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Politico
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Comer issues subpoenas for DOJ's Epstein files, depositions with former officials
Comer was required to send the subpoenas after a Democratic-led subcommittee vote in July. The move is the latest in a broader battle over the Epstein files, which took the Trump administration by storm last month as anger boiled over from within MAGA circles about the administration's handling of the case. The committee's subpoena of Bill Clinton in particular seems more symbolic than substantive. No former president has ever testified to Congress under the compulsion of a subpoena — and lawmakers have tried only twice before: once in 1953, when the House Un-American Activities Committee subpoenaed Harry Truman, and once in 2022, when the Jan. 6 select committee subpoenaed Donald Trump. Neither president testified in those instances, and the Justice Department has long cited Truman's example — though not backed by any legal precedent — to suggest that it is improper for Congress to compel even former presidents to testify, given separation of powers concerns. While the president has tried to brush off the growing outcry — and lashed out at The Wall Street Journal over its report of a letter he allegedly wrote to the disgraced financier for his birthday, which he denies authoring — Republicans have split over their approach to the issue. Trump has publicly raged about the case, suggesting it was a Democratic plant to undermine him. He's also sought to mollify his angry base, directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury documents amid outrage from within his own MAGA sphere, although it is not clear if there would be anything revelatory in those documents. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also met with Epstein co-conspirator and convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell last month amid the heightened public pressure. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for child sex trafficking and other crimes, was moved to a minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas just days after her meetings with Blanche — a transfer that came as Trump has made clear that a pardon for the convicted sex offender is within his purview. Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.
Black America Web
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
20 Famous Black Talk Show Hosts
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Talk shows have long been a staple of American television, offering a platform for entertainment, discussion, and cultural exchange. Over the years, numerous Black hosts have made indelible marks on the industry, bringing unique perspectives and voices to the forefront. From groundbreaking daytime programs to late-night innovations, these hosts have not only entertained but also educated and inspired audiences worldwide with their groundbreaking talent, opening doors for future generations. Meet Hazel Scott, the first Black woman to host a TV show. Hazel Scott, a trailblazing jazz pianist and vocalist, is widely recognized by historians as the first Black woman to host her own national television program in the United States. According to Women's History, more than just a performer, Scott was a fearless advocate for civil rights, standing up against the Hollywood studio system and testifying before the House Un-American Activities Committee during a time when doing so posed grave personal and professional risks. Her signature fusion of classical music with jazz rhythms captivated audiences across America and around the world. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1920, Scott moved to New York City in 1924 with her mother and grandmother following her parents' separation. She was the only child of R. Thomas Scott, a West African scholar, and Alma Long Scott, a classically trained pianist and accomplished saxophonist. Hazel's musical aptitude emerged early—by age three, she could play piano by ear, and she was known to vocally protest when her mother's students hit incorrect notes. Thanks to her mother's deep ties to the music world, Hazel was given a rare opportunity to audition for the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. She was accepted on a special waiver at the age of eight—a testament to her extraordinary talent. By her teenage years, Scott was already a fixture in New York's music scene. At 13, she joined her mother's band, Alma Long Scott's American Creolians. Two years later, she made her solo debut performing alongside Count Basie's orchestra at the Roseland Ballroom. Around the same time, she won a contest that earned her a spot on local radio and soon after made her Broadway debut in the 1938 revue ' Sing Out the News .' Despite her growing fame, Scott graduated from high school with honors. Her breakthrough came in 1939 during a residency at Café Society, a groundbreaking integrated nightclub in Greenwich Village known for showcasing progressive talent. When Billie Holiday abruptly ended her engagement there, she personally recommended Scott as her successor. Scott quickly became the club's star attraction and was affectionately dubbed the 'Darling of Café Society.' In 1950, Scott broke new ground once again with ' The Hazel Scott Show,' a 15-minute television program aired three times a week. It initially broadcast in New York and later expanded nationally. On the show, Scott performed her unique blend of jazz, blues, and classical music, earning critical acclaim and strong viewership. However, her rising stardom was cut short when she was named in ' Red Channels ,' a publication that accused entertainers of Communist affiliations. The show was swiftly canceled, despite her refusal to back down under pressure. Scott's legacy is not only defined by her musical genius but also by her incredible commitment to justice and artistic integrity in the face of adversity. She walked so many of our favorite Black talk and TV show hosts could run and thrive. Here's a look at 20 influential Black talk show hosts who have shaped the landscape of television. 20 Famous Black Talk Show Hosts was originally published on Source:Getty Tyra Banks revolutionized the modeling industry with 'America's Next Top Model' from 2003 to 2015, and later hosted 'The Tyra Banks Show' (2006-2010), where she delved into personal stories and social issues with guests. Her candid approach and charisma made her a household name. Source:Getty Queen Latifah brought her multifaceted talents to 'The Queen Latifah Show,' from 1999 to 2001, blending music, comedy, and interviews with a focus on positivity and empowerment. Her warmth and authenticity resonated with audiences. Source:Getty Former NFL star Michael Strahan transitioned to television, co-hosting 'Live with Kelly and Michael' from 2012 to 2013 and later hosting 'The $100,000 Pyramid ,' and 'GMA3,' showcasing his versatility and charm. His engaging personality made him a favorite among viewers. Source:Getty Oprah Winfrey's 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered in 1986, touching on topics from self-help to politics, and making her one of the most influential media figures in history. Her empathetic interviewing style set a new standard for talk shows and made her a beloved figure around the world until the show's end in 2011. Source:Getty Known for her candid and often controversial opinions, Wendy Williams hosted 'The Wendy Williams Show,' from 2008 to 2022, where she discussed celebrity gossip and current events with unapologetic flair. Her bold approach garnered a dedicated following. Williams took a step back from the spotlight in 2022 to tend to several health issues including her ongoing battle with lymphedema, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Source:Getty RuPaul had a brief stint with his talk show, 'The RuPaul Show,' between 1997 and 1998. However, his big break would come in 2009, when 'RuPaul's Drag Race' premiered. It brought drag culture into the mainstream, celebrating self-expression and diversity. RuPaul's charisma and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights made him a trailblazer. Source:Getty Sherri Shepherd co-hosted 'The View' from 2007 to 2014 and later launched her own daytime talk show, 'Sherri,' in 2022, where she now combines humor with heartfelt discussions on various topics. Fans love her funny and authentic delivery on air. Source:Getty Steve Harvey parlayed his funny humor as a comic into his full-time hosting role with 'Family Feud' in 2010. He showcases his comedic timing and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Source:Getty Star Jones gained prominence as a co-host on 'The View,' between 1997 and 2006, known for her legal expertise and candid opinions. Jones is the current host of 'Divorce Court,' a show that revolves around settling the disputes of couples going through messy divorces. Source:Getty An EGOT winner, Whoopi Goldberg has been a co-host of 'The View,' since 2006, bringing her sharp wit and diverse perspectives to discussions on politics, culture, and current events. Her contributions have been pivotal in shaping the show's strong dynamic. Source:Getty Comedian Wanda Sykes hosted 'The Wanda Sykes Show,' offering a unique blend of humor and political commentary. Her fearless approach to addressing social issues resonated with many viewers. The show aired on Fox and ran for one season between 2009 and 2010. Source:Getty Ananda Lewis hosted 'The Ananda Lewis Show,' from 2001 to 2022, a place where she engaged with young audiences on topics ranging from relationships to social issues, providing a relatable voice for her generation. Her approachable demeanor made her a trusted figure thanks to her early days as an MTV veejay. Source:Getty Oscar-winning actress Mo'Nique hosted 'The Mo'Nique Show,' where she combined celebrity interviews with discussions on real-life issues, all while showcasing her comedic talents. Her authenticity and boldness set her apart. The show ran for 7 seasons between 2009 and 2012. Source:Getty From 1989 to 1994, Arsenio Hall's late-night talk show, 'The Arsenio Hall Show,' brought a fresh perspective to the genre, featuring musical performances and interviews with a diverse range of guests. His show became a platform for emerging artists and cultural discussions. Source:Getty Tavis Smiley began his broadcasting career as a radio commentator in 1991. In 1996, he became the host of 'BET Talk'—a show that was later rebranded as 'BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley'—on Black Entertainment Television (BET). His tenure at BET came to an end in 2001 after he sold an exclusive interview with Sara Jane Olson to ABC News, prompting the network not to renew his contract. Following his departure from BET, Smiley transitioned to public radio and launched 'The Tavis Smiley Show' on National Public Radio (NPR), which he hosted from 2002 to 2004. He then expanded his platform with the launch of 'Tavis Smiley' on PBS, a weekday television talk show, and a revived version of 'The Tavis Smiley Show' on Public Radio International (PRI), both of which he hosted from 2004 until 2017. Source:Getty Montel Williams hosted 'The Montel Williams Show,' from 1991 to 2009, addressing a wide array of topics, including health, relationships, and social issues, often featuring emotional and inspiring stories. His military background and advocacy for veterans added depth to his platform. Source:Getty Comedian Chris Rock hosted 'The Chris Rock Show,' blending stand-up comedy with satirical commentary on politics and culture, offering a sharp and insightful perspective on societal issues. His fearless approach to comedy made the show a standout. The show ran for 5 seasons between 1997 and 2000. Source:Getty Lasting for two seasons (2002-2004), Wayne Brady hosted 'The Wayne Brady Show,' where he showcased his improvisational skills and musical talents, providing a blend of entertainment and humor. His versatility as a performer made him a beloved figure in television. Source:Getty TV and radio personality Bevy Smith has been the host of 'Bevelations,' since 2015, on SiriusXM. The show combines celebrity interviews with discussions on fashion, culture, and lifestyle, offering a chic and insightful perspective on the entertainment industry. Her vibrant personality and style make her a standout host. Source:Getty Comedian Sheryl Underwood was a regular contributor on the nationally syndicated ' Tom Joyner Morning Show' until June 2010. She also briefly hosted her own radio program, 'Sheryl Underwood and Company,' which aired on Radio One's Syndication One News/Talk network and on XM Satellite Radio's Channel 169, known as The Power. Additionally, Underwood hosts 'The Sheryl Underwood Show' on Tuesday nights on Jamie Foxx's SiriusXM channel, The Foxxhole (Sirius 106). In 2011, she joined the CBS daytime talk show 'The Talk' as a co-host during its second season, stepping in as a replacement for Leah Remini. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Chicago Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: Production of Model T ended
Today is Monday, May 26, the 146th day of 2025. There are 219 days left in the year. This is Memorial Day. Today in history: On May 26, 1927, the Ford Model T officially ended production as Henry Ford and his son Edsel drove the 15 millionth Model T off the Ford assembly line in Highland Park, Michigan. Also on this date: In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a measure creating the Montana Territory. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Immigration Act of 1924, which barred immigration from Asia and restricted the total number of immigrants from other parts of the world to 165,000 annually. In 1938, the House Un-American Activities Committee was established by Congress. In 1940, Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of more than 338,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, began during World War II. In 1954, an explosion occurred aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington off Rhode Island, killing 103 sailors. In 1967, the Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' was released. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty in Moscow following the SALT I negotiations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. (The U.S. withdrew from the treaty under President George W. Bush in 2002.) In 1981, 14 people were killed when a Marine jet crashed onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off Florida. In 2009, California's Supreme Court upheld the state's Proposition 8 same-sex marriage ban but said the 18,000 same-sex weddings that had taken place before the prohibition passed were still valid. (Same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in June 2015.) 2009, President Barack Obama nominated federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2011, Ratko Mladić, the brutal Bosnian Serb general suspected of leading the massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, was arrested after a 16-year manhunt. (Extradited to face trial in The Hague, Netherlands, Mladić was convicted in 2017 on genocide and war crimes charges and is serving a life sentence.) Today's Birthdays: Sportscaster Brent Musburger is 86. Singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks is 77. Actor Pam Grier is 76. Country singer Hank Williams Jr. is 76. Celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto is 70. Actor Genie Francis is 63. Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait is 63. Musician Lenny Kravitz is 61. Actor Helena Bonham Carter is 59. Actor Joseph Fiennes is 55. Actor-producer-writer Matt Stone is 54. Singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill is 50. Singer Jaheim is 47.
Washington Post
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
No, thank you. I don't want to appear on one of Trump's ‘lists.'
It's rarely comforting to appear on a government 'list,' even (or perhaps especially) when compiled in the name of public safety. It was alarming in the 1940s, when the U.S. government collected the names of Japanese Americans for internment. Likewise in the 1950s, when the House Un-American Activities Committee catalogued communists. And it's just as troubling now, as the Trump administration assembles registries of Jewish academics and Americans with developmental disabilities. Yes, these are real things that happened this past week, the latest examples of the White House's abuse of confidential data. Last week, faculty and staff at Barnard College received unsolicited texts asking them whether they were Jewish. Employees were stunned by the messages, which many initially dismissed as spam. Turns out the messages came from the Trump administration. Barnard, which is affiliated with Columbia University, had agreed to share faculty members' private contact info to aid in President Donald Trump's pseudo-crusade against antisemitism. Ah, yes, a far-right president asking Jews to register as Jewish, in the name of protecting the Jews, after he has repeatedly accused Jews of being 'disloyal.' What could go wrong? The same day, National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya announced a 'disease registry' of people with autism, to be compiled from confidential private and government health records, apparently without its subjects' awareness or consent. This is part of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vendetta against vaccines, which he has said cause autism despite abundant research concluding otherwise. This, too, is disturbing given authoritarian governments' history of compiling lists of citizens branded mentally or physically deficient. If that historical analogue seems excessive, note that Bhattacharya's announcement came just a week after Kennedy delivered inflammatory remarks lamenting that kids with autism will never lead productive lives. They 'will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job,' he said, adding they'll never play baseball or go on a date, either. This all happened during Autism Acceptance Month, established to counter exactly these kinds of stigmatizing stereotypes. Kennedy's comments and the subsequent 'registry' set off a wave of fear in the autism advocacy community and earned condemnation from scientists. Obviously, advocates want more research and support for those with autism. They have been asking for more help at least since 1965 (when what is now called the Autism Society of America was founded in my grandparents' living room). But few in this community trust political appointees hostile to scientific research — or a president who has publicly mocked people with disabilities — to use an autism 'registry' responsibly. (An unnamed HHS official later walked back Bhattacharya's comments, saying the department was not creating a 'registry,' per se, just a 'real-world data platform' that 'will link existing datasets to support research into causes of autism and insights into improved treatment strategies.' Okay.) These are hardly the administration's only abuses of federal data. It has been deleting reams of statistical records, including demographic data on transgender Americans. It has also been exploiting other private administrative records for political purposes. For example, the Internal Revenue Service — in an effort to persuade people to pay their taxes — spent decades assuring people that their records are confidential, regardless of immigration status. The agency is in fact legally prohibited from sharing tax records, even with other government agencies, except under very limited circumstances specified by Congress. Lawmakers set these limits in response to Richard M. Nixon's abuse of private tax data to target personal enemies. Trump torched these precedents and promises. After a series of top IRS officials resigned, the agency has now agreed to turn over confidential records to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement locate and deport some 7 million undocumented immigrants. The move, which also has troubling historical echoes, is being challenged in court. But, in the meantime, tax collections will likely fall. Undocumented immigrant workers had been paying an estimated $66 billion in federal taxes annually, but they now have even more reason to stay off the books. This and other DOGE infiltrations of confidential records are likely to discourage public cooperation on other sensitive government data collection efforts. Think research on mental health issues or public safety assessments on domestic violence. But that might be a feature, not a bug, for this administration. Chilling federal survey participation and degrading data quality were arguably deliberate objectives in Trump's first term, when he tried to cram a question about citizenship into the 2020 Census. The question was expected to depress response rates and help Republicans game the congressional redistricting process. Courts ultimately blocked Trump's plans. That's what it will take to stop ongoing White House abuses, too: not scrapping critical government records, but championing the rule of law. Ultimately, the government must be able to collect and integrate high-quality data — to administer social programs efficiently, help the economy function and understand the reality we live in so voters can hold public officials accountable. None of this is possible if Americans fear ending up on some vindictive commissar's 'list.'
The Guardian
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Richard Chamberlain obituary
Despite becoming a lauded stage and film actor, Richard Chamberlain, who has died aged 90, carried the label of soap-opera star around his neck for most of his career of more than five decades. It began with his huge success in the hospital television series Dr Kildare (1961-66), in which Chamberlain's clean-cut good looks were the prime attraction, bringing him thousands of fan letters a week. Chamberlain's other immensely successful television roles came in three mini-series, Centennial (1978-79), Shogun (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983). His perfectly chiselled features, which made him ideal for romantic leads in soap operas, prevented many producers from visualising him in more demanding roles. However, through talent and determination he starred in numerous films and on the stage in parallel to his television work. Born in Los Angeles, he had a cool relationship with his alcoholic father, Charles, a salesman, but a warm one with his mother, Elsa (nee Von Benzon). At Beverly Hills high school, he excelled in athletics, and his good grades enabled him to study art history and painting at Pomona College, southern California, where he was able to satisfy his dream of becoming an actor in plays by Shakespeare, Shaw and Arthur Miller. After graduating, Chamberlain served 16 months in Korea, where he was made company clerk of his infantry company, later promoted to the rank of sergeant. On his return to the US, Chamberlain studied acting with Jeff Corey, who became renowned as a teacher after being blacklisted in Hollywood by the House Un-American Activities Committee. Although Corey's sense-memory Stanislavskian method is not immediately apparent in Chamberlain's performances, the actor claimed to have learned how to tap into his own emotions and psyche. At the time, he was struggling with having to 'live a lie' about his sexuality. In 1959, Chamberlain, Leonard Nimoy and Vic Morrow were among the founders of the Company of Angels, a repertory theatre in Los Angeles. While playing there in La Ronde and The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Chamberlain started to get parts in television series. His first feature films were The Secret of the Purple Reef (1960), a low-voltage, low-budget thriller shot in Puerto Rico, and A Thunder of Drums (1961), a western in which he was hardly noticeable as a young cavalry officer. Then came the role of Dr Kildare, for which Chamberlain beat 35 other candidates. In the first episode, the senior medic Dr Leonard Gillespie (Raymond Massey) tells Chamberlain, as the young, earnest, caring James Kildare, an intern at Blair general hospital: 'Our job is to keep people alive, not to tell them how to live.' Kildare ignores the advice, thus supplying the basis for most of the plots of the next 190 episodes across five seasons. In 1962, with his popularity at its height, he recorded a hit song, Three Stars Will Shine Tonight, based on the music of the show's hummable opening theme. It revealed that Chamberlain had a fine singing voice, which he used on a number of singles and an album, Richard Chamberlain Sings (1962), and much later as leads in stage musicals such as My Fair Lady (1993), The Sound of Music (1998), Scrooge (2004), The King and I (2006) and Monty Python's Spamalot (2009). When Dr Kildare ended, Chamberlain decided to prove that he was not just a pretty face, by appearing in summer stock productions of The Philadelphia Story and Private Lives (both 1966). He then worked for three years in Britain, on television, stage and film. He was excellent as Ralph Touchett in the BBC's six-part adaptation of Henry James's novel The Portrait of a Lady (1968).The role got him noticed by Peter Dews, the artistic director of Birmingham repertory theatre, who offered him the chance to play Hamlet in 1969. The play was a sell-out for its limited five and a half week run, and in the main, the British critics were positive, with the Times reflecting the consensus: 'Anyone who comes to this production prepared to scoff at the sight of a popular television actor, Richard Chamberlain, playing Hamlet, will be in for a deep disappointment.' The Daily Mail commented that 'the perturbed spirit of Dr Kildare may rest at last. In Mr Chamberlain we have no mean actor.' In films, he was a noble Octavius Caesar in Julius Caesar (1970), and a striking Lord Byron in Lady Caroline Lamb (1973), and he was able to express some of his own angst and sexual liberation as a gay Tchaikovsky in Ken Russell's The Music Lovers (1971). At this time, it was an open showbiz secret that Chamberlain was romantically involved with the US actor Wesley Eure. The rest of the films he made in the 1970s – The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974), in which he played Aramis; The Slipper and the Rose (1976), almost typecast as Prince Charming; and the disaster movies The Towering Inferno (1974) and The Swarm (1978) – were lucrative but hardly challenging. He was more stretched in Peter Weir's The Last Wave (1977), shot in Australia, where he was the initially smug lawyer defending a group of Indigenous Australians accused of murder. In the meantime, Chamberlain had made a triumphant Broadway debut in Tennessee Williams's The Night of the Iguana (1976-77) at Circle in the Square theatre. According to one critic, Chamberlain, as the defrocked priest now a tour guide, 'captures the self-lacerating torment of Reverend Shannon'. During the run, he started a relationship with Martin Rabbett, a production assistant on the play. They remained together until 2010, and later resumed their partnership. In the 80s, Chamberlain established himself again on television, earning the nickname 'king of the miniseries'. Shogun, based on James Clavell's novel, starred Chamberlain as Pilot-Major John Blackthorne, an Englishman trying to gain acceptance in early 17th-century Japan. Chamberlain, long-haired and black-bearded, held his own among a cast of superb Japanese actors that included the dynamic Toshiro Mifune. In The Thorn Birds, he was sexy Father Ralph de Bricassart, the Roman Catholic priest who carries on a tortured, illicit romance with Meggie Cleary, played by Rachel Ward, in the Australian outback. It was disliked by Colleen McCullough, the author of the original 1977 bestseller. She said: 'It was instant vomit! Ward couldn't act her way out of a paper bag and Chamberlain wandered about all wet and wide-eyed.' Nevertheless, the 10-hour, four-part, $23m show became one of the most watched TV series ever. Chamberlain continued to move between films, television and theatre, and his homes in Hawaii and Los Angeles, over the next decades. He was a guest star on the TV comedy series Will & Grace (2005), and his final film role came as an acting coach in Finding Julia (2019). In 2003, in his memoir, Shattered Love, he wrote about his dislike of himself for not being true to himself in order to protect his matinee idol image, but in coming out he 'finally made friends with life'. He is survived by Rabbett. George Richard Chamberlain, actor, born 31 March 1934; died 29 March 2025 Ronald Bergan died in 2020
