‘That’s Very Disturbing’: Off-Duty Georgia Cop Thought He Could Flee the Scene After Allegedly Killing a Black Man—Two Days Later He Got a Rude Awakening
A high-ranking, award-winning cop from Georgia apparently thought he could get away with killing a Black man in a hit-and-run crash on an interstate last week — fleeing the scene after allegedly striking and killing Terrell Lowdermilk, who was standing on the side of the road exchanging information with another driver after a minor fender bender.
But Milton Police Lt. Christopher Bradshaw ended up arrested two days later after Marietta Police Department tracked him down.
Bradshaw was also fired from the Milton Police Department on Monday, ending a 14-year career where he was celebrated on the department’s Facebook page as a top-notch investigator over the years; solving cases, winning awards and earning promotions.
Terrell Lowdermilk (left) was killed in a hit-and-run crash last week in Georgia. The man who allegedly killed him, Christopher Bradshaw (bottom right) was a lieutenant with the Milton Police Department but has since been charged with felonies and fired from his job. (Photos: gofundme.com/f/help-us-honor-terrell-lowdermilks-life, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office)But now the 48-year-old former cop is facing felony charges of homicide by vehicle and hit-and-run resulting in serious injury or death and remains in jail as of this writing with no bond, according to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office website.
Bradshaw was off-duty at the time of the crash and was perhaps under the influence, but that will be nearly impossible to prove since he was arrested two days later.
But the charges he is facing can send him to prison for up to 15 years if convicted, according to Georgia state law.
The incident took place at about 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 13 while Lowdermilk, a 36-year-old commercial truck driver, was exchanging insurance information with another tractor trailer driver on an exit ramp of Interstate 75 after a minor fender fender, local media reported.
The vehicle that struck Lowdermilk was identified as a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado which are common trucks in Georgia.
However, investigators connected Bradshaw to the crash through debris from his truck that carried traceable serial numbers, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Also playing a role in his arrest were traffic camera footage, witness interviews and the Cobb County Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time,” the Milton Police Department said in a statement to local media.
“While we cannot provide further comment due to the ongoing investigation being led by the Marietta Police Department, we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust of our community.”
Family ReactionLowdermilk’s death has left his family devastated who have launched a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses and to help his mother, Cindy Hayes, “through this unimaginable loss.”
The Go Fund Me was launched by Lowdermilk’s cousin, Olivia Harris, who described her cousin as an ambitious man dedicated to his job and his family, who live in Tennessee.
Terrell had a rare gift; he could light up any room just by walking into it. His warm, infectious laugh could soften even the sternest face, and his presence made everyone feel at ease. He was more than just a good man; he was a son, a brother, a cousin, and a friend whose love and loyalty ran deep.
A proud young Black man, Terrell believed in honoring the past while keeping his eyes firmly on the future. He worked tirelessly, often clocking over 40 hours a week, not for material gain, but to fulfill a dream: retiring his mother and building a better life for both of them. His dedication came from witnessing the strength of his mom, Cindy Hayes, who gave everything she had to provide for him and his brother, Calvin Lowdermilk.
Lowdermilk’s father, Terence Lowdermilk, was outraged when he learned the man who allegedly killed his son was a police officer.
“That’s very disturbing, you know? … He violated his oath. What kind of example does that make to the public?” Terence Lowdermilk in an interview with WSB-TV.
“When you become a police officer, you take an oath to protect and serve your community. Officers are held to a higher standard, whether on or off duty, and the public entrusts them with their lives.”
His mother also expressed the same sentiments.
“Our family is deeply saddened and grieving the loss of Terrell, whose life was stolen in such a senseless act—one committed by the very institution meant to protect him,” Cindy Hayes told WSB-TV.
The family’s Go Fund Me has so far raised $4,660, with a goal of raising $24,000.
Atlanta Black Star has reached out to his family for more details but they have not yet responded.
‘Did We Watch the Same Show’: Ari Lennox Slams Martin’s Jokes About Pam, Fans Push Back With an Argument She Didn’t See Coming
Ari Lennox, 34, found herself in the hot seat after sharing her thoughts about the classic 1990s television show “Martin.”
The R&B singer created a media firestorm for criticizing “Martin” over scripted jokes aimed at Pamela “Pam” James’ character, played by Tichina Arnold, 56.
While calling the program and its actors “legendary,” the “Pressure” hitmaker suggested “Martin” promoted anti-dark skin colorism.
Singer Ari Lennox doubles down on her complaints about jokes made about Tichina Arnold’s character on Martin Lawrence’s classic “Martin” sitcom. (Photo credits: arilennox/Instagram; martinlawrence/Instagram; tichinaarnold/Instagram)Lennox took issue with Martin Lawrence’s title character constantly making fun of Pam. The comedic back-and-forth between Martin Payne and his girlfriend’s best friend was a recurring bit on the series.
“The thing that pissed me off about Martin was how much he was going in on Pam,” Lennox stated in a viral audio clip. The “Shea Butter Baby” singer then insisted she was not “too woke” while admitting to being “pretty problematic.”
“There are some things where I draw the line and it just bothered me,” Lennox resumed. “Pam was so beautiful and so fine, and I just feel like growing up as a chocolate girl. I don’t even know if I was able to understand the greatness of Pam because of the light that I felt like I was being fed.”
The Washington, D.C., native faced significant backlash for her comments from many including former rapper-turned podcaster Joe Budden, 44.
American singer Ari Lennox speaks out, saying Martin’s jokes about Pam’s looks still hit a nerve: “I’ll always feel a way about that. It’s disrespectful to dark-skinned women; she’s beautiful.”
pic.twitter.com/xsuQ1xrZvH
“If we’re talking about our culture or just what traditionally happens is you do get fly enough with one of your girl’s friends to crack on them,” Budden argued on his podcast in defense of the love-hate dynamic between Martin and Pam.
The “Pump It Up” rapper also directly addressed Lennox, saying, “You’re 34 years old. With all due respect, you didn’t see ‘Martin’ when it aired and certainly not well enough to understand it.”
In addition to Lawrence and Arnold, the “Martin” cast featured Tisha Campbell as Martin’s girlfriend turned wife, Gina Waters-Payne, as well as Carl Anthony Payne II and the late Thomas Mikal as Martin’s best friends, Cole Brown and Thomas “Tommy” Strong, respectively.
“So for Ari Lennox to do that with this show on the rewatch, you missed some of the things like a really close-knit friend group that was there for each other through it all for each person,” Budden continued about Lennox’s critiques of a show that went off the air nearly 30 years ago.
Budden’s reaction was one of the most prominent defenses of Lawrence’s largely beloved sitcom, but he was not the only public defender. The negativity directed at Lennox got so intense that she felt the need to read a pre-written statement addressing the situation.
The former musical protégé of Dreamville doubled down on her previous remarks as she took to Instagram to call out “the internet” for supposedly being brain-washed sheep.
“I will continue to speak my mind! And happily piss y’all off in the process. If I had ill intent, I would’ve came on here with a PowerPoint presentation that backs my claim on the types of jokes Martin used on Pam being wildly offensive,” Lennox said.
The Interscope Records signee continued, “That will never be my intent or motive. But I will stand on business forever knowing those jokes were wild. And I don’t say any of this with any desire to re-write history.”
American singer Ari Lennox speaks out for the first time since facing backlash for criticizing Martin's jokes about Pam's appearance as a dark-skinned woman: 'I will stand on business forever knowing those jokes were wild'
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Lennox went on to call the stars of “Martin” legends before contending that she did not need anyone to agree with her opinion. The outspoken recording artist also described herself as “sensitive,” and acknowledged she does not enjoy “roasting.”
Once again, Lennox’s latest public remarks about “Martin” fueled even more online discourse. Some of the Grammy-nominated vocalist’s followers sided with her, while fans of the show had harsher clap backs.
“They clearly knew what was implied!! People thrive on being obtuse. The endless comparisons to animals, fixation on her hair, and misguided gender jabs (calling her a man constantly),” one Lennox backer expressed in the Instagram comment section.
“It’s the duality of a thing. The show was/is funny, but the jokes while funny were/are offensive for dark-skinned girls,” a second person wrote.
The conversation also played out on The Jasmine Brand’s page. For example, a “Martin” watcher pointed out, “Did we watch the same show?? Pam got her digs at Martin in.”
“Girl, be quiet,” demanded an Instagram user.
Users on AtlantaBlackStar.com Facebook page chimed in.
“So did she miss that Martin’s “mama” never liked Gina.”
“It’s Called comedy.”
“Ari please sit this one out, they joked about each other.”
Lawrence, 60, steered “Martin” as the lead actor and executive producer for five seasons from August 1992 to May 1997. The fifth season was marred by controversy when Campbell left the show and sued the producers over Lawrence allegedly making unwanted sexual advances and verbally abusing his co-star.
A legal settlement was eventually reached. Campbell returned for the final episodes, but she did not appear in scenes with Lawrence, which left many viewers confused. Lawrence and Campbell reconciled, and they joined Arnold and Payne for BET+’s “Martin: The Reunion” special in June 2022.
‘I’m So Weak’: Prayers Pour In for Tamar Braxton After Singer Reveals Troubling Incident That Damaged Her Face
Tamar Braxton‘s latest post has people sending her prayers and well wishes after she revealed a frightening ordeal that left her with serious injuries.
The 48-year-old singer and reality television star took to Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share the details from a frightening turn of events that she says nearly cost her life, leaving fans and fellow celebrities deeply concerned about her well-being.
Singer Tamar Braxton says she nearly lost her life in an unexplained incident over the weekend that resulted in injuries such as a broken nose and lost teeth.(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)The night before the mysterious incident, Braxton had been spotted enjoying herself at Quavo’s V12 restaurant in Atlanta on Spring Street Northwest, where she was photographed holding hands with internet personality Funky Dineva during an event hosted by Vinny Watson.
The appearance was particularly noteworthy given that Braxton and Funky Dineva have had a complicated relationship in the past. Braxton wore an all-black Balenciaga one-piece with a matching headwrap, while the former FOX Soul star sported a white hoodie, black cap, and black pants.
Following the event, several attendees left comments on Watson’s social media posts expressing their gratitude.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality!! It was my first time there and I definitely will be back!! I’m so proud of what you have built !!” Funky Dineva wrote enthusiastically.
Tamar Braxton and Funky Dineva hung out at a club the night before her incident. (Photo: @v_watson/Instagram)Notably absent from the comment section was Braxton herself, which now appears to align with the timing of her mishap.
The “Love and War” artist addressed the incident through emotional Instagram Stories posts, as she attempted to explain what she remembers.
“I struggled to write this but everyone keeps calling me and honestly, I can’t even really talk anymore I’m so weak,” Braxton began. She concluded, “Pray for me for real. I don’t even know what happened to me.”
Tamar Braxton reveals she had a mysterious occurrence over the weekend that left her with a fractured nose, missing teeth and no memory of what happened. (Photo: @tamarbraxton/Instagram)The severity of Braxton’s injuries extends beyond the physical damage, as she revealed the profound psychological impact the incident has had.
“The way I look at life now is totally different,” she shared with her followers.
Adding, “As my health is on the mend my mental journey begins… pray for me for real. I don’t even know what happened to me.”
The confession that she has no memory of how the unexpected situation occurred adds an unsettling layer of mystery to the situation.
The response from social media users has been overwhelmingly supportive, though some have expressed concern about the circumstances and wishing her a speedy recovery.
On X, two people wrote, “Wow! What happened to her?” and “Oh my god… praying for this queen and her health.”
Sending love and prayers to Tamar Braxton as she recovers after revealing she ‘almost died’ from a recent health scare. pic.twitter.com/a16Od0WLFQ
— RNB RADAR (@RNB_RADAR) August 19, 2025However, not all reactions have been purely sympathetic.
Funky Dineva, however, has now offered another narrative, claiming he had no idea what happened to Braxton. He repeatedly refers to her as “the lady” in a video clip, noting that they had a good time at Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant before going to the club Saturday night. The TV personality admits that after returning to Braxton’s home, he left in his own car while she went upstairs in the house.
He claims the next morning he was contacted by the singer, who texted him, “Can you give me Dr. Heavenly’s number? referring to the Atlanta dentist and “Married to Medicine” reality star. He said people often ask him for her number all the time, in regards to an “emergency veneer situation.”
Amid criticism of Funky Dineva’s response, one defender said, “The lady is how he talks y’all.. and I’m sure he does know what happened. He’s not gonna get on his show and tell y’all.”
This latest health scare adds to a concerning pattern of medical emergencies in Braxton’s history. In December 2022, she was rushed to the hospital via ambulance after experiencing severe flu-like symptoms.
“I thought God was taking me home cause I could not breathe and my chest was on FIRE!!” she had written at the time, E! online reported, describing the illness as worse than COVID. She required oxygen treatment and was prescribed five different medications.
Even more serious was the 2020 incident when Braxton was found unconscious in a Los Angeles hotel room by her then-partner David Adefeso, who called 911 for what authorities initially suspected was a possible overdose.
Braxton later revealed that this was actually a suicide attempt.
“That time of my life was so dark and so heavy,” she explained to People magazine in 2021. “I didn’t see how I was going to come out on the other side.”
Currently single and focused on raising her 12-year-old son, Logan, Tamar Braxton has kept her personal life away from the spotlight.
Once engaged twice to attorney Jeremy “JR” Robinson, the singer has since shifted her energy toward family and career. She recently appeared with her sisters on WEtv’s “The Braxtons,” a series created to honor their late sister Traci, and also shares the screen with her mother on a cooking show.
Still, news of a mysterious incident in August has raised concern, leaving fans to wonder what really happened to the youngest Braxton as she recovers.
‘Welfare Queen!’: Kristi Noem Slammed for Freeloading Off the Government for Squatting Rent-Free in Military Housing After Claiming She Was Doxxed
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, got caught living rent-free in a residence designated for the commandant of the Coast Guard, claiming she feared for her safety. Now she’s trying to explain herself, asking supporters to feel sorry for her as social media goes after her.
Noem was living in a condominium in the Navy Yard neighborhood until July. After the British tabloid Daily Mail reported where she lived, Noem says she was forced to move because the media doxxed her.
“I had to leave there because the media put my address, my apartment, logistics, where the windows were and details out to the public and the threats were so much that temporarily I had to stay somewhere else,” she explained in an interview on Fox News.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives to board her plane on July 27, 2025 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Noem is embarking on a multi-day visit to Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)“So again, The Washington Post just this week did it again, and that’s really the carelessness and the thoughtlessness and the heartlessness that the media operates in right now,” she added.
Homeland Security said after several death threats and media reports about where she lived, officials took the unusual step of relocating her to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
Social media wasn’t holding back in reacting to Noem’s unusual free housing situation.
“She reminds me of a delinquent middle school student. This is so pathetic,” traxdalley2940 said on Threads.
View on ThreadsAnd this harsh observation from Gregory Lawrence on Threads, “You’re a criminal!!…iron bars and concrete blocks is where you should live.”
“Following the media’s publishing of the location of Secretary Noem’s Washington DC apartment, she has faced vicious doxing on the dark web and a surge in death threats, including from the terrorist organizations, cartels, and criminals gangs that DHS targets,” Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement, according to The Hill.
“Due to threats and security concerns, she has been forced to temporarily stay in secure military housing,” McLaughlin continued.
“Secretary Noem continues to pay rent for her Navy Yard residence,” she added as she called the media out for reporting on Noem’s residence, again.
The Washington Post was the first to report that Noem was living in the Commandant’s house.
Part of the harsh criticism of Noem, as Democrats have pointed out, is over Noem’s improper use of military resources. Cabinet officials pay market value to live in federal housing that would otherwise be used for top military officials.
“Federal government coffers are not Noem’s personal piggy bank, and Coast Guard service members are not her servants. Noem must pay her part. If she requires accommodations for her security, she should brief Congress and request appropriate resources—not take over property from the Coast Guard,” Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson said in a statement.
Taking orders from Trump, Noem has embarked on a brutal crackdown on unauthorized migrants in the U.S over the past six months, arresting both criminals and plenty of law-abiding immigrants trying to support their families, some of whom have been in the U.S. for decades, with American children.
Immigration experts have pointed out that if the U.S. immigration system weren’t so broken, many of these people would already be U.S. citizens.
Threads user Michael Boyd had this to say to Noem over her housing woes, “What about you(r) threat to the American public. The carelessness of your organization deporting and detaining American citizens. You’re trampling all over our rights. You deserve every inconvenience you get. You earned it.”
Another issue dogging Noem is her relationship with Trump’s 2016 campaign manager and longtime ally, Cory Lewandowski. Lewandowski has become Noem’s de facto chief of staff at DHS and is rumored to be having an affair with her, even though both are married, according to news reports. Amid White House worries over the situation, Noem has not yet officially filled the open chief of staff position at DHS.
How close Noem and Lewandowski are is unclear, as both have denied having an affair with each other.
But Lewandowski is often by her side. He has traveled with her to meet with foreign leaders in Mexico, Argentina, Israel, Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rico. And CNN has reported that he has approved billions in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to red states, ordered polygraph testing on DHS staff after media leaks, demanded the termination of government workers, and put others on leave for minor infractions such as using gender pronouns in emails.
‘Get a Better Attitude!’: Xscape’s Tamika Scott Gives Young Waitress Big Tip After Other Staff Members Refused to Help Her
Xscape member Tamika Scott made one server’s night at a seafood restaurant in her home state.
Scott, 49, recently dined at The Juicy Crab in Buford, Georgia. The College Park native admitted to arriving at the location half an hour before the place closed.
Apparently, members of the wait staff were not excited about having to offer service to Scott and one of her daughters just 30 minutes before closing time.
The “Who Can I Run To” singer was able to eat at the crab boil spot located around 40 miles outside of Atlanta. She recalled the experience in an Instagram video.
Xscape singer Tamika Scott blessed a waitress at an Atlanta-area restaurant with a large tip after getting ignored by other workers. (Photo credit: therealtamikascott/Instagram)“Don’t judge a book by [its] cover! I don’t look for special privileges. I believe EVERYONE should be treated fairly, no matter of their color, sex, or financial status!!” Scott captioned her post.
The mother of three continued, “Thank you to the young lady that helped me and my daughter! You never know what a person is going through. Be kind and never turn your back on anyone!”
In the video, Scott talks about being ignored by four different waitresses after entering The Juicy Crab. Finally, one unnamed waitress led the party to a table and took their order.
“Because she’s been nice, I’m going to bless her,” the veteran recording artist said into her camera about the only employee that properly greeted her.
She also told her followers, “And all the girls who turned their backs, and all the girls who didn’t want to wait on me, and they were talking and whispering, will not get this tip.”
Scott then counted out $700 in cash before presenting the money to her server. The Juicy Crab worker could then be seen saying, “Y’all just made my night. Thank you.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Tamika Scott (@therealtamikascott)
In addition, Scott took a picture with the young woman who served her family at The Juicy Crab. Footage of that warmhearted interaction ignited feedback from Instagram users.
“I hope the other girls see this and get a better attitude, kindness can go such a long way,” one person wrote in Tameka’s Instagram comment section.
A second commenter wondered, “But why did they turn their backs, that’s weird! I’m glad you got someone to service you though.”
Someone offered advice to the friendly server, writing, “And she better not share it with them.” One reply to that remark read, “I hope she don’t tell them how much she got.”
“That was beautiful,” an impressed poster expressed. One of Scott’s backers declared, “This is why God would continue to bless you. Love this.”
An Xscape lover confessed, “Baby, she wasn’t excited enough. The way I would’ve act up.” Likewise, another fan stated, “Wow, she doesn’t even know [you] are a legend!! I would’ve been in there actin’ a plummmm foooolll.”
Tamika and her sister, LaTocha Scott, helped form Xscape in the early 1990s with her Tri-Cities High School classmates Tamera Coggins, Kandi Burruss, and Tameka “Tiny” Harris (née Cottle). Coggins left the group in 1992.
The foursome of Tamika, LaTocha, Kandi, and Tiny signed to Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings label. Their debut album “Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha” dropped in October 1993. The project earned platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Xscape also released the “Off the Hook” album in 1995 and the “Traces of My Lipstick” album in 1998. Plus, they scored Billboard Hot 100 hits with singles such as “Just Kickin’ It,” “Understanding,” and “Who Can I Run To.”
In the late 1990s, LaTocha left Xscape to start a solo career and the rest of the R&B quartet went on hiatus. There have been several reunions over the last three decades, including a performance at the 2017 BET Awards.
That same year saw Bravo broadcast the “Xscape: Still Kickin’ It” reality television show which followed the lives of all four members. In 2023, the ladies returned to Bravo for the “SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B” limited series with fellow 90s-era R&B act SWV.
Tamika’s unpleasant-turned-sweet experience at a local restaurant may have been even more personal for the vocalist since she has branded herself as a foodie. Her “Table Set, Cooking with Tamika Scott” southern cookbook was published in 2022. She also sells “Southern Fuse” seasoning.
‘Either Lying or Clueless’: Kristi Noem’s Shameless Attack On Gavin Newsom Over Fatal Florida Crash Backfires Spectacularly as Claim Comes Back to Bite Her
A deadly crash on Florida’s Turnpike that killed three people has spiraled into a high-stakes political fight between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, with each side blaming the other over how the driver — a migrant who entered the U.S. illegally — was allowed behind the wheel of a commercial truck.
Authorities say 28-year-old Harjinder Singh of Stockton, California, attempted an illegal U-turn with his tractor-trailer near Fort Pierce on Aug. 12, causing a Chrysler Town & Country minivan to slam into the big rig.
The vehicle became wedged underneath, killing the 30-year-old driver from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami. Two passengers died at the scene; the driver died later at a hospital. Both Singh and his passenger, a 25-year-old man from Yuba City, California, were unharmed.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks after signing a letter of intent with Chile’s Minister of Public Security Luis Cordero for a Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) on July 30, 2025 at the Security Ministry in Santiago, Chile. Noem is on a multi-day visit to Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images)News of Singh’s immigration status and licensing history prompted immediate condemnation from Noem and her staff.
“3 innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License,” Noem posted on X. “This gut wrenching tragedy should have never happened.”
3 innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License.
This gut wrenching tragedy should have never happened.
My team at @DHSgov will work with @USDOT to root out and prevent illegal aliens from…
But Newsom’s press office quickly pointed out that the timeline undercut Noem’s claims, saying Singh entered the country and received federal work authorization during Trump’s first term.
“Hey, genius: the federal government (TRUMP ADMIN) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). As usual, the Trump Administration is either lying or clueless.”
The account even turned to Grok, X’s AI chatbot, asking who the president was in 2018. The answer: Donald Trump.
Noem’s spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin, went out of her way to politicize the issue.
“3 innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License—this state of governance is asinine. How many more innocent people have to die before @GavinNewsom stops playing games with the safety of the American public?”
The White House joined the chorus, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson declaring: “Illegal aliens that have no legal right to be in our country certainly should not be granted commercial drivers licenses. Gavin Newscum’s pro-illegal alien policies have deadly consequences. Yet he continues to double down and put illegals over American citizens.”
The sudden pile-on from Trump’s camp comes as Newsom’s press office has taken to dishing out Trump-style jabs on social media, recently targeting the president over Republican redistricting in Texas. After Newsom trolled him, Trump has supposedly stopped posting in all caps.
Meanwhile, Singh remains in custody in California, where he was arrested on a Florida warrant. He faces up to 15 years in prison on each vehicular homicide charge. Immigration authorities have lodged a detainer to deport him after state proceedings conclude. His next court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
The crash and ensuing political feud have raised fresh questions about state licensing rules for undocumented immigrants, federal vetting of work permits, and oversight of commercial driver qualifications.
Dan Horvath, chief operating officer of the American Trucking Associations, said: “This is a horrific tragedy that should never have happened. Initial reports … only raise more questions about how and why he was able to obtain a commercial driver’s license in the first place—questions that the state of California must answer for.”
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk went further, writing on X: “Deport him to CECOT for life. And then strip California of every federal dollar for as long as it takes. Rogue states must not be allowed to continue shielding, coddling, and licensing illegals.”
California DMV officials declined to discuss Singh’s license beyond confirming they were reviewing the matter.
Florida Highway Patrol called Singh’s actions “reckless” and “without regard for the safety of others,” noting he had attempted the maneuver at an “unauthorized location.” Singh was arrested by U.S. Marshals on three counts of vehicular homicide and faces deportation after the case concludes. “He will no longer be able to damage and destroy the lives of Floridians and visitors,” said Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Immigration records show Singh illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border near San Ysidro, California, in September 2018, during Donald Trump’s presidency. He was arrested, processed for expedited removal, and later granted a “positive credible fear” finding by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which allowed him to remain in the country while his asylum case was pending. An immigration judge later set bond at $5,000, which was posted in January 2019.
By December 2019, Singh had obtained a California commercial driver’s license. California law, under Assembly Bill 60 (enacted in 2015), permits undocumented residents to obtain state driver’s licenses if they can prove identity and residency. These licenses, however, are marked “not for federal identification.” His ability to secure work authorization derived from a federal Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a permit issued by USCIS.
“This recent news is a devastating tragedy made even worse by the fact that it was totally preventable,” Jackson, the White House spokeswoman, said. “Illegal aliens that have no legal right to be in our country certainly should not be granted commercial drivers licenses.”
‘Can’t Even Walk’: Fans Say Ben Affleck Looks Completely Different After Leaving Restaurant Alone, Compared to When He Walked With J.Lo
A resurfaced video of Ben Affleck has fans claiming there’s a shift in his mood without his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez on his arm.
“The Accountant” star was recorded leaving restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica and was met outside with a bunch of flashing lights and shouting voices coming from photographers. The video, which was posted by LA.GOSSiP on Aug. 13, but originally recorded in May 2024, left fans in disbelief at Affleck’s ability to wend through the paparazzi without showing much of a reaction.
Ben Affleck has noticeably more pleasant reaction to paparazzi without Jennifer Lopez on his arm. (Photos by Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)Affleck walked out of the Italian restaurant after having dinner with some of his male friends. He was wearing a navy blue buttoned shirt and khaki pants and carried a gray jacket. As he walked toward his BMW, he said goodbye to his friends, one of them whose name was “Jerry” before opening the door to get in.
He never stops and talks to the paparazzi. He simply opens his car door and gets in.
Observers in the comments of the gossip page claimed this marked a change in his reaction to cameras. In the last few years of his 2022 to 2025 marriage to Jennifer Lopez, there were myriad headlines about how often Affleck would either grimace or look miserable in front of paparazzi.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by LA.GOSSiP (@la.gossiptv)
Though he was still married to Lopez at the time the video was taken, some observers might think his clam reaction was because she wasn’t with him at the restaurant. It was rumored that the two weren’t together at that point anymore, but in the video he is wearing his wedding ring. Three months after this, however, Lopez filed for divorce.
One person said, “He doesn’t seem so annoyed with the paparazzi anymore.” Another person called out the paparazzi. “So sad all that flash in your face can’t even walk.”
Someone else who seemed to sympathize with Affleck for when he does seem annoyed wrote, “He dislikes all those cameras in his face, and the flashes are quite annoying. I must agree.!!!!!! even though they’re very famous and popular sometimes they just wanna be left alone to try to have a little normalcy in their life like everyone else I get it!!”
A third person had the opposite reaction and didn’t feel much remorse for Affleck. “Giorgio baldi is not low key. As you paparazzi know, it’s a celebrity hotspot that you guys love to stakeout. Ben Affleck loves attention despite saying he hates it,” they said.
Maybe that’s why Affleck didn’t have much of a reaction because he was expecting the photographers to be there. And the fan has a point. Celebrities often frequent the restaurant.
Rihanna is known to be a constant customer. Other prominent people known to have dined there include Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos, Justin and Hailey Bieber, and even Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
In fact, according to Vogue, “Nowadays, nobody goes to Giorgio Baldi if they don’t want to be seen.”
And it’s unlikely Affleck didn’t know about the restaurant’s popularity. He’s been there before with Lopez. The former lovers spent their first Valentine’s Day together as a married couple at Giorgio in 2023.
As for why he tends to look unhappy when being photographed, Affleck has said it’s because he’s “shy.”
He also told Kevin Hart in his “Hart to Heart” show, “I also don’t like a lot of attention. That’s why people see me and they’re like, ‘Why’s this dude always mad?’ Because somebody has their camera and sticks it in my face and I’m like, ‘Okay, here we go.’”
He explained that he also doesn’t take kindly to being photographed when he is with his three children he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
He said, “You can take my picture at a club or a premiere, with my wife, I don’t give a f-ck. Knock yourself out. I don’t notice you. But with my children that’s a different thing.”
Affleck and Lopez originally met in the early 2000s on the set of their film “Gigli.” By 2002, they were engaged. But they called things off in 2004. They both went on to get married and have children with other people until they rekindled in 2021. They wasted no time taking their relationship to the next level and they got engaged again in 2022, tying the knot in August of that year.
‘Please Call My Mom!’: Desperate Black Girl Pleads for Help as Indiana Cop Forces Her Face Down on Ground After Dispute Over McDonald’s Refund
Indiana police said they were only looking out for the safety of a young Black girl after a cop was caught on video holding her face down on the ground with her hands behind her back as she cried out for her mother.
“I didn’t do nothing,” the girl repeatedly yelled as the cop held her down in the 38-second video that has gone viral on social media.
“Please call my mom!”
Witnesses say the girl, who is either 13 or 14 years old, had requested a refund because none of the workers were wearing hair nets, which is a violation of company policy to prevent hair from contaminating the food.
An Indiana cop was caught on video manhandling a Black girl who is either 13 or 14 years old, sparking criticism from citizens online. (Photo: instagram.com/blmsouthbend)However, the police union that represents the South Bend Police Department issued a statement on Facebook, accusing critics of “gaslighting” the police department by criticizing them over the video – which came across as gaslighting to many of the commenters.
“This video is gaslighting at its finest,” read the statement posted on the South Bend FOP Lodge #36’s Facebook page. “Only 10 seconds of a several minute incident is shown. Nothing leading up to the incident or any video from inside the business. Just jumping straight to conclusions without any other tangible facts.”
“The juvenile at best is held down for control purposes to prevent injury.”
The police union statement also said the girl was not handcuffed or arrested and instead taken home to her guardian. However, the video shows the cop ordering her to “put your hands behind your back” while a random white citizen walks up to help him detain her.
Watch the video below.
And despite the union blasting citizens for criticizing the cop in the short video without knowing all the facts, South Bend police have not released body camera footage that would add more context to the incident.
In fact, it was only last week that the South Bend city council approved an increase in fees for obtaining body camera videos, increasing the rate for each video from less than $20 to up to $75, depending on how many hours it takes police to review the videos, according to the South Bend Tribune.
And the statement from the police union drew even more criticism from people on social media.
“How about instead you show some compassion towards our community instead of throwing accusations of gaslighting when the author of this post likely wasn’t on the scene nor are they involved with the investigation,” stated a man named Nathanial Long on the union’s Facebook post.
“This post doesn’t help build positive community relations, and frankly, won’t age well if the witness testimonies turn out to be true. Please do better.”
‘Slammed Her to the Ground’The incident took place around 1 p.m. on Aug 15 at the McDonald’s in downtown South Bend after the restaurant manager called 911, accusing the girl of creating a disturbance.
South Bend police spokesperson Ashley O’Chap told local media that the girl had already left the McDonald’s by the time the officer arrived.
The video recorded by a witness begins after the cop had the girl face down on the ground. Witnesses say the name of the cop is “Caputa,” but there is no evidence of a cop with that name working for the South Bend Police Department.
The Elkhart Audit Facebook page, a policy accountability page based out of Elkhart, an Indiana city about 30 minutes away from South Bend, posted the video on its page Saturday, saying the cop slammed the girl to the ground before the video began recording.
Multiple reports from citizens say this happened near a McDonald’s in south bend. This girl simply asked for a refund because not ONE worker behind the counter there had on a hair net. Very calm, not loud, just stated her reason. The manager refused, and then calls 911 saying she was causing a disturbance. Maybe a little loud and agitated after manager called and falsely reported to police, but never caused a “scene”
Another gentleman talked her into letting it be, and taking her food and leaving. As she was leaving, she gets stopped a SBPD Officer Caputa. She doesn’t want to talk to him and trys to peacefully leave. The cop instantly grabbed by her backpack and slammed her to the ground where the video picks up.
Black Lives Matter South Bend posted the video on its Instagram page with the following description.
Such incidents highlight the troubling relationship between law enforcement and Black youth in our country, and call into question the accountability mechanisms meant to protect our most vulnerable residents.
This concern is compounded by the South Bend Common Council’s recently-passed ordinance restricting public access to police body camera footage, requiring exorbitant fees of up to $75 per request for each video.
Black Lives Matter South Bend categorically rejects the notion that the pursuit of transparency should be priced out of reach for everyday citizens. That the ordinance passed with the support of four Black council members only further underscores the urgent need for better representation
However, South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski issued a statement on Facebook that they will release the body camera footage but did not specify when they would so that nor did he say if he will charge for the video.
“SBPD is actively gathering further facts, evidence and video surrounding the incident and will release additional details, including the officer’s body camera footage, as soon as possible,” Ruszkowski said.
“As a reminder, SBPD has a multi-layered review process and will adhere to that review process.”
But the chief’s statement drew even more criticism from commenters, including the person who runs the Elkhart Audit Facebook page.
“We all know the South Bend Police Department could post the body cam footage RIGHT NOW if they had nothing to hide,” Elkhart Audit stated.
“Departments have shootings posted in no time when the officer did nothing wrong. Why not show us now if you have nothing to hide?”
In 2022, South Bend police officers faced backlash after shooting and killing a mentally ill man named Dante Kitrill.
Atlanta Black Star will update this story as new information and evidence is released.
‘Don’t Forget the Legs’: Rapper Lil Jon’s Shocking Transformation in New Photos Has Fans Zooming In on His Chiseled Chest
Atlanta rapper Jonathan “Lil Jon” Smith, 54, is wowing his online followers by showing off his muscular build in the gym.
On Aug. 18, the widely known ‘King of Crunk’ uploaded footage of himself working out in the gym to his Instagram page with OutKast’s classic “B.O.B” song playing in the background.
Award-winning recording artist Lil Jon shows off his muscular body frame in viral video.(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)His routine included pullups, weightlifting, and other individual exercises likely put together by his personal trainer Jay Galvin, whom he gave a shoutout in the caption.
Clips of Lil’ Jon getting in shape spread across the internet, leaving social media users and fellow celebrities amazed by the Grammy Award winner’s muscular physique.
West Coast rap legend E-40 wrote in Jon’s comment section, “Looking good family.” In addition, “Love & Hip Hop” reality show alumna Somaya Reece posted, “Health is wealth. Getttt it.”
“What happened to the pop belly lil Jon I grew up with?” one fan jokingly asked. Someone replied, “Don’t even look like the same person.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by LIL JON (@liljon)
The Spiritual World Instagram page reposted the recording of Lil Jon putting in work at the gym, where more fans weighed in.
“Wow, okay, he looked better than he did 20 years ago. Exercise is really all the medicine we need,” one person expressed in reaction to the Lil Jon workout video.
A similar comment read, “It’s amazing. He looks better now [than] he did 15 years ago.”
(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images; liljon/Instagram)Another said, “Is this really my first time seeing John’s face because I didn’t recognize who this was at all and I know he’s lost a lot of weight over the years, but this looks like a very young man.”
In February 2024, Lil Jon sat down with daytime talk show host Jennifer Hudson to talk about prioritizing his mental and physical health after reaching his 50s.
“When I hit 50, a lot of things I started to reflect on in life and personal issues. I turned to meditation to have more peace and to deal with certain emotions that I was having, and it calmed me,” Jon explained to Hudson.
The “Get Crunk” rapper also revealed to the Oscar winner that he started working with his trainer, Galvin, to prepare for his Super Bowl LVIII halftime show performance in 2024 with R&B superstar Usher.
“A lot of it is diet. It’s not just the gym, it’s diet. And you have to have the dedication to want to do it,” Lil Jon said. “I’ve been on a health journey for a while… mental health, physical health, and I just wanted to get my body right. I think I look good for a 52-year-old.”
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Additionally, Jon spoke to Newsweek in December 2024 about embracing a healthier lifestyle. The frontman of the East Side Boyz hip-hop group acknowledged another man’s health issues as his inspiration.
“I first started to take my health more seriously when I had a driver that used to drive me whenever I was in L.A.,” recalled Jon. “One day, we were talking. He was like, ‘I had a triple bypass.’ … He was 10, 15 years younger than me.”
He continued, “It just kind of shocked me, and it made me say, ‘I need to take more my health more serious, and I’m older than him.’ So, what I’ve done in my past, the older I get, the harder it’s going to be to reverse whatever could be happening to me.”
Jon did take his newfound awareness about mental health, in particular, and transformed that interest into music by collaborating with Atlanta-born jazz musician Kabir Sehgal for two meditation albums.
The 11-track “Total Meditation” audio project by Jon and Sehgal dropped in February 2024. That same year saw their 9-track “Manifest Abundance: Affirmations for Personal Growth” arrive in May.
Prior to connecting with Sehgal for two bodies of work, Lil Jon was best known for teaming up with The East Side Boyz for the high-energy, double-platinum studio LPs “Kings of Crunk” in 2002 and “Crunk Juice” in 2004.
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz scored hits with “Get Low” featuring Ying Yang Twins as well as “Lovers and Friends” featuring Usher and Ludacris. Linking with DJ Snake earned Jon an 8x-platinum plaque for the “Turn Down for What” collaboration.
Throughout his career, Jon also produced records for E-40, Three 6 Mafia, Bow Wow, Ciara, Ice Cube, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, T.I., and Trina. His production on the chart-topping “Yeah!” secured Usher RIAA Diamond certification.
Jon also popularized the catchphrases “yeah” and “okay” which inspired the classic “Chappelle’s Show” skits where Dave Chappelle played an exaggerated version of the hitmaker. The legendary hype man credited Chappelle for helping him reach a larger audience.
‘Get Your… A– Out!’: Minnesota Man Claiming to be Off-Duty Cop Pulls Gun on Black Shopper In Store, But Ends Up Being the One Detained, Video Shows
A new video is spreading like wildfire on social media showing a confrontation that occurred after an alleged off-duty officer flashed his gun at a Black shopper at Sheel’s Sporting Goods store in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
The Black shopper claimed that the man had been looking him “up and down” in the store, and he “checked him” on the weird behavior — asking if he liked his jacket. This prompted the alleged officer, who was in plainclothes, to brandish a firearm while telling him to “Get the f**k out of here with your b*tch ass.”
Video screenshot shows viral encounter at Scheels in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photos: Instagram/ Atlblackstar)The clip was initially posted by the account “I Expose Racists and Pedos” on TikTok on Aug. 17, 2025, and exploded with nearly half a million views in less than 24 hours. It’s now circulating online and has been reposted numerous times, including on the official Instagram account of Atlanta Black Star, where readers are sounding off.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Atlanta Black Star (@atlblackstar)
“You did exactly what you were supposed to do and I’m so proud of you! Stand your ground, protect yourself, and be smart about it…” stated one. “Stand up for yourself. They think they can say and do whatever to us. Speak up to disrespect every time they do it,” wrote another.
The video started after their initial heated interaction and showed the alleged officer being escorted through the store by an employee. The person filming can be heard demanding to see an officer’s badge or ID while remaining off-camera. However, the accused presented himself as a victim in the clip, stating, “You’re the one who was trying to swing on me. Will you please leave? Why are you still here?”
“Nah, you pointed and you said get your b*tch ass out, I told you I’m not no f**king b*tch, and then I slapped your hand,” admitted the man filming. Not letting the matter go so easily, he continued: “You’re trying to be a smart-ass because you are police. ’Cause you’re police, you get to be a smart ass, you get to be a douchebag, huh?”
As tempers flared, two Sheels employees entered the fray and kept the arguing men apart.
“This man can hold his gun in my face, like he’s security here, like I broke some law, he’s sizing me up,” yelled the man filming.
The video then switched to a view of three police officers standing outside the store’s entrance.
The Black shopper provided details of what happened, which were much more hopeful than what one might expect: The alleged officer was the person who had been detained, confirmed the victim, who believed things would have gone very differently if the tables were turned.
“Now they’re [police are] upstairs talking to him, and I’m just sitting here trying to see what’s going on, to follow up. Cause I know if it was me… since I’m already looked at like a threat, they’d probably be ‘ok, he’s being aggressive, he’s got a gun, let’s take it from him, let’s lock him up.’”
Over on TikTok, opinions are sharply divided, with some saying the man filming should have let it go.
“Holy sh*t, I can’t imagine going through life and wanting to ‘check’/fight anyone who is looking at me,” wrote an observer. Some are skeptical of the entire story, asking for a video proof of the white man pulling a gun, while others wholeheartedly side with the man filming, calling for a “boycott” of Sheels. As one put it, “Black fatigue is real.”
‘Really?’: Influencers Who Nearly Died During Food Review Stir Outrage After Bizarre Thank-You Speech
A couple of influencers had way more than food on their plate during a recent trip to a popular Houston spot when an unexpected vehicle plowed straight through the restaurant’s glass window while their camera was rolling.
YouTube personalities Nina Santiago and Patrick Blackwood were enjoying what they thought would be a routine food review at CuVee’s Culinary Creations when their dining experience turned into a viral moment that would change their perspective on life forever.
A popular YouTube couple was filming a food review at a restaurant—then in the next minute, they were covered in blood after a car plowed straight into their booth. (Photo: @Unrated EX Files/YouTube Screenshot)The duo was seated in a booth sampling various dishes when the unthinkable happened.
Santiago, who operates under the handle NinaUnrated, and Blackwood were mid-bite into their meal when an SUV suddenly burst through the restaurant’s glass wall, sending shards flying in all directions. The entire sequence was captured on their recording equipment, creating footage that would soon captivate millions of viewers.
When the now-viral clip was shared by The Neighborhood Talk, viewers witnessed the exact moment chaos erupted at the Houston establishment.
“Food so good he ant spit out nothing! Great advertisement,” one commenter observed, noting how Blackwood continued chewing even as glass scattered around them.
The footage shows both influencers quickly scrambling from their booth as debris settled around their table, with Santiago visible sustaining cuts to her face and arms while Blackwood appeared to have similar lacerations on his face and chest.
The restaurant owner confirmed the authenticity of the video, revealing he was standing nearby when it happened. Both content creators were transported to medical facilities for treatment, which they documented and shared with followers.
The driver emerged unharmed but will be held responsible for the damage. TMZ reported officials investigated and determined this was a freak occurrence, with the driver not under any impairment.
Santiago later took to Instagram to share graphic images of her injuries and reflect on the harrowing experience.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @NINAUNRATED (@ninaunrated)
“I’m beyond grateful to be alive after an SUV crashed through the glass wall at Cuvee’s Culinary Creations in Houston, TX, shattering everything while Patrick Blackwood and I recorded an eating show,” she wrote in her caption.
“It hit us directly me on his left, him on my right as I bit into a delicious salmon slider. Out of nowhere, but we survived,” she added.
The social media star continued her heartfelt message, emphasizing how the experience shifted her worldview.
“This experience showed me who truly matters; life’s too short for grudges or anger. Let go, forgive, live in the now, and cherish those around you this could’ve been our last meal,” she shared with her thousands of followers.
However, Santiago got backlash for the latter part of her caption, which read, “Thankful to the universe and our angel pup Loyal, who passed in Nov 2024 and protected us from above.”
“Did she really just thank the damn universe and a damn dog smh sigh something is truly wrong with people….it was God. Please accept Jesus Christ has your Lord and savior and repent. He saved you,” said one person.
Another wrote, “Felt the same way. Wow. I don’t know her, but I feel sorry that she lacks faith and joy.”
Tommie from “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” added, “Bro just pissed me off man !” and “So a puppy saved y’all. Thank God.”
CuVee’s Culinary Creations addressed the incident on their Instagram Story with the message, “It was definitely a crazy weekend at Cuvees. We’re just thanking God everyone is safe!”
Santiago gained recognition as a social media influencer while Blackwood established himself as an athlete and fitness trainer. Together, they built a substantial YouTube following through food reviews, making this their most watched content under circumstances they never anticipated.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @NINAUNRATED (@ninaunrated)
The viral nature of their footage sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms.
“Man this restaurant must be good af all jokes aside cause I woulda spit that food out!!!!!….like huh…they literally diving away chewing,” another commenter noted.
The incident also prompted some lighthearted responses despite the serious nature of what occurred.
“Imagine being in food heaven and you literally almost went to heaven. this is crazy,” one user wrote, while another joked, “Real smash burgers,” playing on the restaurant’s menu offerings and the unexpected intrusion.
Not all responses were humorous, however.
“I would have felllllll tf out. my neck my back, my neck and my back,” one person commented, referencing how they might have reacted in a similar situation.
Meanwhile, another user revealed a personal connection to the incident: “My daughter was there at Restaurant. You can see her in the back. She apply pressure were they was bleeding until the paramedics came. Glad they okay!”
This unexpected turn transformed what began as a simple food review into a powerful reminder about life’s unpredictability.
Santiago and Blackwood’s experience resonated with viewers far beyond their usual audience, creating a moment that was simultaneously terrifying and inspiring as they shared their expanded platform with an audience who discovered them through this extraordinary situation.
‘What Did He Say?’: Confusion Erupts After Trump’s Speech Derails and Leaves Viewers Baffled by His Words
President Donald Trump honored veterans who died in America’s wars on Memorial Day at a beautiful and solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
As a firing party fired a traditional 21-gun salute, the Honor Guard stood at attention. Top military brass and White House Cabinet members joined Trump on the steps leading to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, before the ceremony moved to the Memorial Amphitheater for the president’s speech.
U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions while departing the White House. (Getty Images)It was an unlikely backdrop for a Trump word salad, but he delivered a doozy that has resurfaced on social media. Trump described a fallen soldier as a “Criptolologigic” when paying tribute to Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, and the internet cannot get over it.
For the record, she was a linguist, translator, and U.S. Navy cryptologic technician who tragically died in a suicide bomb attack while she was hunting ISIS cells in Syria.
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“What is he rambling about?” asked one in the comments of the resurfaced clip. “JD’s head snapped up on that. Lofl,” wrote another who noticed the reaction from the vice president when Trump stumbled over the tribute.
“He shouldn’t be trying to pronounce big words. He’s not smart enough,” one person said.
“Think he needs a linguist and cryptologist to decipher the goobly gook word vomit he tried to convey!” another added.
In the full clip of his speech, Trump also paid tribute to fallen Vietnam soldier Senior Master Sgt. Elroy Harworth, describing him as a “young, beautiful man from Erhard, Minnesota,” and to Cpl. Ryan McGee of Fredericksburg, an Army Ranger who was mortally wounded in Iraq at age 21.
Earlier in his speech, Trump cited the first Revolutionary soldiers who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill, but suddenly pivoted to politics, using the opportunity to take jabs at the Biden administration.
“Those young men could never have known what their sacrifice would mean to us, but we certainly know what we owe to them. That valor gave us the freest, greatest, and most noble Republic ever to exist on the face of the earth. A republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years. That was a hard four years we went through,” Trump said, shaking his head in disapproval, before continuing.
“Who would let that happen? People pouring through our borders unchecked,” he told the audience, though he did not explicitly name former President Joe Biden. “People doing things that are indescribable and not for today to discuss.”
However, social media cannot let his gaffe go, and the remarks are pouring in. “They laughed at Biden, and look what they got speaking the same language! Karma!” exclaimed one. “I thought you had to speak English in America. What the f**k was that?”
‘This Can’t Be Real’: Donald Trump Sparks Internet Meltdown After Claiming He Invented a Common Word Millions Have Been Using Since the 1500s
President Donald Trump has a certain way of words.
Trump, 79, regularly speaks to the public using his sometimes-confusing communication style. The Republican politician has even claimed to have invented new words that already existed.
In May 2025, Trump addressed the nation about his proposal to dramatically lower drug prices in America. His speech included an ad-libbed line that left many listeners scratching their heads.
Donald Trump’s claim about creating a commonly used word has fans mocking the president. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)“Basically, what we’re doing is equalizing. There’s a new word that I came up with, which is probably the best word,” Trump said about attempting to match drug prices in Europe.
The New York City-bred businessman continued, “We’re gonna equalize where we’re all gonna pay the same. We’re gonna pay what Europe’s gonna pay.”
At the time, Trump was ridiculed for claiming he introduced the word “equalize” to the English language. “The Daily Show” presenter Jon Stewart took aim at the president over the gaffe.
“Europe, eureka, Euclid. Yeah, here it is. ‘Equalize.’ I thought it sounded familiar,” Stewart told his television audience after searching through a dictionary he placed on his desk.
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, “equalize” was first used in 1599. The fact that the word is over 400 years old led to people joining Stewart in mocking the current commander in chief.
“A new word that he came up with says the guy with the second-grade vocabulary,” a user on the Implausible Blog’s Instagram page posted on the social media platform.
Additionally, one individual on the app commented, “This can’t be real.” A third person joked, “Probably find it in the dictionary next to equalize.”
“What a silly man,” a Trump critic declared. Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington’s action movie got a shout out when someone wrote, “Pretty sure Denzel was in ‘The Equalizer’ in 2014.”
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“To be fair… when you have the vocabulary of a toddler, there are a lot of new words to come up with,” one poster quipped.
Another person pleaded for the Trump administration to be over, writing, “When will it stop? Please make it stop.” However, a defender of the MAGA leader pushed back, “It’s a joke y’all. Grow a f–kin’ pair.”
Trump has repeatedly insisted he popularized certain words and phrases throughout his time in the global political spotlight over the last decade.
In a 2017 interview with “The Economist” publication, Trump took credit for “prime the pump.” Merriam-Webster shot down the former “The Apprentice” reality show star on Twitter (now X).
'Pump priming' has been used to refer to government investment expenditures since at least 1933. https://t.co/VfkGwwzZRC
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) May 11, 2017“‘Pump priming’ has been used to refer to government investment expenditures since at least 1933,” a tweet from the Merriam-Webster account read.
Trump made another outlandish assertion in 2017 during an appearance on the Trinity Broadcasting Network with Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor who now serves as the president’s ambassador to Israel.
“The media is — really, the word, one of the greatest of all terms I’ve come up with, is ‘fake,’” Trump said to Huckabee. “I guess other people have used it, perhaps, over the years, but I’ve never noticed it.”
Trump has also focused on the word “groceries” in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. He credited the term for his win over his Democratic opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I won on groceries. It’s a very simple word – groceries. Like almost… who uses the word? I started using the word,” he said in a post-election interview with NBC News in December.
During an April 2025 speech at the White House, he again zeroed in on groceries, calling the word “old-fashioned” and “beautiful,” suggesting that the common term was outdated or extraordinary.
Trump is credited for the nonsensical “covfefe” which he introduced to the world in a May 2017 Twitter post during his first term as president. The likely typographical error became an internet meme before he deleted the tweet six hours after initially sharing it.
A new covfefe moment may have taken place again on Aug. 17, 2025. Trump shared a one-word post on his Truth Social app. He simply wrote “Bela” without any context or explanation.
‘You Sold Us Out!’: Angry Crowd Drowns Out Trump Ally Elise Stefanik, Twice Derailing Her Speech to Honor Late Public Servant
Elise Stefanik had barely stepped to the microphone when the boos rained down. What was supposed to be a solemn moment to honor a beloved official in Plattsburgh, New York, instead became a public spectacle as angry constituents shouted her down — not once, but twice — leaving the congresswoman visibly frustrated and scrambling to regain control.
The scene unfolded Monday at the Clinton County Government Center, where a building was being renamed in honor of the late John Zurlo, a clerk and community leader remembered for five decades of public service.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., leaves a House Republican Conference meeting with President Donald Trump on the budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)The audience was stacked with family, local dignitaries, and longtime friends of Zurlo. But it was Stefanik, the fourth-ranking House Republican and a top Trump ally, who became the focus of public derision.
“You sold us out!” protesters yelled as Stefanik began her remarks. Loud jeers drowned her out until she was forced to pause. When she tried again later in the ceremony, the cycle repeated — boos, chants, and signs waved in her face.
View on ThreadsOne protester’s video of Stefanik being heckled, widely circulated online, summed it up bluntly: “Elise Stefanik won’t meet with her constituents but thought she could use the dedication of the Plattsburgh government building as a photo op without pushback. Fail.”
A Threads post about the event was followed by a comments section filled with angry reactions aimed at Stefanik.
“This is my home city, where I was born. My children were born here as well, so was my father and his father before him! The North country deserves so much better than this bootlicking disaster,” one person wrote. “She cares nothing about her constituents. She cares nothing about the people. It is exhausting, watching my family and friends vote for people who don’t give a sh-t about them!”
Protesters, who organizers said represented more than half of the audience, came to the event armed with specific grievances. “Well, Elise has not shown up in our district for months and months,” said Mavis Agnew, a local resident. “She won’t hold a town hall, she won’t take questions. She’s never in her office. People show up at her office constantly, doors closed. Her representatives and her employees won’t talk to her. So this was her first appearance, the first opportunity we had to let her know we’re unhappy.”
Others cited recent funding cuts and their potential impact on rural health care. “We’re all represented by Stefanik,” said Jesse Murnane, another protester. “And with the recent cuts that have just been passed, we’re all going to be affected by rural hospitals. Hudson Headwaters potentially being affected, our only clinics available to patients. That’s important to me.”
The confrontation revealed the overwhelming anxieties as sweeping Medicaid cuts threaten the survival of rural hospitals across the country. In Missouri, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley — who voted for the package that included the cuts — recently introduced the Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act to roll back Trump’s policy, boost funding, and double a new rural health fund. His reversal highlights the political heat lawmakers are facing in communities where Medicaid dollars keep hospital doors open.
The jeering continued even as other speakers, including Assemblyman Billy Jones, took the podium. Jones praised Zurlo as “always, always on as a public servant,” and called the renaming “a testimony to what it means to be a true officer.” Zurlo’s family members also spoke, struggling at times to compete with calls from the crowd demanding Stefanik hold a town hall.
After the event, Stefanik expressed outrage. “Today’s event was about honoring John Zurlo,” she told reporters. “It is a disgusting disgrace that this is what the far left does. Rather than understanding that his family has been through a tremendous amount. It was about honoring his legacy.” On social media, she later called the protest “shameful.”
For Stefanik, the episode underscored the tension between her rise on the national stage and her growing disconnect at home. Once known as a moderate, she has reinvented herself as one of Donald Trump’s fiercest defenders, an evolution that has boosted her visibility in Washington but alienated portions of her district.
Her most prominent foray into the spotlight came during Trump’s first impeachment hearings in 2019, where she aggressively defended him and became a MAGA star overnight. She has since doubled down at every turn: objecting to the 2020 election results, backing Trump before he formally announced his reelection campaign, and more recently leading a campaign against university leaders — including her own alma mater, Harvard.
Claudine Gay, the embattled president of the university, ultimately resigned after Stefanik pressed her during a congressional hearing over anti-Semitism, a move that cemented her national profile but also drew criticism from academics and Democrats.
Her loyalty to Trump has been rewarded. At Mar-a-Lago fundraisers, Trump has singled her out as a “great defender,” and last year she openly angled to be on his shortlist for vice president.
At the Conservative Political Action Conference last year, she mentioned Trump no fewer than 25 times in a single speech.
“I will never underestimate the power of you. Because I know, like President Donald J. Trump knows, that we work for you,” Stefanik told the cheering crowd.
But in Plattsburgh this week, the crowd was anything but cheering.
The protest capped off a tumultuous stretch for Stefanik back home. Just last week, she and state Sen. Dan Stec were locked in a public feud with the local GOP chair, Jerika Manning, in a battle over who should run for an open Assembly seat. And she continues to face criticism for having vouched for George Santos in 2022 despite widespread rumors of his lies.
Still, Stefanik remains firmly tethered to Trump, seeing her future more in his orbit than in placating restless voters in upstate New York.
‘How Is This Possible?’: Black Pro Football Player Jailed for Murder That Took Place While He Was 80 Miles Away In Another Town, Mistaken for a Suspect Who’s 115 Pounds Lighter
A Black professional football player who was wrongfully jailed for 67 days after being mistaken for a murder suspect with a similar name is now suing five of the officers involved in a South Carolina federal court.
The lawsuit by Ty’Ran Tyrell Dixon, 28, filed on Aug. 6 and obtained by Atlanta Black Star, argues that he looks nothing like Tyren Romell Dickson, the man eventually arrested for the murder of Jasmine Roach, who was four months pregnant when she was shot and killed in October 2023 at a party in Barnwell, South Carolina.
But police investigating the murder never bothered to show witnesses to the crime a photo lineup that included Dixon, which would have immediately cleared him, his attorneys say.
Ty’Ran Tyrell Dixon (left) is suing the Sheriff and four officers at the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina for false arrest after being jailed for two months for a murder he did not commit. Tyren Rommel Dickson (right) was later arrested for the murder and awaits trial. (Photos: McCulloch & Schillaci, Attorneys at Law)Dixon’s hellish experience, which involved being confined in five jails and detention centers in four states, began on Sept. 30, 2024, when he was on his way home from Finland, where he plays for a pro football team, to visit his mother and other family in Columbia, South Carolina, passing through Boston’s Logan Airport.
Just after stepping off the plane inside the airport, he was swarmed by a group of Massachusetts State Police officers who cuffed him and shuffled him off to a holding facility, where his bags were confiscated and searched. They didn’t tell him the reason for his arrest, which he only learned the next morning at a court hearing: he was charged with first-degree murder of a woman in Barnwell, a place he’d never been.
His protestations of innocence fell on deaf ears, and he voluntarily signed extradition papers, expecting to be returned to South Carolina by the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office, which had issued the warrants.
Barnwell County sheriffs did come to Boston, but only to take his cellphone as evidence.
Dixon, now in federal custody, was then sent to Suffolk County Detention Facility in Boston, where for the next 17 days he was housed with dangerous inmates, including murderers, rapists, gang members, and professed Nazis and white supremacists, the complaint says. He witnessed multiple fights and beatings, and feared for his life.
His cell was cold, with no heat, and he slept on a hard steel slab of metal, while rats and mice crawled over him at night, the lawsuit says.
“It took every piece of mental fortitude that I had from all of the years that I’ve been playing football and going through life” to make it through his confinement in five different jails and detention centers last year, Ty’Ran Dixon said. (Photo: WDRW screenshot).Meanwhile, the bumbling Barnwell County sheriffs investigating his case already had in their possession evidence and information that proved Dixon was not their man, his attorneys claim.
Within 12 hours of Roach’s killing on Oct. 15, 2023, Sheriff Steven Griffith, a defendant in the case, was told by a highly credible source that the alleged shooter had been identified by multiple witnesses as “Tyren Dickson,” the lawsuit says. Griffith was given a photo of Dickson and images of his social media profiles.
Dixon’s build and physical description did not match the alleged suspect. Dixon was 6 feet 3 and weighed 295 pounds. Dickson was 6 feet 1 and weighed 180 pounds.
Deputy Sheriff Lt. Matthew Davis and Sheriff Steven Griffith of the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina are two of five officers a civil lawsuit alleging they failed to properly investigate a murder, leading to the false arrest and jailing of Ty’Ran Dixon. (Photos: Matthew Davis Facebook profile, Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page)Barnwell County Deputy Sheriffs Lt. Matthew Davis and Investigator Noah Klienholz allegedly failed to show any witness with knowledge of the incident or who knew the actual suspect, Tyren Dickson, a picture or photo array of Dixon as a suspect for identification purposes.
Shawn Murray, who investigated the case for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), also allegedly identified “Tyren Dickson” or “Tyren Dixon” as the potential suspect, based on a phonetic spelling from witness statements.
But while interviewing witnesses, Murray, nor any other law enforcement officer investigating the murder, tried to obtain a description of the suspect, to request a name spelling of the suspect, to gather other identifying physical evidence, or to use a police sketch, the complaint contends.
Murray at some point pulled the driving record of Ty’Ran Dixon and inserted his photo into a suspect chart, but did not include a photo of Tyren Dickson, the actual person they were seeking to investigate, the lawsuit says.
Murray never provided any witness with a photo of Dixon for identification purposes, the complaint alleges, despite the fact that there were multiple witnesses to the shooting at the party, including some who knew Dickson by name.
Acting on the failed investigation, Klienholz, lacking probable cause, swore out affidavits and obtained arrest warrants for murder and attempted murder against Dixon, which were entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
In obtaining the arrest warrants, the officers “made no effort to confirm the identity of the perpetrator by utilizing photograph identification with witnesses of the shooting, obtaining ballistic evidence, forensic evidence, fingerprint evidence, surveillance evidence, photographic evidence, confessional evidence, or any other credible evidence that would link Dixon to the murder of Jasmine Roach,” the complaint says.
The arrest warrants “were the product of fundamental police investigative failures, and shoddy, incompetent, and utterly inexcusable actions of the Defendants, demonstrating a heartless disregard for the impact of their actions against an innocent Plaintiff Dixon,” the lawsuit says.
In the weeks after Dixon was detained, his family and their attorney tried on multiple occasions to provide law enforcement with readily available facts and witnesses to prove his whereabouts at the time of the murder, but say law enforcement chose to ignore them.
On each occasion, the family was allegedly told by officers, “They all say that,” or “Tell it to the judge.”
The officers also never interviewed Dixon to investigate his involvement in the murder of Roach, the lawsuit claims.
If they had, they would have learned that on Oct. 15, 2023, he was 80 miles away from Barnwell, attending homecoming festivities at Newberry College, where he had been a star student-athlete, a fact known to dozens of available witnesses.
A simple Google search of his name would have led them to discover he was a pro athlete, the lawsuit says, with stints in the XFL for the Las Vegas Vipers and, at the time, in a European league for the Lohja Crusaders in Finland.
The investigating officers also had another opportunity to rectify their misidentification on Aug. 23, 2024, nine days after the arrest warrant against Dixon was issued, the complaint says.
Officer Carlos Colindres of the Aiken, South Carolina Public Safety Department sent an email to Barnwell Sheriff Davis with the subject line “Tyren Dickson,” and stating, “I just want to make sure we have the right guy.”
He enclosed the driving record of Tyren Dickson, including his photo, and asked Davis to show it to Richard Garvin, one of the witnesses to Roach’s murder, who was in custody at the local jail. “We just need visual confirmation that this is him,” he wrote.
Davis never went to jail to show Richard Garvin the photo of the correct suspect, the lawsuit says.
On October 17, 2024, Dixon was transferred to South Bay Jail, where he was again housed with dangerous inmates in a facility that had only three detention guards assigned to nearly 150 inmates. The guards made sport of humiliating him, the complaint says, once requiring him to strip naked to be searched.
On October 31, 2024, Dixon was transferred to a prison in Maine, where he spent 21 days in solitary confinement, and became disoriented, anxious, hallucinated, and suffered a nervous breakdown.
Confined to a small, dark cell that had graffiti on the walls with messages including, “If you’re reading this, the ghost of the guy that died in here will haunt you at night” and “rot in hell,” the lawsuit says Dixon contemplated suicide.
In the brief periods when he was allowed to leave his cell to take a shower, he was shackled to a cage, and when he was given recreation time, he was confined to sitting shackled in another cage.
“There were days where I was like ‘How’d I just go from playing football and now I’m in a freaking jumpsuit? I’m locked up now. Like, how is this possible?” Dixon, who until that point had no criminal record and earned a master’s degree in organizational development and leadership at Newberry College, told WRDW.
At the first jail, he was given a Bible that he kept by his side until the third detention center took it from him, Dixon told The State, because some inmates smoked pages of the Bible.
“Stay strong,” he scribbled on a scrap of paper. “Don’t let this be for nothing. God strength.”
He still has the piece of paper.
“It took every piece of mental fortitude that I had from all of the years that I’ve been playing football and going through life” to make it through his confinement, Dixon said. “That took every ounce that I had left.”
On Nov. 20, 2024, Dixon was flown to a jail in Chickasaw, Oklahoma, where he stayed for four days, and then was flown to Georgia and booked into a detention center in Ocilla, where he remained until Dec. 6, 2024, when he was transported to Columbia, South Carolina, and picked up by Barnwell County sheriffs.
After being booked into the Barnwell County jail, he was put in an interrogation room, where two BCSD officers, including Lt. Davis, explained they were investigating a murder on Oct. 15, 2023, and they had a warrant charging him with felony murder.
Dixon protested his innocence, and reminded the officers that his parents, lawyer and a legal investigator had contacted the sheriff’s office numerous times to provide evidence showing the wrong person had been arrested. After a short discussion, the lawsuit says, the Barnwell Sheriff’s Office officers left the room, returning minutes later to advise Dixon that he had been mistakenly arrested and would be transported home.
Davis, his hands shaking, sheepishly removed his handcuffs and apologized, Dixon told WRDW.
In the weeks following the release of Dixon, BCSD arrested Tyren Rommell Dickson for the murder of Jasmine Roach. His trial is still pending.
The lawsuit accuses all five defendants of false arrest and malicious prosecution, alleging that they violated Dixon’s constitutional rights by arresting him without probable cause, failing to properly investigate, ignoring exculpatory and alibi evidence, unlawfully detaining him and then abdicating their responsibility to return him to South Carolina, defaming him, failing to interview him, and after seizing his cellphone, failing to expeditiously analyze the phone for text messages, calls and photos which would have immediately revealed his whereabouts on the date and time of the murder.
The lawsuit claims supervisory liability against Barnwell County Sheriff Steven Griffith, asserting that he knew within 12 hours of Roach’s murder that Dickson was a suspect, but did not share this information with his investigators.
It further alleges that Griffith failed to properly train and supervise his investigators, whose missteps are an outcome of “the culture at the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Department of quick, fast and incomplete criminal investigations that lead to the arrest, detainment and possible convictions of innocent individuals.”
Dixon, who has resumed his football career in Finland, but says he continues to have nightmares related to the ordeal, seeks a jury trial to determine unspecified actual and punitive damages to compensate him for deprivation of his liberties and freedom that resulted in physical, mental and emotional injuries that will affect his life for the foreseeable future.
“I know this about legal and police work,” Joe McCulloch, one of Dixon’s attorneys, told WRDW. “Measure twice and cut once, because the consequences of making a mistake like this are catastrophic for people like our client.”
In a Facebook post last week, Sheryl Brand, Dixon’s mother, noting the upcoming anniversary of her son’s arrest and suffering “due to the negligence of Barnwell [Sheriff’s] Department,” said, “ALL THE DAMN MONEY IN THE WORLD” will never ever give him back” the time he spent incarcerated.
“They say it was a mistake!!!! Hell no it wasn’t a mistake…they didn’t do their jobs and have been getting away with their incompetence [for] years…wayyyy before Ty’Ran was born (FACTS)! I say to all involved “BLACK LIVES MATTER dead or alive! You can hide behind those badges but, God seen everything you purposely did to my child!”
The defendants have 21 days to file a response to the federal complaint after being served, or until Sept. 3. The Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Atlanta Black Star.
In its answer to a separate state lawsuit filed by Dixon in April, the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office denied similar allegations and asserted that any misidentification of Dixon was not done with malice.
‘MAGA…Would Lose Their Minds’: Tiger Woods Under Fire Amid Reports He Wants Trump’s OK to Marry Donald Jr.’s Ex at the White House
Scandal, heartbreak, and headlines are only bringing Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump closer to saying “I do.” The PGA Tour legend is rumored to be “deep in love” with Donald Trump Jr.’s ex-wife.
The high-profile duo first sparked speculation of a new romance in 2024.
The elite golfer and mother of five confirmed their relationship this past March, when he posted, “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side,” along with photos of them canoodling on Instagram.
Donald Trump’s approval of Tiger Woods dating his former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, reportedly fast-tracked couple’s rumored White House wedding plans. Photos: Getty Imgaes; Tigerwoods/Instagram.New reports suggest that newfound bliss has since escalated to hopes of getting married. “They’re not playing around,” and they have “somehow found peace in each other,” a RadarOnline unnamed source alleged.
Woods and the former first daughter-in-law are purportedly considering a venue rich with controversy and historical significance — the White House. “The symbolism is powerful… A Trump returning to the White House… but this time, for love,” said another of the tabloid’s supposed insiders. Nineteen weddings dating back to 1812 have been held at the president’s official residence.
The couple has seemingly received Donald Trump’s approval of their relationship. The elected official called the athlete a “fantastic guy” and shared that Woods informed him of the relationship before it was publicized.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods)
“I love Tiger, and I love Vanessa. … I’m very happy for both. I just let ’em both be happy,” said Donald. Woods’ marriage to first wife Elin Nordegren collapsed following his 2009 cheating scandal. The parents of two finalized their divorce in 2010.
Vanessa and Don Jr. were married for 12 years when she filed for divorce in 2018. The dissolution of the marriage was finalized in February 2019. Although the president may be in favor of them dating, the public remains skeptical.
Amid the speculation of pending wedding plans, a commenter remarked underneath a Yahoo! repost of The Blast’s article about the possible nuptials, “I think the MAGA movement would lose their minds if a black man married a white woman in the White House.”
Wait, what?! #Tiger Woods just made it official with Vanessa #Trump! And guess who’s been teeing off with Donald for years? Power move or true love? pic.twitter.com/5mU0Kc9Khi
— Cultura Colectiva+ (@ccplus) June 4, 2025A second individual asked, “Isn’t it creepy that he wants trump’s blessing to mary Trump Jr’s ex wife? Tiger is really just a sell out anymore.” A third disappointed fan of Woods wrote, “This whole thing seems just a bit off.”
Others suspect that a possible ceremony may have been one of the catalysts behind plans to construct a ballroom off the East Wing of the White House. One person typed, “Welp, that explains why we need a $200 million ballroom all of a sudden.”
Woods and Vanessa’s relationship has seemingly been fast-paced from the start. In May, it was reported that his new lady moved into his $40 million mansion. It was then then insiders began to speculate that a wedding was soon to follow.
‘We Are Screwed!’: Trump’s Latest Elementary-like Blunder Has Folks Asking ‘If He’s the ‘Dumbest President Ever’
President Donald Trump became a laughingstock over the weekend after he appeared to forget that Alaska is part of the United States, just as he turned soft on an earlier vow to finally take a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s slip came Friday during a Fox News interview with Bret Baier aboard Air Force One, just before the president departed for Alaska for the first U.S. summit with Putin since 2021. Speaking ahead of the talks, Trump aired a tough tone, telling Baier:
“…If it’s bad. If it’s something I don’t see a future in… I’m a deal guy, if it’s something I don’t see a future, I’m gone. I’ll leave. I don’t have to do a press, I’ll just say, ‘Not gonna be a deal, I’m out of here.’ And I’ll go back to the United States.”
Russian President Putin (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) during their joint press conference after the meeting on war in Ukraine at U.S. Air Base in Alaska on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. Putin is having a one-day trip to Alaska. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)The reference to returning “to the United States” from Alaska, the nation’s 49th state, added in 1959, ignited a wave of mockery online. The Instagram account Calltoactivism amplified the clip, captioning: “Is Trump experiencing cognitive decline or is he just the dumbest president we ever had?”
One person in the comments section remarked: “Hey Jake Tapper, your next book is literally writing itself every damn day,” a reference to Tapper’s recent exposé on President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline near the end of his term and the efforts by Democrats to conceal it.
Last week, Trump threatened “very severe consequences” for Putin if he refused to make a peace deal. But after the two leaders met on Friday, Trump emerged without announcing any breakthrough or any new penalties for Moscow. Instead, Putin received a red-carpet welcome in Anchorage, complete with a jet flyover and a 10-minute ride with Trump in the armored presidential limousine known as The Beast.
Putin left the sit-down with no visible sign of the harsh measures Trump had vowed just hours earlier. Instead, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN the Russian president “agreed to allow security guarantees for Ukraine” and offered vague concessions on territorial “land swaps.”
The Kremlin, however, has not confirmed any such moves and continues to demand that four occupied Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—remain under its control. Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had criticized these concessions as unacceptable.
For months, tensions had been mounting between the White House and the Kremlin, with Trump talking tough on social media to vent his frustration over Putin’s war. In April, after Russia unleashed its deadliest barrage on Kyiv in nine months, Trump declared he was “not happy” and urged Putin to “STOP!” while pressing Ukraine to accept a ceasefire that never materialized.
That attack saw Moscow fire 70 missiles and 145 drones, most aimed at the capital — a strike Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said was intended to pressure Washington.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
But after the meeting with Putin on Friday, Trump made an astonishing about-face, suggesting a shift in U.S. policy toward Russia and floating concessions that favored Moscow’s demands, even suggesting on Truth Social that Ukraine give up Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and abandon its bid to join NATO.
Zelensky has “been told in no uncertain terms by Trump… that he is going to have to accept that the territory that’s been lost is mostly lost for the long term,” Robert English, Director of Central European Studies at the University of Southern California, according to CNN.
Those remarks set the stage for a tense Monday meeting at the White House between Trump, Zelensky, and a delegation of European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Britain’s Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The coordinated visit reflects fears that Trump was steering too close to Moscow’s wishlist.
“The very fact that they’re all there together and trying to reach a common understanding is critical,” English said. But he added that negotiations are now shifting away from Ukraine’s NATO aspirations toward “crafting long-term security arrangements” that stop short of membership.
Trump’s meeting with Putin stood in stark contrast to his meeting with Zelensky in February, when Trump berated the Ukrainian leader at the White House, saying, “You don’t have the cards.”
Putin received warm handshakes, praise for his “energetic and sincere efforts” at peace, and a limo ride that critics said underscored Putin’s sway over the U.S. president.
Critics said the Alaska summit illustrated Trump’s pattern of striking a combative posture against Putin in advance, then pivoting once face-to-face. Ahead of the meeting, he declared, “within the first two minutes, three minutes, four or five minutes,” he would know if it was a “good meeting or a bad meeting.”
The Fox News chyron read: “Applying Pressure: Trump threatens consequences if talks fail.”
Instead, Trump left the encounter echoing Russia’s narrative and calling for Kyiv to make painful territorial concessions. Putin aide Kirill Dmitriev even reposted Trump’s words on social media, calling them “the real solution” and urging “peace to prevail during the Big Day.”
The summit also carried an economic undercurrent, with critics noting Trump appeared more focused on potential business opportunities than on advancing America’s strategic interests. Aboard Air Force One, he praised Putin’s entourage of financiers and trade officials: “I noticed (Putin’s) bringing a lot of business people from Russia, and that’s good. I like that, because they want to do business, but they’re not doing business until we get the war solved.” Among them were Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Trump even suggested he might raise commercial ties if the talks made progress.
“If we make progress, I would discuss (business opportunities), because that’s one of the things that they would like; they’d like to get a piece of what I built in terms of the economy,” he told reporters, according to CNN. Yet experts caution that a return to business as usual would be no simple task. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, more than 1,000 Western companies have withdrawn from the country, with Chinese firms and Russian knock-offs like “Stars Coffee” filling the void.
Meanwhile, the outcome of Friday’s summit has rattled European allies who fear being sidelined in the peace negotiations. Since NATO’s founding in 1949, the U.S. has been the linchpin of the alliance. Now, as Trump inches closer to Putin’s position, leaders worry Washington could undercut Europe’s security framework and cause irreparable harm.
Zelensky’s Monday visit will test whether Europe can stiffen Trump’s resolve or whether Ukraine is being pushed into swallowing what English described as a “bitter pill”—the loss of Crimea and most of the Donbas region.
Either way, Trump’s Alaska stumble became symbolic of the moment—a president who forgot where he was.
‘Looked Way Better In the Before Pic’: Trump’s Press Secretary’s Interview Goes Viral as Fans Notice What’s Changed About Her Face In Photos
After footage from a press briefing with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt went viral, social media pointed out her appearance was just as off as her argument.
In the footage, Leavitt can be seen in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on July 23.
Now, the 27-year-old is going viral again because social sleuths have continuously dug up throwback photos from her college days, and people are convinced Leavitt has had some work done, specifically a nose job.
Karoline Leavitt’s new look faces more scrutiny online as critics compare old photos. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)Many have pointed out that Karoline Leavitt’s nose and cheeks look noticeably different in photos from 2017 compared to her appearances since joining the White House in January 2025. The X account @DonkConnects initially pointed out her evolved looks, with side-by-side snaps of her featuring a younger, more naturally looking appearance.
In the older photo, Leavitt’s nose fits her smiling face perfectly, and she seems to be radiating positive energy through the picture. In the current image, her serious and disgruntled attitude is evident behind her sunglasses, and her nose is undeniably shorter and slimmer with more pronounced nostrils.
“Karoline Leavitt HATES side-by-side photos that show her nose,” the parody account captioned the startling photos. Then he sarcastically told his followers, “DO NOT REPOST,” as Leavitt, to whom he tagged, would not want people seeing the questionable photos.
The striking difference definitely raised some eyebrows.
“What in the heck happened to her?!? ages person!” one person wrote on X.
Karoline Leavitt HATES side-by-side photos that show her nose.
DO NOT REPOST, @PressSec does not want people seeing this. pic.twitter.com/9Lhw5blrMS
While others pointed out that the speculated work was unnecessary, stating, “It looked better before,” and, “She looked better then, not now.”
And if the difference wasn’t jarring enough, followers even criticized it for being a botched job.
One person questioned, “Such a better nose, why does she do that? She looks stuck up.. ” Another pulled no punches and said, “She definitely wrecked her face.”
This follower suggested that the Saint Anselm College alum, “looked way better in the before pic..but MAGA Stepford wife has to do what is expected.”
Another bluntly asked, “What was wrong with her nose before? Looks like a basic Yank to me.”
Leavitt has never addressed the plastic surgery rumors, and probably never will, but that hasn’t kept social media from claiming her looks change every time she makes a public appearance.
“Why, do you look like that?” one Instagram user wrote bluntly, while another added, “She looks 45 years old.”
On July 3, she posted an image capturing herself standing next to the 79-year-old president during a recent campaign stop. Comments on the photo focused more on how she and her boss, unfortunately, resembled one another.
One particularly harsh critic wrote, “You look so much like Trump in this picture. Yay for being orange and full of wrinkles KKKaroline.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by KAROLINE LEAVITT (@karolineleavitt)
Shortly after, her looks made headlines when she was slammed for her questionable makeup on a July 14 appearance on “The Sean Hannity Show.” Observers speculated that the youngest White House press secretary in history looked as though she had undergone a “Mar-a-Lago makeover.”
“What’s shameful is the way that she applies her lipstick!” one person quipped. Others hit back with, “She is a Trumpie all the way. She says exactly what Trump wants her to say and we all know his relationship with the truth. Her lips aren’t even lined right,” one person pointed out. “Her lipstick goes above her lips so they look fuller. Another deception.”
And after the July 23 press conference, her bizarre appearance was compared to a particular cartoon character known for fibbing.
“Karoline Leavitt’s nose shrinks when she lies so she’s a Bizarro Pinocchio.”
Karoline Leavitt's nose shrinks when she lies so she's a Bizarro Pinocchio.
— Bernard Silverman (@DonKeehotey) July 28, 2025‘Completely Inappropriate’: New York Cop’s Job Is on the Line After Video Shows Him Choking 17-Year-Old and Slamming Teen Head Into Window for Petty Reason
A police sergeant in New York was suspended from his job after he was seen initiating a violent confrontation in which he grabbed a teenager by the neck and slammed him against a window.
Surveillance footage shows the Aug. 3 encounter between the cop, who authorities have not identified, and the 17-year-old Andrew Garcias outside a bodega in Haverstraw, New York.
A video screenshot shows a Haverstraw, New York, police officer approaching and then choking a teenage boy. (Photos: X/ @BlaiseGomez12)The video shows several people walking and hanging out on the sidewalk shortly after the town’s United Latin Festival and Parade. The sergeant and his partner were seen patrolling the area.
According to local news outlets, police told the crowd to clear out of the area after the day’s festivities ended in the northern suburb of New York City.
When Garcia asked the sergeant why people needed to disperse, the cop approached the teen, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him into a store window.
According to a witness who saw the altercation up close, the sergeant was reportedly triggered by what the teen said to him.
“The kid told him straight up, ‘You’re not my father,’ and the cop lost it and basically did what he did,” the witness, Jean Poulard, told CBS News.
Several cops are then seen surrounding the teen, restraining him, and appearing to search him. Authorities say that the heavy response was due to some confusion over whether the teen had the reported weapon.
“One of the officers’ clips came out of his holster, fell on the ground. With that, another officer yelled, ‘Gun,'” Phillips said.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: An underage Rockland teen is speaking exclusively with News 12 after he says he was choke-slammed by a Haverstraw police sergeant into a bodega storefront after Sunday’s Dominican parade. What led up to the incident and what police are saying, tonight @ 5. pic.twitter.com/BGM4VDbADP
— Blaise Gomez (@BlaiseGomez12) August 5, 2025The sergeant was placed on paid administrative leave shortly after the incident. An active investigation into the incident is underway.
“The actions he took were completely inappropriate,” Town Supervisor Howard T. Phillips said.
Oregon Cop Ditched Dying Man in Patrol Car to Watch TikToks and Sext Lover, Lawsuit Claims
Phillips said police made dozens of arrests that night at the site of the parade, many for disorderly conduct. Authorities say 59 people were arrested, including the 17-year-old whom the sergeant choked.
“It was a blur. I didn’t expect him to strangle me like that,” Garcia told News 12, adding that the experience left him shaken. “Last night I kept on rewatching the video and I cried to it. I was traumatized.”
The teen, who was charged with disorderly conduct, said that he had visited the bodega after learning that a friend was arrested there.
More surveillance footage showing the scene just 15 minutes before the choking incident reportedly captures police taking a man to the ground by police and punching him in the ribs. It’s unclear what led to that arrest.
Some residents believe the officers went too far and should apologize. They also said the sergeant needs to be retrained.
“There’s a difference between doing your job and excessive force. I think they take it too far,” said Robert Vasquez.
‘Needs You to Help Convince Black People He Loves Them’: Black GOP Pundit Torched for Defending Trump’s D.C. Crackdown as Furious Residents Call Feds the ‘Real Criminals’
Black news commentator Horace Cooper, the chairman of Project 21 and a senior fellow with the National Center for Public Policy Research, is under fire for defending President Donald Trump’s use of the military to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., and potentially other Democratic-led cities.
In an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” on Aug. 13, guest host Brian Kilmeade asked Cooper why the president is picking Black cities to deploy the military, and, some may add, under the guise of fighting crime.
“The President isn’t picking Black cities. The president is trying to solve a problem, and it happens that Black Americans who didn’t give him a majority of their votes are going to be the beneficiaries,” Cooper insisted.
Horace Cooper, in an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” on Aug. 13, guest with Brian Kilmeade. (Photo: X/Acyn)He then tried to draw a comparison between OPEC setting oil prices with no concern for how prices impact middle and lower-income people, with Democratic leaders of American cities wanting to maintain the status quo when it comes to fighting crime.
“Because if you can show that these commonsense approaches will solve the problem in Washington, D.C., other cities will soon start getting asked, ‘Why aren’t you solving our problems?’”
“If you believe this to be true, I want to talk to you about some swamp land I have!” X user David Clanin posted.
Calling all Uncle Toms! Calling all Uncle Toms!
Uncle Don wants you. He needs you to help convince Black people that he loves them and only wants the best for them.
Tim Scott and Byron Donalds can't fight this fight alone! Sign up now!! Fox News is waiting!
“Yes. It’s just coincidental racism,” another X user wrote.
“’Be angry at the racist that voted for Trump’ I’m mad at black ppl like this defending it,” still another angry social media user pointed out.
“Calling all Uncle Toms! Calling all Uncle Toms! Uncle Don wants you. He needs you to help convince Black people that he loves them and only wants the best for them. Tim Scott and Byron Donalds can’t fight this fight alone! Sign up now!! Fox News is waiting!” this X user blasted.
Trump declared a public safety emergency in the nation’s capital on Monday, announcing he was deploying the National Guard to help fight “violent crime.” In an unprecedented move, he justified the takeover under an obscure provision of the 1973 Home Rule Act, which allows the president to usurp the city’s police department for up to 30 days under “conditions of an emergency nature.”
After 30 days, Congress has to pass a joint resolution to extend the operation.
Trump deployed some 1,500 National Guard members across the city as of Aug. 7, according to 7News.
Since then, authorities have arrested more than 300 people. Charges include assault, distribution of a controlled substance, drug possession, weapons violations, DUI, stalking and immigration violations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing.
“This is only the beginning. Over the course of the next month, the Trump administration will relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent criminal in the District who breaks the law, undermines public safety, and endangers law-abiding Americans,” Leavitt said.
It seems this is only the beginning, though, of public outrage after D.C. police and federal agents set up a random roadblock Wednesday night along the city’s busy 14th Street corridor, known for its bars and restaurants.
Community residents lined both sides of the street, cursing out law enforcement for several hours as officers stopped drivers at the checkpoint.
CNN reported people were yelling, “Shame,” “You are the criminals” and “Get the f**k out of here.”
Others yelled, “Take off your mask!” at some of the federal agents who were wearing masks to cover their faces.