Author: Stephanie Gauthier

The latest subscription cancellation figures for Disney+ and Hulu following the Jimmy Kimmel suspension backlash paint a stunning picture: millions have walked away.

When Disney temporarily suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last month, about three million Disney+ customers and more than four million Hulu customers canceled their subscriptions, according to new data.

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-10-20T18:00:07.806646Z

According to the The New York Times, around 3 million U.S. subscribers cancelled their Disney+ accounts and approximately 4 million abandoned Hulu amid what analysts are calling one of the most dramatic subscriber exoduses in recent streaming history.

The Kimmel Controversy: From Suspension to Record-Breaking Return

The controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel began on September 15, when the late-night host delivered a monologue reacting to the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kimmel criticized Donald Trump’s response to the killing, arguing that the former president was using the tragedy for political gain, remarks that quickly drew outrage from conservative media and Trump supporters.

Just two days later, on September 17, ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company, abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air, citing «ongoing review.» The decision came amid mounting political pressure and complaints reportedly lodged with the Federal Communications Commission. The move was widely seen as a capitulation to political interests, sparking immediate outrage from viewers and fellow entertainers.

Protests erupted outside Disney and ABC studios across several cities. Online, the hashtags #CancelDisneyPlus and #CancelHulu surged as millions of users joined a coordinated boycott against Disney’s streaming platforms. According to analytics firm Antenna, the backlash translated into a staggering wave of cancellations, an estimated 3 million Disney+ and 4 million Hulu subscriptions lost in just a few weeks, effectively doubling both platforms’ churn rates.

«That’s not legal, that’s not American, that is un-American and it is so dangerous.»

6 million viewers

Under growing public and media pressure, Disney announced Kimmel’s reinstatement on September 22, and the show returned to air the following night. Despite initial refusals from some local affiliates to broadcast the episode, Jimmy Kimmel Live! made a triumphant comeback, drawing over 6 million viewers, the program’s highest ratings in nearly a decade.

Speaking with a mix of emotion and defiance, Kimmel tore into the president’s attempts to silence him, describing how the threats extended far beyond a personal attack to include ABC, the constitutional right of free expression, and even the role of the press itself in a functioning democracy.

Kimmel criticized the Trump administration for trying to coerce affiliates who run his show in cities across the country to take it off the air: «That’s not legal, that’s not American, that is un-American and it is so dangerous.»

«The government cannot be allowed to control what we do», added the host on his widely anticipated return.

The debate over free speech

Donald Trump erupted on Truth Social after Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night TV, unleashing a furious tirade against both the comedian and ABC. He accused the network of making a «big mistake», mocked Kimmel as talentless, and branded his show «Democrat garbage.»

Kimmel’s suspension and return have since become a flashpoint in the debate over free speech, political influence in entertainment, and the corporate risks of cultural backlash in the streaming era.

Donald Trump announced that he made an «awfully strange decision» by asking the Justice Department to pay him $230 million in damages over the investigations conducted against him.

Breaking News: President Trump wants $230 million from the Justice Department for investigating him, people familiar with the matter say. Any settlement might ultimately be approved by senior department officials who defended him or those in his orbit. nyti.ms/4hmIi5X

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-10-21T18:34:38.421458Z

«It’s awfully strange to make a decision where I’m essentially paying myself.»

-Donald Trump

Trump confirmed that he would personally approve the $230 million request, saying, «I’m the one that makes the decision, and that decision would have to go across my desk,» while admitting that «it’s awfully strange to make a decision where I’m essentially paying myself.»

Trump’s $230 million claim is expected to meet little resistance within the Justice Department, now led by loyal allies. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former defense lawyer, and Civil Division chief Stanley Woodward Jr., who represented several Trump aides, will likely approve it quickly, especially after Pam Bondi fired the agency’s top ethics adviser in July.

Trump Seeks Payback for FBI Probes

Trump is seeking payment for two FBI investigations: the 2016 probe into Russian election interference and possible ties to his campaign, and the 2022 search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida residence and private club. «I was damaged very greatly, and any money I would get, I would give to charity,» Trump explained, justifying his demand for compensation.

In 2016, the FBI launched an investigation into possible Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and potential links between Moscow and Donald Trump’s campaign. The probe, known as «Crossfire Hurricane,» aimed to determine whether campaign members coordinated with Russia to influence the election’s outcome.

The FBI investigation determined that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to influence the outcome in Donald Trump’s favor. However, investigators did not establish sufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. The probe highlighted vulnerabilities in U.S. election security.

«I was damaged very greatly, and any money I would get, I would give to charity,»

40 counts over mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice

In August 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to recover classified documents taken from the White House. Agents found hundreds of sensitive records, including top-secret files, prompting a federal investigation into potential mishandling of government documents and obstruction of justice.

The Mar-a-Lago investigation concluded that Donald Trump had retained classified government materials after leaving office, including documents related to national security. Prosecutors alleged that he obstructed efforts to retrieve them, leading to federal charges. The case raised significant questions about presidential accountability and the handling of sensitive information.

In 2023, Donald Trump was charged with 40 counts over mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice. The case collapsed in July 2024 when Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed it, ruling Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment unconstitutional. In early 2025, remaining charges against Trump’s aides were also dropped, ending the prosecution.

Trump connects DOJ compensation request to $250 million White House renovation

The $230 million dollars request, which shocked many ethics experts, comes as Trump has begun the partial demolition of the White House’s East Wing to build a $250 million ballroom.

I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous patriots, great American companies, and, yours truly.»

Trump, addressing the irony of being both the president and the beneficiary of the payment, remarked, «It sort of looks bad, I’m suing myself, right?»

Trump, who previously said the project would be funded by «Yours truly, » now suggests that the money he is seeking from the Justice Department could help finance his controversial White House ballroom.

Trump declared on Truth Social, «I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous patriots, great American companies, and, yours truly.»

The post struck many as ironic, given that it was published only a day before Trump requested $230 million from the Justice Department.

Although his 2022 lawsuit was dismissed, Trump has revived his grievances as president, now seeking $230 million from the Justice Department. He argues that the FBI investigations, including the Mar-a-Lago search, caused him significant personal and political harm, damages he says justify financial compensation.

Donald Trump has suggested that a $230 million payment he is reportedly eyeing off as compensation for his past legal battles could be used to help fund his controversial White House ballroom.

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast.bsky.social) 2025-10-22T00:20:04.402483Z

Shocking photos and videos released by the media show part of the White House in ruins, as construction begins on a $250 million ballroom for Donald Trump.

Construction workers ripped the face off the East Wing to begin building President Trump’s 90,000-square-foot ballroom. nyti.ms/43oS9T1

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-10-21T03:00:59.878768Z

The images have left many stunned, especially after the president had pledged that the White House’s historic structure would remain untouched during the project.

«It won’t interfere with the current building.»

-Donald Trump

«I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom.»

The «Rose Garden Club» and a new ballroom

It comes after ordering in June the famous White House Rose Garden to be gutted and replaced with a hard-scape patio, including limestone slabs and club-style seating, and branding it the «Rose Garden Club», a move widely criticized for erasing the garden’s historic character and turning it into a Mar-a-Lago-style venue.

Trump has now turned his attention to the East Wing, where the construction of a massive new ballroom has led to the permanent destruction of part of the White House, sending chills and raising serious questions among Americans.

The ballroom project, envisioned by Donald Trump and announced in July with a projected cost of $250 million, was set to begin construction in September. Trump insisted it would be financed entirely through his own funds and contributions from what he described as «patriot donors», emphasizing that no taxpayer money would be used.

«I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom,» Trump wrote on Truth Social, as images of the demolition continued to circulate online.

Like his own permanent residence

Images showing a damaged exterior wall and part of the roof quickly spread across the media, as critics denounced the president’s abrupt decision to remodel the White House, the people’s house.

A much-needed project

Many questioned the necessity of a lavish ballroom and anxiously wondered what Trump might do to the building next, as he increasingly appears to treat it like his own permanent residence.

«I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway,» Trump wrote on Truth Social.

According to several media outlets, including The Washington Post, Trump stated while signing the executive order in July that the main White House structure would remain untouched by the ballroom’s construction, saying:

«It won’t interfere with the current building.»

Trump suggested that the construction would not affect the existing White House.“It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be,” he said during an executive order signing in July.Read more here:

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2025-10-21T14:21:53.853Z

Politico recently published a bombshell investigation into a Telegram group chat involving several leaders of the Young Republicans, where participants exchanged messages that included disturbing jokes about gas chambers and expressions of admiration for former Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

EXCLUSIVE: Thousands of leaked messages show leaders of Young Republican groups joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape in a private Telegram chat.Inside rising GOP leaders’ racist chats — obtained by POLITICO and spanning more than 7 months👇

— Politico (@politico.com) 2025-10-14T17:22:45.145Z

Among the most disturbing material in the Telegram group reviewed by Politico, were repeated racial slurs aimed at Black, Jewish, Latino, and Asian individuals, as well as messages praising rape, slavery, and psychological torture, and encouraging the harassment of political opponents to the point of suicide.

2,900 pages of Telegram messages

According to Politico, more than 2,900 pages of Telegram messages exchanged over a seven-month period between leaders of various state chapters of the Young Republican National Federation were leaked and reviewed by the outlet.

«I’m ready to watch people burn now.»

The conversations, involving officials from states such as New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont, revealed a disturbing pattern of racist, antisemitic, and violent rhetoric.

The chats include messages such as «Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber,» and «I’m ready to watch people burn now,» attributed to Peter Giunta. Other exchanges record participants praising Nazi imagery with lines like «Great. I love Hitler.» Several members repeatedly used racial slurs in redacted form and referred to Black people as «the watermelon people.»

In one thread, a participant wrote «It was rape,» to which another replied «Epic.» There are also messages discussing tactics of harassment — «When do we start bullying dude?» — and references to inflicting «physiological torture» on rivals.

These examples, found throughout the roughly 2,900 pages of Telegram messages reviewed by Politico, reveal a consistent pattern of racist, antisemitic, and violent rhetoric among leaders of the Young Republicans.

Two more members of a Young Republican group chat strewn with racist epithets and hateful jokes stepped down from their jobs Tuesday after we published an exclusive report on the Telegram exchanges.

— Politico (@politico.com) 2025-10-15T16:27:57.850Z

«Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.»

According to Politico, the fallout from the leaked Telegram group chat has already led to repercussions for several participants. William Hendrix, former vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, who repeatedly used racial slurs, is no longer employed at the Kansas Attorney General’s office. Bobby Walker, then head of the New York State Young Republicans, who referred to rape as «epic» in the leaked messages, was dropped from a congressional campaign. Peter Giunta, chair of the same organization, wrote that «everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.»

«Kids do stupid things»

-JD Vance

Both Walker and Michael Giunta apologized for their offensive messages but suggested the leaks were politically motivated, calling them part of a «character assassination» effort by members of the New York Young Republican Club.

Far from «kids»

Vice President JD Vance repeatedly defended the comments, minimizing the seriousness of the group chat’s content. Speaking on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast, he described the participants as «young boys,» saying that «kids do stupid things» and dismissing the messages as merely «edgy» and «offensive jokes.»

However, several of the group’s participants were far from «kids»: members of the Young Republican National Federation involved in the scandal ranged from 22 to 36 years old, including Peter Giunta, who is 31.

JD Vance downplayed bigoted messages found in Young Republicans’ group chats from our exclusive reporting, suggesting they were nothing more than “edgy, offensive jokes.”

— Politico (@politico.com) 2025-10-15T18:41:28.690Z

A Capitol Police investigation has been requested following a Politico report that revealed a shocking image allegedly taken inside the office of Ohio Republican Representative Dave Taylor, showing an American flag altered to include a swastika.

EXCLUSIVE: Capitol Police are investigating a swastika found in GOP Rep. Dave Taylor’s office.“The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms," Taylor said in a statement.

— Politico (@politico.com) 2025-10-15T18:59:35.939Z

According to The New York Times, the Republican congressman said on Wednesday that both his office and the U.S. Capitol Police were investigating the «inappropriate symbol» after an image, reported by Politico to have been taken during a virtual meeting that included one of the congressman’s staff members, circulated publicly.

«I am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol near an employee in my office.»

The result of «foul play or vandalism»?

The incident originated from an online image showing Angelo Elia, an aide to Representative Dave Taylor, during a virtual meeting held from Taylor’s office in the Cannon House Office Building, where an American flag modified to include a swastika could be seen in the background.

«I am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol near an employee in my office,» said the congressman in a statement, noting that the image had drawn significant attention on social media.

«The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms,» the Republican representative continued in his statement.

Representative Dave Taylor, Republican of Ohio, said on Wednesday that his office and the U.S. Capitol Police were investigating after an American flag that had been altered to depict a swastika was found in his Capitol Hill office.

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-10-15T22:45:04.348250Z

According to The New York Times and Politico, however, the congressman and his office appeared to suggest early on that the flag’s presence might be the result of «foul play or vandalism,» even though the investigation had only just begun.

Republican Congressman Dave Taylor, who has represented Ohio’s 2nd District since January 2025, is a vocal ally of President Donald Trump and a staunch advocate of his «America First» agenda, often echoing the president’s positions on immigration, national security, and what he describes as federal government overreach.

A bombshell investigation into a Telegram group chat

The flag found in the congressman’s office marks the second Politico report within days alleging the presence of Nazi-related symbols or rhetoric within the Republican Party.

Earlier, Politico published a bombshell investigation into a Telegram group chat involving several leaders of the Young Republicans, where participants exchanged messages that included disturbing jokes about gas chambers and expressions of admiration for former Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Among the most disturbing material in the Telegram group, a cache of 2,900 pages leaked and reviewed by Politico, were repeated racial slurs aimed at Black, Jewish, Latino, and Asian individuals, as well as messages praising rape, slavery, and psychological torture, and encouraging the harassment of political opponents to the point of suicide.

A «character assassination» effort

According to Politico, the fallout from the leaked Telegram group chat has already led to repercussions for several participants. William Hendrix, former vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans, who repeatedly used racial slurs, is no longer employed at the Kansas Attorney General’s office. Bobby Walker, then head of the New York State Young Republicans, who referred to rape as «epic» in the leaked messages, was dropped from a congressional campaign. Peter Giunta, chair of the same organization, wrote that «everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.»

Both Walker and Michael Giunta apologized for their offensive messages but suggested the leaks were politically motivated, calling them part of a «character assassination» effort by members of the New York Young Republican Club.

Vice President JD Vance repeatedly defended the comments, minimizing the seriousness of the group chat’s content. Speaking on The Charlie Kirk Show podcast, he described the participants as «young boys,» saying that «kids do stupid things» and dismissing the messages as merely «edgy» and «offensive jokes.»

However, several of the group’s participants were far from «kids»: members of the Young Republican National Federation involved in the scandal ranged from 22 to 36 years old, including Peter Giunta, who is 31.

JD Vance downplayed bigoted messages found in Young Republicans’ group chats from our exclusive reporting, suggesting they were nothing more than “edgy, offensive jokes.”

— Politico (@politico.com) 2025-10-15T18:41:28.690Z

Donald Trump has announced that he has authorized CIA operations in Venezuela, marking an unprecedented escalation in his administration’s campaign against drug cartels.

President Trump said he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela and was considering ground strikes, stepping up a campaign against Nicolás Maduro, the country’s authoritarian leader. Read more: nyti.ms/3L02IFT

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-10-16T11:55:36.580059Z

According to The New York Times, the decision comes several weeks after U.S. strikes targeted vessels that the Trump administration claimed were transporting narcotics toward the United States.

Nearly 30 deaths

Trump also stated that he may soon approve direct operations on Venezuelan soil, raising the prospect of a potential military confrontation with a South American nation.

Since early September, U.S. forces led by Pete Hegseth have been targeting boats off the Venezuelan coast that they claim are transporting narcotics, resulting in nearly 30 deaths.

«We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control.»

The operations were reportedly carried out at Donald Trump’s direction. However, doubts persist over whether all those killed were drug traffickers, as the Trump administration asserts.

Colombian authorities have stated that one vessel hit during a fifth U.S. strike was in fact a Colombian civilian boat.

A military confrontation between the two countries?

Trump appears unsatisfied with the results of his international maritime operations, as the CIA has now been authorized to conduct covert special missions inside Venezuela targeting drug cartels.

«In the face of this maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum preparedness for the defense of Venezuela.»

The president has insisted that the next phase could involve direct strikes on targets within Venezuela, a move that would almost certainly trigger a military confrontation between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters inside the White House, Trump said, «We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control.»

According to the Associated Press, President Nicolás Maduro said the country was in «maximum readiness» and warned that any attack would trigger a national mobilization: «In the face of this maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum preparedness for the defense of Venezuela,» adding that the deployment was «an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat.»

According to The New York Times, roughly 10,000 U.S. troops have been deployed across the Caribbean region, most of them stationed in Puerto Rico, with additional Marine units operating from amphibious assault ships.

BREAKING: President Trump says he has authorized CIA action in Venezuela.

— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) 2025-10-15T21:38:22Z

Donald Trump recently threatened Spain, a NATO ally, with punitive tariffs if it fails to raise its military defense spending to 5% of GDP, even going so far as to warn that he could «throw them out of NATO.»

President Trump said he was considering "trade punishment through tariffs" over Spain’s refusal to increase its military spending.

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-10-15T13:30:02.726809Z

Trump said he was «very unhappy with Spain», adding that he was considering «trade punishment through tariffs because of what they did, and I think I may do that», referring to the fact that Spain was the only NATO ally that did not commit to a significant increase in military expenditures.

«We are committed to the defense, to the security of NATO and, at the same time, we are equally committed to the defense of our welfare state.»

More than enough

According to The New York Times, Spain’s military spending currently stands at only 1.3 percent of GDP, the lowest among all NATO members, though Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged to raise it to 2 percent by the end of 2025, still far below the 5 percent target demanded by Trump since his return to the White House.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded to the American president’s threats, saying in an interview that Spain was already doing «more than enough.» Sánchez added that: «We are committed to the defense, to the security of NATO and, at the same time, we are equally committed to the defense of our welfare state.»

«Very unhappy with Spain.»

-Donald Trump

The European Commission, responding to Trump’s threat against Spain, stated that the country will be protected against any attempt by the U.S. president to impose punitive tariffs in retaliation for its refusal to meet NATO’s 5% defense spending target.

«We will respond appropriately, as we always do, to any measures taken against one or more of our member states.»

Unbelievably disrespectful

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Donald Trump said the situation was clear and called Spain’s deliberate failure to meet its NATO target «unbelievably disrespectful», adding «I think unbelievably disrespectful, Spain, the only one out of all the countries in NATO, the only (one) that said that is Spain. And I think they should be punished for that, yes.»

According to Euronews, Olof Gill, the European Commission’s spokesperson for trade, responded to Trump’s attempt to disrupt European trade relations, stating that «We will respond appropriately, as we always do, to any measures taken against one or more of our member states.»

The European Commission and Spain's government dismissed President Trump's latest threat to impose higher tariffs on Madrid over its refusal to meet his proposed NATO target for defense spending reut.rs/3J5Zmka

— Reuters (@reuters.com) 2025-10-15T17:33:20.753Z