donald trump
FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MS. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE
On California Fires, Marjorie Taylor Greene Offers Up Another Wacky Weather Control Conspiracy Theory
At least she hasn’t started talking about those “Jewish space lasers” again…yet.
By Kase Wickman
Politics
Pete Hegseth Waves Away Misconduct Allegations in Fiery Senate Hearing
“I’m not a perfect person,” the Trump Pentagon pick said when confronted over his alleged drinking, extreme views on women in combat, and sexual assault claims. The ex-Fox News host had talking points ready—and Republicans seemed willing to buy them.
By Eric Lutz
Media
“We’re Not Hyperventilating”: Behind Axios’s Clinical Approach to Covering Donald Trump’s Second Term
Vanity Fair caught up with cofounders Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen about the state of political media, including a postelection newsroom talent churn, and why “this might be the most electric moment in the history of Washington.”
By Natalie Korach
Inauguration 2025
Who Is Christopher Macchio, Trump’s Choice to Sing the National Anthem?
With the inauguration on the horizon, Trump has tapped Carrie Underwood and “America’s Tenor” Christopher Macchio to perform at the ceremony.
By Chris Murphy
Outdoor Concert
Carrie Underwood Will Perform During Trump’s Inauguration Ceremony
The country star says she is “humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity.”
By Erin Vanderhoof
Politics
The MAGA-verse’s Clash of Titans
Steve Bannon’s attack on Elon Musk exposes one of the biggest fault lines running through Donald Trump’s second term.
By Molly Jong-Fast
maga infighting
Steve Bannon Vows To Oust Elon Musk From Donald Trump’s Inner Circle Before The Inauguration
“He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy,” Bannon told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. “I made it my personal thing to take this guy down.”
By Katie Herchenroeder
California Wildfires
California Governor Gavin Newsom Invites Donald Trump To Witness the Firestorm Devastation: “We Must Not Politicize Human Tragedy.”
As at least 11 people have died from the Los Angeles wildfires, the president-elect has spent the week criticizing California leadership, referring to the governor as “Newscum.”
By Katie Herchenroeder
Politics
Behind Trump’s Big-Money Battle to Shake Up the VA: “I Think It’s an Existential Threat”
Democrats worry that GOP insiders are aiming to privatize the agency’s health care services. “They’re just trying to make money off the backs of veterans,” Senator Tammy Duckworth says.
By Chris Smith
The Trump Trial
“I Did Nothing Wrong”: Inside Donald Trump’s Hush Money Sentencing
The president-elect maintained Friday that he was treated “very, very unfairly,” denying the charges to the bitter end. While he’ll avoid fines and jail time, Trump will still take office as a convicted felon.
By Dan Adler
Royals
Prince Edward Represented the Royal Family at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral. What Does That Mean for Trump?
Edward’s presence signals both his growing importance in his own family, as well as the monarchy's importance to British diplomacy at a potentially rocky moment.
By Erin Vanderhoof
The Law
TikTok’s Fate Is in the Supreme Court’s Hands
With Donald Trump on its side, the Chinese-controlled company behind the popular app claims the First Amendment protects it and its millions of users. Will the justices buy it?
By Cristian Farias
WHAT
Barack Obama and Donald Trump Looked Unsettlingly Friendly at Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral
The former president and once-again-future president, who are historically something less than besties, chatted it up before the service began. (Michelle Obama was not in attendance.)
By Kase Wickman
Hot air
Right-Wing Pundits Blame DEI and Democrats in Predictable Deluge of Wildfire Misinformation
“They prioritized DEI over saving lives and homes,” Elon Musk claimed, falsely, in one indicative post.
By Caitlin Dewey
Politics
Donald Trump Responds to LA Wildfire Catastrophe the Only Way He Knows How
As more than 100,000 people have fled the destructive blaze, the incoming president exploited the tragedy to attack California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democrats.
By Eric Lutz
IN THE ZUCK
Well, Well, It Looks Like Mark Zuckerberg’s Wardrobe and Morals Both Got a Lil' MAGA Rebrand
The Meta founder recently embraced a new look—and abandoned Facebook users. 2025 trend watch: Hate speech is so in!
By Kase Wickman
Politics
Trump Allegedly Did a Town Hall That Was “Rigged”—in His Favor
A new book claims Team Trump was fed questions in advance of a Fox News town hall last year. That would be rich considering Trump’s long history of claiming every debate is rigged against him.
By Andrew Kirell
golden globes
Inside Sebastian Stan’s Winning Look at the Golden Globes 2025
With help from Frank Sinatra and hopes of a postshow burger, the Prada- and Cartier-clad Stan prepared for his first major awards show victory.
By Savannah Walsh
Politics
Donald Trump’s “Shock and Awe” Campaign
With the president-elect having made dozens of day-one promises, his second term is poised to move at breakneck speed. The media will need to cut through the noise to capture what’s really going on.
By Molly Jong-Fast
PRESIDENTIAL HONORS
Biden Bestows Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, José Andrés, Anna Wintour, Bono, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Others
Some GOP members are particularly upset about one of the honorees: George Soros.
By Katie Herchenroeder