Latest news with #Olbermann
Yahoo
5 days ago
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- Yahoo
Riley Gaines challenges ex-ESPN host to race after he says she was a 'worse swimmer' than she is 'MAGA stooge'
FIRST ON FOX: Riley Gaines clapped back at former ESPN and MSNBC host Keith Olbermann with an official challenge for charity on Wednesday after he said Gaines "was, somehow, a worse swimmer than she is a MAGA stooge." Olbermann, the ex-host of both MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann and ESPN's SportsCenter, quoted an X post of Education Secretary Linda McMahon telling Fox News' America Reports that Gaines "would have clearly won" her race if Gaines didn't have to compete against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. California Track Star's Family Reacts To Trump Shaking Up Girls' Championship Meet Amid Trans Athlete Drama "[Riley Gaines] finished 85th in the Olympic Trials," Olbermann posted to X. "She finished tied for 5th in the only race including a transgendered athlete. If there had been none she MIGHT have finished tied for 4th, or had 5th place to herself." The 12-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American responded on X, noting she "placed 85th at Olympic trials when I was 15/16." "I was one of the youngest there," Gaines explained. "And I placed 5th *in the nation* in a sport measured in .01s of a second without going a best. Would you say the 5th best college football player is objectively bad at their sport?" Read On The Fox News App Lia Thomas' Former Teammates Speak Out Against Upenn Amid Title Ix Violation The "Gaines for Girls" podcast host told Fox News Digital she is now officially challenging Keith Olbermann to a race for charity. The event would be a 200-yard freestyle at a location of Olbermann's choice sometime before August 31 of this year. The winner of the race will pick which charitable organization the proceeds would go to and the total wager to be donated would be set if Olbermann agrees. The 25-year-old University of Kentucky alumnus told Fox that Olbermann "could do a 150" yard freestyle, while she still swims 200 yards, if it incentivized him to compete in the charitable challenge. A spokesperson for Olbermann did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Click Here For More Sports Coverage On While Gaines and Olbermann sparred on X, President Donald Trump blasted California governor Gavin Newsom earlier this week as the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cleared the way for a transgender athlete to compete in a women's state championship track meet this upcoming weekend. "California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow "MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.;" Trump posted to Truth Social. "This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won "everything," and is now qualified to compete in the "State Finals" next weekend." President Trump signed an Executive Order on Feb 5th in an attempt to outright ban men from competing in women's sports. Trump went on to explain that if the Golden State did not comply with this executive order, federal funding could be revoked. "THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS," the president continued in his post. "Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to." Newsom's office released a statement supporting the transgender athlete's participation in the upcoming state article source: Riley Gaines challenges ex-ESPN host to race after he says she was a 'worse swimmer' than she is 'MAGA stooge'
Fox News
5 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Riley Gaines challenges ex-ESPN host to race after he says she was a 'worse swimmer' than she is 'MAGA stooge'
FIRST ON FOX: Riley Gaines clapped back at former ESPN and MSNBC host Keith Olbermann with an official challenge for charity on Wednesday after he said Gaines "was, somehow, a worse swimmer than she is a MAGA stooge." Olbermann, the ex-host of both MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann and ESPN's SportsCenter, quoted an X post of Education Secretary Linda McMahon telling Fox News' America Reports that Gaines "would have clearly won" her race if Gaines didn't have to compete against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. "[Riley Gaines] finished 85th in the Olympic Trials," Olbermann posted to X. "She finished tied for 5th in the only race including a transgendered athlete. If there had been none she MIGHT have finished tied for 4th, or had 5th place to herself." The 12-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American responded on X, noting she "placed 85th at Olympic trials when I was 15/16." "I was one of the youngest there," Gaines explained. "And I placed 5th *in the nation* in a sport measured in .01s of a second without going a best. Would you say the 5th best college football player is objectively bad at their sport?" The "Gaines for Girls" podcast host told Fox News Digital she is now officially challenging Keith Olbermann to a race for charity. The event would be a 200-yard freestyle at a location of Olbermann's choice sometime before August 31 of this year. The winner of the race will pick which charitable organization the proceeds would go to and the total wager to be donated would be set if Olbermann agrees. The 25-year-old University of Kentucky alumnus told Fox that Olbermann "could do a 150" yard freestyle, while she still swims 200 yards, if it incentivized him to compete in the charitable challenge. A spokesperson for Olbermann did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. While Gaines and Olbermann sparred on X, President Donald Trump blasted California governor Gavin Newsom earlier this week as the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cleared the way for a transgender athlete to compete in a women's state championship track meet this upcoming weekend. "California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow "MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.;" Trump posted to Truth Social. "This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won "everything," and is now qualified to compete in the "State Finals" next weekend." President Trump signed an Executive Order on Feb 5th in an attempt to outright ban men from competing in women's sports. Trump went on to explain that if the Golden State did not comply with this executive order, federal funding could be revoked. "THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS," the president continued in his post. "Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to." Newsom's office released a statement supporting the transgender athlete's participation in the upcoming state championship. Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to and on X @MizellPreston
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ex-MSNBC host Keith Olbermann unloads on Bill Maher over visit with Trump
Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann unloaded on Bill Maher on Saturday after the "Real Time" host revealed some details from his meeting with President Donald Trump. "BTW don't overanalyze Maher prostituting himself to Trump, Maher works for the same fascists at Warner who took over and corrupted CNN," Olbermann wrote on X Saturday. Maher said that the president was "gracious and measured" during his visit with him, and added, "everything I've ever not liked about him was, I swear to God, absent at least on this night with this guy." Olbermann savaged him as a "shameless opportunist." "I've known Bill since 1978. He was a shameless opportunist with no real principles then and he remains so. This is so he can keep his HBO show," the former MSNBC host continued. Olbermann Leads Left-wing Meltdown Against Cnn, Calling To 'Burn It Down' After Biden's Performance Read On The Fox News App Olbermann previously called Maher a "selfish and unfunny scumbag" in 2023 after Maher announced he would resume producing and airing episodes of his show despite the writers' strike at the time. "Without writers, the new weekly SCAB edition of 'Real Time With @billmaher' will be 83 seconds long," Olbermann commented. He added, "As somebody who's known you since 1978: F--- you, Bill, you selfish and unfunny scumbag." Fox News Digital reached out to Maher's "Real Time" representative for a comment. During Maher's "Real Time" segment, he called out liberals and other critics who took issue with him meeting with Trump at all. "And I know as I say that, millions of liberal sphincters just tightened. 'Oh, my God, Bill, you gonna say something nice about him?' What I'm going to do is report exactly what happened," Maher said, adding he "didn't go MAGA. And to the president's credit, there was no pressure to." Washington Post Columnist Clashes With Bill Maher On 'Falling Into The Trap' Of Talking To Trump He went on to share that his favorite moment was when they both said they heard from a lot of people who liked how they were having dinner together, and how they agreed they didn't like those who didn't want them to meet. "Don't talk, as opposed to what? Writing the same editorial for the millionth time and making 25-hour speeches into the wind. Really, that's what liberals have?" Maher article source: Ex-MSNBC host Keith Olbermann unloads on Bill Maher over visit with Trump
Fox News
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Ex-MSNBC host Keith Olbermann unloads on Bill Maher over visit with Trump
Print Close By Hanna Panreck, Lindsay Kornick Published April 13, 2025 Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann unloaded on Bill Maher on Saturday after the "Real Time" host revealed some details from his meeting with President Donald Trump. "BTW don't overanalyze Maher prostituting himself to Trump, Maher works for the same fascists at Warner who took over and corrupted CNN," Olbermann wrote on X Saturday. Maher said that the president was "gracious and measured" during his visit with him, and added, "everything I've ever not liked about him was, I swear to God, absent at least on this night with this guy." Olbermann savaged him as a "shameless opportunist." "I've known Bill since 1978. He was a shameless opportunist with no real principles then and he remains so. This is so he can keep his HBO show," the former MSNBC host continued. OLBERMANN LEADS LEFT-WING MELTDOWN AGAINST CNN, CALLING TO 'BURN IT DOWN' AFTER BIDEN'S PERFORMANCE Olbermann previously called Maher a "selfish and unfunny scumbag" in 2023 after Maher announced he would resume producing and airing episodes of his show despite the writers' strike at the time. "Without writers, the new weekly SCAB edition of 'Real Time With @billmaher' will be 83 seconds long," Olbermann commented. He added, "As somebody who's known you since 1978: F--- you, Bill, you selfish and unfunny scumbag." Fox News Digital reached out to Maher's "Real Time" representative for a comment. During Maher's "Real Time" segment, he called out liberals and other critics who took issue with him meeting with Trump at all. "And I know as I say that, millions of liberal sphincters just tightened. 'Oh, my God, Bill, you gonna say something nice about him?' What I'm going to do is report exactly what happened," Maher said, adding he "didn't go MAGA. And to the president's credit, there was no pressure to." WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST CLASHES WITH BILL MAHER ON 'FALLING INTO THE TRAP' OF TALKING TO TRUMP He went on to share that his favorite moment was when they both said they heard from a lot of people who liked how they were having dinner together, and how they agreed they didn't like those who didn't want them to meet. "Don't talk, as opposed to what? Writing the same editorial for the millionth time and making 25-hour speeches into the wind. Really, that's what liberals have?" Maher said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Print Close URL
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Keith Olbermann Slams Bill Maher for ‘Prostituting Himself' Over Trump Dinner Praise: ‘This Is So He Can Keep His HBO Show'
Media firebrand Keith Olbermann has unleashed a scathing rebuke of comedian and HBO/Max host Bill Maher for Maher's praise for President Donald Trump following a dinner set up by Kid Rock. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Olbermann dismissed the dinner as a transactional move to preserve Maher's career, directly attacking Maher's character and motivations. More from Variety Women Make Movies' Debra Zimmerman Slams U.S. Grant Cuts at Visions du Réel Bill Maher Praises President Trump as 'Gracious' and 'Not Fake' Recounting His White House Visit: 'Everything I've Ever Not Liked About Him Was Absent' Donald Trump Laughs Off China Reducing U.S. Movies Amid Tariff Drama: 'I Think I've Heard Worse Things' 'BTW don't overanalyze Maher prostituting himself to Trump,' Olbermann wrote in a post. 'Maher works for the same fascists at Warner who took over and corrupted CNN.' Olbermann, who has had a long and often combative career in media, claimed personal knowledge of Maher stretching back nearly five decades. 'I've known Bill since 1978. He was a shameless opportunist with no real principles then and he remains so,' he added. 'This is so he can keep his HBO show.' The outburst came in response to Maher's recent monologue on his late night show 'Real Time with Bill Maher,' in which the host attempted to downplay the dinner with Trump — arranged by musician Kid Rock — as anything more than a social encounter. Maher opened his segment by mocking the media and public for blowing the meeting out of proportion: 'Let me first say that to all the people who treated this like it was some sort of summit meeting, 'You're ridiculous,'' Maher said on his show. The remarks signaled a softening or at least a personal re-evaluation of Trump from Maher, who's previously critical of the former president. It was only two weeks ago, on a March 28 episode, that he delivered a segment titled 'Trump Devotion Syndrome,' when the 69-year-old comedian mocked and skewered MAGA. But that nuance was lost on Olbermann, who interpreted the meeting and Maher's remarks as little more than damage control to maintain his standing within the Warner Bros. Discovery media company, which oversees HBO and CNN —both of which Olbermann accuses of ideological drift. Whether Maher's dinner with Trump will have long-term consequences for his credibility or ratings remains to be seen. But in the court of public opinion, the battle lines are already being drawn, and Olbermann has made it clear which side he's on. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
