US President Barack Obama
OPINION
Money in the Baracks
When Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States, it was an unfortunate day for Americans. But Barack Obama’s job was done as he signed out and took himself on a 100-day baecation with Most Valuable Player Michelle Obama. The now normal couple (Who are they kidding? They will never be normal again) could be seen across social media flying the flag for black love and living their best, post-Potus lives.
They have, since leaving the White House, signed twin book deals to the tune of $60-million and Obama reportedly accepted $400 000 to speak at a healthcare conference hosted by Wall Street’s financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald in September.
Naysayers and political moralists have condemned the move as “disheartening” in light of his legacy of a moral examination of politics. How could he be seen to be cashing in on the cauldron of the 2008 stock market crash?
Trevor Noah responded succinctly when he spoke on the topic for The Daily Show. Why shouldn’t Obama cash in? Furthermore, why must Obama, at the end of his presidency, continue to carry the burden of being the beacon of all things right? Surely you guys are jealous of this private citizen’s post-presidency glow?
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration continues to run roughshod over the gains of the Obama administration. The latest addition to the chopped list is the Let Girls Learn programme, the brainchild of former first lady Michelle Obama, which focused on creating opportunities for adolescent girls in developing countries. Trump has put his foot in that.
Kicked out of the circle
Earlier this week, anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee reported suspicious activity on the South African Police Service’s Twitter account after his own account was blocked.
Abramjee chalked it down to a strong sense that police may not be too fond of him for speaking out on crime and holding them to account in his tweets. He also called on Police Minister Fikile Mbalula to launch an urgent investigation into the matter and warned that the case would land at the door of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
As the new police minister, there is much pressure for Mbalula to perform but the incident sparked a debate on Twitter, with many suggesting that the account may be managed by a police officer and a few other tweets insinuated that it may be Razzmatazz himself.
Ja nee, Rule fakes it with a fest
Throwback rap sensation Ja Rule made it into the news for all the wrong reasons this week. He and entrepreneur Billy McFarland co-founded the Fyre Festival on a Bahamas island but was cancelled on the first day.
McFarland’s past business ventures, it must be said, are brow-raising. This time McFarland and Ja Rule sold rich people the dream of a luxury music festival on a private island (but wasn’t private) at the extraordinary starting price of $12 000 and upwards, which included celebs, glamping accommodation or villas, and “the best in food, art, music and adventure”.
The whole thing turned out to be nothing more than fiction. The truth, according to some festivalgoers, is that the festival was terribly organised. Food, water, shelter and medical care were inadequate. They were shown half-erected Fema tents (used in the US for major disasters) and given bread-and-cheese sandwiches.
It was to have taken place over the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May.
A $100-million class-action lawsuit representing attendees has been filed in a Central District Court in California against Ja Rule and McFarland and Ja Rule and Fyre Media.
The suit is for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and breach of good faith.
Made in America
We hope the Budweiser Made in America Festival makes good on its promises.
The Philadelphia music festival boasts a flawless line-up that includes Little Dragon, Solange and Migos among heaps more. Jay Z is headlining alongside J. Cole, sparking rumours that he may have an album either dropping at the festival or in the works.
Surely the world deserves a new Jay Z album? So much has happened since his last album, Magna Carta. As for the festival, it looks good on paper — although a bit of Rihanna never hurt anybody. Let’s hope it happens.