‘Angry’ Michelle Obama blasts Harris’ critics who ‘pick apart’ her interview fumbles
Former first lady Michelle Obama blasted critics of Vice President Harris at a Michigan rally on Saturday, accusing them of nitpicking the Democrat nominee’s interview answers as a smokescreen for Trump’s track record.
“I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m a little frustrated that some of us are choosing to ignore Donald Trump’s gross incompetence while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every turn,” she said to a crowd of rallygoers in Kalamazoo.
“I hope that you’ll forgive me if I’m a little angry that we are indifferent to his erratic behavior, his obvious mental decline, his history as a convicted felon, a known slumlord, a predator found liable for sexual abuse… All of this while we pick apart countless answers from interviews that he doesn’t even have the courage to do, y’all.”
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She continued, “I am praying that those of us contemplating voting for Trump or not voting at all will snap out of whatever fog we are in. I am praying that we consider the decades of sacrifice and struggle by all of our ancestors, the folks who marched and sacrificed and shed their blood for us. We have to ask ourselves, ‘is a vote for Trump, or no vote at all, the way we honor their lives?’ And if that’s the case, that surely doesn’t sound like freedom to me.”
The former first lady stumped for Harris’ cause in the vital swing state, as polls indicate a neck-and-neck race between the candidates with the election showdown just nine days away.
While speaking at the rally, Obama credited Harris for “building a remarkable campaign in record time” and homed in on issues integral to her campaign, including reproductive freedoms.
She also claimed that Trump’s track record and “amoral character” would be disqualifying in any other profession.
Meantime, Harris has been under fire from Catholics for a series of questionable actions after she skipped the Al Smith dinner, allegedly mocked Christians at a recent rally, and, according to J.D. Vance, “mocked the sacrament of the Eucharist in a cringey skit with a podcaster” — moves that potentially risk her votes in battleground states with large Catholic populations.
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A day before Obama’s stump for Harris, former President Trump taped Joe Rogan’s podcast for nearly three hours in an effort to pull in more young male voters. Harris’ campaign floated an appearance on the podcast as well, but a spokesperson said she would not appear due to scheduling conflicts, according to Reuters.
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Vice President Harris has also gone 98 days without holding an official press conference since becoming the presumptive, then official, Democratic nominee. Former President Trump has contrarily held six news conferences since the beginning of August.
Like the former first lady, former President Barack Obama has also thrown his support behind Harris, calling out voters reluctant to support her at the polls.
The 2024 election is slated to go down to the wire, with all eyes on key swing states – Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona – as polls indicate no clear lead for either candidate.
Trump scores endorsement from Republican he once called to be ousted
Rep. Thomas Massie – who former President Donald Trump once said should be ousted from the Republican Party – announced on Friday that he is endorsing Trump for president.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Kentucky Republican endorsed Trump, and urged conservatives, libertarians, and independents to join him in casting their vote for the GOP presidential candidate.
“Donald Trump will put Americans first by securing our liberties at home and preventing needless wars abroad. He will make America Healthy Again by empowering small farmers and taking on special interests that have corrupted our healthcare system. He has even committed to freeing Ross Ulbricht who was wrongfully sentenced,” Massie declared in the statement.
“For these and many other reasons, he has my full endorsement,” Massie added.
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In a written comment to Fox News Digital on Sunday, Massie explained that he determined the 2024 presidential contest is “too important” for him to not “weigh-in.”
“I had a great conversation with [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] on Friday and then with Donald Trump on Saturday,” Massie noted.
“I want to be part of the alignment that puts the focus back on regular people instead of corporations and bureaucracy,” he continued. “One of the other pressing issues of our day is that our meddling overseas has put us on the brink of war, and I believe Trump is the only one who can pull us back from that. For these reasons and those mentioned in my endorsement, I came to the conclusion that this presidential election is too important for me not to weigh-in on.”
Trump publicly castigated Massie in March 2020, calling for the congressman to be tossed from the Republican Party.
“Looks like a third rate Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress. He just wants the publicity. He can’t stop it, only delay, which is both dangerous,” Trump wrote, finishing the sentence in another post by adding, “& costly.”
“Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn’t their fault. It is ‘HELL’ dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the ‘big picture’ done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!” Trump tweeted.
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Trump fired off the attack on Massie just before the lawmaker demanded a recorded vote on a massive COVID-19 pandemic-related spending measure.
Massie’s demand for a recorded vote was ultimately rejected, but the lawmaker had earned the ire not only of Trump, but also of many lawmakers who returned to D.C. during the episode.
Despite Trump’s attack, Massie went on to win a resounding victory in the June 2020 Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
Trump later changed course, issuing a full-throated endorsement of Massie shortly before the lawmaker’s 2022 primary victory.
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Last year, Massie endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president before the governor announced his White House bid.
DeSantis ultimately dropped out and endorsed Trump in January 2024 after Trump won the Iowa caucuses.
In June, Massie told Spectrum News that Trump was “endorsing non-conservatives in Republican primaries right now.”
Vulnerable Senate Democrat suffers blow as major union makes endorsement
The firefighters’ union representing Pennsylvania’s largest city endorsed Republican businessman David McCormick in the hotly contested U.S. Senate race Thursday.
The president of IAFF Local 22, the union representing more than 4,500 firefighters and first responders in Philadelphia, said this election cycle was the first time they’d met with Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. over his 12 years in office.
“Dave McCormick possesses all the qualities that will catapult us forward,” union president Mike Bresnan said at a press conference announcing the endorsement.
“We are confident that Dave McCormick will show up when we need him. He is unequivocally the right choice for senator at this pivotal moment in our country’s history.”
SENATE CANDIDATE DAVID MCCORMICK SAYS PENNSYLVANIA BELEIVES AMERICA IS ‘IN DECLINE’
Speaking at the Northern Liberties-based union hall, McCormick said that first responders see first-hand how parts of Philadelphia and the country at-large are struggling and facing the repercussions of lax criminal justice policies.
“We’re here today to talk about exactly why these folks are voting for change, as opposed to the status quo,” he said.
“We have urban decay, skyrocketing murder rates. They’re making sections of this incredible city a terrifying place to raise children,” he said, as he stood only a mile or so from Kensington, the North Philadelphia neighborhood often dubbed “America’s largest open-air drug market.”
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He pointed to “Soros-funded prosecutors” in terms of progressive law enforcement policies, naming Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, as one who has “undermined the rule of law” in his work.
“[Casey] has essentially supported policies that have made the jobs of these [firefighters and first responders] a lot tougher. He supports liberal prosecutors like Larry Krasner. He refuses to stand up for a tough order and tough border policies and voted against a total of $800 million in funds for opioid and narcotic detection in the Senate.”
McCormick added that Casey also voted against Kate’s Law, a bill that would mandate minimum imprisonment for illegal immigrant felons, after a young woman was murdered by a Mexican national several years ago on a San Francisco pier.
The Republican nodded to the fact that the IAFF’s local in Philadelphia endorsed Casey in his re-election bid against former Hazleton mayor and U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., in 2018, appearing to suggest that the nod his way this year was groundbreaking.
McCormick concluded by criticizing Casey and others over the closure of the PYREX manufacturing plant in Charleroi, Washington County, Pa., where the company is based.
“He ignored the union workers there for weeks. He only spoke to them after he heard that I was standing with them in solidarity.”
Adding to the endorsement, Bresnan said Thursday that McCormick “is unequivocally the right choice for senator at this pivotal moment in our country’s history.”
A Casey campaign spokesperson said the senator enjoys support from law enforcement and firefighter groups.
“Senator Casey has a long and clear record of working alongside law enforcement and first responders and delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to support them – that’s why he has the backing of current and retired law enforcement and the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association,” said Kate Smart. “While Senator Casey is working hard to keep Pennsylvanians safe, his opponent screwed over the pension funds of firefighters and police while charging them outrageous fees, contributing to cuts to their benefits.”
Still, Philadelphia, both the largest and bluest city in Pennsylvania, has received more attention from statewide Republicans in recent races.
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In 2022, Dr. Mehmet Oz visited Kensington to treat the drug addicts in the infamous neighborhood. Former President Donald Trump also stopped just outside the city limits in Trevose recently for his widely-covered “shift” at the local McDonald’s’ drive-thru.
Trump had held an event in Center City earlier in the campaign cycle to celebrate the release of new, branded footwear he was hawking.
The former president’s 2016 win was bolstered by votes in Philadelphia’s once-reliably moderate-Republican western and northern suburbs – an area that became disaffected with the right in 2020 in supporting Joe Biden and in 2022 in helping to elect Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Experts warn of hidden election threat with unexpected impact on everyday Americans
The imminent presidential election is having an impact on Americans’ mental health.
A recent national survey by AMFM, a residential mental health treatment system based in California, analyzed the anxiety levels of 2,000 Americans during an election year.
Nearly 22% of the respondents reported that election coverage was having a negative effect on their mental health.
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Navigating misinformation (57%) and “doom and gloom” messaging (56%) were identified as key stressors, as well as concern about the election’s aftermath (54%) and worry that their candidate of choice would not win (42%).
Overall, 30% of respondents reported increased anxiety related to the election, 22% said they felt overwhelmed and 18% experienced anger.
Almost 53% said they avoid election-related conversations to prevent anxiety.
More than 73% of respondents have not sought support for election-related anxiety – and don’t plan to, they said.
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AMFM concluded that it is crucial for individuals to “seek balance, limit their exposure to anxiety-inducing content, and consider seeking support when needed.”
Another survey by LifeStance Health – a mental health care network headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona – found that the presidential election is a “significant source of stress and anxiety” for Americans.
The survey, which polled over 1,000 Americans online in August 2024, found that 79% of people experience election anxiety.
Younger Americans are more likely to be affected, the results showed, including 64% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials.
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More than half (57%) of respondents said they think about the election daily, while 31% said they think about it multiple times a day.
Meanwhile, 44% of Gen Zers have postponed major milestones in their lives such as moving, going to college, getting married or having kids because of anxiety about the political climate.
This anxiety is also driven by friends and family, as 44% of respondents said political or election-related discussions have led to conflicts.
More than two-thirds (72%) of respondents said social media and other news coverage contribute to their election anxiety, while 34% admitted to unfollowing or blocking a friend or family member on social media due to their political views.
Alleviating election anxiety
Some mental health experts refer to political-related anxiety as “election stress disorder,” according to MK Clarkin, a licensed clinical social worker and executive clinical director at LifeStance Health in St. Louis, Missouri.
“People often report increased anxiety, depression, trouble focusing and more,” she told Fox News Digital. “Feeling a deep sense of losing control over personal lives understandably creates a sense of distress for many people.”
Experts shared a few coping methods to help keep your mental health in check through the election.
6 tips to calm down
1. Practice grounding techniques
Christina Kayanan, a licensed therapist in California and executive director of AMFM, suggested practicing grounding techniques, such as the 5-4-3-2-1 method, to help bring your focus away from worrying about the future and back to the present.
“In this exercise, you acknowledge five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste,” she shared with Fox News Digital. “Grounding can disrupt anxious thought patterns and restore a sense of control.”
2. Build a self-care routine
Building a self-care routine, including mindfulness, meditation, exercise and deep breathing, can help calm the nervous system, according to Kayanan.
“A routine helps structure your day, giving you something predictable to rely on,” she said. “Even small, consistent habits, like journaling or taking short walks, can make a significant difference in managing anxiety.”
3. Challenge unhelpful thoughts
Unhelpful thoughts can include “all-or-nothing” thinking and catastrophizing a situation, which Kayanan noted can intensify anxiety.
People should edentify these thought patterns and challenge them with “evidence-based thinking,” the expert suggested.
“Ask yourself, ‘What evidence do I have for this thought? Is there another way to look at this situation?’” she advised.
“By reframing anxious thoughts, you can reduce their emotional impact and regain a sense of balance.”
4. Limit caffeine and alcohol
Both substances can make anxiety symptoms worse by overstimulating the nervous system and impairing our “natural ability” to manage stress, according to Kayanan.
Reducing these substances could help decrease physical anxiety symptoms and help maintain a “more balanced emotional state,” the expert said.
5. Set healthy boundaries
Kayanan promoted setting clear boundaries in relationships, work or social settings to reduce anxiety.
This might include saying no in certain situations, delegating tasks and setting limits on social media to prevent overstimulation and burnout.
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These boundaries can also apply to election-related content, which Clarkin advised people to “be selective” about.
“Don’t be afraid to set boundaries around your digital consumption — set a ‘screen time’ limit, mute or unfollow accounts that share harmful content, and fact-check sources,” she advised.
Clarkin also discouraged engaging in political discussions on social media.
“Most people do not post political content with the intention of having their minds changed via dialogue,” she said.
“So your energy is better spent on something else.”
6. Try progressive muscle relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a method that involves tensing and slowly relaxing different muscle groups “from your toes to your head,” Kayanan said.
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The technique can help relieve physical tensions associated with anxiety, while increasing awareness of where you might be holding stress in your body.
“Practicing PMR can lead to greater relaxation and reduce overall anxiety levels by promoting a connection between body and mind,” she said.
Those who experience worsening anxiety or ongoing anxiety should reach out to a medical professional for help.
NBA coach takes game presser as a platform to slam presidential candidate
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich went on a lengthy rant against former President Trump on Saturday before the team took on the Houston Rockets.
Popovich was asked about the importance of the presidential election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris and that’s when he took nearly 15 minutes to rail against the business mogul.
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“He’s a pathetic individual. He’s a small man who has to make everybody around him smaller so he thinks he’s gonna be bigger,” Popovich said. “And isn’t that the same thing we tell all of our kids in grade school? That’s not how you act. That’s not what you do.”
After declaring that Harris won their only debate and railing against some of Trump’s biggest supporters, including Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Ted Cruz, R-Texas and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., he offered a warning.
“Now, the danger follows the delusion and our kids and grandkids are gonna have to live with what this guy puts out there,” he said.
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“I’m just hoping people who are already sold on him for whatever reason, I can’t figure it out… The ones that stay home and don’t vote are the ones that worry me because we need everybody to vote. I hope that they won’t stay home, that they’ll understand that this guy is a scam artist. He’s great at it. I’ll give him credit for that. He’s the best ever, but he makes you want to puke.”
Popovich also said he couldn’t wrap his head around why young college-aged kids were in support of Trump.
“What does he say or do that they want to vote for him? They must think he’s a strong guy,” he added. “This is the biggest whiner that ever walked the face of the earth. He’s like the poorest example of a fifth-grade bully I’ve ever seen. I mean, would you want your kids to act like he does?”
Popovich has been a longtime anti-Trump voice going back to when Trump first entered the presidential race and later defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
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Trump lost to President Biden in 2020 and is now in a neck-and-neck race with Harris for the White House.
The risky move the Menendez brothers might make if freed and how it could backfire
The Menendez brothers, who killed their parents in a 1989 Beverly Hills living room ambush with shotguns, have a new shot at freedom after the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office recommended reduced sentences for them this week.
They had previously exhausted all appeals and have been serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole since their convictions in the 1990s.
A shift in public awareness of how sex abuse impacts male victims, renewed scrutiny after a series of documentaries and TV dramatizations, and purported new evidence in the case all played a role in DA George Gascon’s decision, the district attorney told reporters Thursday.
But now that they have a real shot at freedom, pop culture expert Perez Hilton says the recent release of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who pleaded guilty to taking part in the slaying of her abusive mother in 2016, may give a hint at what will happen next for the brothers. She became an overnight internet sensation after her release.
WATCH ON FOX NATION: MENENDEZ BROTHERS: VICTIMS OR VILLAINS?
Prospects for money
Calling himself “Perez-stradamus” in a nod to the French astrologer Nostradamus, Perez predicts that the brothers will have a chance to rake in money on day one.
Just by telling their own stories, he said – even though they’ve been stripped of their multimillion-dollar inheritances under a state law that bars killers from profiting off their victims’ demise.
“They will have a smart team of everyone they would possibly need – an agent, a manager or a publicist, a business manager,” Hilton told Fox News Digital. “They will set them up financially for the rest of their lives.”
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The other side of that intense public interest in their case – is close scrutiny from paparazzi, Hilton predicted.
“It will be even more so than what we have seen the last few weeks and months following them around, guaranteed the paparazzi,” he told Fox News Digital. “There will be at least one or two photographers and videographers dedicated to them, wherever they end up in the United States.”
Love life
At least one brother may end up getting divorced, he predicted.
“Imagine that, like all of a sudden you’ve been locked in prison for 34 plus years, you married someone because you never thought you were going to get out – then all of a sudden you’re free,” Hilton told Fox News Digital. “You’re on social media. You quickly learn the ways of social media and, the thing is, even while in prison, they had women sending them letters. That’s how they met their wives. . . . Their DMS are going to be flooded.”
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Public perception
The brothers have picked up a lot of support due to the recent attention brought to their case by streaming docuseries.
The same interest that could land them book deals and production contracts is going to get them paid, Hilton noted.
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“There is a lot of goodwill for the Menendez brothers, [but] people, not all of them, but a lot of people will turn on them,” he predicted.
Buying a multimillion-dollar new home, or a flashy car could wind up rubbing people the wrong way, he said.
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However – unlike other disgraced Los Angeles residents, like OJ Simpson, Harvey Weinstein and, more recently, Sean “Diddy” Combs, the brothers can say that they were victims, too.
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“None of those people are victims,” he said. “Gypsy Rose Blanchard is a victim, and that’s one of the reasons why she’s been able to monetize as well as she has, upon her release from prison.
“So I think the fact that it’s been documented, according to this new evidence and according to their testimony from decades ago and consistent through today, they’ve been victims that will help them continue to get a lot of empathy from people.”
If Los Angeles Judge William Ryan agrees with the reduced sentencing recommendation, the brothers will be eligible for parole.
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They still would have to get approval from the parole board and the governor before they could go free.
Country music stars join forces at concert to raise staggering sum for hurricane victims
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Luke Combs and Eric Church led the star-studded Concert for Carolina on Saturday, which raised over $24.5 million for relief efforts in the Carolina region following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
Attended by over 82,000 concert-goers, the event featured performances by James Taylor, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Bailey Zimmerman, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice, The Avett Brothers and Parmalee as well as surprise appearances by Nicole Kidman and Randy Travis.
Hosted by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Barstool Sports’ Caleb Pressley, the benefit show – organized by Combs and Church in less than a month – took place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Here are some of the top highlights from the star-studded event.
HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF CONCERT BRINGS COUNTRY STARS LUKE COMBS, ERIC CHURCH BACK HOME TO NORTH CAROLINA
Eric Church announces that his organization will build 100 homes for hurricane victims
Eric Church performed numerous times throughout the night, and also made a major announcement in a video that was played on the stadium’s screen. The country star, who hails from Granite Falls, N.C., revealed that Chief Cares has a plan to build 100 houses for North Carolinians whose homes have been devastated by the hurricane.
“I come from the mountains of North Carolina,” Church said in the video message. “It’s what made me. It’s my home. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me. I wouldn’t make the music that I make if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me.”
He continued, “When Hurricane Helene happened, it devastated those communities. These are hard-working, poor communities that rely on each other. And any time a community needs help, it’s always the community next door that comes running in to help. And there are no communities next door. They’ve all been devastated.”
“So we made it our mission at Chief Cares that we’re going to be the community next door,” Church explained. “We’ve come up with a plan called Blueprint for the Blue Ridge. We’re going to put 100 families in homes that have lost their homes in Avery County and the surrounding areas — one of the worst hit areas. In an area that I spent half of my years, an area I’ve had a lot of inspiration and gained a lot of inspiration, in an area I’ve made five records in. And we’re going to go and keep those people in their community, put a roof over their heads, let them interact with their community, let them be a part of their community, and let them help rebuild the community.”
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Church went on to say that Chief Cares had plans for a second part of the initial phase which will exceed the goal of building 100 homes.
“I hope it’s a lot of homes,” he said. “A lot more than 100 homes. I hope it’s about building the businesses and building the community back. That’s what we’re committing to at Chief Cares and we would love your help.”
Church asked fans to visit his organization’s website ChiefCares.com to find ways to help and contribute to Blueprint for the Blue Ridge.
“And we will rebuild western North Carolina,” he declared.
Nicole Kidman makes surprise onstage appearance to celebrate Keith Urban’s birthday
During the concert, Church introduced Keith Urban, noting that the Australian singer was “one of the guys that I’ve always been able to call and count on”
“Even before I can ask the question, he just says, ‘Yes, and whose car are we taking?’” Church said. “He’s one of my favorite musicians. We did a lot of stuff together. You guys are in for a treat.”
After Urban performed his hits “Blue Ain’t Your Favorite Color” and “Wasted Time,” he announced that he wanted to bring “somebody” up to the stage to help him reintroduce Church.
“My wife is over here tonight. Come on, baby girl.” he said as the audience erupted into cheers. “We’re here for everybody, baby.”
The crowd continued cheering as Urban’s wife Nicole Kidman took the stage. The A-list actress, who was clad in a black velvet and leather jacket with dark blue jeans, smiled as she took the microphone from her husband.
“So happy to be here with everyone tonight because of Eric giving Keith a call,” Kidman said.
“I do want to say it’s his birthday tonight,” she continued. “And he went, ‘The one thing I can do…'”
“And he wanted to be here with you,” Kidman added while the audience cheered even louder. “So here we go. Eric Church called him and here we are.”
“One more time, Eric Church, come on up here, brother!” Urban called out as he put his arm around Kidman. The couple shared a quick kiss before Church joined them on the stage and hugged Kidman.
The crowd joined in as Church sang “Happy Birthday” to Urban, who turned 57 on Saturday. The two musicians then performed a duet of “Raise Em’ Up.”
“I love you, Carolina!” Urban exclaimed at the end of the song. “God bless you!”
Dolly Parton donates $1 million provided by Jeff Bezos to benefit concert
While co-hosting the show, Marty Smith shared a special message from Dolly Parton. Earlier this month, the country legend donated $1 million of her own money to The Mountain Ways Foundation to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Parton’s Dollywood also contributed an additional $1 million to the relief.
“She asked me to read this statement for you guys,” Smith told the audience as he began reading, “‘It’s so wonderful that Eric and Luke are doing this show to help their people here in North Carolina. Thank you all for being here tonight. You may have heard Jeff Bezos with Amazon dedicated money to Dolly to direct to causes that she cares about. So I want you to know that I’m directing $1 million on his behalf to the Concert for Carolina Chief Cares tohelp my neighbors in North Carolina with recovery efforts.'”
HURRICANE HELENE: DOLLY PARTON, MORGAN WALLEN, MIRANDA LAMBERT HELP WITH DISASTER RELIEF
Parton’s statement continued, “I know money won’t solve all the pain and suffering these floods have caused, but maybe it will help some of our people with recovery. It’ll take all of us working together, but we can do it.'”
“‘Love, Dolly.'” the statement concluded.
Sheryl Crow joins Eric Church on stage for a duet of ‘Picture’
During the concert, Church took the stage, telling the audience that he was going to perform a song that he had “never done in my life.”
Church began singing Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s 2001 collaboration “Picture.” To cheers from the audience, Crow joined him on stage after the first verse and the two stars performed a duet.
“Wow, that was fun!” Crow said at the end of the song. “I just got to sing ‘Picture’ with Eric Church. I just have to absorb that for a minute.”
Crow then performed two of her biggest hits, “Every Day Is a Winding Road,” and “If It Makes You Happy.”
“We’re in it with you,” she told the crowd before singing, “It’s a joy and a pleasure and a blessing to be here.”
Randy Travis takes the stage in a surprise appearance
Country music icon and North Carolina native Randy Travis made a surprise appearance alongside his wife Mary as the pair took the stage to thunderous cheers from the crowd.
Travis, who survived a near-fatal stroke in 2013 that has limited his ability to speak or sing, smiled and waved at the crowd while Mary shared words of support for the victims of Hurricane Helene.
Mary noted that during the Country Music Hall of Famer’s travels, Travis “always said it was North Carolina that he missed the most.”
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“We’re blessed to be back,” she said. “Tonight, we just ask you to spend a little time saying a prayer for those people that lost so much in the storms of life on that September the 30th. We asked God’s grace, his amazing grace. We ask for their hope. We ask for their patience. We ask for their perseverance.”
“We thank you so much for being here,” Mary told the crowd. “Thank you for loving Randy Travis all these years.”
James Taylor performed ‘Carolina in My Mind’
At a press conference ahead of the concert, Combs and Church shared the story of how they were able to enlist the legendary James Taylor to perform at the show.
“I was like, ‘I have to get James Taylor,'” Church said at the conference. “Like I just, I have to hear ‘Carolina in my Mind’ in this stadium. So I made it my mission, and I’m pretty sure after talking to James last night, I think I stalked him.”
LUKE COMBS AND ERIC CHURCH SHARE HEARTWARMING STORY OF HOW THEY SECURED JAMES TAYLOR FOR CONCERT FOR CAROLINA
Church and Combs’ efforts paid off and Taylor took the stage on Saturday, performing “Carolina in my Mind” along with other hits including “Fire and Rain,” “Copperline,” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend.”
“I’d like to thank Luke and Eric, particularly for making me part of this tonight and inviting me to join you all here,” Taylor said.
Luke Combs shares heartfelt tribute to home state of North Carolina
Luke Combs was the final headliner to take the stage on Saturday night. In between performances, Combs thanked everyone who had helped him and Church organize the benefit concert “from the bottom of my heart.”
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“It’s been a monumental effort on so many people’s lives to make this show happen,” he said noting that “28 days ago, we put together this show that should have taken a year and a half to put together.”
The Asheville, N.C. native also shared memories of growing up in his home state and reflected on the devastation wrought by Helene.
“I wanted to have a good time tonight. I knew I wanted you all to have a good time tonight. But I knew also that I couldn’t ignore the gravity of the situation that we’re all in,” Combs said. “I haven’t been up that mountain yet myself. I have so many friends and family who are here tonight who live every day of their lives up that hill. And the things that I’ve seen, the things that I have heard are beyond words. And I think that there are a lot of you in this crowd who know that tonight.”
He continued, “I know my parents are at home watching, and I know that so many of my friends and family are at home who aren’t here with us tonight. And I don’t know what else to say other than I love you guys. I love North Carolina. I love where I come from.”
After it was announced that the concert had raised over $24.5 million, Combs and Church closed out the night on a high note with a performance of their song. “Does To Me.”
All proceeds will be split equally and distributed to Combs’ and Church’s organizations of their choosing in support of relief efforts across the Carolinas and the Southeast, according to a press release.
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Combs’ portion will be distributed among Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC.
Church’s organization Chief Cares is focused on helping established charities and organizations that are well-managed, organized and can expedite aid directly to the families affected by Hurricane Helene.