Someone has it in for Oprah Winfrey. The media mogul's name was reportedly trending on Tuesday (March 17) after QAnon, a far-right group launched a conspiracy theory that she was arrested on charges of sex trafficking. The message has been making the rounds on social media over the last week that states Oprah, Tom Hanks, Charles Barkley, Justin Trudeau, and a number of other Hollywood and political figures were recently taken into custody.
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According to the theory, all of these figures were named by Harvey Weinstein in his trial, and to cover up their involvement in sex trafficking, they've been detained for coronavirus links. The theory has been reportedly debunked by online sleuths, but as the internet goes, it didn't take long for the meme to circulate worldwide. Adding to the believability were photos that were supposed to be of Oprah's home being investigated by federal authorities.
After seeing that she was the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter, Oprah hopped online to deny the allegations. "Just got a phone call that my name is trending. And being trolled for some awful FAKE thing. It’s NOT TRUE," Oprah Winfrey wrote. "Haven’t been raided, or arrested. Just sanitizing and self distancing with the rest of the world. Stay safe everybody."
Ava DuVernay criticized those that participated in spreading the rumor. "Trolls + bots began this disgusting rumor. Mean-spirited minds kept it going," she tweeted. "#Oprah has worked for decades on behalf of others. Given hundreds of millions to individuals + causes in need. Shared her own abuse as a child to help folks heal. Shame on all who participated in this." Check it out below.
50 Cent Walks Out Of Interview Over Alleged French Montana Fight Question
He wasn’t having it.
Power solidified 50 Cent‘s reputation as an executive producer in Hollywood for naysayers who questioned his expansion into television. Now, the media mogul is back with another series, For Life, that’s set to premiere on ABC on February 11. The Queens rapper caught up with Complex News to talk about his latest series, but that wasn’t the only highlight of their brief conversation.
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He spoke on his good friend Eminem and called the Music To Be Murdered By emcee a “lab rat” who stays in the studio. “Even when they’re not paying attention he’s recording a new record,” Fif said. “Making a new album and [another]. It’s always been that way. It’s not like there’s an interest in—if there’s an interest in film and television, I don’t really see it.” Fif revealed that he approached Em and told him that there was eight million dollars on the table for a film about the two of them being rival gang members, but he turned it down. “He’s not one of those people who’s gonna move on money.”
At the conclusion of the interview, things became awkward when Fif was asked about his ongoing internet beef with French Montana. “I don’t really have interest in it,” he said calmly. “There’s not much going on.” Fif was then asked if there was any truth to the internet rumors that he recently assaulted Montana in Miami.
“No, there’s no truth to that,” the rapper said. “Would I do a thing like that?” When the interviewer said that he “would put it past” him, it gave Fif room to shut down the interview in a playful-yet-serious manner. “Why would you think that way? Would you think that Will Smith would do that?” he asked as he took his microphone off.
“I can’t believe you would say these things about me,” Fif continued. “Peace my brother. Do not allow my inner peace to disturb your inner demon.” Check out what 50 Cent had to say about his new show, being a fan of Roddy Ricch, his legacy, and more below.