American Prairie recently announced two property acquisitions in Phillips County, one of the seven counties in which we own property. Chuck Denowh, policy director for United Property Owners of Montana, used this announcement to question our presence in Central Montana.

Denowh lists a “parade of horribles” regarding American Prairie, accusing us of hastening the decline of central Montana’s agricultural economy and communities and threatening Montana’s general fund revenues by our non-profit status. He even holds us responsible for increases in food prices.

Mark Twain quipped, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”

Here’s what we know:

Around 62 percent of Montana’s land is dedicated to agriculture with more than 58 million acres of farms and ranches. A recent article about American Prairie in Gun Dog Magazine noted, “If American Prairie is afflicting the local economy, it hasn’t shown up in the data. In fact, unemployment in the region has gradually fallen since American Prairie was established, and population is up slightly. The agricultural sector is currently at a 10-year high.”

In 2023, 89 percent of our total land base was leased to local cattle ranchers supporting more than 7,000 head of cattle. On lands where our herd of 900 bison graze, American Prairie pays a per capita tax 2.7 times higher than those fees charged for cattle.

American Prairie pays property taxes for land, vehicles and equipment, just like every other rancher. Staff and lessees living on American Prairie land or in nearby communities pay into their local tax bases. American Prairie contributes to increased revenue from lodging taxes as we continue to promote visitation in the region. In the last four years, American Prairie has paid more than $573,000 in taxes (real, personal, use, etc.) to the counties where we own property.

America’s farmers, the world’s most productive, annually produce food surpluses that last year supported exports worth $175 billion. The recent increases in the cost of food are an inflationary phenomenon driven by a massive injection of federal money into the nation’s economy.

Land prices are increasing across the United States, including ranch and farmland in Montana. The 2022 USDA Land Values Summary found the value of pasture land in the state rose by 10.7% per acre between 2021 and 2022, a little less than the nationwide average increase of 11.5%. Data like this indicates that American Prairie is not driving the cost of land.

The growth of American Prairie has little influence on the long-term demographic and economic trends in Central Montana. Extended drought, market fluctuations, international trade policies, personal family decisions and global integrated agricultural markets have much larger impacts.

We buy land from willing sellers and are but one player in the marketplace. We pay market rates and are limited by IRS regulations from paying more than 10% above appraised value. Having an additional buyer in the market place is surely a benefit, and we are helping families secure their futures.

American Prairie is organized in section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such we are exempt from business income tax and our donors receive a tax benefit. It is interesting to note that Montana’s property tax system annually exempts more than $50 million of property taxes for tax-exempt organizations and certain tax-exempt types of property.

Montana’s non-profits play important and often vital roles in our communities. They provide support for cultural and religious institutions, fill gaps in health care, and offer enhanced educational opportunities. Instilled during our nation’s founding, our deeply ingrained culture of philanthropy is the envy of the world. If Denowh wishes to campaign to change this situation, I wish him well.

A final note: Mr. Denowh represents an organization allegedly supporting property rights and limited government. Yet he is the ring leader of efforts to use the power of the state to attack the legitimate business practices of American Prairie. Isn’t it ironic that a property rights group seeks to use the cohesive force of government to intervene in the peaceful and voluntary transactions of consenting parties?

Pete Geddes is American Prairie’s Vice President and Chief External Relations Officer. He has been with the organization since 2011.

French Montana is catching some heat for hanging out with Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

French Montana In the Studio With Trump’s Daughter-In-Law

On Thursday (July 25), French Montana hopped on his Instagram page and posted a photo and adjoining video of himself in the studio with Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. In the pic, which can be viewed below, the Bronx, N.Y.-based rapper is posing with Lara who holds up the peace sign with her fingers.

In the video, French pans the camera to Lara who waves the peace sign. “French Montana in the studio. Look who popped up on me,” he said. “French Montana, Lara Trump, hann.”

“Let ’em know, friend,” Lara said. “But they will.”

In another clip, French and Lara are initiating a Facetime call with an unidentified person followed by the pair chatting with each other in the studio.

The videos have sparked rumors that Lara Trump, who is the co-chair of the Republican National Committee, and French Montana are collaborating on something to help bolster Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

However, French has not officially confirmed he’s endorsing Trump for president.

XXL has reached out to French Montana’s rep for comment.

Read More: 31 Rappers Who Are Muslim

French Montana Receives Criticism for Hanging Out With Lara Trump

After French posted his content on social media, he was immediately hit with backlash for socializing with Lara Trump. That’s because French is a devout Muslim and Lara’s father-in-law, Donald Trump, once banned Muslims from entering the U.S. In January of 2017, when Trump was the 45th president, he infamously signed an Executive Order that banned foreign nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries from visiting the U.S.

“U Definitely wanna get canceled by the [Black] community now huh,” wrote one person in the comment section.

Another commenter posted: “Project 2025 literally says they want to ban Muslims and send all the immigrants back to their homeland, so good luck with that lol.”

Hot 97 radio personality Ebro Darden opined: “Working on a pardon eh?”

Ebro may be referring to drill rappers Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, who have publicly endorsed Donald Trump, possibly in hopes of receiving a pardon if he is elected in November of 2024. Fellow rhymer Kodak Black has been a staunch supporter of Trump ever since he was pardoned by him in 2021 while serving a four-year sentence on a federal gun charge.

Read More: Incredibly Expensive Gifts Rappers Have Bought Each Other

Check out French Montana’s videos of himself and Lara Trump hanging out in the studio below.

Watch French Montana Hanging Out In the Studio With Lara Trump

Here Are Rappers Who Are Still Supporting Donald Trump

Montana has become a hotspot for celebrities looking to escape the chaos of New York and Los Angeles.

Some A-listers, like Glenn Close and Michael Keaton, have lived in the idyllic state for decades, while others, including Paris Hilton, are newer to the area.

However, the influx of bougie new residents has also contributed to the cost of housing skyrocketing, leaving some locals less than impressed with the state’s growth.

Justin Timberlake and wife Jessica Biel are often seen around Bozeman, which is about an hour from the gated community in Big Sky where the Hollywood couple live with their two children.

‘They’re really down to earth and respectful. We see them taking their kids out or getting coffee around town quite a bit,’ one resident said.

‘They’re able to live pretty normal lives here and the locals don’t bother them. The only people who ever make a fuss are starstruck tourists.’

Locals have often spotted Timberlake with wife Jessica Biel and their two children (pictured) around Bozeman

One celebrity that did cause a stir recently was Jason Momoa, who hit Belgrade for a meet-and-greet to promote his new vodka line.

Lines to meet the Aquaman hunk snaked around the block and many locals shared stories in the following days of snapping selfies with the star. 

In addition to the low-key lifestyle Montana can provide for celebrities, some stars are also attracted to the opulence of the famed Yellowstone Club.

Located about an hour outside of Bozeman, the Yellowstone Club sprawls across 15,200 acres in Big Sky, and is known for its exclusivity, privacy and luxury amenities.

Members include Bill Gates, former U.S. president Dan Quayle, Tom Brady, Paris Hilton, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

As of 2018, the initial membership fee was $400,000 on top of a $40,000 annual fee, although that price is believed to have risen since then.

Members must also buy a home in the club, which can range from about $4 million to $25 million and up.

Paris Hilton and her husband, Carter Reum, have been enjoying the Montana ski slopes after joining the Yellowstone Club

Located about an hour outside of Bozeman, the Yellowstone Club sprawls across 15,200 acres in Big Sky, and is known for its exclusivity, privacy and luxury amenities

Members of the Yellowstone Club include Bill Gates, former U.S. president Dan Quayle, Tom Brady, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt

Yellowstone Club members can relax in a hot tub overlooking the snowy Montana mountains

There’s also a cap at 864 members to maintain exclusivity, with more members coming from the business and tech worlds than Hollywood. 

‘It’s more business leaders than celebrities,’ one member told The San Francisco Standard. ‘It’s just too expensive.’

For the stars that don’t want to cough up millions to live inside the Yellowstone Club, there’s still plenty of picturesque places in Montana for A-listers to put down roots.

Michael Keaton has owned a 1,000-acre property in the tiny town of Big Timber since the early ’90s.

Bill Pullman also has his own ranch in Boulder Valley, while John Mayer has his own place in Paradise Valley (which inspired his 2013 album of the same name).

Glenn Close has lived in and out of Bozeman since the early ’80s, and currently lives there full time in a ranch home with her family – where her daughter, Annie Starke, films her Magnolia Network series, The Mountain Kitchen.

At one one point, Glenn and her sister, Jessie, even co-owned a local coffee shop in downtown Bozeman.  

Kelly Clarkson also purchased a $10.4 million ranch in 2018 with her then-husband, Brandon Blackstock. 

While the American Idol winner dreams of living on the ranch full time, she’s only able to visit the property about once a month due to her schedule filming The Kelly Clarkson Show in New York.

John Mayer has had his own place in Paradise Valley (which inspired his 2013 album of the same name) for well over a decade

Michael Keaton has owned a 1,000-acre property (pictured) in the tiny town of Big Timber since the early ’90s

Glenn Close has lived in and out of Bozeman since the early ’80s, and currently lives there full time in a ranch home (pictured) with her family

Kelly Clarkson also purchased a $10.4 million ranch in 2018 with her then-husband, Brandon Blackstock

Asked what makes the state – nicknamed ‘The Last Best Place in America’ – so special, real estate agent Elizabeth Dellwo from The Agency Bozeman said that the proximity to nature was a big factor.

‘Montana offers some of the best outdoor recreation in the United States,’ Elizabeth told DailyMail.com.

‘Living in Bozeman you have so many things right outside your front door, which allows for a much better work-life balance and just creates a higher quality of life in general – that’s why everyone wants to be here.’ 

The influx of celebrities and coastal transplants has put a strain on the state, particularly in Bozeman, which saw a flood of big city transplants who fled to the freedom-loving red state during the pandemic.

Many movers from California and New York have more to spend on property than locals, which has driven up the cost of housing and priced many longtime residents out of the market.

In the last six years, home prices in Bozeman have nearly doubled, with the median price for a single family home now at about $737,000 after peaking at a staggering $795,000 last year.

The trendy town has now been snidely dubbed ‘Boz Angeles’ by some locals and arguments about whether or not the once quiet enclave has gone woke are becoming more frequent.

However, while it’s easy to blame recent transplants for the cost of living and increased traffic, the issue actually goes back decades.

A 1992 article in the Chicago Tribune about celebrities – including Mary Hart, Ted Turner, and Brooke Shields – moving to Montana detailed the concerns of the local community.

‘What people here feel is not so much resentment as it is a fear of losing their town. Is it going to be a place where we want to live?’ one resident told the publication at the time. 

‘The celebrities pretty much blend in up here,’ he continued. ‘I think there has been more concern about Californians in general, who have come up here and driven up housing prices. Property values have risen 2 percent a month since 1990.’ 

While some locals are still frosty towards outsiders, many business owners in Montana have benefitted from the increase of transplants and tourists. 

Brett Ashley McMillan, who owns the Juniper Face + Figure medspa in Bozeman, says she’s just one of the many local businesses to be positively impacted by all the new faces in town.

Local business owner Brett Ashley McMillan (pictured) says that the influx of transplants and tourists has been great for her medspa, Juniper Face + Figure

‘Small businesses like mine serve local Montanans from all over the state, but we also benefit from seasonal tourism and newcomers who are looking to make Bozeman and Big Sky their new home,’ she said.

‘I’ve served all kinds of people at Juniper Face + Figure, from local Montanans to transplants, tourists, athletes, influencers, and even a few cast members from the Yellowstone TV series!’

She continued, ‘I’d say that my business has thrived with the population growth. Especially because some of my treatments, like cosmetic injectables and vaginal rejuvenation, can be a new concept out here in the Wild West.

‘But the transplants who come here are often from places like New York and California where face and body treatments are more normalized and accepted, so it’s been great for me.’