Actor Ben Stiller decided to skip the New York Knicks’ first game of their playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday for an appearance at the Met Gala with his wife Christine Taylor.

Stiller repped Knicks colors with the suit that he was wearing and made a bold prediction about how the series was going to go.

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Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor attend the 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 4, 2026. (Gilbert Flores/Variety)

“Knicks in six,” he told the media as he and Taylor walked into the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

But his appearance at the Met Gala divided social media as some questioned his loyalty to the Knicks while others backed Stiller for choosing to be with his wife.

Fellow Knicks superfan Spike Lee faced similar criticism last year when he decided to take part in the Met Gala over the Knicks’ second-round series.

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Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor Hackford arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition in New York on May 4, 2026. (Evan Agostini/AP)

But Stiller responded to some of the heat he was taking on social media.

“Hi. My fandom didn’t start when twitter was invented. Tweets don’t equal fandom ask Spike,” he wrote on X. “I’ve been a fan since 73. Lived in LA 92-2012.. my posting is not indicative of my commitment to the team. Ask Ron Baker. Or Lou Amundsen. Or Henry Bibby or Mike Glenn. Or Bernard King or Louis Orr or Spencer Haywood.. ( i don’t actually know them personally but I love the Knicks).”

Stiller was still keeping an eye on the Knicks game as they demolished the 76ers, 137-98.

Actors Timothée Chalamet and Ben Stiller pose for a photographer on May 27, 2025, before Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

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“I guess i have to go to Met ball Wednesday,” he added.

The idea behind President Donald Trump hosting the owner of Slap’s BBQ of Kansas City at the White House on Monday was to put attention on the Small Business Summit in Washington, but the sports-fan-in-chief quickly turned the conversation to his concern for Patrick Mahomes.

“The most important thing, how’s Mahomes doing?” Trump asked Slap’s president Joe Pearce about the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback. “Is he OK?”

“He’s OK,” Pearce said without hesitation, suggesting he really knows.

“You tell the people we love him,” Trump added.

TRUMP PRAISES BRITTANY MAHOMES FOR ‘STRONGLY DEFENDING’ HIM ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes reacts during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 27, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)

Of course he does. The Mahomes family, starting with the quarterback’s mother Randi and his wife Brittany are known Trump supporters while brother Jackson at one point was thrilled to get a selfie with the president. Mahomes has avoided making a public endorsement for Trump but obviously the family’s general inclination is not a secret.

So, obviously, the president is hoping for good news on Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, an injury he suffered last December as perhaps the biggest blow to the disappointing Chiefs 2025 season.

But Trump wanted more than a general answer. He pressed Pearce further.

CHIEFS DOCTOR REVEALS WHEN PATRICK MAHOMES IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO THE FIELD

“So, he’ll start Game 1, you think?” Trump asked.

Donald Trump stands with Brittany and Patrick Mahomes in a photo from AP Newsroom/Getty Images. (AP Newsroom/Getty Images)

Now, it should be noted that brothers Joe and Mike, who founded Slap’s, are big dudes. So did the president think one of them was actually Chiefs coach Andy Reid?

Joe and Mike know Baby Backs. But they don’t know if Mahomes will be ready for the regular season or not.

TRAVIS KELCE TALKS CRUSHING PATRICK MAHOMES SEASON-ENDING INJURY

They tried anyway.

“We’re hopeful,” the brothers said in unison.

Great.

The fact is there is actually some good news for Trump to chew on without it being served up by the BBQ guys. Over the weekend, Reid gave reporters a positive report on Mahomes.

“Yeah, I know he’s doing a lot of stuff right now,” Reid said. “That’s what I can give you. He is throwing the ball, and he does it on his own so he’s not getting in any trouble here.”

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes receives assistance after an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 14, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)

The Chiefs begin their Offseason Team Activities (OTAs) on May 26. Is it possible Mahomes, five months post-operative, might be able to participate in some of those?

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“We’ve got to see on that,” Reid said. “He is in a good position to be able to do some things. There’s some rules and regulations that go with that. So, we just have to make sure we’re on top of that part, but if he can do some things, Phase Two remember, is there’s no contact, no offense versus defense.”

Mahomes has spent most days rehabilitating in the Chiefs’ training facility. He’s posted an Instagram video of himself taking drops although not at full speed.

“He’s in a position where he can do everything I think,” Reid said.

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The U.S. operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is unfolding under fire, with American forces intercepting Iranian missiles and drones and destroying attack boats targeting commercial shipping as they begin moving vessels through one of the world’s most critical waterways.

U.S. Central Command said two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited the strait under the effort, dubbed “Project Freedom,” even as Iranian officials rejected the claim as “baseless” and warned that any foreign military presence would be attacked.

President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian strike on U.S. vessels would be met with overwhelming force, saying Iran would be “blown off the face of the earth,” while a senior Iranian commander said American forces would be targeted if they “approach and enter” the strait.

The operation quickly has turned into a direct test of control over the strait, with U.S. forces moving ships under fire while Iran threatens to strike any foreign presence — a clash that could pull the two sides deeper into open conflict.

President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian strike on U.S. vessels would be met with overwhelming force.  (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In this handout photo provided by U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. (U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

TRUMP’S APOCALYPTIC IRAN WARNING RAISES STAKES FOR SWEEPING US STRIKE THREAT

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had taken “shots at unrelated Nations” during the operation, including a South Korean cargo ship, and suggested allies could join the effort. 

“Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!” he wrote.

U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper told reporters that Iranian forces launched cruise missiles, drones and small boats at vessels under U.S. protection as the operation began, targeting primarily commercial shipping as well as some U.S. Navy ships.

U.S. forces responded by intercepting the attacks and destroying six Iranian small boats, Cooper said, adding that American forces “defeated each and every one of those threats.”

He said the two U.S.-flagged ships transited the strait “uneventfully” and that additional vessels are expected to begin moving to take advantage of the passage.

The operation involves a large U.S. military presence, including guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned systems and roughly 15,000 service members.

Cooper said the U.S. is not escorting ships individually but instead providing a layered “defensive umbrella” across the strait, combining naval, air and electronic warfare capabilities.

U.S. forces also spent weeks using advanced technology to clear and validate a transit pathway, which was tested by sending U.S.-flagged ships through first, he said.

The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade, making any disruption a major concern for global markets.

Iran has sharply rejected the U.S. operation, with Ali Abdollahi, head of the Iranian military’s unified command, warning that any foreign forces entering the strait “will be attacked.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps also has denied that any commercial ships successfully transited the waterway, calling U.S. claims “baseless.”

The developments leave the strait effectively contested, with the U.S. asserting it has opened a secure transit route while Iran denies that ships are moving and threatens further attacks.

Admiral Charles Bradford “Brad” Cooper II, Commander of US Central Command speaks during a joint press conference with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, at US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, on March 5, 2026.  (Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images)

Trump has framed “Project Freedom” as a humanitarian effort to help “neutral and innocent bystanders,” saying many ships are running low on supplies and need assistance to resume normal operations.

But he has also warned that any interference would be met with overwhelming force.

The operation is unfolding as the fragile ceasefire shows signs of fraying, with the United Arab Emirates saying its air defenses engaged ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones launched from Iran.

While the U.S. has demonstrated it can move ships through the strait under heavy military protection, it remains unclear whether the effort can scale to normal commercial traffic levels or sustain safe passage if Iranian attacks intensify.

Retired Marine Corps Col. Ray Gerber said there is limited independent evidence so far that commercial shipping has resumed at scale, noting that maritime tracking data and industry signals have yet to clearly reflect increased traffic.

“We’re not really seeing a lot of evidence of it,” Gerber said. “Most of the industry is saying they’re still waiting.” 

He also questioned whether the U.S. has fully mitigated one of the most significant threats in the waterway: naval mines.

“If they’ve cleared a corridor, my first question is going to be, ‘So you’ve swept it for mines?’” he said.

Gerber added that even if initial transits succeed, sustaining the operation could become more dangerous over time as Iran responds to what it sees as a loss of leverage.

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“The Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s primary leverage point. Any changes to that status quo raise the possibility of returning to more active conflict,” he said.

The next phase of the operation — whether more ships follow and whether attacks escalate — will likely determine whether the strait can be fully reopened or remains effectively contested.

It’s primary day in Republican-dominated Indiana, where President Donald Trump’s immense sway over the GOP is on the line, as his endorsements in key races will be tested.

In neighboring Ohio, another right-leaning state, some of Tuesday’s top primaries will tee up crucial general election showdowns in November’s midterm elections, when Republicans will be defending their slim Senate and razor-thin House majorities.

Two congressional incumbents in Indiana — Republican Rep. Jim Baird and Democratic Rep. Andre Carson — face serious primary challenges.

And in Ohio, Republicans will pick from a crowded primary field in the race to face off with vulnerable Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur.

TRUMP VS. HISTORY: HOW PRESIDENT’S POLL NUMBERS COMPARE TO BIDEN, OBAMA, BUSH AHEAD OF MIDTERMS

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith announces the results of a vote to redistrict the state’s congressional map at the Statehouse in Indianapolis on Dec. 11, 2025. (Michael Conroy/AP Photo)

Indiana

Five months ago, Republicans in the GOP-dominated Indiana state Senate withstood immense pressure from Trump and his allies and voted down congressional redistricting, which would have given solidly red Indiana two more right-leaning U.S. House seats ahead of the midterms.

Fast-forward to today, and eight of those state senators are facing GOP primary challenges. Seeking retribution, the president endorsed challengers to seven of the eight Republican lawmakers who voted against the redistricting bill.

The president’s allies have shelled out more than $6 million to try to oust the state senators, according to the national ad tracking firm AdImpact. Among those in the political fight on behalf of the president are two national groups: Turning Point USA’s political wing and the Club for Growth. Also leading the charge are Hoosier Leadership for America and American Leadership PAC, which are aligned with GOP Sen. Jim Banks, a top Senate ally of the president. Groups allied with Republican Gov. Mike Braun are also part of the full court press.

The intra-party battle is seen not just as a test of fealty to Trump but rather a fight between MAGA forces and more traditional conservatives for the future of the GOP.

SIX MONTHS TILL MIDTERMS: THE TEN RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE’S MAJORITY

President Donald Trump vowed in December 2025 to “take out” the Republican leader of the Indiana Senate after opposition to a congressional map he supported. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“We’ve got to change those old-style Republicans, put in people who will fight, fight against the Democrat gerrymandering,” Club for Growth President David McIntosh told Fox News Digital.

McIntosh, a former congressman from Indiana, said, “I want to see my state do the right thing.”

But the besieged incumbents have significantly outraised their challengers, and have also been boosted by the Indiana Senate GOP caucus.

In an interesting side note, one of the races pits Trump versus his former Vice President Mike Pence.

Trump is backing challenger Tracey Powell, who is trying to take out state Sen. Jim Buck, who’s backed by Pence, a former Indiana governor and congressman.

A pro-Trump source involved in the Indiana showdowns told Fox News Digital that a victory would be considered winning half the seats, and anything beyond that would be a major win.

In western Indiana’s 4th Congressional District, the Trump-backed Baird is being challenged by state Rep. Craig Haggard. And in Indiana’s 7th Congressional District, Carson is facing three primary challenges, including Georgie Hornedo, a veteran of former President Barack Obama’s administration.

Ohio

Vivek Ramaswamy grabbed national attention when he ran for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination before dropping out and becoming a top Trump surrogate.

DEMOCRATS BUILD MIDTERM MOMENTUM BUT REPUBLICANS STILL IN DRIVER’S SEAT IN SENATE MAJORITY BATTLE

Vivek Ramaswamy, seen speaking at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 in Phoenix on Dec. 19, 2025, is running for Ohio governor. (Jon Cherry/AP)

Now, the multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur and business leader is all but certain to capture the Republican gubernatorial nomination in his home state of Ohio.

Ramaswamy, who is backed by Trump, will face off in November against Dr. Amy Acton, a doctor and researcher who served as director of the state Department of Health from 2019 to 2020. Acton is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

The winner will succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine.

It’s a similar story in Ohio’s Senate primary, where appointed Republican Sen. Jon Husted, a former lieutenant governor, is unopposed in the GOP primary.

Former longtime Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is expected to cruise to his party’s nomination.

The winner will serve the final two years of the term of Vice President JD Vance, who stepped down from the Senate after the Trump-Vance ticket won the 2024 presidential election.

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Sen. Jon Husted and former Sen. Sherrod Brown will face off in a highly anticipated Senate race in Ohio in November. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images ; Justin Merriman/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Once a top general election battleground state, Ohio has shifted to the right over the past decade, with Trump carrying the state by 11 points in the 2024 election. But this year’s races for the Senate and governor are expected to be very competitive. And the Senate race is one of a handful across the country that may determine if the GOP holds the majority or if the Democrats flip the chamber.

In northwest Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, the 79-year-old Kaptur, who is already the longest serving woman in U.S. House history, is running for a 23rd two-year term.

But Kaptur, who barely won re-election in 2024, is now running in a district that’s even redder than it was two years ago, thanks to Republican-steered mid-decade redistricting.

Top non-partisan political handicappers The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball give the GOP a slight edge in the general election showdown.

The packed field of GOP contenders fighting to take on Kaptur in November include former state Rep. Derek Merrin, who lost to the congresswoman by a razor-thin margin two years ago, former state Rep. Josh Williams, Air Force veteran Alea Nadeem, and former ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan.

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Republicans will also choose a nominee in the Cincinnati-based 1st District, where Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman is running for re-election.

Democrats will nominate a candidate in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District, south and west of Columbus, where they hope to take out Republican Rep. Mike Carey in November.