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Wednesday, April 2, 2025
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Trump Flies to Mar-a-Lago on Taxpayer Dime After Zelensky Debacle for Dinner with Lawyer Alina Habba, Friends (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Trump Flies to Mar-a-Lago on Taxpayer Dime After Zelensky Debacle for Dinner with Lawyer Alina Habba, Friends (Exclusive)

Where is DOGE when you need them?

After his Oval Office debacle with Donald Trump, the so-called president of the United States spent $3 million of tax payer money on himself.

He flew to Mar-a-Lago.

Every trip to his Florida country club home costs an average of $1 million a day. He’s been there on four weekends since taking the oath of office six weeks ago.

Meantime, tens of thousands of government workers have lost their jobs thanks to Trump’s irrational, maniacal cost cutting.

At Mar-a-Lago, Trump did not dine with his wife, Melania. Observers say the main guest at his table was his attorney, Alina Habba, who some people call his girlfriend. The table was surrounded by Secret Service.

Also in the dining room were son, Eric, and daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. She’s the former head of the Republican National Committee and a Fox News host thanks to nepotism and criminal stupidity. They were hosting a table.

It’s not known if Eric and Lara paid their bill themselves, or if they left a tip.

According to spies, the buzz in the room was all about Trump’s catastrophic live-on-TV Oval Office meeting with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump and sidekick JD Vance made fools of themselves in front of the world in their attempt to sign a minerals deal with Zelensky. It was a new low for Trump, considered the worst president in US history.

Despite everyone talking about how Zelensky ‘trumped’ him earlier in the day, no one approached Trump or discussed the situation with him.

What will happen today? Probably golf.

Kanye West Drops New Tirade of Disgusting, Expected Antisemitic Posts

Roger Friedman
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Kanye West Drops New Tirade of Disgusting, Expected Antisemitic Posts
Kanye West has posted a bunch of new antisemitic statements. They’re disgusting but not unexpected. No one in the world will ever do business with Kanye again. No record company, no clothing company. He’s still promoting a tshirt with a swastika. Is he crazy? Who cares? It’s gone beyond being bipolar or autistic. He’s a blot on society.

Golden Globes New Scandal: Owner Penske Media Pulls Out the Rug on $75,000 Salaries Mid Contract UPDATED

Roger Friedman
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Golden Globes New Scandal: Owner Penske Media Pulls Out the Rug on $75,000 Salaries Mid Contract UPDATED

UPDATED: I’m told the 50 members of the HFPA were asked to be on a Zoom. It lasted four minutes. A message was read to them, but no person’s face was seen and they didn’t know who it was who spoke to them.

EARLIER

When PenskeBoehlyetc Media bought the Golden Globes, they offered annual salaries of $75,000 to 50 members of the former Hollywood Press Association. It was a five year deal from 2023-2028.

Today, the 50 members were told the deal is over. They’re being offered severance pay of $102,500. They can stay on as voters until 2026.

Whoops! The HFPA members were the base members and voters, culled from the 90 or so members that formed their group. Penske, et al added around 200 or more members who were not salary.

The plan was ridiculous on its face. The HFPA was already accused of all kinds of financial malfeasance. The original members were part of the biggest swag deal in the world, going on free trips everywhere. Penske et all — which owns Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, Deadline,com, Rolling Stone, Billboard and WWD, not to mention the Globes and Dick Clark Productions — thought that by putting money in their pockets the need for graft would be over.

So the party is really over. The 50 members must be furious. Stay tuned…

Another Kennedy Center Cancellation: Legendary Rocker Peter Wolf of J Geils Band Says “Lights Out” to Book Signing Appearance

Roger Friedman
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Another Kennedy Center Cancellation: Legendary Rocker Peter Wolf of J Geils Band Says “Lights Out” to Book Signing Appearance

The Kennedy Center in Washington is getting more and more cancellations.

The latest one is from Peter Wolf, legendary rocker and leader of the immortal blues, soul, and rock band, the J Geils Band.

Wolf was supposed to hold a book signing and Q&A at the Center on March 21st for his memoir, “Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses.”

But I’ve confirmed that the “Freeze Frame” and “Centerfold” singer has shut that down because of the recent changes at the Center.

It’s only the latest blow at the venue now that Donald Trump has installed himself as chairman of the board, and replaced the entire board and staff with his lackeys.

The book is published on March 11th. The signing was set for March 21st.

Instead, Wolf has a full list of signing appearances including one here at The Strand Bookstore on March 12th.

Something tells me “Waiting on the Moon” is going to be a must read. Wolf has had a prety successful and wild life. There have been lots of hits, great music, and at one point he was married to Oscar winning actress Faye Dunaway!

According to the publisher’s description, “Wolf’s marriage to Faye Dunaway is presented in a clear yet balanced and nuanced light.”

Balanced and nuanced is not what’s happening at the Kennedy Center as artist after artist refuses to appear there. This begs the question of what will happen in April when the artists’ committee meets to select Kennedy Center honorees. If they just pick right wing and Christian based performers, that may be the end.

Observers are joking that the next KCH will consist of Mel Gibson, Jon Voight, Lee Greenwood, and Big & Rich. But even if honors are extended to more appropriate acts, will they accept? Or come? It’s going to be a debacle either way.

Coppola, Director of 3 Greatest Films Ever, Accepts Razzie Award for Worst Director for “Megalopolis”

Roger Friedman
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Coppola, Director of 3 Greatest Films Ever, Accepts Razzie Award for Worst Director for “Megalopolis”

Francis Ford Coppola has graciously accepted winning Worst Director of the Year at the Razzies for “Megalopolis.”

The irony is that Coppola has directed in his life three of the greatest movies of all time — “The Godfather,” “The Godfather II,” and “Apocalypse Now.” Plus many other excellent films.

“Madame Web” won Worst Picture. Congrats!

Here are the “winners” at 45th Golden Raspberry Awards

Worst Picture
Madame Web

Actor
Jerry Seinfeld / Unfrosted

Actress
Dakota Johnson / Madame Web

Razzie Redeemer
Pamela Anderson / The Last Showgirl

Supporting Actor
Jon Voight / Megalopolis, Reagan, Shadow Land & Strangers

Supporting Actress
Amy Schumer / Unfrosted

Director
Francis Ford Coppola / Megalopolis

Screen Combo
Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga / Joker: Folie à Deux

Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel
Joker: Folie à Deux

Screenplay
Madame Web,
Screenplay by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharples and Claire Parker & S.J. Clarkson

Trump Diplomatic Catastrophe: Zelensky Leaves White House Abruptly After Live TV Fight with Trump, Vance

Roger Friedman
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Trump Diplomatic Catastrophe: Zelensky Leaves White House Abruptly After Live TV Fight with Trump, Vance

All hell has broken loose at the White House.

At a live press conference with Ukrainian president Zelensky, Donald Trump and JD Vance literally blew up any chance at peace by taking Russia’s side.

On TV all the pundits are calling what happened a debacle, disaster, and a catastrophe.

No president in history has ever been in over his head in this way. Vance was absolutely disrespectful to Zelensky, telling him he’s never said “thank you” for his help, as if he were a child.

When Trump met Zelensky at the door of White House he immediately insulted him, setting the tone for the meeting. He actually said to him, “You got dressed up!” Zelensky was no doubt angry by the time they got in front of the cameras.

Zelensky was appalled listening to Trump show his support for Putin once they got inside. It was a jaw dropping moment in history in front of the whole world. Trump will not be satisfied until Ukraine is destroyed. He will go down in history for causing the obliteration of Ukraine.

Today’s press conference is cancelled. Zelensky has left the White House.

Lizzo Returns with First New Record in 3 Years, Hopes to Revive Dead Sales Post-Scandals

Roger Friedman
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Lizzo Returns with First New Record in 3 Years, Hopes to Revive Dead Sales Post-Scandals

Lizzo hasn’t sold many records lately.

Since January 1st, in fact, the R&B pop singer has sold just 1,182 albums according to Luminate.

Add in streaming, and her total this year is 30,492.

Long ago are the days when Lizzo ruled the charts back in 2022-23.

But then in the summer of 2023, ex-employees made a splash when they sued for a variety of reasons including fat shaming and sexual and racial harassment, a hostile work environment, and unpaid overtime. Lizzo’s PR fell into the ocean. Suddenly she was fighting gossip 24/7, settling cases, and vowing to leave show business.

Her records stopped selling.

Does anyone really ever leave? No. So after cleaning up some of the PR mess, Lizzo is back with a new single, her first new recording in three years. It’s called “Love in Real Life,” and is accompanied by a peppy video that doesn’t present the song well — with stops and starts — but gives the once popular singer a solid platform.

So welcome back, Lizzo, who’s also slimmed down quite a bit, she says thanks to dieting and exercise. She’s refuted rumors about Ozempic (I don’t know why she’d hide it. Everyone’s on Ozempix). However she did it, congrats!

Up, Up, and Away: Jeff Bezos to Send GF Lauren Sanchez into Space with Gayle King, Katy Perry, Three Others

Roger Friedman
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Up, Up, and Away: Jeff Bezos to Send GF Lauren Sanchez into Space with Gayle King, Katy Perry, Three Others

On “The Honeymooners,” Ralph Kramden used to exclaim to his wife, “To the moon Alice!”

Now Jeff Bezos, the billionaire busy destroying the Washington Post, can do it for real.

Bezos is sending fiancee Lauren Sanchez into space on one of his Blue Origin rockets.

Sanchez will be accompanied by an eclectic grouo: Gayle King, Katy Perry, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and “film producer” Kerianne Flynn (three credits for movies we’ve never heard of), whose husband, James, is a wealthy hedge fund player.

The reported cost per person to fly on Blue Origin starts at $150,000. The flights last 10 minutes. You get to experience weightlessness. It’s unclear if there’s a gift bag.

So it’s up, up, and away for these six women who –except for one– have no actual qualifications. What will they find? What’s the purpose? What’s the difference? Maybe Gayle will do a segment from above the clouds! Maybe they’ll find Jeff Bezos’s conscience.

“I don’t know how to explain being terrified and excited at the same time. It’s like how I felt about to deliver a baby,” King, 70, said during the announcement on “CBS Mornings.”

RIP Gene Hackman, Two Time Oscar Winner, Genial Legend Who Escaped Hollywood Early

Roger Friedman
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RIP Gene Hackman, Two Time Oscar Winner, Genial Legend Who Escaped Hollywood Early

Gene Hackman’s death this morning is shocking and sad. He was found with his wife and dog at their Santa Fe home. Hackman was 95.

Hackman won two Oscars, for “The French Connection,” and “Unforgiven.” He was what Clint Eastwood told me was a “get and up go actor,” meaning there was no drama, he just did his job.

Gene’s other sterling credits included “Superman,” and “The Royal Tennenbaums,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” “I Never Sang for My Father,” and dozens more.

He retired from Hollywood in 2004, when he was 75. People were shocked. He could have gone on for five to ten more years as an elder statesman. When I saw him at an Oscar party that year, he and his wife Betsy said no, that’s it, he wanted to go have some peace and quiet. He was very adamant about it.

Gene Hackman brought grace and humility to every role. He was admired as an “actor’s actor,” one of the all time greats who didn’t seek fame but shrunk from it. The work he leave behind speaks for itself. Condolences to the couple’s family and friends.

Kennedy Center Cancelled Children’s Show it Commissioned Will Go On in New York With Broadway All-Stars

Roger Friedman
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Kennedy Center Cancelled Children’s Show it Commissioned Will Go On in New York With Broadway All-Stars

The destruction of the Kennedy Center goes on apace.

Two days after Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center on February 12th, the theater cancelled its first show.

That would be “FINN,” a children’s musical about a fish out of water, that was commissioned by the Kennedy Center and played there to sold out audiences in 2024.

But the new Ken Cen quickly recognized that “FINN” was about making kids of all kinds feel comfortable and acceptable. It’s considered to LGBTQ friendly. Of course, the Center’s disgraceful new leader, Richard Grennell, who is openly gay and evidently self-loathing, wouldn’t allow it.

But there’s a bright side. “FINN” will instead be staged in New York with an all star cast including ndrew Rannells, Andrea Martin, Kelli O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Bonnie Milligan, Jessie Mueller, Nikki M. James, Jose Llana and Hennessy Winkler. Wow!

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson’s digital series, “Stars in the House,” will use “FINN” to celebrate their fifth anniversary at New York’s Town Hall on March 17th. The group raises money for the Entertainment Community Fund.

The upcoming performance will also be live streamed on StarsintheHouse.com. A limited number of $500 tickets are available, which includes VIP seating and a backstage meet and greet. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and live-stream donations will go to The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

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