A terrifying incident unfolded in a Southern California town that has left a young father of three fighting for his life.

As The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday, a 35-year-old man named Joel from San Bernardino County suddenly burst into flames at a Victorville shopping center near the Mall of Victor Valley.

According to the Victorville Police Department, the incident occurred on March 30 at roughly 7:35 p.m.

When the police arrived, they stumbled upon a gruesome scene, as Joel’s skin was reportedly falling off from the flames.

Joel was left with third-degree burns covering 90% of his body.

He was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Hospital and is in ‘extremely critical’ condition.

It’s unclear how the fire started, but witnesses told the Victor Valley News that they suspect it could have started in an area that Joel, a transient from nearby Hesperia, used as an encampment.

Joel’s sister-in-law, Jenny Cobb, started a GoFundMe to support his recovery and released the following statement:

Our family is completely heartbroken. Joel is a father of three, and his children need him. Watching someone you love go through something this devastating is something you can never be prepared for.

We are leaning on our faith during this time, trusting God, and asking for prayers for Joel’s healing, strength, and recovery.

The road ahead is overwhelming. When Joel is able to recover, he will face multiple surgeries, intensive burn care, risk of infection, and a long, painful rehabilitation process that could take months or even years. Burn recovery is one of the most difficult journeys a person can go through, both physically and emotionally.

We are asking for help so that Joel can focus on fighting for his life and, if he recovers, on healing and getting back to his children—without the added burden of financial stress.

Joel’s family is currently seeking $9,000 in total donations. As of this writing, the GoFundMe has raised just shy of $3,500.

The Daily Mail notes that Joel’s wife, Brittney Buell, died unexpectedly in 2022. The pair shared three children: Aleah, Jimmy, and Joel.

The post HORROR: Father of Three Suddenly BURSTS INTO FLAMES Near California Shopping Mall appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

President Trump has now revealed why he deleted a post allegedly depicting himself as Jesus Christ on Truth Social, as he continues to fire back at criticism from even his own supporters.

As The New York Post reported, Trump told CBS News last night that, while he normally would double down on such a post, he felt he needed to make an exception because his supporters were so befuddled.

“Normally, I don’t like doing that,” the President explained. “But I didn’t want to have anybody be confused.”

“People were confused.”

Trump also responded harshly to conservative women’s rights activist Riley Gaines, who had some choice words for him over the meme on X:

Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he’d post this. Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this?”

Either way, two things are true

1) a little humility would serve him well
2) God shall not be mocked

Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he’d post this. Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this?

Either way, two things are true.

1) a little humility would serve him well
2) God shall not be mocked https://t.co/GViHqWeDEr

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 13, 2026

The president refused to let those words slide.

“I didn’t listen to Riley Gaines,” Trump told CBS News. “I’m not a big fan of Riley, actually.”

The Gateway Pundit previously reported that Trump took heat from the media and even some allies after posting an AI-generated image that critics rushed to label “blasphemous.”

The controversy erupted after Trump shared an image on Truth Social showing himself in flowing robes, appearing to heal a man, imagery that many in the media immediately framed as “Christ-like.” The president later deleted the post without explanation.

Here’s the image:

After a national uproar ensued, Trump explained during a news conference that he believed the meme depicted him as a Red Cross doctor.

“Well, it wasn’t depicted—it was me. I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with the Red Cross, as a Red Cross worker there, which we support,” Trump said. “And only the fake news could come up with that one.”

“So I had—I just heard about it, and I said, ‘How did they come up with that?’ It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better. And I do make people better—I make people a lot better.”

The post President Trump Reveals the Reason He Deleted Meme Supposedly Depicting Himself as Jesus Christ – Responds to Harsh Criticism from Supporter Riley Gaines appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The ongoing sexual assault allegations surrounding now-former Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-China) have now caught the attention of FBI Director Kash Patel.

As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, Swalwell is facing explosive accusations of sexual misconduct from several women, including a former staffer who claims he raped her twice.

The allegations of the former staffer, who was the first to come forward, were initially reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

These accusations come just weeks before California’s June primary and prompted immediate calls from Democrat leaders, including Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, for Swalwell to drop out of the race.

Seeing no way out of the crisis, Swalwell abruptly resigned from Congress last night.

“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a statement.

“However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,” he said.

Following Swalwell’s resignation, Patel released a statement calling on him to sit down with the FBI and share his story.

The FBI Director also called on others to come forward with relevant information on the sexual assault allegations surrounding the now former congressman.

“@EricSwalwell has maintained that none of the allegations against him are true, and now that he’s resigned, we would welcome him to sit down with the FBI and share any information he has”, Patel wrote.

“We also encourage and welcome any person with relevant information to any of these matters to speak with us,” he added. “Door is open to all.”

.@EricSwalwell has maintained that none of the allegations against him are true, and now that he’s resigned, we would welcome him to sit down with the FBI and share any information he has.

We also encourage and welcome any person with relevant information to any of these…

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 14, 2026

In addition to now being in the FBI’s crosshairs, Swalwell also faces investigations from the House Ethics Committee and the Manhattan District Attorney.

If charged and convicted, Swalwell is likely facing years behind bars.

And he should be especially worried because his own party has deemed him a damaging burden. Democrats tend to give their own the Mafia treatment when things go south for them.

The post FBI Director Kash Patel Issues Statement on Eric Swalwell Sexual Assault Allegations appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

A new Swalwell accuser has broken her silence for the first time, revealing how she luckily escaped the now-former Democrat congressman’s attempts to seduce her.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Eric Swalwell (D-China) is facing explosive accusations of sexual misconduct from several women, including a former staffer who claims he ra*ed her twice.

The allegations of the former staffer, who was the first to come forward, were initially reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

While speaking with CBS’s Nancy Cordes on Tuesday alongside fellow Swalwell accuser Ally Sammarco, Annika Albrecht revealed her own harrowing experience with the former congressman.

Albrecht explained that while she was in college, Swalwell offered to stay in touch and mentor her after meeting with her student group in Washington, DC.

“That was an incredibly generous offer that I felt very lucky to have,” she said.

Swalwell then created a group chat on Snapchat with all the students and later added Albrecht as a friend on the messaging app.

Confused, Albrecht then asked the other students if Swalwell added them as friends, and they said no. Even more creepily, she was the only woman in the meeting.

Swalwell started out talking politics to her, but then his messages turned seductive and dark.

“Ultimately, it reached a point where he invited me to a hotel to meet him,” Albrecht said. “It was very clear what the connotation was.”

“At that point, I completely stopped responding.”

WATCH:

Two women who have accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct, Ally Sammarco and Annika Albrecht, exclusively told CBS News’ @nancycordes that they “have served justice for his future victims” by coming forward: “I think we just prevented another 30 to 40 years, potentially,… pic.twitter.com/ceT2GxMYbb

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) April 14, 2026

Albrecht later added that she got lucky.

“What I keep thinking back to is lucky I am that I didn’t go to that hotel,” Albrecht said.

“For me, justice won’t be until he can’t ever harm a woman ever again, and he has faced the consequences for the women that he has harmed,” she added.

Justice may soon be on the way. TGP notes that both the House Ethics Committee and the Manhattan District Attorney have launched an investigation into Swalwell.

In an attempt to avoid accountability, Swalwell abruptly resigned from Congress Monday night.

But he should remain worried, especially because his own party has deemed him expendable.

The post New Eric Swalwell Accuser Breaks Her Silence for First Time – Reveals Her “Lucky” Escape From His Clutches (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Pope Leo XIV has responded to President Trump’s explosive social media message last night, which attacked his woke politics and glaring hypocrisy.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump delivered a blistering takedown of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, slamming the Vatican leader as weak on crime, disastrous on foreign policy, and far too cozy with the radical left.

Trump also noted that he recently hosted the Pope’s brother, Louis, at the White House, a man who actually understands the MAGA movement.

Trump wrote on Truth Social:

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. He talks about “fear” of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart.

I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!

I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country.

When asked by the Associated Press this morning about Trump’s pose, Pope Leo XIV refused to back down. He stated that he is sharing the message of the Gospel and suggested that Trump had no clue of its meaning.

The pope went on to say he did not view his role as a politician, but he would continue to speak his mind on inherently political matters such as war and multilateral foreign policy.

WATCH:

Pope Leo just FIRED BACK at President Trump:

“To put my message on the same plane as what the President has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is.”

Video: Associated Press https://t.co/n5NfboQFhG pic.twitter.com/mObl8jD77C

— Morse Report (@MorseReport) April 13, 2026

Pope Leo XIV: The message of the Gospel is very clear: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel.

I’m inviting all people to look for ways of building peace and reconciliation…Of ways of going forward any time that’s possible.

To put my message on the same plane as what the President has attempted to do here, I think, is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is.

I’m sorry to hear that (from Trump)…I do not look at my role as being political or a politician. I don’t want to get into a debate with him; I don’t think the message of the Gospel is to be used in the way some people are doing.

And I will continue to speak loudly against war and to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateral relationships among states.

Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed, and someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.

As TGP notes, however, the pope started this verbal fight with Trump after he condemned President Trump’s iron-fisted Iran warning as “truly unacceptable.”

By blasting Trump’s ultimatum to the bloodthirsty Iranian regime, the pontiff sided with the mullahs over American strength.

The post Pope Leo XIV FIRES BACK at Trump After President Targets Him with a Stinging Social Media Message (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Despite fleeing for sunny Florida after years of bullying by radical leftist New York State political figures, President Trump still retains a desire to see The Big Apple reclaim its status as the greatest city in the world. And he’s got some advice to offer the new mayor.

As TGP readers know, the far-left Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral election last November and has immediately begun his reign of ruin.

For example, crime has dominated the headlines in the Big Apple, especially from illegal aliens. Of course, Mamdani is not only unfazed by this but continues to call for the abolition of ICE.

Mamdani is also pushing to defund the police, raise taxes, and implement massive social welfare programs.

He is even carrying through on a racist campaign promise to target white neighborhoods with a racial ‘equity’ tax.

All of this has been ‘accomplished’ as Mamdani enters his 100th day in office.

Trump, who has somehow maintained a friendly working relationship with Mamdani, told the New York Post on Friday that Mamdani needs to stop this insanity and do three things to turn around New York City.

The first step is slashing taxes on residents, not raising them.

“Gotta lower taxes or everyone’s leaving. It’s very simple,” Trump told the Post.

Trump also made note of how filthy the Big Apple is, particularly focusing on Manhattan, the wealthiest borough.

“Got to clean up the city. The city is looking not good. You got to clean up Manhattan, clean it up, make it sparkle,” Trump explained.

Trump closed by telling Mamdani that to fix the crime problem, he needed to call in the U.S. government.

Many other mayors have accepted Trump’s help on this issue and have seen dramatic reductions in major criminal activity.

“And you got to stop crime by calling in the United States government to let us help,” Trump said. “Those three things.”

While Mamdani would be wise to take Trump’s advice, does anyone really believe he’ll listen?

The post President Trump Offers Marxist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani These Three Common-Sense Tips to Turn Around New York City appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The NYPD sergeant who killed a fleeing drug suspect by hurling a cooler at him will spend years in prison, infuriating police advocates.

Back in August 2023, a motorcycle-riding drug suspect named Eric Duprey died after a New York Police Department (NYPD) sergeant tossed a cooler he grabbed from a local family’s sidewalk table at him, knocking him off his bike. Duprey was fleeing a Bronx buy-and-bust drug sting at the time.

Following the incident, the NYPD announced that Sgt. Erik Duran, an NYPD Bronx narcotics veteran who joined the force in 2010, was suspended without pay just hours after the lethal afternoon encounter.

Duran was charged with second-degree manslaughter in January 2024.

Now, he will pay a heavy price while hardened criminals continue to walk the New York City streets. The New York Post reported that on Thursday, radical Bronx Judge Guy Mitchell handed Duran a sentence of 3 to 9 years in prison.

The sentence came despite Duran, a married father of three, pleading with the judge to show mercy and apologizing to Duprey’s family.

“Your honor, I am asking for a chance to be there with my kids. I am asking for a chance, just one,” Duran said.

But Mitchell, who was appointed to the bench by far-left then-mayor Bill De Blasio in 2015, ignored his plea.

While Mitchell had the option of giving Duran no time in prison, he claimed that a 3 to 9-year sentence would serve as a “general deterrent” to other police officers.

“The distinction is that the deceased will no longer be seen again by his family,” he added.

Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong released a blistering statement obtained by the New York Post following the verdict.

“Today will be forever remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of our profession,” Vallelong said.

“It wasn’t only Sgt. Duran, a great cop, who was on trial. Every law enforcement officer who makes a split-second decision in the performance of their duties to protect the public was also on trial,” he added.

“This has now sent a very chilling message to every cop in the nation.”

Below is the video of the incident involving Duran and Duprey. Judge for yourself whether the NYPD officer’s actions were justified.

WATCH:

BREAKING: NYPD Police Officer Who Threw Cooler at Fleeing Man Charged With Manslaughter.

Erik Duran, 36, a police sergeant, was part of drug-sting operation in the Bronx when he tried to stop a suspect, Duprey.

The officers were attempting to arrest the suspect during an… pic.twitter.com/rPr4VJS2pN

— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) January 23, 2024

The post NYPD Sergeant Who Killed Fleeing Drug Suspect by Throwing a Water Cooler Sentenced to Up to 9 YEARS in Prison By Far-Left Judge appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

A California sheriff is receiving national praise for not only the way his department handled a violent criminal who murdered one of their own brothers in blue, but also for what he said afterward.

As The Daily Mail reported, 59-year-old David Morales was bulldozed by BearCat armored vehicle operated by members of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team after an hours-long standoff.

Morales had fatally shot 35-year-old Tulare County Detective Randy Hoppert. This came after Hoppert and other Tulare County deputies were serving Morales an eviction notice.

“We intentionally ran him over,” Boudreaux announced to reporters after getting word the killer was dead.

He then delivered a chilling and fantastic message to any violent criminals thinking about messing with law enforcement.

“Don’t shoot at cops. You shoot at cops, we’re going to run you over,” Boudreaux continued. “He got run over; he got what he deserved.”

No nonsense and no mercy, exactly the way to deal with murderous thugs.

WATCH:

JUST IN: This California sheriff is being praised for showing NO REMORSE about running over an armed suspect who killed one of his officers

“We intentionally ran him over…don’t shoot at cops.”

“He GOT what he DESERVED.”

That’s how you do it. pic.twitter.com/clrHFupARJ

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 10, 2026

If America had more sheriffs like Boudreaux, America would be a safer place for law-abiding citizens.

Here is more background on the incident via The Daily Mail:

The tragic series of events began at around 10.20 a.m on Thursday, when officers arrived at a home on Brian Avenue in Porterville to serve Morales with an eviction notice.

Footage from the scene showed several armed deputies crouched on the road in a residential neighborhood when a series of shots rang out. Some of the deputies began running away. The gunman cannot be seen from the video.

The officers immediately called for backup, and Hoppert was among the law enforcement members who responded to the scene.

He was then shot in the head and was transported to Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville, where he was pronounced dead at 11.57 am.

Before running Morales over, police threw gas into the home. When the suspect finally emerged, the California Highway Patrol sent a helicopter containing specialized technology to help locate him.

Prior to going into law enforcement, Hoppert served as a Navy corpsman from 2010 to 2015.

He leaves behind his wife, who was four months pregnant at the time of his death, and another child.

The post WATCH: No-Nonsense California Sheriff Delivers a Chilling Message to Criminals After Cops “Intentionally” Run Over Thug Who Murdered One of Their Own appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.