The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington has removed references to former President Donald Trump’s two impeachments from the display of his photo portrait. This alteration follows Trump’s assertions of bias against him within museum collections, further demonstrating his influence over the representation of his presidency. Previously, the wall text summarizing Trump’s first term included mentions of his impeachments and his 2024 campaign. Currently, the display features a different photo without any accompanying text block. The White House has not confirmed whether this change was requested by Trump or his aides.
Box Office Highlights and NFL Playoff Action
In entertainment news, the film “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to dominate at the box office, securing the top position for a fourth consecutive week. Over the weekend, it earned $21.3 million in North America, pushing its total domestic gross to $342.6 million and its worldwide earnings to $888 million. The horror film “Primate” debuted as the highest new release with $11.3 million in domestic earnings. The animated feature “Zootopia 2” remains a significant player, approaching Disney’s highest-grossing animated film record with $1.65 billion globally.
In sports, Caleb Williams made a remarkable playoff debut for the Chicago Bears, leading the team to a thrilling comeback against the Green Bay Packers. Williams threw a decisive 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore with just 1:43 left on the clock, enabling the Bears to turn around an 18-point deficit and win the wild-card playoff game 31-27. This victory marks the Bears’ first playoff win in 15 years, showcasing a successful season under head coach Ben Johnson.
Tributes and Legal Developments
The entertainment industry mourns the loss of veteran actor T.K. Carter, known for his roles in “The Thing” and “Punky Brewster,” who passed away at the age of 69. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call regarding an unresponsive individual in Duarte, California, on Friday. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected. Carter became widely recognized for his portrayal of Nauls in John Carpenter’s 1982 horror classic and made appearances in various films and television series.
In a notable legal development, Adam Johnson, infamous for taking Nancy Pelosi’s podium during the U.S. Capitol riot, is running for a county office in Florida. Johnson filed to run as a Republican for the Manatee County Commission, strategically announcing his candidacy on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 riot. He previously pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building during the insurrection and served 75 days in prison.
Additionally, Hollywood couple Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors received Guinean citizenship after tracing their ancestry to the West African nation. They were awarded citizenship in a private ceremony in Conakry and plan to tour the country’s tourist sites. This initiative aligns with similar citizenship offerings from other African nations, aiming to strengthen ties with the diaspora.
In a significant legal ruling, a federal judge dismissed Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit seeking to reclaim ownership of their master recordings from Universal Music Group. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ruled that the duo never owned the copyrights to their sound recordings, which were deemed “works made for hire.” Salt-N-Pepa, consisting of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, became prominent after signing with Next Plateau Records in 1985.
Finally, actor and director Timothy Busfield is facing an arrest warrant in New Mexico for a child sex abuse charge. The Albuquerque Police Department reported that a complaint was filed alleging inappropriate conduct involving a child on the set of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady.” The incidents reportedly occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024. Responses from Busfield’s attorney and agent have not yet been received.
This series of events highlights a diverse range of developments in politics, entertainment, and sports, reflecting ongoing narratives in the public sphere.
