DJ Akademiks posed for a photo with Donald Trump at UFC 287, over the weekend. He shared the picture on Instagram, joking that he’ll be the former president’s running mate in 2024. The vocal Trump supporter, Jorge Masvidal, took on Gilbert Burns at the event. “Greatest president in the history of the world, I love that guy,” Masvidal said while inside the ring. He also prasied Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Kevin Holland walked over to speak with the former president from inside the ring after beating Santiago Ponzinibbio. Israel Adesanya later took on Alex Pereira.
“Might have to take up Uncle Trump on his offer of being His Vice President 2024,” Akademiks wrote. “Bruh told me ‘no way you’d be worse than Kamala.’” Fans had plenty of jokes in response to the post. One commented, “Trump about to repost this as My African American friend Akademiks.” Another wrote, “Big Ak tryna save on taxes.”
Donald Trump At UFC 287
Former President Donald Trump attends the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 287 mixed martial arts event at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 8, 2023. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump sat in the front row at the event along with Kid Rock, Mike Tyson, and Dana White. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was also in attendance. The appearance comes as Trump faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records regarding payments made to Stormy Daniels. He was arraigned in New York City, last week, making him the first former president to be charged with a crime. He flew back to Mar-a-Lago afterward and spoke about the incident in a speech to his supporters.
“The only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it,” he said at the time. “The criminal is the district attorney because he illegally leaked massive amounts of grand jury information, for which he should be prosecuted — or at a minimum, he should resign.” Trump is currently running for the GOP bid to be president again in 2024. His biggest Republican opponent is Ron DeSantis.
Donald Trump appears to be in good spirits despite his recent arrest in New York City. After returning to Mar-a-Lago, earlier this week, the former president played the role of DJ at his private Florida club. According to Page Six, attendees at the space were treated to tunes specifically chosen by Trump on his iPad.
“He was back on his iPad last night for his regular DJ gig,” an insider told the outlet on Friday. “Trump told members he is ‘back on track’ and that he will be found not guilty.” They added that by Thursday, he was already “telling people that he is resuming his normal life and schedule — including playing his weekly [DJ] session.” “He loves playing ringmaster,” they added. “He played music from his seat [on Thursday] while he ate ice cream. Things are more upbeat at the club — members were surprised at how happy he was.”
Donald Trump Returns To Mar-A-Lago
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – APRIL 04: The Former U.S. President Donald Trump makes statements at his Mar-a-Lago estate following arraignment in New York City, on April 04, 2023, in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
As for what music Trump typically chooses to play, a source told Page Six that his favorites are “Phantom of the Opera,” along with, Céline Dion, “Titanic,” and “YMCA.” Trump was originally arraigned in New York on Tuesday. Immediately afterward, he flew back to Mar-a-Lago where he addressed the case against him. It was his first speech since the indictment.
“The only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it,” he said at the time. Trump is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records regarding payments made to Stormy Daniels. “The criminal is the district attorney because he illegally leaked massive amounts of grand jury information, for which he should be prosecuted — or at a minimum, he should resign,” Trump added. With the legal trouble, Trump has become the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges. He’s currently running for the GOP bid for president again in 2024.
If there’s one thing you can always count on Candace Owens to do, it’s stir the pot. Her most recent bout of antics arrived on Twitter earlier this week when the right-wing political commentator opted to turn her attention to JoJo Siwa’s TikTok page. In a five-minute video, the grown woman dissects the teenager’s social media posts, going so far as to accuse her of faking her sexuality. As you may recall, the Dance Moms alum came out as part of the LGBTQ community in January 2021. “I don’t believe JoJo Siwa is a lesbian,” Owens declared in her post from April 4.
“But the way, I want to state that very clearly, I do believe she’s desperate for attention,” the 33-year-old said of Siwa. “You’re not going to believe what she’s doing now,” Owens added before speculating about a romance between the internet sensation and former Disney Channel star, Demi Lovato. In the same year that JoJo came out, the Camp Rock actress also informed the world that she’s pansexual. “She did this for attention,” the talk show host doubled down on the relationship rumours. “I don’t believe she’s a lesbian no more than I believe Demi Lovato is a lesbian.”
JoJo Siwa Claps Back at Candace’s Comments
I haven’t watched the video yet…. But if it has anything to do with your caption, respectfully back the fuck off. https://t.co/a2SeX2jomk
In the caption of her tweet, Owens once again pondered, “Is JoJo Siwa lying about being lesbian for attention?” While some of the internet is in agreeance with the mother of two, many others are slamming her for concerning herself with the love life of a 19-year-old when she has a family of her own. As the post continued to circulate online, Siwa eventually got word of it and didn’t hesitate to give her new nemesis the attention she was looking for.
“I haven’t watched the video yet… But if it has anything to do with your caption, respectfully, back the f*ck off,” she told the controversial figure. Candace Owens doesn’t appear to have responded to JoJo Siwa at this point, though she has posted other videos about heated conservative topics such as drag queens and the transgender community. Let us know if you think her comments on the teenager are out of line below, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.
Toronto-born R&B singer Daniel Caeser went on a pretty lengthy rant about race relations back in 2019. The performer took to Instagram Live to sound off some of his opinions about Black people that he felt were “unable to take a joke.” At the beginning of the live stream, Caeser freely admits that he is inebriated. He goes on to ask why Black people treat white people the way they do. Ultimately, the Canadian contended that the only solution is to create an understanding and move forward. That isn’t a bad idea in theory. However, the reality is that white people have done far more than “be mean in the past,” as the singer put it. The rant was the subject of a lot of drama in the media. Both fans and fellow artists alike spoke out to condemn what Caeser said.
The Freudian artist eventually issued an apology. “Me and my friends, we agree with the sentiment. and there was no one there to challenge our ideas. That’s also dangerous. It was a very tyrannical rant because a tyrant doesn’t have people around checking him,” Caesar said. “Honestly, I’m glad this happened because I feel like I’m coming full circle. This shit has been hurting me so I feel like I’m stronger because of this. This is hurting my ego right now – I don’t like apologizing because I feel like I’ve been doing it for so long.”
Caeser Says He Was Wrong
Daniel Caesar performs on the Coachella stage during the 2022 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Coachella)
Following the controversy surrounding his statements, Daniel Caeser saw a definite impact on his career. While his 2019 album, Case Study 01, may have charted higher than his debut, he found himself with few supporters. The embattled artist recently stopped by Apple Music to promote his new album, Never Enough, where he spoke at length about the situation and his growth since then.
“I completely understand the response. After taking time to get over myself and to really honestly look at myself and everything that was happening, I was wrong,” Caeser said. “I did deserve… What happened, happened because I deserved it, because I knocked the domino over and set a course in motion.” Do you plan to check out the R&B crooner’s new album? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more music news updates.
CNN This Morning host Don Lemon is facing more controversy. Lemon has been a CNN mainstay since 2006. For most of his time at the network, he has maintained a squeaky-clean image. However, a string of recent incidents has put that image in doubt. The embattled anchor found himself in a media storm earlier this year for comments he made about Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley. During a segment on the show, Lemon remarked that the 51-year-old former South Carolina Governor was “out of her Prime.” The remarks led to Lemon’s brief absence from the network. He was also ordered to sensitivity training.
According to a new Variety article, Lemon allegedly engaged in a pattern of threatening and inappropriate behavior involving multiple CNN colleagues. The article alleges that Lemon was disrespectful to CNN host Nancy Grace on air. He also allegedly claimed during an editorial meeting that Soledad O’Brien, who is of white and Afro-Cuban heritage, isn’t black. However, the worst of the allegations involve Lemon’s former CNN “Live From” co-host Kyra Phillips.
Damaging Texts Allegedly Traced Back To Lemon
Don Lemon attends the 16th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History on December 11, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN)
The article claims Lemon was angry that Phillips landed a role covering the Iraq war, a job he allegedly wanted. This allegedly led to Lemon ripping up photos that were on Phillip’s desk. The article goes on to allege that when Phillips returned from Iraq, she received a threatening text message from an unknown phone number. One of the texts allegedly read “Now you’ve crossed the line, and you’re going to pay for it.” After an investigation by CNN management, the text was allegedly traced back to Lemon.
Other CNN staffers told Variety that Lemon annoyed them with “diva like behavior.” This allegedly included not attending editorial calls and showing up late to the newsroom. Another allegation involved Lemon’s CNN colleague Anderson Cooper. The article alleges that Lemon complained that Cooper received more airtime during the network’s coverage of Michael Jackson’s funeral in 2009. Lemon is the first CNN anchor to face controversy in recent memory. Former anchor Chris Cuomo was fired by the network in 2021. Time will tell if Lemon will face the same fate.
Plies reacted to Donald Trump’s arraignment on Twitter, Tuesday, as the former President appeared in court in Manhattan. During his unprecedented court appearance, Trump pled not guilty to 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. The charges come in connection to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.
“I Know The Feeling My Boy!!!” Plies wrote while sharing a picture of Trump in court. The rapper then complained that Trump won’t have his mugshot taken for the arrest. “Is There Anybody U Know Ever Been Charged With 34 Felonies & The System Said: “When U Turn Yourself In We Good On The Mugshot U Ain’t Gotta Take It”???” he asked. Plies wasn’t the only one with this question. Boosie also complained about the lack of a Trump mug shot.
Donald Trump’s Court Appearance
NEW YORK, NY – April 4: Donald Trump arrives for his court appearance in New York on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Trump became the first sitting or former U.S. president to be indicted and turned himself to be arraigned in a case that involves payoffs through an intermediary to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels to conceal an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 election. (Photo by Jabin Botsford for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Despite not getting a mugshot, the Trump campaign is selling t-shirts with fake mugshots on them. They feature the phrase “NOT GUILTY” below it. The shirt is free with a $47 contribution to the campaign and also available individually for $36 from Trump’s campaign merchandise store. Trump is currently campaigning for the 2024 election.
After his appearance in court on Tuesday, Trump returned to his home at Mar-a-Lago, where he delivered his first speech since the indictment. “They can’t beat us at the ballot box, so they try to beat us through the law,” Trump said. From there, he added: “The only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it. The criminal is the district attorney because he illegally leaked massive amounts of grand jury information, for which he should be prosecuted — or at a minimum, he should resign.”
Is There Anybody U Know Ever Been Charged With 34 Felonies & The System Said: “When U Turn Yourself In We Good On The Mugshot U Ain’t Gotta Take It”???
Trump is winning Meek Mill over these days. It won’t take more than a Google search to uncover all of Meek’s opinions toward the former president over the years. However, he’s given Trump his dues when needed. Donald’s support during A$AP Rocky’s arrest in Sweden earned praise from the Philadelphia rapper but prior to that, Meek also helped lead anti-Trump protests ahead of the 2016 election. Overall, it seems like Meek’s disdain for the former president isn’t as strong as it once was.
The former president and the Dream Chasers head honcho apparently share attorneys. Trump is currently facing 34 felony counts related to business fraud with Joe Tacopina leading the defense. Tacopino, however, has strong ties to the hip-hop community at large. He previously represented Meek and helped him overturn his 2008 gun and drug conviction, which, in turn, helped the rapper’ launch his efforts for criminal justice reform. Needless to say, Tacopina has a high success rate in the courtroom, which Meek believes will help Trump these days.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump appeared in court where he pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts against him. As pictures and videos of Trump’s presence in New York City began to circulate, Meek seemed shocked that he and the former president shared the same attorney. The rapper shared a photo of Trump in court along with a caption that read, “Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts in his indictment.” In response, Meek said, “Trump graduated to the streets…sharing criminal lawyers [with us]…Joe Tactical.”
Shortly after Trump’s indictment, Tacopina spoke to Today where he expressed confidence in the case. He said that the case will likely be dismissed before it heads to court when asked if they would have a fair jury. “I feel that we’re not going to get to a jury,” he said. “I think this case is going to fall on its merits on legal challenges well before we get to a jury.” Still, he didn’t comment on whether or not they would have a fair jury if the case moves forward. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates regarding Trump’s indictment. Check out Meek Mill’s comments above.
Donald Trump is the first former president in U.S. history to be charged with a crime. He arrived in New York on Monday (April 3) to appear in court on Tuesday, following his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury last week. A former president’s expected voluntary surrender will be a unique event in multiple ways. Earlier this week, one of Trump’s advisers described the MAGA leader’s mood as “defiant and focused” as he watched the coverage on a flight from Florida to New York. However, CNN reported that the former president has stayed “surprisingly calm.”
Additionally, Trump reportedly spent the weekend in Florida playing golf and thinking about using the indictment to help his campaign. The indictment was said to have caught him and his advisers “off guard.” Further, CNN reported that Trump faces more than 30 counts linked to corporate fraud, but the charges remain sealed. Since the 2016 presidential election, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has investigated the former president for his alleged role in a hush-money scheme. Here is what we know about the indictment.
Why Is Donald Trump Facing Charges?
TOPSHOT – Former US President Donald Trump makes his way inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York on April 4, 2023. – Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s indictment reportedly included 34 first-degree felony counts of falsifying company records. Technically, the allegations derive from a payment made to Stormy Daniels during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign. This incident occurred when she attempted to sell her story regarding an affair with Trump. Daniels’s representatives initially approached The National Enquirer to offer exclusive rights to her story. However, David Pecker, the tabloid publisher and a longtime ally of Trump, agreed to watch for potentially damaging stories about him. At one point, he even agreed to purchase the story of another woman’s affair with Trump but never planned to publish it.
However, Pecker didn’t purchase Daniels’s story. Instead, he and the senior editor of the tabloid facilitated a separate transaction between Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, and Daniels’s counsel. Cohen reportedly paid $130,000, eventually reimbursed by Trump from the White House. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including federal campaign finance violations involving hush money. Federal prosecutors determined that the payment constituted an unlawful contribution to Trump’s campaign. Nevertheless, in the days after Mr. Cohen’s guilty plea, the D.A.’s office initiated its own criminal investigation. As federal prosecutors were investigating Cohen, the district attorney would investigate Trump.
Trump pled not guilty to 34 felony charges. The allegations result from an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who believes that Trump altered corporate documents to conceal harmful information from 2016 election voters. Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over the case, and set the next court date for December 4.
The prosecution wants the opening arguments to begin in January 2024. However, Trump’s defense has requested a few additional months, perhaps until Spring 2024. This occurs in the middle of the primary season, which could hamper the former president’s attempt for reelection. Nonetheless, the defense may make motions to delay the trial, including a request to move the venue out of Manhattan, where Trump lost the 2020 presidential election by an overwhelming margin.
The Former President’s Reactions
Former President Donald Trump defended himself before a crowd of supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night after he was arraigned in New York City https://t.co/zg2iTKj5NKpic.twitter.com/5xRCnHeh6z
Trump and his supporters blasted Democrat District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the grand jury’s decision as “the greatest level of Political Persecution and Election Interference.” The former president left the courthouse in a motorcade monitored by major cable news networks using aerial footage. Donald Trump’s 2024 election campaign began selling T-shirts featuring a fake mugshot for $47.
To conclude a full day of media coverage, Trump attacked the charges as political persecution at Mar-a-Lago. Trump stated, “I never imagined something like this would happen in America.” He added, “The only crime I’ve committed is boldly defending our country against those who wish to destroy it.” He downplayed the numerous investigations he is facing, stating that D.A. Bragg had “no case.” He also attacked the judge and his family as “Trump-hating” individuals.
— Yusef Abdus Salaam (@dr_yusefsalaam) April 5, 2023
A New York court confirmed that Trump’s arraignment would not be televised live. Judge Merchan denied requests from multiple media groups to broadcast Trump’s court sessions this week. However, the judge determined that five photographers may still capture Trump and the courtroom before the start of the hearing. Judge Merchan also acknowledged the historical significance of the hearing while rejecting the request to broadcast the arraignment.
“It cannot be argued that this indictment covers a topic of enormous importance,” he said. “A serving or former President of the United States has never been indicted on criminal charges. Mr. Trump’s arraignment has created unprecedented media and public interest. The populous craves the most accurate and up-to-date information available. To imply otherwise would be dishonest.”
Can Trump Still Run For President In 2024?
Certainly, the United States Constitution does not prohibit Trump from continuing his election campaign, notwithstanding his indictment. Theoretically, he could still run for president and win an election while incarcerated. Nevertheless, there are pragmatic concerns. A protracted court battle and trial will significantly disrupt a presidential campaign in terms of time, energy, and the scheduling of election rallies.
Donald Trump slammed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as well as the case against him in his first speech since his arrest and arraignment in New York City. Trump addressed a crowd of his supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night after his unprecedented court appearance, in which he pled not guilty to 34 felony charges of falsifying business records.
“They can’t beat us at the ballot box, so they try to beat us through the law,” Trump said. From there, he added: “The only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it. The criminal is the district attorney because he illegally leaked massive amounts of grand jury information, for which he should be prosecuted — or at a minimum, he should resign.”
Donald Trump Speaks At Mar-a-Lago
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – APRIL 04: Former U.S President Donald Trump makes statements at his Mar-a-Lago estate after being arraigned in New York City, on April 04, 2023, in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Trump also warned that he may face further legal troubles, referencing Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis. “In the wings, they’ve got a local racist Democrat district attorney in Atlanta who is doing everything in our power to indict me over an absolutely perfect phone call — even more perfect than the one I made with the president of Ukraine,” Trump said. “Then you have a radical left lunatic, known as a bomb-thrower, who is harassing hundreds of my people day after day over the boxes hoax. This lunatic new special prosecutor named Jack Smith … others of his ilk say he’s even worse than they are.” In total, Trump spoke for under 30 minutes and appeared more tired than usual.
The case against Trump hinges on payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, which allegedly violate federal campaign finance laws. The legal trouble comes as Trump campaigns to represent the GOP in the 2024 presidential race. His supporter, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, says that the court appearance will only boost his polling numbers over rival Ron DeSantis. “Alvin Bragg is making the best case possible to Republican voters to vote for Donald Trump,” Greene said, as noted by NBC. “Alvin Bragg is also making the best case possible to independent voters to vote for Donald Trump.”
Trump turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday on charges related to business fraud. However, his fans and detractors aren’t necessarily happy that he managed to bypass getting his mugshot taken, largely because they’ve been stripped of an inevitably hilarious moment. Boosie Badazz, specifically, shared his commentary on the arrest. Though praising Trump’s attorneys, he also felt like celebrities should receive similar treatment. “I WONDER WHAT @realDonaldTrump ATTORNEYS FILED SO HE DIDNT HAVE TO GET HIS MUGSHOT TAKEN? #smartmove BUT THIS HAS TO GO FOR ALL CELEBRITIES RIGHT? MUGSHOTS CAN DAMAGE SOMEONES BRAND,” he tweeted.
Boosie does have a point. Anytime a celebrity takes a mugshot, it ends up circulating faster than lightning. However, Trump is the former president, so there is undoubtedly some sort of exceptions made. New York prohibits law enforcement from publicly releasing mug shots. Still, the former deputy commissioner of the NYPD said it was rather unusual for anyone to be exempt from getting their mugshot taken, per CBS. “In fact, you might be hard pressed to find a past case like this in Manhattan,” Richard Esposito said.
Why Didn’t Trump Get His Mugshot Taken?
I WONDER WHAT @realDonaldTrump ATTORNEYS FILED SO HE DIDNT HAVE TO GET HIS MUGSHOT TAKEN? #smartmove BUT THIS HAS TO GO FOR ALL CELEBRITIES RIGHT? MUGSHOTS CAN DAMAGE SOMEONES BRAND
At this point, it remains unclear exactly why Trump didn’t get a mugshot taken. However, one of the theories is that people felt like this could give ammunition to Trump and his opponents during the election. Alina Habba, Trump’s attorney who is representing him in other legal issues, explained that “he’s the most recognized face in the world right now” so he didn’t require a mugshot. She added, “Mug shots are for people so that you recognize who they are.”
With or without a mugshot, Trump has already launched a merch line after a grand jury indicted him on 34 counts, to which he pleaded not guilty to. The former president began selling a T-shirt that features a black-and-white faux mugshot of Trump with “NOT GUILTY” written underneath. We could imagine that he would’ve used his actual mugshot if one had been taken as a way to control the narrative. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding Donald Trump’s indictment. Do you agree with Boosie’s statements? Let us know in the comments below.
