Current Events
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Source: Fulton County Jail / Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump have officially agreed to two debates, with the first to be held in June.
According to reports, the first debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump will take place on June 27 in Georgia and will be aired on CNN. This will be the first of two debates – the second will occur on September 10, which will be aired on ABC. The news comes a day after it was reported that Biden’s campaign had sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday (May 15) expressing that he would not be participating in their three scheduled debates before the November election.
The June 27 debate will be moderated by CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper. ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the September debate, which has no location announced as of yet. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network that he had accepted an invite from Fox News for a third debate on October 2, but Biden “campaign chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dixon said that Biden “made his terms clear for two one-on-one debates, and Donald Trump accepted those terms”. There will be no audience for both debates, and as a candidate speaks the other candidate’s microphone will be deactivated.
The timing of the debate is a blow to the commission, which has dictated the terms and organized presidential debates since 1988. But the Biden and Trump campaign teams have expressed their displeasure with the commission in the past.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. objected to the news of the debates. He is currently below the guidelines to participate, sitting at below the 15% support level in four recognized polls In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: “They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy.”
President Biden and Donald Trump have been trading barbs publicly over the issue of debating each other within the past few weeks. The president released a video through a post on X calling Trump out to debate, channeling Clint Eastwood with the phrase “Well, make my day, pal” and ending with “I hear you’re free on Wednesdays” referring to Trump’s current “hush money” trial taking place in New York City.
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Source: The Washington Post / Getty
President Joe Biden and Donald Trump may be facing off in a debate as early as this summer, but there may be some obstacles due to a request for new rules.
According to reports, President Joe Biden has signaled that he’s ready to debate Donald Trump at least twice before the elections take place in November and as early as June. These wishes were expressed in a letter sent by Biden’s reelection campaign committee to the Commission on Presidential Debates. However, President Biden has expressed in the letter that he would decline to take part in the three scheduled general debates which were set for Sept. 16, Oct. 1 and Oct. 9. The letter also cites that the commission “was unable or unwilling to enforce the rules in the 2020 debates.” It also blasted the commission for allowing Trump to take part in that debate while ill – Trump would later declare that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
The decision is a bold departure for President Biden, who has dedicated his career to preserving the institutions of the nation’s government. The letter, signed by campaign chair Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, also proposes negotiating with television networks like ABC, NBC, and Telemundo directly to host that first debate and a second “in early September at the start of the fall campaign season, early enough to influence early voting, but not so late as to require the candidates to leave the campaign trail in the critical late September and October period,” O’Malley Dillon writes. They also call for new rules such as the cutting of microphones when a candidate goes over and no in-house audiences.
The potential new rules would be a major sticking point for Trump, who played to the audience in his debate appearances. Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, representatives for Trump are in accord with avoiding the Commission on Presidential Debates, issuing their statement on May 1: “We must host debates earlier than ever before,” they said. “Again, we call on every television network in America that wishes to host a debate to extend an invitation to our campaign and we will gladly negotiate with the Biden campaign, with or without the stubborn Presidential Debates Commission.” They reason that Biden is slower than in 2020 mentally, and Trump’s lead in key battleground states in the polls.
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Source: Slaven Vlasic / Getty / Eric Adams
NYC Mayor Mixxy, aka Eric Adams, continues to strongly push for the title of worst mayor ever.
New York City is facing a lifeguard shortage, which could be an issue for the upcoming Summer season. Mayor Adams has a possible solution for that problem: hiring immigrants because they are “excellent swimmers.”
Adam’s latest boneheaded statement came after being asked about the lifeguard staffing at the city’s pools and beaches potentially being an issue as Memorial Day approaches.
Local news affiliate News 4 New York reports that Adams responded to the question by suggesting the city expedite work licenses for migrants and asylum seekers.
“How do we have a large body of people that are in our city and country that are excellent swimmers and at the same time we need lifeguards — and the only obstacle is that we won’t give them the right to work to become a lifeguard?” Adams said.
The website also notes that Mayor Adams mentioned other “in-demand professions” like food service workers and nurses, which could lead to migrants being fast-tracked to work.
News 4 New York reports that the mayor’s office did not immediately provide any more information when asked for further comment.
X Users Are Clowning Mayor Adams For His Suggestion
Unsurprisingly, Adams is being clowned on X, formerly Twitter, for his latest comments.
“The worst part about Eric Adams is that we all had to vote for him because the other option was a crazy vigilante in a red beret covered in cats,” one user on X wrote.
Mayor Adams is working extremely hard to be a one-term mayor. We hope there are better options when choosing a competent mayor for New York City.
Until that day, you can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Accurate
2. All New York City residents when this man speaks
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Source: Complex / Complex
Complex has named Aria Hughes as its new editor-in-chief and is bringing back Noah Callahan-Bever on the staff.
It’s a mix of the old and the new at Complex, which has promoted its editorial creative director Aria Hughes to editor-in-chief. The company is also bringing back former EIC and content chief Noah Callahan-Bever. Complex is also acquiring Callahan-Bever’s media company IdeaGeneration, which was created as an entity that “seeks to understand and explain how the greatest creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs come up with, develop and operationalize the ideas that move and impact society,” according to Complex.
Hughes has been at Complex since joining as a deputy style editor in 2019, going on to oversee the entire style vertical. The University of Maryland College Park graduate and former men’s editor at the fashion industry publication WWD became the platform’s editorial director in 2022. “It’s an honor to be named the editor-in-chief at a brand that’s so important to culture,” Hughes said via the press release. “I look forward to working with Noah and the team to help Complex grow, evolve, and connect more deeply with our audience.”
As for Callahan-Bever, who returns after a six-year hiatus, the former Def Jam executive vice president expressed his gratitude in a statement: “So, to be afforded the chance, thanks to CEO Aaron Levant, to revisit and reimagine my work at Complex — and to be able to do it in concert with one of the industry’s most inspiring emergent talents, Aria Hughes — while also injecting Idea Generation with the resources and infrastructure it needs to go the next level, with all of the aforementioned accomplices, is a professional gift for which the depths of my gratitude know no bounds.”
The two moves are the latest to be initiated by Complex since its acquisition by the Ntwrk media group from BuzzFeed in February in an all-cash deal of $106.8 million. The initial buy of Complex Networks (which included the First We Feast brand responsible for the popular online show “Hot Ones”) in 2021 cost BuzzFeed $294 million.
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Source: Amazon MGM Studios / Amazon Prime / Donald Glover / Maya Erskine
If you loved Donald Glover’s version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith on Prime Video, we are happy to tell you it is coming back for a second round. However, the title characters will probably not look the same when it does.
Variety reports that Prime Video has renewed the reboot of Mr. & Mrs. Smith for a second season. That’s fantastic news.
The show originally starred Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as the titular spies, who developed feelings for each other, complicating their work.
According to Variety’s reporting, Glover and Erskine will not reprise their roles in the series when season two begins production.
Huh?
While Glover is not starring in the fantastic Prime Video series, he will still get a co-creator of the show credit while still serving as the executive producer with Francesca Sloane, who will return as showrunner.
Amazon MGM Studios’ Jennifer Salke spoke on the series renewal, “We are excited to announce that a second season of our groundbreaking spy series, Mr. and Mrs. SmithThe official description of the series reads, “In the first season of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, two lonely strangers land jobs working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travels, and a dream brownstone in Manhattan. The catch? New identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith. Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier: espionage or marriage?”
Consider us curious to learn who will replace Glover and Erskine on the show if they don’t return.
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Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty / Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg is currently in a phase of his life where he is unlocking achievements, and we are just sitting back and watching him do amazing things outside of making Hip-Hop songs.
Deadline reports that Snoop Dogg will be returning to The Voice, but this time in a full-time capacity. The West Coast legend and Jazz singer Michael Bublé will join Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, and host Carson Daily when the show returns for season 26 in the fall.
The “Gin & Juice” crafter was a part of season 20 of The Voice as a mega mentor, while Bublé was an advisor to Team Blake in Season 3.
In typical Snoop fashion, he called Reba “the queen” of The Voice, adding, “I can be the king that brings the style, the funk, the fun,” per Deadline.
Snoop and Bublé will replace outgoing hosts John Legend, Chance The Rapper, and Dan+ Shay.
What Else Is Snoop Dogg Up To?
The news about the Doggfather comes after a plethora of other announcements. Last week, we learned his “Gin & Juice” liquor brand is now sponsoring an NCAA bowl game, giving us the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl.
“College football fans are exhausted by the constant talk around NIL, conference realignment, coach movement, transfer portal, and super conferences,” Snoop Dogg said in a video.
“So it’s time to get back to the roots of college football and what it was focused on — the colleges, the players, the competition, the community, fan experience, and the pageantry. Being a fan, coach, and supporter of all levels of the game, I’ve sent many players through my SYFL [Snoop Youth Football League] to colleges and the NFL, so it’s only fitting that I step up and help get this thing right.”
Snoop will also lend his legendary voice as a commentator for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics.
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Source: Michael M. Santiago / Getty
Donald Trump gave praise to the popular movie villain Hannibal Lecter during his campaign speech over the weekend.
Former President Donald Trump praised another big name during a campaign rally held on the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey, over the weekend. The cannibalistic (and fictional) serial killer Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs, made famous on the film and television screen by actors Sir Anthony Hopkins and Mads Mikkelsen. Trump made the statements while disparaging immigrants arriving at the nation’s southern border.
“Silence of the Lamb,” Trump said. “Has anyone ever seen The Silence of the Lambs? The late great Hannibal Lecter is a wonderful man,” the former President said. “He oftentimes would have a friend for dinner. Remember the last scene? ‘Excuse me. I’m about to have a friend for dinner.’ And this poor doctor walks by,” he continued. “I’m about to have a friend for dinner. But Hannibal Lecter,” he added before finishing: “Congratulations. The late great Hannibal Lecter. We have people that are being released into our country that we don’t want in our country.”
Trump’s praise of a macabre serial killer wasn’t the only verbal gaffe that he made to the crowd in attendance, at one point stating that he was “up here screaming like a lunatic” during another attack on President Joe Biden. The audience was reported to have 80,000 people, with New York Giants Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Taylor making an appearance. But one reporter with the Philadelphia Inquirer noted that many began to leave as Trump began to speak.
The former president and presumptive Republican nominee held court over only his third campaign rally since the beginning of his “hush money” trial involving adult film star Stormy Daniels, taking place in New York City. The trial, now in its fourth week, has restricted Trump from doing more due to his being required to attend save for Wednesdays when the court is in recess. He spent time calling the proceedings a “Biden show trial,” and even called the trial “bull—“, encouraging some in the audience to chant the obscenity. That trial resumed on Monday (May 13) with his former fixer Michael Cohen on the stand, with expectations that the prosecution will rest at the end of the week.
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Source: 6381380 / Getty / Bear
A huge debate on TikTok has been settled regarding bears, men, and who women feel is safer around.
A video of a TikToker asking women on the street if they would feel safer alone in the woods with a bear or with an unknown man, and every woman, except one, resoundingly chose the bear.
As expected, men were in their feelings at the idea of women choosing to be alone with a bear rather than be in the presence of an unknown man due to understandable concerns of safety cause, and historically, men are nuts.
Well, TMZ spoke with a wildlife ecologist who is an expert on bears, and she broke down why the women choosing the bear are not far off in their assessment of men as the more significant threat.
Per TMZ:
Rae Wynn-Grant — a wildlife ecologist who got her PhD in all things bears — laid it out for TMZ … telling us these animals want nothing to do with humans in the wild and avoid us at all costs… unless food is involved, of course. She can’t say the same for guys.
RWG says … “I think this is a clever way for women to suggest to the wider world, particularly to men, that we, as women, feel constantly under threat.”
She adds … “And, that speaks volumes when it comes to time alone with a man compared to time alone with a predator, like a bear.” Rae goes on to say that bears are not naturally aggressive — contrary to the image they’ve cultivated — and they really don’t seek trouble.
Wynn-Grant also says the data is unequivocally in favor of bears over men, and if she had to choose, of course, she would want to be alone with the bear.
Well, there you have it.
You can see her break it down in her own words in the video below.
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Source: Noam Galai / Getty
Students at Duke University walked out on the commencement speech by Jerry Seinfeld over his pro-Israel stance on the war in Gaza.
On Sunday (May 12), comedian Jerry Seinfeld was introduced at the commencement at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Before rising to speak, about 30 graduates got up and walked out during the introductory remarks by Duke University President Vincent Price, with chants of “Free, Free Palestine” being heard as they left the stadium mixed in with booing from some of the 7,000 in attendance. They were protesting Seinfeld’s presence as well as the school’s investment in Israel, calling for Duke to divest.
Seinfeld has been more vocal about his support of Israel and their military’s response to the attacks by the Hamas militant group on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in hundreds of Israeli people killed with over 300 hostages taken. The Israeli Defense Forces’ attacks have been blamed for the reported deaths of almost 35,000 Palestinians and other civilians including aid workers. The comedian’s stance (including social media posts and a trip to Tel Aviv last December) has brought him heavy backlash as he was on campus to receive an honorary doctorate. “I don’t preach about it,” he said in an interview with GQ. “I have my personal feelings about it that I discuss privately. It’s not part of what I can do comedically, but my feelings are very strong.”
The students who walked out, with some carrying the Palestinian flag, made their way to a green space on campus where they were greeted by parents and faculty members who gave them a makeshift ceremony. Back at Wallace Wade Stadium, Seinfeld regaled the crowd while only hinting at the protesters by saying he admired their commitment to inclusivity but felt “it is worth the sacrifice of occasional discomfort to have some laughs.”
The protests by college students over the war in Gaza have led to increased tensions with over 2,900 arrested at 57 collegiate institutions nationwide. Some of the incidents were sparked by agitators involved in pro-Israel counterprotests such as one that took place at UCLA last month – that one was promoted by Seinfeld’s wife, Jessica, who publicized her donations to the organizing group. She would go on to denounce the violence that took place afterward.
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Source: Scott Legato / Getty / Flavor Flav
The US women’s water polo team aims for an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics, but that isn’t attracting much attention. Team member Maggie Steffens is making a loud case that her squad needs support, and one person is stepping up to the plate to get people excited about them.
FLAVORRRR FLAAAAAVVVVV has signed up to use his legendary hypeman skills to spread the word about the US women’s water polo squad.
The co-founder of the iconic rap group Public Enemy and reality star will do his part after being moved by Steffens post. He is finalizing a deal to become an official sponsor and hypeman for USA Water Polo, hoping to give them a bigger spotlight.
Flav has already hit the ground running and is taking his new gig seriously. He highlights some of the team’s standout players on X, formerly Twitter.
Flav Promises To Be Team’s Biggest Hypeman
Speaking with the AP on Friday, Flav said, “When I come out and I watch this water polo team … ‘USA! USA!’ Yo, I’m going to be the biggest hype man that they ever had in their life. I’m going to be bigger than any cheerleader that they had in their life. I’m going to cheer this team on, and I’m going to cheer this team into winning a gold medal.”
Flav made the decision after his manager brought the post to his attention.
“One thing about me, I know what it feels like to want to see a dream come true,” said Flav. “I know what it feels like to want to achieve a goal, and I’m the type of person that, if I see you trying, then I’m going to do whatever I can to help you.”
Salute to Flavor Flav and go TEAM USA!