Joe Biden may have just taken his first steps into the presidency, but figures of the Trump administration don’t seem to be going anywhere just yet. On Monday, Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani made headlines as Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit, demanding $1.3 billion.
The former New York City Mayor’s latest legal trouble became the butt of late night jokes, including those from Seth Meyers who used his “A Closer Look” segment to squeeze in some jokes and criticisms about Giuliani and the GOP.
“Good thing he’s a vampire because he’ll have to spend the rest of his life working it off,” the Late Night with Seth Meyers host quipped. “He doesn’t have any money, remember how he couldn’t afford hair dye and just rubbed typewriter ribbon on his head?”
While it may be easy to laugh at Giuliani’s public moments,...
The former New York City Mayor’s latest legal trouble became the butt of late night jokes, including those from Seth Meyers who used his “A Closer Look” segment to squeeze in some jokes and criticisms about Giuliani and the GOP.
“Good thing he’s a vampire because he’ll have to spend the rest of his life working it off,” the Late Night with Seth Meyers host quipped. “He doesn’t have any money, remember how he couldn’t afford hair dye and just rubbed typewriter ribbon on his head?”
While it may be easy to laugh at Giuliani’s public moments,...
- 1/26/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Biden declared his intention to move swiftly to sign a coronavirus relief bill into law, proposing a package that includes direct cash payments for Americans reeling with the fallout from the pandemic and accompanying economic crisis.
Under the plan Biden outlined Thursday evening, most Americans will get a $1,400 cash infusion while people collecting unemployment will get an additional $400 a week in additional aid. The president-elect is also proposing more than doubling the federal minimum wage to $15.
“A crisis of deep human suffering is in plain sight. There is no time to waste.
Under the plan Biden outlined Thursday evening, most Americans will get a $1,400 cash infusion while people collecting unemployment will get an additional $400 a week in additional aid. The president-elect is also proposing more than doubling the federal minimum wage to $15.
“A crisis of deep human suffering is in plain sight. There is no time to waste.
- 1/15/2021
- by Tessa Stuart
- Rollingstone.com
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wants to force a vote in the U.S. Senate on increasing Covid-19 relief checks from $600 to $2,000 per person. And he says he willing to hold up a massive defense-spending bill to get that vote.
The Senate is set to vote this week on whether to override President Donald Trump’s recent veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual spending bill that funds the military. Trump had vetoed the Ndaa in late December because he said he didn’t like that it called for...
The Senate is set to vote this week on whether to override President Donald Trump’s recent veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual spending bill that funds the military. Trump had vetoed the Ndaa in late December because he said he didn’t like that it called for...
- 12/29/2020
- by Andy Kroll
- Rollingstone.com
In today’s TV news roundup, Taraji P. Henson will host the American Music Awards, and NBC released a trailer for the eighth season of “The Blacklist.”
First Looks
NBC released a trailer for the eighth season of “The Blacklist.” Season 8 finds Raymond Reddington (James Spader) facing his most worthy adversary yet in Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), who is now aligned with her mother, a notorious Russian spy. In Liz’s attempt to figure out Reddington’s end goals, the two have a fallout that sows adverse consequences for everyone, including the task force they helped create. “The Blacklist” also features Diego Klattenhoff, Amir Arison, Hisham Tawfiq, Laura Sohn and Harry Lennix. Watch the teaser below.
Production
HGTV began production of “Design Star: Next Gen,” a new competition series inspired by its reality franchise “HGTV Design Star.” Set to premiere in 2021, the six-episode series will be hosted by Allison Holker...
First Looks
NBC released a trailer for the eighth season of “The Blacklist.” Season 8 finds Raymond Reddington (James Spader) facing his most worthy adversary yet in Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), who is now aligned with her mother, a notorious Russian spy. In Liz’s attempt to figure out Reddington’s end goals, the two have a fallout that sows adverse consequences for everyone, including the task force they helped create. “The Blacklist” also features Diego Klattenhoff, Amir Arison, Hisham Tawfiq, Laura Sohn and Harry Lennix. Watch the teaser below.
Production
HGTV began production of “Design Star: Next Gen,” a new competition series inspired by its reality franchise “HGTV Design Star.” Set to premiere in 2021, the six-episode series will be hosted by Allison Holker...
- 11/2/2020
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- Variety Film + TV
The completion of Czech billionaire Petr Kellner’s (pictured) buyout of broadcast network Central European Media Enterprises (Cme) has raised hackles in Kellner’s native country, where a healthy suspicion of media moguls has been fueled by the prime minister’s own online and print holdings.
Kellner’s company, Ppf, which began the acquisition process of Cme a year ago, paying $1.1 billion for the network, had its purchase approved by regulators and the European Commission last week. The Cme holdings, which comprise leading commercial broadcasters and studios stretching from Prague to Sofia, dominate the regional market, but were thought to be marginal to the core value of AT&T, which acquired them when it merged with Time Warner in 2018.
Kellner has pledged to respect the independence of Cme’s news organizations, announcing, “We want to build on those successes and on the position that these networks occupy in their respective markets as independent broadcasters.
Kellner’s company, Ppf, which began the acquisition process of Cme a year ago, paying $1.1 billion for the network, had its purchase approved by regulators and the European Commission last week. The Cme holdings, which comprise leading commercial broadcasters and studios stretching from Prague to Sofia, dominate the regional market, but were thought to be marginal to the core value of AT&T, which acquired them when it merged with Time Warner in 2018.
Kellner has pledged to respect the independence of Cme’s news organizations, announcing, “We want to build on those successes and on the position that these networks occupy in their respective markets as independent broadcasters.
- 10/22/2020
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Prior to the 2016 election, Republicans urged White House officials to hold off on picking a successor to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia until after the presidential election. More than four years later and the GOP wavers on their stance as the scramble to fill the vacant seat left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg begins. From inconsistent to “moral black holes,” the hosts of late night TV have their opinions on the GOP’s moves.
After paying tribute to “fierce defender of democracy” Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Late Night host Seth Meyers went on to chastise President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ efforts to try and fill the open U.S. Supreme Court Justice seat as soon as possible.
“It’s still worth taking stock at how insulting and transparent their lies were and remembering that for the future. It’s not just hypocrisy, it’s nihilist,” Meyers said. “They’re moral black...
After paying tribute to “fierce defender of democracy” Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Late Night host Seth Meyers went on to chastise President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ efforts to try and fill the open U.S. Supreme Court Justice seat as soon as possible.
“It’s still worth taking stock at how insulting and transparent their lies were and remembering that for the future. It’s not just hypocrisy, it’s nihilist,” Meyers said. “They’re moral black...
- 9/22/2020
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
“TikTok is the most important thing in music right now.”
Statements like that, delivered recently by one industry executive, have become fairly common in the last year. TikTok users have been the jet fuel powering a slew of recent hits, shoving Doja Cat into the deep end of mainstream pop’s pool, transforming Arizona Zervas from zero to billion-stream hero, and catapulting Megan Thee Stallion to her first Number One hit.
Major labels are obsessed with TikTok to the point where it seems like momentum on the app is now...
Statements like that, delivered recently by one industry executive, have become fairly common in the last year. TikTok users have been the jet fuel powering a slew of recent hits, shoving Doja Cat into the deep end of mainstream pop’s pool, transforming Arizona Zervas from zero to billion-stream hero, and catapulting Megan Thee Stallion to her first Number One hit.
Major labels are obsessed with TikTok to the point where it seems like momentum on the app is now...
- 9/18/2020
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is asking Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Executive Chairman Robert Iger to explain the studio’s cooperation with the authorities in the Chinese autonomous region of Xinjiang during the production of the Mulan live-action remake, according to NBC News. The Congressional letter is in response to allegations accusing Chinese authorities of detaining an estimated 1 million to 2 million Uighur Muslims, detained in mass internment camps in the Xinjiang region.
The legislative interest comes after Disney thanked eight government bodies in Xinjiang, a Western province, in the film’s credits. “The closing credits of Mulan extend thanks to the ‘Turpan Municipal Bureau of Public Security’ and the ‘Publicity Department of Cpc Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Committee,’ as well as other local level Xuar propaganda elements,” according to the website of Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.
And as the aforementioned Congressional letter pointed out, the House of Representatives...
The legislative interest comes after Disney thanked eight government bodies in Xinjiang, a Western province, in the film’s credits. “The closing credits of Mulan extend thanks to the ‘Turpan Municipal Bureau of Public Security’ and the ‘Publicity Department of Cpc Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Committee,’ as well as other local level Xuar propaganda elements,” according to the website of Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.
And as the aforementioned Congressional letter pointed out, the House of Representatives...
- 9/15/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Saturday Update: The situation is not looking up for Mulan in China with a Saturday that saw a small 11% increase versus Friday. The Disney live-action update on its 1998 animated classic is now at an estimated $17M cume through two days in the Middle Kingdom, and including Thursday midnights. This points to a three-day launch in the low $20M range.
Across Saturday, the Niki Caro-directed Mulan jockeyed with local juggernaut The Eight Hundred for first position and ultimately edged it out, per ticketing platform Maoyan where it is carrying a 7.6 audience score. Maoyan has also lowered its final prediction on the film to about $40M.
While there is a blackout on local press reporting on the release due to ongoing controversy, it is not clear how much the recent stirs outside China have affected the movie at the box office — piracy is also a factor. Last week, U.S. senator...
Across Saturday, the Niki Caro-directed Mulan jockeyed with local juggernaut The Eight Hundred for first position and ultimately edged it out, per ticketing platform Maoyan where it is carrying a 7.6 audience score. Maoyan has also lowered its final prediction on the film to about $40M.
While there is a blackout on local press reporting on the release due to ongoing controversy, it is not clear how much the recent stirs outside China have affected the movie at the box office — piracy is also a factor. Last week, U.S. senator...
- 9/12/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Run Hide Fight’ Review: Glib Cinestate Thriller Turns a School Shooting into a Clichéd Action Movie
You might not expect Cinestate — the right-leaning Dallas production company responsible for “Dragged Across Concrete,” “Brawl in Cell Block 99,” and allegedly enabling a pattern of sexual abuse by producer Adam Donaghey — to create a sensitive and thought-provoking film about America’s epidemic of school shootings, but even if you lowered the bar down to the ninth layer of hell the company’s latest and least defensible effort would still manage to slink under it. An unholy cross between “Elephant” and “Die Hard” that depicts an armed attack on a Texas high school with all the realism of Dana Loesch’s wet dreams, “Run Hide Fight” is . It’s a movie made by someone who’s seen too many movies, and now made at least one too many as well.
Poor Thomas Jane. No one who brought us “The Mist” and that one scene at the end of “Boogie Nights...
Poor Thomas Jane. No one who brought us “The Mist” and that one scene at the end of “Boogie Nights...
- 9/10/2020
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Michael Cohen may ultimately register just a few days of buzz among a number of Donald Trump-related tell alls this month, but his claims give new details on the level of coordination between Trump and favored media outlets.
Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney who is currently serving out a three-year sentence in home confinement, published his book Disloyal: A Memoir on Tuesday and is at the start of a media blitz. He plead guilty in 2018 to tax evasion and campaign finance violations.
First and foremost among Trump’s media allies was the National Enquirer, and Cohen’s contention that Trump was tipped and even gave tacit approval to stories that trafficked in rumors about his 2016 Republican primary opponents. That included the Enquirer publication of a photo purported to show Ted Cruz’s father with Lee Harvey Oswald, a claim that has been debunked but nevertheless was still trafficked by the candidate.
Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney who is currently serving out a three-year sentence in home confinement, published his book Disloyal: A Memoir on Tuesday and is at the start of a media blitz. He plead guilty in 2018 to tax evasion and campaign finance violations.
First and foremost among Trump’s media allies was the National Enquirer, and Cohen’s contention that Trump was tipped and even gave tacit approval to stories that trafficked in rumors about his 2016 Republican primary opponents. That included the Enquirer publication of a photo purported to show Ted Cruz’s father with Lee Harvey Oswald, a claim that has been debunked but nevertheless was still trafficked by the candidate.
- 9/9/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Kamala Harris is being hailed by some for the historic nomination of a black, Asian woman to a major party’s vice presidential slot.
President Donald Trump had a slightly different take, noted Trevor Noah. The show ran clips of the President’s condemnations of Harris’ comments on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his nomination process. Trump also noted how Harris said bad things about her running mate, Joe Biden, earlier in the primary season.
“Is Trump attacking or defending Joe Biden?” asked Noah. “Of all people, he should understand that you can work with your enemies.” Noah then listed Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, “who married the love of Trump’s life,” as former attackers turned defenders. .
But President Trump isn’t the only one having a hard time. Various Fox pundits ran down Harris’ record, calling her “soft on crime,” “no friend of police,” “a boring pick.
President Donald Trump had a slightly different take, noted Trevor Noah. The show ran clips of the President’s condemnations of Harris’ comments on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his nomination process. Trump also noted how Harris said bad things about her running mate, Joe Biden, earlier in the primary season.
“Is Trump attacking or defending Joe Biden?” asked Noah. “Of all people, he should understand that you can work with your enemies.” Noah then listed Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, “who married the love of Trump’s life,” as former attackers turned defenders. .
But President Trump isn’t the only one having a hard time. Various Fox pundits ran down Harris’ record, calling her “soft on crime,” “no friend of police,” “a boring pick.
- 8/13/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
As college presidents and officials at the “Power 5” college football conferences moved closer to postponing the fall season over Covid-19 concerns, a dozen top players have organized a pushback.
Spearheaded by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the players used the hashtag #WeWantToPlay to argue that the risk for those participating in football is lower than in a non-college sports environment. In a joint statement, the players called for “universal, mandated health and safety procedures” while also backing the rights of individual players to opt out for personal reasons.
The outcome of the deliberations will have a major impact on a number of major media companies, including Disney, Fox and ViacomCBS. College football has boomed in popularity over the years, becoming a multi-billion-dollar business across dozens of national and regional pay-tv networks.
Asked last week during Disney’s quarterly earnings call for his view on college football, CEO Bob Chapek deferred to...
Spearheaded by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the players used the hashtag #WeWantToPlay to argue that the risk for those participating in football is lower than in a non-college sports environment. In a joint statement, the players called for “universal, mandated health and safety procedures” while also backing the rights of individual players to opt out for personal reasons.
The outcome of the deliberations will have a major impact on a number of major media companies, including Disney, Fox and ViacomCBS. College football has boomed in popularity over the years, becoming a multi-billion-dollar business across dozens of national and regional pay-tv networks.
Asked last week during Disney’s quarterly earnings call for his view on college football, CEO Bob Chapek deferred to...
- 8/10/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
So far three Republicans have made complete fools of themselves following the death of civil rights hero John Lewis on Friday.
On Saturday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mishandled the somber occasion by callously brushing off a reporter’s question about Lewis’ passing during a coronavirus press conference. Senator Marco Rubio, also from Florida, and Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan completely botched their tributes to Lewis by sharing a photo of themselves with the late congressman Elijah Cummings.
A sad display on a sad day by all. Rubio actually doubled down on...
On Saturday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mishandled the somber occasion by callously brushing off a reporter’s question about Lewis’ passing during a coronavirus press conference. Senator Marco Rubio, also from Florida, and Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan completely botched their tributes to Lewis by sharing a photo of themselves with the late congressman Elijah Cummings.
A sad display on a sad day by all. Rubio actually doubled down on...
- 7/18/2020
- by Peter Wade
- Rollingstone.com
Sen. Marco Rubio mistook a photo of Rep. Elijah Cummings for Rep. John Lewis, and tweeted out a salute on Saturday using it.
Cummings died in October of last year, while Lewis passed on Friday.
“It was an honor to know & be blessed with the opportunity to serve in Congress with JohnLewis a genuine & historic American hero. May the Lord grant him eternal peace,” Rubio, R-Fla., wrote on Twitter, attaching a picture of himself in a conversation with Cummings.
Rubio also made the Cummings picture his profile photo for a brief time. He then deleted the original tweet and photo and apologized.
Earlier today I tweeted an incorrect photo
John Lewis was a genuine American hero
I was honored to appear together in Miami 3 years ago at an event captured in video below
My God grant him eternal resthttps://t.co/aEm4MxKxBP pic.twitter.com/0UpWSG3vNQ
— Marco Rubio...
Cummings died in October of last year, while Lewis passed on Friday.
“It was an honor to know & be blessed with the opportunity to serve in Congress with JohnLewis a genuine & historic American hero. May the Lord grant him eternal peace,” Rubio, R-Fla., wrote on Twitter, attaching a picture of himself in a conversation with Cummings.
Rubio also made the Cummings picture his profile photo for a brief time. He then deleted the original tweet and photo and apologized.
Earlier today I tweeted an incorrect photo
John Lewis was a genuine American hero
I was honored to appear together in Miami 3 years ago at an event captured in video below
My God grant him eternal resthttps://t.co/aEm4MxKxBP pic.twitter.com/0UpWSG3vNQ
— Marco Rubio...
- 7/18/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
In the latest push of the National Independent Venue Association’s request for government assistance for shuttered concert venues, several of the music industry’s most powerful companies and organizations have signed a letter to federal legislators imploring the government to take action.
The world’s three biggest music companies — Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group — signed the letter along with streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, and trade groups that include the Recording Industry Association of America.
The latest letter marks 1 million...
The world’s three biggest music companies — Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group — signed the letter along with streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, and trade groups that include the Recording Industry Association of America.
The latest letter marks 1 million...
- 7/14/2020
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Newly installed Voice of America leader Michael Pack, who purged most of the organization’s leadership on the evening of June 17, is also a longtime conservative documentarian whose work has been seen most widely on PBS — but is also known as an acolyte of right-wing activist Steve Bannon.
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
- 6/18/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Thompson on Hollywood
Newly installed Voice of America leader Michael Pack, who purged most of the organization’s leadership on the evening of June 17, is also a longtime conservative documentarian whose work has been seen most widely on PBS — but is also known as an acolyte of right-wing activist Steve Bannon.
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
- 6/18/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
This week, Iggy Pop called for Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to co-sponsor the Big Cat Public Safety Act, proposed legislation that would protect tigers and other big cat species from animal abuse.
If passed, the bill would prohibit private ownership, direct public contact and dangerous interactions with big cats such as “cub petting,” a common practice at for-profit zoos and animal sanctuaries. The recent release of Netflix’s Tiger King, which depicts and condemns such practices, helped bolster support for the Big Cat Public Safety Act; it...
If passed, the bill would prohibit private ownership, direct public contact and dangerous interactions with big cats such as “cub petting,” a common practice at for-profit zoos and animal sanctuaries. The recent release of Netflix’s Tiger King, which depicts and condemns such practices, helped bolster support for the Big Cat Public Safety Act; it...
- 6/3/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Vladimir Putin is up to old tricks.
Earlier this week news broke that Russia is again backing the candidacy of Donald Trump as the president seeks reelection. Now the Washington Post is reporting that U.S. intelligence believes Russia is also attempting to aid the candidacy of Bernie Sanders on the Democratic side. (Although it’s a footnote to the larger election interference story of 2016, Russian troll farms were also active on Sanders’ behalf then.)
Trump responded to the news of Russian assistance by sacking the intelligence director who allowed...
Earlier this week news broke that Russia is again backing the candidacy of Donald Trump as the president seeks reelection. Now the Washington Post is reporting that U.S. intelligence believes Russia is also attempting to aid the candidacy of Bernie Sanders on the Democratic side. (Although it’s a footnote to the larger election interference story of 2016, Russian troll farms were also active on Sanders’ behalf then.)
Trump responded to the news of Russian assistance by sacking the intelligence director who allowed...
- 2/21/2020
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
Bernie Sanders won the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night. Second-place finisher Pete Buttigieg earned 24.4 percent of the vote, while Amy Klobuchar, not long ago polling in single digits, came out of nowhere with 19.8 percent, a classic New Hampshire outlier result.
The words “eked” and “narrowly” are getting a workout in headlines today. There is a Yeah, but… passage in nearly every major media write-up of Bernie’s win. “Sanders cements his front-runner status, but his narrow margins… show how volatile this race is,” is how The New York Times put it.
The words “eked” and “narrowly” are getting a workout in headlines today. There is a Yeah, but… passage in nearly every major media write-up of Bernie’s win. “Sanders cements his front-runner status, but his narrow margins… show how volatile this race is,” is how The New York Times put it.
- 2/12/2020
- by Matt Taibbi
- Rollingstone.com
The impeachment trial of President Donald Trump formally started with the swearing in of Chief Justice John Roberts and the Senate.
“Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, president of the United States, now pending, you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you God,” Roberts said to the senators, all standing at their desks.
“I do,” they responded.
The chamber was largely silent as senators, called one by one, signed a document in which they will serve as jurors. Some lawmakers, like Sen. Tim Scott (R-sc) and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-ne) whispered to one another, occasionally smiling. Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-az) was the most stylish, in a red flowing dress with a cape.
Most senators tried to project an air of seriousness at the moment, a piece of political theater that many viewers have never seen,...
“Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, president of the United States, now pending, you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you God,” Roberts said to the senators, all standing at their desks.
“I do,” they responded.
The chamber was largely silent as senators, called one by one, signed a document in which they will serve as jurors. Some lawmakers, like Sen. Tim Scott (R-sc) and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-ne) whispered to one another, occasionally smiling. Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-az) was the most stylish, in a red flowing dress with a cape.
Most senators tried to project an air of seriousness at the moment, a piece of political theater that many viewers have never seen,...
- 1/16/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Trump has declared that he and his administration will flout Congress’ impeachment inquiry.
In an eight-page letter to House leaders, signed by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, Trump claims he’s being victimized by an “unauthorized impeachment inquiry that conflicts with all historical precedent and rides roughshod over due process and the separation of powers.”
The letter is, legally speaking, quite mad. One Georgetown law professor describes it as a set of “totally absurd legal arguments attempting to justify what is clearly contempt of Congress.” Harvard Law professor Lawrence...
In an eight-page letter to House leaders, signed by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, Trump claims he’s being victimized by an “unauthorized impeachment inquiry that conflicts with all historical precedent and rides roughshod over due process and the separation of powers.”
The letter is, legally speaking, quite mad. One Georgetown law professor describes it as a set of “totally absurd legal arguments attempting to justify what is clearly contempt of Congress.” Harvard Law professor Lawrence...
- 10/8/2019
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver continued to take us on this journey of what he named last week: “Stupid Watergate II: The Stupidest Watergate”. As Oliver updated us with this week’s installment of Donald Trump’s saga surrounding his Ukraine scandal and the impeachment inquiry against him he said of this sequel: it is “something that features everything that is bad about the original while still somehow managing to be worse.” He added, “It’s basically The Diet Mountain Dew of political scandals.”
This week Trump tried to divert the narrative of his allegations and shed lights on the supposed conspiracies around the Biden family. While doing so, he hit some roadblocks.
On Twitter, Trump used a Nickelback video to slam the Biden family only to have it removed by Twitter after the band complained of a copyright violation.
The next day, during an interview with a loud helicopter in the background,...
This week Trump tried to divert the narrative of his allegations and shed lights on the supposed conspiracies around the Biden family. While doing so, he hit some roadblocks.
On Twitter, Trump used a Nickelback video to slam the Biden family only to have it removed by Twitter after the band complained of a copyright violation.
The next day, during an interview with a loud helicopter in the background,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
This past Friday, Kamala Harris, the Senator from California and a Democratic presidential hopeful, released her summer playlist, a collection of songs she’s “listening to while traveling around country.” Said Harris, “I’m a firm believer that we all need to find the time to dance, to sing and to bop our heads a little, so I’m sharing the songs I’m listening to in the car out on the campaign trail this summer. Whether we’re driving from Sacramento to Reno or Dubuque to Chicago, this playlist always lifts me up.
- 6/25/2019
- by Jon Dolan
- Rollingstone.com
President Trump filed the paperwork to run for reelection on January 20th, 2017, the day he was inaugurated. He officially announced his intention to seek a second term just over a year later, earlier than any president in history. The “launch” that took place in Orlando Tuesday night was nothing more than an excuse to raise money, hold another rally and, one would think, lay out a fresh set of issues to campaign around for the next 17 months. This didn’t happen.
What Trump said over the course of the near...
What Trump said over the course of the near...
- 6/19/2019
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Washington — Viktor Orbán couldn’t have scripted it any better if he’d tried.
Seated next to President Trump in a gold-colored chair in the Oval Office, the Hungarian prime minister listened intently as the leader of the free world sang his praises to a throng of journalists, photographers and TV cameramen. “Highly respected. Respected all over Europe,” Trump said of Orbán. “Probably, like me, a little bit controversial, but that’s Ok.”
Orbán broke into a smile, and the two heads of state traded admiring glances, each looking perfectly chummy,...
Seated next to President Trump in a gold-colored chair in the Oval Office, the Hungarian prime minister listened intently as the leader of the free world sang his praises to a throng of journalists, photographers and TV cameramen. “Highly respected. Respected all over Europe,” Trump said of Orbán. “Probably, like me, a little bit controversial, but that’s Ok.”
Orbán broke into a smile, and the two heads of state traded admiring glances, each looking perfectly chummy,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Andy Kroll
- Rollingstone.com
Marco Rubio is Pumped Miami traded for Josh Rosen ... telling TMZ Sports the former Arizona Cardinal is now the best Qb the Dolphins have had in Two Decades!!! "He's the most talented passer we've had on the roster since Marino," the Florida Senator says. Miami unloaded its second-round pick in last week's NFL draft to get Jr from Arizona ... and Rubio is All For It -- telling us it's basically a win-win for his favorite football team.
- 4/30/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Ava DuVernay, John Leguizamo, and Laura Poitras have added their signatures to a letter fighting against the impending deportation of Claudio Rojas, subject of the documentary “The Infiltrators.” The non-fiction feature from directors Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra debuted in Park City earlier this year to strong reviews, with IndieWire’s Eric Kohn saying it made a “strong case for abolishing Ice.”
Rojas is a native of Argentina but has lived in the United States for 19 years. The International Documentary Association said in a memo that Rojas has been detained by Ice and is now being held at the Krome Detention Center in South Miami-Dade after what should have been a routine check-in. Rojas is now facing deportation as early as sometime this week.
“We feel strongly that detaining a protagonist of a documentary film has a chilling effect on those whose stories we tell as documentary journalists, and restricts...
Rojas is a native of Argentina but has lived in the United States for 19 years. The International Documentary Association said in a memo that Rojas has been detained by Ice and is now being held at the Krome Detention Center in South Miami-Dade after what should have been a routine check-in. Rojas is now facing deportation as early as sometime this week.
“We feel strongly that detaining a protagonist of a documentary film has a chilling effect on those whose stories we tell as documentary journalists, and restricts...
- 4/2/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
If you're wondering why President Trump's going to party in super libby La La Land ... we've learned the guy who's fêting him has given nearly half a million bucks to the Gop! Sources connected tell TMZ ... super wealthy businessman Lee Samson is the guy rolling out a very pricey red carpet for Trump this Friday in Bev Hills. He's throwing a fundraising event for Potus and his supporters -- yes, he's got 'em in L.
- 4/1/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
On Sunday, Attorney General William Barr delivered a brief, narrow summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s nearly two-year investigation into the Trump campaign’s relationship with Russia. The president and his allies responded by declaring the matter settled while doing all they can to convince Americans that Barr’s assessment exonerates Trump of any wrongdoing. The president’s surrogates are, as Trump might say, “working overtime” on cable news to press the issue. Trump, himself, is fighting for the cause on Twitter. On Tuesday morning, he tried to leverage...
- 3/26/2019
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
In 2016, Americans cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton by a margin of close to three million votes. Donald Trump became president, though, because of the Electoral College, which he won 304-227. The system is ostensibly in place to ensure that nation’s rural areas have a voice in national elections, but as a larger and larger percentage of Americans settle in urban areas, the Electoral College is becoming more and more outdated. Though the issue is a nonstarter for Republicans, who have benefitted from the disproportionate influence the system gives to rural America,...
- 3/19/2019
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
The Senate on Thursday voted in favor of a resolution to “terminate” President Trump’s national emergency declaration. The vote marks a stunning bipartisan rebuke of the president, who last month used his executive privilege to circumvent Congress and fund the construction of a wall along the southern border. Though the Gop holds a 53-47 advantage over Democrats in the Senate, the measure passed by a vote of 59-41, with 12 members of Trump’s own party voting against him.
All Republicans have voted. A dozen crossed Trump: Alexander, Blunt, Collins,...
All Republicans have voted. A dozen crossed Trump: Alexander, Blunt, Collins,...
- 3/14/2019
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Disturbing news from Caracas tonight as the U.S. State Department confirms that Univision reporter Jorge Ramos and his crew were held against their will for a time today by Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro at his Mireflores Castle.
Univision reported that its veteran journalist and crew were “being arbitrarily detained” after the embattled leader objected to questions Ramos asked him. Colombian journalist Daniel Coronell, President of News for Univision in the U.S., confirmed via Twitter that Ramos and his team have been released after having their phones and equipment confiscated.
Coronell tweeted that he had spoken with Ramos, who told him that he and his team had been freed.
Madura and his government have been under increasing international pressure amid protests and hyperinflation in the South American country. The Donald Trump administration publicly opposes his regime, officially recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s leader. With Trump en...
Univision reported that its veteran journalist and crew were “being arbitrarily detained” after the embattled leader objected to questions Ramos asked him. Colombian journalist Daniel Coronell, President of News for Univision in the U.S., confirmed via Twitter that Ramos and his team have been released after having their phones and equipment confiscated.
Coronell tweeted that he had spoken with Ramos, who told him that he and his team had been freed.
Madura and his government have been under increasing international pressure amid protests and hyperinflation in the South American country. The Donald Trump administration publicly opposes his regime, officially recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s leader. With Trump en...
- 2/26/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
One week ago, hours after President Trump declared a national emergency, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-tx) announced plans to introduce a resolution to block it. “I ask all members of Congress — Democrat and Republican — to support this joint resolution to terminate President Trump’s unconstitutional national emergency declaration to build his border wall,” Castro tweeted, along with a draft of the bill. “It sets a dangerous precedent and steals congressional authority. Will you sign on?”
Reuters reports that House Democrats plan to formally introduce the resolution on Friday, and that 92 lawmakers...
Reuters reports that House Democrats plan to formally introduce the resolution on Friday, and that 92 lawmakers...
- 2/22/2019
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Until now, the Russian infiltration of the National Rifle Association has looked like a sidecar to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 election.
The prosecution of Maria Butina, the lifetime NRA member who in December pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges of seeking to act as a foreign agent, was handled outside the Special Counsel’s office, by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia — giving the impression that Mueller had bigger fish to fry.
But Mueller may have had the NRA in his sights all along.
The prosecution of Maria Butina, the lifetime NRA member who in December pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges of seeking to act as a foreign agent, was handled outside the Special Counsel’s office, by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia — giving the impression that Mueller had bigger fish to fry.
But Mueller may have had the NRA in his sights all along.
- 1/24/2019
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
When President Trump’s Treasury Department proposed lifting sanctions on companies tied to the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in December Secretary Steven Mnuchin vowed that the firms would be forced to “significantly diminish Deripaska’s ownership and sever his control.”
But, the New York Times is now reporting that Treasury’s promises were illusory: “The deal contains provisions that free [Deripaska] from hundreds of millions of dollars in debt while leaving him and his allies with majority ownership of his most important company.”
This is a dark twist in a sub-plot...
But, the New York Times is now reporting that Treasury’s promises were illusory: “The deal contains provisions that free [Deripaska] from hundreds of millions of dollars in debt while leaving him and his allies with majority ownership of his most important company.”
This is a dark twist in a sub-plot...
- 1/22/2019
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
In the latest, alarming, sign of Russia’s influence over not just President Trump but the Gop more broadly, Senate Republicans went to bat Wednesday for sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska, aka “Putin’s favourite industrialist,” who had loaned $10 million to Trump’s now-jailed former campaign manager Paul Manafort.
One month ago, Trump’s Treasury Department announced it would lift sanctions on three companies tied to Deripaska, an aluminum and energy magnate. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asserted that “these companies have committed to significantly diminish Deripaska’s ownership and sever his control.
One month ago, Trump’s Treasury Department announced it would lift sanctions on three companies tied to Deripaska, an aluminum and energy magnate. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asserted that “these companies have committed to significantly diminish Deripaska’s ownership and sever his control.
- 1/16/2019
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
The furor that has flared around virtually every major Oscar rival this year has turned the ongoing awards season into a particularly ugly one. As the proceedings continue to devolve into a fit of collective rage aimed at any and all, it’s worth a recap.
Just before the season kicked off at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, the first fracas struck, though it ultimately amounted to little more than a filmmaker beef. On Twitter, outspoken “Sorry to Bother You” director Boots Riley slammed “BlacKkKlansman” for inaccuracies, and accused director Spike Lee of promulgating disingenuous pro-law-enforcement propaganda. A separate Twitter confrontation with screenwriter Charlie Wachtel escalated until the “BlacKkKlansman” scribe deleted his entire Twitter account. The whole spat lasted at least until the Governors Awards in November, where Riley said Lee shouted to him, “I’m Miles Davis, you’re Chet Baker!!!”
The tweet I'm quoting shows as unavailable,...
Just before the season kicked off at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, the first fracas struck, though it ultimately amounted to little more than a filmmaker beef. On Twitter, outspoken “Sorry to Bother You” director Boots Riley slammed “BlacKkKlansman” for inaccuracies, and accused director Spike Lee of promulgating disingenuous pro-law-enforcement propaganda. A separate Twitter confrontation with screenwriter Charlie Wachtel escalated until the “BlacKkKlansman” scribe deleted his entire Twitter account. The whole spat lasted at least until the Governors Awards in November, where Riley said Lee shouted to him, “I’m Miles Davis, you’re Chet Baker!!!”
The tweet I'm quoting shows as unavailable,...
- 1/15/2019
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Variety Film + TV
So we’re withdrawing troops from the Middle East.
Good!
What’s the War on Terror death count by now, a half-million? How much have we spent, $5 trillion? Five-and-a-half?
For that cost, we’ve destabilized the region to the point of abject chaos, inspired millions of Muslims to hate us, and torn up the Geneva Convention and half the Constitution in pursuit of policies like torture, kidnapping, assassination-by-robot and warrantless detention.
It will be difficult for each of us to even begin to part with our share of honor in those achievements.
Good!
What’s the War on Terror death count by now, a half-million? How much have we spent, $5 trillion? Five-and-a-half?
For that cost, we’ve destabilized the region to the point of abject chaos, inspired millions of Muslims to hate us, and torn up the Geneva Convention and half the Constitution in pursuit of policies like torture, kidnapping, assassination-by-robot and warrantless detention.
It will be difficult for each of us to even begin to part with our share of honor in those achievements.
- 12/21/2018
- by Matt Taibbi
- Rollingstone.com
Like a dying star in the night sky, the last glimmer of hope for two epic space stories vanished into nothingness last week. “First Man,” Universal’s highly touted Neil Armstrong biopic, earned zero SAG Award nominations and barely cracked the stratosphere at the Golden Globes. Meanwhile, Sean Penn’s long forgotten Hulu drama “The First” was blanked by both awards shows.
Each prestige picture tells the story of interstellar pioneers. Each earned high marks from critics, and both “Firsts” had ambitious aims for commercial and awards success. What, exactly, went wrong for both properties may be distinct to their mediums: “First Man” tried a wide release right out of the bat, despite a difficult central theme, and “The First” debuted on a streaming service that’s seen inconsistent impact on the culture at large.
But the most damning reason that each fell short is the same: Audiences were misled,...
Each prestige picture tells the story of interstellar pioneers. Each earned high marks from critics, and both “Firsts” had ambitious aims for commercial and awards success. What, exactly, went wrong for both properties may be distinct to their mediums: “First Man” tried a wide release right out of the bat, despite a difficult central theme, and “The First” debuted on a streaming service that’s seen inconsistent impact on the culture at large.
But the most damning reason that each fell short is the same: Audiences were misled,...
- 12/16/2018
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Marco Rubio says the person who posted the racist image of Florida State football coach Willie Taggart is an "idiot" ... not just because it's a hateful act, but because Taggart's a Good coach! The senator says he's a Florida Gators fan -- so he's happy Uf got the win over Fsu on Saturday -- but says the image of Taggart hanging from a tree obviously crossed the line. "It's just wrong to say that about anybody,...
- 11/26/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Nearly two weeks after the midterm elections, there are some final results from Florida’s Senate and governor’s races. After a hand recount, Republican Rick Scott maintained his lead by a narrow 10,000 votes, and his Democratic opponent, Senator Bill Nelson, will hold a press conference Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. to announce his concession.
Before making a public announcement, though, Nelson called his opponent. “I just spoke with Senator Bill Nelson, who graciously conceded, and I thanked him for his years of public service,” Scott said Sunday.
This will...
Before making a public announcement, though, Nelson called his opponent. “I just spoke with Senator Bill Nelson, who graciously conceded, and I thanked him for his years of public service,” Scott said Sunday.
This will...
- 11/18/2018
- by Peter Wade
- Rollingstone.com
Tallahassee — At 10:50 p.m. Tuesday night outside Lee Hall on Florida A&M University’s campus, Democrat Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, stepped to the microphone. Florida’s first-ever black nominee for governor gave a gracious, hopeful concession speech to a devoted group of supporters after it became apparent that Republican former Congressman Ron DeSantis would become Florida’s 46th governor by a narrow margin.
“I believe, in the long run, good always wins out over evil,” Gillum said.
Despite multiple key Democratic wins across the country Tuesday night,...
“I believe, in the long run, good always wins out over evil,” Gillum said.
Despite multiple key Democratic wins across the country Tuesday night,...
- 11/7/2018
- by Elena Hilton
- Rollingstone.com
Turkey, one of the most heavily surveilled countries in the world, reportedly has an audio recording of the torture and murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. According to an unnamed senior Turkish official who claims to have heard the recording, the 15-man hit squad beat Khashoggi, cut off his fingers, chopped off his head, dismembered him with a bone saw and threatened the hapless Saudi consul when he tried to protest. “If you want to live when you come back to Arabia, shut up,” one of the agents told the consul,...
- 10/18/2018
- by Seth Harp
- Rollingstone.com
President Trump on Tuesday morning accepted Nikki Haley’s resignation as ambassador to the United Nations. The news was first reported by Axios, which noted that Haley discussed her potential departure with President Trump when the two met last week at the White House. It’s unclear what motivated the decision, but foreign policy officials were said to have been “shocked” by the development.
Shortly after the news broke, Trump and Haley met in the Oval Office, where the president told reporters that Haley informed him earlier this year that...
Shortly after the news broke, Trump and Haley met in the Oval Office, where the president told reporters that Haley informed him earlier this year that...
- 10/9/2018
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
The Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court battle has turned into one of the most contentious nominations in our nation’s history. President Trump’s nominee has been accused of past sexual assaults and of being dishonest before the Senate.
Despite testimony by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote on September 28th. Following an unaccountably incomplete investigation by the FBI, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared a key procedural hurdle, setting up a final vote this weekend.
On Friday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-me) delivered...
Despite testimony by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote on September 28th. Following an unaccountably incomplete investigation by the FBI, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared a key procedural hurdle, setting up a final vote this weekend.
On Friday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-me) delivered...
- 10/5/2018
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
Marco Rubio had a hard time getting his message out about Brett Kavanaugh while a mob of protesters gave him, and every other Senator, an earful. We got the Florida Senator at the Capitol Building Thursday where thousands of protesters were giving Republicans hell for, as they see it ... brushing aside the FBI's new report, and hurtling toward a full Senate vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation. It's clear Rubio's on board with Kavanaugh -- he...
- 10/5/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
For years, a river of American wealth has flowed into Russia — money from virtually every corner of the U.S. financial world. Public pensions, hedge funds, banks, insurers, university endowments, mutual funds and wealthy investors have collectively showered billions of dollars on Vladimir Putin’s regime and supported companies closely connected to it.
Teachers, firefighters, police officers and state employees from New York to California might be surprised to learn that their retirement dollars are invested in shares of sanctioned Russian companies.
The nation’s two biggest public pension funds...
Teachers, firefighters, police officers and state employees from New York to California might be surprised to learn that their retirement dollars are invested in shares of sanctioned Russian companies.
The nation’s two biggest public pension funds...
- 9/13/2018
- by Seth Hettena
- Rollingstone.com
It’s 2018, which means that by definition we just had a crazy week. But this week in President Trump’s America was certainly crazier than your average, and so Stephen Colbert spent his opening monologue on “The Late Show” Friday night taking a look back, drinking a refreshing alcoholic beverage to dull the pain, and then doing an Alex Jones impression that was surprisingly pretty great even though doing it caused Colbert physical pain.
“What a week we have gone through together. We had the revelations from Bob Woodward’s book that confirmed everything we thought was happening was happening,” Colbert said to open the monologue, before plugging Woodward’s upcoming appearance on “The Late Show” on Monday.
“Then, what else happened this week? We had an op-ed in The New York Times from an anonymous Trump administration official saying, ‘Yeah, yeah, it’s happening.’ Hell of a week, you know?...
“What a week we have gone through together. We had the revelations from Bob Woodward’s book that confirmed everything we thought was happening was happening,” Colbert said to open the monologue, before plugging Woodward’s upcoming appearance on “The Late Show” on Monday.
“Then, what else happened this week? We had an op-ed in The New York Times from an anonymous Trump administration official saying, ‘Yeah, yeah, it’s happening.’ Hell of a week, you know?...
- 9/8/2018
- by Phil Owen
- The Wrap
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