The Tip of the Iceberg

A new report raises questions about Trump's business practices. January 5, 2024 Good morning. We’ve got the latest on the tragic shooting at Perry High School in Iowa. We’re also looking at the potential ripple effects of Claudine Gay’s ouster from Harvard, and diving into the [damning report into Trump’s business practices]( while he was in office. Over in entertainment, we’re dishing on [the new controversy surrounding the movie May December]( and [recapping the Golden Bachelor’s wedding](. Let’s begin.   In the News [Donald Trump]( Getty Images The Tip of the Iceberg A new report is raising questions over the legality of Donald Trump’s practices when he was still in the White House. On Tuesday, House Democrats revealed that the former president’s empire received at least $7.8 million in payments from 20 countries, including top foreign adversaries like China and Saudi Arabia. Democratic lawmakers argue that Trump personally benefited from these transactions, which is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Here’s why some lawmakers believe these deals are only the beginning, and [how they might’ve affected Trump's decisions]( when he was in office. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-and-policy%2Fnew-report-trump-hotels-received-money-from-foreign-governments%2F   More Stories [A man and a woman hug holding candles in the dark]( Getty Images Iowa shooting: Police are still investigating the motive of the 17-year-old shooter who killed a sixth grader and injured five other people at Iowa’s Perry High School yesterday. Student Dylan Butler was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the attack, which he began in the cafeteria at breakfast time. “The whole cafeteria went silent,” high school student Angie Orellana told CNN. “Then more shots continued and everything just went into chaos.” ISIS speaks up: ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadly explosions in Iran on Wednesday that killed at least 84 people. The terror group released a statement saying that two suicide bombers detonated explosive belts near the grave of the former military commander Qasem Soleimani in what it described as a “dual martyrdom operation.” Iran’s President had initially blamed Israel for the blasts, but state media reported the terror group's claims. Released: Oscar Pistorius, the former Paralympic sprinter, was released from prison in South Africa this morning. It's been nearly 11 years since he murdered his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius served just half of his 13-year sentence, and will remain on parole until the term expires in 2029. Steenkamp's mother June said in a statement today: “There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back." More revelations: A further batch of court documents from a case connected to Jeffrey Epstein was released on Thursday. These additional 300 pages include an [unsubstantiated claim]( from Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre that former President Bill Clinton once stormed into the Vanity Fair offices over a story about "his good friend" (the Vanity Fair writer denied this claim). Another document includes a deposition from a detective who described the process by which Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell recruited girls “to perform massages and work."   On the Record A day after resigning as president of Harvard University, Claudine Gay argued in [an op-ed in the New York Times]( that her ousting threatens more than the Ivy League. It risks the integrity of all trusted institutions — including academic, public health, and news organizations. “At tense moments, every one of us must be more skeptical than ever of the loudest and most extreme voices in our culture, however well organized or well connected they might be,” she wrote. The pressure Gay faced to step down could be just the start of a growing trend. [T]([his Wall Street Journal piece]( written by a key player leading the charge against Gay, lays out the conservative plan to win the so-called culture wars.   Must-Reads [Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner at their wedding]( Saying "I Do" Miss the Golden Wedding last night? We followed Gerry and Teresa's love story, so of course we recapped the most memorable moments. [Read More »]( [Golden Globes Statues]( Drumroll, Please... You’d be forgiven if you forgot all the projects up for a Golden Globe this year. Here’s a quick refresher before Sunday’s ceremony. [Read More »]( [Vili Faulaau]( "I'm Offended" Mary Kay Letourneau’s ex-husband Vili Fualaau has seen May December and has some harsh words for the filmmakers. [Read More »](   Ins & Outs We promise we’re not clogging up your feed with more random 2024 predictions — you’ll want to read [these forecasts into the future of work]( by today’s brightest minds. Here’s what David Ko, the CEO of Calm, thinks the year has in store: “In 2024, workplaces will start to provide mental health training that empowers employees to talk about their state of mind, particularly managers. Data shows many managers don’t know how to have mental health conversations... When mental health becomes a priority at every level of the organization, workplaces will see change.”   Extra Credit Keep it simple: When it comes to your wardrobe, I’m a firm believer that being “basic” is a good thing! Check out [the wardrobe staples I swear by](. Something old, something new: Are you about to have a golden wedding of your own? We’ve got [tips for planning nuptials later in life](. Deal alert: Spanx isn’t just a shapewear destination — their comfy loungewear is my go-to for traveling too! Try it out and [take up to 70% off right now](.   Best Face Forward [Woman smiling and holding the Inkey List ceramide moisturizer]( The Inkey List We're in love with [The Inkey List's affordable and effective skincare solutions](, and the brand has done it again with a supercharged moisturizer that leaves skin plumped and smoothed. Packed with deeply penetrating ceramides, [this must-try formula]( improves the appearance of fine lines while strengthening and renewing the skin barrier. Try it now for just $20. [PLUMP IT UP](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! 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