It’s been a minute since we last did an Americanist Side Eye, and honestly, the news has been begging for it. Between Don Lemon’s arrest in Minnesota, celebrities staging protests, activists carving political messages into snow, and the internet assigning pop stars new identities, America has once again delivered a full buffet of chaos. So grab your coffee, raise an eyebrow, and let’s catch up on the headlines that deserve a little snark and a lot of side eye.
And of course, we’ll start with Don Lemon, because why wouldn’t we?
Ex-CNN host Don Lemon arrested after Minnesota church invasion – CBS News
Some people retire quietly.
Others pivot into full-time protest mode and end up in handcuffs.
Don Lemon going from cable news panels to storming a church for a political stunt feels oddly on brand. Somewhere along the way, journalism turned into performance activism.
Sir, this isn’t a segment.
There’s no commercial break.
Great news. The case against Don Lemon is airtight. He filmed himself committing felonies. I pray that he is sent to prison and his life is permanently ruined, as he deserves. https://t.co/FmTodb2oho
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 30, 2026
Team USA snow sculpture disqualified for sneaking in an anti-ICE message – New York Post
Imagine training for months to sculpt snow on the world stage, only to turn your masterpiece into a frozen political statement.
Team USA’s entry in the World Snow Sculpting Championship in Minnesota was banned after turning its sculpture into an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement symbol.
The team was accused of modifying its frozen design to feature hands that spelled, “ICE out,” “unity,” and “resist” in American Sign Language — a change officials said violated competition rules, Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce President Robin Anthony-Evenso told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.
Judges wanted art.
They got activism in ice form. Of course they did. It’s what America is sliding into these days, activism.
Apparently even snow can’t stay neutral anymore.
Bruce Springsteen releases a protest song about ICE
He basically took a CNN headline, slapped it on a guitar riff, and called it a protest song. It doesn’t sound like rebellion. It sounds like cable news talking points turned into lyrics. There’s no risk in it, no originality, just the same celebrity outrage dressed up as music. It’s less rock anthem and more political sermon with background noise.
Sydney Sweeney reacts to being labeled “MAGA Barbie” online
The internet has officially reached the stage where it assigns celebrities political identities like action figures.
One minute you’re acting in movies.
Next minute you’re drafted into the culture war.
She says she’s not MAGA Barbie, but TikTok probably already made the outfit.
Cosmopolitan asks Sydney Sweeney if she ever intends to publicly state her political beliefs:
“No. I’m not a political person. I’m in the arts. I’m not here to speak on politics. That’s not an area I’ve ever even imagined getting into. It’s not why I became who I am. I became an… pic.twitter.com/VFmSYqZSLU
— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 29, 2026
Nicki Minaj heading to the White House
Honestly, kind of fun.
We’ve had activists, influencers, and actors stroll through over the years.
Why not a rap superstar?
If she drops a freestyle in the East Room, I won’t complain.
The White House could use a little sparkle.
Rapper Nicki Minaj claimed ‘God is protecting President Donald Trump’ during an appearance at a White House event.
Trump invited Minaj to the stage Wednesday (28 January) as he was giving a speech on children’s investment accounts established under his administration.
Click… pic.twitter.com/ctuP7LpIMX
— The Independent (@Independent) January 29, 2026
Super Bowl 2026 ads teased early
Every year, they promise the best commercials ever.
Every year, it’s beer, trucks, and a dog that make half the country emotional.
And every year, Americans vote the dog as MVP. Although this year it may be a polar bear.
Pepsi has released their Super Bowl ad that restarts the soda wars by stealing Coca-Cola’s iconic polar bear mascot. pic.twitter.com/C0qb0YgJsq
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 29, 2026
NFL Hall of Fame issues statement after Belichick vote drama
Whenever an organization says “nothing to see here,” there is absolutely something to see here.
Belichick drama just earned permanent spot in sports discourse. Prepare for nonstop group chats and Super Bowl party debates.
Perfection. pic.twitter.com/Gurj0l8nJn
— Savage (@SavageSports_) January 29, 2026
Michelle Obama can’t express her pain.
Michelle Obama says Black women don’t express their pain because “nobody ever gave us permission to do that.”
Apparently, emotions now require a permission slip.
Not life experience. Not hardship.
Just formal approval.
In 2026, even feelings need to clear HR.
Some weeks feel like a normal news cycle.
This was not one of those weeks.
Somehow politics, pop culture, sports, and celebrity drama all collided into one long scroll of absurdity that barely feels real anymore. It’s hard to tell where serious headlines end and entertainment begins.
And that’s when it hits you.
Arrested journalists.
Political snow art.
Celebrity protest songs.
Internet Barbies.
Super Bowl ad hype.
America isn’t lacking content.
We are the content.
