State Champ Radio PHOTO OPS
Page: 7
Source: Kevin Carter / Getty / Tesla / Elon Musk
Going Dark MAGA and meddling with global politics isn’t good for business. Elon Musk can attest to that, as Tesla sales continue to slump not just in the United States, but also in Europe.
Spotted on The Verge, Tesla as a company is taking a tremendous hit in the European car sales market, and Elon Musk can look no further than himself as the reason.
According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Tesla is experiencing a significant decline in sales in Europe, with figures for the EU, UK, and European Free Trade Association falling 49 percent year-over-year in April, while sales of battery electric vehicles rose.
The EAMA reports that Tesla registered only 7,261 new vehicle registrations in April, a steep decline from the previous year, which is concerning for those in Tesla corporate or as an investor, given that the company has just launched an updated Tesla Model Y, one of the more popular models globally. It has also flopped, failing to lure in more customers.
The website reports that all of the company’s current misfortunes can be linked back to numerous factors, including Elon Musk’s decision to align with Donald Trump, his unsuccessful DOGE efforts, his involvement in global affairs, and more.
Per The Verge:
Despite Musk’s optimistic talk about the Model Y’s sales prospects, Tesla’s brand crisis appears to be deepening. And it’s not because European consumers are souring on electric vehicles; in the first four months of 2025, new battery-electric car sales grew by 26.4 percent, to 558,262 units, capturing 15.3 percent of the total EU market share.
Tesla’s falling fortunes can be chalked up to several factors, including rising competition from domestic manufacturers and Chinese rivals, and Musk’s efforts to slash federal spending for the Trump administration as part of DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk’s political meddling in the EU, where he came out in support of Germany’s far-right party ahead of that country’s elections, appears to have done Tesla few favors as well.
The latest financial woes for Tesla come after Musk claimed that he would be taking a step back from politics to focus more on the business, but will somehow stay involved with the Trump presidency throughout Felon 47’s current term.
While Musk’s popularity among Democrats and Liberals was in the toilet due to his glazing of Donald Trump and embracing MAGA, the Republicans who were fans of the billionaire have also gone sour on him.
A Reuters/Ipsos Poll revealed that 58 percent of respondents held an unfavorable view of Musk, compared to 39 percent who viewed him favorably.
Musk’s business woes are currently being celebrated on his platform, X formerly Twitter, which he allegedly sold to xAI.
You can see those reactions in the gallery below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty / Shaboozey / Megan Moroney
Shaboozey couldn’t keep a straight face when Megan Moroney made an egregious claim about who created country music, and thankfully, it was caught in 4K.
The “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer went viral for not being able to keep a poker face, and understandably so after fellow country artist Megan Moroney had the audacity and caucasity to credit The Carter Family as the inventors of country music.
It was one of the head-scratching moments during the 2025 American Music Awards that garnered plenty of reactions on social media.
While presenting the award for the Favorite Country Duo or Group category, Shaboozey began the segment by reading the teleprompter, telling the audience and viewers, “Country music has been an important part of AMA history. The very first year of this show, the award for Favorite Male Country Artist went to the great Charlie Pride.”
Moroney got the ultimate side eye from Shaboozey when she followed him by saying, “That same year, Favorite Female Artist went to Lynn Anderson, and this award [Favorite Country Duo or Group] went to the Carter family, who basically invented country music.”
The reactions to the moment were instant, with many users on X, formerly Twitter, basically praising the artist for keeping it real following Moroney’s comments.
Shaboozey did respond on his personal X account after the moment went viral, writing in a post that tries to help him save face, writing, “The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike.”
It’s all good Shaboozey, no need to explain, we all made the same face listening to Moroney make that comment.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Lol, ours too
2. Shaboozey face said it all
3. Accurate
4. Basically
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Dustin Bradford / Getty / Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter is currently living his best life after being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and marrying his fiancée, Leanna Del Fuente, but as expected, the haters had plenty to say.
Hunter, the Jaguars’ newly drafted offense/defence specialist, put a bow on what many would consider a fantastic month by tying the knot to his longtime girlfriend.
Hunter, 22, and De La Fuente, 23, began their love story when they met at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, and it continued throughout his 3-year college stint in Colorado. It didn’t take long for them to seal the deal after their engagement in February 2024.
Along with her very expensive rock on her finger, Hunter wasn’t done blessing his now wife with gifts. Videos of the wide receiver and cornerback unveiling a black Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 Brabus 800, worth more than $200,000, as a gift to his bride, went viral on X, formerly Twitter timelines.
Other clips show Hunter with his new wife celebrating their nuptials, and another of him dancing with his bride while flashing the biggest grin on the planet.
Haters Were Hating On Travis Hunter Getting Married
But with the bliss, of course, comes the unnecessary vitriol of the man just being happy to be married.
“travis hunter actually married that girl *laughing emojis,” one post on X read.
Another hating ass comment read, “Bag Secured. Look at that GRIN on him. #TravisHunter got the stripper a ring AND a G-Wagon just to show everyone he’s all in on her. What could possibly go wrong?”
Someone on Instagram went as far as to write Kanye West, also known as Ye, entire verse from “Gold Digger” under a post.
Some came to the defense of the newly married couple.
Exactly.
We’re sending our best wishes to Travis Hunter and De La Fuente.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
2. She’s winning though
3. Oh he’s big mad
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Getty Images / Bernard “Beanz” Smalls / Kid Cudi / Diddy
The legal team for Diddy, also known as Sean Combs, is seeking to have Kid Cudi’s explosive testimony dismissed.
It’s no secret that the Diddy saga is a pure circus that not even Netflix or HBO could have dreamed of in terms of shenanigans following his arrest on racketeering and federal sex trafficking.
One of the more eyebrow-raising claims is that Kid Cudi’s Porsche was torched because of his relationship with Diddy’s ex, Cassie Ventura. Lawyers for Diddy are asking the judge to dismiss Mr. Rager’s testimony on the grounds of CAP, strictly based on his unconfirmed claim that the disgraced mogul lied about his involvement.
During his testimony in Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial last week, Cudi spoke about meeting Diddy at Soho House after his car was set ablaze.
Cudi’s testimony provided the public with one of the more memorable statements when he hilariously said that Diddy was “standing there like a Marvel supervillain.” Still, Diddy’s team of lawyers believes the focus should be on discussion when Cudi was asked if he believed Diddy when the Bad Boy general said he didn’t know anything about Cudi’s whip being torched.
After Judge Arun Subramanian overruled an objection from Combs’ lawyer Brian Steel, Cudi went on to say that Diddy was “lying.”
As part of their argument to have Cudi’s testimony thrown out, Comb’s legal team argues that Cudi’s claims qualify as an opinion and should be stricken from testimony because it is in reference to the “Day ‘n’ Nite” crafter’s firebombed vehicle and could sway the jury’s opinion.
Ye & Young Thug Were Not Fans of Kid Cudi Testifying
Speaking of opinions, there are those within the Hip-Hop community who are not happy that Cudi testified against Combs.
Taking time off from being an antisemtic douchebag, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, Ye, expressed disappointment in Cudi.
“I wish Cudi hadn’t testified against Puff,” the problematic producer/rapper wrote on his X, formerly Twitter account, per HipHopDX.
West continued, “We need to not be locked in white systems. Praying for Puff and his family.”
Ummm, ok.
Young Thug also demonstrated why those in the Hip-Hop community continue to hold flawed logic regarding “snitching.” The rapper, who recently returned home from a lengthy prison stint, wrote on X, “Dam Cudi a rat lol.”
SMH.
Trust and believe if someone blows up our car and we knew who did it, we would be on the stand testifying too.
Just saying.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Ridiculous
3. Exactly
4. Make it, make sense
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Ernesto Ruscio / Getty / Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington had to let one Cannes Film Festival photographer know he’s not the one or two.
A video of Denzel Washington checking a photographer during the world premiere of Spike Lee’s newest film, Highest 2 Lowest, which stars Washington, along with Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, Wendell Pierce, and more, went viral on social media.
The incident occurred on the red carpet when a photographer grabbed Washington’s arm, trying to get his attention, while the 70-year-old actor was breaking bread with Lee.
Washington, who is known to press people when he feels his space is being violated, turned to the photographer, telling him to stop. The photographer smiled and nodded in agreement, only to grab Washington again, leading to the actor warning him again to “stop.”
According to People, an insider revealed that despite the tense moment on the red carpet, Washington didn’t let it ruin the moment and had. a “great evening.”
Social Media Got Denzel Washington’s Back
But that didn’t stop fans from chiming in and standing up for Uncle Denzel who channel his inner Alonzo Harris for hot minute to let that photographer know that he crossed the line.
“See now if he had slapped him, the focus would be on him slapping him instead of the fact that the weirdo was antagonising him,” one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
Another user on X wrote, “They instigate, provoke us into acting out of character, then smile in our faces immediately after. But if Denzel justifiably slapped the dogshit outta dude for deliberately provoking him, the media would be quick to call him all types of slick ass slurs and try to end his career.”
Where’s the lie?
We’re just glad that that overzealous photog didn’t ruin Denzel’s moment.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: MELINA MARA / Getty / Donald Trump Jr.
It should come as no surprise that Donald Trump Jr. lacks decency.
Following the awful news of President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis, Donald Trump Jr. didn’t waste anytime showing the world how much of a complete douche he is.
At first, it appeared the alleged booger sugar abuser was following his father’s lead by “putting politics aside” and wishing Biden well.
Trump Jr. reposted a meme of Biden with the caption “Politics aside, we wish him a speedy recovery,” hours after the news broke that Biden is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
At the time he wrote, “Agree 100%.”
That good would only last roughly three hours when he dropped another post mocking President Biden’s wife, former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who holds a doctoral degree in education, pushing a conspiracy theory that is, as expected, taking off in MAGA land with Trump Jr. leading the charge.
“What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???”
This masterclass in stupidity is now pinned to the top of his personal X page.
Uncle Joe has since given the American people an update on his diagnosis, writing on his personal social media accounts, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
Donald Trump Jr. Is Getting Slammed On X
On the other hand, social media has been tearing Donald Trump Jr. to shreds for his tasteless post. “There’s no bottom for Don Jr. Truly despicable,” the Republican For Trump account on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
“I lost both of my parents to Cancer. This is disgusting and an insult to every patient and family dealing with this insidious disease. Grow the fuck up,” another post read.
The Trump family is full of rotten apples.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
2. Damn shame
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Getty Images / Drake / Tory Lanez
You can add Drake to the list of people who just can’t accept that Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion.
Drake shared a link to a petition calling for Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon Canadian Yosemite Sam, aka Tory Lanez, after he was stabbed 14 times in prison.
On Friday, Drake posted via his Instagram Stories, “@torylanez come home soon” along with the link to a Change.org petition “Pardon Tory Lanez: Urge Governor Newsom to Correct a Deep Injustice,” which now has over 236,000 signatures.
Source: Instagram / Drake
The petition first sprouted up on Tory Lanez’s social media accounts in the wake of a non-profit organization called Unite the People claiming that it has testimony from a bodyguard that would absolve Lanez of the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.
Walter Roberts, who is the “lead consultant” of the group, claimed a man named Bradley James, who said he was the bodyguard of Megan Thee Stallion’s former best friend, Kelsey Harris, approached him claiming to be a witness to Harris admitting to shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
Megan Thee Stallion’s attorney, Alex Spiro, issued a statement on his client’s behalf: “Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers, and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in a court of law.”
Thee Stallion is also unbothered as she just recently announced her swimwear line.
Drake Is Getting Dragged On X
She doesn’t have to address the situation because social media has been dragging Drake and Chris Brown for yelling Free Tory. Brown was recently locked up abroad for an incident a year ago and denied bail on the matter.
“Drake was quiet for Kendrick, but real loud for Megan, a woman! #SIMP,” one post on X, formerly Twitter, read.
Welp.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Epic Games / Fortnite AI-Powered Darth Vader / Getty Images / James Earl Jones
Did Epic Games cross the line with its AI-powered Darth Vader companion that uses James Earl Jones voice? Gamers are currently debating.
The iconic actor James Earl Jones passed away last year, but his contributions to cinema, especially his iconic voice, will forever be linked to the Star Wars villain Darth Vader.
Starting today, Walt Disney Co. and Epic Games will allow Fortnite players to recruit and speak to Darth Vader.
Thanks to the power of generative AI, the Vader in-game character will use the late actor’s voice. Epic Games said they are doing so while remaining in “close consultation” with Jones’ family.
How Epic Games Is Bringing James Earl Jones To Fortnite
Epic Games uses Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash model to generate Vader’s responses to players, while ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5 model generates Jones’ voice.
“James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it,” the family of James Earl Jones said in a statement. “We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.”
This decision changes the direction of the entertainment industry in situations like this. In previous Star Wars games, actors were hired to mimic Jones’ voice while he was still alive.
“Epic Games and Disney have worked together to thoughtfully develop this innovative feature with a strong focus on transparency, consent, and safety — ensuring that creators, Disney IP, and players are protected in interactive experiences,” Disney and Epic said in a statement announcing the decision.
As with anything, nothing goes off without a hitch. IGN reported that Epic Games had to issue a patch within an hour of AI-Darth Vader going live because videos of him dropping f-bombs hit X, formerly Twitter timelines.
Gamers do not like conversing with an AI-powered chatbot with Jones’s voice either.
“We deadass having a conversation with James Earl Jones via AI…? Yea you can keep it,” one post on X read.
Welp, it looks like its not going anywhere, and as long they got permission from the Jones family, we don’t see an issue, but this is still opening a can of worms for many.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
2. Heard you
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Getty Images / Soulja Boy / DDG / Halle Bailey
Soulja Boy calling out DDG for allegedly putting his hands on Halle Bailey was definitely not on our 2025 bingo card.
In a stunning twist of events, Soulja Boy took to X, formerly Twitter, to invite DDG to a well-deserved fade after news broke of the singer requesting a restraining order against the rapper/streamer and father of her child.
On Wednesday, May 14, Big Draco said in a post that planned on “beating the f*k out” of DDG in the wake of details and photo evidence hitting social media when news of Bailey’s restraining order hit timelines where she also alleges the former couple “fought each other” during an incident in January.
“You a b**ch a** n**ga for putting yo’ hands on Halle,” the “Crank Dat” rapper wrote on X.
Social Media Slams Soulja Boy For Blatant Hypocrisy
Well, right message, wrong messenger. That’s what many people on X are saying because Soulja Boy isn’t exactly a champion of women’s rights, mainly because he was just found liable for sexual assault of a former assistant who had to pay $4 million to.
“you ain’t even the n***a to be talkin , you hit women too . Right message wrong messenger,” one reply to Soulja Boy’s tweet read.
Another reply read, “Congrats on being the first rapper to defend a female while whooping another female ass.”
“Didn’t you sexually assault your assistant?” another user wrote on X.
Rapper Freddie Gibbs got in on the fun, replying with a simple laughing emoji.
We are definitely in the upside-down, or maybe Soulja Boy was high when he let that post off because there is no way he sent that without being aware that he is definitely in the same boat as DDG.
SMH.
You can see more reactions below.
1. Basically
2. Mmmmhmmm
5. Receipts
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: RICHARD A. BROOKS / Getty / PlayStation 5
Sony announced its financial forecast for the next year, and the company expects Donald Trump’s tariffs to impact its bottom line greatly.
Spotted on The Verge, Sony expects Trump’s stupid tariffs to impact its financial forecast by 100 billion yen (about $680 million). Sony is weighing different options to counter the tariffs, including moving manufacturing to the United States, which could raise the price of PS5 consoles.
Sony CFO Lin Tao confirmed during a company earnings call that the company is considering “passing on” the price of tariffs to counteract the tariffs. Tao did not mention the PlayStation 5 by name during the call, signaling that the company could look to raise prices elsewhere to avoid raising the price of the PS5 console.
The PlayStation 5 has already seen price increases outside of the United States in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and Europe.
While Tao didn’t mention the console, CEO Hiroki Totoki did when discussing possibly moving PS5 production to the US to minimize the effect of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Totokoi said the PS5 console could be manufactured “can be produced locally,” say it could be “an efficient strategy,” that “has to be considered going forward.”
Sony Still Has To Worry About The 30 Percent Tariff On China
Sony still makes the PS5 in China, and even after the 90-day pause, the 30 percent tariff, which is a significant reduction from the 145 percent, is still above the 10 percent on imports into the United States from China.
If Sony does decide to raise its prices, it won’t be the first company to do so. Microsoft recently raised the price of its Xbox consoles by $100, while Nintendo has kept the price of the Switch 2 the same, opting to raise the prices of accessories instead.
We may learn soon enough if Sony does raise the price of the PS5. Until then, you can see reactions to this unfortunate news that we can all blame on Donald Trump.
2. Great question
4. We’re begging Sony
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
