📰 The Daily Beast · 17

Donald Trump Cancels Second Mainstream Interview in Days
Donald Trump canceled a planned interview with NBC News' Christine Romans in Philadelphia, marking the second cancellation of a mainstream interview in days. His team cited scheduling conflicts related to his presence in Michigan, though he was expected to appear on Fox & Friends nearby. The Trump campaign stated that Trump maintains an active schedule and continues to engage with audiences through various platforms.

Mitch McConnell Called Donald Trump a ‘Stupid’ and ‘Despicable Human Being’
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell privately referred to Donald Trump as a 'stupid,' 'ill-tempered,' and 'despicable human being' in personal oral histories shared with an Associated Press journalist. These comments were made after the 2020 election, which Trump lost. McConnell expressed relief at Trump's departure from office and stated that the American public rejected Trump due to his 'misrepresentations' and 'outright lies.' Despite criticizing Trump, McConnell has endorsed him publicly in recent years.

Witnesses Say Would-Be Organ Donor Started ‘Thrashing’ on the Table
Witnesses reported that a potential organ donor at a Kentucky hospital began 'thrashing' and crying during a scheduled transplant procedure, leading surgeons to halt the operation. The incident involved Anthony Thomas 'TJ' Hoover II, whose condition was initially believed to be brain dead. The hospital and organ donation organizations emphasized their commitment to patient safety and adherence to donation wishes.

Menendez Family Members: We Had ‘Gut-Level’ Fears Erik and Lyle Were Sexually Abused
Relatives of Lyle and Erik Menendez discussed their belief that the brothers were sexually abused by their parents prior to the 1989 murders of their parents. The family members expressed growing certainty over time that the abuse occurred, despite initial reluctance to accept such claims. The Menendez brothers were convicted of killing their parents and have maintained that their actions were driven by abuse, while prosecutors claimed the abuse was fabricated.

Watch Liam Payne’s Phenomenal ‘X-Factor’ Audition That Made Him a Star
The article discusses the death of Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction, who fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina. It mentions reports of erratic behavior prior to his death, including damaging a laptop and being carried back to his room. The piece reflects on Payne's struggles with fame, addiction, and mental health, while also revisiting his early career, particularly his 'X-Factor' audition that led to his rise to fame.

Stormy Daniels Says Trump Is Trying to Silence Her Again
Stormy Daniels claims Donald Trump is attempting to silence her again by offering a new hush money deal. According to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Trump’s legal team proposed adjusting the debt Daniels owes him in exchange for her agreeing not to make public or private statements about alleged past interactions with Trump. Daniels reportedly rejected the offer, paying $627,500 without signing a non-disclosure agreement.

Trump Calls Jan. 6, the Day His Supporters Led a Failed Insurrection, ‘A Day of Love’
Former President Donald Trump referred to January 6, 2021—the day his supporters attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election by attacking the U.S. Capitol—as 'a day of love.' This statement was made during a televised election town hall hosted by Univision. A participant questioned Trump about his actions on Jan. 6 and during the pandemic, citing concerns over his 'inaction' and the loss of support from former administration officials. Trump claimed that 97% of his previous administration still supports him, though he acknowledged some high-profile figures no longer do.

‘Anora’: The Screwball Stripper Odyssey That Should Win All the Oscars
The article reviews the film 'Anora,' directed by Sean Baker, highlighting its multifaceted storytelling and empathetic portrayal of its protagonist, Ani, a stripper navigating personal challenges. The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and is set to release in October.

Tegan and Sara: The Pop-Rock Twins Driven Mad by a Wild Catfishing Scheme
The article discusses the documentary 'Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara,' which explores how an online impersonator deceived Tegan and Sara, a popular indie rock duo, over a decade. The film examines the impact of internet-based deception on both the celebrities and their fans, highlighting the intersection of toxic fandom and digital manipulation.

Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Fox News’ Post-Harris Interview ‘Orgy’
Jimmy Kimmel mocked Fox News' post-Kamala Harris interview coverage during his monologue, criticizing the network's apparent over-the-top praise for Bret Baier's interview with Harris. He suggested the praise was insincere and driven by fear of Donald Trump rather than journalistic integrity. Kimmel also compared Fox News' treatment of Harris to their handling of Trump during a recent event with a conservative, female-only audience, calling it 'North Korea-level propaganda.'

Anderson Cooper Literally Calls Bulls*** on Surrogate’s Trump Defense
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper expressed frustration with a Republican surrogate's defense of Donald Trump during an interview on AC360. The surrogate, former California Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado, argued that Trump's controversial remarks were merely reflective of his personality and that criticisms from military officials like General Mark Milley stemmed from personal disagreements rather than legitimate concerns.

‘Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’: Is Heather Gay a Hypocrite for Taking Ozempic?
The article discusses the fifth season of 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,' highlighting dramatic developments such as revelations about paternity and personal conflicts among cast members. It focuses on specific plot points involving Lisa Barlow and Bronwyn, including a surprising discovery about Bronwyn's biological father.

Review: Will Adam Driver Explode in ‘Hold on to Me Darling’?
The article reviews Kenneth Lonergan's play 'Hold on to Me Darling,' focusing on Adam Driver's performance as a country music star named Strings contemplating leaving fame behind after his mother's death. It praises the play's writing and performances, noting that while the play is lengthy, it remains engaging due to Lonergan's script and Driver's portrayal.

Defiant JD Vance Says ‘No,’ Trump Did Not Lose 2020 Election
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance stated during a campaign event that Donald Trump did not lose the 2020 election. This comes after Vance previously avoided directly answering questions about the election results. When questioned about his refusal to address the issue, Vance claimed he had already answered the question many times and emphasized that he focuses on issues like the role of large technology companies rather than on election-related court cases or conspiracy theories.

Billionaire Bill Ackman Admits Debate Conspiracy He Pushed Is Fake
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman initially promoted claims that a whistleblower had revealed collusion between ABC and Kamala Harris' campaign during a presidential debate. He later admitted these claims were fabricated but did not acknowledge his role in spreading them. The original claim originated from an unverified X account and was amplified by a known misinformation site before being shared by Ackman.

CNN’s Stars Get Massive Salaries Frozen as Bosses Sharpen Ax
CNN journalists, including high-profile figures like Chris Wallace, face uncertainty over potential layoffs and frozen salaries under new CEO Mark Thompson. According to reports, Thompson is implementing cost-cutting measures such as denying raises, reducing staff, and relocating operations to Atlanta. Multiple insiders have expressed concern over the unstable work environment.

Kamala’s GOP Posse Predicts ‘Hidden Harris’ Victory
At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, anti-Trump Republican activists expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting that some Republicans may be tired of Donald Trump and could potentially vote for Harris. Former Trump critic George Conway stated that there is a 'hidden Harris' vote among Republicans. The event included several high-profile Republicans, such as former Trump national security advisor Olivia Troye and former Representative Adam Kinzinger.