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Developing now, Tuesday, August 21, 2018

President Trump suggested he could take over Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation as attorney Rudy Giuliani defended his recent 'truth isn't truth' comments in an exclusive interview with FOX News

Comedian Kevin Hart made a lewd remark against Trump, supported NFL players' right to kneel during the national anthem during a politically-charged MTV Video Music Awards on Monday

President Trump suggested in a tweet he may consider pulling former FBI official Phil Mudd's security clearance after Mudd's heated comments about the Trump-John Brennan feud

Voters in Alaska will go to the polls to select candidates for governor and the U.S. House in primary elections on Tuesday

Jurors in the fraud trial of Paul Manafort finished a third day of deliberations Monday without reaching a verdict, fueling optimism in the defense team for Trump's former campaign manager

THE LEAD STORY - 'I COULD RUN IT IF I WANT': President Trump asserted on Monday that he would be "totally allowed" to take over Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe if he wanted to, in another thinly veiled broadside against an investigation he has repeatedly derided as a partisan "witch hunt" ... "I can go in, and I could do whatever — I could run it if I want," Trump told Reuters. "But I decided to stay out. I’m totally allowed to be involved if I wanted to be. So far, I haven’t chosen to be involved. I’ll stay out." The comment -- apparently a reference to Trump's executive authority to order Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein at the Justice Department to fire or replace Mueller -- came as jurors continued to deliberate in the first trial brought as a result of Mueller's probe.

Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to FOX News' "The Story with Martha MacCallum" Monday night, Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani defended his comment Sunday that "truth isn't truth," which drew a firestorm of criticism on social media. Prosecutors can bring perjury charges against an honest witness, Giuliani said, as long as they can find others to present an alternative version of events.

SPEAKING FROM THE HART: While presenting at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, Kevin Hart told the audience they were "allowed to kneel," seemingly referencing how NFL players have been kneeling out of protest during the national anthem ... "This game you're allowed to kneel," Hart said while presenting with fellow comedian Tiffany Haddish. He continued: "You can do whatever you want there's no old white men to stop you." Hart also said the award show was like "a typical day at the White House." “Beefs pop off, bad language, people run to the bathroom and send out crazy tweets,” Hart said. "It's basically like a typical day at the White House. In your face Trump, suck it."

Previously, Hart had avoided using his comedy to bash Trump, sparking criticism from famously anti-Trumper Kathy Griffin. His outburst was one of several political moments during the MTV Video Music Awards. Rapper Logic donned a shirt that read "F--- the wall" while singing his song "One Day" with Ryan Tedder. The 28-year-old singer was joined on stage by immigrant leaders, parents and children, all wearing t-shirts that said "we are all human beings," in protest of the Trump administration's family separation and detention policy.

'UNGLUED AND WEIRD': President Trump suggested in a tweet that he is considering pulling the security clearance of a former FBI official over his heated comments on the revocation of former CIA Director John Brennan's clearance during a TV appearance over the weekend .... Trump said former FBI official Phil Mudd became "totally unglued and weird" during a debate with CNN analyst Paris Dennard on the president's decision to revoke Brennan's clearance. "Just watched former Intelligence Official Phillip Mudd become totally unglued and weird while debating wonderful @PARISDENNARD over Brennan’s Security Clearance," Trump tweeted. "Dennard destroyed him but Mudd is in no mental condition to have such a Clearance. Should be REVOKED?"

Dennard said Trump was right to revoke Brennan's security clearance, and argued former intel officials keep their clearances "because it’s profitable for them after they leave government," prompting an eruption from Mudd, who once worked under then-FBI Director Robert Mueller. Mudd insisted he does not use his clearance for profit in the private sector.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Alaskans are set to see a three-way race for governor in November. But first, Republicans will have to decide on their candidate in the Aug. 21 primary ... Incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, is running for re-election. And Democrat Mark Begich is unopposed in his primary. FOX News has ranked the general gubernatorial election a tossup. Former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy and former Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell have emerged as the leading Republican candidates for governor. Also running are: Darin Colbry, Thomas Gordon, Gerald Heikes, Merica Hlatcu and Michael Sheldon.

In Alaska's other big race, independent Alyse Galvin and Democrat Dimitri Shein are among the candidates vying for a shot to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young, who is expected to win his primary. The 85-year-old Young has served in the House since 1973. The closest anyone has come to upsetting Young in recent years was 2008, when he eked out a 304-vote win over then-Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell in the GOP primary.

WILL THE FOURTH DAY BE THE CHARM IN MANAFORT TRIAL? - The jury weighing more than a dozen bank and tax fraud charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort failed to return a verdict after its third day of deliberations on Monday, leading the defense team to sound a note of optimism after the weeks-long trial ... The 12-member jury, which had asked to end deliberations for the day at 6:15 p.m. ET, will return on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET. They must return a unanimous verdict to convict Manafort on each of the 18 charges against him. On the news that the jury hadn't reached a verdict, Manafort attorney Kevin Downing told reporters, "Mr. Manafort was happy to hear that and thinks it was a very good day."

Reporter's Notebook: Tension in Manafort trial courtroom as jury deliberate

AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS

LEFT-WING LUNACY: "It's more that they really do hate 'deplorables.' They hate the Walmart crowd ... Their hatred of Trump has caused them to lose all reason." – Ann Coulter, on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" explaining how the Trump presidency has caused the left to become unhinged. WATCH

WHY WE NEED ICE: "[The public] doesn't realize how valuable we are as it relates to stopping opioids from coming into the country. They don't realize how important it is as we find gangbangers and send them away from the country." – Acting ICE Director Ronald Vitiello, on "Your World with Neil Cavuto," on fighting public misperceptions of ICE. WATCH

TRENDING

Picture of snoozing Chicago cops goes viral after violent weekend.

'Fire challenge' leaves Michigan girl, 12, with severe burns over half her body.

Woman walking dog killed when alligator attacks, drags her into South Carolina lagoon, police say.

THE SWAMP

GOP Sen. Grassley presses DHS, State Dept. for info on 'disturbing' arrest of suspected ISIS killer in Sacramento.

Parkland massacre survivor David Hogg says he plans to run for Congress when he's 25.

Media's biggest Kavanaugh misses: Aspiring hit pieces on Supreme Court pick draw mockery.

ACROSS THE NATION

Dad accused of killing family says wife strangled kids after he requested separation: court papers.

Nazi labor camp guard caught by ICE, deported to Germany, White House says.

Immigration boss: Media misled U.S. on detained immigrant with pregnant wife.

Confederate statue on UNC campus toppled by protesters.

Pamela Smart claims her innocence in documentary, but prosecutor says 'sociopath' lured teen lover to murder her husband.

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS

Stocks hover near record highs.

Tesla ex-employees file SEC whistleblower complaints.

NY boy reopens lemonade stand, raises nearly $1K after health dept. shutdown.

Food stamp use drops only slightly as economy soars.

Is Ace Hardware Amazon proof?

US workers don’t want to move for new jobs.

States where $100 goes furthest: report.

FOX NEWS OPINION

John Fund: Tequila, bourbon and Trump trade agreements -- what do they have in common?

David N. Bossie: Bruce Ohr and the anti-Trump activities of Obama officials -- what will his testimony reveal?

Brandon Arnold: Trump's bet on trade and tariffs could hurt Republicans in November.

2018 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

List of winners

Madonna slammed online for making Aretha Franklin tribute all about her at MTV VMAs.

Jennifer Lopez thanks 'twin soul' Alex Rodriguez after accepting Vanguard award at VMAs.

MTV announces 'The Hills' reboot at 2018 VMAs.

Tiffany Haddish messes up Camila Cabello's name in awkward VMAs moment.

2018 MTV Video Music Awards: Looks from the red carpet.

HOLLYWOOD SQUARED

#MeToo hypocrite: Rose McGowan criticized after urging people to be 'gentle' on Asia Argento amid sexual assault claims.

David Cross to perform at Utah college despite protests after 'deeply offensive' pic in Mormon undergarments.

The Eagles surpass Michael Jackson for No. 1 album of all time.

Danny Bonaduce’s ex-wife Gretchen thinks ‘Partridge Family’ fame damaged him early and led his addiction.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?

Iron lung keeping woman alive for decades now one of last remaining in U.S.

Fishermen haul in 1-ton World War II bomb.

'World's oldest cheese' discovered in ancient Egyptian tomb.

STAY TUNED

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On FOX News:

FOX & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: Half of millennials expect to become millionaires; author Chris Hogan has a reality check and some tips for young people on cleaning up their finances. Meet the college student who launched a conservative women's magazine to reclaim feminism. Blackwater founder Erik Prince explains his plan to reduce U.S. presence in Afghanistan. And meet the nun whose impressive first pitch at a White Sox game went viral.

Your World with Neil Cavuto, 4 p.m. ET: Special guests include: Rep. Ron DeSantis, Florida gubernatorial candidate.

The Story with Martha MacCallum, 7 p.m. ET: Don't miss special live coverage of President Trump's rally in West Virginia.

On FOX Business:

Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: Guests include: Mike Huckabee; Ed Lazear, former chief economic adviser under President George W. Bush.

Varney & Co., 9 a.m. ET: Patrick Morrissey, West Virginia attorney general and candidate for the U.S. Senate; Alex Azar, Health and Human Services Secretary; Thomas Homan former acting ICE director; Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc.

Cavuto: Coast to Coast, Noon ET: Joe Lieberman, former U.S. senator.

The Intelligence Report, 2 p.m. ET: Retired Maj. Gen. Bob Scales; David Nelson, Belpointe chief strategist; Keith Fitz-Gerald, Money Map Press chief investment strategist; Justin Wallin, GOP strategist.

On FOX News Radio:

The FOX News Rundown podcast: Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk is being criticized after the company's stocks plummeted over doubts about his privatization announcement made over Twitter. FOX Business Network's Kristina Partsinevelos discusses why this is causing concerns for the company. NYU School of Medicine is the latest to join a short-list of medical schools offering free tuition to students. Julie Fresne, senior director of Student Financial Services and Debt Management with the Association of American Medical Colleges, discusses how the incentive of free tuition is hoping to boost the ranks of primary care physicians. Plus, commentary by Democratic strategist Jehmu Greene.

Want the FOX News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher.

The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. ET: Security clearances, the Robert Mueller investigation, the 2018 midterms and more will be the big topics of the day. Special guests include: Erik Prince; Allen West; Hogan Gidley, White House Deputy press secretary; Jason Chaffetz; Chris Stirewalt; pollster Anthony Salvanto.

The Tom Shillue Show, 3 p.m. ET: Comedian Stephen Kruiser and FOX Business producer Jaimie La Bella react to the fallout from Kevin Hart's controversial Trump jokes at Monday's MTV Video Music Awards.

#OnThisDay

1959: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an executive order making Hawaii the 50th state.

1912: The Boy Scouts of America names its first Eagle Scout, Arthur Rose Eldred of Troop 1 in Rockville Centre, N.Y.

1831: Nat Turner launches a violent slave rebellion in Virginia resulting in the deaths of at least 55 whites. (Turner was later executed.)

FOX News First is compiled by FOX News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for joining us! Enjoy your day! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday morning.