Latest news with #FIREAID
The Hill
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Trump reignites feud with Newsom over California FireAid funds
President Trump has seemingly reignited his feud with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over proceeds from the California FireAid concert, arguing that $100 million in donations intended for Los Angeles residents who were affected by the January fires is 'missing.' ''FIREAID' IS A TOTAL DISASTER. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT INSPIRED SCAM. 100 MILLION DOLLARS IS MISSING. WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS, FIRES THAT, WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT, WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN HAPPENED. GOVERNOR NEWSCUM REFUSED TO RELEASE BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST,' Trump wrote Friday evening on Truth Social. 'WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT WOULD HAVE MADE,' he added. FireAid was a one-night concert described as an event to raise money for residents that lost their homes during the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles earlier this year. The fundraising concert featured stars such as Olivia Rodrigo, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, along with some victims of the Palisades and Altadena blazes. The distribution of the funds has come under scrutiny. FireAid raised around $100 million so far, according to the event's website. In a statement to the city's Fox affiliate, the charity said it does not 'have the capability to make direct payments to individuals and that was never the plan. We partnered directly with trusted local non-profits…to reach communities in need.' Actor Miles Teller said during the event that 'all the money raised will go directly to people who need it now and long-term efforts to build it back,' according to Fox News. Trump took a jab at Newsom, writing Friday evening that he has since 'OVERRULED HIM, AND IT IS NOW RELEASED.' 'All FEDERAL HOUSING PERMITS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPROVED, THE CITY IS YEARS LATE,' he said. 'GET THE FIRE VICTIMS THEIR APPROVALS TO REBUILD, AND DO IT NOW!' The president has repeatedly clashed with Newsom since beginning his second term, including hammering the governor over California's response to the Los Angeles County wildfires — while also threatening to hold back federal emergency funding. Before returning to the Oval Office, he specifically criticized Newsom for not signing a declaration to pump more water through the state to prevent the situation. More recently, the duo has sparred over Trump's robust immigration agenda as an uptick in raids and deportations has sparked protests throughout the Golden State and beyond. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) is now calling for an investigation into the distribution of funds to victims of the wildfires. 'We want people to understand that there's been a thoughtful process behind this, and our top priority was trying to do what people needed, and do what's best for fire survivors,' Lisa Cleri Reale, a member of FireAid's grant advisory committee, told The Los Angeles Times. The devastation from the wildfires was predicted to cost more than $50 billion.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
$100 million missing? Trump calls FireAid 'another Democrat inspired scam'; California wildfire charity funds never reach direct victims
US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on California's wildfire relief efforts, branding the high-profile FireAid benefit concert a 'total disaster' and accusing Democrats of planning and running a scam. ''FIREAID' IS A TOTAL DISASTER. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT INSPIRED SCAM. 100 MILLION DOLLARS IS MISSING. WAS SUPPOSED TO TO GO TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS, FIRES THAT, WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT, WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN HAPPENED,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He also blamed Democrat California governor Gavin Newsom for refusing to release vital water reserves during the crisis. 'GOVERNOR NEWSCUM REFUSED TO RELEASE BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT WOULD HAVE MADE! I HAVE SINCE OVERRULED HIM, AND IT IS NOW RELEASED. All FEDERAL HOUSING PERMITS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPROVED, THE CITY IS YEARS LATE. GET THE FIRE VICTIMS THEIR APPROVALS TO REBUILD, AND DO IT NOW!' Trump's remarks come amid growing scrutiny over the distribution of funds raised during the FireAid concert, which was staged across two major venues: SoFi Stadium and the Forum, in January. The event, organised by Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and featuring major artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, brought in $100 million after Ballmer and his wife Connie matched all public donations, as per CBS news. Although many organisations praised the swift distribution of FireAid benefit funds, concerns began circulating online and on social media alleging that the donations were not reaching wildfire victims. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo In response to these claims, Representative Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) penned a letter urging the Department of Justice to investigate the matter. However, several recipient organisations have publicly defended FireAid, citing rapid distribution and tangible impact. 'We received $250,000,' said Kevin McManus, spokesperson for Pasadena Humane Society. 'We were able to save a lot of animals' lives in part because of that donation.' Michael Flood, CEO of the LA Regional Food Bank, said FireAid came at a crucial time when demand for food assistance surged by 30% due to the devastation caused by wildfires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. 'It was especially high in January through March as so many people were displaced and lost power and water,' Flood told Los Angeles Times. 'People had to move in with family and friends around the county. We did a food bank in Inglewood in February and we saw just how many had been displaced by both fires.' On the other hand, many individuals said that they received no funds from the event. "I have not seen any benefit from the FireAid money, and I am very involved here and neither have my neighbors," said David Howard, who lost two homes in Pacific Palisades told Fox news. According to the FireAid website, the concert raised an estimated $100 million intended for 'direct relief.' During the event, host and actor Miles Teller assured viewers that 'all the money raised will go directly to people who need it now and long-term efforts to build it back.' However, last week, the charity said that it was not possible to make direct payments. "FireAid does not have the capability to make direct payments to individuals and that was never the plan. We partnered directly with trusted local reach communities in need," the fox news reported. Despite praise from aid groups, these accusations have reignited political debate over the state's handling of wildfire relief, emergency management, and the transparency of charity fund allocation.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Gracie Abrams Surges Back Onto The Charts Following Her Huge Festival Showing
Gracie Abrams's 'Close to You' reenters four U.K. charts after her Glastonbury set, long after it ... More became one of her biggest hit songs in the country. INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 30: Gracie Abrams performs onstage during the FIREAID Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief at Intuit Dome on January 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo byfor FIREAID) By the time Gracie Abrams released "Close to You," she was already one of the most exciting new names in the pop music field. That tune pushed her over the edge in the United Kingdom, turning her into a true hitmaker. It stood as an introductory top 40 smash for her, and helped propel several follow-up tracks — including "I Love You, I'm Sorry" and "That's So True" — to the top 10. Following her performance at the Glastonbury music festival in Glastonbury, England, Abrams's music is soaring in the U.K., and a huge number of listeners have returned to "Close to You,' consuming it any way possible. "Close to You" Returns to Multiple U.K. Charts "Close to You" returns to four charts in the U.K. this week, after not appearing on any of them just days before she took to the largest stage at Glastonbury, the Pyramid Stage. The track performs best when it comes to purchases, as it reenters the Official Singles Download list at No. 48 and the Official Singles Sales chart at No. 53. Abrams barely manages to push the tune back onto both the Official Streaming ranking and the Official Singles chart, as "Close to You" lands at Nos. 99 and 100, respectively. Previous Peak Positions for 'Close to You' In the past, "Close to You" climbed as high as No. 31 on the Official Singles chart, which ranks the most consumed tunes throughout the U.K. by blending sales and streaming activity. At the time, that was a huge win for the Grammy nominee, though she would soar much higher. "Close to You" did reach the top 10 on the other three tallies where it can currently be found. The cut peaked at No. 8 on both the Official Streaming and Official Singles Sales charts and stalled in 10th place on the Official Singles Download roster. Gracie Abrams's "That's So True" Also Gains As "Close to You" returns, "That's So True" gains on the Official Streaming tally, but slides back one spot on the Top Songs list. The Secret of Us, the second full-length from Abrams, is growing by leaps and bounds on a number of albums rankings at the same time, and that trend could continue.
Scotsman
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Alanis Morissette Glasgow Hydro Stage Times: Gig set times, support, drinks prices, tickets, setlist, age restrictions
Alanis Morissette has a date with Glasgow. | Getty Images for FIREAID One of the biggest singers of the 1990s is in Scotland this week. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With global record sales in excess of 75 million, Alanis Morissette is one of the biggest selling singer-songwriters in history. Her first two dance-pop albums released in the early 1990s made little impact, but global fame arrived in 1995 with a switch to alternative rock for third album Jagged Little Pill, featuring hit singles Ironic, Hand In My Pocket, All I Really Want and You Oughta Know. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To date she has released ten studio albums, most recently 2022's The Storm Before the Calm, and has won a Brit Award, seven Grammy Awards, fourteen Juno Awards, and has been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award. She's currently on her Triple Moon World Tour and there's good news for Scottish fans - with a Glasgow gig. Here's everything you need to know if you are going along. When is Alanis Morissette playing Glasgow? Alanis will be performing at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Who is supporting Alanis Morissette at her Glasgow gig? Alanis Morissette has announced that her support act for Glasgow will be American rock singer-songwriter Liz Phair. The Grammy-nominated artist is best known for her 1993 debut album Exile in Guyville. She has released seven studio albums to date, most recently 2021's Soberish. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the stage times for Alanis Morissette in Glasgow? Doors open at 6.30pm and Liz Phair will start at 8pm. Expect Alanis Morissette's set to start at around 9pm, with the show finishing by 11pm at the latest Are tickets still available for Alanis Morissette? If you've decided at the last minute that you'd like to go to the gig then you're in luck, although remaining tickets are priced from a wallet-bursting £143.60. If you have deep pockets you can get tickets here. Are there any age restrictions at Alanis Morissette's Hydro gig? It's over-14s only in the standing areas. What are the drinks prices at Alanis Morissette's gig? Here's how much you'll be paying at the bar: Pint of Madri: £7.90 Pint of Aspall Cyder Blush: £7.60 Wine: £7.80 Pinot Grigio Fizz: £8.50 Can of soft drink: £2.40 Bottle of water: £3.10 Spirits: £5.80 Mixers: £1.10 What is the likely Alanis Morissette setlist? Alanis Morissette seems to be playing a broadly similar setlist every night of their current tour. Expect to hear most of - if not all - the following in Glasgow.
Boston Globe
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
FireAid delivered loads of surprises. Here are some of the best moments from the musical benefit.
Another Billy, comedian Billy Crystal, quickly followed them and reminded everyone of why they were there and watching: to raise money to help rebuild the devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods and other impacted areas. Advertisement The show ended with a big surprise: Lady Gaga performing an upbeat new song she said she wrote with her fiance specifically for FireAid. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Here are some of FireAid's outstanding moments: Billy Crystal says 'We'll laugh again' Billy Crystal speaks onstage during the FireAid benefit FIREAID Crystal appeared as the first host in the same clothes he was wearing when he fled his family home, which was lost in the Palisades Fire. Then, with his trademark humor and heart, he recalled another national spasm of pain. Crystal reminded the crowd that 23 years before, he attended the Concert for New York City in the wake of 9/11 and had seen grieving attendees holding up signs with pictures of their loved ones, asking if anyone had seen them.' 'And tonight, here I am, talking to all of you in pain,' he said. 'But I'm also one of the hurting thousands asking, 'Have you seen my school?' 'Have you seen my church?' 'Have you seen my house?' 'Have you seen my town?' 'Have you seen the 29 people who lost their lives?'' 'On that night in 2001, we were mourning the loss of hundreds of firefighters and police officers and first responders,' Crystal said. 'Tonight, we are here together to thank them and all those who run towards danger while we run to shelter and safety.' Crystal said he returned to the wreckage of his home and began to wail: 'I had not cried like that since I was 15 and I was told that my father had just died.' His daughters soon found a rock with the word 'Laughter' engraved in it. Advertisement He recalled how his uncle at his father's funeral service made everyone laugh by telling stories and doing magic tricks. 'It changed my life. I knew at that moment — even in your worst pain, folks — it's OK and it's important to laugh," he said. 'We'll laugh again,' he said. 'Let's show the world who we are: We're Los Angeles, one city, one heart. L.A. Strong!' Eilish's early surprise FireAid kicked off with a surprise guest appearance from Grammy winner Eilish. The superstar singer strutted onstage while Green Day performed 'Last Night on Earth,' which includes the lyrics, 'If I lose everything in the fire/I'm sending all my love to you.' She stood next to Armstrong as the band's frontman played his guitar. After Eilish finished, she blew kisses to the crowd, who who rose to their feet and threw their lit-up wrists toward the sky. She and the band performed as a series of photos showed devastated homeowners watching their houses burn to the ground. Dr. Dre gives Cali love Dr. Dre performs onstage during the FireAid benefit FIREAID Dr. Dre took the energy to another level, dashing onto the stage to join Anderson .Paak and Sheila E. As Anderson .Paak introduced him, the crowd erupted with many rising to their feet, some jumping in excitement, as the super producer launched into a couple West Coast hip-hop classics: his 1999 hit 'Still D.R.E.' and Tupac Shakur's 1995 jam 'California Love,' which he produced. 'I'm all about love for me tonight,' Dr. Dre said alongside Sheila E. standing behind her drums and who wore a black jersey with 'Koreatown' across his chest. Advertisement Dr. Dre talked about being in the music game for 40 years before showing his appreciation for the first responders. 'I appreciate all the first responders and all the firemen who put their lives on the line,' he told the crowd. Before Dr. Dre's surprise appearance, Anderson .Paak performed 'Put Me Thru' and 'Come Down' from his 2016 album 'Malibu.' Flea sets tone for Chili Peppers' closing set Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs during the FireAid benefit concert. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Flea made his signature grand entrance — because, of course, he did — setting the tone for his band's high-energy finale at the Forum. Wearing nothing but a black Speedo, he flipped onto the stage with a handstand, instantly sending the crowd into a frenzy. Up until that moment, many had been seated, casually watching Lil Baby's performance on the venue's big screens. But Flea's wild antics had them on their feet in no time. Once they were up, many stayed up. The Chili Peppers kept the energy soaring, tearing through a set packed with their biggest hits such as 'Californication' and 'Give it Away.' 'LA is our home,' Flea said. 'We … love you.' Nirvana's reunion This is probably the closest thing to a Nirvana reunion we'll ever see. The three surviving members — Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear — took the stage for a powerful, nostalgia-fueled performance that left the crowd in awe. A special lineup of St. Vincent, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett filled in for the late Kurt Cobain, the band's frontman who died in 1994. The trio separately delivered renditions of Nirvana's classics including 'Breed,' 'School' and 'Territorial Pissings.' Another poignant moment involved Grohl's daughter, Violet, who stepped onto the stage to perform 'All Apologies,' adding a personal touch to the night. Advertisement Dawes invites iconic friends The band Dawes performed three songs with some icons and an intimate knowledge of what the city has gone through. Brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith both had substantial damage to their homes. The band played their melancholy ode to the city, 'Time Spent in Los Angeles,' with the lyrics, 'Cause you got that special kind of sadness/You got that tragic set of charms/That only comes from time spent in Los Angeles.' They invited Stephen Stills to play a jammy version of Still's 'For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound).' Then Graham Nash, a longtime musical partner to Stills, was invited to the stage to sing 'Teach Your Children' by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. At the end, Nash let the audience sing the final words. 'Whenever Los Angeles gets into trouble, the musicians are right there, and I'm proud to be one of them,' Nash said. A prayer for teachers Quinta Brunson, who plays a teacher on the television show 'Abbott Elementary,' introduced a real teacher and shined the spotlight on the impact the fires had on schools and education. Glendale High School math teacher Aurora Barboza Flores said she lost the Altadena home she had been saving for over 21 years. 'So now I've lost more than my home. I've lost my community, too. I was so proud to be a homeowner, so proud to have a place to call my own in this city,' she said. She managed to find one thing in the wreckage: A dish she kept her jewelry in, inscribed with the words 'I think I'll just be happy today.' The crowd in the Intuit Dome cheered. Advertisement 'Sometimes, that's all we can do. Even though it's hard there are moments that get us through. Moments like tonight,' Flores said. 'That's right,' Brunson added. 'Everybody, let's thank Aurora and all the teachers out there right now.'
