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Allison Mack Claims Female Smallville Co-star Introduced Her to NXIVM Sex Cult
Entertainment

Allison Mack Claims Female Smallville Co-star Introduced Her to NXIVM Sex Cult

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Actress Allison Mack has alleged that her former Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk was the one who introduced her to the NXIVM organization, which was later exposed as a sex cult, as reported by the New York Post.

During the debut episode of her new podcast Allison After NXIVM, released this week, Mack, 43, claimed that Kreuk, 42, first brought her into contact with the Albany-based group, originally promoted as a self-help and leadership organization. NXIVM’s founder, Keith Raniere, is currently serving a 120-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering.

Mack, who served 21 months in prison for her role in the group, is now detailing her experiences in a seven-episode podcast series. She recounted her friendship with Kreuk during their years on Smallville, including shared travels and personal struggles.

“We went to Syria and Turkey together, we went to Mongolia together, we went to Paris, and we had so much fun,” Mack said. “We went to Paris multiple times together and just shopped and saw art and sat on the top of the Pompidou and had rosé and lived this kind of dream.”

She added that by their mid-20s, the two were living in New York City and both felt “oddly unsatisfied.”

Mack recalled, “We both were at the point where we were 25, we were in New York City together, it was our break. And we rented an apartment in the same building in the West Village, and we both were like, ‘Why do we feel so unsatisfied?’”

According to Mack, Kreuk eventually told her about a course she had taken through NXIVM while filming in Vancouver. “‘It’s the science of joy. It’s the most amazing thing,’” Mack recalled Kreuk telling her. “‘It’s made everything so much better in my life. You’ve got to do this.’”

“It was all she could talk about,” Mack said. “She was super excited about it.” Kreuk allegedly invited Mack to attend a weekend retreat, telling her, “‘They’re doing a weekend and I think you should do it. I think you’d really like it.’”

The allegations come years after Kreuk publicly distanced herself from NXIVM. In 2018, she issued a statement denying involvement in any criminal activities connected to the group.

“When I was about 23, I took an Executive Success Programs/NXIVM ‘intensive,’ what I understood to be a self-help/personal growth course,” she wrote. “I left about five years ago and had minimal contact with those who were still involved.”

Kreuk added, “The accusations that I was in the ‘inner circle’ or recruited women as ‘sex slaves’ are blatantly false. During my time, I never experienced any illegal or nefarious activity. I am horrified and disgusted by what has come out about DOS.”

NXIVM, founded by Raniere and co-founder Nancy Salzman, drew thousands of members with claims of personal empowerment.

Prosecutors later revealed that within the group, a secret sect called DOS—short for Dominus Obsequious Sororium (“master over slave”)—used coercion, starvation, and blackmail to control female members, some of whom were branded with Raniere’s initials.

Mack was one of the highest-ranking members of DOS, accused of recruiting and supervising women for Raniere. In 2019, she pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy and was sentenced to three years in prison in 2021. She was released early in 2023.

At her sentencing, Mack apologized to the women she recruited, calling her involvement “the biggest mistake and greatest regret of my life.”

Representatives for Kreuk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Rogan and Musk Rip NC Judiciary for Letting Career Criminals Walk Free
Entertainment

Rogan and Musk Rip NC Judiciary for Letting Career Criminals Walk Free

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Podcaster Joe Rogan and entrepreneur Elon Musk sharply criticized North Carolina’s judicial appointment process following the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte commuter train earlier this year.

Their comments came during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where both questioned how a magistrate judge without a law degree had the authority to release a repeat offender later accused in the killing.

“You think that if you are going to be appointed as a judge, you have to have proven that you have an excellent knowledge of the law and that you will make your decisions according to the law,” Musk said during the discussion.

Rogan and Musk’s remarks focused on Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, who released suspect DeCarlos Brown Jr. in January after he signed a written promise to appear in court.

Court records obtained by Fox News Digital show Brown, who has been arrested at least 14 times, was released without posting bond.

He has since been charged with first-degree murder in Zarutska’s death.

Under North Carolina law, magistrate judges are appointed to handle matters such as issuing warrants, conducting initial appearances, and setting release conditions for defendants accused of non-capital offenses.

However, the state does not require magistrates to hold law degrees or have extensive legal experience.

According to a study by the Columbia Review, North Carolina is among 32 states that allow judges to serve without passing the bar exam, and about 80 percent of its magistrate judges do not possess law degrees.

Rogan questioned how a judge without a legal background could make critical decisions affecting public safety.

“Wasn’t there a crazy story about the judge who was involved [and] had previously dealt with [Brown], was also invested in a rehabilitation center and was sending people that they were charging to a rehabilitation center instead of putting them in jail,” Rogan said.

“Profiting from this rehabilitation center, letting them back out on the street – violent, insane people.”

The remarks referred to online reports alleging that Stokes had ties to Second Chance Services, a Charlotte-based mental health and addiction treatment clinic.

Posts on social media raised questions about whether she had connections to the facility while presiding over criminal cases.

The North Carolina Courts did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment about Stokes’ background or any potential involvement with the clinic.

The case reignited criticism of the state’s judicial system among lawmakers and residents.

“Unqualified Magistrate Judges are letting loose dangerous repeat criminals in North Carolina,” Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) posted on X while sharing a clip of Rogan’s discussion.

“Iryna Zarutska’s tragic murder exposed that Democrat judges are putting criminals before victims.”

Harris later elaborated on the issue, telling Fox News Digital, “I just think there’s some real concerns that need to be raised in how we get these magistrate [judges] that have the power to put these people back out on the street.”

In the aftermath of Zarutska’s killing, ten Republican members of the North Carolina House of Representatives sent a letter demanding that Stokes be removed from her position.

“It is demoralizing for police when they arrest these folks [and] put them in jail,” Harris said.

“Only to have these magistrates that are unaccountable, untrained – and in many cases – don’t require law degrees, and they put them back out on the streets, and the American public is paying the price.”

The Charlotte stabbing has prompted renewed calls for judicial reform in North Carolina and other states with similar standards.

Critics argue that requiring judges to hold law degrees would help ensure that those responsible for key pretrial decisions are properly trained to evaluate risk and uphold public safety.

Blake Lively Seeks 1 Million in Damages, Accuses Justin Baldoni of Smear Campaign
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Blake Lively Seeks $161 Million in Damages, Accuses Justin Baldoni of Smear Campaign

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Actress Blake Lively is seeking $161 million in damages from actor and director Justin Baldoni, claiming he launched a smear campaign that severely damaged her career, personal brand, and business ventures, as reported by TMZ.

According to court filings obtained by TMZ, Lively’s attorneys allege that she lost an estimated $56.2 million in past and future earnings tied to acting, producing, speaking engagements, and endorsement deals.

The filing also claims Baldoni’s actions caused additional financial losses to her companies, including $49 million in damages to her haircare brand Blake Brown and $22 million to her beverage line Betty Buzz/Betty Booze.

LOS ANGELES – MAR 07: Justin Baldoni arrives for the ‘Five Feet Apart’ Los Angeles Premiere on March 07, 2019 in Westwood, CA

The documents further assert that Lively suffered $34 million in reputational harm, citing over 65 million negative social media impressions linked to Baldoni’s alleged “mudslinging.”

The two are set to face off in court in March, stemming from a legal battle that began after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of their 2024 movie “It Ends With Us.”

Lively alleges Baldoni retaliated after she reported the harassment by spreading false claims that damaged her reputation and caused financial losses across multiple ventures.

Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the film, responded with a $400 million countersuit, accusing Lively of defamation and claiming she had fabricated allegations that destroyed his career.

However, that case was dismissed in June, when a judge ruled that Baldoni could not sue over statements made in legal filings, which are protected by law.

Lively’s lawsuit seeks compensation for lost income, emotional distress, and reputational damage, along with punitive damages meant to deter future misconduct.

Her legal team argues that the alleged campaign against her was deliberate and intended to “destroy her credibility and professional standing.”

The controversy surrounding the two actors has drawn widespread attention in Hollywood, both because of their high-profile status and the financial stakes involved.

Lively’s claims of reputational harm center on online narratives that she says were spread by Baldoni’s representatives and associates following her complaints.

Neither Lively nor Baldoni has issued public statements regarding the latest filing. The case is expected to go to trial in Los Angeles Superior Court next spring, with pre-trial motions scheduled for early February 2026.

The legal dispute marks one of the entertainment industry’s most financially significant defamation-related cases in recent years, involving two major figures whose collaboration on a film has since devolved into ongoing litigation.

‘Golden Bachelor’ Star Accused of Making Disturbing Comment to Ex-Wife
Entertainment

‘Golden Bachelor’ Star Accused of Making Disturbing Comment to Ex-Wife

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Former “Golden Bachelor” star Gerry Turner is facing new allegations from his ex-wife Theresa Nist, who claimed on a recent podcast that he once made a dark and unsettling comment about killing her and hiding her body, as reported by Decider.

Nist discussed the incident during an appearance on the Dear Shandy podcast, which coincided with the release of Turner’s new memoir Golden Years: What I’ve Learned from Love, Loss, and Reality TV.

The book details Turner’s experiences with fame, relationships, and his short-lived marriage to Nist, whom he married earlier this year.

According to Nist, the disturbing remark occurred during a walk near Pretty Lake in Indiana, where Turner lives.

“I finally went to his house and we took a walk around this lake called Pretty Lake and we were coming to the end of it and he said — this is really bizarre — He said, ‘You see that shed up there?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘Well, that’s where I’m going to hide your body after I kill you and chop you up,’” Nist said. “And he wasn’t laughing. I said, ‘Well, if this was his idea of a joke, that was pretty dark humor.’”

Nist said she believed the comment might have reflected Turner’s “underlying feelings” toward her. “I just felt like there was animosity in that statement that was underlying,” she continued. “Like, maybe if he could have gotten rid of me somehow.”

Despite the remark, Nist clarified that she did not believe Turner was capable of actually harming her. “I don’t think he would have killed me. No, I don’t think that was true. It’s not true, but it just spoke to an underlying feeling about me,” she added.

Her appearance came shortly after Turner’s memoir was released, in which he wrote that he felt “trapped” ahead of his televised wedding to Nist, which aired as ABC’s Golden Wedding special on January 4, 2024.

The pair later announced their divorce on April 12, just three months after their marriage.

When contacted by Us Weekly, Nist responded to the book’s claims, saying:

“It makes me very sad to think that he felt empty and trapped. I wish he had said something and just ended it. But at least now I understand why he was so hurtful to me so many times. And I will say this. Those in glass houses should not throw stones. I do wish him all the best.”

Turner, who revealed this year that he was diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare bone marrow cancer, said the illness played a role in his decision to end the marriage so he could focus on family. He has since become engaged to retired teacher Lana Sutton.

In recent interviews, Turner has pushed back against Nist’s portrayal of their relationship, accusing her of making him “look like the villain” and calling her decision to keep working after their marriage an “impossible situation.”

Asked if he was concerned about her reaction to the memoir, Turner told Us Weekly, “I’m not worried; I think she should be worried.”

Even the Left’s Favorite Comedian Says Democrats Are Falling Apart
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Even the Left’s Favorite Comedian Says Democrats Are Falling Apart

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Comedian Jon Stewart said Thursday that he believes the Democratic Party remains disorganized and directionless despite several major election victories earlier in the week.

Speaking on “The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart,” the comedian argued that Democrats have not successfully harnessed what he described as a growing “potential energy” in the country.

“I think the Democrats are still a mess. I truly believe they’re a mess just because what this shows to me is, again, there is this underlying potential energy within the United States of America that is much larger than I think any of us could have imagined,” Stewart said.

“And channeling the energy directionally will be the challenge for whoever wants to harness it. I still don’t believe they’re doing that.”

Stewart’s remarks followed Democratic victories in several high-profile races on Tuesday. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger, and New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill all won their contests by comfortable margins, according to projections.

While the party performed well at the ballot box, polling continues to show widespread dissatisfaction among voters.

RealClearPolling’s national average placed the Democratic Party’s favorability at 33.4% leading into Election Day.

In addition, a New York Times analysis of voter registration records published in August found that the party had lost approximately 2.1 million registered voters since 2020.

Public sentiment toward Democrats in Congress has also declined sharply. A Quinnipiac University poll released July 16 reported that only 19% of voters approved of congressional Democrats — the lowest approval rating the polling organization has ever recorded for the group.

Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders voiced similar concerns earlier this week on The New York Times’ “The Opinions” podcast.

He warned that the party’s long-term viability was uncertain if it continued to prioritize wealthy donors and political insiders over working-class voters.

“I think sometimes when people think about the Democratic Party, they think of these cocktail parties in New York City or LA, where wealthy people mingle with consultants, mingle with the leadership. That’s not much of a party,” Sanders said.

“That’s really kind of an elitist institution. So, one of the things that I believe — if the Democratic Party is to survive, maybe it will, maybe it won’t — the transformation has to be to open the doors, to bring in millions of people, to hear what they have to say, to have them start running for office, etc.”

Matt Bennett, co-founder of the liberal think tank Third Way, echoed that assessment during an appearance on “Next Up with Mark Halperin” in October.

He said the party would continue to struggle until it selected a presidential nominee capable of redefining its message.

“We’re in terrible shape. Like, we just have to be very honest with ourselves — the Democratic Party is in really, really bad shape,” Bennett said, referencing the party’s weak standing with voters.

“[T]he nominees and the presidents make the party brand, and for the next few years, we won’t have that. So it’s going to be a tough couple of years deep in the wilderness for us,” he added.

“And I think there are some things we can do to set the table for the nominee. But right now, I don’t feel like we’re doing it.”

Despite their recent electoral gains, the remarks from Stewart, Sanders, and Bennett highlight a recurring concern among Democrats — that the party’s internal divisions and loss of voter trust may pose long-term challenges heading into future elections.

Michael Rapaport Stuns Bill Maher With Story of Wife’s Assault in Broad Daylight NYC
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Michael Rapaport Stuns Bill Maher With Story of Wife’s Assault in Broad Daylight NYC

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Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport spoke candidly about rising crime in New York City during an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, revealing that his wife has been assaulted and harassed multiple times in public.

The discussion, which aired Monday, focused on safety in the city and growing frustration with political leadership.

Rapaport, who has long identified as a liberal, said his views on law enforcement and accountability have hardened in recent years as crime has escalated across the city.

He also expressed strong opposition to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, describing the city’s current direction as “unsustainable.”

“I want people to feel safe in New York City. You know, I want my wife to feel safe. My wife is a tough broad. She doesn’t feel safe in Midtown Manhattan during the day,” Rapaport said.

“My wife, in the last two or three years, has been groped in Times Square, has had a f**king shoe thrown at her, has been called the n-word, and got proposed to on the train by a homeless person, all between 11 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.”

Rapaport’s remarks surprised Maher, who has frequently discussed urban crime on his program.

Rapaport said the situation has deteriorated to the point that women no longer feel secure walking alone even in broad daylight.

“It’s not cool for women to feel uncomfortable during the daytime in the greatest city on Earth,” he said.

“It’s also not cool that, under any circumstances, you could touch a police officer, not be from this country, come out the next day and walk out of the court like f**king Tupac like those guys did when they jumped, you know, like f**king giving the middle finger to photographers.”

He criticized what he described as lax prosecution and inadequate enforcement against violent or repeat offenders.

Rapaport emphasized that residents who grew up in the city knew how to navigate it safely but that the current level of lawlessness was unprecedented.

“I grew up on the New York City subway system. I grew up taking the subway. You got to pay attention. It’s not Disneyland. It’s not the Central Park Zoo. But people like — it shouldn’t be a thrill, it shouldn’t be a house of horrors,” he said.

Rapaport’s comments align with broader concerns voiced by New Yorkers about violent incidents on subways, random assaults, and quality-of-life crimes that have increased in recent years.

City officials have faced growing criticism for policies that reduce bail and shorten sentencing for offenders accused of serious crimes.

The actor has previously supported progressive candidates but said the city’s leniency toward offenders has gone too far.

His remarks about Mamdani’s mayoral campaign reflect frustration with proposals the assemblyman has put forward, including reduced policing, higher taxes, and expanded social programs.

Mamdani, who currently serves in the New York State Assembly, has campaigned on an aggressive socialist platform that calls for defunding law enforcement, eliminating bus fares, and expanding public housing initiatives.

His approach has drawn strong reactions from critics who argue it would worsen the city’s public safety crisis.

Rapaport did not mention Mamdani by name during the podcast but has made his opposition clear in previous interviews, warning that the candidate’s policies would “drive more people away from New York City.”

As the city heads into its mayoral election, safety remains one of the most pressing issues for voters.

Polls show widespread concern over crime and growing skepticism about progressive criminal justice reforms.

Rapaport’s account added a personal dimension to that debate, highlighting how many New Yorkers—regardless of political background—say they no longer feel safe in the city they call home.

Sydney Sweeney Opens Up About American Eagle Ad Backlash, Trump’s Response
Entertainment

Sydney Sweeney Opens Up About American Eagle Ad Backlash, Trump’s Response

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Actress Sydney Sweeney has spoken publicly for the first time about the backlash surrounding her American Eagle jeans advertisement, which drew widespread attention earlier this year.

The “Euphoria” and “Christy” star, 28, addressed the controversy in an interview with GQ magazine published Tuesday, saying she remains unfazed by the reaction.

“I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person,” Sweeney told GQ.

“I know that I love a lot, and I know that I’m just excited to see what happens next. And so I don’t really let other people define who I am.”

When asked directly if she was surprised by the public reaction to the commercial, Sweeney replied, “I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans.”

“All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life,” she continued.

“I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn’t affect me one way or the other.”

The ad, titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” sparked criticism online over its wordplay, which some commentators suggested carried a double meaning referencing “genes.”

In the campaign video, Sweeney is seen buttoning a pair of jeans while saying, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”

The campaign quickly drew attention beyond entertainment circles after President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance commented on the controversy.

President Trump, 79, praised Sweeney’s work and expressed support for the ad after learning that she is reportedly a registered Republican.

“She’s a registered Republican? Oh, now I love her ad,” Trump told reporters in August.

“If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.”

Vice President Vance also weighed in, criticizing Democratic reactions to the campaign.

He said that Democrats had become “unhinged over a pretty girl selling jeans to kids in America.”

While social media users and some media outlets accused the advertisement of playing into stereotypes, others defended Sweeney and American Eagle, pointing out that the company’s stock rose 38 percent in the weeks following the campaign’s launch.

Sweeney told GQ that she largely avoided the online debate while focusing on her work schedule. “I kind of just put my phone away,” she said.

“I was filming every day. I’m filming ‘Euphoria,’ so I’m working 16-hour days and I don’t really bring my phone on set, so I work and then I go home and I go to sleep. So I didn’t really see a lot of it.”

She also addressed reports that claimed the campaign had negatively impacted the brand.

“When I saw all the headlines of in-store visits were down a certain percentage, none of it was true,” Sweeney said.

“It was all made up, but nobody could say anything because [the company was] in their quiet period. So it was all just a lot of talk. And because I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn’t affect me one way or the other.”

Asked whether she wanted to respond directly to the criticism or explain why she thought the campaign provoked strong opinions, Sweeney declined to elaborate further.

“I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear,” she said.

Sweeney concluded by addressing those who may choose not to watch her upcoming work because of the ad.

“I think that if somebody is closed off because of something they read online to a powerful story like ‘Christy,’ then I hope that something else can open their eyes to being open to art and being open to learning, and I’m not going to be affected by that,” she said.

The actress continues to film new projects, including the upcoming season of “Euphoria,” while maintaining that the controversy surrounding the American Eagle campaign has not influenced her professional outlook or personal values.

Denise Richards Revives Steamy Playboy Look Ahead of Court Fight with Estranged Husband
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Denise Richards Revives Steamy Playboy Look Ahead of Court Fight with Estranged Husband

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Actress and reality television star Denise Richards marked Halloween by revisiting her well-known Playboy past just days before she is scheduled to return to court in her ongoing legal dispute with estranged husband Aaron Phypers, as reported by Fox News.

Richards, 54, shared photos on social media dressed in a black bodysuit, matching bunny ears, white cuffs, and a black-and-white bow tie — a nod to her December 2004 Playboy cover appearance.

 

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A post shared by Denise Richards (@deniserichards)

Nearly 20 years ago, the Wild Things actress posed nude for the magazine only months after giving birth. She later told Jay Leno that her parents and newborn joined her on the shoot in the Bahamas.

“I said, you better find me some fricken bottoms,” Richards recalled, describing how a stylist made impromptu bottoms out of a shammy and island leaves. “I didn’t have to show anything I didn’t want to.”

Richards said she had turned down earlier offers from Playboy but accepted the 2004 shoot, believing it was her last opportunity.

“Playboy approached me a couple other times and I didn’t do it, and this time I figured I might as well do it before they never approach me again,” she said, adding that then-husband Charlie Sheen “was really cool about it and helped me pick out the pictures.”

The actress’s social media post came ahead of a court hearing related to her restraining order against Phypers, from whom she filed for divorce on July 7 citing irreconcilable differences. Richards was granted a temporary restraining order on July 17.

In testimony last month, Richards accused Phypers of repeated physical and emotional abuse, including an incident in May that allegedly occurred hours after she underwent multiple cosmetic surgeries.

“That is when I really, really knew that our marriage was over because there’s been physical abuse, but it kept getting worse and worse,” she said in court. “The fact that he did that to me five hours after coming out of a seven-hour surgery … made me feel a lot of things. Scared and vulnerable.”

Richards alleged that Phypers struck her, grabbed her arms, and called her derogatory names during confrontations. Court filings described additional claims of choking, slapping, and threats.

“Aaron regularly threatened to ‘break my jaw’ and would cry, beg me to stay, and promise to get help – none of which ever happened,” she said in the restraining order filing.

BEVERLY HILLS – SEP 29: Aaron Phypers, Denise Richards at the 2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 29, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California

During a recent court hearing, Phypers was arrested on spousal abuse charges and escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs. He later filed a petition claiming financial hardship, asserting that Richards cut off access to their joint bank account and took equipment from his holistic business.

Phypers also claimed entitlement to half of Richards’ income from her OnlyFans page, which he estimated at between $200,000 and $300,000 per month, saying he took the photos and therefore held intellectual property rights.

His filing requested half of that revenue and immediate access to $200,000, alleging he is facing eviction and utility shutoffs.

A hearing on both the restraining order and financial matters is expected in the coming weeks.

George Clooney Says Democrats Made ‘Mistake’ Replacing Biden with Harris
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George Clooney Says Democrats Made ‘Mistake’ Replacing Biden with Harris

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Actor George Clooney is now publicly admitting that Democrats made a “mistake” by replacing former President Joe Biden with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, saying the decision left Harris with a “very tough task” and no room to define herself, as reported by Breitbart.

Speaking with CBS Sunday Morning, Clooney said he still stands by his earlier push for Biden to step aside but believes the party mishandled the process of finding his replacement.

Berlin, Germany, October 18, 2024. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the President of the United States, Joe Biden, hold a short press conference in the Federal Chancellery in Berlin.

“We had a chance. I wanted there to be, as I wrote in the op-ed, a primary. Let’s battle-test this quickly and get it up and going,” Clooney said.

“I think the mistake with it being Kamala is she had to run against her own record. It’s very hard to do if the point of running is to say, ‘I’m not that person.’ It’s hard to do, and so she was given a very tough task. I think it was a mistake, quite honestly.”

Clooney added that despite his concerns, Democrats accepted the outcome. “But we are where we are. We were gonna lose more House seats, they say. So I don’t know. To not do it would be to say, ‘I’m not gonna tell the truth,’” he said.

The actor faced significant backlash after President Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, with many Democrats blaming him for helping to push Biden out of the race. Reports at the time described Clooney as feeling like a “scapegoat” for the party’s losses.

Speaking later with Jake Tapper on CNN, Clooney defended his decision to call on Biden to step down, describing it as an act of responsibility. “Well, I don’t know if it was brave,” he told Tapper. “It was a civic duty.”

In his widely discussed op-ed, Clooney said he had seen signs of Biden’s cognitive decline months earlier, recalling a fundraiser where Biden appeared diminished alongside former President Barack Obama.

Despite noticing those signs, Clooney did not publicly urge Biden to withdraw until after his first debate with President Trump, where the former president’s performance led to widespread concerns within the Democratic Party.

“When I saw people on my side of the street, not telling the truth, I thought that was time,” Clooney said.

Clooney acknowledged that some in his circle remain upset with him over the decision, particularly given that Harris went on to lose both the Electoral College and the popular vote to President Trump.

Despite the controversy, he maintained that his actions were based on honesty, not politics.

Blake Lively Seeks 1 Million in Damages, Accuses Justin Baldoni of Smear Campaign
Entertainment

Judge Brings Stunning End to Justin Baldoni’s $400 Million Hollywood Lawsuit

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A federal judge has officially ended Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, marking the latest turn in an ongoing legal dispute involving the It Ends With Us director and the celebrity couple, as reported by The New York Post.

According to court records obtained by The New York Post, Judge Lewis Liman signed an order on Friday finalizing the dismissal after Baldoni, 41, and his company, Wayfarer Studios, failed to submit an amended complaint by the court’s deadline. The judge’s decision follows an earlier dismissal of Baldoni’s case in June.

Judge Liman noted that Baldoni had been warned on October 17 that a final judgment would be entered if no further action was taken.

Of the defendants, Lively was the only one to respond to the judge’s notice, requesting that final judgment be entered while keeping her motion for legal fees active — a request the court approved. Baldoni may still appeal the ruling.

The legal dispute began in December 2024 when Lively, 38, filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us and of coordinating what she described as a “campaign to destroy her reputation” following the film’s release.

Baldoni denied the allegations and responded by filing a $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, 49, and their longtime publicist Leslie Sloane, claiming defamation and extortion. All parties named in the countersuit denied the allegations.

In June, Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million complaint and a separate $250 million lawsuit he filed against The New York Times, which he accused of libel and false light invasion of privacy in connection with its reporting on Lively’s harassment allegations.

lake Lively attends the BFG premiere, red carpet arrivals during The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival on 14 may 2016 at Palais du festival in France, Cannes

Following the dismissal, Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, issued a statement calling the court’s decision a “complete vindication” for the actress.

“As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it,” they said.

The attorneys also stated their intention to seek attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and others involved in what they described as “abusive litigation.”

Lively also commented publicly after the June ruling. “Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us,” she wrote on Instagram Stories.

Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman Will 'Definitely’ be Subpoenaed in Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Legal Battle

“While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.”

The actress added that she remains “resolved to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, integrity, dignity, and their story.”

Although Baldoni’s countersuit has now been dismissed, Lively’s original lawsuit against him remains active and is scheduled to go to trial in March 2026.


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