It’s been chaotic keeping up with every one of President Trump’s actions, so for some perspective on the bigger picture, I sat down with historian @heathercoxrichardson. We had an in-depth discussion about the definition of a constitutional crisis and if we’re currently in one, if our courts are strong enough guardrails against Trump and Elon Musk, the beauty and fragility of American democracy, and so much more. Watch the full interview on my YouTube channel or at the link in my bio.
THIS IS FULL OF LIES. After U.S. officials met with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia yesterday, President Trump falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia, said he thinks he has “the power to end it,” and criticized Zelensky, saying he was “disappointed” that the Ukrainian leader complained about being left out of talks between the U.S. and Russia over ending the Ukraine war. Trump said Ukraine needs to hold elections because Zelensky allegedly has “4% approval ratings.” However, an opinion poll released Wednesday by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed that 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelensky. Trump was pushing Ukraine to hold its first presidential election since Zelensky was elected in 2019. The Ukrainian constitution does not allow national elections under martial law; Ukraine, which has been under martial law since the Russian invasion in 2022, called off the presidential election that would have otherwise been held in 2024. Trump didn’t incriminate Russian President Putin for Russia’s illegal invasion and the subsequent deaths of many thousands of people. Instead, he blamed Ukraine for allowing a war “that should have never even happened.” “You should have ended it three years – you should have never started it,” he said, appearing to falsely blame Ukraine for the war. “You could have made a deal.” “I would like to have more truth with the Trump team,” Zelensky said following Trump’s false comments.
I know a lot of people are feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s happening in our country right now. So I asked @heathercoxrichardson if she could share some advice. Watch our full conversation on my YouTube channel or at the link in my bio.
The White House on Wednesday said that news organizations that refuse to use President Trump’s new name for the Gulf of Mexico were telling “lies” and insisted it would continue to bar Associated Press journalists from presidential events. As a reminder, on Tuesday, the White House blocked an AP reporter from attending an Oval Office press conference with Elon Musk and Donald Trump after the news organization continued to refer to the “Gulf of Mexico” instead of adjusting their style guidance to reflect Trump’s order to renaming the body of water the “Gulf of America.” Since then, AP reporters were barred from events on Wednesday and Thursday, both in the Oval Office and other locations. When questioned about the actions on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said media access decision are up to the president and suggested that retaining references to the Gulf of Mexico constituted as “lies”for which the news organizations would be held accountable. “We reserve the right to decide who gets to go into the Oval Office,” Leavitt told reporters. I asked historian @heathercoxrichardson what her reaction was to this news, and the broader implications such a move could have. Watch our full conversation on my YouTube channel or at the link in my bio.
After U.S. officials met with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia yesterday, President Trump falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia — and said he thinks he has “the power to end it.” Again, THIS IS FALSE. AND OUTRAGEOUS. In a stark reversal of longstanding U.S. foreign policy, Trump gave every impression of viewing Russia as a potential future partner. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, he didn’t incriminate President Putin for Russia’s illegal invasion and the subsequent deaths of many thousands of people, instead blaming Ukraine for allowing a war “that should have never even happened.” “They could have made a deal long ago,” he added. His assertions appeared to contradict those of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who yesterday stated that any peace deal would be fair to all parties. Trump also took aim at Ukraine’s President Zelensky, who the U.S. lauded as a hero early in the war. Trump claimed Zelensky has “4% approval ratings” — contrary to recent polls which put him at 50%. Zelensky, who until now has been very careful not to express any annoyance with Trump, canceled his own trip to Saudi Arabia today to avoid creating “a false impression of negotiations.” “Unfortunately, President Trump, I have great respect for him as a leader of a nation that we have great respect for, the American people who always support us, unfortunately lives in this disinformation space,” Zelensky told reporters early Wednesday. Zelensky also pressed Trump and U.S. officials to “be more truthful.”
On Wednesday, The Atlantic published additional text messages that Trump administration officials sent in a Signal group chat that the magazine’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently included on. Intelligence leaders said yesterday in response to The Atlantic’s story that they did not share classified information in the Signal group. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say.” National Security Advisor Michael Waltz posted to X writing: “No locations. No source & methods. NO WAR PLANS.” The newly released texts include a message from Secretary of Defense Hegseth containing specific times and sequencing of planned US strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. What do you think? Screenshots via The Atlantic // Jeffrey Goldberg
On Wednesday, The Atlantic published additional text messages that Trump administration officials sent in a Signal group chat that the magazine’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently included on. Intelligence leaders said yesterday in response to The Atlantic’s story that they did not share classified information in the Signal group. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say.” National Security Advisor Michael Waltz posted to X writing: “No locations. No source & methods. NO WAR PLANS.” The newly released texts include a message from Secretary of Defense Hegseth containing specific times and sequencing of planned US strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. What do you think? Screenshots via The Atlantic // Jeffrey Goldberg
Happy Birthday to MY GIRL Caroline Couric Monahan!!! Brilliant, beautiful and compassionate. ❤️ This took me hours to make—I hope you like it and I hope 2025 is your best year yet! 🍾🎊🎉🥂🎈🎂🥰 (Wish Carrie a happy bday y’all! Xoxoxo)
Four weeks into President Trump’s second term, his administration already has legal eagles ringing the alarm. I turned to one of the country’s foremost constitutional scholars, Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe, to analyze the consequences of the president’s most controversial actions. This is a can’t-miss conversation. Watch it on my YouTube channel, or at the link in my bio.
In the aftermath of the devastating New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, more of the victims’ identities have been released. We continue to honor their memory and reflect on the lives tragically cut short. Edward Pettifer, 31, the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny and godmother to Prince Harry’s son, was visiting Louisiana from London. His family remembers him as “a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and a friend to so many.” Prince William released a statement expressing that he and Princess Kate were “shocked and saddened by the tragic death.” He added that their “thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.” Terrence “Terry” Kennedy, 63, a nice, mild-mannered man, was always ready to lend a helping hand. A New Orleans resident who had a soft spot for the Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs, he loved NFL football, but his #1 team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Elliot Wilkinson, 40, was working to rebuild his life after being released from prison. According to Unity of Greater New Orleans, a nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness, he had begun searching for an apartment. He had returned to the city he loved and planned to call home. His brother, Cecil Wilkinson, shared that he had wanted to introduce his daughter to Elliot but never got the chance. Brandon Taylor, 43, a cook from Terrytown, Louisiana, had a passion for music. He was out celebrating the new year with his fiancée, Heather Genusa, who witnessed his death. “He was my entire life. Brandon was my everything, and I lost it all,” she said. His mother, who lost her oldest son to a heart attack last year, is now mourning the loss of both her children. “Once I put him to rest, I will have time to cry and cry until I cry it all out.” Learn more at katiecouric.com or through the link in my bio. The Greater New Orleans Foundation has established a fund to support the victims’ families. Details can also be found at the link in my bio.
In the aftermath of the devastating New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, more of the victims’ identities have been released. We continue to honor their memory and reflect on the lives tragically cut short. Edward Pettifer, 31, the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny and godmother to Prince Harry’s son, was visiting Louisiana from London. His family remembers him as “a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and a friend to so many.” Prince William released a statement expressing that he and Princess Kate were “shocked and saddened by the tragic death.” He added that their “thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.” Terrence “Terry” Kennedy, 63, a nice, mild-mannered man, was always ready to lend a helping hand. A New Orleans resident who had a soft spot for the Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs, he loved NFL football, but his #1 team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Elliot Wilkinson, 40, was working to rebuild his life after being released from prison. According to Unity of Greater New Orleans, a nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness, he had begun searching for an apartment. He had returned to the city he loved and planned to call home. His brother, Cecil Wilkinson, shared that he had wanted to introduce his daughter to Elliot but never got the chance. Brandon Taylor, 43, a cook from Terrytown, Louisiana, had a passion for music. He was out celebrating the new year with his fiancée, Heather Genusa, who witnessed his death. “He was my entire life. Brandon was my everything, and I lost it all,” she said. His mother, who lost her oldest son to a heart attack last year, is now mourning the loss of both her children. “Once I put him to rest, I will have time to cry and cry until I cry it all out.” Learn more at katiecouric.com or through the link in my bio. The Greater New Orleans Foundation has established a fund to support the victims’ families. Details can also be found at the link in my bio.
Hamas has released three more Israeli hostages – U.S. national Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn, and Sasha Troufanov – in the latest ceasefire exchange. In return, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were arrested in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, terror attack. Dekel-Chen, Horn, and Troufanov were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack. Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, a dual American-Israeli citizen and former player for Israel’s national basketball team, was taken from his home, leaving behind his seven-months pregnant wife, Vital, and their two daughters, who hid in a safe room. Today, he learned the name of his third daughter, Shachar Mazal. Dekel-Chen worked as a national coordinator for the British branch of the Jewish National Fund and, alongside his wife, repurposed buses into mobile classrooms. Iair Horn, 46, a dual Argentine-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped along with his brother, Eitan, 37, who had been visiting for the weekend. Born in Israel and raised in Argentina, Horn returned as an adult and became part of Nir Oz’s large Argentine community. He worked in construction, while his brother was a teacher. Eitan remains is captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire’s first stage. Sasha Troufanov, 29, a Russian-Israeli citizen, was visiting family in Nir Oz on October 7. His father was killed in the attack, while his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were taken hostage and later freed during a November 2023 ceasefire. Troufanov lived with his girlfriend in a Tel Aviv suburb and worked at a company owned by Amazon. 📷: Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Getty
Hamas has released three more Israeli hostages – U.S. national Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn, and Sasha Troufanov – in the latest ceasefire exchange. In return, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were arrested in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, terror attack. Dekel-Chen, Horn, and Troufanov were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack. Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, a dual American-Israeli citizen and former player for Israel’s national basketball team, was taken from his home, leaving behind his seven-months pregnant wife, Vital, and their two daughters, who hid in a safe room. Today, he learned the name of his third daughter, Shachar Mazal. Dekel-Chen worked as a national coordinator for the British branch of the Jewish National Fund and, alongside his wife, repurposed buses into mobile classrooms. Iair Horn, 46, a dual Argentine-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped along with his brother, Eitan, 37, who had been visiting for the weekend. Born in Israel and raised in Argentina, Horn returned as an adult and became part of Nir Oz’s large Argentine community. He worked in construction, while his brother was a teacher. Eitan remains is captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire’s first stage. Sasha Troufanov, 29, a Russian-Israeli citizen, was visiting family in Nir Oz on October 7. His father was killed in the attack, while his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were taken hostage and later freed during a November 2023 ceasefire. Troufanov lived with his girlfriend in a Tel Aviv suburb and worked at a company owned by Amazon. 📷: Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Getty
Hamas has released three more Israeli hostages – U.S. national Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn, and Sasha Troufanov – in the latest ceasefire exchange. In return, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were arrested in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, terror attack. Dekel-Chen, Horn, and Troufanov were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack. Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, a dual American-Israeli citizen and former player for Israel’s national basketball team, was taken from his home, leaving behind his seven-months pregnant wife, Vital, and their two daughters, who hid in a safe room. Today, he learned the name of his third daughter, Shachar Mazal. Dekel-Chen worked as a national coordinator for the British branch of the Jewish National Fund and, alongside his wife, repurposed buses into mobile classrooms. Iair Horn, 46, a dual Argentine-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped along with his brother, Eitan, 37, who had been visiting for the weekend. Born in Israel and raised in Argentina, Horn returned as an adult and became part of Nir Oz’s large Argentine community. He worked in construction, while his brother was a teacher. Eitan remains is captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire’s first stage. Sasha Troufanov, 29, a Russian-Israeli citizen, was visiting family in Nir Oz on October 7. His father was killed in the attack, while his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were taken hostage and later freed during a November 2023 ceasefire. Troufanov lived with his girlfriend in a Tel Aviv suburb and worked at a company owned by Amazon. 📷: Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Getty
Hamas has released three more Israeli hostages – U.S. national Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn, and Sasha Troufanov – in the latest ceasefire exchange. In return, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were arrested in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, terror attack. Dekel-Chen, Horn, and Troufanov were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack. Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, a dual American-Israeli citizen and former player for Israel’s national basketball team, was taken from his home, leaving behind his seven-months pregnant wife, Vital, and their two daughters, who hid in a safe room. Today, he learned the name of his third daughter, Shachar Mazal. Dekel-Chen worked as a national coordinator for the British branch of the Jewish National Fund and, alongside his wife, repurposed buses into mobile classrooms. Iair Horn, 46, a dual Argentine-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped along with his brother, Eitan, 37, who had been visiting for the weekend. Born in Israel and raised in Argentina, Horn returned as an adult and became part of Nir Oz’s large Argentine community. He worked in construction, while his brother was a teacher. Eitan remains is captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire’s first stage. Sasha Troufanov, 29, a Russian-Israeli citizen, was visiting family in Nir Oz on October 7. His father was killed in the attack, while his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were taken hostage and later freed during a November 2023 ceasefire. Troufanov lived with his girlfriend in a Tel Aviv suburb and worked at a company owned by Amazon. 📷: Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Getty
Hamas has released three more Israeli hostages – U.S. national Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn, and Sasha Troufanov – in the latest ceasefire exchange. In return, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were arrested in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, terror attack. Dekel-Chen, Horn, and Troufanov were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack. Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, a dual American-Israeli citizen and former player for Israel’s national basketball team, was taken from his home, leaving behind his seven-months pregnant wife, Vital, and their two daughters, who hid in a safe room. Today, he learned the name of his third daughter, Shachar Mazal. Dekel-Chen worked as a national coordinator for the British branch of the Jewish National Fund and, alongside his wife, repurposed buses into mobile classrooms. Iair Horn, 46, a dual Argentine-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped along with his brother, Eitan, 37, who had been visiting for the weekend. Born in Israel and raised in Argentina, Horn returned as an adult and became part of Nir Oz’s large Argentine community. He worked in construction, while his brother was a teacher. Eitan remains is captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire’s first stage. Sasha Troufanov, 29, a Russian-Israeli citizen, was visiting family in Nir Oz on October 7. His father was killed in the attack, while his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were taken hostage and later freed during a November 2023 ceasefire. Troufanov lived with his girlfriend in a Tel Aviv suburb and worked at a company owned by Amazon. 📷: Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Getty
Hamas has released three more Israeli hostages – U.S. national Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn, and Sasha Troufanov – in the latest ceasefire exchange. In return, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were arrested in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, terror attack. Dekel-Chen, Horn, and Troufanov were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack. Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, a dual American-Israeli citizen and former player for Israel’s national basketball team, was taken from his home, leaving behind his seven-months pregnant wife, Vital, and their two daughters, who hid in a safe room. Today, he learned the name of his third daughter, Shachar Mazal. Dekel-Chen worked as a national coordinator for the British branch of the Jewish National Fund and, alongside his wife, repurposed buses into mobile classrooms. Iair Horn, 46, a dual Argentine-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped along with his brother, Eitan, 37, who had been visiting for the weekend. Born in Israel and raised in Argentina, Horn returned as an adult and became part of Nir Oz’s large Argentine community. He worked in construction, while his brother was a teacher. Eitan remains is captivity and is not on the list of hostages expected to be released in the ceasefire’s first stage. Sasha Troufanov, 29, a Russian-Israeli citizen, was visiting family in Nir Oz on October 7. His father was killed in the attack, while his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend were taken hostage and later freed during a November 2023 ceasefire. Troufanov lived with his girlfriend in a Tel Aviv suburb and worked at a company owned by Amazon. 📷: Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Getty
This is terrifying. A Delta Air Lines plane from Minneapolis crashed and turned upside down on the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport while attempting to land on Monday amid strong winds and drifting snow. Incredibly, all 80 people aboard were evacuated. At least 18 people were injured, including a child — but the child is in good condition, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto said per CNN. 📷: Getty
This is terrifying. A Delta Air Lines plane from Minneapolis crashed and turned upside down on the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport while attempting to land on Monday amid strong winds and drifting snow. Incredibly, all 80 people aboard were evacuated. At least 18 people were injured, including a child — but the child is in good condition, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto said per CNN. 📷: Getty
Hamas has announced that it will release the remains of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including the two youngest hostages, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, along with their mother, Shiri Bibas. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that an agreement was reached in Cairo for the return of “four slain hostages” on Thursday and the release of “six living hostages” on Saturday. Additionally, “four additional slain hostages are expected to be handed over to Israel next week.” While the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the return of four remains, officials did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether the Bibas family was among them. The Israeli military had previously expressed grave concerns for the lives of Shiri Bibas and her children but had not confirmed their deaths. The children’s father, Yarden, was released by Hamas earlier this month. The Bibas family released the following statement: “In the past few hours, we have been in turmoil following Hamas spokesperson’s announcement about the planned return of our Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir this Thursday as part of the hostages’ remains release phase. We want to make it clear that while we are aware of these reports, we have not yet received any official confirmation regarding this matter. Until we receive definitive confirmation, our journey is not over.“ 📷: Hostage and Missing Families Forum
I am completely OBSESSED with @frostedbynavah and her stunning botanical cakes. They look too real to eat! 🌷🎂 I had the best time learning how to create some of the incredible flowers she puts on cakes and cupcakes. Do yourself a favor and give her a follow, you won’t be disappointed! The frosting recipes and piping tips can be found below, and the piping bags and flower nails are linked in my bio! Chocolate frosting Melt together: 175 grams milk chocolate (I used Valrhona Jivara milk) 175 grams dark chocolate (I use Valrhona Caribe 66 percent) 225 grams unsalted butter Whisk together: 350 grams icing sugar 175 whole milk 1 tsp vanilla Mix the two above together. It will be runny at first and then thicken as it cools. It will be piping consistency after it thickens. Vanilla frosting for piping flowers: 400 Grams soft butter or non dairy butter 800 Grams powdered sugar 1 tsp. Vanilla 2 Tbsp. Milk or non dairy milk 1/2 tsp. Salt In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, mix the butter until it’s smooth (like peanut butter consistency) Add sugar in a few additions mixing until combined. Add the salt, vanilla and milk and do a final mix before storing in an air tight container. Piping tips used: Wilton 352 (for leaves. You can also use a 353) Wilton 190 ( for hydrangeas. A Wilton 2d also works) G.G. Cakraft 1062 for peonies (a wilton 122 or 123 would also work) Russian tulip tip for tulips Wilton 2 round tip for vines (any small round tip would work for this)
I asked historian and author @anneapplebaum if this method of “flooding the zone” that we’ve seen in the first few weeks of Donald Trump’s administration is typical among autocratic leaders. Watch our full conversation on my YouTube channel or at the link in my bio.
As Valentines weekend comes to a close, here’s another look at the greatest lovebirds I know! ❤️
Let’s be honest…I’m no stranger to shoe discomfort (having had to wear heels six days a week for most of my professional career!) As someone who’s still always on the move (and a bit older and wiser 😉), I’ve learned how important it is to listen to and take care of your body — especially your feet! I recently heard about @thegoodfeetstore and decided to give their personalized arch support system a try. Let me tell you: they make all the difference. Learn more about @thegoodfeetstore and how they can help you at the link in my bio!
