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Karmelo Anthony trial consumed by race and self-defense, but hidden hurdle could be key: expert
As testimony in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial resumes Monday, one Texas attorney says the case could ultimately turn less on the fatal confrontation itself and more on how jurors interpret questions of self-defense, race, any prior interactions between the teens and even the unique culture of high school track meets.
Anthony, who is accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a Texas track meet last year, has pleaded not guilty and is arguing he acted in self-defense. The closely watched trial began last week amid intense public scrutiny and debate surrounding the case.
Prosecutors rested their case on Saturday after calling 21 witnesses. Anthony's defense moved for a directed verdict, but the judge denied the motion. His team called three witnesses Saturday, with testimony resuming Monday.
Larry Taylor, a former Texas prosecutor and longtime criminal defense attorney, told Fox News Digital that jurors will be tasked with evaluating far more than the physical evidence.
WITNESSES IN KARMELO ANTHONY MURDER TRIAL CONFIRM AUSTIN METCALF'S WORDS IMMEDIATELY AFTER ATTACK
"When it comes down to an issue like this, I'm pretty sure the guys are looking at, OK, what was the situation? Was he really in danger? Was he really fearful? Why did he have a knife? Why didn't he just get up and leave?" Taylor said.
Taylor noted that Texas self-defense laws could become a critical factor at trial.
"Did Karmelo really have a duty or obligation to retreat if he was being attacked?" he said. "It's happening in Texas. Are we not a stand-your-ground state?"
The attorney also suggested race could become an unavoidable topic throughout the proceedings, particularly given the intense public debate surrounding the case.
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"We would be fooling ourselves if we said that certain areas of our state or certain cities were not more prone to be reactive ... especially when you have the polarization of black and white," Taylor said.
Taylor further predicted that jury selection — which included no Black jurors — could face scrutiny if the defense believes Black jurors were improperly excluded from the panel, potentially setting up future appellate challenges.
AMERICA STILL CAN'T PUT DOWN THE RACE CARD. AND IT'S THE SHAME OF OUR NATION
Beyond the legal arguments, Taylor said jurors may need to be educated on something far more basic: how high school track meets actually work.
A longtime track coach who said he competed in the sport in college, Taylor pushed back on suggestions that athletes from rival schools would not know one another or interact regularly.
"I've been coaching track for 30 years. I ran track in college and it is extremely common for people to develop relationships with people from other schools that they compete against," he said.
According to Taylor, understanding those dynamics could become important if attorneys seek to establish whether Anthony and the Metcalf brothers had prior interactions before the fatal encounter. Taylor said track meets often last for hours, with athletes from different schools spending significant time around one another throughout the day.
SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS FATAL STABBING OF AUSTIN METCALF AT TEXAS TRACK MEET, OFFICIALS SAY
"I think probably four or five, if not more, of the jurors have no idea what happens at a track meet," Taylor said.
Taylor also pushed back on claims that athletes from competing schools would have had little reason to know one another, arguing that friendships and familiarity across teams are commonplace.
He further suggested that any potential prior interactions between Anthony and the Metcalf brothers could become relevant if introduced at trial.
Another question likely to be scrutinized by jurors is why Anthony allegedly had a knife at the track meet. Taylor said that issue cannot simply be assumed away and will require explanation from the defense.
"That is going to have to be explained for this jury," he said.
Taylor noted that athletes sometimes carry small knives or tools to cut athletic tape, work on equipment or manage track spikes, though he stressed that Anthony's specific reason for possessing the knife would need to be established through testimony and evidence.
The attorney also pushed back on criticism surrounding fundraising efforts for Anthony's legal defense, including a fund that has raised more than $624,000 for his defense. While the defendant's supporters have raised significant sums through online fundraising platforms, Taylor argued that mounting a vigorous defense in a serious felony case requires substantial resources.
"He is fighting literally for his life," Taylor said, noting that expert witnesses, investigators and trial preparation can quickly become costly.
As both sides prepare for another week of testimony, Taylor believes the case remains difficult to predict.
"It's a box of chocolates," he said. "You are absolutely not sure what you're going to get."
Sharon Stone says 'Euphoria' should be shown in 'every high school' and required viewing for parents
Sharon Stone said that HBO's controversial show "Euphoria" should be shown in America’s high schools and that parents "should have to see it."
During a conversation with Keke Palmer for Variety's "Actors on Actors" series, the 68-year-old actress, who joined the cast of "Euphoria" for its recently concluded third and final season, heaped praise on the show, which has drawn criticism for its graphic depictions of sex, drug use and violence.
"I think it’s the greatest show on television," the "Basic Instinct" star said.
"Euphoria," which premiered in 2019, centered on a group of high school students confronting the challenges of adolescence, but by the third season, the story jumped forward several years and follows them as young adults.
SYDNEY SWEENEY WRANGLES PYTHON NEARLY NUDE IN 'EUPHORIA' AS FANS BLAST 'SNOOZE FEST' SEASON
Stone noted the "Euphoria's" audience has watched the characters grow up and confront the increasingly serious consequences of their actions. She explained that she related to the show's portrayals of addiction and drug culture due to her own family experience.
"We’ve met these kids," Stone said. "We’ve seen them turn into young adults. We’ve seen them turn into full-on drug dealers. And I’ve gone through it in my family."
Stone recalled her brother Michael Stone's involvement with the drug trade, which led to his incarceration at the maximum security prison Attica Correctional Facility in New York.
CARA DELEVINGNE ADMITS SHE USED PARTY DRUG GHB DAILY BEFORE TERRIFYING SEIZURES FORCED HER SOBER
The Oscar nominee shared that she cried after watching the first episode of "Euphoria," saying that she believes it is an honest reflection of real issues that high school students face.
"'Euphoria' is so relevant," she said. "I believe it should be shown in every high school, and I think all the parents should have to see it. As a mom, I love it."
"Well, what I love is it gives you the opportunity to have conversations," Palmer, 32, said. "I think sometimes people stop at the surface of 'No, it's too much sex. It's too much sex, it's too much sex.' That's the point."
SYDNEY SWEENEY WALKS 'DELICATE LINE' AS 'EUPHORIA' SEX SCENES OVERSHADOW HER TALENT: EXPERT
As a mother of three, Stone said the show shines a light on issues many parents would rather not acknowledge.
"'My kid wouldn’t do that.' It’s like, really? Do you know? And does your kid tell you who is like that that's next to them?" she asked. "Because it's who's next to you too that matters."
Though Stone argued that "Euphoria" should be viewed by students and parents alike, the show's creator Sam Levinson and stars have repeatedly cautioned that the series, which is rated TV-MA, should not be watched by younger audiences due to explicit themes and graphic content.
SYDNEY SWEENEY FANS BEG 'EUPHORIA' TO END THE 'HUMILIATION RITUAL' AFTER SHOCKING NEW CASSIE SCENE
When the first season aired in 2019, Levinson, 41, and Zendaya, 29, who starred as a Rue Bennett, disputed that the show was intended to be viewed by younger teens.
"I hope it creates a certain dialogue between parents and their kids," Levinson told IndieWire. "I don’t think this is a show for people under 17, but…"
"But if your parent wants to have a conversation about it, that’s good," Zendaya added.
SYDNEY SWEENEY SAYS SHE'S 'USED TO' BEING SEXUALIZED SINCE HER BREAKOUT 'EUPHORIA' ROLE
"Or if you’re going to watch it anyway, and you have a feeling your kid is going to watch it anyway, then it might be good to have a conversation with them," Levinson said.
During a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Zendaya also addressed concerns around younger audiences watching the show.
"I think the important thing to acknowledge is the show is about teenagers and not necessary for teenagers, which I think people can misinterpret," she said.
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"It’s very important to us that the only teenagers watching it are 18 and older, with parental guidance if you’re any younger than that," Zendaya added. "That’s important to all of us, because this show is hard to watch sometimes."
However, Zendaya told the outlet that the content depicted in "Euphoria" was "not really" shocking to her.
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""I think it’s only shocking if it’s not your experience," she said. "Just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it’s not happening every day, all the time, it’s just certain people will be able to understand it a little bit more than others. Someone’s going to connect to it and whoever needs to see it, will see it."
Ahead of the second season premiere, Zendaya, who won two Emmy Awards for her performance as Rue, took to social media to reiterate that "Euphoria" is for "mature audiences."
"This season, maybe even more so than the last, is deeply emotional and deals with subject matter that can be triggering and difficult to watch," she told her fans in an Instagram post.
"Please only watch it if you feel comfortable," she said. "Take care of yourself and know that either way you are still loved and I can still feel your support."
Ketel Marte frustrating Diamondbacks by opting to take days off with trade deadline looming: report
Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte has reportedly been frustrating people within the organization with the MLB trade deadline looming.
Marte, a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate, is someone Arizona has tried to trade this past winter despite his talent and six-year extension that kicked in this season.
But USA TODAY reported Marte "continues to frustrate segments of the organization by opting to take days off." Most recently, Marte decided to sit for last week’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where superstar Shohei Ohtani was pitching, and he then proceeded to hit a walk-off home run the next day for the D-Backs.
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The reason for Marte missing the game last Wednesday was a mixture of his decision as well as the second baseman dealing with lower-back and hamstring ailments, per Arizona Sports. Marte didn’t want to risk any further injury.
"We’re all human, and we all need a day here and there," Marte said through a translator following the walk-off homer he hit on Thursday’s game.
This also isn’t new for Marte, who created some tension in the clubhouse due to absences and off-day requests near the All-Star break. It was reported that Marte’s teammates didn’t appreciate trying to time his off-days, leading to an apology later on.
With Marte being involved in trade rumors in the past, they will certainly pick up with MLB’s trade deadline scheduled for Aug. 3 this year. It’s later than usual, but with teams dealing with injuries as well as trying to bolster their lineups, rotations and bullpens, players with Marte’s talent will surely lead to calls to those in the Arizona front office.
Marte should be sold at a high price, if at all, given he is under contract through the 2030 campaign at a relatively low price after signing his six-year, $116.5 million contract. He also has a player option for the 2031 season, where he will be age 37.
While second base is his usual spot on the field, Marte has played shortstop as well as center field in his 12-year career. The Dominican Republic product has earned three All-Star nods, including each of the past two seasons.
This year, Marte is slashing .250/.304/.450 with a .754 OPS — the lowest mark since his 2022 campaign in Arizona (.727). He has hit 11 homers, driven in 37 runs and scored 37 times across 60 games.
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Raman overtakes Spencer Pratt in razor-thin race, AP count shows, but race remains uncalled
Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman has overtaken reality television star Spencer Pratt in the latest Associated Press vote count, although the outlet has not called the race.
Pratt, a Republican, had led earlier in the day, but the latest tally now shows Raman, a Democrat, ahead by more than 3,000 votes, or about 0.4 percentage points, in the officially nonpartisan mayoral race.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, has already advanced to a runoff as she seeks a second term. She is now waiting for the candidate she will face in the runoff, as AP has not yet called a second candidate to advance.
CALIFORNIA’S SLUGGISH VOTE COUNTING RIPPED ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM: 'EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING'
In Los Angeles’ nonpartisan mayoral election, if no candidate wins a majority in the primary, the top two vote-getters advance to the November runoff.
Los Angeles County continues to count ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by June 9, drawing the attention of the Republican National Committee. County officials must complete final official results by July 2, and the secretary of state will certify results by July 10.
California’s vote count often extends beyond Election Day because every active registered voter receives a mail ballot, ballots postmarked by Election Day may arrive up to seven days later, and election workers must verify signatures and process late-arriving ballots.
WATCH: LEFT-WING LA MAYOR FACES REALITY TV CHALLENGER’S BLUNT TAKEDOWNS IN HEATED MAYORAL DEBATE
"The California primary ended on June 2, 2026; yet California is still counting ballots," the RNC website tracker counting the seconds since polls closed reads.
"The state’s election system is a complete joke. The RNC is tracking every hour it takes California to finish the count," it added.
Pratt and other Republicans have decried the ongoing ballot count in the race. Election officials and voting experts have said California’s extended count is largely driven by state mail ballot rules, signature verification and the processing of late-arriving ballots.
"The question to the rest of the world is what happened to California elections? Well, I'll tell you, it's Gavin Newsom," McCarthy told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures." "When Gavin Newsom was elected governor of California, you knew who was elected in a day to two days. Now it takes more than weeks, almost a month."
"Why did we get here?" McCarthy continued. "Gavin changed a number of election laws in which you want to see is what did he do and why did he cause it?"
Fox News' Eric Mack contributed to this report.
Mamdani shrugs off Democratic Party concerns over his 'Abolish ICE' push
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani encouraged his fellow Democrats to embrace rather than dismiss the "Abolish ICE" message like he had during an interview on Saturday.
Mamdani brought up his perspective on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while being asked on MS NOW's "The Weekend" about his thoughts on the ongoing protests outside the ICE facility known as Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey.
He remarked that the conditions inside Delaney Hall helped fuel his continued desire to abolish the agency.
MAMDANI TELLS ‘THE VIEW’ HE FAVORS ABOLISHING ICE
"This is partially why I have put forward a vision alongside so many others to say that ICE should be abolished, that there is no way to reform this kind of cruelty that we’re seeing endemic in the way that immigration is being enforced across the country," Mamdani said.
He continued, "When it comes to our city, we are proud of our sanctuary city policies. We are proud of the policies we’ve put forward and also the executive orders we’ve put forward to ensure that every single agency is complying with those policies."
"What do you say to people who say language, and the Democrats in D.C. who say language like 'Abolish ICE' are unhelpful for the political health of the Democratic Party?" MS NOW host Eugene Daniels asked.
HOMAN SAYS NYC MAYOR MAMDANI 'MADE IT CLEAR HE'S NOT GOING TO WORK WITH ICE' ON IMMIGRATION
"I think we’ve listened to them before, and look where we are," Mamdani said. "I think it’s time to develop a new vision for this party, one that is unflinching in its beliefs and also uncompromising in its principles."
Daniels followed by asking how left-wing Democrats like Mamdani can reach out to people beyond their party. Mamdani responded that he would do so "by delivering."
"There’s a lot of talk about the debate and what we have an opportunity to do here in New York City is to deliver on that vision. You know, two people can argue all they want, but when you show somebody the ability to deliver free child care for 200 two-year-olds this year, 12,000 two-year-olds next year, every two-year-old by the end of four years. It showcases what we’re fighting for and why we believe so deeply in it," Mamdani said.
DEMOCRATS WORRY 'ABOLISH ICE' SLOGAN WILL BACKFIRE POLITICALLY LIKE 'DEFUND THE POLICE' DID
Fox News Digital reached out to ICE for comment.
Mamdani has been a vocal critic of ICE enforcement within his city, pushing back against the Trump administration's immigration efforts throughout the country.
"We're making clear that no one is above the law in this city, that everyone has to follow the rule of law," Mamdani said in March. "I have made clear to the president, both in our private conversations and our public conversations, about the fact that I believe that ICE is a rogue agency."
In February, Mamdani issued an executive order preventing local law enforcement from working with ICE officers regarding immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
Video captures fireworks exploding from burning trailer that shut down Interstate 75
A trailer loaded with fireworks erupted in flames along a Tennessee interstate Saturday night, sending pyrotechnics shooting across the roadway and forcing authorities to temporarily shut down traffic as emergency crews responded.
Video shared by the Chattanooga Fire Department shows fireworks launching into the air and exploding in multiple directions as flames engulfed the trailer on Interstate 75 northbound near the Ooltewah exit.
"Chattanooga Fire, Tri-Comm, and law enforcement enforcement responded to a vehicle fire on I-75NB past the Ooltewah exit Saturday night," the department said in a Facebook post. "It involved fireworks that were going off in different directions, endangering drivers."
Despite the chaotic scene, no injuries were reported.
Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department said the trailer was loaded with fireworks and that all of them became involved in the blaze, triggering explosions throughout the incident.
As a precaution, authorities temporarily shut down both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 75 while firefighters worked to extinguish the fire. Tri-Community said emergency vehicles traveled northbound in the southbound lanes and used the route to shuttle water to crews battling the flames.
TRUCK CARRYING 44,000 POUNDS OF CHICKPEAS CATCHES FIRE IN DEATH VALLEY
A Chattanooga Fire Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital the incident occurred outside the city limits and that Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department served as the lead agency, while Chattanooga crews responded under a mutual aid agreement to assist at the scene.
The spokesperson said the southbound side of the interstate reopened relatively quickly, while northbound lanes remained closed as crews monitored hot spots and later cleared the burned trailer from the roadway.
Dramatic video from the scene shows fireworks rocketing into the night sky before exploding over the interstate as traffic sat stopped a safe distance from the blaze. Firefighters can also be seen deploying hoses while the trailer remained engulfed in flames.
Authorities have not released additional information about what caused the fire.
One photo provided to Fox News Digital shows the blaze involved a large enclosed trailer carrying the fireworks.
Federal lawsuit seeks to block UFC Freedom 250 from being held on the White House South Lawn
Two Virginia residents are trying to put UFC Freedom 250 in a rear-naked choke before fight night.
A federal lawsuit filed against the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior seeks an emergency injunction to stop the UFC event scheduled for the White House South Lawn.
According to the lawsuit, organizers ignored federal permitting rules, skipped environmental reviews and triggered conflict-of-interest concerns.
Because apparently even a UFC octagon on the White House lawn has to clear environmental hurdles.
UFC SAYS IT WON’T PROFIT FROM WHITE HOUSE EVENT THAT COULD COST 'UPWARDS OF $60M'
The event is being promoted as part of America's 250th birthday celebration and, yes, the plan is to stage a UFC card on the White House lawn. According to the lawsuit, the problems start with hosting the fights in front of the executive mansion.
The plaintiffs argue the White House South Lawn and nearby federal property are subject to strict rules that generally prohibit commercial structures and private sporting events without environmental review and congressional approval.
Organizers have reportedly relied on a special exemption tied to America's 250th anniversary celebrations.
The lawsuit argues UFC Freedom 250 is really a private, for-profit sporting event involving the UFC, broadcasters, sponsors and advertisers rather than a legitimate government-run celebration.
The complaint alleges the event could financially benefit President Trump and several of his associates, including UFC CEO Dana White and Paramount-Skydance CEO David Ellison.
It also points to Trump's reported purchase of up to $50,000 worth of stock in TKO Group Holdings, the publicly traded parent company of the UFC.
Court filings argue that the event has less to do with commemorating American independence and more with promoting the UFC brand and celebrating Trump's 80th birthday.
The White House has already pushed back on the lawsuit, calling it an attempt to derail a properly permitted celebration.
The UFC has not publicly commented.
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Multiple people stabbed near Penn Station, leaving one seriously injured as investigation continues
A suspect is in custody after multiple people were stabbed near New York City's Penn Station on Sunday evening, leaving one person seriously injured, officials said.
The FDNY told Fox News that emergency crews responded to West 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue at 7:02 p.m. after receiving reports that a person had stabbed multiple people.
According to FDNY, six civilians were injured, including one person who suffered serious injuries, two who sustained moderate injuries and three who suffered minor injuries.
Five patients were transported to Bellevue Hospital, including the seriously injured victim and two people with moderate injuries. A sixth patient with minor injuries was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Amtrak Police, which is leading the investigation, said a suspect has been taken into custody.
"Earlier this afternoon, Amtrak Police responded to a reported stabbing at New York Penn Station," Amtrak said in a statement. "The suspect has been apprehended and an investigation is underway."
UNIONS THAT PARALYZED NEW YORK COMMUTE OVER PAY SPENT MILLIONS ON LUXURY TRAVEL, FILINGS SHOW
The New York Police Department referred inquiries about the incident to Amtrak Police, which is leading the investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the stabbings were not immediately clear, and authorities have not released information about a possible suspect or motive.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he has been briefed on the "horrific stabbing."
"My heart is with everyone who was injured, their loved ones, and all those shaken by this unacceptable violence. I’m wishing each of the victims a full and speedy recovery," he wrote on X.
NY GOVERNOR BLAMED FOR 'LACK OF LEADERSHIP' AS RAILROAD STRIKE DISRUPTS MORE THAN 300,000 COMMUTERS
"I’m grateful to the Amtrak Police Department and the first responders who acted quickly to apprehend the suspect and provide emergency care," the mayor continued.
Mamdani said there are currently no impacts to Amtrak service and that his administration is in contact with Amtrak officials as they investigate the stabbing.
The incident occurred during a busy period for New York City's transportation network, with large crowds moving through Penn Station as the New York Knicks continue their NBA Finals run and visitors arrive in the city ahead of FIFA World Cup events scheduled in the region.
This is a developing story.
Disney's Star Wars relaunch crumbles as 'Mandalorian and Grogu' crashes at the box office
It's almost becoming repetitive at this point. A Star Wars-related property has disappointed relative to pre-release expectations.
Seven years after the release of "The Rise of Skywalker," Disney and Lucasfilm hoped that they could relaunch the all-important franchise with "The Mandalorian and Grogu." And in doing so, once again revealed that they understand very little about the audience they're trying to serve.
When "The Force Awakens" hit theaters under the leadership of then-Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, it was a tremendous financial success. While hardly reinventing the wheel creatively, it at least provided a solid foundation for the franchise to build from. But the ensuing releases in the "main" trilogy within the Star Wars universe saw progressively diminishing returns as it became clear the studio had no cohesive plan or sense of what audiences love, or loved, about the series.
Classic heroes like Luke Skywalker or Han Solo were undermined at every opportunity. "The Last Jedi" incorporated a bizarre class and political storyline that had little relevance to the plot within that individual movie, and was swiftly discarded as a plot within the trilogy afterward. The "plan," such as it was, was to make audiences care about the leads simply because they existed. It didn't work.
DISNEY'S FIRST 'STAR WARS' MOVIE IN SEVEN YEARS IS TRACKING TO BE YET ANOTHER MASSIVE DISAPPOINTMENT
Fast forward to 2026, and Disney's apparent hope for the Star Wars series was that their streaming service would provide a building block for theatrical releases. "The Mandalorian" was popular in its first season as a novel, "western" style episodic adventure. That momentum quickly fizzled, but with few other options, they rushed a cobbled-together story into theaters anyway.
Not only has it failed, the latest box office returns show how far Disney and Lucasfilm have to go to regain audiences' trust.
The opening weekend of "The Mandalorian and Grogu," despite coming around the long Memorial Day holiday, was underwhelming at just $80 million. Then, the film saw a catastrophic 70% drop in its second weekend in theaters to $24.4 million.
Well, the news didn't get any better this past weekend. If anything, it got worse. Sunday's estimate is that "Mandalorian" will bring in around $10 million or just under, all but cementing the end of its run in the domestic theatrical box office. And leading to catastrophic financial losses for Disney.
With its production budget and marketing costs factored in, "The Mandalorian" needed to bring in $450-500 million to break even. And as its box office continues to dwindle, it currently sits at just $293 million globally. Thanks in large part to the woeful $155 million total from U.S. theaters.
The picture gets much worse when comparing against previous Star Wars films and adjusting for inflation. Here's the list of recent releases in the franchise, and where "Mandalorian" ranks at the domestic box office.
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"Solo" was viewed as such a flop that it ended plans for a standalone trilogy focused on Han Solo. "Mandalorian" is tracking to come up $70-80 million below it, adjusted for inflation. There's no other way to put it, that's a failure.
"Mandalorian" might not have been "political," or specifically divisive, though of course, star Pedro Pascal has worked hard to be divisive on his own. It's that the cumulative effect of their choices has grown over the years to the point where audiences simply don't care anymore.
Disney and the Kathleen Kennedy version of Lucasfilm managed to lose the trust of viewers despite having ownership of the most successful and popular film franchise in Hollywood history. Books will be written about this. Film school classes will be taught about this. And it was completely avoidable, had they simply focused on quality, story, plot and character growth instead of fulfilling every stereotype imaginable. Now they stand to lose $100+ million on a Star Wars movie. You have to hand it to them, it's impressive, if nothing else.
Platner-backer Ro Khanna insists there's 'no evidence of violence' in newest allegations
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., asserted that there was "no evidence of violence" among the allegations against Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner from the New York Times.
"My view is that, even according to the New York Times piece, they said there was no harm, no injury," Khanna said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday. "There was toxicity, and there was verbal intimidation, which I condemn, but Graham has made it clear that there was no evidence of violence. That, to me, is a red line."
Host Margaret Brennan pointed out that one of Platner's ex-girlfriends, Lyndsey Fifield, accused Platner of forcibly pulling her out of a taxi by the wrist as well as grabbing her by the shoulders. Brennan asked Khanna whether he believed this claim.
HOW MUCH BAGGAGE WILL DEMOCRATS ACCEPT FROM MAINE'S GRAHAM PLATNER?
"Yes, and I don’t think our side should be attacking her, and I appreciate her courage for coming forward. I know some people are saying she’s a Republican. I think it is irrelevant," Khanna said.
He added, "I believe her. I think Graham acted shamefully, and he acted, as the New York Times described it as a toxic relationship. It is shameful. It is ugly. It happened in a dark period of his life, and the Maine voters that I met said they don’t like it. They knew that he had these chapters. They are willing to extend him grace and redemption and they’re focused now on what he’s running for, but I do not think we should be attacking her."
MAHER WARNS DEMOCRATS HAVE 'ANOTHER SEX, CREEP PROBLEM’ WITH PLATNER CITING MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
Fox News Digital reached out to Khanna for comment.
Fifield also recounted another incident when Platner reportedly pushed her into a bedroom and held the door shut. She later was able to leave after falling asleep and waking after some time had passed, according to the New York Times.
The New York Times report was the latest in a long series of controversies surrounding the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Maine Senate seat. Prior to its release, Platner was criticized for his since-covered tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, controversial Reddit posts and sending explicit messages to women while being married.
GRAHAM PLATNER DENIES DAMNING NEW REPORT ALLEGING ABUSE AS 'SIMPLY NOT TRUE'
Despite the mounting controversies, Khanna has repeatedly defended and rallied with Platner in support of his campaign, claiming "he found peace, and he is ashamed of that period."
"To me, that suggests someone taking accountability and improving their lives, and we need that redemption in this country. And I agree with a lot of his economic policies, that we should be taxing the billionaires, we should be focusing on the working class," Khanna said.