Greg Mitchell has authored more than a dozen books (see most of them here) and directed four recent PBS films. Subscribing to this newsletter is still FREE—so if you want to help fund, maybe purchase one of my books, thanks!
In a far from assured move, Paramount hasrenewed its contract with Jon Stewart to continue his once a week Comedy Central appearances. Meanwhile, Stephen and Jimmy last night:
Both of them hit Trump for the lavish “Great Gatsby” party he hosted over the weekend just as SNAP cuts kicked in. Here is a photo from that event, as F. Scott rolls over in grave:
Paul Krugman weighed in on the “why” of that this morning:
There’s been plenty of scathing commentary about the lavish, Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party Donald Trump threw at Mar a Lago — a party complete with sequined, feathered dancers and, yes, a scantily-clad woman in a giant martini glass. The party, held just hours before 42 million Americans were about to lose federal food assistance, as 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay, was grotesque. It was also, like everything Trump, unspeakably vulgar.
But many commenters described the festivities as “tone deaf,” as if Trump didn’t realize how it would look to be holding such a party as tens of millions of Americans are facing severe hardship. C’mon. Of course he realized how it would look. He understood perfectly well that he was partying while ordinary Americans were suffering. And that understanding — combined with the belief that he can get away with it — was a big reason he enjoyed the event.
During Trump’s first term Adam Serwer wrote a justly celebrated article for The Atlantic titled “The cruelty is the point.” He argued that cruelty, and the joy some people take from inflicting cruelty, are what bind Trump’s most loyal supporters to him: “The president’s ability to execute that cruelty through word and deed makes them euphoric. It makes them feel good, it makes them feel proud, it makes them feel happy, it makes them feel united.”
Serwer was thinking of working-class and middle-class Trump supporters, many of whom are voting against their own economic interests.
Dick Cheney has died. We will just leave it at that.
The great Mavis Staples on Colbert last night with a cut from her brand new album, “Human Mind.” Co-written by Allison Russell. For Pops: “I’m the last of us, Daddy, and I miss my family.”
From Tunes to Toons
Bramhall:
Ann Telnaes: Trump on “60 Minutes”
Michael deAdder:
Sheneman:
Photo Finish
Continuing my new feature, from my camera to you, let me know what you think. Today: “Still-Life.”
Thank you, as always, and the photo is beautiful.
Thank you Greg for Mavis. She’s the last one left😢