Skimm'd while sipping margs with Bethenny Frankel

"He wrote me beautiful letters and they're great letters. We fell in love" – President Trump on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He wrote him every day for a year.

AND NOW WE WAIT

The Story

Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation process (which you only talked to at least four or five people about this weekend) has some updates.

I'm listening...

In case you missed the real version (or the Matt Damon version), last week the SCOTUS nominee and Christine Blasey Ford – the CA professor accusing him of sexual assault – testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In short: Ford is certain Kavanaugh pinned her on a bed and groped her at a party in the '80s. He's certain he didn't. Also, he went to Yale.

So what are the updates?

On Friday, the committee decided to move forward and voted to recommend Kavanaugh. But it all came down to Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who might have been swayed by some passionate protesters on his way to vote. He called for an FBI investigation before the full Senate votes on whether Kavanaugh gets his robes.

Be real. What actually is an FBI investigation?

Ok, let's break it down…

The scope…In this case, it's basically another background check. It's not a criminal investigation, so don't expect it to provide any kind of conclusion about what happened back in the '80s. The FBI will interview some people, write a report about it, and send it off to the White House. Reports came out that the Trump admin was trying to narrow the scope of the investigation, but President Trump said 'not true.'

The witnesses...They're expected to interview Kavanaugh's friend Mark Judge, who Ford says was in the room when she was assaulted. As well as Ford and a second accuser, Deborah Ramirez. It doesn't look like they'll interview the other two women who've accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.

The timeline...The Senate wants the FBI to wrap this up by Friday. Then they'll vote on whether Kavanaugh becomes a new justice.

What's at stake here politically?

For Republicans...The GOP has been trying to move the court to the right for a long time, and they don't want to waste their shot. That's why they're trying to push this through before the midterms. But there are concerns among some Republicans about ignoring a sexual assault accusation, and the optics that come with it.

For Democrats...There's been loud shouting about how Republicans are not only ignoring a sexual assault accusation, but want to let that person sit on the country's highest court. For decades. They're hoping the FBI investigation will help the confirmation process lose momentum. And that this will energize their base before midterms.

theSkimm

This situation has turned from shocking, to sad, to political circus. TBD if this FBI investigation gets us any closer to the truth.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are watching...

Indonesia. On Friday, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the island of Sulawesi, triggering a tsunami with waves as high as 20 feet. The twin disasters killed at least 844 people, left tens of thousands homeless, and damaged thousands of buildings. Rescue workers are still struggling to reach some areas that were affected. Indonesia isn't a stranger to these kinds of natural disasters because of its location on the "Ring of Fire." But there are questions about why residents weren't properly warned about the tsunami. What doesn't help: the country reportedly hasn't declared this a national disaster zone yet…and apparently can't get funding or supplies from other countries until that happens. Indonesia's vice president warned that the death toll could go well into the thousands.

What to say when you and your SO agree on a place to eat...

We have reached a deal. The US and Canada have too. Yesterday, they shook hands on a deal to rewrite NAFTA. President Trump – who's called it "the worst trade deal" – had already agreed to new terms with Mexico back in August. But still had to work things out with the North. Now Trump and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau are clearing their throats. The new deal Includes things like giving US farmers more access to Canada's dairy market and requires more car parts to be made in North America. Now, all three countries are expected to sign the deal, but Congress also has to give it a thumbs up.

What to say when you're the only woman in a meeting…

Let's change that. California is saying 'same.' Yesterday, the Golden State became the first to require publicly traded companies to include women on their boards of directors. Some European countries – including Norway and France – already have these kinds of rules. But a quarter of publicly held corporations with HQs in CA apparently don't have any women on their boards. By the end of 2019, these companies will need to have at least one female director on the board – which could go up to three by the end of 2021, depending on the number of board seats. Those that don't follow through will face penalties with dolla dolla signs. Speaking of California trailblazing, yesterday the state adopted a law that puts net neutrality back in place. The Justice Dept responded by suing.

What to say when you hear about Facebook's security breach...

Having trust issues. Meanwhile, the SEC is trusting Elon Musk. Over the weekend, the Tesla CEO agreed to write a big check to settle with the SEC after it sued him. He also agreed to step down as chairman of the board…but he gets to keep 'Tesla CEO' on his resume.

What to say when you need a Monday pick-me-up…

Ana Carrasco is here to inspire you.

THING TO KNOW

A.B.C.

Easy as 123...but also the key to being a successful businesswoman. It means "Always Be Closing." As in, don't sleep on any chance you get to advance your company or close a deal. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women wants to give female entrepreneurs more opportunities to do just that. The global program provides women with the resources to grow and build their businesses. Learn more here.

SKIMM PICKS

For when you need a drink after a long day...

Let's be Frank(el), don't we all? In ep 4 of our "Getting There" series with Olay, Pantene, and Secret, Katie Couric talks with Bethenny Frankel about the importance of hustle in everything she does...and taking a margarita break when the job gets done. Cheers.*

For when it's officially October…

Commence nesting mode. Casper mattresses can help you achieve peak cozy status, thanks to their extra layers of support. Psst...Skimm'rs get something off the price tag. Warning: may cause bed to become your HQ.*

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