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Time was that Trump Tower was one of the swankiest buildings in New York City. The structure — a big, black rod shooting straight up out of Fifth Avenue in Midtown, mere blocks from a former Trump property, the Plaza Hotel — once held sway to if not one of the country’s most successful businessmen, then arguably its most famous (or most frequently televised). High-end retailers had cartoonishly lavish establishments there. No more. One tumultuous (and costly) presidency later — plus a still ongoing public health crisis that has devastated the city’s office building culture — and it’s reportedly a shadow of its former self.

But not all is bleak. A new Washington Post piece points out that while a number of wealthy tenants have fled (as well as the Secret Service, paid for by taxpayer money), for one reason or another, there is one that is still paying the rent: the Make American Great Political Action Committee, dedicated to the future political aspirations of former president Donald J. Trump. The PAC now operates out of what was once Trump’s campaign offices, paying $37,541.67 a month.

And where are they getting their rent money? From Trump supporters, who keep funneling money into his PAC’s coffers, hoping he’ll make America great again (again). But it’s long been reported that the Trump team has been using that cash for other purposes.

The Post spoke with campaign finance experts, who deemed that, like much of Trump’s dealings over his long career, this isn’t necessarily illegal but it definitely toes the line. “He’s running a con,” Paul S. Ryan, of the watchdog group Common Cause, said straight-up. “Talking about political expenses — but, in reality, raising money for self-enrichment.”

Not so, says Liz Harrington, a spokesperson for the ex-president’s PAC. “We are paying market rate for leased office space used to help President Trump build a financial juggernaut to help elect America First conservatives and flip both the House and Senate to the Republicans in the midterm elections,” she said.

As of the first quarter of 2021, the most recent data available, Trump Tower’s commercial spaces are 75% occupied, which is lower than any of the occupancy rates going back to 2013 — two years before Trump decided to run for office. One business that still remains is the Trump Grill, which continues to be open for business. But for that, we direct you to Vanity Fair’s memorable 2016 review.

(Via The Post)

On Monday, the world was shocked by the sudden passing of Michael K. Williams. The beloved actor, best known for playing Omar Little on The Wire — widely hailed as one of television’s greatest characters — was only 54 years old. Details are still under investigation, but as soon as the news broke, an avalanche of remorse descended upon social media, with people alternately expressing alarm as well as love for someone who was both larger than life and all too human.

There were memorials from colleagues of his most famous work, The Wire, David Simon’s epic chronicle of a broken Baltimore. Williams, who had been in movies and television since the mid-‘90s, filed one of the great “who is that?” turns when he first appeared as iconoclastic yet principled drug dealer Omar.

Fellow performers told stories or simply praised his craft.

Williams was far, far more than Omar, though. And some wanted everyone to know that.

It was pointed out that no less than Tupac Shakur gave Williams one of his first movie roles.

People shared his best moments, including, of course, from The Wire.

Others chose other projects.

People dug out a video he made, in which Williams discussed his typecasting…with himself.

Some reminded people of one of his more recent triumphs: his tribute to DMX, who passed earlier this year.

Williams wasn’t just an entertainer. He used his profile to help people. And he didn’t just quietly pay it forward. He put time in on the ground.

There were stories of people meeting him.

And there was joyful footage of Williams in real life, such as his visit to the famed Criterion Closet, which features a little ode to Charles Chaplin.

And there was footage of a sometime choreographer dancing for fun.

Some dug up older interviews, in which he reflected on how lucky he was to have such a blessed life.

There was also one of his last social media posts, in which he simply showed an older interview with Tracy Morgan, in which he points out that others have it worse than he has. “Don’t cry for me. Cry for others man,” Morgan says in the video. “My grandmother told me when you think you’re doing bad, there’s somebody else out there who’s worse.”

“You know what true happiness is?” Morgan asks. “Having something to look forward to.”

Rest in peace, Michael K. Williams.

A video game company is dealing with the fallout of its creator offering up support for a highly controversial abortion law passed in Texas last week. On Saturday, Tripwire Interactive studio head John Gibson tweeted praise for the law that bans abortions after a woman has been pregnant six weeks as well as other measures that aim to legally target people who aid women in getting reproductive healthcare including abortions.

“As an entertainer I don’t get political often,” Gibson wrote. “Yet with so many vocal peers on the other side of this issue, I felt it was important to go on the record as a pro-life game developer.”

Subsequent reporting revealed, however, that Gibson had put his own band into a game the studio made, Killing Floor 2, which included anti-abortion lyrics.

That set off a wave of outrage among gamers that has resulted in the studio’s business being impacted directly. As The Wrap detailed, a partner studio subsequently canceled its relationship with Tripwire Interactive as a direct result of the comments via a statement the company released on Sunday.

“While your politics are your own, the moment you make then a public matter of public discourse you entangle all of those working for and with you,” Shipwright Studios said in a a statement released Sunday.“We know it is difficult for employees to speak up or act out in these scenarios, and they many not feel comfortable to speak their minds. It is regrettable, but we feel it would be doing ourselves, your employees, your partners, and the industry as a whole a disservice to allow this pattern to continue without comment.”

The statement concluded. “We started Shipwright with the idea that it was finally time to put our money where our mouth is. We cannot in good conscience continue to work with Tripwire under the current leadership structure. We will begin the cancellation of our existing contracts effective immediately.”

The backlash continued through the weekend, with many people suggesting people upset by the support work to “ignore” games from Tripwire on platforms like Steam.

[via The Wrap]

Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space: (Netflix limited series) — Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon missions have seen some typical setbacks with some atypical ones (the pandemic, obviously), but on September 15, they’ll launch off on the Inspiration 4 mission, and this limited series is here to help people prepare to observe the three-day orbit trip. They’ll travel higher than the International Space Station, and this marks a new era of civilian space exploration.

Reservation Dogs: (FX on Hulu) — Taika Waititi’s FX on Hulu followup to What We Do in the Shadows brings us a comedy series that’s co-written by Native American filmmaker Sterlin Harjo. Yes, the lead quartet in this show rocks suits that look strikingly similar to the characters of Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, yet they’re four Indigenous teens who fight crime and also commit it. The show (which has some Atlanta vibes) was shot in and near Okmulgee, Oklahoma (the home of the Muskogee Creek tribal headquarters) — where excitement is lacking. Not for long, though. This week, it’s hunting time for Willie Jack and Leon.

My Life Is Murder: Season 2 Premiere (Acorn TV) — Xena: Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless is back with less action in the sophomore season of this Australian detective drama. She’s caught between her old boss and a young charge, a police data-analyst who’s in the market to be mentored. No matter what Lucy’s character, Alexa, wishes to do, she’s always caught up in solving crimes.

Roswell, New Mexico (CW, 8:00pm) — Everyone is in danger because of Liz’s botched plans, and it’s confession time for Eduardo with Isobel and Michael in danger.

The Republic Of Sarah (CW, 9:00pm) — This show follows the ending of tranquility of Greylock, N.H., after a stash of valuable coltan leads to new overlords, and a rebellious teacher (Sarah Cooper) steps in to halt the madness. Greylock becomes a sovereign nation, and this week, Sarah and Greylock might actually gain international recognition.

In case you missed these weekend picks:

Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles (Disney+ film) — Billie Eilish headlines this concert film that follows her newest album, Happier Than Ever, with an intimate performance from the Hollywood Bowl stage. Robert Rodriguez and Patrick Osbourne co-direct, and expect some dreamlike and animated elements as Eilish celebrates her Los Angeles roots with help from singer-songwriter FINNEAS.

Only Murders In The Building: Season 1 (Hulu series) — Only a few short years ago, Selena Gomez stood awkwardly in a designer gown alongside t-shirt clad co-stars Adam Sandler and Kevin James at a photocall, and let’s just say that her current co-stars would never. Here, she stars alongside the legendary Steve Martin and Martin Short, and the three portray NYC neighbors who aim to unravel an apparent murder inside their apartment building. Yes, they’re all podcasting because everyone does it (duh), and before long, the killer might be after them, too. Martin hasn’t written a feature film since the Pink Panther movies and Shopgirl, and I don’t wanna come out and call this trio a “much cooler Three Amigos” update, but Martin wrote that, too, so why not?

The Philadelphia Phillies were in Milwaukee on Monday afternoon to face the Brewers in a critical game for Philly as they look to continue their hot streak and move ever-closer to the Atlanta Braves at the top of the NL East.

The Phillies (70-66) came in just two games back of the Braves (72-64) as baseball enters its stretch run before the playoffs, and facing a Brewers team that boasts the third best record in the National League (and is 13 games up in the NL Central) presented a litmus test of sorts for Philadelphia. With the Phillies in town, the Brewers press box decided to offer up a Philly cheesesteak to give the folks from the City of Brotherly Love a taste of home, a nice gesture that turned out to be disastrous when this ended up being what was served, via Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

This is, truly, an upsetting sandwich. It appears to be just a slab of meat (and, by the looks of it, not exactly the finest cut) thrown onto a bun with a couple Kraft singles, onions, and peppers. While the thought was nice from the Brewers, the execution here is abysmal and if anything their cheesesteak only proved to upset their visitors, as the Phillies were as appalled as everyone else in Matt Gelb’s mentions.

I’m not saying this is the reason the Phillies jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first four innings, but it’s possible that word traveled to the clubhouse and they had a little added motivation to defend their city’s good honor after what the Brewers did to its iconic sandwich.

Actor Michael K. Williams was reportedly found dead in his New York City apartment on Monday. According to a report from Page Six, the 54-year-old actor was found dead according to a police source.

Though nothing was initially confirmed and an autopsy was yet to be conducted, the story mentions without proof that drugs may have been involved in his death.

“The Wire’’ actor Michael K. Williams was found dead of a suspected drug overdose in his Brooklyn penthouse Monday afternoon, law-enforcement sources told The Post.

…

“No foul play indicated,” a police source said. “No forced entry, the apartment was in order.”

Williams was found dead by his nephew in the living room of his Kent Avenue pad in the luxury Williamsburg high-rise, sources said.

Williams was a standout in basically every movie and TV show he appeared in. A mainstay on HBO dramas, he shined as Omar Little in The Wire and again as Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire. He most recently appeared as Montrose Freeman in HBO’s Lovecraft Country. His movie roles included 12 Years A Slave, Inherent Vice, and in the Bessie Smith biopic Bessie.

News of his death spread quickly on Monday and resulted in an outpouring of grief on social media, with many sharing scenes from his most memorable roles and the impact he had on Hollywood.

[via NY Post]

In recent weeks, a lot of conversations have pitted Kanye West and Drake against each other as both released new albums at around the same time. Diddy is taking a more diplomatic approach, though, as he has taken a minute to offer praise for both artists and their new music.

In a video posted on his Instagram Story today, Diddy spoke about Donda and Certified Lover Boy, starting, “I listened to both these albums and first of all, I just wanna say that you guys are true kings of creativity. Both of you guys are so special and so necessary, you know what I’m saying? Just thank y’all for the inspiration. I wanna make sure that what hip-hop knows is: That’s the reach and the power that we have. I really wanna take my hat off to these brothers both sharing their truth.”

He then praised specific elements of both albums before concluding, “I just want to say, love decrees that they both win, that we win. When you’re an artist, you keep pushing it to the limit to be the best. [Not] the best not against another man — there is competition, but the best within yourself, and I think that’s why we’re witnessing two greats and enjoying them. I’m having a ball and the music sounds beautiful. Don’t stop, guys, love y’all.”

Meanwhile, Pusha T brought a different flavor to the conversation by seemingly taking pleasure in a dip in Drake’s streaming numbers.

Pusha T and Drake have one of the most famous hip-hop feuds of recent years. So, it’s not too surprising to see that when Pusha found a comparison that paints Kanye West’s new album Donda in a more positive light than it does Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, he was all over it.

It started with a recent tweet from XXL, which compares the Spotify streaming numbers of Donda and Certified Lover Boy on the albums’ first two days of availability. West’s album was streamed 94.5 million times on its first day before jumping up to 102.1 million streams on its second day. As for CLB, it had 153.4 million streams on its first day before falling drastically to 89.9 million the next day.

It’s worth noting, though, that Donda was released at around 8 a.m. on a Sunday, as opposed to midnight on Friday like most albums are (including CLB). If you do the math, Donda and CLB actually had similar numbers in terms of average streams per hour on their respective first days: about 5.9 million and 6.4 million, respectively. So, looking at streams per hour on the album’s first days versus their second-day performance, they performed somewhat similarly, with Donda experiencing a smaller day-two drop-off but CLB reaching a higher peak. So, all in all, the numbers from that tweet don’t fully represent the situation at hand.

Anyway, somebody shared a screenshot of the XXL tweet and added, “i predicted this. i said drake’s day 1 is gonna be huge off the element of surprise then its just gonna drop. donda everyone heard in full 3 weeks before it dropped, still did these numbers and is only growing in streams. crazy!” Pusha seemingly agreed with the tweet, as he gave it a like.

When West released Donda, Pusha shared a congratulatory post about it, writing on Instagram, “This is about power, money, influence and taste…nothing more, nothing less. Watching you ‘joystick the culture”‘makes us all proud. Continue to do things your way, congrats, and I’m honored to have been a part of the process.”

Stephen A. Smith has a new sparring partner on First Take, and he certainly brought up the volume during his first shouty segment on ESPN. Following Max Kellerman’s departure from the program, Michael Irvin was brought in to debate Smith on one of the network’s most popular shows. They even made a hype video for it.

To say all of this is kayfabe is an understatement, as the show started with neither Stephen A. or Irvin in their seats because they needed to have boxing-like introductions. Irvin, for his part, started in a darkened room looking out the window at the New York skyline.

It was all extremely absurd. But they eventually did do some debating. In fact, on Monday Smith and Irvin got into it during a “GOAT debate” where Irvin argued vigorously in favor of Tom Brady holding the title that really only means anything to people who like to yell loudly about such things on national television.

It started mostly reasonable, comparing Brady and Michael Jordan in a mostly apples to starfruit kind of way. But skip to the next video if you want to see some wildly unhinged yelling.

There is something truly special here, perhaps in Smith’s belabored patience while Irvin goes off on him. It also helps that they’re both standing, for some reason, so they can both (in theory) gesture wildly while making exaggerated points. It’s oddly threatening, but not actually important enough to actually feel dangerous.

The two eventually did sit down to continue to trade takes, as they are paid to do here. Even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dropped in to make things weird.

If you are actually someone who comes to these kind of shows for takes, they certainly started Monday off with a bang. But we’ll see how long Irvin’s voice holds out if he’s going to keep this pace five mornings a week.

There may never be a better time to play indie games than, well, right now. PC gaming is as accessible as ever, and with vibrant independent stores giving small developers a chance to reach a wide audience games like Among Us can rocket to relevance and immense popularity seemingly out of thin air.

It’s a good time to like video games, is what we’re saying, especially if you like indie games and have a Nintendo Switch. And thanks to an app starting to gain some traction, you can add “having an iPhone” to that list of great indie gaming tools.

PlayByte is an app that’s been in beta for some time now, but got some solid press late last week as a great way to test out amateur games in rapid-fire quickness. Billed as a TikTok-like platform for indie gaming, PlayByte actually lets you make your own games. But just like TikTok and Vine before it, oftentimes the best experience is just taking in all the content everyone else is making.

@team_playbyte

Making games on your phone can be that easy ##playbyte ##gameapp ##gamecreator ##robloxdev

♬ Game – Playzy

“Whether you like story and cutscenes, intense boss battles, or oddball puzzles, there’s something for every gamer on Playbyte. All you have to do is play what you like and skip what you don’t and you’ll find an endless feed of games that feels personalized for you,” the app’s description says. “We make it easy for you to discover and create your own original video games by providing easy-to-use tools. Take your games to the next level with trending art, backgrounds, and by creating new game assets with custom rules.”

As Gizmodo pointed out, many of the games are extremely weird. But, well, user-created content usually is. And while it isn’t exactly the breeding ground for the next AAA smash hit, it’s certainly a fun way to waste time poking around to see what other people have made with the platform.

@team_playbyte

Get the loot and get out ##playbyte ##gameapp ##gamecreator ##gaming

♬ Gimme the Loot (2005 Remaster) – The Notorious B.I.G.

You can try PlayByte out for yourself, if you have an iOS product. Or check, of course, their TikTok account to see more stuff from the platform.