Pam Bondi gave big Meredith Blake energy this week
But at least we got a new Timothee Chalamet ping pong movie, too
Did you know that many LA apartments come without fridges? I’ve personally never had to purchase one, but it’s a common practice here in Hollywood for landlords to tell tenants to buy their own refrigerators—yes, in rentals!!! Well, hot off the press: California Governor Gavin Newsom is sticking up for Angelenos’ rights to have an icebox provided for them, starting in 2026, or an apartment will be considered “uninhabitable.” And dammit, that is just like you, Gavin, because between that and being a (quite effective) crusader for democracy these days—
Reminder to Californians: Vote YES on Prop 50. Your mail-in ballot is on its way, if you don’t have it already!
In politics: Pam Bondi testified on Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee with the cool, calm finesse of a woman hurtling down a mountain in a sealed box filled with murder hornets. Every simple yes or no question was answered with a weird, angry diatribe—her answers giving stepmom threatening to “ship those brats off to Switzerland” more than “attorney general.” She refused to answer everything from 1) do you know what happened to the $50k that border czar Tom Homan accepted as a bribe in an FBI sting operation last year? to 2) have you seen the alleged photos of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein with naked girls? And if I had been there, 3) Babe, you good?
We are over one week into the federal government shut down, which now includes widespread airport delays, Republicans threatening to not backpay furloughed workers (illegal), and what I have to assume is a post-head-injury Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is now supporting the Obamacare subsidies slashed by her fellow party members. Or maybe she just got vaccinated*? (*Microchipped.) And hot tip: She’s right. Healthcare premiums on the marketplace will more than double next year if this budget goes through as is, the largest recorded price hike in history—all so masculinity-obsessed billionaires can buy more ugly gold chains and hair plugs while you do the math on whether or not you can get your ruptured appendix out. America the beautiful!!!!
On the one hand, I’m glad Democrats are thus far holding the line on the government shutdown. There’s a lot to fight for right now, and picking something that is going to have a nearly immediate financial impact on millions of people makes sense. On the other, taking Chuck Schumer to Warby Parker and giving him an Instagram edit does not an inspiring leader make—
Watch this: Maine Democratic Senate Candidate Graham Platner (a hot oysterman, harbormaster, and veteran with the beard and voice of Jeff Bridges) who is running against lifelong Republican politician/perpetually alarmed Susan Collins. Platner’s answer at a town hall this week went viral, taking the route of compassion and empathy, rather than shame and blame. More of this, less of Chuck.
In culture: Tom Sietsema, the Washington Post restaurant critic who went to great lengths to disguise himself (yes, I’m talking wigs) is retiring after 25 years. In a world far too influenced by “doctors” both Oz and Phil, you’ll be glad to know that the MacArthur Foundation is still awarding their “genius grants,” this year to 22 (mostly) artists and scientists, including a neurobiologist, a nuclear security specialist, and an “improvising musician and composer.” And Timmy Chalamet and Josh Safdie did a surprise screening of Marty Supreme Monday night at NYFF, aka the A24 table tennis film for which the actor did years of secret ping pong training (and, I’m assuming, years of mustache-growing.) Truly can’t wait for this one.
FYC: This Keri Russell profile in The New Yorker. JFK and Jackie Kennedy’s Georgetown home, available now for $7.5 million. And my favorite new everything skincare product is Magic Molecule hypochlorous acid spray. I’m talking acne, dermatitis, bug bites, KP, literally anything. It works and is inexpensive and smells like a pool, which is a plus for me personally.
Previously on Hot Tip:
