Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Pras Michel is on trial in Washington, D.C. for allegedly conspiring to make illegal campaign contributions and failing to register as an agent of China. He has taken the stand in his own defense, claiming that he accepted $20 million from a Malaysian businessman and used it to pay friends to donate to a political campaign. Prosecutors allege that Michel was attempting to gain access, peddle influence, and make money. Michel's testimony is ongoing and will provide insight into the case.
Posts tagged as “Barack Obama”
The LSU Tigers women's basketball team have won their first national championship, prompting star player Angel Reese to declare that neither she nor her team will be visiting the White House. Reese suggested that the two teams should share the spotlight, and that Iowa should be invited to the White House as part of the tradition. It remains to be seen if Iowa will be invited to the White House.
Vladimir Putin traveled to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of its annexation from Ukraine, one day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him accusing him of war crimes. The warrant will severely limit Putin's ability to travel outside Russia, and in response he visited an art school and a children's center to emphasize the court's accusation of child abduction. The warrant is unlikely to lead to Putin's arrest, but will lock in his status as an international pariah.
Former President Donald Trump has blamed "wokeness" for the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, rather than the law he signed in 2018 that gutted the Dodd-Frank federal regulations. This has become a cautionary tale for the future, as the government must be able to respond to a financial crisis without the interference of politics in order to protect the economy.
At the 95th Annual Academy Awards, hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, the genre-defying movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once” had the most nominations and had already won the top prizes from the Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild, Producers Guild and Writers Guild. The night featured performances from the cast of “Hamilton” and a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, as well as a special appearance from former President Barack Obama. Ultimately, “Nomadland” won Best Picture, and its director, Chloe Zhao, became the first woman of color to win the award. The night was filled with history-making moments, making it an unforgettable Academy Awards.
In her new podcast, Michelle Obama candidly shares her emotional experience leaving the White House after eight years in office, noting that she cried for 30 minutes straight. The podcast audio is from her recent book tour for her third book, “The Light We Carry,” and Obama has been actively encouraging people to prioritize their mental health and vote in the upcoming election.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan has announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Debbie Stabenow in 2024, making her the first high-profile candidate to enter the race. In her announcement video, Slotkin highlighted her service in the CIA, U.S. military, and private sector, emphasizing her experience in the national security space and her work to help small businesses and veterans. It is expected that more candidates will enter the race in the coming months.
Barbara Lee, a single mother and former homeless person, announced her candidacy for the United States Senate on Tuesday. In her announcement video, she discussed her difficult upbringing and the obstacles she faced, including being denied access to certain places and services and having an abortion when it was illegal. Lee is running on a platform of progressive change and is the third Democratic Representative to announce their candidacy for the seat. Californians will have the opportunity to learn more about the candidates and their platforms before the election in 2024.