President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faces mounting scrutiny following a bombshell report detailing allegations of mistreatment of women from his mother and a separate allegation of sexual assault. Hegseth denies the accusations, while his mother has retracted her initial claims, adding to the controversy surrounding his nomination.
Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Stephen Baldwin, Hailey Bieber’s father, has expressed his gratitude for his daughter’s support of Justin Bieber during this difficult period. His comments come as resurfaced videos featuring Diddy and Bieber, filmed when the singer was a minor, have sparked renewed attention on the allegations against Diddy.
Karnataka Member of Parliament (MP) Prajwal Revanna has filed a complaint alleging that viral videos purporting to show him engaged in sexual misconduct have been manipulated and are being circulated to damage his reputation ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
E. Jean Carroll, the former Elle magazine columnist who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault in the 1990s, believes that the jury in his criminal hush money trial will deliver a guilty verdict. Carroll, who has won two previous defamation lawsuits against Trump, told TIME that she has confidence in the New York jury, which she described as “the smartest in the world” with diverse political backgrounds. Carroll’s testimony was a key factor in the jury’s decision to award her nearly $100 million in damages in one of the defamation trials, and she expressed confidence that the jury in the hush money case will reach a similar verdict. Trump, who is appealing the defamation rulings, has denied any wrongdoing and has called the hush money case a “hoax.” During the criminal trial, Trump’s defense team argued that the payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal were not illegal campaign contributions but were instead reimbursements for legal fees incurred in connection with the nondisclosure agreements they signed. However, the prosecution presented evidence that Trump was personally involved in the payments and that they were made to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. The jury is expected to begin deliberations soon, and a guilty verdict could have significant implications for Trump’s political future. The hush money case is only one of several legal challenges that Trump is facing. He is also being investigated for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and he is facing a defamation lawsuit from a former contestant on “The Apprentice.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden has agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest laws during the 2022 election campaign. The violation stemmed from a press statement released by Hayden’s office that discredited his opponent Ricardo Arroyo, who was facing sexual assault allegations at the time. The statement, which was widely circulated by the media, suggested that the allegations against Arroyo were unfounded. Hayden admitted to the violation and waived his right to a hearing.
A federal judge in New York has upheld a defamation verdict against former President Donald Trump, requiring him to pay $83 million to E. Jean Carroll, the writer who accused him of sexual assault. The ruling comes after Trump’s motion for a new trial was denied, affirming that Carroll suffered damages from Trump’s public attacks against her following her sexual assault allegations.
Country star Jimmie Allen has opened up about a dark time in his life when he contemplated suicide after being accused of sexual assault. In an emotional conversation with Kathie Lee Gifford, Allen recalled the moment he felt like his world had collapsed and he feared for his ability to provide for his six children.
Allen was accused of sexual abuse by his former manager in May 2023, and two other women later filed lawsuits against him. He denied the allegations and insisted the sexual encounters were consensual.
The accusations and lawsuits resulted in the loss of business deals and left Allen feeling isolated and depressed. He considered taking his own life, but a text message from a friend who said, “Ending it isn’t the answer,” gave him pause.
Allen sought professional help and eventually found purpose in his life, focusing on being honest with himself and others. He is now committed to healing and growing for himself and his children.
Jimmie Allen openly addresses the consequences of the sexual assault allegations filed against him last year. In a heartfelt conversation with Kathie Lee Gifford, Allen admits to extramarital affairs, struggles with identity, and contemplating suicide after the initial lawsuit was filed. While not discussing the specifics of the allegations, he expresses remorse and emphasizes the toll the public scrutiny has taken on his personal and professional life. Despite the challenges, Allen maintains a positive outlook and reveals plans to release new music soon.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with over 100 individuals who accused the FBI of mishandling sexual assault allegations against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016. This settlement brings the total amount set aside by various organizations to compensate victims of Nassar’s assaults to $1 billion. Nassar, a former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor, is currently serving multiple decades in prison for assaulting young female athletes. The settlement acknowledges the FBI’s failure to take action despite having knowledge of the allegations, adding to the accountability efforts in the wake of the scandal.
