Current Events
Page: 27
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: @Liutauras_ / Twitter
Donald Trump appeared on a livestream hosted by Adin Ross to boost his presidential campaign, but social media wasn’t too impressed.On Monday (August 5), Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump had a unique event on his campaign schedule. He appeared as the special guest on a live stream hosted by streamer Adin Ross on the Kick platform, which reportedly drew an audience of over 580,000. “Today is going to be the most important stream I’ve ever done,” he said to start the interview, which was held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump walked in to 50 Cent’s hit “Many Men”, which he adopted after the thwarted attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania last month. Ross sported a “Make America Great Again” hat as he asked Trump various softball questions on supposed liberal bias in schools (“Even the teachers have been brainwashed, Trump said) to allowing Trump to give one-word reactions to images of politicians such as California Governor Gavin Newsome (who Trump called “New-scum”) to Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The interview, which lasted 90 minutes, also featured Trump repeating his attacks on Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris including his racist comments about her Black and Indian heritage. Trump also praised Ross’ deferential treatment of him, and said that his youngest son Barron was a “big fan”. Ross also brought up the racketeering case against Young Thug and asked if there was a way he could be treated fairly. “He’s gotta be treated fair,” Trump replied. Ross then gave Trump a Rolex watch valued at $300,000. The two then went outside as Ross gifted Trump a Tesla Cybertruck with a custom wrap featuring the photo of Trump after he was shot at during the Butler rally.
Ross has a highly controversial history that includes platforming white supremacist Nick Fuentes and being buddies with alleged sex trafficker Andrew Tate. The 23-year-old followed Tate to the Kick platform after being banned from Twitch for using homophobic slurs in addition to racist and anti-Semitic slurs (Ross is Jewish) and showing pornographic images and videos during his streams. Social media users derided Ross’ interview, noting he hadn’t reached the 1 million viewers he claimed it would get. They also questioned his gifts to Trump, speculating he might’ve violated campaign finance rules.“The evidence suggests that Ross made or sought to make an illegal contribution, so he could face civil penalties,” said campaign watchdog Brendan Fisher.
Check out more reactions to the interview below.
1. Elgin Barrett Eugene Smith III
2. Alex Shulz
3. PELICANS_ENTHUSIAST
4. Matt, Dad Hat Enthusiast
5. Wild Geerters
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: @USBPChiefMIP / Twitter
As homeowners in Florida deal with the structural and property damage inflicted by Hurricane Debby, some of its residents might want to check their re-up supply as 70 pounds of cocaine has washed up on the shores of the Florida Keys, reportedly
According to Raw Story the surprise find happened this past Monday, August 5, after the Category 1 hurricane pounded the Sunshine State with rain and high winds—and evidently broke open someone’s supply stash somewhere and let 25 tightly wrapped packages of nose candy out into the ocean, which ultimately led to it washing up on a beach.
Interestingly enough, the person who found the packages notified the authorities instead of rounding them up and becoming the new plug on the block. He obviously was not about that life whatsoever. We would’ve at least sent a wire to Rick Ross or something, allegedly. This is sarcasm.
U.S. Border Patrol acting chief patrol Agent Samuel Briggs II confirmed the wild find on X.
Raw Story reports:
The load of drugs, which Briggs reported was valued at more than $1 million, was discovered by a good Samaritan who contacted the authorities.
In July of 2023, the mayor of Tampa, Florida similarly discovered 70 pounds (31.7 kilograms) of cocaine that had been washed ashore in the Florida Keys, while enjoying a vacation day.
In addition to bringing cocaine, Debby has killed one person, knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people, and could produce life-threatening storm surges as well as catastrophic flooding.
A million dollars worth of a cocaine. Someone could’ve moved it for half of that and been set for life. Just sayin’.
With news of this incredible find, don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of people with SUV’s parked near beaches for “no reason” next time another hurricane hits Florida. Could be a life-changing moment for someone.
What do y’all think of this? Would you have done the same or used those packages to become the new plug in town? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
Donald Trump announced that he’s dropping out of a debate on ABC and is trying to force a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News.
On Saturday (Aug. 3), Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced that he won’t be taking part in the scheduled presidential debate on ABC, and is instead, stating that he’ll only debate Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the former president insulted Harris, writing that she “doesn’t have the mental capacity to do a REAL Debate against me, scheduled for September 4th in Pennsylvania.” He went on to say that “I’ll see her on September 4th or, I won’t see her at all.” Representatives for Fox News haven’t responded to press inquiries.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Vice President Harris called Trump out, writing: “It’s interesting how ‘any time, any place’ becomes ‘one specific time, one specific safe space.’ I’ll be there on September 10th, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there.” Another post from her campaign team reiterated her stance in a stronger tone, writing that Trump was “running scared” and calling him “Mr. Anytime, anywhere, anyplace.”
Trump agreed to two debates with President Joe Biden in May. The first was held in Atlanta on CNN on June 27, and the second is scheduled for ABC on Sept. 10, with its chief political anchor George Stephanopoulos as moderator. Trump said in an earlier Truth Social post that he wanted to debate Harris on Sept. 4 because of Biden withdrawing from the race and the “conflict of interest” with Stephanopoulos moderating, citing a lawsuit he filed against the network.
Trump has attacked the anchor and ABC in previous interviews, calling them “fake news” in an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. Trump has been mocked on social media since Biden’s stepping down and endorsing Harris as the Democratic candidate for the election. Observers feel that Trump avoiding a debate with Harris would cost him dearly, including former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci who stated in a CNN Newsroom interview that it “would be a disaster for him if he doesn’t debate the vice president.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: X / x
Time stops for no one, and it’s already been a year since the infamous Montgomery Riverfront Brawl that featured out of pocket white people getting their proper comeuppance. What would be Black Twitter, before Phony Stark ruined it, is celebrating the day by reminiscing on the hilarious memes the incident spawned.
In case you need a quick history lesson, on August 5, 2023, a group of white boaters put hands on a Black riverboat co-captain on the Montgomery riverfront after inquiring why they weren’t moving when his boat was scheduled to dock. What ensued was retaliation that included a co-worker swimming to help (he was dubbed “Black Aquaman”), numerous work peers and civilians uniting like The Avengers to have his back and various people who overall needed to mind their business catching fades.
Also in the mix was a hat being tossed to the heavens as a signal that the time for discuss was over and folding chairs being weaponized. The resulting memes and play by play had social media in a chokehold for days after. It was a cultural flashpoint—the theme of race relations weaved throughout thanks to this nation’s history of people of color having to grin and bear disrespect and white privilege, but not on THAT day. Even Rupert Murdoch’s own The Washington Post has recently noted that the day has become an unofficial holiday.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. Although, the woman who got cracked by a folding chair may disagree. But, she reportedly refused to press charges. Respect.
And as far as the legal ramifications, while various people in the boat that initiated the ruckus pleaded guilty and paid out various fines, Dameion Pickett, the co-captain of the Harriott II, who was assaulted, had the charges against him dropped.
So on the anniversary of the glorious day, let us reminisce with current and past reactions in the gallery.
1. Take heed.
2. Perfect.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Andrew Harnik / Getty
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greeted three former Russian political prisoners released as part of a massive swap on Thursday.
On Thursday (Aug. 1), three former prisoners in Russia arrived at Joint Air Base Andrews in Maryland before midnight, where they were greeted by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were released as part of a historic swap of prisoners between the U.S., Russia, Belarus, and other Western nations. Twenty-four people were freed overall in the largest exchange since the Cold War.
All three hugged and shook hands with President Biden and Vice President Harris in the emotional scene as their respective families came up to tearfully embrace them. The other prisoners freed in the deal included Russian dissidents such as Vladimir Kara-Murza. Russia received eight people, including four spies held in Norway and Slovenia and a convicted assassin serving time in Germany. Biden addressed the reporters on the tarmac, revealing that Slovenia’s inclusion and assistance was crucial to getting the swap done. Harris thanked President Biden for his commitment to making the exchange happen. “This is just an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy,” she said.
The exchange caught the world by surprise and marked another achievement for the Biden administration in its last months in office. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump derided the move in an interview with Fox Business. “As usual, it was a win for Putin or any other country that deals with us,” he began. “But we got somebody back. So, I’m never going to be challenging that. It wouldn’t have happened with us, we would have gotten it back.”
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said to reporters on Thursday that the current sanctions on Russia have not been loosened, and there was no money exchanged in the swap. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby dismissed Trump’s statement in an interview, noting that Whelan and another former prisoner, Trevor Reed, were detained under the Trump administration and freed under Biden. “That’s what you have to do when you have people in harm’s way over there. You’ve got to make these tough decisions. It’s not easy,” he said.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Tom Williams / Getty
Rudy Giuliani has settled with the Georgia election workers who won their defamation suit against him after a failed bankruptcy plea.
On Wednesday (July 31), Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss, the two Georgia women who won their defamation suit against Donald Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani agreed to a settlement along with other creditors Giuliani owed. Giuliani had attempted to declare personal bankruptcy but was denied by a judge accusing him of not complying with court orders and not fully disclosing his financial assets. The proposed agreement order was submitted in a federal court in White Plains, New York. Adam Klasfield, a journalist and MSNBC contributor, shared the proposed order documents in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
In the agreement, Giuliani agreed to pay his lawyers $100,000 to help pay what he owes to the financial advisor for the creditors, Global Data Risk. The terms continue, detailing that the former mayor of New York City is to sell either his apartment in the city or his Florida condominium and to “maintain the properties in good condition at least comparable to their current condition, maintain property casualty insurance with respect to each property in an amount no less than the full replacement value of the Debtor’s interest in each property, and can’t sell either property without written consent.”The value of the properties is estimated at $5.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively. Global Data Risk is also allowed to place liens on the property to ensure Giuliani pays all of the $400,000 they sued him for. Freeman and Moss are now free to go after the $148 million they were awarded in December 2023 —$75 million in punitive damages and $33,169,000 in defamation damage.
The filing was made three hours before a deadline set by Judge Sean Lane for noon on Wednesday for all parties to submit proposals on how to end the case. In his initial ruling on July 25 tossing Giuliani’s bankruptcy plea, Lane wrote: “Even assuming that the Debtor does not have the funds on hand to immediately pay these bankruptcy expenses, he certainly has considerable assets upon which he can draw to pay such expenses.” The 80-year-old Giuliani recently claimed at the end of May that he only had $94,000 in cash and his company, Giuliani Communications had $237,000.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: CHRIS DELMAS / Getty
Disturbing news coming out of California as authorities busted up a sex trafficking ring at this year’s annual Comic-Con event.
Yes, Comic-Con.
According to Deadline, California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, announced that his investigators arrested 14 individuals involved in the sex trafficking ring and recovered 10 victims in the operation. While many people know that sex trafficking rings are a problem worldwide, we’re lowkey surprised such a thing would be operating at a place like Comic-Con where families and friends go to live out their geekiest cosplay fantasies. Still, that’s what happened, and now people are going to have to pay the piper for their transgressions.
Deadline reports:
“Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” Rob Bonta said toady, announcing the sting at the just-concluded convention. Along with the apprehension of more than a dozen alleged sex buyers, among the 10 victims was a 16-year-old who law enforcement “recovered.”
“These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated,” the California AG said of the sting that took place from July 25-27. “We are grateful to all our dedicated partners involved in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose collaboration has been invaluable. We take great pride in our office’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable Californians by offering them assistance and guidance when they need it most.”
Now, with this sex-trafficking ring busted up, best believe authorities will be keeping an eye on New York’s Comic Con come this fall for similar illegal activity.
“San Diego proudly hosts special events like Comic-Con – highly attended events like these allow us to showcase our growing and beautiful city,” Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego, said Wednesday. “However, when people use these events as an opportunity to prey upon minors, HSI and our law enforcement partners will find you and bring you before a court of law to face criminal charges. There is no place for alleged predators to operate in our city and HSI is committed to helping the victims of these crimes.”
Man, ain’t nowhere safe these days.
What’s your thoughts on sex traffickers using Comic-Con for their illegal activities? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Rayful Edmond, once the most powerful drug kingpin in Washington, D.C. during the so-called “Crack Era” has been transferred from federal prison to a halfway house. According to the reports, Rayful Edmond is being held in a facility in Nashville, Tenn.
Local Washington outlet Fox 5 DC reports that Rayful Edmond, 59, was transferred on Wednesday (July 31) to the halfway house by the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Nashville Residential Reentry Management Office. The outlet added that Edmond is either under home confinement, a Residential Reentry Center, or a halfway house.
Edmond oversaw a sprawling crack cocaine in the 1980s, and his meteoric rise atop the drug lord food chain came with requisite violence which included murders carried out on his behalf that turned the streets of Washington, D.C. into a literal war zone. Edmond was also known for his lavish spending while also becoming something of a mythical and even beloved figure by some.
Ruling with fear heightened by the threat of violence from his street soldiers, Edmond commanded his drug network with the precision of a Fortune 500 company until his propensity to live out loud eventually led authorities to halt his operation. Edmond was previously serving a life sentence without parole due to his mounting federal drug charges after taking a guilty plea in 1989.
Edmond continued to deal drugs while in prison, leading to his subsequent arrest in 1994. From there, Edmond flipped on his organization and cooperated with federal investigators, a point of his life that has been documented in droves by several outlets.
—
Photo: Rayful Edmond
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Mike Marsland / Getty /Jonathan Majors
Jonathan Majors has finally broken his silence about losing his Marvel Studios gig.
The actor revealed how he was feeling after seeing Robert Downey Jr. make his triumphant return to the universe he built, the MCU, and secure a tremendous bag to the play Marvel Studios’ next big bad, Victor Von Doom, aka Doctor Doom, officially putting to bed Major’ Kang The Conqueror.
Speaking with TMZ, Majors revealed he was “heartbroken” after Marvel Studios announced its latest casting decision at San Diego Comic-Con.
Majors’ Kang was set to play a significant role in this current phase after making his MCU debut in Loki season 1, then starring in Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quatumania.
That all came to a halt after Majors was convicted of assaulting his now ex-girlfriend, and Marvel Studios kicked him to the curb.
“Yeah, heartbroken,” Majors told the celebrity gossip site after being asked how he felt about RDJ taking over the villain role in the upcoming Avengers films. “Come on, yeah, of course. I love him. I love Kang.”
The actor expressed optimism about returning as Kang said, “If that’s what the fans want, if that’s what Marvel wants, let’s roll.”
We doubt that will happen.
Majors also talked about Ezra Miller, RDJ receiving second chances in their careers.
As expected, users on X, formerly Twitter, had plenty to say since the recasting decision. Some are still putting on their capes for Majors.
“Can we as black men agree to stop repeating the lies about Jonathan Majors??? He did not “fumble” anything. A racist white woman named Grace Jabbari weaponized a racist criminal justice system to ruin Jonathan Majors life with obvious falsehoods. Stop lying about that man,” one post on X read.
Others do not feel bad for him at all, and he compares his situation to Ezra Miller and RDJ.
“This is so misleading Ezra DID NOT get another shot. His movie was already filmed so DC(not Marvel/Disney) decided to still release it and not lose money. RDJ issues were over 20 years ago. Iron man was his redemption role and that came years after his mishaps,” another post read.
Welp.
You can see more reactions below.
2. Rigggghhtt
3. Basically
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty / Joe Budden
Rapper-turned-loud-mouth podcaster Joe Budden is out here pitching conspiracy theories about the Megan Thee Stallion shooting to his listeners.
While Megan Thee Stallion is out here trying to help get Kamala Harris elected, Joe Budden is running his gums about the Tory Lanez shooting.
On a recent episode of his self-titled podcast, the “Pump It Up” crafter pumped up wildly unsubstantiated claims about Megan Thee Stallion, accusing her of framing the man who shot her, Tory Lanez.
Budden’s glazing of the incarcerated musician included him explaining why he is skeptical of the story that Lanez shot at Thee Stallion’s feet during the July 2020 incident, which also involved Megan’s former best friend, Kelsey Harris.
Budden went as far as to pin the blame on Harris, saying she was the shooter and not Lanez.
Per HipHopDX:
“All of them involved have reason to lie, so I’m not really going with, who do I trust more? I’m just going with… n-gga thoughts,” he said.
“What is more likely? Tory leaves the studio, goes to Kylie Jenner’s house, is having a blast, thinking he’s about to get the foursome popping off. Meg gets jealous — we know how they got in the car. What is more likely? That Tory was so angered in that car that he took Kelsey’s gun and shot her?”
“Listen, we know whose gun it was,” he continued. “So he took her gun and shot [Megan]. Why? Why was he so mad […] Y’all think a man is just shooting a girl for no reason? Give me a reason! ‘Cause the only reason we got was, ‘I [Megan] said that I have more number ones than him.’
“Or what’s more believable? Two people that was running around as best friends, new in the music industry, one gets COVID, comes back, finds out her best friend is fucking the n-gga that she’s fucking on. And this n-gga was just about to get some Kylie Jenner ass […] That guy is shooting? No, that guy wants to go back!”
Joe Budden Alludes To Powerful People Above Megan Thee Stallion Influencing The Situation
He wasn’t done. He got the ears of Lanez’s loyal fans to perk up when he expressed that more powerful people are at play and that Megan Thee Stallon is just a “pawn.”
The “umbrellas” and Lanez’s father all believed Thee Stallion’s management, Roc Nation, definitely influenced the court’s decision.
“I think it’s above her. I don’t think she made it up. She’s a mere pawn in this,” Budden said. This play is greater than her. She didn’t make nothing up. I ain’t gonna say who I think made it up… but it wasn’t her. N-ggas out there know who it is. I know exactly who it is, I know how that gun got there, I know whose gun it was.”
The former Slaughter House member also shared a private conversation with Kelsey Harris in his DMs.
“I thought it was weird that the last time we talked about this shit, Kelsey jumped into my DMs talking about, ‘Aye, don’t talk about this no more.’ Why? You got immunity. It’s odd,” Budden said.
Harris quickly responded on X, formerly Twitter, basically disassociating herself from his comments while promising to drop more information and telling her followers to “stay tuned.”
You can peep the reactions to Budden’s comments in the gallery below.
2. Well damn
3. Make it make sense