The invitation to a private meeting at the Palm Beach airport on New Year’s Day came to me last minute, upending my plans to tour the Versace mansion (once the site of Gianni Versace’s infamous murder, now a luxury hotel in Miami), recover from a few too many Spanish margaritas at Peter Thiel’s party the night before, and grab a late lunch with Arynne Wexler.
My goodness! I just read a real article. One written by a human about another human and how each dealt with the normal circumstances of an opportunistic encounter. Thank you, I felt as I witnessed it through your eyes!
Actions speak louder than words (or charm). As Bongino says, take the emotion out of it. All that matters is outcomes. So far his support for Ukraine has me suspicious of him and his ability to deliver outcomes.
What I love about your perspective is how much you lean in to the normalcy of every person you meet and interview. You see the person, and tell us about them. It’s so refreshing.
Like I am with Elon, I'm torn on Mike Johnson. He is certainly adorable (Michael J. Fox in Family Ties vibes) but something doesn't sit right about him with me. I want to like and trust him, but perhaps it's because he comes off as too perfect and "non-fuck-giving" that holds me back. I dunno. With Elon it goes back to "he was with Amber Heard!" That and he's not staying in his own lanes (plural) and is stretching a bit too much of his power. I love that Mike Johnson is a Christian and family man, but also don't trust that. Mitt came across in a similar manner and look what a disappointment he is.
You can agree to disagree with Speaker Johnson to a point. The fact that he supports continuing aid to Ukraine tells me he is bought and paid for. Since the conflict's onset, the U.S. Congress has approved five aid packages totaling approximately $175 billion. I don't care how funny and likeable Johnson is. In 2023 he said he acknowledged the "strategic importance of supporting Ukraine but insisted on greater scrutiny and accountability for any additional aid."From ChatGPT--By April 2024, Johnson's position had shifted notably. He introduced a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, which passed in Congress with bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Biden. He presents well but IMO is full of it. RINO.
This! Yes! all his support for sending money for foreign wars is gross. Can we just stop with these war mongering tools?! Thomas Massie is the only one in congress who is doing right thing. And I don’t get it. Why is everyone suddenly in love with MJ? Last year everyone hated him for siding with the dems and sending money to Ukraine.
Your ability to make me so interested in politics, politicians, and the like is commendable! I never want to miss what you have to say and feel like I’m learning so much more than I ever did from school or my parents when it comes to politics.
You should listen to James Carville’s description of Mike Johnson on YouTube. It is illuminating. Youngsters in the influencer field might begin their careers carefully by being very suspicious of charm. It can be deadly.
I mean absolutely no disrespect-to each his own-but I cannot stand to listen to James Carville. I think he is rude and crude and a has been!! He was dead wrong so many times throughout this election cycle. He, like most Democrats, still doesn’t get the true reason Democrats lost!
I guess there's truly no hope for the US - spoken as one living in Europe. This is my first read of this newsletter. I'm shocked by the cuteness, the self-awareness (oh dear I wore sunglasses) and the general tenor of Oh Well Let's just make sure I'm liked by right and left alike.' This is a newsletter? Where, might I ask, is the news? Mike, the man who has an anti-porno app to reprimand himself if his alter ego goes clicking? Mike who'd rather see every woman on earth subjucated to no contraception at all? There are blunt facts about the man that are extremely frightning and what do I read here: Oh dear such a big job! Oh dear he makes jokes and is like a puppy! Oh dear .... Oh dear. Sorry to be so blunt, but really? Where is the news? Where are the links to his positions and his horrific misogynistic positions and statements? I don'T give a blast about your hangover. Cute won't save the US, and Johnson is a devil in a small man's pants.
Absolutely spot on. Save me from this fawning drivel. “New Years Day with Mike Johnston” if this is the future of Journalism we are doomed. He ‘s cute, I’m hungover from Peter Thiel’s party. Oh the humanity of it all. Thank you for putting it all so bluntly and honestly. Where is the news?
He is a White Christian Nationalist who believes “god has prepared him to be the new Moses.” His beliefs are in line to take away all of women’s, POC and LGBTQ rights. This article was a disservice to everyone reading because you said absolutely nothing of who this man actually is.
For instance, their is surmountable evidence of who Donald Trump is. Numerous court filings that he rapes women. If you’re from NY you know he’s a con man and a fraud. He’s been indicted on charges of espionage and inciting an insurrection. He’s a malignant narcissist. All the evidence in the world could be presented to you and you would still deny it. That is psycho manipulation by design that has been in play for over two decades and it’s working on maga. This is where we are now.
I’ve been following his corruption since pre 2016, so I think I have you beat on the amount of research and reading I have done on his psychosis and crimes by scholars, lawyers, psychologists, historians and factual court filings. He was found liable for rape in a court of law which he’ll be sentenced to on Friday. He is a convicted felon. He is a malignant narcissist psychopath and if you can’t see that, you’re the one that has work to do. It’s quite obvious you’re scope is very narrow minded of the situation.
DirtbagDemSchumer bootlicker for PedoJoe is STILL talking up how sharp Pedo is. And then there's Pelosi who's never seen an insider stock trade she didn't like...
So, I'll take MAGA Mike over these two unethical pieces of rot.
In all honesty, does it matter if this man is likable and granting you access if he puts forward legislation that is contrary to small government and limited, accountable spending?
Honestly have a hard time reconciling the claims of Christian values with desiring to add taxes to lower and middle incomes and reduce multi millionaire rates as well as cut social services, healthcare, education…
Also, a world of media coming predominantly from influencers would be limiting.
And the trusted sources are the ones saying exactly what B.Living has said. I mean, how can you be “the media” when you’re obviously biased? You’re basically Fox News at this point.
My goodness! I just read a real article. One written by a human about another human and how each dealt with the normal circumstances of an opportunistic encounter. Thank you, I felt as I witnessed it through your eyes!
Thank you Mark for reading
I know I love it . 2025 goal “read long form again” is that right?
Actions speak louder than words (or charm). As Bongino says, take the emotion out of it. All that matters is outcomes. So far his support for Ukraine has me suspicious of him and his ability to deliver outcomes.
What I love about your perspective is how much you lean in to the normalcy of every person you meet and interview. You see the person, and tell us about them. It’s so refreshing.
Thank you Ashley
I love this take on his humanity yet I can’t bring myself to trust this man.
Jessica: Did you find him trustworthy in person despite how trust in him has eroded since the CR debacle happened under his watch?
Not trying to sound mean - I’m really just looking for your initial reaction.
Like I am with Elon, I'm torn on Mike Johnson. He is certainly adorable (Michael J. Fox in Family Ties vibes) but something doesn't sit right about him with me. I want to like and trust him, but perhaps it's because he comes off as too perfect and "non-fuck-giving" that holds me back. I dunno. With Elon it goes back to "he was with Amber Heard!" That and he's not staying in his own lanes (plural) and is stretching a bit too much of his power. I love that Mike Johnson is a Christian and family man, but also don't trust that. Mitt came across in a similar manner and look what a disappointment he is.
You can agree to disagree with Speaker Johnson to a point. The fact that he supports continuing aid to Ukraine tells me he is bought and paid for. Since the conflict's onset, the U.S. Congress has approved five aid packages totaling approximately $175 billion. I don't care how funny and likeable Johnson is. In 2023 he said he acknowledged the "strategic importance of supporting Ukraine but insisted on greater scrutiny and accountability for any additional aid."From ChatGPT--By April 2024, Johnson's position had shifted notably. He introduced a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, which passed in Congress with bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Biden. He presents well but IMO is full of it. RINO.
This is the reason I don’t trust him. He talks about his principles but I don’t see him pushing back against the machine.
This! Yes! all his support for sending money for foreign wars is gross. Can we just stop with these war mongering tools?! Thomas Massie is the only one in congress who is doing right thing. And I don’t get it. Why is everyone suddenly in love with MJ? Last year everyone hated him for siding with the dems and sending money to Ukraine.
I’m with Massie
Your ability to make me so interested in politics, politicians, and the like is commendable! I never want to miss what you have to say and feel like I’m learning so much more than I ever did from school or my parents when it comes to politics.
This is the best compliment. That you Rachel,
You should listen to James Carville’s description of Mike Johnson on YouTube. It is illuminating. Youngsters in the influencer field might begin their careers carefully by being very suspicious of charm. It can be deadly.
I mean absolutely no disrespect-to each his own-but I cannot stand to listen to James Carville. I think he is rude and crude and a has been!! He was dead wrong so many times throughout this election cycle. He, like most Democrats, still doesn’t get the true reason Democrats lost!
I guess there's truly no hope for the US - spoken as one living in Europe. This is my first read of this newsletter. I'm shocked by the cuteness, the self-awareness (oh dear I wore sunglasses) and the general tenor of Oh Well Let's just make sure I'm liked by right and left alike.' This is a newsletter? Where, might I ask, is the news? Mike, the man who has an anti-porno app to reprimand himself if his alter ego goes clicking? Mike who'd rather see every woman on earth subjucated to no contraception at all? There are blunt facts about the man that are extremely frightning and what do I read here: Oh dear such a big job! Oh dear he makes jokes and is like a puppy! Oh dear .... Oh dear. Sorry to be so blunt, but really? Where is the news? Where are the links to his positions and his horrific misogynistic positions and statements? I don'T give a blast about your hangover. Cute won't save the US, and Johnson is a devil in a small man's pants.
Absolutely spot on. Save me from this fawning drivel. “New Years Day with Mike Johnston” if this is the future of Journalism we are doomed. He ‘s cute, I’m hungover from Peter Thiel’s party. Oh the humanity of it all. Thank you for putting it all so bluntly and honestly. Where is the news?
He is a White Christian Nationalist who believes “god has prepared him to be the new Moses.” His beliefs are in line to take away all of women’s, POC and LGBTQ rights. This article was a disservice to everyone reading because you said absolutely nothing of who this man actually is.
Other comments disagree
Because ya’ll live in an echo chamber designed and implemented by the far right. Unfortunately, it’s working
That's it, Katie.
For instance, their is surmountable evidence of who Donald Trump is. Numerous court filings that he rapes women. If you’re from NY you know he’s a con man and a fraud. He’s been indicted on charges of espionage and inciting an insurrection. He’s a malignant narcissist. All the evidence in the world could be presented to you and you would still deny it. That is psycho manipulation by design that has been in play for over two decades and it’s working on maga. This is where we are now.
And, if you're me and readers familiar with my work, you know the corruption plaguing our courts and persecuting political enemies.
Also. For the record (which you should better familiarize yourself with) he was never convicted of rape.
E Jean Carrol couldn't even remeber the year of her assault. But conveniently charged him during the election cycle.
You have work to do if you want to support your outrage.
I’ve been following his corruption since pre 2016, so I think I have you beat on the amount of research and reading I have done on his psychosis and crimes by scholars, lawyers, psychologists, historians and factual court filings. He was found liable for rape in a court of law which he’ll be sentenced to on Friday. He is a convicted felon. He is a malignant narcissist psychopath and if you can’t see that, you’re the one that has work to do. It’s quite obvious you’re scope is very narrow minded of the situation.
And Maralago is worth 18 million.
He’s a slimy bastard and I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. We need to get rid of RINOS.
I don't know much about him-can you share more about why so many people don't like him?
Maga Mike, bootlicker for Trump
DirtbagDemSchumer bootlicker for PedoJoe is STILL talking up how sharp Pedo is. And then there's Pelosi who's never seen an insider stock trade she didn't like...
So, I'll take MAGA Mike over these two unethical pieces of rot.
Troll, have a nice day
Shaping the narrative…
In all honesty, does it matter if this man is likable and granting you access if he puts forward legislation that is contrary to small government and limited, accountable spending?
Honestly have a hard time reconciling the claims of Christian values with desiring to add taxes to lower and middle incomes and reduce multi millionaire rates as well as cut social services, healthcare, education…
Also, a world of media coming predominantly from influencers would be limiting.
No one said this. The fact though is people more and more are consuming news from trusted sources online.
And the trusted sources are the ones saying exactly what B.Living has said. I mean, how can you be “the media” when you’re obviously biased? You’re basically Fox News at this point.
No one asked about his skincare routine because holy cow, how is he 51?! 😧
I really wanted to