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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
I'm Your Venus OTT Release Date: When & where to watch documentary tribute to Venus Xtravaganza
I'm Your Venus OTT Release Date: This new thrilling documentary is dropping on Netflix starting June 23, 2025. It shines a spotlight on Venus Xtravaganza, the transgender star of the landmark film Paris Is Burning . Venus's life was full of raw passion and vibrant ballroom energy, but it ended tragically when she was murdered in 1988. Now, decades later, I'm Your Venus reunites both her biological siblings and her 'chosen family' from the House of Xtravaganza to relive her story, seek justice, and honour her fierce spirit. What's it about? Directed by Kimberly Reed, the film picks up nearly 35 years after Venus's death. It follows her three brothers, John, Joe, and Louie Pellagatti, as they sift through old police records, fight for a posthumous name change, and search for answers. Alongside them are members of the House of Xtravaganza, including House Mother Gisele Alicea and other prominent figures from the ballroom scene. Across home visits, legal meetings, and heartfelt interviews, the two families form a bridge between different worlds, biological and chosen, united by love and loss. The documentary also weaves in archival footage from Paris Is Burning, showing Venus in her own words and moves. Her voguing, her dreams of modelling, her raw interviews, these are revisited, reminding viewers of just how alive and present she was, even before the tragedy struck. Behind the scenes Kimberly Reed isn't new to documentaries; she previously made award-winning films like Prodigal Sons and Dark Money. She produced I'm Your Venus with Jamie Schutz, Steven Cantor, and Mike Stafford, working alongside cinematographers Rose Bush and Joshua Z. Weinstein. The film was edited by Eric Daniel Metzgar, Michael Palmieri, and supervising editor Dava Whisenant, who helped tie together the old and the new into a seamless narrative, 80 to 85 minutes of emotional storytelling. Executive producers Jonovia Chase, Dominique Jackson, David Linde, Jennie Livingston (who directed Paris Is Burning), Henry Schleiff, and Courtney Sexton lend their voices and perspectives to help shape this tribute. Venus's life and legacy Born Venus Pellagatti on May 5, 1965, in Jersey City, New Jersey, she became involved in drag and performance in her teens. By the early 1980s, she'd joined the House of Xtravaganza, one of the most iconic houses in New York's ballroom world. Paris Is Burning immortalised her, and her presence still resonates today. But her life was cut short on December 21, 1988, when she was found strangled in a New York City hotel room. Her case went cold and remained unsolved. In 2022, thanks in part to the efforts sparked by this documentary, her murder was re-examined. The NYPD reopened the case, and her family successfully changed her name legally to Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza, symbolic acts meant to restore her to history and fight for recognition.
25-04-2025
- Politics
Trump orders Justice Department to investigate Democrats' top fundraising platform
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate the Democratic Party's top fundraising platform, the latest example of Trump using the tools of the government to go after his political opponents. Trump, in an executive order signed Thursday, directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate allegations that Republicans have raised that ActBlue allows illegal campaign donations. Democrats, who had anticipated they would be targeted, condemned the move Thursday and ActBlue called it an 'oppressive use of power' by the White House. 'The Trump Administration's and GOP's targeting of ActBlue is part of their brazen attack on democracy in America. Today's escalation by the White House is blatantly unlawful and needs to be seen for what it is: Donald Trump's latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral and ideological opposition," ActBlue said in a statement. ActBlue said it would pursue 'all legal avenues to protect and defend itself.' "ActBlue will continue its mission and work undeterred and uninterrupted, providing a safe, secure fundraising platform for the millions of grassroots donors who rely on us.' Trump's order directs Bondi, in consultation with the Treasury Department, to investigate allegations that online fundraising platforms, and specifically ActBlue, have been used by some to 'make 'straw' or 'dummy' contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees.' The findings of the investigation will be reported back with 180 days, according to the order. Since taking office, Trump has sought to use the powers of the government to retaliate against his opponents, including ordering security clearances to be stripped and punishing law firms linked to prosecutors who have investigated him or who have ties to his adversaries. ActBlue, which Democratic campaigns have used for two decades, had helped power an outpouring of small-dollar donations to candidates and causes. It was so successful that Republicans eventually created a counterpart, WinRed — which Trump did not target in the order. Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley applauded the investigation, saying in a statement, 'The Democrats' Dark Money scam has gone on long enough." Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand and Democratic Governors Association Chair Laura Kelly denounced the executive order in a joint statement. 'Donald Trump's memorandum targeting ActBlue is designed to undermine democratic participation — and it's no wonder why,' the statement said. 'He knows Americans are already fed up with his chaotic agenda that is driving the economy off a cliff, so he's trying to block lawful grassroots donations from supporters giving just $5 or $10 to candidates who oppose him while further empowering the corrupt billionaires who already control his administration.'
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump orders Justice Department to investigate Democrats' top fundraising platform
Live Events President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate the Democratic Party's top fundraising platform, the latest example of Trump using the tools of the government to go after his political opponents. Trump, in an executive order signed Thursday, directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate allegations that Republicans have raised that ActBlue allows illegal campaign who had anticipated they would be targeted, condemned the move Thursday and ActBlue called it an "oppressive use of power" by the White House."The Trump Administration's and GOP's targeting of ActBlue is part of their brazen attack on democracy in America. Today's escalation by the White House is blatantly unlawful and needs to be seen for what it is: Donald Trump's latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral and ideological opposition," ActBlue said in a said it would pursue "all legal avenues to protect and defend itself.""ActBlue will continue its mission and work undeterred and uninterrupted, providing a safe, secure fundraising platform for the millions of grassroots donors who rely on us."Trump's order directs Bondi, in consultation with the Treasury Department, to investigate allegations that online fundraising platforms, and specifically ActBlue, have been used by some to "make straw' or dummy' contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees."The findings of the investigation will be reported back with 180 days, according to the taking office, Trump has sought to use the powers of the government to retaliate against his opponents, including ordering security clearances to be stripped and punishing law firms linked to prosecutors who have investigated him or who have ties to his which Democratic campaigns have used for two decades, had helped power an outpouring of small-dollar donations to candidates and causes. It was so successful that Republicans eventually created a counterpart, WinRed - which Trump did not target in the National Committee Chair Michael Whatley applauded the investigation, saying in a statement, "The Democrats' Dark Money scam has gone on long enough."Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand and Democratic Governors Association Chair Laura Kelly denounced the executive order in a joint statement."Donald Trump's memorandum targeting ActBlue is designed to undermine democratic participation - and it's no wonder why," the statement said."He knows Americans are already fed up with his chaotic agenda that is driving the economy off a cliff, so he's trying to block lawful grassroots donations from supporters giving just USD 5 or USD 10 to candidates who oppose him while further empowering the corrupt billionaires who already control his administration."
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Business Standard
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump orders DOJ to investigate Democrats' top fundraising platform
Trump, in an executive order signed Thursday, directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate allegations that Republicans have raised that ActBlue allows illegal campaign donations AP Washington President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate the Democratic Party's top fundraising platform, the latest example of Trump using the tools of the government to go after his political opponents. Trump, in an executive order signed Thursday, directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate allegations that Republicans have raised that ActBlue allows illegal campaign donations. Democrats, who had anticipated they would be targeted, condemned the move Thursday and ActBlue called it an oppressive use of power by the White House. The Trump Administration's and GOP's targeting of ActBlue is part of their brazen attack on democracy in America. Today's escalation by the White House is blatantly unlawful and needs to be seen for what it is: Donald Trump's latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral and ideological opposition," ActBlue said in a statement. ActBlue said it would pursue all legal avenues to protect and defend itself. "ActBlue will continue its mission and work undeterred and uninterrupted, providing a safe, secure fundraising platform for the millions of grassroots donors who rely on us. Trump's order directs Bondi, in consultation with the Treasury Department, to investigate allegations that online fundraising platforms, and specifically ActBlue, have been used by some to make straw' or dummy' contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees. The findings of the investigation will be reported back with 180 days, according to the order. Since taking office, Trump has sought to use the powers of the government to retaliate against his opponents, including ordering security clearances to be stripped and punishing law firms linked to prosecutors who have investigated him or who have ties to his adversaries. ActBlue, which Democratic campaigns have used for two decades, had helped power an outpouring of small-dollar donations to candidates and causes. It was so successful that Republicans eventually created a counterpart, WinRed which Trump did not target in the order. Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley applauded the investigation, saying in a statement, The Democrats' Dark Money scam has gone on long enough." Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand and Democratic Governors Association Chair Laura Kelly denounced the executive order in a joint statement. Donald Trump's memorandum targeting ActBlue is designed to undermine democratic participation and it's no wonder why, the statement said. He knows Americans are already fed up with his chaotic agenda that is driving the economy off a cliff, so he's trying to block lawful grassroots donations from supporters giving just USD 5 or USD 10 to candidates who oppose him while further empowering the corrupt billionaires who already control his administration. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Trump orders Justice Department to investigate top Democrat fundraising platform
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate the Democratic Party's top fundraising platform. Mr Trump, in an executive order signed on Thursday, directed attorney general Pam Bondi to investigate allegations made by Republicans that ActBlue allows illegal campaign donations. Democrats, who had anticipated they would be targeted, condemned the move on Thursday. ActBlue called it an 'oppressive use of power' by the White House. 'The Trump Administration's and GOP's targeting of ActBlue is part of their brazen attack on democracy in America. Today's escalation by the White House is blatantly unlawful and needs to be seen for what it is: Donald Trump's latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral and ideological opposition,' ActBlue said in a statement. Mr Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on April 23 (Alex Brandon/AP) ActBlue said it would pursue 'all legal avenues to protect and defend itself'. 'ActBlue will continue its mission and work undeterred and uninterrupted, providing a safe, secure fundraising platform for the millions of grassroots donors who rely on us.' Mr Trump's order directs Ms Bondi, in consultation with the Treasury Department, to investigate allegations that online fundraising platforms, and specifically ActBlue, have been used by some to 'make 'straw' or 'dummy' contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees'. The findings of the investigation will be reported back within 180 days, according to the order. Since taking office, Mr Trump has sought to use the powers of the government to retaliate against his opponents, including ordering security clearances to be stripped and punishing law firms linked to prosecutors who have investigated him or who have ties to his adversaries. ActBlue, which Democratic campaigns have used for two decades, has helped power an outpouring of small-dollar donations to candidates and causes. It was so successful that Republicans eventually created a counterpart, WinRed — which Mr Trump did not target in the order. Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley applauded the investigation, saying in a statement: 'The Democrats' Dark Money scam has gone on long enough.' FILE – Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin (Rod Lamkey, Jr, File/AP) Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairwoman Suzan DelBene, Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chairwoman Kirsten Gillibrand, and Democratic Governors Association chairwoman Laura Kelly denounced the executive order in a joint statement. 'Donald Trump's memorandum targeting ActBlue is designed to undermine democratic participation — and it's no wonder why,' the statement said. 'He knows Americans are already fed up with his chaotic agenda that is driving the economy off a cliff, so he's trying to block lawful grassroots donations from supporters giving just five dollars (£3.76) or 10 dollars (£7.52) to candidates who oppose him while further empowering the corrupt billionaires who already control his administration.'
