Daniel Dae Kim makes history
Daniel Dae Kim has made history as the first Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) actor to be nominated for best leading actor in a play at the Tony Awards.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #65
A Harvard dropout joins Elon Musk’s federal AI squad and says his alma mater now “hates” him. Kamala Harris resurfaces with a sharp rebuke of Trump’s first 100 days. ICE faces scrutiny after the death of a Vietnamese refugee with dementia. Plus: Daniel Dae Kim makes Tony history, Jonny Kim cooks gochujang burgers in space, and Michigan’s only Asian American woman lawmaker stands up to a public smear.
DOGE member says friends ditched him, Harvard alma mater “hates me”
Ethan Shaotran, a 22-year-old former Harvard student, said he has been ostracized by classmates after dropping out to join a federal reform team led by Elon Musk under the Trump administration.
“I dropped out of Harvard and came here to serve my country and it’s been unfortunate to see lost friendships,” Shaotran said in a May 1 interview with Fox News. “Most of campus hates me now.”
Leaving Harvard behind
Shaotran left Harvard during his senior year, where he studied computer science and was known for his work in artificial intelligence. He previously founded Energize AI, a scheduling assistant for professionals that received a $100,000 grant from OpenAI in 2023.
He reportedly came to Musk’s attention after participating in a hackathon organized by xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence company. Shaotran joined DOGE, an initiative launched by executive order under President Donald Trump.
The team includes Akash Bobba, Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian and Gavin Kliger — all aged under 25 — and has been placed in agencies such as the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration, where they are tasked with identifying inefficiencies and proposing technological reforms.
DOGE under fire
The initiative has come under scrutiny for giving young technologists access to sensitive government systems. DOGE’s actions have drawn criticism over a lack of oversight and reports that some members have acted without proper identification or authority in federal agencies.
Despite this, Shaotran defended the group’s work. “I hope people realize through conversations like this that reform is genuinely needed,” he said. “If there’s one group of people who really have a shot at success, it’s the people here. They’re up until 2 a.m., Monday through Sunday. DOGE did not recognize weekends.”
Since joining the program, Shaotran said he has lost friends and faced significant criticism from former classmates. Other DOGE members have reportedly received email threats. One online post featuring DOGE staffers’ photos included the phrase “Dead or Alive.”
Federal law enforcement was reportedly dispatched to protect the families of several DOGE members.
Harvard versus Trump
Shaotran’s interview come amid escalating tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration. The university is suing the federal government after Trump froze $2 billion in funding, accusing Harvard of failing to eliminate antisemitism on campus and dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Trump said Harvard would no longer receive any government grants if it refused to meet new conditions. Harvard, in response, accused the administration of attempting to micromanage academic affairs and undermine research programs.
The “China link” blamed for “Signalgate” is ousted amid MAGA pressure campaign
Deputy national security adviser Alex Wong was the target of a Laura Loomer conspiracy theory
Alex Wong, the principal deputy national security adviser under Mike Waltz, was removed from his post on May 1 amid the fallout from the "Signalgate" scandal, which exposed sensitive military plans through an unsecured messaging app. His exit comes alongside the removal of Waltz, who has since been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Wong's role in the Signal chat leak
In March, Waltz inadvertently added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat discussing a planned U.S. strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen. Wong, who had helped organize the virtual group for real-time coordination, was subsequently tasked with assembling a “tiger team” — an emergency task force — to mitigate damage and assess exposure.
Despite the swift internal response, the leak sparked bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill about the Trump administration’s use of personal messaging platforms to discuss classified military operations. Security officials criticized the lack of formal vetting and encryption safeguards.
The “China link”
The dismissal of Wong, a prominent China hawk and Taiwan supporter, also followed escalating pressure from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has publicly and privately campaigned for the removal of National Security Council staff she deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump.
Suggesting a “China link” was the reason the scandal went public, Loomer targeted Wong specifically by negatively highlighting his wife’s Chinese heritage and reviving discredited claims about his family's background and past business dealings with China. While many of her assertions were unsupported by evidence, they gained traction within Trump’s MAGA-aligned inner circle.
Official reasoning and broader implications
The removals of Waltz and Wong represent the most significant reshuffle in Trump’s national security leadership since the start of his current term. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed interim national security adviser as the administration evaluates permanent replacements.
While some reports suggest that the dismissals were due to the mishandling of classified information and internal tensions, the White House not provided an official explanation.
Kamala Harris returns to the political stage with sharp rebuke of Trump
Her next major move may be announced by summer’s end
Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her first major speech since her 2024 electoral defeat last Wednesday, offering a blistering critique of President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office while carefully positioning herself for a potential political comeback.
“We are ready for it”
Speaking at the Emerge Gala in San Francisco, Harris accused Trump of implementing an agenda that amounts to the “wholesale abandonment” of America’s highest ideals. She specifically targeted his economic policies, claiming his tariffs are “clearly inviting a recession” and setting off “the greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history.”
Harris also warned that Trump’s conflicts with the courts were moving the nation toward a constitutional crisis. “We are living in a moment where the checks and balances on which we have historically relied have begun to buckle,” she said.
Despite her criticism, Harris struck a note of resilience. “Courage is contagious,” she told the cheering crowd, adding, “Things are probably going to get worse before they get better, but we are ready for it.”
Why this matters
Harris’ return to the spotlight comes at a critical juncture for Democrats searching for leadership after their 2024 defeat. Her reemergence suggests a calculated return to political discourse after making only limited public appearances since Trump’s victory, in which he won all seven battleground states and secured a popular vote margin exceeding 2.5 million.
Multiple polls on Trump’s first 100 days in office, however, highlight significant discontent. Ahead of them, an AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll released last month shows that AANHPIs disapprove of Trump’s actions on the economy and trade (71%), management of the federal government (68%) and government spending (63%) — percentages higher than the general population.
What’s next
Sources familiar with Harris’ thinking reportedly indicate she is looking at three options: a 2026 gubernatorial bid in California, another presidential run in 2028 or stepping away from elected office entirely. She is expected to announce her next move by the end of summer, with advisors believing she needs to clarify her intentions for the governor’s race by then at the latest.
In the meantime, Harris is scheduled to headline a major Democratic National Committee fundraiser in New York in May, as she gradually increases her political activities and private outreach to Democratic officials and strategists.
Vietnamese refugee suffering from dementia dies in ICE custody in Texas
A 55-year-old Vietnamese refugee with dementia reportedly died of natural causes while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Long Term Acute Care Hospital in El Paso, Texas on April 16.
“Some negligence”?
Nhon Ngoc Nguyen, who came to the U.S. in July 1983 and was granted legal status under the Refugee Act of 1980, was detained during a Feb. 24 appointment with ICE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he had been living since 2018. An autopsy revealed that he died of acute pneumonia, with dementia listed as a secondary cause.
However, his attorney, Tin Nguyen, said his family believes there was “some negligence” on ICE’s part. “We don’t know the details of what happened in his last days at the hospital,” Tin Nguyen told the Albuquerque Journal. “I think there are a lot of questions that need to be answered in how ICE treats people who are sick.”
The family, who lives in Dallas, reportedly did not know Nguyen’s whereabouts from mid-February until late March when ICE informed them he was ready for release but required constant medical care.
What ICE is saying
In a press release, ICE noted that Nguyen had a 1991 conviction for second-degree murder in California, which violated his residency terms. The agency said he was arrested “based on his final order of removal with the significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future to Vietnam” following a 2013 deportation order.
From Feb. 26 until his death, Nguyen was transferred multiple times between the El Paso Processing Center and hospitals for treatment. The agency said it “coordinated closely with Nguyen’s attorney to identify and contact Nguyen’s family members able to take custody and care for him in the United States to no avail.”
ICE maintained that it “remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments” and that “comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay.”
Sparking protest
Nguyen’s death has drawn attention from immigrant rights activists. At May Day rallies across New Mexico on May 1, thousands reportedly gathered in events that celebrated workers and expressed solidarity with those targeted by the Trump administration, including immigrants.
Attendees in Albuquerque’s Tiguex Park carried Nguyen’s photo. A statement from his nephew, Duke Nguyen, was read aloud.
Indian American student wearing pro-Trump hat attacked near WSU
A Washington State University (WSU) electrical engineering student was reportedly assaulted by a graduate student and a staff member while wearing a pro-Donald Trump hat near campus in February.
What happened
Jay Sani, a 25-year-old junior, was attacked outside The Coug, a popular bar near campus on Feb. 28. Patrick Mahoney, a 34-year-old graduate student, allegedly grabbed Sani’s “Trump 2024 TAKE AMERICA BACK” hat and threw it into the road. When Sani responded by throwing his food bag toward Mahoney, both Mahoney and Gerald Hoff, a 24-year-old research assistant, allegedly took Sani to the ground and each delivered a punch.
“I’m an engineering student that wants to get the degree, and move on. So what if I like someone that you don’t like,” Sani wrote in a Facebook post. “We have the First Amendment, and it’s not okay that just because you don’t like that person, I should be attacked for it.”
Arrest and charges
Body camera footage reportedly shows both men admitting to striking Sani, with Mahoney hitting him in the face and Hoff striking his legs. Both suspects were arrested, charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and later released. According to police reports, Mahoney, who wore a shirt reading “MARX WAS RIGHT,” told officers, “You wanna wear the hat, hey, there’s gonna be a price to pay.”
Fired from teaching
WSU has since relieved Mahoney of all teaching responsibilities, while Hoff has been terminated from his staff position. Phil Weiler, WSU vice president of marketing and communications, told KREM 2, “There’s no place on our campus for people who may be disrespectful, may be unwilling to let people express their views.”
Sani said he is sharing the news “because of how toxic the left has gotten.” The 2018 Pullman High School graduate, who also serves as president of the WSU College Republicans and secretary of the WSU chapter of the conservative group Turning Point USA, has pre-trial hearings scheduled for May 22 for Hoff and May 29 for Mahoney.
The Rebel Yellow has reached out to Sani for updates.
Wisconsin forms Legislative Asian Caucus in historic first
Three Wisconsin Democratic representatives announced the formation of the state’s first Legislative Asian Caucus on Thursday, marking the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Who they are
The caucus includes Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), the daughter of Korean immigrants who was first elected in 2020, alongside freshmen lawmakers Rep. Angelito Tenorio (D-West Allis), the first Filipino American elected to the state Legislature, and Rep. Renuka Mayadev (D-Madison), the first South Asian American elected to the Assembly.
Hong, who chairs the caucus, said it ensures Asian American communities are better represented, heard and included in legislative work. “AANHPI communities in Wisconsin have been integral to the fabric of Wisconsin for generations. However, their needs are often not part of policy conversations,” she noted. Meanwhile, Tenorio pledged, “We’re here to fight for justice, strengthen our communities and make Wisconsin the best it can be for everyone.”
Why it matters
The caucus forms as Asian Americans constitute 6% of Wisconsin’s population, with the state hosting the nation’s third-largest Hmong community. Last year, Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, honoring Hmong Lao veterans who fought alongside U.S. troops during the Vietnam War.
The group will host events throughout May highlighting Asian American contributions, including sessions focused on Japanese internment, celebrating the Hmong community and uplifting Filipino stories. “Our hope is that this Caucus will foster new connections for advocacy, policymaking and collaboration,” Mayadev said.
Michigan lawmaker responds to colleague’s insults that she is “very low IQ”
Michigan State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) issued a forceful response after House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) publicly called her “a very low IQ representative” and “probably one of the dumbest ones in the legislature” during a press briefing on April 30.
What happened
The confrontation began when Hall launched into a series of insults directed at Xiong after she criticized him for canceling the previous day’s legislative session to attend a rally with President Donald Trump marking his first 100 days in office. “We have this very low IQ representative named Mai Xiong, probably one of the dumbest ones in the Legislature, and I saw this video of her, and she’s like ‘the House Speaker is not here today. We need to have session. You know? We need to work for the people of Michigan, Macomb County,’” Hall told reporters.
He then defended his absence, saying he was “delivering a new mission with President Trump for Selfridge Air Force Base” while claiming Xiong was “doing nothing for her county and for her district.”
Standing up to “bullies”
Xiong, the first Hmong American elected to the Michigan House — and currently the only Asian American woman in the Michigan legislature — responded with a statement later that day, saying she was “deeply disheartened and disappointed” by Hall’s remarks. “These words weren’t just disrespectful — they were meant to demean, belittle and devalue,” she said. She also countered Hall’s claims by highlighting her legislative work and criticizing Hall for allegedly violating the Michigan Constitution by “hijacking” nine bills, including one she authored to support public workers.
In a follow-up statement over the weekend, Xiong emphasized the importance of accountability. “I want my children and others to know that standing up to bullies is always the right thing to do,” she stressed. “I want them to see that strong leadership means lifting others up not tearing them down.”
This is not the first time Xiong has had to deal with offensive remarks. Last year, she was also forced to release a statement after facing racially motivated attacks on social media, including accusations that she is a member of the Chinese Communist Party.
Daniel Dae Kim is the 1st Asian American to be nominated for Tony lead actor award
Daniel Dae Kim has made history as the first Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) actor to be nominated for best leading actor in a play at the Tony Awards, earning recognition for his role in the Broadway revival of “Yellow Face.” The 2025 nominations, announced May 1, mark a groundbreaking year for Asian representation on Broadway.
Kim plays a satirical version of playwright David Henry Hwang in “Yellow Face,” a semi-autobiographical play exploring race and identity. The production also earned nominations for best revival of a play and best featured actor in a play for Francis Jue.
This year’s ceremony shattered previous records with seven Asian performers nominated across acting categories — more than any other year in Tony history. In addition to Kim and Jue, nominees include Conrad Ricamora (“Oh, Mary!”), Darren Criss (“Maybe Happy Ending”), Nicole Scherzinger (“Sunset Boulevard”) and Iranian actresses Tala Ashe and Marjan Neshat (English), the first Asian performers ever nominated for featured actress in a play.
Kim’s milestone follows in the legacy of BD Wong, who became the first Asian actor to win a Tony in 1988 for “M. Butterfly,” also written by Hwang. Only four Asian performers — Wong, Lea Salonga, Michael Aronov and Ruthie Ann Miles — have won Tonys to date.
The 78th Annual Tony Awards will air live on June 8 from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Korean American astronaut Jonny Kim shares gochujang burger recipe from space
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, the first Korean American to fly to space, recently shared a video of himself preparing and eating a burger made with Taeyang gochujang aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
In an Instagram post dated April 30, the 41-year-old introduced his “ranger burger,” writing, "If you've lived on MREs (military-issued meals ready to eat), you've probably tried some creative field recipes."
The ranger burger is a simple hamburger that U.S. soldiers make as instant food, similar to Korea’s “gundaria.” Kim’s version featured steak, cheese and potato gratin stacked on wheat snack bread, topped generously with gochujang. “I miss my family’s cooking, and this was quite fitting,” he wrote.
He took a photo of the floating meal inside the Unity module, which connects the U.S. and Russian segments of the station. The module contains a shared table where astronauts and cosmonauts often gather for group meals.
Kim was selected as one of 12 astronaut candidates from a pool of about 18,000 applicants in 2017 and officially joined NASA’s astronaut corps in 2020. He arrived at the ISS on April 8 aboard the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft and is scheduled to spend about seven more months conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations.
“Weird” … Mark Zuckerberg gifts wife Priscilla Chan a 7-foot turquoise statue of herself
Mark Zuckerberg recently confessed that his wife Priscilla Chan was unimpressed by the seven-foot turquoise and silver statue of herself that appeared on their front lawn last August.
Catch up: Zuckerberg first unveiled the statue created by pop artist Daniel Arsham on Instagram, claiming he was “bringing back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife.” Chan, who was then photographed with the sculpture, wrote in the comments, “The more of me the better?” along with a heart emoji. The extravagant gift joins a list of unusual gestures from the Meta chief, including a customized Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT in October and a Benson Boone-inspired piano performance for Chan’s 40th birthday in February.
“That’s weird”: In a recent appearance on the “This Past Weekend” podcast, Zuckerberg revealed that Chan was not actually receptive to the lawn sculpture. “I don’t think she was that happy with it,” Zuckerberg admitted, adding that she was a “good sport” nonetheless. “She doesn’t want a sculpture of her in the front lawn — that’s weird,” he continued. He confessed the statue was more for himself as an Arsham fan and ominously added, “You’re going to have to wait and see what I have to do to make up having made a sculpture.”