Arts & Entertainment
Rosie O’Donnell faces backlash for offering to pay GOP senators
conservatives believe the comedian’s tweet is illegal

(Screenshot via YouTube)
Rosie O’Donnell is facing backlash from conservatives for offering $2 million to GOP senators if they voted no on the reformed tax bill.
O’Donnell made the offer on Tuesday on Twitter to Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) ahead of the tax bill vote. Both Collins and Flake voted yes for the bill, which passed on Wednesday morning.
“so how about this i promise to give 2 million dollars to senator susan collins and 2 million to senator jeff flake. if they vote NO NO I WILL NOT KILL AMERICANS FOR THE SUOER RICHDM me susan DM me jeff no shit 2 million cash each,” O’Donnell tweeted.
so how about this
i promise to give
2 million dollars to senator susan collins
and 2 million to senator jeff flakeif they vote NO
NO I WILL NOT KILL AMERICANS
FOR THE SUOER RICHDM me susan
DM me jeffno shit
2 million
cash
each— ROSIE (@Rosie) December 20, 2017
O’Donnell also addressed Collins directly posting a photo of Collins’ family.
“do u think your family is proud of u @sennatorcollins woman – mother – grandmother – sister – daughter u have betrayed us all,” O’Donnell tweeted.
susan – 2 million dollars cash
call if u want to negotiatedo u think your family is proud of u @sennatorcollins
woman – mother – grandmother – sister – daughter
u have betrayed us alldear god
ask for forgiveness
redeem ur soul tomorrow #NOTSEXIST pic.twitter.com/wa0QcMXNk2— ROSIE (@Rosie) December 20, 2017
In another tweeted O’Donnell posts, “i will HAPPILY pay any GOP senator 2 million dollars to vote NO they have been paid obviously.”
i will HAPPILY pay any GOP senator 2 million dollars
to vote NOthey have been paid
obviously— ROSIE (@Rosie) December 20, 2017
The Hill notes that under 18 U.S. Code § 201 it is illegal “to offer money to public officials with the intent to influence official acts, like voting on a bill” but whether her tweets were meant to be serious is unclear. However, O’Donnell did retweet comments from people who did not take her tweets seriously.
The dear @Rosie makes a joke about bribing the @GOP to make a point, and the Alt-reich goes bat shit crazy.
It’s like they don’t have humor in Russia.
— Pesach ‘Pace’ Lattin ⏺ (@pacelattin) December 20, 2017
After Rosie O’Donnell’s public attempt to bribe Susan Collins or Jeff Flake with 2 million each, she should probably expect calls from other politicians telling her the proper and usual way to offer bribes quietly and secretly.
— @PaulMicRogers (@PaulMicRogers) December 20, 2017
Other people wanted O’Donnell to face legal action.
Rosie O’Donnell tried to bribe Susan Collins and Jeff Flake with 2 million dollars each to vote “NO” on the Tax Bill.
Lock Her Up! pic.twitter.com/y3bkdkCbnj
— Based Monitored??? (@BasedMonitored) December 20, 2017
Conservative websites The Daily Wire and The Federalist believe that O’Donnell’s tweets do, in fact, break the law.
The New York Daily News reports that FBI officials “neither confirm nor deny investigations” into the matter.
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.

Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)































Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)















Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)














