Current Events
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Source: Mondadori Portfolio / Getty / Anthony Mackie
Even though he didn’t have to say it, Anthony Mackie wants the folks who were big mad to know that he is a “proud American.”
Anthony Mackie had patriotic nerds in their feelings yesterday on social media following comments he made during a Captain America: Brave New World promotional event when he was asked, “What does Captain America represent to you today as a superhero?” After receiving backlash, Mackie had time to clarify his statements.
“Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honor of a lifetime,” Mackie said in an Instagram Stories post. “I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country.”
He added, “CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.”
Mackie’s comments came after he said that “America” was a term that Captain America didn’t represent.
“To me, Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” Mackie said in the initial clip that sparked “controversy” on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”
Much Ado About Nothing
Anyone who has seen the latest Captain America movies knows that Chris Evans’ Steve Rodgers had beef with the US Government numerous times. Mackie didn’t say anything wrong.
Captain America: Brave New World is the first feature-length film featuring Mackie’s Sam Wilson as Captain America. He took over the mantle at the end of Avengers: Endgame when old man Steve handed him the shield.
He became Cap in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Mackie recently shared that Evans was the person who told him that he was becoming Captain America.
Captain America: Brave New World arrives in theaters on February 14.
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Popeyes and Don Julio Tequila had many on Black Xitter wondering what exactly the new collaboration between the brands was all about. We can safely share those details, with Popeyes and Don Julio breaking out their new collaborative Championship Lineup menu that pays homage to the chicken chain’s hometown of New Orleans and more.
Via a teaser clip, the collaboration between the brands raised eyebrows among certain folks on the X social media platform but some assumed that it was connected somehow to the upcoming Super Bowl LIX event, which is taking place in New Orleans. Today, the brands shared with their fans what the deal is and it’s got our interest for sure.
Source: Popeyes x Don Julop
Popeyes, which bills itself as the “Official Wing of Watching Football,” and Don Julio, billed as the “Official Tequila of the Big Game” are joining forces for the Championship Lineup menu. What does that consist of?
At the top of the list is the Popeyes x Tequila Don Julio Reposado Flavored Concha Chicken Sandwich, featuring a chicken breast filet marinated in reposado (lightly aged or “rested”) tequila coated in buttermilk breading and topped with a tequila lime slaw, spicy spread, a barrel cured pickle between a buttered concha roll. Concha is a type of Mexican pastry for those uninitiated.
Also in the lineup offerings are the Popeyes x Tequila Don Julio Reposado Flavored Louisiana Garlic 3-Piece Wings, and a Spicy Strawberry Hibiscus Flavored Lemonade Mocktail served up in a cup that should be familiar to those who have had a night or two on Bourbon Street.
On Jan. 31, select Popeyes in five cities will preview the menu. All customers over the age of 21 will have access to try out the aforementioned items ahead of the menu popping up all across New Orleans for Super Bowl weekend.
This is a one-day event while supplies last and we’ll share the locations below. Further, this menu will be available at the chain’s flagship restaurant on Canal Street in New Orleans from Jan. 31 through Feb. 9.
Source: Diego Bendezu / Diego Bendezu
For more information, click here. The list of restaurants offering the menu items can be viewed below.
New York:
Times Square –1530 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Madison Square Park – 14 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
Miami:
6800 Red Rd, South Miami, FL 33143
New Orleans:
621 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Philadelphia:
1428 Old York Rd Abington, PA 19001
Kansas City:
9460 Quivira Rd Lenexa, Kansas 66215
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Photos: Diego Bendezu
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Source: Erika Goldring / Getty
Veteran journalist Soledad O’Brien lambasted the media for its coverage of President Donald Trump, saying it has given in to “access journalism.”
The American media’s coverage of President Donald Trump has been attacked by critics who’ve felt it is too conciliatory to Trump, and Soledad O’Brien fully agrees. The veteran journalist voiced her perspective in a conversation with Variety columnist Brett Lang during a discussion of The Perfect Neighbor, a documentary film on which she serves as executive producer, at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
“The media has done a really piss poor job, to be honest,” O’Brien said to Lang about its coverage of Trump. “In a couple different ways. Framing every discussion as ‘this vs this’ is a real mistake. There is [a] lot of access journalism that has just been distressing and dismaying to watch. There are journalists I respect, but they want access. There’s a lot of countries where journalists don’t get access to their political leadership, and you can actually do a good job reporting when you’re not necessarily being invited to the dinner or having a front-row seat. In this country we are all about getting access, so we see a lot of journalists say we need to get in.” O’Brien also partially blamed the media landscape for “misinformation and disinformation,” pointing to recent headlines concerning Trump’s commentary on tariffs.
“The conversation around tariffs is hilarious if it wasn’t so pathetic,” the former CNN host said. “People have no idea what a tariff means and what the impact will be. That is a failure of journalism if people don’t understand the basics. I am hopeful we will do a better job in helping people understand the issues better instead of just pushing access to things. I’m not optimistic about it.”
O’Brien also spoke about her involvement in producing The Perfect Neighbor, which examines Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” laws. The documentary, directed by Geeta Gandbhir, focuses on the murder of Ajike Owens, a young Black mother of four who was shot by her white neighbor Susan Lorincz. “When you come in after a tragedy you are dealing with people who have been deeply impacted by such tragedy,” Gandbhir said of the film. “They are not who they were. They are changed. That was so important [to see them before]. We wanted to lead with the humanity of the community.
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Source: Hulu / FX Networks
For decades we’ve seen what kind of damage a Xenomorph alien can do in outer space in the films of the classic sci-fi franchise, Alien, but now, we’re about to find out how bad things can get if one ever reached Earth thanks to a new series set to premier on FX.
During the AFC championship game on Sunday (Jan. 26) between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, FX released their first teaser trailer for their upcoming show, Alien: Earth, and while we didn’t get much action from the minute-long trailer, we’re already excited about the possibilities. According to Deadline, the series will center around a group of people who investigate the crash landing of a spaceship on Earth only to learn about the deadly alien monster that it carried in it when it entered our atmosphere.
Sure to be filled with blood, guts, and gore, fans of the Alien franchise can’t wait to see how this pans out now that the Xenomorph has found it’s way to our home.
Per Deadline:
The cast includes Sydney Chandler, who leads the project, Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, Adrian Edmondson, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diem Camille and Moe Bar-El.
“There’s something about seeing a Xenomorph in the wilds of Earth with your own eyes,” Hawley told Deadline at the Emmy Awards in September. “That is truly chilling to think of it moving here among us, and so I can’t tell you under what circumstances you’ll see that, but you’ll see it — and you’re going to lock your door that night.”
Regarding his approach to designing the sharp-tooth creatures, he said, “What was really fun for me was to really engage with the creature, bring some of my own thoughts to the design while not touching the silhouette, because that’s sacrosanct. But some of the elements as we know, whatever the host is inform what the final creature is. I just wanted to play around a little bit to make it as scary as it should be.”
They need to find a way to get a Sigourney Weaver cameo at some point. Just sayin’.
Alien: Earth is set to premier sometime this coming Summer. Check out the teaser trailer and let us know if you’ll be checking it out in the comments section below.
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Source: UCG / Getty
As Costco reaffirmed its support for DEI initiatives in its company, the Black community showed its support in numerous social media posts.
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and standards in federal agencies last week, other private companies have followed suit including Target. Costco, however, has stood firm. The Black community took notice of their stance, and civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton punctuated the support by leading a “buycott” along with 100 members of his National Action Network organization at a Costco location in East Harlem, New York, last Saturday (January 25). “We will stand with those who stand with us,” Sharpton said to reporters, as NAN members who attended were given $25 gift cards to shop.
Leading a buy-in with 100+ @NationalAction members at the @Costco location in Harlem, NYC to show support for the company’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
This comes as DEI policies face growing attacks from both President Trump and the private… pic.twitter.com/D2eYTeAZlV
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 25, 2025
Costco reaffirmed its commitment to DEI policies in a meeting with the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank that labeled DEI part of a “radical Marxist agenda” and called programs espousing it “illegal, immoral, and detrimental to shareholder value.” The company said that an “overwhelming margin” of 98% of its shareholders were opposed to a measure to strip DEI from its policies. Costco’s chair of the board of directors, Tony James, said the programs are “consistent with the company’s values and code of ethics.” He added: “We have always been purposefully nonpolitical, and a welcoming workforce has been integral to the company’s culture and values since its founding.”
The move by Sharpton coincided with several companies moving to limit or eliminate DEI programs, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Target. While some questioned the timing of the support as 18,000 unionized workers (represented by the Teamsters) at Costco stores nationwide approved a strike to begin on February 1, others lauded the company for standing up to the Trump administration’s pointed attacks on DEI. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, user Dale Thompson roasted those conservative supporters of Trump who vowed online to never visit Costco again. “If you’re a whiny Conservative who’s canceling their Costco membership b/c they won’t alter their hiring policies for Trump, go ahead & do it,” he wrote. “Costco hasn’t changed their $1.50 hot dog combo for 40 years, so you’re in for a loooong fight. And you’re freeing up parking too.”
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Source: Mike Kemp / Getty
We’re only one week into Donald Trump’s second presidential term and already the man has taken a hatchet to all kinds of programs and initiatives meant to help, protect and advance the lives of Black and Brown communities.
Luckily for us, some companies like Costco and Ben & Jerry’s are pushing back, and MAGA country isn’t too happy about it as they refuse to fall in line with the demands of their orange king. Over the weekend, Ben & Jerry’s took things a step further in their continuous pursuit of equality for all and released a video on social media defending their stance on progressive activism and are now facing a potential boycott from MAGA country, as Trumpers want everyone to scale society back to the good ol’ 1930s.
According to Newsweek, Ben & Jerry’s TikTok video explaining how they’ll continue to support DEI and “never gonna stop trying to dismantle white supremacy, end the climate crisis or fight for our democracy” has gotten under the thin white skin of MAGA supporters who are now vowing to never eat any libertarian ice cream from the company again.
After the video hit social media it spread like wildfire, as it’s since received over 10 million views with much support from Americans who aren’t fans of the fascist regime that is currently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Needless to say, backers of the current administration didn’t take kindly to Ben & Jerry’s video and immediately began to call for a boycott over their “insubordination.”
Newsweek reports:
On X, formerly Twitter, user @TexasRepublic71, who described himself as a “political patriot,” shared the video and told his more than 200,000 followers—including conservative commentator Megyn Kelly—”If you’re not boycotting Ben And Jerry’s ice cream, you will be after you watch this video.”
In the video, two Ben & Jerry’s employees can be seen walking around an office as they deliver the following message together: “‘Stick to ice cream.’ Not gonna lie, we get this one a lot. Yeah, we’re in the ice cream business, but we’ve always been about much more than just ice cream. We use our power, our privilege, our platform and our relationship with our fans to advocate for progressive social change.
“So no, we’re not just gonna stick to ice cream. And we’re never gonna stop trying to dismantle white supremacy, end the climate crisis or fight for our democracy. And no, we’re not gonna stop fighting laws that restrict trans rights and books and roll back abortion protections.
While we’re sure there are hardcore MAGA supporters who’ll never eat Ben & Jerry’s again (mainly because they won’t be able to afford it at some point with the way things are going thanks to their orange overlord), we doubt it’ll be enough to put the delicious and democratic ice cream brand out of business. Just sayin’.
Check out Ben & Jerry’s PSA on DEI and democracy, and let us know your thoughts about the situation in the comments section below.
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Source: Bettmann / Getty
Government files on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be declassified for the public, due to an executive order by President Donald Trump.
On Thursday (Jan. 23), President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to declassify and release their files surrounding the life and assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The executive order “requires the review within 15 days of ‘records related to’ the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and within 45 days related to the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
The King family released a statement as the news broke: “The assassination of our father is a deeply personal loss we have endured for 56 years. We hope to review the files as a family before they are made public.” Trump gave no reason as to why Dr. King’s files were being released. The King family has long believed that the known assassin, James Earl Ray, was aided by other forces as part of a larger plot.
The FBI told reporters that it was “complying” with the executive order, which “also requires designated agencies to submit a plan to the White House for ‘the full and complete release of these records.’ The FBI is identifying records responsive to the EO and will work with the Department of Justice and ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence) respectively.” Concerning the files on Dr. King, it is expected that the FBI will declassify and release their records on their surveillance of him, as well as those documents concerning his assassination and records from their covert COINTELPRO operation investigating him.
During Trump’s first presidential term, he had publicly vowed to release the documents fully. He chose not to go forward at the behest of intelligence agencies, instead opting to place redactions to protect sensitive information. Trump has long floated conspiracy theories about the assassinations of President Kennedy, saying before signing: “That’s a big one, huh? A lot of people are waiting for this for a long — for years, for decades.” His adviser and nominee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, has also declared the CIA was responsible for his father’s death. Trump instructed his aide to give Kennedy the pen he had signed the executive order with after signing.
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Source: Smith Collection/Gado / Getty / Target
The tech bros are kissing Donald Trump’s ring, and companies like Target are using his push to make America white again as an excuse to roll back diversity programs.
Following Orange Menace’s executive order calling for the end of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government, Target’s discount store chain followed in the footsteps of Walmart and other American companies, which began ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Target announced it would be making changes to its “Belonging at the Bullseye” strategy along with axing a program that helped Black employees build better careers within the company, improve the shopping experience for Black customers, and promote Black-owned businesses, which all came after the tragic killing of George Floyd in 2020 at the hands of law enforcement.
The company claims that it planned on ending its racial program this year, basically trying to say the decision has nothing to do with the conservative backlash against DEI.
Target, which has nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more than 400,000 people, is ending the DEI goals it set three years ago.
In a memo sent to workers, Kiera Fernandez, Target’s chief community impact and equity officer, described the company’s decisions on DEI as the “next chapter” of its efforts to create “inclusive work and guest environments that welcome all.”
“Many years of data, insights, listening, and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” Fernandez wrote in the memo shared by Target on Friday. “And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future.”
The Social Media Fallout
As expected, the fallout from Target’s decision was instant and immediately led to calls for a boycott. Tabitha Brown, who has partnerships with Target, broke her silence on the matter after followers called on her to end them.
In the video, she explained that ending her partnerships wouldn’t be simple. She could be sued for breach of contract, and she could not boycott but still support the Black-owned brands that have deals with the company. Brown also added that if the Black-owned brands don’t sell, companies like Target can use that excuse to pull those products and replace them with other brands.
She caught a lot of flack for her video, leading to her to send a follow-up response writing:
“Since so many people didn’t watch to the end of my video and have created a false narrative… this is not about me… this is bigger than me. I’m grateful for all the support over the years but if i don’t get it anymore, I OVERSTAND and I’m ok. But it’s bigger than me!”
While Target is catching well-deserved flack for their decision, other companies like Apple, Microsoft, Costco, and JP Morgan are doubling down on their DEI initiatives.
Longtime activist Rev. Al Sharpton led a “buycott” at Costco after the company said it would not end its DEI initiatives.
In the gallery below, you can see reactions to Target and Tabitha Brown speaking out.
3. They definitely we’re not
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President Donald Trump and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro clashed over the handling of deportees from America to the South American nation via military planes, with Petro initially denying entry. After President Donald Trump threatened to impose stiff tariffs on Colombia, President Gustavo Petro agreed to the terms that allow immigrants to return who entered the United States illegally.
CNN was one of several outlets covering the brief yet intense exchange between the two leaders that began on Sunday (Jan. 27) when military planes from the United States carrying illegal immigrants attempted to land in Colombia. The outlet said it examined documents that showed the country approved the flights yet President Petro says that wasn’t the case with officials stateside saying that Colombia retracted the authorization. There have been reports on social media that the migrants were placed in shackles.
Petro initially denied access to the planes from landing stating that American officials handling the migrants as criminals and demanding a more humanitarian approach. In response, Trump threatened tariffs on imports against Colombia, which has been a longtime trade partner with America. Trump also said he would levy a travel ban on citizens of the country, revoking visas, and halting visa processing for both immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
The visa restrictions were particularly alarming as they typically only arise for countries or individuals that have committed human rights abuses. Petro fired back with tariff threats of his own and had choice words for Secretary of State Marco Rubio via social media.
By Sunday evening both sides stated that they reached an agreement, with some framing the actions of Colombia’s agreement with the United States and backing down from Trump. However, it appears that Petro was able to negotiate terms that were more in line with other deportation exchanges done under the Biden administration which ever escalated into a trade dispute.
“We will continue to receive Colombians and Colombian women who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights,” Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said in a statement. Murillo then shared that deportation flights are clear to go and that they will send the Colombian presidential plane to help with the efforts of bringing citizens back.
The White House issued a statement in connection to the brief standoff.
“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States,” read the statement.
On X, formerly Twitter, some are discussing the exchange between President Gustavo Petro and President Donald Trump while expressing disappointment that the country didn’t stand up further for itself. We’ve got those reactions below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Facebook / facebook
When you’re posting photos of your travels on social media, someone is waiting to catch you slipping. Keep this in mind if your spouse is a drug kingpin and he’s wanted by the Feds.
A wanted, and since caught, drug dealer pushing major weight out of Costs Rica found this out the hard way after he got pinched thanks to his wife posting selfies while on vacation in Europe.
Reports the U.S. Sun:
The 43-year-old was held in London after arriving to celebrate the New Year with Estefania McDonald Rodriguez on a £16,000 holiday.
American Drug Enforcement Administration agents had followed her social media posts about visits to the capital, and Paris.
They had to strike while Grijalba was out of Costa Rica, as the nation usually bars extradition of its own.
One picture showed Grijalba, known as Shock, and his wife in a cream fur-collared coat in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The struggle drug dealer in question is Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, 43, who got arrested in London this past December. He is reportedly accused of sending cocaine from Costa Rica to the United States, and will be looking at a hefty jail sentence.
And he got caught because his wife had to stunt on Instagram and Facebook. Son…
Reportedly, struggle El Chapo’s wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez, made sure to strike poses on the Internets during their European and Colombian vacations, making the job of the authorities (including the DEA) easier as they moved to arrest him when they peeped he was in London. Reportedly, the wife had a habit of travelling overseas but “Shock” wasn’t always with her.
Shock will be learning his fate—as in if he’ll be get getting extradited to the US—next month.
Grijalba faced Westminster JPs the day after his arrest and is contesting extradition to the US, where he can expect a lengthy jail term.
The case was adjourned until next month.
He has survived two assassination attempts in Costa Rica, including one in which he cowered behind a cherry tree while seven comrades were gunned down.
An NCA spokesman said: “Luis Picado Grijalba, 43, was arrested in the London Bridge area on December 29 and remanded into custody.
“Extradition proceedings are ongoing.”
No word on if he’s broken up with wife, though.