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The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trump, 'kooky' Tucker Carlson and why friend breakups are so messy
Carlson started after Trump over the president's handling of the conflict between Iran and Israel, calling Trump "complicit in the act of war" in a newsletter. On Truth Social, Trump fired back at Carlson, giving the host a derisive nickname, as he has with many of his past political opponents. "Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON," he wrote. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Trump and Carlson for further comment. How did we get here? Well, to paraphrase an expert on breakups named Taylor Swift, we have "seen this film before." Friendship experts previously told USA TODAY that public fallouts like these are important to pay attention to, as they shed light on messy aspects of friendship breakups that play out in all our lives. Shasta Nelson, a social relationships expert and the author of "The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time," previously told USA TODAY that, when friends fall out in an unhealthy manner, it's especially easy for what could have been a peaceful split to spiral into a toxic feud. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter "These public relationships are a mirror to what happens so often," Nelson said, adding that when two former friends get into an online feud, it's usually because they're "trying to get from the public what they ultimately need from each other, which is feeling seen in safe and satisfying ways." How friendship breakups impact our mental health Up until recently, Carlson seemed to be one of Trump's biggest fans, endorsing him in the 2024 election and giving a headline-making speech at his Madison Square Garden rally in New York in the leadup to November. That's partly why his recent attacks on Trump have sparked such conversation online. And it's not just Trump whom Carlson has fought with online recently either. An interview he did with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz recently went viral on X, in which the two clashed over U.S. involvement in the Middle East. What shouldn't be underestimated about a friendship breakup? The mental health toll. That's because, as Nelson previously told USA TODAY, our society doesn't have proper etiquette when it comes to friends parting ways. Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt. More: Elon Musk says Trump 'would have lost the election': When friendships implode When that hurt gets magnified online, it tends to rise to the level of a feud. "I can easily say that friendship breakups can sometimes be more complicated than romantic relationships, because, with romantic relationships, we have a lot more ritual around it, and we usually have more conversation," Nelson said. "In our friendships and our platonic relationships, it can be so complicated. We expect it to go easy. Our expectations are different, and then the grief can be a lot more, and the anger can be a lot more." How to cope with a hostile friendship breakup Still, if a friendship breakup does take a hostile turn - and then that hostility gets taken online - there are ways to deescalate the situation and reconcile. Nelson recommends both friends laying down their swords and starting a respectful, ideally private, dialogue. "The best approach is always to sit down and practice vulnerability with each other and practice taking responsibility for our own things," she previously told USA TODAY. "It's finding the place where we can apologize. It's finding a way to try to understand the other person. It's trying to use language where we say, 'Help me understand this.' " In case you missed: Tucker Carlson is back in the spotlight, again. What message does that send? If you find the other person is not amenable to that approach, psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis advises ignoring the online slings and arrows. Responding tends to only add fuel to the fire. "When people use social media to attack one another, it generally never goes well," she previously told USA TODAY. "No one ever said, 'Well, I'm really glad that I resolved that issue that way.'" Could Trump and Carlson take this route? It's possible. According to a transcript provided to USA TODAY by a White House representative, the president hinted that he and Carlson may be ready to make up, while speaking to reporters at an afternoon press briefing on June 18. "Tucker is a nice guy," the president said. "He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong, and I appreciated that."
USA Today
a day ago
- Politics
- USA Today
The Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson fallout and why it's not a surprise
The Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson fallout and why it's not a surprise Show Caption Hide Caption Trump, White House unveil new two new enormous American flags President Donald Trump and others watched the enormous American flag rise at the White House. With friends like these, who needs enemies? About a week after his public fallout with tech CEO Elon Musk, President Donald Trump and former Fox News host and right-wing firebrand Tucker Carlson are taking shots at each other. Carlson started after Trump over the president's handling of the conflict between Iran and Israel, calling Trump "complicit in the act of war" in a newsletter. On Truth Social, Trump fired back at Carlson, giving the host a derisive nickname, as he has with many of his past political opponents. 'Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,' he wrote. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Trump and Carlson for further comment. How did we get here? Well, to paraphrase an expert on breakups named Taylor Swift, we have "seen this film before." Friendship experts previously told USA TODAY that public fallouts like these are important to pay attention to, as they shed light on messy aspects of friendship breakups that play out in all our lives. Shasta Nelson, a social relationships expert and the author of "The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time," previously told USA TODAY that, when friends fall out in an unhealthy manner, it's especially easy for what could have been a peaceful split to spiral into a toxic feud. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter "These public relationships are a mirror to what happens so often," Nelson said, adding that when two former friends get into an online feud, it's usually because they're "trying to get from the public what they ultimately need from each other, which is feeling seen in safe and satisfying ways." How friendship breakups impact our mental health Up until recently, Carlson seemed to be one of Trump's biggest fans, endorsing him in the 2024 election and giving a headline-making speech at his Madison Square Garden rally in New York in the leadup to November. That's partly why his recent attacks on Trump have sparked such conversation online. And it's not just Trump whom Carlson has fought with online recently either. An interview he did with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz recently went viral on X, in which the two clashed over U.S. involvement in the Middle East. What shouldn't be underestimated about a friendship breakup? The mental health toll. That's because, as Nelson previously told USA TODAY, our society doesn't have proper etiquette when it comes to friends parting ways. Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt. More: Elon Musk says Trump 'would have lost the election': When friendships implode When that hurt gets magnified online, it tends to rise to the level of a feud. "I can easily say that friendship breakups can sometimes be more complicated than romantic relationships, because, with romantic relationships, we have a lot more ritual around it, and we usually have more conversation," Nelson said. "In our friendships and our platonic relationships, it can be so complicated. We expect it to go easy. Our expectations are different, and then the grief can be a lot more, and the anger can be a lot more." How to cope with a hostile friendship breakup Still, if a friendship breakup does take a hostile turn − and then that hostility gets taken online − there are ways to deescalate the situation and reconcile. Nelson recommends both friends laying down their swords and starting a respectful, ideally private, dialogue. "The best approach is always to sit down and practice vulnerability with each other and practice taking responsibility for our own things," she previously told USA TODAY. "It's finding the place where we can apologize. It's finding a way to try to understand the other person. It's trying to use language where we say, 'Help me understand this.' " In case you missed: Tucker Carlson is back in the spotlight, again. What message does that send? If you find the other person is not amenable to that approach, psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis advises ignoring the online slings and arrows. Responding tends to only add fuel to the fire. "When people use social media to attack one another, it generally never goes well," she previously told USA TODAY. "No one ever said, 'Well, I'm really glad that I resolved that issue that way.'" Could Trump and Carlson take this route? It's possible. According to a transcript provided to USA TODAY by a White House representative, the president hinted that he and Carlson may be ready to make up, while speaking to reporters at an afternoon press briefing on June 18. "Tucker is a nice guy," the president said. "He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong, and I appreciated that."
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
He had a late-night snack after graduating from college. An allergic reaction killed him.
Hear this story After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his whole life ahead of him. But that bright future was tragically cut short when he died just days later from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack — a chocolate bar — that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. Timmy's whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent other families from losing a loved one to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy's college fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10, according to his mother. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother wants other parents to tell their kids – regardless of their age – to "be aware of what they're eating." "If it does say 'may contain,' don't eat it," she added. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter. How to treat anaphylactic reactions Anaphylactic reactions most commonly occur in response to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition to EpiPens, the FDA approved a new nasal spray in August 2024 as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions. Neffy FDA approval: First nasal spray for allergic reactions gets green light The spray, which is made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions. However, these treatments don't always work. Epinephrine begins to work immediately after it is administered, but its full effect may take 5-10 minutes. And, the drug can begin to wear off within 20-30 minutes — sometimes before the allergic reaction has subsided. Timing is also crucial. For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction. "Let's come together in remembrance of Timmy and help build a safer future for all," Timmy's friends wrote on the fundraising page. Contributing: Katie Camero.
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Taylor Swift, her masters and when spending tons of money is good for your mental health
Taylor Swift, her masters and when spending tons of money is good for your mental health Show Caption Hide Caption Taylor Swift's no longer the youngest self-made billionaire Taylor Swift was once the youngest self-made woman billionaire at 35. The new record holder, according to Forbes, is Lucy Guo, 30, the co-founder of Scale AI. unbranded - Entertainment With one major purchase, Taylor Swift made her "greatest dream come true." The music mogul bought the masters to her first six albums after they were bought by Scooter Braun − someone Swift has publicly criticized − in 2019. Following Braun's purchase of her masters, the singer embarked on a crusade to reclaim ownership of her artistry, going so far as to re-record those albums and release them with the designation "Taylor's Version." But now, it's all over. Late last month, Swift revealed in a lengthy statement on her website that, thanks to negotiations with the private equity firm Shamrock Capital − and, presumably, a boatload of cash − all that music that once belonged to Braun is hers now. Shamrock Capital purchased the master rights to Swift's first six albums from Braun's Ithaca Holdings in 2020. "To say this is my greatest dream come true is actually being pretty reserved about it," Swift wrote. "I will be forever grateful to everyone at Shamrock Capital for being the first people to ever offer this to me. The way they've handled every interaction we've had has been honest, fair, and respectful." She added: "This was a business deal to them, but I really felt like they saw it for what it was to me: My memories and my sweat and my handwriting and my decades of dreams." Swift clearly has impressive business acumen. After all, she had the highest-grossing tour of all time. Forbes estimates her net worth at $1.6 billion. In October 2024, the publication designated her the world's richest female musician. What's clear from her statement, however, is that, for her, buying these masters was much more than a business decision (though financial experts agree it probably will help her make more money in the long run, too). It was about her peace of mind: Finally, she has the satisfaction of knowing her music is hers. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter Let's be real: Most of us will never make Swift-sized purchases like this. That's because most of us will never have Swift-sized bank accounts. But the singer buying her masters, as well as her rationale behind the decision, does raise an important question: When is it wise to shell out major cash for something that holds deep meaning for you? When is peace of mind worth a dent in your bank account? It's a difficult question, and the answer isn't so cut-and-dry. "What she did was buying back her power, which is extremely emotional, especially for women, but it's so empowering that you're getting control of your own destiny back. For Taylor, it's a very big thing ... but she could afford to do that," certified financial planner Melissa Cox says. "For other people, people that don't have Taylor Swift kind of money, it's just going to depend on what it is that we're purchasing and why." Taylor Swift and what her masters purchase means Swift hasn't revealed how much she spent on her masters. Still, it's safe to assume those masters weren't cheap, with some outlets estimating the singer spent up to $360 million for them. A source close to the negotiations told USA TODAY any rumored price range reported is "highly inaccurate." But regardless, the sale price is sure to have been hefty. Kristen Kelly, co-founder of the financial education resource The Wall Street Skinny, says that, even though this purchase was clearly quite emotional for Swift, it makes good business sense too. The power of Swift's brand lies in her ability to control her narrative. Owning the masters to her first six albums is an important piece of that puzzle. More: Taylor Swift owns her music catalog following masters controversy with Scooter Braun "Her whole business, her whole everything is her brand. ... This was just such an important strategic decision for her overall," Kelly says. "Honestly, even if she had to pay more, I think it was probably still the right move strategically." Not to mention, the purchase also sends a powerful message − to the music industry and to other artists, both established and up-and-coming. "She's opened the eyes of other music artists as well, and, because she's doing that, she's kind of pushing back on the industry," certified financial planner Monica Dwyer says. "It kind of feels like the industry is more powerful than the individual." How to know when a big purchase is really worth it Though most of us will never spend money like Swift, the pop star's business dealings carry important lessons about personal finance, mental wellbeing and what purchases are really worthwhile. Sure, we might not ever buy master recordings, but we may have to decide one day if we're going to buy a dream car. Or a dream home. End of an Era: How Taylor Swift's record-shattering tour put fun, freedom centerstage Being able to discern when something matters enough to you to warrant its hefty price tag is crucial. "Let's face it, a lot of our decisions are not made by the logical side of our brain," Dwyer says. "The richer and richer you become, the less you have to worry about those little incidental things. The cost of our home repairs, electric, gas, food, those kind of things are not a thought in Taylor Swift or very, very wealthy Americans' minds." Here are some important considerations when deciding whether or not to make a big purchase: Consider the staying power of what you're buying. "You can spend money in the sense that you go out, you go to a Peter Luger Steakhouse, you buy steak, you eat it, it's gone," Kelly says. "This is something that she's putting money into, and it's holding value the same way you buy into a house and that value goes up." "You can spend money in the sense that you go out, you go to a Peter Luger Steakhouse, you buy steak, you eat it, it's gone," Kelly says. "This is something that she's putting money into, and it's holding value the same way you buy into a house and that value goes up." Ask yourself: Would I be OK if what I buy becomes worthless? "What happens if the value goes to zero?" Kelly says. "Is that something you can live with?" "What happens if the value goes to zero?" Kelly says. "Is that something you can live with?" Give yourself time to think it over. "Sometimes what I'll do is, if I'm shopping on a website, I will put something that I want into the cart, but I won't buy it," Dwyer says. "I wait a week and I say to myself, 'Do you remember even what you put in that cart?' And if it's still something you want, and you remember it a week later, then it's worth purchasing." Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Mormon college student interviews on sex, alcohol are going viral. Why?
Would you rather drink a cup of coffee or a cup of cooking oil? How about hurt a puppy or take a sip of alcohol? These are just some of the questions that have gone viral on a particular corner of TikTok that features videos in which people ask students at Brigham Young University − a college in Provo, Utah owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints − about sex, alcohol and swear words. The videos have become a massive niche on the app, amassing sometimes upwards of 17 million views on a single post and prompting fascination from those unfamiliar with BYU or Mormon culture. USA TODAY has reached out to BYU and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for comment. The TikTokers who make these videos say they get wide-ranging answers from BYU students, but it's the most shocking ones that tend to go viral. Daniel Spencer, a comedian with 1.7 million TikTok followers, says he used to film man-on-the-street interviews at BYU, his alma mater, until the school sent him a cease-and-desist letter around 2023. Spencer, who grew up Mormon but left the church after coming out as gay in 2020, says he believes the videos strike such a chord because they show a culture many people are rarely exposed to − and one that's in stark contrast to stereotypes of other college campuses. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. What health & wellness means for you:Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter "It's just funny to see that it's become this kind of subculture on the internet that lives around what it must be like to attend BYU," Spencer says. "That's kind of how I felt while attending BYU. While my other friends were at colleges, drinking and partying and having fun, we were doing game nights and going to bed at 10 p.m., so it's just such a very different experience." Why is the internet so obsessed with BYU student interviews? Robert Carpenter is not Mormon and has never attended BYU, but he started filming interviews there after some of his friends from high school who attended the university invited him to visit. Carpenter says he doesn't stage his videos, but he suspects some of the students he's interviewed were likely being sarcastic or self-satirizing with their responses. Like Spencer, Carpenter says he received a cease-and-desist letter from BYU in 2023. He also makes similar videos interviewing students at Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university in Virginia. In Carpenter's view, these types of videos have such a grip on TikTok because they showcase viewpoints contrary to that of many other college students. Most of the students who go viral say they don't drink alcohol or have sex outside of marriage. Some avoid cursing or drinking coffee. What we can learn from the BYU interviews Both Spencer and Carpenter say their videos aren't meant to disparage BYU or its students. They say most students they've interviewed have been polite and kind. Many happily agreed to answer questions as a welcome break from studying. While it makes sense these videos have drawn interest online, psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis encourages people to be mindful of their attitude when watching these videos. "If you're watching it to really get to understand how other people live, then that's different than if you're watching it to ridicule someone," Sarkis says. "I think we have to keep that in mind. Are we watching it in a way that we are curious, or is it a way to feel better than? What's our intention?" She adds it's also important to not come to judgements or conclusions about any religion or community as a whole from quick videos. "The best way to find out about somebody's life experiences is to ask them," she says. "One person doesn't speak for the entire group." The way Spencer sees it, every college has its own unique culture. In that sense, BYU is no different. "It's just a fun little gag, fun to see a different kind of culture," Spencer says. "I think if you went to any campus and delved into the deeper parts of their culture, you could find something interesting and you find something worth asking that would be probably weird to everyone else in America." Plus, not every student interviewed in these videos has the same views. Spencer recalls how one student's surprising answer actually helped her land a "ring by spring." While asking students for their favorite swear words, one girl loudly cursed, and another BYU student saw it and was impressed by her brazenness. "A guy slid into her DMs and was like, 'Hey, you seem really chill. I saw you swearing in that video.' And yeah, they ended up dating and marrying each other."
