2024
Trump’s Plans for a Second Term Are So Bad That They Almost Make the First One Look Good
Given how the first one went, you can probably guess why that's a bad thing.
11th HOUR REPRIEVE
Congress Averts U.S. Government Shutdown With 11th Hour Short-Term Funding Bill
The 45-day reprieve gives Capitol Hill time to hammer out a deal to fund Ukraine but kicks the can down the road.
Musk Migration Musings
“It's called saving lives”: German Government Strikes Back At Elon Musk’s Criticism of Migrant Rescue
The Tesla CEO said video of German NGOs helping migrants on the Mediterranean had “invasion vibes.”
TRUMP TROUBLES
Trump Should Be Under a Gag Order Following Threats Against Gen. Mark Milley: Special Counsel
The former president’s statements imply that a potential witness should be executed.
Levin Report
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Apparently Unconcerned About the Prospect of Helping Reelect Trump, Plans to Run as an Independent: Report
Kennedy reportedly plans to make the announcement next month.
Love and Marriage
Melania Trump Renegotiated Her Prenup in Case Trump’s Legal Problems Bleed Him Dry: Report
“This agreement was necessary because of the current legal battles…[Donald] has suffered.”
2024
Top Republican Donors Have a Hail Mary for 2024: Glenn Youngkin
The party’s elite are reportedly expected to urge him into the fold next month. But with still no presidential momentum to speak of, the governor has about a snowball’s chance in hell of beating Trump.
Biden Impeachment
Surprise: The GOP's First Biden Impeachment Hearing Was a Complete and Utter Flop
The witnesses all but confirmed that House Republicans have no evidence of wrongdoing, only adding to the party’s humiliation amid their disastrous funding standoff.
Tech
Apple’s Next Era Is Revealing Itself With the iPhone 15
The latest iPhone has some new bells and whistles—better camera, improved resolution—but it’s a spatial video feature that points to radical changes ahead with next year’s release of the Apple Vision Pro.
Politics
Dianne Feinstein Dead at 90
A political trailblazer, Feinstein was the first woman to be elected mayor of San Francisco and later became the longest-serving female senator in United States history.
Levin Report
Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy Fiddle (Fight About Online Trolls) While Rome Burns (the Federal Government Prepares to Shut Down)
Oh, well, it’s not like thousands of federal workers are preparing to be furloughed.
2024
Donald Trump, Defender of the Working Class, Tells Striking Autoworkers They’re Not “Picketing for the Right Thing”
The man of the people delivered his speech from a nonunion factory in Michigan.
Politics
Mark Milley Takes Safety Precautions After Trump Suggests He Should Be Executed
The Army general, whom Trump essentially accused of high treason, said he’s been “faithful and loyal” to the Constitution over his entire 44-plus years of service.
Inside the Hive
Bob Menendez Corruption Scandal Is Testing the Limits of Shame in Politics??
Prominent Democrats are calling on the New Jersey senator to step down following eye-popping allegations and an indictment involving gold bars and envelopes stuffed with cash. But what if he doesn’t?
2024 Election
After Second GOP Debate, Trump's Nomination Couldn't Feel More Inevitable?
Several candidates snuck in some solid jabs at one another. But with the former president still clobbering them in the polls, all the pugilism is, in one word, pointless.?
Legal Woes
Trump’s Habit of Lying About Everything All the Time May Cost Him Trump Tower
A judge has ruled he engaged in years of massive fraud.
GOP
Tommy Tuberville Has Taken Another Breathtakingly Bad Stance on Diversity
The Alabama senator wrongly claimed that the military is “not an equal opportunity employer,” arguing that it should work like a “football team I coached.”
Congress
Kevin McCarthy’s Juggling Act Can’t Go On Forever
The GOP leader’s failure to control his chaos caucus and avert a likely government shutdown could force him to turn to Democrats—and potentially drive away Republicans. Matt Gaetz tells VF that “McCarthy can’t work with Democrats” and “expect to remain the Republican Speaker.”
GOP Debate
Another Trumpless Debate Is Another Exercise in Futility
Next to no one in the field was willing to take a swing at Trump the first time around. Why should we expect any different from the second?
Hail to the Chief
Travis Kelce Wanted His “Face Out From Under the Helmet.” With Taylor Swift, He’s Done It
When I caught up with the Super Bowl champ last spring, fresh off his stint hosting SNL, I saw a football star approaching next-level celebrity status. Who knew he’d rocket into the stratosphere.