Among all the stuff we’ve grown so weary of, some Trump moments today were … off.
At one point, while speaking about Germany, Trump told reporters, “My father is German, was German. Born in a very wonderful place in Germany.”
Fred Trump was born in The Bronx in New York City in 1905.
Trump just said “my father is German, was German. Born in a very wonderful place in Germany.” Fred Trump was born in New York. pic.twitter.com/U6eWYPzjrJ
In another episode, while speaking about the report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the Donald had difficulty (three times!) trying to say the word ‘origin.’
Wow — Trump repeatedly mangles the word “origins,” on three separate occasions saying “oranges” instead. 😳 pic.twitter.com/EZggYhIAO7
Described as entertaining and heartfelt, the show will feature Charles’ modern take on the talk format. He will showcase his aspirational message with celebrity and newsmaker interviews, along with empowering everyday people to become their best selves. His sense of beauty, make-up and style will make the runway work for everyone.
“Now more than ever before we need a global voice that will help everyday people navigate this unique time in history,” said Charles. “Not only do I want to be a part of that conversation, I want to help facilitate it.”
The new talk show will debut June 10 and will air Monday through Friday on select Fox TV stations, including WNYW in New York and KTTV in Los Angeles.
Growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, Rilan knew he wasn’t like the other kids as he spent his time acting, singing, dancing and listening to 70s glam rock and 80s synth pop artists like David Bowie, Prince and Boy George.
When the time came to begin his journey as an adult, Rilan chose to head to Los Angeles and pursue music rather than spend years studying in college.
Rilan thought he would find in the city of angels a community of artists looking to express their authentic selves.
It turns out that wasn’t what the young artist experienced in Hollywood.
(from the music video “Love Or Drugs”)
“Everyone pretends they’re flawless, famous, and filthy rich when in reality they’re broke, broken, and bitter, constantly looking for anything that will make them feel better,” Rilan laments. “Most of the time, that’s sex or drugs.”
Not one to mince words, the 24-year-old calls it like he sees it.
“Everyone I’ve dated in LA has been a user,” says Rilan. “A user of people, money, substances or all three. They are who ‘Love Or Drugs’ is about.”
“‘Love Or Drugs’ is a satire,” he explains. “It’s everything I’ve seen while going out and trying to fit in in the Los Angeles music scene. It’s everything that people do but don’t talk about. It’s ridiculous, it’s over the top, it’s bullshit, and that’s exactly what Hollywood is.”
The former GLEE cast member (he spent 2015 as a ‘Dalton Academy Warbler’) says the only way he knows how to deal with the fakery is to make fun of it.
With an all-star team that includes manager Randy Jackson (American Idol) and Lady Gaga’s choreographer Richy Jackson, Rilan envisioned the music video for “Love Or Drugs” as “an exaggeration of parties in LA.”
Calling the new song “a big F U to pop culture,” the young artist says he rejects what popular music has come to represent nowadays, “Money, sex, drugs, and superficiality.”
Proud of having “never been normal,” Rilan dedicates the new song to “all of the weird kids who showed up to the party and left early because it really wasn’t cool after all.”
Fans think the singer/dancer is pretty cool, though. His debut music video, “Chemical,” has garnered over 2.2 million views on YouTube.
Donald Trump simply can’t stop trolling Puerto Rico on social media.
The Trumpster went on a long Twitter rant about the U.S. territory calling the local leaders there “incompetent” or “corrupt.”
The $91 billion figure Trump quotes is an estimate of the DAMAGES to the island.
So far, according to the Washington Post, Puerto Rico has only received about a quarter of the total amount of money allocated to the island — $11.2 billion.
Officials told The Fact Checker that the president was referring to an internal Office of Management and Budget estimate of the potential liabilities over the life of the disaster that would need to be committed under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988. The estimate was described as a high-end estimate subject to change year by year.
Currently, the estimated Stafford liabilities amount to $50 billion. Adding the $41 billion in announced funding to the $50 billion in Stafford liabilities gets you to $91 billion.
But none of that matters to Trump. He continues to rant and groan using incorrect numbers and #fakefacts.
Note that last line of the last tweet about “so little appreciation.” #smh
The Democrats today killed a Bill that would have provided great relief to Farmers and yet more money to Puerto Rico despite the fact that Puerto Rico has already been scheduled to receive more hurricane relief funding than any “place” in history. The people of Puerto Rico…..
….are GREAT, but the politicians are incompetent or corrupt. Puerto Rico got far more money than Texas & Florida combined, yet their government can’t do anything right, the place is a mess – nothing works. FEMA & the Military worked emergency miracles, but politicians like…..
….the crazed and incompetent Mayor of San Juan have done such a poor job of bringing the Island back to health. 91 Billion Dollars to Puerto Rico, and now the Dems want to give them more, taking dollars away from our Farmers and so many others. Disgraceful!
Puerto Rico got 91 Billion Dollars for the hurricane, more money than has ever been gotten for a hurricane before, & all their local politicians do is complain & ask for more money. The pols are grossly incompetent, spend the money foolishly or corruptly, & only take from USA….
….The best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico is President Donald J. Trump. So many wonderful people, but with such bad Island leadership and with so much money wasted. Cannot continue to hurt our Farmers and States with these massive payments, and so little appreciation!
They super didn’t. 91 Billion was the estimated DAMAGE. Puerto Rico is still WAITING for most of their allocated relief funds, while our president lies to himself and lies to you. pic.twitter.com/lTK9kTmfJY
One of the many things we love about out Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy is that he does not suffer fools lightly.
With the annual Breck Pride Week happening this week (April 3-7) in Colorado, the Breckenridge Ski Resort posted a photo on social media last week featuring skiers racing down the mountain with a rainbow Pride flag.
But, right on cue, anti-LGBTQ haters had to show up and troll the posts.
“Okay, my question is, why don’t we have a straight event for those who are straight, why does being lgbt make you more special than anyone else?”
“Really breck? This is almost forcing you views on to other people that are just tryna shred. You are making the place that people go to escape filled with political bs. Go ahead and comment hearts as me but just know you’d be better off without this.”
“I wonder when is ‘normal’ people parade?”
“Why celebrate something that is not even a 1% of the us and even less in the world?”
“Wow this was my favorite resort as a kid to ski at. Now people are being bombarded with a pride parade when all they are trying to do is enjoy a nice vacation at a ski resort. Just keep to being a ski resort nothing more.”
And then there were the simple, “Just NO” and “#unfollow” comments.
We’re not sure a simple photo on social media qualifies for “bombardment.”
For its part, Breckenridge Ski Resorts social media team would simply reply with a rainbow of heart emojis.
But our man Gus was not having it.
Always saddened by the homophobia on Pride posts. If seeing a rainbow flag while you’re on vacation upsets you then please do the world a favor and stay the fuck at home. Thank you to the many ski resorts that designate a week to making more people feel welcomed, included & safe! pic.twitter.com/410uLAySIF
“Always saddened by the homophobia on Pride posts,” he tweeted as he shared screen caps of the hateful comments. “If seeing a rainbow flag while you’re on vacation upsets you then please do the world a favor and stay the fuck at home. “
He added, “Thank you to the many ski resorts that designate a week to making more people feel welcomed, included & safe!”
#Boom!
Since coming out in 2015 after winning the silver medal at the Sochi Olympic Games, Gus has been all kinds of out, loud and proud and we wouldn’t want him any other way.
Even though he didn’t medal in last year’s Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, he served up furry gay goodness kissing his boyfriend, actor Matt Wilkas, at the bottom of the ski slope on world-wide television.
The 27-year-old recently announced he plans to raise $1 million for the upcoming AIDS/LifeCycle event in June which raises funds for HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns.
• A majority of Americans say their are more than comfortable with a gay or lesbian running for president
• The U.S. House approved a non-binding resolution Thursday morning rebuking Donald Trump’s plan to ban transgender military service members
• Wisconsin couple told to remove their Pride flag or be evicted
• New data shows there are more bisexual youth and they need our attention
• GOP lawmakers in Texas approved a bill on Monday that would allow state-licensed professionals to discriminate against LGBTQ people, or anyone they want to refuse services, based on their religious beliefs
• Netflix drops the official trailer for ‘Special,’ an offbeat comedy series about a gay man with mild cerebral palsy
All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon on American Idol (screen capture via YouTube)
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, the gay son of a Maryland pastor, delivered an emotional performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” on American Idol Sunday night.
For his first AI audition, Harmon performed an original song titled, “After Heaven,” which wonders if there would be a place in heaven for him.
At the time, he was working as a janitor in his dad’s church. But, he’s since left that job.
The 26-year-old shared that his “Landslide” performance was dedicated to his parents, who he revealed have not accepted him since he came out as gay.
“They were really on my mind when I sang that,” he said in a clip interspersed with his performance. “I just want them to know that I love them, and I tried to communicate that.”
The song choice made for powerful reflection as he sang the song before a live audience:
Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?
“I just gotta keep telling myself that I can do this,” said Harmon through tears to the camera. “I’m doing this for me. I’m doing this for everyone who’s been outcast by their loved ones.”
“I know that this isn’t just my experience, and if I can be open about it and vulnerable, then maybe that can bring hope to somebody else.”
After the performances, Harmon sat down to hear what the judges had to say.
Katy Perry, who is also the child of a pastor, connected with Harmon relating how her parents didn’t groove on her first hit song, “I Kissed a Girl.”
“It was difficult for me because I felt very alone in what is supposed to be a very exciting time in my life,” she shared. “It has taken some time, but we’ve all come around to agree to disagree.”
“I just want to say, from one pastor’s kid to another, that I see you, and I love you, and I accept you, and I’m so proud of you,” she added.
And with that, she told Harmon he would be moving on to the round of Top 20 aspiring singers.
The ginger singer has definitely struck a chord with the TV audience.
Up to now, the decisions have been left to the judges. Here’s hoping the viewers at home pick up the phone and vote for Harmon.
And, depending how far he goes, will his parents show up along his American Idol journey?
Well, I’ve been afraid of changing Cause I’ve built my life around you But time makes you bolder Even children get older And I’m gettin’ older, too
Openly gay Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced today his team raised over $7 million in the first quarter of 2019 for his potential presidential campaign.
“This is just a preliminary analysis, but our team’s initial report shows we raised over $7 million dollars in Q1 of this year,” tweeted Mayor Pete. “We (you) are out-performing expectations at every turn. I’ll have a more complete analysis later, but until then: a big thank you to all our supporters.”
This is just a preliminary analysis, but our team’s initial report shows we raised over $7 million dollars in Q1 of this year. We (you) are out-performing expectations at every turn. I’ll have a more complete analysis later, but until then: a big thank you to all our supporters. pic.twitter.com/rDmTEiTfCs
In an email to supporters Monday morning, Buttigieg added, “With a first fundraising report like this, we certainly cannot be ignored.”
Even though he has only announced an exploratory committee and not officially entered the race, the 37-year-old’s campaign haul definitely puts him squarely on the map.
Although, the South Bend mayor will still have some catching up to do.
CNN reports that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont reported taking in $5.9 million the first day of his campaign. And former Rep. Beto O’Rourke raised $6.1 million in the 24 hours after his announcement.
In addition to campaign dollars, Democratic White House hopefuls are also looking to qualify for the first two debates according to the rules set by the Democratic National Committee.
To take the stage for those all-important debates, candidates must show donations from at least 65,000 individuals from 20 states, or earn at least 1% support in multiple polls.
Buttigieg has already announced he’s surpassed the 65,000 threshold.
Thanks to you, we hit the @TheDemocrats 65,000 donor goal in order to be invited to the first debate. But we are going to need to raise a lot more money to compete. pic.twitter.com/SCOAZ20UuG
A recent Emerson Poll of Iowa caucus-goers, Buttigieg surged to a double-digit third place garnering 11% support behind former Vice President Joe Biden (25%) and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont (24%).
In the January edition of that same poll, Buttigieg was getting zero percent support.
Even though he’s the youngest contender in the Democratic field, Buttigieg points to his two terms as mayor as well as his experience as a military veteran as worthy credentials that more than qualify him for the presidency.
Just a few weeks ago, we were seeing comments like, “Never gonna happen” in reference to a realistic run by Buttigieg.
Now, that statement doesn’t seem to be so accurate.
A conservative writer has been fired by the right-wing websites The Daily Caller and The Federalist after going on an anti-gay rant on Twitter this weekend.
The issue began when Denise McAllister tweeted that she had “slipped” by trying to talk to her husband during a basketball game Friday night.
“Trying to talk to my husband while Carolina is playing. He looks at me and says, ‘Woman, you know better than this. The game in on.’ He’s right. I slipped. Commercial comes on. I fetch him a beer. He grabs me. Deep kisses. Patience and timing, ladies. That’s the lesson.”
Openly gay journalist Yashar Ali, who writes for New York Magazine and HuffPost, retweeted the post highlighting the words ‘He’s right. I slipped,’ and commenting, “Oh Denise” with an unhappy emoji.
McAllister escalated the back and forth telling the world Ali “doesn’t know his purpose as a man” or “as a human being.” She added that Ali “wallows and tries to find himself in another man’s asshole.”
In a since-deleted tweet, she also claimed that Ali might have a crush on her, adding, “Maybe I’m making him doubt his love of penis.”
Ali came back sharing that, as an Iranian, a gay man and a Catholic, he’s never felt ashamed and wouldn’t change who he is.
I was bullied for being Iranian as a kid. But I never felt ashamed of my ethnicity. I came out on 8/17/2001 & while it hasn’t always been easy, I have always been proud of who I am. I’m Iranian, gay, and Catholic. Perhaps an odd combo, but I wouldn’t change who I am for the world pic.twitter.com/xGPzoDzM13
In a deleted tweet, McAllister later shared that she “quit” The Daily Wire after Ben Shapiro, the site’s editor in chief, had reached out and informed her she was “no longer welcome” because of her anti-LGBTQ Twitter rant.
In an email Sunday afternoon to HuffPost, Shapiro reportedly confirmed that The Daily Wire has “no plans” for McAllister to write for them. He also underscored that McAllister had been a ‘contributor,’ and not an employee.
Eventually, McAllister returned to Twitter with an apology for Ali saying she had reacted out of “a perceived attack” on her family.
The tweet in question has been deleted. I apologize to @yashar for responding to a perceived attack on my family in the manner I did and regret any embarrassment I caused @benshapiro and the @realDailyWire as well as @bdomenech and @FDRLST.
By the way, before you think these right-wing sites were suddenly standing up for LGBTQ people, it’s worth noting that Domenech is married to The View co-host, Meghan McCain, who McAllister recently had a Twitter dust-up with as well.
McAllister called the gabfest “a roundtable of delusional mental midgets,” and McCain clapped back, writing, “You were at my wedding Denise…”
So, her firing by McCain’s husband may not have been all that altruistic.
So, there’s this ‘thing’ about former Vice President Joe Biden going around.
Lucy Flores, a former Nevada legislator, has written an essay for New York Magazine’s ‘The Cut’ accusing Biden of making her uncomfortable in 2014 right before a political event where she was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor:
Just before the speeches, we were ushered to the side of the stage where we were lined up by order of introduction. As I was taking deep breaths and preparing myself to make my case to the crowd, I felt two hands on my shoulders. I froze. “Why is the vice-president of the United States touching me?”
I felt him get closer to me from behind. He leaned further in and inhaled my hair. I was mortified. I thought to myself, “I didn’t wash my hair today and the vice-president of the United States is smelling it. And also, what in the actual fuck? Why is the vice-president of the United States smelling my hair?” He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head. My brain couldn’t process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused. There is a Spanish saying, “tragame tierra,” it means, “earth, swallow me whole.” I couldn’t move and I couldn’t say anything. I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me. My name was called and I was never happier to get on stage in front of an audience.
Biden, who is mulling over a run for the Democratic nomination for president, is well-known for being a ‘touchy’ kind of guy.
Flores says she came forward now because she feels his past behavior hasn’t been part of the political conversation until now. She’s also called the act “disqualifying” for a presidential candidate.
Biden’s spokesman, Bill Russo, made a statement first which read, “Neither then, nor in the years since, did (Biden) or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes. But Vice President Biden believes that Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so.”
That was followed by Biden’s own statement, which read, in part, “In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately.”
“If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention.”
He added, “We have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences. And men should pay attention,” he said. “And I will.”
I’m thinking that’s about as positive and straight-forward a response can be.
Flores responded to Biden’s statement saying she was “glad that he’s willing to listen” and “glad that he is clarifying his intentions.”
But, she added, “Frankly, my point was never about his intentions, and they shouldn’t be about his intentions. It should be about the women on the receiving end of that behavior.”
And that brings me to an important point.
I think intentions ARE important.
I believe the #MeToo movement has brought forward many important stories of men in positions of power over women making lewd and inappropriate gestures they knew were wrong.
And when someone acts too familiar, they should be told, “Hey, that makes me uncomfortable.”
I, personally, think there’s a difference between purposeful sexual intention and rubbing someone’s shoulders out of support.
There’s a difference between shoving your tongue down someone’s throat and a kiss on the head to express support.
I don’t think something like this “disqualifies” Biden from running for the White House.
Many people have come forward to defend Biden as someone who has been touchy-feely his entire career. But, they also note that none of that has been out of a sexual or lewd intention.
I’ve shared my own MeToo moment in the past when I was on Broadway and my direct supervisor made sexually-intended comments to me, pulled me down to sit on his lap, and more. When I didn’t respond the way he wanted, he began to write me up on made-up infractions.
I understand the idea that people shouldn’t use power to obtain sexual titillation, and I don’t think that happened between Biden and Flores.
Again – if Biden needs to be told to chill on his touchiness, then he should. But this is not a ‘disqualifying’ act.
By the way, did I mention Flores has been a vocal supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont – who also happens to be running for the Democratic nomination?
What do you think, readers? Is intention important?
