Friday Digest

In 2017, one of our opinion contributors, Dean Obeidallah, wrote a column that asked the question: Will Donald Trump Ever Say the Words ‘White Supremacist Terrorism’? The neo-Nazi site Daily Stormer saw the piece and posted an “article” that smeared Obeidallah with the ludicrous accusation that he was behind an ISIS attack. So Obeidallah sued Daily Stormer founder Andrew Anglin for defamation, and the judge this week ordered the hate-monger to pay $4.1 million in damages. For more details and to find out what Obeidallah plans to do with any money he collects, you can read this story on the case by Kelly Weill.

Speaking of our opinion team, they have been working overtime this week, especially with President Trump’s shocking-but-not comment that he would take dirt on political rivals from foreign governments. Barbara McQuade’s, a former prosecutors, broke down how it was a recipe for blackmail. Rick Wilson called it “peak Trump” and invited his Republican friends to imagine how they would react if Clinton or Obama had said such a thing:

“I’ll tell you what you’d do: You’d lose your fucking shit.  

You’d spurt blood from your goddamn eyes.

You’d corner the market on guillotine, tumbrel, and pitchfork stocks. A gibbet would appear in Lafayette Park.”

That’s what I like to call “peak Wilson.”

—Tracy Connor, Executive Editor

First Look Friday

Meghan Markle Prepares to Walk the Royal Political Tightrope

Meghan Markle is guest-editing an issue of Vogue celebrating female empowerment. As time goes on, how politically engaged can she be? Tough answer: Not as much as she might like.

Beast Opinion

What if Trump Won’t Leave the White House?

As we think ahead to 2020 scenarios, let’s imagine this one: Trump loses but refuses to leave. What will we—and elected Republicans—do then?

2020 Contenders

Team Beto Is Tired of the Media’s ‘Bullshit’ Narrative

After being bashed as light on policy, the Texas Democrat has unveiled a series of issue platforms his allies say he’s not getting enough credit for nationally.

Bernie Sanders Defines Democratic Socialism as Key to Defeating Trump

The senator sought to dispel interpretations of his views that more moderate Democrats have been concerned could cost the party a shot at the White House.

Pay Dirt

How Corporations Buy Access to Your Mayor

The CLA is a political action committee that works to elect Republican mayors and city officials around the U.S. It is largely funded by corporate donors.

Hillary Clinton has created a new nonprofit to supplement her post-2016 advocacy work, corporate records indicate.

A pair of leading firearms trade associations will hold an annual import and export policy conference at Donald Trump’s hotel in Washington, D.C. next month—right as the administration finalizes a controversial change to federal gun-trading rules for which both groups have pressed.

The Last Laugh Podcast

Jeff Ross: Ann Coulter ‘Blew It’ at Comedy Central Roast—and Then Lied About It

The Roastmaster General tells ‘The Last Laugh’ podcast how Ann Coulter ended up bombing so hard at the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe.

“I always forget how much I relate to the characters in the 'Toy Story' franchise, whose survival instinct is to play dead whenever humans enter the room. So it was like a warm hug to attend a press screening this week of 'Toy Story 4,' in which our beloved characters reckon with their sentience and the first half of the film is spent with everyone trying to convince a character that he is not trash. (Again, relatable!)”

— The Daily Beast’s, Kevin Fallon on Toy Story 4.

Scouted

Store Your Winter Clothes Properly With These 5 Options

Sweaters and puffy coats have had their time. Now is the change to properly store them.

The Allbirds Tree Breezers are an elevated take on an everyday flat.

Brooklinen’s Got Your Next Beach Towels (and Robe) in the Brand New Hammam Turkish Cotton Collection

They’re super soft, extra absorbing, and styled so well that each item in the collection could double up as wall art.

In Case You Missed It

• America Is Stuck With a $400 Billion Stealth Fighter That Can’t Fight
• Author Nicholas Sparks Tried to Ban LGBT Club and Student Protests at His Christian School, Emails Reveal
• Mexican Officials Have a Trick for Navigating Trump: Ignore the Tweets and Go to Jared

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