In a notable shift, references to President Donald Trump’s two impeachments have been removed from his photo portrait display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. This adjustment coincides with ongoing discussions about bias in official presentations documenting U.S. history. The wall text that previously outlined Trump’s presidency, including mention of his upcoming 2024 campaign, was available online until recently. Currently, the museum features a different photograph of Trump without any accompanying text.
The White House has not clarified whether Trump or his aides requested this change. This alteration reflects an ongoing trend in museums where narratives about controversial figures are being reassessed in light of public sentiment and political influence.
Box Office Hits and Cultural Events
In cinematic news, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to reign supreme at the box office for the fourth consecutive week, earning $21.3 million in North America over the weekend. This brings its domestic total to $342.6 million and a global total of $888 million. Following closely is Paramount’s horror release “Primate,” which debuted with $11.3 million domestically. Disney’s “Zootopia 2” remains a significant contender, approaching the studio’s highest-grossing animated film record with $1.65 billion globally. Meanwhile, the entertainment industry is gearing up for the Golden Globe Awards, with both “Avatar” and “Zootopia 2” receiving two nominations each.
In sports, Caleb Williams made a remarkable playoff debut for the Chicago Bears, leading his team to a thrilling 31-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Williams threw a decisive 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore with just 1:43 remaining, overcoming an 18-point deficit. The Bears, who are the NFC North champions, achieved their first playoff win in 15 years, showcasing their resilience under coach Ben Johnson.
Tributes and Controversies in Hollywood
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for his roles in “The Thing” and “Punky Brewster.” Carter passed away at the age of 69, with authorities in California responding to reports of an unresponsive male. While the cause of death remains undisclosed, officials have stated that foul play is not suspected. Carter gained recognition for his portrayal of Nauls in the 1982 cult classic horror film and appeared in various other productions throughout his career.
In a controversial political move, Adam Johnson, who infamously carried Nancy Pelosi‘s podium during the U.S. Capitol riot, has filed to run for a county office in Florida. His announcement came on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 event, a timing he claims is intended to generate public interest. Johnson pled guilty to entering a restricted building and served 75 days in prison, expressing regret primarily for the consequences of his actions.
In a cultural milestone, Hollywood couple Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors have been granted Guinean citizenship after tracing their lineage to the West African nation. The couple received their citizenship in a private ceremony in Conakry, Guinea, and plans to tour the country’s tourist attractions. Djiba Diakité, head of the president’s cabinet, commended them as exemplary representatives of Guinea.
Meanwhile, actor Timothy Busfield faces serious legal issues, with authorities in New Mexico issuing an arrest warrant related to a child sex abuse charge. Allegations against Busfield involve inappropriate conduct on the set of the television series “The Cleaning Lady.” His attorney has yet to respond to these allegations.
In music, a federal judge has dismissed Salt-N-Pepa‘s lawsuit seeking to reclaim their master recordings from Universal Music Group. The court ruled that the duo had never owned the copyrights to their sound recordings, asserting that the works were classified as “works made for hire,” thus preventing any reclamation rights.
In a significant development, rapper Fetty Wap has transitioned from federal prison to home confinement after serving just over half of his six-year sentence for drug trafficking. The Bureau of Prisons confirmed his release, but specific details regarding the early discharge were not provided. Fetty Wap expressed gratitude to his supporters and emphasized his commitment to family and community service moving forward.
