— Simone Biles, appearing to reference MyKayla Skinner, who criticized Team USA gymnasts ahead of the Paris Olympics. Biles really said F.A.A.F.O.
What's Happening
US News
Trump Questions Kamala Harris' Racial Identity In Front of Black Journalists
What's going on: Former President Trump made several inflammatory statements during a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists convention yesterday. Throughout the 35-minute conversation, before a predominantly Black audience, Trump questioned VP Kamala Harris’ biracial identity. He baselessly claimed she “became a Black person” only recently, despite Harris’ lifelong recognition of her Black and South Asian heritage. Trump also attacked one of the panel’s moderators, Rachel Scott of ABC News, after she confronted him about derogatory statements he’s made about Black journalists and elected officials, calling her questions “horrible” and saying she was “rude.” Harris said Trump’s unfounded statements about her race were “the same old show” of divisiveness and disrespect.
What it means: Trump’s comments come as Harris has faced racist and sexist hate speech online. Since her campaign kicked off, Congressional Republicans have also accused Harris of being a “DEI hire.” Just last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) urged Republicans to steer away from attacking Harris’ identity. Meanwhile, the former president’s remarks are reminding many of when he falsely accused former President Obama of not being born in the US. If the GOP hopes to avoid alienating Black and female voters, Trump’s controversial — and at times hostile — performance yesterday is unlikely to help.
What's going on: Yesterday, the Pentagon announced that three men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors. As part of the deal, the men will plead guilty as soon as next week to conspiracy and murder charges in exchange for life in prison, according to The New York Times. Since at least 2006, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed — the alleged mastermind of the attacks — and his accomplices have been held at Guantánamo Bay as prosecutors pursued a trial and the death penalty. Their cases have been stuck in years of legal proceedings amid concerns that the CIA’s use of torture, which the government would have had to explain at trial, affected the evidence against the men.
What it means: The deal could close a chapter for families of the nearly 3,000 people killed on 9/11. Many feared these cases would never reach a trial or resolution. Now, prosecutors say this deal could bring some “finality and justice.” However, not everyone sees it that way. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called the deal “a revolting abdication of the government’s responsibility to defend America.” One of the victims’ family members told The Associated Press, it has “always been disgraceful that these guys, 23 years later, have not been convicted and punished for their attacks, or the crime.”
What it means: Before the 2024 Games started, many questioned whether the Olympics lost its allure and relevance. Previous games struggled with a global pandemic and human rights abuse allegations, and one Gallup poll found that the Paris Olympics were on track to have record-low viewership in the US. But the competition is back on — and Friday’s opening ceremony drew nearly 29 million views, the highest since the 2012 London Olympics. What’s boosting the ratings? Call it the Simone Biles meets Emily in Paris effect — between the gymnast’s incredible comeback, celebs and spectators returning court-side, and Paris being, well, Paris, American viewers are très hooked. It’s not just TV. The Olympics have also taken on a different life on TikTok, with athletes like Suni Lee giving us a front seat to everything in the Olympic Village.
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
Can't make it to the beach before summer's over? Light up this Otherland candle that one editor is obsessed with. It has notes of coconut, gardenia, and amber that bring tropical vibes to you.
Here's how to match your outfit with your favorite perfume. Consider this your fragrance mood board.
If you have a ton of weddings on the cal, consider investing in one of these classic dresses that you can wear to all of them. When your dress is this good, no one will care if you're an outfit repeater.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Extra Credit
Eat
Just because you stopped going to summer camp — *checks ID* — several, uh, years ago, doesn’t mean you no longer get to enjoy the ooey, gooey, chocolatey goodness of s’mores. In fact, there’s a, dare we say, even better way to enjoy the campfire classic. Enter: Broma Bakery’s S’mores Brownies, which are essentially the fudgiest, most decadent brownies you’ve ever had, sandwiched between a crispy, buttery graham cracker base and a layer of toasty marshmallow topping. Best of all, you don’t have to go foraging in your backyard for sticks.
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Settle This
Olympian triathletes finally swam in the Seine River and the reviews are in: “It didn’t taste great. It’s a little bit brown.” Would you be willing to take a dip?
Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.
