Politics

Riding the Purple Wave

What's going on: With midterm elections less than 60 days away, both parties are pulling out all the stops. That includes throwing a two-day RNC midterm convention in the hopes that a president with low approval ratings, who nonetheless has a proven track record of drumming up support, can get their base to turn out. And while there’s plenty to disagree on, here’s something we haven’t said in a minute: Red and blue voters are actually coming together (and not just in swing states) on issues like political corruption, data centers, and AI surveillance. The growing anti-AI sentiment from both parties adds to the current concerns Americans share over inflation and gas prices. Apparently “it’s the economy stupid”... and also, the robots.  

Tell me more: Seeing Republicans and Democrats agree on something — anything — is bewildering. Yet it comes as 89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread, according to a recent Gallup poll. Data centers are also overwhelmingly unpopular across party lines, with 57% of Republicans and 81% of Democrats opposing them in their local areas. (Campaign advertisements have totaled almost $45 million on this very issue, split almost 50/50 between parties.) Both sides also want Flock cameras — which use AI to track license plates and other vehicle data — to go, amid reports that law enforcement is abusing the tech. It’s safe to say there’s no shortage of issues. But hey, at least we’re all in this together?

Related: A Democratic Senator and a $5000 Vote-for-Us Promise? A Wild Night at the RNC (CNN)

He Was Feeling Generous

Not To Harp on This, but… $45,000 Gifts?

What’s going on: During the holidays, you might expect a corporate bonus or a nice team dinner. At the White House, it could be $45,000 in cash. That’s the amount President Donald Trump gifted three of his top aides this past holiday season (including executive assistant Natalie Harp, aka the “human printer”) out of his own personal accounts, with another receiving $20,000, per new financial disclosures. Trump’s "nice list" was made of staffers that have remained loyal to him through his times in the political wilderness post-January 6th. No other president has publicly given out large cash payments like this. The White House said these gifts weren’t related to “official government duties,” which makes them above board. 

And is it legal?: Experts say all this appears to violate a federal statute that prohibits bonuses for political appointees from outside sources, something the administration itself has been critical of in the past. Until now, such substantial gifts have been far beyond a president’s salary (a mere $400,000, remember?), but Trump is the richest president in American history. He banked $2.2 billion last year that we know of — and much of that windfall is a direct result of his own policies. Experts say the bonuses could leave these aides feeling personally indebted to Trump, rather than to the office of the president. Our next question: Will his aides pay taxes on these gifts, or are they exempt from that too?

Related: Was Natalie Harp Involved in Trump’s Flurry of Strange Social Media Posts? (The Independent)

One Large Popcorn, Please

Long Live the Summer Blockbuster

What's going on: If your summer highlights included spending nearly three hours watching Matt Damon find his way back to Ithaca, you’re in good company. The summer box office report is in, and US ticket sales hit $4.76 billion. Hollywood says this is the highest-grossing summer blockbuster season ever –– though some buzzkills point out that this stat isn’t adjusted for inflation. After inflation, 2026 is still the best summer since the pandemic (and that includes Barbenheimer), thanks to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, Toy Story 5, and The Devil Wears Prada 2 –– plus a few surprises like Obsession, Backrooms, and Michael. This record is due in large part to films that brought out women and Gen Z moviegoers. 

So, movies are saved?: Depends on who you ask. Many are hopeful that this summer is the start of a theater renaissance. “Moviegoing begets moviegoing,” one film financier told Deadline. Some industry insiders think that people may be over streaming and would rather watch movies on the big screen, especially “event movies” they can go to with friends. But the killjoys, *ahem* The New York Times, argue that the box office increase was more due to higher ticket prices than bigger audiences. We’ll know more by the end of the year, when we see how it goes for Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday. IndieWire writes that to keep up the momentum, studios should prioritize great stories and directors with a clear POV, especially if their name is Christopher Nolan. So when can we expect The Odyssey: Ithaca Drift? 

Related: Streamers Are Raising Prices Faster Than Ever (The Hollywood Reporter)