Dr. Anthony Fauci Voted in Contempt of Congress by Senate Committee: What’s Next?

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The right wing obsession with punishing Dr. Anthony Fauci just hit a new milestone.

Last week, in his attorneys’ advice, he invoked his Constitutional right to avoid self-incrimination.

On Thursday, a Senate committee voted to hold him in contempt of Congress.

The next step could be to send a criminal referral to the DOJ. Will it happen?

Dr. Anthony Fauci is sworn in before testifying to Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on July 29, 2026. (Photo Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Dr. Fauci was voted in Contempt of Congress

On Thursday, August 6, the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress.

Last week, members of the Senate grilled Dr. Fauci six years after the fact about the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times.

Despite him showing up to the Senate floor and allowing the GOP to put on this show trial, that still wasn’t good enough.

In an 8-to-5 vote along party lines, Republicans voted to hold him in contempt for allegedly blowing off a congressional subpoena.

The right wing narrative about Dr. Fauci seems to be a little inconsistent.

Some claim that he manufactured this virus (humans do not have the technology to engineer a virus of this sophistication), killing millions and disabling millions more.

On the flip side, other rightists have claimed that this deadly pandemic was actually nothing, and hate Dr. Fauci because they believe that the government response was too restrictive.

Both groups have been known to parrot unhinged narratives about vaccines.

Though Trump was in office in 2020 and supervised the launch of America’s pandemic response, Republican Senators are loathe to criticize him. Therefore, they take aim at Dr. Fauci.

Will he be prosecuted by the DOJ?

Rand Paul is many things. Very few of them are good.

He is also the Committee Chairman.

He says that the Fifth Amendment does not protect Dr. Fauci because President Joe Biden offered him a preemptive pardon before leaving office.

Biden issues multiple pardons for targets, like Dr. Fauci and Hunter Biden, who seemed likely to be subjected to malicious and unjust prosecutions by the Trump regime.

Dr. Fauci’s legal team advised him to invoke the Fifth because answering questions in any way might expose him to legal jeopardy. Among other things, federal pardons are not state pardons.

Now, the potential criminal referral to the DOJ may sound daunting — but it might not be that big of a deal.

An actual referral would require 60 votes in the full Senate.

Even if, let’s be real, the alleged ghost of Mitch McConnell were to join in this vote, that seems pretty unlikely.

Rand Paul, whom some people take seriously for whatever reason, wants Dr. Fauci prosecuted and imprisoned.

In that sense, this is a big deal. Vindictive maniacs who are utterly detached from reality should probably not hold as much political power in our federal government as they do now.

Dr. Anthony Fauci Voted in Contempt of Congress by Senate Committee: What’s Next? was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Sydney Towle Cause of Death: Beloved TikTok Star Was 26

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We have tragic news to report from the world of social media today.

Sydney Towle — the content creator who built a massive audience on TikTok over the past year — has passed away.

She was just 26 years old.

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News of Sydney’s death came courtesy of an announcement posted by her family Thursday morning.

“We will always love you so much Sydney. I am so proud of how hard you fought. I love you,” they wrote.

The announcement comes just two days after Sydne’s brother, Austin Towle, shared in a TikTok video that she had been moved to hospice care and was “surrounded by her friends and family.”

According to TMZ, Sydney had been battling cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile duct cancer.

Her bravery and candor in the face of adversity helped to earn over one million followers across platforms.

An empty hospital bed in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The New York native shared every difficult step of her cancer journey, inspiring countless fans around the world in the process.

Last month, she announced that she was soon to enter the next step of the clinical trial she was participating in, which involved tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy.

Sydney told fans that she had been posting less frequently due to the constant pain she was experiencing. She added that she was continuing to stay positive as she spent the last month in the hospital.

Sydney was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 after she noticed a bump protruding from her abdomen.

Earlier this summer, the Dartmouth grad launched a second career as a runway model, walking for Post Swim’s The Chemo Club collaboration at Miami Swim Week and had a collaboration with Aerie.

Though Sydney’s life was cut tragically short, clearly, she made the most of her brief time on this planet.

Our thoughts go out to Sydney’s loved ones during this enormously difficult time.

Sydney Towle Cause of Death: Beloved TikTok Star Was 26 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Divorce Planned by Royals? [Report]

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Is the royal family gearing up for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to divorce?

Last month, Harry and his family reunited with King Charles for the first time in years during a trip to the UK.

Now, there are reports claiming that the royal firm is outlining how things will go down if the Sussex couple splits.

Charles wants to “support” his son. Does that mean sabotaging his marriage?

King Charles, Duchess Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry on December 25, 2017. (Photo Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

‘Contingency plans in the event of a split’

According to a report from Heat World, Buckingham Palace has created a “divorce plan.”

In the event that Meghan and Harry part ways, the royal firm wants to have a strategy ready to go.

An alleged insider claimed that the royals are “quietly be drawing up contingency plans in the event of a split.”

As an institution, the royals are known for drawing up plans for all sorts of events — from family deaths to other crises.

Though Harry and Meghan are no longer active royals after being essentially driven out of the UK by a harassment campaign, it is conceivable that the royals would draw up a plan for this potential outcome.

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“Meghan won’t want to come back from the US,” the alleged inside source prognosticated.

“And,” the insider continued, “that schism is potentially dangerous” to the couple’s marriage.

The source went on too suggest that Harry and Meghan may be facing possible “tension” in their marriage.

This is allegedly because they are on “very different paths.” Oh?

According to the insider, while Meghan focuses on growing her successful As Ever brand, Harry wants to grow closer to Charles.

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‘Charles is actually rooting for them’

In 2020, Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties.

Together with their son, Archie, they fled from the UK.

For years, British tabloids had harassed the couple — and especially Meghan, spinning absurd tales in which Meghan appeared to be the villain.

More often than not, this seemed to be a distraction from actual scandals facing William and Kate.

Harry saw how the firm protected his brother and sister-in-law, but not his wife. He didn’t want to lose Meghan like he lost his beloved mother.

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One highlight of the alleged divorce plan is that it isn’t some sort of relationship sabotage.

“This isn’t about trying to come between Harry and Meghan,” the insider clarified.

“In fact contrary to what a lot of people might think,” the source continued, “Charles is actually rooting for them.”

The insider added: The king would reportedly help Harry if the latter ever needed advice.”

Though we of course cannot verify any of the claims in this report, it is interesting to consider. But fortunately, at least from the outside, it seems null and void — as Meghan and Harry seem to be doing very well.

Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Divorce Planned by Royals? [Report] was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Shannon: I’m Boning My Boyfriend on OnlyFans! Only …

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Just a few months ago, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon launched her OnlyFans.

At first, she kept things softcore.

After a more than successful launch, Lauryn is preparing to unleash more than just nudes upon her subscribers.

The mother of four is explaining why she’s now ready to post hardcore videos for her fans. Who will be her co-stars?

Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Shannon attends WEtv’s premiere fashion event on March 13, 2019. (Photo Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for WEtv)

She’s turning her OnlyFans up a notch!

Lauryn spoke to TMZ about how, unlike her initial OnlyFans launch in March, she’s now ready to go all the way on the platform.

“I really started doing hardcore,” she acknowledged.

Lauryn explained that this is “because, truthfully, it’s another revenue of money and so many options to do and give.”

She is already making a killing on the adult subscription platform.

Additionally, Lauryn has also teamed up with a strip club.

Launching her OnlyFans account, Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Shannon opted for a bold subscription price. (Image Credit: OnlyFans)

PHOTO TWO

For now, the hardcore offering features only Lauryn and her boyfriend, Darrin Kitchens.

The video is pay-per-view, a controversial but not uncommon choice only the OnlyFans platform.

(Some sex workers offer free or very cheap subscriptions while doing PPV for profits, while others have higher subscription costs but advertise “no PPV ever.” It really depends upon what the subscriber is looking for.)

Usually, these sorts of videos cost anywhere from $10 to $50 depending upon how many performers are in them, how long they are, etc.

In Lauryn’s case, she’s apparently charging from between $100 to $150, depending upon how much footage of her and Darrin you want to see.

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Her boyfriend won’t be the only partner on screen with her

Lauryn has big plans for her future on OnlyFans, by the way.

Boning her boyfriend on camera is to be expected, but she plans to branch out.

She told TMZ that she plans to hook up with at least one other woman for future content.

Lauryn even acknowledged that she and Darrin may end up doing a threesome in the future.

All of this may hinge upon how many subscribers are curious — or horny — enough to shell out a utility payment’s dollar amount for the footage.

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Some believe that Lauryn has not found true happiness following her split from Josh Efird.

Instead, they argue that she is caught in a downward spiral — with some even comparing this to Mama June Shannon’s pre-pandemic downfall in which she lost her home, her fortune, a tooth, and a lot of trust from her family.

That’s not really a fair comparison. It does appear that Lauryn is “acting out” a little (though we should remember that she became a mom at 17 and had an unenviable childhood), but she’s making money — not losing it.

Though Lauryn and June have both made outlandish public statements, we think that some of those accusing her of spiraling are expressing anti-sex work bias, even if they do not mean to. Sex work is work, and it seems to be paying more than WEtv is shelling out for their reality show.

Most people who sign up as OnlyFans creators are not likely to make much, let alone enough to make a living. Lauryn has reported 6-figure earnings. Good for her!

Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Shannon: I’m Boning My Boyfriend on OnlyFans! Only … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Ariana Madix Loses Appeal In Raquel Leviss Revenge Porn Lawsuit

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Ariana Madix has suffered another courtroom defeat in the legal fallout from the “Scandoval” affair.

A California Court of Appeal has denied the former Vanderpump Rules star’s attempt to have Rachel “Raquel” Leviss’ lawsuit against her dismissed, meaning the case will continue toward trial.

The ruling marks a significant victory for Leviss, who first filed suit in 2024 over allegations stemming from the explosive cheating scandal that dominated headlines the previous year.

Ariana Madix attends the 2026 Vulture Reality Masterminds Celebration at The Lawn Club on May 07, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Madix’s legal team had argued that Leviss’ claims should be dismissed under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to protect constitutionally protected speech from meritless lawsuits.

Her attorneys maintained that the events surrounding Tom Sandoval’s affair with Leviss were matters of enormous public interest and that Madix’s alleged conduct fell within those protections.

The appellate court disagreed.

According to the ruling, Madix “failed to meet her burden of establishing” that the claims against her arose from protected activity, allowing Leviss’ lawsuit to proceed.

The legal dispute traces back to March 2023, when Madix discovered that longtime boyfriend Tom Sandoval had been carrying on a months-long affair with Leviss.

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According to court filings, Madix accessed Sandoval’s phone and found sexually explicit FaceTime recordings involving Leviss.

Madix has acknowledged that she copied the videos and sent them to herself before forwarding them to Leviss as part of confronting her about the affair. She has denied distributing the videos publicly.

Leviss later sued both Sandoval and Madix.

Her lawsuit alleges invasion of privacy and violations of California’s revenge porn statute against Madix. Sandoval also faces claims related to allegedly recording the videos without Leviss’s knowledge or consent. Madix has denied wrongdoing throughout the litigation.

Wednesday’s ruling does not determine whether Madix is liable.

Instead, it clears the way for Leviss’ claims to continue in the trial court after Madix’s attempt to end the case early failed.

Neither Madix nor Leviss immediately commented publicly on the appellate decision, though representatives for both women were contacted by multiple outlets following the ruling.

And these days, Sandoval has a separate set of legal problems stemming from his problematic breakup with Victoria Lee Robinson.

More than three years after “Scandoval” became one of reality television’s biggest scandals, the personal drama may have faded from Bravo’s cameras, but the legal consequences continue to play out in court.

While Vanderpump Rules has since moved on with a new cast, the lawsuits stemming from the affair remain unresolved, and this latest decision ensures this closely watched case will continue.

Ariana Madix Loses Appeal In Raquel Leviss Revenge Porn Lawsuit was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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What Will Happen to Perez Hilton’s 3 Children Following His Self-Harm Incident?

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As you’ve likely heard by now, internet personality Perez Hilton was hospitalized Tuesday night amid what appeared to be a mental health crisis.

During a livestream that left fans horrified, Hilton allegedly cut himself with knives and threatened suicide.

Viewers were concerned for Hilton, of course, but many also expressed fears for his three children.

Perez Hilton and his children attend the premiere of Disney Junior’s “Mira, Royal Detective” at Walt Disney Studios Main Theater on March 07, 2020 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Fortunately, police have indicated that the kids were not at home at the time of the incident.

However, it’s unclear what will become of them now.

Hilton is a single father, and while he has family in the area — having recently moved from Las Vegas to Miami to be closer to his mother — there’s no word on whether any of them are in a position to take in his children.

The infamous blogger has been open about the fact that his elderly mother is very ill.

Hilton will likely be hospitalized for quite some time following this week’s incident, and the situation has sparked renewed interest in the lives and welfare of his three kids, all of whom were welcomed via surrogate.

“All kids are mine genetically,” he wrote in a Huffington Post essay in 2017, adding:

“Each was born thanks to the generosity of a different surrogate, using eggs from the same anonymous donor.

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“While I don’t rule out adoption in the future, for me it was important to have kids with my DNA. My dad passed away when I was 15 and having my children is a way of him living on through them — literally.”

Hilton wrote about how much he “love[s] being a dad more than anything else” and “works hard at it,” explaining, “I have my hands very full changing diapers and taking kids to swim class. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

He announced the birth of his first child, a son named Mario, in February 2013.

“I am ready to announce that earlier this month I was blessed with the birth of my first child, a beautiful and healthy baby boy — with lots of hair on his tiny head,” he wrote on his website at the time.

“My family is overjoyed at this newest and most cherished addition,” Hilton continued. “I am so humbled to welcome this little man into my life. And I am honored and ready for the challenge of guiding him through his.”

In May of 2015, Hilton welcomed his second child, daughter Mia Alma.

“It is with great pride and relief that I can finally announce: I am a dad again!” he captioned the newborn’s Instagram debut at the time.

In October 2017, Hilton’s third child, Mayte, joined the family.

She “waited until 41 weeks to make her fashionably late arrival,” Hilton explained at the time.

For obvious reasons, concerns about Hilton’s kids are widespread this week. We hope that whatever else unfolds in the days to come, his children’s material and emotional needs are being met.

What Will Happen to Perez Hilton’s 3 Children Following His Self-Harm Incident? was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Bunnie Xo: I Can’t Trust After ‘Betrayal Trauma’ from Jelly Roll

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This spring, Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll began the divorce process after a decade of marriage.

While the internet debates the truth of what caused their divorce, Bunnie is looking to the future.

But she explains that the 10-month affair that her ex carried on behind her back is making it hard.

The “betrayal trauma” is making it impossible to trust as she considers finding love again.

On her podcast, Bunnie Xo speaks about trauma and more. (Image Credit: YouTube)

‘It’s the lies’

On the Monday, August 3 episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast, Bunnie Xo sat down with Denise Richards.

She didn’t have to name-drop her ex. You’ll probably be able to spot when she refers to Jelly Roll.

“When I had gone through a situation with an affair, it’s not the act that hurts you,” she reflected.

“It’s the lies,” Bunnie explained.

She characterized: “It’s just, like, whiplash.”

As Bunnie continued, she acknowledged that there’s really no upside to being cheated on.

“There’s no way to feel good about it,” she stated bluntly.

“Betrayal trauma literally rewires your brain to not trust people,” Bunnie explained.

She admitted that she feels hardwired “to just feel disgusting because you’re the last to know.”

Bunnie then explained: “Nobody ever wants to be the … last to know.”

Denise Richards was Bunnie Xo’s guest on the August 3, 2026 episode of her ‘Dumb Blonde’ podcast. (Image Credit: YouTube)

Even so, they were married for a decade

In 2018, Bunnie discovered that her then-husband had engaged in a 10-month affair.

(This became public knowledge in 2025, when they first opened up about the incident.)

When they first married, both partners disliked monogamy, but that did not mean that they were in an open marriage.

Rather, Bunnie has since explained that they were “free, not open” which is a distinction.

Being open to threesomes as a couple is very different from one partner sneaking around behind his wife’s back to be with one specific mistress for nearly a year.

By the way, this is not “alleged” cheating.

Jelly Roll has openly discussed his deep regrets about the 10-month affair.

In October of last year, he spoke about how repairing the relationship had brought them closer and stronger than they had ever been before.

Obviously, it did not last as long as he had imagined.

Still, they had 10 years of marriage. Presumably, most of those years were good. Not the affair year, however. We’re sure that Bunnie — like so many others who feel betrayed by a loved one’s secrets — will take years to unlearn.

Bunnie Xo: I Can’t Trust After ‘Betrayal Trauma’ from Jelly Roll was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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