John Wayne’s furious unearthed letter to Ronald Reagan over controversial Panama Canal The western legend lashed out at the actor-turned-politician in a brutal dressing down over “misinformation”
John Wayne’s furious unearthed letter to Ronald Reagan over controversial Panama CanalThe western legend lashed out at the actor-turned-politician in a brutal dressing down over “misinformation”.
John Wayne, the Oscar-winning action hero, once became embroiled in a bitter war of words with Ronald Reagan, the Republican politician who led the US between 1981 and 1989. Though Wayne tried to steer clear of politics, his beliefs were often detailed due to his high-profile career, which culminated in his Academy Award win for Best Actor through his work on True Grit in 1969.
The man often referred to as Duke was known to be a conservative American, staunchly against Communism, beliefs which earned him universal praise from international leaders.
But Wayne was incensed with Reagan after he felt he was spreading lies to his supporters over the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977, which saw conservative politicians lash out at the decision to “surrender” in the agreement.
Before becoming a Republican politician, Reagan and Wayne had crossed paths in the world of Hollywood, with the former serving as the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the acting world’s union that today represents around 160,000 people in the industry.
While leading the union, Reagan backed an actors’ strike in 1960, which came against major Hollywood studio executives over the residual pay system.
Reagan’s name was “dragged through the mud” as a result of his decision to back the strikes, and Wayne opted to support the SAG president by contacting his wife, Nancy Reagan, to voice his praise for the leader.
But in the years that followed, Wayne tore Reagan apart when it came to the Panama Canal Treaty.
The New York Times, reports show, noted how Wayne wrote a furious letter to Reagan over his decision to not back the treaty, which was signed by then US-President Jimmy Carter.
Wayne was expected to back the treaty, with many noting that his first wife hailed from Panama. Among his friends, it was also revealed, were the Panamanian leader Brig. Gen. Omar Torrijos Herrera.
After learning of Reagan’s stance, Wayne wrote: “Now I have taken your letter, and I’ll show you point by goddamn point in the treaty where you are misinforming people.
“If you continue these erroneous remarks, someone will publicise your letter to prove that you are not as thorough in your reviewing of this treaty as you say or are damned obtuse when it comes to reading the English language.”
Wayne’s politics did sometimes impact the work he took on, including when it came to the war efforts. He starred, for example, in films such as Sands of Iwo Jima and The Green Berets, which outlined what an American hero should look like in his eyes.
As his career continued into its twilight, he became more forthright in his beliefs and outspoken as a result. He took part in a now-infamous Playboy interview in 1971, revealing the true extent of his politics.
During the interview he spoke of how he “believed in white supremacy,” before speaking bitterly about African-Americans, saying, “we can’t all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of the blacks”.
He also admitted to not feeling “guilty about the fact that five or 10 generations ago these people were slaves,” and added: “Now, I’m not condoning slavery.
“It’s just a fact of life, like the kid who gets infantile paralysis and has to wear braces so he can’t play football with the rest of us.”
Another controversial moment in Wayne’s career came in 1973 when Sacheen Littlefeather delivered Marlon Brando’s winning Oscar speech after he was named Best Actor for his role in The Godfather.
Littlefeather, who was 26 at the time, rejected the award on Brando’s behalf, giving a speech instead to condemn Hollywood’s poor depiction of Native Americans.
At the time, Wayne reportedly attempted to wrestle Littlefeather off-set and had to be restrained when he approached her.
The activist recalled the event last year while speaking to Variety, describing it as the “most violent moment” in the history of the Academy Awards.
She said: “I found out that he had been restrained by six security men from assaulting me while I was on that stage. That was the most violent moment that had ever taken place at the Academy Awards.”
Reflecting on Wayne’s actions, she added: “He was never admonished by the Academy. It was never published in the press. But the most violent moments took place then and there at the Academy Awards by John Wayne.
“All I know is that… I don’t hold anger, hate or have any animosity toward anyone, including the Academy and the John Waynes of the world.
“I’m not a wealthy person. I’m a poor person. I don’t have much, but I do what I can. I try not to judge others. So, what other people want to do and what they feel in their hearts, they have to do.”
PROC. BY MOVIES
For a decade, Bindi Irwin kept her battle with endometriosis hidden from the public eye.
Now, she’s opening up about the pain and uncertainty that shaped her journey — not just for herself, but for her daughter Grace’s future health.
Over a decade of hiding her symptoms
Bindi Irwin has truly carved out a name for herself over the years. As the daughter of the legendary Steve Irwin, she had enormous shoes to fill after her father’s untimely passing, but she’s done so with grace and determination.
With her sun-kissed hair, brown eyes, and her dad’s infectious smile, Bindi has become a beloved figure in the world of wildlife conservation.
But her journey to an independent and peaceful life has been marked by shame, pain, and fear. For 10 years, Bindi was in so much pain, fighting an invisible battle every day – but she wore a brave face and pushed herself to be the smiling image everyone expected.
When the lights went off, Bindi spent countless hours trying to maintain a happy front while secretly struggling to stay afloat.
”I lived for more than 10 years trying desperately to hide my symptoms,” she tells 9honey.
Bindi Irwin symptoms
Everything began when Bindi Irwin got her first period. With it came pain, nausea, and fatigue, which only worsened as she got older. Despite this, Bindi tried to carry on with life as usual. She got married in 2020, and from the outside, no one suspected she was suffering in secret.
But Bindi knew something wasn’t right, so she took action several times. She visited doctors, had blood tests, and underwent various tests, but none of this provided clear answers.
“I was tested for cancer. I had MRIs, I had ultrasounds, I had CT scans, just you name it. I was checked for everything,” Bindi once shared.
It even got to the point where her doctor suggested that the pain was all in her head. Without any medical answers, Bindi started to believe the doctor. Maybe it really was all in her mind?
All the stress and pressure took its toll eventually. She struggled mentally and began to withdraw. Her public appearances became less frequent.
Anyone who has been sick without getting any answers can probably relate — you end up feeling very isolated with your symptoms and withdraw from others. You don’t want to talk about it all the time.
That’s why it was such a huge relief when Bindi Irwin was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, an incurable disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
To put this into perspective, getting a diagnosis takes an average of 6.5 years in Australia. Bindi had waited nearly a decade.
Discovered 37 lesions and a chocolate cyst
In 2023, Bindi took to Instagram to reveal that she had undergone surgery for endometriosis. Looking back, Bindi admitted that she was terrified before pressing ”post” to share her story on Instagram.
”At the end of the day, sharing my story with endometriosis felt so important to me that it outweighed my worry,” she told Honey9.
When the surgeons opened her up, the true cost of going undiagnosed for so long became clear: they discovered 37 lesions and a chocolate cyst, which is a cyst filled with menstrual blood.
Had Bindi gone on for a few more years with her condition, it could have had fatal consequences. It’s not impossible that she might not have made it.
Luckily, Bindi has always had a strong support system at home. Chandler Powell, her husband, an American professional wakeboarder from Florida, held her hand when she was at her lowest.
After her surgery in 2023, Chandler expressed his admiration, saying she is the strongest and toughest person he knows and that he’s excited for the new chapter in their lives.
Terri Irwin, her mother, also provided her with unconditional love.
Will Bindi Irwin have more kids?
Endometriosis can make it harder for women to have children, and according to Honey9, up to 50 percent of people with the disease may experience infertility. Given this, it’s pretty incredible that Bindi Irwin gave birth to a daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, on March 25, 2021.
“Along my pregnancy journey. I would often have times when I thought I was miscarrying because I would have severe unexplained pain. I would think that I was loosing our beautiful daughter,” Bindi said and broke down in tears during an emotional interview with Good Morning America.
Over the years, Bindi has been cautious about sharing her journey to motherhood, but she has talked about the unhealthy pressure and expectations placed on women to have children.
”I get asked if I’m having more kids every. Single. Day,” she says. While she knows most people mean no harm, ”but it can actually be a really hurtful question.”
After all, she’ll be living with this disease for the rest of her life. Bindi Irwin acknowledges that there is still a long road ahead. She feels as though she is still working to rebuild herself into the person she was before endometriosis took so much from her.
Endometriosis can run in families
As Bindi continues to recover, there’s a lingering concern that gnaws at her. It’s known that endometriosis can run in families.
“We know that there are both genetic and environmental influences that drive endometriosis, with 50% genetically related (DNA and genes) and 50% environmental factors, including lifestyle, what we eat, exposure to chemicals and the atmosphere,” Dr. Holdsworth-Carson, a researcher, told The Royal Women’s Hospital.
“There is a very, very big possibility that Grace will have endometriosis, which really does weigh on me,” Bindi says.
It’s truly heartbreaking that Bindi had to endure so much before finally receiving a proper diagnosis. She suffered so long needlessly. I truly hope her daughter, Grace, doesn’t have to face the same struggles. But at least now that the family is aware of the issue, if Grace were to experience similar symptoms, she won’t have to endure the same long and painful journey to get help.
I’m so glad Bindi is sharing her story! Breaking the stigma surrounding endometriosis is half the battle, according to her, and Bindi is doing an amazing job by being so open about it.
Hopefully, her public persona and strong advocacy will help raise awareness, lead to faster diagnoses, and improve treatments. Such a big part of the problem is how much people don’t know what it is or what the signs are.
No woman should have to suffer because some doctors lack knowledge. Share this article if you agree!
Teenage heartthrob left Hollywood to focus on family
The story we have for you today also has a similar theme. A young Hollywood actor who was beloved by millions or women around the world, decided there is more to life than the silver screen.
This is not a new theme in the world of entertainment. Keep reading to know more about what happened.
He famously appeared as a child actor on “Growing Pains,” and from there on out, he became one of the most popular actors of the 1980s. He was a regular feature on the covers of teen magazines. While it seemed he had it all, he was grappling with the reality of being a young star in Hollywood, and to him, it was not all that enticing.
Young Kirk Cameron did not intend to become an actor, in fact he wanted to be a doctor. His dream was to be a surgeon but his career took a completely different path when his mother who after being encouraged by a friend, introduced her young son to acting. His sister, Candace Cameron Bure is also an actress who has been acting since she was a child! She is best know for her role in Full House.
The friend was actually fellow child star Adam Rich’s mother. Rich was widely known for his role in ‘Eight is Enough.’ She suggest her friend take her son to agents and try their luck for commercials. His mother reluctantly followed the advice but it ended up going well for them since Cameron started looking small roles. Among some of his first acting gigs was a commercial for McDonald’s. While Cameron did not enjoy acting, he was consistently getting offers.
“I was always annoyed having to brush my hair and tuck my shirt in to go drive an hour in traffic to audition,” he revealed later about his early days of stardom. Despite the fact that he himself was not enthusiastic about acting, he soon got his role as Mike Seaver in “Growing Pains,” and the rest was history.
But he was struggling internally whether Hollywood was where he needed to be. And then he had something call to him; his faith.
When he was growing up, his family was not religious. The actor said, “When I was growing up, we didn’t go to church.”
“If you had asked me, I would have said I would be in the category of an atheist at 16 years old, 17 years old,” he surprisingly revealed later.
“I think I caught my atheism—it was by contagion,” he shared, he was referring to his teachers who taught him science and other subjects and regarded religion as “just a fairy tale.”
A chance encounter made the young boy reconsider his relationship with faith.
He met a girl he liked, and she asked him to attend church with her and her family. “I’ll be honest. It wasn’t because I was interested in God. I was interested in the girl,” he later admitted in a conversation.
However the visit to the church changed his life and the impact of it was even visible to his friends in Hollywood.The 17-year-old’s real-life experience with his faith began to influence how he approached his role in “Growing Pains.” The show runners and his co-stars did not let this change go unnoticed.
The producers worried that the young boy’s new found devotion to his faith would affect how he would approach the show and in turn affect the show and its longevity itself.
“Is he getting into something that’s really gonna take him into Looney Town? And if it is, we need to stop that,” he recalled what the concerns surrounding him at the time had been..
“I was trying to take the moral high road. I wanted to please God genuinely, and I think sometimes that got misunderstood,” he says now. His priorities however had taken a major shift and people around him were concerned.
His heart slowly began to dislike his life in Hollywood. The actor later recalled, “The evil, the darkness, the twisted sickness of Hollywood has been going on for a long time.”
His personal dialogue coach from the show, Brian Peck, has since then been highlighted for his role in the abuse doled out to young child stars in the industry. He was heavily featured as a perpetrator in a recent documentary uncovering crimes.
All of this reinforced Cameron’s initial thoughts that Hollywood was driven by power, pride, and ego. When he was younger, these realizations are what made him give up his promising acting career.
He became more steadfast in his faith, believing this is what would protect him. “When that becomes your God, rather than the God who laid down His life on a cross 2,000 years ago, you’re in for a world of hurt,” he shared.
He was only 20 when he married his “Growing Pains” co-star Chelsea Noble. Cameron had officially left Hollywood in his past and the two started building their life together. The couple have six children together, four of whom are adopted.
Adoption is something him and his wife both care deeply about as she herself had been adopted. They always made sure their adopted kids knew about their origins and helped them reconnect with their biological families when they were old enough to understand everything.
In 2021, Cameron revealed his intention to leave not just Hollywood but California itself behind. He took to social media to share his decision. He said, “I asked on social media what states people recommend for a Californian looking to relocate, and the top responses were Tennessee, Florida, and Texas,” he posted on Facebook.
Cameron shared how he thought California had increasingly grown unsafe and he wanted a place with more “wholesome values.”
He moved to Tennessee because three of his children also lived there. This gave the family an opportunity to be together as well. The family also enjoys the slower pace of life that Tennesse offers them. He also enjoyed the “healthy freedom mindset” that Tennessee provided them with, which was something he felt did not exist in California.
He also think that Tennessee is a “hub for Christian projects.” Cameron was able to be close to family which really paid off when he became a grandfather in summer 2024. He shared the news of his granddaughter Maya Jeanne Noble Bower to social media.
“Our hearts are filled to overflowing,” he wrote in his post. “Our beautiful baby girl just had a beautiful baby girl, and we can hardly wait to spend every minute with her and shower her with love.”
Apart from his new real life role as a grandfather, Cameron also continued his work as an actor. In 2022 he released his film ‘Lifemark’ which highlighted the beauty of life and adoption. The project was a personal passion for him as four of his own children are adopted as well as his wife’s own personal history with being an adopted child.
It is heartwarming to see Kirk Cameron fulfill his passions both professionally and personally. Share this with other fans of the actor so they can know what he has been up to!
Melania Trump’s “awkward” moment during inaugural dance
Donald and Melania Trump don’t often show their love for each other in public. On election night in November last year, one body language even claimed that Melania didn’t look happy for her husband’s win, while rumors about their marriage not being strong have been ongoing for years.
However, during Inauguration Day on Monday, things were different. Melania was seen smiling and holding her husband’s hand, and the couple even exchanged kisses on the cheek. One body language expert concluded that their behavior has marked a significant shift in Donald and Melania’s relationship, even if it wasn’t all positive throughout the day.
One body language expert noticed something special during Donald and Melania Trump’s dance at the inauguration ball; it seemed as if the First Lady’s behavior was awkward for one specific reason.
Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States was, as every inauguration before it, grand. Although it was too cold to see him sworn in outside, the former real estate mogul officially took his oath of office inside the US Capitol Rotunda, with his family at his side for the entire day.
Melania Trump’s to-be-or-not-to-be as a second-term first lady has been discussed for years. Initially, when the Trump’s left the White House the first time, it was reported that returning was the last thing she wanted.
However, with Trump set to begin his second presidential election campaign, Melania publicly showed her support for her husband, stating that she would love to return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Still, when Donald announced his presidential election win in November, it appeared she wasn’t thrilled at all.
While many saw it as a beautiful moment when Donald and Melania shared a big hug and exchanged a kiss, one body language expert was not convinced. Darren Stanton stated that Melania was reluctant to walk to her husband on stage to celebrate the presidential election win, claiming there was “no closeness.”
Why Melania Trump was claimed to be “unhappy” on election day
“When Trump looks back at Melania and gestures to her to come over for a hug, she reluctantly comes forward,” Stanton told the Mirror. “It’s very disjointed and awkward, and there’s no emotion from her. We don’t see any genuine smiles from Melania, it feels like a smile she has adopted for the occasion.”
Stanton continued: “There’s not the level of emotion you’d expect given her husband has just been elected president. It’s all quite contrived, she’s just reluctant to show any emotion, there’s no real happiness or joy. There’s always an awkwardness with Melania.”
Melania attended her husband’s last rallies in the lead up to the presidential election. Since the win in November, she and Donald have been preparing to move into the White House again. On January 20, the Trump family celebrated as Donald was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, and it appeared that the relationship between the new POTUS and FLOTUS was better than ever.
Speaking to the Mirror, body language expert Judi James noticed that Donald spent much of the inauguration clutching his wife’s hand or, as she described, “taking it like some Regency gentleman, kissing her proffered cheek or even gazing at her as they danced together like a man in the throes of some romantic thrall.”
The First Lady’s outfits will always likely be a big talking point, and it proved no different for the inauguration. According to Judi James, Melania’s outfit was crucial in sending a message about what kind of first lady she would be.
Melania Trump showed “power signals” on Inauguration Day
“Her saucer- shaped hat and her fiercely-tailored coat twinned her as an equal to Trump and a woman who means business this time around. Beneath the brim her smile was regal and confident, while her eyes were kept hidden,” James said.
“During tricky social moments, like when they were seeing the Biden’s off after Trump’s flame-thrower of a speech, Melania seemed to make her own feelings very clear when Biden placed an arm around her waist for a full ten seconds and she turned away towards her husband with one elbow splayed as she held onto her hat brim. As Trump leaned in to shake hands with Biden she placed her own arm around Trump’s waist for several seconds and patted him in a gesture of reward and reassurance.”
Body language expert James stated that Melania’s “power signals” have increased. She added that the First Lady’s warm smile showed “an air of relaxed confidence.”
“As they leave the service, Donald and Melania amplify their clasped hands into a more pronounced display of unity. Trump lifts the clasp higher a few times, almost waving it as they walk towards their car, as though signaling both pride in his wife and a gentlemanly concern for her as they step off the curb,” James told the Mirror.
“Trump’s expression is familiar – the slightly stern, almost baleful look that mirrors his official portrait. Melania, in contrast, seems determined to inject a touch of celebration into the occasion. Though her eyes are shielded by the brim of her hat, her wide, toothy smile creates an air of relaxed confidence.”
Melania was “protected from criticism by hiding her expression,” expert claims
Melania said she was much more prepared to enter the White House this time around, so it makes sense to assume that she will approach things differently. According to another body language expert, Inbaal Honigman, her behavior was different at this inauguration than in 2017.
“Melania’s body language during the 2025 inauguration is still and neutral,” Inbaal told Covers.com. “She sits still in her model pose, her facial expression neutral, not drawing any attention to herself, letting all attention be on her husband.”
He continued by saying that she appeared more “friendly.”
“In comparison, Melania of 2017 flashed smiles and waved around, displaying a more friendly persona to the crowds,” he explained. Melania’s face is naturally neutral. She doesn’t have an expressive demeanor in general and has previously been criticized for having short-lasting smiles, which she must have known.”
Honigman concluded: “This inauguration’s Melania was protected from criticism by hiding her expression behind a wide-brimmed hat so that she could keep her neutral expression with no issue.”
Donald and Melania also celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this week. Their star-studded wedding at Bethesda-By-the-Sea took place on January 22, 2005, and there can have been few better 20th anniversary presents than getting to move back into the White House together.
The couple shared several intimate moments together during Inauguration Day, and though Melania is used to being in the spotlight, one expert, behavioral scientist Abbie Maroño, claimed to have seen something others missed.
Donald Trump and Melania’s “awkward” interaction on Inauguration Day
Speaking to Newsweek, Maroño claimed that Melania’s actions indicated discomfort with public attention.
“First Lady Melania Trump’s choice of a wide-brimmed hat appeared to serve as a barrier, complicating a moment when President Trump attempted to kiss her, resulting in an awkward air kiss. This may have been a possible means to conceal her face, indicating discomfort with the public attention. The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort,” she said.
“At the inaugural ball, President Trump and Melania participated in the traditional first dance. Initially, both appeared tense, but the atmosphere lightened when Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, along with military members, joined them on stage. This shift led to more relaxed interactions, with President Trump engaging warmly Melania smiling during the dance.”
As mentioned, Donald and Melania shared the first traditional dance as President and First Lady of the United States during the Inaugural Ball later on Inauguration Day. The couple had three inauguration balls to attend on the days surrounding Donald being sworn in, and the first one was the Commander-in-Chief ball.
Abbie Maroño claimed that the two had another ‘awkward’ moment. Renowned body language expert Mark Bowden noticed that Melania looked uncomfortable.
“He and Melania take a traditional ballroom hold, but the moment quickly becomes awkward. As Melania’s head springs back-likely an effort to flick her hair away from her face-it risks appearing as a sudden, terrible moment of revulsion,” Bowden told the Irish Star.
What Melania whispered to her husband during Inauguration Day ball
“Trump himself seems to misread the gesture, as his head reflexively jerks back too. In an attempt to recover, he thrusts his head forward into Melania, trying to reassert a sense of connection.”
The body language expert explained: “This shaky start leaves Trump leaning his full weight forward, while Melania manages to meet him cheek to cheek. With her wide-brimmed hat no longer serving as a barrier, the couple is closer than earlier in the day-though precariously close to the ear that once took a bullet.”
During another ball, the Liberty Ball, which was also arranged on Inauguration Day, a lip-reading expert claimed Donald whispered a heartfelt message in his wife’s ear. Jeremy Freeman spoke to the Mirror, revealing what Melania answered.
“Today is one we will never forget,” Melania said, according to Freeman, to which Donald responded, “You’re right, I’ll learn, I’ll fight.”
Melania continued to express her support for her husband with the words, “I got you,” to which Trump, according to Jeremy Freeeman, responded, “We’ll see. Will you control it? Less tricky, less pushing away?”
The First Lady answered, “It’s a no,” and Trump said, “I hear you.”
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