In a night filled with laughs and memorable moments, Serena Williams didn’t hold back at the 2024 ESPY’s, tackling everything from rap beefs to sports anecdotes.

The tennis legend kicked off the evening by diving into some of the year’s hottest topics in sports and pop culture. She touched on Kendrick Lamar’s rap battles, Shohei Ohtani’s infamous translator mishap, and the excitement around Bronny James being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.

But it was her playful jabs at NFL star Travis Kelce and pop sensation Taylor Swift that had the audience. “Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs! This year Patrick Mahomes and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend won a Super Bowl,” Williams joked.

She didn’t stop there, though. Williams went on to mention Kelce and Swift’s lavish spending on their romance, rumored to be around $100,000 a day. “That’s a lot of money. That’s what I’ve been told,” she joked.

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Williams didn’t shy away from Shohei Ohtani’s recent financial blunder either. The Dodgers pitcher reportedly had $16 million stolen by his translator without even noticing. “Male athletes get paid so much more than female athletes, they don’t even notice losing $16 million. Believe me, I would,” she said.

Kelce did not seem to mind Williams’ jab on Thursday, however. At a separate event, Kelce gave a shout-out to his girlfriend while accepting a different type of award. At the American Century Championship charity golf event in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, the 34-year-old joined his brother for some fun and even showcased his singing talent in a karaoke contest.

After delivering a rendition of Whitesnake’s classic “Here I Go Again,” Kelce won the karaoke contest. Overjoyed upon hearing his name announced, Kelce playfully mimed tears as he approached the microphone. “Taylor, this is for you,” he yelled. “I love you guys!”

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“Taylor, this is for you”

Your karaoke winner at @ACChampionship? Travis Kelce! pic.twitter.com/F5q38gYlk0

— Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) July 12, 2024

In April the Chiefs secured their star tight end with a substantial pay boost, finalizing a two-year contract on Monday. Valued at $34.25 million, the agreement includes $17 million fully guaranteed for the current season, with the majority of the remaining sum set to become guaranteed on the third day of the 2025 league year.

Swift and Travis Kelce started dating in the summer of 2023. The couple hasn’t shied away from displaying their affection, often appearing together at public events and actively supporting each other’s professional endeavors. Swift has become a familiar face at Chiefs games, where she’s often spotted rooting for Kelce.

Over the years, Kelce has become one of the league’s top tight ends. He’s known for his consistent performance, having amassed over 1,000 receiving yards in multiple seasons, which is a remarkable achievement for his position. His accolades include multiple Pro Bowl selections and several All-Pro honors.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

In a move that could reshape the 2024 presidential election, Meta Platforms, Inc. ($META) has officially removed the restrictions on former President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. This decision reinstates the 2024 GOP frontrunner’s access to two of the world’s most influential social media platforms, amplifying his reach ahead of his anticipated election campaign.

The restrictions, initially imposed following the events of January 6, 2021, were lifted on Friday, marking a significant moment in social media governance and political communication. Meta’s oversight board had previously endorsed the company’s decision to suspend Trump.

JUST IN: Meta, $META, removes Donald Trump Facebook and Instagram account restrictions ahead of 2024 election

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) July 12, 2024

Trump’s ban from Facebook and Instagram, platforms owned by Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly known as Facebook Inc.), marked a significant moment in the intersection of social media and politics. The decision stemmed from concerns about his posts during the January 6 Capitol breach in Washington, D.C.

On January 7, 2021, the day after the Capitol breach, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the indefinite suspension of Trump’s accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Zuckerberg cited the use of the platform to “incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government.” The decision was based on Trump’s posts during the Capitol breach, which Facebook claimed contributed to ongoing violence, representing a severe violation of their guidelines.

Initially, the suspension was indefinite, with Facebook stating they would revisit the decision after the situation stabilized. This was part of a greater trend where various social media platforms, including Twitter (now X) and YouTube, took similar actions against Trump in response to the Capitol breach.

The enforcement of the suspension brought attention to the Oversight Board, an independent body established by Facebook to review content moderation decisions. On May 5, 2021, the Oversight Board upheld Trump’s suspension but criticized the indefinite nature of the ban as an inappropriate standard. They requested that Facebook review the decision and establish a more definitive timeline.

Following this, on June 4, 2021, Facebook announced that the ban would last for two years, retroactive to January 7, 2021, at which point the company would reassess the risk to public safety based on external factors, including instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly, and other markers of civil unrest. Trump’s case became a pivotal study in how private companies manage the thin line between governance and censorship, especially concerning figures with significant political influence.

Trump’s return to Facebook and Instagram is expected to significantly impact his communication strategy, offering him direct channels to reach millions of followers. During his absence from these platforms, Trump had turned to alternative methods, including launching his own social media platform, to maintain contact with his base.

Now, after a less-than-stellar performance by Joe Biden in recent weeks, Trump is leading the President by 4 points among registered voters, according to Pew Research polls. 44% of voters indicate they would choose Trump if the election were held today, compared to 40% who favor Biden.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

At 81, Joe Biden is the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. Still, his faltering performance during last month’s presidential debate came as a surprise to some Democrats, from senior White House insiders to long-time administration officials who engage with him privately.

On top of the president’s hardships, Biden’s Friday virtual meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus seemed to exacerbate tensions rather than alleviate them. According to reports, Biden arrived an hour late for the Zoom call, setting a frustrating tone for the discussion that followed.

Initially, meeting organizers stipulated that only two members, Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) and Lou Correa (D-CA), would be permitted to ask questions. However, in an unexpected move, Biden opened the floor to additional questions. The decision, intended to foster more open dialogue, came after the initial hiccup of his late arrival. A source told NOTUS that while the effort to include more voices was there, it did little to smooth over the lawmakers’ concerns.

According to the source, the campaign exerted strict control over who could participate in the call. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-TX) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-TX) attempted to engage by using the “raise hand” feature during the Zoom call, but were silenced when organizers lowered their hands, preventing them from speaking.

Among the few who were allowed to question Biden, Rep. Correa seized the opportunity to emphasize the expectations of Latino voters. He implored the president to “talk to these families and say to them, there is a pathway in my second administration for all of you that have been here for decades, that have followed the laws, that have paid taxes to be part of the American Dream,” as per a partial transcript of the call shared by NOTUS.

“I strongly agree with every word you just said, not a joke,” Biden said. “I’m being deadly earnest. We’re in a situation where, that’s why I used the executive action, for example, to make sure that over a million Latinos who are married to an American citizen are, get complete access to citizenship, and get — you get a green card now.”

Among the Democrats who managed to speak despite not being pre-selected was Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA). Levin made a bold statement, asserting that it was time for new leadership within the party and urging Biden to step down as the nominee. At the end of the call, Biden indicated he had time for one more question, but the meeting was abruptly concluded by the host, Rep. Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA). Despite this, Rep. Levin still made his voice heard.

Shortly after the call concluded, the congressman became the 19th Democratic member of Congress to publicly urge Biden to withdraw from the race. Democrats have expressed increasing concern about Biden’s performance, with a notable number within the party considering whether he should continue his candidacy.

Publicly, nearly two dozen Democratic Representatives and Senators have suggested Biden should step aside. On Wednesday, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) became the first Senator to publicly urged Biden to step out of the race.

Privately, reports indicate that scores of prominent House Democrats have shared with colleagues their opinion that Biden should end his run. Additionally, a rising number of influential donors and business leaders have escalated the pressure, some even threatening to withdraw financial support if he remains in the race.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

In a USA Today opinion piece, actress Ashley Judd voiced her concerns about Joe Biden’s candidacy. Following Biden’s underwhelming performance in last month’s debate, Judd urged him to withdraw from the race, citing worries that he might not be able to defeat the presumptive Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, in the upcoming November election.

This comes after George Clooney, a major donor for Biden, urged the President to withdraw from the presidential race on Wednesday in an op-ed of his own.

“As I listened to one of my dearest people share some of those beliefs and thoughts, it hurt. I was shaken. My body felt like it was on fire,” Judd wrote on Friday. “The words activated in me profound alarm in the aftermath of the recent debate at which President Joe Biden, a deeply decent man, was incapable of countering Trump, while he, unchecked, gushed a firehose of galling lies.”

“I do not necessarily think all Trump supporters believe, feel, act and speak like this. I know Donald Trump himself does. That is critical. That is why I have come to realize that my private, personal belief is one I should no longer just keep to myself.”

“And so, I now ask President Joe Biden to step aside,” Judd wrote.

The actress and political activist is well-known for her roles in both film and television. Beyond acting, Judd has supported the Democrat Party and has been vocal about her stances on issues like women’s rights, reproductive rights, and social justice.

She continued, “The defense of our cherished rights and freedoms, the moral imperative that we do better by more people, and our bodies, cannot be left to voters who see and are frightened of the consequences of President Biden’s obvious limitations, or who are now not going to vote. We take the risk of an off night and minimize the warning signs at our gravest peril.”

“Thus, because of the very real hurt millions of people would feel when he is president again, the Democratic Party must not delay in thanking President Biden and supporting a talented, robust Democrat to be our party’s nominee. We do not have another day for distraction or division among ourselves.”

“Some in Washington may want to wait for the next week, the next press conference, the next network interview. Here, where I sit in rural Tennessee, it is clear that Americans have already made up their minds against President Biden, on top of the majority who love to vote for Donald Trump.”

Judd finished, “My folks are not bad people, despite what you may now think of them. They are facing bad options. We must give them a different choice from our Democratic Party for president of the United States.”

With the 2024 elections on the horizon, Democrats are facing a pressing need to unify and reinvigorate its base. Biden’s campaign has been facing a challenging July fundraising period, with more and more major donors expressing their doubts about his ability to secure a victory in November.

Biden’s Thursday night speech did not notably deepen Democrats’ worries about his ability to lead – but the presser did not stop further calls for him to step aside on Friday.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

Country singer-songwriter Dave Loggins, renowned for penning the iconic theme song for the Masters golf tournament, has passed away. According to an obituary published by The Tennessean, Loggins died on Wednesday in Nashville.

The Grammy-nominated Hall of Fame singer-songwriter best known for his 1970s hit “Please Come to Boston,” passed away at the age of 76 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN.

Born in 1947 in Mountain City, Tennessee, he was a cousin to Kenny Loggins, another prominent musician. Over his extensive career, Loggins not only thrived as a singer-songwriter but also made significant contributions as a composer for various artists and media, including television and commercials.

Killing 1979 live performance of the epic Kenny Loggins/Michael McDonald collaboration, “What a Fool Believes” pic.twitter.com/CezqTANI5g

— David Reaboi, Late Republic Nonsense (@davereaboi) June 26, 2024

“I just heard about the passing of Dave Loggins. Dave was an incredible singer, guitar player, and a writer,” Lee Greenwood wrote on X. “It was his music that drew me to Nashville, Tennessee in 1979. Dave was from Bristol, TN, but he made the world know who he was by the songs he wrote and sang. We will miss his great talent, but his songs will live forever. We send prayers of healing and comfort to the Loggins family.”

I just heard about the passing of Dave Loggins. Dave was an incredible singer, guitar player, and a writer. It was his music that drew me to Nashville, Tennessee in 1979. Dave was from Bristol, TN, but he made the world know who he was by the songs he wrote and sang. We will miss… pic.twitter.com/LAXKsuvFEw

— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) July 11, 2024

One of his most notable achievements was composing “Augusta,” the enduring theme for the Masters golf tournament, recognized as the longest-running sports theme in history. His musical style, which primarily incorporated elements of country and soft rock, was highly acclaimed for its lyrical depth and melodious composition.

Throughout the decades, Dave collaborated with an impressive array of artists including Johnny Cash, Toby Keith, and Reba McEntire, among others. He achieved a unique milestone in 1986 as the only unsigned artist to win a CMA award for his duet with Anne Murray, “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do.”

Dave Loggins is survived by his three sons, Quinn, Kyle, and Dylan, and his grandson, Braxton. Respecting his final wishes, there will be no funeral service. Instead, the family suggests that donations be made to Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN, in his memory.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

In an exclusive interview on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, former President Donald Trump disclosed that he has narrowed down his choices for a running mate to four finalists, once again creating speculation on his strategic selection process which he likened to a “highly sophisticated version of The Apprentice.”

During the radio interview, Trump revealed the intricate dynamics of choosing a Vice President, a decision imbued with high drama and strategic considerations. “You know, I may be leaning one way, and that changes sometimes, you know, all of a sudden you see something that you like or you don’t like, and you lean a little bit differently, but we have some very good… we have a very good bench,” Trump explained.

“I’d love to do it during the convention, which would be, you know, or just slightly before the convention, like Monday. I’d love to do it on Tuesday or Wednesday, actually, but for a lot of complex reasons that you people understand, you pretty much don’t do that,” he noted.

The former president shared insights into his personal engagement with the potential candidates, offering a glimpse into the rigorous vetting process. “I got to know them very well. I’d say four people, you know, four or five people, but I got to know them very well. Some dropped out over the course of… They didn’t drop… there were reasons why they wouldn’t have done as well,” Trump disclosed.

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“I watched him [Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)] on television yesterday; he was fierce and great. I watched Marco over the weekend on television; he was incredible. JD’s been great. You have a man named Burgum, who’s a fantastic governor in North Dakota. And you know, it’s a state that’s very, very prosperous, very successful. And he’s done a good job there,” Trump enthusiastically shared while offering a hint at the strengths of the individuals under consideration.

The countdown to the Republican National Convention is on, yet surprisingly, the usual buzz about the GOP’s vice presidential nominee is missing this year. Instead, the political drama centers around Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, whose frequent mental lapses have stolen the spotlight. The shift has pushed even Trump and his choice of running mate to the margins of media coverage. Since the debate, the Democrats’ struggles are front and center, leaving Trump to merely observe their unraveling.

Democrats and Biden allies hoped that a solid performance from the president Thursday night would calm fears over his capabilities after a disastrous debate. It also caught the attention of former President Trump, who responded in a Truth Social post. After delivering a short campaign speech, Biden retrieved a piece of paper and declared that he had been given a pre-approved list of reporters to call on by his aides.

In response to the first question — which concerned Vice President Kamala Harris and her ability to lead — Biden referred to his running-mate as “Vice President Trump.”

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“Crooked Joe begins his ‘Big Boy’ Press Conference with, ‘I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.’ Great job, Joe!” he wrote.

With the Republican Convention on the horizon, all eyes will be on Trump as he unveils his choice, a decision that will significantly influence the 2024 presidential race.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) secured a private meeting with President Joe Biden on Thursday. The pivotal encounter took place on the same day as Biden’s high-profile NATO news conference, highlighting the urgency of the internal crisis facing the party. These meetings have revealed significant anxiety among Democrats about the party’s direction and leadership under Biden, particularly in light of his recent performances on the national stage.

Further compounding the party’s woes, a major financial rebellion is now looming over Biden’s reelection campaign. Prominent Democratic donors have expressed their discontent by putting a pause on approximately $90 million in pledges to the leading pro-Biden super PAC, Future Forward.

According to insiders who spoke to The New York Times, this includes several commitments in the eight-figure range. The donors, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the delicate nature of the issue, have voiced their concerns following what many viewed as a lackluster debate performance by Biden at the end of June.

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The New York Times reported:

Future Forward declined to comment on any conversations with donors or the amounts of any pledged money being withheld. A Future Forward adviser would say only that the group expected contributors who had paused donations to return once the current uncertainty about the ticket was resolved.

Separately, one donor to the group described being approached multiple times by Future Forward since the debate for a contribution, but said he and his friends had been “holding off.”

The two people briefed on the frozen pledges declined to say which individual donors were pulling back promised checks, which were estimated to total around or above $90 million. It was not clear how much of the pledged money was earmarked for Future Forward’s super PAC versus its nonprofit arm, which has also been running advertising in key battleground states. The super PAC has been shying away from making major strategic decisions until it gets clarity on who will be atop the ticket, according to a separate person close to the group.

The cash freeze comes as some advisers around Mr. Biden are discussing how to persuade the president to exit the race, and as his campaign has begun to test Vice President Kamala Harris in head-to-head surveys of voters against former President Donald J. Trump. The number of congressional Democrats calling for Mr. Biden to step aside is growing by the day.

Biden’s campaign is facing a challenging July fundraising period, with more and more major donors expressing their doubts about Biden’s ability to secure a victory in November. After weeks of turmoil within his party, Biden’s NATO press conference lasted almost an hour. While he slipped up a few times, he also gave a better performance than June 27th’s presidential debate. That said, the President did not notably deepen Democrats’ worries about his ability to lead – but the presser did not stop further calls for him to step aside on Friday.

With the 2024 elections on the horizon, the party faces a pressing need to unify and reinvigorate its base.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

On Thursday, President Joe Biden made a notable gaffe mistakenly introducing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin.”

Occurring in what was expected to be Biden’s most significant political moment since the first presidential debate, Biden once again added fuel to ongoing discussions about his capability to continue leading the Democratic ticket in the 2024 presidential race.

During the introduction of President Zelensky, Biden stated, “And now I want to hand it over to the President of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin!”

The slip of the tongue was quickly followed by a series of corrections, but not before the initial comment had already made waves. “We’re going to beat President Putin,” Biden corrected moments later, followed by another correction, “President Zelensky.” In an attempt to recover, Biden added, “I’m so focused on beating Putin!”

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This slip comes at a precarious time for Biden, following a poor debate performance that ignited panic within factions of the Democrat Party. His insistence on not dropping out of the 2024 race and dismissing calls to step aside have been met with mixed reactions, and this latest gaffe might further complicate his campaign’s efforts to consolidate support.

Biden’s press conference Thursday evening is poised to be the week’s pivotal event. While there is still time for Biden to withdraw from his campaign, many now doubt his chances of reelection should he choose to stay in the race.

REACTIONS:

At this point, I’m really feeling sorry for Mr. Biden, but at the same time worried for our country!

— K. Overstreet (@investigationsk) July 11, 2024

This is a horrible mistake he made.

— Bella (@stockbella) July 11, 2024

Nail, meet coffin

— Michaela Lindsay (@aela_lindsay) July 11, 2024

Not helping …

— David Grover (@djg_media) July 11, 2024

Oh my god the media is gonna lose it

— Brad T. Casali (@btc2008) July 11, 2024

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

Journalists, already frustrated with the White House’s evasive responses to inquiries about Joe Biden’s health and mental acuity, are gearing up for another whirlwind end to the week. On Thursday, Civic Media, a progressive talk-radio network from Wisconsin, revealed that it had agreed to make two edits to an interview with Biden at his campaign’s request.

The interview, conducted by popular host Earl Ingram, came after Biden’s June 27 televised debate with former President Donald Trump, where the president exhibited lapses in coherence and lost his train of thought multiple times. Recorded on July 3 and aired on the Fourth of July, the media group admitted that acceding to these edits fell short of “journalistic interview standards.”

“On Monday, July 8th, it was reported to Civic Media management that immediately after the phone interview was recorded, the Biden campaign called and asked for two edits to the recording before it aired. Civic Media management immediately undertook an investigation and determined that the production team at the time viewed the edits as non-substantive and broadcast and published the interview with two short segments removed,” the station wrote in a statement. The group announced that it would publish the complete, unedited version of Biden’s interview online.

The station acknowledged making two specific edits to the original broadcast at the campaign’s request. The first, at the 5:20 mark, involved cutting the statement, “…and in addition to that, I have more Blacks in my administration than any other president, all other presidents combined, and in major positions, cabinet positions.” The second edit, at 14:15, removed Biden’s comments on Donald Trump’s past advocacy for the death penalty against the Central Park Five, specifically, “I don’t know if they even call for their hanging or not, but he–but they said […] convicted of murder.”

The statement continued, “With a high-profile interview comes a listener expectation that journalistic interview standards will be applied, even for non-news programming. We did not meet those expectations. Civic Media disagrees with the team’s judgments in the moment, both with respect to the handling of the interview questions and the decision to edit the interview audio.”

“The decision to make the requested edits to the interview was made in good faith. While we disagree with the decision, we stand by our team. This has been a learning experience and we will do better moving forward.”

When questioned by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the rationale behind the edits and whether such requests are common for the campaign, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign stated, “Hosts have always been free to ask the questions and air the segments they think will best inform their listeners.”

Additionally, a source familiar with the Biden campaign’s booking operations revealed to the Journal Sentinel last weekend that the campaign would cease providing suggested questions. “While interview hosts have always had the freedom to ask whatever questions they want, moving forward, we will refrain from offering suggested questions,” the source claimed.

On Thursday evening, as he concludes a three-day NATO summit, Biden is set to face a critical moment in his bid for reelection during an unscripted news conference. Observers — ranging from allies to skeptics and adversaries — will be closely monitoring his ability to handle questions without faltering. They will be on the lookout for any signs of hesitation, such as losing his train of thought, stumbling over words, or displaying the vacant expression that was notably visible during his debate with Trump.

Biden’s performance at this event could either silence his detractors or fuel further demands for him to withdraw from the race.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)

In a startling Instagram update that caught fans off guard, actor Matthew McConaughey revealed a severe reaction to a bee sting that left his right eye completely swollen shut.

The post, shared on Wednesday, quickly garnered significant attention, accumulating over 427,000 likes and a flux of concerned comments from fans and celebrity friends.

McConaughey, known for his charismatic presence and memorable catchphrases, chose a light-hearted caption for his post, “bee swell,” which sparked a mix of worry among his audience.

Notable responses included a playful inquiry from a follower, Marina Yama Moto, “Are you all right all right all right?” referring to McConaughey’s famous line, which alone drew over 12,000 likes. Pantalones Tequila asked, “You good, boss?”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matthew McConaughey (@officiallymcconaughey)

While the actor did not disclose further details about the incident or his current condition, the swelling appeared to be significant, prompting an outpouring of well-wishes and advice. Some followers shared their own experiences with bee stings.

Matthew and Camila McConaughey celebrated their eldest son Levi’s 16th birthday on Sunday, with a heartfelt montage of photos featuring the teenager alongside his parents, accompanied by a voiceover message on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by Matthew McConaughey (@officiallymcconaughey)

The couple also has two younger children: 14-year-old daughter Vida and 11-year-old son Livingston.

(VOTE NOW: Is Biden Mentally Unfit To Serve As President?)