President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are both safe following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C..

The president, the first lady, pregnant White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and other officials were rushed out of the ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington D.C. when gunfire erupted on Saturday, April 25.

A Secret Service agent was shot during the crossfire and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Washington D.C. law enforcement officials confirmed that a 31-year-old California resident was in custody and facing multiple charges after rushing a security checkpoint.

During a White House press conference, Donald said he owed a “debt of gratitude to the courage of law enforcement” at the Washington Hilton for their quick response.

Related: Erika Kirk Seen Crying Amid Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Erika Kirk was in attendance as shots broke out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. CNN reported that Kirk, 37, was seen crying as the chaos unfolded at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C. on Saturday, April 25. CNN’s Sara Sidner said on air that she personally witnessed Kirk leaving the main ballroom, telling aides, […]

“That was very unexpected but incredibly acted upon by the Secret Service and law enforcement and this was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was supposed to and in a certain way it did … because the fact that they just unified us — a room that was totally unified,” Trump told reporters.

The Washington Hilton is the same venue where President Ronald Reagan and three law enforcement officials were shot on March 31, 1981, by John Hinckley Jr. (Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was kept in a mental health facility for three decades.)

Keep scrolling for more information about what occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

What Happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?

While the investigation is ongoing, as of publication, the Secret Service has confirmed that gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and agents near the “main magnetometer” at the Washington Hilton.

The president, first lady and other administration officials — including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance — were all evacuated by the Secret Service.

The White House posted footage purportedly showing the suspect rushing right past Secret Service agents at the hotel. The clip concluded with the shirtless suspect in handcuffs, with his face pressed against the ground, after being apprehended.

“A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service,” the president confirmed.

Who Is the Suspected Shooter?

Washington D.C. law enforcement officials confirmed that a 31-year-old California native was taken into custody following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The suspect’s motive and condition are unknown, as of publication.

The suspect has been charged with two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

Related: Karoline Leavitt Promised There Would Be ‘Shots Fired’ Before WHCD Shooting

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt promised there would be “shots fired” in President Donald Trump’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech minutes before real gunfire erupted at the gala. “[Trump] is ready to rumble,” Leavitt, 28, told Fox News on the red carpet at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25. “I will tell you, […]

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Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said during a press conference on April 25 that more charges will likely be filed as the investigation takes shape.

In his own White House press briefing, Donald referred to the suspect as “a very sick person.”

Was Anyone Injured in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?

The president confirmed that a Secret Service agent was shot during the altercation. Per the Secret Service, the bullet struck the agent’s bulletproof vest and he was transported to the hospital for treatment.

“[He was] saved by the fact that he was wearing, obviously, a very good bulletproof vest. The vest did the job,” Donald told reporters. “I just spoke to the officer and he was doing great, he’s in great shape, in very high spirits and I told him we love him and respect him and he’s a very proud guy, he’s very proud of what he does, the Secret Service agent.”

Did the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Continue After the Shooting?

The president initially broke his silence in a statement via Truth Social, where he expressed his desire for the dinner to continue.

“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Donald wrote. “The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”

White House Correspondents’ President Weijia Jiang spoke inside the ballroom a short time later to confirm that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days at Donald’s behest.

“Law enforcement has requested that we leave the premises. … [The president] wanted to emphasize that nobody was hurt. The cabinet and the first lady, everybody’s safe,” she explained. “I said earlier tonight that journalism is a public service because when there is an emergency we run toward the crisis, not away from it.”

Jiang went on, “I saw all of you reporting and that’s what we do. Thank God everybody is safe and thank you for coming together tonight.”

What Did Donald Trump Say About the WHCD Shooting?

Donald spoke to reporters late Saturday at the White House, where he said he was “honored” to be a target after multiple attempts on his life in recent years. (The president survived being shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. A separate suspected shooter was arrested at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September 2024.)

“When you look at our great presidents, [this] doesn’t happen to people who don’t do anything,” he told the media.

Donald also shared how his wife Melania responded to the sudden outbreak of violence at a star-studded Washington D.C. gala.

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“I want to thank the first lady, that was a rather traumatic experience for her,” he said.

Later in his briefing, Donald elaborated, “The fact, we were sitting right next to each other, first lady on my right, and I heard a noise … I thought it was a tray going down and it was a pretty loud noise and it was from quite far away. [The suspect] hadn’t reached the area at all. They really got him … but it was a gun.”

“Some people really understood that very quickly, other people didn’t … I was watching what happened,” the president went on. “Melania was very cognizant of what happened. I think she knew immediately what happened. She was saying, ‘That’s a bad noise.’ And we were whisked away. It was very quick … it was a matter of seconds that we were out the door.”

It’s hard to find a show that is made up entirely of perfect episodes. Even as a series is still running on TV or streaming, sometimes still in its second season, we are bound to be disappointed by an episode or two that doesn’t meet expectations. Some would say that there is no such thing as a perfect TV series, unless, of course, we’re talking about really short, initially low-profile gems such as Adolescence or Station Eleven — artsy projects that are allowed to explore their characters and worldbuilding far beyond what we normally see on television. However, all it takes is one look at Apple TV+’s catalog to find a show that, at least so far, has lived up to every expectation, delivering one amazing episode after another with no hiccups. This science fiction extraordinaire goes, of course, by the name of Severance, and it’s not unfair to claim that it has quickly become one of the most iconic series out there.

With just two seasons released between 2022 and 2025, one with nine episodes and the other with ten, Severance does have a serious advantage over other big shows of its genre. Doctor Who has been basically running since 1963, with its little bumps on the road, so it is bound to have its “Love and Monsters” or “The Interstellar Song Context.” Likewise, The X-Files would eventually deliver something as reviled as “Schizogeny” with nine seasons and a revival. It’s hard to build a perfect show when you have a lot of episodes to make, sometimes with stories that don’t necessarily add something to the overarching plot. Severance isn’t necessarily a better series than Doctor Who or The X-Files, but among the iconic sci-fi shows of our time, it is definitely the most consistent.

‘Severance’ Has Quickly Become Apple TV+’s Most Iconic Series

Is it fair to call Severance an iconic series? Ever since its first season dropped, our way of looking at our jobs has certainly changed because of it. Lines like “The work is mysterious and important” and “Praise Kier!” have become commonplace among fans of the genre, and the show’s visuals are striking and easy to recognize, as well as to apply to the small horrors of our everyday life. If that isn’t enough to convince you of the series’ status, numbers might do the trick: earlier this year, Severance surpassed Ted Lasso and became the most-watched series on Apple TV+, also claiming the fourth spot on Nielsen’s Top 10 Originals chart for the week of January 13, according to Deadline. That’s the beginning of Season 2 that we’re talking about. Over the course of the show’s second run, viewership numbers would naturally grow.

Severance also garners recognition in the form of critical acclaim and awards. With a whopping 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, the series created by Dan Erickson has also won ten Emmys so far. In 2025, protagonist Britt Lower, who plays the defiant Helly R. (or the super conformist Helena Eagan, depending on your perspective), and main antagonist Tramell Tillman, known in-universe as Mr. Milchick, the current face of Lumon when it comes to the Macrodata Refinement employees, have been lauded for their performances in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series categories, respectively.

When we take into consideration the fact that Apple TV+ has become the home of cerebral sci-fi ever since its launch in 2019, things get even more impressive. Amidst shows like Foundation, Silo, and For All Mankind, Severance shines the brightest. If Apple TV+ were a band, Severance would definitely be the frontman. Therefore, it is no stretch to claim that, if Severance isn’t yet an iconic science fiction series—or just an iconic TV series, period—it is certainly on the path to becoming a true staple of the genre. Unless, of course, something horrible happens in the upcoming seasons or, even worse, in the series finale.

‘Severance’s Episodes Are Cohesive and to the Point

And it is not hard to understand how Severance became such a tour de force. All it takes is a look at some of its most beloved episodes, like “The We We Are” or “Cold Harbor,” the finales of the first two seasons. Just pick any episode of Severance at random, and you will quickly realize why this is such a great show. You might be a little confused, but you will also be intrigued and, more than anything, disturbed by the unnerving pacing and the aseptic visuals. The cohesiveness of these episodes is mostly owed to the fact that they are almost all directed by the same person. Ben Stiller is the name behind 11 of the show’s 19 episodes, and he has more than proven himself as a director throughout his work on the show. However, the other four names working on the show have such a synergy with him that the show feels entirely cohesive, like the work of a unique mind.

Severance‘s episodes are all to the point. There is a story being told there, the story of a group of employees trying to escape the prison that is their all-encompassing job, as well as the story of a man trying to rescue his wife from the grasp of a psychopathic company. Severance never wastes any time in telling this story. All episodes add something to the overarching plot, even if initially one might get a little lost while trying to understand the significance of the baby goats. In the end, it all makes sense. This certainly helps to make the episodes all the more satisfying, for there is never the feeling that something has been forgotten or added just for shock value.

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This One Small Line From ‘Severance’ Has Us Rethinking Everything About Gemma’s Fate

It’s possible that Lumon is even more sinister than it first seemed. 

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But it is perhaps important to point out that there is an episode of Severance that fans tend to get a little sour on. Said episode is Season 2’s “Sweet Vitriol,” the lowest-rated on IMDb. A trip to the hometown of big bad Ms. Cobel (Patricia Arquette), the episode is often seen as pointless and distracting from a much more important main storyline. This assessment is simply wrong. “Sweet Vitriol” is a deep exploration of how capitalist interests might get in the way of communities and even families, as well as being essential to setting Cobel on her path to turn against Lumon. Ultimately, “Sweet Vitriol” adds the same to Severance as, say, “Chikhai Bardo.” Every episode of Severance is just as mysterious and important as the next. As Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) would put it, they should all be enjoyed equally.

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Release Date

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February 17, 2022

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman

Writers

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Anna Ouyang Moench, Wei-Ning Yu

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C. after shots reportedly broke out.

CNN reported that Donald, 79, Melania, 56, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were “safe” after they were evacuated for security reasons.

“A suspect is in custody,” a Secret Service spokesperson told CNN.

A Secret Service spokesperson told the media that the shooting occurred near the “main magnetometer” at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. Per the Secret Service, the condition of the suspect is “unknown.”

Trump broke his silence via Truth Social, writing, “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”

The network reported that Trump was rushed to “a safe location” but wanted to return to deliver remarks at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was also moved to a safe location during the fracas, according to the White House Correspondents’ Association pool.

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk was in attendance at the event as well and was reportedly seen crying after shots broke out, via CNN. (Erika’s husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025. He was 31 years old.)

Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin told reporters that he was tackled to the ground for his safety by Secret Service agents.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitz — who was present at the event — revealed on air that “very loud, very scary” gunshots were heard outside the main ballroom where the annual event took place.

“Apparently they got the gunman … It was very, very scary,” Blitzer, 78, shared on air via phone. “It was just a terrible, scary, frightening moment for me. … The incident looks like it’s over.”

Blitzer added that he witnessed the shooter “on the ground” after being tackled by police. “I could be wrong,” he said later of whether or not the shooter was shot. “There’s a lot of law enforcement here dealing with this.”

Several minutes after the security incident, a spokesperson returned to the podium to announce that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will continue.

“The program is going to resume shortly,” journalist and White House Correspondents’ President Weijia Jiang told those in the room. “We will have more details to share momentarily, but for now, please be patient.”

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Charlie Kirk‘s cohosts returned to their podcast days after the 31-year-old’s death. During the Friday, September 12, episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast, which is cohosted by Jack Posobiec, James O’Keefe and Kash Patel, an empty chair was shown as a way to honor Kirk. “Charlie would’ve wanted us to be here,” said one […]

Later, Jiang returned to the podium to announce, “Law enforcement has requested that we leave the premises. … [The president] wanted to emphasize that nobody was hurt. The cabinet and the first lady, everybody’s safe.”

“I said earlier tonight that journalism is a public service because when there is an emergency we run toward the crisis, not away from it … I saw all of you reporting and that’s what we do,” Jiang went on. “Thank God everybody is safe and thank you for coming together tonight.”

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Trump was making the first appearance of his two presidencies at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, having skipped the event from 2017 to 2020 and again last year amid his ongoing attacks against the press — who he consistently refers to as “fake news.” While the event has traditionally been hosted by a comedian, mentalist and magician Oz Pearlman landed the job this year.

In July 2024, Trump survived an assassination attempt when he was shot in the upper ear while delivering a campaign speech near Butler, Pennsylvania. Audience member Corey Comperatore was killed and two other attendees were severely injured.

Authorities reported that Thomas Crooks, 20, fired eight rounds from an AR-15–style rifle from a rooftop across from the rally before he was killed in crossfire with law enforcement on the scene.

It’s not hard to see why “Thrash” went straight to streaming instead of its planned theatrical release. It’s a shark movie set during a hurricane, and no, I’m not talking about “Sharknado.” If you want laughs, there are many “Sharknado” movies to choose from. “Thrash” tries its best to play it straight, but leaves in some jokes for levity. The tonal shift and the many, many plot holes, however, might end up drawing more laughs than “Sharnado” if you’re willing to coast along with characters that end up losing a hand, an arm, and even a butt cheek (I warned you). 

Warning: Spoilers Below.

This movie is probably going to go down in history as the movie where Phoebe Dynevor’s character, Lisa, gives birth during a hurricane surrounded by sharks and ends up cutting her own umbilical cord with a rotting piece of wood, which is a sentence that I can’t believe I just wrote. Her mother’s comment about having a “water birth” in her character’s opening scene definitely jumped the shark, along with pretty much every other joke in this movie. Her pregnancy storyline here is actually pretty ironic if you’ve watched the first season of “Bridgerton,” which is also streaming on Netflix if you want to watch something with a little bit more substance. 

Through a series of very unlikely events, she ends up getting trapped in her car by a tree branch that almost made me feel like I was watching a “Final Destination” movie. But she survives this, and two men quickly show up to rescue her.

Cue the sharks. 

Since they quickly become shark food, Lisa is rescued by a girl named Dakota, who clearly doesn’t have her life together. In her opening scene, she decides to walk to the grocery store right before the hurricane hits because she realizes she’s out of food. Turns out, she’s afraid of water, and while a good-meaning neighbor tries to get her to leave with them, we never actually see how that pans out. It looks like she’s going to have a panic attack, and then the camera cuts to her back inside her apartment. 

This isn’t the only time the camera decides to play fast and loose with the rules in this universe. After climbing onto a shed in order to cut through the branch trapping Lisa with a kitchen knife (yes, really), Dakota is somehow strong enough to lift the very pregnant woman up out of the car. They then look at the shed and up at the second-floor window. They’re surrounded by sharks. How are they going to get up there?

Well, that doesn’t matter, because the next shot shows the two women climbing in through the window. Like I said before, if you’re hoping for any sort of logic in this movie, you’re going to have a bad time. 

Logic? Gone. Butt Cheek? Also Gone

The same can be said for three foster kids, who are given nothing but stale white bread to eat while their guardians feast on steak and beer that’s hidden in the refrigerator (that will come into play later). Although the kids are more likable than some who appear in horror movies, it might just be because the parents are so unlikable, almost comedically so. 

There’s a scene in which the father tries to escape in his car, which is outfitted with a snorkel, only to have his hand bitten off. After he loses that, his butt cheek is the next to go, and he’s slowly dragged out into the water. How he shows up twenty minutes later inside the house with the children, without a hand or a butt cheek, is not a plot hole worth dwelling on. He doesn’t make it to the end of the movie, but you already knew that from the opening scene. The movie doesn’t exactly make it a secret that the bad guys, who are very upfront and obvious about the fact that they are terrible people, are going to be shark chow before the credits roll. 

I won’t reveal the end of the movie, but let’s just say it involves Dakota’s uncle, who is actually a marine biologist tracking the bull sharks that emerge throughout the movie (because of course he is). He also has a tracker on the great white shark, and their later encounter leads to what might be the movie’s best scene. Unfortunately, it takes place less than five minutes before the credits roll.

In the end, the most believable thing about “Thrash” is that it bypassed theaters entirely. I guess some disasters are best kept confined to the small screen.

A star-studded event packed with joy, tears, and plenty of surprises, the 98th Academy Awards live from the Los Angeles Dolby Theatre back in March certainly did not disappoint. Of all the many winners that came out triumphant, it was Paul Thomas Anderson’s timely masterpiece, One Battle After Another, that secured the most victories, scoring a total of six awards, including the coveted Best Picture prize, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, and the inaugural Best Casting trophy.

The second-biggest winner of the night was Ryan Coogler’s beloved vampire flick Sinners, which fell short of some expectations by only taking home four awards despite breaking the record for the most nominations in Academy history. The Michael B. Jordan-led flick won Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actor for the aforementioned star, who impressed by not playing just one but two (and arguably three) characters. Despite not winning the most awards, Sinners continued to receive the best crowd reaction for each of its wins on the night, and is still considered 2025’s defining movie by many.

For those who loved Sinners, and few didn’t, you might want to keep your eyes on the free streaming site Plex in May. Beginning May 1, you’ll be able to watch Coogler’s directorial debut, Fruitvale Station, which also starred Jordan. The film that put both Coogler on the map and introduced the world to Jordan’s talent as a leading man, Fruitvale Station is one of the most impactful independent movies of the 2010s, delivering powerful performances and a reminder that you needn’t boast a big budget to plant your flag in the cinematic landscape.

What Did Critics Say About ‘Fruitvale Station’?

It isn’t just time that has helped Fruitvale Station earn its reputation, with critics in 2013 agreeing that this was a special movie. Scoring an impressive 94% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film was an undeniable hit with critics. In Collider’s review at the time, Matt Goldberg awarded a “B+” score, praising the nuance with which Coolger tells the detailed story. In another review, one critic called the film “an emotionally powerful film that puts a spotlight on an unfortunate tragedy.”

Ryan Coogler’s directorial debut Fruitvale Station is streaming on Plex beginning May 1, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for all the streaming stories.

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Release Date

July 12, 2013

Runtime

85 Minutes

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Director

Ryan Coogler

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt promised there would be “shots fired” in President Donald Trump’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech minutes before real gunfire erupted at the gala.

“[Trump] is ready to rumble,” Leavitt, 28, told Fox News on the red carpet at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25. “I will tell you, this speech tonight will be classic Donald J. Trump.”

She then declared, “[The speech] will be funny. It will be entertaining. There will be some shots fired tonight in the room.”

Leavitt — who is pregnant — was evacuated from the Washington Hilton ballroom moments later alongside Donald, 79, first lady Melania Trump and other administration officials when shots rang out near the venue’s “main magnetometer”, per the Secret Service.

Related: Donald Trump Praises Melania’s Reaction to ‘Traumatic’ WHCD Shooting

President Donald Trump praised first lady Melania Trump’s reaction to a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. “I want to thank the first lady, that was a rather traumatic experience for her,” Trump, 79, told reporters from the White House on Saturday, April 25. “We’re not going to let anybody take over our society, […]

Washington D.C. law enforcement officials confirmed that a 31-year-old man from California was apprehended during the shooting incident and has been charged with two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. (The suspect’s motives and condition remain unknown.)

A Secret Service agent was shot during the crossfire. The president later confirmed in a news conference that the injured agent was recovering in the hospital.

“The vest did its job. I just spoke to the officer and he’s doing great,” he told reporters.

Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner was supposed to be a temporary farewell for Leavitt because she is expected to deliver her second child very soon. (Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, also share a son, Niko, who was born in July 2024.)

“This will likely be my last gaggle for some time,” she told reporters on Friday, April 24. “As you can see, I’m about ready to have a baby any minute, so I will see you guys very soon.”

She added, “I know you’ll be in good hands with my team here at the White House. And I know all of you have the president’s phone number personally, so I have no doubt that you will have no shortage of statements and news from this building while I’m gone.”

However, Leavitt was unexpectedly thrust back onto the job following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner dinner as she personally confirmed that Trump planned to hold a press conference late Saturday night.

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During his remarks, Trump said he was “honored to be a target” despite multiple attempts on his life in the last few years. (Trump survived being shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. Another suspected shooter was apprehended at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September 2024.)

Related: Ivanka Trump Reflects on 2024 Assassination Attempt on Dad Donald Trump

ANGELA WEISS / AFP Ivanka Trump is recalling how she got the news that her father, President Donald Trump, was shot in the ear during a July 2024 assassination attempt. Trump, 79, survived the shooting at an open-air rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, while campaigning for a second term as president. The […]

“When you look at our great presidents, [this] doesn’t happen to people who don’t do anything,” Trump said.

The star-studded guest list for Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner included Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, whose late husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot at age 31 in September 2025. CNN reported that she was seen crying and telling aides she “just want[ed] to leave” following the shooting.

Ciara Miller made a shocking admission about her co-star, West Wilson, on an upcoming episode of “Summer House.” Speaking with her bestie, Mia Calabrese, Miller called Wilson “my person” during an intimate conversation about their previous relationship.

“As weird as it is, I do feel like he is my person,” Miller said in a sneek peak of next week’s episode. “We have this really weird friendship, and it’s hard to ignore that, you know?”

Miller and Wilson were an official pair in 2023; however, they split after Wilson admitted on the “Summer House” reunion that he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship.

“Everyone knows that I’m not the most warm and fuzzy person. I am warm. I might not be fuzzy, but I’m warm,” Miller said in the clip above. “I guess making up isn’t really my thing, but I’m trying to be less rigid, which is a theme of my summer, OK?”

Miller’s Revelation Comes After Wilson Confirmed He Was In A Relationship With Another ‘Summer House’ Co-Star, Amanda Batula

While Miller’s comments aren’t out of the ordinary, they’re gaining traction due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the cast.

According to a previous report from The Blast, Wilson made headlines after confirming that he was in a relationship with Miller’s former friend and “Summer House” OG Amanda Batula.

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“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” the pair said in a joint statement after weeks of speculation. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we need a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

Wilson and Batula explained that their relationship developed naturally as they grew as friends. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, long-standing friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care,” the statement continued. “We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”

Batula Breaks Silence After Backlash

Wilson and Batula both received backlash, prompting Andy Cohen and Batula’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Kyle Cooke, to remind social media users to be kind.

In a statement, Batula apologized to “everyone I’ve disappointed and hurt,” according to The Blast. “For the sake of my mental health, I’m going to try to start living life with some sense of normalcy. If you see me out or posting online, please know that this still weighs very heavily on me.”

Batula explained that returning to her routine isn’t a way to ignore what’s occurring, but rather to create healthy boundaries for herself. Concluding, Batula vowed to answer questions about the matter at the “Summer House” reunion.

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‘Summer House’ Reunion Audio Leaked

While the reunion hasn’t aired yet, it’s sure to be explosive, based on a leaked clip from the sit-down gathering that went viral on April 24 before being scrubbed from the internet.

In the clip, Miller can be heard blasting Batula, calling her a “snake” for betraying her trust. The two-minute clip also featured cast members Lindsay Hubbard, KJ Dillard, Cooke, and Calabrese, also criticizing Batula for her behavior.

The leaked audio isn’t being celebrated by all, however. According to The Blast, Cohen expressed frustration over the leak, revealing he didn’t like what he saw. “On my way to eye surgery and just reading about it. People laid their souls out emotionally for ten hours yesterday and its disgusting and illegal for someone to leak or distribute this.”

Bravo Planning To Investigate The Source Of Leaked ‘Summer House’ Reunion Clip

Continuing, Cohen called the release of the audio “disrespectful” before urging fans to let the season play out as it’s supposed to.

A Bravo spokesperson also chimed in on the matter, revealing the network’s stance before announcing its plans to take action against the individual who shared it.

“This represents a serious breach of trust and a clear lack of respect for the cast, crew, and the integrity of the production process,” the statement read. “We take this matter very seriously and have launched a full investigation, and we will take appropriate action based on our findings.”

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“Summer House” airs on Bravo on Tuesdays at 8 PM EST.

HBO was born out of the need for an alternative to traditional cable programming. It revolutionized the way we watch television by creating a subscription-based service outside the conventional channels. As a result, shows could challenge censorship required by FCC laws and cater to audiences in need of inventive content. They explored otherwise taboo subjects like sex, drug use, and violence in a more graphic manner. These led to fresh premises in early shows like Oz, Sex and the City, and beyond.

While the service has reinvented itself (many times over) in recent years, the mission remains the same: to allow users to indulge in a “Home Box Office” experience tailored to their preferences. It offers a wide range of shows across genres and topics. Regardless of its name, the very first subscription-based platform set a precedent for modern streaming services and greater freedom for content creation. From Veep to The Sopranos, these shows are mandatory viewing from HBO’s vast catalog.

1

‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)

Image via HBO

Sex was not often talked about – or depicted – on mainstream cable television. But Sex and the City changed that. The HBO series followed four women: Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall). Each character represented a realistic portrayal of women in their 30s and 40s navigating life, love, and their careers in New York City.

Yes, some plots may not be true to reality (like how Carrie could afford her lifestyle on a weekly columnist’s salary). But it’s still easy to resonate with and fantasize about the scenarios they get themselves into. Sex and the City had a lasting effect on culture in the 1990s and 2000s, from magazine articles asking readers “which character are you?” to the invention of the popular Cosmopolitan cocktail. The series spawned two movies and a spin-off series, And Just Like That…, but these can never compare to its originator.

2

‘Veep’ (2012–2019)

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When does satire seep into reality? This is all too true of HBO’s Veep. Vice President Selina Myers (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) intends to take the presidency in this 2012 political comedy shedding humorous light on the inner workings of the U.S. government. While the stakes are high (war, scandal, etc.), Selina’s brash mouth and neurotic antics highlight how foolish the circumstances are. It’s a workplace comedy similar to The Office infused with high-stakes political drama like Scandal. Somehow, the formula works.

Veep was based on its British counterpart, The Thick of It, and quickly outshined its predecessors from over the pond. Veep is one of many political TV shows that aired in the 2010s but tackled the subject in a unique tone. This is greatly thanks to Drefyus’ incredible comedic prowess stemming from her background in Saturday Night Live and Seinfeld. Viewership soared during the 2020 election cycle for obvious reasons as fans coped with the political environment. Veep didn’t mean to be a documentary – it just happened to air (preemptively) at the right time.

3

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

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Succession is one of many HBO shows that captured fans’ attention week after week and fostered engaging online discourse fueled by rhetoric, theories, and debate. It’s a show about family, wealth, and power. Who will take over Waystar Royco when its figurehead eventually leaves the company? It’s not that simple and nearly tore an already fractured family apart.

But this is a plot with a deadline – someone must inevitably take control of the Waystar Royco before it crumbles. One of the show’s greatest feats is that creator Jesse Armstrong knew when to end. Many series often fall into this trap as they try to continue a show for as many seasons as they can. The HBO show was purportedly inspired by the real-life Murdoch family and their scandalous affairs in deciding who would take over their legacy media conglomerate.

4

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000–2024)

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Curb Your Enthusiasm is Larry David being Larry David for 12 seasons. It relied on improvisation without a steady plotline as the episodes often veer towards absurd scenarios that only Larry David could find himself in. The show was known for employing David’s wide network of Hollywood actors, writers, and directors in cameos and guest roles in a way that audiences had never experienced before.

The HBO original premiered in 2000, just two years after completing his tenure as a writer for Seinfeld. In many ways, Curb Your Enthusiasm can be considered a spin-off of the fictional/real-life David as he plays a semi-retired writer on the show. The Emmy Award-winning series concluded in 2024 after a long hiatus, giving fans a chance to say goodbye to their favorite grumpy man. It’s for these reasons (among others) that Curb Your Enthusiasm has remained such a mainstay on television throughout the decades.

5

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

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Set in early 2000s Los Angeles, Six Feet Under follows the Fisher family navigating life (and death) as they run their family business: a funeral home. Each episode centers around death and subsequent contemplation, which guides the events of each character. It’s a profound series that often plays out like a soap opera whereby each person must face a conflict within themselves and between interconnected characters.

Despite a dismal title and dark undertones, Six Feet Under somehow managed to engage audiences through its character-forward narratives. It was easy to resonate with Nate’s (Peter Krause) battle with responsibility, David’s (Michael C. Hall) exploration of sexuality, or Claire’s (Lauren Ambrose) coming of age in a tumultuous household. But it’s the investment that’s worth it. Without spoilers, Six Feet Under concludes with one of the best TV series finales of all time. It’s worth sitting through five seasons of this powerful show just to experience those final 10 minutes. You know it’s good when even George R. R. Martin says, “I cannot imagine how anyone could do better.”

6

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Game of Thrones dominated 2010s pop culture as a revolutionary fantasy series rich with themes of power, family, and morality. It included political undertones as households battled one another for their right to the Iron Throne. The series was not afraid to kill off major characters as fans quickly learned not to get too attached. Game of Thrones depicted brutal deaths; a careful balance of satisfying and devastating.

Although the series was based on George R. R. Martin’s fantasy novels of the same name, it eventually surpassed the source material and made it its own. It’s debatable whether that was the right choice given the controversial final season that still receives criticism even today. There are no words that can be used to explain the sentiments of seeing those dragons for the first time or the world of Westeros itself come to life. Once you’re done with Game of Thrones, you might as well watch the other spin-offs, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

7

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

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The Wire is an early crime-drama show, airing from 2002 to 2008. It follows a police unit as they investigate crimes across the city of Baltimore, Maryland, and their effects on residents in multiple capacities. The show is not afraid to depict darker themes and focuses primarily on the relevant war on drugs told through the lens of both the law and the perpetrators.

HBO loves a good crime show. But The Wire is different in that it offers greater contemplation regarding the ethics of crime as it has evolved over the seasons. The show’s strongest point is its world building: Baltimore itself becomes a character as investigations incorporate everyday citizens affected by – everyone from drug deals to journalists and even children affected by situations.

8

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

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An inventive premise based on Tom Perrotta‘s novel of the same name, The Leftovers begins in the sleepy suburban town of Mapleton, New York. It’s a show about existentialism as characters cope with the disappearance of 2% of the world’s population in an event deemed “The Departure.” The Leftovers‘ intrigue lies in ambiguity which viewers might find engaging or frustrating – but that’s the intention! There are religious, philosophical, and scientific themes throughout.

The Leftovers gained popularity during the COVID pandemic due to themes of grief and how to move forward. As Perrotta told The New York Times, “I think there’s something about the scale of The Leftovers that’s truer to the cataclysms that we have lived through.” That’s what makes it so captivating. This is executed flawlessly by a strong cast that includes Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, and Margaret Qualley.

9

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

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The Sopranos is often considered one of the best TV shows of all time. Why is that? This early HBO series followed the complex life of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and his family residing in northern New Jersey. It infused humor into an otherwise normal storyline. The Sopranos was also unique in that it wasn’t afraid to portray a man as both strong and weak when he attended therapy, in contrast with his masculine persona. Additionally, it’s hard to listen to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” without thinking about that final controversial scene.

There are many instances of movies inspiring spin-off television series or vice versa, and The Sopranos was a leader in this concept. It connects an otherwise insignificant man and his family existing in an insignificant New Jersey town to The Godfather four decades later. Actors and characters from the original even appear in main roles or in cameos, furthering this continuity. It’s recommended to watch the movie franchise before starting the HBO drama to fully appreciate the Easter eggs and references to the former make for a more enriching experience.

10

‘Oz’ (1997–2003)

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The Sopranos is indeed one of HBO’s best original series, and possibly one of the best of all time. But before that is the oft-forgotten prison drama, Oz. Protagonist and inmate Augustus Hill (Harold Perrineau) provided narration for each episode reminiscent of a Greek chorus. It was a poignant reminder of the complexities each character possesses, as if they were a tragedy straight from a Shakespearean play. The name alone provided an overview of what the series would become in this satirical take on The Wizard of Oz. Only in this case does it refer to the show’s setting of Oswald State Correctional Facility; as a promotional poster for the show reads, “This is no place like home.”

Yet, the inmates make “Em City” their home nonetheless, as they are divided into factions and foster connections to make their time in prison easier. Oz is at its best when these groups – usually separated by race or religion – interact with one another, furthering the cell block’s experimental concept. And in many ways, it works. Oz made television history in 1997 when it became the first hour-long drama series on HBO. It dealt with heavy topics surrounding the American prison system and, in many ways, challenged stigmas in the process.

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Oz

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Release Date

1997 – 2003-00-00

Network

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HBO Max

Showrunner

Tom Fontana

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Writers

Tom Fontana, Bradford Winters, Sunil Nayar, Sean Jablonski, Sean Whitesell

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