Entertainment
Hollywood actor George Clooney, others withdraw support for Biden
Hollywood actor George Clooney, others withdraw support for Biden
What if Hollywood, a key Democratic financial pillar, cut off Joe Biden’s campaign funding? That possibility now looms large after actor George Clooney and other wealthy donors urged the US president to withdraw from the White House race.
“I love Joe Biden. But we need a new nominee,” Clooney wrote in a column in the New York Times on Wednesday, after Biden’s disastrous performance in a televised presidential debate against Republican rival, Donald Trump rekindled fears around the 81-year-old’s fitness for office.
The statement dealt a serious blow to Biden, coming just three weeks after Clooney headlined a major fundraiser in Los Angeles for his reelection campaign.
At the gala, the president was able to raise more than $30 million in one evening, a record amount that showcased the industry’s might in financing the American left.
“If all these big donors pull out, he’s sunk,” said Steve Ross, professor of history at the University of Southern California who wrote a book on the influence of Hollywood on American politics. “Hollywood is still the one shop stop for candidates.”
Clooney is not the only one worried. In recent days, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, Walt Disney’s granddaughter Abigail and Hollywood mega agent, Ari Emanuel, whose brother, Rahm served as Barack Obama’s chief of staff — said they would not be financing Biden citing concerns over his age
Even though the millions generated by the American entertainment industry are essential to both parties, Hollywood’s hearts and wallets have predominantly leaned left for decades.
Both Bill and Hillary Clinton relied on Hollywood support in their respective White House bids. In 2007, Obama famously benefited from the “Oprah Winfrey effect,” receiving a boost to his profile after the star TV host organized a dinner to promote the man who was then still only a senator.
During the presidential race in 2020, the entertainment industry gave $104 million to Democrats compared to $13 million to Republicans, according to Open Secrets, a nonprofit that tracks campaign financing.
It wasn’t always that way.
In the 1980s, Republican president Ronald Reagan, himself a former actor, enjoyed the support of stars like Frank Sinatra and relied heavily on Hollywood’s coffers.
“Hollywood started as a conservative base for the Republican Party,” Ross told AFP.
“When Louis B. Mayer took over MGM Studios in the late 20s, he turned it into a fundraising publicity wing for the GOP, and he raised enormous amounts of money,” Ross said, referring to the Republican party.
The four Warner brothers, on the other hand, supported Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s with their studio and their stars.
It was the election of John F. Kennedy in 1960 that marked Hollywood starting to shift to the left, as the era of blacklisting actors for suspected communist sympathies came to an end.
“It was a new era of free speech for movie stars who weren’t going to be blacklisted if they said anything deemed too radical,” the expert said.
Just hitting pause?
But even with its cultural and financial prowess, does Hollywood have the power to axe Biden from the race?
Clooney’s New York Times op-ed “is another pressure point, for sure,” said Steven Maviglio, a Democratic adviser who worked with former California governor Gray Davis.
But Maviglio believes the panic of certain donors to be “a temporary phenomenon.”
Comedian IGOSAVE lavishes over £10,000 pounds Popping Bottles Of Champagne in London
Legendary comedian Igosave who has been on a European tour since last month, was recently spotted on a spending spree in London.
According to an eyewitness, the entertainer spent over £10,000 popping premium bottles of champagne, which has got everyone talking.
Entertainment
Africa’s Largest Comedy Show, Laffmattazz, Announces 2025 UK Tour Featuring Gbenga Adeyinka and a Star-Studded Lineup
Africa’s Largest Comedy Show, Laffmattazz, Announces 2025 UK Tour Featuring Gbenga Adeyinka and a Star-Studded Lineup
Nigeria’s premier entertainment brand, Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends, is delighted to unveil its highly anticipated 2025 UK tour as Gbenga Adeyinka lands in London for the shows scheduled to run across six major cities in August.
Headlined by the legendary African comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, the tour promises a spectacular display of comedy, music, and cultural celebration, featuring some of Africa’s most celebrated performers and entertainers.
Gbenga Adeyinka: A Legend of African Comedy:
Hailed as one of the most influential comedians on the continent, Gbenga Adeyinka’s wit, charisma, and comedic mastery have earned him a revered status in African entertainment. His presence ensures an extraordinary experience for all attendees.
A star-studded lineup of performers:
The tour will showcase an impressive lineup of entertainers, including:
- King of Comedy Alibaba
- MC Abbey Da Prof
- MC Larry J
- MC OJB
- Arkbishop
- Aridunnu
- MC Obete 1 of Manchester
- Toastmaster
- Cris Da Enteratainer
- Okikiade
- Bidemi Alaran
- MC Questionnaire
This diverse ensemble guarantees a night filled with side-splitting comedy, captivating performances, and lively music.
The tour is supported by industry leaders, including FIRS, Air Peace, and TMS UK Properties Ltd. The tour underscores their ongoing support of African entertainment and cultural diplomacy.
Tour Schedule & Venues
- Cambridge – August 22, 2025
Venue: Arbury Hall, The Centre, Campkin Road, Cambridge, CB4 2LD
Tickets & Info: 07787427862 | @moneevents
- Nottingham – August 23, 2025
Venue: St Jude Hall, Mapperley, 405 Woodborough Rd, Nottingham, NG3 5HE
Tickets & Info: +44 7706 655327 | @olubadanoneproductions
Oxford – August 24, 2025
Venue: Comies Caribbean Grill, 202A Garsinton Road, Oxford, OX4 6NQ
Tickets & Info: +44 7300 205911 | @dncmusicgroup
- London – August 25, 2025
Venue: Unit 3-4, Blenheim Business Centre, 18-20 Locks Lane, Mitcham, CR4 2JX
Tickets & Info: 07787427862 | @moneevents
-Manchester – August 29, 2025
Venue: 137 Cheetham Road, Manchester, M8 8LY
Tickets & Info: +44 7877 587857 | @kinshowproductions
-Northampton – August 31, 2025
Venue: The Black Diamond, Lower Harding Street, Northampton, NN1 2JL
Tickets & Info: +44 7534 212192 | @SilhouettePromotions, @DACPromotions, @ChristianMent, @IvoryTopazEvents
Entertainment
Fuji Music Star, Abass Obesere Allegedly In Secret Romance With UK-Based Relationship Expert, Yinka TNT
Fuji Music Star, Abass Obesere Allegedly In Secret Romance With UK Based Relationship Expert, Yinka TNT
There’s a hot gossip in town involving an alleged secret romance between star Fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere and UK based popular talkshow host, Oluyinka Ayanda a.k.a. Yinka TNT.
According to insiders, friends of Obesere are worried about the potential consequences of the alleged secret affair for his marriage; the associated scandal, heartbreak and the impact on his reputation as his wife was already in the know and reportedly spoiling for a showdown.
Sources said the clandestine nature of the saga makes it difficult to know how long their affair has been going on and how often the lovebirds meet or interact.
Speaking on the rumour, an ally of Yinka who didn’t want to be named for confidential reasons, said “it is not impossible”, adding that though it wasn’t a public topic yet.
“A single lady romancing a married man is part of socializing, especially if both of them have always known and supportive of each other,” the source quipped.
Yinka is a single, career woman with kids while Obesere is married. Thus, a close relationship between such high-profile celebrities who interestingly are also showbiz aficionados, is bound to attract intense media attention and public speculation.
Calls made to both Yinka and Obesere to confirm the authenticity of this information went unanswered while text messages sent to their known mobile telephone numbers were not replied as at press time.
_More details in due course…_
-
society5 months agoRamadan Relief: Matawalle Distributes Over ₦1 Billion to Support 2.5 Million Zamfara Residents
-
Politics2 months agoNigeria Is Not His Estate: Wike’s 2,000‑Hectare Scandal Must Shake Us Awake
-
society4 months agoBroken Promises and Broken Backs: The ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Law and the Betrayal of Nigerian Workers
-
society3 months agoOGUN INVESTS OVER ₦2.25 BILLION TO BOOST AQUACULTURE