Poisonous books are all the rage

But first: the countdown is on — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today July 25, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [daily_skimm] [Together with]( [nbc peacock]( But first: [the countdown is on]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( Quote of the Day "I got bored, that's about it" — Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, on what inspired his [viral new haircut](. OK, Slim Shady. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=QB Joe Burrow scored a new look #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening [President Biden] Politics Biden Addresses the Nation for the First Time Since Ending His Reelection Bid What's going on: Speaking from the Oval Office last night, President Biden said he dropped out of the 2024 election “[in defense of democracy](” and “to pass the torch to a new generation.” In his 11-minute speech, Biden — who is still recovering from Covid — spoke of the country’s need for fresh and “yes, younger voices.” He touched on his administration’s accomplishments, from appointing a Black woman to the Supreme Court to signing the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years. The president also [outlined plans]( for his remaining time in office, including ending the Israel-Hamas war, calling for reforms to the Supreme Court, and supporting cancer research. Biden also urged Americans to “preserve our democracy" and reminded voters “kings and dictators do not rule — the people do.” What it means: President Biden is the first commander in chief [in more than 50 years]( to not seek a second term. His speech marked the beginning of the end of his White House tenure, as he enters a lame-duck presidency. Yet, his farewell-style address [did little to directly answer]( what finally led him to end his campaign with less than four months until Election Day. Meanwhile, it’s not clear how much more Biden will be able to accomplish during the remainder of his term — especially as Republicans control the House. While his political career has spanned more than 50 years, Biden’s legacy may come down to whether or not Vice President Kamala Harris, whom the president described last night as “experienced” and “tough,” can beat former President Trump in November. Related: [A Look at Biden’s Legacy So Far and His Political Career]( (AP) Politics Racist, Sexist Hate Speech Spikes Days Into Kamala Harris’ Campaign What's going on: Vice President Kamala Harris stands to be the first Black and South Asian female presidential candidate — a [point of attack]( among conservatives. Right-wing politicians and media personalities have called Harris a “[DEI candidate](,” attributing her political career to her skin color. Harris has also been accused of [sleeping her way]( to the top and is the target of unvalidated “birther” conspiracies due to her immigrant heritage. Meanwhile, her husband, Doug Emhoff, is on the receiving end of [antisemitic attacks](. Recent analysis from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) found that [hateful and violent speech]( toward Harris rose 33% on Truth Social and 50% on Telegram from July 19 to July 21. What it means: Harris isn’t the first candidate to face these kinds of attacks. Former President Obama and Hillary Clinton got their fair share of it. However, Harris could be getting the worst of it. Even during the 2020 Democratic primaries, the [Wilson Center]( found that Harris faced more gendered abuse and targeted disinformation than other female candidates. Now, some congressional Republican leaders are [warning their members]( from using that playbook against Harris, urging them to focus on her political career and policies under the Biden administration. That’s because racist or misogynistic attacks against Harris could alienate swing voters like suburban women or voters of color. Related: [Opinion: JD Vance and the “Cat Lady” Conundrum]( (Glamour) US News Fatal Police Shooting of Sonya Massey Sparks Nationwide Outrage What's going on: The [killing of Sonya Massey](, a 36-year-old Black woman and mother, by a white sheriff’s deputy in Illinois earlier this month is drawing national attention. [Police body camera footage]( — released earlier this week — shows Sean Grayson, a 30-year-old sheriff’s deputy, shooting an unarmed Massey in the head in her kitchen after she called 911 to report a possible intruder in her home. Grayson has worked at six law enforcement agencies in four years, according to records from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. A grand jury [indicted]( him last week on several charges, including three counts of first-degree murder. The Department of Justice said it is “assessing the circumstances” and will follow the case. What it means: Massey’s killing is a stark reminder of how quickly police encounters can turn violent for Black people, even when they call for help. Black Americans make up about 14% of the US population but are killed at more than twice the rate of white Americans, according to [The Washington Post’s database]( on police shootings. Massey is one of several Black women killed by police in their homes in recent years, like [Breonna Taylor]( and [Atatiana Jefferson](. Her death has [renewed calls for police reforms](, which have taken a back seat in the years following George Floyd’s murder. Related: [Massey’s Father Says the Family Was “Misled” About How She Died]( (People) Quick Hits 🎧 What are [Olympians]( listening to when they warm up? Of course, there’s a playlist for that. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🇺🇸 How does it feel to be named Team USA’s flag-bearer? Just [ask Coco Gauff](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👀 The world got a [look at Cher’s memoir](. You won’t Believe how long it is. --------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 That really old book on your shelf [might actually be toxic](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎤 Timothée Chalamet finally showed off his [Bob Dylan vocals](. Lil' Timmy Tim has come a long way. Election 2024 [Gretchen Whitmer] “This next election is going to have profound consequences for all of us, but especially for younger voters, especially for those of us who thought some of these rights [were] enshrined in law [but] are now very much at risk.” theSkimm’s co-founders and co-CEOs, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, spoke with Michigan Governor and Kamala Harris' campaign co-chair Gretchen Whitmer about the Democratic ticket Veepstakes, how the party should appeal to conservative and independent women, her new book, and more. [Listen to the conversation here](. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… Amp up your body’s “un-hunger” hormone with [this science-backed GLP-1 probiotic](. It’s formulated to curb cravings and help you [feel your best all summer long](.* --------------------------------------------------------------- When it comes to high-rise leggings, [this buttery-soft, moisture-wicking pair]( is at the top of our list. Go ahead, [pick out your favorite color (or three)](, we won’t tell.* --------------------------------------------------------------- Here are the books our Skimm Reads editors can't stop talking about, including a [juicy memoir]( by a former hedge fund employee and a [Toni Morrison novella]( that should be required reading. --------------------------------------------------------------- This TikTok-famous [Cooling Water Jelly Tint]( is exactly as refreshing as it sounds. More summer-proof makeup recs, [right this way](. Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Extra Credit [Image from "The Decameron"] Watch If you’re a fan of Love Island, there’s a good chance you’ll also be into [The Decameron](, a new Netflix series about a group of medieval nobles — stay with us — who try to avoid the bubonic plague by escaping to a villa outside Florence with some servants. The result? A dark comedy featuring plenty of romance, drama, and shenanigans. Loosely inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th-century story collection of the same name, the eight episodes — described as a “[wine-soaked sex romp in the Italian countryside](” — star Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, and Tanya Reynolds. Funny, weird, and filled with “[edge-of-your-seat plot twists](,” The Decameron might just give your favorite reality dating show a run for its money. For more recs... Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well. Settle This [Prince William of England looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.] Prince William’s [annual salary]( was revealed in a new royal report. Can you guess how much he made? [A. $15 million]( [B. $30 million]( [C. $50 million]( Game Time [Words]( Brick Breaker meets word search in [Spelltower](, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. [Try it](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( | [Pile-Up Poker]( Skimm Well [brat girl summer]( Honestly, same — but there’s something else that can help: the Skimm Well newsletter. When you sign up, you’ll get expert-backed advice and info in your inbox every week, so you can take control of your mental and physical health. [Subscribe now]( Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Chantal Vaca, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff. --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Evan Vucci, Inaki Esnaola via Getty Images, Brand Partners, Netflix Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to all theSkimm has to offer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? 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