Karla Sofia Gascón has filed a legal complaint against French far-right politician Marion Maréchal-Le Pen for transphobic comments made on social media after Gascón's historic Best Actress win at the Cannes Film Festival. The complaint, which follows a similar filing by six French LGBT+ groups, accuses Maréchal-Le Pen of "sexist contempt related to gender identity," a recently introduced offence in France's Criminal Code. Maréchal-Le Pen has dismissed the legal actions as intimidation by LGBT activists.
Jemele Hill criticized Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson for withdrawing his endorsement of President Joe Biden, calling it "political cowardice" and arguing that it effectively supports the politics of Biden's opponent, Donald Trump. Hill questioned Johnson's framing of endorsing Biden as divisive and expressed disappointment in his decision, despite her personal admiration for him. She emphasized the relevance of Johnson's political views due to his potential political career aspirations and business ventures, highlighting the significance of his public stance.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson announced that he will not endorse any presidential candidate for the 2024 election, citing a desire to avoid contributing to division. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of America, criticizing cancel culture and division. Johnson also reiterated that he has no intention of running for president himself, emphasizing his priority as a father. Despite being approached by political parties and receiving public support for a potential presidential run, he remains focused on his family and keeping his political views private.
With other late-night hosts on holiday, Jimmy Kimmel discussed college basketball, the lifting of the intimacy ban for athletes at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and Donald Trump's appeal to Jewish voters. Kimmel humorously criticized Trump's knowledge of Israel, suggesting that he thinks the Gaza Strip is a gentlemen's club, and also joked about conspiracy theories surrounding Kate Middleton's whereabouts.
Jon Stewart's return to The Daily Show drew criticism from Democrats after he mocked both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, with some accusing him of "both-siderism" and disappointing his liberal fanbase. Stewart's comments led to backlash from progressives, including accusations of unfairly comparing Biden to Trump due to his age. Despite the controversy, Stewart's return delivered big ratings for Comedy Central, with The Daily Show viewership reaching its highest in nearly six years.
Actress Selma Blair faces backlash for making an Islamophobic comment on Instagram, criticizing U.S. Reps. Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib for their stance on a bill related to immigration and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Blair's comment, which has since been deleted, was echoed by fellow actors Michael Rapaport and Debra Messing. The Council on American–Islamic Relations condemned Blair's remarks, while social media users noted the lack of industry backlash compared to comments in support of Palestinian civilians. The Israel-Hamas conflict has led to significant casualties, with President Joe Biden calling the military operation "over the top" and the White House releasing a new policy to prevent U.S. military aid from violating international law protecting civilians.
Taylor Swift's increasing political involvement has sparked diverse opinions among US voters, with some welcoming her influence on issues like women's rights and democracy, while others express concern about celebrities wielding political power. Supporters believe she could mobilize young voters and advocate for important causes, while critics argue that her endorsement could unduly sway the election and that she should encourage fans to think for themselves.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom defended Taylor Swift against conspiracy theories pushed by some Republicans, stating that the attacks are a sign of the party's desperation to suppress voter turnout. The theories revolve around Swift's relationship with NFL player Travis Kelce and the possibility of her endorsing President Joe Biden. Newsom dismissed the claims as "sad and pathetic," emphasizing Swift's efforts to encourage voter participation. Despite speculation, Swift has not endorsed Biden for the 2024 election, but aides are reportedly seeking her support. The onslaught of conspiracy theories has intensified following Swift's romance with Kelce, including unfounded allegations of her involvement in rigging football games.
Nicole Kidman's drama series "Expats," set in Hong Kong, is not available for streaming in the city, sparking speculation about government intervention or self-censorship by Prime Video. The series, which explores the lives of American women in Hong Kong, has faced criticism for its portrayal of privilege and insensitivity to the city's political context. The situation reflects the increasingly difficult environment for media and entertainment in Hong Kong under the National Security Law, with concerns about censorship and self-censorship dominating the industry.
Right-wing influencers are alleging a conspiracy involving Taylor Swift, the NFL, and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce to undermine the 2024 election and support Joe Biden. Swift's endorsement of Biden in the last election and her relationship with Kelce are being used as evidence. This attack on Swift represents a shift in her reception by the right, from being embraced as a wholesome alternative to now being targeted as a powerful woman. The politicization of pop culture and sports is being used as a distraction from real issues, reflecting a broader trend of attacking influential women.
Nicole Kidman's new series "Expats," set in Hong Kong, is unavailable for viewers in the city, raising concerns about censorship amid tightening controls on political speech and civil liberties. The show, based on a book by a Hong Kong-born American writer and directed by a China-born American director, includes references to sensitive political events. This comes as the city's government plans to enact a local version of the 2020 National Security Law, and follows previous instances of content removal, sparking speculation about government involvement or self-censorship by companies.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is promoting a conspiracy theory that Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce are in a 'fake relationship' to influence the outcome of the Super Bowl and aid Joe Biden's re-election. This theory gained traction on social media after reports of Biden's campaign seeking Swift's endorsement. Ramaswamy's claims have sparked controversy and drawn attention to the intersection of entertainment, sports, and politics.
Amazon's new series "Expats," set and partly filmed in Hong Kong, is unavailable for streaming in the city, sparking concerns about censorship under Beijing's control. The show, which depicts the lives of American women in Hong Kong and includes scenes of pro-democracy protests in 2014, is blocked in the Chinese territory, likely due to sensitivity over its content. This move reflects the impact of China's national security law and censorship measures on the entertainment industry in Hong Kong, with streaming services also facing restrictions.
Snoop Dogg, who has a history of criticizing Donald Trump, recently expressed "nothing but love and respect" for the former President, citing Trump's pardon of Michael Harris, co-founder of Snoop's first label. This comes after Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll for defamatory statements, with Trump expressing fury and vowing to appeal.
Jon Stewart's return to "The Daily Show" comes at a time when American politics is saturated with misinformation and conspiracy theories, presenting a new challenge for the comedic icon. With traditional newsrooms shrinking and media distribution evolving, Stewart's sharp comedic wit and ability to separate fact from fiction will be vital during the 2024 election year. While his impact may be constrained by a smaller cable audience, his ability to break through digital barriers and appeal to mass audiences positions him as a much-needed voice in a landscape plagued by ill-tempered information and antidemocratic forces.
