Ed. note: Please welcome Vivia Chen back to the pages of Above the Law. Subscribe to her Substack, “The Ex-Careerist,” here.
Hooters at the Kennedy Center? If Republicans get their way, the Opera House of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will soon be renamed after Melania Trump. Because who better embodies the artistic spirit of America today than a one-time model known for her sultry poses? (The 2000 British GQ issue in which she romped in the buff in Trump’s private jet is now a collector’s item, going for $1,000 on eBay.)
But Melania’s not just resting on her glossy laurels — she’s on a mission to expand our definition of art, championing nude modeling as high culture. Comparing her nude photos to classical art, such as Michelangelo’s David and John Collier’s Lady Godiva, Melania asked in a video this spring: “Are we no longer able to appreciate the beauty of the human body? Throughout history, master artists have revered the human shape, evoking profound emotions and admiration.”
So profound.
Donald Trump, l’artiste extraordinaire. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t believe that the ongoing saga in the Jeffrey Epstein matter will result in any real damage to Trump.
Sure, there seems to be a coverup in the works. After whipping up the base with promises of a big exposé, the FBI and the Department of Justice are stonewalling the release of the Epstein files. And it’s fishy that Todd Blanche, the number two lawyer at DOJ (and Trump’s de facto personal lawyer), is meeting privately with Epstein consort and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. Adding to the stink is Trump’s refusal to rule out a pardon for Maxwell, who’s serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. (He said he hasn’t thought about it, which means his wheels are spinning about what he can get out of her.)
Will this lead to anything significant? Doubt it. Honestly, even if there were a video of Trump and Epstein abusing a procession of underage girls, his base would either shrug their shoulders or spin it as evidence that God works in mysterious ways.
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What did catch my eye, though, was the Wall Street Journal’s recent revelation of Trump’s artistic flair, which he reportedly displayed in a birthday greeting to Epstein. Trump allegedly drew a picture of a naked woman, deploying his signature as pubic hair. Some called that touch vulgar but I found it oddly inspired. Though he denies that it was his creation (he’s now suing Rupert Murdoch, WSJ’s owner, for that article), Trump was an avid doodler who drew buildings, the New York skyline and the George Washington Bridge. Another artiste manqué like you-know-who?
Lauren Boebert has an amazing idea. I hope you didn’t miss this one: Representative Boebert demanded that a special counsel be appointed to investigate the DOJ’s refusal to unveil the Epstein files. And she has the perfect candidate for the job: Matt Gaetz, another alleged child abuser. I don’t know if Boebert was serious or just yanking our chain. In any case, you can’t deny that Gaetz would bring insight to the job.
The Vances will be terrorizing the Cotswolds. Why on earth is JD Vance dragging his family to the Cotswolds for vacation when he’s shown nothing but contempt for the UK and the rest of Europe? And as a hardcore nativist, shouldn’t he be spending August in the USA bonding with real Americans?
But even if JD refrains from disparaging the UK on this trip, you have to feel sorry for the natives. Considering the low opinion Europeans have of Trump, Vance’s mere presence is bound to cast a pall. (And what a bummer for Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia De Rossi who moved to the Cotswold to escape Trump.) As Guardian columnist Zoe Williams puts it: “What did the people of the Cotswolds do to deserve a visit from JD Vance?”
Fired Davis Polk associate claps back. Remember my post on Ryan Powers, the associate who got canned by Davis Polk for publishing articles critical of MAGA? Well, he took issue with some of my points. (Check out his response in the comment section.)
You might also recall I concluded my post by asking whether Powers was “heroic, naive or annoying.” As the sharp eyes at Above the Law noted, he’s now embracing those labels. His Instagram tag now reads “heroic, naive and annoying.” Hey, go for it.
The Gen Z blank stare. Apparently, it’s a thing. Business Insider reports: “As more of Gen Z enters the workforce, some millennials are saying the younger workers are greeting customers and colleagues with wide eyes, blank expressions, and pregnant pauses.” All this has raised questions whether Gen Z lacks basic social fluency to navigate the corporate workplace and everyday life.
I had no idea this was part of a larger social trend. I just thought it was normal for my kids to stare at me with bored disdain like I’m an idiot.
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Vivia Chen writes “The Ex-Careerist” column on Substack where she unleashes her unvarnished views about the intersection of work, life, and politics. A former lawyer, she was an opinion columnist at Bloomberg Law and The American Lawyer. Subscribe to her Substack by clicking here:
