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Savannah Chrisley, currently serving as a guest host on ABC’s “The View,” sparked controversy this week after making a demonstrably false claim about Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez being the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee for 2028. The incident occurred during a discussion about Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks regarding potential U.S. Involvement in a conflict between China and Taiwan, prompting a swift rebuke from her co-hosts.

The exchange unfolded on Wednesday, February 18th, during an episode focused on Ocasio-Cortez’s statements made at the Munich Security Conference on February 13th. Ocasio-Cortez had expressed a desire to avoid direct confrontation, stating, “I think what we are hoping for is that we want to make sure that we never get to that point, and we want to make sure that we are moving in all of our economic research and our global positions to avoid any such confrontation.” Chrisley’s assertion that Ocasio-Cortez was already the chosen candidate for the next presidential election was immediately challenged by the show’s regular panelists.

The discussion began after host Joy Behar suggested acknowledging missteps made by former President Donald Trump before criticizing Ocasio-Cortez. Behar pointed out that “Mispronouncing a word is totally different than not knowing your position on Taiwan. What’s important is how you recover from something. Trump, he’s done things, and then he’s continued on with his speech, and then continued on to meet with world leaders. So, the recovery is what matters, and AOC just didn’t have a recovery.” Moderator Whoopi Goldberg echoed this sentiment, adding a distinction between misstatements by a world leader and those made by a member of Congress. It was then that Chrisley stated, “AOC, though, is likewise the Democrats’ pick for the next election.”

Goldberg immediately refuted the claim, stating, “No, no, no!” while Behar quipped, “You better tell that to (California Gov.) Gavin Newsom!” This response highlighted the lack of any basis for Chrisley’s assertion. Ocasio-Cortez herself has repeatedly denied any plans to run for president. At the Munich Security Conference, she told The Latest York Times that her attendance was not motivated by presidential ambitions, but rather to “sound the alarm bells” about “runaway inequality that is fueling far-right populist movements.”

Chrisley is filling in as a guest host on “The View” during Alyssa Farah Griffin’s maternity leave, which began on February 17th and will conclude on February 20th. Griffin welcomed her first child with husband Justin Griffin on February 10th, as announced by Goldberg on the show. Other regular hosts of “The View” include Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro.

The incident comes after President Donald Trump issued pardons to Todd and Julie Chrisley in May 2025, reversing their convictions on charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. Trump reportedly called Savannah Chrisley from the Oval Office to inform her of his decision, according to reports at the time. The Chrisleys had been sentenced to 12 and seven years respectively, but served just over two years before receiving the presidential pardon.

The situation underscores the challenges of navigating political discourse on daytime television and the importance of factual accuracy. The swift correction from “The View” hosts demonstrates a commitment to holding guest hosts accountable for their statements, even as they contribute to ongoing conversations about complex geopolitical issues like the tensions surrounding Taiwan. The relationship between China and Taiwan remains a sensitive topic, with China viewing Taiwan as a breakaway province and Taiwan asserting its sovereignty. On December 29th, China conducted military exercises near Taiwan, simulating attacks and a potential blockade of major ports.

As Savannah Chrisley continues her guest hosting stint on “The View,” it remains to be seen whether this incident will have a lasting impact on her public image. The show will continue to address current events and political topics, and the scrutiny of its hosts and guest commentators is likely to remain high. The Democratic field for the 2028 presidential election is still wide open, with several potential candidates likely to emerge in the coming years.

What are your thoughts on the incident? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Elon University’s baseball team is set to begin its road schedule this weekend, traveling to Charleston Southern for a three-game series. The Phoenix, currently 4-0 to start the 2026 season, will face the Buccaneers in a series beginning Friday, February 20th. This marks Elon’s first away games of the year, following a successful homestand that saw them defeat Presbyterian 6-4 on Tuesday, February 17th.

The series against Charleston Southern represents an early-season test for both programs. Elon’s strong start, their best since 2015, has been fueled by both solid pitching and timely hitting. Charleston Southern, meanwhile, is looking to build momentum after hosting Bucknell earlier in the week, with games scheduled on February 13th, 14th, and 15th, according to the Charleston Southern baseball schedule. The Elon Phoenix are aiming to continue their winning streak and establish themselves as a force in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).

Elon’s Recent Successes

Elon’s recent 6-4 victory over Presbyterian showcased the team’s ability to overcome early deficits and capitalize on offensive opportunities. Despite falling behind after a solo home run by Amman Dewberry in the first inning, Elon starter Owen Winebarger delivered a strong collegiate debut, pitching four innings and allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out four. The Phoenix offense then exploded in the fifth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Vince Fattore, scoring Jared Hall and Nate Sterling. Brian DuRoff added a solo home run later in the inning, extending the lead.

The team continued to add to their advantage in the sixth, with Jake Hajdu driving in Jackson Alford, who then scored on a sacrifice fly by Hall. Presbyterian attempted a late comeback, scoring three runs in the seventh, including a two-run double by Holden Baker, but Elon’s pitching staff held firm. RJ Latkowski secured his second save of the season, striking out two batters in the eighth inning. Mike Staiano earned the win, pitching two scoreless relief innings. Fattore, recently named CAA Player of the Week after Elon’s sweep of Delaware, led the team with three RBIs, while Jackson Alford went 3-for-3 with a double and two stolen bases.

Charleston Southern’s Schedule and Recent Games

Charleston Southern is coming off a series against Bucknell, with games played on February 13th, 14th, and 15th. Following the series with Elon, the Buccaneers are scheduled to host UNCW on February 25th and Brown on February 27th and 28th, as detailed on the official Charleston Southern baseball schedule. The team will then face South Carolina on March 4th and Georgia State on March 6th and 7th. The Elon series represents a key opportunity for Charleston Southern to test themselves against a strong CAA opponent.

Series Schedule

The series between Elon and Charleston Southern is scheduled as follows:

• Friday, February 20th: 4:00 PM
• Saturday, February 21st: 1:30 PM
• Sunday, February 22nd: 1:00 PM

All games will be played at Charleston Southern University. Fans can find more information about the Charleston Southern baseball program and schedule on their official athletics website.

Looking ahead, both teams have challenging schedules ahead. Elon will return home to face UNCW, while Charleston Southern will continue a stretch of home games. The outcomes of these early-season series will undoubtedly play a role in shaping the conference standings and NCAA tournament aspirations for both programs.

What are your predictions for the Elon vs. Charleston Southern series? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow baseball fans!

The American electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a slowdown, marked by a 33% contraction in sales in January 2026 compared to the same period last year. This shift coincides with the finish of a $6,300 (approximately €5,800) federal tax credit for EV purchases, a policy initially implemented under the Biden administration and subsequently discontinued with the advent of the Trump administration. The changing landscape is leading to comparisons to Cuba, where aging American cars from the 1950s are kept running due to long-standing trade restrictions.

The rollback of incentives, coupled with scaled-back investments in battery production facilities, has prompted automakers to reassess their EV strategies. While consumer demand for EVs has cooled – with potential buyers facing a price premium of up to €8,000 compared to gasoline-powered vehicles – a fresh trend is emerging: autonomous driving technology. Fleets of self-driving taxis are already operating in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston, with plans for expansion to Washington D.C. This year and testing in New York City.

Automaker Investment Shifts and Production Cuts

Major US automakers are recalibrating their investments in the electric vehicle sector. Ford announced the reduction of $16.5 billion in EV investments at the end of 2025, including the cancellation of the electric F-150 pickup truck. General Motors followed suit, scaling back EV-related spending by $5 billion, while Stellantis reduced its investments by nearly $18 billion. This signals a broader industry recognition that consumer adoption of EVs isn’t solely driven by government mandates.

The Detroit Auto Show in January reflected this shift, with manufacturers showcasing hybrid models and updated gasoline-powered vehicles rather than prioritizing fully electric options. Despite global EV sales increasing by 20% last year to 20.7 million units – with China leading at nearly 13 million (+17% year-over-year), followed by Europe at 4.3 million (+33%) – the US market saw only a marginal increase of 1%.

Autonomous Driving Gains Traction

While EV sales face challenges, the development of autonomous driving technology is gaining momentum. Despite consumer hesitation regarding the higher cost of EVs, the expansion of autonomous taxi fleets in major US cities suggests a growing interest in innovative transportation solutions. Tesla, however, experienced a 9% decrease in sales compared to 2024, with profits down 46%, prompting CEO Elon Musk to shift focus towards artificial intelligence and robotics.

The South China Morning Post reported on February 19th that the removal of US government incentives for EV manufacturers – which previously provided subsidies that inflated fuel consumption figures for gasoline cars and overestimated the energy savings of EVs – will likely allow China to further expand its lead in the EV sector. The newspaper also noted that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), responsible for administering these credits, is currently facing legal challenges from environmental and health advocacy groups.

The EPA is being challenged in court by a coalition of environmental and health organizations, alleging issues with the previous credit system. Predictions suggest that the Trump administration will prioritize policies supporting gasoline-powered vehicle production in the short term, but that American companies may lose market share in the long run due to their delayed investment in electric vehicle technology.

Global electric vehicle registrations increased by 20% last year, reaching 20.7 million units. China accounted for approximately 13 million of those (+17% compared to 2024), while Europe saw 4.3 million (+33%). The rest of the world registered 1.7 million (-48%).

What comes next for the US EV market remains to be seen. The industry is at a crossroads, balancing consumer demand, government policy, and technological innovation. Continued development of autonomous driving technology and potential shifts in consumer preferences will likely shape the future of transportation in the United States.

Share your thoughts on the future of electric vehicles in the comments below!