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Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why Donald Trump and his officials call Elizabeth Warren 'Pocahontas'
Donald Trump's use of the nickname 'Pocahontas' to refer Senator Elizabeth Warren isn't new, but it's making headlines again. On May 28, 2025, President Trump's advisor David Sacks reignited the controversy by claiming Warren controlled former President Joe Biden's autopen, suggesting she had significant influence in his administration. The remark, widely seen as another swipe at Warren's past claims of Native American ancestry, revives a political feud that began during her 2012 Senate run. With fresh attention on this issue, it's worth examining how this nickname began, why it struck a nerve, and what it reveals about political discourse today. The beginning of the 'Pocahontas' controversy The controversy centers around Warren's long-standing claim of partial Native American ancestry. During her tenure at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School in the 1980s and 1990s, Warren identified as Native American in a national faculty directory. Critics questioned whether this influenced her hiring, though both universities publicly denied that her heritage played any role. Warren has always defended her identification, saying it was based on family stories passed down by her parents and grandparents. 'This is our lives,' she told NPR in 2012. 'And I'm very proud of it.' Why Donald Trump gave this nickname to Elizabeth President Trump began calling Warren 'Pocahontas' during his 2016 campaign, a name meant to mock her ancestry claims and portray her as dishonest. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The reference is to the real historical figure Pocahontas, a Powhatan woman involved in early colonial history. Trump's use of her name in this context has been widely criticized as racially insensitive and disrespectful. He once mocked Warren by pointing to her mention of high cheekbones as evidence of Native ancestry. Trump even publicly challenged her to take a DNA test, promising to donate $1 million to a charity of her choice if the results confirmed her claim. Who was Pocahontas, really? Pocahontas, born Amonute and also known as Matoaka, was the daughter of Chief Powhatan and a prominent figure in early American colonial history. Her life has been romanticized, especially through her association with English settler John Rolfe and her portrayal in films like Disney's Pocahontas. Many Native Americans argue that her story has been distorted to erase the violence of colonization. Using her name in a political insult, they say, reduces a significant cultural and historical figure to a tool for mockery. In 2018, Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. condemned the use of the nickname, calling it disrespectful and inappropriate. The DNA test and Trump's response In 2018, Warren took Trump up on his challenge and released DNA test results. The report showed strong evidence of a Native American ancestor 6 to 10 generations ago. She asked Trump to follow through on his $1 million promise and suggested he donate to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center. Trump dismissed the test, mocked the percentage of Native ancestry as insignificant, and later claimed that his pledge only applied if Warren became the Democratic nominee and debated him directly. He refused to make the donation, calling the entire situation a 'scam and a lie.' Resurgence of the Autopen allegation The nickname resurfaced this week after David Sacks, now a White House advisor and President Trump's Crypto and AI Czar, accused Warren of wielding power during the Biden presidency by controlling the use of his autopen. The claim, posted on X, was picked up by Trends Newsline and further amplified by some accounts There is no concrete evidence supporting the accusation, and it appears to be another politically motivated attempt to cast doubt on Warren's integrity and influence. Still, it brought the "Pocahontas" nickname back into the spotlight. President Trump's use of 'Pocahontas' as a nickname for Elizabeth Warren may seem like a simple jab, but it reflects much deeper issues about how heritage, identity, and race are used in American politics. While Warren's claims of ancestry have been debated for years, Trump's repeated mockery and the nickname's recent revival show how political figures can weaponize cultural identity. Ultimately, this controversy continues to distract from more important conversations. Native communities have long asked for attention to real issues affecting them, not political name-calling. It's time to shift the focus toward meaningful change and respect for Indigenous voices.
Irish Daily Star
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Maternity nurse shares 'worst' baby names she's ever heard and people are horrified
Parents are always on the hunt for unique and quirky names to make their kids stand out. No one wants their child's name to be just another echo in the classroom roll call. But sometimes, this quest for uniqueness goes a bit too far, leaving people scratching their heads over pronunciation. A nursing student shared her encounter with some of the most eyebrow-raising names while chatting with maternity nurses. She took her curiosity to Reddit's 'tragedeighs' forum, recounting: "I'm in nursing school and recently had a rotation on the labour and delivery floor, so of course I had to ask what the worst tragedeighs they've seen." Among the names that made the list were:. Ya'AllJealous My'King Twins named Awasha and Adrya Jream However, the "by far the worst one" involved triplets with Disney-inspired monikers. She revealed: "Triplets named Moana, Pocahontas, and Elsa respectively. The worst part about this one is that the parents were huge Disney Adults and they're fully Caucasian". The name Moana, which became popular through the eponymous movie, has Polynesian roots. The film celebrates the rich heritage, customs, and tales from islands like Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawaii. The creators of the film worked closely with cultural experts from the Pacific Islands, known as the Oceanic Story Trust, to ensure a genuine depiction of Polynesian history and mythology. Moana is depicted as a brave and ingenious young leader hailing from the fictional island of Motunui. This island draws inspiration from real Polynesian cultures and their profound bond with the ocean, navigation, and storytelling. Pocahontas is a character of Native American origin, inspired by the historical figure Matoaka, a Powhatan woman from what is now known as the Tidewater region of Virginia. She was part of the Powhatan Confederacy, a group of Algonquian-speaking Indigenous tribes in that area. Disney's 1995 animated movie presents a highly fictionalised and romanticised portrayal of Pocahontas, but it does draw upon her cultural heritage as a member of the Powhatan people. The film loosely touches on aspects of her tribal identity, such as her connection to nature and harmony with the environment, although it has been criticised for historical inaccuracies and oversimplification of her culture. Elsa, a character from Disney's Frozen, is the queen of Arendelle, a fictional kingdom with Nordic roots, particularly influenced by Norwegian culture. Elsa's roots are deeply entwined with traditional Scandinavian culture, drawing from the characteristic customs, edifices, and natural beauty of the region. The fictional kingdom of Arendelle in "Frozen" mirrors Norway's stave churches, fjords, and myriad aspects of Nordic tradition, anchoring Elsa to this part of the world. "Frozen 2" further explores Elsa's heritage, linking her to the Northuldra, a fictive tribe modelled after the real-life Sámi indigenous community in Scandinavia. This tie accentuates her mystical connection to the environment and solidifies her as the pivotal fifth spirit who unites nature with the human realm. In the midst of discussions about Elsa's origin, the online debate turned to despair over some recently chosen baby names. Commenters couldn't hold back their disbelief, with one stating: "Ya'alljealous is probably the worst name I've ever seen... and let me tell you, NOBODY will be jealous, that kid will be bullied relentlessly for that name". A disgusted tone accompanied another comment: "There's a kid at my daughter's school named Mi'Desire. It sounds so icky hearing an adult say it". On a different note, speaking of Disney-inspired monikers, a concerned woman offered: "Elsa is fine and there were so many other good options to go with it. Aurora, Ariel, Anna, Jasmine - even Belle or Merida would have been better".
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a maternity nurse and these triplet baby names are the worst I've ever heard'
Many parents will want to give their little ones names as unique as they are - but one maternity nurse said that these triplet names were the worst she'd heard Parents often try to give their little ones the most unique and outlandish names they can to make them stand out from the crowd. Having the same name said over and over again on the register when your child goes to school is less than ideal. But sometimes, parents are taking the individuality too far, and it's leaving people who come into contact with them dumbfounded and wondering how to pronounce some of them. One woman said that she was in nursing school and decided to ask maternity nurses what the worst names they'd ever seen were during their job. The results left her cringing. Taking to Reddit's 'tragedeighs' forum, the woman explained: "I'm in nursing school and recently had a rotation on the labour and delivery floor, so of course I had to ask what the worst tragedeighs they've seen." Some of the stand outs were: Ya'AllJealous My'King Twins named Awasha and Adrya Jream But then, "by far the worst one" was a woman who had triplets and decided to give the girls Disney-inspired names. She wrote: "Triplets named Moana, Pocahontas, and Elsa respectively. The worst part about this one is that the parents were huge Disney Adults and they're fully Caucasian". Moana, made famous for the film with the same name, is of Polynesian heritage. The film draws from the rich cultures, traditions, and stories of Polynesian islands such as Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawaii. The filmmakers collaborated closely with cultural experts from the Pacific Islands, known as the Oceanic Story Trust, to ensure an authentic representation of Polynesian history and mythology. Moana is portrayed as a courageous and resourceful young leader who comes from the fictional island of Motunui, which is inspired by real Polynesian cultures and their deep connection to the ocean, navigation, and storytelling. Pocahontas is a Native American character inspired by the historic figure of Matoaka, a Powhatan woman from the Tidewater region of what is now Virginia. She belonged to the Powhatan Confederacy, a network of Algonquian-speaking Indigenous tribes in that region. Disney's portrayal of Pocahontas in the 1995 animated movie is highly fictionalised and romanticised, but it draws from her cultural heritage as a member of the Powhatan people. The film loosely addresses elements of her tribal identity, such as her connection to nature and harmony with the environment, although it has faced criticism for historical inaccuracies and cultural simplifications. Elsa, the character from Disney's Frozen, is the queen of Arendelle, a fictional Nordic kingdom inspired by Scandinavian culture, particularly Norway. Her heritage reflects elements of traditional Scandinavian customs, architecture, and landscapes. The design of Arendelle incorporates influences from Norwegian stave churches, fjords, and other elements of Nordic culture, tying Elsa and her background to this region. Additionally, in Frozen 2, it is revealed that Elsa has ties to the Northuldra people, an indigenous group inspired by the Sámi, the indigenous people of Scandinavia. This connection emphasises her spiritual bond with nature and her role as the fifth spirit, bridging the natural and human worlds. In the comments, people were horrified at the names that had been chosen for these children. One wrote: "Ya'alljealous is probably the worst name I've ever seen… and let me tell you, NOBODY will be jealous, that kid will be bullied relentlessly for that name". Another penned: "There's a kid at my daughter's school named Mi'Desire. It sounds so icky hearing an adult say it". Speaking about the Disney names, one woman said: "Elsa is fine and there were so many other good options to go with it. Aurora, Ariel, Anna, Jasmine - even Belle or Merida would have been better".
Chicago Tribune
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: Pocahontas marries John Rolfe
Today is Saturday, April 5, the 95th day of 2025. There are 270 days left in the year. Today in history: On April 5, 1614, Pocahontas, the daughter of Tsenacommacah chief Powhatan, married Englishman John Rolfe, a widower, in the Virginia Colony. Also on this date: In 1764, the British Parliament passed the American Revenue Act of 1764, also known as the Sugar Act. In 1887, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, teacher Anne Sullivan achieved a breakthrough as her 6-year-old deaf-blind pupil, Helen Keller, learned the meaning of the word 'water' as spelled out in the Manual Alphabet. In 1933, as part of his New Deal programs, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a Depression-era work relief program for single men aged 18-25; the program employed more than 2.5 million men for federal conservation and safety projects over its nine-year history. In 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were sentenced to death following their conviction in New York on charges of conspiring to commit espionage for the Soviet Union. (They were executed in June 1953.) In 1986, two American servicemen and a Turkish woman were killed in the bombing of a West Berlin discotheque, an incident that prompted a U.S. air raid on Libya nine days later. In 1991, former Sen. John Tower, R-Texas, his daughter Marian and 21 other people were killed in a commuter plane crash near Brunswick, Georgia. In 1994, Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain died by suicide in his Seattle, Washington home at age 27. In 2010, a coal dust explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine near Charleston, West Virginia, killed 29 workers. Today's Birthdays: Actor Michael Moriarty is 84. Actor Max Gail is 82. Singer Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA) is 75. Rapper-actor Christopher 'Kid' Reid (Kid 'n Play) is 60. Rock musician Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) is 59. Country musician Pat Green is 53. Musician-producer Pharrell Williams is 52. Rapper-producer Juicy J is 50. Actor Sterling K. Brown is 49. Actor Hayley Atwell is 43. Actor Lily James is 36.
Axios
21-03-2025
- General
- Axios
How to pronounce Richmond's trickiest names like a local
If you're newish to town and trying to find that just-opened Amazon returns store on Quioccasin in Henrico, Parham Road is likely your best bet to get there. Why it matters: Richmonders have their own way of speaking, and if you're one of the nearly 50,000 people who just moved here, you've likely been saying most of those words wrong. The big picture: Richmond is an old(ish) city that kept or incorporated some of the Powhatan tribe's Algonquin language into its place names as it grew. As a result, Richmonders — with our unique southern-but-not twang and our refusal to change — have likely created our own Richmond-proper pronunciations. Zoom in: Here's the Richmond-correct way to say some of our weirdest proper nouns. Henrico — Hen-rye-co, never Hen-reek-o. Henricus — Hen-rye-cuss, and yes it's in Chesterfield. Powhite — If you think there's no way locals would pronounce the toll road that runs through Chesterfield, which long ago was thought to be the poor man's version of Henrico, to sound like a mumbled "poor white" … incorrect! It's Po-white. Not Pow-white. Don't let officials tell you otherwise. Jahnke — Your GPS is wrong. It's Jank, not Jank-ee. Huguenot — We're not sure why folks keep mispronouncing this very common proper noun, but it's Hugh-guh-knot. Powhatan — Pow-a-tan, not Poe-hat-en. Matoaca — Ma-toe-a-ka, pronounced like the correct spelling of the proper noun from which it's derived, Matoaka, better known as Pocahontas. Parham — Pair-um. Every other way is just incorrect. Chamberlayne — Chamber-lin, never Chamber-lane. Semmes — Simms, not seems. Foushee — It's Foo-shay, not Fooshy. Quioccasin — TBH, Richmonders will allow a pass on this one because most of us aren't sure, but we at Axios Richmond say it, Kwee-acca-sin, rhyming it with moccasin. Forest Hill — This is a tricky one. It's pronounced like it sounds, Forest Hill, emphasis on the singular hill. Other noteworthy, Richmond-specific names: The bottom line: The way Richmonders say these words might be technically "wrong," but in RVA, they're just right.
