News

Donald Trump has commuted former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, who was serving a life sentence at a Colorado prison after being convicted of murder and several other federal charges. According to ABC News, the White House confirmed the news on Wednesday.

Hoover was serving a 200-year sentence on state charges in Illinois for murdering 19-year-old William “Pooky” Young, who was a drug dealer in his neighborhood. As he was also convicted of federal charges in 1997, Hoover was sentenced to six life terms. The federal charges included conspiracy and extortion, as well as running a criminal enterprise from prison, NBC Chicago reported.

What’s next for Larry Hoover now that Trump commuted his sentence?

While Hoover is now set to be released from federal custody, he is still required to serve his 200-year sentence in Illinois. According to CBS News, it’s not clear how soon Hoover will be released from federal custody.

What are Larry Hoover’s attorneys saying after Trump commuted his sentence?

Attorney Justin Moore expressed relief on X, formerly Twitter, by writing: “After nearly 30 years in federal solitary and over 50 years behind bars, Larry Hoover has been granted executive clemency by President Trump. His federal life sentence is over. Justice, mercy, and redemption prevailed. The fight continues—but today, we celebrate.”

After nearly 30 years in federal solitary and over 50 years behind bars, Larry Hoover has been granted executive clemency by President Trump. His federal life sentence is over. Justice, mercy, and redemption prevailed. The fight continues—but today, we celebrate. #Clemency— Justin A. Moore, ESQ. (@_ja_moore) May 28, 2025

Per CBS News, Moore also released a statement along with attorney Jennifer Bonjean: “The Courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr. Hoover’s considerable growth and complete rehabilitation. Despite the Court’s unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters. Thankfully, Mr. Hoover’s pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover.”

Michael Sumler, who was a longtime member of Kool & the Gang, has died in a car crash in Georgia‘s Cobb County.

According to Vibe, the 71-year-old star, also known as “Chicago Mike,” was driving on the highway around midnight on Saturday when he collided with another car and died at the scene. Shortly before the crash, Sumler held a concert at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mableton, Georgia, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

“We are saddened by the death of musician Michael Sumler. ‘Chicago Mike’ contributed so much to the music and entertainment communities,” Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said in a statement, per Fox 5. “His style and energy added flare and excitement to Kool and the Gang for decades. The city of Mableton, council members and I join his family, friends and fans in mourning his loss.”

What is the music industry saying about Michael Sumler’s death?

Adrian Meeks, head of Song Source Music Group, described the loss of Sumler as “devastating.”

“He always wanted to see other people succeed in the business that he’d been around most of all of his life,” Meeks told Fox 5. “He was the bridge, you know, for inspiring artists and songwriters and producers and musicians to the legends.”

“He’ll be dearly missed,” he added.

Greg Williams of Switch Entertainment also expressed his condolences, calling Sumler “one of these people God put on a planet to teach people how to act.”

 “He was kind, he was thoughtful, he was intelligent, he was articulate and he was the life of the party,” Williams added, per Fox 5.

According to WBLS, Robert “Kool” Bell, the last surviving original member of Kool & The Gang, said “the stage won’t be the same without Mike.”

What were Michael Sumler’s notable accomplishments during his career with Kool & the Gang?

During his three decades with Kool & The Gang, Sumler stood out as the group’s electrifying hype man. He helped the group win two Grammys and seven American Music Awards while producing 31 gold and platinum albums, Billboard reported.

The group earned recognition for hits, including “Summer Madness,” “Get Down On It,” “Celebration” and “Ladies’ Night.”

Cameron Boyce’s legacy continues to live on through the lives of those close to him.

According to People, the late actor was honored on what would have been his 26th birthday on May 28, by his friends and former Descendants costars.

Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson share emotional tributes

“I still feel you all the time. Catch you in the next life,” said actress Dove Cameron in a post shared to Instagram that featured black and white photos of the pair, including an image of them on set with other Descendants stars and a close-up of a tattoo that Cameron got to honor the late actor. “Happy birthday. I love you.”

In 2019, Boyce died in his sleep after experiencing a seizure from epilepsy complications. He was only 20 years old, yet, his mark on the world is undeniable and was very evident in the string of tributes shared on social media both following his death and in the years since his passing.

“Keep dancing in heaven, my Cam,” wrote Sofia Carson, another one of his Disney costars, in a separate post shared on Instagram. “Earth could never be the same without you. Our Angel. Our Sunshine. Our Cam.”

Kenny Ortega honors Cameron Boyce

Descendants director Kenny Ortega also took to social media to bring awareness around The Cameron Boyce Foundation, the organization created in Boyce’s honor to raise awareness around epilepsy, while also sharing that the actor was his favorite.

“Cameron, I treasure the memories of you and our coming to know one another through our creative work together,” Ortega wrote. “You will hold a place deep in my heart for always. You are still my fave. That will never change. I celebrate you today, your birth, and the everlasting light you shown in your time with us. You made every room brighter when you entered it. You are love, light and forever with us.”

Skai Jackson’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ tribute

In 2020, Boyce’s close friend and Disney Channel’s Jessie castmate, Skai Jackson, used her performance on Dancing with the Stars to honor the late star with a dance.

“I met Cameron, obviously, on Jessie, and we just really built this bond for years and years and years,” said Jackson at the time. “And he was kind of like a big brother figure to me. He always looked out for me through everything. He really molded me into the person that I am now.”

Texas Democratic U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett is asking Republicans to look into whether or not President Donald Trump is fit to serve. She questioned his “mental acuity” and invited others to do the same after Trump gave a speech in front of West Point graduates in which he spoke about trophy wives and said he was more investigated than Al Capone.

What did Trump say in his West Point speech?

Trump delivered a commencement address to the Class of 2025 at the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, on Saturday. His speech quickly went viral for his remarks, which made references to trophy wives and mentioned gangster Al Capone.

“He ended up getting a divorce, found a new wife,” Trump said in reference to real estate developer Bill Levitt, according to Rolling Stone. “Could you say a trophy wife? I guess we can say a trophy wife. But that didn’t work out too well, I must tell you. A lot of trophy wives, it doesn’t work out, but it made him happy for a little while at least.”

“But he found a new wife. He sold his little boat and he got a big yacht,” Trump added.

The President also said he was more investigated than Al Capone.

“I was investigated more than the great late Alphonse Capone,” he said. “Alphonse Capone was a monster. He was a very hardened criminal. I went through more investigations than Alphonse Capone, and now I’m talking to you as president. Can you believe this?”

Trump: He ended up getting a divorce. Found a new wife. Can you say a trophy wife? It didn’t work out too well. That doesn’t work out too well, I must tell you. A lot of trophy wives. It doesn’t work out. It made him happy for a little while at least. He found a new wife. He got… pic.twitter.com/i4ig0kpW9C— Acyn (@Acyn) May 24, 2025

Crockett: It is time for Republicans to start calling him out and start questioning his mental acuity, and whether or not he is equipped to serve mentally. We know when it comes down to his criminality, he is not qualified to serve, but this is just absolutely deplorable. pic.twitter.com/Qz7VroXedQ— Acyn (@Acyn) May 25, 2025

Trump gave graduates words of advice regarding success by referencing South African golfer Gary Player.

“To be successful, you’re always going to have to work hard,” he said. “A great example is a great athlete, Gary Player, great golfer. He wasn’t as big as the other men that were playing against him — great, big strong guys—Gary was a smaller guy. He’s a friend of mine, he gets a little angry at people. He hits the ball just as far.”

Trump also reiterated his stance against the presence of LGBTQ+ in the military and his anti-DEI efforts.

“The job of the U.S. armed forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures, but to spread democracy to everybody around the world at the point of a gun,” Trump said.

“We have liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political trainings,” he added. “There will be no more critical race theory or transgender for everybody forced onto the brave men and women in uniform—or on anybody else for that matter—in this country. We will not have men playing in women’s sports.”

What did Jasmine Crockett say about Trump’s speech?

The Democratic Representative of Texas called out the speech and said it was an example of Trump being unfit to serve as President.

“I don’t think that those who have gone through West Point expected to have their commander in chief address them and start talking about trophy wives or start talking how he has so many investigations,” she said, according to Rolling Stone. “What a great reminder that you are not qualified to be the person that potentially will command troops to go into war. That is not instilling confidence whatsoever.”

Crockett: They have nothing to show for it except for those top earners being able to have their next trophy wife or buy their next yacht, or get their next plane, that doesn’t work for me. And that obviously does not work for my constituents. pic.twitter.com/7lMfVMTfsx— Acyn (@Acyn) May 25, 2025

She called on Republicans to look into his mental state and whether he is fit or not to serve.

“It is time for Republicans to start calling him out and start questioning his mental acuity, and whether or not he is equipped to serve mentally,” Crockett said. “We know when it comes down to his criminality, he is not qualified to serve, but this is just absolutely deplorable.”

She also mentioned the spending bill passed by Republicans in Congress last week. Crockett referred to it as a “cruel bill” that allows “those top earners being able to have their next trophy wife or buy their next yacht, or get their next plane.”

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Longtime former New York Rep. Charles Rangel died Monday at the age of 94.

Representing Harlem for decades, Rangel was, for a lengthy period, one of the most prominent Black members of Congress, a powerful force within the Democratic Party, and a notable figure in New York City.

Everything to know about Charles Rangel’s life and career

According to The New York Times, Rangel was born and raised in Harlem, dropping out of high school and leaving the city when he enlisted in the Army in 1948. He fought in an all-Black unit in the Korean War, becoming wounded and receiving the Bronze Star for his service. He returned to New York, graduating from New York University and then St. John’s University Law School before serving a stint as an assistant U.S. attorney. In 1966, Rangel won the State Assembly seat formerly held by his longtime friend Percy Sutton. Rangel and Sutton, along with politician New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson and David Dinkins, New York City’s first Black mayor, eventually became known as the Gang of Four, a quartet of very influential Black New York politicians.

In 1970, Rangel unseated civil rights icon and longtime Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. to become the U.S. representative of what was then the 18th District of New York, centered on Harlem. Rangel continuously won reelection, serving in Congress from 1971 to 2017 and becoming the dean of the New York delegation. Rangel was the second-longest-serving Congressman in New York history, and Rangel’s was the ninth-longest uninterrupted tenure of any member of the House. Over the decades, Rangel endured political challengers and several rounds of redistricting. He also survived an ethics scandal over corporate-funded vacations, which resulted in him receiving a rare censure from Congress. Along the way, Rangel participated in momentous events, from the Watergate hearings to cofounding the Congressional Black Caucus, UPI reported. He became the first Black member and then chair of the influential Ways and Means Committee, a position he used to propel President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Rangel retired from Congress in 2017.

Praise from top Democratic officials

After the announcement of Rangel’s death, tributes poured in from numerous prominent Democrats across the country.

Former President Joe Biden called Rangel “a tireless advocate for his beloved community of Harlem and a champion for civil rights.”

Charlie Rangel was a tireless advocate for his beloved community of Harlem and a champion for civil rights. He dedicated his life to public service and made important progress for the people he served. Jill and I are keeping his family and all of those who knew and loved him in…— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 26, 2025

Former Vice President Kamala Harris praised Rangel as “a barrier breaker, war hero, and force for good for the people of Harlem.”

Charlie Rangel was a barrier breaker, war hero, and force for good for the people of Harlem. As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he always fought for our nation’s promise of freedom, opportunity, and justice — not just for some, but for all.Doug and I send…— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 27, 2025

Former President Bill Clinton called Rangel “a tireless champion of Harlem and its people, and of equality and opportunity everywhere.”

Charlie Rangel was a tireless champion of Harlem and its people, and of equality and opportunity everywhere. My full statement on his passing: pic.twitter.com/4V0TnrDqJ5— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) May 26, 2025

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Rangel “a proud veteran who loved serving his Harlem constituents.” She noted that Rangel “urged me to run for the Senate and later was an invaluable colleague.”

I’ll miss Charlie Rangel, a beloved icon and public servant of New York. He was a proud veteran who loved serving his Harlem constituents. He urged me to run for the Senate and later was an invaluable colleague. Rest in peace and power, my friend.— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 26, 2025

According to the Amsterdam News, the affectionately known Charlie Rangel is survived by his son, Steven Rangel, his daughter, Alicia Rangel Haughton and three grandsons, Howard R. Haughton, Joshua R. Haughton and Charles R. Haughton. He leaves behind a major impact on U.S. politics and an unmatched legacy in Harlem.

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During Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial, a former top aide for the disgraced hip-hop mogul testified on Tuesday that Combs kidnapped her at gunpoint as part of an attempt to kill rapper Kid Cudi, who dated Cassie Ventura briefly in December 2011.

Who is Capricorn Clark, and what did she say in her testimony in the Diddy trial?

Between 2004 and 2018, a woman named Capricorn Clark worked as a global brand director for Bad Boy Entertainment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Per Clark’s testimony on Tuesday, Combs showed up at her home one morning and ordered her to get dressed while holding a gun because “we’re going to kill Cudi.” They rode together in a black Cadillac to Cudi’s Hollywood Hills home. Upon arriving, Clark said that Combs and his bodyguard broke into Cudi’s home.

Ex-assistant Capricorn Clark leaves after testifying in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial at Manhattan Federal Court on May 27, 2025 in New York City. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty on all counts, which include a racketeering charge alleging the hip-hop pioneer was the leader of a sex crime ring that included drug-fueled sex parties through the use of force, threats, and violence. | Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Clark called Ventura on a burner phone, telling her that Combs “got me with a gun and brought me to Cudi’s house to kill him.” According to Clark’s testimony, Cudi, who was with Ventura at the time of the phone call, could be heard in the background asking, “He’s in my house?” Clark pleaded with Ventura to stop Cudi, who was on his way to his home, because she was worried that “he’s going to get himself killed.”

Clark stated that Combs eventually returned to the car she was in, demanding to know who she was talking to on the phone. She added that when Combs heard Cudi’s car coming up the road, Combs and his bodyguard jumped in the car and chased after Cudi, testifying that they only stopped because they passed police cars that were heading toward Cudi’s home.

After the incident, Clark said that Combs instructed everyone who was present to convince Cudi that “it wasn’t me” or else “I’ll kill all you.”

Clark also testified to past threats from Combs

On her first day working with Combs, Clark testified that she was taken to Central Park after 9 p.m. She said Combs told her that he wasn’t aware that she had worked with other rappers before hiring her.

Clark also stated that she was once taken to an empty building in Manhattan, where she was held for five days after being accused of stealing jewelry from Combs. She said she was repeatedly given a lie detector test by a man who told her, “If you fail this test they’re going to throw you in the East River.”

Diddy’s lawyers seek to strike Kid Cudi’s testimony on car explosion

According to Cudi’s May 23 testimony, the fact that several Christmas gifts he had purchased were opened and his dog was locked in the bathroom made it apparent that Combs had entered his home.

Shortly after the holiday season, Cudi broke things off with Ventura since “the drama was just getting out of hand.” But in January 2012, Cudi’s dog sitter called him to let him know that his Porsche was on fire. A Molotov cocktail had been found near the vehicle.

Although Combs is believed to be responsible for Cudi’s car explosion, the allegations have never been confirmed. However, during his testimony, Cudi said that he believed Combs was lying when he said he didn’t know anything about the car explosion. Now, Diddy’s lawyers are fighting to have Cudi’s comments about the car explosion struck from the record.

In a May 26 filing, Diddy’s lawyers argued that “Mescudi’s opinion that Mr. Combs was ‘lying’ about his Porsche was erroneously admitted and should be stricken from the record” because it poses “significant dangers of unfair prejudice,” USA Today reported.

President Donald Trump is calling for an investigation into Kamala Harris‘ 2024 campaign and her celebrity endorsements — from Bruce Springsteen, who recently criticized Trump, to Oprah, Beyoncé and other entertainers.

Shortly after a fire destroyed the Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana, rumors have surfaced suggesting the haunted Annabelle doll may be connected to the incident. The fire occurred not long after the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) took the doll to New Orleans as part of a national tour—sparking speculation online that the timing isn’t a coincidence, USA Today reported.

What are people saying on the internet about the Annabelle doll?

Social media users are convinced strange events have unfolded since Annabelle’s arrival in New Orleans.

“Three days ago they moved Annabelle, one of the most haunted dolls from Monroe, Connecticut to New Orleans, Louisiana and now the largest sugarcane plantation in Louisiana burned down AND 11 inmates in a New Orleans Prison escape,” one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Others were just as alarmed to hear the doll had been removed from her usual location.

“That doll needs to go back to the Warren museum. They’re a bunch of idiots for moving that doll—complete morons. They’re just playing with fire,” an X account wrote.

Is the Annabelle doll really missing?

Amid speculation that the doll has gone missing, NESPR lead investigator Dan Rivera posted a video on TikTok to confirm that Annabelle is exactly where she’s supposed to be.

“I’m here at the museum right now, and I just wanna show you guys that Annabelle is in the Warrens’ Occult Museum,” Rivera said in the video, per The Independent. “Let’s go inside and let’s check.”

Rivera then showed the doll still locked in her signature wooden case.

“Annabelle is not missing; she’s not in Chicago,” he said.

He also confirmed that Annabelle will be traveling to Rock Island, Illinois, on Oct. 4 to appear at the 2025 Rock Island Roadhouse Esoteric Expo. NESPR later reiterated the same on Facebook, writing: “Annabelle has NOT been stolen. The doll is safely in place at the Warren Occult Museum.”

What is the history of the Annabelle doll?

The Annabelle legend began in 1970 when a student contacted paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, claiming a doll she owned was “exhibiting malicious and frightening behavior.” The Warrens concluded that the doll was “demonically possessed” by a dead girl’s spirit. Since then, Annabelle has been housed at the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, becoming one of the most infamous haunted artifacts in pop culture.