A Houston pediatrician and a former city official have drawn widespread condemnation for their insensitive social media comments regarding the Texas flooding. Dr. Christina B. Propst lost her job at Blue Fish Pediatrics after posting a controversial Facebook message wishing harm upon those with opposing political views and visitors, while Sade Perkins, a former city appointee, criticized the victims of the flood, specifically singling out the race and religious affiliation of a camp of victims. Due to Perkins’s comments, Houston’s mayor stated he would not reappoint her to any future positions. The backlash highlights the sensitivity surrounding the disaster and the impact of social media on public figures’ careers.
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Following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a heated exchange has erupted between Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Khamenei accused Trump of exaggeration, while Trump responded by declaring he is offering Iran “nothing” and refusing engagement. The online conflict comes after a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire ending a 12-day Iran-Israel war during which the U.S. carried out the strikes. The effectiveness of the strikes and the potential for renewed conflict remain uncertain.
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Following a social media post by a conservative influencer that highlighted Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s former home in an attempt to portray her upbringing as privileged, AOC responded. The influencer shared information about the property’s purchase and current valuation, implying it was not a “Bronx girl” upbringing. In response, AOC embraced her background, emphasizing how her experiences growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown shaped her political views. Social media users also chimed in to defend AOC, mocking the original post’s suggestion that her childhood home represented wealth.
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On Tuesday, Austin police arrested social media fitness influencer Brian Johnson, known as the “Liver King,” after he posted threatening messages directed at podcaster Joe Rogan on Instagram. The police became involved after learning Johnson was traveling to Austin, where Rogan resides, and had issued multiple challenges to fight Rogan. Rogan, who confirmed he had never interacted with Johnson, considered the posts threatening. Johnson was subsequently apprehended at a hotel and charged with a class B misdemeanor of terroristic threat.
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Following President Trump’s criticism of her call for impeachment, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded on X. Trump had called her “stupid” for her stance on his decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez retorted by urging Trump to direct his anger towards those who advised him and accused him of violating the Constitution and breaking his promises. Trump had earlier criticized her on X, attributing her “rantings” to the success of his administration and questioning her qualifications for office.
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A 300-year-old painting in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery was damaged when a visitor fell while posing for a photo. The artwork, a portrait of Tuscan prince Ferdinando de’ Medici, sustained a tear in the canvas. Museum officials have identified the individual and reported them to authorities, while the painting is undergoing repairs. The Uffizi is considering implementing restrictions on visitor behavior, addressing the increasing issue of visitors prioritizing social media content over the preservation of cultural heritage.
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Senator Mike Lee deleted three tweets mocking the Minnesota shooting that killed a state lawmaker and her spouse. These posts, which included a photo of the alleged shooter and unfounded claims linking the shooting to Marxism, drew widespread condemnation. Following criticism from Senator Tina Smith and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Lee removed the offensive content. No statement was released by Lee’s office regarding the incident.
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Following the murder of Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman, Senator Mike Lee faced intense criticism for a social media post depicting the perpetrator and suggesting it was a consequence of “Marxists not getting their way.” Lee subsequently evaded questions from the press regarding the post and its impact, with his staff actively attempting to obstruct reporters. This incident followed a strongly worded email from a staffer of Senator Tina Smith, expressing profound grief and outrage at Lee’s insensitive comments, which compounded the suffering caused by the horrific events. Senator Smith herself directly confronted Lee about his post, criticizing its cruelty and potential to incite further hatred.
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Hillary Clinton contrasted the sparse attendance at President Trump’s expensive military parade with the massive turnout at nationwide “No Kings” protests. Millions participated in the “No Kings” demonstrations, which rejected authoritarianism, in stark contrast to the poorly attended, $45 million parade. Clinton highlighted the significance of the protests and the fundamental constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The juxtaposition underscored differing public sentiments regarding the Trump administration’s actions, particularly its response to recent anti-ICE protests.
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Internet trolls mocked Donald Trump’s military parade by contrasting its comparatively small turnout and less synchronized marching with the impressive displays of other nations, including North Korea, Mexico, and India. Social media posts highlighted the stark differences in scale, crowd enthusiasm, and marching precision, emphasizing the perceived failure of Trump’s highly-expensive event. The contrasting images fueled criticism of the parade, described by some as a “vulgar display” and a stark contrast to massive simultaneous No Kings protests across the US. This incident follows Trump’s past admiration for other countries’ military parades and his prior pronouncements about showcasing American military might.
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John Q. Hosedrinker