Lifestyle
President Biden Decided to Pardon Hunter Months Ago
President Biden‘s annoucement Sunday that he was pardoning his son Hunter was nothing close to a spur of the moment decision … TMZ has learned.
White House-connected sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Biden had this planned for more than three months.
Our sources say President Biden was not involved in Hunter’s case in any way until June of last year, when a plea deal was rejected by the judge. We’re told he was “agitated” at the reversal and felt his son had become a political pawn.
As you know, Hunter was convicted on three gun-related charges this past June.
Now here’s the twist … we’re told Hunter and his legal team felt the second trial — where he was charged with 9 tax-related charges — was winnable. Yet Hunter entered a guilty plea in September, which at the time was puzzling because he and his lawyers felt they’d get a not guilty verdict.
Our sources — again, with direct knowledge — tell TMZ when the guilty verdict was entered it was done with knowledge that President Biden would pardon him.
Biden made good on his plans Sunday, when he pardoned his son … and said he felt the legal system was being politicized against Hunter.
The prez wrote in the press release that other people convicted of similar crimes to Hunter would have received non-criminal resolutions — but, Hunter was treated differently … all because of his relation to Joe.
June 2024
Back in June, Joe promised he wouldn’t pardon Hunter … and, while that may have been true at the time, we know that he didn’t make this choice on a whim.
Lifestyle
Austin airport to nearly double in size over next decade
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will nearly double in size over the next decade.
The airport currently has 34 gates. With the expansion projects, it will increase by another 32 gates.
What they’re saying:
Southwest, Delta, United, American, Alaska, FedEx, and UPS have signed 10-year use-and lease agreements, which outline how they operate at the airport, including with the expansion.
“This provides the financial foundation that will support our day-to-day operations and help us fund the expansion program that will reshape how millions of travelers experience AUS for decades to come,” Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said.
Concourse B, which is in the design phase, will have 26 gates, estimated to open in the 2030s. Southwest Airlines will be the main tenant with 18 gates, United Airlines will have five gates, and three gates will be for common use. There will be a tunnel that connects to Concourse B.
“If you give us the gates, we will bring the planes,” Adam Decaire, senior VP of Network Planning & Network Operations Control at Southwest Airlines said.
“As part of growing the airport, you see that it’s not just us that’s bragging about the success we’re having. It’s the airlines that want to use this airport, and they see advantage in their business model of being part of this airport, and that’s why they’re growing the number of gates they’re using,” Mayor Kirk Watson said.
Dig deeper:
The airport will also redevelop the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal, including the ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage claim. Concourse A will be home to Delta Air Lines with 15 gates. American Airlines will have nine gates, and Alaska Airlines will have one gate. There will be eight common-use gates.
“Delta is making a long-term investment in Austin-Bergstrom that will transform travel for years to come,” Holden Shannon, senior VP for Corporate Real Estate at Delta Air Lines said.
The airport will also build Concourse M — six additional gates to increase capacity as early as 2027. There will be a shuttle between that and the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Concourse M will help with capacity during phases of construction.
There will also be a new Arrivals and Departures Hall, with more concessions and amenities. They’re also working to bring rideshare pickup closer to the terminal.
City officials say these projects will bring more jobs.
The expansion is estimated to cost $5 billion — none of which comes from taxpayer dollars. This comes from airport revenue, possible proceeds, and FAA grants.
“We’re seeing airlines really step up to ensure they are sharing in the infrastructure costs at no cost to Austin taxpayers, and so we’re very excited about that as well,” Council Member Vanessa Fuentes (District 2) said.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Angela Shen
Lifestyle
After years of avoiding the ER, Noah Wyle feels ‘right at home’ in ‘The Pitt’
Wyle, who spent 11 seasons on ER, returns to the hospital in The Pitt. Now in Season 2, the HBO series has earned praise for its depiction of the medical field. Originally broadcast April 21, 2025.
Hear The Original Interview
Television
After years of avoiding the ER, Noah Wyle feels ‘right at home’ in ‘The Pitt’
Lifestyle
TMZ Streaming Live, Come Into Our Newsroom and Watch Things Happen!
TMZ Live Stream
Come Into Our Office and Watch News Happen!!!
Published
We want you to be a part of TMZ, so every weekday, between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM PT, we take you inside our newsroom via live stream.
You never know what you’re gonna get … a big story that breaks, an argument erupts in the room, or someone’s just joking around.
Your comments are a big part of the stream, and the staff spends a lot of time speaking directly to you. Every day is different!
We also use our live stream to produce our “TMZ Live” TV show.
-
Detroit, MI6 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Technology4 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Dallas, TX5 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Health6 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Iowa3 days agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Nebraska3 days agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska
-
Nebraska3 days agoNebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek
-
Dallas, TX1 day agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis