The Root

The devil may work hard, but Natasha Rothwell arguably works harder-especially when it comes to trolling President Donald Trump on social media. And when we show you exactly how she's been doing it-you'll more than likely crack up!Read more...

If you spend any time scrolling on TikTok, you've likely come across videos of a four-year-old Black girl line dancing to Boots on the Ground" without missing a beat. The young girl, who is known online as Miss Shirley, has garnered a massive following of fans who love her moves and the facial expressions she serves...Read more...

Leave it to President Donald Trump to not only expose his racial bias but also piss Black folks off at the same damn time. Dozens of white South African refugees" were just welcomed into the country under orders from Trump. But if you know anything about the history of white colonizers in South Africa, then Trump's...Read more...

The first batch of witnesses in Sean Diddy" Combs' federal sex crime trial did NOT hold back in their testimonies. One of them, a sex worker, explained to the jury disturbing details behind his participation in alleged freak-offs." One particular claim about the events has the internet completely up in arms both in...Read more...

Shannon Sharpe is opening up about his current legal issues. And, well...whether you're surprised at his response will likely depend on how closely you follow his content.Read more...

Quincy Jones isn't just a music legend, he's also been living like one! Now, his palatial Bel-Air estate is up for grabs with a jaw-dropping $60 million price tag to prove it.Read more...

The controversy surrounding a white mother who called a Black child the N-word during an incident at a Minnesota playground is heating up as fundraising for the woman - who admitted to using the term on camera - approaches one million dollars. Now, as people continue to debate whether or not it's ever OK to give money...Read more...

You've probably heard about how Donald Trump's tariffs are wrecking the economy, in addition to unprecedented delays and unnecessary barriers for millions of social security beneficiarieswith the help ofElon Musk, and how his administration leaked classified war plans.Read more...

If we're keeping a list of worrisome moves by President Donald Trump, his latest might crawl somewhere near the top: The Trump administration is preparing to accept a multi-million dollar gift from a foreign country, and it begs the question: Could any other president get away with this...especially our first Black pre...Read more...

Updated on 05/13/2025 at 1:30 p.m.Read more...

The prosecution's star witness, Casandra Cassie" Ventura appeared on the witness stand the second day of the federal sex crime trial against Sean Diddy" Combs Tuesday morning (May 13).Read more...

Casandra Cassie" Ventura took the stand Tuesday (May 13) to testify against Sean Diddy" Combs, who is on trial for federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges. When asked about the nature of her near-decade-long relationship with the rapper, Ventura spilled some grisly details.Read more...

After a reported attack at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, where Tory Lanez is serving a ten year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, he's currently in good spirits" while healing from over a dozen stab wounds. But some folks aren't buying it.Read more...

If you keep up with The Root, you know we were all over the 2025 Met Gala, covering every angle of this year's theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." But not everyone shared our enthusiasm, including media personality Megyn Kelly.Read more...

TikTok has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected-and entertaining-ways. But nothing could pull at your heartstrings more than the charming-and bizarre-online discourse dubbed Gingers Are Blacks." We'll explain how one video turned into honest, feel-good conversations and internet unity between...Read more...

All last month, Kanye West has been directing his ire towards Kim Kardashian in relation to their four children, making a series of disparaging comments about her on social media and in interviews. But now, it looks like he's putting some action behind all that talk and taking their online squabble up another notch.Read more...

Four years have passed since the sudden death of Freddie McKee. Since then, his mother has worked restlessly, conducting her own investigation to find out what happened after two conflicting toxicology reports contradict everything she knows about her son.

In response to the fiery allegations brought before the jury by federal prosecutors, defense attorneys for Sean Diddy" Combs told the jury this case has more to do with the rapper's private personal sex life" than an alleged exploitive criminal enterprise. And they didn't sugarcoat anything. - Kalyn WomackRead more...

The second witness called to the stand in Sean Diddy" Combs' federal trial byprosecutors is 41-year-old Daniel Phillip. He alleged to have received money from Casandra Cassie" Ventura in exchange for sex performed in front of Diddy. The rapper is currently facing federal sex crime charges in connection to...Read more...

While the rest of the world has been losing its mind over the news that the Catholic Church just elected its first American-born pope in Pope Leo XIV, at The Root, we're more interested in the news that the first American-born pope has Black roots.Read more...

Sean Diddy" Combs' federal trial began on Monday (May 12) with opening statements and The Root is keeping up with the day-to-day details surrounding the case. But because there's no cameras inside the court, the public has become increasingly curious to know more about Diddy's appearance.Read more...

Read more...

Spend a little time in New York City's Times Square and you never know who or what you may see. They don't call it the crossroads of the world for nothing. But lately, people have been looking past the furry costume characters and the Naked Cowboy to focus on a 12-foot statue of a Black woman created by artist Thomas...Read more...

Los Angeles Police officer Israel Florez was called by the prosecution Monday (May 12) as their first witness in the federal sex crime case against Sean Diddy" Combs. He said was working at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City back in 2016 as assistant director of security. Leaked surveillance video of...Read more...

Just when it seemed the dust had settled in Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert's divorce, it appears the situation has once again taken another nasty turn. And this time, jail could be involved.Read more...

It's finally time. Sean Diddy" Combs' day in court is here as he faces sex crime charges in a federal trial. On Monday, May 12, prosecutors kicked off opening arguments in an attempt to convince the jury that the hip-hop mogul was a controlling abuser who expected everyone around him to treat him like a king."Read more...

Chris Brown's formerly owned mansion in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles is back on the market and let's just say-it's giving bold, baller, and very on brand. The 2,800 square foot compound, is less a traditional home and more a personal funhouse-meets-art gallery.Read more...

Broadcasting into people's homes every day to share your opinions on the hottest topics and trending news stories can leave one open to a lot of criticism, just ask former The View"cohost Star Jones. The lawyer-journalist, who was part of the show's OG panel, appeared on the Barbara Walters-created daytime talk show...Read more...

In response to the fiery allegations brought before the jury by federal prosecutors, defense attorneys for Sean Diddy" Combs told the jury this case has more to do with the rapper's private personal sex life" than an alleged exploitive criminal enterprise. And they didn't sugarcoat anything.Read more...

With President Donald Trump tearing up the White House, Democrats are scrambling to find their presidential pick for the 2028 race. It's too early to tell who will be at the top of either party's ticket, but already, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockettsaid donations are rolling in for one person.Read more...

John Legend is speaking his peace on the former friendship he had with Kanye West and giving a little insight into how he thinks the controversial rapper became so, well, controversial.Read more...

Don't get us wrong, Mother's Day flowers, jewelry and homemade cards are nice. But after all the long, unpaid hours moms put in on the regular, most of them just want a little more time in bed on that first Sunday in May. If you don't believe us, just ask actress Halle Berry, who got exactly that on Mother's Day this...Read more...

For decades, an unspoken beef between TV shows Friends" and Living Single" has plagued Hollywood. Both shows were iconic in their own way, but only the white actor-led sitcom got the Hollywood red carpet rolled out. Now, two of the actresses from Living Single" are clearing up which came first, the chicken or the...Read more...

The public believes Rodney Hinton Jr. has a serious target on his back after being accused of fatally striking a Cincinnati sheriff's deputy with his vehicle. As such, social media has created a narrative around the actions of a Black officer toward Hinton in a now-viral video.Read more...

Fatherhood can make any man face their greatest fears...even if that fear is a cheese-eating mascot. Memphis rapper Big Boogie secured some extra cool points from his daughter after her birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese took a hilarious turn. But although many folks laughed at Boogie's scary experience, others online...Read more...

Rodney Hinton Jr. is accused by prosecutors of intentionally killing a Cincinnati sheriff's deputy in revenge for the fatal police shooting of his teen son. Though it seems like the odds are stacked against him, his attorneys argue that his mental condition absolves him from being labeled a cop killer."Read more...

Al B. Sure! is continuing to make sure he does all that he can to sound the alarm on Sean Diddy" Combs and all his alleged wrongdoings. And his latest moves-and what he just revealed-are proof positive of that.Read more...

Last week's Met Gala was super Black! The theme, Black Dandyism, opened the door for non-white figures and new global stars to be celebrated on the refreshingly diverse carpet. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made history by being the first Bollywood male actor to walk the Met carpet, but his introduction to the...Read more...

Who doesn't want the tea on how these legendary tattoos ended up on the bodies of our favorite celebs? The tattoos are just another peek into the not-so-private lives of many of our favs. From Rihanna to Mike Tyson, these stars have some interesting stories which led to their most notable pieces. But while many of...Read more...

Rodney Hinton Jr. appeared in court this week for a hearing on charges he faces in connection to the killing of a Cincinnati sheriff's deputy. Walking past a wall of over 50 scowling deputies who posted up in support of their fallen colleague, Hinton stuck his chin up, eyeing down every single officer. - Kalyn Womack R...Read more...

When it comes to living a luxe life, no one does it better than rapper and entrepreneur Rick Ross. Whether on social media or in his videos, he loves showing off his jaw-dropping collection of cars and jewelry. But his best game isn't even on the ground. Ross recently sat down with the folks at Haute Living to give...Read more...

The family of Roger Fortson, the Black Air Force airman who was shot and killed by a Florida police officer, is taking new steps to get justice for their loved one. Now, the officer in question is facing more trouble than a potential criminal charge. All of the tension stems from one question, was the officer even...Read more...

In just over 100 days, we've seen President Donald Trump work overtime to erase every ounce of cultural and racial diversity from our government institutions, including threatening to end funding to the National Museum of African American History. His latest move will impact the world's largest library, as he fired...Read more...

R&B singer Barry White was known for his smooth and sexy voice recording hit songs that made people want to dance and fall in love. But the legendary crooner also had a very complicated love life. After a series of health challenges that led to his untimely death at age 58, the nine children, two ex-wives and one...Read more...

Shaboozey's 2025 Met Gala debut consisted of an unforgettable statement suit, and people cannot stop talking about it. Immersed in the drippy Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme, many praised the country superstar's outfit for its fearless fashion statement, while others say it was too over the top. Fans couldn't...Read more...

There's something about Mother's Day that just hits different. Not only is it a amazing day to honor the women who brought us into the world and shapes us, but it's also a good day to look back and reminisce on special moments. It's also fun to see just how much you've started to look like your mom as you age and...Read more...

A West Kentucky University student took to social media this week to share a horrifying racist incident to which he was subjected. However, this is no isolated occurrence...it's jus is only the continuation of the trend of racist run-ins we've seen since You-Know-Who got in office.Read more...

If you're reading this and you haven't already bought a gift for that special mother, grandmother or aunt in your life, shame on you. But lucky for you, you've come to the right place. From flowers to self-care and home decor we've rounded up some of our favorite gifts for mom that you can still get to her on time.Read more...

When it comes to Keke Palmer, the truth is always going to be told. In an artistic yet bold move, Palmer released a single titled My Confession," directly addressing the public fallout with her ex-boyfriend, Darius Jackson, the father of her son, Leodis. The record vividly unpacks the emotional strain on their...Read more...

Six months have passed since Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump in the November election for president, and many Americans are still mourning. The devastating blow divided the country even more, and now, former President Joe Biden is finally addressing his theories about why the Democratic party failed.Read more...