After hosting the Oscars, Conan O’Brien was in hot water over a joke about Drake. During the show, Conan remarked on this being the part of the night where he needed to “call Drake a pedophile.” Social media immediately erupted, with Drake’s fans accusing Conan of publicly bashing the rapper.
In Conan’s defense, his longtime writer, Skyler Higley, stepped in to clarify that he was responsible for the joke. Higley, a Black stand-up comedian and writer from Chicago explained, “The idea that it’s being taken as a real call-out or taking sides in any way in the beef is absurd.” While some still believe Conan crossed a line, others see it as just another example of awards show humor gone wrong. It raises the question—how much do hosts trust their writers, and what happens when a joke doesn’t land?
Meanwhile, a Republican lawmaker in Texas is making waves with a bold new proposal. Congressman Brandon Gill has announced plans to introduce a bill that would replace Benjamin Franklin with Donald Trump on the $100 bill after Trump’s presidential term ends. Gill, who represents Texas’ 26th Congressional District, argues that this would be a fitting tribute. Speaking with Fox News, he said, “President Trump could be enjoying his golden years golfing and spending time with his family. Instead, he took a bullet for this country and is now working overtime to secure our border, fix our uneven trade relationship with the rest of the world, make America energy independent again, and put America first by ending useless foreign aid.” The proposal is already drawing passionate reactions from both supporters and critics.
In New York, former Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City, ending weeks of speculation. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid multiple sexual harassment allegations, now claims that the city is in crisis and needs his leadership. “That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City,” he stated.
His entry into the race means he will go head-to-head with current Mayor Eric Adams in the June primary and other challengers. However, not everyone is welcoming his return. Protesters have already vowed to prevent him from winning, citing not only the harassment scandal but also allegations that his administration concealed data about nursing home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.