Home Blog Page 251

Trump orders hundreds of Federal DEI employees placed on leave

Sandra Rose
-
0
Trump orders hundreds of Federal DEI employees placed on leave
MEGA/WENN

Hundreds of federal diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) employees were laid off by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

The federal employees will be placed on paid administrative leave while their individual departments are shut down, according to an internal memo.

In the memo, issued Tuesday to heads of departments and agencies, Trump set a deadline of no later than 5 p.m. ET Wednesday for the DEI employees to be placed on paid administrative leave as their agencies prepare to close down.

All DEI-related offices and programs were ordered to remove websites and social media accounts for their offices. Some DEI employees previously used their social media accounts to post anti-Trump content.

MEGA

Following his inaugural events on Monday, Trump took to his Truth Social app and typed “YOU’RE FIRED!”

However, some federal workers voluntarily resigned before Trump was sworn-in on Jan. 20.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was appointed by former President Joe Biden to serve as an advisor on the President’s Export Council. She responded to Trump’s post on Tuesday, saying she had already quit her position.

MEGA/WENN

Bottoms took to Instagram to share her letter of resignation to Biden on Jan. 4.

She wrote in response to Trump’s post: “A day late and a dollar short. You can’t fire someone who has already resigned.”

Trump campaigned on a promise to end federal DEI programs on Day 1 of his second term in office.

The White House also released an order ending the use of DEI federal contractors and “directing federal agencies to relentlessly combat private sector discrimination.”

Detroit pastor who delivered benediction at Trump’s Inauguration is former drug dealer

Sandra Rose
-
0
Detroit pastor who delivered benediction at Trump’s Inauguration is former drug dealer
MEGA/WENN

President Donald Trump is accused of befriending a scammer who poses as a man of the cloth.

Lorenzo Sewell, the Detroit pastor who delivered the benediction at Donald Trump’s Inauguration, is going viral because of his seedy past.

MEGA

Sewell is a former drug dealer and gang leader whose father went to prison and his younger brother was killed in gang violence.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP

Sewell, 43, is senior pastor at 180 Church in Detroit, Michigan. In January 2019, He appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention as Trump’s guest. Trump spoke at the 180 Church in June 2024. Sewell praised Trump for going into a church in the hood.

The church was paid $5,000 for hosting Trump’s campaign stop.

In his sermon at Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, Sewell described Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt as “a millimeter miracle”.

Black Twitter criticized Sewell’s benediction and called him a c**n.

“Pastor Lorenzo Sewell I hope I never reach your level of c**nery,” one X user wrote.

Another user wrote, “They should not have let this pastor Lorenzo Sewell carry on with this ‘benediction’ like that, at the inauguration. What a disgrace.”

Sewell raised suspicions when he launched a meme coin after attending Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

“I need you to do me a favor right now: I need you to go buy the official Lorenzo Sewell coin,” he said in a social media post. “I want you to be able to see politics become manifest not just in a way where we’re paying over political gatherings, but we’re seeing us become the hands and feet of the lord Jesus Christ. Will you help me?”

Meme coins are considered cryptocurrency scams because the original investors become millionaires while public investors are left holding worthless cryptocurrency.

Original investors usually sell their coins on the day of the launch, causing the price of the coin to nosedive. This is known as a “rug pull.”

The value of Sewell’s meme coin spiked initially and then dropped to a fraction of a penny. Some X users accused Sewell of a rug pull.

Photo may have been deleted

Sewell denied the allegations and said the proceeds from the meme coin launch will pay for church services and he would not sell his own coins.

Martin Luther King’s daughter Bernice King comes for Sexyy Red – then accepts her apology

Sandra Rose
-
0
Martin Luther King’s daughter Bernice King comes for Sexyy Red – then accepts her apology

MLK, Sexyy Red

Martin Luther King Jr’s daughter, Bernice King, politely snatched rapper Sexyy Red’s wig for disrespecting her father on his day of celebration.

The smut rapper shared an AI photo of herself slow dancing with the civil rights icon on MLK Day.

Someone tagged King on X (Twitter), and she respectfully asked Red to delete the image.

“This is intentionally distasteful, dishonoring, deplorable, and disrespectful to my family and my father, who is not here to respond himself because he was assassinated for working for your civil and human rights and to end war and poverty.

Please delete.”

Red quickly deleted the distasteful AI photo without comment.

She later apologized for her immature behavior.

King accepted Red’s apology with grace and class.

Then King defended Red’s lack of emotional intelligence and personal growth. There are many who believe Bernice King did Red a disservice by accepting her ratchet behavior.

This is how London’s DailyMail.com covered the story — by intentionally using a photo of Memphis rapper GloRilla instead of Red.

Glorilla, Bernice King

X (Twitter) users didn’t hold back their outrage at Red.

One person wrote: “Bernice King is absolutely right. It was distasteful and should’ve been deleted.”

Another person wrote: “I feel like if Dr Martin Luther King had to tell you through his daughter that you’re out of pocket, you kinda failed as a black American.”

A third person wrote: “There are some things you simply don’t do. This was one of them. Dr. Bernice King had every right to check Sexxy Red for that, period.”

And someone else posted: “We ain’t entertaining ignorance from your kind in 2025.”

But many people defended the THOT rapper, saying she exercised her freedom of speech.

Sadly, young people today didn’t witness firsthand the sacrifices that MLK Jr. and other civil rights leaders made for us. And how they gave their lives so we could be free.

Bernice King, 61, is the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King’s four children. Martin Luther King III, 67, is her only surviving sibling. He has not commented on the controversy.

Mass Deportations Begin in 10 Cities. Police Warn Immigrants to Leave

Sandra Rose
-
0
Mass Deportations Begin in 10 Cities. Police Warn Immigrants to Leave
Best Image / BACKGRID

Mass deportations began Tuesday, Jan. 21, in ten American cities. President Donald Trump’s mass deportations will target immigrants who are in America illegally.

The cities on the deportation list are Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Miami, Washington, DC, Denver, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas.

ICE agents began rounding up immigrants who entered the country illegally during former President Joe Biden’s term in office. About 8 million immigrants entered the country between January 2021 and January 2025.

Mexicans waiting for appointments at the Customs Border Patrol office broke down and cried when they learned Trump banned the CBP One app that facilitated legal entry into the US.

MediaPunch / BACKGRID

The app went dark just minutes after Trump was sworn-in as the 47th President of the US on Monday.

Local police in sanctuary cities posted flyers warning illegals to “leave now” and “avoid deportation.”

MediaPunch / BACKGRID

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams, who attended Trump’s Inauguration in D.C. on Monday, said the NYPD will not assist ICE in rounding up illegals for deportation.

City laws prohibit the NYPD and other city agencies from cooperating with federal agents.

Pope Francis called Trump’s plans to deport millions of immigrants a “disgrace.” The Pope said Trump is “not Christian” for wanting to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Pope Francis sent Trump a message on Monday that he’s praying God “will grant you wisdom, strength and protection in the exercise of your high duties.”

Why Tyra Banks stayed quiet about losing her $4.8 million Malibu home

Sandra Rose
-
0
Why Tyra Banks stayed quiet about losing her $4.8 million Malibu home
BACKGRID

Tyra Banks has joined the list of celebrities who lost their homes in the Los Angeles wildfires. Tyra remained silent when her $4.8 million Malibu oceanfront house went up in flames recently.

T.JACKSON / BACKGRID

The emotional media star told the Australian breakfast show “Sunrise” that her beautiful house was destroyed in the wildfires.

no byline@backgrid.com / BACKGRID

Tyra’s luxury beachfront home is seen in an aerial photo dated March 18, 2023.

“I’m one of them. I lost my house,” she said when asked if she knew of anyone who had lost their home in the L.A. wildfires.

no byline@backgrid.com / BACKGRID

“I haven’t really talked about it but, yeah, I have,” Banks continued. She explained why she remained silent while others revealed their homes were destroyed.

“I just didn’t want to pull a lot of attention to me, I feel that there’s a lot of people that need that attention, so I haven’t really talked about it, but I can’t sit here and not tell the truth, so yeah we lost our house.”

SPOT / BACKGRID

Tyra shares a son, York, 9, with longtime boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin. They were staying at a friend’s house in Australia when she learned her Malibu beach house had burned to the ground.

“We were celebrating and just having fun. I kept checking my phone, not for my house, but just for friends and family,” she said. “I was just making sure they were evacuating and everything.”

“Then, I asked my partner, ‘I’m seeing something here. What do you think?’ And he said [she nods].”

Tyra added she “pulled it together.” “I didn’t say anything to my friends. I just stayed in that moment. Then we went home and we cried. We had our moment.”

The “America’s Next Top Model” veteran said that most of their mementos and important documents were with them in Australia or New York due to them splitting their time between the two places.

“So, I didn’t lose those thank goodness,” she continued.

Watch the video below.

Social media reacts to Elon Musk’s hand gesture at Trump’s inauguration

Sandra Rose
-
0
Social media reacts to Elon Musk’s hand gesture at Trump’s inauguration
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reacted to the controversy sparked by his gesture during the Inaugural event inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, DC, on Monday.

“This was no ordinary victory,” he said of Donald Trump’s election win. “This was a fork in the road of human civilization. This one really mattered. And I just wanna say thank you for making it happen! Thank you.”

Musk slapped his chest and extended his right arm at an angle as if to say ‘My heart goes out to you.’

He then turned around and repeated the salute for the people behind him.

Social media interpreted the gesture as a Nazi salute. The salute was popularized by German dictator Adolph Hitler. It was later adopted by the Nazis.

NBC News edited the delayed video feed to remove Musk’s gesture.

Democrats often compared President Donald Trump to Hitler on the campaign trail.

Musk seemed to dismiss the hand gesture controversy on X (Twitter). He called it a “tired” attack, and he blamed “legacy media propaganda” for leading the attacks against him.

On Monday, Musk tweeted: “The legacy media is pure propaganda. You are the media now.” He retweeted a post by @libsoftiktok featuring images of Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren making the same hand gesture.

In a follow-up post, Musk wrote: “Since legacy media propaganda is considered a “valid” source by Wikipedia, it naturally simply becomes an extension of legacy media propaganda!”

Donald Trump rescinds Biden’s executive order advancing educational equity for Blacks and Hispanics

Sandra Rose
-
0
Donald Trump rescinds Biden’s executive order advancing educational equity for Blacks and Hispanics
MediaPunch / BACKGRID

President Donald Trump wrote a record number of executive orders on his first day on the job Monday night. Several of his executive orders have caused controversy in the Black and Hispanic communities.

With the stroke of a pen, Trump reversed former President Joe Biden’s executive order that sought to advance educational and economic equity for Black and Hispanic-Americans.

This is causing a problem among Black Democrats who say Black children will be negatively impacted. They see this action as more proof of Trump‘s racist policies.

But others note that Trump’s executive order treats everyone equally and not on the basis of skin color.

One person wrote: “Trump made the standards equal for all students regardless of race. Everyone is equal today. We all have the same opportunities today and it is based on merit.”

Another person wrote: “I don’t know about yall but I would not want to be looked at as a charity case just because of my skin color and race.”

A third person wrote: “Back to hiring on the content of your character, qualifications and merit; not the color of your skin…. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Another executive order targeted the transgender community and rolled back LGBTQ+ protections.

Trump has directed federal agencies to recognize only 2 genders: male and female. The executive order defends women against “gender ideology extremism” by reversing “efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex.”

Will Smith’s daughter Willow Smith loses her Malibu home in wildfires

Sandra Rose
-
0
Will Smith’s daughter Willow Smith loses her Malibu home in wildfires
Willow Smith
Photo illustration

Willow Smith is the latest celebrity to lose her home in the Los Angeles area wildfires that began on January 7.

BACKGRID

The daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith was forced to evacuate her 3,000-sq. ft., 4-bedroom, 5-bath home as the wildfires continued to rage. But upon returning to her home this week, she discovered her house was destroyed. Aerial photos show Willow’s $4 million home reduced to ashes and rubble.

BACKGRID

Willow, 24, has yet to comment on her tragic loss. The luxury house was nestled in the hills of Malibu and offered sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

Willow bought the ultra modern home during the pandemic in 2020.

Dede / BACKGRID

Willow rose to fame at age 11 with her hit single “Whip My Hair.” But she abandoned a recording career to enjoy her childhood. Willow returned to the recording arts years later.

Willow’s father, Will Smith, also lost his $42 million sprawling 25,000-square-foot mansion in Calabasas to the wildfires.

Will Smith
Illustration

The estate was built in 2010 and boasted basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, a lake, and an outdoor Olympic sized pool.

Will and Willow have not commented publicly about their loss.

The Hollywood Curtain / BACKGRID

Willow (left) is pictured with her mom, Jada, and her older brother, Trey Smith, in a photo dated Nov. 22, 2024.

Other celebrities who lost their homes in the wildfires include Beyonce’s mom Tina Knowles, Paris Hilton, Jhena Aiko, Kawhi Leonard, Keyshia Cole, Lakers coach JJ Redick, Hunter Biden, Ricki Lake, Mel Gibson, Melissa Rivers (Joan’s daughter), and more.

Willow Smith
Photo illustration, WENN

Paris Hilton revealed she watched her Malibu waterfront home burn to the ground on live television.

“Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience,” Paris wrote in a post on social media.

Paris was able to save her 5 expensive purebred puppies and family photos before she fled.

A$AP Rocky’s Lawyer ‘Confident’ Of Victory In Rapper’s Felony Assault Trial

Sandra Rose
-
0
A$AP Rocky’s Lawyer ‘Confident’ Of Victory In Rapper’s Felony Assault Trial
@markredstudios / BACKGRID

A$AP Rocky’s lawyer is confident his client will be acquitted in a felony assault trial in California. Joseph Tacopina is representing Rocky in a trial that begins today (Jan. 21) in a Los Angeles courtroom. The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Rocky, 36, is accused of firing a gun at his former friend, retired rapper A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron), during a street fight in Hollywood in 2021.

During a preliminary hearing in 2023, the prosecution presented video footage that shows Rocky and Ephron in a heated confrontation outside a parking garage.

Rocky is seen holding an object that looks like a gun. The rapper is alleged to have fired the gun at Ephron, who was not hit.

BlayzenPhotos / BACKGRID

In January 2024, Rocky pleaded not guilty to felonious assault with a semiautomatic weapon.

Tacopina insists that Rocky is “confident” in his chances for an acquittal.

“He believes in justice, and he believes this is going to work out for him,” Tacopina said. “The case against Rocky is fundamentally weak. It relies on testimony from people who are not credible. I believe the defense is very, very strong.”

A$AP Rocky, a father of two toddlers with Rihanna, requested a delay to the start of the trial in 2024. The delay allowed him to support his family by headlining the Rolling Loud music festival in Thailand in November.

MediaPunch / BACKGRID

Last week, Tacopina attended a pre-trial hearing where he clarified Rocky’s relationship with the global superstar singer. Tacopina said Rihanna is Rocky’s “common law wife.” But the judge agreed with the prosecution’s assertion that they do not have a marriage certificate on file in the United States. Therefore, the judge said, Rihanna is Rocky’s “significant other.”

However, Rihanna and Rocky are legally married in her native Barbados, according to insiders.

BlayzenPhotos / BACKGRID

Rocky was seen stepping out for a dinner meeting at ALBA in NYC on Friday.

Rihanna and Rocky live part-time in NYC with their two boys, RZA, 2, and Riot Rose, born Aug. 2023.

BlayzenPhotos / BACKGRID

Rihanna is packing on the pounds while reportedly pregnant with her third child at age 36. The pop singer dressed casual during a solo outing in New York City. She made a low-key stop at Target to buy essentials before heading to a Manhattan recording studio for the second night in a row. The mom-of-2 wore an all-black sweatsuit, sleek black-framed glasses, and chic cornrows. She completed her look with a classic Louis Vuitton purse and UGG house slippers.

BeautifulSignatureIG / BACKGRID

On Saturday, she was spotted making her way to the studio on 21st and Broadway. She was dressed in her favorite hobo chic style.

BeautifulSignatureIG / BACKGRID

Dressing like a stylish homeless person is the trend in New York City. The “We Found Love” singer wore an oversized, hooded fur-trimmed coat over a track jacket and grey cargo pants. She accessorized with blue Puma sneakers from her own sneaker line and a classic monogram Louis Vuitton handbag.

Trump signs executive order calling all federal workers back to the office

Sandra Rose
-
0
Trump signs executive order calling all federal workers back to the office
MediaPunch / BACKGRID

President Donald Trump signed a record number of executive orders on Monday, Jan. 20. One executive order cancels work-from-home jobs for thousands of federal workers effective immediately.

MediaPunch / BACKGRID

Trump signed executive orders on stage in front of thousands of cheering supporters at a packed arena in downtown Washington, DC. Then he threw his pens into the crowd.

Trump’s executive order directs heads of departments to have their employees “return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis” immediately or “as soon as practicable.”

Donald Trump

On the campaign trail, Trump announced that federal workers can still work from home – just not for the government.

MediaPunch / BACKGRID

Trump also signed an EO withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, which will save taxpayers over $1 trillion.

Trump then returned to the Oval Office in the White House where he signed more executive orders.

List of Executive Orders Signed:

  • Close the Mexico and Canada borders by Feb. 1

  • Full pardon for 1,500 January 6 prisoners

  • Protect women from radical gender ideology. U.S. recognizes only 2 genders: male and female

  • Delay enforcement of TikTok ban for 75 days (not 90)
  • End birthright citizenship for children born to illegals

  • Withdraw U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO)

  • Direct all agencies to address the cost of living
  • Designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations
  • Revoke security clearance for 51 FBI agents who lied about Hunter Biden’s laptop
  • Establish new DOGE department to eliminate government waste
  • Rescind Biden’s executive order regulating AI
    • 1...250251252...3,757Page 251 of 3,757