With one high-octane flick after another, Michael Bay has made a name for himself as one of the most explosive directors in action. Whether you love him or hate him, the helmer continuously brings pulse-pounding stories to the big screen and has backed some of the most popular genre franchises in recent memory, like Transformers and Bad Boys. While he might be best known for his fictitious sci-fi leanings, Bay has also dipped his hands into the world of history, molding two flicks off true events — although he naturally threw in a heavy side of drama on both.

Most recently was 2016’s 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, which saw a cast led by John Krasinski depict the events that followed the harrowing attack made on the titular city in Libya. With a 51% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is one of the higher-scoring titles to come from the director and, out of his two historical films, it blows the other to smithereens. We are, of course, talking about Bay’s 2001 action drama Pearl Harbor, which, despite its magnificent win at the global box office, has gone down as one of the worst historical films out there.

In a world inundated with WWII movies overflowing with on-point favorites like Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Oppenheimer, William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives and Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, a movie about what was at the time the deadliest attack on American soil should have been a shoo-in to the vault of classics as well as awards season. Unfortunately, Bay’s work was a massive misfire that had critics, audiences, and historians talking about all the wrong things. Starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale, the wartime drama doesn’t primarily focus on the titular WWII attack as its name would suggest, but instead largely follows an over-the-top love triangle between its three main characters. And yet, if you’re searching for some exciting WWII-centered entertainment that stokes the flames of romantic drama, look no further than Tubi when, on May 1, Pearl Harbor arrives on the free streamer.

‘Pearl Harbor’s Financial Win

Despite only scrounging up a 24% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and being massively panned by WWII experts, Pearl Harbor brought hoards of audiences to cinemas. While the colliding and overlapping love stories at the center of the tale may have pushed some away in the end, the distressing events of the titular attack were told by Bay in a way that lived up to the director’s legacy. When all was said and done, the star-studded flick earned a staggering $449.2 million at the global box office against its $140 million production budget.

Head over to Tubi on May 1 to stream Pearl Harbor.

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Release Date

May 25, 2001

Runtime

183 minutes

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Writers

Randall Wallace

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Producers

Jennifer Klein, Jerry Bruckheimer, K.C. Hodenfield, Kenny Bates, Pat Sandston

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Cardi B is clapping back at rumors that she used to buy expensive handbags and then pass them off as gifts from her ex-husband Offset.

The “Bodak Yellow” rapper, 33, spoke out when a fan shared a clip of her unwrapping a handbag and claimed she was “buying her own bags this whole time and letting y’all think Offset was spoiling her.”

“NEVER …I’m never the type to do lame s*** like that …there was no money problems when I was regulating,” Cardi replied via X on Saturday, April 11.

Fans know that Cardi has an extensive collection of the ultra-exclusive Birkin handbags from Hermés that has been valued at more than $2 million by some estimates.

Related: Cardi B Reacts After Offset Seemingly Jokes Her New Baby Is ‘My Kid’

Cardi B is not here for jokes about her personal life after expanding her family with boyfriend Stefon Diggs. The drama began when her estranged husband, Offset, allegedly posted a joke about being the father of her and Diggs’ first baby. A screenshot circulating on social media showed an Instagram Story attributed to the Migos […]

She was married to Offset (real name Kiari Kendrell Cephus) from 2017 until separating in 2023. In December 2023, Cardi broke the news to fans that she’d been “single for a minute now” and subsequently filed for divorce the following July.

The former couple share three children: daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, 7, son Wave Set Cephus, 4, and daughter Blossom Belle Cephus, 1. Offset, 34, is also father to sons Jordan Cephus, 16, and Kody Cephus, 11, and daughter Kalea Marie Cephus, 11, from prior relationships while Cardi welcomed her fourth child, a boy, with Stefon Diggs in November 2025.

Cardi has not yet reacted publicly to news that Offset was shot near the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Monday, April 6.

Two people were detained by Florida police in connection with the shooting. Rapper Lil Tjay was also arrested on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct-affray charge for allegedly getting involved in a fight before the shooting.

Lil Tjay’s attorney, Dawn M. Florio, released a statement to deny that the rapper was involved in Offset’s shooting in any way.

“We are issuing this release in regards to false rumors that Lil Tjay was involved in a shooting which occurred at the Valet Area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood which [resulted] in non-life-threatening injuries to Offset, formerly a member of Migos,” Florio said in a statement. “Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false. We encourage people to consult trusted news sources, and to verify the accuracy of any reporting, before reflexively sharing or repeating baseless rumors.”

Meanwhile, Offset spent most of the week in a Florida hospital before his representative confirmed he’d been released on Friday, April 10.

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“Offset has been released from the hospital, and he is up and walking,” his rep told Us Weekly. “We’re incredibly grateful to the doctors, nurses and the entire hospital staff who took such great care of him.”

Offset shared his own statement to assure his fans that he is on the road to recovery.

“Thank you to everyone who’s checked in on me and showed me love! I’m good … but I’m planning to be better,” he said. “I’m focused on my family, my recovery and getting back to the music … realizing that life is made up of quiet wins and loud losses … Life’s a gamble, and I’m still playing to win.”

“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” viewers are reacting to the claims that Mary Cosby‘s late son, Robert, allegedly beat his ex-wife, Alexiana Smokoff.

The news of the alleged dispute between the pair comes weeks after Mary’s son passed away after being found unresponsive.

The Blast also reported that Mary Cosby was interviewed by Utah police officers about the alleged incident in January 2026.

Mary Cosby’s Son, Robert, Allegedly Beat Ex-Wife So Hard That She Bled From Her Ear

According to a Salt Lake City Police Department report obtained by TMZ and Page Six, Robert’s ex-wife, Smokoff, claimed she was the victim of domestic abuse.

“On May 18, my husband, who I’m separated with, beat the s–t out of me,” Smokoff told a police officer. “And I think it happened because he was abusing pills, and I flushed them.”

Smokoff bravely told the police officer that Robert began “chasing her” and throwing things at her after he learned of the missing pills. She later claimed that he “locked me inside the house.”

That’s not the worst of it, according to Smokoff. She also claimed that Robert hit her “so hard my ear bled.”

Mary Cosby’s Son’s Ex-Wife Was ‘Stressed’ Over Their Relationship

Smokoff went on to say that she was unable to seek medical attention at the time because Robert “wouldn’t let [me] leave.”

She added that she was “stressed” about their relationship before saying he’d have to see him in court.

Smokoff also claimed Robert had been breaking into her home and violating her protection order against him because he had “no regard” for the law.

Mary was interviewed by the police about the reported incident in January 2026. During the interview, the reality star said she was unaware of any abuse between Robert and Smokoff, adding that she didn’t raise him to put his hands on other people.

Mary Cosby’s Son Died In February 2026 After Being Open About His Struggles With Addiction

Robert was found unresponsive after police responded to a call about a potential overdose, and later pronounced dead. He was 23.

Robert spoke openly about his struggles with addiction with his mother on an earlier episode of “RHOSLC.”

During the conversation, Robert broke down in tears while telling his mom he used drugs to add “seasoning to [my life].”

“Then, I started doing Xanax with Acid, and then Molly with Xanax. I really like Xanax so I mix it with everything. Xanax and cocaine. You know the regular 30mg Oxys? I noticed … this was, like, a turning point for me. I was taking 10 at once, and I couldn’t even feel it,” Robert added.

Mary opened up about his death with a statement on Instagram, stating that he had been “called home to the Lord.”

She added, “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

‘RHOSLC’ Viewers Are Sharing Their Repulsed Reactions To The Allegations

On Reddit, “RHOSLC” viewers reacted to the allegations, slamming Robert and sending encouraging messages to his ex.

“Beating a woman to the point she is bleeding from her ear is deeply disturbing and goes beyond just being an addict,” someone wrote. “This starts at home.”

Another user wrote, “I think SLC has some of the darkest stories besides OC and NJ. I have a lot of sympathy for Mary, but the fact that she stopped this girl from leaving is beyond f–ked up. It’s one thing to try to protect your son—it’s another to see a person in distress and add to their trauma.”

“I hope [Smokoff] has a lot of love and support around her,” a third Redditor commented.

Another Salt Lake City Dispute Story Has Taken Over The Headlines

Robert’s alleged interaction with Smokoff isn’t the only violent story coming out of SLC these days. According to The Blast, “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” stars Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul are being investigated by the Draper Police Department over an alleged domestic dispute that occurred in February 2026.

Amid all of this, a video showing Paul appearing to beat Mortensen during a 2023 dispute was released. Later in the clip, Paul hurls two metal chairs at Mortensen, one of which hits her minor daughter in the head.

Paul faced intense backlash over the video, prompting ABC and Disney to axe her previously filmed season of “The Bachelorette.”

Some movies look like they were built to do better at home than they did in theaters, and Crime 101 really feels like one of them. The heist thriller has the cast and a cool, polished L.A. crime-movie energy, and now that it’s landed on Prime Video, viewers are clearly showing up for it.

The film debuted on Prime Video on April 1 and quickly rose to No. 1 globally, according to multiple entertainment outlets covering its chart run. It stars Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry, and critics have compared its crime-thriller vibe to films like Heat.The official synopsis reads:

“Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.”

Is ‘Crime 101’ Worth Watching?

Collider’s review, by Aidan Kelley, stated that Crime 101 may not reinvent the crime genre, but it still delivers a really solid ride. The movie clearly pulls from other great crime films, and sometimes those influences are a little too obvious. Even so, strong direction, tense action, and a very good cast help it stay engaging from start to finish.

“2026 is turning out to be a winner for smaller-scale action thrillers, with Crime 101 joining the ranks of Dead Man’s Wire and Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die as potential new contenders for the ‘cult classic action-thriller club.’ The fingerprints of other all-time hits from crime movies’ past are undeniably present, and perhaps there’s one too many of them, but they don’t stop Crime 101 from showing that it has the formula behind a great, entertaining crime thriller down to a tee. Chris Hemsworth is a likable enough anti-hero that he makes Bart Layton’s crime journey a more than satisfying ride from start to finish.”

Crime 101 is streaming now on Prime Video.

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Release Date

February 13, 2026

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Runtime

140 Minutes

Director

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Bart Layton

Writers

Bart Layton, Peter Straughan

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Producers

Derrin Schlesinger, Eric Fellner, Shane Salerno, Tim Bevan, Chris Hemsworth, Ben Grayson, Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton

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From the mind-bending Severance and the genius Pluribus, to the hit series Your Friends & Neighbors and the beloved comedy Shrinking, which recently debuted the finale of its hugely successful third outing, Apple TV boasts some of the very best shows in modern streaming. However, the jewel in the streamer’s crown is the heartwarming soccer series Ted Lasso, which premiered with a glowing story of optimism during the 2020 pandemic at a time when everyone needed it. The series put Apple TV on the map and paved the way for the streamer’s excellent run of shows to come.

After three hugely successful seasons, it seemed that Ted (Jason Sudeikis), Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), and the rest of AFC Richmond were ready to hang up their boots. However, it was then confirmed that Apple TV had renewed the comedy for a fourth season, which is expected to premiere sometime this summer, in time for the 2026 World Cup, as the USA, Canada, and Mexico take over hosting duties for the biggest sporting event in the world.

The upcoming fourth outing will look slightly different from previous installments, with Ted and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) ready to coach a new women’s division at AFC Richmond. “Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team,” an official logline for Season 4 reads. “Throughout the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.” Ahead of the fourth season’s arrival, Ted Lasso has hit an enormous streaming milestone, officially passing 800 days on the Apple TV streaming charts in the U.S.

‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Features a Host of Fresh Faces

The new fourth season of Ted Lasso will feature many of the same beloved faces as a new chapter in AFC Richmond’s history begins, alongside another bid for Premier League glory. The likes of Ted (Sudeikis), Coach Beard (Hunt), Roy Kent (Goldstein), Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley (Juno Temple), and co, will be joined by a host of new faces, including Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education), Jude Mack (Prime Target), Faye Marsay (Andor), Rex Hayes (The Pact), Aisling Sharkey (Jurassic World Dominion), and Abbie Hern (My Lady Jane).

Ted Lasso has surpassed 800 days on the Apple TV streaming charts in the U.S. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for the latest streaming stories.

Sabrina Carpenter delivered a standout performance at Coachella, earning praise for her vocals and stage presence. However, amid the high-energy set, a brief interaction with a fan in the crowd quickly drew attention online, with some viewers calling the singer “insensitive” and sparking debate across social media platforms.

Sabrina Carpenter Calls Out ‘Yodelling’ Fan

On March 10, Sabrina Carpenter headlined the main stage at Coachella, performing several songs from her discography, including “Please, Please, Please,” “Espresso,” and “Manchild.” Before starting one of her songs, the singer paused, looked to the crowd and said, “I think I heard someone yodelling.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” the singer asked, seemingly confused. “I don’t like it,” she added. The fan screamed from the crowd to answer Carpenter, saying that it was part of their culture. “That’s your culture, yodelling?” the singer responded. “It’s a call. A celebration,” the fan replied.

“Is this Burning Man? What’s going on? This is weird,” Carpenter remarked before continuing her performance. The clip quickly made the rounds online, sparking debate over whether the singer’s reaction came across as insensitive.

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The Fan Was Not Yodelling

Social media users shared their reaction to the interaction, with some identifying the fan’s cheer as a zaghroot or zaghrouta, a high-pitched sound or ululation used in Middle Eastern and North African cultures to express happiness during celebrations, such as weddings, graduations, and family gatherings, per Arab America.

Pop superstar Shakira, who is of Lebanese and Colombian descent, famously did a zaghrouta during her performance with Jennifer Lopez at the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show, per CBS News. Looking straight at the camera, the singer wiggled her tongue and ululated as a nod to her heritage. Back then, viewers who weren’t aware of the cultural context poked fun at Shakira, but they were swiftly corrected by others who recognized the tradition and its significance.

Sabrina Carpenter Was Called ‘Insensitive’

The Coachella fan interaction triggered some negative reactions, with users pointing out that Capenter could have responded better after being told it was part of the fan’s culture.

“Please that was so alarming!! the audience explained that it’s a call for celebration and she dismissed it like that,” one wrote. “I didn’t know sh-t abt this cheer but if someone told me ‘that’s my culture’ the last thing I’d do is double down and call it weird. So f-cking dumb omg,” another commented.

“I love Sabrina but she should’ve just stopped after they mentioned it being a part of their culture,” added another user. “She really doesn’t know how to talk just shut up and sing,” said another.

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Some Users Defended The Singer

The internet is divided on the controversy, and while many called out Carpenter’s actions, there were others who defended her.

“Not even a fan but I’m Arab and I don’t find this disrespectful. how would she know it’s a part of our culture she probably thought the person wasn’t serious,” one user noted, adding that she found zaghroot “genuinely annoying.”

One user said, “IT IS WEIRD LEAVE HER ALONE”. “how was she supposed to know she was high up on stage i bet she could barely hear them,” another one wrote, defending the singer.

One reddit user shared her observation, writing, “I noticed she hates random sounds. I went to an LA show and ppl barked and she was so p-ssed.”

Sabrina Carpenter Delighted Fans With Celebrity Cameos

The viral fan interaction wasn’t the only topic of conversation about Carpenter’s performance. Her 21-song Coachella setlist featured cameo appearances from several celebrities. The first appearance was from actor Sam Elliot, who played a cop in a pre-taped video played before Carpenter’s set began.

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Midway through the set, Susan Sarandon appeared, playing an older version of the singer and delivering a monologue. The singer’s “Girl Meets World” co-star, Corey Fogelmanis, also made a cameo appearance as a waiter at a drive-in theater.

Toward the end of Carpenter’s song, “Bed Chem,” comedian Will Ferrell, dressed as an electrician, grumpily “fixes” the electricity. Lastly, Samuel L. Jackson made a vocal cameo on the song “Juno,” introducing himself as a spiritual guide and later urging Carpenter to “finish the motherf-cking song.”

For All Mankind has been one of Apple TV’s most respected originals for years, but even prestige sci-fi can get crowded out when a platform’s lineup gets busy. Right now, that’s exactly what seems to be happening. The show is still pulling viewers, just not at the same level as some of Apple TV’s louder current titles.

FlixPatrol’s worldwide Apple TV chart for April 6 places For All Mankind at No. 4, behind Your Friends & Neighbors, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Shrinking. That’s not a collapse by any means, but it does show the series isn’t dominating globally at the moment.

The cast for the penultimate season includes Joel Kinnaman’s seemingly immortal Ed Baldwin; Sean Kaufman as his grandson, Alex; Toby Kebbell as Miles Dale; Edi Gathegi as Dev Ayesa; Cynthy Wu as Kelly Baldwin; Coral Peña as Aleida Rosales; Wrenn Schmidt as Margo Madison; Mireille Enos as Celia Boyd; Costa Ronin as Lenya Andropov; Ruby Cruz as Lily Dale; and Ines Asserson as Ingrid Solheim.

How Good Is ‘For All Mankind’?

Therese Lacson stated in her review that For All Mankind Season 5 continues to show just why the series is one of Apple TV’s most impressive, well-made and consistently rewarded sci-fi dramas, expanding its lore in the alternate reality while keeping its emotional core firmly grounded in relationships. What began as a Cold War space race drama has now evolved into a sprawling, multi-generational story set in a fully colonized Mars, and the transition feels earned rather than overwhelming.

“The creators of the series have always planned a seven-season arc, and For All Mankind is proof that when streamers have faith in their shows and allow them to grow, they can create pure magic. With each episode, Season 5 builds tension while giving us brief moments of relief, all culminating in another massive shift that promises to usher in a completely new and exciting age.”

For All Mankind is streaming now on Apple TV.

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Release Date

November 1, 2019

Network

Apple TV

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Directors

Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Andrew Stanton, Meera Menon, Dan Liu, Allen Coulter, Craig Zisk, Dennie Gordon, John Dahl, Lukas Ettlin, Wendey Stanzler, Seth Gordon, Sylvain White, Michael Morris, Maja Vrvilo, Sarah Boyd

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Writers

Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle, Nichole Beattie, Joe Menosky

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Congressman Eric Swalwell’s senior staff have said they are “horrified” by sexual misconduct allegations made against him.

“As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” a statement signed by staffers for Swalwell’s 14th congressional district and the “Eric Swalwell for Governor 2026” campaign read on Saturday, April 11. “We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too.”

His staff went on, “The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”

Despite their condemnation of the Democratic representative, his staffers addressed why they cannot necessarily quit their jobs at this time.

Related: Nancy Pelosi and More Democrats React to Eric Swalwell Abuse Allegations

Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries and more prominent Democrats are reacting to claims Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman representing California’s 14th congressional district, sexually assaulted and harassed multiple women. “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi said in a statement in response to the allegations. “As I discussed with […]

“We also understand that we lead teams who need guidance and stability now, more than ever. We are focused on supporting our colleagues during this challenging time,” they said in a joint statement. “Any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell. We recognize that not everyone — in particular our junior staff — can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence. Our responsibility now is to them.”

Their statement concluded, “We, more than he, understand that we have obligations to the people we lead and to the constituents of California’s 14th Congressional District. Those of us that remain on staff do so for the sole purpose of ensuring that as many of those obligations are fulfilled as possible.”

Us Weekly has reached out to Representative Swalwell’s office for comment.

Swalwell has been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by four women. He has strenuously denied all allegations. (The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into the accusations on Saturday.)

An anonymous former Swalwell staffer told CNN that the Congressman pursued her romantically when she worked at his Castro Valley, California, headquarters in 2019. She alleged that Swalwell propositioned her for oral sex and later invited her out for a drink, where she “blacked out” and allegedly woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed, at which time she allegedly felt that he’d initiated vaginal intercourse.

Another accuser, Ally Sammarco, alleged that Swalwell sent her “very inappropriate” text messages via Snapchat. Two other anonymous women accused the politician of sexual harassment and unwanted touching.

Swalwell has been married to Brittany Watts since 2016 and they share three children. On Saturday, April 11, Swalwell denied any wrongdoing, alleging that he was being targeted because he was a frontrunner in California’s gubernatorial race.

“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have,” Swalwell said in a statement. “They also come on the eve of an election, where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor of California.”

He went on, “I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I’m a saint — I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”

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Related: Jeffrey Epstein’s Victims Speak Out Against Melania Trump Statement

The late Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have spoken out after first lady Melania Trump attempted to distance herself from the convicted sex offender in a White House speech. “Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already shown extraordinary courage by coming forward, filing reports and giving testimony. Asking more of them now is a deflection of responsibility, not […]

Many prominent Democrats — including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — have called on Swalwell to drop out of the gubernatorial primaries.

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“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi, 86, said in a statement on Saturday. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that this is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”

California’s gubernatorial primary election will be held June 2.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Congressman Eric Swalwell is facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women, a Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation and calls from top Democrats to end his campaign for California governor.

Four women — including a former staffer who claims the politician raped her — accused Swalwell in April 2026 of sexual misconduct and harassment. Swalwell has categorically denied all the allegations.

“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women.”

Swalwell, a Democratic congressman representing California’s 14th congressional district, was the frontrunner in the 2026 race for California governor before the accusations made headlines.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the scandal and resulting investigation:

What Are the Allegations Against Eric Swalwell?

One of Eric Swalwell’s former staffer, who was 21 when she was hired, claimed that he attempted to pursue her romantically when she worked at his district office in Castro Valley, California, in 2019. She alleged he messaged her via Snapchat, sent her images of his genitals and sought nude pictures in return. She also claimed Swalwell tried to kiss her in her car and later asked her to perform oral sex on him.

The woman further alleged that Swalwell invited her out for drinks in September 2019, where she “blacked out” and allegedly woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed, at which point she felt the effects of vaginal intercourse.

“I kept figuring out ways to blame myself: I shouldn’t have reached out to him at all, I should have left, I should have done this,” an anonymous alleged victim told CNN in April 2026. “Well, Eric shouldn’t have raped me.”

Another woman, Ally Sammarco, claimed that Swalwell offered to “share her resume” with other congressional offices before sending her “very inappropriate” messages via Snapchat. Two additional women also accused the congressman of sexual harassment and unwanted touching. All the women, sans Sammarco, wished to remain anonymous fearing retaliation.

Eric Swalwell’s Denial and Apology to His Wife

Eric Swalwell addressed the allegations in a social media video, while also apologizing to his wife, Brittany Watts.

“I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past,” he said in a social media video in April 2026. “Those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this potion.”

Watts, who shares three children with Swalwell, has not publicly addressed the scandal.

Ally Sammarco’s Husband Reacts to the Scandal

Alleged victim Ally Sammarco‘s husband, Adam Parkhomenko responded directly to Swalwell’s denial video in April 2026.

“My wife’s name is Ally Sammarco. Obviously you know that, but she’s not named anonymous,” Parkhomenko, a Democratic strategist and former DNC National Field Director, wrote via X in April 2026. “She also went on the record with CNN so that hopefully this does not happen to other women and maybe it would help other women come forward.”

In a second statement, Parkhomenko added, “I would just like to reiterate that if Eric Swalwell and his attorney believe any statements that my wife and I have made are not true, he should sue us immediately.”

Democrats Call for Eric Swalwell to Drop Out of Governor’s Race

Prominent members of the Democratic Party publicly reacted to Eric Swalwell’s misconduct scandal in April 20226.

“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that this is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meanwhile, issued a joint statement with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar. They called for Swalwell to “immediately end his campaign to be California’s next governor.”

Adam Gray, a Democrat from California who served as a campaign cochair for Swalwell, also called the reports “deeply disturbing” and withdrew his support in the congressman’s gubernatorial race.

Manhattan DA Opens Investigation

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into Eric Swalwell on April 11, 2026.

“We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373,” the DA’s office told CNN in a statement. “Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”

Us Weekly reached out to Swalwell’s communications director for comment.

Congressman Eric Swalwell’s Staff ‘Horrified’ By Sexual Misconduct Allegations

On the heels of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office opening an investigation into Congressman Eric Swalwell’s alleged misconduct, staffers from his 14th congressional district and the “Eric Swalwell for Governor 2026” campaign released a joint statement condemning him.

“As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” they said. “We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too. The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”

His staffers addressed why it was impossible for many of them to quit their jobs with Swalwell amid the ongoing scandal.

“We also understand that we lead teams who need guidance and stability now, more than ever. We are focused on supporting our colleagues during this challenging time,” they said in a joint statement.
“Any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell. “We recognize that not everyone — in particular our junior staff — can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence. Our responsibility now is to them.”

Their statement concluded, “We, more than he, understand that we have obligations to the people we lead and to the constituents of California’s 14th Congressional District. Those of us that remain on staff do so for the sole purpose of ensuring that as many of those obligations are fulfilled as possible.”

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Us Weekly has reached out to Congressman Swalwell’s office for comment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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

Season 2 of “Temptation Island” is already delivering major drama, and for Scarlett Bentley, the experience ended with a life-changing decision. The 29-year-old marketing agency owner entered the island alongside her boyfriend, 27-year-old real estate entrepreneur Cole Mueller, hoping to work through ongoing issues in their two-year relationship. But by the end of the experiment, Scarlett made the surprising choice to leave the island alone. While the decision didn’t come easily, it marked a turning point for the “Temptation Island” star, who has since opened up about what really went wrong between them.

Scarlett Bentley Says ‘Trust Issues’ Weren’t About Cheating

Ahead of the season premiere, Scarlett shed light on what led the couple to the island in the first place, revealing that their struggles weren’t rooted in infidelity.

“Once we were there, I realized I wasn’t actually worried about Cole cheating,” she told Cosmo. “I think it would’ve been pretty crazy for either of us to actually do something like that…so I was just hoping that both of us would really look more deeply into our relationship and grow.”

Instead, Scarlett explained that their issues were more about communication, growth, and understanding each other on a deeper level.

Disappointment Over Cole’s Approach On The Island

While the experiment is designed to push contestants out of their comfort zones, Scarlett admitted she was left wanting more from Cole’s experience. She revealed that she had hoped he would take advantage of the opportunity to connect with others and gain perspective.

“I know that he was probably scared of me seeing anything that would upset me,” she explained. “It was a hard situation to navigate, and I think everyone just did their best, right?”

For Scarlett, the lack of exploration made it feel like a missed opportunity for both of them to truly evolve.

Scarlett Bentley Found Support In Unexpected Friendship

During her time on the island, Scarlett formed a close bond with fellow participant Bradley Bobbit, but she made it clear their connection remained strictly platonic.

“That first pick for that date was totally random,” Scarlett said. “I just chose Bradley on a whim, and had no idea that we would become such great friends. And after that first date, we had really great conversations. I was the oldest girl. He was the oldest guy. I think he was just really mature, and he spoke my language.”

According to Scarlett, that friendship became an important source of support throughout the process. “He was able to help me navigate my relationship, which was super helpful, considering I was just like wanting to grow and get answers,” she shared. “It always just felt like a deep friendship to me…and having a solid friend to lean on was huge.”

Scarlett Admits She Has Some Regrets

Looking back, Scarlett acknowledged that there are a few moments she might have handled differently, especially when it came time to communicate with Cole.

She admitted she “could have been a little softer” in the video message she left for him during the show. “Obviously, I’m only seeing very small clips of Cole’s experience, so in that moment, it felt right,” she said. “I wanted him to dive into the experience…but from what I had seen, it seemed like he wasn’t.”

Still, she ultimately stands by her decision to walk away, explaining that she was ready to move on from the relationship they once had. “I think I was just so over the old relationship that we were in, and I just wanted growth,” she told the outlet.

‘Temptation Island’ Puts Relationships Through The Ultimate Test

At its core, “Temptation Island” follows four couples at a crossroads who agree to test their relationships in one of the most extreme ways possible. Each pair arrives on a tropical island only to be immediately separated and surrounded by a group of attractive singles, forcing them to confront temptation head-on while navigating time apart.

“Isolated from one another, they will go on a journey full of temptation and self-reflection to decide whether to return to their lives together, chart a new path alone, or leave the island with someone new,” the show’s description states.

Season 2 of “Temptation Island” is streaming on Netflix now.