about her tweet is the fact Crockett claims to be someone who tells the truth. Too bad there's video of her going on CNN and sharing racist lies about white people committing crimes It appears she has little to no self-awareness Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is getting roasted on X after sending a stupid tweet about President Donald Trump (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Court Accountability) It's honestly nothing short of incredible that Democrats haven't found a way to dial Crockett back they seem content letting her continue to elevate her profile and become the face of the party Not smart if they want to win national elections Let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com You are agreeing to OutKick's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. Gambling related content is not intended for anyone under the age of 21. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER A rumor that circulated online in late April 2025 claimed U.S Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts fined U.S However, the rumor that Roberts fined Crockett was false. News media outlets worldwide would have reported it if any such event had taken place. Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no such reports Representatives for both Crockett and the Supreme Court have yet to respond to emails asking if they wish to share a statement about the false rumor The claim originated with YouTube creators who publish videos featuring scripting and voice narration generated with artificial intelligence tools Some of those channels' managers had previously uploaded videos alleging other fabricated claims about Roberts and Crockett The description under the Insider Intel YouTube channel's video displayed a disclaimer reading "The stories presented on this channel are entirely fictional and crafted solely for entertainment or situations is purely coincidental and unintentional These narratives are not intended to depict or entities." The description also showed an "altered or synthetic content" label "Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated." The Ripple of Good channel's video did not feature any similar disclaimers or labels For further reading, a previous fact-check article examined a rumor claiming White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Crockett to "go back to Africa." "Judge John Roberts Fines Jasmine Crockett $200K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxvv4nZHDLQ "Karoline Leavitt Didn't Say 'Go Back to Africa' to US Rep https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/go-back-to-africa-leavitt-crockett/ https://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/prohibited-items.aspx Jordan Liles is a Senior Reporter who has been with Snopes since 2016 This material may not be reproduced without permission Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Charley Crockett on Tuesday, April 1st at 8 pm at ACL Live at The Moody Theater (310 W. 2nd Street, Willie Nelson Blvd). Austin City Limits Taping Giveaways are presented by AXS Events Winners will be chosen at random and a photo ID will be required to pick up tickets Duplicate entries for a single taping will be automatically voided Tickets are not transferable and will be voided if sold computers or recording devices allowed in the venue While we do our best to accommodate all winners we cannot guarantee admission. These passes are based on space available therefore you will be filling in spots available on the floor or balcony depending on the tickets that are available when you arrive Texas troubadour Charley Crockett made a sensational ACL debut in Season 47 in 2021 and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to our stage with his highly-anticipated new album Lonesome Drifter After a decade of touring and more than a dozen independent albums under his belt, Lonesome Drifter marks his first for a major label and will be released by Island Records on March 14 Hailing from the Texas bordertown of San Benito, Crockett has been on a helluva ride tapping into a rebellious strain of country and defying the odds with a diehard work ethic; grinding from obscurity to garnering millions of streams and headlining some of the country’s most renowned venues He capped 2024 with his first Grammy nomination for his acclaimed album $10 Cowboy.  Lonesome Drifter was co-produced by Crockett and Shooter Jennings and recorded at the legendary Sunset Sounds Studios in LA.  “If you can hang on as long as I have you’ll have some good stories to tell,” grins Crockett. Lonesome Drifter arrives with the single and title track a slow-burning rocker that finds him telling the tale of a vagabond traveler “I started writing the song back when I was still playing in subways in New York,” he recalls I was in California working on the ganja farms and I came up with the ‘Lonesome Drifter’ section…The burden of becoming a troubadour is you’re standing in a position that gives you a clear perspective of the struggles of humans.” Crockett tips his hat to his Texas roots on the album with a pair of choice covers: “Jamestown Ferry,” made famous by Tanya Tucker along with George Strait’s country classic “Amarillo by Morning.” For entry to Austin City Limits tapings, you agree to abide by the Taping Health & Safety Protocols based on the current COVID-19 Community Risk Stage in effect at the time of the event. By attending the ACL tapings, you agree to the Terms & Conditions Austin City Limits is a production of Austin PBS – The Crockett County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Austin Taylor on eight counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and eight counts of simple possession/casual exchange of a Schedule II controlled substance Crockett County Sheriff’s Department An investigation led by the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division revealed that Taylor illegally obtained a Schedule II medication prescribed to a student multiple times and will appear before General Sessions Judge Paul Conley for a bond to be set This remains an active and ongoing investigation The identities of juveniles involved are confidential and protected by law The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law The defendant has the right to be arraigned on these charges and a bond will be set by General Sessions Judge Paul Conley – not the arresting agency The 28th Judicial District Attorney General Frederick Agee will be prosecuting this case where facts and evidence against the defendant will be presented in the court of law For more local crime stories, click here Marni Rose McFall is a Newsweek reporter based in London Marni joined Newsweek in 2024 from Frasers Group and had previously written for Cosmopolitan She is a graduate of The University of Edinburgh You can get in touch with Marni by emailing m.mcfall@newsweek.com Terrence K. Williams, a MAGA comedian, shared a response to his 2.3 million followers on X after he received backlash over his impression of Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Willaims and to Crockett via email for comment Williams is an American comedian with a substantial presence on social media who rose to fame in 2016 after a comedic Facebook video went viral He is known for sharing conservative viewpoints and satirical takes on current events Williams recently drew criticism for an impression of Crockett after he posted a video on social media titled "Who wore it best he dons a wig and pegs on his fingernails in lieu of acrylic or gel nails and a pair of glasses similar to Crockett as he mimics her Elon Musk and Laura Loomer both responded to this video with laughing emojis and some social media users criticized Williams for the post She's smarter than you could ever claim to be and at least she is in her own lane." Responding to backlash he received for the video "Stop saying I'm degrading black women When I do impersonations of Jasmine Crockett Williams has posted about Crockett on multiple occasions He shared a mock apology to Crockett back in March writing on X in a post which has been viewed 700,000 times "I have to admit when I'm wrong," he wrote. "I called Jasmine Crockett some names that were not appropriate. I said she was a Dollar Store Kamala Harris and that was very rude of me to disrespect the Dollar Store I sincerely apologize to every Dollar Store in America "I wasn't thinking about the governor's condition—I was thinking about the planes and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable." on X: "Just Unfollow me like I said before or mute me if you have a problem with me or things I post Stop saying I'm degrading black women When I do impersonations of Jasmine Crockett Crockett has not publicly acknowledged or responded to Williams Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. The NWA Crockett Cup tag team tournament is filling up The Crockett Cup event comes to Philadelphia The feature attraction is the Crockett Cup tag team tournament The NWA announced several teams for this year’s field and the Southern Six top the list aiming to be the first repeat winners Announcing the next official entrants into the 2025 NWA Crockett Cup tag team tournament: looking to become the 1st ever back-to-back tournament winners, it’s the tag team combination of “the Ticket” Kerry Morton and the NWA World Jr Heavyweight Champion “2 Hot 2 Trot” Alex… pic.twitter.com/cRu2ZnPQDb eight teams out of sixteen have been officially entered into the Crockett Cup so far: One of the dark-horse candidates to make a run is EC3 & Pretty Boy Smooth EC3 is bringing a top prospect from his Exodus Pro territory Not to mention that EC3 is a former NWA world champ in his own right The formidable team of Exodus Pro’s Pretty Boy Smooth and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion EC3 look to dominate this year’s Crockett Cup with power, size, and in-ring guile. “Make no mistake,” says The Overlord of his nearly 7-foot tall partner, “he is here to dominate, and… pic.twitter.com/nZa3IGloeF Here is an introduction to Pretty Boy Smooth Who is the Urban Playboy?Six feet & nine inches of trouble & charm. Known to break hearts & break backs. Holla if ya hear me #KeepItPLAYER pic.twitter.com/vE0P55qvJg Hoss fight aficionados are about to get rowdy in here The NWA is bringing in Alexander Hammerstone to wrestle “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason Two of the toughest heavyweights in the sport collide at the 2025 Crockett Cup in Philadelphia!Former world champion Alex Hammerstone brings his unmatched power and intensity to the ring in his NWA debut as he squares off with the Southern 6’s unpredictable force of nature,… pic.twitter.com/QgxvjxbrLd Natalia Markova and Kylie Paige won’t hold back when they fight in a No Limits Match "The Crush" Natalia Markova is charging headfirst at "Pretty Empowered" Kylie Paige — and there’s nowhere to hide. At the 2025 Crockett Cup, it’s No Limits: no rules, no boundaries, just chaos. Paige strikes with cold precision, but can she survive Markova’s fearless intensity…… pic.twitter.com/IKN31DWbwx The Crockett Cup event currently includes: Share your thoughts on the NWA Crockett Cup card WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather Tuesday Prep: Crockett softball wins on senior day and D-B tops Toppers on the pitch Rangers to recall Evan Carter from Triple-A Blue Devils surge in district tournament action Vols' Doyle suspended two games for Auburn altercation Lions Volunteer Blind Industries closes Johnson City location Chronic Absenteeism in Northeast Tennessee Schools Bucs Savage discusses graduated players and new recruits on the Hawk's Nest podcast Gate City native McClung continues to patiently awaits is chance in the NBA UH and Chuckey-Doak are district baseball champs ETSU softball splits with UTC on Senior Day Greene Devils take district titles on the diamond Reinhardt rallies past Milligan for walk-off win Texas A&M tops Lady Vols on soggy Senior Day By Joel MoorePublished: Apr 2025 at 12:23 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCROCKETT COUNTY (WMC) - The Crockett County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that a passenger was rescued following a car crash turned explosion the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department responded to a serious vehicle crash that occurred on Johnson Grove Road deputies found a vehicle engulfed in flames with an unresponsive patient trapped inside Deputies say that the Crockett County Rescue Squad and a bystander the patient was successfully rescued from the burning vehicle before it exploded Click here to sign up for our newsletter Click here to report a spelling or grammar error I had never heard of Charley Crockett before catching his live set at Hinterland 2024 At the time I was like “Ok here we go….standard country act maybe I’ll go sit down and chill out.” I was wrong about both chilling out and Charley Crockett Crockett was going on about being a $10 dollar cowboy (I didn’t know that was the name of his new album at the time) and was backing it up with some serious vocal prowess He also had a stage presence that was captivating and elevated the music it doesn’t get much more outlaw than that.) Crockett’s latest album, Lonesome Drifter is right up there with his best offerings — maybe even his strongest to date has surpassed $10 Dollar Cowboy and Welcome To Hard Times It wouldn’t be surprising if it's this album that breaks him out as country’s next big thing and the genre would be all the better for it and takes you on a dirt road journey with a questionable lead character who could very well be a wanted man this song plays as the ultimate introduction with no frills and no fancy overproduction There’s no drinking Bud Light and going fishing with your dog in his songs “Game I Can’t Win,” spins a tale of being stuck and beaten down by the system of life and those that “love it when you can’t win." That’s a rebel’s attitude but strikes a poignant nerve in this moment “Under Neon Lights,” seemingly tells a story of a man wasting his life away on gambling “This Crazy Life” (track six) is a melancholy number with a beautiful orchestral arrangement and finds Crockett trying to “make sense of this crazy life.” The tune reminded me a country-tinged Frank Sinatra Album closer “Amarillo By Morning” transported me straight to Texas You really feel like you’re on the journey that Crockett is singing about losing his wife and girlfriend along the way and having his saddle taken in Houston and in a world flooded with questionable quality in all types of art it’s refreshing to hear someone bring back the idealism of artists like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings 'doing okay as long as I’m making music,' don’t mess with me attitude is 100% welcome Receive emails when new obituariesare published to our website Welcome to Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory When you have experienced the loss of a loved one you can trust us to guide you through the arrangements necessary to create a meaningful ceremony that celebrates the unique life being honored Our staff is committed to providing your family with the highest quality care and service in your time of need and we take pride in our responsibility to lighten your burden as you take the first steps toward healing.  At Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory we want to relieve you of the stress of funeral planning Whether you choose a full-service funeral or a budget-friendly direct cremation Funeral services can include a viewing or open-casket optional service Cremation services can be affordable and straightforward with a direct cremation without a service you can arrange cremation with a memorial ceremony our team can help you without the urgency of time You can plan ahead instead of forcing your family to make dozens of decisions regarding caskets when you choose our facility with an on-site crematory and a reception center your loved ones only have to make one stop Our Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory team serves St. Joseph, Savannah, Avenue City, Agency, Clarksdale, Faucett Our permanent memorialization options will help you honor your loved ones in the way they would have wanted Meet with a member of our team at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory to tour the facility and get to know our staff. Visit our funeral home in Saint Joseph, MO, to see the beautiful facility and learn more about the services. You can call to ask any questions as well: (816) 232-3366 Click here to go to the Obituary page or Click the Obituary button above When finances are a concern we guarantee that we will take care of your family Permanent memorialization allows the healing process to begin We offer a full range of gifts to help comfort and support those who need it the most delivered direct from your local florist Our extensive collection of cremation urns and jewelry keepsakes is available on our online Urn Store For engraved or personalized options please contact one of our funeral directors for assistance Copyright © 2016 Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory | Website Design by Frazer Consultants & TA Your browser may not work with certain site. Upgrade now. UPDATE(04/14/25 — 10 p.m.): The Crockett County Sheriff’s Department says it has obtained camera footage of an individual who they believe to be the driver involved in the crash in Todd Levee Road they say the individual was observed walking away from the scene Investigators say they believe that the driver was subsequently picked up by another individual and taken home CCSD says it has reached out to the individual believed to be the driver and they can confirm that there are no injuries reported The identity of the driver has not been revealed No further information is available at this time we learned of an unusual crash that occurred in Crockett County The Crockett County Sheriff’s Department released multiple statements regarding this incident SEE ALSO: Crockett County Sheriff’s Department Update on Unusual Crash It was a one vehicle crash that happened around 3 a.m We were able to get in contact with Crockett County Sheriff Troy Klyce about what they responded to “We received a call about an accident that had occurred in somebody’s yard Of course everybody responded expecting to find somebody,” said Sheriff Klyce This is what the officers found when they arrived on the scene Along with nearly 200 yards of a debris field was a person who may have been driving the car They believe the vehicle left the roadway going at a high speed Drones and even the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s helicopter were used to try and locate somebody we searched on top of houses and trees and everything thinking somebody could have been slung from the vehicle,” said Sheriff Klyce They were able to locate the owner of the vehicle to question him about what happened Sheriff Klyce says it was determined that he was not the driver “The owner had been contacted that night It was no doubt that the owner was not driving that car He didn’t know it was gone,” said Sheriff Klyce This has now been turned over to the Tennessee Highway Patrol THP told us that it is still under investigation They also said they will release more information as soon as possible For more Crockett County news, click here. President Trump raged against Amazon's plan to pass tariffs on to customers prompting a quick backtrack from Jeff Bezos who called it a “mistake.” But did Bezos have another reason for backtracking Trump touted securing the border and slashing trade deficits while praising a “big He also blasted Democrats for a third impeachment push calling them “lunatics,” and mocked their Capitol steps sing-along with Sen and he also caught Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) off guard Trump detailed his plans to codify tax cuts and deregulation and end the war in Ukraine and Russia to save lives and money Trump also remarked that he finds dealing with Putin easier than working with Zelenskyy the trial over Kim Kardashian’s 2016 Paris robbery began with 10 suspects accused of storming her hotel room at gunpoint and stealing millions in jewelry Pat and Jeffy are astonished by the details of the robbery This story originally appeared in The Glenn Beck Program By Kassidy BrownPublished: Apr 2025 at 4:23 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAWRENCEBURG (WSMV) - Crews are currently at a state park in Lawrenceburg after a person reportedly fell from a bluff according to Lawrence County emergency personnel Here are instructions on how to watch WSMV4 live on various platforms. The victim reportedly fell from the bluff near the main entrance of David Crockett State Park The victim’s fall is estimated to be around 30 to 40 feet the Lawrenceburg Fire Department and Lawrence County EMS are on scene Lawrence County emergency personnel are asking that people avoid the area as they continue to work A rumor circulating online in late April 2025 claimed internet users "caught" White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on a C-SPAN hot mic telling U.S "Did Karoline Leavitt mutter 'Go back to Africa' in response to a comment made by Jasmine Crockett?" Another reader inquired "Did Karoline Leavitt say 'go back to Africa' under her breath to Jasmine Crockett during Congressional hearing?" However, the rumor was false. News media outlets worldwide would have reported it if any such event had taken place. Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no such reports The claim originated with YouTube creators publishing videos on their channels that featured scripting and voice narration generated by artificial-intelligence (AI) tools Some of those channels' managers had previously uploaded other videos falsely claiming Attorney General Pam Bondi — or simply a "racist woman" — told Crockett to "Go back to Africa." The White House and Crockett's staff have yet to respond to emails asking if they wished to share a statement about the false rumor The false rumor possibly originated on the YouTube channel DP Insights. On April 25, a manager of the channel posted a video (archived) titled "Karoline Leavitt INSULTS Jasmine Crockett 'Go Back to Africa'—But Her Response Shocks All Of America." The first second of the video — a quick moment possibly easily missed by some viewers — featured a disclaimer reading reference or represent any actual occurrences persons or entities." Another disclaimer found at the bottom of the video's text description — a section most viewers likely don't see — read "The stories presented on this channel are entirely fictional and crafted solely for entertainment." The video featured a single image collage showing a photo of Leavitt next to a picture of Crockett told the story of Leavitt muttering "Go back to Africa" to Crockett supposedly during a congressional hearing at the Kansas Statehouse (not in Washington) Leavitt makes the "Go back to Africa" remark without realizing her microphone is on she understands the mic picked up the comment Crockett waits to respond to Leavitt's remark later The AI-generated narrator ends the story by saying It was a story about a choice — a choice to speak up without screaming to respond without reducing someone else to a mistake In a time when everyone's expected to take sides And that choice — it left an impression far deeper than outrage ever could." The video ended on a feel-good, inspiring tone. Publishers refer to such stories as glurge, a word defined by Dictionary.com as "stories that are supposed to be true and uplifting but which are often fabricated and sentimental." The DP Insights channel also hosted a previously-posted video (archived) featuring the made-up rumor "Racist Woman Tells Jasmine Crockett 'Go Back to Africa'—Her Response Leaves the Crowd Speechless!" The owner or owners of the channel simply used the same basic story with different characters likely in the hopes of garnering more YouTube subscribers claiming France as its manager's country of residence in total receiving close to 2 million views A Snopes reader also asked in late April if Bondi, not Leavitt, said the words to Crockett, inquiring, "Did Pam Bondi tell Jasmine Crockett to go back to Africa?" A search for this similarly-false rumor located a popular YouTube video with over 438,000 views. The video (archived) "Pam Bondi INSULTS Jasmine Crockett: 'Go back to Africa'—But Her Response Shocks All Of America." For further reading, a previous fact-check article examined the false rumor claiming Leavitt said, "Avoid woke things like math, and you'll love the tariffs." The DP Insights channel's manager also previously promoted a story featuring the untrue claim that U.S Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett tried to jail Crockett "Snopestionary: What Does 'Glurge' Mean?" Snopes https://www.snopes.com//articles/363643/what-does-glurge-mean/ Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCROCKETT Texas (KBTX) - A Crockett man is in custody in connection to a murder officers from the Crockett Police Department responded to a medical call at an apartment in the 100 block of Barnhill Drive officers found a woman with an apparent gunshot wound She was identified as 31-year-old Teresa Jasmine Murillo 36-year-old Vincent Jamal Thomas of Crockett was reportedly Murillo’s roommate He was taken into custody at around 11 p.m the Houston County District Court issued two additional charges for probation violations the Houston County Sheriff’s Office charged Thomas with Harassment of a Public Servant for allegedly spitting on a jailer based on the evidence collected and information gathered requested an arrest warrant for Thomas for Murder a warrant was issued and Thomas’s bail was set at $1,000,000 An official website of the United States government The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil make sure you're on a federal government site The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely Richard Crockett was appointed as the Medical Center Director of Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in October 2017 He served as the Interim Medical Center Director for approximately eight months prior to his appointment He previously served at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System where he served as the Deputy Medical Center Director Crockett began his VA career 25 years ago as a nurse in medical/surgical and ICU in Salt Lake City he served as a clinical informaticist and programmer and later as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff Crockett then transferred to VISN 15 in Kansas City as the Network Program Director for Purchased Care and Utilization Management and then as Executive Assistant to the Network Director He also serve as the Interim Network Business Manager and Interim Deputy Network Director Crockett then accepted the position of Associate Medical Center Director in Muskogee he served as Interim Medical Center Director Crockett brings a wide breadth of experience a broad understanding of clinical and operational issues in health care and a continued passion for the VA's mission of caring for our Veterans An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office working in conjunction with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department has resulted in the indictment of Leigh-Anna Clark the former president of the David Crockett High School (DCHS) Football and Wrestling Booster Clubs which began after Washington County school officials reported questionable transactions looked at transactions that occurred between January 2023 and January 2024 Comptroller investigators determined that Clark misappropriated a total of at least $8,501.79 from the booster clubs This included $5,402.37 from the wresting club and $3,099.42 from the football club Clark made personal retail purchases such as a washing machine She also used wrestling club funds to pay personal bills and she withdrew $3,000 in cash from the football club account that remains unaccounted for Investigators have also questioned an additional $11,560.91 in purchases that Clark made using booster club funds that did not have sufficient supporting documentation Investigators could not determine if these purchases benefited the clubs The investigation also revealed that Clark issued two worthless checks and fabricated bank and organizational documents as part of her scheme Leigh-Anna Renee Clark was indicted by the Washington County Grand Jury on two counts of theft of property of $2,500 or more “This investigation shows how important it is for school support organizations to follow state law requiring them to set up accounting controls to ensure all funds are used appropriately,” said Comptroller Mumpower the booster clubs failed to maintain accurate records and also failed to conduct regular meetings to discuss financial transactions.” To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports. To view a map depicting Comptroller investigations, go to tncot.cc/mappinginvestigations If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on X/Twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov Charley Crockett spends so much time on the road he says he sleeps better on his bus than on a real bed "That big diesel motor sings me lullabies at night," he says the low hum of the motor and the satellite television In the last year, Crockett played more than 100 shows — in Australia explains why there isn't a whole lot in this dressing room backstage at the Yaamava' Resort & Casino in San Bernardino The counters are sparse — a bottle of mezcal a bag of tortilla chips and a case of Topo Chico "I take the lemon and I just squeeze it into my mezcal there," he says When asked if the mezcal is good for his singing voice filled with exquisitely preserved vintage Western wear — a collector's dream There are Pendleton and houndstooth jackets and smooth golden leather ones with fringe and elaborate stitching He pulls out a box of beautiful tan cowboy boots with cream-colored rodeo riders in mid-flight on the side "I bet I paid too much for these," he says "I started dressing up on the street in New Orleans I started dressing up so the tourists would take me serious I was wearing wingtip shoes and old newsboy caps I used to do a little jig for the tourists in front of Café Du Monde." He breaks out into a jig in the carpeted hallway Crockett says family lore links him to the frontiersman and politician Davy Crockett — "Son of Davy" is written on big red letters on his touring truck just miles from the Mexican border in the Lower Rio Grande Valley He spent his early years living near there Crockett recalls being influenced at an early age by The Johnny Canales Show — the musical showcase helmed by the eponymous Tejano singer — and Crockett says he used to get up on a milk crate swing his arm and shout "Take it away!" to repeat the host's signature line his mom moved them up to the Dallas-Fort Worth area It was around then that he began to spend summers down in New Orleans who worked as a bouncer at strip clubs on Bourbon Street dealt cards at casinos and worked the bingo halls "I was seeing the culture of the French Quarter when I was 8 he started playing and singing on the streets there "And it really was in New Orleans where I learned all the different styles playing in front of tourists on Royal Street but I learned some jazz positions to substitute in for simple country and blues chords It was also in New Orleans that he says he learned to play for an audience; how to entertain and talk to crowds — a skill that he finessed in New York City "I was playing in the spot nobody wanted," he says But I couldn't compete with the noise of the traffic Underground, to subway platforms and inside train cars He began performing with a group that called itself "Train Robbers," and in one video singing soulfully as his friend Jadon Woodard raps between verses Performing in New York brought other opportunities "I think I was running from Texas for a long time you run far enough from home that you realize at some point that They laughed at me in New York CityCalled me a fool in LAI doubt that Nashville saw me comingBesides the bar folks working late Played every room in the state of TexasAll the ones in California tooSo many nights I can't rememberMaybe I've played a song for you Left San Francisco in a hurryThey ran me out of Fort Worth townBeen to the bottom of New OrleansThem river boats make a lonesome sound — "Good at Losing," from the album $10 Cowboy As he takes the stage for the soundcheck at the Yaamava' Theater he underwent open-heart surgery for a potentially fatal heart valve problem it's not the pain or the scar on my chest — it was that all of a sudden I realized that I was going to die," he says of what he took from that It sounds a bit like he's saying "making it" as an artist means constantly feeling inadequate — like you're not enough you could just say that's what it feels to be American I'm gonna keep swinging that f***ing hammer," he says "I'll give it to my mama if I ever get one." Ailsa Chang and Kira Wakeam contributed to this story Become an NPR sponsor Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person by JACKSON WALKER | The National News Desk on Sunday appeared to defend migrants by claiming the United States needs them to harvest cotton Her comment came during a guest appearance at the 125th anniversary of Grace Baptist Church in Connecticut In an appeal to those opposed to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies Crockett suggested migrants fulfill crucial jobs that Americans no longer desire "So I had to go around the country and educate people about what immigrants do for this country or the fact that we are a country of immigrants,” she said “The fact is ain’t none of y’all trying to go and farm right now.” so I'm lying?" the representative asked You can't pay us enough to find a plantation." The remark sparked shocked reactions across social media “Jasmine Crockett said she wants illegal immigrants to pick her cotton and NO ONE from the left is gonna check her?” women’s sports activist Riley Gaines asked “I’m really trying to grasp her logic,” Sen Crockett during remarks at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner Tuesday “The Democrats have taken a lot of beatings “If that’s their new star they’re in serious trouble,” he added Crockett last month also faced backlash for referring to Texas Gov as “Governor Hot Wheels.” She defended that comment claiming it referred to his use of busses to transport illegal migrants out of his state Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed Charley Crockett performs onstage during the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 22 Ben Crockett got the best birthday present a man could ask for two weeks ago with the birth of his first child, Katie Jo. He’s earned a lot of cool titles in his now 23 years of life - how does ‘record-setting high school football player who became a WRCA World Championship qualifying Ranch Bronc rider’ sound for a resume But they pale in comparison to becoming a father The running joke in Ben’s hometown of McLean is that Baby Crockett will be an Olympian. Ben’s wife, high school sweetheart Rylee, was a track star at West Texas A&M Ben Crockett was the best football player McLean has ever and potentially will ever see.  he led the McLean Tigers six-man football team to its only state championship in school history with a UIL state title game record of nine rushing touchdowns (he also passed for three) It was the triumphant cap to a historic season where he rushed for 2,760 yards and 59 touchdowns on offense and racked up 131 tackles six forced fumbles and five interceptions on defense But his lasting memory is how well-rounded that 2018 team was the signature humbleness a glimpse into why ‘There was never any animosity towards Ben for getting the ball 40 times a game,’ according to his high school coach “I think we could’ve put one or two of them (my teammates) where I was at and they could’ve done the exact same thing,” Crockett said “I think we all could’ve switched roles.” and his role now is taking care of a small ranch nestled between Shamrock and Wheeler Whereas he used to perform in front of the McLean faithful at AT&T Stadium or avid rodeo goers in Amarillo his days are mostly quiet - except for a fussy baby If he’s not breaking up ice clumps for the cows to move freely or fixing barbed wire fences so they don’t roam too freely “Ben would just as soon ride off into the sunset and nobody ever talk about him again,” his old foreman there’s the legend.’ We called him ‘MVP’ forever.” just 20 miles east of where he first earned those nicknames This is the life he chose when he turned down a football scholarship to West Texas A&M “Ben’s been a cowboy first his whole life,” Magee said “He was a cowboy before he was a football player.” his maternal one working on the famous Four Sixes Ranch His longtime cowboy father set his family up on a small ranch 12 miles southeast of McLean grew up watching all his role models take on the cowboy lifestyle He’d listen to them spin stories about the older generation and how it’s always been done He never pondered what he wanted to be when he grew up because the answer was in front of him every day Six-man football holds a special place in the Panhandle’s heart the only sport that’s tough enough to mimic the toughness required to live on a ranch in an area ravaged by fires in one season and blizzards in the next Most of that McLean title team were ranch kids It was a true team sport - one guy ropes the hind legs drags the animal to the two flankers who hold it down while the fourth gives it the shots and an ear tag.    their sole focus was winning the first state championship in McLean history a goal the group shared from junior high on.  “I don’t know if you’d ever meet a more competitive group,” Henderson said recalls having to tone down practices and rig one-on-one matchups so certain players didn’t compete against each other because they only knew one speed: full-tilt Their playstyle embodied ‘Panhandle Tough.’ Whereas plenty of six-man football teams spread the formation around to get their athletes in space McLean based out of a tight formation and punched you in the mouth.  “They knew we were going to run it and we knew we were going to run it it was just going to be about if they could stop it,” Crockett said opponents tired of stepping in the 6 '1 those nails were flush in the wood by the third quarter.  “He was as tough as they come,” Hannon said “It didn’t bother him to get hit He was the one doing the hitting.”  powering a trip to AT&T Stadium that energized McLean and numerous tiny towns speckled across the Panhandle The team’s state championship bus drove through these communities past cars honking their horns and people lined up on the side of the road or on the highway overpass with signs The team had expected the support from their own town but was shocked by the support from towns they’d beaten along the path all it is is a big family,” Magee said A lot of those family members wanted to see their star play college football at West Texas A&M which offered him a spot at boundary linebacker The townsfolk wanted him to prove what they believed - that Crockett could make the jump from six-man to 11-man football.  they recruited the heck out of him,” Magee said they had his picture on the big scoreboard and had all his stats The truth was that Crockett liked football because of the camaraderie he shared with his friends and coaches in McLean He didn’t like it enough to do it without them Because the funny thing about winning state and breaking records is that he remembers the bus rides or the time he and Henderson knocked each other silly in a tackling drill more fondly.  “I don’t think it would’ve ever been the same (in college) and I don’t think I would’ve liked it any more than I did (in high school),” Crockett said Crockett gave normal college student life at West Texas A&M a try for a semester then left because he knew he didn’t need a degree to do what he wanted to do bronc riding replaced the outlet for his competitive edge that football served He’d started riding broncs on his family ranch the summer going into his junior year his record-setting season came after he cracked his tailbone taking a spill from the horse that July.  He accomplished his dream of winning the state championship and then started a new one to qualify for the WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo a rodeo consisting of working ranchmen rather than professional contestants representing Wilson Cattle LLC from Canyon Texas in the ranch bronc riding portion of the event which has led him to curb his training sessions taming broncs Turns out that these two women are the only people who can slow Ben Crockett down Except family hasn’t slowed him down Because once upon a time it was a state championship trophy and the WRCA Finals he sought and now he's working to build a ranch of his own that his future family will be proud of So zoom in on that idyllic portrait of an anonymous cowboy riding off into the Texas panhandle sunset and you’ll find Cowboy Crockett with a fire in his eye as he chases another dream you want to work at what you do,” Crockett said “You don’t want to just half-butt everything We've been the Bible of Texas football fans for 64 years By joining the DCTF family you'll gain access to all of our exclusive content and have our magazines mailed to you!