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
wildfires
Los Angeles Burns: Death Toll Rises and Tens of Thousands Evacuate as Unstoppable Wildfires Rage
As homes and businesses are incinerated, life grinds to a halt in the smoldering entertainment capital. Among those who have lost houses are Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and James Woods.
By Anthony Breznican and Joy Press
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
Social climber
Zuckerberg’s MAGA-Friendly Makeover Can Only Make Facebook Worse
Meta is gutting programs designed to battle misinformation and hate speech, and Donald Trump is taking credit.
By Caitlin Dewey
NEWS
Wildfires Blaze in Pacific Palisades, As Celebrities' Social Media Posts Provide Horrifying Glimpses
The fire covers some 5,000 acres in the area, according to the fire department, and about 23,000 people live there. The Santa Ana winds could make the situation still worse.
By Kase Wickman
Donald Trump’s Imperial State of Mind
The president-elect’s musings about annexing Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal may just be bluster—or misdirection. But they could have chilling implications on the global stage.
By Eric Lutz
Things Go From Bad to Worse for Rudy Giuliani
The former New York mayor and Trump lawyer was held in contempt Monday in his $148 million defamation case.
By Eric Lutz
O Canada!
Justin Trudeau Resigned—and Trump Might Get The Last Laugh
The prime minister's exit puts Canada in a tricky position as Trump continues to threaten brutal tariffs and troll the country about becoming America's 51st state.
By Caitlin Dewey
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
Trump Won the Presidency—and the Narrative About January 6
The president-elect has already muddied the history of that day, and by pardoning the Capitol rioters, he may be able to rewrite it.
By Eric Lutz
Out of bounds
Elon Musk Won’t Stop Meddling in European Elections, and World Leaders Aren’t Having It
Musk most recently called for British PM Keir Starmer to be jailed and suggested the US should invade the United Kingdom.
By Caitlin Dewey
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
Phone a friend
Mike Johnson Cinches House Speaker Role In One Vote—After Trump Phoned Naysayers
The lower chamber quickly voted to make it harder to oust the speaker moving forward. Yet, Johnson still faces an uphill battle.
By Katie Herchenroeder
Politics
Donald Trump Can’t Torch All of Joe Biden’s Legacy
The president-elect may be hell-bent on reversing his predecessor’s policies. But some of Biden’s biggest wins on everything from clean energy to infrastructure and Ukraine aid may be Trump-proof.
By Chris Smith
Donald Trump Muddies the Waters in New Orleans
The president-elect's “open border” rants in response to a deadly truck attack allegedly perpetrated by a U.S. citizen is an ominous sign for his second term.
By Eric Lutz
Republicans Aren’t Making Life Easy for Mike Johnson
Even with Trump’s endorsement, the House speaker is still seeking to persuade GOP holdouts, who have threatened to oust him by a razor-thin margin.
By Eric Lutz
Breaking
New Orleans Truck Attack Responsible For 15 Deaths, FBI Searches For Accomplices
US Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar of Texas was shot and killed by police after he targeted New Year's Eve revelers on Bourbon Street.
By Vanity Fair
CARTER REMEMBERED
Global Leaders Mourn the Death of Jimmy Carter
“Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did — advocating for the public good, consequences be damned,” former president Barack Obama wrote in a Sunday tribute.
By Katie Herchenroeder
IN MEMORIAM
Former President Jimmy Carter Is Dead at 100
The Nobel laureate, who died Sunday at home in Georgia, was known for his dedication to public service, including his transformative partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
By Michael Kinsley