According to a law professor with progressive views, Jeep should be compelled to rename its Grand Cherokee SUV to halt its perceived cultural appropriation.

J Janewa Osei-Tutu, a Ghanaian, Canadian, and American expert in intellectual property law and a faculty member at Miami University, advocates for a revision of federal laws to safeguard “cultural personality.”

In her scholarly paper focusing on race, racism, and legal frameworks, Osei-Tutu suggests that just as entities like Pepsi or individuals such as Taylor Swift cannot have their names used without authorization, cultural identities should also be protected from unauthorized commercialization.

She emphasizes the importance of having the right to control the commercial use not only of our personal identities but also of the cultural identities shared by communities.

Osei-Tutu critiques current intellectual property laws as being “underinclusive,” particularly concerning the rich intangible cultural heritage of indigenous and global southern communities.

Her perceived flaws in the laws allow corporations to ‘capture and monetize this unprotected resource, which means that it is exposed and subject to misappropriation.’ 

She specifically cites Jeep, which has sold the Grand Cherokee since 1992 and has even negotiated with the Cherokee Tribe over the usage of the name but stopped short of ditching it.

Her ideas amount to making ‘cultural appropriation’ illegal, according to conservative legal analyst Jonathan Turley.  

Law professor J Janewa Osei-Tutu is proposing a law to force Jeep to drop the name Grand Cherokee under the guide of ‘Protecting Cultural Personality’

‘The proposal in this article would blow apart the copyright laws and use them to weaponize claims of cultural appropriation. It would codify the culture of viewpoint intolerance and speech regulation that currently characterizes higher education,’ he writes. 

It would force corporations to face ‘endless lawsuits’ and also end cultural influences that immigrants bring to American culture. 

‘As an Italian American and an Irish American, I regularly see the language, foods, and traditions of my culture in society. Even when some make me cringe, I am proud of that influence. These are contributions to a ‘melting pot’ of different cultures,’ Turley argues.  

The Daily Mail has reached out to Osei-Tutu for comment. 

The Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs are two of the best-selling vehicles in the entire Jeep fleet, making up 43 percent of the company’s sales in the United States.

But in the wake of protests and racial unrest stemming from George Floyd’s murder in 2020, there were public calls led by the Cherokee Nation tribe to change the name.

‘I think we’re in a day and age in this country where it’s time for both corporations and team sports to retire the use of Native American names, images and mascots from their products, team jerseys and sports in general,’ Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr said in a statement in February.

‘I’m sure this comes from a place that is well-intended, but it does not honor us by having our name plastered on the side of a car.

‘The best way to honor us is to learn about our sovereign government, our role in this country, our history, culture and language and have meaningful dialogue with federally recognized tribes on cultural appropriateness.’

The Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs are two of the best-selling vehicles in the entire Jeep fleet

Jeep has been using the Cherokee name since the 1970s but stopped using it for several years before reviving it in 2013. 

The Cherokee Nation is currently the largest tribe in the United States, with approximately 370,000 members.

There calls came amid changes from other companies who have adjusted their names to respond to calls for more sensitive imagery in products.

Syrup Aunt Jemima recently changed its name to the Pearl Milling Company and Uncle Ben’s has transitioned their name to Ben’s Original.

For Native American sports mascots, the Washington Redskins dropped their logo and renamed themselves the Washington Football Team and eventually the Washington Commanders.  

The Cleveland Indians retired their Chief Wahoo logo at the end of the 2018 season and eventually became the Cleveland Guardians.

The Atlanta Braves, however, have resisted calls to change their name or prevent fans from doing the ‘tomahawk chop’ tradition, which could be perceived as mocking Native American heritage.

In an intriguing legal development, a New York judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by author Michael Wolff against First Lady Melania Trump on Friday. The judge described Wolff’s efforts to forestall a potential $1 billion lawsuit from Trump, over his comments linking her to Jeffrey Epstein, as a “contorted” misuse of the legal system.

Presiding over the case in Manhattan’s federal court, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil criticized Wolff for what she termed an “inappropriate level of tactical gamesmanship.” She firmly stated her refusal to be drawn into what she saw as an improperly presented legal conflict.

Appointed by President Donald Trump, Judge Vyskocil acknowledged the legitimacy of the conflict between Wolff and Melania Trump but emphasized that they must resolve it through standard legal procedures applicable to everyone.

The legal tussle began when Wolff preemptively sued Melania Trump last October. This came after her attorney, Alejandro Brito, sent Wolff a letter threatening a lawsuit unless he retracted statements that allegedly caused significant damage to her reputation and finances.

In his lawsuit, Wolff sought a legal declaration that he had not defamed the First Lady. Additionally, he aimed to ensure that if she pursued legal action against him, she would be responsible for covering legal costs, fees, and unspecified monetary damages.

Wolff originally sued in state court in New York under a law barring lawsuits designed to silence critics. Such lawsuits are known as SLAPPs, or strategic lawsuits against public participation. Brito then had the case transferred to federal court and later sought to have it dismissed or moved to a federal court in Florida.

Vyskocil, in her 45-page decision, said that while federal court does have jurisdiction, she was declining to exercise it and “dismisses this case to be litigated like any other.”

Nick Clemens, a spokesperson for Melania Trump, said she “is proud to continue standing up to, and fighting against, those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods as they desperately try to get undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.”

In April, Melania Trump made a statement at the White House denying any affiliation with Epstein, the millionaire financier and convicted sex offender who killed himself in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Reading prepared remarks, the first lady said she and her lawyers were fighting back against “unfound and baseless lies” that suggested she had ties to Epstein.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” Melania Trump said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

In his lawsuit, Wolff argued that the Trumps “have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them” with costly legal actions “to silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally, and to extract unjustified payments and North Korean style confessions and apologies.”

He said the threats were “designed to create a climate of fear in the nation so that people cannot freely or confidently exercise their First Amendment rights.”

Wolff has published a dozen books, including four bestsellers about the president.

Wolff said in the lawsuit that Melania Trump’s threat to sue him was related to statements he made to The Daily Beast and in three social media videos. Some statements were incomplete phrases and were taken out of context, he said.

Others, the lawsuit said, were protected speech. For instance, the statement that the Trumps were in a “sham marriage, trophy marriage,” was a “fair and justified” statement of opinion, it said.

The lawsuit noted that Wolff never said Melania Trump was involved in any of Epstein’s crimes.

In July 2025, after receiving a letter from Brito, The Daily Beast retracted an article titled, “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author,” that was based on an interview with Wolff.

Wolff, in his lawsuit, said his comments pertained to the first lady’s “involvement” last year managing the matter “behind the scenes” at the White House — not that she was involved in any of Epstein’s crimes.

Among other statements Wolff said were true were those his comments about Melania Trump meeting Donald Trump in Epstein’s social circle, and that Donald Trump liked to have sex with his friend’s wives and first slept with Melania Trump on Epstein’s private jet.

___

A significant explosion and subsequent fire erupted at a Staten Island shipyard on Friday afternoon, resulting in the tragic death of one civilian and injuries to numerous first responders, including firefighters from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

During a press briefing on Friday evening, FDNY EMS Deputy Assistant Chief Ian Swords announced that 34 FDNY personnel were hospitalized following the incident, and sadly, one civilian lost their life at the scene.

Among the injured, a fire marshal and a firefighter sustained the most severe injuries. The fire marshal is in critical condition, while the firefighter is listed as being in serious condition. Both suffered injuries from the explosion’s blast energy, which poses a risk of internal damage.

The Richmond University Medical Center reported that the fire marshal has a temporal fracture and a minor brain bleed, requiring critical care monitoring. Meanwhile, the firefighter is being observed for potential muscle injuries that may develop.

NYC SEWAGE BOAT EXPLOSION IN HUDSON RIVER KILLS 1 CITY WORKER, INJURES 2 OTHERS

First responders were spotted near the scene of the explosion and fire at a Staten Island, New York, shipyard Friday afternoon. (WNYW)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani updated the situation after 9 p.m. on Friday, saying the fire was now “under control.” 

“Today, a fire broke out on Richmond Terrace on Staten Island, followed soon after by reports of an explosion,” he wrote on X.
”What unfolded was a fast-moving emergency that claimed one life and left more than 30 civilians and first responders injured. The fire is now under control.”

He continued, “We mourn the life that was lost today, and we hold their family in our hearts.
Tonight I visited a firefighter in serious condition, as well as the family of a fire marshal who remains in critical condition. I ask every New Yorker to keep those injured — and their families — in your thoughts.
To the first responders who rushed toward danger without hesitation: thank you. As you do every day, you put yourselves in harm’s way so others could escape. Our city owes you a debt of gratitude.”

The incident unfolded when authorities received a call at 3:27 p.m. local time reporting workers trapped in a confined space at 3075 Richmond Terrace, between Lockman and Andros avenues.

When first responders arrived, they found smoke and a fire burning in the basement of a 150-by-150-foot metal building situated at the back of the shipping docks. 

Two workers were reportedly trapped and crews entered to search for them, according to FDNY Chief John Esposito.

A second alarm was transmitted at 4:08 p.m., and just 11 minutes later, a “major explosion” tore through the site at 4:19 p.m.

HISTORIC NYC CHURCH ENGULFED IN 5-ALARM BLAZE AS 6 FIREFIGHTERS INJURED BATTLING STUBBORN FLAMES

New York City Fire Department officials confirmed at least 16 people were injured in the explosion. (WNYW)

The blast triggered a large fire and massive emergency response, with the FDNY deploying 68 units and 212 fire and EMS personnel to combat the blaze.

“We had firefighters inside conducting searches, and on top of the barge and adjacent to the barge,” Esposito said. “We had several that were injured. We did recover a deceased civilian.”

He said the fire was under control and all searches were conducted, as of 8 p.m. local time. 

No one is unaccounted for and there will be an ongoing investigation, Esposito confirmed.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, center, and fire officials provide an update Friday evening after the explosion in Staten Island, N.Y. (WNYW)

Mamdani also expressed his gratitude to every first responder who rushed to the scene in the press conference. 

“As the fire grew, first responders did what they always do. They ran towards danger, so others could escape to safety,” Mamdani said during the news conference. “Firefighters responded from all across our city. This has been an all-hands-on-deck response … I commend each of them for their quick response and for their courage.”

“… Once the fire has been extinguished, FDNY marshals will hold a comprehensive investigation into its cause,” he added. “The information that yields will then be shared with New Yorkers as soon as we have it. In the meantime, I want to ask New Yorkers to keep those who have been injured, and the person we lost, in our thoughts and to wish them a quick recovery.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James reacted to the tragedy on X, noting she is praying for everyone injured in the fire.

“I’m praying for the @FDNY firefighters and everyone injured after the explosion in Staten Island today,” James wrote in a post. “Thank you to the FDNY for their swift response and for protecting New Yorkers every day.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

MILWAUKEE –– Throughout most of this season, Justin Wrobleski’s starts have typically followed a familiar pattern.

He aggressively targets the strike zone, encourages batters to make contact, minimizes potential setbacks, and efficiently moves through innings.

However, on Friday evening in Milwaukee, the Dodgers’ lefty encountered a Brewers lineup skilled at countering his usual tactics.

This resulted in a challenging 5-1 defeat at American Family Field, marking the most prolonged inning of Wrobleski’s impressive season.

In the bottom of the first, he faced four runs, 10 batters, six hits, and threw 38 pitches, enduring what felt like an eternity lasting over 15 minutes.

The Brewers’ game-opening, and back-breaking, rally started quickly. Jackson Chourio snuck a ground ball through the infield for a leadoff single.

Brice Turang followed with a line-drive knock to center. Then, William Contreras ambushed a first-pitch slider for a towering three-run homer deep to left field.

Just like that, Wrobleski had allowed more than two runs for only the second time as a starter all year.

The grind would only continue from there. With one out, Andrew Vaughn, Jake Bauers and Luis Rengifo struck together three more singles to load the bases. After a Sal Frelick sacrifice fly, Wrobleski walked No. 9 hitter Joey Ortiz to juice the bags again.

The good news: The 25-year-old southpaw averted total disaster over the rest of his five-inning start, striking out Chourio to retire the side in the first before giving up just one run over his next four frames.

The bad news: He suffered the exact kind of struggles that more skeptical observers of his hot start had feared.

After all, Wrobleski entered the game with the lowest strikeout rate among all 78 qualified big-league pitchers. And while he’d been able to limit hard contact and be efficient in his outings previously –– he had a 2.12 ERA since moving into the rotation, and was averaging 6 ⅔ innings over seven starts in that span –– so-called “regression to mean” had been looming as a threat.

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What it means

Wrobleski, it turns out, might not be invincible.

But neither was the Dodgers’ recently resurgent offense on Friday.

Instead, the club was shut down by rookie right-hander Logan Henderson, who didn’t give up a hit in his first three innings, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, and finished with seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings.

The Dodgers didn’t get on the board until the seventh, when Shohei Ohtani hit a sacrifice fly, and finished with just three hits –– their fewest in almost two weeks.

As a result, the club has now lost nine straight regular-season games to the Brewers dating back to 2024. Of course, they won the only four games that truly mattered when the teams crossed paths in last year’s National League Championship Series.

Who’s hot

Ohtani was the one productive member of the Dodgers lineup, reaching base twice in addition to his sac fly.

Even he wasn’t perfect, however. In the first, he drew a walk to begin the game but then was thrown out trying to steal second to retire the side. And while his leadoff single in the fourth helped generate the squandered bases-loaded opportunity, Ohtani struck out to end the fifth after Teoscar Hernández had led the inning off with a hit.

Who’s not

Both of the Dodgers’ catchers.

Before first pitch, manager Dave Roberts said the recently scuffling Will Smith –– who was dropped down to the No. 7 spot in the order in Wednesday’s series finale in San Diego –– would only start one out of three games in Milwaukee this weekend, in order to give him time to “reset” and “work on his swing” amid a .197 slump over the last month.

The only problem: Backup catcher Dalton Rushing has gone cold since his blistering start to the season, too, only snapping a recent 0-for-19 skid with a single in the seventh inning Friday.

Up next

The Dodgers will try to even this weekend series on Saturday, when Roki Sasaki (2-3, 5.09 ERA) takes the mound against left-hander Robert Gasser (0-0, 4.50 ERA).