“Pure Political Cowardice”

Pompeo's Folly • Trump's COVID Negligence • Koch Spills Regrets [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair]( “Pure Political Cowardice” Good morning from the Hive newsroom! Donald Trump “is refusing to acknowledge two realities: his defeat and COVID-19,” NBC’s Chuck Todd said on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.” As Charlotte Klein [writes](, “both forms of denial appear to be merging with potentially devastating consequences.” Meanwhile, diplomatic sources [tell]( Abigail Tracy it was “outrageous” and “absolutely disgraceful” for Mike Pompeo to help fuel the lie that Trump beat Joe Biden. “You can’t get up at the podium as secretary of state and joke about a coup,” a former ambassador said. Republican Senators, too, have caved to Trump’s election denial. “This is pure political cowardice,” Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen [tells]( Chris Smith. Thanks for reading! [“He Is Playing With Fire Now”: Why Mike Pompeo’s Postelection Trump Worship Carries Real Risks]( By [Abigail Tracy]( [Pompeo’s recent authoritarian remark alarmed diplomats—“You can’t get up at the podium as secretary of state and joke about a coup,” says one. His commitment to his own political future could imperil the country, even as it endears him to the desperate president.]( [Image]( [The Hive 1]( [“They’re Thinking About Their Own Political Self-Interest”: After Biden’s Win, How Far Will Republicans Go to Placate Trump?]( By [Chris Smith]( [A few have (barely) acknowledged Biden’s victory, but the remainder, including Mitch McConnell, are tacking close to the president to avoid pissing off his base. “You can’t ever discount the fact that they’re absolutely terrified of Trump,” says a senior congressional Democratic insider.]( [Read More]( [The Hive 2]( [Trump Has Been Skipping White House COVID Meetings for Months]( By [Charlotte Klein]( [The president’s negligence in addressing the raging pandemic—coupled with his refusal to accept the election results—risks further plunging the country into chaos.]( [Read More]( [The Hive 3]( [Oops, My Bad: Charles Koch Says He Regrets Dividing the Country, but Not Enough to Stop Funneling Shit Tons of Money to Republicans]( By [Bess Levin]( [One of the worst people has characterized his society-ruining mistakes like they’re akin to accidentally hitting someone’s side mirror with your car.]( [Read More]( [The Hive 4]( [Trump Apparently Thinks Rudy Giuliani Can Save His Flailing Court Battles]( By [Charlotte Klein]( [With his so-called election-fraud lawsuits being thrown out left and right, the president has tapped his personal lawyer to spearhead his campaign’s remaining legal options. Insiders are reportedly “concerned.”]( [Read More]( Get on the list Subscribe to our Hollywood newsletter for your essential industry and awards-season news, every day. [Sign Up Now]( [(image) Condé Nast Spotlight | The breaking news and top stories everyone is talking about. All in one place. The most popular stories from Vogue, GQ, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, Architectural Digest and more. STAY INFORMED]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( This e-mail 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]( Sent from Condé Nast, 1 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007 Copyright © 2020 Condé Nast