A Slam Dunk

Trump's record win in Iowa [For the best experience, read in browser.]( January 16, 2024 Good morning! Despite blizzard conditions, voters turned out for the Iowa caucuses — and the (very decisive) results are in. We delve into the details, below. Then, we've got highlights from last night's Emmy Awards, including [the hottest looks from the red carpet](. We'll also share [a new perspective on middle age](, recommend [an alternative to Dry January](, and much more. Let's get started...   In the News [Trump looking pleased in front of the American flag]( Getty Images A Slam Dunk Despite ducking out of the debates, holding far fewer state events than his rivals, and being under four criminal indictments, Donald Trump just won the Iowa Republican caucuses by a record margin. Here are the main takeaways: Trump triumphant: The former president won 51% of the vote, cementing his position as the GOP frontrunner. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came a distant second with 21.2%, edging former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who won 19.1%. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy came fourth, dropped out, and endorsed Trump. Change of tune: Trump's Iowa win reflected a more focused, better-organized effort than that of 2016, when he lost to Ted Cruz. He was uncharacteristically complimentary of his rivals, describing them as “very capable people" — but his main message was that it's time they gave up their campaigns, and fell in line. "We’re going to come together... soon, too,” he said. Coming up: The next contest is in New Hampshire on January 23. Though DeSantis projected confidence coming out of Iowa, his positive spin may not be enough to beat Haley a second time — especially given her stronger polling in the Granite State. Before that though, Trump is heading to New York for his second defamation trial over sexual assault claims brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, which kicks off today. Trump's resounding success in Iowa begs the question: Just how is he generating so much support? I had [a fascinating discussion with Sarah Longwell](, publisher of The Bulwark, a center-right media org that represents Republicans and Conservatives who are not into Donald Trump, about just that. [WATCH HERE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FC2JI8RZtxom%2F   More Stories [Noa Argamani's father, Yakov Argamani, speaks to media outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, now known as ''Hostages Square.'']( Noa Argamani's father, Yakov Argamani, speaks to media outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, now known as "Hostages Square." (Getty Images) Israel-Hamas war: Israel has accused Hamas of "psychological torment" after the group released a video yesterday showing what appeared to be two dead hostages. In the footage, hostage Noa Argamani, a 26-year-old student, said that Itai Svirsky and Yossi Sharabi had been killed in Israeli strikes. She seemed to be reading from a script. As regional hostilities continue to escalate, U.S. Central Command reports that a Houthi ballistic missile hit a U.S. cargo ship on Monday — and Iran claims to have destroyed an Israeli spy base in northern Iraq. Tech watch: OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, has announced new plans to tackle misinformation ahead of this year's presidential election. This will be the first election cycle in which generative AI tools will be widely available — not just to political campaigns, but to voters. Open AI says it's working to anticipate relevant abuse, like "misleading deepfakes, scaled influence operations, or chatbots impersonating candidates." Sinister signs: Six people who were reported missing in Missouri in August are believed to have been lured into an online cult. Naaman Williams, 29, Gerielle German, 26, her 3-year-old son Ashton Mitchell, Mikayla Thompson, 23, Ma’Kayla Wickerson, 25, and her 3-year daughter, Malaiyah, haven't been seen for months. Police say the four adults are thought to have become followers of Rashad Jamal. Jamal, a convicted child molester currently serving 18 years in prison in Georgia, runs what he calls the "University of Cosmic Intelligence," which claims to "enlighten" Black and Latino people.   TV's Biggest Night [Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Allen White, Ali Wong holding Emmy Awards]( Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Allen White, Ali Wong (KCM/Getty Images) After being delayed from September due to the writers' and actors' strikes that paralyzed Hollywood for much of 2023, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards finally lit up Los Angeles last night. The gala celebrated the year's best television, and we've got the scoop on [the must-see shows that took home trophies]( — plus, a look at the best outfits to grace the red carpet. [SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS](   Must-Reads [Silhouette of a woman drinking from a wine glass]( Everything in Moderation If Dry January isn't right for you, how about trying Damp January? We've got tips for cutting down your drinking without totally giving it up. [Read More »]( [Illustration of an older couple dancing]( The Magic of Middle Age Author Chip Conley shares what this stretch of life has in common with adolescence — and why we should be celebrating that. [Read More »]( [Pickleball paddle]( Words of Warning If you're among the growing number of pickleball fanatics in the U.S., don't miss our report about the game's most common injuries. [Read More »](   Lucrative Lessons There’s nothing like personalized goal setting to help you meet your money goals. And thanks to our partners at Capital One, this help is totally free: With [their Money & Life Program](, you’ll get no-cost meetings with a mentor who can illuminate the path to hitting your financial targets. You don’t even have to bank with Capital One to take advantage, so what are you waiting for? [LEARN MORE]( [Sponsored by Capital One](   Calling All Foodies... [Illustration of a hand holding a sandwich]( KCM Looking for magnificent meals to shake up your usual kitchen routine? [Sign up for Good Taste, our new food-focused newsletter](, and you'll get our favorite recipes delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday. [SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE](   Looking Ahead We asked outstanding business leaders for their predictions about [the biggest professional trends they're expecting]( in 2024, and we'll share their answers throughout January. Today, we turn to Dafna Mizrahi, CEO and co-founder of Curamia Tequila: “With 72% of global consumers willing to pay more for sustainable products, we’ll see a larger focus in 2024 on environmental awareness in the spirits industry. At Curamia Tequila, our marketing uses clay cups instead of the standard glass or plastic, and we encourage cocktails to be served with agave straws. We also operate fully digitally, even down to our business cards. We’ll see more brands prioritize the environment this year, and this momentum will push professionals to think more holistically about sustainability.”   Get It While You Can Did you miss the chance to buy [this off-the-shoulder jumpsuit by Spanx]( because it sold out? Well, lucky you: It was just restocked. This chic and casual all-in-one is versatile, well-made, and supremely comfy. [Spanx jumpsuit]( [SHOP HERE](   [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. If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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