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
Nicholas Duvernay Talks ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Working with Natasha Rothwell

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

Black Stars Who Shined at 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors

Black Stars Who Shined at 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors

From the Oscar nominees like Ryan Coogler to veterans like Vivica A. Fox, check out some of our faves who slayed on the ABFF 2026 red carpet! …
If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

Like Beyoncé’s new bob? Want to try a bob without making the big chop; these bob wigs let you have the best of both worlds …
Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

After more than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River, President Trump is calling out Gov. Wes Moore …
Why Lil Durk's Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

Why Lil Durk’s Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

A federal judge has just issued his complicated ruling over song lyrics and Instagram DMs connected to Lil Durk’s upcoming trial …
Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Powell was a part of a round table discussion titled “Black Men Trust Black Women.” …
Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D'Angelo Days Before His Passing

Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D’Angelo Days Before His Passing

Oscar-nominee and legendary singer Raphael Saadiq sat down with The Root where he reflected o his deep friendship with the late D’Angelo …
Why Tyra Banks Was Always the <i>Real</i> Problem on 'ANTM'

Why Tyra Banks Was Always the Real Problem on ‘ANTM’

Thanks to Netflix’s new documentary, Tyra Banks’ time as host and producer of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is getting looked at with fervent scrutiny! Let’s break down why …
Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

After the shocking news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing, celebrities are sending their condolences to the Jackson family …
Photo: Getty Images Michael DeMocker

Black Mardi Gras Facts They Don’t Teach You in School

The annual Mardi Gras celebration has greater ties to Black history and culture than what meets the eye …
'ANTM's' Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update -- and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

‘ANTM’s’ Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update — and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

After years of teaching young aspiring models to werk the runway, “America’s Next Top Model” coach Miss J Alexander reveals a terrifying health scare in 2022 …
America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

OPINION: We struggle to find the language appropriate to describe President Donald Trump’s second term. It’s all more nuanced than most folks think …
Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died at home surrounded by family …
Wild New Development After Michigan Man Finds Remains of Two Murdered People in New Home's Shed

Wild New Development After Michigan Man Finds Remains of Two Murdered People in New Home’s Shed

A Michigan double homicide investigation went cold after a couple’s remains were found in a shed by a new homeowner in 2023— until now …
Florida Pastor TD McNutt Faces New Outrage After Teen Accuser's 'Coerced' Apology Video Sparks Concern

Florida Pastor TD McNutt Faces New Outrage After Teen Accuser’s ‘Coerced’ Apology Video Sparks Concern

After Florida Pastor TD McNutt was charged with cruelty toward a child, TikTok alleged he “forced” his teen accuser to apologize …
Don Lemon Breaks Silence Over That Viral Video of His Husband Not Playing About Him!

Don Lemon Breaks Silence Over That Viral Video of His Husband Not Playing About Him!

After Don Lemon went viral about his real life “bodyguard,” the former CNN anchor is opening up about how he knew Malone was “the one.” …
President Barack Obama Just Gave The Answer To One of The Biggest Conspiracy Theories Ever

President Barack Obama Just Gave The Answer To One of The Biggest Conspiracy Theories Ever

Wait, President Barack Obama just admitted that he believes in the existence of aliens? …
Photo: Getty Images Kevin Dietsch

Why Biden Deserves a Place On the Black Mount Rushmore But These Other Presidents …Hell No

When it was about the business of Black Americans, Biden handled far more of it than Presidents like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, etc …
Pastors On Whether The Black Church Is Ruining Women’s Chances at Marriage?

Pastors On Whether The Black Church Is Ruining Women’s Chances at Marriage?

As Black women carry leadership and spiritual responsibilities in the church, faith leaders explore whether the Black church supports their paths to marriage or creates challenges in navigating modern dating …
Beyoncé's New Look Has Hair Stylists Preparing for a New Trend

Beyoncé’s New Look Has Hair Stylists Preparing for a New Trend

According to one hairstylist on TikTok, the bob is making a comeback in 2026 …
All About Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren

All About Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren

From high-end fashion designers to Hollywood costume designers, Bobby Garnett’s vintage clothing collection has had a major impact on the fashion industry …