Lip Reader Interprets Barack Obama’s Exchange With George W. Bush, Black Pastor Gets Dragged For Giving Inauguration Prayer, Cam Newton Gets Real About Post-NFL Finances, Lori Harvey’s New Glittery Playboy Spread And More

The most vital culture articles from the last seven days.

Lip Reader’s Interpretation of Barack Obama’s Exchange With George W. Bush Confirms What We’re All Thinking

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: (L-R) Former U.S. President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former U.S. President Barack Obama arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 Photo: Getty Images Chip Somodevilla

Like our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama, you may not have wanted to be a guest at now-President Donald Trump’s inauguration. But odds are you wouldn’t mind being served just a little tea about what former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were talking about while watching Trump take his oath of office for the second time. – Angela Johnson Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Internet Dragged to Hell Black Pastor Who Gave Inauguration Prayer

Photo: Getty Images Saul Loeb – Pool

If you didn’t know who Pastor Lorenzo Sewell was before, you might definitely know now after his fiery prayer at the presidential inauguration. However, social media users weren’t so moved by his words. In fact, some were offended. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Cam Newton Gets Candid About Caring For 8 Children With Post-NFL Finances

Photo: Getty Images Andrew Toth

Cam Newton was once one of the most popular and exciting players in the NFL. His exploits on the field were so incredible that many called him “Superman.” But now that he’s out of the league, he feels like he can’t be called that anymore. – Noah A. McGee Read More

The Internet Is Drooling Over Lori Harvey’s New Glittery Playboy Spread

Lori Harvey at the premiere of Peacock’s “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 4, 2024 in New York City. Image: Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

Socialite Lori Harvey has become the first woman to grace Playboy magazine’s print issue in five years. The iconic media brand announced Thursday that it was bringing back its print magazine with Harvey as its glittery cover in a glossy video shared to Instagram. – Emell Adolphus Read More

MLK’s Daughter Got Somethin’ to Say About Viral Trump Inauguration Prayer

Photo: Getty Images Nykieria Chaney, Saul Loeb

The attention Pastor Lorenzo Sewell has been receiving since his fiery, MLK-inspired prayer at the presidential inauguration hasn’t been all positive. Aside from internet trolls who dragged him to hell for his theatrics, the civil rights leader’s own daughter shared a unique reaction to the viral moment. – Kalyn Womack Read More

The Origin Story of a Viral TikTok “My Shayla” Sound is Actually Pretty Sad, Or Funny, Depending On Who You Ask

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 27: Tyrese Gibson speaks onstage during the “1992″ Los Angeles Premiere at Regal LA Live on August 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff

Sharing your hurt feelings on social media can be cathartic for some – a way to release the bad and make room for the good with a few thousand of your closest friends. But what you put on the timeline can sometimes come back in the form of negative comments or even memes that make your pain the butt of other people’s jokes. If you don’t believe us, just ask Tyrese Gibson whose sincere cries for help have turned into the popular “My Shayla” and “This is all I got” sounds that have been used all over TikTok. – Angela Johnson Read More

The Internet is So Mad At Oprah About Weight Loss Comments. Here’s The Tea

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 12: Oprah Winfrey, Global Media Leader speaks on stage in conversation with Gayle King, Co-host, CBS Mornings, Editor-at-Large, Oprah Daily (not pictured) during 2024 Massachusetts Conference for Women at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on December 12, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Getty Images Marla Aufmuth

Oprah Winfrey’s weight loss journey has played out in the public eye for decades, including her shocking 2003 revelation that she had been losing weight with the help of an undisclosed GLP-1 medication. On the latest episode of “The Oprah Podcast,” the media mogul sat down with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an endocrinologist and associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, to talk all things GLP-1. During their discussion, Winfrey revealed how her impression of naturally thin people changed after she incorporated the drugs into her weight loss plan. – Angela Johnson Read More

Did You Know Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dad Changed His Name? Here’s The Inspiring Reason Why

Photo: Getty Images Stephen F. Somerstein, Archive

The name we recognize today as one of the most powerful voices during the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., was originally not named “Martin Luther.” His father decided to change their names when he was just a toddler. The reason why may shock you. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Black Professor Defines ‘Oligarchy’ And What Makes It Dangerous to America

Photo: Getty Images Getty

– Lawrence Ware Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Usher and Bieber Oscar Fight, Druski's White Grandad: How to Spot These Deepfake News Stories

Usher and Bieber Oscar Fight, Druski’s White Grandad: How to Spot These Deepfake News Stories

To help you sharpen your digital defenses and separate fact from fiction, we are debunking viral “news” stories that were entirely fake …
6 Dangerous Health Conditions Affecting Black America and What To Do

6 Dangerous Health Conditions Affecting Black America and What To Do

Health issues in Black communities are influenced by social, environmental, and genetic factors. Understanding and managing these conditions is key to staying healthy …
How Angela Davis Predicted The Modern Face Of Fascism in 1971

How Angela Davis Predicted The Modern Face Of Fascism in 1971

Fifty years prior to rumors of fascism circling President Trump, activist and philosopher Angela Davis made a spooky prediction about dictatorship in the U.S …
New Black Bridgerton Cast Has the Internet Shook In the Best Way!

New Black Bridgerton Cast Has the Internet Shook In the Best Way!

There’s about to be a whole lot of Black excellence in ‘Bridgerton’ season 5 thanks to a handful of new faces. And folks online can’t get enough! …
New Developments in the Tiger Woods DUI Case

New Developments in the Tiger Woods DUI Case

The gold legend is facing two misdemeanor charges in Florida following a single-rollover car crash in March …
A VA Black Mega Church Donated $1 Million to Keep Local Residents in Their Homes

A VA Black Mega Church Donated $1 Million to Keep Local Residents in Their Homes

In a stunning partnership with the mayor of Alexandria, Alfred Street Baptist Church has stepped up and paid off debts for hundreds of public housing residents …
How Economics is Pushing Some Black Celebrities to Take Refuge in the MAGA Movement

How Economics is Pushing Some Black Celebrities to Take Refuge in the MAGA Movement

A growing number of Black celebrities are aligning themselves with the MAGA movement, but it’s more about economics and staying relevant than politics …
Folks Online Are Losing Their Minds Seeing Blue Ivy and Tina Knowles At The New Cécred Launch

Folks Online Are Losing Their Minds Seeing Blue Ivy and Tina Knowles At The New Cécred Launch

Fans online are going crazy after seeing Blue Ivy at Cécred’s latest launch event …
K. Michelle Makes Shocking Revelation About Her Relationship With R. Kelly

K. Michelle Makes Shocking Revelation About Her Relationship With R. Kelly

K. Michelle is sharing new details about the nature of her relationship with disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, and what she has to say might surprise you! …
Could Trump Be Removed Under the 25th Amendment?  5 Things You Should Know

Could Trump Be Removed Under the 25th Amendment? 5 Things You Should Know

With questions swirling about President Trump’s recent behavior, people are wondering if the 25th Amendment could play a role in addressing concerns about presidential fitness and stability …
Lil' Rel Reacts to Katt Williams Calling Him Out in Netflix Special, His Clapback Has Fans Crying

Lil’ Rel Reacts to Katt Williams Calling Him Out in Netflix Special, His Clapback Has Fans Crying

Lil’ Rel addresses being called out in Katt Williams’ ‘The Last Report’ comedy special and delivers a hilarious, viral clapback on stage …
Why Marvin Sapp's New Wife's Comments About Their Wedding Are Sparking Internet Backlash

Why Marvin Sapp’s New Wife’s Comments About Their Wedding Are Sparking Internet Backlash

While gospel singer Marvin Sapp may be in good spirits about his recent marriage, folks online aren’t feeling the love, thanks to his new wife’s latest comments! …
Professor: Black Man, Before You Sip That White Wine in Public, Know You Annoy Us

Professor: Black Man, Before You Sip That White Wine in Public, Know You Annoy Us

This Black professor has sparked a spirited debate with a theory about a specific—and, in his view, irritating —social phenomenon: the Black man who exclusively or prominently opts for white wine …
These Black Leaders Call for Trump’s Removal Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Backlash

These Black Leaders Call for Trump’s Removal Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Backlash

Black political leaders are responding to Trump’s abrupt Iran ceasefire with sharp criticism and urgent calls for his removal, including invoking the 25th Amendment …
New Development in Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty Kidnapping Case

New Development in Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty Kidnapping Case

Lawyers for Pooh Shiesty and the other alleged suspects in the Gucci Mane kidnapping and robbery are now speaking out about what transpired right before the rapper’s arrest …
Shannon Sharpe’s “18 and Out” Rule Sparks Heated Debate: Tough Love or Unrealistic Standard?

Shannon Sharpe’s “18 and Out” Rule Sparks Heated Debate: Tough Love or Unrealistic Standard?

While Shannon Sharpe said kids should be out 30 days after turning 18, folks feel rising costs and financial pressures make this tough-love approach unrealistic—and a recipe for disaster …
Tokyo Toni's Shocking Statement That Brought the FBI to Her Door

Tokyo Toni’s Shocking Statement That Brought the FBI to Her Door

A viral video captures the moment federal agents confront Tokyo Toni over alarming comments about Blac Chyna, adding another layer to their ongoing family drama …
Rapper Monaleo Updates Fans on Her Health After Losing Ovary, Fallopian Tube

Rapper Monaleo Updates Fans on Her Health After Losing Ovary, Fallopian Tube

Monaleo is finally speaking to her fans and letting folks know how she’s been faring since her shocking health emergency in March 2026 …
Why Chicago Inmates Are Dying Over Scraps of Paper

Why Chicago Inmates Are Dying Over Scraps of Paper

After lethal drug-laced paper claimed multiple lives in a Chicago jail, authorities say the invisible threat could be more lethal than the crack epidemic …
Inside the Olympic Love Story of Newlyweds Noah Lyles, Junelle Bromfield

Inside the Olympic Love Story of Newlyweds Noah Lyles, Junelle Bromfield

Congratulations are in order for Olympians Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield, who have just tied the knot! …