Former NFL star Josh Mauro’s official cause of death has been revealed.

According to records from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner viewed by Us Weekly on Friday, May 15, Mauro died due to “acute combined fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol intoxication.” The athlete’s death was ruled an accident.

TMZ was first to report the news.

Mauro’s family confirmed his death last month. He was 35.

“With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new — living in the presence of the Lord — we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend,” the football player’s family wrote in an April Facebook statement. “On Thursday, April 23rd, Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.”

The family continued, “The Lord has been our strength in this unimaginable moment. Your prayers for continued strength and comfort mean more to us than words could ever express.”

Mauro’s mother, Jeri, later expressed her gratitude for her loved ones in the wake of her son’s death.

“We are drawing our strength from the LORD,” Jeri wrote via Facebook in April. “Thankful for our family and friends.”

Mauro played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams. After not getting selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Stanford alum signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he was released from the team during its final roster cuts. Mauro ended up signing with the Arizona Cardinals for his rookie season.

The defensive end played for the Cardinals until his 2018 release. Mauro went on to have stints with the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, formerly of Oakland, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In 2020, Mauro returned to the Cardinals, where he played the remainder of his career. The athlete’s final season was in 2021.

The Cardinals also paid tribute to Mauro following his death.

Related: Rondale Moore Cause of Death Revealed: Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Was 25

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and former Purdue standout Rondale Moore’s cause of death has been released. Moore died by suicide on Saturday, February 21, New Albany police Chief Todd Bailey told Us Weekly on Monday, February 23. “Due to consideration for Moore’s family we are not releasing specific case information,” Bailey added.  Moore was found […]

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.”

Several of Mauro’s former teammates also sent their condolences.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“Prayers go out to Josh Mauro and his family. Had the opportunity to be around Josh for several years with BA,” Adrian Wilson wrote via X. “Always in shape, always was ready to go wherever he got that call. One of the things I respected most about him. You could depend on him.”

Maxx Crosby also shared, “I’m sick to my stomach, to be honest. Josh, I love you, bro. I know you had my back since day one.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Somehow, Kylo Ren returned! Adam Driver wanted to revisit the “Star Wars” character of Ben Solo in a new movie set after the events of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Unfortunately, it was shot down by Disney execs who couldn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. In that movie, Rey (Daisy Ridley) helped redeem Kylo Ren, and he returned to his identity as Ben Solo. After Rey died defeating a resurrected Emperor Palpatine, Ben Solo gave his life force to bring her back to life. In so doing, he appeared to die and fade into the Force. Although it’s unclear where the character will go from there, his time as Kylo Ren is being revisited in a brand-new story.

On May 15, comic book writer and novelist Charles Soule sent out an exciting surprise for “Star Wars” fans in his monthly newsletter. He started the comic book series with “The Rise of Kylo Ren,” which explored Ben Solo’s path to falling to the dark side.

The second story, “Star Wars: Legacy of Vader – The Reign of Kylo Ren,” explored the events just after “The Last Jedi,” where Kylo Ren grappled with being the new Supreme Leader of the First Order after he killed Supreme Leader Snoke.

The third story, “The Fall of Kylo Ren,” will take place around the time “The Rise of Skywalker” opens. This likely means that it will be taking place before he actually comes face-to-face with Emperor Palpatine, although it may give some hints as to how to find him.

“REIGN gave him clarity, even a sort of happiness. FALL is the final piece of the puzzle. I hope those of you following this story will enjoy,” Soule teased, adding, “And Tava Ren’s in it.”

Who Is Tava Ren?

For fans who haven’t been following the comics too closely, Tava Ren is a Force-sensitive user introduced in “The Reign of Kylo Ren.” She appears in two issues. One details how Supreme Leader Snoke cast away the Knights of Ren and how she came to be in charge of their group.

The second is when she goes to Kylo Ren in order to kill him. However, they end up dining together, and she reaches over the table and kisses him. He quickly draws back and orders his troops to kill her; however, she manages to steal a ship and manages to escape. When General Hux asks him if he wants to fire on the vessel, Kylo Ren decides to just walk away and let her make her escape.

Some fans have wondered if Tava Ren was introduced as a possible love interest for Kylo Ren; however, it’s unclear what role she will serve in this story, as she does not appear to be in “The Rise of Skywalker.” Kylo Ren has the Knights of Ren around him when he constructs his helmet and then defeats them right before fighting Emperor Palpatine at the end of the film, so it’s unclear if he defeats Tava in battle in order to gain back control over his Knights.

When Will This New Kylo Ren Comic Be Released?

According to ScreenRant, “The Fall of Kylo Ren” will be a much shorter, five-issue series released in August. Soule has partnered up with artist Will Sliney to share this new chapter in the character’s journey.

Although Soule called it the “Kylo Ren trilogy,” in his newsletter, he did admit that it was possible that he could revisit Kylo Ren’s story somewhere down the line with another issue. It is possible that he might adapt at least some of the events planned for “The Hunt for Ben Solo” into a comic book if there is enough interest.

Inside Adam Driver’s Scrapped ‘The Hunt For Ben Solo’ Film

In October 2025, Adam Driver revealed that he had worked with director Steven Soderbergh to make a film that they called “The Hunt for Ben Solo,” in which he would have reprised his role as Ben Solo. The film would have taken place after Ben Solo supposedly died at the end of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.”

The project had been secretly in development for over two years, with a full script written by Scott Z. Burns. Driver told AP News that it was “one of the coolest [expletive] scripts I had ever been a part of.”

According to Driver, Disney heads Bob Iger and Alan Bergman shot down the script even though it had already gotten approval from Lucasfilm. “They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive,” Driver said at the time. “And that was that.”

Even though “Star Wars” fans launched a campaign to bring the movie back, Soderbergh has since stated that he considers the project permanently shelved and has no plans to return to it if asked.

Linen pants promise breezy summer comfort, but somehow they always end up wrinkled by lunch, riding up in all the wrong places and needing constant readjusting. Sure, they look effortless in theory . . . just not always in real life. It’s why we went on a hunt for a better alternative.

As it turns out, drawstring pajama-style pants are quietly becoming the comfy upgrade, and even Vogue considers them a summer trend to watch. We rounded up 13 chic pairs you can actually wear out of the house for brunches, flights and everyday errands. Even better? Prices start at just $15, making the switch feel like the easiest summer upgrade.

13 Breezy Drawstring Pants Are a Comfy Summer Upgrade

1. Our Favorite: The drawstring elastic waist on these khaki palazzo pants adjusts to bloat days, post-lunch fullness or anything in between. The flowy wide legs keep air moving when temps climb past 85.

2. You’re Good Jeans: Real jeans get sweaty fast in summer. These high-waisted denim pants give you the look without the rigid waistband or zipper, so you can actually breathe in July.

3. Sleek Stripes: Wear these striped wide-leg pants with a white button-down shirt half-tucked for lunch on the patio. The nautical stripe pulls everything together with zero effort.

4. Barrel Beauties: The barrel shape on these striped drawstring pants curves out at the thigh and tapers at the ankle, giving them more shape than standard palazzos. The side pockets and an elastic waist seal the deal.

5. Pull-On Ease: These gray striped pants work for the airport, office or Tuesday’s coffee run. Add loafers and a white tee, and you’ve got a 30-second outfit that looks styled.

Related: Michael Kors Handbags, Wallets and More Are Up to 71% Off — Shop Fast

A little handbag refresh never hurt nobody, unless we’re talking about high-end designer finds. Then your purchase may decimate your wallet. If you’re like Us and enjoy the finer things in life (but aren’t willing to give up your entire paycheck), we have good news. There are tons of Michael Kors deals hiding in plain […]

Advertisement

6. Gorgeous Gingham: Throw these gingham wide-leg pants on with a black tank and espadrilles for an outdoor gathering. The print does the work, so you can skip jewelry entirely.

7. Has Pockets: Pants without pockets means carrying a bag everywhere, even to the mailbox. This striped wide-leg style has real pockets that fit a phone, so you can actually leave the purse at home.

8. Silk-Like Stunners: Real silk pants can cost anywhere around $300 (and need dry cleaning). These silky drawstring pants give the same fluid drape without the maintenance and splurge-worthy price tag.

9. Airy Essential: The cotton-blend fabric on these baggy palazzo pants breathes the way linen does, without the wrinkles. The drawstring elastic waist gives all the room you need.

10. Boho Babe: Plain pants need accessories to feel finished. This boho-print wide-leg option looks complete with just a black tank, which saves time when you’re running late.

11. Free People-Style: Pull on these Free People-style pants with a white ribbed tank and woven sandals for a Saturday at the beach club. The orange stripes handle the sunset photos for you.

12. Darling Denim: Denim look, sweatpant feel. These drawstring jean sweatpants skip the zipper and button entirely, with a baggy high-waisted cut that wears like your softest joggers.

13. Luxe Leopard: Pair these leopard wide-leg pants with a plain black tee and gold sandals for a girls’ dinner. The print reads expensive, even though they cost less than the appetizer.

Related: Trade Your Old Jean Shorts for These On-Sale Midi Skirts — From $13

As much as we love our denim shorts, sometimes they’re not the most comfortable option. On the days we’re not up for that restrictive feeling we get when sitting down (you know what we’re talking about!), a flowy midi skirt is a smart choice. The airy style is ideal for summertime, as your skin isn’t […]

Say what you want about Michael Bay, but the filmmaker has directed and produced many big-name projects. While some found huge success, others ended as box-office bombs. And the projects that have become theatrical failures tend to find redemption on streaming platforms.

Ever since Bay started his career in 1986, He has worked as a producer on many franchises, most notably Transformers (which he also directed), as well as The Purge, A Quiet Place, and the 2009 reboot of Friday the 13th. But there is another franchise that Bay was attached to that was heavily criticized, yet it got a sequel that underperformed compared to its predecessor.

In 2014, Bay was one of the producers of the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. While it was a box-office success, it received negative reviews from both critics and fans. Its box-office performance led to the creation of its sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, which recently became a streaming hit. The film ranked #10 on Tubi’s Top 10 Overall charts in the United States, below The Rainmaker. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows featured the return of Megan Fox as April O’Neil, while the Ninja Turtles were played by Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson, Pete Ploszek, Jeremy Howard, and Noel Fisher. Also introduced in the movie is Casey Jones, played by Arrow star Stephen Amell.

Is ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows’ Worth Watching?

When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows was released in theaters, it became a box-office flop, only making $246 million worldwide, compared to the $485 million its predecessor made in 2014. At the same time, the sequel was still heavily criticized, earning a 38% critics score and a 47% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. ScreenRant claimed that the sequel was able to “capture the spirit of classic TMNT cartoons” rather than trying to make it “grounded” and “believable,” and bringing Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (Stephen “Sheamus” Farrelly) felt like something “ripped right out of the 1987 animated series.” However, its poor score was due to a lack of memorable combat scenes that failed to appeal to its adult fanbase.

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff gave Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows a “B-” grade in her review. She noted that some of the combat scenes would be “sloppy” due to heavy CGI use, especially in the 3rd act. She also praised the actors’ performances as the Ninja Turtles and their designs, which she described as “highly detailed and well integrated in the real world.” She also praised how director Dave Green and the screenwriters addressed the turtles’ dilemma of whether to fit in with society or keep a low profile.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is available to stream on Tubi and Paramount+. Follow Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

June 3, 2016

Runtime

112 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Dave Green

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The indie outfit A24 is using freshly injected funds to pump more money into its movies. After a decade in the indie trenches, during which only one of its movies passed the $100 million mark at the worldwide box office, A24 decided to level up in scale. Its first project of this new era was Alex Garland‘s dystopian thriller Civil War, which broke the studio’s opening weekend record and went on to gross around $130 million worldwide.

With a reported budget of $50 million, Civil War also happened to be the most expensive A24 movie ever made. The record has since been broken by Marty Supreme, which cost a reported $70 million to produce and went on to gross more than $190 million worldwide. A24 is about to enter production on an even more expensive movie, Garland’s video-game adaptation Elden Ring, whose budget is said to be in the $100 million range. But before that, however, A24 will release its next potential blockbuster — a period epic headlined by a bona fide A-lister.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed these days. Consider The Smashing Machine, which underperformed in 2025 with just $21 million worldwide against a reported budget of $50 million. The sports biopic, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, was supposed to enter the more commercial tier created by Civil War. Instead, it ended up grossing less than one-third of Moonlight‘s haul at the worldwide box office. The studio’s next release is headlined by Hugh Jackman, who can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed mystery film The Sheep Detectives. A couple of years ago, Jackman starred in one of the most expensive films ever made, Deadpool & Wolverine, which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide against a reported budget of more than $500 million.

Here’s When You Can Watch A24’s Next Potential Blockbuster

His A24 movie is The Death of Robin Hood, which puts a dark spin on the pop-culture icon whose exploits have entertained cinema audiences for more than a century. The Death of Robin Hood arrives 104 years after the very first theatrical feature about the character, which starred Douglas Fairbanks. The new movie is directed by Michael Sarnoski, who broke out with the indie gem Pig, starring Nicolas Cage, and then delivered the blockbuster horror prequel A Quiet Place: Day One, starring Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn.

Also starring Jodie Comer and Bill Skarsgård, The Death of Robin Hood will be released in theaters on June 19. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

May 8, 2026

Director

Michael Sarnoski

Advertisement

Writers

Michael Sarnoski

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ben Affleck‘s daughter, Violet, became the target of online trolling after she was seen not wearing her mask while out with her mother, Jennifer Garner.

The college student had been away for the past few months but recently returned home for the summer holidays. She joined her mother and younger brother, Samuel, for a casual trip to grab ice cream at a nearby creamery.

In recent years, Violet Affleck has advocated for mask-wearing and criticized those who have called for a ban on masks, leading to her getting scrutinized for her stance.

Violet Affleck made the rare decision to remove her mask during an outing with her mother, Jennifer Garner, and brother Samuel after returning home from college for the summer holidays.

However, the gesture led to her being mocked by netizens after images from the outing, obtained by the Daily Mail, hit the internet.

The negative reaction from critics online was likely a result of Violet’s pro-mask stance, especially as she has consistently spoken against calls to ban masks while demanding renewed COVID-19 protections.

In a sarcastic comment poking fun at Violet, one critic wrote, “lol any day now before it goes back on due to the ‘new’ pandemic.”

Another asked, “So someone finally got her the mental health support she needs?” while a third person said, “Oh Wow! Typical Hollywood hypocrisy!!:

Amid the trolling, some concerned folks also raised a different possibility behind why Violet was not wearing the mask.

“Could have been having a health issue that’s now resolved. Making a decision best for your mental and physical wellness is not everyone’s business,” noted an individual.

See the image of her mask-free outing here.

Why Ben Affleck’s Daughter Wears A Mask

The reason behind Violet wearing a mask is linked to her being diagnosed with a “post-viral condition” back in 2019.

Since then, she has not only preferred wearing a mask when out in public but has also advocated for others to do the same.

“I’m OK now, but I saw firsthand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses,” the young adult said during her speech for the LA County Board of Supervisors in 2024, according to a report.

In her speech, Violet also spoke against any ban on wearing masks, saying such regulations “do not keep us safer” and make “vulnerable members of our community less safe.”

The college student also added her voice to calls for increased access to “high-quality free tests and treatment” within the county.

Violet Affleck Took Her Mask Advocacy To The UN

In 2025, Violet Affleck also took her advocacy to a United Nations event, where she called for more action to address airborne diseases due to the immense risks they pose.

“It is neglect of the highest order to look children in the eyes and say, ‘We knew how to protect you, and we didn’t do it,’” Violet said at the time.

Speaking further, she criticized how many now seem to downplay the effects of COVID-19 despite the devastation it caused. In her view, she also believes that clean air should be considered just as much of a human right as clean water.

“Long COVID has surpassed asthma as the most common chronic illness in children in five years and under,” Violent added, before noting how terrified she was that some children  “will not know a world without debilitating pain and exhaustion” due to the effects Covid had on them.

Violet Affleck’s UN Speech Sparked Backlash

Violet’s UN speech at the time led to intense backlash online due to her calls for reinstated mask mandates, a highly controversial stance since the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of her most prominent critics was Meghan McCain, who lashed out at Violet on social media, writing, “Every single thing about all of this is why people hate nepo babies so much.”

As reported by The Blast, McCain argued that Violet’s appearance at the UN felt unnecessary, implying she had little idea what she was talking about.

After being branded a “nepo baby” herself, McCain further doubled down on her criticism of Violet by stating that her parents would never co-sign her speaking at a high-profile event without being well-versed on the sensitive topic that was being discussed.

“Having famous parents is a double-edged sword, and if you’re going to put yourself out there, you gotta take the heat (as I have always done),” McCain added at the time.

The 20-Year-Old Received High Praise From Her Father, Ben Affleck

Violet has repeatedly been praised by her father, with one such instance occurring during a recent interview with Access Hollywood.

At the time, he noted how she takes after her mother, adding that she is “spectacular.” The actor also spoke about his coparent arrangement with Violet’s mother and how she makes it all so easy for him

“I’m very lucky that I’ve got a great partner and we’ve got great kids. It’s the joy of my life, and I’m just very, very lucky. And it makes me happy every day,” Affleck said, per Hola.

Affleck’s comments about Garner echoed remarks he made during an appearance on “Good Morning America” in 2020, per the Daily Mail.

“When you have children with somebody, you’re connected to them forever. And I’m very lucky she [Garner] is the mother of my children,” he said. “I’m very grateful and respectful of her.”

Wade Wilson, the convicted murderer who became a viral social media fixation as the “Deadpool Killer,” is back in the spotlight after his crimes were documented in Paramount+’s Handsome Devil: Charming Killer and Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever. Wilson was found guilty in June 2024 of murdering Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in Cape Coral, Florida, and was sentenced to death two months later.

Here’s everything to know about Wilson, his crimes and the social media fascination that surrounds him.

Inside Wade Wilson’s Crimes

Wilson killed Melton and Ruiz on the same morning of October 7, 2019, in Cape Coral, Florida, according to A&E. The night before, Wilson met Melton at a bar, where the two hit it off. Their group eventually returned to a friend’s house, and Wilson and Melton became intimate. Their encounter took a horrifying turn when Wilson strangled Melton in her bed, then stole her car and fled the scene.

Advertisement

Related: Man Accused of Stabbing Girlfriend and Her Child Is Sentenced to Death

A man accused of attacking his girlfriend with a shovel and a knife, killing her before fatally stabbing her 4-year-old daughter, has been sentenced to death in Florida, according to court records viewed by Us Weekly. In October 2025, a Hillsborough County jury found Angel Gabriel Cuz Choc guilty of first-degree murder in connection with […]

That same morning, Wilson violently assaulted his then-girlfriend, Mila Montanez, at her workplace. His rampage continued when he spotted Ruiz walking to her nearby job. Wilson asked Ruiz for directions and managed to lure her into his car, where he strangled her. He initially thought Ruiz was dead and planned to bury her body, but when he realized she was still breathing, he ran her over several times with Melton’s stolen car.

In disturbing audio featured in the docuseries trailer, Wilson can be heard describing the killings in his own words. “I choked her out so she couldn’t breathe anymore,” he said in a recorded phone call. “I was on a rampage at this point.”

Another clip captured Wilson saying, “A rage overcomes me. Just kill, kill, kill. When I get that way, I become the devil. I’m like the lion, you’re the prey. I can sense it.”

Wade Wilson’s Arrest and Confession

Wilson was ultimately turned in by his own biological father, Steven Testasecca. After the murders, he confessed the graphic details of what he had done to Testasecca during several phone calls. Testasecca contacted law enforcement, and Wilson was arrested later that evening.

Once in police custody, Wilson reportedly showed no remorse for the killings. Authorities said he told them he would commit the crimes “again” if given the chance.

In voiceover audio featured in the trailer, Wilson is heard reflecting on his approach to the women he encountered. “This is what I do with women, you know. I use my charm, my good looks,” he said.

Wade Wilson’s Trial and Death Sentence

Wilson’s case went to trial in June 2024. He was found guilty on six counts, including two counts of first-degree murder, grand theft, burglary and battery, according to A&E. In August 2024, Wilson was sentenced to death.

Before the trial began, Wilson dramatically altered his appearance by getting tattoos covering his face and neck. The new look helped transform public perception of him — and turned the case into a social media phenomenon.

Has a Date Been Set for Wade Wilson’s Execution?

An execution date has not yet been set for Wilson. His attorneys are actively appealing his death sentence, arguing that a 2023 Florida state law that allows juries to recommend a death sentence without a unanimous vote should not apply to Wilson because his crimes were committed before the law was passed, according to NJ.com.

Wade Wilson’s Rise to Social Media Notoriety

As Wilson’s mugshot circulated online, his face tattoos and good looks made him a viral figure. The media nicknamed him the “Deadpool Killer” because he shares his name with the Marvel antihero played by Ryan Reynolds.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Public fascination quickly spilled offline. Women showed up to his court appearances in support, and entire social media accounts were dedicated to him. One commentator featured in Handsome Devil: Charming Killer noted that Wilson was “building a cult following.”

In the trailer, women from Wilson’s past recall describing him as “attractive” and “very nice” before his arrest, with some admitting they thought they could change him. The footage captures the unsettling collision of true crime and internet culture that the docuseries plans to explore.

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.

Bruce Springsteen apparently had no time for former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at his Brooklyn concert.

Video shared via X by journalist Mike Ryan showcased an awkward moment during Springsteen and the E Street Band’s Barclays Center show on Thursday, May 14.

As “The Boss,” walked through the crowd to shake hands with fans, Christie, 63, stuck out his own hand — and was seemingly ignored when Springsteen, 76, walked past him. Christie immediately pulled back his hand, shrugged and resumed clapping along with the music.

Us Weekly has reached out to Christie and Springsteen’s representatives for comment.

Springsteen and Christie have a somewhat contentious history. The former governor is a self-professed Springsteen super-fan who has boasted of attending more than 100 of the rocker’s concerts over the years.

“No one is beyond the reach of Bruce,” he once told The Atlantic.

Former President Barack Obama connected the two for the first time in November 2012 while Springsteen was riding on Air Force One. During a phone call about Hurricane Sandy, Obama told Christie that Springsteen wanted to speak to him and they had a brief conversation, per Variety.

That same month, Springsteen and Christie greeted one another backstage at a Hurricane Sandy benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“We hugged,” Christie told reporters of his in-person meeting with his musical idol. “He told me it’s official: we’re friends. I told the president today, actually, that the hug was great and when we got home, there was a lot of weeping because of the hug. And the president asked why. I said, ‘Well, to be honest, I was the one doing the weeping.’”

However, Springsteen later poked fun at Christie during the 2013 “Bridgegate” scandal. (Christie’s staff was accused of deliberately causing traffic jams near Fort Lee, New Jersey, by ordering the closure of a toll plaza. This political maneuvering was seen as retribution for Fort Lee’s Mayor Mark Sokolich opposing Christie’s administration.)

Christie was not criminally charged over the “Bridgegate” scandal, though many pundits suggested that the controversy eroded support for his ill-fated presidential campaign in 2016.

Advertisement

Related: Donald Trump Rants About ‘Prune’ Bruce Springsteen, Calls for Boycott

President Donald Trump asked his supporters to boycott Bruce Springsteen after the musician kicked off his latest tour. “Bad, and very boring singer, Bruce Springsteen, who looks like a dried up prune who has suffered greatly from the work of a really bad plastic surgeon, has long had a horrible and incurable case of Trump […]

At the height of the controversy, Springsteen joined Jimmy Fallon on his Late Night show in 2014 to sing a parody version of “Born to Run” about “Bridgegate.”

“Baby this Bridgegate was just payback / It’s a bitch slap to the state Democrats,” Fallon, 51, and Springsteen sang. “We got to get out while we can / We’re stuck in Governor Chris Christie’s Fort Lee-New Jersey traffic jam!”

More recently, Springsteen offered an olive branch to President Donald Trump amid a years-long public feud. During an Austin, Texas concert on April 26, Springsteen lled his audience in a prayer after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

“We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas, we pray for their safe return,” Springsteen told fans. “We also send out a prayer of thanks that our president, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured at last night’s incident at the [White House] press correspondents’ dinner.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

He went on, “We can disagree. We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs. But there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States.”

Suspected shooter Cole Tomas Allen allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton on April 25 while President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other officials from their administration were attending the dinner.

Allen, 31, was apprehended after injuring a Secret Service agent. He later pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.