An author has thrown cold water on Donald Trump’s claim that the president’s endorsement sent sales of his book soaring. Trump boasted at the White House Christmas reception earlier this month that he had boosted sales for Venom and Valor: A White House Physician Assistant’s Battle for Survival in the Amazon, written by his former medical adviser, Dr. James Jones, by promoting it in a Truth Social post. “It sold about two copies, but it had a hell of a cover,” Trump said at the reception, where Jones was in attendance. “I put it out: ‘Great book. Bop bop bop,’ picture of this viper, coming like, boom from the White House. And his publisher calls him, said, ‘Doctor, what happened? What’s going on?’… They sold 100,000 books.” But according to Jones, who published the book more than a year ago, Trump’s endorsement didn’t move the needle the way the 79-year-old president claims. “I don’t think it’s a massive bump, but, you know, I’m sure it didn’t hurt anything. But I haven’t seen anything that’s excessive,” Jones told NOTUS. The author, who served as Physician to the President under Barack Obama and later Trump—who went on to appoint him chief medical adviser—added that Trump hadn’t reached out to him directly about the book beyond the Truth Social post.

The Cure’s Perry Bamonte, a longtime guitarist and keyboardist for English rock band The Cure, died on Christmas Day at 65. The band’s current lineup, including founding member Robert Smith, confirmed Bamonte’s death in a statement posted to the group’s website, saying he passed away after a ”short illness” at home. “It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte,” they wrote, calling him a central part of their history. Bamonte’s relationship with The Cure spanned decades. He first joined the group as a guitar technician before becoming a full-time member in 1990. During his initial 14-year run with the band, Bamonte played more than 400 shows and became a vital presence in the group’s live performances. He departed in 2005 but returned in 2022, joining the band for roughly 90 additional concerts. Those shows, the group noted, ranked among “some of the best in the band’s history.” Bamonte’s contributions earned him induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The Cure in 2019. The band closed its statement by saying he “will be greatly missed,” and offered condolences to his family.

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Brace your wallets, folks, because Lululemon’s end-of-year sale event is officially live with tons of bestselling leggings, tees, and accessories marked down up to 40 percent off. Right now, you can score tons of steeply discounted activewear pieces for both men and women, ranging from celebrity-approved Align pants (Meghan Markle and Jennifer Lopez are fans) to the brand’s beloved Swiftly Tech Tank Top. In the men’s section, you’ll find the Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve Shirt 2.0 and the classic ABC jogger pants. It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your activewear lineup ahead of New Year’s resolution season come 2026.

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The current end-of-year sale prices are now slashed anywhere from 20 to 40 percent off, so you can bet stock is already selling out fast. For this reason, we really do suggest adding everything you’re eyeing to your cart sooner rather than later. The end-of-year Lululemon event ends soon, so if you want to get the items on your list (and in your size), run, don’t walk.

Veteran screen actor Mohammad Bakri, best known to U.S. viewers for his role in Homeland, has died, according to multiple reports. Bakri, 72, died on Dec. 24 after suffering heart problems, according to CNN. He was born in northern Israel, and CNN reported his funeral was held the same day in his hometown of al-Bi’neh, with AP reporting that hundreds of well-wishers attended the service. Bakri was best known internationally for playing the fictional vice president of Afghanistan on the TV series Homeland. as well as for roles including HBO’s The Night Of, FX’s Tyrant, and Peacock’s Those About to Die. Bakri also starred in the Oscar-nominated 1984 prison drama Beyond the Walls and directed the 2003 documentary Jenin, Jenin, which was banned in Israel and fought over in court for years. He is survived by his wife and six children, three of whom, Saleh, Ziad, and Adam, followed him into acting.

Gold, silver, and platinum soared to record highs on Friday. The value of these precious metals, considered “safe-haven assets,” have surged amid growing geopolitical tensions and anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate cut. Silver jumped 7 percent to cross $77 per ounce for the first time on Friday, while gold rose 1.6 percent to rise above $4,540 per ounce, having earlier hit a record of $4,533 per ounce. Platinum surged 8.7 percent to $2,411 per ounce, after setting a record earlier. Palladium climbed nearly 10 percent. The gains extend a yearslong rally in precious metals, with silver climbing 167 percent year-to-date due to supply deficits, its classification as a U.S. critical mineral, and strong investment demand, according to Reuters. The record high also comes after President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that the U.S. had carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in Nigeria, and as he escalates pressure on Venezuela’s regime. “Expectations ⁠for further Fed easing in 2026, a weak dollar, and heightened geopolitical tensions are driving volatility in thin markets,” Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals, told Reuters. With Trump poised to appoint a dovish Fed chair in May 2026, markets are anticipating two rate cuts in the new year.

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2026 is almost here, and We-Vibe is ready to ensure you and your partner have an unforgettable holiday at home thanks to its current end-of-year sale. We-Vibe specializes in designing toys that make reaching the big O fun, easy, and more enjoyable. One of its discounted bestsellers is the We-Vibe Chorus, which was designed specifically with couples in mind. With an adjustable fit, dual rumbling vibrators, and ten intensity modes, you and your partner are in for a symphony of pleasure.

Designed to be worn during sex, the Chorus stimulates the G-spot, clitoris, and penis at the same time, offering both of you the chance to share an unforgettable, simultaneous, and real orgasm. The squeeze remote lets you control the intensity—tighten your grip to turn up the heat or loosen it to ease the pace. Even if you find yourself alone on NYE, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.

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Of course, We-Vibe has plenty of luxe options for solo sessions as well, including the Moxie. This wearable vibrator can be tucked snugly in your underwear and tease that sweet spot that makes your toes curl. It can also be controlled via remote or the We-Vibe app for hands-free thrills. For men, look no further than the Arcwave Ion. This sleek, quiet, and award-winning sex toy uses changes in air pressure to deliver targeted pleasure and intense orgasms.

Right now, you can save up to 45 percent on We-Vibe’s sex toys. But don’t wait around; this epic end-of-year sale ends soon.

Fans of Frank Capra’s Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, were aghast after Amazon Prime quietly gutted key scenes from the iconic film. The New York Post reported that the 1946 movie is missing one of its most famous moments on the streaming platform: the pivotal sequence in which protagonist George Bailey, played by James Stewart, sees what life would have been like without him and regains his desire to live. The botched version—now 22 minutes shorter than the original 130-minute film—jarringly jumps from Bailey contemplating ending his own life to rejoicing at being alive. According to the Post, the missing scene is the result of the film’s notoriously messy copyright history. While It’s a Wonderful Life entered the public domain in 1974, its musical score and the original short story upon which it’s based, The Greatest Gift, remain copyrighted, prompting altered, truncated versions of the film as a workaround. “Sacrilege. Damn streamers,” one X user wrote about the edited version. Confusingly, both versions are on the service with little apparent way to tell them apart.

Former Big Brother contestant Mickey Lee has died at 35, her family announced with “profound sadness” in a statement shared on Instagram on Friday. Lee’s relatives had previously confirmed she was hospitalized in “critical condition” after suffering a “series of cardiac arrests” reportedly connected to flu complications. Despite their hopes for her recovery, the family said Lee died on Christmas Day. Lee competed on the 27th season of Big Brother, the long-running CBS reality TV competition show, this past summer. She was the eighth contestant eliminated from the show. Fellow Big Brother star Rachel Reilly was among the show’s alumnae paying tribute in the comments of her family’s Instagram post, calling Lee “an amazing soul.” In their announcement, Lee’s family remembered her as someone who brought joy to those around her and formed “genuine connections” both on and off screen. The family asked for privacy as they grieve and said details about memorial services will be shared later. In a final message, they wrote that Lee’s “light, legacy, and impact will never be forgotten.”

Saturday Night Live had more than 5.4 million viewers for its Dec. 20 episode, according to Variety, making it the most-watched episode in more than a year. The episode was hosted by pop star and Wicked actress Ariana Grande and featured a performance by Cher. It also marked Bowen Yang’s final episode as a cast member. Yang, who began on SNL as a writer in 2018, announced his shocking mid-season exit from the show last week. In an Instagram post addressing his exit, he also gave a shoutout to Grande, saying, “thank you to ari for sending me off in the dreamiest way i could imagine.” The show’s previous high this season was the 4.6 million viewers that tuned in for its Oct. 4 season premiere. That episode was hosted by Bad Bunny and featured Doja Cat as musical guest. The Dec. 20 episode is the most-watched since John Mulaney hosted on Nov. 2, 2024, three days before election day, which reached 6.8 million viewers.

Rapper Nicki Minaj is no longer on Instagram, following backlash to her embrace of MAGA. Minaj sat down with Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, earlier this month, where she made anti-trans comments and thirsted over Vice President JD Vance, whom she affectionately called an “assassin” during her AmericaFest appearance. “Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president,” she also said, as Kirk praised her “heart for the lord.” Her appearance with the Turning Point USA CEO isn’t Minaj’s first foray into MAGA, but it was her loudest to date. The rapper, known for her online trolling, became the trolled following the event. Without comment, she shuttered her accounts on Dec. 24. Charlie Kirk, for his part, was not a fan of Minaj prior to his death, per a resurfaced video that shows him telling onlookers that Minaj is not “a good role model,” as he criticized her music.

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Runners and athletes rely on their sneakers to enhance performance and protect their feet from injuries. While there are plenty of footwear brands that specialize in supportive footwear, investing in quality shoes isn’t cheap. When it comes to athletic shoes, you get what you pay for. If you’re in the market for some new kicks, Hoka’s Black Friday sale came early so that you can treat your feet to a fresh pair now. Hoka’s performance sneakers have a solid reputation, particularly among the running community, for delivering comfortable shoes that aren’t so cushiony that their pillowy soles compromise the foot’s security. But with price points ranging from $60 to $280 a pair, its loyal fanbase appreciates occasional discounts, which is why Hoka’s Holiday sale is in motion.

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Prices on shoes and apparel have been quietly marked down since the beginning of the month (post Cyber Monday), and now select styles are up to a whopping 50 percent off. You’ll find a slew of discounted bestsellers, including the men’s Graviota 5 in a variety of colorways and designs, the women’s Kawana 2, and the unisex Challenger GTX 7, all marked down 20 percent or more. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute gift for the fitness lover on your list or a new pair of shoes or sweats for yourself, now is the time to add to cart.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, shared Christmas greetings on social media Thursday, accompanied by a family photo. Siebel, 51, whose husband, 58, appears to be gearing up for a presidential run in 2028, wrote, “Our family wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Sending love and peace to all.” The actress and documentary filmmaker posted a family photo showing her with Newsom and their four children, who range in age from 9 to 16. The Golden State’s first couple also recorded a Christmas message on video. “Even in moments of division, Christmas has a way of breaking through, reminding all of us of the goodness that we share,” Jennifer said. Newsom, who frequently trolls President Donald Trump on social media, added, “We hope that that same sense of joy, peace, and kindness echo throughout all of your homes.” Siebel has regularly appeared by Newsom’s side this year as he has stepped further into the political spotlight. She unleashed on Trump at a November press conference on California’s redistricting push, saying Trump is “the exact opposite of what real strength looks like.”

Broadway actress Imani Dia Smith, who starred as Young Nala in The Lion King, has died at the age of 26. According to prosecutors, Smith was found at a residence in Edison, New Jersey, with stab wounds following a 911 call received at 9:18 a.m. on Dec. 21 and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, identified by a family member as Smith’s boyfriend, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. “Imani had her whole life ahead of her. She was a vivacious, loving, and fiercely talented person,” wrote Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, who started a GoFundMe to cover Smith’s funeral expenses, as well as therapy and ongoing care for her 3-year-old son. Helper wrote that Smith’s Broadway performance was “an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she brought into the world.” Money from the GoFundMe—which has so far raised over $60,000—will be given to Smith’s parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper.