Latest news with #NancyPelosi
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Surprise Guest Nancy Pelosi Honors Frank Gehry at MOCA Gala
Surprise Guest Nancy Pelosi Honors Frank Gehry at MOCA Gala originally appeared on L.A. Mag. "MOCA, thank you so much for the diversity that you brought to the legends that you honored tonight," said surprise guest Nancy Pelosi upon taking the stage at the Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Little Tokyo on May 2025 gala, presented by BVLGARI, introduced a new format — whereby which three MOCA Legends from different areas are honored annually. The first three honorees were artist Theaster Gates, recognized by Ava DuVernay; philanthropist Wendy Schmidt, praised by Jane Fonda; and finally, Frank Gehry, whom Pelosi came to honor."Listening to — even the presenters, Ava and Jane, and Wendy and Theaster — it reminded me of something that our founders said," Pelosi began. "John Adams wrote to Abigail Adams, and he said to her, 'I must study war and politics, so that our sons can study agriculture, science.' So that their children will have the freedom to study music and poetry and architecture, and he even said tapestry at the time."Pelosi went on, "But the connection of all of these disciplines through the eyes of art is so important, because what John Adams was talking about was the expansion of freedom, and that is what art is about — freedom.""So tonight, I'm here to talk about Frank Gehry," said Pelosi, who remarked how she left her grandson's high school graduation to be there because of how much she respects and loves him. "Frank Gehry — you think of him, I think of him, as a genius. But he's more than a genius. ... Frank Gehry is a magician. Because with his architecture, he enables people to see the art differently. To hear the music differently. To understand the education differently." Pelosi continued: "He has said, 'architecture speaks to its time and its place, but yearns for timelessness.' And that's what he has been about. ... The architecture is art for the community. He has always listened to the community about what this structure will be. He designs it around the community. So it's about culture, it's about community, it's about communication to everyone as to what the purpose is of the design, of the art, that he has created." She concluded, "The poet [Percy] Shelley once said, 'The greatest force for moral good is imagination.' And Frank Gehry is the personification of imagination."The 96-year-old MOCA culture legend Gehry — who renovated MOCA Geffen in 1983 prioritizing adaptive reuse — made remarks from his table after a standing ovation. "I owe a lot to this place," Gehry said. "When I graduated architecture, I met with the undergraduates and by luck, I designed a little building on Melrose and artists started to come to the construction site. And I couldn't understand why they were there!" Gehry continued, "They had brought me into their club, and it's where I wanted to be. And it opened my eyes to another world — which is more relevant than where I was coming from. So, MOCA means a lot to me. I was on the board a long time ago, but I didn't have the body to keep up with it! I've always been a supporter. I'm so honored to have Nancy here — she's so important in my life. I believe in her so much, Thank you. Let's go on and make this place really important — it is important, we got to build it, we've got to build on it. I'm here to help ... Let's do it!" The festive evening — attended by 600 art lovers, including Sarah Paulson and Mayor Karen Bass — featured a performance by Tierra Whack and raised over $3.1 million in support of the museum. Following a cocktail hour outdoors in the Aileen Getty Plaza, guests explored the immersive current exhibit Olafur Eliasson: OPEN en route to dinner, where this year's "legends" received toasts."This is my fourth gala, and what I had realized as I got to know the institution was how many people — from 50 years of history almost — we have to look back to, in order to look forward," Maurice Marciano Director Johanna Burton told Los Angeles. "And this idea of storytelling became very important because of the historical moment we're in, where we should really be reminding ourselves and each other of the kind of radical, really caring gestures that have happened in his space and lay ground for what comes ahead."This informed the gala's new format. "We came up with this three-part structure, where there are three visionaries each year: one is an artist; one is a cultural visionary, that could be a filmmaker or a fashion designer or a dancer; and the third is a philanthropist," Burton said. "So it became this really beautiful way of tapping in people who have helped write the history of this place — and the people who support them are also legends."MOCA Board Chair Maria Seferian and Burton began the program by addressing the room. "This past year has been one of extraordinary growth and meaningful momentum MOCA," Burton said, calling out Eliasson's exhibit (and presence in the room). She also cited the collaborative efforts to fundraise following the wildfires through the Los Angeles Arts Recovery Fund led by the Getty. Burton also spoke to future exhibits: Nadya Tolokonnikova (of Pussy Riot)'s Police State "staging a durational performance that highlights human resilience in the face of state power," from June 5-14; the third presentation of MOCA's relaunched Focus series with Takako Yamauchi at the end of June."And in October, the long-awaited Monuments exhibition, co-presented with The Brick,: Burton said. "Conceived nearly a decade ago, Monuments brings recently decommissioned Confederate statues to the museum, displayed alongside contemporary artworks — many created for the exhibition, by 15 of the most compelling artists working today. The show explores how public monuments have shaped national identity, historical memory and ideas about power and belonging."Fonda praised Schmidt, citing her environmental activism work (protesting oil drilling and promoting ocean conservation) and her newly-founded Eric and Wendy Schmidt Environment and Art Prize — which will present its first artist projects by Cecilia Vicuña and Julian Charrière at MOCA next year. "There are people in the world who do good things, and seek and receive a lot of attention, and there are people who have a profound impact and they do work quietly — without notice and fanfare, and Wendy Schmidt is the latter," Fonda said. "But the work she has done for two decades should be known by everyone in this room. ... She sees the big picture; she sees how the world can be, while the rest of us just see a mess.""There was a clear distinction between science and art," Schmidt said. However, she noted, "In a world of increasing convergence, science and art actually need each other. ... Where art meets science, great things happen."DuVernay took the stage to honor Chicago-based artist Gates, who held his first solo museum exhibition on the West Coast at MOCA in 2011. "I'm here to speak to you about sound," DuVernay began. "The sound of a man who walks into an open space and hears something that others cannot. ... I've been out on the town with Theaster ... and I've shared contemplative times with him, where the world slows down and we talk, not just about what we're making, but why. And in these exchanges, there's a beautiful truth I've come to realize: Theaster Gates is the whole band." "In growing up, this [idea] was important to me, that you enter the world, you enter a circumstance with something — or maybe with nothing," Gates said. "And that, life feels like it's about the attempt at making that nothing something. ... You take your talent, and you multiply it."He also made a plea: "I feel like I'm constantly looking at Black and brown talent in my neighborhood, and no one's invested in them — and in fact, they are burying Black talent all the fucking time! And is it possible that we would just take a moment to imagine that the talent around us has the capacity to do greater than it does?"Gates ended: "My job is to make talent. To be talented. To multiply talent." This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Grant Cardone Says Nancy Pelosi's $120 Million Net Worth Defies Life And Math — 'She'd Need To Be 33,000 Years Old' On A $179,000 Salary
It's not every day someone casually accuses a former Speaker of the House of defying both math and mortality — but then again, Grant Cardone isn't known for pulling punches. In an interview last year with DJ Vlad, Cardone took aim at Nancy Pelosi's reported wealth, questioning how a public servant making $179,000 a year could be worth $120 million. "You can't do the math on it," he said flatly. "She would have to be 33,000 years old or something." After revising, he settled on a more "reasonable" estimate: "She would have to be on Earth 3,300 years," he said, in order to turn her salary into the fortune she's reported to have. Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Cardone didn't stop there. Factoring in taxes and cost of living, he added, "She's probably paying 50% in taxes... So she's making $89,000 a year, bro. She's worth $120 million minimum. She would have to be 1,500 years old if she never spent one penny." The math may have been delivered with a smirk, but the underlying message wasn't a joke: "If you make $179,000 a year, you will never be a millionaire — much less worth $120 million." He went on to call out both parties for profiting off insider knowledge, saying, "There's a whole bunch of them... Republicans and Democrats." His proposed solution? Cut Congressional salaries to the median American wage and ban trading altogether: "If you're in Congress or Senate... you cannot insider trade. Period. In fact, you cannot trade at all." Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . At the time of the interview, Pelosi's net worth was estimated around $120 million — but today, it's significantly higher. As of early 2025, Pelosi's net worth is estimated to be between $246.8 million and $259 million, according to Quiver Quantitative. That's more than double what Cardone was reacting to just a year ago. Much of the wealth is tied to savvy and controversial investments in tech stocks and real estate, largely managed by her husband, Paul Pelosi. While there's no direct evidence of insider trading, public skepticism has remained high — and the numbers haven't exactly helped. Cardone may have been using hyperbole when he joked that Pelosi would need to be 3,300 years old to earn her wealth. But if the trajectory of her portfolio is any indication, she's aging just fine — and so is her net worth. Read Next:Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they're on pace — Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Grant Cardone Says Nancy Pelosi's $120 Million Net Worth Defies Life And Math — 'She'd Need To Be 33,000 Years Old' On A $179,000 Salary originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Can young Democrats threaten Nancy Pelosi and the old guard?
Can young Democrats threaten Nancy Pelosi and the old guard? Young Democrats launch primary challenges against senior incumbents in Congress, arguing that the party has an "inability to change" problem. Show Caption Hide Caption AOC sounds off after Schumer says he'll support Trump's funding bill Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didn't hold back after Chuck Schumer said he would support the Republicans' stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown. Fox - 32 Chicago Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she isn't fazed by a challenge from Saikat Chakrabarti. Chakrabarti is a former aide to Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and to Bernie Sanders. "For a lot of Democrats, new voices represent hope," said David Niven, associate professor of politics at the University of Cincinnati. 'No matter how old you are, you still got to run on your record…if you want to dance, you got to pay the fiddler," said Connecticut Democrat Rep. John Larson, 76. WASHINGTON − Thirty-nine-year-old Saikat Chakrabarti is looking to pull off a political earthquake: Oust California Democrat Nancy Pelosi in next year's primaries. The 85-year-old former House Speaker has been in Congress since 1987, almost as long as Chakrabarti's been alive. He's part of a movement of young progressives looking to knock off their Democratic elders in blue state primaries next year, arguing the veterans aren't doing enough to take the fight to President Donald Trump. His message: "People are fed up with the old guard." More: Elon Musk's rise and fall: From Trump's chainsaw-wielding sidekick to a swift exit Pelosi's not sweating But the old guard is unimpressed. Pelosi told USA TODAY she doesn't view Chakrabarti's challenge as serious. 'Not at all. Not even slightly,' she said. Chakrabarti, a tech millionaire, is making gerontocracy − rule by the aged − a big part of his campaign. He says he's building an insurgent base through Zoom calls with voters and regular TV appearances. Amid a storm of Trump-induced crises, Chakrabarti says, "The Democratic party has an inability-to-change problem." While political scientists say it will be tough to beat seasoned pols like Pelosi, the bids expose a growing divide as Chakrabarti and others seek a more publicly assertive party. In Georgia, 33-year-old Everton Blair is running to unseat twelve-term incumbent Rep. David Scott, 79. And Jake Ravok, 37, who was eight when his former boss, California Rep. Brad Sherman, 70, was first elected to Congress in 1996, launched a primary challenge in April. It's been a bumpy uprising. Related: Too old or very wise: U.S. leaders are among the world's oldest. Is it a problem? On April 16, Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg, 25, announced his support for young progressives challenging "out of touch, ineffective" incumbents, earning a rebuke from Democratic brass. 'This is probably the best opportunity for younger Democrats to run for Congress since the Watergate Babies overran the House in 1974,' said David Niven, associate professor of politics at the University of Cincinnati. "For a lot of Democrats, new voices represent hope." "Traditional voices represent defeat,' Niven said. A new generational tide Chakrabarti got his political start with Bernie Sanders in 2016 and was chief of staff to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 35. He launched his uphill campaign against Pelosi in February, arguing Democrats 'are not recognizing this political moment for what it is.' Progressives were furious in March when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, 74, voted to advance a Trump-approved spending bill. Some progressives were appalled as Democrats joined Republicans in voting for a transgender sports ban and the Laken Riley Act, which requires officials to detain undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes. Rakov said his campaign is driven by the generational divide. 'I think not everything has to be a fight to the death, but there absolutely does need to be some fight in our leaders, and I think the voters are wanting to see that," he said. This old House There are currently 13 House members between 80 and 89, according to a January Pew Research Center survey, and 68 between 70 and 79. One Senator is older than 90, five are between 80 and 89, and 27 are between ages 70 and 79. Trump turns 79 on June 14. Joe Biden was 82 when he left office. Blair, who was chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Education in Georgia, said Democrats are missing opportunities to reach voters on Twitch, TikTok, gaming platforms and podcasts. 'I think we just keep it real. People don't necessarily want to hear the wonky principles of your policy agenda,' he said. 'They kind of want to hear that you feel the pain that they feel, and that you have a plan for it.' Running on a record Senior Democrats brushed off age concerns. Pelosi, a Bay Area powerhouse, is now serving her 20th term. She made history in 2007 as the first female House speaker − and frequently sparred with Trump during his first term. Sherman, who represents parts of Los Angeles County, typically gets at three to six primary challengers every year; some in their 30's like Rakov. 'If I'm ever beat, it's going to be somebody with a long record of active involvement in the community organizations of my district,' he said. 'But it's not going to be by somebody who just shows up in the district and says, 'I worked for Sherman back in 2017,'' he said of Rakov. Rakov said he lived in Texas, New York and Connecticut before moving to California earlier this year. But the insurgents cling to hope, recalling Ocasio-Cortez's 2018 upset over Rep. Joseph Crowley, a top House Democrat. Ocasio-Cortez, then 28, ousted Crowley by more than 10 percentage points. "Know your community. It's important to have the right message. It's important to have the right values," Ocasio-Cortez told USA TODAY when asked how young Democrats can win. Age not an issue The old guard isn't worried. 'No matter how old you are, you still got to run on your record…if you want to dance, you got to pay the fiddler," said Connecticut Democrat Rep. John Larson, 76. Larson was in the spotlight after freezing on the House floor in February due to a 'complex partial seizure' and suffering a brief pause at a press conference in April. He's been in Congress since 1999. Other elder Democracts include Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, 85, California Rep. Maxine Waters, 86 and Illinois Rep. Danny Davis, 83. Hogg announced in April that his group, Leaders We Deserve, would spend $20 million on young challengers in safe blue districts. But DNC chairman Ken Martin urged committee officers to stay neutral in primaries, giving Hogg an ultimatum: Resign from the committee or end his role in primary challenges. The DNC credentials committee later voted in favor of a May 12 resolution that recommended voiding Hogg's election as vice chair. Fighters vs folders Some have argued the biggest divide in the Democratic party isn't over age, but who's willing to pick a fight. 'It's about fighters versus folders,' said Texas Rep. Greg Casar, 35, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. 'You know, Lloyd been in Congress for 30 years. He is a fighter," Casar said of his fellow Lone Star Democrat. "Nobody accuses him of being a folder. Bernie got more energy than half the chamber combined.' People 'know we're not going to win every fight, but they need to see us taking every single fight on because Trump's rhetoric is hitting different," said Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who scored a major upset against a ten-term Democratic incumbent in 2018. 'We have to move differently. We have to match their energy. I'm not 25 and I feel that way,' Pressley, 51, said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Nancy Pelosi: 'This is criminal…': Nancy Pelosi slams Trump's proposed tax bill, calls it ‘Robin Hood in reverse' - The Economic Times Video
Nancy Pelosi hosted an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month roundtable with San Francisco's Asian Pacific Islander Council, bringing together community leaders to address the devastating impacts of the Trump Administration's budget cuts on AAPI communities. The roundtable featured key speakers, including Cally Wong, Executive Director of the API Council; Lance Toma, CEO of the San Francisco Community Health Center; Dr. Jian Zhang, CEO of Chinese Hospital; Jon Osaki, Executive Director of JCYC; Judy Young, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Development Center; Luisa Antonio, Executive Director of the Bayanihan Equity Center; and Tammy Hung, Deputy Director of Programs at the Chinatown Community Development Center. The event highlighted how Republican attacks on health care, housing and educational resources have compounded the challenges facing AAPI communities, particularly in San Francisco. Participants shared firsthand accounts of the real-world consequences of these policy decisions and emphasised the urgency of standing united to defend the health, dignity and opportunity of AAPI families.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Security Set To Make History By Crossing $2,000 Barrier For First Time, But Seniors Still Losing Ground To Inflation
For the first time in the 90-year history of Social Security, the average monthly benefit for retired workers is projected to go beyond $2,000 next month. Despite the historic nature of this milestone, it is more an indication of inflation than financial security for beneficiaries. What Happened: The Social Security Administration's monthly reports show that the average retired-worker benefit was $1,999.97 in April. A statistical snapshot issued by the SSA indicates that May's average benefit will surpass the $2,000 threshold. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share. Nancy Pelosi Invested $5 Million In An AI Company Last Year — Here's How You Can Invest In Multiple Pre-IPO AI Startups With Just $1,000. This landmark is primarily on account of rising wages, new retirees entering the system, and run-of-the-mill cost-of-living adjustments. Why It Matters: While a $2,000 check may seem like a triumph, it hides a more concerning trend. According to Yahoo Finance, Social Security's purchasing power has consistently declined. A report from The Senior Citizens League in 2023 revealed that benefits lost 36% of their value between 2000 and 2023. From 2010 to mid-2024, buying power fell another 20%. Much of this decline relates to how inflation is calculated. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), the metric used for Social Security adjustments, does not accurately reflect how seniors spend, especially when it comes to housing and healthcare. Cost-of-living increases have not kept pace with real-world expenses. 'A Social Security dollar simply isn't what it once was,' the report states. Retirees who depend on these monthly payments to purchase essentials are struggling to stay within budget. The $2000 milestone comes just as the Department of Education has restarted involuntary collections on defaulted student loans, with defaulters at risk of receiving significantly reduced SSA checks. Despite President Donald Trump's claims about bolstering Social Security, multiple crucial changes to the program, capable of impacting millions of beneficiaries, are not up to him. Read Next: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Invest before it's too late. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.30/share! Photo courtesy: Shutterstock Send To MSN: Send to MSN Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Social Security Set To Make History By Crossing $2,000 Barrier For First Time, But Seniors Still Losing Ground To Inflation originally appeared on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
