As a political junkie, a liberal Reform Jew, and a general fan of mess and drama, Emily Tamkin’s skillful new profile of Ben Shapiro is right in my wheelhouse. Emily spoke with the conservative pundit (and outspoken Zionist) about the ways in which it seems the movement is leaving him behind as support for Israel among even staunch Republicans begins to falter—and the separate issue of antisemitism on the right. As Emily puts it, “It’s more accurate to say that for the American political right, barely concealed antisemitism has long been permitted and even welcomed—so long as it did not extend to criticizing Israel. It also seems fair to say that this rhetoric is only now being treated as an issue”—by people like Shapiro—“because Israel is also involved.”
Elsewhere, Kase Wickman assembles her dream team for Taylor Swift’s bridal party, and Aidan McLaughlin chats with Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan from The New York Times about their deep dive on Trump 2.0. |
HILLARY BUSIS,
SENIOR EDITOR |
The Daily Wire is losing audience, Shapiro’s former friends are on the attack, and even he’s started to notice creeping antisemitism on the right. But the pundit tells VF he’s sticking to his guns. |
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Who does the world’s biggest star and most notorious celebrity pal ask to be in her own wedding party? Our predictions, some more plausible than others. |
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As President Trump’s second term hurtles through scandal and war, New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan take us deep into the White House in a new book—and an interview with Vanity Fair.
When discussing a letter the president received stating that Trump was more powerful than some of history’s most consequential figures, including Napoleon, Joseph Stalin, and Adolf Hitler, “Trump was visibly in a state of pleasure to be in their company,” Swan told VF’s Aidan McLaughlin. |
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