Welcome back to Hot Tip on this very special day, my dearest darlin internet pals!!!! Today is the first anniversary of trying something new with a Substack account I had previously not known wtf to do with, and landing on something that felt true to both what I love to write and what people need right now. A little bit of news, a lot of fun, and just the right amounts of 1) bullying the people who deserve to be bullied and 2) celebrating the beards that deserve to be celebrated (Noah Wyle, Jon Stewart, and Rep. Greg Casar, to name a few.)
Over 95 newsletters this year, I’ve covered things like state visits from war criminals, chaos at the CDC, lies about blowing up Iran’s nuclear program, the death of Medicaid, the grift that is DOGE, SCOTUS fucking us over, airlines using AI to set a ticket price just for you, dumb tariff math, how to become a morning person, group honeymoons, why homemade ice cream is better, a Met Gala that mattered, and my unexpected trip to the Paris Olympics. I’ve used the words “fuck,” “bullshit,” “Nazi,” and “they’re trying to kill us all” more than the average member of the media, prompting the best review I’ve ever received:
Truly, from the bottom of my vaccinated-ass heart, thank you for being here. Nearly 4k people in 48 states (the Dakotas still hate me?) and 70 countries (hola!!! bonjour!!! hallo!!! etc.) are reading Hot Tip. Whether you’re a free subscriber, a paid subscriber, a friend, a stranger, a family member, my mom and dad, a guy I went on one date with, or my GP that I pressured into subscribing during a recent appointment (not a joke), I’m so happy you’re reading!!! As a treat, I’m unlocking the paywalls on some of my old fav pieces (see below) if you feel like taking a walk down mem lane with me, and a reminder as always to share this newsletter with anyone in your life you think would love it, and/or subscribe your scarily uninformed family members against their wills. I won’t tell.
For your weekend consideration: Follow Hot Tip on Instagram. Watch the men’s and women’s US Open Finals. And check out the newsletters from some of my favorite writers (across a broad range of topics!!!) on Substack:
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Finally, an interesting group text
Or, why you should never mute your friends, just in case they are deciding to bomb Yemen.
The Stephen Colbert of it all
With love from a former Late Night staffer who is very pissed off right now.
Summer's hottest tips from my hot and interesting friends
I polled some of my favorite people to give you their best tips, tricks, and recommendations heading into June + July, because the world may be bad (politics, general vibes) but there are also many, many good things to do and try (California road trips, refreshing cocktails, picnics, dairy that doesn’t hurt your stomach, etc.)
Hot Takes: Justine Doiron
"The exciting part about learning to cook is witnessing what can happen in a pan over medium heat with a bit of patience."
All the president's men are fucking with you
The White House is a Tesla dealership now but at least Elon's feelings aren't hurt.
Wheeeeeee in such good company - thank you! HBD HOT TIP! 🎂 xx
But it’s the bullying that we love the most.
You and your writing are truly a gem 💎 love love love Hot Tip ! ! I can’t believe I got mentioned, I look forward to your posts every week. Thank you Alex.