Donald Trump gave a particularly senile press conference on Tuesday, in which he rambled on and on about international affairs. I saw some political journalists had the audacity to act like the press conference was a referendum on American voters alone, like the entirety of the American media didn?t spend the past four years doing everything they could to ensure that Trump got back into office. First off, Trump claimed that he has the authority to rename the Gulf of Mexico, which is the body of water shared by the US, Mexico and Cuba.

Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and the president-elect seemed to tie the prospective renaming to his long-standing grievances with Mexico?s handling of immigration, drug trafficking and trade.

?We?re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,? Trump said at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. ? ? What a beautiful name, and it?s appropriate.?

The president-elect subsequently decried the Mexican government for allowing migrants to ?pour? into the United States, saying Mexico ?can stop them and we?re going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada because Canada, they come through Canada, too.?

[From WaPo]

News outlets are now busying themselves with trying to figure out if Trump could actually rename it. What?s worse is that I?m sure many people halfway understand his reasoning, but no one cares that much about it to actually make the change. While this was spectacularly unhinged part of his rant, he also doubled-down on his threats to take Greenland and the Panama Canal by force.

President-elect Donald J. Trump refused on Tuesday to rule out the use of military or economic coercion to force Panama to give up control of the canal that America built more than a century ago and to push Denmark to sell Greenland to the United States.

In a rambling, hourlong news conference, Mr. Trump repeatedly returned to the theme of American sacrifice in building the canal and accused China, falsely, of operating it today. When pressed on the question of whether he might order the military to force Panama to give it up ? in violation of treaties and other agreements reached during the Carter administration ? or to do the same with Greenland, he said: ?No, I can?t assure you on either of those two.?

?We need them for economic security ? the Panama Canal was built for our military,? he said. Asked again if he would rule out the use of military force, he said: ?I?m not going to commit to that. You might have to do something.?

Mr. Trump?s statements propelled his repeated calls for expanding American territory to a new level, one that is bound to roil three American allies ? Panama; Denmark, which handles Greenland?s foreign and security affairs; and Canada, which he has mocked as America?s ?51st State.? On Tuesday he made clear, though, that he was not joking, suggesting that if Canada remained a sovereign state the financial cost to its trading relationship with the United States could be crushing.

[From The NY Times]

I really feel like this man?s brain is Swiss cheese at this point. Something?s got to give, right? Will JD Vance?s handlers allow Trump to ?operate? like this for much longer? That was always the conspiracy theory, that wealthy Republican fascists used Trump to attain power, then as soon as he won, they would dispatch with him quickly. Anyway, I?m sure Putin is smiling this week.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

Sometimes, I really do believe that the Princess of Wales and the Middleton family have Prince William over a barrel. He?s stuck in some sense. Stuck in a miserable marriage because (in my opinion) the Middletons hold too much kompromat on him. Then again, they always say that however William feels about Kate nowadays, he likes that he has a wholesome family-man image and he enjoys lording it over his father that his first marriage hasn?t ended in divorce. All that being said, I?m not sure many people are buying these attempts to hard-sell the public on the Waleses? rosy marriage. ?Being stuck with one another? does not equal happiness and success. Still, they keep trying. The latest is a report that William plans to take Kate away on a vacation without their kids. I?m sure William goes on vacations without the kids, I?m just not sure Kate is there. There?s also a suggestion that William and Kate might renew their vows.

Following a ?brutal? year for the Royal Family, a source has claimed that Prince William is planning a ?second honeymoon? and may even renew his wedding vows with Kate Middleton.

The family also joined together on Christmas Day for the annual Sandringham Church Service and now, as the Royal Family pull together more than ever, insiders say Prince William, who recently described this year as the ?hardest? of his life, is determined that the New Year rings in a new chapter for Kate by whisking her off her feet for a second romantic ?honeymoon?. As reported by Closer, a source recognised that the last year has left them ?closer than ever?.

The source said: ?Wills is ever the romantic ? Kate values their alone time, nothing is more special than having her prince to herself. So he?s planning a romantic getaway ? just the two of them ? Wills has set the wheels in motion to whisk Kate away.?

Not only this, but the source claimed that a vow renewal wouldn?t come as a surprise too, as they added: ?And those close to them wouldn?t be surprised if the royal couple took this time out to reaffirm their wedding vows in a private blessing.?

The source continued: ?This has been a tough year for Kate and Wills and a complete emotional rollercoaster. He?s confided to friends that everything has been thrown in their path, but he is proud of how they have weathered the storm. However, he has watched on as Kate has had to operate on autopilot this year to put on a normal show for the children and to get by ? so an MOT for the soul is much needed for them both to reconnect.?

And while the family spent this Christmas at Anmer Hall, their home close to a secluded beach in Norfolk, the insider revealed how Africa could be just the place for William and Kate to unwind as a couple. Subsequently, the source recognised: ?They want to go somewhere secluded ? Wills has employed a trusted family friend in assisting with this very special private getaway to a place of extreme importance ? Africa and the wildlife reserves are a love for them both. To have their wedding blessed there after 14 years would be really special.?

[From The Sun]

The vow renewal?lol. The whole thing is absurd ? William will what? Drop the kids off with Carole Middleton, then take Kate down to Jecca Craig?s estate in Kenya, where they?ll do vow renewal? Absolutely none of that will happen. It?s far more likely that William would go solo to Kenya for some rest-and-relaxation without Kate and the kids, and that no one will be informed of it until after the fact. I don?t even think Mustique is in the cards these days ? the Middletons are too broke-ass, and William doesn?t want to go on vacation with them anyway.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

I loved Jeremy Strong?s bonkers ensemble at the Globes. I was genuinely not prepared for the resurgence of bucket hats in recent years. [LaineyGossip]
I learned something new a few days ago: Latin Americans overwhelmingly despise Emilia Perez and find the film offensive. [Buzzfeed]
Aubrey Plaza asked for privacy after her husband?s passing. [JustJared]
The Washington Post is a shell of what it was just a few years ago. [Pajiba]
Mike Johnson managed to get reelected as Speaker of the House. [Jezebel]
The Vivienne passed away at the age of 32. [Socialite Life]
Party photos from the Golden Globes. [Hollywood Life]
People love Doechii?s ?Denial Is a River? music video. [OMG Blog]
The Last of Us will be back in April. [Seriously OMG]
Who wore Valentino at the Globes? [RCFA]

This was supposed to be a big year in Canadian politics. A general election was already on the books for October 2025, and it was widely assumed that Justin Trudeau, Canada?s prime minister for the past decade, was facing a serious referendum on his leadership not only in Canada, but on the world stage. The fact that Americans f?ked up our presidential election so badly hasn?t helped either ? Trudeau wasn?t looking forward to dealing with Donald Trump, on top of everything else on his plate. And after ten years, there were significant cracks in Trudeau?s power base. Canadians are restless, and it?s likely that Trudeau was looking at a major defeat in this election. So Trudeau chose January 6th to announce that he would step down as prime minister and leader of Canada?s Liberal Party.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada announced on Monday that he would step down as Liberal Party leader and prime minister, a decision that will install new leadership in Canada by late March, after his party picks a new head.

?Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians,? Mr. Trudeau said as he announced his decision in Ottawa, the capital. His resignation sets off a succession battle to replace him after he spent roughly a decade at the helm of both the party and the country.

The upheaval comes as the country is grappling with how best to deal with President-elect Donald J. Trump?s pledge to impose crippling tariffs on all imports from Canada on his first day in office. Canada and the United States are each other?s biggest trading partners. Mr. Trudeau visited Mr. Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Florida, in late November, and his government had been in talks to address the president-elect?s concerns about border security in hopes that he would reconsider his tariff threat.

Mr. Trudeau has faced weeks of mounting pressure from inside his party?s ranks. In December, Mr. Trudeau?s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, abruptly stepped down in a stinging rebuke of his leadership and stewardship of the country. Her resignation incited a growing chorus of voices from Liberal parliamentarians asking him to step aside for the sake of the party, and let someone else lead the Liberal Party against the Conservatives in the next general election, which must be held by October.

Mr. Trudeau shut down Parliament until March 24 to allow his party to pick a new leader. The action wipes out all pending legislation but does not affect the government?s day-to-day operations.

[From The NY Times]

I feel like the people who were around for Trump?s first term can see which way the wind is blowing and they?re all having existential crises. Except for Macron. President Macron seems to revel in buttering up Trump and manipulating Trump. But everyone else is doing breathing exercises and day-drinking. Obviously, I?m sure Trudeau has many other political problems beyond Trump and Canadian-US relations. But choosing to announce his resignation on J6, two weeks before Trump?s inauguration, is a huge choice.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

I?m really happy about the Duchess of Sussex?s Netflix cooking/entertaining show, With Love, Meghan. The trailer was released last week and it already has millions of views on YouTube and social media. It remains to be seen if Meghan will actually do some press to promote the show, or if she?ll just let word-of-mouth do its thing. Once again, I will say this? I would enjoy seeing Meghan do some interviews and some media around the show. The lack of any promotion around Polo was disappointing and it played into the worst and most toxic narratives. Granted, those toxic narratives are going to happen anyway? which is why Meghan and Harry should be proactive. As for that toxicity? a lot of outlets in the UK and even some in America have published pieces mocking Meghan and the idea of Meghan doing a cooking show. Eater was one of those sites rolling their eyes at Meghan. But something interesting happened ? Texas chef Adrian Lipscombe posted a fascinating clapback:

So this has been going around for a minute, and I have to say, @eater?what are y?all thinking? I get it?sensationalism gets clicks, but shame on you. I?m really trying to be nicer in 2025, but this? This isn?t it.

How are you going to criticize someone or judge a TV show before it has even aired? @eater, there was a time we looked to you for thoughtful reporting, a pulse on food trends, and some real insight into the food world. But now? This feels like a step down.

I?ve had the pleasure of meeting @meghan over food, and let me tell you, she and her well-known significant other are some of the most down-to-earth people I?ve ever met. We talked about our families (mostly about our daughters being in their princess phase and the movies they love) and, of course, about food. She didn?t rush the conversation, even though I was taking up her time. She was gracious, engaged, and kind.

What frustrates me most about this piece is how easily it falls in line with the tabloid noise surrounding her. Instead of offering a professional critique, interviewing her, or asking thoughtful questions, you?ve chosen to sensationalize for clicks. That?s not the journalism or standard many of us want from you.

And let?s talk about the bigger picture here?where are the Black female-led shows and roles in the food world? Representation is already so scarce, and now, a show that has the potential to spotlight food, culture, and storytelling is being torn apart before it even has a chance. This isn?t just about Meghan Markle. It?s about a systemic issue in media and entertainment that continues to dismiss or belittle efforts by women, especially women of color, to create something meaningful.

I really hope you?ll consider retracting this piece and, more importantly, taking a moment to reflect on the impact of this type of writing. Take the time to get to know the people you?re covering, their intentions, and the context behind their projects. The food world deserves better. Meghan deserves better. And frankly, we all do.

[From Adrian Lipscombe?s IG]

This clapback actually inspired me to find the Eater post being discussed. It?s just as nasty as Lipscombe suggests ? and it was written by a white woman, Amy McCarthy. It?s a tantrum about a minute-long trailer in which McCarthy spews venom at the idea that anyone would want to watch Meghan cook, bake or entertain when they could just watch a white woman like Martha Stewart or Ina Garten. ?This isn?t just about Meghan Markle. It?s about a systemic issue in media and entertainment that continues to dismiss or belittle efforts by women, especially women of color, to create something meaningful.? Exactly. There was a feeding frenzy of negativity as soon as the trailer dropped, with people tripping over themselves to denigrate Meghan for? cooking and making a light lifestyle show.

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A post shared by Adrian Lipscombe (@adie_eats)

Photos courtesy of Netflix.

Death, taxes and princess feuds ? the only things we can count on anymore. By all accounts, the Duchess of Sussex has not spoken in person to Prince William and Kate since September 2022, during Queen Elizabeth?s funeral period. Meghan left that island and she?s never come back. Reportedly, she?s possibly spoken on the phone with King Charles but that?s probably the only communication she?s had with anyone in the family in over two years. Royal sources are constantly raging about how Prince William would never ?allow? Harry and Meghan to do this or that, and how Kate feels the same way. But now there?s a report that Kate would like to bury some hatchets in the new year.

Kate and Meghan Markle will never be friends but the Princess of Wales is considering reaching out to the Duchess of Sussex, according to a source. Kate now wants to heal the feud between her husband Prince William and Prince Harry as well as her own rift with Meghan, a source has claimed.

An insider told Closer: ?With all the water under the bridge and everything she?s been through this past year, she?s come to a place where she wants peace in every aspect of her life. Not just for herself, but for the sake of William and Harry, she?s very worried about what this long-running feud is doing to the both of them.?

A second source said: ?This isn?t so much about wanting to be friends with Meghan ? that?s never going to happen.?

They added: ?A lot of people still think Kate would be justified to hang onto a grudge after the way Meghan has behaved, but she has no interest in that. Sure, there were hurt feelings a while ago but she?s ready to let it go ? time has been a great healer.?

Meghan Markle has not travelled to the UK since September 2022 when she attended Queen Elizabeth II?s funeral. The Duchess of Sussex opted not to attend King Charles?s Coronation in May 2023. Prince Harry has frequently returned to the UK over the last two years during solo appearances without his wife.

[From GB News]

?A lot of people still think Kate would be justified to hang onto a grudge after the way Meghan has behaved.? Meghan hasn?t done sh-t to that woman. Meghan only corrected the record after Kate and her terrible mother spread racist lies about Meghan for years. Notice that even in this keen fantasy, it?s more about Kate wanting to see or speak to Harry more than anything else. She wants to bury the hatchet with Harry and once again try to convince him to abandon his wife and children so he can be his brother?s scapegoat. They?re still going to be doing versions of this story when William is king, you know.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.

Major spoilers for Conclave.

I was so excited to see Conclave, I actually went to the theater to watch it right when it came out. Money and time well spent ? Conclave is one of my favorite films of the year, and I believe it?s a major awards contender. Most people believe it will be shortlisted for the Best Picture Oscar, and many awards-prognosticators predict that Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini will pick up Oscar nominations. From what I?ve seen, there hasn?t been a larger cultural conversation about Conclave, I think because people don?t want to ?spoil? the ending, the big reveal about the new pope. Stop reading now if you haven?t seen it yet and you want to be surprised!

So, it turns out that Megyn Kelly did not see Conclave in the theater. She waited to rent it or stream it, and she watched it over the weekend. She hated it, and she got on Twitter to bitch about it, and she spoiled the big reveal:

Just made the huge mistake of watching the much-celebrated ?Conclave? & it is the most disgusting anti-Catholic film I have seen in a long time. Shame on Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci & John Lithgow for starring in it & shame on director Edward Berger (among others). ?Spoiler:? They make THE POPE INTERSEX! This is the big exciting twist at the end. I wish I had known so I wouldn?t have watched it. There are almost no redeeming characters in the movie ? every cardinal is morally bankrupt/repulsive. The only exception of course is the intersex pope (who ? surprise! ? has female reproductive parts) & the cardinal who keeps her secret ? bc of course that kind of Catholic secret-keeping must be lionized. I?m disgusted. What a thing to release to streaming just in time for Christmas. They would never do this to Muslims, but Christians/Catholics are always fair game to mock/belittle/smear.

[From Megyn Kelly]

?There are almost no redeeming characters in the movie ? every cardinal is morally bankrupt/repulsive.? Almost as if the Catholic Church is run by flawed men who are hungry for power and drawn to authority over women and children. Honestly, that was what Conclave was mostly about ? all of the cardinals are flawed, some of them more than others. Some are racist, some have broken their vows, some are too politically active for their own good, and some are just bad at playing politics. Some are more progressive, some are bordering on fascist. Conclave plays out like a mystery, with Ralph Fiennes?s cardinal acting as the Poirot/Miss Marple trying to figure out what various cardinals are really up to. By the time we get to the end, the person who is elected pope is lovely, but he also has a secret: he?s intersex and he had no idea until well into adulthood.

Megyn posted her hissy fit on Sunday, hours before the Golden Globes. Conclave?s screenwriter Peter Straughan won a Golden Globe, and he was asked about Kelly?s comments. Straughan said, in part: ?I don?t think the film is anti-Catholic. I was brought up Catholic. I was an altar boy. I think the core message of ?Conclave? is about the church always having to re-find its spiritual core, because it deals so much with power. That?s always been a careful, difficult balance. To me, that was a very central Catholic ideal that I was brought up with. I stand by it.? Plus, he just adapted it from the book!

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Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Getty.

I saw some awards-prognosticators saying that Sebastian Stan?s Golden Globe win means that he?s likely a sleeper favorite for his first Oscar nomination. Not for that Donald Trump movie, but for A Different Man. [Just Jared]
Colin Farrell, former ?bad boy,? thanked craft services when he won his Golden Globe last night. I want to know if he spoke to Angelina Jolie!! [Buzzfeed]
The Hollywood Reporter?s Actress Roundtable featured Angelina Jolie, Tilda Swinton, Zendaya, Mikey Madison & Demi Moore. [OMG Blog]
Deconstructing the Daily Mail?s insane headlines. [Socialite Life]
I was fine with the Globes telecast but then again, I wasn?t expecting anything good. It was fine and there were even some good jokes. [LaineyGossip]
Are all of Robert Eggers? films fundamentally about ?the women are the problem? and how does that play out in Nosferatu? [Pajiba]
What are your New Year?s resolutions? [Go Fug Yourself]
Kim Kardashian demoted from equity firm SKKY. [Starcasm]
Eddie Redmayne is a J6er (as in, today is his birthday). [Hollywood Life]

Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw were so good in Black Doves, but I thought the series was lacking somehow. It needed more kick assery and less lovelorn pining. Plus it was so dark visuallly, like I could barely make out some of the scenes. It turns out that was a setting on Netflix I figured out after I squinted through the whole thing. Oh well. If you want to see an amazing spy/assassin show, watch Day of The Jackal with Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch! That?s worth subscribing to Peacock for.

Keira wore a Chanel empire waist sequin, velvet and feather gown that I would like better without the dippy bown at the top. She looks effortlessly luxurious though, there?s something so fashionable about her. It might be how tall and whispy she is. I also really like her blunt cut. As I mentioned earlier today, I?m so tempted to chop my hair into a bob, but I don?t know how versatile that would be. I?m thinking about it! Kerry was nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Drama, for Black Doves. That category went to Anna Sawai for Shogun.

Keri Russell seems like she?s nominated for something just about every year. I guess she just picks prestige projects. She was also nominated in this category, for The Diplomat. Keri wore a giant white Stephane Rolland zoot suit dress. She takes a lot of risks with her fashion and they don?t always pay off. To her credit, she does not seem to give a sh-t and I admire that about her.

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Jessica Gunning won Best Female Supporting Actor, Television for Baby Reindeer. She?s also won an Emmy and is nominated for Critics Choice Award for that role. I didn?t realize that she?s English, not Scottish like her character! Jessica was in a velvet Christian Siriano gown with a ruffled neckline. I love how rich and colorful this gown is. I love a good jewel tone, but we didn?t see that many last night.

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Allison Janney was nominated in Jessica Gunning?s category, for her role in The Diplomat. She was also in Siriano, in a lovely cold shoulder navy column gown. The necklace makes the look! Check out her glambot video.

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photos credit: Avalon.red, Cover Images and Getty

Miley Cyrus went to the Golden Globes as a nominee ? she was nominated in Best Song, for ?Beautiful That Way? from The Last Showgirl. Miley stayed true to herself, I guess, and wore this Celine dress which seemed slightly undercooked for the Globes. And yet, props to her for putting together a real look and not making an ass out of herself. Personally, I still haven?t gotten over her (alleged) buccal fat removal, which changed her face in a huge way. But other than that, she looks healthy and focused.

Ariana DeBose looked like the movie star she is at the Golden Globes ? she wore a dramatic Oscar de la Renta which was perfect for her at this moment ? classy, elegant, but not too ?look at me? because she wasn?t a nominee this year.

Pamela Anderson also wore Oscar de la Renta ? I saw her interview on E!, and she was just so honored to be nominated and invited to the show. She?s a really gentle soul, so I?m not going to say much about her dress. I will say that I love how her sons always have their mom?s back no matter what.

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Amy Adams in Dolce & Gabbana ? this was fine and the color was beautiful. I felt sorry for her because she was there for Nightbitch. She?s unfortunately going to be called ?Nightbitch?s Amy Adams? for a while.

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Let?s end with Isabella Rosselini, looking spectacular in Dolce & Gabbana. My guess is that the red is supposed to mimic something specific with the Catholic Church? Because she was nominated for Conclave (she didn?t win, boo).

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Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images, Getty.