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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ted Cruz Trolls 'Fact-Free' Tucker Carlson With 'Objective Fact'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After the heated and combative interview between Republican Senator Ted Cruz and right-wing media host Tucker Carlson went viral online, Cruz accused the conservative commentator of being "utterly fact-free" in his views on Iran and U.S. foreign policy. Why It Matters Cruz's clash with Carlson took place during a two-hour interview that Carlson later posted on X, where the former Fox News host challenged Cruz over his support for regime change in Iran. The two debated a range of issues, focusing on U.S. involvement in Iran and Carlson's claim that Cruz prioritizes Israel too heavily in his foreign policy. Their exchange came amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, which were sparked when Israel launched airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military targets, killing several senior scientists and officers. Iran quickly retaliated, most recently hitting a major Israeli hospital in a strike the Israeli government said crossed a "red line." Senator Ted Cruz, chairman Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, leads the committee's questioning of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Chair and CEO Lisa Su, CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator and Microsoft... Senator Ted Cruz, chairman Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, leads the committee's questioning of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Chair and CEO Lisa Su, CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator and Microsoft Corporation President and Vice Chair Brad Smith in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. More Photo byWhat To Know In a post on X on Thursday, responding to commentator Matt Walsh's commentary about the interview, Cruz wrote, "I agree that it was interesting. But it would have more so had Tucker not been utterly fact-free." "'I've never heard of Iran trying to kill [President Donald Trump]!' [high-pitched laughter]," Cruz wrote, mocking the former Fox News host. The Texas senator then brought up a Department of Justice indictment, writing that "it's an objective fact." The indictment charges Farhad Shakeri, an Iranian operative, with plotting to assassinate Trump. 1/x @MattWalshBlog I agree that it was interesting. But it would have more so had Tucker not been utterly fact-free. 'I've never heard of Iran trying to kill Trump!' [high-pitched laughter] It's an objective fact. Here's the DOJ indictment: — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 19, 2025 During the interview, Carlson pressed Cruz on fundamental knowledge of Iran, beginning with a question about the country's population. When Cruz said he didn't know, Carlson replied, "You don't know the population of the country you seek to topple?" The former Fox News host posted the clip online and it quickly went viral, drawing tens of millions of views and sparking widespread debate among those on both sides of the political aisle. Cruz defended his record and turned the conversation toward the threat posed by Iran, citing the DOJ's indictment of Farhad Shakeri. "You're the one who claims they're not trying to murder Donald Trump," Cruz told Carlson, referencing the alleged plot. "You're the one who can't figure out if it was a good idea to kill General Soleimani and you said it was bad," Cruz added. Carlson countered that Cruz was downplaying the implications of advocating for military action without understanding the country in question. "You're a senator who's calling for an overthrow of the government and you don't know anything about the country," Carlson said. In a follow-up exchange, Cruz said the U.S. is currently helping Israel conduct strikes on Iranian targets. "We are carrying out military strikes today," he said. Carlson interrupted to point out that Israel was leading the campaign, to which Cruz replied, "With our help. I said 'we'—Israel is leading but we're supporting them." When Carlson asked if Cruz knew Iran's population, the senator replied that he didn't "sit around memorizing population tables," prompting Carlson to say: "You don't know the population of the country you seek to topple?" Carlson's rhetoric toward Trump has been increasingly critical, with the longtime supporter—who headlined large rallies with the Republican during the 2024 campaign—this week suggesting that the president was breaking his pledge to keep the United States out of foreign entanglements. Trump clapped back at Carlson on social media, calling him "kooky." During an event at the White House later Wednesday, Trump said that Carlson had "called and apologized" for criticizing him, saying Carlson "is a nice guy." What People Are Saying Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday night: "Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, 'IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'" Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to Donald Trump, said on his show, "The War Room": "Come on, man. We have to have an adult conversation. We're not going to let the shills at Fox—the same exact crowd that said the same thing about the Iraq War—force the President of the United States into a corner. He needs a range of options." Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, commented on his weekly podcast: "You've got Tucker Carlson going, 'Why are we going to war with Iran again?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, you tell him, brother!' That's how f---ing upside down we are right now." What Happens Next White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will make a decision on whether or not to have the United States join Israel's war with Iran "within the next two weeks."
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Kroger Responds After Georgia Juneteenth Cakes Go Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Kroger spokesperson responded to viral backlash over Juneteenth cakes sold in one Georgia grocery store in a statement to Newsweek on Thursday. Why It Matters Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, became an official federal holiday in 2021, though it has been celebrated in African American communities since the 1860s. It marks the date on which Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and officially freed slaves from the westernmost part of the Confederacy. What To Know Kroger, a popular grocery store chain, drew backlash after a viral video showed what many viewed as poorly decorated cakes for the Juneteenth holiday. The video, posted to TikTok on Thursday by @ had been viewed seven million times by Thursday and garnered over 850,000 likes on the social media platform. "This is some bulls***," she said in the video. "Who the hell made these ugly-a** s***? I wish there was a manager here because ya'll decorate everything else around here cute. Everything else around here cute, but for Juneteenth you want to just throw something on a freaking cookie cake and expect someone to buy it? That's bulls***." The video showed several cookie cakes with minimal decoration and sloppy piping, featuring text such as "Free @ Last" or "June 19 FREE." One cake simply read, "FREE." @ Kroger count your days. Why even bother if you're going to lack creativity. This is Kroger on Howell mill rd, Atlanta Ga. This is a mockery! Am I tripping, someone let me know! ♬ original sound - blaq monalisa In a statement to Newsweek, a Kroger spokesperson addressed the backlash. "The cakes and cookies that were featured in the video were inconsistent with our provided guidance and not of the quality we would expect to see from our stores. The products have been removed, and we've addressed this directly with the store teams and the customer who took the initial video," the statement reads. The cakes drew a mix of criticism and ridicule on TikTok, with some users describing the lazy nature of the designs as offensive. Others, however, found a bit of humor in the situation. What People Are Saying @Rosegotsoul commented on TikTok: "This is funny but NOT funny. I'm highly disappointed in Kroger." TikTok user Savannah Bryant commented: "ATP fire the whole bakery cuz that's deliberate." @MINA commented on TikTok: "Bc yk when 4th of July comes its finna be america's next top chef designs up in there." @L'lori made a video responding to the cakes: "This is a beautiful find of just absolute laziness. Absolute laziness. To be honest, you could have did absolutely nothing and the people would have been just as fine. Cause just slapping s*** to make a buck is like, come on now. It's very tone deaf, Kroger, and I'm very disappointed." @itskylahh commented on TikTok: "This shouldn't be this funny." Main: A customer walks into a Kroger grocery store in Houston, Texas, on September 9, 2022. Inset: A Juneteenth flag flying in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2024. Main: A customer walks into a Kroger grocery store in Houston, Texas, on September 9, 2022. Inset: A Juneteenth flag flying in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2024.; MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images On Reddit, u/massive_chem commented: "They don't decorate everything else there cute. She goes over and shows cakes that come in pre decorated. Everything she thinks is 'cute' came in the store looking like that. It looks like they don't have an experienced cake decorator." Reddit user u/Mrs_hippiequeen commented: "i mean, i don't think it's racially motivated or anything. looks like someone told the closer (non-decorator) to fill a table at the end of the night. they are really bad. we haven't been instructed to do anything for juneteenth at my store, so it's possible it was a last minute thing." What Happens Next The original poster shared an update on TikTok showing that the cookie cakes had been removed from the grocery store. She added, "I still feel some type of way that they didn't replace it with better Juneteenth cakes."
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fundraiser for Killed 'No Kings' Protester Jumps $300K in One Day
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An online donations page set up to raise money for the family of a protester killed by a stray bullet during a "No Kings" demonstration received more than a quarter of a million dollars in just one day. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old celebrity fashion designer and dad who once featured as a contestant on the Project Runway TV show, was an "innocent bystander" caught in the crossfire when police attempted to subdue a suspected gunman, police said. A fundraiser set up for his loved ones has seen an outpouring of support for Ah Loo's family, who were plunged into mourning after his death on Saturday evening. As news of the tragedy spread, the GoFundMe page saw an influx of donations to help his widow and two children, with more than $323,000 donated in just 24 hours. Newsweek has reached out to the GoFundMe organizer, Lindsey Olson, seeking comment. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who was known as Afa to his friends, was hit by a stray bullet at a "No Kings" protest. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who was known as Afa to his friends, was hit by a stray bullet at a "No Kings" protest. GoFundMe Why It Matters Ah Loo, who was known as Afa to his friends, had been part of the 10,000-strong march against Donald Trump in Salt Lake City, Utah, which was part of a nationwide "No Kings" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday. But the protester was stuck by one of three bullets fired by one of the event's "peacekeepers," who was aiming at a suspected gunman allegedly carrying a rifle nearby. Although Ah Loo was rushed to the hospital by paramedics, doctors were unable to save him, and he later died from his injuries. The suspected gunman, Arturo Gamboa, 24, was shot twice and wounded. He was later arrested on suspicion of murder. The peacekeeper shooter, who has not yet been publicly identified, was also detained along with another member of the team. "Detectives are still actively investigating this case, to include the actions of the peacekeepers," Salt Lake City Police Department said in a statement published on Sunday. "Detectives have developed probable cause that Gamboa acted under circumstances that showed a depraved indifference to human life, knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death and ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member." Many "No Kings" protests were held across the country, including this one outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on June 14, 2025. Many "No Kings" protests were held across the country, including this one outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on June 14, 2025. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Ah Loo ran his own fashion brand called Afa Ah Loo, and he had dressed several celebrities, including Moana star Auli'i Cravalho and the cast of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, according to NBC News. The GoFundMe goal was initially set at $45,000, and early on Monday, the total stood at a little more than $35,000. But as donations continued to pour in from well-wishers, the target was raised to $370,000, and more than $358,000 has been donated so far. It means the site saw a 10-fold jump in financial support and received some $323,000 worth of donations in just 24 hours. The site reveals that the figure has been reached thanks to 8,600 individual donations, with payments ranging from $10 to $5,000. Several donors also left messages on the site. One wrote: "So many millions behind you, loving you, in this horrible time." Another added: "I was there like many others who have donated. When I heard about Afa, I cried for hours. I'm sorry this happened." What People Are Saying The GoFundMe page set up for Ah Loo's family paid tribute to him, saying: "Afa was a proud Samoan, deeply connected to his culture and community. Through his work with the nonprofit Creative Pacific and his incredible talent as a fashion designer, he shared his heritage with passion and creativity. But more than anything, Afa was proud of the life he built with his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children, Vera and Isaac. "This unimaginable loss has left a profound void in their lives. Family and friends are coming together to raise funds to help Laura with funeral expenses and to ease the immediate financial burdens she now faces. Funds raised will be sent directly to Laura via the GoFundMe transfer. "Any donation, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated. Please keep Laura, Vera, and Isaac in your thoughts and prayers as they begin to navigate life without Afa." Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said on Sunday: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the 39-year-old man who was killed, and with the many community members who were impacted by this traumatic incident. When this shooting happened, the response of our officers and detectives was fast, brave, and highly coordinated [...] Our detectives are now working to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident." What Happens Next The GoFundMe page looks almost certain to reach its new $370,000 goal and has currently achieved 97 percent of its target. In the meantime, police will continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ah Loo's death, while his grieving family must now try to come to terms with a future that no longer includes him.
Newsweek
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Jeffrey Epstein Video Release: What Footage Shows of His Death
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on Fox News Wednesday that a video shows that Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, died by suicide while in federal custody in New York City. Newsweek has contacted the FBI for comment by email. Why It Matters Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges. While officials in the first Trump administration ruled that his death was a suicide, conspiracy theories that he was murdered in custody to protect high-profile individuals, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Britain's Prince Andrew, who were part of his social circle, have persisted. Jeffrey Epstein is pictured in 2019. Jeffrey Epstein is pictured in 2019. Kypros/Getty Images What To Know Bongino, who previously promoted conspiracies that Epstein may have been killed, sat down with Fox News host Sean Hannity to discuss video footage of Epstein's cell area in the period leading up to his death on August 10, 2019. "The evidence we have in our files clearly indicates that it was, in fact, a suicide. We do have video. It's not the greatest video in the world. I don't want to set expectations on fire," the bureau's deputy director said. Bongino said the footage, which is roughly 12 hours long, shows Epstein making a phone call and being checked on by guards at regular intervals. "However, the video does show in that specific block, that he goes in, made a phone call; you'll see 12 hours of guards going in basically check on him, come back. You'll see nobody really comes out of that bay in that area than him. There's no one in there," he told Hannity. The former pro-Trump podcaster said that the video, when combined with other evidence that will be released by the FBI in the coming weeks, makes things "pretty clear." "However, as I've clearly indicated in some of my tweets on my official account, listen, if new information surfaces in the future on any of these cases we're always open," Bongino said. "I'm just telling you there's nothing there in the file at all that indicates anything other than in fact a suicide," he added. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino teases the soon-to-be released Epstein video, Says it confirms that he killed himself. He also announces more new information will be coming in the next few weeks: 'The evidence we have in our files clearly indicates that it was in fact a… — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 5, 2025 Bongino has previously questioned official reports on Epstein's death. "Listen, that Jeffrey Epstein story is a big deal, please do not let that story go. Keep your eye on this," he told his audience of millions in 2023. And in a podcast episode aired on January 4, 2024, Bongino played an excerpt of a journalist saying she was "100 percent" convinced that the disgraced financier was killed in his jail cell "because he made his whole living blackmailing people." At a later point in the episode, Bongino said: "This is where I get really upset at the media." He said reporters had "done almost like no—maybe because I was an investigator before, it's like, I'm amazed at how few people are putting two and two together." On February 10, days into his tenure as FBI deputy director, Bongino said: "I'm not ever gonna let this story go. I'm not letting it go ever." Epstein's brother, Mark Epstein, said in 2024 he doesn't believe the late financier died by suicide, and called for a new investigation into his death. He speculated that another prisoner could have gained access to his brother's cell and killed him, and claimed he was told not all cell doors were locked on the night of his death. "I would like a full investigation of his death. If you look at all the evidence, including the autopsy, the photographs of his body, the bulls*** DOJ report that is filled with inaccuracies, you would never come up with the conclusion that this was a suicide—but based on what?" he told The Guardian in January 2024. The Trump administration in February declassified and publicly released additional files related to Epstein, but the documents did not offer major revelations. FBI Director Kash Patel said last week the federal government is in no "rush" to release more information about the disgraced financier. What People Are Saying FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino told Fox News' Fox & Friends last week: "There is nothing in the file at this point on the Epstein case—and there is going to be a disclosure on this coming shortly…there is video. That is something the public does not know. There's no one there but him." Bongino said in a May 10 post on X: "We are working with the DOJ on the Epstein case and, as the AG stated, there are voluminous amounts of downloaded child sexual abuse material that we are dealing with. There are also victim's statements that are entitled to specific protections. We need to do this correctly, but I do understand the public's desire to get the information out there." Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement on February 27: "This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump's commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators. The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein's extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability." What Happens Next The FBI hasn't provided a timeline for the release of the video. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ex-Trump Lawyer Pauses BarkBox Over Pride Theme
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jenna Ellis, who once served as a lawyer for President Donald Trump, said she paused her BarkBox subscription over its Pride Month collection, highlighting the ongoing debate about how businesses should approach consumers' diverging views on LGBTQ+ Pride. Newsweek reached out to BarkBox for comment via email. Why It Matters Pride Month kicks off June 1 as the LGBTQ+ community commemorates the decades-long battle for rights, including same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination policies. It coincides with the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots in New York City, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. GLAAD, a LGBTQ+ media advocacy group, reported there were 2.5 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents each day in 2024, noting the rise in incidents follows new efforts to pass anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country. Proponents of Pride Month point to this data as to why it is important to celebrate the community Companies that celebrate Pride Month have faced backlash from some conservatives who believe the month is not necessary and that businesses should remain neutral on political and culture war issues. There have been large protests against companies that have participated in celebrations in recent years, such as Bud Light and Target. BarkBox is a monthly subscription service that provides dog products and services to pet owners. What To Know Ellis, who now works as a senior policy adviser for the American Family Association, shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that she opted to put her BarkBox subscription on pause in June due to the company's Pride collection. She shared a screenshot of a customer service chat in which she asked not to receive the box for June. She wrote that she does not want Pride merchandise in her BarkBox because it "goes against my religious beliefs." "I understand and respect your beliefs," the customer service representative wrote in response. "I will skip both boxes for June and resume in July." A dog wears a rainbow bandana at Pride Fest in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 27, 2023. A dog wears a rainbow bandana at Pride Fest in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 27, X user wrote that when they inquired about the Pride collection, a customer service representative informed them that the Pride theme would only be available as an additional add-on and would not be sent to consumers automatically. Instead, customers would get a "Backyard BBQ" theme. Ellis told Newsweek that she was not informed of a BBQ theme for June. BarkBox posted on X on May 27: "Rest assured, we don't include certain themes, such as the Pride theme, in our regular subscription boxes, as we know they may not be suitable for everyone. Instead, we've made them available as an optional Add to Box item for subscribers who choose to receive them." The company unveiled its Pride collection earlier in May. It includes dog toy products like "Slay the Dragon Queen," "Pride March of the Penguins," and "Golden Squirrels," an apparent reference to The Golden Girls. Recent years have seen shifts in sentiment regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Gallup found in May 2024 that 64 percent of Americans believe it is "morally acceptable" to have "gay or lesbian relations, down from 71 percent in 2022. What People Are Saying Jenna Ellis told Newsweek in a statement: "Customers shouldn't have to choose between their conscience and a box of dog toys. When companies push a political or ideological message, they risk losing customers who simply want the product, not to advance an agenda. Opting out is about conviction. For many faith communities, Pride Month pushes an agenda that demands affirmation and engagement at the expense of our beliefs and traditional moral values. Companies that choose to promote Pride Month are no longer just selling products—they're promoting worldviews. "And if 'inclusion' is the goal, why is it only extended to the LGBTQ community? Why not celebrate the Christian faith, military families, adoption, or traditional values—groups that make up a larger percentage of their consumer base? This is not really about inclusion—it's forcing selective virtue-signaling. Also, let's be honest—dogs don't need toys like a 'loud and proud cloud.' They just want to play fetch. Keep the agenda out of my doggo's toy box." GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, in a statement last week: "Support for LGBTQ people and employees remains a business imperative that bonds companies to consumers and unites our country. Companies and leaders must listen to consumers who are demanding that brands prioritize values of freedom, inclusion and growth over rank politics. With LGBTQ, Black, and Hispanic consumers growing exponentially, companies that bow to opponents of inclusion will miss out on key growth segments." What Happens Next Pride Month will begin over the weekend, and many other businesses have already rolled out their own Pride collections. The debate over LGBTQ+ Pride Month will likely continue over the coming weeks.
