If your parents are former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, it would be easy to work your last name and turn it into a successful career in the entertainment industry – especially when most of Black America is still daydreaming about the time they spent occupying the White House. But former First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama have been doing their best to distance themselves from the Obama name, and now their mother is speaking out about it.
Recently, the former First Lady sat down with siblings and actors Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson on their “Sibling Revelry” podcast to talk about how she feels about her girls coming into their own, including Malia’s decision to drop Obama and use her middle name, Ann, in the credits of her short film, “The Heart,” which was featured at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
Our forever First Lady told the Hudsons that her now-grown daughters, Malia (25) and Sasha (23), are very sensitive to the idea of others writing them off as nothing more than nepo babies and are trying to what they can to carve their own unique lanes, despite their extremely famous last name.
“I mean it’s very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world. And they don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard, that they’re just naturally just handed things,” she said.
The ladies of “The View” discussed Mrs. Obama’s comments on the show, and agreed that they respect Malia and Sasha’s choice not to try to open doors with their last name.
“I respect and deeply admire that they’re saying, ‘Hey, I recognize I have this amazing name I’m so proud of, but I really want to make my own way and carve my own path.’ I think that is so cool,” said co-host Sara Haines.
Although Maila and Sasha are full-fledged independent California girls now, their mom believes they have a strong foundation and will be just fine.
“Now that they are older, they are embracing our parenting principles in the same way I think that I discovered that about my parents,” she said.
You’d like to think the politicians leading the country are actually fit for the job, but President Donald Trump’s slew of questionable appointees to the highest positions in the country– and the world–has Americans thinking differently.
Most recently, FEMA Chief David Richardson was blasted after admitting he had no clue the country experienced hurricane season, according to Reuters. He has since came out saying it was all a joke, but… was it really?
From Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s shaky personal life to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s former role at WWE, clearly, there’s some discrepancies about what makes someone fit to lead. Now, we’re taking a closer look at Trump’s advisors and cabinet members to really unpack the scary trends among the country’s top leadership.
Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Oz
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Mehmet Oz, speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. During the event, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals by 30% to 80%. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Taking a page from Trump’s book, Dr. Oz has transitioned from television to American politics. In his new role as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, Oz oversees how millions of Americans receive Medicaid and Medicare. He recently said in order to receive benefits, Americans will have to “prove that you matter.”
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John Ratcliffe
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 25: Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe appears during a Senate Committee on Intelligence Hearing on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. The hearing to examine worldwide threats comes a day after Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic magazine was inadvertently included on a high level Trump administration Signal group chat on bombing plans in Yemen on Houthi targets. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Unlike others on this list, John Ratcliffe served under Trump’s first administration. He was previously the director of national intelligence. In January, Trump brought him back as his nominee for director of the CIA, despite his slew of political scandals over the years. Rattcliffe is a Trump loyalist, with a well-documented allegiance to the president as far back as 2019.
FEMA Chief, David Richardson
Image by White House
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appointed David Richardson, a Marine veteran and martial-arts instructor, to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Despite having no previous professional record of handling natural disasters or relief, he joined the FEMA team in early May. On his first day in office, he promised to do Trump’s bidding. Richardson even told agency staff he will “run right over” anyone trying to deter him from carrying out the president’s mission, CNN reported. Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted about Richardson’s hurricane season blunder saying, he was “unaware of why he hasn’t been fired yet.”
Nominee for Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 01: National Security Advisor Michael Waltz participates in a TV interview at the White House on May 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. This week marks the first 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
You can’t mention Signal Gate and not bring up former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. In his previous role, he was the creator of the infamous channel on Signal where he added a journalist to a group chat spilling classified information– although he and Secretary Pete Hegseth refuse to acknowledge this. Waltz has a hefty resume, filled with military and Congressional service, but like the rest of folks on the list, at the top of his qualifications is hisloyalty to Trump. After the Signal scandal, Waltz became Trump’s new pick to be the ambassador to the United Nations.
Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on as he attends the signing of an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo
When Hegseth was first appointed to serve as the head of the most vital government department, bipartisan rage exploded from politicians nation-wide. And after the bombshell report that he compromised national security in the Signal Gate controversy… twice… critics of Hegseth haven’t let up on him yet.
During his confirmation process, he faced several allegations he was drinking on the job and had problems with alcohol. And his own family members have come out alleging he was physically and sexually abusive, according to AP News.
Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies before a Senate Appropriations hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump’s budget request for the Department of Education, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 3, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education, and he started his agenda by appointing Linda McMahon to run the show. McMahon has a brief background in education. In fact, she was nominated to serve on the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009, according to ABC News. But unfortunately, that’s where her expertise stops.
Before she was picked by Trump, McMahon founded WWE with her husband Vincent. The couple is worth more than $3 billion, according to Forbes, which as you’ll see is a trend among Trump nominees.
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. discusses the findings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network survey, during a press conference at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
Out of everyone on this list, the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was perhaps the most horrifying and embarrassing for the Trump administration. The nephew of former President John F. Kennedy is an environmental attorney, previously taking on DuPont and Monsanto, according to AP News. But outside of this and his obvious devotion to Trump, RFK Jr.’s views on health and vaccines drew massive concerns from Democrats and Republicans alike.
He’s an anti-vaxxer who claimed autism was a direct side effect of receiving vaccines. He also perpetuated the racist and baseless theory that Black people should be on a separate vaccine schedule based on genetic makeup. All of his dangerous theories have been proven wrong by experts around the globe.
Director of FBI, Kash Patel
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on President Trump’s proposed budget request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
A lawyer and former federal prosecutor, Patel has more experience serving in the White House than almost all of Trump’s Cabinet picks. However, it’s his undying devotion to the president that continues to make folks question his real intentions. It’s important to note that Trump is largely responsible for propelling Patel’s career in politics. While serving under Trump’s first term, Patel was even set to be named the deputy director of the CIA until former Vice President Mike Pence and other members of Trump’s Cabinet intervened, according to the Atlantic.
Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard departs after a closed door meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacanang Palace, Manila, Philippines, June 2, 2025. Ezra Acayan/Pool via REUTERS
She was once a Democratic, even running for president in 2020 against Trump. But in true MAGA fashion, once Trump began making promises, Tulsi Gabbard changed her tune and shifted to the MAGA right, according to PBS. The veteran and first Hindu woman elected to Congress doesn’t have a strong background in intelligence. Even Sen. Dick Durbin said “Tulsi Gabbard would not be qualified for an entry-level position within our intelligence community” let alone the top of it.
Attorney General, Pam Bondi
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi attends a press conference with FBI Director Kash Patel (not pictured) where they make an announcement in connection with a child sex abuse enforcement action, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
In November 2024, Trump tapped Pam Bondi for attorney general. She was formally the Florida Attorney General and has her degree in criminal justice, according to NPR. But according to insiders, her chief qualification is her loyalty to Trump. Bondi was previously Trump’s personal attorney. She was also involved in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought
Image by the Center for Reproductive Rights
Arguably Trump’s most controversial nominee to date, Russell Vought’s confirmation set off an avalanche of backlash from Democrats. Most notably, Vought co-wrote “Project 2025,” the 999-page MAGA rulebook designed to reshape the country with cuts to the DOE and attacks to the LGBT+ community and DEI.
Vought previously served in Trump’s first administration. He left office after Trump was voted out to start the Center for Renewing America, the far-right Christian entity.
Director of DOGE, Elon Musk
FILE PHOTO: Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk, who supports Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump, gestures as he speaks about voting during an America PAC Town Hall in Folsom, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Rachel Wisniewski TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY/File Photo
Although the Tesla CEO is officially done with the White House, for the strong part of the year, he served as Trump’s right hand man. In his position as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk oversaw the mass firing of thousands of government workers in alleged efforts to rid the country of senseless spending and corruption.
Musk had no political background before being tapped by Trump. He also skipped over the Congressional appointment and questioning process. The most qualifying thing about CEO of SpaceX is his title as Trump’s highest campaign donor.
Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick speaks during a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 6, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
Howard Lutnick was one of Trump’s first nominees for his Cabinet. With a net worth of around $3 billion, according to thestreet.com, Lutnick follows Trump’s very clear list of qualifications: wealthy and loyal. He got close to Trump after appearing on his reality show “The Apprentice.” Since then, the Trump advisor has only strengthened his relationship with the president.
Most recently, Lutnick was grilled in a Senate hearing he has no clue what important laws pertaining to his job were, according to the Daily Beast.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard attend the annual National Memorial Day Observance in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., May 26, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
Although he has experience in Congress, Doug Collins first rose to prominence– you guessed it– coming to Trump’s defense. In 2016, after the president was accused of conspiring with Russia to undermine the presidential election, Collins defended the president on the House Judiciary Committee, according to NBC Washington. He even wrote a book, defending Trump from his 2019 impeachment.
Nominee for Director of U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia
Image by White House
Most recently, Trump tapped Paul Ingrassia to head the office responsible for protecting whistleblowers and other federal workers from unlawful employment practices. Ingrassia has no real political background, but he is a former far-right podcast and a Jan. 6 apologist. According to MSNBC, Ingrassia has only been a lawyer for three years, and with little investigative experience– which the job requires– many see his appointment as a slap in the face to those who rely on the government agency.
Taraji P. Henson is finally clearing the air when it comes to “The Color Purple” drama and those rumors of a rift between her and Oprah Winfrey.
In case you forgot, Henson stepped into the iconic role of Shug Avery in Warner Bros’ flashy musical film reboot of “The Color Purple” in 2023. While promoting the film, Henson went viral while sitting down with Gayle King, breaking down in tears over the pay disparity in Hollywood, especially as a Black actress. Many saw this as her taking a shot at Oprah, especially due to the fact that Winfrey was one of the main producers on the film. On the latest episode of “The Breakfast Club,” however, she finally set the record straight.
Host Charlamagne Tha God brought up the topic directly, saying that a lot of people thought Henson was “kicking Tyler Perry and Oprah’s back in” when she made those comments. Henson immediately denied this to the radio host, saying, “Oh my god, why would they think that?” When Charlamagne clarified that it may be because they are producers, she then responded, “You know they have bosses, right?”
Henson, of course, is referring to the fact that producers don’t necessarily set the rate that actors get paid, and they have studios above them that they answer to.
She then asked, “When have you ever seen me drag another woman, particularly a Black woman, ever? I’m ten toes down for us.” She then proceeded to say that “blogs” ran with the rumors of a feud between her and Tyler and Oprah was a part of a “campaign” so that this Black movie” wouldn’t do well.”
Henson added that she was hurt when some places reported that the movie didn’t perform as well because of her comments on pay while promoting it, calling it “total B.S.”
She went on to say that she has such a “love and fondness” for Oprah. “She just texted me the other day, commending me on a job well done in ‘Straw.’ So that was all fictitious.” She added that she thinks people were trying to “draw a wedge” between them, but that she won’t let people do that.
She had amazing things to saw about Tyler Perry as well, saying that she will always work with him. “We have fun on that set, I love that he challenges me,” she added. “I’m never gonna turn my back on us…people who go to the Tyler Perry films, that’s a huge population of us.”
Summer is just around the corner, and Hollywood has cooked up plenty of content for you to binge and watch on those long, hot days. Whether you want an intense, adult drama or a new series perfect for the whole family, we’ve got you covered with a list of shows perfect for your Summer 2025 watchlist.
MCU fans, rejoice! A live-action Black Panther spinoff series, “Ironheart,” finally comes to Disney+ this month. Starring Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams / Ironheart, the series follows the brilliant MIT student we met in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” just a few years ago. Joined by “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” superstar Anthony Ramos, Thorne is getting her star-making moment in this series, one that will make for a perfect binge for the entire family.
Ironheart premieres June 24, 2025 on Disney+.
The Bear
The Bear is back and better than ever. The hit Hulu series returns this June, reuniting viewers with the staff of a Chicago sandwich shop. Ayo Edebiri reprises her breakout role as Sydney “Syd” Adamu in the upcoming fourth season, which will certainly be one of the most-watched shows of the summer.
“The Bear” season 4 hits Hulu on June 25.
BMF
BMF is back! The Starz series that follows the Black Mafia Family has thrilled audiences since 2021. Now back for season 4, the series seems to be upping the ante, once again bringing audiences back to the 1990s, at the height of BMF’s activity.
“BMF” season 4 premiered June 6 on Starz.
And Just Like That
The “Sex and the City” story continues on Max’s “And Just Like That.” While the show still churns on without fan-favorite character Samantha, the other leads Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda are back once again for adventures in the Big Apple. Nicole Ari Parker is also back for season 3, reprising the role of Lisa Todd Wexley.
New episodes of “And Just Like That” drop on Thursdays on Max.
Looking for the next bets historical fiction series? Look no further than “Washington Black,” Hulu’s series starring the one and only Sterling K. Brown. The series follows, “the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington “Wash” Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny,” per Deadline. “When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom and love.”
Divorced Sistas
A new Tyler Perry series is here. “Divorced Sistas” is described as an “extension” of the “Sistas” universe created by the media mogul. The show is described as following “five close friends — Rasheda, Geneva, Naomi, Tiffany, and Bridgette — as they navigate life, love, and the challenges that come with divorce, marriage, and dating. As they lean on each other through heartbreak and healing, their biggest test comes from within their own circle, challenging their loyalty, character, and true bond of sisterhood.”
“Divorced Sistas” premieres Monday, June 9 on BET.
Not only is “Divorced Sistas” premiering this summer, but the original “Sistas” is still going strong! The beloved BET series is officially coming back for its ninth season this July.
“Sistas” returns July 16 on BET.
Forever
If you haven’t gotten into “Forever” on Netflix already, what are you doing? One of the biggest shows to come out of the streamer this year made major waves when it dropped last month, and for good reason. Mara Brock Akil’s brilliant reimagining of Judy Blume’s iconic coming of age novel stars Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. in an intimate and moving portrait of young Black love. The series was such a smash hit for Netflix, its already been renewed for season 2, making for a perfect summer binge if you havent watched already.
All episodes of “Forever” are streaming now on Netflix.
Twisted Metal
“Twisted Metal” is coming back to Peacock. The Anthony Mackie-led series first premiered in 2023, and is based on the post-apocalyptic video game series of the same name. Almost two years later, fans are finally getting a second season, which, if the teaser is any indication, will continue to be just as exciting and hilarious as the first entry.
Season 2 of “Twisted Metal” premieres July 31 on Peacock.
Squid Game
Get ready for one final game. “Squid Game,” Netflix’s massive series, is returning for one more season this summer. Sure to be one of the biggest television events of the year, the jaw-dropping and intense show returns this June, just six months after season 2’s release this past December.
“Squid Game” returns June 27 to Netflix.
Eyes of Wakanda
More “Black Panther” content is on the way. Another series perfect for the whole family this summer is “Eyes of Wakanda.” An animated spinoff of the hit MCU franchise, the show follows Wakandan warriors thorughout history.
“Eyes of Wakanda” premieres August 6 on Disney+.
The Gilded Age
Another historical fiction series returning this summer is Max’s hit, “The Gilded Age.” Set in the turn of the century New York, the show follows “new money” class at this prosperous time in history, including the African American upper class at the time. Broadway star Denee Benton stars as Peggy, and six-time Tony winner and Broadway veteran Audra McDonald even appears as her mother on the series.
On Friday (June 6), Lil Wayne dropped his long awaited album, “Tha Carter VI.” But what should’ve been a momentous occasion for him and his fans turned out to be the exact opposite as evidenced by reactions to the project online. And believe us when we tell you…it’s not a pretty sight!
For context, talks of Wayne’s latest project had been ongoing for awhile now, with interest turning up a few extra notches after he got “snubbed” as the performer for the 2025 Super Bowl LIX back in February. As a result, many people were eagerly anticipating just how much fire and fervor that moment would give him and were waiting to hear the results of that in his newest project.
Well, said project has now arrived and unfortunately for a large portion of his fans — it’s the last thing they expected. The 19-song album features guests like 2 Chainz and Kodak Black and clocks in at a little over an hour. But for a lot of fans, any amount of time listening it is a complete waste of time.
Best part about finishing this Lil Wayne album is that I won’t ever hear shit played anywhere again.
“Best part about finishing this Lil Wayne album is that I won’t ever hear shit played anywhere again,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
“Man, Lil Wayne needs better friends cuz this album should have never seen the light of day Also the production is actually atrocious WHAT WAS THAT,” said another.
“Lil Wayne and his team have been on a mission to ruin his legacy. They finally succeeded with this Carter VI trash. This is not a ‘Carter’ level album. The worst Carter album. I’m so disappointed, Wayne fans let down again,” one other user wrote.
Lil Wayne and his team have been on a mission to ruin his legacy. They finally succeeded with this Carter VI trash.
This is not a “Carter” level album. The worst Carter album.
I’m so disappointed, Wayne fans let down again. ✌🏾
Added another user: “Normally I like to run an album back after a first listen before saying anything, but in this case I don’t want to…I love Lil Wayne, but this album is booty crumbs.”
“No deadass… Say SIKE RIGHT NOW @lilwayne,” wrote media personality Scottie Beam.
Lil Wayne has yet to publicly respond to the negative chatter, but if he does, we’ll be sure to circle back. After all, he’s an artist who’s probably “sensitive about his shit,” there’s no telling how he’ll take all the unimpressed reactions to his latest offering.
President Trump and Elon Musk fallout was more dramatic than a Real Housewives’ reunion. The former friends exchange of words has become an online spectacle and social media has been enjoying the show. The heated dispute started when Musk publicly criticized Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” that aims to make Trump-era tax cuts more permanent and will unfairly benefit the rich.
Here are all of Elon’s shadiest comments.
Musk Calls Out Trump’s “Ingratitude”
Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.
The Root reported on the Tesla CEO firing shots at Trump posting “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” According to reports, Musk spent $270M on Trump’s 2024 Election campaign.
And thats when things got spicy between the former bosom buddies.
Accusing Trump Of Being In The Epstein Files
Time to drop the really big bomb:@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.
In a hard-hitting post, the SpaceX CEO spilled some serious tea that Trump is named in the Epstein files and suggest that is the reason why it hasn’t went public. He even went as far as reposting an archived video of the President hanging out a party with Epstein.
Future Revelations
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
Deepening the online beef, Musk went into the Twitter archives and resurfaced old posts of Trump criticizing the Republicans. ‘No member of Congress should be eligible for re-election if our country’s budget is not balance,” Trump posted, “deficits not allowed!”
“Where is the man who wrote these words?” Musk asked in a quoted post. “Was he replaced by a body double?”
Musk wasted no time calling out the President for lying about Musk forcing everyone to purchase electric vehicles. Trump’s major tax and spending legislation, which Musk argued the bill would massively increase the national debt and target provisions that would reduce or potentially eliminate electric vehicle credits which will directly impact Tesla’s profits. This was another statement that was a reflection of their public rift.
Slams Trump’s Tariffs
The Trump tariffs will cause a recession in the second half of this year https://t.co/rbBC11iynE
Musk’s comments is a response to an X user who describes Trump’s tariff policy to be “super stupid”. The Tesla CEO replied that the tariffs will cause a “recession in the second half of this year.”
Calls For A New Political Party
Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?
In response to Trump’s comments about Musk being removed from his presidential circle, Musk wasted no time firing right back on X. He dismissed the claims of being pushed out and even mentioned funding the Democratic party.
Trump’s Responses
According to Donald Trump’s X account, all of his posts have been deleted.
There’s a reason why they call Oprah Winfrey the “Queen of All Media.” The Emmy award-winning talk show host successfully launched her own television network, magazine and production company. And we can’t forget Oprah’s Book Club which has helped propel Black authors like Colson Whitehead and Tayari Jones into the spotlight.
All of those boss moves have helped her amass a net worth of over $3 billion and a pretty impressive real estate portfolio worth over $100 million. Although Winfrey keeps her guest lists pretty exclusive, we were able to check out some of the places she’s called home over the years.
Take a peek inside some of Oprah Winfrey’s amazing homes.
Chicago Condos
YouTube/ABC 7 Chicago
While taping “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in Chicago, Winfrey purchased four units inside the iconic Water Tower Place on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
A Duplex to Die For
ABC13.com
Winfrey combined the four apartments to make a luxurious 9,000 square-foot duplex, complete with four bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half baths.
Spa-Like Space
ABC13.com
The condo is full of high-end features, including this spa-like bathroom with a deep soaking tub.
The Promised Land
YouTube.com
In 2001, Oprah Winfrey began setting up the ultimate retreat on over 40 acres of land in Montecito, California. The heart of the property, which she calls “The Promised Land is the main house – a stunning 23,000 square-foot Georgian home that is fit for a media queen.
A Reading Room
YouTube.com
It’s only natural that a book-lover like Winfrey would have a cozy reading room with floor-to-ceiling shelves to hold all of her favorite reads.
Lots of Living Rooms
YouTube.com
The home features several living spaces that allow her guests to relax and enjoy conversation – and the eye-catching artwork.
Dining Room
YouTube.com
The spacious dining room is made for dinner parties for Oprah and her special guests. Oh, to be a fly on the wall to hear the conversations that go down here!
Spilling the Tea
YouTube.com
The home features a tea house, a bright, airy room perfect for enjoying a quiet cup while taking in the garden view.
The Guest House
YouTube.com
Although the main house is spacious, the property also includes a 5,000 square-foot guest house with a pool and plenty of lush greenery.
Even the Horses Have a Nice Home
YouTube.com
With all of those acres, there is plenty of room for horses, which is why Winfrey’s property includes private stables.
Telluride Mansion
YouTube.com
In 2014, Winfrey bought an 8,000 square foot mansion in historic Telluride, Colorado. The secluded woodsy home has five bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms.
A Cozy Cabin
YouTube.com
Once inside the home, you’ll be wowed by all of the stone and wooden accents, which give a cozy cabin vibe.
Mountain Views
When you have a picture-perfect view of the Rocky Mountains like this one, floor-to-ceiling windows are a must.
Made for Relaxing
YouTube.com
Every detail of this home is made for relaxing, including this jacuzzi tub that allows Oprah and her guests to take in the beautiful nature view.
It’s no secret that comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish has been unlucky in love. She hasn’t been spotted with anyone new since her not-so-mutual 2021 split from rapper-actor Common after a year of dating; she told Jay Shetty on his podcast that she made the decision to be celibate in 2024.
Now, in a recent sit down with Godfrey on his “In Godfrey We Trust” podcast, Haddish told the comedian that she’s done with men from the USA and is looking across the pond for her next partner.
“Any Black man born in America, I can’t f—k with you. I’m only f—king with Black man born outside of America and everything else,” she said in the interview.
Haddish went on to say that getting involved with more than one man can have devastating effects on a woman’s mental health.
“Women that have more than two baby daddies usually have some sort of mental illness,” she said.
Listeners who thought her comments were part of a comedy bit were likely confused when a straight-faced Haddish went on to explain what she believes to be the science behind the problem.
“Every time you get pregnant there’s stem cells that come from that baby and them stem cells end up behind your eyes and your brain and your heart,” Haddish added. “And those stem cells will always stay with you, right.”
Tiffany Haddish tries to make a connection between having babies (which she has none) and her being single (because of Americans). Is this typical mess from Tiffany Haddish or is she correct??? #tiffanyhaddish#godfreythecomedian
Godfrey posted a clip from the interview on Instagram, and you already know the comment section was lit with comments from people who were left completely confused after listening to Haddish’s head-scratching theory.
“That’s a funny way of saying my poor choices now dictate I hv to date somewhere nobody knows who I am…….those eggs are super scrambled and the expiration date was 10 years ago 😒,” wrote one commenter.
Another commenter reacted to Haddish saying that she was willing to make an exception on her new dating rule for white guys.
“Dear white ppl … She belongs to y’all,” they wrote.
One commenter suggested that the problem may not be with the men, but with Haddish.
“That’s a creative way to say don’t nobody in your country want you,” they wrote.
It seems like every week, there’s a new viral trend or dance challenge taking over our timelines on TikTok. And as each new thing sparks, many folks are starting to join in on the fun – -even celebrities like Terry Crews.
If you’ve been spending any time on the clock app recently, then you may have noticed the latest trend stemming from a popular film he starred in back in 2004, “White Chicks.” Though the movie starred Shawn and Marlon Wayans, Crews starred as an (aggressive) love interest for Marlon’s character and was responsible for a handful of memorable scenes.
One in particular, in which Crews’ character takes Marlon’s character Tiffany out on a date, has become the latest scene that TikTokers are recreating and now, it’s made it’s way to Crews himself, who decided to hop online and engage in it.
Posted by one of his daughters on Thursday, the now-viral video – -which also features his other daughter and wife Rebecca — has garnered over 500,000 likes and been shared nearly 30,000 times.
After seeing this video, it got us thinking about other celebs who’ve either joined on memes of themselves or participated in trends that derive from something they did. And boy did we find some fun examples.
Beyonce, Drea Kelly’s “II Hands II Heaven” Dance Challenge
Shortly after Beyonce dropped her “Cowboy Carter” album back in 2024, Drea Kelly — dancer and ex-wife to the now infamous R. Kelly — decided to hop online and show off choreography to the song “II Hands II Heaven.” In a surprising twist, her video went viral and caused thousands of other people to join in and recreate it.
Fast forward to Bey’s “Cowboy Carter” tour in 2025 and the singer surprised all her fans by hitting the choreo while performing the song. Of course, we should’ve known she would’ve thanks to a previous Instagram post Bey made last May.
Towards the end of May, Chris Brown decided to join in on his own dance challenge which stemmed from his early 200s hit, “Wall to Wall.” Appearing in the video with a gang of his background dancers, Breezy hit the new dance moves smoothly and with a huge smile. As of this writing, the video has amassed nearly 4 million likes and been shared nearly 200,000 times.
Back in June 2024, Megan Thee Stallion decided to join in on her own dance challenge that stemmed from her hit song, “Mamushi.” The song was just one of many hits from her album “Megan” but it was the only one that sparked a viral dance craze. Peep Megan getting jiggy with it below.
In a moment that most 90s kids could relate to, earlier this year back in March, Will Smith recreated an iconic dance moment from one of the earlier episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” with his costar Tatyana Ali and rapper Doechi, using the latter’s popular song “Anxiety.” The result was something just as funny and cool.
Looks like there’s a new bombshell at the villa, and no, it’s not what you think… Americans are calling dibs on their favorite couple in the new season of “Love Island USA,” the American take on the British reality television show. But before any of the love could even begin, the cast was hit with an unexpected twist that led to one contestant exiting the show.
In the most recent episode, the show’s narrator, Iain Stirling, revealed a cast mate, Yulissa Escobar, had left the villa. He mentioned it so casually, and the show continued like nothing happened. But it didn’t take long for fans to figure out the messy truth…
Leading up to the show’s premiere, multiple resurfaced videos of Escobar went viral. In the two clips, she is heard casually saying the N-word on two different podcasts, and fans of the show ripped her to shreds over it. “Oh yulissa just keeps giving me more reasons to dislike her,” @serenazseptum said after seeing a video of the Cuban influencer saying, “He’s my n***a.”
When the videos first broke, Yulissa was already in Fiji, filming for “Love Island” without her phone or social media. However, her friend came to her defense, awkwardly saying on Instagram “lol… y’all act like you never said the N word before, stop being so f***ing sensitive,” TMZ reported.
After she was officially given the boot from the villa, fans put two and two together, realizing the likely reason behind the move was connected to Escobar using the slur. Even a TMZ poll showed 77 percent of folks wanted Escobar gone after using the N-word. She was also outed as a MAGA supporter, which clearly, didn’t give her any extra points with fans.
I’m not surprised at all by Yulissa being a racist trump supporter. She is a Latina who lives in Miami and her mom is Cuban.
Now, folks got their wish, and you can believe they had a field day on social media after Escobar was given the boot. “I’m not surprised at all by Yulissa being a racist trump supporter. She is a Latina who lives in Miami and her mom is Cuban,” @_syddygirl said on X.
Another user, @Dee_Vinci, wrote “Love to see it bc nothing irks me more than a Latina/o using the N word. Girl bye.” @ChardoubleU added “Lmaooooo bye pumpkin!”
Escobar hasn’t come out to address the controversy yet, but fans of “Love Island” will be watching and waiting to see if she’ll ever own up to it.
Timbaland, the legendary producer you could not escape in the 90s and the 2000s, has started a new music venture, and the concept behind it is… interesting.
Along with film producer Rocky Mudaliar and entrepreneur Zayd Portillo, Timbaland has launched an AI entertainment company called Stage Zero, according to Rolling Stone. The company has just signed their first artist, TaTa, an AI artist that is powered by the music technology company, Suno, according to MusicTech.
This move by Timbaland isn’t too shocking, considering that in March of this year, the producer sat down with 2x NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo on his podcast “The Inner Court” and stated that AI music is the “only thing that has a pure soul right now”
On Instagram, Timbaland posted screenshots of Billboard and Rolling Stone articles announcing his AI artist with the caption, “Thinking BIGGER but still inclusive.”
While Timbaland says he is excited about this move, the majority, in fact, all of the fans in his Instagram comments were not.
“Congratulations! You are the first to openly admit to ruining music more than it already is. I’m sad it had to be you,” wrote one user.
“Not that it’ll matter, but I’ll prolly come back pretty frequently to double down on how wack this is. So wild. The very essence of why your music was so different then everyone else’s… Smh forget it,” wrote another.
“Trying to find one positive comment… Glad we’re on the same page,” wrote another with laughing emojis.
Of course, whenever there is a time to criticize celebrities, users on X are always at the scene of the crime. Frustrated fans went on the app to express the negative thoughts they had to add to the producer’s announcement.
“Timbaland is ageing like milk. Every time he makes headlines, it’s about something more stupid than the last time,” wrote one user.
“Timabaland has joined the pantheon of goated legends that lost touch and apparently surrounded themselves with people that don’t know how to say ‘this ain’t it’”, posted another.
User @isaiahjaay1 expressed disappointment on TikTok by saying that, “Timbaland is really a legend at what he do. So, for you to be encouraging AI, knowing that it’s taking away from real creativity, is crazy… I’m getting tired of all these robots.”
While the Republican party continues to deal with the fallout from Elon Musk’s attacks on President Donald Trump, it seems the Democrats are also doing some soul searching. After one of the most notable spokespersons of their party has decided to turn their back, she’s drawing shocking criticism with her new book.
Karine Jean-Pierre served as former President Joe Biden’s press secretary from 2022 to 2025, when he left office. Known for her fiery exchanges with reporters and politicians across the aisle, Jean-Pierre is prepping to release her new book titled “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.” But although it hasn’t dropped yet, it’s already faces criticism for one shocking reason.
According to a press release for her book, Jean-Pierre is taking a step back from the Democratic party and planning to register as an Independent. “In a country obsessed with blind loyalty to a two-party democratic system, Karine Jean-Pierre… shares why Americans must step beyond party lines to embrace life as Independents,” the release read.
The motivation behind Jean-Pierre’s departure from the Democrats seems to stem from the treatment of Biden around campaign season. The former president faced bipartisan backlash after his mental and physical health was questioned while he was still in the race against Trump. As his press secretary, Jean-Pierre handled daily inquires about Biden’s mental state. But she said watching her party turn against Biden was the most shocking of all.
In a statement for Legacy Lit Jean-Pierre said, “I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes.” Now, she’s urging folks to look at the dangers of a bipartisan system, which America’s first president, George Washington, famously warned about centuries ago.
After former Vice President Kamala Harris’ devastating loss to Trump, the Democrats were sent back to the drawing board in hopeful preparation for the 2028 election. But in the mean time, criticism from the former face of the Biden administration can’t be good for party morale.
Democrats came out with acute criticisms for her. Former aide to Joe Manchin III, Sen. Jonathan Kott, said he’s “sick and tired of Democrats not being proud to be Democrats and fighting for what we believe in.” He continued, according to the New York Times, “If you lost the will to fight, then get out of the party.”
Karine Jean-Pierre is speaking for a lot of black women. You can call her newly declared political status a stunt but it’s not. The 92% said they were centering themselves & declaring oneself free from a party that wants to chase white men is a start. pic.twitter.com/uhMxDz9zi9
— Sons of Killmonger & Disciple of Dark Brandon (@2Strong2Silence) June 4, 2025
On the flip side, Black folks online responded praising Jean-Pierre for finally waking up. “Karine Jean-Pierre is speaking for a lot of black women. You can call her newly declared political status a stunt but it’s not,” @2Strong2Silence said on X. “The 92 [percent] said they were centering themselves & declaring oneself free from a party that wants to chase white men is a start.”
“See the way people are piling on Karine Jean-Pierre DESPITE the ACTUAL premise of her book & declaring herself Independent,” @darryn_briggs began. “This is PRECISELY the reason many of us KNEW it was dangerous for Kamala Harris to be the nominee.”
Another user, @Needle_of_Arya, said “between (how they’ve treated) Karine Jean-Pierre, Meghan Markle & Kamala Harris, we have only a taste of how deeply pervasive casual & knee-jerk misogynoir is in our society.”
Her book is expected to release on October 21, 2025.
As predicted by Black Americans, Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s friendship is quickly unraveling. Musk tweeted bombshell claims Trump would’ve lost the election without him and more. If it was anyone else criticizing him, Trump surely would’ve clapped back harder than simply being “very disappointed” in Musk, but there’s something about the almost trillionaire that has the president a little passive.
In what’s shaping up to be the divorce of the century, Musk and Trump are at war, and everyone is watching. Experts say Trump is even scared of Musk, and here’s why.
Musk Played Pivotal Role in Trump’s Election
Despite Trump’s claims he would’ve won big regardless of Musk’s help, the facts don’t lie. Musk donated over $270 million dollars to Trump’s campaign, according to the Washington Post. With this coupled with his visible appearances alongside Trump, Musk has become synonymous with the president’s second term, no matter if he’s in the White House or not.
Former Scottish leader Humza Yousaf said in January Musk is “one of the most dangerous men on the planet” because of his ability to weasel his way into the most critical conversations about foreign policy and domestic affairs. Most notably, he has established himself as a key player in foreign politics with the use of his Starlink satellites in the war in Ukraine.
Musk’s Hold on the Government
Investigative journalist Ronan Farrow said Musk’s stint as the director of DOGE was unprecedented. Farrow broke it down on TikTok saying, “Government outsourcing isn’t new, but historians told me that individuals business titans having this much power goes way beyond anything we’ve seen historically.”
The X CEO oversaw the mass firing of thousands of government officials and had access to Americans personal data, drawing bipartisan pushback with concerns of national security. Even after Musk left DOGE, his influence remains strong.
The Richest Man Alive
From tapping some of the wealthiest people for his cabinet, hosting CEOs like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg during his inauguration and the friendship between him and billionaire Musk, Trump clearly likes to have wealthy people in his corner. And Musk is the epitome.
He’s literally the richest person in the world, worth $408.6 billion, according to Forbes. With money comes power, which is how Musk snuck into the Oval Office in the first place.
Journalist for MSNBC Ali Velshi warned about the dangers of Musk. “There don’t appear to be any safeguards at all against potential conflicts of interest this time around,” he said. “Musk will retain control over Tesla and SpaceX, all while overseeing policies that could benefit his companies.”
Ultimately, cash rules, and clearly, Musk has more of it than anyone else, including Trump, who’s worth $5.1 billion.
Power, Power and More Power
In 2023, journalist Farrow spoke with a Pentagon official who said Musk practically has the world in his hands. “We are living off his good graces,” the official said. Two years later, not much has changed.
Musk owns Tesla, X, the private aerospace company SpaceX, xAI, The Boring Company and more. He also has multi billion-dollar contracts with the government, his hands in the company which launches most of America’s spy satellites and one of the world’s top social media platforms. If that’s not power, we don’t know what is!
When Trump and Musk were on good terms, his assets helped the president win his second term. Now, things are different. With all this in mind, it shouldn’t be a surprise Trump is taking it easy on Musk. The president let him run a muck in the White House, and now, his hands are tied.
What Secrets Does Musk Know?
If nothing else could convince you Musk knows the juiciest secrets, his Thursday (June 6) claim the real reason Trump won’t release the Epstein files is because he’s in them surely proves it. In his position in DOGE, Musk had access to the secrets of some of the most powerful people in the world… including Trump.
News commentators have even suggested Musk might have influenced Trump’s election. No proof exists for this claim, which echoes similar accusations Trump leveled against former President Joe Biden in 2020.
Time to drop the really big bomb:@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.
The nasty end of the president’s friendship with Musk could result in bad blood. And if that’s the case, who’s to say which secrets the Tesla CEO is prepared to unleash?
It’s not like our president to let things slide, so as the war between Trump and his former friend continues, Americans will be watching with popcorn.
“- There was a subsequent moment we had at a sidebar and I looked and I saw your client looking at the jury and nodding aggressively. This is absolutely unacceptable,” the judge said in court Tuesday, per The Washington Post.
The allegations against Combs of sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses were first brought forth by ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy Records signee Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a lawsuit. The most notable claims were about his so-called “freak off” sex parties, where prosecutors allege the singer was drugged and forced to perform sexual acts with male sex workers at Combs’ pleasure. Ventura’s suit says she was ordered to hire the workers herself. He was also accused of using video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance. The two settled the day after the suit was filed.
Combs is facing multiple counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. His indictment cites three anonymous victims in addition to Ventura. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail.
If you’ve been seeing a flurry of pink and green all over your social media timelines, that’s because the newest trailer for “Wicked for Good” has finally dropped on Wednesday. But before you head to the theaters on November, there are a few things you might want to know first!
As a little background, “Wicked for Good” is the second and final part of the story that rounds out the storylines we were all first introduced to in “Wicked” back in 2024. This new film will see estranged friends Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) living out there lines in the aftermath of the former friend being ran out of Emerald City and declared a wicked witch. Seeing as how it’ll be a year since the first film, we thought it best to give you some quick facts of things you need to remember before you see part two.
Elphaba Wasn’t Really Evil
If you’ll remember from the first film, Elphaba’s title of being a “wicked witch” was completely unjustified. Not only was she not evil, she was actually standing up for a marginalized group of her community—(the animals who lived in harmony with them)—and was willing to buck up against the powers that be in order to do so. When Elphaba wouldn’t go along with the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and her school professor Madam Morrible’s (Michelle Yeoh) plans to further oppress them, she was branded as wicked being who was too powerful and needed to be controlled and extinguished. This is why she ended up fleeing to the West in attempt to seek refuge and figure out her next steps.
The Wiz Is a Fraud and But Also May Be Tied To Elphaba in An Unexpected Way
As you very well know by now (thanks to “The Wizard of Oz”), the Wizard is nothing more than a man with fake powers and an even faker persona. But what you probably didn;t pick up on all the way is that there’s some tacit connection between him and Elphaba. I mean, why else would have such an affinity towards her and sing a song about how much he wants to be close to her and that her way of moving throughout the world feels like she could be a daughter to him. We don’t want to say too much but keep this little nugget in the back of your mind.
Dorothy and the Crew Will Be Making Their Grand Appearance
If you’ll remember, in the very opening scene in “Wicked” as the camera panned across the land of Oz, there was a quick glance at Dorothy from Kansas and her new pals: Tinman, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. It was moment that if you blink you might miss it, but it was foreshadowing to one of the other storylines that’ll be present in the sequel film. If you’ve seen the original Wizard of Oz, then you know how things play out. But it’ll be interesting to see how and when this gang makes enters into the timeline and how deeply they’ll be connected to Elphaba and Glinda.
Glinda Was Complicit and Not Elphaba’s Ride or Die Friend
At the end of “Wicked,” we saw Elphaba fly off into the sky, leaving her “good” friend Glinda back in the Emerald City. But as we broke it down to you shortly after the movie came out, we should’ve expected Glinda not to be down with Elphie like that because she was only really loyal to herself and her image. Sure, you could make the argument that she supported what Elphaba was trying to do in theory, but in practicality, she didn’t want to rock the boat or do anything to jeopardize her desires. We’ll see how this continues to unfold now that her former bestie is exiled from the town and what she’ll do as a result of it in the second film.
Elphaba’s Sister Nessarose’s Story Will Expand In a Major Way
You remember how Elphaba’s disabled sister Nessarose was lowkey jealous anytime her big sister got recognition for using her powers? Yeah, that’s going to play a role in how their storyline develops in this second iteration–especially when you realize that somewhere along the way, Nessarose gets a house dropped on her. (That’s not a spoiler, that’s literally in “The Wizard of Oz.” If Elphaba is the Wicked Witch of the West, what would that make her sister? Exactly.)
Now if we say anything else, we’ll get into spoiler territory so be sure to check out the trailer above and mark your calendars for “Wicked For Good” when it arrives in theaters on November 21.
Marvel star Samuel L. Jackson is opening up about a truly horrific incident he experienced years ago that almost cost him his life. And trust us when we say it was an experience he’ll likely never forget.
Speaking in a new interview on the “Mad Sad Bad” podcast, Jackson told the host that the incident occurred in New York City when he trying to get on a subway train. In some freakish turn of events, Jackson’s foot ended up being wedged in between the door of the last car in the subway and he was consequently trapped. Explaining how the train began taking off while he was still stuck and how he felt he was about to lose his life, the “Django: Unchained” star recalled:
“I got dragged by a subway train in New York… I got dragged by the A train. I was in the middle door of the last car, and it was a long-ass train station. And when the door closed on my foot, [the] train took off. So I’m sitting there thinking, I’m like, ‘Oh, f*ck, I’m going to die.’”
Jackson went on to say that he could see the tunnel coming but he was running out of time and luck as there wasn’t anything he could grab onto to get closer to the train. He revealed that the incident occurred a few days before Christmas back in 1988 and all he remembered thinking in the moment was how badly he was about to ruin the holiday that year and his birthday.
“When I was being dragged, all I could think of was, it was going to be a really sad Christmas, because it was like a few days before Christmas,” he said. “So I was going to miss my birthday and all that. I was like, ‘Damn, it’s gonna be f*cked up. It’s gonna be a f*cked up Christmas this year.’”
Thankfully, in a moment that could only be described as a true Godsend, the “Pulp Fiction” star said that a man ended up being able to pull on the emergency cord and get the train to stop. In an ironic twist, the man who did that was on crtuches, which may have been subtle foreshadowing to the help Jackson himself was going to need in the aftermath of the accident.
As a result, the legendary actor suffered a torn ACL and meniscus which led to him being on crutches for 10 months on and in physical rehab for a year. He also sued New York Transit Authority, ultimately walking away with a whopping $540,000.
When asked by the host if the incident made him have any existential realizations about his life and what it means to be on this planet, Jackson responded in the most comical way possible.
“F*ck no, I’m Black. I got my own problems, you know,” he said. “Just being. I grew up in segregation, so I’ve been, you know, dealing with, you know, existential bullsh*t my whole life.”
Glad to hear things worked out OK ultimately, but don’t scare us like this again Mr. Jackson!
I wrote just weeks ago that the prosecution is failing to make a case in the ongoing trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. But as each day goes by in the trial, one thing is becoming increasingly likely: Diddy is going to prison. Let’s talk about why.
Many were critical of the prosecution at the beginning of the trial. Putting Cassie on the stand was scandalous and provided those of us looking on from the outside much to talk about.
But this testimony did not really help the case against the man on trial. It just proved that they had a complicated relationship, but he is not on trial for being a bad partner. Then there was the way that the prosecution was behaving in the courtroom…taking their sweet time presenting their case. Cassie spent two days in the stand, and that just was not necessary. The way the government was moving in this case was slower than molasses on a cold winter day. (If you’re southern, you’ve heard that before…probably from your grandmother.)
The prosecution noticed what we all saw. And now they changed their tactics.
The trial was originally supposed to be 8 to 10 weeks long, and now some are saying it could just be 5 to 6 weeks. This means the government has started to speed up the way they are presenting their case. And this is important.
You don’t want jurors falling asleep in the courtroom listening to testimony. The prosecution needs to present a clear and short case in a way that anyone listening would understand. They did not do that at the beginning, but now they are.
Now to the charges: It’s important to remember that Diddy is not on trial for domestic abuse, nor is he on trial for merely hiring a sex worker. He is charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. They have not really proven the last two charges yet, but on the first one, they’ve started to present compelling evidence.
They must prove that he is the head of a criminal enterprise. And people are now taking the stand who can attest to that.
“Mia,”a former assistant to Combs who used a pseudonym, described the abuse — verbal, physical and sexual — she said she experienced while working for him. She painted the picture of a man who gets whatever he wants…or else. Couple that with the testimony of former assistant Capricorn Clark, who said similar things, and now we have a pattern of behavior.
Tense moments today in Diddy’s federal sex trafficking trial as prosecutors accused defense attorneys of sarcasm and humiliation during cross examination of a former employee testifying under the pseudonym, “Mia” pic.twitter.com/g6cDu7gHdK
Next, there were the sordid details of Kid Cudi’s car being set on fire. It is implied that Combs did not do this directly…instead he had others do it for him. This is evidence that he was the head of an organization that used violence to do his bidding.
Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial: Kid Cudi Says His Car Was Blown Up By Molotov Cocktail https://t.co/deA6Sxumbd
That is precisely what you need to show to get a conviction in a racketeering case. After a rocky start, the prosecution now has it’s sh*t together. We have to wait to see how the defense will try to explain everything away, but unless they have a Perry Mason like trick up their sleeve…Diddy is going away for a long time.
The beef between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump is heating up in the MAGA kitchen. But just as the saying suggests too many chefs in the kitchen could just burn the whole place down… and you already know Black America is here for all of it.
The former besties are still going at it over Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act, but in a few bombshell admissions, Musk is done playing nice. After Trump said he’s “very disappointed” in Musk’s recent criticisms, the SpaceX CEO took to X, taking all the credit for Trump’s November win and spilling more tea about one of the most notorious cases in recent history.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” Musk wrote on Thursday (June 6). And if that wasn’t shocking enough, Musk followed it up adding “Time to drop the really big bomb: [Trump] is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.”
Time to drop the really big bomb:@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.
With all the trouble in MAGA paradise, Black Twitter is having a field day. “Trump got in bed with a mentally ill rich troll. Y’all should’ve seen this coming,” @BackupHangman wrote. “Enjoy the s**tshow.”
On X, @him_cool_ wrote the feud between Musk and Trump “is colder than Kendrick vs Drake.” And he’s not wrong! Since leaving his position as the head of DOGE, Musk has had all the smoke for Trump and his legislative plans. Specifically, the Big Beautiful Bill Act aims to add trillions to the national debt and end the tax credit for electric vehicle production, and the Tesla CEO is pissed!
Many Black folks said Musk was simply using Trump to step up on the political ladder. “He’s going to leverage his time in Government to build up enough political power to actually install the next president and cabinet. That’s likely his goal,” @TitanNamedAtlas said. “Trump was a stepping stone.”
@sandyfleeks saw the bright side of the beef between the two. They celebrated the feud saying this means “no more tr*mp ads.” Another user, @RevClownn, pointed out Musk’s “tweet cant get taken down either cause he own the f****n app.”
“Sounds like he’s confessing to cheating,” @theshiningson wrote. But honestly, Musk didn’t admit to anything the American people didn’t hear before. After the November election, the president thanked Musk for knowing “those vote counting computers.” Another user, @kayIachan, clocked this saying “So he admitted to something we already knew.”
“ELECTION STOLEN: CONFIRMED,” @miss_lady_diva added. Musk’s tweets aren’t a direct admission to stealing the election. As Trump’s biggest campaign donor, Musk definitely had a strong hand in MAGA advertising and even handing out checks for folks pledging their allegiance to Trump.
“Elon buying X gave conservatives their megaphone back,” @ReiiValentinaa explained. “Less censorship, more algorithmic boost for right-wing voices..that kind of environment helped Trump’s narrative dominate again.”
I’m amazed at how few people realize that Trump’s victory wouldn’t have happened without Elon.
Elon buying X gave conservatives their megaphone back.
Less censorship, more algorithmic boost for right-wing voices..that kind of environment helped Trump’s narrative dominate…
The president drew recent criticism for his mild response to Musk’s damning accusations he’s driving America into “debt slavery.” But after Musk’s tweets, Black folks just know the president will unleash a bigger attack. “I cannot WAIT for Donald Trump to get ahold of his phone and hit back,” @MvelaseP tweeted. “The only way he has not said anything yet is because they took it away from him.”
I cannot WAIT for Donald Trump to get ahold of his phone and hit back. The only way he has not said anything yet is because they took it away from him. https://t.co/eQmZK8Gm38pic.twitter.com/jFUx9gVLz5
— Mvelase 🇵🇸🏳️🌈✊🏾🏳️⚧️🇿🇦 (@MvelaseP) June 5, 2025
While most folks were here for the breakup, there were a few folks who weren’t totally convinced. “Why do I feel like it’s just a staged feud,” @LaFaarah asked.
Now, all eyes are on Trump to see how exactly he will respond. Musk is practically begging for his former best friend to say something else, and Trump is known for his sometime inappropriate clap backs. All Americans can do now is eat their popcorn and enjoy the show!
Yesterday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrated their daughter Lilibet’s fourth birthday. To celebrate, Markle posted a hilarious video of her and hubby trying to boogie baby Lilibet out of the womb.
In the adorable clip, the couple is dancing to the track, “The Baby Momma Dance” by Starrkeisha, a popular song that pregnant women on TikTok dance to in the delivery room while waiting for their baby to be born.
Markle posted the video on her Instagram with the caption, “Four years ago this also happened. Both of our children were a week past their due dates… so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture don’t work – there was only one last thing to do!”
Though the comments on Instagram are closed, that didn’t stop fans from posting the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, to add their comments there.
“They could never make me hate her lmaooo,” one user wrote in the replies.
“I’ve been in this situation three times and never once looked this good. Meanwhile, she looks like she just stepped out of a royal portrait. Just stating facts,” wrote another user.
In the video, Prince Harry slides his way in and out of frame, showing off his sense of rhythm, but leaves his wife to be the star. And who knew that the Duchess of Sussex knows how to get down? Maybe she should be a guest performer for Beyoncé during her Cowboy Carter Tour (just sayin’).
Of course, as with anything that Meghan Markle does, she received criticism for the video.
“They are not dignifying the royal family. Royalty is cool, calm, noble, and private, but Harry and Meghan are making a mockery of the royals,” commented one user.
“This just can’t be a real baby bump. Ugh. Cringe,” wrote another.
This year’s theme for an Oakland school‘s yearbook was “Celebrating 100 years.” Parent volunteers at Montclair Elementary School took it seriously, pulling archived pictures and articles to include in their kids’ books. But despite multiple parents having multiple eyes on the final product, they seemingly missed a racial slur printed in an old article, and it didn’t take long for students to point it out.
Sloane Young’s eight-year-old daughter attends Montclair, where the error occurred. When she saw the racial slur printed in her yearbook, she went straight to her mother, a Black woman and president of the PTA. “I have a very bold, outspoken eight-year-old, and when she saw it, she said, ‘Mom, why did you allow this to go in the yearbook when you’re Black,’” Young told KTVU.
In the racist entry from 1940, an annual carnival is portrayed saying, “Boy and Girl Scouts will have charge of booths and many attractions such as n****r babies.” The photo also depicted little white kids throwing balls at Black kids with the sign “Hit the N****r Baby” painted on top.
“The description of the game, once you start Googling it, is horrific,” PTA President Young said. Hundreds of books were handed out to students, with many students getting their books signed by their peers before the mistake was recognized.
As for how such a careless mistake even happened, Young said volunteers simply didn’t read before adding to the collage. “Unfortunately, they skimmed the first paragraph of that article, and scanned it into the software we use for the yearbook,” she continued.
She continued taking full responsibly for the racist mistake under her leadership. But the Montclair community was still left with concerns and overall mistrust for the school. Brenda Mitchell, a student’s grandmother, told ABC 7, “I was like, what the hell is this?”
Mitchell continued, “This is 2025… 1900s, what do the kids need to know about?” She added, “Why would you bring that out? Why would you even put that in there? It was very inappropriate. Very inappropriate.”
Image by ABC 7 News
The school’s principal, David Kloker, invited parents last week “for a circle about racial equity” hoping to bridge the “larger narrative of racial hostility felt by some families and students” at the school. Kloker also emailed parents formally apologizing for the hurtful entry. He added how stickers would be provided for students to cover up the racial slurs… but not all of the parents were down with that idea.
“Put a sticker over it. What do you mean, put a sticker over it?” Mitchell asked. Another parent agreed, adding, “That’s unacceptable. What they should have done is collected all the yearbooks and redone them, and then passed them back out.”
In a separate email, Young announced new yearbooks have been ordered. “And I will be here all summer ensuring that every family, either the yearbook is mailed out or I swap it out for them personally,” she said. Young also announced she’s stepping down from the yearbook committee.
Halle Berry is speaking out following the backlash to a post she made on social media. But in a twist we all probably could see coming, her response isn’t what you probably expected.
As we previously told you, Berry — who’s supremely active on social media –posted a now-viral video of her and boyfriend Van Hunt laying in bed back on Mother’s Day. While there was nothing inherently wrong with that, where things went slightly left was when fans realized the “John Wick” star was commemorating the end of the holiday by telling them that she and Hunt were about to engage in some sexual relations.
However, as the video kept playing, it became clear that it was a promo for the launch of the travel size version of her Let’s Spin Intimacy Gel, designed to support menopausal women.
In the immediate aftermath, viewers responded to the “cringey” video with disdain, with many feeling like that moment was a bit too NSFW and should’ve been kept off the internet, promo be damned.
Photo: Instagram/Halle Berry
Berry finally responded to the negativity in the latest episode of “Jenna & Friends” on Wednesday. When host Jenna Bush brought up the slight stir she caused, Berry admitted that she was a bit surprised by the public reaction, specifically when it came to women who felt like she shouldn’t be talking about what’s happening in her bed, especially on Mother’s Day.
“First of all, it’s not ‘kids’ day.’ It’s Mother’s Day. Every day of the year is kids’ day, so if I wanna be in bed and spin with my man then that’s what I’m gonna do,” the “Monster’s Ball” star said. “It’s the most natural thing that we do, as women, as men.”
She further defended her video saying that for the people who felt like the video wasn’t for a “family channel” like Instagram, they should know that conversations about sex should be talked about.
“We should be allowed to talk about this in our families. We have sex. It’s the most natural thing we do,” she said. “Men do it. Women do it. And, scientifically, it’s really important that men and women still keep having orgasms and having sex into their later years because that’s how we stay healthy. That’s really a key component to longevity.”
Hmmm..does Berry have a point or should she really have kept that post in the drafts?
It seems ex-NBA veteran Lamar Odom can’t catch a break — and this latest lawsuit is no exception. According to recently filed court docs, Odom was reportedly instructed to vacate his luxe L.A. rental after the landlord sought to sue the socks off him for failing to pay back rent.
Odom — who was formerly married to Khloé Kardashian — originally moved into the property back in December 2024, agreeing to an explosive price tag of $15K per month. The fun and games have officially been cut short, as he’s yet to pay a whopping $45K in rent. Let’s just say, the landlord isn’t playing ball.
The reported sublessor of the Studio City, California mansion, Executive Recovery Group Inc. slapped a lawsuit against Odom alleging that the former Los Angeles Lakers star failed to pay the $15,000 in monthly rent for a consecutive three months between January 1 and March 31, per Sporting News.
Google
The sublessor sued Odom on March 20, citing their oral agreement to a month-to-month stay. According to docs, several notices were given during the process, including a notice to cough up the cash or leave the home on March 11. By that day, time and patience was wearing thin, as the notice warned the two-time NBA Champ that he was “required to pay said rent in full within three (3) days,” per the New York Post.
“If you fail to perform or otherwise comply, Landlord declares the forfeiture of the lease or rental agreement under which you occupy said premises,” the notice asserted, per the outlet. “At the time the 3-day notice to pay rent or quit was served, the amount of rent due was $45,000,” the lawsuit continued, citing the fair value of the premises “is $500 per day.”
Google
When the 45-year-old failed to respond to the lawsuit, the courts ruled in favor of Executive Recovery Group, rendering the former “The Kardashians” star evicted per reports.
We’re just gonna say what everyone’s thinking: Is the fan-created Kardashian Curse still lurking around? Many sure seem to think so, and the two-time NBA Champ isn’t the only ex fueling the theory. Other Kardashian-Jenner exes who’ve endured wild mishaps include the infamous Kanye West — aka Ye — Kris Humphries, Ray J, Travis Scott, Damon Thomas, and Tyga.
Whether it’s extreme injuries or bombshell controversies like the AstroWorld Festival tragedy, it seems this alleged Kardashian curse — fueled entirely by fan speculation — may still have some in a chokehold.
Apparently, the artificial intelligence that Black folks predicted would only add racial discrimination and bias to technology has… now learned to fight back. Facial recognition and job application sifting might be the least of our worries it seems.
Palisade Research, an AI safety group, released the results of its AI testing when they asked a series of models to solve basic math problems. The research company said that after the third problem, a warning would pop up saying the computer would shut down after the model was asked to solve another equation.
“It’s great that we’re seeing warning signs before the systems become so powerful we can’t control them. That is exactly the time to raise the alarm: before the fire has gotten out of control,” said Palisade Research Director Jeffrey Ladish via NBC News. “The problem is that as the models get smarter, it’s harder and harder to tell when the strategies that they’re using or the way that they’re thinking is something that we don’t want. It’s like sometimes the model can achieve some goal by lying to the user or lying to someone else. And the smarter [it] is, the harder it is to tell if they’re lying.”
AI’s seemingly self-awareness doesn’t stop there either. Anthropic reported that a new AI system, Claude Opus 4, displayed a tendency to (and I’m not even joking) blackmail the engineer by threatening to expose an alleged affair when said engineer was trying to replace it. They also found instances of Opus “attempting to write self-propagating worms, fabricating legal documentation, and leaving hidden notes to future instances of itself all in an effort to undermine its developers’ intentions.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump wants to rollback state oversight on AI and invest $500 million into seeping AI further into government systems.
For decades, the Job Corps program served as the anchor for young adults seeking to transition into the workforce. But now, the Department of Labor delivered devastating news that all Job Corps centers will pause operations nationwide by June 30, 2025. The shocking news has left thousands of young people and families unsure about their future, and communities nationwide enraged.
The federally funded program served as a cornerstone for providing free education and vocational training to young Americans aged 16 to 24. The news came as a shock to many students in targeted cities such as Detroit, St. Louis, and several others when they were notified to clear their rooms and exit the premises. Families in various cities scrambled to help their children move out of the centers, while others had nowhere to go.
According to The Hill, the Labor Secretary said the program no longer achieves “the intended outcomes that students deserve,” citing “a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis.”
The Root spoke with Illinois attorney Henderson Banks ,who explained the unlawful measures taken by the Trump administration to dismantle the Job Corps program.
“What the Trump administration and the Department of Labor is doing is not what legislation stated or enacted for the program or certain job sites to be dismantled.” Banks shared. “There’s an administrative process that was not followed, which gives those contractors who received and depended on funding a claim against the Trump administration and the Department of Labor to sue the government. The way that the program was discontinued was illegal.”
Banks further discussed these actions are enough to file a lawsuit against the administration. “I would say they don’t it’s not readily apparent that they have a a claim based on discrimination,” he explained. “They could potentially have a claim for a class action or a claim against the Department of Labor for not following the administrative process that they should have followed in order to dismantle the program.”
Families and communities were stunned by the Job Corps’ sudden pause. One TikTok user shared that the government wants young people to be homeless. “They want minors ages 16 to 24 to be homeless,” the TikTok user said, “because that’s what going to happen.
Reports show that 47% of the students are African American, and some are saying that this was a targeted move. “The nationwide shutdown of Job Corps feels like an attack,” another TikTok user said. “People went to Job Corps when they had nowhere else to go; this was a resource for them.”
Conspiracy theorists believe that the removal of Job Corp is timely given the shortage of military enlistments. “They’re shutting down JobCorps to boost military enlistments,” an X user shared. “Military recruitment has been at an all time low for the past couple years.”
In 2020, military recruitment dropped down 58% due to COVID. Between 2023 and 2024, there has been a uptick in enrollment, increasing by 12.8% across all military branches, but they did not successfully meet their fiscal year goals. According to reports, the Army is expected to surpass its goal with new enlistments.
Online users share stories on how Job Corps saved their lives while expressing their disbelief at the closing of the centers. “Job Corps actually saved my life,” an X commenter posted. “I was at the end of the road and had nowhere else to turn to. I couldn’t afford to finish college, I was homeless at 17, working meaningless part-time jobs. That is the reality for so many people at job corps.”
Job corps actually saved my life. I was at the end of the road and had nowhere else to turn to. I couldn’t afford to finish college, I was homeless at 17, working meaningless part time jobs. That is the reality for so many people at job corps. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PrINugWmkU
Others shared their frustration on how the Trump administration is stripping away resources for young adults. “Job Corps can sometimes be the only means for low-income kids to find opportunity in a world that doesn’t want them to thrive,” a Thread user shared. “Trust me, I’ve been there – Job Corp saved my ass from homelessness and got me into a trade school at 17 yrs old. This move by this administration is f**king diabolical and further proof that they don’t give a sh*t about helping those kids that need it the most.”
It has been 23 years since the horrific incident that was 9/11, and since then, there have been multiple investigations and conspiracy theories about the terrifying event. Now a new question is being asked: Was there a fifth plane? Well, what TMZ’s Harvey Levin, has to tell you might just shock you!
According to Levin, United Flight 23 was grounded when the World Trade Center was hit, but it could have been the fifth plane the hijackers planned to use in the terror attacks. In a TikTok clip, Levin revealed one of the shocking things that came out of TMZ’s investigation. In the short video, he says the pilot of the “would-be doomed plane” believes that the box cutters found under his seat pocket were meant to slit his throat.
TMZ’s documentary “TMZ Investigates: 9/11: Plane Five,” also claims a few people in first class were acting fishy that morning.
The pilot of United Flight 23 — the would-be FIFTH doomed plane in the 9/11 attack — made a TERRIFYING discovery. We lay out ALL THE INFORMATION THE GOVERNMENT TRIED TO BURY in our special, ‘TMZ Investigates: 9/11: The Fifth Plane’ — watch NOW on YouTube at the 🔗 in bio.
Suspicions surrounding United Flight 23 were not included in the official 9/11 Commission Report. Furthermore, the FBI has not publicly released their findings. However, the organization has acknowledged it as an “active investigation”
Theory sounds far fetched? Maybe but comments under the TMZ’s TikTok post were filled with people who believed it one hundred per cent.
“I worked at United during this time, and that info had been kept quiet for years… But we FA’s [flight attendants] and pilots knew it,” wrote one user.
“I watched this [documentary] tonight. I was a flight attendant for 25 years (another carrier), it becomes instant to read emotions and body language of passengers. You just know when something is off,’ wrote another user.
This was a reference to the fact that in the TMZ documentary, three flight attendants, the pilot, the United dispatcher, and a member of the 9/11 Commission each pointed towards suspicious passengers who were “too eager to get into the air.”
The pilot also suspected that two passengers running through the plane’s cabin after the flight was evacuated may have been trying to get weapons and incriminating evidence off the plane.
Other commenters believed that this was nothing interesting and not newsworthy.
“Watched it. Don’t waste your time. Most likely accurate, but basically just says there were more people involved than the people on the crashed planes. Duh,’ wrote one user.
There is never a dull moment in the federal sex crime trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Though we’re awaiting testimony from another bombshell witness, Wednesday was packed with new information we’ve been desperately waiting for – including the details behind an alleged balcony dangling.
He confirmed on the stand that the footage was not manually altered or showed signs of tampering and also said the timestamps in videos don’t always accurately reflect the time of day. He also compiled the video clips to “track the movement of individuals inside the events.” He also confirmed that in any way the video seemed “cut” was because the motion sensors trigger a change in time stamps.
Piazza also said he enhanced 10 sex videos recovered from Ventura’s laptop dated from between 2012 and 2014. The videos were entered as sealed evidence.
A Horrifying Balcony Incident
Bryana Bongolan took the stand Wednesday to testify to an incident she cited in her lawsuit from 2016 when she claimed Combs dangled her over a 17-story balcony. Bongolan testified that she was standing on Ventura’s balcony when Combs came up behind her, lifted her up and held her on top of the balcony railing – 17 stories high. Combs yelled, “Do you know what the f*ck you did?” he repeatedly yelled at her.
Bongolan said she sustained injuries including a severe bruise on her leg, neck pain as well as night terrors. Bongolan testified that she was unclear why Combs had directed his rage toward her. However, afterwards, she told Combs she didn’t want any problems with him and also refused to call the police in fear of him. Before she filed her lawsuit, she testified that a friend called her to tell her Combs wanted to work out a settlement.
Outside of this horrifying incident, Bongolan also said she witnessed abuse against Ventura, citing an incident where Combs allegedly threw a knife at the singer. Court ended Wednesday with the defense trying to poke holes in Bongolan’s recollection of the balcony incident. They are expected to pick up cross-examination Thursday.
Who’s Next?
Another Combs accuser who will be referred to under the alias “Jane” is expected to take the stand tomorrow. Prosecutors said before she’s called, they will bring another expert witness to explain the formatting of text messages that will be shown during her testimony.
About Diddy’s Federal Sex Crime Case
The allegations against Combs of sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses were first brought forth by ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy Records signee Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a lawsuit. The most notable claims were about his so-called “freak off” sex parties, where prosecutors allege the singer was drugged and forced to perform sexual acts with male sex workers at Combs’ pleasure. Ventura’s suit says she was ordered to hire the workers herself. He was also accused of using video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance. The two settled the day after the suit was filed.
Combs is facing multiple counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. His indictment cites three anonymous victims in addition to Ventura. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail.
If you’ll remember, the last update we told you about came back in mid-May after Bailey was granted court-ordered restraining order from DDG, citing allegations of physical and verbal abuse. As a result, DDG has to stay 100 yards away from “The Little Mermaid” star and is barred from posting about her and their son on social media. The judge who granted the order of protection also ruled that Bailey can take Halo with her to Italy while she works on her latest film project.
Now, it looks like DDG doesn’t want that to happen as evidenced by the latest legal move he enacted on Wednesday. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the streamer is seeking an emergency hearing to prevent Bailey from taking Halo overseas citing the “Angel” singer’s mental state and previous incidents that allegedly point to her mental instability. He’s also asking the court for sole legal and physical custody of their son. If he doesn’t get that, then he’s requesting that “custodial exchanges be facilitated by a third party.”
In one incident, he claimed that when she was still pregnant, Bailey took his gun outside for no reason without telling him where she was going with it. In another, he alleged that the “Do It” singer tried to get an abortion without his knowledge, but she ultimately decided not to.
The third thing he cited is the fact that, two months after Halo was born, Bailey allegedly sent him “a series of alarming text messages threatening to kill herself and suggesting that their infant son, Halo, might also be harmed.”
DDG has filed for an emergency court order to block Halle Bailey from taking their child to Italy.
In the filing, he accuses her of:
▫️ Repeated threats of self-harm and alarming texts suggesting harm to both herself and the child.
Screenshots of those aforementioned texts were released on social media shortly after news of DDG’s filing went public. In them, Bailey did threaten to take her life–but it was in response to him allegedly sleeping with another woman while they were supposed to be in a relationship. The texts also show Bailey expressing her anger over DDG’s alleged lack of help with her and the baby; how he allegedly talked bad about her to his fans, other women and his family; how much she’d rather not he alive than to deal with him “ruining” her.
What should be noted her is, if the timeline of these texts are correct, than this conversation also happened when Bailey was going through severe postpartum depression.
She opened up about it back in April 2024–just three months after giving birth, saying at the time in part:
“Before I had a child and I would hear people talk about postpartum, it would kind of just go in one ear and out the other. I didn’t realize how serious of a thing it actually was. Now going through it, it almost feels like you’re swimming in this ocean that’s like the biggest waves you’ve ever felt and you’re trying not to drown. And you’re trying to come up for air.”
Additionally, once the texts and DDG’s filing made its way to social media, many were outraged at the narrative they believe the streamer is trying to paint of Bailey. Some users called him out for trying to weaponize her postpartum while others felt like this was justification as to why he should get the child.
DDG sick as fuck. those ss dont prove his innocence nor does it prove anything ab halle either. its textbook postpartum/reactive abuse & as someone who survived YEARS of domestic abuse, THIS is how men get away with it. pushing people to the point of insanity then playing victim.
“DDG sick as fuck. those ss dont prove his innocence nor does it prove anything ab halle either. its textbook postpartum/reactive abuse & as someone who survived YEARS of domestic abuse, THIS is how men get away with it. pushing people to the point of insanity then playing victim,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
“DDG is using the typical abuser handbook right now and I’m not falling for it, and I will stick beside Halle Bailey till the end. She was going through postpartum depression while he was being an absent father she can crash out if she wants too idc,” said another.
Added another: “Halle bailey be doing that little soft sweet innocent voice the entire time she needs to be put in a straight jacket.”
“Halle Bailey doing all this and claiming ddg to be the agressor is hilarious bro,” another user said.
Why, of course legendary award-winning actor Will Smith would have his own movie trailer – which is arguably one of the largest mobile homes in the freakin’ world. Let’s get into the specs.
The trailer, named “The Heat,” costs $2.5 million, for starters. It has two stories, an expanding roof, automatic shades, a 100-inch drop-down screen and a 30-person screening room that also purposes as an office, per Auto Evolution. When he’s not using it, the report says Smith rents it out for $9,000 a week.
With a full kitchen, dining lounge, wardrobe and a $25,000 bathroom stacked with a sauna shower and dry toilet? I wouldn’t even want to leave this place to get onto a movie set. At this point, you must be dying to see what the inside looks like. Keep scrolling for a sneak peak.
Outside of Motorhome
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
Expanding panels on the bottom floor allow for much more space inside.
Pivot View
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
From this angle, it’s evident this trailer is massive.
Lounge Space
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
More than enough seats inside here to get comfortable and relax.
Dining Area
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
Perfect dining set up for guests.
Details
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You see that column? This ain’t your typical trailer.
Interior
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
Have you ever seen a trailer this bougie?
Kitchen
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
No restrictions here. You have access to every kitchen appliance you may need.
Vanity Station
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
Every trailer needs a space for hair and makeup.
Wardrobe
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
More than enough space for the actor’s clothing.
Bathroom
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
The sauna shower elevates this typical bathroom to luxury.
Stairs
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
A wooden, detailed railing just as you would see in your average home.
Upstairs Interior
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
Plenty of space for screening and perfect area to catch some outside views.
Upstairs View
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
The space can fit up to 30 people.
Bedroom
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
Natural light truly upgrades any room.
Bedroom
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
The room may seem narrow but its length makes up for it.
Tiny Desk Area
Enes Yilmazer (YouTube)
At the end of your bed, you have a small space to get work done
HBO’s hit series, “Sex and The City,” along with the revival series, “And Just Like That…” has never failed to give us the weekly drama, comedic antics, and touching moments among the four leading ladies. While we love Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha, the Black characters who’ve appeared throughout the series added a new layer of relatability that we needed. From the cameos to the ongoing roles, these characters put a little “extra sauce” to the storylines. Here’s a look of all of the Black characters that made an impact on the show.
Adeena Williams
Image: Vanity Fair
Introduced in Season 3, the beautiful, charming restaurateur, Adeena Williams, made a memorable impact with her presence and strong opinions. Williams vocalized her objection to her brother, Chivon, dating Samatha Jones — citing cultural differences. The disapproval led to a major confrontation with Hobbes and the ending of relationship with her brother.
Chivon Williams
The fine record executive, Chivon Williams, briefly dated Samantha Jones which created an undeniable on-screen chemistry. Their blossoming romance came to a complete halt when Chivon’s sister, Adeena, disapproved of Jones. Ultimately, Williams ended the relationship with Jones.
Dr. Robert Leeds
Dr. Robert Leeds, portrayed by Blair Underwood, was introduced as a sports medicine doctor for the New York Knicks, who quickly developed a romantic connection with Miranda Hobbes. Despite their love connection, the relationship came to an end when Hobbes realizes she still has feelings for ex boyfriend, Steve Brady, and decided to reunite with him.
Louise
Louise, played by Jennifer Hudson, was introduced as Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant in the blockbuster film, “Sex and The City: The Movie.” A bright and ambitious young women from St. Louis, Louise brought fresh energy to the big screen. She also becomes both an assistant and a confidante to Bradshaw, helping the protagonist navigate a challenging breakup with Mr. Big. Eventually moving back to St. Louis to marry her boyfriend, Louise still left an impactful mark on Carrie. Hudson’s role was notable as she was the first major Black female character in the Sex and The City franchise.
In the revival series, “And Just Like That…” Karen Pittman portrayed Dr. Nya Wallace, a tenured Columbia Law School professor who evolved from as Miranda’s professor to close friend. Her storyline was captivating as it focused on her personal struggle with infertility, evolving feelings about motherhood, and the challenges in her marriage with musician husband, Andre Rashad.
The actress had reoccurring roles in season 2 but ultimately made the decision not to return in season 3.
Lisa Wexley, the successful documentarian and mother of three, grows a budding relations with Charlotte York in “And Just Like That.”Portrayed by Nicole Ari Parker, Lisa is married to Herbert Wexley, a prominent finance executive with his eye on his political career.
Herbert Wexley
Wexley is a successful banker and devoted husband of Lisa Todd Wexley. Together, they are portrayed as an influential Black couple in New York’s high society. While he actively supports his wife’s thriving career, Wexley is also running for public office and navigating the challenges of balancing professional ambitions with his family life.
When you think about Black women and plastic surgery, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) a backside enhancement procedure that takes fat from other parts of the body to enhance the booty. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, BBL surgeries increased by over 90 percent between 2015 and 2019, making it one of the fastest growing procedures. But now, Black TikTok is buzzing with conversation about a different type of plastic surgery – ethnic rhinoplasty.
If you’re asking yourself, “Why ethnic rhinoplasty?” the Asli Tarcan Clinic in Istanbul describes ethnic rhinoplasty as more culturally inclusive than traditional nose jobs, saying on their website that the procedure is designed to help patients get the look they want while keeping their unique ethnic features. If you’re asking yourself, “Why Turkey?” it’s likely all about the deal. Asli Tarcan estimates the cost of having the procedure done in Turkey as between $2,500 and $10,000, compared to $8,000 to $18,000 in the United States and $10,000 to $20,000 in Europe.
But Black TikTok is divided over whether or not the result is worth the pain and the expense.
TikToker @dollfacebritt showed before and after images of herself after having the procedure done in Turkey, writing “So happy i went there instead of paying an arm & a leg,” on her post.
User @kristoniathedoll says the procedure isn’t a big deal, adding that having work done on your nose has nothing to do with wanting to look white and is more about aesthetic enhancement – no different than wearing a wig or lashes.
TikToker @wrmxhsszs was not shy about adding her opinion to the conversation. In a recent post, she called the look the “Whoville special,” adding that the nose the patients come home with doesn’t even look human.
“What is your inspiration? What picture are they taking to these doctors in Turkey and showing them that they want? Are y’all asking for that? Is that what you want it to look like?” she asked in her post.
TikTok user @briannadiane is afraid of the trend catching on. She says people are born with noses that fit their faces and suggests that people who have ethnic rhinoplasty will never run out of things they think they need to fix.
“The thing is, you can keep fixing things, but it’s never gonna stop. That’s why people who have a lot of money end up looking botched,” she said in a post. “They just keep on going and modifying themselves until they no longer look like themselves anymore.”
Bryana Bongolan, a friend to Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and designer, took the stand Wednesday to testify about her experience with the singer and Combs. Bongolan testified that she became friends with Ventura while the singer was dating Combs. They spent a lot of time doing drugs together, though occasionally making attempts at getting sober.
Bongolan said once, when she went on a shopping spree with Ventura, Combs randomly sent Ventura a list of all the places the women had been despite them not telling him. The two went back to Ventura’s apartment after the cryptic message, Bongolan said.
One night, she recalled Ventura answering the door to Combs throwing a knife at her from the entry way. Ventura threw it back but it didn’t strike him, Bongolan said. On another occasion, at a photoshoot, Bongolan testified that Combs got in her face and said, “I’m the devil and I could kill you.”
After these moments, Bongolan said she was scared of Combs which is why she never reported him to the police.
The Balcony Incident
In September of 2016, Bongolan testified that she and her ex-girlfriend were asleep on Ventura’s couch when Combs came banging at the door again. Bongolan said she hid her ex in a guest bathroom and then stepped out onto the balcony to seem “casual.” Bongolan said as she was about to light a joint, Combs came up behind her, lifted her up and held her on top of the balcony railing — 17 stories high.
Combs then allegedly grabbed her chest before holding her up by her armpits, she testified. “Do you know what the f*ck you did?” he repeatedly yelled at her. Bongolan says she doesn’t know “what she did.” Bongolan said she was then thrown onto the balcony furniture. As a result, she testified that she sustained various injuries including a severe bruise on her leg, neck pain as well as night terrors.
Bongolan testified that she was unclear why Combs had directed his rage toward her. However, afterwards, she told Combs she didn’t want any problems with him and also refused to call the police in fear of him. The last time she saw him was in 2018 at a party in Miami.
The next time she heard from Combs was in 2024. Bongolan testified that one of her longtime music producer friends called her, saying he was authorized by the rapper to talk with her about a settlement. A month or so later, she filed her lawsuit. She’s demanding $10 million in damages.
Diddy’s Sex Crime Case
The allegations against Combs of sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses were first brought forth by ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy Records signee Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a lawsuit. The most notable claims were about his so-called “freak off” sex parties, where prosecutors allege the singer was drugged and forced to perform sexual acts with male sex workers at Combs’ pleasure. Ventura’s suit says she was ordered to hire the workers herself. He was also accused of using video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance. The two settled the day after the suit was filed.
Combs is facing multiple counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. His indictment cites three anonymous victims in addition to Ventura. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail.
Retired NBA star Gilbert Arenas is back in the headlines – -but it’s not regarding the scary car accident his son was in recently. Instead, it’s for the comments he recently made about New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns…and let’s just say social media isn’t pleased!
Arenas’ words were publicized in the latest episode of his popular podcast, “Gil’s Arena,” where he regularly talks all things basketball with cohosts Josiah Johnson, Kenyon Martin, and Brandon Jennings.
Conversing about the latest run of the Knicks, who lost to the Indiana Pacers and didn’t advance to the NBA finals, Arenas attributed the team’s loss mostly to Towns. He then went even further, blaming Town’s physical stature as the reason why the Knicks aren’t as successful as they could be. In the moment, his cohosts tried to laugh it off and get him to see that he was exaggerating things, but Arenas didn’t back down.
“It’s him, it’s his physical makeup. Long legs, short torso, big ass feet. There’s nothing he can do, he’s built like a whole f*cking b*tch. He’s built like a female,” Arenas said. “Am I saying something wrong? He’s built like a girl. He has girl hips. He’s like a full WNBA player.”
Gilbert Arenas says Karl-Anthony Towns is built like a “b*tch,” has the body of a WNBA player, and has “girl hips.” 😳
When the clip hit the social media streets, a lot of people took issue with the former Orlando Magic player with many saying he took it way too far and wasn’t that talented when he was playing to be talking about Towns that way.
“KAT spent 9 seasons on what is historically one of the worst teams in North American sports and still has a higher career wining percentage than Gilbert Arenas. He is also a better person, which is a bonus,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
Not that it matters, but I hope that Gilbert Arenas knows that Karl-Anthony Towns is a better basketball player than he was.
In news that can only be described as “wait, are you serious?” there’s new drama brewing between Brian McKnight and his brother Claude. And believe us when we tell you, it’s setting social media ablaze.
As we previously told you, on May 30, the news broke that Brian’s estranged son Niko passed away after a battle with cancer. His uncle Claude was the one who actually shared the news on TikTok and it subsequently went viral and garnered sympathetic reactions online. However, while the occasion should’ve been understandably somber, things took a messy turn thanks to a post Brian made on Instagram on Tuesday.
In it, Brian blasted his brother for the “tasteless and self aggrandizing” announcement he made about his son’s death and claimed that he asserted himself in something that he shouldn’t have. He also claimed that his brother turned his son’s death into a circus and further called out Niko’s mother for allegedly not allowing him to get to communicate with him or accept help from him in his final days.
“He [Claude] inserted himself and used Niko’s death as an opportunity, instead of letting him pass with respect and dignity. It has instead turned into a circus, a mockery of a life now lost, making this tragedy into a reality show type drama,” Brian wrote.
He continued:
“While that was unfolding my family and I flew home to Maui and had a private memorial remembering him, and all the good times. The last time he and I spoke, we offered him all the help we could provide, we had the number one oncologist on deck for him and a team of specialists on standby with private care in our home . He and his mother declined. The door of communication was open and remained open until his death.”
Photo: Instagram/Brian McKnight
He went on to say that he was grateful that his son’s suffering was finally over and thanked those offering kind words and condolences.
However, there weren’t too many people offering up words of support. Specifically when it came to Black men, countless ones took to social media to express their utter disdain about how the “Back At One” singer allegedly treated his son and the aftermath of his death.
“May Brian McKnight never sing another note ever again in his Black ass life. I hope he has laryngitis until the day he goes to hell. F*ck ass bastard. And wife, you ain’t shit either ho. Rest In Peace to Niko McKnight. Sending love to everyone with ain’t sh*t daddies,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
May Brian McKnight never sing another note ever again in his Black ass life.
I hope he has laryngitis until the day he goes to hell.
“‘My son could’ve had better medical care if he simply bent the knee.’ Wrote his son’s name in the sand with a bottle of Henny like he was simply some dude in his touring band. Brian McKnight is a scum bag. LOL” one other user wrote.
Added another, “The fact that Brian McKnight really just lost his son and didn’t try to reconcile or even go see him before he passed says how trash of a person he is. On top of that, he’s going on w/ his life like he didn’t help make that child.”
Over on TikTok, similar sentiments were expressed.
“Brian McKnight, I don’t see how anyone supports him. He is just ugh…his whole thing with his son and his other children is just…Brian McKnight just needs to shut up,” said user Terrance Allen.
“Dudes like Brian mcknight is pure b*tches,” said user RealBallerDev21.
He later added, “What kind of father watches their son on their deathbed and just leaves them out to dry. How can you even call yourself a father, doing some goofy sh*t?”
When scrolling through your TikTok feed, you probably aren’t stopping to watch content generated by a 70-something-year-old white woman. But if that woman is wearing glasses, a smart bob and a cozy sweater, it’s probably writer and influencer Anne Abel, and you might want to take a minute or two to hear what she has to say. The best way to describe her content is cozy, eccentric and totally random. You can easily find yourself losing several hours watching her show you what’s inside her Longchamp bag (which, in case you were wondering, includes everything from an orthopedic boot to a turkey sandwich and dog treats). But it gets darker.
You’ll get all caught up in her morning routine, which starts at 6 am and includes making coffee and oatmeal, reading the newspaper, exercising and making an omelette for her dog.
And you’ll either smile or side-eye her dog’s lavish wedding. That’s right, she had people dress up for a dog wedding in her apartment.
“Anne and her husband appear to live in a bubble of wealth. She seems to be a bit out of touch with what is normal out here in the rest of the world,” wrote someone on TikTok.
But while most people can agree that all of that is just content from a well-meaning white woman who has way too much money and time on her hands, the video that has made her one of the most polarizing figures on social media is a story time in which she seems to call one of her daughters-in-law ungrateful for refusing to accept a gift of a $750 sweater.
“It was so obnoxious, if she didn’t want it, if she wasn’t comfortable wearing it, she could have given it to someone else, she could have given it to a clothing drive,” Abel said in her now-deleted post.
Abel may have lost a few fans with this post, as people who have watched the video are outraged that she would air her family’s dirty laundry in public.
“Wait, no one else finds it off putting that you’d tell this story and call her out in public like this? At least she had the decency to say how she feels to your face and in private,” wrote someone on Instagram.
TikToker @meredithmlynch blames Abel’s rant on unresolved childhood trauma, and suggests that accepting the expensive gift could come at a price to her daughter-in-law.
“I think that Anne uses gifts and money as a form of control, because she clearly has a lot of it,” she said in her post.
If you’ve come this far and are scratching your head wondering why this woman has close to 200,000 followers on TikTok, you’re really going to be confused when you learn that Black people are riding hard for Anne Abel – most who feel like she’s just an everyday, straight-shooter who just happens to have a lot more money than the rest of us.
Te-Erika told her TikTok followers that she’s “obsessed” with Abel, adding that even when she’s showing off her fabulous New York City lifestyle, she comes off as accessible.
“From the minute I found her, I can’t stop thinking about her. But I’m still trying to figure out why I’m so obsessed,” she said. “It’s just something about her that feels relatable. She’s not trying to impress us, she’s just showing us that this is her life.
Gen X TikToker @angelbabee agrees and says she’s here for Abel and all of her “rich Boomer drama,” adding that she feels she can learn a lot from the Manhattan grandma.
“I just enjoy her content. I find it refreshing. I feel like I learn from it,” she said in a post. “I love how eloquently she speaks.”
Another Black Anne fan summed their obsession with her up in one word, calling her “QUEEN 💕💕💕” on TikTok.
Love her or hate her, people are definitely watching Anne Abel, and we’re pretty sure they’re going to want to see if she spill any more family tea in her memoir set to hit bookstore shelves in the fall.
Fans of the NFL’s New York Jets are used to post-season disappointment from their team whose only Super Bowl win came in 1969 and whose last playoff appearance was in 2010. Those who choose to remain faithful to Gang Green despite their less-than-winning ways are probably thinking the team could use a miracle to get another shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Well, the team ownership has heard their cry and has answered their prayers in the form of a new head coach who is taking a controversial approach to leading his team.
The Jets hired Aaron Glenn, former Defensive Coordinator for the Detroit Lions as their Head Coach for the 2025 season to replace interim Head Coach Jeff Ulbrich. Even though there are still a few months before the start of the season, Glenn already has fans divided after word got out that he has incorporated Bible study into the team’s training.
“The Jets have a Bible study? AG I love you,” read a May 29 post on X which included what appears to be a copy of one of the lessons taken from Jets safety Jarius Monroe’s Instagram stories. The Root has not confirmed if the picture is actually Monroe’s.
The picture has started a heated debate over whether or not there should be a separation of church and sports.
One commenter thinks Glenn’s approach is exactly what the Jets need to turn things around, writing “Super Bowl it is” on X.
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was convicted of a felony connection to his violent actions against a Black woman in 2023 outside a supermarket. Despite having faced a decade in prison, his sentence just got turned into a slap on the wrist.
Prosecutors accused him of using his LASD radio to mislead his colleagues that he was “in a fight” when he was obviously dominating the woman per the videos, the report says. As a result, the lady suffered head trauma and injuries to her arms and wrists.
Following a three-day trial, he was found guilty of a felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law, putting him at risk of 10 years in prison. However, upon the swearing in of a new U.S. attorney, the government doubled back and hired a third party to review the case, per The Los Angeles Times. They then asked the court to allow them to offer the deputy a misdemeanor plea deal despite the jury verdict. Kirk was then facing only a year in prison.
U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson granted the request Monday, sentencing Kirk to only four measly months in prison. This decision comes around the same time President Donald Trump released an executive order vowing to “unleash high-impact local police forces and protect and defend law enforcement officers wrongly accused and abused by State or local officials.”
We’re not saying politics influenced the government’s change of heart in the case. Though, even the judge was taken aback by the sudden shift.
“In my view, the jury verdict was fully supported and the case was not unfairly argued, as the government at some early point argued,” said Judge Wilson, via the Los Angeles Times. “The job of a police officer is a very difficult one … but with those factors in mind, there is a responsibility to act appropriately.”
After the devastating news that one of singer Brian McKnight Sr.’s sons died of cancer, many were shocked to find out the “Still in Love” singer never made any efforts to contact him while he was alive. With years of ongoing drama coming to a breaking point now, we’re unpacking the strange and almost unbelievable timeline surrounding McKnight and the children he refuses to claim.
McKnight married his first wife, singer Julie McKnight, in 1990. The couple lasted for over a decade, and together they had two sons. Like any loving father, McKnight named his eldest boy Brian McKnight Jr. Following in his father’s footsteps, Brian Jr. has since released his own music.
The ex-couple’s second son, Nikolas, worked as a photographer in California. His mother confirmed he sadly passed away after a two year battle with cancer. Over the years, Niko and his father have gone back and forth on social media, but it wasn’t always bad blood between the family. Here’s where everything went wrong…
After Julie and McKnight got a divorce in 2003, he was still an active part of his sons’ lives. Niko even performed with his dad on FOX’s “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet” in 2008. McKnight eventually married his second wife, Leilani Malia Mendoza in 2017. Just a couple years later, the family dynamics began shifting drastically.
In 2019, McKnight hinted at tensions between him and his kids. “I’ve never missed a day of child support,” he said in a video. “I’ve never done anything adverse to my children whatsoever. I’ve always been there. I’ve always been there with advice, whether they took it or not.”
Brian Jr clapped back on Facebook saying, “I don’t think there is any situation that merits the way my father has chosen to treat my brother, my sisters, and his grandchildren, one of which being his first born’s, first born son, who also bares our name.”
McKnight eldest daughter, Briana, also spoke out during this time saying although her father’s estrangement hurts her, she’s thankful that her brothers filled in the gaps. Her mother, Patricia Driver, gave birth while McKnight was still married to his first wife.
In 2023, McKnight and his wife, Leilani, gave birth to their first child together, a son named… wait for it… Brian McKnight Jr., not to be confused with his oldest son with the same name. In response to the double junior debacle, Brian Jr. (the first one) said “I’m not ashamed of the name my ancestors had. I’ll never change the name my own son now has. We are witnessing an obscene level of self hate, that has reached mental illness status at this point.”
McKnight then came out in 2024 calling his eldest children a “product of sin,” which as you can expect reignited flames between the estranged family. Julie called out her ex-husband saying, “The point at the end of every negative situation… it’s to only keep you down to where they thought they had you because they were the author of an extremely abusive situation emotionally, mentally,” on Instagram.
Niko did address his father’s “product of sin” comment on X, amid his personal battle with cancer. He died one year later at age 32. McKnight now refers to his stepchildren and his infant son as his only kids.
It’s the fourth week already of the federal sex crime trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs. To keep you from having to read through everyone’s testimonies from today, we’ve prepared a recap of what went down in the courtroom. Today’s court hearing was eventful to say the least…
Courtroom Housekeeping
Y’all, not one but a few people were kicked out of the courtroom today. A woman who was yelling disruptively outside the courtroom was escorted off property by officers.
“Diddy, these m*therf**kers laughing at you,” she shouted, per PEOPLE. “You’re laughing at a Black man’s legacy… pull your gun out ninja, I dare you!”
Reports say Combs turned back in his seat to see where the commotion was coming from. It didn’t stop there. Another man who went to YouTube identifying previous witness “Mia” by her real name and not her alias for trial was also removed from the courtroom and barred from returning by Judge Arun Subramanian. The judge also ordered any other person who revealed the woman’s true identity to be barred from the courtroom.
The Tea Behind The Cassie/Diddy Hotel Video
Eddy Garcia, former hotel security guard for the InterContinental Hotel, testified that he was a security officer at the time of the domestic incident between Combs and ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in March of 2016.
Garcia said Combs then took the phone, nervously trying to explain himself and saying the video could ruin him if it got out. Garcia told Khorram she would have to file a subpoena to get the video. However, she showed up in the lobby requesting again to see the video. After declining her request again, Garcia told her, “Off the record, it’s bad.”
Later, Garcia says he got a call on his personal phone from Khorram despite not having given her his personal number, and spoke to Combs again who then tried to offer money for a copy of the footage. Garcia said after informing his boss the rapper was willing to pay for the video, the man said he would “do it for 50.” He then called back Combs through Khorram’s phone number to confirm the transaction.
“Eddy, my angel, I knew you could help. I knew you could do it,” Garcia said Combs told him.
The next day, Garcia said his boss downloaded the video onto a thumb drive and proceeded to order Garcia to meet up with Combs at an address. There, Garcia said he was asked to confirm that was the only copy of the video, engaged in a video call with Ventura who was ordered by Combs to say she wanted the video gone and also ordered to show his identification before signing an NDA. Garcia said he was handed $100,000 in cash by Combs, which he split with his colleagues who accompanied him to the meeting.
Former CFO of Combs Enterprises Talks Logistics
Derek Ferguson, former chief financial officer from 1998 to 2017, took the stand to testify on the rapper’s spending. Ferguson talked logistics, explaining how both he and the rapper were signatories on the business bank accounts, senior executives of the company had corporate cards and that business and personal expenses from Combs were charged to the cards as well. He also said at times, third parties helped manage Combs’ personal finances. Ferguson also confirmed the company taxes were done correctly and denied seeing anyone “enhance” Combs’ reputation through acts of prostitution.
The bombshell details of his direct examination came from receipts of Combs’ bank transfers presented by the prosecutors. They presented a $20,000 wire transfer to Cassie Ventura, an incoming wire transfer of the same amount from her father and a return of the same funds back to Ventura’s father. Ventura’s mother previously testified that out of retaliation for Ventura’s alleged affair with Kid Cudi, combs demanded $20k in restitution from her family, forcing the singer’s parents to take out a home equity loan. Ventura’s mother confirmed she received the money back days later.
Who’s up next?
Prosecutors said they plan on calling forensic expert Frank Piazza, Bryana Bongolan who sued Combs for allegedly dangling her over a 17th-story balcony and another one of Combs’ accusers labeled “Jane” whose testimony is expected to take nearly as long as Ventura’s week-long testimony, per CNN.
Judge Arun Subramanian granted a request from prosecutors to keep evidence from being shown on video for the public to protect the woman’s identity. In addition to video, tons of text messages are also expected to be presented in Jane’s testimony.
Some folks took to the grill to barbecue while others took to the lake to fish on Memorial Day. However, for a Massachusetts father-daughter duo, their fishing festivities were rudely interrupted by a racially motivated incident that left them both shook.
Sheron Brown and his 10-year-old daughter, Azaylia, tell MassLive they went to grab a large pepperoni pizza and head to Lake Shirley in Lunenburg to see what fish they can catch. Brown says he’s become well-known in the community surrounding the lake, given he has a season pass to fish there and also gives fishing supplies to local children. The one thing to note, though – the community is majority white, per MassLive’s report.
Brown and his daughter hadn’t had any issues with residents until Memorial Day. Brown told the outlet as the two floated to their favorite spot, they saw three other white men docked in the area. After waiting for them to leave, Brown said he moved the boat further into the lake.
“I’m here with my daughter. It’s Memorial Day. Why are you targeting me?” Brown said he responded, adding that he reassured the man he would be away from his property.
“We didn’t do anything wrong. This guy is being mean,” he told his daughter.
Brown said when police arrived, he met them on the dock to explain the situation. Lunenburg Police identified the unruly neighbor as 66-year-old David McPartlan who ended up being summoned on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault to intimidate including anti-Black bias, police said.
As Sean “Diddy” Combs’federal trial on sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering charges rages on, others are sharing their unfiltered truth about the disgraced mogul. The latest to weigh in is Judge Greg Mathis, known for his no-nonsense approach, who minced no words discussing Diddy’s true nature and the rise of his larger-than-life “gangster” persona.
During a recent episode of the TV judge’s podcast, “The Mathis Verdict,” the Detroit native and his son Amir discussed the Bad Boy Records mogul’s case.
“The prosecution needs to show more evidence that deliberately shows that he was intentionally sex trafficking for them to be successful,” Amir said in one clip, to which his dad answered, “That’s correct.” After they continued to discuss how the prosecution had yet to prove Diddy was running a criminal enterprise, Mathis went in on Diddy.
“He’s much worse than a toxic person, he’s a monster from what they’ve been showing and what we’ve been hearing,” he said. “He’s a state crime monster.”
Mathis added how Diddy, 55, “has a temper, and he’s known for that. And people are in fear because of his temper. But, street guys don’t fear him, because they know he’s never been in the street. He was a kid, went to Catholic school, then he was bullied, then tried to join up with some lil’ gang in New York, I think Harlem, that wasn’t even engaging in crime.”
He mentioned how Diddy’s “father who was killed, was a big gangster in New York. And from my understanding, his mother wasn’t nothing to play with and she was associated with his friends from the past. Like I’m associated with my friend gangsters from the past! So there was a sense of fear in New York— one in particular that was close to his dad and [that] everybody feared— everybody feared in the nation.”
Mathis added that because of his parent’s associations, that’s “why he felt such liberty on being the tough guy.”
The father and son duo also spoke about Diddy portraying himself as a gangster, especially in music videos, to earn the respect of the late Notorious B.I.G. and how he began to genuinely believe that about himself.
Judge Mathis says that Diddy was never a real gangster, and the streets didn't fear him, stating he only had connections because of his parents.
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 2, 2025
Amir added: “When you fully start embodying that, with more time, you become that person. Just like a person who tells a lie so many times, they start believing that lie. And so I no doubt believe that he believes that he is a gangster.”
Folks in the comments couldn’t help but agree with Mathis’ comments.
“This is true. Anyone who’s listening to Puff’s own interviews over the years knows this, as he has alluded to it many times. Also, the many bodyguards who were around him back in the 90s have confirmed this as well,” one X user wrote. “Guess money bought the image, but not the respect,” a second person said, while a third agreed, “He ain’t say nothing wrong.”
Another X user remarked, “Correct. His dad was a REAL gangsta. Nicky Barnes and Frank Lucas talked about puff dad,” while someone else added, “This sounds accurate to me. Even Keefee Dee said this.” (Duane “Keefe D” Keith Davis, a former gang leader, is the last living suspect in the 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur.)
Others didn’t quite agree, saying Diddy never tried to portray himself as a gangster. “Imagine thinking diddy was a tough guy,” one person said. “At no point has anyone viewed Diddy as a gangster. He’s always been the dude with connections. No one is actually physically afraid of him or what he can do. It’s who he knows and what they can do,” another suggested, while one X user asked, “when was puffy a tough guy?”
That Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef might’ve happened last year, but it keeps haunting the Hip-Hop community in the craziest ways. This time around, tensions between the two rappers are forcing record labels to pick sides, and boy…the consequences are a mess.
Clipse — the rap duo made up of Pusha T and his brother, No Malice — announced they’ve officially parted ways with Def Jam Recordings. The news comes after months of delays to the duo’s highly anticipated reunion album, “Let God Sort Em Out.” Pusha first signed to the label in 2011, but according to him, it took one song to end their 14-year relationship.
When Clipse presented their new album to Def Jam, the execs reportedly loved everything about the project except for one thing. “They wanted me to ask Kendrick to censor his verse, which of course I was never doing,” Pusha told GC Magazine. Lamar has a verse on “Chains & Whips” off the album. But given the tensions over last year’s song of the summer, “Not Like Us,” the label wasn’t feeling it.
As we previously reported, Drake is entangled in a legal battle with music giant UMG (Universal Music Group) over the company’s alleged involvement in the rapper’s beef with Lamar. UMG also owns Def Jam, making the already complicated dynamics even more tricky.
We also can’t forget Pusha’s past beef with Drake, in which he spilled the tea on the “Hotline Bling” rapper having a son. So with all this in mind, Push said Def Jam was concerned about the optics of two of Drake’s rivals rapping together as he the ongoing UMG v. Drake lawsuit continues to unfold.
“Then they wanted me to take the record off. And so, after a month of not doing it, Steve Gawley, the lawyer over there was like, ‘We’ll just drop the Clipse,’” Pusha continued. “But that can’t work because I’m still there [solo]. But [if] you let us all go… ”
So with that, Def Jam agreed to release Clipse and Pusha T as a solo artist. Clipse has since signed to Roc Nation, and their new album will drop on July 11. Pusha said he’s happy about where the group ended up.
“It felt good to even see how other labels were buying for the project,” he said. “I think that that synergy, just in a rap sense, is going to speak volumes.”
For context, the film takes place in modern-day New York City with Washington’s character calling a supremely lavish, Brooklyn penthouse his home. Now, that same penthouse is up for grabs in real life for a whopping $19.5 million. Inside of it, you can expect some seriously cool amenities as the five bedroom, four and half bathroom home spans across the entire 32nd floor, according to Robb Report. Boasting 360 views, floor to ceiling windows and a whole lot more, this 5,000 square foot home is exactly what luxury home dreams are made of! Why film a movie here when you can call this place yours for real?
But since we know we can show you better than we can tell you, keep reading for a look at this sleek and stylish home!
Living Room
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Talk about a spacious room! This living area is perfect for lounging and taking in the stellar sights of the city below.
Dining Room
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Though it may be informal, this dining area is still the perfect seating area for folks to gather around and share a meal!
Kitchen
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
In this Workstead-designed kitchen, you’ll find a gorgeous island with Fior di Bosco stone slab, maple cabinetry and Gaggenau appliances!
Kitchen, View 2
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Another view of this kitchen gives you an even better idea of how expertly laid out this home is. The defining spaces don’t make the home feel closed off and that’s a real feat!
Primary Bedroom
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Can you see yourself laying down to sleep in this primary bedroom? We know we can!
Primary Bathroom
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Once you’re done getting your beauty sleep, head on over to your divine primary bathroom to further indulge in the splendor of the home.
Primary Bathroom, View 2
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Picture it: you’ve had a long day, you come home to unwind and there’s this big, beauty of tub filled to the brim with bubbles and rose petals. You’re sold on it, aren’t you? Yeah, us too.
Office
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
When it comes to getting down to business, you could get your focus on in this roomy, impressive office space. You could also convert this into another space if need be!
Bedroom 2
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
While not as opulent as the primary, this additional bedroom still gives luxury and an amazing view of the city.
Bedroom 3
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Much like the office space, this bedroom can be a multi-use, multi-purpose room for whatever tickles your fancy.
Wine Fridge and Wet Bar
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Can it really be a lavish home if there’s no wet bar or wine fridge? Luckily for you or whoever buys this place, they’ll get both.
Terrace
Photo: Pavel Bendov for Olympia Dumbo
Imagine relaxing here after a long day. Heaven, truly heaven.
A picture is worth 1,000 words, and in the case of two enslaved African Americans, their portraits set off a historic chain of events and ended a 15-year battle over ownership. Renty and Delia were photographed in 1850, making their pictures the oldest believed of any enslaved American in history. Now, their stories are being told the right way.
Harvard University finally settled a 15-year legal battle with Tamara Lanier, an educator who claimed the university was illegally in possession of delicate photos of her enslaved ancestors, according to BBC. Lanier is said to be the great-great-great granddaughter of “Papa” Renty, so when she found out Harvard held the only photo of her ancestor, she had to take action.
The two daguerreotypes– unique, early photos produced on a silver-coated copper plate– were taken in South Carolina, where Renty and his daughter Delia worked as slaves. But although the photos traveled a long way from South Carolina to Harvard University, it’s Renty and Delia’s faces that tell a more horrific account.
Renty– an older man with a short, grey afro and facial hair– stands tall in his portrait. He’s shirtless, emphasizing his bony yet chiseled torso, likely from malnutrition and harsh labor conditions he endured. His face? Stoic, without emotions. But his eyes almost look glossy, like he’s in pain and seen way too much in his short lifetime.
Delia has her father’s eyes. She’s also shirtless, showing off her pronounced collarbone and broad shoulders. Despite her young age, Delia looks mature as she poses in a chair for the photo.
In 2019, Tamara Lanier officially sued Harvard University over the school’s ownership of portraits of her ancestors, Renty (left) and Delia (right).
The images were captured by a Harvard professor for a racist study, according to The Hill. In her complaint against Harvard, Lanier claimed her ancestors did not give their consent to the photoshoot, meaning Harvard’s ownership of the photos was illegal. The portraits were rediscovered at the university in 1975, according to BBC. Lanier wanted Harvard to relinquish ownership of the photos. Now, she finally got her wish.
“I think it’s one of one in American history, because of the combination of unlikely features: to have a case that dates back 175 years, to win control over images dating back that long of enslaved people — that’s never happened before,” attorney Joshua Koskoff told AP News.
The public can finally view Renty and Delia’s portraits. They will be transferred to the International African American Museum in South Carolina, the state where Renty and Delia called home.
“This is a moment in history where the sons and daughters of stolen ancestors can stand with pride and rightfully proclaim a victory for reparations,” Lanier told AP News. “This pilfered property, images taken without dignity or consent and used to promote a racist pseudoscience will now be repatriated to a home where their stories can be told and their humanity can be restored.”
Cardi B. is making a strong case that her soon-to-be ex-husband Offset’s request for spousal support needs to be denied. In fact, she’s blasting the notion completely by revealing to her fans just how much she’s been footing the bill for everything when it comes to their kids–and the truth is jaw-dropping!
As we previously told you, Offset submitted the request last week which sent the internet into a tizzy once the news was made public, even though he didn’t ask for a specific amount. Cardi herself even responded at the time in a Twitter live session the following day after hearing Offset called into “The Breakfast Club” and alleged that the “Bodak Yellow” rapper was trying “to take everything from him” so that’s why he’s seeking the money.
She also said that she wanted him to “die slow” in bed while thinking of her, called him a “b*tch,” “mentally disturbed,” and said that the only thing she’s ever asked him to do was spend time with their children as she’s been footing all of their bills alone for the last year.
Cardi B address Offset asking for spousal support from her in their divorce.😳 pic.twitter.com/vFVgDoNyKo
However, what you might’ve missed in that same Twitter Live session is the complete breakdown Cardi gave when it comes to the monetary responsibilities she’s been covering (with no help from Offset allegedly) when it comes to her kids. And because we know you don’t have time to listen to her whole rant, we’ve picked up the main, high-ticket items she’s been paying for over the last year. Check the break down:
Their home in Atlanta: cost unknown
A Driver for the kids: $10,000/a month
Her daughter, Kulture’s school tuition for the year: $45,000
Her son, Wave’s school tuition: $35,000
Her cousin/babysitter: $3,000/a week
Her nanny: $500/a day
Her kid’s tutoring: $2,000/a week
Kulture’s piano lessons: $900/a week
Kulture’s gymnastics and Wave’s boxing classed: cost unknown
Personal chef: cost unknown
24-hour security for her, her kids: cost unknown
As it stands, given all of these costs, Cardi said that she’s been forking out at least $50,000 a month to keep things going with no help from Offset or anyone else.
Look, I understand she has a level of wealth that us regular folks don’t have but 50 grand month is such an INSANE thing to fathom. The fact that she’s been taking care of all of this without help from her “husband” is astounding in more ways than one. The next time I feel like complaining over $8 eggs, I’mma just be quiet.
You don’t have to be a Beyoncé fan to know that her “Cowboy Carter” show is one of the hottest tickets around. But if you are a fan and you can get your hands on one of those tickets, it’s likely that almost nothing would stop you from being in the building. Now, three friends who experienced an unthinkable tragedy on their way to one of Queen Bey’s Paris shows have sparked a viral TikTok debate about whether or not the show should go on if someone you were supposed to go with passed away en route.
We should start by saying, we haven’t been able to confirm whether or not the whole thing actually happened. We just can’t tell yet if this is a hoax, but that hasn’t stopped thousands of people from getting in on the conversation, which is the point of us looking into it.
Here’s the low down. It all started with a post shared by TikTok user @notvictor, in which he explained that it had been a lifelong dream to see a Beyoncé concert with his friend, who flew to Paris to attend one of the “Cowboy Carter” shows. While getting ready for the show, the group of three friends filmed a pregame TikTok with the intention of filming part two when they got to the show. But one member of their group, who allegedly had some preexisting heart issues, started having chest pains on the way to the show and sadly didn’t make it. The two surviving friends didn’t just go on to the show, they finished and posted their TikTok.
Check out their TikTok transition post for yourself here:
Although the two surviving friends look like they have no regrets for going to see Queen Bey, the internet had plenty of thoughts, including whether or not the whole thing was all made up. Here are just a few of the highlights:
I Would Go Too
Some, like TikTok user Kalen Allen are willing to give the friends who went on to the show some grace. He said he would want his friends to have fun seeing Beyoncé, even if he wasn’t physically able to be with them.
“If you are a friend of mine and you are going to see Beyoncé, and I die, I give you full permission, ’cause I understand. I would go too,” he said
His post received nearly 40,000 likes and included lots of comments from people who agree that the show should go on for the surviving friends. One commenter hoped their friends would make sure Beyoncé paid tribute to their passing during her show.
“Ima tell my friends to go and ask Beyoncé to shout my name during II Hands II Heaven because that is where I will be watching the concert,” they wrote.
Did you hear about the controversy surrounding the two friends who went to see Beyoncé, even though their third friend—who was supposed to go with them—died that same day? What would y’all do? #beyonce#cowboycarter#cowboycartertour
TikTok user MercurialLuvr had a different take. Although she understands Beyoncé tickets aren’t easy to come by, she can’t see a side of the argument in which it’s ok to leave a friend’s dead body alone – especially when he’s far away from his family.
“All I can think about is just the fact that this is a friend that flew out to come and be with you guys. It’s not like it happened where he lives, where he has family,” she said in a post. “He literally was alone out there with you guys, and you left his corpse with strangers.”
Her commenters agreed, arguing that the friends who went on to the show without making sure their friend’s family was notified, aren’t friends at all.
TikTok user @valbulosity didn’t have a problem with the friends going to the concert, but she did have some very strong feelings about the surviving members of the group finishing the TikTok transition post they started when their friend was still alive. She argued that the two should have gone to show and honored their friend’s memory privately.
“It’s not the fact that your friend passed away and you still went to the Beyoncé concert,” she said in a post. “It’s the fact that you finished the transition. It’s the fact that the first clip was you, your friend and your other friend getting ready to go to Beyoncé, and then [in] the second clip, you’re at the Beyoncé concert saying that your friend passed away. You didn’t have to do that. That was a bit much.”
“Also not him saying they sold the extra ticket and used the money to buy merch at the concert,” wrote another disgusted commenter.
Long before he was named one of the co-chairs of the 2025 Met Gala, fans have been following A$AP Rocky’s incredible style journey. That journey has taken Rocky from New York City to Paris, where the rapper just showed off his latest AWGE collection at Paris Men’s Fashion Week with a spectacular show. The collection, titled “Obligatory Fashion,” was a mix of suiting and streetwear and featured models walking to new music by the “Sundress” artist.
Fans couldn’t help but notice that the show’s set was inspired by his recent courtroom experience during his gun assault trial, with armed uniformed guards and metal detectors positioned along the runway. Here are a few of the highlights from the show.
All Smiles
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
A$AP Rocky was all smiles as he stepped through the metal detector in leather shorts, jacket and a baseball cap. We couldn’t help but peep the 90s nod with the beeper on his hip.
Fans couldn’t help but think about Rocky’s recent not guilty verdict while watching the show, which was held inside the The set was modeled after a courtroom with armed guards and metal detectors set up around the runway.
Rooted in Harlem
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
Several pieces from the collection were inspired by Rocky’s Harlem roots. This model reps the NYC neighborhood with his belt buckle.
A Luxurious Leather Peacoat
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
We love the look of this double-breasted leather peacoat.
A$AP Nast was just one of Rocky’s famous friends that came out to support the new collection. Here, he’s spotted arriving the venue, wearing a bulletproof vest with the words “Harlem Uptown” written on it.
Sexy Silhouetttes
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
The collection was full of sexy silhouettes, including the look worn by this model, who is serving some serious shoulder in a halter blouse and lined pencil skirt.
Sage Suiting
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
The only thing this model’s sage green suit is guilty of is being one of the flyest looks to come down the runway.
Sending A Message?
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
Was Rocky trying to send a message with this “Not Guilty Stop Snitchin’” jersey he sent down the runway?
Lawyer Vibes
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
Wearing a tailored suit and tote bag, this model looks ready to give the closing arguments.
Rocky’s family was front and center to show their support at the show. A pregnant Rihanna was glowing, wearing a striped Oxford shirt and mini skirt with gray socks and heels. The couple’s son Riot wasn’t just adorable in a Harley Davidson denim jacket and purple pants, he was totally attentive.”He is so well behaved. And a cutie,” wrote someone in the comments.
During the show, a model lost a heel as she started her walk. But she barely missed a beat, quickly stepping back into her shoe and continuing to sashay down the runway. Those who witnessed the moment were definitely impressed. “Handled it like a queen 🔥🔥🔥,” wrote someone on TikTok. But other commenters wondered whether the shoe slip-up was part of the show. “[It] was planned,” wrote another commenter.
Play Your Cards Right
Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre
Images of playing cards were prominent in many of the looks from the collection, including this super-sexy belted halter bodysuit.
At the end of the show, Rocky took a victory lap, celebrating a successful collection reveal with his son Riot in his arms. Most fans were impressed with what they saw, including one who said they believe Rocky’s fashion future is bright.
“I can definitely see rocky being the new leader of met gala and vogue. Ana should look into this,” wrote someone on TikTok.
It seems like everyday since President Donald Trump took office, breaking news headlines continue to flood the media. And in the midst of the downpour of current events, one day, you just might miss something that’ll have a major impact on your everyday life.
From attacks on Black history to Trump’s attempt to alter the U.S. Constitution, there’s no telling what will come next, and as the president continues his self-proclaimed mandate to reshape the country– and history– it’s important Americans everywhere stay vigilant. Here’s 15 “fine print” moves by the Trump administration that you might’ve missed in the last six months.
Quietly Rewriting History
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 – 1972) plays for the Brooklyn Dodgers, USA, 28th August 1949. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
In efforts to purge all diversity in the government, the Trump administration faced backlash after Civil Rights icon and former Brooklyn Dodgers’ player Jackie Robinson’s military service was erased from the Department of Defense database, according to ESPN. The Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee airmen and the Marines at Iwo Jima were also among the president’s erasure of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Although the move was ultimately reversed, this shady attempt to rewrite history drew bipartisan criticism.
Birthright Citizenship
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy listen as US President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Generations after the 14th Amendment was added to the historic legislation, the Trump administration now argues birthright citizenship is not Constitutional. By definition, a person born on U.S. soil is automatically a U.S. citizen. Folks like former Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and even Bruce Lee have their citizenship under this Amendment. As part of his January storm of executive orders, Trump attacked the 14th Amendment, and months later, he is still fighting to get it removed. On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to lift temporary blocks against Trump’s order– meaning the president is just one step closer to his wish being granted, according to NPR.
Cuts to Medicaid
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 27: U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks with reporters following a Senate Republican luncheon, in the U.S. Capitol on June 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Republican leaders are pushing to get what Trump calls his One Big Beautiful Bill Act through Congress and to his desk before the July 4 Independence Day holiday. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
Trump spent most of his campaign and early second term promising not to cut Medicaid, but surprise, surprise… that was not the full truth. In his Big, Beautiful Bill Act– the 1,000-page spending bill drawing criticism from Democrats and Republicans– drastic cuts to Medicaid are promised. As of June 30, the bill sits in the House of Representatives, waiting for approval. If it passes, the more than 71 million Americans will be impacted. Of those, about 20 percent are Black Americans, according to Medicaid Awareness.
Hiring WWE CEO to Take Down DOE
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 03: Education Secretary Linda McMahon testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee about the proposed 15-percent cut to the Education Department’s budget in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on June 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump tasked McMahon with shutting down the Education Department, however, its FY2026 budget maintains spending levels for Title I and special education while slashing funding for Pell Grants and other programs for low-income students. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education, and he started his agenda by slyly appointing Linda McMahon to run the show. McMahon has a brief background in education. In fact, she was nominated to serve on the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009, according to ABC News. But unfortunately, that’s where her expertise stops. Before she was picked by Trump, McMahon founded WWE with her husband Vincent. As one of the most questionable picks in Trump’s cabinet, McMahon has made it her mission to fulfill the president’s agenda, no matter the cost. The DOE provides financial assistance to states and school districts, most notably in Title I grants for low-income schools and special education funding. Without it, Black and brown students, who are typically the most vulnerable — will likely have limited protections and assistance as they progress in the American educational system.
Suspending $19 Million HBCU Scholarship
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: Howard University graduates arrive for the 2023 Commencement Ceremony at Capitol One Arena on May 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden is the seventh president to deliver the address at Howard University. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
Remember in February when Trump’s national spending freeze left billions of dollars in allocated funds suspended in the air? Well, while most folks were worried about food stamps, Medicaid and FEMA funding, our HBCUs were dealing with the harsh consequences of the blitz. The federal government suspended a scholarship program giving $19 million to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), according to AL.com. The 1890 Scholarship Program allowed lower income students to chase their educations goals at their dream HBCUs. Shortly after, a judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the program.
Defying Judge Orders
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 27: U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions during a press conference on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that individual judges cannot grant nationwide injunctions to block executive orders, including the injunction on President Trump’s effort to eliminate birthright citizenship in the U.S. The justices did not rule on Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship but stopped his order from taking effect for 30 days. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has faced legal backlash from federal judges who claim his actions are illegal or unconstitutional. In several cases– like when a judge ordered him to turn around a plane full of alleged Venezuelan gang members– Trump took a sneaky route either claiming his hands were tied or just flat out ignoring the ruling. In the case of the ICE plane, the administration claimed since the flights were over international waters, the judges order did not apply, according to ABC News.
Suspending the Jobs Corps
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 22: A counter-protestor shows off his Kippah decorated with an image of President Donald Trump as demonstrators gather for a rally opposing the United States’ strikes on Iran on June 22, 2025 in New York City. The United States dropped a series of bombs on several alleged nuclear facilities in Iran, joining Israel’s ongoing strikes with the country. Iran responded with a barrage of missiles at Israel and promised retaliation against US interests in the region. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
As we previously reported, the Department of Labor announced all Job Corps centers will pause operations by Monday (June 30). The program provides free education and vocational training to Americans within the ages of 16 and 24. The Root spoke with Illinois attorney Henderson Banks, who claimed Trump’s dismantling of the program was illegal. “What the Trump administration and the Department of Labor is doing is not what legislation stated or enacted for the program or certain job sites to be dismantled,” Banks said. “There’s an administrative process that was not followed, which gives those contractors who received and depended on funding a claim against the Trump administration and the Department of Labor to sue the government.” A judge has since issued an order allowing for Job Corps operations to continue.
Sneaky Tax Cuts
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 22: Protesters gather outside of a Manhattan Tesla dealership to demonstrate against Tesla CEO Elon Musk on March 22, 2025, in New York City. Working as a “special government employee” of the Trump administration, Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have recently made dramatic cuts across federal agencies. Tesla profits have fallen as thousands of customers sell or trade in their vehicles due to their dislike of Musk. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The biggest right-wing appeal of the Big, Beautiful Bill is its promised tax cuts for the wealthy. As the wealth gap in the country continues to widen, Trump’s tax cuts prove to be another handout for the richest Americans—most of whom are white, according to data from the Pew Research Center. On the other hand, Trump’s cuts will likely increase the racial divide in the country. A 2024 study conducted by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found corporate tax cuts disproportionately benefit white households because white people disproportionately own corporate stocks and bonds, unlike Black households.
$1 Billion Cuts to Mental Health Programs in Schools
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 24: Students attend class on the second to last day of school as New York City public schools prepare to wrap up the year at Yung Wing School P.S. 124 on June 24, 2022 in New York City. Approximately 75% of NYC public schools enrolled fewer students for the 2021/2022 school year due to the pandemic. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
As a part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, $1 billion was allocated to increase the amount of mental health professionals in schools, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump’s administration cut it completely citing concerns about a DEI focus among providers, according to Education Week. To be expected, the decision was immediately met with criticism from mental health advocates and education professionals, who argued without these programs, students will likely suffer the consequences. In 2023, around 53 percent of Black students said they experienced some sort of depression, according to AP News.
A Pause on USDA Inspections of Meat
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 10: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (L), accompanied by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, speaks after Rollins signs three new SNAP food choice waivers for the states of Idaho, Utah, and Arkansas in her office at the United States Department of Agriculture Whitten Building on June 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. The wavers will limit what the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can select as eligible foods, targeting unhealthy food. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
In a post-COVID world and during the height of the bird flu, which saw historic prices of eggs, Trump and DOGE’s reorganizing of the government also led to questionable moves in the FDA. The organization is reportedly still in a shift of most routine food safety inspections to state and local authorities, according to CBS News. In an attempt to cut down on government spending, many critics argued the quality and safety of food standards would have a grave impact on Americans nationwide. The FDA stated inspections will continue during the reorganization, but already DOGE layoffs and inconsistencies from the administration pose a threat.
‘Restriction on Enforcement’
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 24: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding the Marine One presidential helicopter and departing the White House on June 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. Less than 12 hours after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Trump is traveling to the Netherlands to attend the NATO leaders’ summit. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
On page 544 of the 1,082-page bill, a hidden provision called the “Restriction on Enforcement” has the potential to officially upend the checks and balances system. Under SEC. 70302, more restrictions against U.S. judges who push back on Trump’s orders are on the table. The administration has been sued, blocked and threatened with contempt in court by judges fearing Trump’s orders are unconstitutional. If the bill passes in the House, then this small section would likely benefit Trump’s deportation agenda and his anti-DEI push.
Rolling Back on Climate Change Legislation
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 24: A Moe’s Burrito restaurant destroyed by Hurricane Helene on March 24, 2025 in Asheville, North Carolina. Nearly six months after the historic storm, communities in western North Carolina continue the recovery process. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
On his very first day in office, Trump rescinded several Biden-era initiatives aimed at addressing growing climate change concerns pushing for clean energy, making its development more difficult and expensive. And as the racial gap widens, Black communities will continue to be devastated by harsh weather conditions. Black Americans are at greater risk of experiencing natural disasters because of concentrated populations in extreme weather environments, like in Black cities like St. Louis and Houston, according to McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility.
Executive Order to Cancel ‘Sesame Street’
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 04: Cody, Scatter, Mr. Primm and Heart, from “Helpsters,” a brand-new preschool series from the makers of “Sesame Street” that airs on Apple TV+, were on hand at Apple Fifth Avenue for an exclusive Today at Apple session, “Coding Lab for Kids: Pre-Coding with Helpsters.” To celebrate Computer Science Education Week, the event featured creative pre-coding activities to teach communication, thinking, and problem-solving skills on December 4, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Apple TV+)
Despite the president’s continuous claims of media bias and “fake news” in the nation, he is still fighting to put an end to— wait for it– “Sesame Street.” In May, he signed an executive order to get rid of government funding for PBS and NPR. “It’s the latest move by Trump and his administration to utilize federal powers to control or hamstring institutions whose actions or viewpoints he disagrees with,” PBS said in response. Instead of setting his target on media machines with clear bias, Trump insisted PBS and NPR posed dangerous threats and were poisoning the youth. In response, both organizations have sued the administration.
Trump’s Attacks South African President
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 21: U.S. President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa talk to each other during a press availability in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Relations between the two countries have been strained since Trump signed an executive order in February that claimed white South Africans are the victims of government land confiscation and race-based “genocide,” while admitting some of those Afrikaners as refugees to the United States. Trump also halted all foreign aid to South Africa and expelled the country’s Ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Hoping to recreate that White House moment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump’s public meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa turned into calculated attempt to corner him. Trump came ready with a PowerPoint presentation, a stack of documents, a horrific video and several false claims of a white genocide going on in the African nation. Although Ramaphosa chose to go high, denying Trump’s lies and trying to focus the Oval Office discussion on trade and a technological partnership, the U.S. president persisted. The meeting came one week after Trump welcomed 60 Afrikaners— white South Africans– to the country with refugee status. Critics of the move argued it was a slap in the face to Black and brown migrants who Trump has demonized over the past decade.
AI Regulation in Big, Beautiful Bill Act
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 26: U.S. President Donald Trump stops in the White House Cross Hall to listen to the band at the conclusion of a “One, Big, Beautiful” event in the East Room of the White House on June 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump held an event to urge the passage of the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” Trump’s signature tax-and-spending agenda. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
In a world where artificial intelligence is growing rapidly and unexpectedly, the Trump administration is offering scary regulations– or lack there of– to AI. In the Republican-led spending bill, one provision aims to ban state regulation of AI, and even Republicans are upset about it. Ga. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene came out saying she opposes the provision because it violates states’ rights. This was of course after she voted to pass the bill to the House, admitting she didn’t read that part. But if the very people elected to read and review proposed legislation have confessed to being unaware of the very small, fine print, then Americans should probably be paying even closer attention to what’s at stake.
It’s not everyday you see a white singer brave enough to belt out a beloved Black song, but that’s exactly what happened with Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams during a recent performance. And let’s just say, the response has been…interesting!
As seen in a now-viral clip, Williams can be seen onstage with fellow singer Remi Wolf as they decided to sing one of Chaka Khan’s legendary hit songs, “Sweet Thing. While they both took turns singing parts of the verse and chorus, it was Williams who had to hit the iconic high note in the song and brought a lot of energy to the popular 1975 hit.
Naturally, once the clip began to make its rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions towards Williams’ vocals. Now, it should be noted here that there’s a very strong, Black fanbase for Williams as her Southern, Mississippi upbringing and consistent pattern of giving Black artists their flowers has garnered her some true ride-or-dies.
“THEY are shocked. WE are not shocked even in the slightest. Hayley been Williams,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
“oh real fans aren’t shocked at all! we’ve been knew she was THAT girl!” said another.
hayley williams covering chaka chan….it sounds like something out of my dream journal
“hayley williams covering chaka chan….it sounds like something out of my dream journal,” one other user wrote.
However, for as much love as the performance was getting, she was getting just as much flack as not everybody was onboard with her singing prowess.
“I blame the section of the Internet that’s been giving her cookout invites for 8 years. lol” said one user, clearly not feeling it.
“Now show it to Chaka and record her reaction,” one other user proposed.
“Are the vocals in the room?” another user questioned.
See Williams’ performance below and let us know: did she nail it or should she have passed the mic to somebody else?
A video is circulating featuring singer Hayley Williams performing a cover of Chaka Khan's 'Sweet Thing,' leaving fans shocked by her vocal skills. pic.twitter.com/hvjEQ47kFC
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 25, 2025
Though we may have all moved past Will Smith‘s now infamous Oscars slap of Chris Rock back in 2022, it seems like the ordeal is still on the brain for the “Fresh Prince” star. And it seems like perhaps he’s feeling a bit differently about it than before.
As you well know by now, the “Slap Heard Around the World” sparked a myriad of reactions both inside and outside of Hollywood. In the immediate aftermath, Smith was remorseful and embarrassed, calling his behavior “unacceptable and inexcusable.” In his direct apology to Rock, Smith said at the time that he was wrong, out of line and that his actions “were not indicative of the man I want to be.”
Now however, it looks like Smith is reflecting on the moment in a way none of us expected. As evidenced by a new freestyle rap video he released over the weekend, the “Emancipation” star stopped by “Fire in the Booth” with British DJ Charlie Sloth where he alluded to what happened–but didn’t give off the fact that he was remorseful.
“If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage,” he spit. “Jokers dish it out, cry foul when it’s time to take it. City full of real ones, wasn’t raised to fake it.”
Hmmm. Now these words are far cry from the ones we just told you about and the words he said in a followup apology video shortly after the slap happened.
“There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect, or insults,” Smith said at the time.
So is it “talk sh*t, get hit” or “I shouldn’t have slapped the dog sh*t out of you and I’m sorry?”
Looks like the West Philly rapper may have done an about face, but he might be justified given Rock’s comments about the ordeal during his Netflix special, “Selective Outrage” back in 2023. As we told you, Rock stood ten toes down on his decision to pick fun at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith — the very thing that triggered the slap in the first place.
“So I did some jokes about her, who gives a f*ck? That’s how it is: She starts it, I finish it. That’s what the f*ck happened. Nobody’s picking on this b*tch. She started this sh*t, nobody’s picking on her,” he said in the special.
So, maybe this is Smith’s way of matching his energy? Either way, we’ll keep our eye out to see if this sparks any renewed beef between the two.
In the annals of Black American theater, there is no greater playwright than August Wilson. Often referred to as “The American Shakespeare,” the Pulitzer Prize-winner is known for his classic shows like “Fences” and “The Piano Lesson,” and his work will once again appear on Broadway in an upcoming revival of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” starring Cedric the Entertainer and Taraji P. Henson.
In honor of the news of Wilson’s work returning to the Great White Way, we’re looking back at all of the big actors who appeared in some of Wilson’s greatest works early on in their careers.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP
That’s right…Angela Bassett made her Broadway debut in the original company of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” back in 1988. Bassett famously attended Yale University, where she got her Master of Fine Arts. At Yale Repertory Theater, she also appeared in another one of Wilson’s plays, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” in 1984.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis made her Broadway debut in “Seven Guitars” back in 1996. Originating the role of Vera, Davis earned a Tony Nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. She would go on to win in that category for her turn in “Fences,” a role she reprised in the film version for which she won the Oscar for.
Courtney B. Vance
Courtney B. Vance made his professional acting and Broadway debut in 1987 in Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Fences.” For his work, he was nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play at the Tony Awards. Like his wife, Angela Bassett, Vance also attended Yale School of Drama.
Delroy Lindo
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 12: Delroy Lindo of “The Good Fight” speaks during the CBS All Access segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 12, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images David Livingston
Like Bassett, Delroy Lindo also made a name for himself in the original company of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” back in 1988. While Lindo had already appeared on Broadway in “Master Harold”…and the boys” a few years earlier, Lindo originated the role of Herald Loomis in “Joe Turner’s,” earning him his first ever Tony Award nomination for his work.
Laurence Fishburne
By the time 1991 came around, Laurence Fishburne was becoming a household name in the film world due to his turn in Spike Lee’s “Boyz n the Hood.” But the next year, Fishburne also made strides on the American stage, making his Broadway debut in August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running.” Fishburne earned his first Tony Award nomination and win for his work in the play.
Samuel L. Jackson
Long before he became a film star, Samuel L. Jackson was a star of the stage, appearing in hit Off-Broadway shows like “A Soldier’s Play” and “Mother Courage and Her Children.” He also originated the role of Boy Willie in August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” when it premiered at Yale Repertory Theater in 1987. While he did not follow the original production to Broadway, Jackson had a full-circle moment with the piece when he starred in the 2022 revival of the play, this time as Doaker Charles. He played Doaker in the 2024 film adaptation as well.
Charles S. Dutton
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Actor Charles Dutton attends 2014 ABFF_ UP TV Premiere of “Comeback Dad” at SVA Theater on June 21, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for UP TV)
Charles S. Dutton, known for starring in the television series “Roc,” as well as other shows like “The Practice” and “Without a Trace,” got his start in 1984 as Levee in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” on Broadway, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award.
Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Long before he appeared on shows like “Castle” and “The Quad,” Ruben Santiago-Hudson made a name for himself on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his work in Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” back in 1996.
Since President Donald Trump’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, some conservative religious believers fear ancient prophecies might come true. Rumblings of potentially another world war has many spooked, but on the other hand, some Christian followers believe it’s the final step towards the return of Christ.
Whether you’re religious or not, we all know the stories of the end of the world through Sodem and Gomorrah and Noah’s Ark, but what about the one that predict’s Jesus’ return? In the Book of Revelation, the second coming is preceded by a series of events, and strangely, a lot of them mimic current times.
Former Minn. Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared on a “World Prayer Network” broadcast, declaring growing conflict between Israel and Iran has biblical significance. “This is a spiritual battle,” she said while emphasizing in order to prepare for the prophecy’s fulfillment, Trump must back Israel.
“Israel’s at her greatest hour of need right now, every nation on Earth should thank Prime Minister Netanyahu [of Israel]. We should all kiss the ground and be so grateful that Benjamin Netanyahu is prime minister and that he had the guts to take on this greatest evil terror state that has defined plans,” she continued.
For non believers, Bachmann’s words could simply sound like a bunch of hoopla. But if you take a closer look at the Bible, warnings that natural disasters and war will jumpstart Christ’s return bare scary resemblance to what’s happening right now. Much of the country is bracing for a week-long heat wave and news of Iran’s retaliation on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Qatar. Not to mention past hurricanes, California fires, conflicts between Israel and Gaza, war between Russia and Syria and internal civil unrest all going down at the same time.
Tracing back to the beginning of Israel as a globally recognized state in 1948, many Christians believed this was also the start of the second coming prophecy. Ezekiel chapter 37 details the resurrection of dry bones and Jewish people reclaiming the land God promised them. The United States was pivotal in the establishment of Israel after World War II; now, the nation has become our responsibility.
So, it’s not shocking after conflicts with Iran and in Gaza, the U.S. would be on Israel’s side. Also in Ezekiel, prophecy describes war between Israel and Gog, the umbrella term representing all nations opposing the Christian God– i.e. Islamic countries in the Middle Eastern region like Iran.
In addition to Rep. Bachmann, Pastor Shane Vaughn– a known MAGA supporter who deemed Trump the new Messiah– also spoke during the broadcast. “The missiles that flew on Friday the 13th were not just iron missiles but they were spiritual projectiles,” he said referring to Israel’s missile strike on the Iran.
“Netanyahu is a foreshadowing of the true lion that is getting ready to rise in the land of Israel,” he continued. “That lion that is soon to come of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, the Bible said when he returns that his vesture will be dipped in blood.”
Of course, these views aren’t shared across all Christians around the world, as skeptic Pastor Jeremy debunked on TikTok, but you have to admit, in the face of the chaos simultaneously happening across the world, the Bible adds an interesting context.
New York rapper 50 Cent has strong opinions on Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani after the politician made promises to raise taxes if elected. Now, 50 Cent is facing backlash after his proposed solution to get rid of Mamdani for good has folks heated!
Before securing the Democratic primary vote last week, Mamdani appeared on “The Breakfast Club” to explain his plans to tax New York City’s wealthy residents. “We’re talking about corporations that are making millions of dollars, not in revenue, but in profit,” Mamdani began in the interview. “We’re talking about people who make a million dollars a year or more — taxing them just by a flat two percent tax increase.”
To be expected, the richest folks on the island are pissed about Mamdani’s plans, and he knows this. While talking to “The Breakfast Club,” the Ugandan-born politician even joked that the “In da Club” rapper might even respond, “I know if 50 Cent is listening, he’s not going to be happy about this. He tends to not like this tax policy.”
Screenshot from Instagram
We know all 50 Cent doesn’t shy away from controversy, so after Mamdani’s name drop, the 49-year-old took to Instagram to get some things off his chest. “Where did he come from? Whose friend is this?” 50 Cent asked. “I’m not feeling this plan. No.”
It wasn’t enough to simply express his disapproval, however. Because then, the rapper said he’s willing to pay for Mamdani to leave the city for good.
“I will give him $258,750 and a first class one-way ticket away from NY.” He then added, “I’m telling [President Donald] Trump what he said too !” The muslim democrat has faced xenophobia, death threats and even calls for his deportation since deciding to run for office. So after 50’s comments, folks dragged him for perpetuating a sentiment reminiscent of Trump’s deportation mandate.
“‘Who gives a f*ck what 50 cent thinks at a time like this,’” @hakhatir tweeted.
It seems all the backlash got back to 50 Cent, who has now deleted the questionable post. Meanwhile, Mamdani is preparing to face current New York City Mayor Eric Adams in the November election. Adams is running as an Independent after facing backlash from the Democratic party.
Rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti are back in the spotlight thanks to their newly released reality TV show, “Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together.” And while some fans were excited to get an up-close and personal look at the couple, others weren’t too pleased at what they saw. Let’s get into it.
For context, the show premiered over the weekend on Peacock and really showed the dynamic between the couple who rekindled their love after taking a 10-year hiatus. Since getting back together, the two have seemingly been on nothing but cloud nine, thanks to their decision to tie the knot and welcome their first child together. However, the veil of happiness was lifted in a major when it comes their differing parenting styles.
In a now viral clip, Ashanti and Nelly were seen having a tough conversation about their child, with the “Good Good” singer expressing her frustration over the fact that the “Country Grammar” doesn’t help out with changing diapers or getting up to help their son in the middle of the night.
Now to be fair (sorta) to Nelly, the couple does have a nanny and he did tell Ashanti up front that he had no plans of changing diapers for their child before she even got pregnant. But it seems like now that reality has set in–it’s not going over too well with her.
Naturally, as the clip began to make the rounds on social media, many were quick to call Nelly out.
“I like ashanti as a musician as well as nelly, but that latest bit of info they gave about nelly refusing to change diapers and him sleeping as the baby cries could have been kept in private. We absolutely did not need to know that shes a single mother in that marriage. AT ALL,” wrote one user.
I like ashanti as a musician as well as nelly, but that latest bit of info they gave about nelly refusing to change diapers and him sleeping as the baby cries could have been kept in private.
We absolutely did not need to know that shes a single mother in that marriage. AT ALL
— Bria (IG: itsactuallybria) (@itsactuallybria) June 29, 2025
“Ashanti was on a beach having fun and then got pregnant by an old fling who performed at a Trump party. Nelly also doesn’t want to help with the baby until it’s walking. What have we learned?” one other user questioned.
“Cause why is Nelly on tv proud to not help Ashanti with the baby? Talmbout it’s a gift to be able to tune him out at night when he cries… Ewh” said another.
Added one other viewer: “Nelly hates Ashanti. Tf you mean you not changing no diapers nor gonna get up in the middle of the night when the baby cries?? ….. it’s her life so whatever lmfao.”
Nelly and Ashanti shouldn’t have done this TV show. Relationships are both complicated and unique. Reality tv does nothing but open the door to critique, whether it be valid or not, and eventually said critique impacts your household. A divorce wouldn’t surprise me.
“Nelly and Ashanti shouldn’t have done this TV show. Relationships are both complicated and unique. Reality tv does nothing but open the door to critique, whether it be valid or not, and eventually said critique impacts your household. A divorce wouldn’t surprise me,” another viewer said.
Said one other user: “Waiting 40+ years to spin the block and have a baby by a nigga for *nostalgia* who wont even get up in the middle night for YALLS baby, when you literally coulda just found you a helpful nigga but then the blogs and the media wouldn’t care about the lure as much, i guess!”
Some unsuspecting Detroit residents started their weekend with a special surprise from the sky – and it had nothing to do with the weather. On the afternoon of June 27, a helicopter released thousands of dollars in cash onto the street at the intersection of Gratiot Avenue and Conner Street in East Detroit, according to The Detroit News.
The dough drop, along with a giant block party, were part of a day of events meant to honor the life of Darrell Thomas, the owner of a local car wash, who recently passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, according to Fox 2 Detroit.
Witnesses say traffic came to a halt on Gratiot Avenue as surprised drivers left their cars in the middle of the road to get a closer look at the money that fell onto the street – and grab a little cash for themselves.
“There were so many people, it was actually kind of crazy,”Anaya Toney, who works at a nearby business, told The Detroit News.
Another witness who works in the area said police shut down a portion of Gratiot Avenue for nearly 30 minutes, which was more than enough time for people to get a few dollars.
“Everybody got a little bit,” added Lisa Knife, who came outside to check out the scene for herself.
Although there was lots of excitement around the free money, Knife confirmed to The Detroit News that things never got out of hand.
“There was no fighting, none of that,” she said. “It was really beautiful.”
Thomas’ son, Smoke, who helped organize the day’s events said it was one of his father’s last wish to share this special gift with the community he loved.
“Detroit, y’all might not know who my father was, but he was a great father,” he told Fox 2 Detroit. “Among his community he was a legend, and he blessed everyone and that was his last blessing to everyone. That’s all it was.”
