19 April 2025

good morning, reader.

BOO

• in a rather exciting turn of events, it has been revealed that the Trump administration’s list of demands sent to Harvard were sent without authorization. 3 White House officials confirm the letter was either never meant to be sent or was to be sent prematurely.  regardless, because the university decided to counter the administration, $2.2bn in grants were frozen and the university’s tax/exempt status is under threat of revocation. I guess I am grateful the worst someone on this level with such an itchy trigger finger could do was this, but also nervous about what it could look like if officials with pull in the geopolitical sphere make decisions without the all clear.

• democratic Maryland senator Chris van Hollen met with Kilmer Abrego Garcia, whose deportation in late March has been widely contested, and the subject of significant public and judicial scrutiny.  in a speech about the meeting at the airport upon landing, Senator van Hollen said “If you deny the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights and due process for everyone else in America.”  he was met with applause.  on the topic of this administration’s handling of illegal migration, late last night, deportations under the alien enemies act have been blocked in an emergency order by the Supreme Court, dissented to only by Justices Alito and Thomas. 

• Bloomberg just profiled a “live in startup accelerator” in San Fr*ncisco called Hacker Fellowship Zero.  residents all work and meditate on money moves.  they (rather sacrilegiously, I might add) called this shameful bro convention a “monastery.”  please. no more of this on my paschal weekend. 

YESS

• studies of the first diabetes management/weight loss pill, manufactured by Eli Lilly, have shown positive results.  maybe the real MAHA was the GLP-1 pills we made along the way.

• Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle say ‘soap nails’ are the nails to have this spring.  a fresh, glossy buffed nude manicure is kind of timeless and I expect something a tad more distinct when people talk about a given season’s trends.  that said, I love a classic look- my nails are baby pink right now.  

MONEY

• a close look at 102 Cut readers’ debt made me feel hopeless and extremely anxious on their behalf. the secrets they keep from loved ones, the regrets they have about spending: it must be a horrible, underwater feeling to wake up to each morning. most of those polled are between $21k and $50k in debt. it is necessary to add the list does include a few people who have excellent types of debt: mortgages are included, for example. that said, 70% have credit card debt.

MIAM

• the interior designer Christine Gachot’s Easter celebrations were featured in Vogue. the placecards, the extravagant floral arrangements, the guava and blackberry cakes, and of course, the chocolate bunnies and Cadbury cream eggs all create a festive and cohesive atmosphere, a fun modern take on the holiday.

BOP

• Western Pleasure by Chaparelle and Zella Day.

• “Sofa (of my Lethargy)” by Supergrass.

have an excellent day 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟