My Weekly Recommendations
Let’s get caught up on the last week:
Are Musk and Trump Headed For a Breakup?
For most of the Trump administration, Elon Musk has been presented as the president’s closest adviser. Which is why it might be surprising that when there was a disagreement between Musk and Trump’s Cabinet, Trump sided with his Cabinet secretaries.
Deported for Protesting? The Arrest That's Shaking America
Mahmoud Khalil walked into the lobby of his student house apartment building, not knowing that plainclothes officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were waiting for him. Within moments, they surrounded him, took him into custody, and led him outside.
My Take on Economic Chaos, Immigration Crackdowns, and Ending Food for Kids
This Friday’s piece covered a lot: JP Morgan raised the probability that a recession will happen this year, the US cut a billion dollars in food for schools, why Trump is interested in Canada, how the US ended up on a human rights watchlist, and an assessment on what I've gotten right and wrong on immigration so far.
Washington’s Crypto Power Grab – a Game-Changer or a Disaster?
Just a few years ago, folks were laughing at cryptocurrencies. Now, the power players in the industry are rubbing shoulders with President Trump at the White House. Crypto has gone from a joke to a serious financial tool.
Cutting “Foreign Waste” Sounds Good. Until You See the Cost
From famine warnings to countering extremism, here’s what America is really losing by gutting USAID.
What I’m reading…
The Tell: A Memoir
By Amy Griffin
In her search for the truth, to understand and begin to recover from buried childhood trauma, Amy Griffin interrogates the pursuit of perfectionism, control, and maintaining appearances that drives so many women. With hope, heart, and relentless honesty, she points a way forward for all of us, revealing the power of radical truth-telling to deepen our connections—with others and ourselves.
I’d Had Jobs Before, but None Like This
By Graydon Carter for The Atlantic
The time I spent working on the Canadian National Railroad changed the course of my life.
Untangling the Foreign Aid Ruling
By Steve Vladeck for One First
There's a lot going on in the Court's cryptic, 5-4 ruling in the foreign aid funding cases. Steve Vladeck unpacks some of the most important takeaways.
From Antarctica with Love
By Allegra Rosenberg for Atavist Magazine
Sir Robert Falcon Scott’s doomed journey to the South Pole captivated the world. But hidden within the legend was a story that has never been told—a love affair between two of the crew who survived.
What I’m listening to…
Make Magic with Brad Meltzer
Here’s Where It Gets Interesting
Want to know the secret to getting more out of life? I chatted with #1 NYT best-selling author Brad Meltzer about his latest book, “Make Magic,” based on his viral commencement speech from last year. Brad shares the four things you can do to lead a more kind, empathetic life full of wonder. And because Brad doesn’t have enough to do, he has written another new political thriller, “The JFK Conspiracy.” During their discussion, he told me about a lesser-known plot to assassinate JFK and how his marriage to Jackie Kennedy saved the president’s life.
The Truly Incredible Story of Keiko the Killer Whale
This American Life
Keiko was a hugely beloved adventure park attraction. He was also captured in the wild and taken away from his mother when he was just a calf. When Hollywood learned about him, a colossal effort began to un-tame him and send him back to the ocean.
What I’m watching…
The 107-year-old tattoo artist preserving an ancient art
The Great Big Story
At 107 years old, Whang Od is the oldest remaining mambabatok – a traditional master tattoo artist in the Philippines using hand-tap methods. Called Batok, the method uses a hammer, thorns and coal, and dates back thousands of years, having first been used to honor warriors in battle.
Ian Bremmer: Trump, Europe, Ukraine and the uncertain world order
TED Explains the World
Headlines have been swirling as President Trump enters his second month back in office and his policies come into focus. In this urgent, fast-paced conversation, political scientist Ian Bremmer defines what we should pay attention to, digging into a newly fractured US-Europe relationship, the potential future of Ukraine and moves in Gaza, China and within the United States itself.
Conversations I had this week…
Watch Read Listen: Sharon McMahon
I joined KSTP Eyewitness News to give my picks for what to watch, read, and listen (a lot like what I give you every week!).
As always, thanks for being a Governerd.
I second Vladeck’s Substack. Some days I feel like the only question that matters is what happens if Trump ignores the courts. What then? I have yet to see anything that explores this scary question in depth and games out possible responses. I hope someone somewhere is doing that and they’re just not sharing it yet. Let’s face it - the SJC built a Frankenstein with their ruling on Presidential immunity and Trump/Musk/Vance are taking full advantage of it. Scary times (but, on the brighter side, I literally cut my consumption in half last month so my wallet will at least come out ahead during this dystopian Trumptopia 😂).
I always enjoy Steve Vladeck. His substack has been so interesting, especially for someone with no legal experience. I found Ian Bremmer’s interview concerning. His last question pinpointed how I’m feeling. Trump has made the world feel less safe (for me). I’ve bookmarked the Antartica piece to read later!