Trump Blames DEI For DC Plane Crash, Detroit Rapper Dank Demoss Sues Lyft For Discrimination, Indianapolis Man Allegedly Shoots His Pregnant Wife, Florida Man Posts Memes About Trump Dying And More

The Root’s most shocking news stories from the week.

Detroit Rapper Dank Demoss Comes For Lyft After The Driver Says She Was Too Big For His What?

Photo: The North Carolina Beat

Popular social media influencer and Detroit rapper Dank Demoss is known for going viral for advocating for plus-sized women. Now, she is calling out Lyft for what she believes is discrimination according to Fox 2 Detroit. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
MAGA Loses It Over Powerful Statue of a Black Woman in Times Square

Black Man Leaves Suicide Note After Appearing to Be Driving Without Pants in Viral Video

Screenshot: TMZ

We’re now learning more details about the 27-year-old Arizona man who killed himself after he appeared to be without pants while driving up to a cafe where workers wear bikinis. Not only did the man have a family and a wife, but he left a suicide note before taking his own life. – Noah A. McGee Read More

The Horrific Reason This Indianapolis Man Allegedly Shot His Pregnant Wife In the Back

Photo: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

Last week, Indianapolis authorities received a call from an Indiana man who allegedly confessed to a shooting. Upon the investigation, authorities discovered the victim was his own pregnant wife. But that’s only part of the story. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Florida Black Man Messes Around and Finds Out After Posting Memes Teasing Trump’s Murder

Photo: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

Florida authorities arrested a Black man who they say was making serious online threats to President Donald J. Trump. However, their concern was whether he was prepared to take those threats off screen and into the streets. – Kalyn Womack Read More

College Student Threatened with Expulsion Over Social Media Dancing Gets Paid

VIA Productions and Breezy Lucia / FIRE Image: FIRE

Have you heard about Kimberly Diei? The former doctor of pharmacy student at the University of Tennessee spent the last four years fighting with her school, and she just received a major win. – Jared Alexander Read More

Oh Lord, Rutgers Hops on Trump Bandwagon Cancels A Major HBCU Event

Photo: Getty Images Denis Tangney Jr

Upon the string of agencies, companies and more canceling their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Rutgers University has seemingly joined the bandwagon. However, Black students, in particular, will bear the burden of this particular decision. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Bad News For Diddy: Attorney Representing More Than 100 of His Accusers Joins Forces With Trump’s Ex-Lawyer

Photo: Getty Images Luke Hales, Neilson Barnard

The attorney representing over 100 plaintiffs in scathing lawsuits against Sean “Diddy” Combs just got some new legal power. However, that legal power happens to come from the camp of our current and very controversial president, Donald Trump. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Rev. Barber: Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Let Trump Trigger You

Photo: Getty Images JIM WATSON

Donald Trump’s first week back in office has felt catastrophic, and Black Americans are reasonably frustrated and concerned with what they’re seeing in news headlines and social media posts. Since the 47th president was inaugurated on Martin Luther King Day last week, many Black folks feel that our leaders are too quiet, our rich celebs are doing nothing with the power they have, and that our white colleagues and friends are being passive in the face of blatant discrimination. Black people believe Trump wants to trigger a whole race, but why? In search of answers, I called Rev. William J. Barber III — who, to many people, is the closest person we have to Martin Luther King Jr. – Tatsha Robertson Read More

Wait, What? Trump Blames DEI for DC Plane Crash

Photo: Getty Images Samuel Corum, Nathan Posner

It hasn’t even been 24 hours since a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., and President Donald J. Trump is already pointing fingers. – Phenix S Halley Read More

The Wild and Hilarious Story of Why Louisiana Police Let This Murder Suspect Run Free

Photo: Baton Rouge Police Department

Louisiana authorities were on their typical route Friday to transport inmates to a bus station who were set to be released after serving their time. However, authorities found out later one of the inmates in the group had no business being freed. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

List of Trump's Allies Who Are Turning Against Him...

List of Trump’s Allies Who Are Turning Against Him…

Trump relied on far-right podcasters and close Republican politicians to win his second term, but now alliances are quickly forming against him …
The Best and Worst Wax Figures of Black Celebrities

The Best and Worst Wax Figures of Black Celebrities

Kevin Hart is the latest celebrity to have their likeness adapted into a wax figure—and let’s just say it’s got plenty of people talking! …
March Madness Is Full of Black Athletes. But Where Are The HBCUs?

March Madness Is Full of Black Athletes. But Where Are The HBCUs?

Black players got the spotlight. Black schools lost the stage …
As He Prepares to Perform at The 2026 Roots Picnic, Fans Want to Know What is Jay-Z Really up To

As He Prepares to Perform at The 2026 Roots Picnic, Fans Want to Know What is Jay-Z Really up To

After nearly a decade since Jay-Z’s last album, rumors about new music are circulating from fans gearing up for his first performance in years …
Niecy Nash-Betts Shares How She Was Saved on Her Wild Mexico Birthday Trip

Niecy Nash-Betts Shares How She Was Saved on Her Wild Mexico Birthday Trip

Nicey Nash-Betts’ recent birthday trip to Mexico took an unexpected turn thanks to inner-city violence. Now, we finally know how she ended up back home! …
Why Black Folks' Reactions to Teyana Taylor's Oscars Behavior Is Problematic

Why Black Folks’ Reactions to Teyana Taylor’s Oscars Behavior Is Problematic

Teyana Taylor’s behavior at the Oscars has prompted a lot of online discourse and criticism. But it may be unfairly targeted towards her. Let’s talk about why! …
Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Under the alias “Mike King,” one Black man landed a job working for Texas Rep. Crockett before being killed in a standoff with police …
The Chilling Rise of the 'Alpine Divorce,' Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

The Chilling Rise of the ‘Alpine Divorce,’ Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

Inside the dangerous relationship trend you’ve never heard of: Alpine divorces, where men desert their partners on hikes to break up …
MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

School Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr. announced that MacKenzie Scott has donated $42 million to Elizabeth City State University …
Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Adding to Trump’s history of offending people with disabilities, the president took aim at Gov. Newsom, who has dyslexia …
Story Behind Michael B. Jordan's Viral In-N-Out Stop

Story Behind Michael B. Jordan’s Viral In-N-Out Stop

From the red carpet to red, white and yellow burger chain, Jordan’s humble stop celebrated celebrity accessibility and Hollywood tradition in all the right ways …
New Study Reveals RFK Jr's Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

New Study Reveals RFK Jr’s Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

An analysis from Protect Our Care and American Public Health Association found RFK Jr.’s “crusade against vaccines” especially harmful for Black Americans …
5 Black Women Dominating College Basketball’s NIL Earnings

5 Black Women Dominating College Basketball’s NIL Earnings

These Black women are putting up numbers on the court and off the court in the business world …
Woman From Coldplay CEO Scandal Reveals Shocking Fact to Oprah About Viral Moment

Woman From Coldplay CEO Scandal Reveals Shocking Fact to Oprah About Viral Moment

Kristin Cabot, the woman at the center of the infamous July 2025 CEO Scandal at a Coldplay concert, is opening up to Oprah and sharing new details! …
Black America is Trying to Decode Obama's Cryptic X Post About “Unfinished Business”

Black America is Trying to Decode Obama’s Cryptic X Post About “Unfinished Business”

After Obama posts cryptic message online, Black folks are divided on what this means for the future of the country …
Experts: Why Black America Needs to Embrace Bankruptcy To Protect and Grow Wealth

Experts: Why Black America Needs to Embrace Bankruptcy To Protect and Grow Wealth

Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole broke the internet— and bankruptcy stigma. Discover how Chapters 7, 11 and 13 can protect Black wealth without shame …
Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Committing Crime

Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Committing Crime

More information about the woman charged with shooting at Rihanna’s home have been released and it’s truly disturbing! …
Jack Harlow Said He Got 'Blacker' and the Internet Is Outraged

Jack Harlow Said He Got ‘Blacker’ and the Internet Is Outraged

Rapper Jack Harlow is causing a stir online with his latest admission, and some folks aren’t feeling what he’s sharing! Let’s get into it …
Zendaya Crashes A Las Vegas Wedding —and the Internet Can’t Stop Talking

Zendaya Crashes A Las Vegas Wedding —and the Internet Can’t Stop Talking

The Euphoria star shocked guests at a one-day Las Vegas pop-up chapel, unexpectedly crashing a couple’s wedding ceremony …
7 Estate Planning Steps to Take Now So Your Loved Ones Aren't Left Guessing

7 Estate Planning Steps to Take Now So Your Loved Ones Aren’t Left Guessing

Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy or elderly. We spoke with a professional to highlight practical steps anyone can take today to protect their legacy and loved ones …