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House panel summons Soros-backed Fairfax prosecutor over releases tied to violent illegal immigrant cases
House Republicans are hauling in two top Fairfax County law enforcement officials, including a Soros-backed prosecutor, after violent crimes involving illegal immigrants released from custody intensified federal scrutiny of the county’s sanctuary-style policies.
Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid and Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Descano are invited to voluntarily testify at an upcoming Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement Subcommittee hearing entitled "Fairfax County Virginia – The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary City Policies."
Both are elected Democrats, and Descano’s campaigns have received more than $700,000 in funds from organizations backed by far-left Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros, according to the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, a pro-police group.
Descano and Kincaid received near-identical letters signed by Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock, R-Calif., which were also obtained by Fox News Digital.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT RELEASED UNDER BIDEN CHARGED WITH GROPING FEMALE STUDENTS AT VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL
"The hearing will examine how state and local policies that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities hurt public safety," Jordan and McClintock wrote.
"Your testimony will assist the Committee and Subcommittee in developing legislative reforms to address sanctuary jurisdictions."
The Fairfax officials have until Monday to confirm their presence at the April 15 hearing to be held at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.
Descano has a record of dropping charges against illegal immigrants who often have prior criminal records, including Salvadoran national Marvin Morales-Ortez, who was accused of the murder of a Virginia man ambushed on a walking trail.
Jordan and McClintock previously wrote to Descano about their concerns in that case, saying his policies "prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens and threaten public safety."
They said Kincaid released Morales-Ortez on December 16 despite his potential MS-13 ties after Descano’s office declined to further pursue prosecution in a malicious wounding case from September 12.
"Despite an ICE detainer on Morales-Ortez, your office refused to briefly detain him until ICE could arrest him and failed to even notify ICE about his imminent release," the lawmakers wrote to Kincaid at the time.
"One day later, Morales-Ortez allegedly murdered a man in Reston, Virginia, and has now been charged with second-degree murder. Even now, however, you continue to defend your failed sanctuary policies and refuse to take accountability for their consequences," the lawmakers wrote in the letter, first reported by Washington’s ABC affiliate.
The outlet further reported that Fairfax County’s board, led by Chairman Jeffrey McKay, D-Franconia, also prohibits the Fairfax County Police Department from cooperating with ICE.
Nick Minock, a reporter for the outlet, later obtained a transcript of Morales-Ortez’s preliminary hearing in which Descano’s office posited that Morales-Ortez was present when Jose Guillen Mejia was murdered and had ambushed the man on the trail.
A short time after he was released, Morales-Ortez allegedly went to a home on Fan Shell Court in Reston, Va. — near John F. Dulles International Airport — and allegedly shot a man inside.
That chain of events enraged the Trump administration, with then-Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin saying that "Fairfax County politicians [who] pushed policies that released this illegal alien from jail" have "blood on their hands."
More recently, the family of Stephanie Minter, a 41-year-old mother stabbed to death at a Fairfax bus stop by an illegal immigrant with a long rap sheet, called for Descano’s ouster.
Abdul Jalloh, a Sierra Leone national, was charged with second-degree murder, and Descano released him despite being warned of his 30 prior arrests. Jalloh had been served an order of removal during the Biden administration but was never deported.
A police official in Mount Vernon emailed concerns to Descano’s office about Jalloh being released again, according to Fox & Friends.
Given the heavy Democratic bent of Fairfax, Virginia’s largest county by population and one state officials are trying to include in at least five newly drawn congressional districts, Descano and Kincaid have been strongly supported by voters in each election.
Republicans did not mount opponents against either candidate in 2023, while Descano’s only challenge came from fellow Democrat Ed Nuttall, whose primary bid was reportedly boosted by victims’ rights advocates.
Nuttall also mounted a write-in challenge in the general election that year but lost. Kincaid was first elected in 2013.
Fairfax Democrats removed Nuttall from their party amid that write-in bid after he attended a Brain Foundation fundraiser with Fairfax’s lone Republican board member, Pat Herrity of Springfield, and a Republican board candidate from Sully named Keith Elliott, according to FairfaxNow.
Herrity is the son of the late Chairman Jack Herrity, a Republican known as "Mr. Fairfax" in the 1980s when the county was much more conservative.
Fox News Digital reached out to Descano’s and Kincaid’s offices for comment.
Powell says he has 'no intention of leaving' Fed during DOJ investigation
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday he will remain at the central bank while the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation continues.
"I have no intention of leaving the board until the investigation is fully resolved with transparency and finality," Powell said, referring to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, commonly known as the Fed Board.
With the probe complicating efforts to confirm his successor, Powell said that if no replacement is in place by the end of his term as chair, he would continue serving as chair pro tempore until one is confirmed.
"That is what the law calls for," he said. "That’s what we’ve done on several occasions, including in my own case, and it’s what we’re going to do in this situation."
DOJ'S CRIMINAL PROBE OF FED CHAIR POWELL SPARKS RARE GOP REVOLT ON CAPITOL HILL
The federal investigation centers on Powell’s June 2025 testimony to lawmakers about the Federal Reserve’s renovation of its two historic main buildings on the National Mall, a project that has drawn scrutiny from Republicans and the Trump administration.
On Jan. 11, Powell disclosed that the Justice Department had opened a criminal investigation into that testimony, an unusual development for a sitting Fed chair.
In a rare video statement, Powell called the probe "unprecedented" and described it as another salvo in what he said was President Donald Trump's pressure campaign on the central bank to cut rates. The unusually public response followed days of private consultations with advisors and stood out for a Fed chair known for his measured approach.
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The video statement echoed Powell’s earlier testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, where he forcefully disputed claims about lavish features in the renovation project.
Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee, Powell said, "There’s no new marble. There are no special elevators. They’re old elevators that have been there. There are no new water features. There are no beehives, and there’s no roof garden terraces."
Powell added that no one "wants to do a major renovation of a historic building during their term in office" and said cost overruns were driven in part by unexpected construction challenges and inflation.
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The renovation is estimated to cost $2.5 billion and is being funded by the central bank itself, not by taxpayers.
The Fed is self-financing and does not rely on congressional appropriations to cover its operating expenses, which include employee salaries, building maintenance and the current renovation.
Its primary income comes from interest earned on government securities and fees charged to financial institutions.
Powell, a Trump nominee first tapped to lead the Fed in 2017, is expected to finish his term at the end of May.
Trump has picked former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to replace Powell, but the nomination is effectively stuck after Sen. Thom Tillis vowed to block any Fed nominees while the DOJ probe remains open.
FCC boss vows to ‘rebalance’ media, urges more pro-America programming
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr called on local TV stations to "rebalance" the airwaves Wednesday, urging them to move away from some national network programming in favor of patriotic content.
Appearing on the "Pod Force One" podcast, Carr discussed a shifting power dynamic where local stations are reclaiming control from Hollywood. He specifically pointed to last year’s local blackout of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" as an example of the shift.
"They’ve amassed a tremendous amount of power," Carr told reporter Miranda Devine, referring to legacy broadcast networks.
"They’ve effectively turned those local TV stations into mouthpieces for the foie gras, oftentimes, that they’re producing in New York and Hollywood."
Carr explained that a "north star" for the Trump administration’s broadcasting reforms is correcting what it sees as a left-leaning media slant. He noted the agency is looking to "rebalance" that skew.
"We want to empower those local TV stations to actually stand up for their local communities," Carr said.
"And if New York or Hollywood is pushing programming that they don’t think is a good fit, then they can take action."
This local power was exerted in September after comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s show was pulled off the air after his remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel suggested the suspect was a Trump supporter, saying, "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."
Disney suspended Kimmel for several days but eventually allowed his return. However, ABC affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair continued to pull the program from their schedules in protest. The stations resumed airing the show after a public apology from the comedian.
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"I think that was a really good thing," Carr said of the Kimmel ban. "It was the first sign in many, many years of a local TV station actually pushing back on New York and Hollywood, and we want to see a lot more of that."
The FCC is also pushing for proactive patriotic content. In February, it launched the "Pledge America Campaign," which encourages broadcasters to feature more "pro-America" content ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.
White House says ‘no one’ changing Trump enforcement agenda in response to Angel Mom appeal to Mullin
The White House says "no one" will change the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda in response to an appeal by Angel Mom Angie Morfin.
Morfin, whose 13-year-old son, Ruben, was executed by an illegal alien gang member, issued a heartfelt appeal to the administration to "make sure no other mother has to get the call I did." This comes as incoming Homeland Security head Sen. Markwayne Mullin undergoes the Senate confirmation process and is expected to take the reins at the agency at the end of the month.
Morfin emphasized she is hopeful that Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, "will continue to listen to Angel Families and stand with us."
In response, Lauren Bis, DHS acting assistant secretary, told Fox News Digital that "our hearts break for the families and victims of illegal alien crime who’ve been completely abandoned and ignored by sanctuary politicians."
Bis wrote in an emailed statement that "THIS is why we do what we do." She noted that DHS is currently "targeting dangerous criminal illegal aliens to stop another preventable tragedy."
According to Bis, nearly 70% of arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S.
"Under the leadership of President Trump," Bis continued, "DHS is prioritizing the lives of innocent Americans victimized by illegal aliens."
Meanwhile, Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for the White House, told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement that "nobody is changing the Administration’s immigration enforcement agenda."
Jackson said that President Donald Trump’s "highest priority has always been the deportation of illegal alien criminals who endanger American communities."
She emphasized that "thanks to President Trump’s strong immigration enforcement policies, approximately 3 million illegals have left the United States, either through forced deportation or self-deportation, with zero illegals coming through the most secure border in U.S. History for nine straight months."
In a recent interview with The American Border Story, shared exclusively with Fox News Digital, Morfin said her family remains devastated decades after losing her son, Ruben.
"I cry for him today, like if it was just yesterday," she shared.
In the winter of 1990, Ruben, a young Hispanic teenager with no gang affiliation, was chased down and shot in the back of the head by Mexican national Ezequiel Mariscal in Salinas, California. Morfin said she had sent Ruben to stay with his grandparents during the holidays over concerns about gangs in their area.
Then one night, just after midnight, Morfin said she got a call.
"I grabbed the phone, and I could hear my mom screaming, ‘They shot Nino, they shot Nino.’ I knew it was my baby because that's what we called him, because he was so small," she said.
Since losing her son, Morfin said she has fought for the last 34 years "to keep his memory alive, so he didn’t die in vain." She emphasized she is hopeful that Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, "will continue to listen to Angel Families and stand with us as we fight to make sure no other mother has to get the call I did."
Mullin is currently undergoing an intense Senate confirmation process, during which several Democrats, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., have expressed extreme skepticism about his leadership. Meanwhile, Mullin said in his opening statement that "as Secretary of Homeland, I'll be protecting everybody … as much as I will my own backyard in Oklahoma."
"The truth is I have a job to do," Mullin added. "It’s bigger than the partisan bickering that we have, it's bigger than the political differences we have."
In response to Morfin’s appeal ahead of the Senate confirmation vote, Mullin’s Senate office referred Fox News Digital to the White House.
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Nicole Kiprilov, executive director of The American Border Story, an advocacy group for the victims of migrant crime, told Fox News Digital that like DHS, "Our hearts are with Angie Morfin and every Angel Family living with a loss that never should have happened."
Kiprilov said "we appreciate DHS’s leadership and their commitment to standing with these families and preventing future tragedies," noting that "just last week, we worked alongside ICE, DHS, and members of Congress to bring Angel Families to the table, ensuring their voices are heard and their stories drive real policy change."
"This is exactly the kind of leadership needed to make sure no family is ever ignored again," said Kiprilov.
Restaurant owner could 'go broke' under blue state's proposed to-go packaging ban, he warns
A proposal being weighed by Connecticut lawmakers could change how takeout food is packaged and delivered, and critics say it could affect quality and cost and could even threaten the livelihood of individual restaurant owners, with one saying he could "go broke" as a result.
House Bill 5524 would prohibit restaurants and other food service businesses from using polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, for takeout, while also limiting items like utensils, napkins and straws.
Restaurant owners say packaging directly affects how food holds up during takeout because trapped steam, temperature loss and movement during delivery can affect everything from crispness to presentation. Different materials, they say, tend to perform better depending on the type of dish.
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Pedro Garcia, owner of Mo's Midtown Restaurant in Hartford, said takeout makes up between 30% and 50% of his business, making container choice a critical part of the takeout experience.
Styrofoam is cleaner and easier to package, he told FOX 61.
"For me, it's more convenient," he added.
Garcia said he relies on the material to keep made-to-order meals fresh during transit.
It's a concern shared by other operators, who say certain foods don't travel as well in other types of packaging.
CALIFORNIA ESCALATES ITS WAR ON PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS, BANNING EVEN ‘REUSABLE’ VERSIONS
The bill would also require customers to request utensils and napkins rather than receiving them automatically.
Customers may forget to ask and blame restaurants when items are missing, Garcia argued.
He added that lawmakers should conduct more outreach to restaurant owners before establishing a law that could shake up their business model.
"They should — because then we'll have to be stuck with this. Or we go broke," Garcia said.
Industry groups are also warning the changes could affect day-to-day operations and costs.
The proposal would add "operational and financial strain" to an industry already dealing with rising costs and labor challenges, the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association (CRHA) said in a statement.
"While this bill is well-intentioned, it unfairly burdens restaurants and hotels with unclear organic recycling mandates, a ban on expanded polystyrene not applied consistently and restrictions on single-use items that are difficult to enforce," the group said in a Facebook post.
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The changes could slow prep times, require additional training and generally cause unnecessary friction, according to Milos Eric, the Florida-based co-founder of OysterLink, a hospitality jobs platform.
"In high-volume restaurants, having just a few additional seconds per order adds up over a single shift, particularly during peak hours when employees are already short-staffed," Eric told Fox News Digital.
While alternatives exist, including paper-based packaging, no one solution works for every situation, he said.
"Most alternatives do not provide the same insulation as Styrofoam," Eric pointed out.
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Some Connecticut restaurants have already moved away from Styrofoam.
At Acme Burger in Middletown, which uses cardboard containers, General Manager Branden Bullock said the choice has worked overall, though questions remain about convenience, particularly when it comes to providing utensils, WFSB reported.
Acme Burger customers often pick up food to eat on a picnic at the nearby Harbor Park, which sits on the Connecticut River.
"So, having the plastic accessible makes sense," Bullock told WFSB.
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Lawmakers backing the bill say the proposal is part of a broader effort to address growing waste challenges, modernize the state's trash and recycling systems and reduce the amount of waste sent out of state.
"This is some of the low-hanging fruit that has a big impact," state Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, D-Groton, a sponsor of the bill, told the CT Mirror.
Similar efforts in Connecticut have failed in past sessions.
The measure is under review by the legislature's Environment Committee and has not yet advanced to a full vote.
If approved, the measure would take effect in 2028.
It would add Connecticut to the list of states that have enacted similar restrictions on Styrofoam takeout containers, including California, New York, New Jersey and Washington.
Virginia is also phasing in a similar ban, which will apply to all food vendors statewide by July 2026, according to reports.
Fox News Digital reached out to the bill's sponsors, as well as the CRHA, for additional comment.
One dead after cable car detaches, plummets at Swiss ski resort
One person died Wednesday when a cable car cabin at a Swiss ski resort fell and crashed on a snowy mountainside.
The fatal incident happened at the ski resort of Engelberg in central Switzerland around 11 a.m. local time, authorities said.
2 SKIERS KILLED IN AVALANCHE ON POPULAR MONT BLANC SKIING ROUTE NEAR FRENCH-SWISS BORDER
"A cabin of the ‘Titlis Xpress’ gondola lift between Trübsee and Stand detached from the cable and plunged down the snow-covered slope in rugged terrain," a press release states. "A person who was in the cabin at the time of the accident sustained fatal injuries."
The person was identified as a 61-year-old woman. Her exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
Investigators from several agencies were looking into how the accident happened.
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"It's also important for us that the incident is investigated down to the second. We will provide all the data without gaps," said Norbert Patt, CEO of Titlis cable cars, during a news conference, the Blick newspaper reported. "It's an extraordinary event. Gondolas shouldn't crash," he added.
Patt said there was a breeze at the time the gondola fell, but could not say how strong the winds were.
Several schoolchildren attending a ski camp witnessed the accident.
"I was really shocked. We were then afraid to go back down in the gondola," a 14-year-old girl told the news outlet.
Mexican man attempts to cross illegally into US via underside of bridge
A Mexican national was arrested after climbing beneath a busy El Paso overpass near the U.S.-Mexico border, according to video released Tuesday.
The incident happened near Loop 375, close to the border wall in the Bridge of the Americas area. The man maneuvered himself beneath the bridge, moving along support beams above active traffic.
Authorities responded and arrested the man, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
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The Bridge of the Americas is a high-traffic crossing point for both vehicles and pedestrians near the U.S.-Mexico border.
It’s not the first time migrants have used this tactic in the area. In November 2025, two individuals climbed beneath the same overpass, navigating between concrete support beams using wooden planks, according to a local outlet.
BORDER ON THE BRINK AS CARTEL DRONES FORCE US TO ACT AFTER YEARS OF PARALYSIS
The latest incident highlights ongoing public safety concerns for both migrants and drivers as some attempt increasingly risky methods to enter the U.S.
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"CBP officers remain vigilant in the face of evolving and dangerous attempts to enter the United States unlawfully. Strong borders are the foundation of national security," U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
'Bachelorette' star Taylor Frankie Paul says domestic violence allegations feel 'like the end of the world'
Taylor Frankie Paul confronted domestic violence allegations head-on, admitting the fallout felt "like the end of the world" as she continued to endure intense public scrutiny days before the premiere of "The Bachelorette."
The Draper City Police Department said domestic abuse "allegations have been made in both directions," referring to Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, People reported. According to authorities, "contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th."
The alleged incident occurred weeks before Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" begins airing March 22.
"Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of ‘The Bachelorette’ being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time," Paul said during an appearance on "Good Morning America."
"I’m a person that will always speak my truth, and that’s what I’m known for. And, so, when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.
"My kids do come first," Paul emphasized. "My kids come first, and so it's been like just a back-and-forth process trying to be here in the present moment, you know, worrying about home and headlines. It's been stressful to be honest."
Paul confirmed filming for the fifth season of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" had been paused but claimed she didn't know why. The reality TV star admitted she isn't sure what her future looks like on the show as she deals with allegations of domestic violence for a second time.
"It’s hard to see past this – I’m not going to lie – in this moment. It’s just so heavy," Paul said. "When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world, that’s what it feels like, I’m not going to lie.
"I will say I’ve been here before, and I got through it. And I’ve shared my story and my light, and I’m hoping I can do that again."
Fox News Digital reached out to Draper Police Department for additional information.
A representative for Mortensen told Entertainment Weekly Mortensen wasn't the one to make the domestic violence investigation public.
"His No. 1 priority here is protecting [their 2-year-old son], Ever," the rep said. "He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor. It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.
"He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side," the rep continued. "He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can't do that."
Authorities arrested Paul in 2023 on charges of aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief.
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The complaint, filed in 2023, alleged that Paul threw a phone, a wooden play set and "heavy metal chairs" at Mortensen. One of the chairs allegedly hit one of her children who was sitting next to her then-boyfriend on the couch during their argument.
Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dropped.
"It was a regret," she previously told Fox News Digital about her arrest. "Hitting rock bottom, there's only one way to go, and it helped me to go up. So, honestly, as bad as that night was, I think it was also like a blessing in disguise and maybe could have saved my life in a weird way, like, where I was just drowning in misery."
Paul shares a son with Mortensen. The two officially ended their relationship in December 2024, after the birth of their son but have kept up on-and-off romantic contact with each other since.
Paul also shares two children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
Ex-principal sidelined over Charlie Kirk controversy now headed to prison in illicit image case
A former Oregon high school principal who had already been sidelined over controversial comments about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk is now headed to prison in a child sex abuse images case.
Jeremy P. Williams, 50, of Longview, Washington, was sentenced Feb. 23 to 61 months behind bars after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Williams will also have to register as a sex offender and serve three years of supervision after his release, prosecutors said.
Williams was leading Rainier Junior/Senior High School since 2022. The Rainier School District serves fewer than 800 students, according to state data.
FORMER SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AND BOYFRIEND FACE 38 CHILD SEX CHARGES AS BOND NEARS 9 MILLION
His legal troubles came to light after social media platforms flagged accounts tied to him for sharing files that matched known child sexual abuse material — a digital fingerprinting process known as hash matching. That alert kicked off an investigation, and detectives later searched his home, seizing phones, computers and other devices.
Before his arrest, school officials were already responding to concerns about Williams’ conduct.
In a message to families, Superintendent Chad Holloway said the district was aware of "concerns… following a recent comment by an employee… regarding Charlie Kirk," calling the activist’s killing "deeply unsettling" and acknowledging the impact on students and staff.
WASHINGTON PARENTS DEMAND ACTION, ANSWERS AFTER TEACHER ALLEGEDLY RAPED STUDENT ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
Following those concerns, Williams was placed on paid administrative leave.
Days later, Holloway sent another letter to the community describing "very disturbing" developments after learning of Williams’ arrest on charges involving depictions of minors in sexually explicit conduct.
He emphasized that the district was working closely with law enforcement and taking steps to support students, including making counselors available and allowing early dismissal for families who felt it was needed.
"The safety of our students is our highest priority," Holloway wrote.
He stressed that investigators did not believe any students in the district were involved and said the district was fully cooperating with law enforcement.
Authorities have echoed that point, saying there’s no indication Williams possessed images of students from the school.
Williams was arrested in September 2025 and booked into the Cowlitz County Jail.
The case itself unfolded largely behind the scenes until sentencing, where Williams reportedly offered only a barely audible apology, according to the Daily Chronicle in Longview. The outlet also reported that he had previously boasted about winning awards for his erotic fiction.
Judge Thad Scudder handed down the sentence, which also includes $3,000 in court fees.
The case has sparked reaction online, including from former NCAA swimmer and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines, who wrote on X: "It’s always either 1) a teacher 2) a health care worker 3) a government employee. Deeply concerning."
Actor Kevin Sorbo also weighed in, writing, "I don’t think Charlie was the bad person in this story."
Fox News Digital reached out to the school district for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Oscars 2026 viewership drops 9% on ABC, Hulu, marking first decline since 2021
The Oscars viewership declined this year, according to data from Nielsen, marking its first major drop since 2021.
The 98th Academy Awards drew 17.9 million viewers on ABC and Hulu, according to Nielsen, which is about a 9% drop from last year.
The awards show drew 19.7 million viewers in 2025.
The Oscars had its lowest ratings ever in 2021 at 10.4 million viewers. In 2022, the Hollywood event saw a slight uptick, drawing 13.73 million viewers.
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Comedian Conan O'Brien hosted the event, which saw Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" earn Best Picture and "Sinners" star Michael B. Jordan win his first Oscar for Best Actor.
Viewership declined across all age demographics. Viewers between ages 18–34 and 25–54 saw the biggest decline, with a 13% drop from 2025. The program also saw an 11% drop in viewers 55 and above.
Liberal late-night host Jimmy Kimmel presented awards in the documentary category, during which he took shots at President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
Kimmel referenced the "Melania" documentary released in January while presenting.
"Fortunately for all of us, there’s an international community of filmmakers dedicated to telling the truth, oftentimes at great risk, to make films that teach us, that call out injustice, that inspire us to take action," he said.
"And there are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes," Kimmel added as he presented the awards for Best Documentary Short Film and Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars.
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He also mocked the president: "Oh, man, is he going to be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this."
The first lady's documentary was released in January, and therefore would not have been eligible for this year's awards.