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Vince Staples fired off a timely drone joke in response to the latest appearance of a man widely referred to as a con artist whos again trying to revive unsubstantiated claims about former POTUS Barack Obama.

The individual in question, Larry Sinclair, recently spoke with former Fox News shill Tucker Carlson (who else?) for an interview in which he purported to have done cocaine with a person introduced to me as Barack Obamaa peculiar way of wording that should be notedin 1999. Sinclair further purported, without evidence, to have had sex with this person and to have witnessed them smoke crack.

Before we go any further, its always worth pointing out that cocaine and crack are the same substance, pharmacologically speaking. The separation of the two, of course, is merely part of an unjust war on drugs-related federal push known for facilitating extreme sentencing disparities and racist policies. The Fox News crowd eats that kind of shit up, so its no surprise to see Carlson and Sinclair trying to get more mileage out of it.

As Staples pointed out in a tweet on Tuesday in response to homophobic meanderings spurred by the Carlson teaser, its actually the crack aspect of Sinclairs statements that make this all top tier smut against the president.

I hope Barry drone this n***a, Staples wrote in one tweet.

In another, he added, "Yall focused on the wrong things he tried to put the crack rock on Obama."

For readers who were around for the 2008 presidential election, Sinclairs name likely rings a bell.As highlighted in a recent Media Matters piece from Matt Gertz, Sinclair previously failed a polygraph and even reportedly claimed terminal illness in a 2004 affidavit. As this article makes clear, Sinclair is still alive. As reported by Politico during the initial (and almost exclusively conspiracy sites-oriented) round of coverage surrounding Sinclair, his then "27-year criminal record" included multiple forgery-related charges.

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Vince Staples Jokes Obama Should Drone Man After Unsubstantiated Sex and Coke Claims in Tucker Carlson Video - Yahoo Entertainment

Explainer

19:10

by Oliver Bateman

The prince of the American Right has become a court jester. Credit: Tucker Carlson/X

Whats old is new again. In a move that underscores his continued trajectory from traditional conservative pundit to voice of populist outrage to social media provocateur, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is now interviewing figures on the periphery of credibility, such as manosphere influencer Andrew Tate and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Tonight, hes taking it a step further by speaking to Larry Sinclair, a man notorious for making unverified claims that he engaged in a drug-fuelled sexual encounter with former president Barack Obama in 1999.

Carlson teased this forthcoming interview on X. The promo clip featured Sinclair rehashing an old story about giving Obama $250 for drugs before they had a sexual encounter. In a bold move, Carlson deemed Sinclairs account to be credible information that [Obama is] smoking crack and having sex with dudes providing his interviewee with the biggest platform of his career in the process. Yet Sinclairs allegations have never been substantiated. His credibility is further marred by a lengthy criminal record, which includes convictions related to forgery, fraud and larceny. He even once claimed to be terminally ill, likely as a strategy to have an arrest warrant dismissed.

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By choosing to interview Sinclair and resuscitating decade-old theories once peddled by Jerome Corsi, Carlson appears to be trading intellectual rigour for sensationalism.Although these topics may excite a certain faction on the Right, theyre fundamentally recycled and unimportant tales that reveal more about Carlsons willingness to capitalise on controversy than they do about the state of American politics.

The evolution of Carlson from a bridge between traditional Republican orthodoxy and the burgeoning populist Right to his current persona is both striking and indicative of the broader shifts within conservative media. Once wearing the bowtie of establishment conservatism, Carlson was a figure who could comfortably navigate the worlds of both policy wonks and grassroots activists. His critiques of globalism, immigration, and the liberal elites had elements that could resonate across party lines, opening up conversations that had bipartisan relevance.

However, this previous image of him as a political intermediary seems to be fading into the rearview mirror. In its place is a provocateur who increasingly trades in National Enquirer-style sensationalism. The change isnt just cosmetic, involving the occasional wearing of flannel shirts and working in a woodshop: it signals a shift in focus from presenting issues of legitimate public concern to resurrecting salacious tabloid stories that were debunked or broadly dismissed years ago. The line between respectable journalism and gossip-mongering has not just been blurred: for Carlson, it appears in danger of being completely erased.

Whats particularly interesting is how this transformation is received by his viewership. For the based Right a faction that appreciates audacity and often eschews political correctness Carlsons latest antics may be a welcome development (save for those who believe he is an op, discrediting fringe stories by presenting them in ridiculous ways).

But this new tack seems more like a play to the lowest common denominator than a genuine attempt to enlighten the public discourse. By choosing to air interviews with fringe figures peddling old, discredited rumours, Carlson no stranger to evolving to grow his brand is completely embracing commercially-oriented opportunism. Its a move designed to draw eyes and clicks, not to encourage serious reflection on the state of American society or its politics.

While the presenters shift may be personally profitable in the short term, one cannot help but feel pessimistic about the prospects for political discourse in general and populism in America specifically. Carlson, who presented himself as a peoples champion during the peak of his Fox-era celebrity, now seems to be a free agent more interested in chasing engagement by any means necessary.

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Tucker Carlson's Obama interview is a conspiracy too far - UnHerd

Tafari Campbell, who was the Obama familys personal chef, drowned accidentally more than a month ago. But conspiracy theories and rumors linger online that cast aspersions on the former president.

"Barack Obamas late chefs wife comes out to expose Obama family," a video caption on a Sept. 1 Facebook post says.

But the video doesnt address a supposed "exposure." In fact, it doesnt mention Campbell or his wife at all.

This post was flagged as part of Metas efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

Rather than elaborating on the allegation that Campbells widow recently exposed the Obama family, the videos narrator delves into an old debunked claim that the late comedian, Joan Rivers, was killed after she made comments about former President Barack Obamas sexuality and former first lady Michelle Obamas gender identity.

Neither Obama was home when Campbell was seen July 23 struggling in the water while paddleboarding near the familys Martha Vineyards summer home off the Massachusetts coast.

The Massachusetts chief medical examiner ruled Campbells drowning death accidental.

We found no evidence or news reports that Campbells wife has exposed the family in any way or blamed the Obamas for her late husbands death.

On the Instagram account of her baking and catering business, she wrote July 25: "My heart is broken. My life and our familys life is forever changed. Please pray for our families as I deal with the loss of my husband."

We rate this post False.

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Tafari Campbells widow didnt expose the Obama family, contrary to ... - PolitiFact

September 06, 2023

Most recently, Jon Webb and esteemed alumni were selected for the prestigious Leaders USA program former President Barack Obama established.

Webb, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Recognizing his passion for public health, he furthered his education by obtaining a Master's in Public Health from George Washington University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

"I had strong parents and a grandmother who raised me." Jon Webb said. "They would talk to us about our responsibility to leave the world in a better place than we found it."

Throughout his academic journey, Webb displayed exceptional dedication and a strong desire to contribute to the betterment of society.

"When I received a presidential scholarship to VUU, it sealed the deal; I was glad I made that decision," said Webb. "I made so many lifelong friendships; the learning I got there and the support from the faculty and staff helped develop me."

His unwavering commitment to tackling health disparities within marginalized communities has been rewarded with his selection for the Leaders USA program.

The Leaders USA program serves as a platform to identify and nurture exceptional leaders who have the potential to make a significant impact on their communities and beyond. Out of thousands of applicants, only 100 were selected for the six-month program.

"Once we finish this Leaders USA cohort, we get inducted into the broader Obama Leaders network," Webb added. "This will give us access to leaders in Africa, Asia, and Europe to have that same kind of relationship on a global level."

Webb's selection for the Leaders USA program underscores his exceptional leadership abilities and is a testament to his dedication and hard work throughout his academic and professional journey. As an alumnus of Virginia Union University, Webb exemplifies its mission of producing transformative leaders who make a difference in their chosen fields.

"Being able to problem solve with national leaders brought to provide teaching, education, and facilitate discussion is an experience I can't wait to be a part of," Webb said.

After the program, Webb plans to use his new platform to continue improving the health of mothers and children globally.

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VUU Alumnus Jon Webb Selected for Obama Foundation Leaders ... - Virginia Union University

Today, Columbia World Projects (CWP) announced the 2023-2024 Obama Foundation Scholars at Columbia University. This cohort comprises 12 emerging leaders from across the globe who will undertake a residency at CWP for the academic year.

We eagerly welcome this new cohort of Scholars, each with a distinguished track record of commitment to serving their communities. As with previous cohorts, I know that they will take full advantage of the comprehensive offerings that the program provides. At the same time, their presence on campus will undoubtedly inspire us and the broader Columbia community, remarked Wafaa El-Sadr, Director of Columbia World Projects and Executive Vice President of Columbia Global.

The sixth cohort of Columbia University Obama Foundation Scholars will immerse themselves in a year-long program tailored to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and resources to amplify their impact and further contribute to their communities. Key components of the program include a weekly seminar, personal and professional development workshops, audited courses at Columbia University, a thought leadership speaker series, and bespoke programming crafted by CWP in collaboration with the Obama Foundation. The year will provide Scholars with the skills, tools, and connections to create profound change both locally and globally. A recent five-year review revealed that alumni overwhelmingly felt that the program significantly influenced their leadership journeys and evolution as social impact leaders.

I believe deeply in the mission of the Obama Foundation Scholars Program and am thrilled to welcome the sixth cohort of fellows to Columbia, said President Minouche Shafik, who began her tenure as Columbias 20th president on July 1, 2023. I know that these Scholars will benefit immeasurably from all that this University has to offer, and I am excited to see the impact they will have on our campuses, their communities, and the world in the months and years ahead.

Initiated in 2018, the Obama Foundation Scholars program aims to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders, equipping them to make more substantial contributions to their global communities. While one group of Scholars is hosted at Columbia University, another cohort joins the program at the University of Chicago. Throughout the year, Scholars from both universities partake in joint activities facilitated by the Obama Foundation and maintain strong ties post-program.

Columbia World Projectsmobilizes the universitys researchers and scholars to work with governments, organizations, businesses and communities to tackle global challenges.

We are part ofColumbia Global, established July 2022, which brings together major initiatives from across the university to advance knowledge and foster global engagement to address complex global challenges. As of July 2023, Columbia Global comprises CWP, theColumbia Global Centers, theCommittee on Global Thought, and theInstitute for Ideas and Imagination.

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Introducing the 2023-2024 Obama Foundation Scholars at ... - Columbia University