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Nicki Minaj called it: Gov. Gavin Newsom under investigation for $250 billion fraud

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Nicki Minaj called it: Gov. Gavin Newsom under investigation for $250 billion fraud
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

When Nicki Minaj mocked California Governor Gavin Newsom on X, her followers wondered if she had insider information.

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into California after $250 billion in taxpayer funds went missing.

On Tuesday, President Trump announced that a “fraud investigation of California has begun.” He called Gov. Newsom “more corrupt than Minnesota” after more than $250 billion was “stolen”.

Photo of Donald Trump Truth Social post

Trump didn’t provide any information to support his claims.

Jason Koerner/Getty Images

But rapper Nicki Minaj knew as recently as December 12 that Newsom was under investigation.

She wrote in a post on X:

“Oh Gavvy pooh, it only gets worse from here for you, buddy. It’s the end of the road for you, my love. Get on the nearest jet ski & let that beautiful hair blow in the wind. It will make you happier than this race that you will not win. Enjoy life. Peace.”

Nicki’s fans turned on her after she made comments supporting President Trump during her appearance at TPUSA’s AmericaFest convention in Phoenix in December.

A Change.org petition to deport Nicki Minaj back to Trinidad has surpassed 90,000 verified signatures.

Photo of Nicki Minaj petition

On Tuesday, Newsom’s press office mocked Trump with a “little fingers” post on X. The PR team also referred to the president as “deranged” and a “habitual liar.”

“Donald Trump is a deranged, habitual liar whose relationship with reality ended years ago,” Newsom’s press team posted on X.

The post continued:

“Meanwhile — in the actual world where adults govern — @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom has been cleaning house. Since taking office, he’s blocked over $125 BILLION in fraud, arrested criminal parasites leaching off of taxpayers, and protected taxpayers from the exact kind of scam artists Trump celebrates, excuses, and pardons. Gavin Newsom runs a state. Donald Trump runs his mouth and little fingers.”

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Newsom personally went off on podcaster Benny Johnson who said he will be sending a team to California to investigate the massive fraud.

Trump supporters predict Newsom will be next to resign from office. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he is dropping out of the 2026 campaign for reelection.

MEGA/WENN

Walz is under investigation after citizen journalists and conservative bloggers discovered he may have had a hand in covering up $18 billion in social services fraud in his state.

‘Sinners,’ ‘One Battle After Another’ Win Critics’ Choice Awards

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‘Sinners,’ ‘One Battle After Another’ Win Critics’ Choice Awards
Variety via Getty Images

(L-R) Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan, Francine Maisler, Wunmi Mosaku, Miles Caton and Omar Benson Miller won the Critics Choice Award for Best Casting and Ensemble for “Sinners” at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 04, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Ryan Coogler took home the Best Original Screenplay award for Sinners.

The event, hosted by Chelsea Handler, continued its tradition of honoring achievements across film, television, and streaming.

MEGA/WENN

“One Battle After Another,” starring Teyana Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio, won the award for Best Picture, while Janelle James won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “Abbott Elementary.”

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for Marty Supreme (A24). He attended the star-studded event with Kylie Jenner.

MEGA/WENN

Tramell Tillman won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for “Severance” on Apple TV.

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Miles Caton (pictured right with actor Omar Benson Miller) won the Best Young Actor award for Sinners.

MEGA/WENN

Jimmy Kimmel (with Molly McNearney) won for Best Talk Show (Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC)

See the full list of winners here and more photos in the gallery below.

Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin, 66, Denies Man’s Allegations in Lawsuit

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Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin, 66, Denies Man’s Allegations in Lawsuit
Rick Diamond/WireImage

Gospel singer and minister Donnie Mcclurkin denies claims that he sexually abused a man in a years-long relationship.

The 66-year-old pastor was sued by Giuseppe Corletto, who alleges McClurkin was once a mentor to him before the years of abuse began.

The lawsuit was filed in New York County Supreme Court on Friday, January 2.

Corletto claims he was 21 years old when he first met McClurkin at his Perfecting Faith Church in August 2003, according to the lawsuit. During their meeting, Corletto says the pastor “assured him that he would help deliver him from homosexuality.”

Later, when Corletto became his personal assistant, Corletto said the pastor held “pray the gay away” spiritual sessions. During those sessions, he alleges that McClurkin groped his genitals without consent, according to the lawsuit.

Corletto said McClurkin coerced him into “further unwanted sexual acts,” from 2007 to 2015. When Corletto told church staff members about the alleged abuse, he said they ignored him.

McClurkin – best known for the gospel songs “Stand” and “We Fall Down” – denied the allegations in a statement from his attorney.

Attorney Greg Lisi said the allegations are “categorically false” in a statement sent to NBC News.

“At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or sexual coercion of Mr. Corletto,” Lisi, said. “The claims set forth in the lawsuit grossly mischaracterize their interactions, which occurred over a decade, and some accusations over 2 decades, ago. All these allegations are contradicted by the real facts.”

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

McClurkin revealed his own struggle with homosexuality in an episode of TV One’s Uncensored.

The pastor said he gave up the same-sex lifestyle, which he still had desires for. He called his desires a “perversion” and a “sin,” and he compared it to diabetes: “I don’t eat sugar, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t want sugar.”

McClurkin grew up in a dysfunctional home, where he was repeatedly sexually abused by male family members.

With no one to turn to for safety and security, McClurkin sought solace in the church.

“The only thing in my life that is missing is marriage.”

The gospel singer said he was “conflicted” because men and women were attracted to him, but he secretly desired men.

“These tendencies surfaced because a broken man thrust an 8-year-old boy into this whirlwind. Thus my first sexual relationship was with a man. Before I could ever know the purpose or pleasure of a woman, have my first date or even my first kiss, the wound was inflicted, and the seed was planted.”

“I didn’t know really what a woman wanted,” McClurkin said on Uncensored. “My past relationships were a sprinkling of everything – men and women.”

Michael Tran/FilmMagic

The Grammy winner eventually fathered a son with an ex-girlfriend, but he didn’t have the family that he wanted.

“Honestly, the only thing in my life that is missing is marriage,” he said on Uncensored. “The only thing that is missing in my life that can cause real family, is marriage. Financially, I’m there. Spiritually, I’m almost there. Emotionally, I’m getting it together.”

McClurkin said he worries that he will be alone forever due to his latent homosexuality.

“I will probably be alone for the rest of my life as far as a mate is concerned,” he said.

Donnie McClurkin – We Fall Down

Mickey Rourke claims he didn’t approve GoFundMe that raised over $100K to stop his eviction

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Mickey Rourke claims he didn’t approve GoFundMe that raised over $100K to stop his eviction
Photo of Mickey Rourke
BACKGRID

Actor Mickey Rourke denies approving a GoFundMe account to raise money to stop his eviction. The GoFundme page, titled “Help Mickey Rourke Stay in His Home,” raised over $101,000 to pay the $60,000 in late rent owed by the “9½ Weeks” star.

Mickey, 73, told his fans to stop donating to the GoFundMe page because he doesn’t need the cash.

In a video posted on Instagram Monday night, Mickey said, “If I needed money I wouldn’t ask for no f–ing money. I’d rather stick a gun up my a-s and pull the trigger!”

The actor and his dog checked into a hotel while movers were seen removing his belongings from the rental house.

MEGA/WENN

Mickey continued: “I’ve done a really terrible job at managing my career. I wasn’t diplomatic. I had to go to over 20 years of therapy to get over the damage that was done to me years ago. I worked very hard to work through that. I’m not that person anymore.”

He admitted he did borrow money from a friend to help him out of financial crisis. But he assured viewers that he would “never ask strangers or fans or anybody for a nickel.”

According to TMZ, a landlord filed an eviction notice and gave Mickey a 3-day notice to either pay up or vacate the rental property in Los Angeles on December 18.

He failed to comply with the court order, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

Mickey allegedly turned to GoFundMe in desperation to raise $60,000 to stop the eviction.

The “Johnny Handsome” actor and former boxer gave a friend, Liya-Joelle Jones, permission to launch a GoFundMe page with a fundraising goal of $100,000 to pay his rent.

Liya-Joelle and and Mickey’s manager Kimberly Hines launched the GoFundMe page, asking for help to keep the “Diner” star in his rental home.

“Today, Mickey is facing a very real and urgent situation: the threat of eviction from his home. This fundraiser is being created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening,” the women wrote in the summary.

Nestle Urgently Recalls Baby Formula Over Bacterial Contamination That Causes Severe Vomiting

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Nestle Urgently Recalls Baby Formula Over Bacterial Contamination That Causes Severe Vomiting
E+ / Getty Images

Nestle has issued a worldwide recall of baby formula which may be contaminated with bacteria that causes severe nausea and vomiting.

The food and beverage giant released a list of specific batches of its SMA, BEBA and NAN infant formulas that may contain the cereulide toxin which causes food poisoning.

Moment RF / Getty Images

The batches of SMA baby formula were sold around the world, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and Britain.

In its announcement, Nestle said the baby formulas are not safe for babies to drink. The company also makes products including KitKat, Nescafe, Gerber, bottled water, ice cream, and Coffee Mate.

The bacteria can’t be killed by high heat from cooking or boiling.

Photo of Nestle baby formula
Nestle

According to Nestle, the baby formulas may contain cereulide, a highly toxic peptide released by the Bacillus cereus bacteria, which causes severe nausea and vomiting.

The bacteria can’t be killed by high heat from cooking, boiling or microwaving.

Cereulide is a potent cytotoxin that destroys mitochondria which produces energy needed for cellular functions.

No injuries or deaths have been reported so far. Nestle clarified it was recalling the baby formulas “out of an abundance of caution”.

“The safety and wellbeing of babies is our absolute priority,” Nestle said in a statement on Monday.

Austria’s health ministry said the recall affected more than 800 products from more than 10 Nestle factories. Nestle didn’t verify that information.

Cardi B shares text message from Stefon Diggs’ personal chef: “Not once has that woman said he touched her”

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Cardi B shares text message from Stefon Diggs’ personal chef: “Not once has that woman said he touched her”
Aissaoui Nacer / BACKGRID

Cardi B shared a text message from a woman who previously worked as a live-in personal chef for Stefon Diggs.

In a police report, the chef, identified as Mila Adams, accused Stefon of strangling and slapping her during a dispute over pay.

According to Dedham, Massachusetts police, Mila moved out of Stefon’s $2.7 million home on December 2, after the alleged assault.

Kathryn Riley/Getty Images

He allegedly entered Mila’s unlocked bedroom and ordered her to leave the house. Mila claims he slapped her face, applied pressure to her neck with the crook of his elbow, and forcibly threw her onto a bed. She told police she was in distress and had difficulty breathing.

Police arrested the New England Patriots’ wide receiver on Tuesday, December 30, and charged him with felony strangulation, or suffocation, along with misdemeanor assault and battery.

Best Image / BACKGRID

On Sunday, Cardi B defended Stefon, saying she communicated daily with Mila until she moved out of Stefon’s house. Cardi B said Mila never mentioned he touched her during their daily communications.

In a text message Cardi B posted on X, Mila Adams claims she never said Stefon touched her “in the way it was written” in court papers. She asked Cardi to contact her mediator, who will answer anything she needs to know – but only in person and confidentially.

Cardi wrote in a post on X:

“Not once has that woman said anything to me about being touched.. NOT ONCE!! Mind you, we was talking every single day until she left that house and she JUST wrote me this.. but I’m gonna let the courts handle s–t and when it gets handled, I want all y’all talkin’ s–t on your f— knees with apologies just as loud the way y’all been harassing over a lie… and I put that on my two month old son in the name of the lord!! That’s how confident I am.”

Photo of Cardi B post about Mila Adams

Question: Who do you believe?

Black Maternal Health Advocate Midwife, 31, Dies After Delivering Her First Baby

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Black Maternal Health Advocate Midwife, 31, Dies After Delivering Her First Baby
Photo of Dr. Janell Green Smith
Instagram

A South Carolina midwife who advocated for Black maternal healthcare died due to childbirth complications after delivering her first child on Friday, Jan. 2. She was 31.

Dr. Janell Green Smith partnered with Hive Impact Fund to educate young Black mothers before and after childbirth. Dr. Smith and Hive Impact worked to reduce Black maternal mortality among young mothers.

Her colleagues described her as deeply compassionate and a fierce advocate for birthing people — especially Black women, who face staggering risks during pregnancy due to systemic racism and bias.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives described Dr. Smith as a “respected midwife, scholar, and advocate whose life and work reflected a deep commitment to respectful, evidence-based, and equitable care.”

They called her death “devastating,” saying it’s a painful reminder of systemic failures in maternal care. “It’s the kind of loss that feels personal to anyone who’s worked beside her—or been helped by her.”

The post described the death of a Black maternal advocate as “both heartbreaking and unacceptable.”

“That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. Her death underscores the persistent and well-documented reality that Black women—regardless of education, income, or professional expertise—face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to systemic racism and failures in care.”

ACNM is committed to dismantling healthcare disparities among Black mothers, and to “work alongside Black midwives, clinicians, and communities to prevent future tragedies.”

The post continued:

“We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Smith’s family, loved ones, and the midwifery community. We carry her legacy forward with urgency, humility, and resolve.”

A GoFundMe account was created to raise money for Smith’s husband, Daiquan Smith, and their newborn baby to “help ease the immediate and ongoing financial burdens” following her unexpected death.

According to the description, all proceeds will go toward funeral and memorial expenses, living costs, newborn essentials and ongoing support for her husband and baby.

“Any contribution — no matter the size — will help provide stability, relief, and care during a time when the family needs it most. Please continue to keep the Smith Family lifted in prayer.”

Celeb Style: Stars Shine at the 2026 Palm Spring International Film Awards

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Celeb Style: Stars Shine at the 2026 Palm Spring International Film Awards
MEGA/WENN

Teyana Taylor turned heads at the 2026 Palm Spring International Film Awards on Sunday, January 4. Teyana was honored with the Creative Impact in Breakthrough Performance Award from Variety magazine, recognizing her standout performance in “One Battle After Another.”

MEGA/WENN

She wore a Miss Sohee Spring 2025 Couture gown with off-the-shoulder corseted bodice, sheer detailing, and voluminous skirt. She accessorized with pointy toe heels.

MEGA/WENN

Among the Best Dressed stars were Amanda Seyfried (pictured) wearing Balenciaga; Miley Cyrus wearing a 3-piece pantsuit by Tom Ford, Elle Fanning wearing Alexander McQueen, Ethan Hawke wearing a Prada tailored suit, and Chase Infiniti in a salmon satin gown designed by Louis Vuitton.

Miley Cyrus wearing Tom Ford

Mahershala Ali wearing Prada

Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti

Michael B. Jordan

Elle Fanning wearing Alexander McQueen

Beverly Johnson

Colman Domingo

Ethan Hawke wearing Prada

Tim Walz Drops Out of 2026 Governor’s Race After Massive Fraud Uncovered in Minnesota

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Tim Walz Drops Out of 2026 Governor’s Race After Massive Fraud Uncovered in Minnesota
WENN.com

Gov. Tim Walz announced he is dropping out of the 2026 governor’s race in Minnesota. Walz announced he is ending his campaign for a historic third term on Monday.

“I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work,” Walz said in a statement.

Walz came under fire after citizen journalists and conservative bloggers uncovered $18 billion (yes, billion) in taxpayer funds were stolen in state-run social services programs.

The governor is accused of handing out millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to anyone who applied for a license to run daycares and healthcare facilities in the state.

Walz is accused of covering up the massive fraud by not monitoring the programs.

The feds are now on the ground in Minnesota investigating the fraud. 92 people have been arrested so far.

Investigations found that there were no children registered in hundreds of daycares.

One daycare owner claimed someone broke into his facility and stole enrollment documentation for children enrolled in his daycare.

He also said employee documentation was stolen. The man wore a pair of $2,200 Chrome Hearts glasses as he spoke to reporters.

Some daycares were based in homes worth millions of dollars. No one answered the doors when reporters knocked.

Over 80% of the daycare operators in Minnesota are Somali immigrants. They reportedly send millions of dollars back home to their families in Somalia.

“Massive fraud of taxpayer dollars occurred on Tim Walz’s watch. He’s either complicit in this theft or grossly incompetent in preventing it,” Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement Monday.

Walz called the fraud investigation a “targeted attack on the Somali community.”

“We’ve got the president of the United States demonizing our Somali neighbors and wrongfully confiscating funds that Minnesotans rely on,” Walz said. “It’s disgusting and it’s dangerous.”

Walz was the Democratic nominee for vice president alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race.

In September he announced that he would run for an unprecedented third term as governor of Minnesota.

“But as I reflect on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all,” he said Monday.

“Every minute that I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who want to prey on our differences,” the Democratic governor added.

He denied reports that he didn’t have a chance of winning reelection due to the massive fraud uncovered in his state.

Trump threatens more strikes if Venezuela’s acting president doesn’t comply: “She is going to pay a very big price”

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Trump threatens more strikes if Venezuela’s acting president doesn’t comply: “She is going to pay a very big price”
Photo of President Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez
Getty Images

President Trump made it clear that the U.S. government is running Venezuela after President Nicolás Maduro was captured in a raid on Saturday.

Trump held a press conference declaring that Washington, D.C. is “in charge” of Venezuela, not the old Maduro regime.

“We’re going to take our oil back,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday. He also said the U.S. will run Venezuela until elections are held and a transfer of power occurs.

“Well we’re going to run everything. We’re going to run it, fix it. We’ll have elections at the right time,” Trump said.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is acting as interim president of Venezuela. She called for a “balanced and respectful” relationship with America during the transition of power.

She invited the U.S. government to work together with her for a peaceful transition.

But Trump wasn’t familiar with Rodriguez when asked about her on Air Force One.

“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price.”

“We’re dealing with the people that just got sworn in. And don’t ask me who’s in charge, because I’ll give you an answer, and it’ll be very controversial,” Trump explained.

When asked what he meant by that, Trump responded, “It means we’re in charge.”

Earlier, Trump threatened Venezuela with more air strikes if Rodriguez doesn’t comply.

Trump said he had not spoken with Rodriguez “but other people have” and that “she’s cooperating” with his demands.

He told The Atlantic that “if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”

“I am innocent, I am not guilty.”

XNY/Star Max/GC Images

Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, appeared in a New York courtroom to face drug trafficking charges on Monday afternoon.

“I am innocent, I am not guilty,” Maduro said.

After listening to a federal judge read him his rights in court, Maduro seemed surprised that he had the right to an attorney and even the right to post bail.

His regime didn’t offer those rights to citizens in Venezuela.

Maduro also faces charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine import conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

He faces life in federal prison if convicted.

Trump also threatened strikes on other countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Greenland, Iran and Cuba.

“American dominance in the Western hemisphere will never be questioned again,” he said.

After Trump was sworn into office, the U.S. began a campaign of air strikes on “drug boats” ferrying massive amounts of cocaine and fentanyl to the U.S.

The capture of Maduros and his wife is part of that anti-drug campaign.

Trump has warned Colombian president Gustavo Petro that he could be next if he doesn’t stop the flow of illegal drugs to the U.S.

“Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long,” the president told reporters on Air Force One.

The shocking arrest of Maduros happened overnight Saturday while most Americans were asleep.

An attack on Colombia could also be carried out in the dead of night.

According to reports, Trump ordered the invasion of Venezuela after Maduro mocked him in a video (below).

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