A Tongue-Wagging Moment: A Break from Washington's Chaos
Was Le Slap a playful affectionate gesture or an aggressive act? France's power couple stir up a diversion amidst the deluge of disheartening news.
Let's face it, the news coming out of Washington has been nothing short of overwhelming:
Sweetheart Deals for Tax Cheats, lining President Trump's pockets. Talk of Pardons for violent criminals plotting to kidnap and kill Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Dinners with Crypto Moguls, showering him with cash. The Mania for Power to snuff out the light of the nation's prestigious universities. The budget that's going to Strip Healthcare Coverage from millions, while Slashing Taxes for the wealthy and adding an estimated $3.8 trillion to the staggering $36 trillion national debt.
And don't even get me started on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s move Risking Pregnant Women's Access to COVID-19 vaccines, putting their infants' lives at risk when they're particularly fragile and not yet eligible for vaccinations.
Cheers to the Stand against Trump's Authoritarian Bullying
Companies like Penzeys Spices are standing tall against the MAGA agenda and any urge to buckle under President Trump's pressure[3].
Now, a much-needed distraction landed in my lap—an unexpected video!
You might have seen it: Last Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron's wife, Brigitte Macron, turned heads when she playfully smushed her hands into her husband’s face[4]. It looked like an act of aggression at first—I was intrigued!
I know, it's far from groundbreaking. But isn't it exciting when the veil of perfection that shrouds the lives of powerful, polished couples momentarily falls?
Reminders of such moments include the sight of First Lady Melania Trump brushing off her husband's hand during a 2017 visit to Tel Aviv[4], or the way her smile waned during his first inauguration, causing the trending hashtag #FreeMelania.
The Arrogance of Joe Biden and His Enablers: Gaslighting America
A new book delves into the truth behind Biden's circle doubling down to hide his worsening health[6].
For all the drama and speculation swirling around the Clintons' marriage, I can't recall a moment when they didn't seem civil with one another, not even after the White House intern scandal. The same cannot be said for the Obamas, but there's not much we can truly know about what happens behind closed doors.
Back to the Macrons.
Pandemonium erupted on the tarmac in Hanoi when their plane arrived, and the unsuspecting couple was caught off guard as Disembodied Hands mounted an attack on Macron's face[4]. He reacted swiftly and collected himself, with Brigitte appearing at his side as they descended the steps. He offered her his arm, but she demurred.
The strange video went viral, sparking what one headline called "chaos" at the Elysée Palace[4]. Initially, the French government suggested that the clip might be fake or manipulated by Russia to undermine Macron[4]. Later, the Associated Press verified the authenticity of the video, and the government changed its tune, describing it as a lighthearted, playful interaction between the couple.
A "Beautiful" Trump Tariff Move? More Like a Headache for My Niece
An executive order closed a tariff loophole benefiting Chinese fast fashion online retailers, much to my niece's dismay[7].
This incident briefly overshadowed the Macrons' trip. "We're bickering, and rather, joking with my wife," Macron explained, expressing his disappointment that the incident had been blown out of proportion[4]. He even made light of it during a subsequent trip to Jakarta, Indonesia, where another "disembodied hand" appeared, waving before Macron beamed and walked down the stairs, arm in arm with his wife.
For such an intriguing couple with a backstory filled with mystery, the Macrons have successfully kept a delicate balance between public and private life. Meeting in 1993 at a Catholic high school in northern France where Brigitte was a drama teacher (quite a situation, I must say!), the couple's relationship defied conventional expectations.
The couple made headlines again in 2006 when Brigitte divorced her husband and married Macron the following year, when he was 29 and she was 54. "Of course, we have breakfast together, me and my wrinkles, him with his youth, but it's like that," Macron told Elle France in 2017. "If I did not make that choice, I would have missed out on my life." Sigh, love and laughter abound in this modern-day fairytale.
RFK Jr.: A Dangerous Crusade Dismantling Public Health Programs
Kennedy is on a quest to dismantle a multitude of programs that keep Americans alive and disease-free[8].
Footnotes:1. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pardons-for-tax-cheats-pals-of-many-ex-trump-aides-116110360072. https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/ europe/french-president- macron-wife-vietnam-intl/index.html3. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/07/penzeys-spices- negative-anti-trump-social-media- post-goes- viral.html4. Multiple sources, including those listed above and additional reporting from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, and The New York Times.5. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/frances-macron-manages-laugh-off-slap-gate-us-visit-2021-06-15/6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/08/book-alarms-about-biden-outline-dire-strategy-misinformation/7. https://www.baltimoresun.com/business/consumer/sns-order-makes-it-harder-for-consumers-to- dodge-import-tariffs-20210305-soa6iczmzveaepdd7sxlb4xzya-story.html8. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/health/rfk-jr-covid-vaccines-opinion-opndir-trnd/index.html
- In the midst of Los Angeles' bustling entertainment scene, celebrities and pop-culture icons often find themselves at the heart of social-media debates.
- The government of California has proposed a new law aiming to address crime by increasing funding for law enforcement, a move met with mixed opinions.
- Amidst the political chaos in Washington, the upcoming LA Rams game might offer a brief respite for sports fans.
- An editorial criticized Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his opinion advocating for pregnant women's restricted access to COVID-19 vaccines.
- In the realm of science, the ongoing debate about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines continues to dominate headlines.
- The political landscape of Los Angeles is filled with numerous social and health issues that need immediate attention, particularly addressing the city's high crime rates.
- The entertainment industry in Los Angeles is also under scrutiny, with calls for greater diversity and representation in pop-culture media.
- The 2022 midterm elections could act as a turning point for Los Angeles' political landscape, with various parties vying for influence in shaping the city's future policies.
