Trump’s State Department Goes Full Kardashian

[View this email in your browser]( [images-hive-logo (1).jpg]( Trump’s State Department Goes Full Kardashian Good morning, dear reader! It was another disheartening day for poor woebegone Donald Trump, a bathrobe-wearing bathmophobiac and struggling crisis-management consultant, who occasionally dabbles in racial provocation and genocidal brinkmanship. Sarah Ellison [reported]( on the fall of the House of Lauer; Emily Jane Fox [examined]( the First Daughter’s putative second act as a sports consultant; Tina Nguyen [went through the looking glass]( with Project Veritas; and Maya Kosoff [detailed]( Dara Khosrowshahi’s Dante-esque punch list of challenges at Uber. Meanwhile, the Hive’s crack team of reporters dutifully chronicled the [agita inside Time Inc.]( Trump’s [deteriorating mental state]( Robert Mueller’s [latest target]( and Kushner Companies’ hilariously [tone-deaf holiday gift](. But who wants to talk about yesterday’s news, anyway? Today, we lead with Abigail Tracy’s insider report on the reality-show shake-up underway in the State Department, where Rex Tillerson is being pushed out, the C.I.A. director is reportedly stepping in, and the West Wing is in full Kardashian mode over the race to replace Mike Pompeo. Chris Smith ruminates on the tantalizing possibility of Obama teaming up with Mueller. And Henry Porter contemplates the end of Trump’s “special relationship” with Theresa May. We hope that you’re enjoying what you’re reading. Have a great day! [Mike Pompeo; Rex Tillerson] “It’s All but a Done Deal”: Insiders Brace for Mike Pompeo to Take Over the State Department By Abigail Tracy Rex Tillerson may step down as early as January—and diplomats believe that Pompeo’s replacement has already been selected. “It Was Just the Two of Them”: Could Obama Be Questioned About Trump and Flynn? By Chris Smith Robert Mueller would no doubt be interested in what 44 told 45 regarding the former national security adviser. But will he ask him? The End of the “Special Relationship”: From Churchill and F.D.R. to May and Trump By Henry Porter God help us, dear reader. Will Mark Halperin’s Harassment Scandal Be a Game Changer? By James Wolcott Halperin, Trump stenographer, is now dealing with the aftermath of his own scandal that has cost him a publishing deal and his reputation. The Big Tech Backlash Is Reaching a Tipping Point By Maya Kosoff As Facebook, Google, and Twitter lose the faith of their lawmakers and the trust of their users, a paradigm shift seems underway in Silicon Valley. [] [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( This email was sent to you by The Hive. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e–mail address, [vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com]( to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( Copyright © Condé Nast 2017. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10038. All rights reserved.