Donald Trump has already made it clear that he will not be attending the first GOP debate, and instead, will spite Fox News by appearing in a pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson that will go live on Twitter during the Wednesday night event. However, Fox has reportedly made plans to ensure that Trump is part of the debate, and no, it doesn’t involve using Donald Trump Jr. who will be attending as a surrogate for his father. Whatever that means.
Last week, moderator Bret Baier told Politico that Trump will “be there, even if he’s not there” thanks to his current position as “leader of the primary.” What that exactly entails wasn’t clear at the time, but according to The Daily Beast, Fox News is taking great pains to make Trump part of the debate:
Indeed, multiple people familiar with the situation told The Daily Beast that the network has committed to a plan to “beam Trump in” by playing clips of him throughout the debate and having the candidates respond. The move partly satisfies the network’s need for an active, lively debate with the frontrunner somehow involved, as well as its post-2020 core operating principle to “respect the audience”—in particular, the MAGA base that craves all things Trump.
As for why Trump is skipping the debate, The Guardian reports that the former president is hoping to humiliate both Fox News and Rupert Murdoch as well as “starve the other Republican presidential candidates of attention.”
According to sources, Trump is still mad at how Fox News has covered him lately as evidenced by his recent freakout over their continued use of that picture he doesn’t like. The “big orange one.”
Bankman-Fried co-founded the cryptocurrency exchange platform FTX, which gained popularity a few years ago as Bitcoin and others rose in value. FTX offered customers a digital wallet to store, trade, and transfer their crypto as they saw fit but when the market value of Bitcoin dropped drastically, FTX’s sketchy business practices came to light. According to federal investigators, Bankman-Fried was funneling money from FTX to another crypto company he owned, Alameda Research, which was headquartered in Hong Kong. The FTX CEO was also accused of using his company’s funds to buy personal luxury items, make political donations, and fund celebrity advertising campaigns. Since that discovery, FTX has gone bankrupt and Bankman-Fried has been indicted on multiple charges including money laundering, wire fraud, campaign finance violations, and securities fraud.
On Wednesday, Bankman-Fried’s defense team drafted a letter promising that he would provide evidence that members of Fenwick & West — one of the country’s most powerful firms — advised him on how to set up shell companies and move money between FTX and Alameda holdings. According to the letter, Fenwick attorneys were ” involved in reviewing and approving decisions related to these matters.” According to Bankman-Fried, Fenwick & West advised him on data retention policies, customer agreements, terms of services, and the Alameda exchange which led him to believe he was acting in good faith.
Fenwick & West have yet to publicly address these claims.
Lizzo has been making headlines over the past few weeks about the alleged treatment of her dancers. Now, it appears it’s not the first time a situation has come up between them.
In 2022, Lizzo’s documentary, Love Lizzo, premiered on HBO Max. During one of the scenes, a group of dancers assist Lizzo in rehearsals for the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and open up about their experiences in the field. However, according to the Los Angeles Times, the dancers later claimed that the footage appeared in the film without their consent or knowledge. Because of this, they also weren’t paid, and Lizzo was a producer on the project.
The publication notes that the dancers’ manager, Slay Smiles, sent an email to the Boardwalk Pictures’ attorney, Alan Brunswick, on January 17.
“After seeing all of the videos, I’m sure you realize how sensitive and private the dialogue was for the talent involved,” Smiles reportedly wrote. “This was supposed to be a safe space to express and share with the Principal talent [Lizzo], so by sharing this unauthorized footage to the public without their approval/permissions, has truly exploited these women and violated the emotional safety they had in those moments.”
The situation escalated when one of the dancers hired an attorney about the matter. Because of this, “Boardwalk Pictures, a Lizzo entity and other parties” signed a confidential settlement where the dancers were then paid and released their rights to appear in the documentary.
Lizzo’s lawyer, Martin Singer, also added that the issue was resolved by the production company and that she “had nothing to do with it and knew nothing about it.”
Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Summer may be coming to a close in the US but music festival season is really a global chase for endless summer (if you have the means to travel). Going someplace steamy when it’s cooling down back home is a huge selling point for many music-loving vagabonds. Plus the US summer season isn’t over yet — Burning Man, Imagine Music Festival, Borderland Music & Arts Music, and Life Is Beautiful are all on the horizon. Hulaween, Portola Festival, Joshua Tree Festival, Tomorrowland Brazil, Groove Cruise, and more are on the way.
With more music to come, we tapped the Queen of Rolling Loud, Bunny Zingler. The fashion icon — who takes a 360 approach to self-expression through music, fashion, and beauty at festivals — just wrapped up her on-site activation at last month’s most powerful hip-hop music festival in history with her exclusive Forever 21 collection, bridging the gap between fashion and festival culture. The collection draws inspiration from the 90s and Rolling Loud’s home base of Miami with a variety of pieces including checkered bodysuits, colorful cargo pants, fitted graphic crop tops, and palm tree-emblazoned matching sets – a nod to the city’s vibrant nightlife scene and lively culture.
To prepare for the rest of this year’s and beyond festivals, we asked Zingler to walk us through how to properly prep and pack for your for a fest while also showcasing some personalized looks from her latest Forever 21 collection.
PART I – How To Prep
KAY GRAY
Schedule Out Beauty Treatments:
I try to plan any particular beauty treatments that take more time and healing at least two weeks before Rolling Loud or any other festival. One of these beauty treatments is usually a facial with my esthetician. Depending on how my skin is doing at that time, I either opt for a chemical peel or something a bit less invasive like an intense hydra-facial. Around this time I also like to check in on my routine teeth cleaning, hair removal process, baby botox, and root touch-up for my hair.
This is also the time when I would be planning all of my outfits and start packing little by little.
Work Out:
After completing anything painful and invasive, my second phase of prep is what I like to call the “good uncomfortable.” I really enjoy getting in good workouts that make me feel stronger. Lifting and stretching before Rolling Loud helps me ensure my body is ready to take on the heat and all the dancing I’ll be doing! I make sure to maintain a good diet even outside of prepping for special events but even more so leading up to them.
I try to get in a lot of protein, carbs, water, and minerals leading up so I know my body has the utmost fuel.
Self-Care & Last-Minute Errands:
Getting a little closer to Rolling Loud, I like to implement a lot of healing properties and self-care by doing things that make me feel good and look good. I always make sure I have my outfits completely prepped and packed, leaving just toiletries, makeup, and hair items to be packed for later on, a little closer to the event. Some of the things I enjoy during this time are definitely aloe pop face-sicles that I make at home, as well as getting a lot of rest. Rolling Loud is three days long, and with all the time and prepping beforehand and also in the moment, it really is crucial to make sure you’re fueling your body and setting yourself up for success to ensure you have the best time ever.
Along with this, I finish any last-minute errands, work, and home chores to make sure everything at home is good to go — leaving no loose ends to worry about.
Grab The Fun Essentials
After completing all of the above, I’m almost ready! Now it’s time for fun stuff like full body exfoliation, a spray tan, and a dope new set of nails. Aside from these, all I have to do now is pack up my hygiene, hair, makeup, and get an awesome hydration and vitamin IV before I really start the party. Quick tip for arrival – as soon as I get to Rolling Loud or any festival I attend, I also find the nearest supermarket and buy a case of water and my favorite go-to snacks to have on hand after a long day/night.
PART II – Packing Essentials
KAY GRAY
Electrolyte Packets:
These are most important for me because whether you’re consuming alcohol or not, you’re still getting pretty active going back and forth to stages while hopping and bopping around to your favorite music, especially at a festival like Rolling Loud where we have so many stages and acts I want to see. Staying hydrated is the number one festival essential for me.
Face & Body Sunscreen:
Finding a face sunscreen that works for you is almost like finding a precious gem. I swear it’s taken me years to figure out a sunscreen that works for my skin and doesn’t leave me worried about pesky breakouts or potential allergic reactions to chemicals. Do the research and start finding that for yourself as soon as you can – it will really help your skin for the long run and also in the present. Nothing’s worse than being burnt while you’re having fun – that’s the type of issue that would prevent me from fully enjoying my time.
Setting Spray:
Setting spray is super important to me! Usually, I opt for an aerosol setting spray for long-wearing makeup events like music festivals where you’re outside most of the day. For some reason, I think it just works a lot better than a traditional spray
Your Trusty Pair of Sneakers or Shoes:
I have certain shoes that are just my “festival shoes.” These are ones I’ve already broken in and don’t mind getting a little roughed up. Try to always have your feet, ankles, and toes protected at a festival for your safety.
Sunglasses:
Sunglasses because, well, they protect your eyes and always look super cool. If the setting spray flops and your makeup starts melting – sunglasses! I always try to bring an inexpensive pair because I end up losing them throughout the night. So make sure to pack a few pairs!
Hair Bands:
You or someone else will always need a hairband. Sometimes you wanna live in the moment and let your hair down without it actually flying in your face or sticking to you…hair bands !!!
A week ago, Polo G announced his fourth album, Hood Poet. At the moment, though, he’s got something else to deal with: TMZ reports that Los Angeles police raided Polo’s home today (August 23).
The publication has video and photos of the situation and notes that multiple vehicles and officers from the Los Angeles Police Department were at the rapper’s San Fernando Valley mansion (that he bought for $5 million in 2021). They were there carrying out a search warrant and they ordered multiple people (including Polo) out of the house and handcuffed them while they conducted their search.
Law enforcement sources reportedly told TMZ that the warrant was in connection to a robbery and that four suspects have been taken into custody, but have not yet been booked. A Polo G representative told the publication that the rapper has been detained as part of an active investigation, but that he is not the focus of the investigation. TMZ was reportedly told that “Polo will update his fans and supporters when the time is right.”
Hood Poet, Polo G’s first album since his No. 1 LP Hall Of Fame, is set for release on September 15. A few days after announcing the project, the rapper shared a video for “Barely Holdin’ On.”
Anthony Edwards is already an All-Star. Despite that, the Minnesota Timberwolves standout has been mentioned as a player who could use his time with USA Basketball at the 2023 FIBA World Cup as a springboard into a different stratosphere, and during the team’s pre-World Cup exhibitions, Edwards has been one of the best players to wear the red, white, and blue.
That was primarily on display earlier this week, when Edwards was one of the driving forces behind the Americans making a torrid comeback against the Germans to wrap up a perfect 5-0 record in their exhibition slate. It’s caught the eye of Erik Spoelstra, who is serving as an assistant coach for the United States and went right to Edwards when he was asked if anyone he’s coached this summer reminds him of the greatest player in Miami Heat history.
“It’s hard to look at Anthony Edwards and not see Dwyane Wade… The way he moves, competes, and electrifies the crowd. Yes, that reminds me of number 3.”
Erik Spoelstra on which US Men’s Basketball player reminds him of D-Wade
“We know who that is,” Spoelstra said with a laugh when asked who reminds him of Dwyane Wade. “It’s hard not to look at Anthony Edwards and not see Dwyane Wade. And I’m not a guy for comparisons, I’m not. But the way he moves, the way he competes, the way he electrifies a crowd, yes, that reminds me of number 3, and I have told Anthony that, and I feel like I’m going back in time. It’s making me younger again, I’m really enjoying it.”
This is incredibly high praise from Spoelstra, because one has to assume that even beyond his hesitancy to compare guys, it’s very rare for him to compare anyone to Wade. For the sake of Spoelstra and Team USA, hopefully Edwards is able to do something Wade never achieved and win a gold medal at the World Cup, as Wade was a member of the American team in 2006 that took home a bronze.
It sure is a busy day for Vladimir Putin-related updates. The Russian president spent part of the day blaming everyone else for his invasion of Ukraine, and now, we might be seeing an exaggerated version of those who are critical of Putin suddenly plunging from high-rise windows to their deaths.
The BBC is relaying word from Russia’s civil aviation authority about the fiery wreckage of a plane, which was reportedly owned by Coup Guy Yevgeny Prigozhin. He is, of course, the former Wagner Group chief who attempted to turn Putin’s private mercenary army against the Kremlin with the intent of ousting the Russian president. That didn’t happen, although it did leave Putin apparently sitting still, frozen. Coup Guy was subsequently exiled to Belarus, and it seemed like only a matter of time before something, you know, happened. Granted, Coup Guy’s death is not officially confirmed as of yet, although he is believed to have been one of 10 on board, as CNN notes:
Russian Aviation authorities and Russian state media report Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list of a private jet that crashed north of Moscow, killing all 10 on board.
The Russian claims are not verified, and Prigozhin’s fate is not certain at this time. pic.twitter.com/RTVup1isHp
On social media, footage is circulating of the plane spiraling down from he sky, after which it burst into flames upon impact. (As well, graphic footage purports to show dead bodies, so be warned before you go looking.)
The BBC further reports that the “Wagner-linked Telegram channel Grey Zone reported the Embraer aircraft was shot down by air defences in the Tver region, north of Moscow.” Additionally, “Tass news agency said the plane caught fire on hitting the ground, adding that four bodies had already been found.”
On social media, the general guess is that this will be called “just an accident” by the Kremlin.
Poisoning, falling from a flat, overfloating bathtub, motorway accidents and now a plane crash. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin should have seen this coming. Probably couldn’t avert it. Russia, a country where betrayal is the greatest ‘sin.’
BREAKING: Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of Wagner Group died in Jet crash. Most predictable “accident” in history? *Just replace “limousine” with “private jet” on my poll from two months ago!! https://t.co/83ynYpNMLI
Dan Rather is not shocked. “In a surprise to no one, a plane carrying the mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a failed coup attempt against Putin, crashed in Russia killing all aboard,” tweeted the former CBS News anchor. “Apparently the Kremlin is ‘investigating.’”
In a surprise to no one, a plane carrying the mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a failed coup attempt against Putin, crashed in Russia killing all aboard. Apparently the Kremlin is “investigating.”
My understanding is the plane was helping a neighbor move a piano into a tenth floor apartment, but fell out the window after tripping over polonium on the stairs.
Doug Burgum may have just blown a much-needed opportunity to establish himself in the crowded Republican primary race. The North Dakota governor was set to take the stage at Wednesday night’s GOP debate hosted by Fox News, but instead, he may miss the event entirely after injuring himself playing basketball with his campaign staff.
Burgum was taken to the emergency room on Tuesday where it was learned a suffered a “high-grade tear of his Achilles tendon.” The North Dakota governor is reportedly required to use crutches, which could prevent him from participating in the GOP debate.
Burgum is focused on the debate, the Republican Party’s first of this primary season, and understands that as much as he’d like to participate, he would have to walk on stage and stand behind a podium for two hours, the source said.
“He is a total cowboy and isn’t phased by injuries and pain. His disposition is focused and tough. We’re going to see what happens at the walk-through and throughout the day,” the source told CNN. The governor is a lifelong athlete and is familiar with sports injuries, the source added.
Burgum lacks the name-recognition of the other GOP candidates and only made the cutoff to participate in Wednesday’s night debate through a controversial strategy of offering donors $20 gift cards in exchange for donations. Introducing himself to voters at an event where Donald Trump won’t be present to steal the oxygen from the room is crucial for Burgum to gain any sort of momentum in primary race. However, the governor’s injury may have cost him just that.
The internet has turned people into an act now kind of society. When something is shared on the internet, people are quick to judge and want swift and severe consequences…as long as they’re not on the receiving end. It’s interesting to see how the “rules for thee, not for me” fallacy plays out consistently in real-time on social media.
Humans make mistakes and no single person is infallible, yet when someone shares something that others don’t agree with, the public shaming commences. Since social media interaction is near-instantaneous, reserving judgment until one gains clarification isn’t unreasonable, yet that choice is rarely ever utilized.
With everyone reacting quickly without much context, some people wind up being shamed or “punished” by the court of public opinion unjustly. Jourdan Kehr from West Virginia found herself at the center of the internet’s wrath of shame after a video of her explaining that she had her husband close his eyes during sex scenes while watching Oppenheimer started circulating.
The video led to some confusion and a whole lot of judgment. Kehr was responding to a comment about Oppenheimer and how to prepare for the sex scene with Florence Pugh. It was then that she revealed what she and her husband did after devising a plan upon researching everything she could about the movie.
“What we did was, when the scene came up, when things were happening, he literally closed his eyes and laid his head on my shoulder,” Kehr says before demonstrating what it looked like.
After receiving a lot of comments shaming her about her need to have her husband look away from the screen during a sex scene, Kehr disabled comments. But the wife made several follow-up videos, including one that gave greater context into why her husband not watching sex scenes on screen was a hard boundary for her.
Kehr says she suffers from betrayal trauma, which is a term used when “the people or institutions on which a person depends on for survival significantly violate that person’s trust or well-being,” according to Freyd Dynamics Lab. In the video, she explains that she felt deeply betrayed by her spouse when she discovered he was watching pornography without her knowledge.
“After nine years of marriage, 10 years of being in a completely monogamous relationship, in a relationship where I was fully under the belief that he didn’t look at other women, he didn’t self-pleasure to other women,” Kehr says, “[porn] was the furthest thing from my mind.”
Trauma is not a one-size-fits-all thing. What may traumatize one person may not have the same effect on someone else. So, while people are attempting to shame Kehr for her requiring her husband to avert his eyes in the presence of naked women on screen, her reasons are valid because her trauma is valid.
We can’t judge what other people choose to do in their relationships as long as everyone involved in the relationship is of age and giving consent. The additional context helps put things into perspective, even if it’s not what others would choose for their own relationships.
While porn addiction isn’t an official diagnosis, consumption of pornography can cause problems within a relationship. But it’s up to the participating parties of the relationship to set boundaries around what they find unacceptable in order to keep their relationship healthy.
A few months ago, Jennifer Lawrence dropped by What What Happens Live to promote the R-rated comedy No Hard Feelings. She discussed her friendship with Adele and how she “passionately threw up” from eating spicy chicken wings on Hot Ones (I never thought I would be nostalgic for celebrity talk show interviews, but here we are). Lawrence also teased host Andy Cohen because “I just feel like you’ve kissed John Mayer, but you’ve never kissed me,” she said. Cohen replied, “I am attracted to you. I mean, I’d love to kiss you.”
Then they kissed.
On this week’s Watch What Happens Live, Cohen was asked about the smooch by an audience member. “You know what? I was so nervous to kiss her. I think she’s so hot. Yeah, it was nice. It was really nice,” he said.
When she joked that [Mayer] was “more [Cohen’s] type,” he clarified his attraction to the Hunger Games star. “I’d love to kiss you — consensually,” Cohen said. After he planted a peck on Lawrence, the Oscar winner asked whether his penis “moved” or “[did] anything.” Cohen replied, “I’m hard as a rock. I’m bone hard.”
The feelings weren’t hard, but something else was.
You can watch Cohen discuss the kiss in the video above.
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SFGiants (@MGouig) 
