‘No One Has Ever Noticed’: Ryan Seacrest Drops Explosive ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Bombshell So Surprising That Even Vanna White Didn’t See It Coming
Television personality Ryan Seacrest, 50, shared a secret about one of America’s most beloved game shows that even shocked his co-hostess.
Seacrest took over the permanent hosting duties for ABC’s “Wheel of Fortune” when legendary presenter Pat Sajak stepped down in 2023. Sajak, 78, served as the show’s host for 41 years.
ABC News spoke to Seacrest about his tenure as the face of the Merv Griffin-created program in a segment that aired on Sept. 5. Longtime “Wheel” letter turner Vanna White, 68, was also part of the televised interview.
“Wheel of Fortune” hostess Vanna White was shocked to learn a secret about the long-running game show revealed by second-year host Ryan Seacrest. (Photo credit: wheeloffortune/Instagram)“Good Morning America” correspondent Trevor Ault chatted with Seacrest and White as they stood behind the iconic wheel, which led to a conversation about what causes the spinner’s famous noise.
“Do you know the clicking sound? There are rubber bands – like you used to have with orthodontia on your teeth – that’s what makes the clicking. The rubber bands are in there somewhere,” Seacrest spilled.
White, who has starred on “Wheel” since 1982, admitted, “Do you know I never knew that?” Seacrest responded, “Well, welcome to season 43.” They both then laughed at Vanna’s belated discovery.
Viewers of the long-running quiz program, which has been dubbed “America’s Favorite Game Show,” weighed in on the rubber band reveal after watching Ault’s behind-the-scenes inquiry with White and Seacrest.
“The clicking is like a card attached to the spoke of a bicycle tire, I remember doing that as a kid!” a fan recalled on Instagram.
One New York Post reader had a similar take, commenting, “I always thought that noise was baseball cards on the spokes.” A second commenter asked, “You mean no one has ever noticed the rubber bands?”
Another person on the tabloid’s website reacted to White’s wheel revelation by wondering, “How bizarre is it that she was never the least bit curious to never ask??? I’d have wondered [about] that my first season!”
Seacrest’s first steps to becoming a television icon began in 2002 when he was hired to be a host for the popular “American Idol” singing competition television series.
The Atlanta-raised showman held his “American Idol” gig for 22 seasons. He then went on to host and produce the “Live with Kelly and Ryan” daytime talk show from 2017 to 2023.
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Seacrest was announced as Sajak’s replacement on “Wheel of Fortune” in June 2023. Sajak initially avoided retirement by hosting the first five seasons of the prime-time spinoff series “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”
In May 2025, ABC confirmed that Seacrest will succeed Sajak again for “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” starting with season 6, which debuts on Sept. 26.
White also extended her contracts in 2023 to work on “Wheel of Fortune” and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”
“I love coming to work every day. It’s always fun. Yeah. And you never know what’s going to happen,” White said during her “Good Morning America” interview.
When questioned if she felt good about her decision to remain on the show, the South Carolina native added, “Absolutely, I do. I’m just not ready to retire. I’m having too much fun.”
Season 43 of “Wheel of Fortune,” starring Seacrest and White, premiered Sept. 8 on ABC with new episodes becoming available for on-demand streaming on Peacock and Hulu the following day.
‘Her Arms Are Not Matching Up’: Singer Jewel’s Unrecognizable Transformation Shocks Fans, and It’s Not for the Reason You’d Think
“Stronger Woman” singer Jewel is making headlines with her latest Instagram post—but not for the reason she probably expected.
The 51-year-old Grammy-nominated singer recently showed off her fitness glow-up in a summer recap on Instagram, which sparked a wave of scrutiny that had fans dissecting every detail in her photos.
In the images, Jewel poses in a black one-piece swimsuit and another of her in a blue two-piece bikini, highlighting the results of her latest weightlifting routine—and leaving fans buzzing over her physical transformation.
Singer-songwriter Jewel reveals jaw-dropping transformation that has fans doing a double take. (Photo by Duane Prokop/Getty Images for Wellness Your Way Festival )The carousel of photos included beach shots, family moments with the singer’s 14-year-old son Kase, and glimpses of her artwork, but it was that particular mirror selfie that captured everyone’s attention for reasons beyond simple fitness inspiration.
When the Daily Mail posted the story, many of its predictably critical readers weighed in.
“Maybe it’s the lighting but her right thigh looks WRONG,” commented one skeptical observer, while another noted, “Her arms are not matching up with the lower – while not devoid of muscle they look average with the flex and she has a bat wing.”
The “Foolish Games” hitmaker has been candid about her fitness journey, explaining in her caption that she’s been “more lifting (because, 51 and gotta keep that muscle and bone up).”
Jewel’s commitment to strength training represents a significant shift from her earlier years when body image struggles dominated headlines in ways that were far less empowering.
Some fans weren’t entirely convinced by the transformation, with two writing, “No one wants to see that” and “Put it away love.” A third said, “She has become so unnatural I didn’t recognize her!”
The singer was also accused of editing her images as one stated, “You can tell she photo shopped around her legs because the tiles/rocks behind her legs are slanting downward. I’m sure she looks great without the photoshop, no need to edit.”
However, supporters on her Instagram rallied around the Alaska native’s dedication, with one enthusiastic follower declaring, “Did not have jewel getting ripped on my bingo card but I am here for it. Bravo and keep it up.”
The scrutiny around Jewel’s physique isn’t new territory. In 2010, after securing the cover of Shape magazine, she opened up about being labeled “the chubby Renee Zellweger” by media outlets early in her career, according to US Weekly.
That particular comparison stung deeply, leading to what she described as an emotional eating episode where she ate an entire cake before trying to throw it back up. The experience served as a wake-up call about the dangerous path many performers follow when dealing with body image pressures and media criticism.
Ironically, she received pushback from feminists blasting her for her transparency.
Ms. Mag writer Kate Whittle penned an editorial taking Jewel to task after her cover. The writer acknowledged Jewel’s journey from poverty to fame and her charitable efforts, but accused the star of failing the “Feminist Litmus Test.” She criticized Jewel’s confessions about bingeing and body image as celebrity clichés that did little more than recycle stereotypes about women.
Whittle argued the interview wasn’t empowering, calling it predictable, boring, and far from feminist.
The singer’s personal life has also been subject to intense speculation, particularly regarding her rumored relationship with Kevin Costner following his divorce from Christine Baumgartner.
The two were spotted together at a charity event on Necker Island, sparking romance rumors that Costner later addressed on “The Howard Stern Show.” He clarified that while Jewel was “beautiful enough to go out with” and “everything you might think,” they maintained only a friendship. Reports suggested Jewel felt “ghosted” by the actor, though both parties have kept details private.
Beyond romantic speculation, Jewel has consistently used her platform to promote body positivity and mental health awareness.
In 2020, she shared a powerful reflection asking, “How many times have you (I) felt less than, only to look back on photos and think — I had no idea I was enough?” This message resonated with fans who appreciated her honesty about the universal struggle with self-acceptance.
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The current debate over her new muscular transformation reflects broader conversations about aging, authenticity, and the impossible standards placed on women in entertainment. She appears not to even care what haters things, and like Pamela Anderson’s new makeup-less movement, embracing all three.
Whether her physique represents natural dedication to fitness or something else entirely, Jewel’s journey from a young artist hurt by cruel comparisons to a confident woman embracing strength training at 51 tells a story of resilience that transcends social media speculation about matching body proportions.
‘She Does It All the Time’: Steph Curry Snaps at Rapper Killer Mike Over Wife Ayesha Curry Constantly Putting NBA Star on Blast In Interviews
Stephen Curry normally brushes off critics discussing his marriage, but he had enough this time. Rapper Killer Mike came under fire for seemingly laughing at the controversy, and Curry didn’t hold back in response.
Men around the world have yet to forgive Ayesha Curry for her vulnerable admission years ago that she receives less attention from other men since marrying Stephen. The backlash even drew rapper Killer Mike, who weighed in on a Sept. 5 video criticizing her. But the Golden State Warriors guard wasn’t having it.
Stephen Curry defends his wife Ayesha Curry against Killer Mike and an internet troller bashing her interviews about their marriage.. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images; Rick Kern/WireImage)Things took a turn for the worse, after an artist named Bookie Woodz called out Ayesha in a TikTok video, which was also reposted on Instagram on Sept. 5. Woodz made a few disparaging allegations, claiming Ayesha was “putting in maximum effort to let the world know that she is struggling with trying not to cheat on her husband.”
“She can just smell an opportunity to embarrass this man,” he continued, “because she gets on every interview telling everybody about just how frustrated she is with his success, how frustrated she is that women desire him, how much she wished it was her being lusted after by people who don’t give a f-ck about her, how desperately she wants to get attention from other men, how locked down she feels with the kids.”
Woodz believes Ayesha doesn’t want to be Steph’s wife and would much rather spend her time otherwise. “She wants to go be [rapper] GloRilla or something. Like we get it bro Just go drop an album or some shit. Like, stop embarrassing this man, bro. It’s getting pathetic,” he stated.
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In 2019, Ayesha appeared on Jada Pinkett Smith’s “Red Table Talk” where she opened up about how her four time NBA champion husband gets more attention than she does.
She said, “Something that really bothers me, and honestly has given me a sense of a little bit of an insecurity, is the fact that, yeah, there are all these women, throwing themselves [at him], but me, like, the past 10 years, I don’t have any of that. I have zero — this sounds weird — but, like, male attention, and so then I begin to internalize it, and I’m like, ‘Is something wrong with me?’”
More recently, in a separate interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, she opened up about her initial struggles with Steph’s fame and notoriety, noting that, “parts of it have afforded me doors to be open.”
However, the Sweet July founder quickly explained how all that glitters isn’t gold, “I, in the beginning, hated it so much. I did not sign up for that. I also always thought like, ‘I didn’t know that he was going to end up playing basketball.’ He said that he wanted to be a high school basketball coach.”
Speaking to her early dreams of wanting to become an actress, Ayesha said, “I thought I was going to be like the girl out there getting it.” Men viewed her remarks as being ungrateful for her successful life with Stephen.
Killer Mike, who apparently came across Woodz’s video about Ayesha, commented, “My N-gga Said She Wanna Go Be Glo. Man Steph Doesn’t deserve the embarrassment fr fr. God Bless him.”
Stephen, fed up with people or particularly men bashing his wife, wrote, “Naaaaa not you Mike. I’m cool sta[y]ing silent and letting these other clowns have their moment!”
He didn’t leave the creator of the video out of his clapback when he said, “And you’re the worst of them” before tagging Woodz.
Pivoting back to Killer Mike, he said, “But you’re better than that @killermike. Stay in your lane and let God keep blessing me like he is. We r good over here.”
Fans responded to The Shade Room reposting the clip on Instagram.
“Yea Steph!!! Let em’ know!!!” said one person siding with the NBA star. Another wrote, “Killer Mike, what you on bruh? Genuinely asking cause I could have thought y’all were cool with each other and real men don’t do this.”
However, many wondered why Steph had so much smoke for the rapper and not his wife for the comments she makes.
One critic said, “Stephen Curry not saying nothing to his wife, but he’s online arguing with people I’m starting not to like him anymore.”
Another added, “Y’all on Mike head but not Ayesha for what she be saying?”
A fifth said, “He not WRONG SHE DOES IT ALL THE TIME.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry)
Killer Mike’s comment, captured by The Shade Room, appears to have been deleted from Woodz’s comments section. But that didn’t stop fans from flipping the script and flooding his comment section under a photo of him and his wife of nearly 20 years, Shana Render.
“Very disappointed for you to share that message about that other man’s wife smh you men are something else,” wrote one person.
Unlike her husband, Ayesha has yet to respond to Killer Mike or the TikToker who made the video about her.
Stephen and Ayesha first met as teenagers at a church youth group in Charlotte, North Carolina, as teenagers in 2003. About five years later, they reconnected after they both ended up in Los Angeles. Hanging out turned into dating, and three years later the pair got married. They share two daughters Riley Curry, 13, and Ryan Carson Curry, 10, and two sons, Canon W. Jack Curry, 7 and 1-year-old Caius Chai Curry.
‘That Went Crazy’: Outrage Erupts Over Alabama Billboard with Two Black Clowns.Then the Mystery Sponsor Steps Forward
A billboard in an Alabama city with the words, “It’s time to get the clowns out,” sprawled above an image of two Black clowns triggered outrage and speculation that it might have been a politically and racially charged message aimed at the town’s Black residents.
But that might not be the case.
The billboard in the Gulf Coast city of Mobile didn’t feature a sponsor or any messaging pointing to a specific campaign, so it was a mystery to many residents and drivers who saw it.
A poster that was erected in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo: YouTube screenshot/WKRG)“I don’t know what it really means,” one Black resident told WPMI. “I would say it’s something bad. It doesn’t look like something would be good about it.”
“I’d like to see it taken down,” another man told WKRG. “Don’t nobody know what it is or who put it up.”
“‘It’s time to get the clowns out,'” one man parroted. “So who the f*** the clowns is?”
“I know one thing, I don’t like it,” one woman remarked.
“I’m not sure what leads me to believe that it might be something that’s talking about racial things. It’s because I see the hat and I see the clown on there,” a Black history teacher said, adding, “I think it’s political, but also I have to go ahead and see who actually put the ad up, I’d have to see who actually rented the billboard and what’s their permanence behind it.”
Turns out, the billboard was sponsored by a Black comedian named Michael Lewis, according to an event promoter at the Crescent Theater in downtown Mobile.
“So, the guy who owns Bumblebee Billboard, who put up that billboard, is Michael Lewis. Square Tight Mike is what we call him, and he’s hilarious!” promoter Zeke Buckhaults said. “He’s an improv guy. Like he can just go off the top of his head forever. He’s been a working comedian for years.”
Lewis’ Facebook page features screenshots of other billboard messages, including ones posted by his company.
Lewis told WPMI that the billboard is a teaser for his comedy show scheduled in October.
“Well, you really don’t say much about it, you just put up,” he said. “It could be words, you know, it could just be something that make people think and be like, hey, what’s that about? And then, you know, normally you come back with it and say something else, or you leave it as it is.”
Lewis said people saw the clowns and just jumped to their own conclusions.
“Hopefully going into the future, people won’t just assume and take whatever somebody says, and they’ll investigate for themselves and trust the process,” Lewis said. “And show up! And wait for the billboard cause it’s time to get the clowns out there.”
‘She Can’t Stand the Stench’: Trump and Melania’s Separate Rooms in the UK Turned Heads, Yet It’s What He Did with the Bed Linen That Sparked the Buzz
Are President Donald Trump, 79, and first lady Melania Trump, 55, really spending their U.K. stay in separate rooms?
The diplomatic couple are currently in the UK for their second invite to the state from the royal family.
The Republican politician and his wife will stay at England’s Windsor Castle. According to Daily Mail columnist Ephraim Hardcastle, the couple have separate suites at the location.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s 20-year marriage continues to be scrutinized after reports claim the couple chose separate living arrangements while in England. (Photo by Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)“The President’s aides, inspecting his suite in Windsor Castle before his arrival, provided housekeepers with bedding,” Hardcastle wrote in the British tabloid.
Hardcastle continued, “A courtier muses that it may just be the President not wanting to stain the royal pillows with whatever tanning chemicals he uses to keep his orange hue.”
“Below-stairs wags, noting that Melania has a separate suite, joke that if she’d asked for a waterbed she could effortlessly drift apart from Donald,” the writer added.
News of the Trumps’ alleged sleeping arrangements while visiting the royal residence in Berkshire, England, has generated varied, harsh takes directed at the POTUS.
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“She can’t stand the stench either,” one Threads user suggested about Melania. Yet another social media poster offered, “Because the marriage is for show. She hates him.”
A third person theorized, “They always do. She’s only there because she agreed to go, out of her personal desire to visit Windsor and spend time with the royal family.”
“Well, they sleep in separate states in America. This is the closest they’ll be in years,” someone on the Threads app added. One woman joked, “No doubt it’s part of her contract with him.”
There have been questions about the state of Donald and Melania’s marriage for nearly a decade. The pair, who have been married for 20 years, faced constant scrutiny during the first Trump administration from 2017 to 2021.
Melania was caught on multiple occasions appearing annoyed at her husband in public. One of the most famous of those awkward moments involving the Trumps took place at his first inauguration in January 2017.
At one point during the televised ceremony, Trump turned toward his spouse, who initially smiled back at him. Once he turned away, Melania’s grin quickly turned into a scowl.
An overseas trip in May 2017 featured another infamous cold reaction from the first lady. Melania was filmed swatting Trump’s hand away as they walked on the tarmac at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
Melania later downplayed the viral incident in her self-titled 2024 memoir. She claimed her seemingly dismissive body language was a “minor, innocent gesture, nothing more.”
Once Trump won the 2024 presidential election and returned to the highest office in the land in January 2025, speculation about his relationship with Melania became a topic of conversation once again.
In May 2025, Trump biographer and veteran journalist Michael Wolff reported that Melania chose not to reside in the White House with her husband for his second term.
“I asked someone very close to them. I said, ‘So what’s going on?’ And this person looked at me like I was a real dunce, and then said, ‘She hates his f—king guts!’” Wolff stated.
By August 2025, Melania had made only 19 public appearances in her role as first lady, per CNN. That number was at 40 during the opening eight months of her first stint as the president’s public advocate in 2017.
Melania has been more visible with Trump in recent weeks, including her having to help the clearly confused officeholder answer a reporter’s question while hosting a White House dinner with tech billionaires like Apple CEO Tim Cook and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
‘Act Like It’s a Problem’: Outraged Milwaukee Father Accuses Bus Driver of Discriminating Against Disable Son
A Milwaukee father recalled how a city bus driver discriminated against his wheelchair-bound son when she refused to service him and let him board because it would make her late.
Deshaunte Smith took to TikTok to recount his experience trying to ride a Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus to drop his son off at school.
He said that his son, DJ, had missed the school bus, so Smith decided to personally escort him and take a city bus as an alternative.
Deshaunte Smith’s son was allegedly barred from getting on a public transit bus by a bus driver. (Photos: YouTube screenshot/TJM4)But Smith was baffled by what one of the bus drivers said when she saw that his son was in a wheelchair.
“So a Milwaukee city bus driver told me today that we were gonna make her late because my son is in a wheelchair,” Smith said in his TikTok video with a look of complete disbelief.
Smith said he was using Google to track the city buses, and the search engine advised him to take one specific bus route that would drop him and his son off near the school.
When another bus arrived at the stop where he and his son were waiting, Smith asked the driver if her route also went past the school.
“When she pulled up, she opened the door, and I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m not waiting on this bus, but do you go to this street?’ which is six blocks away. And she was like, ‘Yeah.’ I was like, ‘OK, then we will just get on this bus. She’s like, ‘Oh, y’all going to make me late!'” Smith said.
Smith said she shut her door, effectively ending the interaction.
But instead of driving off, she had to stay parked at the stop due to a red light, which Smith said made the encounter awkward since they were still standing outside after being denied service.
Smith said that after a few moments, the driver opened the doors again to try to ask them about their destination, but Smith refused to engage with her and told her they’d wait for the next bus.
@itzsmitty00IDC IM NEVER RIDING THE BUS AGAIN. The worst part is paying to be treated like a problem @Milwaukee county transit sys. #mcts #milwaukee
♬ original sound – SMITTY“At that point, it was people on the bus, I was like kind of embarrassed a little bit, so I’m like, no, we’re good, we’ll wait,” Smith told WTMJ, adding that his son “realized he was being discriminated against in that instant.”
Smith said the driver of the next bus was more than accommodating and apologized on behalf of his colleague.
“And he apologized on her behalf, and he was like, ‘Yeah man, they’re supposed to let the ramp down for you, and they’re also supposed to strap you in,'” Smith said.
Smith said he planned to report the interaction to MCTS and is now in talks with an attorney to investigate the incident as a potential violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
On Sept. 15, the transit agency released a statement saying MCTS officials are aware of what happened and are investigating. No details were released about whether the accused bus driver was penalized.
“MCTS is dedicated to providing safe, efficient, reliable, and customer-focused service to all riders, especially our most vulnerable community members,” the statement read.
Smith decried the bus driver’s treatment, stating that it’s disheartening when he and his family are seen as burdens by society.
“At that point, the damage had already been done because as a parent with a disabled child, like one of my pet peeves is when people act like it’s a problem or it’s an irritance for us to do normal s*** like getting on a bus,” Smith said. “Just be accommodating, or just give grace at least. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
‘WTF Is Travis Wearing for Real’: Taylor Swift’s Mini Skirt Look Next to Travis Kelce’s Tiny Shorts Leave Fans Stunned
Travis Kelce may have once been crowned People magazine’s “Sexiest Athlete,” but fans say the Kansas City Chiefs tight end isn’t exactly killing it in the fashion department.
Taylor Swift and her fiancé turned heads for all the wrong reasons when they stepped out for Patrick Mahomes’ 30th birthday celebration at 1587 Prime, the new steakhouse co-owned by Kelce and his quarterback.
Travis Kelce’s questionable fashion choice of pairing dress shirts with tiny shorts at Patrick Mahomes’ birthday party has fans roasting the newly engaged NFL star online. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)The weekend gathering, which included Mahomes, his wife Brittany, country singer Kane Brown, and Katelyn Brown, seemed like the perfect opportunity for the newly engaged couple to showcase their style.
With Taylor Swift looking stunning in a perfectly coordinated look, Kelce’s decision to rock a crisp white dress shirt and tie… with dress shorts, formal shoes and white socks had fans had fans blinking in disbelief.
However, when Brown shared the group’s photo on Instagram on Sept. 15, it wasn’t Swift’s mini skirt that dominated the conversation.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kane Brown (@kanebrown)
Most of his followers zoomed in on Kelce’s peculiar combination of formal and casual wear, with one observer noting, “wtf is Travis wearing for real. Looks like he just got out of catholic school.”
Another said, “Travis dresses like he has a zoom meeting.”
The outfit choice sparked an avalanche of commentary, with fans struggling to understand the athletic star’s sartorial decision.
“Travis is a strange guy, the outfits are always so bizarre & attention seeking,” one said, as another said, “Is Travis wearing what Steve Urkel wore in Family Matters?” minus the sweater.
Fast Fact:
Jaleel White a.k.a. Steve Urkel from "Family Matters"… was the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog in several Sonic cartoons in the 1990s. pic.twitter.com/IltUNPdtWJ
Someone else wrote, “Disappointed in Taylor letting her man go out dressed like that. That look is not it.”
This wasn’t an isolated fashion incident for the 35-year-old athlete.
Prior to the Kansas City Chiefs home opener on Sept. 14, Kelce sported the same kind of shorts with a navy Thom Browne suit set as he walked into Arrowhead Stadium, according to Parade. The repeated choice suggests this isn’t a one-time wardrobe malfunction but rather a deliberate style preference that’s leaving fans scratching their heads.
The timing couldn’t have been more unfortunate, as the Chiefs again suffered a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. This was the first time the two teams went to war since The Birds destroyed the Chiefs in the 2025 Super Bowl.
Kelce’s visible frustration during the game, including throwing his helmet to the ground before halftime and later bobbling what would have been a touchdown reception, seemed to mirror fans’ confusion about his fashion choices.
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What’s tripping fans out the most about Kelce’s latest fashion shift is how quickly the narrative flipped.
Not too long ago, the New York Times mistakenly credited him for “inventing” the fade—dubbed The Kelce—and he did not. The athletic star himself pushed back against these claims, acknowledging the style’s deep roots in Black culture.
Travis Kelce's Barber Patrick Regan I Kid You Not Is Out Here Telling People Kelce Has Made The "Fade Haircut" Iconic Because Taylor Swift Likes It (IG Post) https://t.co/SGOSV4SvkI pic.twitter.com/4yPUl71fIp
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) February 2, 2024Just a week into Black History Month, Kelce made it clear on his podcast “New Heights” that he’s not the mastermind behind the fade.
“Yeah, can you guys stop telling people that I invented the fade?” he said. “I didn’t, alright. I walked in a barbershop one day, didn’t even know what I was getting. I didn’t invent the fade.” The timing, so close to the start of Black History Month, only added fuel to the conversation.
Kelce couldn’t escape the fade chatter at Super Bowl media day, when reporters pressed him on whether he claimed to have invented the style.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous. And to do it on February 1, to throw me to the wolves like that,” Kelce said. “That was just messed up, man. I don’t want anything to do with that one.”
“Got a good fade if you need it though. It’s a two on top, a nice high-to-mid fade with a taper on the back,” he continued. “But I didn’t invent that. I just asked for it.”
Between the fade controversy and Kelce’s questionable fashion choices—like pairing dress shorts with a crisp shirt and tie—it’s clear the NFL star is redefining attention in more ways than one.
Whether fans are shaking their heads or laughing along, Kelce seems perfectly fine letting the style debate run its course. In the end, the switch from “Sexiest Athlete” to meme fodder serves as a reminder that Kelce’s image alone can’t carry style.
‘What an Embarrassment’: Donald Trump’s Slimy Compliment to Princess Kate Had Fans Saying She Looked Like She ‘Threw Up a Bit’
President Donald Trump, 79, and First Lady Melania Trump, 55, traveled to England on September 16 for their second state visit to the United Kingdom, where they met with the Princess of Wales and other members of the British royal family.
While the visit was filled with royal pageantry and diplomatic formality, it was Trump’s odd remark to Princess Kate, 43, that left many raising their eyebrows. The unexpected moment quickly sparked discussion online, with critics and fans alike weighing in on the president’s inappropriate behavior.
President Donald Trump enthusiastically greets Princess Kate and she and her husband Prince William welcome the president and first lady Melania Trump to England. (Photo: @princeandprincessofwales/Instagram)Middleton and her husband, Prince William, greeted the Trumps on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The Prince of Wales shook hands with the president following his exit from the Marine One helicopter.
After shaking hands with the prince and princess, Trump seemed focused on Middleton’s looks. The POTUS is quoted as telling her, “You’re beautiful, so beautiful.”
Footage of Trump’s flirtatious exchange with Middleton hit the internet. Fans of the polarizing politician backed up his greeting, while his haters had unflattering reactions.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Daily Mail (@dailymail)
“Can’t take him anywhere,” read a comment about Trump on the People website. Likewise, a critic of the New York native expressed, “He embarrasses us every time he opens his mouth.”
In contrast, someone wrote, “How inappropriate when he was also greeting another woman! You can think it, but in this situation, you don’t say it!! What an embarrassment as usual!”
One person stated about Middleton being ogled by Trump, “So sorry she had to endure this.” A second joked, “She probably threw up a bit in her mouth and swallowed it.”
Additionally, another critical individual on the app wondered, “Did she immediately bleach her hand from his nasty paw grabbing her?”
Trump is trying to hide the back of his right hand from cameras but here you can see the nasty bruising on it pic.twitter.com/VrhgWDXLkA
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 25, 2025Trump’s hands have been a major topic of discussion in the political world since he returned to the White House in January 2025 for his second, nonconsecutive term as President of the United States.
Questions about the MAGA leader’s health ratcheted up when noticeable discoloration was seen on his hands in photos, sparking theories about what caused the bruising.
“President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed in February.
Trump did a lot of handshaking upon arriving at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. King Charles III joined his son, William, and daughter-in-law, Catherine, in welcoming the first family to the U.K.
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King Charles III, 76, and Queen Camilla, 78, then took the president and first lady on a carriage procession through the royal estate, which was lined with soldiers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
While the Trumps received warm welcomes from members of the British monarchy, non-royal citizens demonstrated their disdain for the conservative provocateur and his right-wing policies.
According to the AP, dozens of protesters assembled on the streets outside Windsor Castle to chant “Donald Trump’s not welcome here” and hold up signs saying, “Trump, your politics stink.”
Hundreds of demonstrators reportedly gathered in central London to protest Trump’s visit as well. England’s capital is about 20 miles from the royal residence at Windsor.
“I don’t think it’s right that we’re having Trump come for the second state visit due to his horrible rhetoric, policies, and actions toward women and people of color,” local resident Grace Nathew told the AP.
‘I Know Her Daddy Be Pissed’: Travis Barker’s Teenage Daughter Alabama Turns Heads in Tight-Fitting Outfit for Provocative Photo Shoot, Leaving Fans Stunned
Travis Barker’s daughter Alabama Barker has been sharing increasingly suggestive posts on social media as she’s grown into adulthood.
Despite this having been her aesthetic for years now, some of her followers have yet to accept it. She had more people grinding their gears after photos from her racy photo shoot surfaced on Sept. 11.
Despite this having been her aesthetic for years now, some of the now 19-year-old’s followers have yet to accept her flaunting her body online. Alabama had more people grinding their gears after images from her racy photo shoot surfaced online.
Alabama Barker was seen posing provocatively in curve-hugging jumpsuit, stirring up mixed reactions online. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for boohooMAN)Barker wore a long-sleeved, body-hugging jumpsuit for the outdoor nighttime shoot. Using a black three-wheeler as a prop to complement the motorcycle theme of the outfit, Barker sat on the vehicle in one shot, and posed standing in front of it in other’s.
But the short jumpsuit caused Barker’s derrière to spill out of the bottom, consistent with her already sultry style.
The jumpsuit is from the company Shane Justin, who also shared the photos of Barker wearing the “Fast Pace” Racer Suit on Instagram.
The arms of the jumpsuit were black and red jumpsuit, which added a polka dot detail, and spelled out Justin’s full name, but only his initials are designed on the left part of the chest. The back featured the number 25, and the word “Vintage” is plastered at the top. According to his website, the jumpsuit is priced at $120.
As far as Alabama, she also shared the same Instagram photos that stirred up mixed reactions in the comments accompanying Justin’s Instagram post.
Some fans wondered if the look was age-appropriate, while others accused her of mimicking hip-hop culture. Others even suspected that her father — who is the drummer for rock band Blink-182 — had reservations about his daughter’s posts.
“Wow is all I can say,” wrote one person after viewing the images, while another said, “She can’t be 19 fr.”
Alabama Barker models in curve-hugging jumpsuit stirring up mixed reactions. (Photo: shanejustin/Instagram)A few brought up her dad, Travis, suggesting he would be upset by his teenage daughter posing provocatively in photos like her mother once did.
“I know her daddy be pissed,” said one person, while another added, “She gets it from her mom fasho @shannamoakler.”
Travis and Shanna Moakler were married for two years before they got divorced in 2006. In addition to Alabama, they also share a son, Landon, 21. Both children have publicly accused their mom of being an absentee parent.
Alabama, who has dabbled in music as a rapper, often leaves people stunned at her body. Many can’t believe that at such a young age, she already has a Coke bottle figure like her mother. Some have even accused her of having plastic surgery, but the “Vogue” rapper has repeatedly denied it.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Alabama Luella Barker (@alabamaluellabarker)
According to E! News, she posted photos of her wearing a bikini and a cover up in February and a fan replied, “This child has done a lot of cosmetic surgery @ a very young age. I hope she doesn’t over do it! She looks good now!”
The young artist responded in a positive tone and said, “I really appreciate the love! I’m natural, besides my lips, accept the fact I’m naturally beautiful.”
Alabama is clearly unapologetic about the work she did on her lips. She also wasn’t shy to reveal the name of the Los Angeles practitioner, Anush Movsesian, who gave her some extra cushion in her lips.
‘He Was Code Switching!’: Alfonso Ribeiro’s Real Voice Exposed In Resurfaced Interview, and Fans Can’t Believe ‘How Much He Hid His Accent’
A video of actor and “Dancing with the Stars” host Alfonso Ribeiro from 30 years ago is making the rounds on social media, and fans are in shock after discovering his real voice.
Ribeiro, 53, became a television legend thanks to his portrayal of Carlton Banks in the 1990s classic sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” starring rapper-turned-actor Will Smith.
Carlton’s character was presented as a yuppie and conservative teenager, which caused many television viewers to assume the Bronx native also had a preppy, elitist demeanor in real life.
An old video of “Fresh Prince” television star Alfonso Ribeiro has fans stunned by the way he spoke off camera. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)That mirage was recently shattered for some fans when old footage of the current “Dancing with the Stars” host speaking with the cable access show “StreetFunk TV N.Y.C.” was uploaded on X.
“I’m chilling. I’m just trying to have a good time. I’m back in New York for a minute, so I gotta step up,” Ribeiro told the interviewer in the clip that is supposedly from 1994, after filming the show’s fourth season.
Ribeiro also said, “The show’s going great. We’re getting good ratings still. We got picked up for next season, so we’re going to be coming back. At least next year. We’re doing our thing.”
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the series filmed at NBC studios in Los Angeles and ran from September 1990 to May 1996.
Numerous accounts on X reacted to the footage of a 20-something Ribeiro showing his off-screen personality in such a candid and open way.
“That’s his real voice?! I had no idea he is from the Bronx!! He played Carleton so well you would think it was him lol,” one X user admitted.
Another wrote, “At first, I was like, ‘Lol, Carlton tryna sound like he’s from New York.’ And then I remembered this n—-a is deadass from the Bronx, lmao.”
“Lmao, Carlton played his character so well [people] forget he’s not from 90210,” read one reply, referring to the famous ZIP code of the wealthy city of Beverly Hills, California.
A fourth responder posted, “I never realized how much he hid his accent until now.” “Hair Love” filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry pointed out that Ribeiro is a New York native of Trinidadian descent.
Accent is valid https://t.co/cefa9gSkwM pic.twitter.com/XuFBuv2PHu
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) September 15, 2025Cherry highlighted Ribeiro’s heritage by sharing a screenshot of the “Early life” section of the veteran actor’s Wikipedia page and captioned the image, “Accent is valid.”
Ribeiro played Carlton for all six seasons of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” after also playing a rich kid in the “Silver Spoons” sitcom for three seasons from 1984 through 1987.
While his time on “The Fresh Prince” produced pre-social media memes like the iconic “The Carlton” dance, Ribeiro has expressed mixed feelings about playing Will’s bourgeois cousin.
“Playing Carlton on ‘Fresh Prince’ became a sacrifice. I used to always say doing Carlton was the greatest and worst thing that ever happened to me,” Ribeiro stated during a May 2024 interview with Us Weekly.
He continued, “It was one of the greatest roles that I ever was fortunate enough to play, but it was also the role that stopped me from acting again because people couldn’t see me as anything else. The sacrifice was not having an acting career anymore.”
After “Fresh Prince” ended in 1996, Ribeiro went on to appear in other TV shows such as “In the House” with another rapper-turned-actor, James “LL Cool J” Smith.
Ribeiro also delved into reality television by competing on season 19 of “Dancing with the Stars.” He won the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in 2014 alongside professional dancer Witney Carson.
For its 31st season of “Dancing with the Stars,” which premiered in 2022, Ribeiro was tapped to be a host of the dance competition program.
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” also helped launch the careers of Karyn Parsons as Hilary Banks and Tatyana M. Ali as Ashley Banks. Ribeiro also told “StreetFunk TV N.Y.C.” back in the 1990s, “We got some pretty ladies on the show with us. Tatyana went and grew up on us.”
The cast also featured James Avery, who played family patriarch Philip Banks, and two actresses as family matriarch Vivian Banks, first Janet Hubert-Whitten and later Daphne Maxwell Reid.
‘You Don’t Know’: Steve Harvey Pushes Back on Claims Wife Marjorie Had Side Romances with His Staff
Steve Harvey‘s life has become one of the internet’s favorite topics, but the comedian isn’t laughing when it comes to protecting his wife’s reputation.
The “Family Feud” host recently opened up on “The Pivot Podcast” about his viral status and the relentless gossip surrounding his spouse of nearly two decades, Marjorie Harvey.
He acknowledged that while his animated expressions in viral clips from the show have made him a social media sensation, this visibility has also made him a target for outrageous rumors about his marriage and his personal life.
Steve Harvey slammed “outlandish” cheating rumors about his wife and how he confronted a podcaster who disrespected Marjorie. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)The “King of Comedy” star expressed his frustration with the wild speculation that has circulated about his marriage, describing the allegations as completely absurd.
He mentioned hearing “crazy” and “outlandish” claims about his wife being involved with various staff members, responding with disbelief, “My wife is sleeping with the bodyguard, with the chef, with the driver. How they still driving and cooking? — what are you talking about, man? What kind of dude [do] you think I am, man?”
Harvey seemed particularly bewildered by the illogical nature of such rumors, questioning how these alleged scenarios could even be possible while people were actively performing their jobs.
During his appearance on “The Pivot Podcast” with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder, the 68-year-old revealed that he directly confronted a podcaster who made derogatory comments about Marjorie during a show.
Harvey explained that while he doesn’t typically respond to criticism about himself, crossing the line to attack his wife prompted immediate action. He reached out to the individual personally, emphasizing that Marjorie was completely “off-limits” and explaining the profound positive impact she’s had on his life.
During their conversation, Harvey gave the podcaster an opportunity to clarify his remarks.
The individual reportedly backtracked, saying, “Nah man, I ain’t mean it like that. I’ll just use that word — I use the word all the time, you know, blah blah blah,” according to Harvey’s recollection.
They eventually reached an understanding, with Harvey making it clear that while people could say whatever they wanted about him, his wife remained protected territory.
“You could say whatever you want to say about me — I really don’t care — but that girl right there … She’s off limits, man. You don’t know what she did for me. You have no idea her presence in my life, what it has done for me, what she’s given to me,” Harvey explained during the podcast.
Social media users have shown support for Harvey’s protective stance.
One person wrote, “Steve really is a national treasure. He reminds me of my uncles… solid advice from the right place: his heart. And his heart is pure. Lived experience/testimony/truth is what mentorship is all about!”
The rumors reached their peak intensity in August 2023, when speculation emerged alleging that Marjorie had been unfaithful with both the family’s chef and bodyguard, though no evidence ever supported these claims. Harvey addressed the gossip directly during an appearance at Investfest in Atlanta, telling the audience that both he and Marjorie were doing well and suggesting people find better ways to spend their time.
During that same period, Steve’s wife took to Instagram to defend herself and her marriage, sharing a biblical verse about not retaliating when facing insults. In a post on Instagram, Marjorie wrote about the responsibility that comes with her platform and addressed the “foolishness and lies” spreading on social media, encouraging others who might be facing similar challenges.
The speculation continued into 2024, with fans revisiting old clips from Harvey’s former daytime talk show, particularly one from 2016 where Steve and Marjorie offered relationship advice to a couple dealing with infidelity. Some viewers analyzed Marjorie’s words during that episode, looking for hidden meanings about her own marriage.
Despite the ongoing rumors, 2024 also saw the couple celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary with affectionate social media posts that seemed designed to dispel divorce speculation. They appeared united in their public presentations, though both had reduced their social media activity during the height of the gossip.
Most recently, in June 2025, Steve and Marjorie marked their 18th wedding anniversary with elaborate Instagram tributes featuring videos of their romantic moment in Paris. Both shared similar footage of themselves walking hand in hand before Marjorie discovered roses waiting in their car, leading to an affectionate exchange.
Harvey’s unwavering defense of his wife demonstrates that while he may be comfortable being internet clickbait, some boundaries remain sacred in his world.
‘You Don’t Know’: Steve Harvey Pushes Back on Claims Wife Marjorie Had Side Romances with His Staff
‘WTF Is Going On???’: Chris Cuomo Visibly Agitated and Stuttering After Trying to Parrot Trump’s Talking Points But Gets Shut Down by His Own Guest
NewsNation host and former longtime CNN anchor, Chris Cuomo is learning the hard way that parroting some of Donald Trump’s talking points isn’t going to end well and protect him from online ridicule.
During Monday night’s broadcast of his show, not only did Cuomo bait progressive commentator Medhi Hasan with a question that he was wholly unprepared for but he also denied calling the Capitol riot an insurrection at the time, which he did, and then again denied that it was actually an insurrection during the discussion.
Chris Cuomo struggles to defend his point against former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan. (Credit: NewsNation Video Screengrab)Cuomo started off by asking Hasan a question in regards to Charlie Kirk’s death, “How would you analyze what you’re hearing in response to this murder from the left?”
Trump’s White House and several news outlets have described the 22-year-old suspect in Kirk’s killing as a “leftist.”
Hasan was surprised by Cuomo’s question. “From the left?” That was only a signal of the the brutal takedown Hasan had prepared for Cuomo.
“I mean, just listening to the clips you played from the Trump administration, we’re in a very dark moment, very McCarthy moment right now. Listening to your show, you’ve made a lot of good points. The biggest point, I think you’ve glossed over is the crackdown on free speech, this targeting of people for their views,” Hasan, a writer, former MSNBC host, and the founder of Zeteo media company, pointed out.
“I thought Charlie Kirk was supposed to be a free speech martyr. Why is the right using his death to crack down on free speech and American rights and go after this amorphous left?” he questioned, before calling out Vice President JD Vance for lying when he hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show” Monday.
While Hasan was only half way through his takedown, social media was more than impressed and disgusted with Cuomo’s framing.
“WTF HAPPENED TO CHRIS CUOMO? …I am speechless… WTF IS GOING ON???????,” Janel Townes wrote on Threads.
“Chris Cuomo was absolutely unprepared for this and it’s glorious to watch him stutter,’ added John Michael.
View on ThreadsHasan continued, “JD Vance lied today on ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’ when he said the statistics are clear that this is a left-wing problem. It’s the exact reverse. Right, exact reverse.” He proceeded to cite a slew of statistics proving his point.
“The single biggest day of political violence, Chris, in our lifetimes in this country, was January 6, 2021, when right-wing extremists attacked the Capitol and injured police officers. They were ideologically motivated,” Hasan declared.
“You and I agreed it was an insurrection at the time. So it’s bizarre for Vance to go on TV or go online and say the exact opposite of what both the official statistics say, and the think tanks say, all of our evidence tells us,” the commentator pointed out.
After more than a minute of sitting blanked face why Hasan corrected his initial claim of blaming “the left”, Cuomo jumped in to address one specific point to deny he ever called the Capitol riot “an insurrection.”
Hasan jumped right back in, correcting him, “You called it an insurrection at the time. You did. You did.”
Cuomo still maintained he didn’t as he stumbled his way through. “Ok, go head, show it to me. I never thought that they were trying to take over the government. That’s what an insurrection is.”
Social media users happily obliged. User after user provided Cuomo with the receipts he so confidently requested.
View on Threads“I had to watch this twice. It was so refreshing to listen to someone who spoke the truth with eloquence, stated the facts without hesitation and called out the bullsh-t lying going on right now!” this Threads user proclaimed.
Some were just downright frustrated, “Chris sat up there and lied with his whole chest! I’m sure Tucker Carlson remembers @ chrisccuomo saying that he was trying to rewrite the history of the January 6 insurrection.”
View on Threads“@chriscuomo April 8th, 2021 you called it an insurrection. Just because you are pandering to the right it does not mean you have to lie about what you said,” Threads user Orlando Calvo commented.
“AND @chriscuomo, … said ‘an insurrection is trying to take over the government…but they weren’t doing that.’ Ummm, that’s literally what they were doing by trying to stop the vote to certify Biden as President and trying to coerce VP Pence into stopping the proceedings so Trump could stay president. They absolutely were trying to take over the government, therefore it was an insurrection,” this Threads user contended.
‘You Must Be Blind or Stupid’: Donald Trump’s Off-Balance Stumble Next to Melania Becomes Impossible to Ignore After Viewers Zoom In as White House Fires Back
The White House is forcibly pushing back on questions about President Donald Trump’s ability to walk in a straight line.
Trump, 79, was filmed on Sept. 16 taking a stroll from the Marine One helicopter to the Air Force One jet at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
The president’s wife, first lady Melania Trump, exited the helicopter as well. The couple is headed across the pond for a state visit in the United Kingdom.
President Donald Trump continues to face scrutiny over his health after he was seen walking strangely at a military base. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Trump could be seen slowly stepping down from Marine One before being met by a man in uniform. The former “The Apprentice” reality show host appears to swerve in the greeter’s direction as they move towards the presidential plane.
The Daily Beast characterized Trump’s walk on the military facility’s tarmac as “wildly veering.” The Trump administration took issue with the publication’s narrative.
“You must be blind or stupid, because that was a perfect walk,” White House communications director Steven Cheung told The Daily Beast when asked for comment.
President Trump and the First Lady are wheels up as they leave for England.pic.twitter.com/p82rAFpYuc
— Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) September 16, 2025The outlet’s readers had their own takes on the way Trump moved across the runway on Tuesday. One person commented, “Age is catching up. Such is life.”
“At one point, the man accompanying Trump looked down at the concrete to see how far Trump was pushing him to the left. Too bad that the line in the concrete was physical proof of Trump’s inability to walk a straight line,” a second commenter expressed.
However, another X user posted, “He walks up that escalator quite quickly for someone with heart failure.”
Trump has been dealing with a health concern. White House physician Sean Barbabella revealed the president was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in his annual physical exam released in April 2025.
View this post on InstagramChronic venous insufficiency is a condition where the veins have difficulty moving blood back to the heart, which increases pressure on the veins, particularly in the legs. The White House acknowledged Trump experienced “mild” swelling in his lower limbs as a result of the ailment.
Trump’s appearance at Joint Base Andrews became the latest incident that had observers zeroing in on him seemingly having problems using his legs in public.
In August, Trump faced scrutiny over his meet-up with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a red carpet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
The billionaire former reality TV star clearly struggled to walk in a straight line at the joint Army and Air Force base, which sparked widespread ridicule directed at him online.
Trump struggled to walk in a straight line as he went to greet Putin pic.twitter.com/bCbJnlZMgB
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 15, 2025Additionally, throughout 2025, numerous close-up photos and videos of Trump’s bruised right hand ignited speculation about the state of his health.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to quell the rumors by claiming the large marks were from the commander in chief “constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day.”
Conspiracies surrounding Trump’s well-being skyrocketed in late August after the often attention-hungry politician was out of sight for several days. He returned to the public eye on Sept. 2, following erroneous chatter that he had passed away.
The following week, Trump seemed to suffer a “senior moment” when he apparently fell asleep on stage during an event held at the Pentagon to mark the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
‘Forgetting She’s on Camera’: White Woman Hits Black Woman’s Hand, Then Cries for Police When It Backfires
A video of an older white couple and a Black family getting into a loud argument at a Crumbl Cookies in Florida has gone viral, with tens of thousands of viewers.
A person who goes by AMIRR on social media posted the video to TikTok on Sept. 16, with the caption: “POV You Vacation to a Red State.”
A viral video captures a fight at a Crumbl Cookie in Florida. (Photo: TikTok/moreofamir2.0)“They getting ready to rumble in the crumble,” joked a commenter who watched the standoff between a stocky, older man in a pink polo shirt and a much younger Black customer as they waited in line for cookies. Though no backstory was provided, the video begins with the two men standing nearly nose-to-nose — or “10 toes down,” as one commenter put it — appearing to be on the verge of throwing fists.
“I dare you,” said the older man. “You got an issue with me? Come on!”
@moreofamir2.0 Yeah she needs that #LanguageLearning #fyp #relatable #trending ♬ original sound – AMIRRKeeping his cool, the young Black man stoically repeated, “Do something,” without breaking eye contact. Locked in a standoff at the service counter, the tension suddenly exploded when the white man’s female companion inserted herself into the argument, quite literally.
After yelling, “Call the police!” to no one in particular, the older woman squeezed in between the two men and cussed out the Black man, brazenly making physical contact by pushing his hands away. “Go, assh–e! Get the f–k out of my face,” she spat out, after telling her companion, “He’s not worth it.”
Amazingly, no punches were thrown until the meddling woman suddenly slapped the hand of a Black woman standing nearby, who had been trying to calm the argument and help her family member. But the white woman went from looking angry to shocked when another in the group retaliated by smacking her on the shoulder.
“That slap back was sending me,” wrote one in the comments, and it apparently shocked the aggressive white man too, as he suddenly gasped and “started playing the victim.”
“He said ‘OMG’ as if she knocked her out cold, but was silent when she swung first,” noted an observer, while another person wrote, “He was flabbergasted. Couldn’t believe she actually hit her back lol.”
Others criticized him for hiding behind the woman, saying he “made sure that old lady was his shield.”
Once the woman realized she was being filmed, she also changed course, giving the camera a thumbs up, and claiming she had been hit first. The video, however, showed otherwise.
“Forgetting there’s cameras in the business and there’s someone recording you too. But they still lie…” wrote one. Many are calling for a follow-up video to find out what sparked the fight. “What can possibly go wrong in the Crumbl store?! Get your cookies and go!!!”
‘She Did Something to Her Face’: Salma Hayek Turns Heads With Her Busty New Look, But Fans Can’t Stop Zooming In on the Real Surprise
Actress Salma Hayek is aging in reverse. The “House of Gucci” star, 59, has been appearing on the big and small screen for three decades, but the years have yet to fade her beauty.
The Mexican bombshell, who celebrated her 59th birthday in a hot red bathing suit, turned heads and left tongues wagging at the fourth annual Caring for Women Dinner on Sept. 11.
Salma Hayek fans are zooming in on her new look that is fueling plastic surgery rumors. Photo: Salmahayek/Instagram.Hayek dazzled on the black carpet in a black, strapless, trench coat-inspired gown with a plunging neckline. She wore her hair in a half-up, half-down style with a high ponytail and kept her glam look on the subtle side, opting for a naturally bronzed glow with minimal eyeshadow and lip color.
What many fans witnessed was a timeless beauty. “How does she stay so young?” asked one person. A second admirer commented, “Salma really bout to be FINE till 90 and beyond.” A third said, “U had the teenager facelift too? Wow.”
But not even the glare of flashing lights and soft editing could pull the wool over eagle-eyed observers who suspect Hayek’s good looks are not gifted through genetics. As told by one naysayer, “She’s finally losing her looks smh.”
Salma Hayek stuns at Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women Dinner in New York City. pic.twitter.com/N1REuFGO8u
— Variety (@Variety) September 11, 2025An outright critic presumed, “She did something to her face.” That theory was supported when one of Hayek’s followers commented on an Instagram post to allege, “In these photos you can see the swollen lips, if you inject them, it’s fine, with age they disappear… She still has a great figure and was always VERY hot.”
The “Like a Boss” star is adamant that she has not followed the gaggle of celebrities who have nipped and tucked their way to youthful appearances.
“I have no plastic surgery” and “no filler,” Hayek gushed to Allure beauty editor Dianna Singh in April.
But if she did want to reverse the signs of aging, cost would be the least of her concerns. It’s obvious her husband Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO and president of luxury holding group Kering, has no issues with his wife’s body or beauty. The couple married in 2009 and are parents to daughter Valentina, 17.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek)
The 63-year-old’s business empire includes ownership of brands such as Balenciaga, Gucci, Yves Saint-Laurent, to name a few. Pinault’s net worth has been estimated at $31.2 billion.
Hayek’s entertainment endeavors have amassed her an estimated net worth of $200 million.
‘There’s No Excuse’: White Texas County Worker Joins Unemployment Line Because She Thought Replacing a Racist Slur with ‘Obama-Rigged’ Was Acceptable
The director of an animal shelter in Tyler, Texas, was fired this week for making derogatory racial comments and for allowing her employees to use racial slurs unchecked.
Her firing stems from an Aug. 7 incident in which Smith County Animal Control employee Sarah Dike used a racial slur to explain bad repairs in the building, prompting laughter from other employees in the presence of shelter director Amber Greene, according to an employee who made a formal complaint to the county.
The complaint, obtained by CBS19TV, says the offended employee responded by telling her colleagues the slur wasn’t funny.
Amber Greene was fired from her job as director of the Smith County Animal Control in Tyler, Texas after using language deemed derogatory by county officials and for permitting another employee to use racial slurs under her supervision. (Photo: Smith County Animal Control screenshot)Then Greene said that staff should instead say “Obama-rigged,” which the complainant felt amplified the original slur. According to the complaint, a group of people around Greene laughed again at her comment.
“I was upset and hurt. I did not understand why my race was made into a joke. It bothered me all afternoon, into the night and the next day,” the complainant said, adding that they were hurt that Greene that didn’t do anything to stop the use of the slur, and that her inaction made things “worse.”
“She allowed them to hurt my feelings and make fun of my racial ethnicity,” the complainant wrote, referring to the staff’s actions as “very unprofessional.”
After investigating the incident, the county human resources department found that Greene’s behavior directly violated Smith County’s anti-discrimination and harassment policies and terminated her on Sept. 9.
“As a leader, your actions set the tone for the entire team,” wrote Chief Human Resources Officer Esmeralda Corona in Smith’s termination letter. “Making disparaging or inappropriate comments undermines the culture of respect and integrity we strive to uphold. Your behavior has been found to be inconsistent with the expectations of your role and the responsibilities entrusted to you.”
The “severity” of the offense warranted immediate action, according to the termination letter.
Dike was fired on Sept. 2 for using language and conduct that violated the county’s personal conduct and anti-harassment policy, reported CBS19.
Before she was fired, some animal control employees spoke in support of Greene at the Smith County Commissioners Court meeting this week, reported Tyler Morning Telegraph.
One employee said Greene had showed compassion and care, going above and beyond for the animals in her care as well as for her employees.
“She treats her team with fairness and kindness,” the speaker told the court. “Always willing to listen, to advocate for their needs. … Removing her from this role would be a great loss to the shelter, the employees and the animals we serve,” the speaker said.
After discussing the matter in a closed executive session, the commissioners unanimously agreed to allow the county HR department to terminate Greene, who had been reprimanded twice in the past three years for numerous performance issues including communicating poorly with peers, the public and local organizations; being “abrasive and defensive when confronted on issues;” and for failing to properly manage staff and the animal control budget.
Greene, who was appointed as animal control director in Feb. 2020, told KLTV in a phone interview that she intends to file a grievance over her firing.
“I don’t think that a thorough investigation went into the allegations,” she said. “I believe only one side of one of the employees was heard and not everyone else.”
Some of Greene’s advocates pointed out that she has been pushing county officials to build a new shelter and to repair the current facility, which was built in 1927 and is in poor structural condition, the Morning Telegraph reported. The county has approved only temporary repairs, which has led to a leaky roof, warped walls and floors and possible mold growth, posing health risks for both animals and staff.
The facility is also overcrowded, resulting in the euthanasia of animals and low morale for staff.
In a public meeting last month Greene was critical of county commissioners who made no increases to the animal shelter’s budget, after previously indicating they would.
Greene’s termination set off a lively debate online, where some people found her firing to be a violation of free speech, while others saw her termination as justified.
“So she was fired for other people expressing free speech in their place of business? That makes total sense,” wrote one person on Facebook.
“The problem we have today is everyone is so sensitive,” wrote another, whose profile features images of Confederate flags. “That should not be a fireable offense.”
Among many commenters who clapped back was a Black man from Alabama, who wrote, “Yes, she has the right to free speech, but that doesn’t mean her words are free from consequences in the workplace. When her actions and statements damage the company’s reputation, the business has to respond. You cannot openly express racist views and expect an organization to stand behind you, especially when it employs or serves people of many different backgrounds. That creates not only legal risks but also serious harm to the brand. Keeping her on staff would have been both bad for business and bad for employees. Actions have consequences.”
Some commenters explored the origin of the racial slur at the center of the workplace incident, and how it has been used historically in East Texas.
“The employee was talking about a repair to the building. They said it was slur word for ‘black people-rigged.’ Which means it was made to work but doesn’t look great and not a permanent fix,” noted a white woman from Lindale, Texas.
Others noted that the slur derives from the now interchangeable terms “jury-rigged” or “jerry-rigged,” which originated in the 16th century as a nautical term referring to assembling or repairing something quickly with the materials on hand, such as a broken mast, according to HowStuffWorks.
One white man from Sugarland, Texas, wanted to give Greene a pass for using the offensive timeworn term.
“Not to say it was ok, but you have to consider where smith county is,” he said. “That term was commonly used by her parent’s, grandparent’s, and going back generations. This was a pretty common phrase pre millennial generation for southern regions.”
A white woman from Tyler, Texas, wasn’t having it.
“I have lived in smith county all my life, had parents/grandparents/aunts and uncles etc that would use the slur in question both in derogatory ways and in what you seem to think would be considered ‘innocent’ ways. I knew it wasn’t okay since kindergarten. I spent an unfortunate amount of time of my childhood trying to reason with/ fight with the adults in my life about racism. There is no excuse.”
‘Who Is That?’: Sherri Shepherd’s Unrecognizable Look at Has Fans Doing a Double Take, Zooming In on Her New Rack and Snatched Waist
Sherri Shepherd has been killing her fashion looks for NYFW. The talk show host and comedic actor has shared photo after photo after photo, racking up thousands of likes on her Instagram page.
But it was Shepherd’s appearance at The Bomb Fashion Show on Sept. 13 that really had people buzzing about her weight loss. She not only turned heads with her shocking new look, but fans swore she appeared more snatched than ever.
Sherri Shepherd stuns at NYFW and fans can’t help but compliment her bust. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)On Sept. 15, Fashion Bomb Daily, the company that curated the runway show, posted six pictures of Shepherd at the event wearing a strapless black cocktail mini dress. The lower half of the dress was a bubble-like design, while the top was fitted-tight around her body and ruched.
She brought her fun but fierce look together was her voluminous side-part bob, styled by her Theo Barrett, who is the key stylist on her talk show, “Sherri.”
In one image she was seen being escorted down the stairs, and that shot was followed by two solo pictures of Shepherd in front of the event’s step and repeat backdrop. She had a great seat for the fashion show next to “The Real Housewives of Dubai” star Lesa Milan.
Other stars that showed up to the event included the likes of Meagan Good, Eva Marcille, Joseline Hernandez, Yandy Smith and more.
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Though Shepherd was praised up and down for her overall look, she received several comments about her figure.
One person said, “What did Sherri Shepherd do to lose that weight? She looks AMAZING.”
Someone else wrote, “Get it Sherri. Looking snatched….work it.”
But others noticed her waist wasn’t the only thing that looked smaller.
One person asked, “WHO IS THAT?! she’s been looking great lately.. I wonder if she did her stomach?”
“Omg. Her stylist just taught a MASTER class on how to dress for your body shape. This is literally the most flattering silhouette I’ve ever seen on her. Kudos to her stylist,” a second person wrote as a nod to Shepherd’s stylist, Willie Sinclair III.
A third noted, “Yes the breast reduction was the right move.”
Shepherd confessed to getting a breast reduction back in the summer of 2023. On the Season 2 premiere of her talk show, “Sherri,” she got candid with her audience about her decision to remove her 42 double D chest.
“What happened was they were so heavy. I was slouching all the time because of the weight,” she explained. “It started becoming really, really painful. My back was hurting very badly. I was getting the grooves in my shoulders because you had to pull up your bra.”
Though she said she was happy with the results and felt lighter, she also says that getting rid of some of her chest wasn’t a completely joyful experience for her.
She said, “It was a little bit bittersweet because I love my old girls — my best friends, I call them. They grew up with me. They have been with me through thick and thin. This was a relationship with the boobs. And I didn’t care, I loved them. And they been my best friends for so long.”
‘Dishonesty Here is Remarkable’: JD Vance Denies Charlie Kirk’s Racist Attack on Prominent Black Women — But Video Evidence Blows It Up
Vice President JD Vance sparked a firestorm Monday after trying to deny that Charlie Kirk once disparaged prominent Black women by questioning their intelligence, only for online users to circulate video evidence proving otherwise.
“Charlie Kirk never said Black women do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously. He never uttered those words,” Vance argued.
But almost immediately, a split-screen post spread across social media showing Vance’s denial alongside Kirk’s actual words: “Joy Reid, Michelle Obama, Ketanji Brown Jackson—you do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously.”
Republican vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) speaks at a rally at the trucking company, Team Hardinger, on August 28, 2024, in Erie, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)The clip, from a July 13, 2023, episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” resurfaced after his assassination on Sept. 10, as critics sought to highlight Kirk’s record of bigoted statements.
In the broadcast, Kirk took aim at Black women — TV news host Joy Reid, former first lady Michelle Obama, former Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. He argued their acknowledgment of affirmative action amounted to proof they lacked merit and didn’t deserve to be in positions of power.
is this real life? like are we sure the world didn’t end in 2012?
— nae ☽ (@trillnae) September 15, 2025“If we would have said three weeks ago […] that Joy Reid and Michelle Obama and Sheila Jackson Lee and Ketanji Brown Jackson were affirmative-action picks, we would have been called racist,” said Kirk, a college dropout. “But now they’re coming out and they’re saying it for us! They’re coming out and they’re saying, ‘I’m only here because of affirmative action.’”
He continued: “Yeah, we know. You do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You had to go steal a white person’s slot to go be taken somewhat seriously.”
(It’s not clear what white person’s slot Michelle Obama stole as the wife of Barack Obama, and Jackson Lee was the voters’ choice in her majority-black 18th Congressional District from 1995 until she died in July 2024.)
Kirk then played a clip of Jackson Lee acknowledging she had benefited from affirmative action and doubled down: “We know. We know. It’s very obvious to us you are not smart enough to be able to get it on your own. ‘I could not make it on my own, so I needed to take opportunities from someone more deserving.’”
The resurfaced comments went viral in the days after Kirk’s murder, with one Sept. 11, 2025, post on X drawing 8.2 million views and more than 55,000 likes. Fact-checkers, including Snopes, have confirmed the video is authentic.
Much of Kirk’s appeal was rooted in grievance politics, particularly the notion that white men were being pushed aside for people less deserving. He frequently cast diversity and civil rights gains as threats to traditional power, framing Black advancement — and especially the presence of Black women in professional spaces — as evidence that opportunities were being taken away from white men. This zero-sum narrative was central to his talking points and helped cement his following on the right.
Kirk’s status as a college dropout also boosted his appeal among supporters, who saw him as proof that higher education was both unnecessary and stacked against conservatives. By leaning into that outsider identity, he positioned himself as a truth-teller who didn’t need elite credentials to challenge institutions he claimed were hostile to white men.
In many ways, Trump became the embodiment of Kirk’s theory — an outsider who turned resentment of institutions into political capital, casting himself as the voice of those who felt left behind.
That may help explain why supporters of Vance continue to emphasize Kirk’s narrative in a more favorable light.
One user on X wrote: “He didn’t say Black women, he was talking about [who he mentioned] specifically.”
But critics pushed back, arguing that singling out specific Black women leaders was no defense, and claiming Vance was purposely minimizing Kirk’s bigotry by dismissing the broader context. “So he was addressing 3 people by name, not an entire demographic as a whole. Got it, he said nothing wrong,” one post responded sarcastically.
Another added: “So the Right Wing defense of Kirk here is that he did not make a blanket statement about ALL black women, only the three he specifically named. Okay…then by that logic why are so many MAGA personally insulted when folks describe only Trump as a bigot, or fascist?”
One critic summed up the episode bluntly: “The level of intellectual dishonesty here is remarkable. Middle school detention logic. Vance is a profound embarrassment to the United States.”
The controversy has revived scrutiny of Kirk’s history of inflammatory statements. Kirk also made statements like, “If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, ‘Boy, I hope he’s qualified,’” and described gay and transgender people as “groomers” who were “destructive.”
He once said the Second Amendment was “worth” the cost of gun deaths, dismissed empathy as a “made-up, new age term,” and argued that Martin Luther King Jr. was “awful” and that the Civil Rights Act was a mistake. Yet, Kirk apologists are now casting him as a martyr, calling for statues in his honor and for renaming streets after him — elevating him to the same pedestal as King himself.
In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, President Trump lowered flags to half-staff and called Kirk a “martyr for truth.” Trump and other Republicans have blamed the “radical left” for the killing without evidence.
‘This Was Hard to See’: Critics Slam Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Surprise Sit-Down with Donald Trump’s Daughter and Son-In-Law, Wondering How This Happened
When Beyoncé and Jay-Z stepped out for a charity event, no one expected their seating chart to steal the spotlight and overshadow the cause itself.
But once images surfaced of the power couple sitting close to Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, the internet lit up with side-eyes — and more than a few fans wondered if the Carters were playing nice with the very family they’ve long kept their distance from.
Beyonce and Jay-Z were seated at the same table as Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner at a charity event last weekend, fueling rumors about why they were together. (Photos: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images, @ivankatrump/Instagram)Both couples attended Saturday night’s REFORM Alliance Casino Night and Gala in Atlantic City, New Jersey, an organization co-founded by Jay-Z, Meek Mill, and Michael Rubin.
The high-profile fundraiser, hosted at the luxurious Ocean Casino Resort, brought together an impressive roster of celebrities, athletes, and influential figures for the justice reform organization co-founded by Jay-Z himself.
What should have been a celebration of the organization’s mission to transform probation and parole systems instead became a viral moment that had fans dissecting every angle of the image.
The Carters’ proximity to Ivanka and Jared struck critics as especially jarring, given their well-documented support for Democratic figures like Barack Obama and Kamala Harris and their outspoken advocacy for social justice, fueling speculation about the political and cultural messaging of the encounter.
But you can literally see Ivanka Trump right across from Jay- Z and Beyonce.. so maybe they weren’t right next to each other but definitely at the same table.
— dollyyy (@omgitsuki) September 16, 2025Baller Alert followers wasted no time weighing in on the surprising tablemates when the outlet posted the story on Instagram.
“I know Bey was pissed,” one person commented, while another added, “They assigned those seats on purpose…if I was Bey, I would be cursing everyone out then get Solange to arrange another elevator ride with the event coordinator.”
Someone else wrote, “Y’all make so many excuses for the Carters. They show you who they are every time…Kamala PAID Bey for her appearance, yet they invited Ivanka and Jared and had them at their table at their event they hosted. Wake up.”
Many followers rushed to defend the couple, implausibly suggesting the seating arrangement was beyond their control.
“I don’t believe it. Beyonce don’t play with them ppl,” one supporter wrote, while another observed, “I saw the video and Bey didn’t even look like she wanted to be there. Just trying to be nice to DJ Khalid.”
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A fifth person asked, “Didn’t Trump tweet about investigating Beyoncé a few months ago? ain’t going to lie… this was hard to see.”
Almost a full year before the fundraiser that is causing such a dust-up, then-presidential candidate Trump posted on Truth Social, calling for a “major investigation” into Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign.
In those posts, he specifically alleged that celebrities, including Beyoncé, received payment for endorsing Harris, claims that have been disputed by both the artists and campaign officials, who clarified that any payments went toward production costs, not endorsement fees.
At 1:34 a.m., Trump went on a rant calling for investigations into Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, and Bono.
Hard to believe 77 million Americans looked at this broken, deranged man and thought he should lead the free world. pic.twitter.com/JAzLCO7Iz3
Trump’s antagonistic relationship with the Destiny’s Child singer stretches throughout his 2024 campaign days, when he frequently criticized her during rallies.
At one Michigan event, he suggested Beyoncé was “out partying” while serious global conflicts unfolded, attempting to paint her as frivolous during a time when she was actually engaged in legitimate political activities supporting the Democratic ticket.
The Atlantic City gathering showcased typical Rubin event glamour, with VIP tickets reportedly starting at $50,000 and tournament participation costing $100,000. The 300 carefully selected guests enjoyed performances by The Weeknd while supporting an organization that has raised impressive amounts for criminal justice reform, including $24 million at their previous casino night in 2023, the Daily Mail reported.
Beyoncé’s fashion choices for the weekend also drew attention, particularly following her stunning birthday post just one day earlier. The Grammy winner shared photos where she is wearing a show-stopping dark burgundy Dolce & Gabbana lace gown that perfectly complements her signature style.
The contrast between her glamorous birthday celebration look and whatever diplomatic composure she maintained at the charity event became another talking point among observers.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)
For the gala itself, no one really knows what Queen Bey really felt about being seated with the Trump-Kushners, highlighting the complex navigation required when public figures with different political affiliations find themselves at the same charitable functions.
One defender captured the sentiment many fans seemed to share: “This is why Beyonce stay in the house now and don’t talk to us cause yall stay assuming stuff and making narratives.”
‘Brought Tears to My Eyes’: Viral Video Shows Black Man Yanked Out of Vehicle By Cops Over How Low His Truck Was
Jamar Thaxton, a 35-year-old Black man from Virginia, said he was pulled over by a state trooper for not having a front license plate — even though he did have a front license plate.
Then, when realizing he had a front license plate, the trooper accused him of driving a “squatted” truck, which is when the truck has been modified so the back end sinks lower to the ground than the front end.
However, when Thaxton asked the trooper to see proof that he was in violation of the squatting code, the trooper refused to show him, calling for backup instead.
Jamar Thaxton was pulled over for a minor traffic offense and pulled out of his truck and arrested after he asked to see evidence of the infraction. (Photo: video recorded by Brittney Garner and Halifax County Sheriff’s Office)After a Halifax County sheriff’s deputy arrived, the officers told Thaxton they were going to have the truck towed – even though that traffic code is usually enforced with a citation and fine.
But Thaxton told the officers he was not going to allow them to tow his truck until he showed them the results.
“You’re going to tow my truck and you can’t prove the height of the bumper,” Thaxton said, according to a video recorded by his girlfriend, Brittney Garner, who was sitting in the passenger’s seat.
“Well, I tell you one thing, my truck is going nowhere till you show me the difference on that tape line.”
Instead of showing him the results of their measurements, the cops grabbed him and pulled him out of the truck, forcing him facedown on the ground to handcuff him.
Thaxton was charged with obstruction of justice, having an altered suspension, no valid state inspection sticker, and having an improper exhaust, according to WSET-TV.
Watch the video below.
‘Video Brought Tears to My Eyes’The video recorded by Garner was posted on Facebook Saturday night and has since been viewed more than 230,000 times as of this writing, with more than 600 comments, most of them outraged at the violent way Thaxton was pulled from his truck and arrested with some commenters accusing the cops of selective enforcement based on race.
“Should have written him a ticket and kept it moving instead of towing his truck,” commented Sarah Faye. “What’s crazy is I see these white kids here in Lynchburg riding around on truly squatted trucks daily with no repercussions. This sh_t is ridiculous.”
“I’m appalled and embarrassed that this happened in my hometown once again,” said a commenter who goes by Denise S AndSmom.
“All this over a minor traffic violation. The officer’s actions are excessive and unacceptable. Every citizen deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the situation.”
Another commenter named Thelma Petty Lane said, “This was ridiculous. That cop came up aggressive, didn’t ask questions. Just snatched him out the truck.”
And a commenter who goes by Keshia LovinKaylah Snead said, “This video brought tears to my eyes. These cops are getting out of hand.”
Law enforcement officials have issued statements, telling the media that the viral video does not tell the whole story – but they have not yet released body camera videos that would provide more context to the incident.
‘Subject was Confrontational’When local media visited Thaxton at his home to interview him, they did their own measurement. And it turns out his truck was in violation of the truck squatting code because there was a 5-inch difference between the front and back, when the law states the difference cannot exceed 4 inches.
But the officers could have easily written him a citation for violating Virginia Motor Vehicle Code 46.2-1063, which would have required him to pay a fine of $81, according to the Uniform Fine Schedule from Virginia.
Instead, they chose to escalate the situation into a violent arrest and now they are asking the public to believe their version without actually showing their version from body or dash cam videos.
According to a statement from the Virginia State Police to local media.
The Facebook video in question represents only three-and-a-half minutes of a much longer traffic stop and only presents the incident from one viewpoint.
The initial reason for the traffic stop was for having an altered suspension in violation of Virginia Code 46.2-1063 and improper exhaust.
Throughout the stop, the subject was confrontational and uncooperative, refusing instructions to turn off and remain in the vehicle for his safety and our trooper’s safety.
After persistent refusal to follow instructions, the subject was taken into custody with the assistance of a Halifax County Sheriff’s Office deputies for obstruction of justice.
The suspect, Jamar K. Thaxton, 35, of Nathalie, Va., was charged with obstruction of justice (18.2-460), having an altered suspension, no valid state inspection sticker, and having an improper exhaust.
Virginia State Police is reviewing the traffic stop to make sure all policies and procedures were followed.
Halifax County Sheriff Fred S. Clark issued his own statement.
I recognize and respect that there may be different opinions regarding the actions depicted in the video; however, the video posted only shows a portion of the traffic stop. We want to gather all of the information possible regarding the incident.
As your Sheriff, I want to assure you that this matter has taken precedence, and I have personally spoken to the individual involved, the deputy, and Virginia State Police. As this is an ongoing investigation, additional information, including specific details that may not have been provided via social media, cannot be provided at this time.
Thaxton said this all could have been avoided had the officers simply shown him the results of their measurements.
“If it’s not right, show me on the tape measure,” he said in an interview with WSET-TV. “I can add air to it, and I can pump it up so it would be right, but he refused to show me anything.”
