Magazines, influence, and power in culture and politics
President Donald Trump has walked out of an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, after she questions his claims that the 2020 election and a California vote were rigged. Welker traveled to Wisconsin for the sit-down; the exchange turned contentious as Trump calls the press crooked and ends the interview, saying he has had enough.
Developments from Haberman and Swan's Regime Change reveal ongoing clashes over Rose Garden redesigns and other White House decor, with staffers caught between two Trumps as Melania and Donald pursue starkly different visions. The book also details Musk’s overnight stays and other high-profile interruptions to White House life.
Kohberger has filed a petition arguing his guilty plea was coerced by disinformation and false promises. He claims his innocence and seeks to withdraw the confession tied to the 2022 Moscow killings, citing alleged evidence issues and ineffective counsel. Prosecutors maintain the plea was valid.
Kohberger has filed a petition to challenge his guilty plea in the Idaho quadruple murder case, arguing false promises influenced his plea. The Goncalves family says the move ignores the victims, and Idaho officials say the case remains under review.
Ruby Rippey has published a Vanity Fair essay detailing an affair with California Gov. Gavin Newsom from 2005-2006, challenging his memoir account and recounting her struggles with alcoholism. The piece arrives as Newsom eyes a potential 2028 presidential bid and amid renewed scrutiny of past relationships that reshaped California politics.
OpenAI hosted a luxury influencer retreat in upstate New York to promote ChatGPT Work, featuring farm-to-table dining and nature-themed activities. While attendees shared glossy posts, critics question the environmental cost of data centers powering AI and accuse the event of greenwashing.
Au Vodka, the Swansea-based RTD vodka brand known for its gold bottles, is nearing a sale to Sazerac. Founders Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn are expected to net over £100m each. The deal, first reported by Sky News, would deepen Sazerac’s UK footprint and follows Au Vodka’s rapid growth and US expansion.
The Guardian review of Life of M traces how Rachel Cusk’s novel intercuts a star’s ascent with the narrator’s reflections, comparing M to Natalie Portman’s career and examining fame’s impact on authenticity, family, and art. The prose is praised for its precise, sparing style that exposes the performative nature of celebrity.