Beijing roasts VP over “Chinese peasants” remark
Usha Vance breaks her silence on life inside MAGA politics, while Beijing slams J.D. Vance’s “Chinese peasants” remark.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #55
Usha Vance breaks her silence on life inside MAGA politics, while Beijing slams J.D. Vance’s “Chinese peasants” remark. Korean American astronaut Jonny Kim makes history aboard the ISS. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu kicks off her re-election fight amid growing federal pressure. Meanwhile, Randall Park opens up about panic attacks and parenting, Ke Huy Quan teases a “Goonies” sequel, and Jet Li gears up for his big-screen return. Plus: controversy hits K-pop, and Jennie sparks debate with a bold new photoshoot.
Usha Vance just wants to be a “normal person” in J.D.’s “very lonely” world
Usha Vance broke her silence this week in her first interview since becoming Second Lady, revealing that maintaining normalcy remains her highest priority amid the whirlwind of political life.
Aiming for normal
Vance, a Yale Law graduate who clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts, now navigates a role she says she never anticipated, acknowledging the surreal nature of her new position.
“To me, the highest priority right now is to be actually a normal person,” Vance, 39, told The Free Press. She recounted an incident last month at the Kennedy Center where she and her husband, Vice President J.D. Vance, faced hecklers during what was meant to be a simple date night.
“Obviously, our lives are not normal, and it feels almost absurd to say that they are,” she added.
A world that can be “very lonely”
The Vances’ journey began at Yale Law School in 2010, forging what friends reportedly describe as a remarkable “partnership” and “team” that has weathered significant transitions — from elite coastal circles to becoming standard-bearers of the MAGA movement. Despite her deliberately low profile, the Second Lady serves as her husband’s most trusted confidante.
“I don’t know that he’s asking me for advice so much as, it can be a very lonely, lonely world not to share with someone,” she revealed, describing their habit of discussing politics and news in the residence.
In August, she defended her husband’s past reference of Democratic leaders as “childless cat ladies,” noting that he was simply trying to highlight the challenges parents face in the country.
On being among blondes
Vance, the daughter of Indian immigrants, had been targeted by racist commentary during the campaign cycle. When asked about navigating MAGA’s aesthetic as an Indian American woman, she laughed at the suggestion of conformity.
“I’m laughing because it would be really hard for me to be blonde,” she said, adding the color “would look totally absurd.” She expressed preference for letting her hair go naturally gray, noting that her reception into the MAGA world has been “really positive.” “People don’t seem to care all that much what I look like,” she added.
The Second Lady last made headlines in March during a controversial trip to Greenland, which morphed from a cultural visit to a high-stakes diplomatic mission. The visit sparked criticism from local officials who viewed it as “highly aggressive.”
Beijing roasts J.D. Vance over “Chinese peasants” remark
Beijing rebuked Vice President J.D. Vance for his controversial comments about Chinese citizens, further inflaming diplomatic tensions amid an intensifying trade war brought about by President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
What J.D. Vance said: In a Fox News interview last Thursday, Vance criticized the “globalist economy” while defending the Trump administration’s tariffs. He claimed the U.S. was “incurring a huge amount of debt” to purchase foreign-made goods, saying “we borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture.” His comments sparked widespread backlash on Chinese social media platforms, where a related hashtag reportedly garnered over 140 million views on Weibo alone.
How China responded: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called Vance’s remarks “ignorant and disrespectful” during a press briefing Tuesday. On social media, users pointed to China’s advanced infrastructure and technology. Some also highlighted the irony of Vance’s comments given his own working-class background detailed in his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.” “This true ‘peasant’ who came out of rural America seems to have a lack of perspective,” Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times, wrote on Weibo.
The diplomatic spat occurs amid a rapidly escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies. After initially imposing broad tariffs on dozens of countries, Trump announced Wednesday a temporary reduction for most nations while simultaneously increasing duties on Chinese imports to a whopping 125%.
Jonny Kim becomes 1st Korean American astronaut to reach the ISS
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, 41, a former Navy SEAL and a Harvard-trained physician and emergency room doctor, has become the first Korean American to arrive at the International Space Station. He docked early Tuesday morning aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, marking a major milestone in a life already defined by exceptional service.
Mission overview: Kim launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome at 1:47 a.m. EDT on April 8 alongside Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. Their Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft docked with the ISS just over three hours later, at 4:57 a.m. EDT. Over the next eight months, Kim will contribute to Expeditions 72 and 73, working on scientific investigations and technology demonstrations aimed at supporting future space missions and improving life on Earth.
Moments before flight: Ahead of launch, Kim’s family joined him in Kazakhstan. His daughter asked what he’d do on his first day in space. “I'm going to look at the Earth, I'm going to think of you guys, and I'm going to try to give you a call,” he said. He is expected to return in December.
From combat to cosmos: Before joining NASA, Kim built an extraordinary resume of service across multiple fields. He completed combat deployments in Iraq as a Navy SEAL before pursuing medicine. In 2016, he graduated from Harvard Medical School and went on to treat patients at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu launches re-election campaign
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu officially launched her re-election campaign Saturday, positioning herself as a defender of Boston’s values amid increasing federal pressure from the Trump administration.
Building on momentum
Wu kicked off her campaign at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama, delivering a speech that highlighted her administration’s accomplishments and future vision for the city. “Over the last four years, I’ve seen Boston's promise and possibility every day, across every part of our city,” she told supporters. The Taiwanese American official contrasted her experience with those of her opponents, particularly Josh Kraft, stressing that “now is not the time for a mayor who needs on-the-job training” and cautioning against giving control to wealthy developers.
The campaign launch had been postponed following the birth of her daughter Mira in January. Before her announcement event, Wu participated in the “Hands Off!” rally, one of many nationwide demonstrations opposing recent actions by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Why this matters
Wu’s campaign kickoff follows her notable March 5 congressional appearance defending Boston’s sanctuary city policies alongside other urban mayors. During her testimony, she described Boston as “the safest major city in the country” while urging Congress to focus on gun reform legislation rather than targeting immigration policies. Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic political analyst, suggests her timing is perfect. “People across the country were begging elected officials to stand up to Donald Trump, to stand up to Republicans, and no one was doing it. And here she appears,” Marsh told Bloomberg.
Wu’s strong positions against federal critics have bolstered her visibility nationally while securing unprecedented support locally — including an endorsement from Boston’s police union, marking the first time in thirty years the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association has backed a sitting mayor.
Budget plans
Despite federal tensions, Wu’s attention remains on city governance with her newly announced $4.8 billion operating budget designed to navigate uncertain federal policy while preserving essential services. Though representing a 4.4% year-over-year increase, the budget axes approximately 500 positions across departments with no new hiring planned.
What’s next for Boston's groundbreaking mayor — the first woman and person of color elected to the position — will be closely monitored as she balances city leadership with increasing national political engagement. An Emerson College survey from February shows her leading with 43% support against Kraft’s 29%, establishing her as the frontrunner in a race where victory by either challenger would mark the first defeat of an incumbent Boston mayor since 1949.
American arrested in Thailand for insulting royalty
A U.S. academic facing charges of defaming Thailand’s monarchy has secured temporary release but now confronts potential deportation after Thai authorities revoked his work visa.
The allegations: Thai officials detained Paul Chambers, who teaches at Naresuan University, following accusations related to promotional text for an academic webinar held last October. Investigators claim that the content — which appeared on a Singapore-based research institute’s website — inappropriately characterized the Thai king’s role in military appointments. Chambers has denied all charges, with his defense team emphasizing, “He neither wrote nor published the blurb on the website.” Court documents show the case originated from complaints lodged by military officials, resulting in Chambers’ arrest on Tuesday.
How the U.S. is responding: Washington has voiced significant concern over Chambers’ arrest. “This case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lèse-majesté laws in Thailand,” the State Department said in its official response Tuesday. It pledged to “closely monitor” the issue and “advocate for the fair treatment” of Chambers. Meanwhile, consular officers from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok are providing Chambers assistance.
The big picture: Thailand’s strict royal defamation statute carries a substantial penalty of between three and 15 years incarceration for each violation. Civil rights monitors have documented widespread prosecution of government critics since 2020, with Thai Lawyers for Human Rights recording nearly 2,000 politically-motivated cases, including hundreds specifically for royal insult charges. Last year, a local activist died while in custody facing similar lese majeste charges, sparking calls for justice reform.
Chambers, who was temporarily freed Thursday on a 300,000 baht ($8,800) bail, now faces an uncertain future with his visa revoked and an ankle monitor attached. His legal team is racing to challenge his visa cancellation before authorities can initiate removal proceedings.
Zelensky claims Ukraine captured Chinese nationals fighting for Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced via a post on Telegram on Tuesday that two Chinese nationals, alleged to be fighting for Russia, have been captured by Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donetsk region. The development marks Kyiv’s first official accusation that Chinese citizens are directly participating in the conflict on Russia’s side, prompting diplomatic backlash and calls for clarification from Beijing.
Chinese caught in combat
Zelensky said Tuesday that Ukrainian forces engaged six Chinese nationals in a battle in Donetsk, capturing two of them. The detainees were reportedly carrying passports, bank cards and other personal documents. Zelensky told reporters that Ukrainian intelligence had identified 155 Chinese citizens allegedly fighting for Russia. “There are 155 people with surnames, with passport data — 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine,” he said.
He claimed the fighters were recruited online, trained in Moscow, and sent to the front lines with payment and migration papers. “Russia’s involvement of China in this war… is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything except end the war,” Zelensky added.
Investigation underway
To support the claim, the Ukrainian government released video footage showing one of the handcuffed individuals speaking Mandarin. He described being in combat for the first time and claimed he had never previously fired a weapon. Another detainee said he had been separated from two fellow Chinese nationals and eventually surrendered with Russian troops. Zelensky said an investigation is underway and the prisoners are in the custody of Ukraine’s security service.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha took to social media to condemn the incident, saying: “We strongly condemn Russia's involvement of Chinese citizens in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Their participation in combat against Ukrainian forces puts into question China's declared stance for peace.”
China denies state involvement
In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday it is “verifying the relevant situation” with Ukraine. Spokesperson Lin Jian reaffirmed Beijing’s position that it has always advised its citizens to stay away from conflict zones. “It is important to emphasize that the Chinese government has always instructed its citizens to avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form,” he said.
Lin also criticized Zelensky’s broader allegations as “groundless,” insisting that China is neither a party to the conflict nor a source of military aggression. “China is neither the creator nor a party to the Ukrainian crisis,” Lin added, cautioning against “irresponsible remarks” by foreign leaders.
Russia’s recruitment strategy
The purported presence of Chinese nationals on the battlefield follows similar reports of foreign fighters aligned with Russia. In January, Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region.
Russia has not commented on the capture of Chinese nationals, though the Kremlin continues to rely on mass mobilization strategies and foreign recruitment to reinforce its position. French outlet Le Monde has previously identified dozens of Chinese social media accounts on Douyin, TikTok’s Chinese counterpart, that openly discuss enlisting with the Russian army.
Ke Huy Quan reveals “Goonies” sequel is “moving forward”
At CinemaCon 2025, held in Las Vegas earlier this month, Ke Huy Quan confirmed that a long-awaited sequel to “The Goonies” is actively in development — just as the original film marks its 40th anniversary. Speaking with ET backstage, Quan shared that the project is moving forward with many of the original creative forces behind it. “Fingers crossed! We have an incredible writer writing the script — Chris Columbus. Spielberg, you know, we’ll have the same creative team,” he said. “It’s something that we’ve been developing for a long time. So, I want to be optimistic this time around. Hopefully, it'll happen soon.”
The 53-year-old actor, who rose to fame as the gadget-loving Data, also looked back on the 1985 production with deep fondness: “It was just a lot of fun. You know, all those sets were practical … going down the water slides with six other kids — who, you know, we bonded over the shoot and became brothers and sisters — that was just one of the greatest adventures of my life.”
Although the film wasn’t an immediate box office sensation, Quan noted its lasting impact came later. “We knew it was special … but when the movie came out, it wasn’t a huge hit. It was the same year that Back to the Future came out … it was a moderate hit — but once it came on home video, then it just kind of took off and became this thing that people loved and made a huge impact in people’s childhood.”
Randall Park opens up about why he ditched all social media
Actor and filmmaker Randall Park has revealed he suffered a series of panic attacks during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — episodes that ultimately pushed him to quit social media for good. “It was just so much chaos, and negativity just in the air, but also specifically online, a lot of confusion and vitriol,” Park told People, recalling the confluence of the pandemic and the 2020 U.S. election. “I had never gotten panic attacks before, but I just kept getting them one after another after another.”
After getting the help he needed, the 51-year-old star chose to permanently unplug, saying, “I don’t think it’s helping me, helping with my perspective on the world, and my just mental health.” He acknowledges missing the ability to connect with old friends, but insists, “For the most part, it just wasn’t for me.”
Park’s decision to step away from the digital noise also centered around raising a daughter on the autism spectrum. Speaking to Salon, he shared that the diagnosis initially triggered a desire to “fix her,” out of fear for how the world would treat her. But over time, that instinct shifted toward advocacy and acceptance. “The problem isn’t her,” Park said. “It’s the cruel world that she’s growing into.”
That outlook shapes much of Park’s current philosophy: “I’m not on social media. I’m not immersed in the vitriol… I just love my daughter, and we want to do what we can to make the world great for her.”
Jet Li makes big screen return after five-year hiatus
Martial arts legend Jet Li is set to return to the big screen in “Blades of the Guardians,” a live-action adaptation of the Chinese manhua “Biao Ren,” marking his first film appearance since Disney’s 2020 Mulan. While he hasn't entirely stepped away from acting, the 61-year-old star has taken on fewer film roles in recent years, maintaining a low Hollywood profile due to a shift in life priorities. In 2020, he stated that he was accepting fewer film offers due to his charity work rather than his illness, from which he had recovered. The upcoming film reunites Li with renowned director and action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping and pairs him with Wu Jing, a prominent figure in Chinese cinema. Set in 607 AD during the Sui Dynasty, the story follows a skilled escort navigating political intrigue and danger en route to Chang’an. Filming started in July 2024 in Xinjiang, with additional cast members including Nicholas Tse, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Kara Hui.
K-pop group apologizes after livestream draws accusations of cultural mockery
K-pop girl group Kiss of Life has issued a formal apology following backlash over a livestream celebrating member Julie’s 25th birthday, which many viewers deemed racially insensitive. The April 2 broadcast, themed around "old-school hip hop vibes," featured members wearing cornrows, oversized chains and adopting exaggerated mannerisms and accents associated with Black culture, prompting accusations of cultural mockery. Critics described the performance as “modern day blackface,” with one viral post stating, “They sat down, planned this, and got dressed.”
In a handwritten letter to fans on April 5, the group admitted the content was “culturally insensitive,” adding, “We take full responsibility for our actions and can only promise to do better.”
Risqué Jennie: Blackpink idol goes topless in new magazine cover
Blackpink’s Jennie has sparked strong reactions after a recent topless photoshoot for New York-based Homme Girls magazine, challenging K-pop’s traditionally conservative boundaries.
About the shoot: The bold editorial features Jennie posing topless with strategic coverage from camellia flowers and a Chanel jacket, showcasing her role as the luxury brand’s ambassador. Released on her label OA’s Instagram page on Tuesday, the provocative photos represent a continuation of her evolving solo image since her 2018 debut single “Solo” and recent album “Ruby.”
What people are saying: Critics expressed concern about Jennie’s influence on fans, with some arguing the photos could “harm the image of Asian women.” One declared the images as “porn,” while another called her wearing of such “revealing” clothes “disgusting and immoral.” Meanwhile, some zeroed in on Jennie’s physique, describing her as “really skinny.” Defenders, on the other hand, said the styling aligns with both Chanel’s aesthetic and Jennie’s personal evolution toward a more mature vibe since embarking on solo projects. One reportedly praised her as “a TRUE inspiration for women” who “doesn’t care about what haters say.”