Samantha Worthen

Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?

This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...

From @propublica.org: stories of the Venezuelans, none of them criminals, who were picked in a made-for-TV raid on an apartment building in Chicago that used blackhawk helicopters and military tactics

The federal government invading churches across the country at Christmas to kidnap Christian immigrants is one of those things so comically evil it can hardly be imagined. Waiting for faith leaders of every political stripe and religious hue to condemn this racist assault on people of faith.

Please watch

EPSTEIN: even today, after the release of the key Epstein-Maxwell emails in which Epstein says Trump knew about the "girls" but hasn't "barked" (presumably, talked), the NYT reports that the WH is intensely pressuring the House NOT to vote to release more? How much worse is what we have not seen?

Looking forward to it!

In her victory speech, Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) sent a message of unity.

“We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos,” Spanberger said. https://wapo.st/49lsfnl

World Central Kitchen is mobilizing to Jamaica, please consider donating

and may we present you with:

2. Haiti: Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected across southwestern Haiti into early next week, likely causing extensive infrastructural damage and potentially prolonged isolation of communities. Strong winds could also potentially last for a day or more over the Tiburon peninsula. 3. Dominican Republic: Heavy rainfall could produce catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides in southern portions of the country. 4. Eastern Cuba, Southeast Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos: Monitor Melissa closely. There is an increasing risk of a significant storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall by the middle of next week. In eastern Cuba, the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides is increasing. A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for portions of eastern Cuba.

Multiple days of hurricane force winds and potentially catastrophic and life threatening flooding is expected for portions of the Caribbean beginning tonight. Head to hurricanes.gov for the latest.

Opinion | I Resented the White House Bitterly. Now I Mourn It. The East Wing was where Eleanor Roosevelt walked. It was where Jacqueline Kennedy planned the Rose Garden. Now it’s all but gone.

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com

“The images we’ve now all seen of the East Wing being demolished are heartbreaking,” Patti Davis writes. “Over the centuries, many presidents have altered the White House, and certainly older buildings need to be updated and repaired. But this is complete destruction.”

Norms & duct tape. That's all the Republic has turned out to be, because the laws & the Constitution do not enforce themselves. There are about 30 people in Washington who can fix this. We should stop giving them free passes all day every day & laser-focus on getting them to do their damn jobs.

Senator @merkley.senate.gov has been speaking for over 4 hours about President Trump’s threats to our democracy.

Watch here ⬇️

The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump's ballroom Dramatic photos show construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows, though the federal agency that oversees such projects has not approved President Trump's 90,000-square-foot, $250 million ballroom.

Dramatic photos show construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows, though the federal agency that oversees such projects has not approved President Trump's 90,000-square-foot, $250 million ballroom. n.pr/48AUON2

We’ve lost a wonderful soul & legendary Casting Director. Sending love to her family.

Diane Keaton, Oscar-Winning ‘Annie Hall’ Star, Dies at 79 Diane Keaton, who starred in "Annie Hall," has died. She was 79.

Such an incredible talent & career. Thinking of her family & friends. variety.com/2025/film/ne...

María Corina Machado Is Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: Live Updates and Video The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised “her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.”

Breaking News: The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, for her work promoting democracy.

Supreme Court Allows Lisa Cook to Remain at Fed, for Now The justices deferred a decision on the president’s efforts to oust Ms. Cook and instead set oral arguments in the case for January.

Breaking News: Lisa Cook, the Federal Reserve governor President Trump tried to fire, can stay on the central bank's board for now, the Supreme Court ruled. The court is set to hear arguments in January in a legal battle with major implications for the Fed.

I spoke extensively with the Crimson reporter. She understood the strength of the evidence, and it shows.

Odds ratios can be eye-glazing, but let's just say that when 2.5 million kids are studied, and it's still not possible to detect added risk from taking acetaminophen...there's no added risk.

YouTube video by Random TV and News Archives Jack paar returns to the Tonight Show [partial Higher quality footage] (March 7, 1960)

So @jimmykimmel.com's first words back tonight--"As I was saying..."-- were an homage to Tonight Show host Jack Paar, who used those words when he returned after walking out on his show in a censorship dispute with NBC. From 65 years ago:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrhQ...

Nexstar’s takeover of Tegna would require an overhaul of FCC ownership rules - Poynter The proposed sale would exceed the FCC’s 39% cap, igniting debate among broadcasters, unions and press groups

IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE: What I have not seen anyone discussing is that Nexstar pulling Kimmel, forcing ABC’s hand, comes as Nexstar is leading the way for the industry on trying to get FCC approval for media consolidation. www.poynter.org/business-wor...

Robert Redford, ‘Butch Cassidy’ and ‘All the President’s Men’ Icon, Dies at 89 Robert Redford, the screen legend known for films like 'All the President's Men' and 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,' has died. He was 89.

Such an incredible legacy Robert Redford leaves behind. Thinking of his family & friends.
Via @variety.com

variety.com/2025/film/ne...

Kudos to #emmys for paying tribute to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and criticize its defunding by Congress. As cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian, CBS News, and Stephen Colbert face threats, surprised more stars aren't speaking out tonight.

What a speech!!!
Cristin Milioti 👏🏻
#Emmys

Jean Smart 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
#Emmys

#Emmys ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Affirmed: E. Jean Carroll Case I asked Robbie Kaplan, the lawyer who tried the case, how she felt after learning that the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the $83.3 million verdict a jury awarded E.

The smartest legal community on Substack is unpacking this decision with me—join the conversation joycevance.substack.com/p/affirmed-e...

Just caught Brad Ingelsby’s #Task on @hbo.bsky.social
I’m hooked and look forward to watching it all unfold.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What Epstein records have not been made public?

Changing the name of the Department of Defense will cost billions.We could build units for all unhoused veterans. Or give service members a pay raise so 35K active duty members wouldn’t have to rely on food stamps. Or… or… or…