Paolo Zampolli, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump who introduced him to Melania, has been removed from his role as a special envoy following a contentious email dispute with a senior State Department official, according to a report.

The former modeling agent and close Trump family friend was dismissed Thursday from his post as special envoy for global partnerships, Politico reported.

Zampolli, 56, first brought Trump and Melania together at a New York City party in 1998.

His departure came just hours after details emerged of a months-long and increasingly acrimonious email exchange with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

In one exchange reviewed by Politico, Landau instructed Zampolli to “once again” and “immediately stop all work on ANY issues not directly tied to cultural diplomacy, including every one of the issues you mentioned in your recent emails.”

Responding to reports of his dismissal Thursday evening, Zampolli said, “the President is always right.”

He also recalled Trump asking him, “Why do you want to work in government when you can close all these deals?”

‘Now it is time for the next chapter,’ Zampolli wrote on X. ‘Back to business, building relationships and closing deals.’

Zampolli described his service to Trump and the United States as “the greatest honor of my life” and expressed gratitude to the President and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

He said special envoy appointments “are for one year,” adding that Trump had extended his assignment by more than six months.

“President Trump changed my life once,” Zampolli wrote. “He just did it again.”

Zampolli, who served on the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees during Trump’s first presidency, was appointed to the State Department role in March 2025.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously to the outlet, said Zampolli’s appointment had been “terminated” and that he was “no longer a government employee.”

After reports of his dismissal surfaced, Zampolli said he was “absolute zero surprise” by the outcome once his email exchanges with Landau became public.

The correspondence spanned nearly a year, with the two men repeatedly disputing the scope of Zampolli’s responsibilities.

“You have no authority to engage in ANY issues of foreign policy outside of cultural diplomacy, including all the issues you have named,” Landau wrote, according to Politico.

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The next day, Landau wrote that Zampolli had “no intention of staying in the cultural diplomacy lane that you were assigned and accepted.”

He also accused Zampolli of ‘fully intend[ing] to continue undertaking unauthorized and possibly unlawful ventures in commercial and economic matters,’ per the reported emails.

Landau also wrote that Zampolli was ‘committed to a path of insubordination’ and suggested that the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office would be informed.

It was unclear if that ever happened. Zampolli has denied any potential illegality, according to the outlet.

Zampolli blasted Landau and said he felt like the Deputy Secretary of State ‘has been attacking me from Day 1’ and ‘has a problem with me.’

‘Everything I did, he tried to destroy it,’ Zampolli told the outlet earlier on Thursday.

‘It’s out of control what he’s doing, and I serve at the pleasure of the president of the United States of America,’ Zampolli added.

He said Trump was ‘the only person that can give me this job and can terminate me,’ as he called himself ‘one of the most loyal friends of the president.’

Trump said Zampolli would work to ‘advanced America’s interests on the global stage’ when naming him a special envoy.

Zampolli’s specific duties were seemingly not outlined, though he appeared to insist that Landau was restricting his authority.

In recent pictures on Instagram, Zampolli could be seen meeting an assortment of global leaders, politicians and executives while touting his connections to Trump.

At one point, Zampolli called on State Department Inspector General Arne Baker to investigate Landau, per the report. It is not known whether that ever happened.

Landau then urged Zampolli to stop sending ‘unhinged emails’ until I receive further directions from the White House on how to proceed.

Before politics, Zampolli was known as the businessman and modeling agent credited for introducing Donald and Melania Trump.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for further comment.

A group of alleged graffiti vandals is accused of transforming Los Angeles buildings into oversized advertising space for their tags, causing nearly $173,000 in damage. Prosecutors say one of the suspects, a city utility employee, helped the crew during an alleged yearlong campaign.

Javier Rezendez Rocha, an electrical craft helper who has worked for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power since 2018, faces 12 felony vandalism charges. The alleged offenses took place between August 2025 and August 2026, according to prosecutors.

Rocha earns a base annual salary of between $75,335 and $102,249. Authorities allege he used his utility experience, equipment and climbing ropes to help members of the group reach elevated portions of buildings.

Investigators say the alleged operation went far beyond street-level graffiti. The suspects reportedly used ladders and technical climbing gear to scale buildings, paint their exteriors and operate drones to record the results.

Prosecutors also allege that the group commercialized the work by selling merchandise connected to the graffiti.

The estimated damage totaled $172,930. Several of the properties allegedly targeted were regarded as historically important buildings.

“These defendants turned buildings across Los Angeles into their personal billboards, leaving property owners with over $170,000 in repair costs,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said.

Hochman described the alleged activity as a profit-driven scheme and said prosecutors would seek penalties requiring offenders to remove graffiti themselves.

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“This was not harmless graffiti, and these are not victimless crimes as they destroy the quality of life in our community,” Hochman said. “To anyone thinking about vandalizing property, Los Angeles County is not yours to deface.”

The other defendants are Michael Ray Gonzales of Pico Rivera, who faces seven felony counts; Francisco Rodriguez Aguilar of West Covina; and Richard Evan Ward II of Oceanside. Rodriguez Aguilar and Ward each face two felony charges.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the alleged vandalism affected business owners, property owners, taxpayers and the broader public. He said iconic buildings and public spaces were among the locations allegedly targeted.

“Let this serve as a clear message: If you deface our city, we will investigate you, identify you and hold you accountable,” McDonnell said.

The case was filed Oct. 8. Ward pleaded not guilty Oct. 12 and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing setting on Nov. 19. Rodriguez Aguilar is set to be arraigned Oct. 19, while Rocha is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 23.

Gonzales’ arraignment will take place at a later date. The defendants who have already been arraigned were released on their own recognizance.

If convicted on all charges, Rocha could receive a sentence of up to 10 years and four months in county jail.

Gonzales faces a potential sentence of up to seven years. Rodriguez Aguilar and Ward could each receive up to three years and eight months.

A fugitive accused of illegally obtaining more than $600,000 in federal food stamp benefits has been brought back to the United States after his arrest in India last month, FBI Director Kash Patel said.

Manjit Singh Bedi, listed among the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, faces federal charges tied to an alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud operation at a Tacoma, Washington, grocery store.

“BACK IN THE U.S. – Manjit Singh Bedi, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in September in India,” Patel wrote in a post on X.

Patel pointed to the case as the latest example of the FBI’s efforts to locate and return wanted fugitives to the United States.

“This is the latest in an unprecedented stretch of success in bringing high-value targets back to the United States through strong partnerships with our foreign law enforcement counterparts,” Patel said.

“Over the past 20 months, we’ve secured 260 extraditions and removals — an increase of more than 70% compared to the previous 20-month period,” he added.

Federal officials allege that Bedi defrauded the U.S. government of at least $600,000 between March 2024 and June 2025. Investigators say the alleged SNAP fraud took place while he operated an Asian grocery store in Tacoma.

According to the FBI, Bedi allegedly took SNAP recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, exchanged their benefits for cash rather than eligible food purchases and retained about half of the value for himself.

Following his indictment in the case, Bedi allegedly drove to Canada and then escaped to India.

A federal arrest warrant accusing him of violating the terms of his release was issued on May 21, 2026.

Patel said Bedi is the sixth fugitive captured through the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program since the list was launched three months ago.

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“This marks yet another significant moment for the historic FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters program,” Patel said.

Bedi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, had been the subject of an FBI reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Patel said Bedi will now face justice in the United States over the alleged offenses.

“Thank you to our outstanding partners for their assistance in this case,” Patel wrote.

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Cook fought back tears during a press conference Thursday evening.

“Today, an unthinkable tragedy happened at Silver Rail Elementary School,” Cook said as he began his remarks.

“We are heartbroken. We are horrified. This is the kind of thing you hear about in other places and pray that it never happens here… today it happened to our children, our teachers and our families.”

Cook’s voice wavered as he praised the school employees who acted to help and protect their students during the crisis.

“To our staff who helped our students and protected our kids today, we thank you. You did what no one should ever be asked to do. I am so grateful beyond words for your efforts,” he said.

Cook urged residents to support one another and stay close to their families. “This is a time to love and care for one another… Please hold your loved ones tight tonight… We are going to rally and care for one another… We will get through this.”

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Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler also addressed the tragedy, saying the community’s “hearts are broken.”

“A school should be a safe place where children can learn and feel secure. What happened today should never happen,” Kebler said.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek expressed gratitude to emergency responders and to a bystander who chased the suspect into the school, helping prevent “further loss of life.”

“To the community member who heroically intervened… your actions carry a heavy emotional burden and I want you to know my thoughts are with you as well,” Kotek said.

“My heart is absolutely broken today… this is a horrible day. No parent should have to have this kind of day.”

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld mocked anti-Israel protesters after they interrupted his performance at the Chicago Theatre last Friday, turning the disruption into part of the show as security escorted them from the venue.

Viral footage of the incident shows activists shouting at Seinfeld and accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza. They also claimed American taxpayer money was being used to fund the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians.

“Twenty-two thousand Palestinians who are children now are killed with our taxpayer money, and you’re making jokes!” one woman shouted, according to clips shared online.

Seinfeld responded by dancing onstage and ridiculing the protesters with sarcastic comments. Calling himself “racist,” he said, “It’s a genocide. I’m into it.” He also joked that he would determine how much the demonstrators had paid for their tickets and send the money to Israel.

As venue security led the protesters out of the auditorium, an audience member could be heard shouting, “Rough her up!”

The Anti-War Committee Chicago and the Chicago chapter of the US Palestinian Community Network claimed responsibility for the disruption. In a post on Instagram, the groups said, “Friday’s disruption sent a clear message: Those who defend Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza and throughout Palestine will be met with protest and are not welcome on Chicago’s stages without opposition.”

Fox News Digital contacted Seinfeld’s representatives for comment but had not received a response.

The Chicago incident is the latest in a series of protests aimed at the 72-year-old Jewish comedian, who has openly defended Israel.

Comedian and media analyst Tim Young told Fox News Digital that some protesters may be spending substantial amounts on tickets to disrupt comedy performances and generate viral footage rather than engage in traditional political debate.

“They know that once they start yelling, everyone will whip their cameras out, and it is a very direct interaction and maybe one of the only direct interactions protesters get to have with celebrities and with the internet,” Young said.

“If you are in a very intimate environment where everyone is quiet, listening to one person, you will be heard. And, so, that’s what they’re taking advantage of here.”

Young likened the interruptions at Seinfeld’s shows to demonstrations at political rallies, saying some activists appear willing to pay high ticket prices for the chance to confront the comedian directly.

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“It seems like people are going to Jerry Seinfeld’s shows like they’re going to a Trump rally to protest,” Young said. “They wanted to get Jerry’s attention. They want to, for some reason, they’re very, very adamant on getting him to react to the Israel-Palestine conflict.”

Young also connected the disruptions to Seinfeld’s previous criticism of performing on college campuses.

“It’s why Jerry doesn’t like to go and perform at college campuses. And he said he hates performing at college campuses specifically for that reason,” Young said.

“He doesn’t want to get into the political thing. He doesn’t want to have protesters yelling back and forth with him. It’s a waste of the rest of the audience’s time, and he knows that.”

In May 2024, dozens of students walked out during Seinfeld’s commencement speech at Duke University. Some of the students carried Palestinian flags.

Seinfeld returned to Duke in September 2025 to introduce freed Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov at a campus event. During the appearance, he addressed anti-Israel protests, saying, “Free Palestine is, to me, just — you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews.”

“By saying ‘Free Palestine,’ you’re not admitting what you really think,” he said. “So, it’s actually — compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like Blacks, we don’t like Jews.’ OK, that’s honest.”

Seinfeld also encountered controversy overseas last month, when several European performers withdrew from the inaugural MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest in Lisbon, Portugal. The comedian is scheduled to headline the festival later this year.

The acts did not name Seinfeld directly in their withdrawal statements, but some cited concerns about the Israel-Gaza conflict. One performer said someone involved in the festival defended ideas they considered indefensible.

Young, who previously dismissed efforts to cancel Seinfeld over his support for Israel, argued that protesters target the billionaire comedian because of his influence and celebrity status.

“This is all about control. It’s all about power. And it’s all about the left having power over these very influential and powerful people,” Young said. “And they’re not having it.”