Arts & Entertainment
Rosie O’Donnell faces backlash for offering to pay GOP senators
conservatives believe the comedian’s tweet is illegal
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.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.