Latest news with #Trump-focused
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
F*** that: Hunter Biden refuses to retract Epstein claim against Melania Trump
Former US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has faced a legal warning from First Lady Melania Trump after repeating claims that she was introduced to Donald Trump by convicted sex offender Jeffrey first lady is demanding more than $1 billion if Biden does not retract the statements. The notice, sent on August 6, comes after Biden made the assertions during an interview on the YouTube show Channel 5 with Andrew attorney, Alejandro Brito, described Biden's remarks as "false, disparaging, defamatory and inflammatory" and called for their immediate HITS BACK AT MELANIA Despite the threat, Hunter Biden pushed back on August 14, using strong language in his response. "F*** that. That's not going to happen," he said during the interview, citing newspaper reports dating back to 2019 that suggested Epstein claimed to have introduced Trump to Melania."They spent an enormous amount of time together," Biden said of the president and Epstein. "That's how Melania, and the first lady and the president met. Yeah, according to Michael Wolff," he added, referring to the author of several Trump-focused remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of his legal history. He was pardoned by his father after pleading guilty to tax violations and previously convicted on firearms-related DEFENDS MELANIAMelania Trump, who married Donald Trump in 2005, has repeatedly denied any connection to Epstein, calling the claims "false, disparaging, defamatory and inflammatory."Donald Trump supported his wife's legal efforts, saying in an August 14 interview with Fox Radio's Brian Kilmeade: "Jeffrey Epstein had nothing to do with Melania. But they do that to demean. I told her to go ahead and do it. She was very upset about it."The couple's association with Epstein, who died in 2019 while in federal custody, has been in focus. Trump previously stated he had a "falling out" with Epstein in the mid-2000s and described him as a "Palm Beach fixture."- EndsTrending Reel
Hindustan Times
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
JD Vance stuns with unexpected reaction after South Park's brutal roast in new episode: ‘I finally…'
South Park has returned to its roots of sharp political satire. In the second episode of Season 27, titled 'Got a Nut,' the show pivots from its Trump-focused premiere to lampoon key figures in his administration, namely Vice President JD Vance and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Vance has now reacted to the brutal roast, and his reaction was surprisingly chill. JD Vance reacts to South Park's brutal parody (X/@SouthPark) South Park's brutal JD Vance Parody The episode begins with school counselor Mr. Mackey losing his job and, desperate for income, signing on with ICE for a hefty bonus. From there, viewers are taken on a wild ride through topical themes. A standout scene shows a diminutive JD Vance acting like a 'manbaby' at Mar-a-Lago, humorously groveling and offering to apply baby oil to Satan. Vance is shown getting verbally and physically abused by Trump. Kristi Noem is not spared either. The show portrays her as a grotesque figure who shoots puppies (referencing her real-life confession), has Botox melting off her face, and delivers a chilling ICE recruitment promo. JD Vance's surprising reaction In an unexpected twist, Vance took the parody in stride, posting on X, 'Well, I've finally made it.' Meanwhile, critics and audiences lauded the episode for its exaggerated yet impactful satire, though some conservatives were not thrilled. Also read: South Park Season 27 Trump episode breaks show's 1999 record South Park season 27 ratings South Park is on fire this season, and they are not holding back. The show launched Season 27 with the episode 'Sermon on the 'Mount' on July 23, and it shattered records. Nearly 6 million viewers tuned in across Comedy Central and Paramount+ in the first three days, making it the most-watched premiere since 1999. The episode's bold satire, showing Trump in bed with Satan, mocking his genitalia, CBS, and Paramount's $16 million settlement, sparked one of the most-discussed TV events of the night. It was the top trending show and still is a cultural flashpoint. FAQs Q: Who is targeted in South Park's 2nd episode? Vance is mocked as Trump's tiny, obedient sidekick; Noem is satirized for her anti-immigration stance and controversial past. Q: Did JD Vance respond? Yes, he posted humorously on X: 'Well, I've finally made it.' Q: What themes does the episode explore? It critiques ICE recruitment, media grifting, and political loyalties with sharp, absurdist humor.
Axios
17-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Trump-y IRA ad push targets six GOP senators
A business-backed group with GOP ties is dropping ads in conservative media that urge six Republican senators to preserve IRA energy tax credits. Why it matters: The $1.5 million buy — details of which were shared exclusively with Axios — expands the new coalition Built for America's Trump-focused campaign to defend the IRA on MAGA grounds. Hundreds of billions of dollars worth of incentives are at stake in the Capitol Hill budget fight — and the outcome will steer the pace of low-carbon energy deployment for years. Driving the news: The group hopes to sway GOP Sens. Todd Young (Ind.), Dave McCormick (Pa.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), John Cornyn (Texas), Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (Idaho), and Thom Tillis (N.C.). The ads tailored to each state say "Trump country is booming" and tout manufacturing and thousands of jobs, then urge the senators to "keep what works." They're running on outlets like Fox, Newsmax, Truth Social, conservative talk radio, state newspapers and more. State of play: The tax-writing Senate Finance Committee released its proposal Monday. It's softer than the House GOP plan for several technologies, including geothermal and CO2 capture. But it would still greatly restrict IRA credits overall. Built for America sees the Senate bill as a step forward, but with more work to be done. And tough negotiations loom with the House. Tillis told reporters he's generally satisfied with the text. Catch up quick: Built for America launched this month with a $2 million, Trump-focused buy that's similarly focused on conservative media. It's not disclosing donors, but backers include players in nuclear, carbon capture, hydrogen, critical minerals, storage and more, it said. The executive director is Mitch Carmichael, a Republican who previously served as West Virginia's lieutenant governor and economic development secretary. Friction point: Another new ad aimed at Trump and lawmakers says that "President Trump has China on the ropes" as manufacturing comes home. "Now, let's finish the job," it says. Zoom out: It's part of wider ad and lobbying campaigns to thwart the House-passed plan. What we're watching: Carmichael is in D.C. Tuesday for meetings with high-level Trump 2.0 officials.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC mayoral candidate Adrienne Adams deletes post critical of Zohran Mamdani, but declares ‘no regrets'
NEW YORK — Council speaker Adrienne Adams confirmed Wednesday she deleted a social media post critical of fellow mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani because it didn't reflect what she 'wanted to say' and was 'misinterpreted.' But Adams also told reporters at City Hall she didn't regret anything, sending a mixed message on the thorny issue. 'I have no regrets, and I didn't criticize (Mamdani),' she insisted when pressed by the Daily News on why she scrubbed the post from her personal X handle. The post, put out Tuesday, featured a clip of Mamdani saying in a TV appearance he agrees the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency should be 'abolished' in light of President Trump's use of it as part of his hard-line 'mass deportation' efforts. 'A lawless president does not mean we abolish entire agencies and our laws,' the speaker wrote in the since-deleted post. 'I've taken on Donald Trump and ICE — and won. People elect us as leaders to solve problems, not pledge allegiance to rigid ideologies.' Asked in her Wednesday afternoon press conference why she deleted it, the speaker said it 'did not say what I wanted to say in the way that I wanted to say it' before adding she wished it would've been more 'Trump-focused.' 'And it was misinterpreted, leave it at that,' said the speaker, who's often seen as a moderate Democrat. The speaker's jab at Mamdani, a democratic socialist, comes as he has consistently polled as the runner-up to Andrew Cuomo, the favorite to win the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary. Amid that dynamic, many other mayoral candidates have refrained from criticizing each other, opting instead to focus their ire on Cuomo and urging voters to put anyone but the ex-governor on their ranked-choice ballots. Mamdani and Speaker Adams, in fact, were both endorsed by the Working Families Party and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as part of their slates of anti-Cuomo candidates. Mamdani even helped the speaker fundraise for her campaign last month. Asked about the speaker's post, Andrew Esptein, Mamdani's spokesman, said, 'Zohran has said it over and over again since launching this campaign: He will only criticize disgraced New York executives past and present.' _____
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Adrienne Adams deletes post critical of Zohran Mamdani, but declares ‘no regrets'
Council speaker Adrienne Adams confirmed Wednesday she deleted a social media post critical of fellow mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani because it didn't reflect what she 'wanted to say' and was 'misinterpreted.' But Adams also told reporters at City Hall she didn't regret anything, sending a mixed message on the thorny issue. 'I have no regrets, and I didn't criticize [Mamdani],' she insisted when pressed by the Daily News on why she scrubbed the post from her personal X handle. The post, put out Tuesday, featured a clip of Mamdani saying in a TV appearance he agrees the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency should be 'abolished' in light of President Trump's use of it as part of his hardline 'mass deportation' efforts. 'A lawless president does not mean we abolish entire agencies and our laws,' the speaker wrote in the since-deleted post. 'I've taken on Donald Trump and ICE — and won. People elect us as leaders to solve problems, not pledge allegiance to rigid ideologies.' Asked in her Wednesday afternoon press conference why she deleted it, the speaker said it 'did not say what I wanted to say in the way that I wanted to say it' before adding she wished it would've been more 'Trump-focused.' 'And it was misinterpreted, leave it at that,' said the speaker, who's often seen as a moderate Democrat. The speaker's jab at Mamdani, a democratic socialist, comes as he has consistently polled as the runner-up to Andrew Cuomo, the favorite to win the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary. Amid that dynamic, many other mayoral candidates have refrained from criticizing each other, opting instead to focus their ire on Cuomo and urging voters to put anyone but the ex-governor on their ranked-choice ballots. Mamdani and Speaker Adams, in fact, were both endorsed by the Working Families Party and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as part of their slates of anti-Cuomo candidates. Mamdani even helped the speaker fundraise for her campaign last month. Asked about the speaker's post, Andrew Esptein, Mamdani's spokesman, said, 'Zohran has said it over and over again since launching this campaign: He will only criticize disgraced New York executives past and present.'
